NASA has moved its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft to the launch pad at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, marking a major step toward sending humans to the Moon for the first time in over five decades. The transfer, lasting about 12 hours, positions the Artemis-2 mission for final testing before a possible launch on February 6. The mission will carry three American astronauts and one Canadian on a roughly 10-day journey around the Moon without landing.

The Artemis-2 mission, announced during former President Donald Trump’s first term, is viewed as a key milestone in the United States’ renewed lunar ambitions. Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen attended the rollout, expressing excitement about the upcoming flight. Engineers will now conduct a series of safety tests, including a full simulation, before liftoff. NASA previously completed the uncrewed Artemis-1 mission in November 2022.

The report notes that China is also advancing its lunar program, aiming to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030. Analysts suggest U.S. urgency stems partly from China’s progress, while uncertainty remains over the 2027 Artemis-3 mission due to delays in SpaceX’s Starship rocket development.

Cesarean operations at the Goaland Upazila Health Complex in Rajbari have been suspended for over six months due to the prolonged absence of key doctors and severe staff shortages. The 50-bed hospital, serving around 150,000 people, currently operates with only 10 of its 19 approved junior consultant positions filled. Among the absentees are the gynecology consultant Dr. Sabrina Meher, who has not been attending regularly since mid-2024, and two other consultants who left without leave. Hospital officials confirmed that Dr. Meher’s absence has led to a complete halt in cesarean procedures since June.

The hospital’s operation theater remains unused, and several critical consultant positions in medicine, orthopedics, ophthalmology, ENT, dermatology, and emergency care are vacant. As a result, only a handful of officers are managing the entire facility. The Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer stated that Dr. Meher’s salary has been suspended and the issue reported to higher authorities. Meanwhile, accident victims from the nearby Dhaka–Khulna highway face life-threatening delays due to the lack of doctors.

Officials expressed hope that upcoming government recruitment through the 48th BCS might ease the staffing crisis, but locals warned that essential and emergency services could collapse completely if the shortage continues.

At a discussion held on Sunday at the Krishibid Institute in Dhaka, Jartaj Parveen Safak, mother of Shaheed Shafik Uddin Ahmed Ahnaf, alleged that her son’s killer remains free despite being visible to her. She said her trust in the interim government has collapsed, as the expectations tied to its formation have not been fulfilled. Ahnaf, a student of BF Shaheen College, was reportedly shot dead on August 4 in Mirpur-10 while participating in a protest.

The meeting was organized between BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman and families of those killed or injured in the July uprising. BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan presided over the event, which was attended by other senior party leaders. Addressing Rahman, Safak urged that justice be ensured for the slain youths and criticized political favoritism, saying her family was not affiliated with any party.

Safak expressed hope that BNP would win the next election and deliver justice for the victims of political violence, emphasizing that ordinary citizens seek recognition for all martyrs.

Bangladesh has refused to play its T20 World Cup matches in India citing security concerns, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) remains firm on its decision. The BCB prefers to play its matches in Sri Lanka instead. A meeting between the BCB and the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Dhaka ended without a final decision on the matter. During the discussions, one option considered was to move Bangladesh to a different group to minimize logistical changes.

As part of that proposal, Bangladesh could have joined Group C, replacing Ireland, while Ireland would move to Group B. However, Cricket Ireland (CI) dismissed the possibility of such a group swap. The BCB described the meeting as constructive, friendly, and professional, noting that both sides exchanged views openly on relevant issues.

No final resolution was reached, leaving the question of Bangladesh’s participation venue in the upcoming T20 World Cup still undecided.

A man named Mizanur Rahman, also known as Roni, who was accused in six criminal cases, was beaten to death in public at Kabirhat upazila of Noakhali on Saturday night. The attack occurred around 10:30 p.m. near Kazi Bari in Kalirhat market area under Narottampur Union. After the killing, a group of youths reportedly distributed sweets in the market, calling the deceased a robber, which sparked widespread discussion in the area.

According to police and local sources, Mizan had earlier attended a BNP ward-level election meeting at Kalirhat market, where he claimed to be a dedicated party worker and got into an argument with others. After leaving the meeting, several individuals caught him near Kazi Bari and beat him with sticks and iron pipes, causing his death on the spot. Police later recovered his body, a blood-stained stick, an iron pipe, and a toy pistol from the scene.

Kabirhat police said Mizan had been involved in various criminal activities in recent months. His body was sent to Noakhali General Hospital morgue for autopsy, and legal action will follow upon filing of a case by his family.

Authorities in Indonesia have recovered the wreckage of a missing fisheries surveillance aircraft in the mountainous and fog-covered region of South Sulawesi province. The plane, owned by Indonesia Air Transport Group, lost contact with air traffic control around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, while flying over the Maros area. It was carrying eight crew members and three passengers, all linked to a ministry mission monitoring fisheries, and was en route from Yogyakarta province to Makassar, the provincial capital.

On Sunday morning, January 18, local rescue teams identified the wreckage near Mount Bulusaraung after a helicopter crew spotted a broken window fragment. Rescue chief Muhammad Arif Anwar said operations have been intensified, with up to 1,200 personnel ready for deployment. The search for the missing 11 remains the top priority, and there is still hope that some may be alive.

Dense fog, rugged terrain, and strong winds have hampered rescue efforts. Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee will investigate the cause of the crash, which experts suggest may involve multiple contributing factors.

Portugal is holding its presidential election today, Saturday, January 18, amid deep political polarization that followed the 2025 parliamentary polls. Analysts describe the vote as a test of stability for the country, where 11 candidates are competing. Polls show that voters are most concerned about the national health system, immigration policy, and the worsening housing crisis. The new president is expected to play a moral and political role in shaping these policy debates.

Among the main contenders, Socialist Party-backed António José Seguro presents himself as a defender of democracy, the constitution, and public services. Center-right coalition candidate Luís Marques Mendes, a former PSD leader, represents traditional conservative politics and enjoys government and conservative backing. Independent candidate Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo, known for leading the COVID-19 vaccination drive, positions himself above party divisions. Leftist candidate Catarina Martins emphasizes wages, pensions, and social protection, while far-right Chega leader André Ventura has gained support through anti-immigration and law-and-order rhetoric.

A joint TVI–CNN poll shows Mendes narrowly leading Seguro, with Ventura rising but still outside the top two. Analysts say the outcome will shape the balance between left and right forces and signal the future of far-right politics in Portugal.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday issued arrest warrants against former Dhaka South City mayor Fazle Noor Taposh, former textiles and jute minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and 22 others in connection with the killing of nine people, including Farhan Faiyaz and Mahmudul Hasan Soikat, during the July uprising in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area. The three-member judicial panel, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, passed the order after taking formal charges into cognizance.

According to the prosecution, the accused include former senior police officials and leaders of the now-banned local units of Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League. Four accused are already in custody, identified as local Chhatra League leaders. The chief prosecutor, Tazul Islam, presented three charges alleging that Awami League, Chhatra League, and law enforcement personnel carried out brutal attacks on student protesters on July 18–19, 2024, resulting in nine deaths and numerous injuries.

The tribunal accepted the charges and ordered the fugitives to appear before it on January 29. The prosecution stated that 50 witnesses are expected to testify against the accused.

A Bangladeshi citizen and voter, Md. Mamun Hawlader, has submitted a written petition to the Chief Election Commissioner alleging that the Election Commission violated the Constitution and Supreme Court rulings regarding dual citizenship. The petition claims that under Articles 66(g) and 66(2a) of the Constitution, no foreign or dual citizen may contest parliamentary elections until their foreign citizenship is legally renounced. However, the Commission has reportedly validated nominations based only on applications for renunciation, which the petitioner argues contravenes constitutional and judicial directives.

The petition cites a High Court order in writ petition No. 16463/2023, which states that a person remains a foreign citizen until their renunciation is legally accepted, and that merely applying is insufficient. This order remains upheld by the Appellate Division. The petitioner further alleges that the Commission has accepted affidavits and reconsideration requests beyond its legal authority.

The petitioner’s lawyer, Advocate Sakil Ahmad, stated that approving nominations based on pending applications undermines both the Constitution and public trust in the electoral system, emphasizing that the Election Commission cannot act above Supreme Court rulings.

Sheikh Muhammad Zainal Abedin, the Islami Andolan candidate for Chandpur-3 (Sadar and Haimchar), has publicly appealed for financial assistance from voters to meet his election expenses. The appeal was made through a detailed Facebook post shortly after midnight on January 17, 2026. In the post, Abedin shared his personal mobile banking and bank account details, urging supporters to contribute within the legal spending limit set by the Election Commission.

Abedin stated that his constituency has 522,247 voters and that he can legally spend up to 5.22 million taka, based on the rule of 10 taka per voter. He emphasized transparency and pledged to publish a full account of all received and spent funds. His campaign slogan, “Vote and pay to build a corruption-free Bangladesh,” reflects his call for a change in electoral culture. The candidate also declared that Islami Andolan will contest the election independently, not as part of any alliance.

Local political circles in Chandpur have noted that Abedin’s approach mirrors earlier crowdfunding appeals by candidates in Dhaka-9, Barishal-3, and Noakhali-6 constituencies.

The student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, staged a sit-in on Sunday morning in front of the Election Commission (EC) office in Agargaon, Dhaka. The protest was organized to denounce alleged bias in postal ballot management for the upcoming parliamentary election and to oppose several controversial EC decisions. As of the time of reporting, the sit-in was ongoing, and the organization planned to submit a memorandum to the commission.

Chhatra Dal president Rakibul Islam Rakib accused the EC of acting under the influence of a particular political party, claiming that the commission’s actions were intended to undermine his organization. He further alleged that the EC played a similar role in the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology student union election as it did in the Jagannath University polls.

The group’s three main complaints include biased and questionable EC decisions on postal ballots, decisions made under political pressure that undermine the commission’s independence, and a controversial directive regarding the Shahjalal University student election that they say threatens democratic practices on campus.

Five activists of Jamaat-e-Islami were injured in an attack allegedly carried out by BNP members in Dhunat upazila of Bogura. The incident occurred on Saturday evening at Elengi Bazar, where Jamaat activists were campaigning in favor of the 'Yes' vote. According to Jamaat’s upazila secretary Abdul Karim, local BNP leader Ataur Rahman Palash and his associates tried to stop the campaign, leading to a heated argument that escalated into violence.

During the clash, BNP activists reportedly used sticks and bricks, injuring five Jamaat members identified as Ziaur Rahman Thandu, Ayub Ali, Masud Rana, Abu Bakkar, and Samiul Islam Sonet. Following the incident, Jamaat filed a case naming 14 individuals and accusing around fifty unidentified BNP activists.

Dhunat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Atikul Islam confirmed the filing of the case. The situation highlights ongoing political tensions in the area surrounding the 'Yes' vote campaign.

The Election Commission (EC) has declared the nomination of former Awami League minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui valid for contesting the Tangail-4 constituency as an independent candidate. The decision came on Sunday afternoon following an appeal hearing at the commission.

The appeal against Siddiqui’s nomination was filed by Md. Liaqat Ali, the Jatiya Party candidate for the same seat. Liaqat Ali’s lawyer argued that Siddiqui should be disqualified from the national election for being a leader of a banned political party. In response, Election Commissioner Rahmanel Ma’sud stated that while the party was banned, no individual had been personally prohibited from contesting. After hearing all sides, the commission decided to uphold Siddiqui’s nomination.

Abdul Latif Siddiqui previously served as the Minister of Textiles and Jute in the Awami League government from 2009 to 2014.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has pledged to establish a separate division under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs for the July movement fighters if his party comes to power. He made the announcement on Sunday afternoon at a discussion meeting held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Dhaka’s Khamarbari area. The event was attended by families of those killed and injured during the July movement.

During the meeting, Tarique Rahman said that the July fighters of 2024 played a role in defending the country’s sovereignty similar to that of the freedom fighters of 1971. He also promised that a future BNP government would identify and resolve the problems faced by the families of those killed and injured in the July movement. Senior BNP leaders including Nazrul Islam Khan and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, as well as his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman, were present at the event.

The announcement signals BNP’s intention to formally recognize the July movement participants through institutional measures if it assumes office.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman held a meeting with families of those killed and injured in the July movement. The discussion took place on Sunday at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Dhaka’s Khamarbari area. Senior BNP leaders, including Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, attended the event. Tarique Rahman’s wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, was also present.

During the meeting, relatives of the victims expressed their grief and called for justice for those killed during the movement. The mother of Shaheed Anas voiced hope that if Tarique Rahman’s party came to power, the killings would be investigated and justice ensured. Another mother, Fatematuz Johara, shared emotional memories of her deceased sons and thanked the BNP for their support during her family’s hardship. She expressed confidence that a future BNP government would prioritize justice for the victims.

The event reflected the families’ continuing demand for accountability and their expectation that the BNP leadership would address unresolved cases if it returns to power.