Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodríguez stated on Tuesday that no foreign power governs her country. Speaking on national television, she emphasized that Venezuela is under its own government’s authority and not directed by any external force. Her remarks came amid heightened tensions following a U.S. military operation in the country.

Venezuela’s Prosecutor General Tarek William Saab called for the immediate release of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, describing the U.S. military action as an illegal armed aggression lacking a declaration of war or United Nations Security Council authorization. The Venezuelan government released a list of 24 soldiers killed in the operation, while Cuba reported the deaths of 32 of its military members. Rodríguez declared seven days of national mourning in their memory.

Since Maduro’s detention from his residence, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has not clarified its plans for Venezuela. Trump said the United States would run the country, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that U.S. officials would provide guidance on how it should be governed.

The long-awaited Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) and hall elections concluded peacefully on Tuesday after several postponements. Despite scattered allegations of bias among candidates, voting took place smoothly under tight security and administrative oversight. Voter turnout was lower than expected, with 65 percent casting ballots for the central union and 77 percent for hall councils. However, counting faced delays due to mechanical faults in the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) machines, preventing the election commission from starting tallying for over six hours.

Vote counting began around 6:15 p.m. but was suspended due to crowding and later halted again when machines produced inconsistent results. The commission and university administration held meetings with candidates and faculty representatives to resolve the issue. Election Commissioner Professor Kaniz Fatema Kakli said a manual count of 300 votes would be cross-checked with two OMR machines to determine which device matched manual results, and counting would proceed accordingly.

The election featured four panels representing different student political affiliations, with 157 candidates competing for 36 positions across the central and hall unions.

The Commission of Inquiry on enforced disappearances submitted its final report to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on January 4, 2026, concluding that abductions and secret detentions in Bangladesh were not isolated incidents but part of a planned, coordinated, and sustained state system within the military and security structure. The report states that responsibility extends beyond field-level soldiers to operational units, mid-level commanders, intelligence leadership, and top decision-makers.

According to the commission, field officers executed blindfolded abductions and illegal detentions without formal arrest records, while mid-level commanders and intelligence units maintained and coordinated these operations. The report cites evidence of systematic cooperation among units, including the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). It also rejects claims by senior officers that they were unaware of such activities, noting that detention cells were located near commanding offices and that senior officials regularly inspected them.

The commission concludes that enforced disappearances were used as a political control mechanism rather than for national security. It criticizes the use of military law to avoid accountability, noting that enforced disappearance is not recognized as a crime under that framework.

The Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) election results from six of 39 centers were announced on Wednesday morning. According to the JAKSU Election Commission, Shibir-backed vice president candidate Riazul Islam is leading in five centers with a total of 585 votes, while Chhatra Dal-backed candidate A.K.M. Rakib leads in one center with 547 votes. The vote difference between the two VP candidates across the six centers stands at 38.

The results were declared at around 8:30 a.m. after a temporary suspension of vote counting the previous night due to a technical fault in the counting machine. The issue was resolved, and counting resumed after a long break. Detailed results from departments including Computer Science, Genetic Engineering, Geography, Anthropology, Public Administration, and Pharmacy show close competition between the two panels for VP, GS, and AGS posts.

The election process continues as results from the remaining 33 centers are yet to be published, leaving the final outcome still open.

US President Donald Trump stated that the United States is not waging war against Venezuela but is instead fighting international drug cartels. He made the remarks in an interview with NBC News, according to a report by Russia’s TASS news agency. Trump claimed that US operations are directed at groups involved in drug trafficking and accused some countries of sending drug addicts and mentally ill individuals to the United States after emptying their prisons and mental institutions.

Discussing Venezuela’s political situation, Trump emphasized that the White House does not expect new elections to take place in the country within the next 30 days. He said elections are not possible under the current conditions and that stability must be restored before citizens can safely vote. Trump also named several US officials responsible for Venezuela-related matters, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and Vice President JD Vance.

Trump noted that each of these officials brings distinct expertise and experience to handling Venezuela-related issues.

The Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) election results for four of 39 centers were announced on Wednesday morning. According to the Election Commission, Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed vice president candidate Riazul Islam is leading in three centers, while Chhatra Dal’s candidate A.K.M. Rakib is ahead in one. The results were declared around 7:45 a.m. after counting resumed following a technical interruption.

In the Geography and Environment, Anthropology, and Pharmacy departments, Riazul Islam secured more votes than his Chhatra Dal rival. In the Public Administration department, however, Rakib gained a narrow lead. Shibir candidates also performed strongly in the General Secretary and Assistant General Secretary positions across several departments. The vote counts varied by department, reflecting a competitive race between the two student organizations.

Vote counting had been temporarily halted the previous night at 9:20 p.m. due to a technical fault in the counting machines. After resolving the issue, the Election Commission resumed the process following a long break, allowing partial results to be released.

An editorial commentary expressed outrage over recent attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, calling the incidents reckless acts that dishonor the legacy of slain activist Osman Hadi. The author said the violence, carried out by a small group of offenders, endangered the state and undermined Hadi’s struggle. The government was criticized for failing to prevent the attacks, though several suspects have since been arrested.

The piece argued that claims of such attacks being unprecedented were false, listing twelve previous incidents of media suppression or assault since 1972 under various governments. It noted that both local and foreign actors, including diplomats and political parties across the spectrum, condemned the attacks and expressed solidarity with the targeted newspapers. The writer also alleged that elite media and civil society figures enjoy special privileges and foreign support, while smaller outlets face isolation.

The commentary concluded by warning of renewed political polarization and alleged conspiracies against the author’s newspaper, asserting readiness to resist what it described as anti-Islamic and foreign-influenced forces.

BNP-nominated candidate Rashed Khan has said that voting for him in the Jhenaidah-4 constituency means voting for BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. He made the statement in a video message on Tuesday afternoon, emphasizing that the party’s high command, including Tarique Rahman, nominated him for the seat. Following his nomination, he began his election campaign in the area.

Rashed Khan described Jhenaidah-4 as a BNP-leaning constituency where candidates with the party’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, have previously won multiple times. He said local voters have strong trust in the symbol. He added that although several BNP leaders were interested in contesting from the seat, the party ultimately chose him. Addressing those disappointed by the nomination decision, he called for unity and urged everyone to strengthen the party instead of running as independents.

He further stated that a vote for the paddy sheaf would bring BNP to power, ensuring national progress and fulfilling the dreams of the youth.

Nearly 300 leaders and activists from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s Sherpur district branch joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Tuesday afternoon at the Sherpur district BNP office. The group, led by chief coordinator Farhan Fuad Tuhin, was welcomed with flowers by Dr. Sansila Zebrin Priyanka, BNP’s nominated candidate for Sherpur-1 constituency and joint convener of the district BNP, along with Sherpur Sadar Upazila BNP convener Md. Hazrat Ali.

Prominent new members include coordinators Al Mamun Sarkar and Arafat Rahman Talukder, organizer Nahim Ahmed Niloy, and several committee secretaries. Tuhin said their 2024 movement aimed to secure rights and build a new Bangladesh, a vision they now believe BNP chairman Tarique Rahman can realize. Priyanka stated that the BNP’s 31-point plan outlines the framework for rebuilding the country and expressed confidence that the new members’ inclusion would strengthen BNP’s local organizations.

Several district and upazila BNP, volunteer, and student leaders were present at the event, which party representatives said would enhance BNP’s organizational strength in Sherpur.

Vote counting for the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) election remained incomplete late Wednesday night after technical issues forced a manual recount. Despite resuming the process around 12:45 a.m., election officials could not finish counting 278 ballots from the Department of Anthropology within three hours. Election Commissioner Professor Dr. Shahidul Islam said the commission decided to manually count votes from one center with about 300 ballots before using two OMR machines. The machine whose results match the manual count will be used for the remaining centers.

Voting took place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. across 39 centers and 178 booths, with a total of 16,645 registered voters. The election had been postponed from December 30 following the death of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and was rescheduled for January 6 after student protests.

Major panels contesting include those backed by Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir, Chhatra Shakti, and left-leaning groups, alongside independent candidates.

A total of 164 candidates have appealed to the Election Commission (EC) in the past two days against the returning officers’ decisions regarding acceptance and rejection of nomination papers for the 13th parliamentary election. According to the EC’s central appeal booth, 42 appeals were filed on Monday and 122 on Tuesday.

As per the election schedule, December 29 was the last date for submitting nomination papers. The returning officers scrutinized the submissions from December 30 to January 4. Appeals are being accepted from January 5 to 9, and the EC will resolve them between January 10 and 18. The final date for withdrawal of candidacy is January 20, while the final list of candidates and symbol allocation will be announced on January 21.

Election campaigning is scheduled to begin on January 22 and continue until the morning of February 10. Voting for the 13th parliamentary election will take place on February 12.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has called on the Election Commission (EC) to withdraw its decision to cover accommodation and meal expenses for foreign election observers. In a statement issued on Tuesday, TIB described the move as shortsighted, discriminatory, and a source of conflict of interest, arguing that it contradicts the principles of impartial and independent election observation and signals continued authoritarian tendencies in the electoral process.

TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the EC’s justification that foreign observers’ presence would enhance the election’s credibility was weak and counterproductive. He questioned why similar support was not extended to domestic observers and warned that such benefits could make foreign observers appear biased or hired. He also expressed doubt about their ability to assess the election independently while being hosted by the EC.

Iftekharuzzaman further urged foreign observers to reject EC-funded hospitality, emphasizing that accepting such support could compromise their neutrality and ethical standards.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan met with Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. The meeting was part of a series of discussions with political leaders aimed at maintaining stability and ensuring a conducive academic environment on campus ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The Vice-Chancellor had earlier met with BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday, January 5.

During the meeting, Dr. Khan briefed the Jamaat leader on the university’s overall security and stability, progress of major development projects, post-DUCSU election situation, academic and research activities, and recent initiatives to improve Dhaka University’s international ranking and student welfare. He emphasized the importance of maintaining campus stability during the pre-election period and sought Jamaat’s cooperation and constructive advice.

According to the university’s public relations office, Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman assured the Vice-Chancellor of all possible cooperation in these matters.

The JAKSU Election Commission announced that votes will be counted using OMR machines after encountering inconsistencies between two different counting machines. The announcement was made by JAKSU Election Commissioner Professor Dr. Kaniz Fatema Kakli at the central control room on Tuesday night, January 6, at 11:50 p.m. She stated that vote counting would begin within 20 minutes.

According to Dr. Kakli, the decision followed meetings with all VP and GS candidates, the teachers’ association, department heads, deans, senate members, and various teacher organizations. Initially, 300 votes will be counted manually and then cross-checked on two machines. The machine that matches the manual count will be used for the full count, with periodic manual checks to verify accuracy.

The commission decided to proceed with machine counting after repeated mismatches were observed between two machines from different companies. Following a one-and-a-half-hour meeting with candidates and students, the commission resolved to complete the counting that night. However, it did not specify when the final results would be published.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has appointed three retired army officers to the security team of its acting chairman, Tarique Rahman. The appointments were announced on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, through a statement signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. According to the statement, Major (Retd.) Mohammad Shafawat Ullah has been named Director (Security), Major (Retd.) Moinul Hossain as Director (Protocol), and Captain (Retd.) Md. Ganiul Azam as Director (Coordination).

The BNP statement emphasized that the appointments were made based on the officers’ experience and professionalism. Earlier, on December 17 of the previous year, Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. A.K.M. Shamsul Islam had been appointed as Chief Security Officer to oversee Tarique Rahman’s overall security arrangements.

The formation of this expanded security team reflects the BNP’s continued focus on strengthening the personal protection of its acting chairman through the inclusion of experienced military professionals.