U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that he will fully implement tariffs on European countries opposing his plan to acquire Greenland. He announced that starting February 1, imports from the United Kingdom will face a 10 percent tariff, rising to 25 percent on June 1. The same tariffs will apply to seven NATO allies—Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland—until Denmark agrees to a deal for selling Greenland to the United States.

European nations have taken a united stance to defend Greenland’s sovereignty. Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said ownership cannot be claimed through threats, while the UK’s Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper stated that only Greenlanders and Denmark can decide Greenland’s future. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte affirmed that the alliance will continue working with Denmark and Greenland to ensure Arctic security.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said the EU will not back down from its position and called an emergency meeting in Brussels on Thursday to coordinate responses. Denmark has warned that U.S. interference in Greenland could jeopardize NATO’s future.

Delegates from 30 countries, including the United States, India, China, Japan, and members of the European Union, attended the Jamaat-e-Islami Policy Summit 2026 held on Tuesday morning at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka. The event was organized by Jamaat-e-Islami’s foreign affairs department, which confirmed participation from representatives of 30 nations.

At the opening session, Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman presented the keynote paper, emphasizing that Bangladesh’s main challenge is not survival but ensuring stability. He outlined a political and economic roadmap for a new and prosperous Bangladesh ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12. Dr. Rahman described Bangladesh’s independence as a long and unfinished struggle for political freedom, economic emancipation, and human dignity.

He further stated that over the past 17 years, governance failures and authoritarian practices have weakened democratic institutions, reduced accountability, and restricted citizens’ voices. He noted that in July 2024, people, particularly the youth, stood up again to reclaim their rights and future.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has said that the country’s main challenge is no longer survival but ensuring stability. He made the remark while presenting a political and economic roadmap for a new and prosperous Bangladesh ahead of the February 12 national election. The statement came during Jamaat-e-Islami’s Policy Summit 2026, held on Tuesday with diplomats, political leaders, academics, entrepreneurs, civil society representatives, and journalists in attendance.

Dr. Rahman described Bangladesh’s independence as a long and unfinished struggle for political freedom, economic emancipation, and human dignity. He said that despite more than five decades since independence, the promises of social justice and economic liberation remain unfulfilled. He criticized the past 17 years of governance for weakening democratic institutions and reducing accountability, while citizens’ voices have been constrained. He also highlighted economic challenges such as declining job quality, rising unemployment and inflation, and barriers faced by women in the workforce.

He emphasized that economic success should be measured by people’s security, dignity, and planning capacity, not just growth. Dr. Rahman called for zero tolerance against corruption and stronger partnerships among the state, citizens, private sector, and international community to build Bangladesh’s future.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has publicly dismissed his deputy premier, Yang Song Ho, during an official government event. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the dismissal was carried out immediately. Kim sharply criticized government officials, calling them irresponsible, rude, and incompetent, and accused many of becoming accustomed to defeatism, irresponsibility, and inactivity.

KCNA quoted Kim as saying that Yang was unfit to handle heavy responsibilities and described his appointment as a mistake in the leadership selection process. Yang previously served as minister of machinery industry before being promoted to deputy premier overseeing that sector. South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that he was also an alternate member of the Workers’ Party leadership council. His successor has not yet been announced.

The public nature of the dismissal and Kim’s strong criticism highlight ongoing dissatisfaction with bureaucratic performance within North Korea’s leadership structure, though no further details were provided on potential replacements or policy changes.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that his administration will fully implement tariffs on European countries opposing his stance on taking control of Greenland. In an interview with NBC News on January 19, Trump said that if NATO member states, including the United Kingdom, resist his position, all their exports to the United States will face tariffs. He announced that a 10 percent tariff on British imports will begin on February 1, rising to 25 percent on June 1, and will remain until an agreement is reached with Denmark over Greenland. The same policy will apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland.

European leaders have responded with a unified stance defending Greenland’s sovereignty. Denmark’s foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said ownership cannot be claimed through threats, while the UK’s foreign minister Yvette Cooper affirmed that only Greenlanders and Denmark can decide Greenland’s future. Trump did not rule out military action, prompting Denmark to warn of serious NATO consequences. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the alliance will coordinate with Denmark and Greenland on Arctic security.

The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that sovereignty is not a matter of trade and called an emergency meeting of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday to decide next steps.

The interim government of Bangladesh has lifted the temporary ban on on-arrival visas that had been imposed in connection with the national election. According to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, January 19, foreign nationals can now obtain on-arrival visas at airports under the previous regulations.

Earlier, the government had announced that the suspension would remain in effect from January 15 to February 15, during which time travelers were advised to obtain visas from Bangladeshi missions abroad. The restriction was introduced as a precautionary measure surrounding the election period.

With the withdrawal of the ban, regular on-arrival visa services have resumed, allowing foreign visitors to enter Bangladesh more conveniently through airports.

The High Court on Monday suspended the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Central Students’ Union (SUSTCSU or ShakSU) election for four weeks, triggering widespread protests on campus. Following the sudden announcement, students staged demonstrations, blocked highways, and locked the vice-chancellor’s office for nearly 12 hours before releasing him and other officials early Tuesday. The suspension came after three independent candidates filed a writ petition challenging the Election Commission’s approval of the polls.

Earlier, nationalist teachers announced they would not participate in election duties, citing internal disputes. The university’s appeal to the Supreme Court’s chamber judge was not heard due to procedural issues. Meanwhile, the Islamist student group Islami Chhatra Shibir called for nationwide protests demanding immediate implementation of the ShakSU election, announcing a four-day program of rallies and human chains.

University authorities stated they would comply with the court order, while students vowed to continue pressing for their electoral rights. The next hearing date has yet to be set.

Today marks the final day for candidates to withdraw from Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election, according to the election schedule. By the end of the day, the list of final or contesting candidates will be confirmed. Rebel independent candidates from any party must also withdraw by today if they wish to do so. After this deadline, there will be no further opportunity to resolve any alliance-related complications.

Election Commission officials stated that returning officers will allocate election symbols among candidates tomorrow, Wednesday. If a political party has more than one candidate in a constituency, the party must finalize one name and inform the returning officer. Independent candidates may also withdraw their candidacy if they choose.

As per the schedule, the final candidate list and symbol allocation will occur on January 21, campaign activities will begin on January 22, and continue until the morning of February 10. Voting is scheduled for Thursday, February 12, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Earlier, about 2,500 nomination papers were submitted, 723 were rejected, and 1,842 candidates were declared valid across 300 constituencies, with 645 appeals filed afterward.

The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has expelled Junayed Hasan for life after he contested the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Central Students’ Union (ShakSU) election as a rebel candidate. The decision was announced following his participation in the election outside the party’s official nomination process.

Junayed Hasan had been serving as the joint general secretary of the SUST unit of JCD before his expulsion. According to the report, the expulsion was a disciplinary action taken by the central leadership of JCD for violating party directives during the ShakSU election.

The report did not mention any official response from Junayed Hasan or further details about the election outcome or other candidates involved.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is set to deliver its verdict today, Tuesday, in the case concerning the killing of six people, including Shahriar Khan Anas, during the July Revolution in Dhaka’s Chan Kharpul area. The three-member judicial panel, led by Chairman Golam Mortuza Majumdar with members Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, will announce the ruling. The date was fixed on December 24 after closing arguments from both prosecution and defense. The verdict comes about eight months after formal charges were framed.

This is the second judgment related to crimes against humanity committed during the 2024 July Revolution. The first verdict, delivered on November 17 last year, sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death. In the current case, eight former police officers stand accused of conspiracy, incitement, assistance, and direct involvement in the killings. Four of them are in custody, while the rest remain fugitives.

Prosecutor Gazi Tamim stated that the prosecution presented testimony from 26 witnesses and extensive documentary, audio, video, and forensic evidence, asserting that the charges were proven beyond doubt and seeking maximum punishment and compensation for victims’ families.

Jamaat-e-Islami has intensified preparations for the upcoming parliamentary election, aiming for a major victory through an electoral alliance with ten parties. The party has finalized key policy papers on governance strategies and challenges, which were approved by its central executive council. These policies will be presented at a daylong 'Policy Summit' on Tuesday at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka, attended by political leaders, diplomats, academics, professionals, and policy experts.

Party leaders said Jamaat seeks to establish a model of efficiency in governance if it comes to power, with plans to form a national government including coalition partners. Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair stated that the finalized policies will be shared with experts for feedback. The party has also informed foreign diplomats about its plans and claims to have received positive responses. Jamaat leaders alleged that some groups are spreading misinformation about its international support and capacity to govern.

According to the report, Jamaat has prepared expert teams comprising professionals from home and abroad to ensure skilled governance. The party’s slogan for this election emphasizes building a just, corruption-free, and citizen-centered Bangladesh.

With only 22 days left before Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, the country’s administration is showing signs of paralysis as ministries and departments await the transition to a new government. Routine work continues in some offices, but many ministries remain inactive. The interim government, in power for a year and a half since the July Revolution, has failed to implement meaningful administrative reforms, leaving bureaucracy and red tape intact.

Former bureaucrats and governance experts blame weak government initiatives and excessive reliance on the civil service for the lack of reform. They also cite unhealthy political competition to control the bureaucracy. The Muyeed Commission’s draft reform proposals, which sought to change promotion rules and restructure cadres, angered officials and deepened divisions within the administration. Meanwhile, the government’s demand for asset declarations from all civil servants created unease among officials.

Experts warn that the current stagnation poses a serious challenge for the incoming government. Unless political influence is removed from the bureaucracy, they say, the establishment of an effective welfare state will remain elusive.

In Syedpur, Nilphamari, the local unit of Jamaat-e-Islami launched a campaign supporting the 'Yes' vote in the upcoming national referendum. The event began on Monday night in front of the Press Club on Shaheed Dr. Zikrul Haque Road. It was presided over by Syedpur city Jamaat Ameer Md. Sharafuddin Khan, with Hafiz Abdul Muntakim, Jamaat’s nominated parliamentary candidate for Nilphamari-4 and Syedpur upazila Ameer, attending as the chief guest.

During the campaign, Abdul Muntakim urged citizens to vote 'Yes' to help build a new Bangladesh, encouraging supporters to motivate others to participate and bring them to polling centers. Leaders from various levels of the organization, including the city secretary, assistant secretary, youth division president, and publicity secretary, were present at the event.

According to the report, the 13th national parliamentary election and the referendum on implementing the July Charter are both scheduled for February 12.

Islami Chhatra Shibir has announced a four-day protest program in response to the suspension of the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Central Students’ Union (ShakSU) election. The announcement was made Monday evening through the organization’s verified Facebook page. The program includes human chains and protest marches across campuses and metropolitan areas on Tuesday, district-level marches on Wednesday, upazila-level marches on January 22, and a final protest in Dhaka on January 23.

Earlier on Monday, the group held a protest march in the capital demanding that the ShakSU election be held on schedule and condemning what it described as a conspiracy to derail the process. The rally, organized by Dhaka Metropolitan Shibir, began at the Central Shaheed Minar and concluded with a gathering at Shahbagh. The march was led by central publicity secretary Azizur Rahman Azad and attended by several central leaders including international secretary Mu’tasim Billah Shahedi and publication secretary and Daksu VP Sadiq Kayem.

The series of demonstrations underscores the group’s opposition to the election postponement and its demand for timely implementation of the student council vote.

Religious Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain stated that the 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum has no connection with the inclusion or exclusion of 'Bismillah' in the constitution. He clarified that 'Bismillah' is written at the top of the constitution and will remain there, dismissing claims that a 'Yes' vote would remove Islam or Allah from the state. He made these remarks on Monday afternoon while addressing a public awareness meeting and imam conference on referendum activities at the Moulvibazar Shilpakala Auditorium, organized by the district administration.

Dr. Hossain said that misleading statements about whether 'Bismillah' or the state religion would remain are spreading confusion in society. He explained that the provisions in the July Charter would be added, while the rest of the constitution would remain intact. He emphasized that the 'Yes' vote aims to bring qualitative changes, including the formation of a caretaker government toward the end of the next government’s term, and ensuring a neutral Election Commission with input from opposition parties.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Touhiduzzaman Pavel and attended by local officials, imams, teachers, and journalists from Moulvibazar’s seven upazilas.