An awareness meeting on the upcoming National Parliament Election and Referendum 2026 was held at the Taraganj Upazila Parishad hallroom in Rangpur on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. The meeting was presided over by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Monabbir Hossain. Among those present were Taraganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ruhul Amin, Upazila Livestock Officer Md. Ifthekharul Islam, Upazila Election Officer Shimu Parvin, other local officials, and journalists from print and electronic media.

Discussions at the meeting focused on the importance of the Referendum 2026 program, raising voter awareness, adherence to the electoral code of conduct, and expanding public outreach on election-related information. Participants emphasized the need for collective efforts by all concerned to ensure a fair, free, and peaceful election process.

The meeting underscored the role of local administration, law enforcement, and media in promoting transparency and voter participation ahead of the national election.

Pro-government supporters in Iran launched nationwide counter-demonstrations on January 12, 2026, targeting what authorities described as foreign-backed rioters. According to Press TV, rallies began in some provinces between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. local time, with larger gatherings scheduled for 2 p.m. in Tehran and other major regions.

The demonstrations followed weeks of unrest that began on December 28, when Iranian shopkeepers closed their businesses to protest the falling value of the rial. Those protests evolved into anti-government movements. Iranian officials alleged that the United States and Israel incited the unrest, turning peaceful demonstrations violent. Tehran has blamed U.S. sanctions for the economic crisis and currency depreciation.

The government acknowledged that grievances over rising living costs were legitimate and pledged to take steps to address the economic challenges. Authorities maintained that the situation across the country remained under control.

Myanmar’s ruling military-aligned Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has won the parliamentary seat formerly held by detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi. A senior USDP official told AFP on Monday that the party secured victory in the Kawhmu constituency, located in Yangon Region. The official added that the USDP won 15 of 16 lower house seats in the region. Voting in Kawhmu and several other constituencies took place on Sunday as part of the second phase of a three-stage national election.

Suu Kyi was ousted and detained following the 2021 military coup, after the junta alleged widespread fraud in the previous year’s election, which her National League for Democracy (NLD) had won by a landslide. The final phase of the month-long election is scheduled for January 25, with the junta claiming the process will return power to the people.

Pro-democracy groups have accused the authorities of staging a controlled election that suppresses dissent and favors military-linked candidates, particularly after the NLD was dissolved and Suu Kyi remained under house arrest.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman has accused the government of surrendering to bureaucratic power. Speaking at a press conference on Monday morning at TIB’s headquarters in Dhanmondi’s Midas Center, he said the bureaucracy has become more powerful than the advisory council, reflecting group and political interests. He argued that a section of the bureaucracy is stronger than government advisers.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman stated that the government has given no importance to the urgent recommendations of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Reform Commission. He alleged that as long as the bureaucracy maintains exclusive control, the ACC’s full independence will remain deliberately excluded. He further said that the formation of the Police Commission contradicts the July Charter.

The remarks highlight TIB’s concern over bureaucratic dominance in governance and the lack of priority given to institutional reforms aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability.

S M Jilani, the BNP-nominated candidate for the Gopalganj-3 constituency and president of the party’s central volunteer wing, carried out a grassroots campaign in Tungipara’s Patgati Dakshinpara area on Monday, January 12, 2026. Starting early in the morning, he met farmers in the fields and visited local homes to exchange greetings and discuss community issues. He listened to residents’ concerns about local hardships and expectations.

During the campaign, Jilani stated that standing beside the people in their joys and sorrows is the core of his political philosophy. He pledged to work for the rightful interests of the people of Tungipara and Kotalipara if elected. Local residents shared their views on development, employment, education, and healthcare, while Jilani assured them of sincere efforts to address their problems.

Local BNP leaders and representatives from affiliated organizations were present during the campaign and interactions with residents.

Exiled opposition leader Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last Shah, has said that Iran’s freedom is imminent. In a message posted on social media platform X, he claimed that widespread protests over the past two weeks, particularly in the last four days, have shaken the foundations of what he called the “illegitimate Islamic Republic.” Pahlavi announced the beginning of a new phase of a “national uprising” aimed at overthrowing the Islamic Republic and restoring Iran, adding that international support would soon follow.

The protests, which began on December 28, have spread across multiple cities and regions, driven by economic hardship, rising prices, and severe inflation. According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 538 people have been killed and more than 10,600 arrested so far, though the actual figures may be higher due to government suppression and information restrictions. The Iranian government has not released any official casualty or arrest data.

U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly supported the Iranian protesters and warned that Washington could take military action if Tehran continues to suppress demonstrations violently. Analysts say Iran is facing a deep political crisis fueled by domestic unrest, opposition activity, and international pressure.

A special tribunal has formally initiated the trial of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s adviser Salman F Rahman and former law minister Anisul Huq for alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July Revolution. The Tribunal-1 panel, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar with Justices Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, issued the order at noon on Monday. The court also set February 10 for opening statements and the testimony of the first witness.

The decision followed hearings from both prosecution and defense, after which the tribunal rejected a plea for discharge filed on January 6 by defense lawyer Munsurul Haque Chowdhury. The prosecution had earlier, on December 22, presented five charges against the two accused. The first charge alleges that under their instigation and support, law enforcement and armed Awami League cadres used lethal weapons in Rangpur, killing over 1,400 people and injuring more than 25,000. Other charges include killings and assaults in Mirpur and surrounding areas on July 20 and July 28, 2024.

The tribunal’s order marks the formal start of proceedings in one of the most significant post-revolution human rights cases in Bangladesh.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has accused the government of failing to recover illegal weapons ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election. Speaking in Thakurgaon on Monday morning, he said the law and order situation has not improved yet, though the BNP hopes it will soon. He reiterated that the party had earlier proposed a 31-point reform plan aimed at building a modern and well-governed state.

Fakhrul stated that all major achievements of the country were made under BNP’s leadership and that the party has always worked for public welfare. He added that if BNP comes to power, it will continue to work tirelessly to meet people’s expectations. Regarding national cricketer Mustafizur Rahman, he said insulting a cricketer means insulting Bangladesh, and the BNP agrees with the government’s decision on the matter.

He also commented that the current electoral environment is satisfactory but will become clearer after January 22. Fakhrul further pledged that a future BNP government would secure Bangladesh’s fair share of water from rivers including the Teesta from India.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is set to deliver its order today on whether formal charges will be framed against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s adviser Salman F Rahman and former law minister Anisul Huq. The case concerns alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising. The three-member judicial panel, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar with Justices Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, will issue the order following hearings from both prosecution and defense sides.

According to the prosecution, five charges were presented against the two accused, including allegations of incitement, conspiracy, and aiding security forces and armed cadres in multiple killings and injuries across Rangpur and Dhaka between July and August 2024. The charges also include joint criminal enterprise and superior command responsibility. The defense had earlier filed a petition seeking discharge on January 6, 2026.

The tribunal’s decision will determine whether the case proceeds to trial, marking a significant step in the ongoing investigation into alleged atrocities linked to the July uprising.

U.S. President Donald Trump has directed special forces commanders to prepare a plan for a possible attack on Greenland, according to a report by the UK-based Daily Mail published on Sunday. The report states that Trump issued the order to the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) as part of an effort to secure the island before China or Russia could take control of it.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff have reportedly opposed the move, arguing that such an action would be illegal and unlikely to gain congressional approval. Meanwhile, leaders of Greenland’s political parties said on Friday that they do not wish to become part of either the United States or Denmark, emphasizing their desire to remain Greenlandic.

At a White House event on Friday, Trump said the United States would act in Greenland regardless of local approval, asserting that inaction could allow Russia or China to seize the island. He added that the U.S. would not accept either country as a neighbor.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Monday morning at the party chief’s office in Bashundhara, Dhaka. The meeting began at 9 a.m. and was attended by Deputy Chief of Mission Dr. Liu Yuyin, Political Director Zhang Jing, Ru Qi (Raki), and Ms. Nafisa (Liang Shuin). From Jamaat, Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, academic Dr. Zubair Ahmed, development team lead Dewan Alamgir, and foreign affairs adviser Professor Dr. Mahmudul Hasan were present.

According to Jamaat’s central publicity department, the meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. The Chinese ambassador and the Jamaat leader discussed various issues of mutual interest between China and Bangladesh. They emphasized the historical friendship between the two nations, noting its importance in promoting public welfare, development cooperation, trade, and cultural exchange. Both sides expressed optimism that bilateral relations would continue to strengthen in the future.

The Trump administration has become divided over how to respond to ongoing protests in Iran, with discussions reportedly covering options such as sanctions, cyber measures, and potential military action. According to reports from TRT World and The Wall Street Journal, President Donald Trump is expected to be briefed on Tuesday by senior officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Kane.

A senior U.S. military official told The New York Times that any potential strike would require more time for troop deployment and defensive preparations against possible Iranian retaliation. Officials have warned that military action could produce unintended consequences, including uniting the Iranian public behind their government or triggering regional escalation. Lawmakers from both major U.S. parties have also questioned whether military action is the best course, with some senators expressing caution in recent interviews.

The protests in Iran began in late December over the sharp devaluation of the rial and worsening economic conditions. Trump has publicly warned Tehran against suppressing demonstrators, while Iranian officials have dismissed his comments as reckless interference.

A report published on January 12, 2026, by Amar Desh examines how several major Bangladeshi newspapers allegedly conducted systematic propaganda against the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leaders following the 2007–08 military-backed government and the 2009 rise of Sheikh Hasina’s administration. The report claims that outlets such as Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, Bangladesh Pratidin, and Janakantha portrayed BNP leaders Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman as corrupt, violent, or anti-state figures, often prioritizing political narratives over factual accuracy.

Researcher Taiyib Ahmed from Colorado State University attributes this trend to political parallelism and the economic dependencies of media houses, which he says cause reporting to favor certain political sides and compromise journalistic objectivity. The report cites examples of headlines, editorials, and cartoons that linked BNP to terrorism, corruption, and conspiracy, while recent years have seen some outlets reverse tone and present the same figures as democratic symbols.

Analysts quoted in the report argue that these shifts reflect a structural crisis in Bangladesh’s media, where editorial stances change with political power but ethical consistency remains absent.

A US-based human rights organization, Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), reported on Sunday, January 11, that more than 500 people have been killed in ongoing anti-government protests across Iran. The agency said it verified information from its workers inside and outside the country, confirming the deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel over the past two weeks. HRANA also claimed that more than 10,600 people have been arrested during the unrest.

The protests began on December 28 in response to rising commodity prices and quickly escalated into a widespread anti-government movement, described as the largest since 2022. The Iranian government has accused the United States and Israel of fueling the demonstrations. Meanwhile, the US has expressed support for the protesters, with President Donald Trump warning that Washington might intervene if excessive force is used. Tehran has cautioned that any US attack would be met with a strong response.

Iran has not released official casualty figures, and Reuters reported that it could not independently verify HRANA’s claims. The government has also restricted nearly all internet services since Thursday, making it difficult to obtain reliable information from within the country.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday warned Cuba to come under a deal immediately or face unspecified consequences. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he announced the suspension of all oil and financial flows from Venezuela to Havana, declaring that Cuba would receive “zero” oil or money. Trump strongly advised the Cuban authorities to reach an agreement without delay.

The warning came a week after a U.S. military operation in Caracas aimed at capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and bringing him to New York. Reports said several members of Venezuelan and Cuban security forces were killed in that operation. Trump also reposted a message suggesting that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio could one day become president of communist-run Cuba, commenting that the idea “sounded good” to him.

Trump further claimed that Cuba had long received large amounts of oil and money from Venezuela in exchange for providing security assistance to its leadership, but stated that this arrangement would now end. He added that most Cuban members guarding Maduro were killed in the recent operation, asserting that Venezuela no longer needed such support.