The Indian government has closed a medical college in Kashmir after right-wing Hindu groups protested the high number of Muslim students admitted. According to Al Jazeera, the National Medical Commission (NMC) on January 6 revoked the accreditation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical Institute in Reasi district, Jammu division. The college’s first MBBS batch, launched in November last year, had 50 students—42 of them Muslim, seven Hindu, and one Sikh. The institution was founded by a Hindu religious trust and partially funded by the government.

The protests began when news spread that most of the admitted students were Muslim. Hindu organizations demanded the cancellation of their admissions, arguing that the college was funded by donations from devotees of the Vaishno Devi temple. The agitation continued for weeks, with daily demonstrations outside the college gates. Several lawmakers from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party also urged the Kashmir Lieutenant Governor to restrict admissions to Hindu students only.

The NMC cited faculty shortages, low hospital bed usage, and inadequate facilities as reasons for the withdrawal of approval. Critics described the closure as a capitulation to hardline Hindu groups.

Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate Masum Mostafa has regained his candidacy for the Netrakona-5 (Purbadhala) constituency after an appeal to the Election Commission. The decision was announced on Thursday, January 15, 2026, following a hearing at the Election Building auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin with other commissioners present. Earlier, on January 4, the district returning officer and deputy commissioner Md. Saifur Rahman had canceled his nomination.

According to the district returning office, Masum Mostafa had provided incorrect information regarding a court verdict in his nomination papers, which led to the cancellation under election law. Masum stated that the error was unintentional and expressed gratitude to the Election Commission and his constituency voters after his appeal restored his candidacy.

Previously, the district returning officer had validated the nominations of BNP candidate Abu Taher Talukder and Islami Andolan Bangladesh candidate Nurul Islam for the same constituency, which has a total of 290,117 registered voters, including two from the third gender.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), stated that the ongoing alliance process will move forward even if some members hold differing opinions. He made the remarks on Thursday at a press briefing following a meeting of top leaders from ten parties held at Jamaat’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka. The meeting was part of an eleven-party seat-sharing alliance aimed at contesting upcoming elections.

Nahid emphasized that the alliance carries political significance and reflects a shared aspiration for a competitive election. He said the coalition’s agenda focuses on reform, anti-corruption, and opposition to dominance, and that all members intend to participate in the election in a united manner. He also noted that although minor differences exist as the process evolves, these are being resolved through discussion.

He added that compromise means mutual cooperation among all parties and that alliance candidates will work in support of one another to strengthen democratic participation.

A group of European Parliament lawmakers has called for the immediate suspension of the approval process for a proposed US trade deal following comments by US President Donald Trump about taking control of Greenland. In a letter sent to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the Conference of Presidents, the lawmakers urged a halt to the deal, which involves several EU countries. The letter was made public by Danish lawmaker Per Clausen, who expressed hope that the Parliament’s leadership would respond swiftly.

According to Anadolu Agency, the lawmakers also asked the European Parliament to clearly inform the European Commission, EU Council, and Washington that the EU would not consider agreements with partners posing threats to its territorial integrity. The letter referenced recent statements by Trump and his administration expressing intent to “take” Greenland, describing such remarks as a threat to the international rules-based order. The lawmakers warned that rewarding such behavior would be worse than remaining silent.

The trade deal, which includes tariff adjustments and quotas for US goods, was agreed last summer between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Trump and is scheduled for full approval in February.

Bangladesh’s Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul announced that the July Uprising Protection and Indemnity Determination Act has been approved. He made the statement on Thursday, January 15, 2026, during a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy auditorium. Nazrul said that any criminal cases related to political resistance during July and August will be withdrawn by the government, and no new cases will be filed. Authorities are also reviewing whether any cases exist against participants in the July uprising.

Earlier, on January 8, Nazrul had posted on Facebook that the draft of the indemnity ordinance had been finalized. He explained that the initiative aims to protect the heroes of the July revolution from associates of the former fascist government and to recognize their resistance activities. He argued that such legislation is lawful and internationally recognized, citing examples from the Arab Spring and other revolutions.

Nazrul further stated that Article 46 of the Bangladesh Constitution provides clear legitimacy for indemnity laws, recalling that a similar law was enacted in 1973 to protect freedom fighters after the Liberation War.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has proposed that both general and postal votes be conducted using the same ballot paper in the upcoming national election and referendum. The proposal was presented on Thursday, January 15, 2026, following a meeting between BNP leaders and Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed led the delegation, which included party advisers and legal experts.

During the meeting, BNP raised several legal and code-of-conduct issues and expressed concerns about irregularities in the distribution of postal ballots sent to expatriates. Salahuddin Ahmed said that videos circulating on social media show large numbers of postal ballots being found or seized in different locations, suggesting possible irregularities. He noted that this is the first time expatriate voting is being implemented and called for explanations from those responsible for preparing and sending the ballots.

BNP also alleged that actions appeared to favor a particular political party and urged the Election Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify how ballots were distributed and to address the reported irregularities.

Newly appointed United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen presented his credentials to President Md. Shahabuddin on Thursday at Bangabhaban. The formal ceremony marked the beginning of Christensen’s tenure as the US residential ambassador in Dhaka.

President Shahabuddin welcomed the new envoy and expressed hope that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States would strengthen further in the areas of trade, investment, education, and culture. Ambassador Christensen pledged to make every effort to deepen and broaden the partnership between the two nations, emphasizing a commitment to making the relationship more productive and multidimensional.

The ambassador also sought the President’s full cooperation in carrying out his diplomatic responsibilities during his tenure in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh government will formulate a strategy in response to the recent cancellation of US immigrant visas, according to Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday afternoon, she said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the national security adviser would work together to develop an action plan to address the issue with the United States.

Hasan explained that the announcement of the visa cancellation had just been made, and the government would now begin discussions on the matter. She noted that Bangladesh is among 75 countries affected by the US decision, which targets nations from where large numbers of immigrants seek political asylum or become dependent on social services abroad. She emphasized that the decision was made by the US government and that Bangladesh would assess its position and next steps.

The adviser added that the government learned of the decision only the previous day and would engage in talks to determine an appropriate course of action.

Rashed Pradhan, vice president and spokesperson of the National Democratic Party (JAGPA), announced that he will not participate in the upcoming parliamentary election despite his party being part of an 11-party alliance that includes Jamaat-e-Islami. He made the announcement on Thursday afternoon, January 15, 2026, through a post on his official Facebook page.

In his post, Pradhan stated that his decision was made in the interest of maintaining greater unity within the alliance. He called on leaders and supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan, and other allied parties to avoid unwanted behavior or language toward one another. He also mentioned that he would campaign in favor of the alliance’s candidates and support the “Yes” vote in the referendum.

Pradhan urged his supporters not to be disheartened by his withdrawal, emphasizing that collective understanding and unity were more important than individual participation. He concluded his message with a prayer for the success of the alliance’s efforts for the country’s welfare.

Students from seven major government colleges in Dhaka blocked the Science Lab and Mirpur Technical intersections on January 15, 2026, demanding the issuance of the Dhaka Central University ordinance. The blockade began around 12:40 p.m., halting traffic across Mirpur Road and surrounding areas. Buses, private cars, and rickshaws were stuck in long queues, causing severe disruption to daily movement. Commuters faced hours-long delays, with many forced to walk to their destinations as transport fares surged.

Participants from Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women’s College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Bangla College, and Government Titumir College joined the protest. They said prolonged academic complications had gone unresolved, prompting renewed demonstrations. The Education Ministry stated that a revised draft of the ordinance had been sent for approval but gave no timeline, fueling student frustration.

The traffic police deployed extra personnel and diverted vehicles through alternate routes, but full normalcy could not be restored. The movement stems from long-standing academic delays since the colleges were affiliated with Dhaka University in 2017.

US President Donald Trump has voiced doubts about whether the Iranian people would accept Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last deposed Shah, as their leader. In an interview with Reuters, Trump described Pahlavi as a very polite man but said he was uncertain about how much support Pahlavi would have inside Iran. He added that the situation had not yet reached a stage where such leadership could be confirmed.

Reza Pahlavi, who has lived in exile in the United States for decades, remains one of the most recognizable Iranian political figures abroad. Born in Tehran in 1960 and once designated crown prince, his prospects for rule ended after the 1979 revolution. Pahlavi has recently called on protesters to bring down Iran’s current ruling system.

Trump’s remarks, following his earlier statement that he had no plans to meet Pahlavi, have further highlighted questions about Pahlavi’s leadership viability and domestic acceptance within Iran.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has set January 21 to deliver its order on whether to frame charges against Sajib Wazed Joy, son of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and ICT adviser, and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak. The prosecution has accused them of crimes against humanity for allegedly shutting down the internet during the July uprising. The tribunal gave the order on Thursday after hearing both sides. Palak, who is under arrest, was produced in court for the hearing.

Defense lawyers Liton Ahmed and Munjur Alam argued that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence and sought acquittal for their clients. Prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim countered that the charges were based on credible evidence and requested the tribunal to frame charges and begin trial. The prosecution has brought three charges against the two.

The charges include allegations that Palak incited violence through social media posts on July 14, 2024, and that both accused conspired to shut down the internet and encouraged the use of lethal force, resulting in multiple deaths during the July events.

Nepal’s oldest political party, the Nepali Congress, has split ahead of the country’s general election scheduled for March. The rebel faction unanimously elected Gagan Thapa as its new president, deepening the political uncertainty that has gripped the nation. The division follows months of unrest after last September’s protests over corruption, governance failures, and demands for political reform, which led to the previous government’s ouster.

Thapa, 49, a prominent figure among the party’s younger generation and former general secretary, pledged not to disappoint supporters after his election. The Election Commission has yet to decide which faction will be recognized as legitimate and allowed to use the party’s traditional tree symbol and flag in the March 5 vote. Former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had led the party since 2016 but failed to reach a compromise with dissenting leaders before their expulsion.

The split reflects a generational shift and growing calls for accountability in Nepal’s politics. Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, appointed after the fall of KP Sharma Oli’s government, has promised a fair and fear-free election environment.

Pakistan has expressed concern over the escalating anti-government protests in Iran and warned that any regime change there could have disastrous consequences for the region. The statement comes amid threats of intervention in Iran by U.S. President Donald Trump. Pakistani officials and analysts said instability in Iran could immediately fuel cross-border militancy, arms smuggling, refugee flows, and economic disruption along the two countries’ 900-kilometer border.

Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, Asif Durrani, said any internal or external intervention in Iran would directly affect Pakistan. He noted Islamabad’s past role in easing tensions between Iran and Western powers and emphasized that Pakistan’s diplomatic missions also monitor Iran’s interests. Former foreign secretary Jauhar Saleem warned that external interference—economic, cyber, or military—would worsen Iran’s crisis.

Experts added that unrest in Iran could strengthen militant networks across the border and undermine Pakistan’s counterterrorism gains in Balochistan. Islamabad, already hosting millions of Afghan refugees, fears a new influx if Iran’s regime collapses. Pakistan maintains that preserving Iran’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and stability is vital to regional security.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has decided to leave the Jamaat-e-Islami–led 11-party alliance after negotiations over seat sharing failed. The party had demanded at least 80 constituencies, but Jamaat and other partners could not agree to that number. Following several rounds of discussions over the past week, Islami Andolan formally informed the alliance that it would not remain under the current terms. As a result, the coalition will now become a ten-party alliance.

According to alliance leaders, the dispute intensified after the National Citizen Party (NCP) joined the coalition, which Islami Andolan reportedly viewed unfavorably. Jamaat initially offered 40 seats, later increasing to 45, with an additional 6–7 open constituencies, but Islami Andolan remained firm on its 80-seat demand. Efforts by Khelafat Majlis leader Maulana Mamunul Haque to mediate between Jamaat and Islami Andolan failed.

Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim confirmed that top leaders would meet at noon to finalize the coalition’s next steps and hold a postponed press conference. Other partners have agreed to stay united, and minor seat adjustments may occur within the remaining ten-party alliance.