Pakistan has strongly rejected India’s comments regarding defense and other strategic cooperation between Islamabad and Dhaka. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry described the Indian statement as baseless and unwarranted, labeling it an unnecessary interference in bilateral relations. It emphasized that relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh are sovereign matters that do not require third-party consent.

India’s remarks came after its Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on January 9 that New Delhi was closely monitoring discussions between Pakistan and Bangladesh over the possible purchase of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets. The comment followed a meeting between Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and Bangladesh Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan, where both sides discussed defense cooperation and aircraft procurement.

According to Pakistan’s ISPR, the visit reflected efforts to transform historical ties into a long-term strategic partnership. Analysts cited in the report suggested that the meeting signals strengthening relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh amid recent diplomatic tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi.

The Dhaka Divisional Commissioner’s Office has issued a directive prohibiting the use of educational institutions for any election-related meetings, rallies, or campaign activities. The instruction, sent on Sunday, January 11, 2026, to the Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (Maushi), emphasizes that no gatherings may be held in schools or colleges without prior approval from the returning officer.

The letter stated that the 13th National Parliamentary Election and a referendum are scheduled for February 12. Authorities have observed that some candidates or their supporters are organizing gatherings under the guise of seminars, receptions, or youth meetings to conduct election campaigns. It also noted that some educational institution heads have been allowing such events locally without official permission, which constitutes a clear violation of the electoral code of conduct.

The directive instructs all concerned to ensure strict compliance, preventing any unauthorized use of educational premises for political or promotional purposes during the pre-election period.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the European Union (EU) did not send observers to the past three national elections in Bangladesh because those polls, held during Hasina’s tenure, were deemed unacceptable. He made the remarks on Sunday during a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, following a meeting between Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the EU ambassador.

Alam stated that the EU has now confirmed it will send a large observer mission for the upcoming election. He added that the current electoral environment offers a good level playing field, with no political party receiving extra privileges. He identified social media as a major challenge, warning that misinformation could be spread by members of the former government, though law enforcement agencies are fully prepared.

The press secretary also said both the government and the Election Commission believe the law and order situation remains stable. Discussions with the EU ambassador also covered the upcoming referendum, with the interim government possibly seeking a “yes” vote. Preparations are underway to ensure a fair, peaceful, and credible election.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has announced plans to deploy 270 'ambassadors' to campaign for a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum on proposed reforms during the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The announcement was made on Sunday through a message from Mahabub Alam, the party’s joint chief coordinator and head of the election media subcommittee. According to the statement, constituencies with NCP candidates will see campaigns led directly by those candidates, who will engage with party workers, supporters, and voters to secure support for the 'Yes' vote.

In constituencies where the NCP has no candidate, the party will appoint 270 ambassadors or representatives to lead the campaign. These ambassadors will connect with local residents to explain the NCP’s political stance, the significance of the referendum, and the importance of voting 'Yes'. The party stated that this approach aims to ensure a coordinated and nationwide campaign so that its message reaches voters in all constituencies.

Through this strategy, the NCP seeks to build public consensus in favor of the 'Yes' vote and strengthen its presence across the country.

The prosecution’s appeal seeking to upgrade the life imprisonment sentences of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death penalties in a war crimes case will be presented before the Chamber Judge Court within the next few days. Prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim confirmed the development on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

According to the prosecution, the appeal follows a verdict delivered by Tribunal-1 on November 17, which sentenced both Hasina and Kamal to life imprisonment on one charge and death on another. After receiving the full copy of the verdict, the prosecution reviewed it and decided to appeal for harsher punishment. The formal appeal was filed within 30 days of the verdict announcement.

The case stems from crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the July uprising linked to the anti-discrimination student movement. The Chamber Judge Court is expected to hear the prosecution’s petition within the current week.

The head of the European Union Election Observation Mission, Eivers Ijabs, has emphasized that Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national parliamentary election must be held peacefully, credibly, and transparently through ballot boxes. In a written statement, he said the election will play a crucial role in strengthening democratic institutions and expressed hope that the mission’s work would help build public trust in the electoral process.

The EU deployed its observation mission to Bangladesh in December of the previous year to monitor the election scheduled for February 12. According to an official release, this is the first full EU election observation mission in Bangladesh since 2008. The mission will assess how the election is conducted under national law and its alignment with regional and international democratic standards adopted by Bangladesh.

Ijabs stated that the mission’s technical assessment is guided by three principles: independence, impartiality, and non-interference. He clarified that the mission will observe the process but will not certify the results, stressing that the election belongs solely to the people of Bangladesh.

Candidates have staged a protest in Mirpur demanding the cancellation of the government primary school assistant teacher recruitment exam, citing allegations of question leaks and device-based cheating. The demonstration began on Sunday morning as participants surrounded the Directorate of Primary Education and vowed to continue their movement until their demands are met.

The protesters presented five key demands, including immediate cancellation and retake of the exam, holding all job exams in Dhaka with device checkers and network jammers at every center, formation of an independent committee to oversee all exams, prohibition of multiple exams on the same day, and strict punishment for those involved in question leaks. They also called for the resignation of the head of any question-setting institution found responsible within 24 hours.

The exam took place on January 9 across 61 districts, excluding three in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, with over 1.08 million candidates. Allegations of leaked questions circulated on social media days before the test, and candidates claimed that several leaked questions appeared verbatim in the actual exam.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) for the southern region and candidate for Comilla-4 (Debidwar), stated that asking for votes is more honorable than committing theft or corruption. He made the remarks on Sunday, January 11, during an anti-aggression march and public outreach event at Syedpur Bazar in Bara Shalghar Union of Debidwar upazila, Comilla.

During his address, Abdullah emphasized that his party would approach voters with love and humility, even if it meant begging for their support. He urged citizens to back the 'yes' vote in the upcoming referendum, which he said would strengthen democracy and protect fundamental rights. He called for an end to corruption, extortion, and loan defaulting, describing the forthcoming election as one aimed at building a corruption-free Bangladesh.

Abdullah also mentioned that if corruption could be eradicated, the country would inevitably progress, and that no one should serve as prime minister more than twice, reflecting his party’s stance on political reform.

The European Union (EU) has decided to send a large observer mission to Bangladesh for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. The decision was announced in Dhaka during a meeting between Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the EU Election Observation Mission’s Chief Observer, European Parliament member Ivars Ijabs. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam later briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy, confirming that the EU views the election as historic and will deploy observers across the country to monitor the entire process.

According to the briefing, the meeting discussed election preparations, ensuring a level playing field, and the importance of a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum. Ijabs noted that the EU had not sent observers during Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year tenure but sees positive momentum this time. Dr. Yunus assured that the election and referendum would be free, fair, credible, and peaceful, with full readiness from the Election Commission and interim government.

Security measures will include body-worn cameras for security personnel at sensitive polling centers, centralized monitoring through an app, and CCTV coverage nationwide. Official campaigning will begin on January 22, with the government expecting high voter turnout, especially among women and youth.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared that protecting national security is its red line as widespread protests continue across the country. The elite force, separate from the regular army, made the statement on Saturday after overnight demonstrations described as the largest in years. The IRGC said it is determined to safeguard the nation’s security and the achievements of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, claiming that armed attackers targeted military and law enforcement bases, killing both security personnel and civilians and setting fire to public and private facilities.

Iran’s army also announced its commitment to defending national interests, strategic infrastructure, and public assets. Both the army and the IRGC operate under the authority of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The protests began two weeks ago over uncontrolled inflation but have since taken on political dimensions, with some demonstrators calling for the fall of the Islamic Republic.

State media reported that a municipal building in Karaj was set ablaze, while doctors in Tehran confirmed at least 217 protester deaths in six hospitals, most showing gunshot wounds. Internet watchdog NetBlocks said Iran has imposed a nationwide blackout lasting more than 36 hours.

Professor Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, announced that the official symbol for the upcoming national referendum will be a tick mark. He made the statement on Sunday afternoon while addressing the Divisional Imam Conference at Bell’s Park in Barishal. Riaz explained that voters should use the tick mark to indicate a 'yes' vote in the referendum, which is being held alongside the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

He contrasted this referendum with previous ones, noting that earlier referendums sought approval after decisions were made, whereas this time public consent is being sought first before implementation. The event, organized to promote the referendum and encourage voter participation, was attended by senior government and law enforcement officials, including the Additional Divisional Commissioner Mahfuzur Rahman and other dignitaries.

Riaz urged citizens to unite beyond political and religious divisions to build a state based on equality, human dignity, and social justice, echoing the promises of 1971. He emphasized that the referendum offers a rare opportunity for citizens to shape the nation’s future.

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has emphasized that elections are vital for strengthening democratic institutions through the ballot. Chief observer Ivars Ijabs made the remarks on Sunday at a press conference in Dhaka, underscoring the need for Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election to be peaceful, credible, and transparent. He expressed hope that EU observers would help enhance public confidence in the electoral process.

Ijabs stated that the EU’s engagement with political parties is ongoing and that the mission will assess whether a level playing field exists. He noted that the EU believes Bangladesh has the capacity to hold free, fair, and impartial elections. This marks the first time since 2008 that the EU has deployed a full election observation mission to Bangladesh.

According to Ijabs, an 11-member core team arrived in Bangladesh last week, and a 56-member long-term observer group was scheduled to arrive today, reflecting the EU’s renewed commitment to monitoring the upcoming election process.

On Sunday, the Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh approved the appeals of 57 candidates during the second day of hearings against returning officers’ decisions for the 13th parliamentary election. The hearings took place at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, under the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin. Out of 70 appeals heard, 57 were approved, 10 were rejected, and 3 were kept pending for further verification.

According to EC Secretariat officials, the approved candidates successfully presented the required documents and information. The rejected appeals involved issues such as loan defaults, dual citizenship, or major discrepancies in submitted information. The pending cases will undergo additional scrutiny before a final decision is made.

On the first day of hearings, 52 appeals were approved, allowing 51 candidates to regain eligibility. In total, 109 appeals have been approved over two days. Returning officers had earlier canceled 723 nominations, prompting 645 appeals. The appeal hearings are scheduled to continue until January 18.

Tens of thousands of people marched through Minneapolis on Saturday to protest the killing of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. The demonstration was part of more than 1,000 rallies planned across the United States opposing President Donald Trump’s militarised anti-immigration campaign. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Abolish ICE” and “No justice, no peace,” while Minnesota leaders urged participants to remain peaceful. The protests followed video evidence that appeared to contradict official claims that Good had threatened the officer who shot her.

The social movement group Indivisible said hundreds of demonstrations were held in states including Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio, and Florida. The rallies, many under the banner “ICE Out for Good,” aimed to mourn lives lost to ICE actions and demand accountability. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey reported 29 arrests overnight and reiterated that while most protests were peaceful, property damage would not be tolerated. Three Minnesota congresswomen—Ilhan Omar, Kelly Morrison, and Angie Craig—were denied access to an ICE facility in Minneapolis, accusing agents of obstructing congressional oversight.

The incident has intensified scrutiny of Trump’s immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities, with local officials calling for ICE’s removal from Minneapolis.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen has claimed that Awami League President Sheikh Hasina’s candidacy in the 2008 ninth parliamentary election should have been canceled due to major inconsistencies between her declared and actual assets. Speaking on Sunday at the anniversary event of the Reporters Against Corruption (RAC), Momen said both the ACC and the Election Commission failed to properly perform their duties at that time.

He explained that verifying asset declarations in a short time is extremely difficult and urged journalists to assist the ACC by sharing any credible information about suspicious assets. Momen emphasized that individuals with undeclared wealth should not be allowed to hold state power and called for building a just and fair state to ensure justice for all.

The ACC chairman expressed optimism that the foundations for such a state would be achieved this year, though he acknowledged that corruption remains a major challenge in Bangladesh. He urged collective vigilance and honesty in leadership to ensure a corruption-free governance system.