The United States launched an attack on Venezuela on Saturday after several days of warnings from President Donald Trump. The assault reportedly targeted Venezuelan boats described as drug-laden vessels. Despite this military action, Trump continues to present himself as a messenger of peace and has claimed he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for halting wars in 2025. The incident raises questions about the consistency of his campaign promises and his current foreign policy direction.

During his first presidential campaign, Trump pledged to put 'America First' and end U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, gaining strong support from Americans in the Middle East. In a past debate, he criticized the Bush administration for the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and called the Iraq War a major mistake. At the start of his second term in January 2025, Trump promised to end global conflicts and restore peace, saying his success would be measured not only by wars won or ended but also by those avoided.

Sarang Shidore of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft said Trump has played a role in halting some conflicts but lacks the subtle, sustained diplomacy needed for global peace. He noted that U.S. actions in Latin America, Nigeria, and Somalia reflect a return to aggressive interventionism driven by domestic political motives.

Barrister Rumin Farhana, expelled from the BNP, has had her nomination as an independent candidate for the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency declared valid. The announcement came on Friday afternoon after scrutiny by District Commissioner and Returning Officer Sharmin Akter Jahan. All 11 other candidates in the constituency were also declared valid following the verification process.

Speaking to journalists afterward, Rumin Farhana said she holds no resentment toward the BNP for not nominating her. She recalled serving under Begum Khaleda Zia’s leadership during difficult times for the party and said she had always tried to fulfill her responsibilities faithfully. Farhana noted that when the party asked her to resign in December 2022, she did so immediately and welcomed the emergence of new leadership.

She also mentioned that some of her supporters were reportedly being threatened with legal action. Farhana stated that she would inform the administration if any such incidents occurred and take immediate steps if those actions affected her campaign or the safety of her supporters.

Leaders and activists of the Baisamya Birodhi Chhatra Andolon blocked Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection on Saturday night, demanding the release of their Habiganj district general secretary, Mahdi Hasan. The blockade began around 10:30 p.m. on January 3, causing severe traffic congestion and suffering for commuters. Protesters lit fires in the middle of the intersection and chanted slogans calling for Mahdi’s release. The blockade was withdrawn around 12:15 a.m., restoring normal traffic flow.

Earlier that evening, the organization had issued a one-hour ultimatum for Mahdi’s unconditional release. When police did not comply, the group’s chief coordinator, Hasib Al Islam, announced the sit-in. Mahdi was detained by the Detective Branch from a relative’s house in Habiganj’s Shayestanagar area around 7 p.m. He had recently drawn national attention after a video of his conversation with a police officer went viral, in which he made controversial remarks about past incidents.

Following his detention, protests also erupted in front of Habiganj Sadar Police Station, prompting police to close the main gate and deploy additional forces to maintain order.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, has had his nomination for the Dhaka-18 constituency declared valid. He confirmed the decision himself on Saturday. This comes a day after his nomination for the Bogura-2 (Shibganj) constituency was rejected by the district returning officer and Bogura Deputy Commissioner Md. Taufiqul Islam due to inconsistencies in his affidavit and discrepancies in the notary public’s signature date.

Earlier, Manna faced complications over a defaulted loan. Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited’s Bogura Barogola branch had issued a call-back notice on December 10 to recover Tk 38.04 crore from Afaku Cold Storage Limited, a company in which Manna holds a 50 percent stake. The notice required repayment by December 18, warning of legal action if unpaid. Manna later filed a writ petition seeking removal of his name from the defaulter list, which the High Court rejected.

On December 29, the Appellate Division’s chamber court ordered his name to be removed from the defaulter list, clearing the way for his candidacy. However, the BNP nominated Shahe Alam for Bogura-2, leading Manna to submit nominations for both Bogura-2 and Dhaka-18, with only the latter remaining valid.

The central committee of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has issued a show-cause notice to Mahdi Hasan, member secretary of its Habiganj district branch. The notice, published on the organization’s official Facebook page on Saturday afternoon, instructs Hasan to refrain from all organizational activities until further orders. It follows media reports on January 2 about Hasan’s remarks made at Shayestaganj Police Station, which the committee described as inconsistent with the movement’s ideals and damaging to its public image.

According to the notice signed by office secretary Shahadat Hossain, Hasan must provide a written explanation within 24 hours to central president Rifat Rashid through the office. The explanation should clarify the reasons behind his statements and why permanent organizational action should not be taken against him.

Until a final decision is made, Hasan has been barred from participating in any organizational activities, as stated in the notice.

The final day for verifying nomination papers of candidates in Bangladesh’s upcoming national parliamentary election is today, according to the Election Commission (EC). A total of 69 returning officers appointed for 300 constituencies will complete the scrutiny process and announce the numbers of valid and rejected candidates. The EC has set up ten regional booths at its Agargaon headquarters in Dhaka to receive appeals against acceptance or rejection decisions.

According to EC officials, appeals can be filed between January 5 and 11, 2026, with hearings and settlements scheduled from January 12 to 18. The withdrawal deadline for candidacies is January 20, and election symbols will be allocated on January 21. Voting will take place on February 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. without interruption. The EC has issued seven specific guidelines for filing appeals, including submission format, required documents, and booth-based filing procedures.

The EC reported that 59 political parties are registered, of which 51 are participating in this election. Eight parties, including the Bangladesh Workers Party and Krishak Sramik Janata League, have not fielded any candidates.

BNP candidate Kazi Rafiqul Islam from Bogura-1 (Sariakandi-Sonatala) constituency has been identified as the highest loan defaulter among all seven constituencies in Bogura district. According to his affidavit submitted on December 29, 2025, he owes a total of Tk 762 crore, including Tk 261.6 crore in loans from First Security Islami Bank PLC. Allegations have also surfaced that he concealed information about an additional Tk 396 crore in defaulted loans. The bank filed a case against him and others in October 2025 after the loans remained unpaid.

Rafiqul Islam, a 69-year-old professional businessman and former BNP Member of Parliament elected in 2001, is also the managing director of RANS Real Estate Ltd., from which he personally guaranteed loans worth Tk 396.23 crore. His affidavit lists Tk 36 crore in cash, multiple bank accounts, and various assets jointly owned with his wife, Kazi Rashida Islam. He reported Tk 64.38 crore in total assets and paid Tk 3.8 lakh in income tax for 2025.

Reports indicate that he obtained a stay order from the High Court regarding his defaulted loans. Rafiqul Islam stated that all information in his affidavit is accurate.

During the verification process for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, two candidates’ nomination papers for the Madaripur-3 constituency were canceled, while four were declared valid. The announcement was made on Saturday afternoon at the Madaripur District Commissioner’s office hall by Returning Officer and District Commissioner Jahangir Alam.

According to the returning officer, a total of six candidates had submitted nomination papers for the constituency. Among them, four were accepted as valid after scrutiny. The nominations of Aminur Islam from the Bangladesh Socialist Party (BASAD) and independent candidate Md. Asaduzzaman were canceled due to discrepancies in required documents. Specifically, the one percent voter consent forms and party nomination papers did not meet the Election Commission’s standards.

The four valid candidates are Anisur Rahman of BNP, Md. Rafiqul Islam of Jamaat, Md. Azizul Haque of Islami Andolon, and Nitai Chakraborty of Bangladesh Supreme Party. The two disqualified candidates may appeal to the Election Commission to regain eligibility.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has announced that any voter who shares photos or videos of their postal ballot on social media will face punitive action, including the blocking of their National Identity Card (NID). The directive, disclosed through EC sources, emphasizes that maintaining the secrecy of postal votes is both a right and a responsibility of voters. Sharing any information, images, or video footage of ballots online constitutes a punishable offense under existing law.

The EC’s message urges voters to refrain from posting or sharing any content related to postal voting on social media platforms. The commission reiterated that such actions compromise the confidentiality of the electoral process and will trigger legal measures, including NID suspension and other lawful penalties.

The announcement underscores the EC’s effort to preserve the integrity and secrecy of postal voting ahead of upcoming electoral activities, warning that violations will be met with strict enforcement.

In Habiganj, the district returning officer and deputy commissioner Abu Hasnat Mohammad Arifin declared 19 out of 29 nomination papers valid after scrutiny across four constituencies on Saturday morning. The verification took place at the district administration conference room in the presence of senior officials including the additional district magistrate and the district election officer. Ten candidates’ nominations were canceled for various procedural and documentation errors.

In Habiganj-1, one candidate’s paper was rejected for missing affidavit and signature. In Habiganj-2, three candidates were disqualified for incomplete voter lists, concealing case information, and missing signatures. In Habiganj-3, one candidate’s paper was canceled for faulty application and missing tax return. In Habiganj-4, five candidates were disqualified due to inconsistencies in party nominations, missing signatures, incomplete voter lists, and lack of bank account proof.

The district returning officer stated that candidates whose nominations were canceled may appeal by January 9.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has demanded proof that President Nicolás Maduro is alive following claims by the United States that he and First Lady Cilia Flores have been captured. Rodríguez confirmed that the Venezuelan government does not know the whereabouts of either Maduro or Flores and has formally requested immediate evidence of their well-being.

Earlier, former US President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social that US forces had successfully carried out a major operation against Venezuela, detaining Maduro and his wife and removing them from the country. US officials told CBS News that the operation was conducted by the Delta Force, a top US military counterterrorism unit. Explosions were reportedly heard across Caracas as the US assault began late Friday night, prompting Venezuela to declare a state of emergency.

In response, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino announced the nationwide deployment of the military and condemned the attack as the “worst aggression” against the country, urging citizens to unite in resistance.

The nomination of BNP candidate Morshed Milton for the Bogura-7 (Gabtali-Shajahanpur) constituency, previously held by Khaleda Zia, has been declared valid for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The announcement was made on Saturday by Bogura Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Toufiqul Rahman after verifying five submitted nomination papers, of which three were approved.

The nominations of Begum Khaleda Zia, due to her death, and Muslim League leader Ansar Ali were cancelled for not meeting the required criteria. The two other valid candidates in the constituency are Golam Rabbani of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Md. Shariful Islam of Islami Andolan. This marks the first time a BNP candidate outside the Zia family, Morshed Milton, who is the district BNP vice-president and Gabtali Thana BNP president, has been nominated for this seat.

Local reports indicate that Milton’s nomination as the BNP’s young candidate under the party’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol has generated widespread enthusiasm in the Bogura-7 constituency.

Leaders and activists of the central Anti-Discrimination Student Movement staged a sit-in at Shahbagh on Saturday night demanding the immediate release of Mahadi Hasan, the Habiganj district member secretary and a self-proclaimed July fighter. The protest began around 10 p.m., following an announcement made on the organization’s Facebook page at 9 p.m. Earlier that evening, police detained Mahadi from a lawyer’s residence in Habiganj town. According to the district convener Arif Talukdar, the reason for Mahadi’s detention was not clear, though police said it was for questioning.

The organization issued a one-hour ultimatum for Mahadi’s unconditional release, warning of nationwide action if the demand was not met. After the deadline passed without response, the group announced the Shahbagh sit-in at 10:15 p.m., calling on students and the public to join. The arrest followed a viral video showing Mahadi confronting a police officer in Shaistaganj over the detention of a student leader involved in the movement.

The group stated that if Mahadi was not released promptly, it would escalate its protest programs across the country.

Mahdi Hasan, member secretary of the Habiganj district branch of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, was detained by the Detective Branch (DB) police on Saturday evening from a lawyer’s residence in the district town. The branch’s convener, Arif Talukdar, said he was not yet clear about the reason for the detention, though police informed them it was for interrogation. Attempts to contact the Habiganj DB police for further details were unsuccessful.

According to reports, Mahdi may have been detained in connection with an incident on January 2, when he allegedly threatened police after admitting to burning the Baniachang police station and assaulting a sub-inspector while trying to secure the release of an accused person. Earlier on Saturday afternoon, the movement’s central office secretary, Shahadat Hossain, issued a show-cause notice to Mahdi, instructing him to respond within 24 hours and barring him from participating in organizational activities until further notice.

The report also mentioned that a former Chhatra League leader, Enamul Hasan Noyon, had been detained earlier, prompting protests from movement activists who demanded his release.

The United States launched a military attack on Venezuela, with President Donald Trump claiming the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Shortly after the assault began, Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona denounced the action on social media platform X, calling it an illegal and unjustified war. Gallego, a former US Navy serviceman who served in Iraq from 2002 to 2006, described it as the second unjust war of his life.

Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah also questioned the legality of the operation, writing on X that he was eager to understand how the move could be constitutionally justified without a formal declaration of war or congressional authorization for the use of military force. In recent months, several Democratic and Republican lawmakers have voiced opposition to the Trump administration’s military actions in Latin America.

The bipartisan criticism highlights growing unease in Congress over unilateral military interventions in the region, suggesting potential challenges ahead for the administration’s foreign policy approach.