The Indian government has sharply criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani after his letter to jailed Indian student leader Umar Khalid surfaced online. The Ministry of External Affairs advised Mamdani to focus on his own affairs, following the letter’s circulation on social media platforms such as X and Instagram. Mamdani had written the letter after meeting Khalid’s parents during their visit to the United States in December last year.

According to a report by Middle East Eye, ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that elected representatives should respect the independence of other democracies’ judiciaries and avoid expressing personal biases. Khalid has been imprisoned without trial since September 2020, accused of involvement in the February 2020 Delhi riots. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has described him as persecuted for protesting in defense of religious freedom.

On January 5, 2026, India’s Supreme Court rejected the bail petitions of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, extending Khalid’s continued detention.

Israeli police have detained Zachi Braverman, chief of staff to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on allegations of obstructing an investigation. The arrest, confirmed on Sunday, follows reports that Braverman was linked to the leak of sensitive military information during the Gaza war. Braverman had been nominated as Israel’s next ambassador to the United Kingdom, but opposition figures are now calling for his appointment to be suspended.

Former Netanyahu aide Eli Feldstein recently claimed that Braverman tried to interfere with a probe into the leak of classified military documents to foreign media during the conflict with Hamas. Feldstein himself had been arrested in 2024 for leaking a secret Israeli military document to a German tabloid, which aimed to support Netanyahu’s stance that military pressure could secure the release of Israeli hostages. Israeli media reported that police searched Braverman’s home and expect Feldstein to provide further testimony.

Braverman and Feldstein have also been linked to the so-called “Qatargate” scandal, involving alleged efforts to promote Qatar’s image in Israel. Opposition leader Yair Lapid urged the government to suspend Braverman’s ambassadorial nomination in light of these developments.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman will begin his official campaign for the 13th National Parliamentary Election on January 22, starting from Sylhet. According to BNP Media Cell Convener Dr. Mowdud Hossain Alamgir, Rahman will inaugurate the campaign by visiting the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) and Shah Paran (R.) before participating in rallies and public meetings across the country.

The Election Commission’s schedule sets January 21 as the date for the allocation of election symbols, with formal campaigning permitted from the following day. Rahman stated at a hotel event in Dhaka that the BNP will present its planned programs to the public beginning January 22.

The campaign marks the formal entry of the BNP into the election race, aligning with the national timeline for political activities as defined by the Election Commission.

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of five bank accounts belonging to Dr. Md. Jalal Uddin, the BNP-nominated candidate for Chandpur-2 (Matlab) constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, and four of his family members. The order was issued on Sunday by Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md. Sabbir Foyez following a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). ACC Assistant Director (Public Relations) Tanzir Ahmed confirmed the court’s decision.

According to the ACC’s application, an ongoing investigation is examining allegations that Jalal Uddin and his associates earned money unlawfully, transferred it under their own and related names to legitimize it, and attempted to launder funds abroad. Investigators found five bank accounts under the names of Jalal Uddin and his family members with unusually large and suspicious transactions. The ACC argued that freezing the accounts was necessary to prevent possible withdrawal or transfer of the funds during the inquiry.

Earlier, on December 22, the same court had imposed a travel ban on Jalal Uddin, his wife Shahanaz Sharmin, their two sons, and daughter.

In the 13th National Parliament election for Comilla-11 (Chouddagram) constituency, BNP candidate Md. Kamrul Huda has declared significantly higher assets than Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher. According to affidavits submitted to the district returning officer, Kamrul Huda’s total assets amount to Tk 10.07 crore, with an annual income of Tk 80.53 lakh. His movable assets, including Tk 2.86 crore in cash, vehicles, jewelry, and furniture, exceed Tk 8.8 crore, while his wife owns assets worth Tk 1.03 crore.

Dr. Taher, Jamaat’s central Nayeb-e-Ameer, reported total assets of Tk 1.80 crore, while his wife Dr. Habiba Akter Chowdhury holds Tk 4.64 crore in assets, including property valued at around Tk 5.5 crore. Between 2011 and 2018, Dr. Taher faced 37 cases, of which 17 were withdrawn in 2024–2025, and he was acquitted or discharged from the rest. His wealth reportedly decreased from Tk 1.02 crore in 2008 to Tk 1.80 crore in 2026, which local Jamaat leaders attributed to political and business losses.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has completed sending postal ballots to expatriate voters ahead of the upcoming 13th parliamentary election and referendum. The EC warned that any political campaigning on ballot envelopes sent to registered voters will be treated as a punishable offense. Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project, confirmed the information on Sunday. The EC also urged voters registered through the Postal Vote BD app to collect their ballots personally and maintain secrecy, warning that violations could lead to National ID card blocking and legal action.

According to the EC, postal ballots were sent to expatriate voters between December 20 and January 8, and many have already received them. After election symbols are allocated on January 21, expatriates will cast their votes and return the ballots to the returning officers. Within Bangladesh, 761,141 voters registered under the in-country postal vote category, and their ballots will be sent after symbol allocation. The EC reported a total of 1,533,683 registered postal voters through the Postal Vote BD app.

The entire domestic postal voting process is expected to take about seven days, according to EC officials.

The European Union has decided to send a large election observation mission to Bangladesh for the 13th national parliamentary election. The decision was conveyed by Ivars Ijabs, chief observer of the EU Election Observation Mission and a member of the European Parliament, during a meeting in Dhaka with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy, saying the meeting discussed election preparations, a level playing field, and the upcoming referendum.

According to the briefing, the EU views the upcoming election as historic and has not sent observers to Bangladesh during the previous 16 years of Sheikh Hasina’s rule. Ijabs noted that the last three elections were not credible but expressed optimism about the current atmosphere. Yunus assured that the election and referendum would be free, fair, and peaceful, with equal opportunity for all parties. Security measures will include CCTV and body-worn cameras at polling centers, and the army will act as a rapid response force.

The chief adviser also said official campaigning will begin on January 22, describing the EU’s observer decision as recognition of Bangladesh’s democratic progress.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has reinstated the nomination of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr. Abdul Mobin for the Chandpur-2 (Matlab North and Matlab South) parliamentary seat. The decision was made on Sunday at 11 a.m. following an appeal hearing at the Election Commission building in Agargaon. His nomination had previously been canceled during the scrutiny process due to a signature error in his affidavit.

Dr. Mobin appealed the cancellation, and after reviewing his case, the commission declared his nomination valid. Following the decision, he expressed satisfaction, stating that justice had been achieved through a lawful process. He also called on party leaders and activists to unite and engage actively in the upcoming election campaign.

According to the report, six candidates’ nominations were initially rejected in the Chandpur-2 constituency. After appeals and hearings, several were reinstated. Observers believe Dr. Mobin’s return to the race adds a new dimension to the electoral competition in the area.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Sunday that social media could become the biggest challenge in the upcoming national election, warning that individuals from the former government might spread misinformation. He assured that law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to maintain order. Alam made these remarks during a briefing on current affairs at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

He also confirmed that the European Union (EU) will send a large observer team for the upcoming election, marking the first such mission after the EU declined to send observers to the previous three elections, which it deemed unacceptable. Alam emphasized that the interim government is not giving any political party extra advantages and that a fair level playing field currently exists.

Discussing the Chief Adviser’s meeting with the EU ambassador, Alam said the two sides also talked about a possible referendum. He added that the interim government may seek a “yes” vote and that all preparations have been made to ensure a free, peaceful, and credible election.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim has called for a nationwide effort to secure a 'Yes' victory in the upcoming referendum on the July Charter. In a statement released to the media on Sunday, he said the thirteenth parliamentary election and the current opportunity to rebuild the nation were made possible by the July uprising, which he credited with freeing the country from fascism. He emphasized that while the previous regime was overthrown, fascist laws and culture still persist, and the July Charter was drafted to ensure their permanent removal.

Karim urged all political parties, candidates, and the government to actively build public support for the July Charter. He reiterated his earlier demand that the referendum and the national election be held separately, warning that holding them together would overshadow the Charter’s discussion. He expressed disappointment that the July Charter debate has faded from political discourse and cautioned that without strong public backing, the interim government and the election itself could face questions of legitimacy.

He also stressed that public safety remains a concern for holding a fair and festive election and called on the government to take effective measures to address it.

The Supreme Court’s Chamber Judge Court, led by Justice Md Rezaul Haque, has suspended a High Court verdict that ordered the restoration of the previous boundaries of Cumilla-1 and Cumilla-2 constituencies. The decision came on Sunday, January 11, following hearings on separate petitions filed by the Election Commission and an independent candidate challenging the earlier High Court ruling. Lawyers stated that the suspension removes any legal barriers to holding elections under the new constituency boundaries.

Earlier, on January 8, the High Court had declared parts of the Election Commission’s gazette on constituency redemarcation illegal and directed the Commission to reinstate the previous boundaries within 24 hours. The High Court’s order had sought to revert Cumilla-1 to include Daudkandi and Titas upazilas, and Cumilla-2 to include Homna and Meghna upazilas, instead of the new configuration.

The Chamber Judge’s suspension will remain effective until a leave-to-appeal petition is filed, allowing the Election Commission to proceed with elections under the new demarcation for now.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus announced three main areas of focus for his post-election activities during a meeting with Akie Abe, wife of late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Abe is visiting Bangladesh as head of a delegation from the Encouragement of Social Contribution Foundation. The information was shared by Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy.

According to the briefing, Dr. Yunus said his first priority will be improving digital healthcare to expand access for women and marginalized communities, including creating a system for expatriate Bangladeshis to monitor family health information digitally. His second focus will be continuing youth development and entrepreneurship programs, while the third will involve sustaining activities related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Majumdar also stated that Dr. Yunus plans to visit Japan in the third week of March at the invitation of the Sasakawa Foundation to discuss strengthening cooperation in marine and ocean research between Bangladesh and Japan.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that the interim government is not providing any political party with extra advantages ahead of the 13th National Parliament Election. He made the remarks on Sunday at a briefing on current affairs held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. According to him, a good level playing field currently exists for all parties.

Shafiqul Alam said the European Union will send a large observer team for the upcoming election, noting that the EU did not send observers in the past three elections as it considered them unacceptable. He identified social media as a major challenge, warning that misinformation could be spread by individuals linked to the former government. However, he assured that law and order is fully under control and that authorities are closely monitoring all incidents.

He also mentioned that the Chief Adviser discussed a referendum with the EU ambassador, indicating that the interim government may seek a “yes” vote. Preparations by the government and the Election Commission are reportedly complete to ensure a fair and peaceful election.

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.