The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and the Bangladesh Young Column Writers’ Forum, Dhaka University branch, will jointly organize the Shaheed Osman Hadi Memorial Book Fair 2026. The five-day event will take place from January 18 to 22 at the TSC Payra Chattar on the university campus, remaining open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The fair will be inaugurated by Omar Bin Hadi, brother of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, with Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan attending as chief guest. The announcement was made at a press conference held in front of Madhur Canteen, where Forum President Ashiq Khan stated that the fair aims to highlight the life and ideals of Shaheed Osman Hadi, portraying him as a symbol of protest and resistance against oppression. The event will feature stalls from various publishers, memorial sessions, discussions, seminars, and interactive programs involving young writers and readers. Organizers said the fair seeks to promote books as tools of free thought and resistance and will be held annually as a platform for cultural and intellectual exchange.

Professor Ali Riaz, special assistant to the chief adviser, stated that the upcoming referendum is essential not only for the next five years but also for ensuring the full establishment of democracy and the future governance structure of Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Monday at a conference held at the Hazrat Shah Makhdum Central Eidgah ground in Rajshahi, organized by the Divisional Administration and the Islamic Foundation to promote the referendum and encourage voter participation. Riaz emphasized that key decisions regarding the independence of the judiciary, the Election Commission, and the Anti-Corruption Commission must be made through the people’s mandate. He urged citizens to vote “yes” in the referendum, describing it as a historic opportunity for direct public participation. He noted that while political parties hold differing views on signing the July National Charter, all are united in supporting the referendum. Referring to past electoral experiences, Riaz said that people now want to vote but have often been deprived of a proper environment. The July National Charter and the referendum aim to restore that democratic atmosphere and ensure that future governments operate according to the people’s will.

China has declared its firm support for Cuba following recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump. On Monday in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China stands strongly for Cuba’s national sovereignty and security and opposes any external interference. She urged the United States to end its long-standing blockade, sanctions, and pressure on Cuba, calling for actions that promote regional peace and stability. Trump had earlier announced on his social media platform that Cuba would no longer receive oil or financial assistance from Venezuela. He claimed that Cuba had been receiving substantial oil and funds in exchange for providing security services to Venezuelan leaders, but that arrangement had now ended. Trump also alleged that many Cubans were killed during recent U.S. military operations in Venezuela. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel blamed the United States’ decades-long blockade for his country’s deep economic crisis, asserting that Cuba remains an independent and sovereign nation despite persistent external pressure.

Hasna Jasimuddin Moudud, wife of late Barrister Moudud Ahmed and former BNP Standing Committee member, has withdrawn her candidacy from the Noakhali-5 (Companiganj-Kabirhat and part of Sadar) constituency election. She had earlier submitted nomination papers to contest as an independent candidate but later decided to step down. Speaking to the daily Amar Desh, Hasna Moudud said she made the decision out of respect for the party chairperson. She met BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman at his Gulshan office on Sunday, where he requested her to withdraw her independent candidacy for the Noakhali-5 seat. Following that meeting, she decided to honor his request and withdraw from the race. The withdrawal marks the end of her short-lived independent bid in the constituency, aligning her decision with the party leadership’s direction.

Bangladesh Bank has eased loan facilities for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) importers, allowing them to import gas on credit for up to 270 days. The central bank issued a circular on Monday, stating that LPG, usually imported in bulk and later bottled for retail, will now be treated as an industrial raw material for trade credit purposes. This classification enables importers to access the same deferred payment terms available for other industrial raw materials under existing foreign exchange regulations. According to the circular, banks have been instructed to assist importers in obtaining buyer’s credit from foreign banks and financial institutions. Additionally, offshore banking units have been authorized to provide bill discounting facilities to support the sector. The move aims to address the time-intensive nature of LPG storage, bottling, and distribution processes. The decision comes amid a supply shortage that has pushed the price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder up to 2,500 taka, significantly above the government-fixed rate, causing hardship for consumers and businesses.

A three-member delegation led by Ivars Ijabs, chief observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission and a member of the European Parliament, met with Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman in Dhaka’s Bashundhara area on Monday afternoon. The meeting took place at the Jamaat leader’s office and was described by the party’s central publicity department as cordial and friendly. During the discussion, both sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and the European Union. They emphasized close cooperation to ensure that the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election is free, fair, and acceptable. The meeting also highlighted the importance of strengthening Bangladesh’s constitutional and democratic institutions. The EU delegation assured that a 200-member team would observe the forthcoming national election in Bangladesh. Both parties expressed optimism about maintaining the continuity of bilateral relations, development, and progress between Bangladesh and the European Union.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has announced that the previously postponed recruitment examination for the positions of Assistant Secretary and Assistant Director will now be held on January 16. The multiple-choice (MCQ) test is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). According to UGC Secretary Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam, the revised seating arrangement for the candidates was published on January 8 on the commission’s official website. The announcement confirms the new date and venue for the examination, which had been delayed earlier for unspecified reasons. The UGC’s update ensures that candidates can now prepare for the rescheduled test with clear information on timing and location, as officially communicated by the commission.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep concern over reports of violence and excessive force used against civilians during ongoing anti-government protests in Iran. In a statement on Sunday, January 11, he called on Iranian authorities to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from unnecessary or disproportionate use of force against demonstrators. His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said the Secretary-General was deeply saddened by reports of numerous deaths resulting from the crackdown. Guterres emphasized the importance of fully protecting freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association as recognized under international law. He urged that Iranian citizens be allowed to voice their demands and grievances peacefully and without fear. The UN chief also called for the restoration of internet and communication services to ensure the free flow of information across the country. According to the UK-based monitoring group NetBlocks, Iran’s internet has been cut off for more than 72 hours. The protests began on December 28 in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar over the sharp fall of the Iranian rial and worsening economic crisis, later spreading nationwide. The US-based group HRANA reported at least 490 protesters and 48 security personnel killed, with over 10,600 arrests, though the Iranian government has not released official figures.

Home Adviser Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has called on members of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) to perform their duties with honesty, dedication, and professionalism during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. He made the appeal on Monday morning at the passing-out parade of the 41st BCS (Ansar) officers, Upazila Ansar-VDP trainers, and the 26th and 27th battalions held at the Ansar and VDP Academy in Shafipur, Gazipur. The adviser stated that a total of 555,958 Ansar-VDP members will be deployed across 42,766 polling centers nationwide, with 13 members assigned to each center. Among them, three will be armed, six unarmed male, and four unarmed female members. Additionally, 1,191 Ansar battalion striking force teams, each consisting of ten members, will be stationed across the country to strengthen election security. He noted that the Ansar and VDP have been preparing since August 2025 to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election. Chowdhury also urged new Ansar-VDP members to uphold moral values and remain free from corruption, describing corruption as the greatest enemy of the state.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that his country is prepared for war but remains open to dialogue. He accused US President Donald Trump of inciting violence through interference in Iran’s internal affairs, irresponsible remarks, and threats. The statement was made amid rising tensions between Tehran and Washington. According to a statement from Iran’s Foreign Ministry, the US threats and what it called an irresponsible stance constitute a clear violation of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and amount to incitement of violence and terrorism against Iranian citizens. The ministry added that threats from US officials align with Israeli government policies that increase regional tensions. The statement warned that any aggression against Iran would be met with a swift, precise, and extensive response, and that such a situation could push the entire region toward greater crisis and instability, for which the United States would bear full responsibility.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has condemned alleged question leaks, irregularities, and negligence by authorities in the recruitment of assistant teachers for government primary schools. In a statement issued on Monday by NCP’s Joint Member Secretary and Education and Research Secretary Faisal Mahmud Shanto, the party demanded that if any truth is found in the allegations, the examination held on January 9 should be canceled and retaken. The NCP expressed deep concern over reports of question paper leaks and irregularities in the recent primary teacher recruitment exam, noting that similar incidents had previously occurred in the Directorate of Primary Education’s office assistant recruitment test. The party criticized the interim government formed after the 2024 student uprising for failing to establish a transparent and fair recruitment system, accusing ministries and departments of focusing instead on tender and recruitment trade. The NCP urged an impartial investigation into all allegations and called for withholding publication of results until the probe is complete. It also warned that if negligence persists, the party will join job seekers in protest to demand justice.

North Korea has issued a strong condemnation of the United States, calling it 'shameless' and accusing Washington of actions that undermine the dignity of the United Nations. The statement, released Monday by Pyongyang’s mission to the UN, described U.S. behavior as a 'heinous crime' and urged that discussions at the UN should focus on such conduct rather than imposing sanctions on other countries. According to the statement, North Korea views the United States’ actions as showing contempt for the UN. Although no specific incident was mentioned, analysts cited in the report suggested the reaction may have followed international criticism of the U.S. after the detention of Venezuela’s president. The report noted that North Korea remains under long-standing UN Security Council sanctions due to its nuclear and missile programs. The statement reflects Pyongyang’s continued opposition to U.S. influence in international institutions and its ongoing frustration with global pressure over its weapons development.

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.

A seven-year-old Bangladeshi girl named Afnan has been placed on life support after being critically injured by gunfire that crossed into Bangladesh from Myanmar’s ongoing internal conflict. The incident occurred in the Hwaikyang border area of Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, on Sunday afternoon. She was brought to Chittagong Medical College Hospital around 4:30 p.m. in critical condition, where doctors performed emergency surgery on her head that night. Hospital Director Brigadier General Taslim Uddin confirmed that the bullet struck Afnan’s head, leaving her in a highly critical state. A CT scan and emergency operation were conducted, and she was later placed on life support due to deterioration. Earlier in the day, rumors of her death spread in the area, prompting local unrest. The shooting followed intense clashes between the Arakan Army and Rohingya armed groups in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, which escalated Saturday night. A stray bullet from the Myanmar side hit Afnan’s home in the Techchibridge area. Local residents staged protests after hearing of her supposed death, but law enforcement and community leaders later restored calm.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced plans to make Mumbai free of alleged illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants. The declaration came as the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance released its manifesto for the upcoming Mumbai municipal elections. Fadnavis stated that with assistance from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), an artificial intelligence tool will be developed to identify Bangladeshi migrants. The source notes that there is no concrete data showing any negative economic or social impact from such alleged infiltration. In recent years, the issue of so-called illegal Bangladeshis has become a recurring political theme in India, raised by the ruling BJP and its allies during various state and local elections, including in Bihar and West Bengal. According to the report, several Indian migrant workers have been beaten to death on suspicion of being Bangladeshis in states such as Kerala, Odisha, and Bihar. Analysts believe that reckless political rhetoric has endangered the lives of poor and migrant communities, particularly Muslims and Bengali-speaking citizens.