Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodríguez has formed a special commission to secure the release of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The announcement was made on Sunday following Maduro’s ouster after a U.S. military operation in Caracas, according to AFP. The interim government initiated the move soon after the operation. Rodríguez appointed her brother and National Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez, along with Foreign Minister Iván Gil, as vice presidents of the commission. Information Minister Freddy Ñáñez was also named as a member. The commission’s formation marks the interim government’s first formal step toward negotiating Maduro’s release. Maduro, accused of drug trafficking and terrorism, was detained last Saturday in a New York prison. Authorities stated that he is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of three cars worth Tk 4.62 crore and 17 bighas of land valued at Tk 1.63 crore belonging to former law minister Anisul Haque, who served under the deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The order was issued on Monday by Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Sabbir Foyez, according to court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s Deputy Director Jahangir Alam had sought the seizure, alleging that Haque acquired assets worth Tk 146.19 crore between January 12, 2014, and December 16, 2024, inconsistent with his known income. The petition also cited suspicious transactions involving deposits of Tk 349.15 crore and withdrawals of Tk 316.48 crore across 29 bank accounts, allegedly linked to money laundering and concealment of illicit wealth. The court ruled that the seizure was necessary to ensure a fair investigation, noting that failure to do so could lead to the sale or transfer of the assets, making future confiscation by the state impossible and causing irreparable loss.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to stop making threats about taking control of Greenland. Her remarks came after Katie Miller, wife of Trump aide Stephen Miller, posted a map on social media showing Greenland in U.S. flag colors with the caption “soon.” Frederiksen said there is no justification for the United States to claim any of the three territories under the Danish Kingdom and emphasized that Denmark, as a NATO member, includes Greenland within the alliance’s security framework. Frederiksen noted that Denmark already has a defense agreement with the United States granting access to Greenland and that her government has increased investment in Arctic security. She urged Washington to stop threatening a close ally whose people have clearly stated they are not for sale. Hours later, Trump reiterated aboard Air Force One that the U.S. needs Greenland for national security and that Denmark cannot prevent it. The dispute follows the U.S. appointment of a special envoy to Greenland in December 2025, which angered Denmark. Most of Greenland’s 57,000 residents oppose becoming part of the United States despite some support for eventual independence from Denmark.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not believe Ukraine carried out an attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence, despite Moscow’s claims. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump stated that he doubted the reports of such an incident and noted that no one was certain whether the published accounts were true. Russia’s defense ministry had earlier released a video alleging that Ukraine launched a drone strike on a Putin residence in the Novgorod region, though it reported no damage or casualties. The allegation surfaced as diplomatic efforts intensified to end the nearly four-year-long Russia-Ukraine war. At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was visiting Florida for a meeting with Trump. Russian officials criticized Ukraine for being ungrateful in peace efforts, while Kyiv and its Western allies denied any involvement in the alleged attack. Trump added that U.S. assessments also found no evidence linking Ukraine to the incident. Zelensky accused Russia of continuing heavy bombardments into the new year, with Ukrainian authorities reporting air raid sirens nationwide and at least two deaths in the Kyiv region. European leaders are expected to meet in France to discuss a U.S.-backed peace proposal that Zelensky said is nearly complete.

Protests in Iran over rising living costs have entered their eighth day, spreading to at least 222 locations across 78 cities. According to reports from the Anadolu news agency, at least 20 people have been killed and 51 injured, while around 1,000 individuals have been arrested. Demonstrations have been reported in 26 provinces and 17 universities, despite the deployment of additional security forces and attempts to suppress gatherings. The Press Association, founded by Iranian human rights activists, stated that among the dead are students, workers, and civilians aged between 16 and 45, including one member of the security forces. Most casualties reportedly resulted from gunfire by security personnel. The highest number of arrests occurred in cities such as Yazd, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Shiraz, and Behbahan, with many detainees transferred to local prisons. The protests began on December 28 in response to surging inflation, declining purchasing power, market instability, and widespread unemployment, reflecting deep public frustration over worsening economic conditions.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of Bangladesh has ordered all television channels in the country to suspend the broadcast of Indian Premier League (IPL) matches and related programs. The directive, issued on Monday, January 5, 2026, and signed by Assistant Secretary Firoz Khan, follows the exclusion of Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders team. The ministry’s letter stated that the decision by the Indian cricket board to drop Rahman lacked a clear justification and had deeply hurt and angered the people of Bangladesh. According to the official notice, the suspension will remain in effect until further instructions are issued. The ministry’s communication emphasized that the move was a response to widespread public sentiment over the perceived unfair treatment of the Bangladeshi player. The order was sent directly to top executives of television channels to ensure compliance. The directive marks a rare government intervention in sports broadcasting, reflecting the sensitivity surrounding national representation in international cricket tournaments.

US President Donald Trump has released a list of immigrant groups receiving welfare assistance in the United States. Published on Sunday, the list includes immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, China, and Nepal among more than 120 countries and regions. India, however, is not included. The chart shared by Trump on social media shows the percentage of immigrant families from each country receiving welfare or assistance. According to the data, 54.8 percent of Bangladeshi immigrant families receive assistance, followed by 40.2 percent from Pakistan, 34.8 percent from Nepal, 32.9 percent from China, 42.7 percent from Ukraine, and 25.9 percent from Israel/Palestine. The list also includes an “unspecified Asia” category at 38.8 percent. The report, citing The Hindu and India’s PTI news agency, notes that Indian-Americans have the highest median household income among major immigrant groups in the US. The Pew Research Center’s data referenced in the report states that Indian-Americans make up about 21 percent of the total Asian population in the United States, ranking as the second-largest Asian-origin group.

China’s government efforts to boost the national birthrate are facing growing resistance as many young couples choose to remain child-free. Despite financial incentives and social pressure, couples like 25-year-old content creator Grace and her husband are opting out of parenthood, citing financial strain, career priorities, and personal freedom. The trend reflects a broader shift in attitudes toward marriage and family life. Nearly a decade after China replaced its one-child policy with a two-child rule in 2016, the country is experiencing a deepening demographic crisis. The population has declined for three consecutive years, and the United Nations projects it could fall from 1.4 billion to 630 million by the end of the century. In 2024, only 9.54 million babies were born—about half the number recorded in 2016. The “DINK” (dual income, no kids) lifestyle has gained massive popularity on social media, sparking both celebration and criticism. Authorities have introduced pro-birth measures, including annual subsidies of about $500 per child under three and new taxes on contraceptives. Experts warn these steps have limited impact and caution that persistently low fertility could accelerate population aging and strain China’s long-term economic stability.

Unauthorized brick kilns are reportedly increasing in Nageshwari upazila of Kurigram district. According to the report, there are 18 brick kilns in the area, of which 13 are operating without approval. These unlicensed kilns are using topsoil from agricultural land to produce bricks and burning coal mixed with wood from various trees as fuel. The practice is said to be harming local biodiversity and public health. Despite the growing number of illegal kilns, there appears to be no visible administrative action to stop them. The report notes that these operations continue openly, raising doubts among residents about the effectiveness of local authorities. The unregulated expansion of such kilns is contributing to environmental degradation and public concern. The situation highlights a lack of enforcement of existing rules and the need for stronger oversight to protect farmland and community well-being in Nageshwari.

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury announced that the charge sheet in the Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi murder case will be submitted soon. He stated that the government is giving the highest priority to ensuring justice in the case. The statement was made on Monday afternoon. According to the adviser, the government is committed to expediting the legal process surrounding the murder of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. His remarks indicate a focus on accountability and timely judicial proceedings. The announcement was reported by Amar Desh Online on January 5, 2026. Further details about the investigation or timeline were not provided in the report, which noted that more information would follow.

More than one hundred leaders and activists from the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations have joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Saidpur, Nilphamari. The formal joining took place on Sunday night at a meeting in Kamarpukur Union, attended by Abdul Gafur Sarkar, president of the Saidpur organizational district BNP and parliamentary candidate for Nilphamari-4. Local observers view the mass defection as a sign of significant change in the region’s political landscape. BNP leaders said the inclusion of a large number of former Awami League members would strengthen the party’s organizational base and benefit it ahead of the upcoming national election. Abdul Gafur Sarkar stated that people were turning to the BNP due to repression, loss of voting rights, and anti-democratic actions by the banned Awami League government. He added that the exact number of new members would be confirmed after receiving the final list. The development has sparked widespread discussion in Saidpur and surrounding areas, with local observers suggesting it could reshape future political alignments in the district.

A major burglary took place early Monday at New Rana Jewellers in Chandrima Bazar, Mohammadpur, Dhaka. According to the shop owner, Masud Rana, thieves broke into the store and stole 70 bhori of gold, 600 bhori of silver, and Tk 4 lakh in cash. The estimated value of the stolen gold is Tk 1.54 crore, while the silver is worth Tk 21.6 lakh. The incident was discovered when the owner opened the shop around 10 a.m. and found the locks broken and the store ransacked. Tejgaon Division Deputy Police Commissioner Ibne Mizan confirmed that police have been informed and multiple teams have already started working at the scene. The burglary occurred after the shop was closed around 11 p.m. on Sunday night. Authorities are investigating the case to identify and apprehend those responsible. Police operations are ongoing at the crime scene, but no further details about suspects or arrests were provided in the report.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate reported that Israel committed 99 violations against Palestinian journalists in December 2025, including killings, physical assaults, arrests, and restrictions on news gathering. The report, released on Sunday and cited by Anadolu Agency, stated that Israeli forces continued a systematic policy of targeting Palestinian journalism, resulting in serious breaches of law across the occupied territories. According to the syndicate’s Freedom Committee, one journalist was killed and two were seriously injured by shelling in Gaza, where two relatives of journalists also died. In the occupied West Bank, 48 journalists were detained. The report documented 15 attacks using tear gas and stun grenades, two attempted vehicle assaults, nine incidents of armed threats, and six verbal threats. It also recorded two cases of beatings, destruction of journalistic equipment, and demolition of two journalists’ homes. Earlier, Gaza’s Government Media Office said 257 Palestinian journalists had been killed since October 2023. The Gaza Health Ministry added that Israeli forces violated the ceasefire hundreds of times, killing 420 Palestinians and injuring 1,184 since the truce took effect.

At a press conference held at the National Press Club on Monday, Professor Dr. Mohammad Shariful Alam, member secretary of the Retired BCS Officers Forum, questioned the neutrality of several returning officers involved in candidate selection for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. Representing the forum, the former secretary presented an eight-point demand to the Election Commission, emphasizing the need for impartial conduct by officials to ensure a fair and credible election scheduled for February 12. The forum’s demands included immediate removal of any election officials whose neutrality has been questioned, strict enforcement of electoral laws, installation of CCTV cameras at all polling centers, and issuance of clear guidelines to ensure impartiality. They also called for prompt investigation and suspension of any accused officials, establishment of complaint boxes at key administrative offices, and post-election transfers of district and police officials through a lottery system. Additionally, the forum urged the government to declare that advisers and contract-based top officials would not be part of the next administration. Dr. Alam stated that after three failed and fraudulent elections, the upcoming vote is crucial for democratic progress and political stability in the country.

Members of the Lalmonirhat Battalion (15 BGB) detained one person and seized a large consignment of Indian mobile phone displays smuggled into Bangladesh. Acting on intelligence, the BGB learned that the items had been secretly stored for trafficking through the Kulaghat checkpoint. During a late-night operation on Sunday, they intercepted a suspect traveling by easy bike, searched the vehicle, and recovered 1,048 Indian mobile displays. The suspect, identified as Md. Sohag, was arrested on the spot. According to the battalion authorities, the seized goods are valued at 22 lakh 800 taka. The detainee and the confiscated items have been handed over to Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station, where a case has been filed. The BGB is continuing efforts to identify and take legal action against other members of the smuggling network. Lieutenant Colonel Mehedi Imam, PSC, commanding officer of the 15 BGB, stated that smuggling harms the national economy by disrupting market balance, depriving the government of revenue, and fostering criminal activity in border areas.