United States fast bowler Ali Khan has claimed that his visa application to enter India was rejected ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. The Pakistan-born cricketer shared the news on Instagram, posting a photo with a humorous caption implying he did not get the Indian visa but did get KFC. The tournament is set to begin in less than a month, and the US team is scheduled to play three group-stage matches in India, including one against the hosts in Mumbai on February 7.

Reports suggest that several Pakistan-origin players representing other countries have faced similar visa difficulties due to strained India-Pakistan relations. Ali Khan’s case has brought the issue into public attention. Since his debut in 2019, he has played 15 ODIs and 18 T20Is for the United States and is considered a key part of their pace attack, though the final squad has not yet been announced.

Social media discussions and reports indicate that other US players, including Shayan Jahangir, Ehsan Adil, and Mohammad Mohsin, may also face visa complications. The US cricket board may approach the ICC for assistance if the issue persists.

The death toll from a bomb explosion in Jajira upazila of Shariatpur district has risen to three after Nayon Molla, 25, died while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Dhaka on Wednesday night. He was a resident of Beparikandi village in Bilaspur union. Earlier, Nabi Hossain, 22, died on January 8 at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, and another victim, Sohan Bepari, 32, was found dead near the blast site on the same day.

Police said the explosion occurred early on January 8 while bombs were being made in Beparikandi area, blowing off the roof of a tin house. Following the incident, joint forces conducted operations across Bilaspur union and recovered 45 bomb-like objects, several cocktails, local weapons, and a drone. A case under the Explosives Act has been filed against 53 people, and 12 have been arrested so far.

According to police sources, the explosion is linked to a long-standing rivalry between supporters of Bilaspur Union Parishad chairman Kuddus Bepari and his rival Jalil Madbar, which has led to repeated clashes and explosions in the area.

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Iranian protesters to continue their demonstrations and take control of state institutions. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump described the protesters as patriots and urged them to preserve the names of those responsible for killings and abuses, saying they must pay a heavy price. He also announced the cancellation of all meetings with Iranian officials until the killing of protesters stops, adding that help is on the way.

A few hours after the post, reporters in Washington asked Trump what he meant by 'help is on the way.' He declined to elaborate, saying they would have to find out. Later the same day, in an interview with CBS News, Trump said the United States had not yet received verified information on casualties in Iran. He explained that the lack of confirmed data was the main reason Washington had not made any final decision regarding a possible operation in Iran.

Trump told CBS that while the number of casualties appeared significant, the U.S. still lacked confirmed figures.

Nine-year-old Huzayfa Afnan, injured by gunfire from across the Myanmar border, has been admitted to the National Institute of Neurosciences (NINS) in Dhaka. She was admitted to a reserved post-operative room at 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, confirmed by Dr. Humayun Kabir Himu, Associate Professor of Interventional Neurology at the hospital.

Earlier, she had undergone emergency surgery at Chittagong Medical College Hospital after being shot on January 11 in the Hwaikyang Techchabridge area of Teknaf. The bullet caused severe pressure on one side of her brain, leading doctors to remove part of her skull to relieve it. A medical board of specialists in neurosurgery, neurology, pediatrics, vascular surgery, ICU, and anesthesiology decided to transfer her to Dhaka for advanced care.

Doctors at NINS reported that her consciousness level is 7 out of 15, indicating a critical condition. She is on mechanical ventilation, and the medical team has stated they are prepared to take all necessary measures for her treatment.

Severe cold has disrupted daily life in Chuadanga, where the temperature dropped to 10.7 degrees Celsius on Wednesday morning, according to the local weather observatory. The biting cold has particularly affected the homeless and low-income workers, forcing many to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. Rickshaw pullers and day laborers reported that passenger numbers and work opportunities have sharply declined due to the freezing conditions.

Local residents described the situation as extremely difficult, with cold winds worsening the chill. Many laborers still venture out in search of work but often return home empty-handed. The weather office reported 93 percent humidity at 6 a.m. and 91 percent at 9 a.m., indicating persistent damp and cold air.

The ongoing cold wave continues to strain vulnerable groups in the district, with no immediate sign of relief mentioned in the report.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is scheduled to issue an order today, January 14, 2026, on whether to formally frame charges against retired Major General Ziaul Ahsan for alleged crimes against humanity involving the abduction and killing of over a hundred people. The three-member tribunal, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder with members Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, will deliver the order.

Earlier, on January 8, defense lawyers Monsurul Haque and Naznin Nahar argued that the prosecution failed to establish Ahsan’s involvement and sought his discharge. Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam countered that the prosecution had established a prima facie case and requested the tribunal to frame charges and begin the trial. The tribunal then set January 14 for the order.

According to the prosecution’s December 4 hearing, three specific charges were presented, including alleged extrajudicial killings in Gazipur, mass killings in Barguna’s coastal areas, and staged “crossfire” operations in the Sundarbans under code names such as “Operation Nishankhali,” “Operation Mora Bhola,” and “Operation Kotka.”

Bangladesh’s 56 public universities, including Dhaka University and Bogura Science and Technology University, have not prepared any formal financial statements detailing their assets, income, or liabilities. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has identified this absence as a major governance risk and requested the University Grants Commission (UGC) to ensure that universities prepare full financial reports. Following this, the UGC has issued letters to all vice-chancellors instructing them to prepare financial statements following an FRC-recommended module.

Experts from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) and university officials have expressed concern that without balance sheets, universities’ assets and liabilities remain untraceable, creating opportunities for irregularities. The FRC’s review found that while private universities prepare audited financial statements, public universities only maintain internal income and expenditure records. The council has also noted inconsistencies in financial audit provisions across university laws.

The FRC is now working to establish external audits and standardized reporting for public universities to strengthen financial discipline and accountability. The UGC expects universities to comply with the new directives to improve transparency and governance in higher education finance.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen is scheduled to visit the White House on Wednesday to address rising tensions between Denmark and the United States over Greenland. The situation escalated after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his intention to bring the autonomous Arctic island under American control, calling it essential for U.S. strategic interests. Rasmussen initiated the meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, later joined by Vice President J.D. Vance, aiming to clear what he described as “misunderstandings.”

Trump recently dismissed Greenland’s wish to remain under Danish sovereignty, saying it was “their problem,” and declared that the U.S. would take Greenland “whether they like it or not.” Analysts noted that his stance hardened after a U.S. operation in Venezuela earlier this month. Both Denmark and Greenland have firmly opposed the plan, with Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen reaffirming that the island does not want to be owned, governed, or integrated by the United States.

The meeting’s format remains uncertain, though experts suggested a closed session could reduce the risk of public confrontation if discussions turn tense.

Journalist Tasneem Khalil raised a key question on whether Bangladesh’s interim government can campaign for a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum following the 2024 uprising. The article by Dr. M L Raihan argues that this issue is deeply tied to democracy, legitimacy, and the post-uprising transition process. The August 5, 2024 uprising ended a 16-year authoritarian rule and led to the formation of reform commissions under Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. A National Consensus Commission led by Dr. Ali Riaz built broad political agreement to present reform proposals for public approval through a referendum.

The author maintains that the government’s advocacy for the reforms is constitutionally and morally justified, as it reflects a collective mandate rather than partisan interest. Historical precedents from Bangladesh in 1978 and 1991–92 are cited to show that governments have previously campaigned for their referendum positions. International examples from South Africa, Chile, Tunisia, and Nepal are also mentioned to support active governmental roles during democratic transitions.

The article concludes that promoting a ‘Yes’ vote is not coercive but a responsible effort to uphold the uprising’s mandate and guide the nation toward a reformed democratic structure.

Iran’s government has for the first time officially acknowledged that nearly 2,000 people have died during ongoing anti-government protests and subsequent security operations. A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday that both protesters and security personnel were among the dead, though no breakdown was provided. The official blamed individuals described as “terrorists” for the violence and resulting casualties.

Exiled media outlet Iran International disputed the government’s figure, reporting that at least 12,000 people were killed in recent crackdowns. It alleged that authorities shut down internet access nationwide and restricted information flow to conceal the true scale of casualties. The outlet said communication networks were disrupted, media outlets closed, and journalists and witnesses intimidated, making verification difficult.

According to Iran International, the dead were mostly under 30, and many were allegedly shot by members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij forces. The report claimed the operations were planned under direct orders from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with authorization for lethal force issued by the National Security Council.

Nearly a month after the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure of the July Revolution and convener of Inquilab Mancha, the main suspects remain at large. Intelligence sources in Bangladesh report that Chhatra League leader Faisal Karim Masud, known as Dawood, and his associate Alamgir Sheikh crossed into India after the murder and later relocated from West Bengal to a secure area in Mumbai. Despite an extradition treaty and diplomatic channels, Indian authorities have not provided effective cooperation, complicating the investigation.

Bangladeshi officials say India’s Special Task Force detained five Bangladeshi nationals in West Bengal on December 28 for allegedly aiding the killers’ escape, but New Delhi has not shared details or agreed to hand them over. Investigators believe questioning these detainees could reveal the masterminds behind the attack. The killing was described as a premeditated mission, with the suspects tracking Hadi’s movements before shooting him in Dhaka on December 12.

Public anger has grown online under the hashtag #JusticeForHadi, focusing on India’s inaction. Analysts warn that safe havens abroad for identified killers could embolden future cross-border crimes.

The banned Awami League is reportedly lobbying to reinstate former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s daughter, Saima Wazed Putul, as Regional Director of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO). According to the report, the party has hired lobbying firms based in India and the United States to advocate for her return after she was placed on indefinite leave amid controversy and corruption allegations. WHO has sought the Bangladeshi government’s opinion on the matter, and the ministries of law, foreign affairs, and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) have confirmed responding with relevant documents.

Officials stated that Bangladesh’s reply to WHO included court verdicts and reports from national and international agencies detailing corruption charges against Putul. The ACC’s statement alleged misuse of state resources and irregularities in her appointment, while the law ministry described her reinstatement as potentially damaging to both Bangladesh and WHO’s reputation. Legal adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul emphasized that appointing a convicted individual would undermine WHO’s credibility.

An inter-ministerial meeting involving the health, law, and foreign ministries and the ACC finalized Bangladesh’s official response, reaffirming its stance against reinstating Putul in the WHO post.

The United Nations has reported that at least 100 children have been killed in Gaza since a ceasefire began three months ago. The information was shared by UNICEF spokesperson James Elder during a press briefing in Geneva, according to AFP. He stated that since the ceasefire agreement was reached in early October, an average of one child per day—boy or girl—has died due to violence.

Elder explained that the deaths resulted from suicide drones, shelling, airstrikes, and drone attacks. Despite the ceasefire, he said, the data clearly shows that children’s lives in Gaza remain in grave danger. The report underscores the continuing humanitarian risks faced by civilians, particularly children, even under a declared truce.

The United Nations’ findings highlight that the ceasefire has not brought full security to Gaza’s population, with ongoing violence continuing to claim young lives.

Qatar has warned that any further military escalation between the United States and Iran would not remain confined to the two countries but could have devastating consequences for the entire Gulf region. The warning came after Washington threatened military intervention in response to Iran’s harsh crackdown on ongoing anti-government protests. The statement was reported by AFP and delivered by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majid Al-Ansari at a press conference in Doha.

Al-Ansari said that any form of regional tension could have severe local and international repercussions, adding that Qatar is making every effort to prevent such a situation. He recalled that in June of the previous year, Iran attacked the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar following a US strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. Qatar had mediated a ceasefire between Tehran and Washington after those unprecedented incidents.

Meanwhile, protests have spread across Iran since last Thursday, posing one of the biggest challenges to the country’s religious leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Human rights groups report rising casualties, with Iran Human Rights confirming at least 648 deaths and warning the actual toll could exceed 6,000.

European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh, Charles Whiteley, announced three positive developments for the country in a video message on Tuesday. The first is the finalization of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Bangladesh and the EU, which will cover trade, investment, governance, human rights, energy, and climate change. Bangladesh becomes the first South Asian nation to reach such a comprehensive agreement with the EU.

The second announcement concerns the EU Election Observation Mission, which has already begun its work ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections. A 56-member long-term team is in place, and an additional 90 observers will arrive closer to election day. The mission will monitor voting across all 64 districts and present its findings after the election.

The third development involves an agreement between the EU, Canada, and Switzerland to increase funding for strengthening Bangladesh’s civil society. The initiative aims to enhance accountability and support reform efforts regardless of future political leadership.