The scrutiny of nomination papers for the 13th parliamentary election in Chandpur district has been completed. Out of 46 candidates, 15 nominations were canceled while 34 were declared valid. The verification process took place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the conference room of the District Commissioner’s office.

In Chandpur-1 constituency, nominations of three candidates from Gano Forum, Jatiya Party, and Gono Odhikar Parishad were canceled due to missing signatures on their affidavits. In Chandpur-2, five nominations were canceled and one candidate withdrew. The canceled nominations included those from Bangladesh Labour Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Amar Bangladesh Party, and an independent candidate. In Chandpur-3, one Gano Forum candidate’s nomination was canceled for lack of signature. In Chandpur-4, four nominations were canceled for reasons including loan default and missing voter support documents, while in Chandpur-5, one independent candidate’s nomination was canceled for insufficient voter support.

The completion of scrutiny finalizes the list of valid candidates in Chandpur ahead of the upcoming national election.

The Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) has initiated the process to publish its seventh mass recruitment circular for private educational institutions. A demand letter seeking approval to fill 68,000 verified vacant posts has already been sent to the Ministry of Education. According to an NTRCA administration official, the ministry will review and approve the request before the circular is officially released.

NTRCA sources said that earlier, data on vacant positions were collected through Teletalk, which initially identified over 72,000 vacancies. After verification by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, the Directorate of Madrasa Education, and the Directorate of Technical Education, 68,000 of those were confirmed as genuine vacancies. The authority has now sought ministry approval to proceed with recruitment for these posts.

Previously, on June 17, 2025, NTRCA issued its sixth mass circular to recruit 100,822 teachers, later recommending around 41,000 appointments. Officials expect that once ministry approval is granted, the seventh circular can be published promptly.

A total of 119 nomination papers have been declared valid and 54 rejected after scrutiny for the upcoming national parliamentary election in Dhaka’s 13 constituencies. The verification process took place throughout the day at the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner’s Office in Segunbagicha, and the results were announced on Saturday evening by Dhaka Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer Sharaf Uddin Ahmad Chowdhury. One nomination paper, belonging to Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Mohammad Ashraful Haque from Dhaka-18, has been kept pending due to a time extension request related to his affidavit.

According to the Returning Officer, the rejections were mainly due to discrepancies in voter signatures for independent candidates, loan defaults, missing signatures on affidavits, and lack of authorization signatures for party-nominated candidates. He stated that all cancellations were made for specific reasons, and written explanations will be provided to the concerned candidates.

Aggrieved candidates may appeal to the Election Commission between January 5 and 9, as per the official announcement.

The United States’ recent military action in Venezuela has reignited discussion about Washington’s long-standing interventionist policies across Latin America. According to a report cited by Al Jazeera, such actions have historically been driven by goals of containing communism, protecting corporate interests, and maintaining strategic influence in the region.

The report outlines a series of US-backed interventions since the Cold War, including the 1954 CIA-supported coup in Guatemala, the failed 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba, and the 1964 military coup in Brazil. Similar allegations of US involvement are noted in the Dominican Republic, Chile, Argentina, and several other nations, where political upheavals and military regimes followed. The 1980s saw US military and financial support in conflicts in El Salvador and Nicaragua, culminating in the Iran-Contra affair, as well as direct invasions of Grenada in 1983 and Panama in 1989.

The situation in Venezuela is described as a new chapter in this long history. Many Latin American countries reportedly fear that such interventions could deepen regional instability and division rather than promote peace.

US Delta Force carried out a military operation in Venezuela, detaining President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, according to reports published on January 3, 2026. The attack has triggered widespread international reactions, with several world leaders expressing concern and condemnation over the US action.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the United Kingdom was in no way involved in the operation and confirmed he had not spoken with President Trump about Maduro’s detention. Chilean President Gabriel Boric voiced concern and condemnation of the US military activity, while Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for an immediate United Nations meeting and announced troop deployment along the Venezuelan border. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel denounced the attack as a criminal act and urged an urgent international response. Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar emphasized maintaining peaceful relations with Venezuela.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged citizens to remain calm and trust the country’s leadership and armed forces, saying the world should speak out about the attack.

Kolkata Knight Riders have announced the exclusion of Bangladeshi bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their Indian Premier League (IPL) squad. Following the decision, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sangeet Som thanked the Indian government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Social media users identifying with Hindu nationalist ideology expressed joy over the move, posting celebratory and derogatory comments about Bangladeshi players and artists.

In an interview with NDTV, Sangeet Som criticized actor Shah Rukh Khan for previously including Mustafizur in the team, calling the decision wrong and claiming it hurt the religious sentiments of millions of Hindus. Som also accused Bangladesh of attacks on Hindus and labeled Shah Rukh Khan a traitor. Som, a former legislator from Uttar Pradesh’s Sardhana constituency, has faced serious allegations related to the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots.

Reports indicate that speculation about Mustafizur’s removal had circulated for days, with some extremist activists threatening to damage pitches if he played. The announcement has now confirmed those concerns.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were detained by the US military’s Delta Force following a nighttime assault in Venezuela, according to reports published on Friday night. Explosions were heard across several areas of Caracas during the operation. US President Donald Trump confirmed the detention on Saturday through a post on his social media platform Truth Social, stating that the United States had successfully carried out a large-scale attack against Venezuela and removed Maduro and his wife from the country.

Trump said the operation was conducted with the cooperation of US law enforcement agencies and announced a press conference at Mar-a-Lago at 11 a.m. local time to provide further details. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Maduro would be tried in the United States, a claim later confirmed by Senator Mike Lee after speaking with Rubio. CBS News cited US officials saying the Delta Force, the top counterterrorism unit of the US military, carried out the detention.

The report did not specify Maduro’s current location or the immediate political implications for Venezuela following his capture.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the United Kingdom was not involved in the United States’ recent military operation in Venezuela. The operation, conducted on Saturday, included bombings on several infrastructures and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces. Speaking to British journalists, Starmer clarified that he had not yet spoken with US President Donald Trump regarding Maduro’s detention.

Starmer emphasized that the UK had no role in the operation and reiterated that Britain should adhere to international law. When asked whether he would condemn the US action in Venezuela, he said he would first speak with President Trump before making any further comment.

The statement comes amid heightened international attention following the US military intervention and the detention of Maduro, with the UK seeking to distance itself from the operation while maintaining diplomatic engagement with Washington.

In Jamalpur-3 (Madaripur-Melandah) constituency, five candidates’ nomination papers, including that of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Mojibur Rahman Azadi, were canceled during the verification process. The decision was announced on Saturday afternoon at the district commissioner’s office conference room by District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Yousuf Ali. Six other candidates from BNP, Islami Andolon, and Jatiya Party were declared valid.

According to the returning officer, Azadi’s nomination was canceled due to missing signatures of the proposer and supporter, while four independent candidates—Md. Sadiqur Rahman Siddiqi Shuvo, Farzana Farid, Shiblul Bari Raju, and S.M. Shahinur Rahman—were disqualified for inconsistencies in the voter support list. Valid nominations were confirmed for Mostafizur Rahman Babul (BNP), Mir Shamsul Alam Lipton (Jatiya Party), Fidel Naeem (Gonosonghoti Andolon), Mohammad Daulatuzzaman Ansari (Islami Andolon), Rubel Mia, and Liton Mia (Gonodhikar Parishad).

Officials stated that candidates whose nominations were canceled may appeal to the Election Commission within the stipulated time. Jamaat candidate Azadi said he plans to appeal on January 5, expressing hope for a fair outcome.

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.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. According to Bondi, the charges against Maduro include narcoterrorism, cocaine importation, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such devices against the United States. She stated that the couple will soon face American justice in a US court, though she did not specify the charges against Maduro’s wife.

Bondi expressed gratitude to the US military, crediting them for conducting what she described as an incredible and highly successful operation to capture the two accused international drug traffickers. The announcement was reported by BBC and repeated across multiple statements in the source.

The indictment marks a significant legal escalation against Venezuela’s leadership, though details about the timing of court proceedings or the specific evidence presented were not disclosed in the report.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed deep sorrow and sympathy over the loss of lives in a fire at the Crans-Montana ski resort in Switzerland. In a condolence message sent on Friday to Swiss Confederation President Guy Parmelin, Yunus conveyed his heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Bangladesh.

According to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, Yunus said he was deeply saddened by the tragic incident that claimed many valuable lives. He extended sincere sympathy to the bereaved families and the people of Switzerland, expressing solidarity with those affected by the tragedy. He prayed for peace for the departed souls and strength for their families to endure the loss.

Yunus also wished a speedy recovery for those injured in the fire, assuring that the thoughts and prayers of the Bangladeshi people remain with the victims and their families during this difficult time.

Grameenphone, the leading telecommunications service provider in Bangladesh, has launched Wi-Fi calling services using Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) technology. The announcement was made on January 3, 2026. This new feature allows Grameenphone’s VoLTE customers to make high-quality voice calls over designated Wi-Fi networks without requiring any additional applications. The company described the launch as a milestone in the country’s digital connectivity journey.

To ensure uninterrupted service, Grameenphone has initially partnered with several internet service providers, including BracNet, Carnival Internet, Chittagong Online Limited, and MIM Internet. The service is designed to enhance call quality and provide a seamless calling experience. Grameenphone’s Chief Product Officer, Solaiman Alam, stated that the company remains committed to continuous innovation and delivering the best digital experiences for its customers.

According to the company, the introduction of Wi-Fi calling strengthens Grameenphone’s transformation from a mobile operator to a telco-tech company. The initiative reflects its ongoing commitment to innovation and providing improved voice call services at no additional cost.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has extended financial assistance to Shaheen Alam, a pacer from Bangladesh’s 2020 Under-19 World Cup-winning cricket team, who is currently facing financial hardship. The aid was delivered on Rahman’s instruction by Aminul Haque, convener of Dhaka North BNP and BNP candidate for Dhaka-16, at his Mirpur residence on Saturday. Haque, also the party’s central sports secretary and a former national football captain, assured continued support for Shaheen.

Shaheen Alam, originally from Kurigram, has been struggling with long-term injuries, family illness, and financial difficulties. Once a key pace bowler in Bangladesh’s historic youth World Cup victory in South Africa, he has been unable to play regularly due to injury and currently lacks a team in the ongoing first division league, cutting off his income.

During the handover, Aminul Haque described Shaheen as a national asset and emphasized the moral duty to support talented athletes. He also urged the cricket board to take greater responsibility for players’ welfare. Shaheen expressed gratitude to Tarique Rahman and vowed to recover and return to cricket soon.