The Election Commission has declared the nomination of Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, valid for the Bogura-2 (Shibganj) constituency in the national parliamentary election. Following the decision, Manna expressed gratitude and said the alleged conspiracy behind the earlier cancellation of his nomination had failed. He emphasized that the purpose of nomination scrutiny is not to exclude candidates but to allow correction of errors as permitted by law.

Manna claimed that attempts were made to disqualify him through unfair tactics and described the move as a negative sign for democracy. He said the district administration referred the matter to the Election Commission, which resolved it. Addressing allegations of defaulted bank loans, he stated that a false notice had been fabricated by an Islami Bank official, who was later disciplined. Manna also criticized political strategies aimed at defeating opponents through conspiracy rather than fair competition.

He welcomed the Commission’s stance on inclusive politics but expressed concern over the administration’s and police’s inaction. Regarding BNP’s support, he noted that their nominated candidate had not yet withdrawn but expected that to happen soon.

Karnaphuli Paper Mills (KPM) has supplied 914 tons of paper to the Election Commission (EC) through the Bangladesh Stationery Office (BSO) ahead of the scheduled deadline. The paper, valued at over Tk 110 million, will be used for printing ballots and other materials for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. KPM Managing Director Mohammad Shahid Ullah confirmed the delivery on Sunday, January 11, 2026, noting that the supply was completed before the January 15 deadline.

According to KPM, the paper order included brown, green, and pink sheets specifically requested for election use. The mill, located in Kaptai, Rangamati, had set a production target of 3,500 tons for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. In addition to the EC, KPM will supply another 1,200 tons of paper to 11 other institutions, including Dhaka University, education boards, and the National University, through the BSO.

KPM, a state-owned enterprise under the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), is one of South Asia’s largest paper mills and has produced 19,030 tons of paper as of January 11, 2026.

Police in Kishoreganj upazila of Nilphamari arrested six individuals on Saturday night for alleged involvement in visa fraud and online gambling. The arrests were made during separate raids in different areas, and the detainees were sent to the district jail on Sunday under the Cyber Security Act. The arrested persons include residents of Nitai Union and Kishoreganj Sadar Union, identified by police as Abu Alam, Lal Mia, Bulbul Mia, Goffar Mia, Manjurul, and Selim.

According to Sub-Inspector Kazi Ripon, four suspects were detained from Bajedumuria Dakupura village based on secret information, and evidence of online casino activity was found on their mobile phones. In a separate operation the same night, two others were arrested from Kacharipara village, where one was found with evidence of visa fraud and another with online gambling traces. Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) Abdul Kuddus confirmed the arrests and legal action.

The suspects were placed in district jail on Sunday following the filing of cases under the Cyber Security Act, as confirmed by Kishoreganj police officials.

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Tazul Islam, stated that the defense team for Sajeeb Wazed Joy and Zunaid Ahmed Palak is attempting to delay the trial proceedings. He remarked that the defense hopes the upcoming election will halt the trial. The comment came during a hearing before a three-member panel led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumdar, where the defense requested more time for the discharge hearing.

The prosecution presented formal charges against Joy, son of the deposed Prime Minister Hasina, and former state minister Palak, related to alleged atrocities during the July uprising when internet services were shut down. Prosecutors submitted three charges and sought to begin the trial. Defense lawyer Liton Ahmed argued that they faced restrictions during a prison visit and that some seized video evidence could not be opened. The tribunal allowed four additional days for the defense to review the charges.

The tribunal scheduled the next hearing for Thursday, continuing the process toward formal trial commencement.

Somalia’s Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi has accused Israel of planning to relocate Palestinians to Somaliland, calling the alleged plan a serious violation of international law. He made the remarks in an interview with Al Jazeera, stating that Somalia had confirmed information about Israel’s intention to transfer Palestinians to the breakaway region. Israel recently recognized Somaliland as an independent state.

Both Israel and Somaliland have denied the accusation. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has not been recognized by the United Nations. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told Israel’s Channel 14 last week that the forced relocation of Palestinians to Somaliland was not part of any agreement between the two sides.

Sa’ar added that Israel and Somaliland have many areas of cooperation, including politics, security, and development, but insisted that population transfer was not among them.

Iran’s state media reported on Sunday that more than 100 members of the country’s security forces have been killed during nationwide protests over a worsening economic crisis. State television said 30 officers were killed in Isfahan province and six in Kermanshah, while the Tasnim news agency put the total death toll among security personnel at 109. A Red Crescent staff member was also killed in Gorgan, and a mosque was set on fire in Mashhad. The Ministry of Interior said the unrest was beginning to subside, though the attorney general warned that those involved could face the death penalty.

The protests, which began in late December, have become the largest in Iran since the 2022–23 demonstrations following Mahsa Amini’s death. President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States and Israel of inciting “riots,” while parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that any US attack would trigger retaliatory strikes on Israel and American bases. US President Donald Trump said Washington was “ready to help” protesters and threatened to hit Iran “very hard.”

Authorities have imposed a nationwide internet blackout lasting more than 60 hours, and human rights groups report at least 51 protesters, including nine children, killed by security forces.

A Ukrainian drone attack killed one person and injured three others in the Russian city of Voronezh, local officials said on Sunday. Governor Alexander Gusev reported that a young woman died overnight in hospital after debris from a drone fell on a house. More than ten apartment buildings, private homes, and a high school were damaged. Gusev added that air defences shot down 17 drones over the city, describing the incident as one of the heaviest drone attacks since the start of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.

Ukraine did not immediately comment on the Voronezh attack but has previously said it targets sites inside Russia to disrupt Moscow’s war effort and respond to repeated missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. The assault followed Russia’s launch of a hypersonic Oreshnik missile on Friday at a site in Ukraine near NATO member Poland, which European allies viewed as an attempt to discourage continued support for Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said negotiations with the United States were ongoing. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s General Staff reported that Russia launched 154 drones overnight into Sunday, with 125 intercepted by Ukrainian defences.

Iran has warned that it will target US military bases and naval vessels if the United States launches a new military attack. The warning came from Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who said during a Sunday parliamentary session that any US military action would make American bases and transport centers legitimate targets. His remarks were broadcast on state television, where he also made indirect references to Israel.

Ghalibaf’s statement comes amid ongoing anti-government protests in Iran and heightened regional tensions. Analysts cited in the report view his comments as a strong message to the United States and its allies, suggesting that the situation could escalate further if hostilities continue.

The warning underscores the fragile state of regional security as domestic unrest and international friction converge, raising concerns about potential military escalation in the Middle East.

Jordan’s air force carried out airstrikes on Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria over the weekend as part of a US-led military campaign. The country’s army announced the operation on Sunday, according to a report by AFP. The strikes were conducted on Saturday in coordination with international coalition partners.

According to the Jordanian military statement, the main objective of the operation was to weaken the capabilities of terrorist groups and prevent their efforts to reorganize. The statement emphasized that Jordan remains committed to cooperating in counterterrorism operations to ensure regional and international security.

The announcement underscores Jordan’s ongoing participation in multinational efforts aimed at curbing extremist networks operating in the region, reflecting its continued alignment with coalition strategies against IS.

Israel has placed its security forces on the highest alert amid concerns over a possible United States strike on Iran, according to Israeli sources cited by Reuters. The heightened alert follows widespread anti-government protests in Iran, which have intensified since late December due to the sharp devaluation of the Iranian rial and worsening economic conditions. US President Donald Trump warned Iran against suppressing protesters, stating on his social media platform that the United States is ready to help.

Sources present at Israel’s weekend security meeting did not specify what the heightened alert measures entail. In June, Israel carried out an attack on Iran, with the United States joining in the final days of a 12-day conflict. On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the possibility of US intervention in Iran during a phone call, though US officials declined to confirm the details of their conversation.

The protests, which began near Tehran’s Grand Bazaar on December 28, have since spread to multiple cities across Iran, reflecting deepening public frustration over the country’s economic decline.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized a large consignment of illegal Indian cigarettes from the border area of Kulaura upazila in Moulvibazar on Saturday night. The operation took place near the Alinagar border outpost, where 2,550 packets of Indian cigarettes were recovered without an identified owner. The seized goods have an estimated market value of Tk 510,000.

According to the BGB’s Srimangal Battalion (46 BGB), its border outposts in Kulaura, Kamalganj, and Srimangal upazilas conduct round-the-clock patrols and regular anti-smuggling drives along the district’s border areas. The battalion oversees about 115 kilometers of border, focusing on preventing illegal drugs and other contraband from entering the country.

BGB officials stated that such operations will continue to ensure border security and curb smuggling activities. The seized cigarettes are being prepared for handover to the relevant authorities following legal procedures.

Several major international airlines have suspended operations to and from Iran as anti-government protests intensify across the country. On Saturday, January 10, Lufthansa, Flydubai, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Austrian Airlines announced the suspension of their services, citing safety risks. Dubai airport authorities confirmed that Flydubai alone canceled at least 17 flights to Tehran, Shiraz, and Mashhad, while Emirates and Oman Air also halted operations. Turkish Airlines suspended 17 flights to Tehran and Tabriz, with its subsidiary A-Jet following suit.

The unrest began on December 28 over the devaluation of the Iranian rial and has since evolved into a broader movement demanding government change. Airlines said they are closely monitoring the situation and have taken these measures to ensure passenger safety. Human rights group Iran Human Rights reported that at least 50 protesters, including children, have been killed in security crackdowns, and hundreds have been detained.

Due to ongoing violence, communication disruptions, and instability, international carriers have decided to keep their services to Iran suspended until further notice.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has announced a constituency-based campaign strategy to ensure victory for the 'Yes' side in the upcoming referendum on proposed reforms linked to the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The plan was detailed in a message issued on Sunday by Mahabub Alam, the party’s joint chief coordinator and head of its election media subcommittee.

According to the announcement, NCP candidates will lead the campaign in constituencies where the party has its own nominees, directly engaging with supporters and voters to promote the 'Yes' vote. In the 270 constituencies where the NCP has no candidates, the party will appoint 'ambassadors' or representatives to conduct outreach. These representatives will connect with local communities to explain the party’s stance, the significance of the referendum, and the importance of supporting the 'Yes' option.

The NCP stated that this approach aims to create a unified and nationwide campaign, ensuring that its message reaches voters in all constituencies and builds public support for the 'Yes' vote across the country.

Members of the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) from Dhaka successfully defused a powerful bomb recovered in Faridpur on Sunday morning. The operation took place around 10 a.m. at the bank of the Kumar River in the Goalachamot area, where the device was detonated in a controlled explosion after being surrounded with sandbags. ATU Inspector Shankar Kumar Ghosh confirmed that the bomb was a remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED).

The explosive had been discovered the previous morning, Saturday at around 10 a.m., inside a school bag near the southern side of Alipur Bridge in a slum area of the city. Following the recovery, local police increased surveillance across Faridpur to ensure public safety. Officer-in-Charge of Faridpur Kotwali Police Station, Shahidul Islam, stated that investigations are underway to identify those involved in the incident.

Authorities have not yet disclosed any suspects or motives behind the placement of the device, and the investigation remains ongoing.

A severe winter storm in Gaza has destroyed or damaged thousands of tents housing Palestinians displaced by two years of conflict with Israel, according to Gaza’s Civil Defense Department. The department warned that the damage has deepened the humanitarian crisis, as strong winds reaching 60 kilometers per hour and heavy rain tore through coastal areas, leaving many families exposed to harsh weather conditions.

Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said the storm’s impact extends beyond weather-related hardship, describing it as a direct result of restrictions on construction materials that have hindered reconstruction. He noted that many displaced families are forced to live in torn tents or unsafe, damaged homes without dignity or protection.

Palestinian meteorologists reported that the storm began on Friday and is expected to continue for several more days. Basal cautioned that large urban areas remain uninhabitable after prolonged Israeli bombardment, forcing many families to set up tents along the coast due to the lack of safer alternatives.