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.

Leaders and activists of the Baisamya Birodhi Chhatra Andolon blocked Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection on Saturday night, demanding the release of their Habiganj district general secretary, Mahdi Hasan. The blockade began around 10:30 p.m. on January 3, causing severe traffic congestion and suffering for commuters. Protesters lit fires in the middle of the intersection and chanted slogans calling for Mahdi’s release. The blockade was withdrawn around 12:15 a.m., restoring normal traffic flow.

Earlier that evening, the organization had issued a one-hour ultimatum for Mahdi’s unconditional release. When police did not comply, the group’s chief coordinator, Hasib Al Islam, announced the sit-in. Mahdi was detained by the Detective Branch from a relative’s house in Habiganj’s Shayestanagar area around 7 p.m. He had recently drawn national attention after a video of his conversation with a police officer went viral, in which he made controversial remarks about past incidents.

Following his detention, protests also erupted in front of Habiganj Sadar Police Station, prompting police to close the main gate and deploy additional forces to maintain order.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, has had his nomination for the Dhaka-18 constituency declared valid. He confirmed the decision himself on Saturday. This comes a day after his nomination for the Bogura-2 (Shibganj) constituency was rejected by the district returning officer and Bogura Deputy Commissioner Md. Taufiqul Islam due to inconsistencies in his affidavit and discrepancies in the notary public’s signature date.

Earlier, Manna faced complications over a defaulted loan. Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited’s Bogura Barogola branch had issued a call-back notice on December 10 to recover Tk 38.04 crore from Afaku Cold Storage Limited, a company in which Manna holds a 50 percent stake. The notice required repayment by December 18, warning of legal action if unpaid. Manna later filed a writ petition seeking removal of his name from the defaulter list, which the High Court rejected.

On December 29, the Appellate Division’s chamber court ordered his name to be removed from the defaulter list, clearing the way for his candidacy. However, the BNP nominated Shahe Alam for Bogura-2, leading Manna to submit nominations for both Bogura-2 and Dhaka-18, with only the latter remaining valid.

An allegation has surfaced against Jhenaidah District Jail Superintendent Mohammad Habibur Rahman for illegally selling a government motorcycle under the guise of an auction. The incident reportedly took place after an official auction was announced on December 29, 2025, for an old Hero Honda motorcycle used by prison guards. On December 30, three local residents participated in the auction after depositing the required security money. Despite the highest bid reaching 7,500 taka, the jail superintendent refused to sell and declared the auction postponed.

According to the complaint, only two hours after the postponement, a man named Sona Mia, who had not participated in the auction, was caught by locals while taking away the motorcycle, claiming to have bought it for 20,000 taka. The event caused widespread discussion in the district after a video of the incident spread on social media. Later, the jail superintendent reportedly retrieved the motorcycle from Sona Mia and brought it back to the prison office.

When contacted, Superintendent Habibur Rahman denied the sale, stating the motorcycle had been sent for repair. The prison accounts assistant, however, acknowledged the sale outside the auction process and advised contacting the superintendent for clarification.

Police in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar, arrested a suspected drug dealer with 1,800 yaba tablets during a separate operation on Friday. The arrest took place at a checkpoint on the Ukhiya-connection regional highway, east of Kathir Matha Bridge in South Mithachhari Union. The detainee was identified as Nurul Amin, aged 40, son of the late Surut Alam, and a resident of Ward No. 7 in Hwaikyang Union, Teknaf upazila.

Following the seizure, a case was filed under the Narcotics Control Act at Ramu Police Station. Authorities stated that the arrested individual would be presented before the court after completion of legal procedures.

The operation reflects ongoing law enforcement efforts in Cox’s Bazar to curb drug trafficking activities, particularly involving yaba tablets, which remain a major concern in the region.