Interim government Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus described the July uprising as an extraordinary achievement in the nation's history. He made the remark on Monday, January 19, during an evening address focused on the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and the national referendum.

The statement came as part of his official speech concerning the electoral process and the referendum, reflecting the interim administration’s view of the July uprising as a defining moment for the country. The address was delivered under the authority of the interim government, which is overseeing the transition toward the next parliamentary election.

Further details of the speech and its implications for the election and referendum process were not immediately available, as the report indicated that more information would follow.

A report from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing in Bangladesh stated that out of 645 recorded attacks on minority communities in 2025, police identified communal elements in only 71 cases. The data, covering incidents from January to December 2025, was compiled from verified First Information Reports, General Diaries, charge sheets, and nationwide investigation updates.

According to the report, the 71 communal incidents mainly involved vandalism or desecration of religious sites and idols, along with a few other crimes. The remaining 574 incidents were assessed as non-communal, linked instead to disputes such as land conflicts, neighborhood quarrels, political rivalries, theft, sexual violence, and personal enmity. The report emphasized that while all crimes are concerning, most were criminal rather than communal in nature.

It further noted that the findings highlight challenges in law and order management and underscore the importance of evidence-based discussion over fear or misinformation.

Students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) declared vice president candidate Mominur Rashid Shuvo unwanted on campus after the High Court suspended the university’s central student union (ShakSU) election for four weeks. The announcement came on Monday following the court order, and students also blocked the Sylhet–Sunamganj highway in protest.

According to the students, the ShakSU election had been a long-standing demand, but the independent VP candidate filed a petition in the High Court allegedly under the influence of a political group, depriving students of their rights. The High Court bench of Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Asif Hasan issued the suspension order earlier that day.

The university administration has since appealed to the Appellate Division’s chamber court, seeking to stay the High Court’s order. Advocate Md. Saddam Hossain confirmed that a hearing on the appeal will be held in due course.

A Dhaka court has ordered the appointment of a receiver to manage the seized properties of Mohammad Saiful Alam, chairman of S Alam Group. The order was issued on Monday, January 19, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. According to court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain, the decision concerns 463.87 decimals of land and structures in Chattogram that had previously been confiscated.

The Anti-Corruption Commission’s Deputy Director, Tahasin Munabil Haque, had earlier filed a petition seeking the appointment of a receiver to oversee the seized assets. After a hearing, the judge granted the request. The same court had earlier, on January 11, ordered the seizure of the properties belonging to the S Alam Group chairman.

The appointment of a receiver indicates that the court aims to ensure proper management and preservation of the confiscated assets while legal proceedings continue.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended its preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup, expressing full support for Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), which has refused to send its team to India citing security concerns. According to a report by Pakistani outlet Geo Super, the PCB described Bangladesh’s concerns as legitimate and justified, and has halted all training and planning activities for the tournament scheduled to begin in India on February 7.

PCB officials stated that if the International Cricket Council (ICC) fails to reach an acceptable resolution regarding Bangladesh’s position, Pakistan may reconsider its own participation in the tournament. The board has also instructed its team management to prepare an alternative plan in case Pakistan ultimately withdraws from the event.

Geo Super further reported that the PCB believes no host nation should use its position to pressure or threaten other countries, emphasizing the need for fairness and respect in international cricket governance.

Six members of the same family were killed in a shooting incident in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The attack occurred in Karak district following a domestic dispute, according to a report published on Sunday, January 18. Police said the suspected gunman opened fire indiscriminately on his family members, killing six people on the spot, including two women and two young daughters.

Authorities identified the victims as the suspect’s two brothers, his sister-in-law, wife, and daughter. After the attack, the suspect reportedly fired at law enforcement officers in an attempt to evade arrest. Police spokesperson Shaukat Khan stated that officers quickly conducted an operation, apprehended the suspect near the scene, and recovered the weapon used in the killings.

The report did not mention further details about the motive or the condition of the surviving relatives. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to police sources cited in the report.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all licensed firearm holders to deposit their weapons at the nearest police station by January 31. The directive, signed by Deputy Secretary Abeda Afsari from the Political-4 branch, was issued on Sunday and announced to the media on Monday. The order aims to ensure that the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election is conducted freely, fairly, and peacefully.

According to the notification, carrying and displaying licensed firearms will be completely prohibited until February 15, following the declared election schedule. However, the restriction will not apply to candidates for the National Parliament and their armed retainers who are covered under the “Firearms License and Retainer Appointment Policy, 2025,” provided their nominations have been duly submitted and accepted by the Election Commission.

The circular further states that any violation of this directive will result in legal action under the relevant provisions of The Arms Act, 1878.

A two-year-old child named Yanur drowned in a bucket of water at his home in Kumarpara village under Bilchalon Union of Chatmohar upazila, Pabna. The incident occurred around noon on Monday when the child accidentally fell into a bucket while playing. After a search, family members and locals found him submerged in the water.

Locals immediately rescued Yanur and took him to Chatmohar Upazila Health Complex, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead. The incident was confirmed by Anwar Hossain, a member of the local union parishad. The report described the death as tragic and accidental, with no indication of foul play or further investigation mentioned.

The incident highlights the vulnerability of young children to household accidents, particularly in rural areas where supervision challenges and open water containers are common.

At least 39 people were killed and about 100 injured after two high-speed trains collided in southern Spain’s Andalusia region on Sunday evening, January 19, 2026. The crash occurred near the town of Adamuz when a Malaga-to-Madrid train derailed and entered the opposite track, colliding with another oncoming train. Both trains derailed, carrying over 400 passengers in total.

Andalusia’s emergency services reported that 73 people were hospitalized, including 24 in critical condition and four children among them. Rescue teams said the wreckage was severely twisted, making recovery operations dangerous. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed sorrow, calling it a night of deep grief for the nation. Transport Minister Óscar Puente described the crash as highly unusual but said the official cause remains unknown, with investigations expected to take at least a month.

Following the accident, all rail services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended, and train operations will remain halted through Monday as recovery and investigation efforts continue.

Students from seven government colleges in Dhaka have begun constructing an 'Ordinance Stage' to press for the Dhaka Central University ordinance. The work started around noon on Monday, January 19, in front of Dhaka College. Wooden and bamboo structures are being set up on the sidewalk near the main gate. Additional mobile stages are being prepared near Bangla College, Kabi Nazrul and Suhrawardy colleges, and Titumir College. According to movement spokesperson Abdur Rahman, four stages, including one mobile truck stage, will host discussions and cultural programs across the campuses.

The Ministry of Education announced on Sunday, January 18, that the final draft of the Dhaka Central University ordinance has been completed and sent to the Cabinet Division for approval. The ministry urged all concerned to refrain from activities that could disrupt public life, warning that emotional or unstable actions might undermine the progress achieved so far.

Depending on the government’s update expected Wednesday, students plan either a 'March for Jamuna' if the update is negative, or a joint rally from Science Lab if it is positive.

Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is set to formally announce the dissolution of parliament on Monday, paving the way for an early election aimed at accelerating her ambitious policy agenda. According to AFP, Takaichi is relying on her current popularity in opinion polls to secure victory for her ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Media reports suggest the election could be held by February 8. The LDP has long dominated Japanese politics but faces declining party support and only a slim majority in the powerful lower house, which has hindered the passage of key fiscal and defense initiatives.

Tokyo University professor Sadafumi Kawato said that if the LDP wins a clear majority, Takaichi could implement her policies without concessions to other parties. Her cabinet has approved a record 122.3 trillion yen budget for the next fiscal year to tackle inflation and boost the economy. Opposition parties, however, warned that dissolving parliament could delay budget approval, with CDP leader Jun Azumi criticizing the move as harmful to citizens’ livelihoods.

Analysts believe the early election could also strengthen Takaichi’s hand in dealing with China, as domestic support may enhance her international bargaining power. However, experts cautioned that Beijing might respond through trade restrictions or other measures if Japan’s stance hardens further.

A total of 5,600 postal ballots sent to expatriate voters in Malaysia and Italy have been returned to the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) because of incorrect or fake registered addresses. Of these, 1,600 ballots came from Italy and 4,000 from Malaysia. Election Commissioner Abul Fazl Sanaullah disclosed the information on Monday, January 19, during a training session for presiding officers assigned to oversee postal ballot counting. The returned ballots have cost the state approximately 3.92 million taka.

Sanaullah explained that the ballots could not be delivered as the expatriates’ correct addresses were unavailable. He emphasized that postal ballots are secure and cannot be manipulated, citing the use of face detection technology to prevent one person from voting on behalf of another. He also dismissed misleading information circulating on social media about postal ballot fraud.

According to the commissioner, each expatriate postal ballot costs the state 700 taka, and 39 ballot marks were found folded within the papers.

Daily Amar Desh has launched a new YouTube channel titled “Amar Desh Oitijjho” to showcase Bangladesh’s history and heritage. The inauguration took place on Monday afternoon at the newspaper’s headquarters conference room, led by Editor Mahmudur Rahman. The initiative follows the earlier success of the paper’s first YouTube channel, “Daily Amar Desh,” which gained significant viewer support within a year.

During the launch, Mahmudur Rahman explained that the new channel aims to go beyond political news by focusing on cultural, historical, and religious themes. He described Amar Desh as not only a news outlet but also a platform for asserting the identity of Bengali Muslims. To strengthen that mission, he emphasized the need to revisit both Bengal’s and the broader Muslim world’s history.

The editor added that “Amar Desh Oitijjho” will feature content on history, religious thought, values, literary analysis, and cultural aspects. Several senior editors and staff members of the newspaper were present at the event.

Large demonstrations took place across several US cities on Sunday as Iranian expatriates protested against Iran’s deadly suppression of anti-government movements and expressed solidarity with demonstrators inside the country. According to AFP, thousands marched in Los Angeles, home to the world’s largest Iranian diaspora, while hundreds gathered in New York. Protesters carried placards reading messages such as “New Holocaust,” “Ongoing Genocide,” and calls to end the Iranian government’s “terror.” One participant, Pery Faraj, said his cousin was killed during protests in Iran earlier in the week.

The protests followed unrest that began in late December over economic hardship and quickly turned into a broader anti-government movement. Iran’s communications blackout and security crackdown since January 8 have largely subdued the demonstrations. The human rights group Iran Human Rights reported verifying 3,428 protester deaths at the hands of security forces, though the actual number may be higher.

Many demonstrators voiced support for Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s former Shah, though experts noted his influence remains limited inside Iran. The rallies aimed to draw international attention to the repression, while observers stressed that Iran’s future will ultimately depend on its people.

European leaders have strongly reacted to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs of up to 25 percent on several European countries if Greenland is not handed over to the United States. The warning, announced in mid-January 2026, prompted Denmark, Britain, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden to issue a joint statement from Brussels condemning the move as a dangerous escalation. The European Council said it would convene a summit within days following an ambassadors’ meeting.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said the threat endangers global stability and NATO’s future. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed he had discussed Arctic security with Trump and expected further talks at the Davos summit. European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and ministers from France and the Netherlands, described the tariff plan as unjustified and political blackmail. Thousands protested in Denmark and Greenland against the U.S. stance.

Trump argued that U.S. control over Greenland would serve national security interests, particularly against potential threats from Russia or China. European leaders warned that such measures could harm international cooperation and global trade.