The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday issued arrest warrants against former Dhaka South City mayor Fazle Noor Taposh, former textiles and jute minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and 22 others in connection with the killing of nine people, including Farhan Faiyaz and Mahmudul Hasan Soikat, during the July uprising in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area. The three-member judicial panel, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, passed the order after taking formal charges into cognizance.

According to the prosecution, the accused include former senior police officials and leaders of the now-banned local units of Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League. Four accused are already in custody, identified as local Chhatra League leaders. The chief prosecutor, Tazul Islam, presented three charges alleging that Awami League, Chhatra League, and law enforcement personnel carried out brutal attacks on student protesters on July 18–19, 2024, resulting in nine deaths and numerous injuries.

The tribunal accepted the charges and ordered the fugitives to appear before it on January 29. The prosecution stated that 50 witnesses are expected to testify against the accused.

A Bangladeshi citizen and voter, Md. Mamun Hawlader, has submitted a written petition to the Chief Election Commissioner alleging that the Election Commission violated the Constitution and Supreme Court rulings regarding dual citizenship. The petition claims that under Articles 66(g) and 66(2a) of the Constitution, no foreign or dual citizen may contest parliamentary elections until their foreign citizenship is legally renounced. However, the Commission has reportedly validated nominations based only on applications for renunciation, which the petitioner argues contravenes constitutional and judicial directives.

The petition cites a High Court order in writ petition No. 16463/2023, which states that a person remains a foreign citizen until their renunciation is legally accepted, and that merely applying is insufficient. This order remains upheld by the Appellate Division. The petitioner further alleges that the Commission has accepted affidavits and reconsideration requests beyond its legal authority.

The petitioner’s lawyer, Advocate Sakil Ahmad, stated that approving nominations based on pending applications undermines both the Constitution and public trust in the electoral system, emphasizing that the Election Commission cannot act above Supreme Court rulings.

Sheikh Muhammad Zainal Abedin, the Islami Andolan candidate for Chandpur-3 (Sadar and Haimchar), has publicly appealed for financial assistance from voters to meet his election expenses. The appeal was made through a detailed Facebook post shortly after midnight on January 17, 2026. In the post, Abedin shared his personal mobile banking and bank account details, urging supporters to contribute within the legal spending limit set by the Election Commission.

Abedin stated that his constituency has 522,247 voters and that he can legally spend up to 5.22 million taka, based on the rule of 10 taka per voter. He emphasized transparency and pledged to publish a full account of all received and spent funds. His campaign slogan, “Vote and pay to build a corruption-free Bangladesh,” reflects his call for a change in electoral culture. The candidate also declared that Islami Andolan will contest the election independently, not as part of any alliance.

Local political circles in Chandpur have noted that Abedin’s approach mirrors earlier crowdfunding appeals by candidates in Dhaka-9, Barishal-3, and Noakhali-6 constituencies.

The student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, staged a sit-in on Sunday morning in front of the Election Commission (EC) office in Agargaon, Dhaka. The protest was organized to denounce alleged bias in postal ballot management for the upcoming parliamentary election and to oppose several controversial EC decisions. As of the time of reporting, the sit-in was ongoing, and the organization planned to submit a memorandum to the commission.

Chhatra Dal president Rakibul Islam Rakib accused the EC of acting under the influence of a particular political party, claiming that the commission’s actions were intended to undermine his organization. He further alleged that the EC played a similar role in the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology student union election as it did in the Jagannath University polls.

The group’s three main complaints include biased and questionable EC decisions on postal ballots, decisions made under political pressure that undermine the commission’s independence, and a controversial directive regarding the Shahjalal University student election that they say threatens democratic practices on campus.

Five activists of Jamaat-e-Islami were injured in an attack allegedly carried out by BNP members in Dhunat upazila of Bogura. The incident occurred on Saturday evening at Elengi Bazar, where Jamaat activists were campaigning in favor of the 'Yes' vote. According to Jamaat’s upazila secretary Abdul Karim, local BNP leader Ataur Rahman Palash and his associates tried to stop the campaign, leading to a heated argument that escalated into violence.

During the clash, BNP activists reportedly used sticks and bricks, injuring five Jamaat members identified as Ziaur Rahman Thandu, Ayub Ali, Masud Rana, Abu Bakkar, and Samiul Islam Sonet. Following the incident, Jamaat filed a case naming 14 individuals and accusing around fifty unidentified BNP activists.

Dhunat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Atikul Islam confirmed the filing of the case. The situation highlights ongoing political tensions in the area surrounding the 'Yes' vote campaign.

The Election Commission (EC) has declared the nomination of former Awami League minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui valid for contesting the Tangail-4 constituency as an independent candidate. The decision came on Sunday afternoon following an appeal hearing at the commission.

The appeal against Siddiqui’s nomination was filed by Md. Liaqat Ali, the Jatiya Party candidate for the same seat. Liaqat Ali’s lawyer argued that Siddiqui should be disqualified from the national election for being a leader of a banned political party. In response, Election Commissioner Rahmanel Ma’sud stated that while the party was banned, no individual had been personally prohibited from contesting. After hearing all sides, the commission decided to uphold Siddiqui’s nomination.

Abdul Latif Siddiqui previously served as the Minister of Textiles and Jute in the Awami League government from 2009 to 2014.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has pledged to establish a separate division under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs for the July movement fighters if his party comes to power. He made the announcement on Sunday afternoon at a discussion meeting held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Dhaka’s Khamarbari area. The event was attended by families of those killed and injured during the July movement.

During the meeting, Tarique Rahman said that the July fighters of 2024 played a role in defending the country’s sovereignty similar to that of the freedom fighters of 1971. He also promised that a future BNP government would identify and resolve the problems faced by the families of those killed and injured in the July movement. Senior BNP leaders including Nazrul Islam Khan and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, as well as his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman, were present at the event.

The announcement signals BNP’s intention to formally recognize the July movement participants through institutional measures if it assumes office.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman held a meeting with families of those killed and injured in the July movement. The discussion took place on Sunday at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Dhaka’s Khamarbari area. Senior BNP leaders, including Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, attended the event. Tarique Rahman’s wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, was also present.

During the meeting, relatives of the victims expressed their grief and called for justice for those killed during the movement. The mother of Shaheed Anas voiced hope that if Tarique Rahman’s party came to power, the killings would be investigated and justice ensured. Another mother, Fatematuz Johara, shared emotional memories of her deceased sons and thanked the BNP for their support during her family’s hardship. She expressed confidence that a future BNP government would prioritize justice for the victims.

The event reflected the families’ continuing demand for accountability and their expectation that the BNP leadership would address unresolved cases if it returns to power.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, along with a five-member delegation, is scheduled to meet the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, on Sunday evening at Jamuna. The meeting is expected to take place at the state guest house, according to the report.

Earlier, on Thursday evening, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman paid a courtesy call on Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the same venue. Tarique Rahman was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman. The meeting took place around 7:30 p.m. at the state guest house Jamuna.

The upcoming meeting between the Jamaat delegation and the Chief Adviser follows a series of courtesy meetings by political leaders with Dr. Yunus since the formation of the interim government.

Digital rights activists have warned that Iran’s government is advancing plans to permanently disconnect the country from the global internet. According to a report by the censorship-monitoring group Filterwatch, only a small, government-approved group will be allowed limited access to international networks, while the general public will be restricted to a domestic “national internet” isolated from the global web. Filterwatch chief Amir Rashidi described the system as a state-controlled parallel network containing only government-approved search engines, messaging apps, and streaming services.

Activists allege that Chinese technology and Huawei equipment are being used to build this surveillance and censorship infrastructure, enabling authorities to monitor and block internet traffic. Since January 8, Iran has faced one of its longest internet blackouts, lasting over 200 hours, surpassing Egypt’s 2011 shutdown. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani suggested the restrictions could continue until March 20, coinciding with the Nowruz holiday.

Analysts cited by The Guardian said the move reflects a decade-and-a-half of planning since the 2009 protests, when Iran began developing its domestic internet system. A 2025 law now criminalizes possession of Starlink terminals, with penalties up to death, as authorities use Russian and Chinese jammers to block satellite signals.

The Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) staged a siege of the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Sunday, January 18, 2026. The protest was organized to denounce three alleged irregularities by the commission, which the group claims undermine electoral neutrality. JCD President Rakib accused the current Election Commission of acting under the influence of a particular political faction and favoring a specific student organization in recent university elections.

According to the JCD, the commission’s decisions on postal ballots were biased and questionable, raising doubts about the fairness of the electoral process. The group also alleged that the commission made hasty and short-sighted decisions under political pressure, compromising its independence and professionalism. Additionally, JCD criticized a controversial directive concerning the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology student council election, calling it a threat to democratic practices on campus.

The protest highlighted growing tensions over the commission’s impartiality, though no official response from the Election Commission was mentioned in the report.

BNP-nominated candidate for Dhaka-6 constituency and convener of the Bangladesh Nationalist Freedom Fighters Generation, Engineer Ishraq Hossain, has clarified his party’s stance on the upcoming national referendum. The referendum will be held on February 12, the same day as the 13th National Parliamentary Election. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Ishraq stated that the BNP supports the 'Yes' vote, describing the matter as settled and leaving no room for confusion.

The announcement comes amid widespread public curiosity about the BNP’s position regarding the referendum. Alongside the interim government, several political parties are campaigning to secure victory for the 'Yes' vote. Ishraq emphasized that the people’s decision will be final, underscoring the party’s alignment with the referendum’s affirmative side.

The clarification from Ishraq Hossain provides a definitive answer to speculation surrounding the BNP’s approach to the February 12 referendum, signaling the party’s active participation in the ongoing campaign.

U.S. President Donald Trump has called for an end to the rule of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying it is time for new leadership in the country. Trump made the remarks on Saturday after Khamenei accused him of being responsible for deaths during recent protests in Iran. The comments came in response to a post by Khamenei on social media platform X, where the Iranian leader labeled Trump a criminal and alleged that he incited unrest in Iran.

Trump said Iran’s rulers depend on repression and violence to maintain control, claiming that Khamenei’s leadership has led to the country’s destruction and unprecedented levels of brutality. He added that a national leader should focus on governing properly rather than killing people, emphasizing that leadership should be based on respect, not fear and death.

Trump further described Khamenei as an unhealthy person who should stop the killings and manage the country responsibly. He asserted that poor leadership has made Iran one of the most unlivable nations in the world.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tarique Rahman has been listed among the world’s top Facebook content creators, according to the social media analytics website Social Blade. A statement from the BNP Media Cell on Sunday, January 18, 2026, confirmed that Rahman secured the 63rd position in Social Blade’s top 100 Facebook content creators list, ranking above former U.S. President Donald Trump based on content volume and discussion levels.

Social Blade data shows that Rahman’s verified Facebook page has 5,576,776 total likes and 1,648,972 engagements. His page holds the 42nd position in Social Blade’s overall ranking with an A++ grade. Over the past 14 days, the page gained around 48,000 new likes, averaging more than 39,000 daily. Based on these metrics, Social Blade identifies Rahman’s page as one of the most active and influential political Facebook pages globally.

According to Social Blade’s definition, individuals about whom the most content is created and shared are considered “content creators,” placing Rahman among the world’s notable political figures.

Formal charges have been filed against former Dhaka South City mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, former minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and 26 others in connection with the Mohammadpur massacre case linked to the July uprising. The charges were officially submitted on Sunday morning. Separately, the International Crimes Tribunal-2 has scheduled a hearing today to form charges against seven accused, including suspended Awami League general secretary and former minister Obaidul Quader, in a crimes against humanity case related to killings during the July revolution.

The tribunal’s three-member panel, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, will conduct the hearing, with judges Md Manjurul Bashid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir as members. Earlier, on December 30, the court ordered public notices for the accused to appear, and after their absence on January 8, appointed state defense lawyers to represent them. The same order set today’s date for the formal charge hearing.

Other accused include Awami League joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League president Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, general secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, and Chhatra League leaders Saddam Hossain and Wali Asif Inan.