JERUSALEM, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he hoped Iran would soon be freed from what he described as the "yoke of tyranny", as major protests shake the Islamic republic. "We all hope that the Persian nation will soon be freed from the yoke of tyranny, and when that day comes, Israel and Iran will once again be loyal partners in building a future of prosperity and peace for both peoples," Netanyahu said at a weekly cabinet meeting.

Female students at Dhaka University have alleged that they are being barred from entering the Central Field after evening hours based on verbal instructions, despite the absence of any written policy. “I was told at the gate that female students cannot enter the Central Field after 5pm. When contacted, Acting Director of the Physical Education Centre SM Zakaria told Dhaka Tribune that no decision has been taken to restrict female students’ access to the Central Field after evening. “Not allowing female students to enter the Central Field after five in the evening is not Ducsu’s decision—no, no, and no,” she wrote on Facebook. She announced plans to organize a symbolic protest, either a game or a barbecue at the Central Field in the evening, extending until 10 or 11pm, to challenge the alleged curfew.

The Election Commission on Sunday cleared the way for 58 previously rejected aspirants to contest the upcoming national election on February 12. Of the petitions, the Commission granted 58 petitions, rejected seven others and kept six petitions pending to be settled later, said EC Director (PR) Ruhul Amin Mollik. With Saturday’s decision, the Commission reinstated 51 candidates in the electoral race and removed one candidate (Brahmanbaria-1) from the race. Since BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia passed away, her three nomination papers submitted for three constituencies were not scrutinized. The Election Commission on Sunday announced the poll schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026.

The Chamber Judge of the Supreme Court's Appellate Division has stayed a High Court verdict that declared the Election Commission’s (EC) gazette on the redrawing of the Comilla-2 constituency boundaries illegal. Following a hearing on an appeal against the High Court order, the Chamber Judge Court, headed by Appellate Division Justice Md Rezaul Haque, issued the stay on Sunday. On January 8, the High Court declared the EC’s gazette altering the boundaries of the Comilla-2 constituency illegal. The verdict was delivered by a High Court bench led by Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia, after disposing of the rule. The rule was issued by a High Court bench comprising Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Bishwajit Debnath.

The religious affairs ministry on Sunday asked Hajj agencies and airlines strictly follow the Saudi government instructions over pilgrimage management as the first aircraft carrying pilgrims to fly on April 18. “The ministry today sent a letter to the Hajj agencies and the three airlines, engaged for pilgrim management and transport with specific directives,” a ministry spokesman said. According to the Saudi government’s instruction, Hajj agencies would need to send pilgrims under their management using the same airlines under a fixed ratio. The ministry clearly stated that no agency can issue tickets less than 30 percent or more than 50 percent in the first or last phases of Hajj flights. The ministry also requested all concerned to ensure issuance of tickets and flight operations in line with prescribed instructions.

European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs on Sunday said he witnessed positive feelings and strong enthusiasm across the country regarding the upcoming polls and the referendum, noting that the previous three parliamentary elections were not considered credible. In response to an invitation by the authorities of Bangladesh, the European Union has deployed an Election Observation Mission for the parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12. This is the first fully-fledged election observation the EU is deploying to Bangladesh since 2008. Alam also noted that during the nearly sixteen years of Sheikh Hasina's tenure, the EU did not send any election observation mission. Prof Yunus thanked the EU for sending the election observation mission, describing it as "extremely important" for holding a credible election and for Bangladesh's democratic transition.

ALEPPO, Syria, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Syria's Kurdish fighters said Sunday that they agreed under a ceasefire to withdraw from Aleppo after days of fighting government forces in the city. Hours earlier, Syria's military said it had finished operations in the Kurdish-held Sheikh Maqsud neighbourhood with state television reporting that Kurdish fighters who surrendered were being bused to the north. Syria's official SANA news agency reported that "buses carrying the last batch of members of the SDF organisation have left the Sheikh Maqsud neighbourhood in Aleppo, heading towards northeastern Syria". An AFP correspondent saw at least five buses on Saturday carrying men out of Sheikh Maqsud, but could not independently verify their identities. The United States and European Union both called for the Syrian government and Kurdish authorities to return to political dialogue.

KAWHMU, Myanmar, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Myanmar's junta opened polls on Sunday in the second phase of elections, continuing a vote democracy watchdogs say is letting the military prolong its rule in a civilian guise. But the military snatched back power in a 2021 coup, voiding the results of the previous election, detaining democratic figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi and plunging Myanmar into civil war. Farmer Than Than Sint acknowledged the country's "many problems", telling AFP she voted to fulfil her civic duty and wanted peace in Myanmar. "The people have very little interest in this election," added the resident, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity for security reasons. - 'Engineered' polls -The first phase had a turnout of around 50 percent, far below the roughly 70 percent of the 2020 election when most voters backed Suu Kyi's party.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Malaysia suspended access to ElonMusk's chatbot Grok over AI-generated pornographic content, the country'stech regulator said on Sunday. On Saturday Indonesia became the first country to deny all access to thetool, which has been restricted to paying subscribers elsewhere. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said in a statement ithad "directed a temporary restriction on access to the Grok artificialintelligence for users in Malaysia" with immediate effect. "This action follows repeated misuse of Grok to generate obscene, sexuallyexplicit, indecent, grossly offensive and non-consensual manipulated images,"the regulator said. The Malaysian regulator said it deemed the platform's safeguards inadequate,adding that access would resume only after the required changes are verified.

Returning Officer (RO) of Dhaka and Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury said 35,000 polling officers will be trained in Dhaka ahead of the upcoming 13th Parliamentary Election. He said preparations for the election began from the very day the election schedule was announced. Regarding the preparations, the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner said inspection of polling centres is underway to assess their condition. Regarding law and order, Sharf Uddin said he does not see major challenges in Dhaka city. He added that if candidates properly follow the electoral code of conduct, there should be no major problems.

The High Court has dismissed a writ petition challenging the requirement of obtaining permission from an arbitration council for a second marriage under Muslim family law. As a result, the existing legal provision requiring council approval before contracting a second marriage remains in force, petitioner-lawyer Ishrat Jahan said, bdnews24.com reports. Under Section 494 of the Penal Code, 1860, contracting a second marriage without the consent of the spouse is punishable with imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine. Later, the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961, introduced a specific provision requiring a husband to obtain permission from an arbitration council before entering into a second marriage. “A husband must apply to the arbitration council for permission to remarry.

India has moved to strengthen its maritime posture in the northern Bay of Bengal by setting up a new naval base in West Bengal, amid rising Chinese naval activity and shifting regional security dynamics involving Bangladesh and Pakistan. India Today reported, citing top defence sources, that the Indian Navy will operate the facility as a naval “detachment”, primarily focused on deploying small warships for rapid-response operations. As per the report, the Haldia base is expected to host Fast Interceptor Crafts (FICs) and 300 tonne New Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts (NWJFACs). The shallow waters and dense maritime traffic near the India–Bangladesh coastline make fast and agile platforms particularly effective for deterrence and interception, India Today said. Officials told the magazine that while land had earlier been earmarked for the Haldia base, construction had remained pending.

DHAKA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) – The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission today clarified its interpretation of “inclusive and participatory” elections, underscoring broad social inclusion, credible voter turnout and peaceful polls ahead of Bangladesh’s national election scheduled for February 12. Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs of the European Union Election Observation Mission explained the mission’s position while addressing a crowded media briefing in the capital. Following an invitation from the Bangladesh authorities, the European Union deployed the EU Election Observation Mission for the upcoming parliamentary polls. This marks the first fully-fledged EU election observation mission to Bangladesh since 2008. "This Election Observation mission reaffirms the importance the European Union attaches to the partnership with Bangladesh, built on mutual respect and shared commitment to democratic principles."

Photo: BSSKHULNA, Jan 11, 2025 (BSS) - Forest guards have rescued another spotted deerfrom a poachers' trap in the Jhongra forest area under the Chandpai Range ofthe Sundarbans East Forest Division, marking the second such rescue withinthree days. The deer was recovered on Sunday noon during a routine foot patrol in theJhongra Forest Patrol Outpost area. The patrol team also dismantled a makeshift hunting platform locally known asa "tong ghar" built by poachers in the Jhongra forest area. Earlier on January 8, forest guards rescued another spotted deer from apoachers' trap in the Mrigamari forest area and released it into the wild. Confirming the incident, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of ChandpaiRange Dipan Chandra Das, said the deer, rescued from the trap in the Jhongraforest area, has been safely released back into the Sundarbans.

Liverpool's Bradley out for the season with 'significant' knee injuryConor Bradley. Photo: CollectedLIVERPOOL, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley isset to undergo surgery on a serious knee injury which will rule him out forthe rest of the season. The Northern Ireland international suffered the injury in the closing stagesof Thursday's 0-0 draw at Arsenal. "Liverpool FC can confirm Conor Bradley has sustained a significant kneeinjury," the English champions said in a statement. "Bradley will undergo surgery in the coming days and then begin a period ofrehabilitation."