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."

US announces 'large-scale' strikes against IS in SyriaWASHINGTON, United States, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US and allied forces carried out "large-scale" strikes against the Islamic State jihadist group in Syria on Saturday, the US military said, the latest response to an attack last month that killed three Americans. US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military forces in the region, said multiple strikes "targeted ISIS throughout Syria," using an acronym for the jihadist group. The strikes were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was launched "in direct response to the deadly ISIS attack on US and Syrian forces in Palmyra," CENTCOM said. Jordan's air force also carried out targeted air strikes against IS as part of the operation, its military said on Sunday. The jihadists were ultimately defeated by local ground forces backed by international air strikes and other support, but IS still has a presence in Syria, especially in the country's vast desert.

DHAKA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS)—Noakhali Express skipper Haider Ali won the toss and opted to bat first against Dhaka Capitals in their eighth game of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today. Noakhali won just one match in seven, that too in the last match against Rangpur Riders by snapping its six-match losing streak. Even victories in their remaining matches won’t ensure them a spot in the playoffs but they could keep them in the contention, which will rely on many ifs and buts. Dhaka Capitals were in the second to bottom, having won two matches in six for the time being. A victory in this match is crucial to keep them alive.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam spoke at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy this afternoon. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) – The government has formulated a unified and standardized policy on the use of scribes to ensure equal access to public and class examinations for visually impaired students, addressing long-standing inconsistencies and challenges faced by examinees across the education boards and institutions. “The policy is considered important because, previously, there was no truly centralized or standardized system for appointing scribes for visually impaired examinees. The absence of a unified framework meant that many visually impaired candidates faced uncertainty and unequal treatment, he added. Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad were present at the briefing.

Photo : BSSCHATTOGRAM, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS)- Chattogram City Corporation ( CCC) and National Consumer Protection Rights Department in separate drives today imposed fine on eight commercial enterprises for selling adulterated foods in an unhygienic environment and selling expired and unapproved drugs. CCC Magistrate Chaitee Sarbabiddya has fined Taka 30,000 to three restaurants in Chattesshari road and Batali Hill Road areas for selling adulterated and impure foods staffs that harmful for human consumption as well as preserved those in unhygienic condition through mobile courts conducting there today. In separate drives by National Consumer Protection Rights Department NCPRD), five different types of commercial enterprises were fined Taka around 1.54 lakh on charges of selling impure foods and expired drugs. Besides, regional and local officials of NCPRD conducted the drives in Nasirabad area in the city.

And both are giving the Suns real value right now. You could argue that, based on how the Suns are playing right now, Grayson and Royce are sitting at peak trade value. When it comes to the trade deadline, I think where the Suns need to live mentally is to understand what this season actually is. If the Suns were losing, maybe you would rush a Royce or Grayson deal to squeeze value. I do not think the Suns should be trading anyone.