Iran’s Chief Justice Gholam Hossein Mohseni has accused anti-government protesters of acting in the interests of the United States and Israel. His remarks came as demonstrations spread across several Iranian cities, including Tehran, Borujerd, Arsanjan, and Gilan-e-Gharb, following weeks of economic crisis and currency devaluation. Mohseni warned that those creating or supporting unrest would not be forgiven.

According to an Al Jazeera report cited in the article, the Iranian government has decided to provide limited assistance of about seven dollars per family per month to ease the pressure of rising food prices. The protests began last month at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar over inflation and the falling value of the national currency, later spreading nationwide. Human rights groups report at least 36 deaths and around 2,000 arrests so far.

Iran’s military chief Major General Amir Hatami stated that any aggressor would face a strong response, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran would never bow to US threats.

The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology announced that the ICT Division has published its white paper on the official website ictd.gov.bd. The document was prepared by a task force formed on 3 April 2025 with the approval of the Chief Adviser to investigate irregularities and mismanagement in ICT-related initiatives during the previous government. After a long process of inquiry and review, the task force submitted the finalized white paper, which has now been made public.

According to the ministry’s statement, the white paper presents a detailed account of irregularities, corruption, administrative weaknesses, and structural problems observed in the ICT Division’s activities over the past fifteen years. It also includes a set of recommendations aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and good governance in future operations.

The government expects the white paper to serve as a key guideline for institutional reform within the ICT Division, helping to prevent corruption and improve citizen-oriented services.

An independent national investigation commission has submitted its report on the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, one of the deadliest events in Bangladesh’s history. The killings took place at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters in Dhaka on February 25 and 26, 2009, when 74 people, including 57 army officers, were brutally murdered. The interim government formed the commission on December 24 of the previous year, and its 400-page report has revealed previously undisclosed and sensitive information. The investigation named more than fifty influential figures, including then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former MP and mayor Fazle Noor Taposh, senior Awami League leaders, former army officers, intelligence and law enforcement officials, and several media personnel.

The report describes the massacre as a premeditated attempt to weaken the disciplined army under the guise of grievances among BDR members. It also highlights political missteps, including delayed military intervention and a controversial general amnesty announcement. The article notes that the government’s handling of the crisis and the failure of intelligence agencies have drawn criticism. The commission’s findings have renewed calls for impartial justice and punishment for those responsible.

The report’s release may reopen national debate over accountability, political decisions, and the protection of Bangladesh’s armed forces.

Former Army Chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan will testify against retired Major General Ziaul Ahsan in an enforced disappearance case. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam informed the two-member judicial panel of International Crimes Tribunal-1, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar, about this on Thursday afternoon. The tribunal has set January 14 for its order on whether to frame formal charges against Ahsan for crimes against humanity involving the abduction and killing of over a hundred people.

During Thursday’s hearing, Ahsan’s lawyers, Monsurul Haque and Naznin Nahar, sought his discharge, arguing that the prosecution failed to prove his involvement. The prosecution countered that it had established a prima facie case and requested the tribunal to begin the trial. The tribunal reserved its decision for January 14.

Earlier, on December 4, the prosecution detailed specific allegations, including multiple killings allegedly conducted under code names such as “Gestapo” and “Golf,” and operations in the Sundarbans that reportedly resulted in at least 50 deaths.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced that it has laid off 571 Palestinian employees due to a severe financial crisis. The agency, which has supported Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria for over seven decades, said the layoffs were unavoidable as donations have sharply declined. UNRWA’s spokesperson described the financial situation as unprecedented.

According to the agency, it spent about 880 million dollars in 2025 but received only 570 million in donations, leading to a major deficit. The spokesperson warned that a significant shortfall is expected in 2026 as well. All dismissed employees were based in Gaza but had left before the war began on October 7, 2023, and had been unpaid for more than ten months. The spokesperson said it was impossible to predict when or if they could resume their duties.

Since the war began, more than 300 UNRWA staff members have been killed in Gaza, while about 12,000 continue to work in Palestinian territories. Israel has accused the agency of harboring Hamas members and obstructed its operations in Palestine.

Australia is facing severe wildfires amid an intense heatwave, with authorities warning of potentially catastrophic conditions across eastern and southeastern regions. On Thursday, firefighters battled multiple blazes as temperatures were forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius. Residents in Victoria and New South Wales, including major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, were urged to remain on high alert, according to AFP.

Victoria’s Country Fire Authority chief Jason Heffernan said fire danger levels could reach “catastrophic” in some areas, warning that any ignition could spread rapidly and become uncontrollable. Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch noted that hot, dry winds would intensify the fires, while Acting Premier Ben Carroll instructed officials to prepare early evacuations. Meteorologist Sarah Scully reported that extreme heat and dry thunderstorms could trigger new fires.

Authorities fear the situation could become the most dangerous since the 2019–2020 “Black Summer” fires, which devastated vast areas of forest and property. Researchers have linked the increasing frequency of extreme weather to a 1.5°C rise in Australia’s average temperature since 1910.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin said the Election Commission will ensure maximum justice in appeals against the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers. Speaking to reporters on Thursday morning at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, he stated that any aggrieved person can appeal the returning officer’s decision. He emphasized that the Commission believes in fairness and will act according to law and regulations.

The CEC noted that nomination submissions this year took place peacefully, without reports of violence, unlike in previous elections. He added that people from across the country are coming to file appeals, reflecting growing public interest in the election process. As of Wednesday, 295 appeals had been filed, including 131 on the third day.

According to EC data, 2,568 nomination papers were submitted for 300 parliamentary seats, of which 1,842 were declared valid and 723 rejected. Appeal hearings will be held from January 10 to 18 at the EC building, with results displayed on monitors and published online after each session.

In early December, Turkey’s state-run company Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) signed five agreements with Pakistan to explore oil and gas in the country’s maritime zones of the Indian Ocean. The deals, valued at over 300 million US dollars, cover three offshore blocks in Pakistan’s international waters and two onshore coastal blocks. While the agreements drew limited global media attention, they mark a significant step for both nations in expanding energy and strategic cooperation.

The partnership reflects Turkey’s effort to diversify its energy exploration map and Pakistan’s attempt to revive its long-neglected deep-sea mineral exploration. TPAO plans to deploy seismic fleets in Pakistan’s waters and open a permanent office in Islamabad, forming a consortium with state-owned Pakistani energy firms. The move comes ahead of Pakistan’s 2025 offshore bidding round, one of its most important exploration initiatives in two decades.

Beyond energy, the cooperation extends to defense, mining, and drone manufacturing, signaling a broader strategic alignment. The collaboration positions both countries to strengthen economic and security ties while expanding Turkey’s geopolitical presence in the Indian Ocean.

A housewife named Shiuli Begum, aged 42, died after suffering severe burns in a gas cylinder explosion at her home in Chandpur. She passed away late Wednesday night while undergoing treatment at the Dhaka Burn Institute. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. on Sunday at her residence in the Chowdhuripara area of Chandpur town. Her husband, Enayet Ullah Bepari, an assistant tax collector at Chandpur Municipality, and their daughter Pinky were also injured while trying to rescue her.

Following the explosion, Shiuli was first admitted to Chandpur Sadar Hospital and later transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries. She is survived by her husband, one son, and two daughters. Her funeral prayer was held on Thursday afternoon at the Maishadi Baitul Amin Jame Mosque premises, after which she was buried in the family graveyard.

The report did not mention the cause of the explosion or any official investigation into the incident.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russian troops in Ukraine are on a 'sacred mission'. He made the remarks on Wednesday at an event with military personnel and their families at the Church of St. George the Victorious in Moscow. Putin compared the soldiers’ role to that of Jesus Christ, saying they are working to protect their homeland and its people.

Putin said that throughout Russian history, soldiers have been viewed as fulfilling a 'sacred mission' sent by God. Addressing the children of service members, he urged them to be proud of their parents and relatives currently engaged in the war, emphasizing that the Russian people have always taken pride in their fighters.

According to the report, Russian forces began their military operation in Ukraine in 2022, and the conflict continues. Since January 20, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump has been attempting to bring an end to the hostilities.

Two Indian nationals detained by Bangladeshi fishermen near the Chapainawabganj border were returned to India by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The incident occurred at Daraa Beel in Gomostapur upazila, close to the 219th international pillar at Charaldanga border. The detained individuals, identified as Bachchan Moholdar and Raju Moholdar from Malda district’s Habibpur police station area, were reportedly fishing when they accidentally crossed into Bangladeshi waters.

According to Major Tanim Hasan Khan, acting commander of BGB’s 16th Battalion, the two men were handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) following a flag meeting between the two border forces on Wednesday afternoon. The meeting took place at 4 p.m., and the handover occurred around 5 p.m. after BGB personnel rescued the men from local fishermen at Ketabbazar area.

The BGB confirmed the return on Thursday morning, emphasizing that the incident was resolved peacefully through coordination between the two border forces.

Yemeni separatist leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi has fled to the United Arab Emirates, according to a statement issued Thursday by the Saudi-led coalition. The coalition said al-Zubaidi left Yemen after attempting to seize control of several areas and advance toward independence. Based on what it described as reliable intelligence, the coalition reported that al-Zubaidi and his associates escaped during the night.

The coalition further stated that the group traveled from Aden to Abu Dhabi using both boats and aircraft. The information was reported from Riyadh by the AFP news agency. The announcement marks a significant development in Yemen’s ongoing internal divisions, as al-Zubaidi has been a key figure in the country’s separatist movement.

The coalition’s statement did not specify al-Zubaidi’s current status in the UAE or any immediate response from Emirati authorities.

A police officer was killed in Iran near Tehran during ongoing protests, according to a report by Fars News on Thursday. The incident occurred in Malard County, west of the capital, as the officer, identified as Shahin Dehghan, was attempting to control the demonstrations. The report stated that efforts are underway to identify those responsible. The killing took place on the twelfth day of nationwide protests.

The protests began on December 28 when Tehran’s merchants demonstrated against the sharp decline of the Iranian currency and rising prices. The movement quickly spread to other cities across the country. According to AFP, demonstrations have now reached 25 of Iran’s 31 provinces, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people, including several members of the security forces.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the officer’s death as unrest persists in multiple regions of Iran.

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has announced a ‘zero tolerance’ policy against any threats to national security. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement on Thursday confirming the declaration. During a visit to the Lahore Garrison, Munir addressed army personnel, reaffirming the military’s determination to confront growing challenges with professionalism and resolve.

According to the ISPR statement, the army chief emphasized that the armed forces remain committed to protecting Pakistan’s sovereignty, regional integrity, and internal stability. He also urged continued discipline, excellence, and selfless national service among the ranks.

Earlier, a military spokesperson alleged that Afghanistan has become a hub for terrorists and non-state actors, accusing the Taliban government, which came to power in 2021, of providing shelter to militant groups.

The Bangladesh government has reduced value-added tax (VAT) on both imported and locally produced liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). A notification issued on Thursday announced that VAT on LPG imports has been lowered from 15 percent to 10 percent, while domestic production will now be subject to a 7.5 percent VAT rate.

At the same time, the LP Gas Business Cooperative Association has declared a nationwide halt to LPG cylinder sales starting today. The association announced in a notice on Wednesday that all LPG marketing, supply, and plant operations across Bangladesh would remain suspended until their demands are met. The group had earlier held a press conference at the National Press Club, calling for price adjustments by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission and an end to administrative fines and harassment of distributors.

The simultaneous tax reduction and supply suspension create uncertainty in the LPG market, as the government’s fiscal relief coincides with a business-led shutdown that could disrupt household and industrial gas availability.