The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has set January 21 to deliver its order on whether to frame charges against Sajib Wazed Joy, son of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and ICT adviser, and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak. The prosecution has accused them of crimes against humanity for allegedly shutting down the internet during the July uprising. The tribunal gave the order on Thursday after hearing both sides. Palak, who is under arrest, was produced in court for the hearing.

Defense lawyers Liton Ahmed and Munjur Alam argued that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence and sought acquittal for their clients. Prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim countered that the charges were based on credible evidence and requested the tribunal to frame charges and begin trial. The prosecution has brought three charges against the two.

The charges include allegations that Palak incited violence through social media posts on July 14, 2024, and that both accused conspired to shut down the internet and encouraged the use of lethal force, resulting in multiple deaths during the July events.

Nepal’s oldest political party, the Nepali Congress, has split ahead of the country’s general election scheduled for March. The rebel faction unanimously elected Gagan Thapa as its new president, deepening the political uncertainty that has gripped the nation. The division follows months of unrest after last September’s protests over corruption, governance failures, and demands for political reform, which led to the previous government’s ouster.

Thapa, 49, a prominent figure among the party’s younger generation and former general secretary, pledged not to disappoint supporters after his election. The Election Commission has yet to decide which faction will be recognized as legitimate and allowed to use the party’s traditional tree symbol and flag in the March 5 vote. Former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had led the party since 2016 but failed to reach a compromise with dissenting leaders before their expulsion.

The split reflects a generational shift and growing calls for accountability in Nepal’s politics. Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, appointed after the fall of KP Sharma Oli’s government, has promised a fair and fear-free election environment.

Pakistan has expressed concern over the escalating anti-government protests in Iran and warned that any regime change there could have disastrous consequences for the region. The statement comes amid threats of intervention in Iran by U.S. President Donald Trump. Pakistani officials and analysts said instability in Iran could immediately fuel cross-border militancy, arms smuggling, refugee flows, and economic disruption along the two countries’ 900-kilometer border.

Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, Asif Durrani, said any internal or external intervention in Iran would directly affect Pakistan. He noted Islamabad’s past role in easing tensions between Iran and Western powers and emphasized that Pakistan’s diplomatic missions also monitor Iran’s interests. Former foreign secretary Jauhar Saleem warned that external interference—economic, cyber, or military—would worsen Iran’s crisis.

Experts added that unrest in Iran could strengthen militant networks across the border and undermine Pakistan’s counterterrorism gains in Balochistan. Islamabad, already hosting millions of Afghan refugees, fears a new influx if Iran’s regime collapses. Pakistan maintains that preserving Iran’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and stability is vital to regional security.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has decided to leave the Jamaat-e-Islami–led 11-party alliance after negotiations over seat sharing failed. The party had demanded at least 80 constituencies, but Jamaat and other partners could not agree to that number. Following several rounds of discussions over the past week, Islami Andolan formally informed the alliance that it would not remain under the current terms. As a result, the coalition will now become a ten-party alliance.

According to alliance leaders, the dispute intensified after the National Citizen Party (NCP) joined the coalition, which Islami Andolan reportedly viewed unfavorably. Jamaat initially offered 40 seats, later increasing to 45, with an additional 6–7 open constituencies, but Islami Andolan remained firm on its 80-seat demand. Efforts by Khelafat Majlis leader Maulana Mamunul Haque to mediate between Jamaat and Islami Andolan failed.

Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim confirmed that top leaders would meet at noon to finalize the coalition’s next steps and hold a postponed press conference. Other partners have agreed to stay united, and minor seat adjustments may occur within the remaining ten-party alliance.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to meet the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, this evening at the Chief Adviser’s residence, the Jamuna State Guest House. This will be their first formal meeting since Tarique Rahman’s return from the United Kingdom, drawing attention to what topics may be discussed.

According to sources from the Chief Adviser’s Office and the BNP, the meeting is expected to focus on the country’s current political situation, particularly the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for 12 February. Several senior BNP leaders may also join the discussion. The two leaders last met in June of the previous year in London, where they reached key decisions regarding the timing of the national election and issued a joint statement afterward.

Following Tarique Rahman’s return on 25 December, he had a phone conversation with Dr. Yunus to thank him for ensuring overall security. They also briefly met during the funeral of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on 31 December, but today’s meeting marks their first official discussion since his return.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that Ukraine, not Russia, is obstructing a possible peace agreement to end the ongoing conflict. In an interview with Reuters at the Oval Office on January 14, Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to conclude nearly four years of war, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is less prepared. He added that he believes Putin is ready to make a deal, but Ukraine is not.

When asked why the largest European conflict since World War II has not been resolved through U.S.-led negotiations, Trump directly pointed to Zelensky. His remarks signaled dissatisfaction with the Ukrainian leader and reflected his tendency to express more trust in Putin than in U.S. allies, a stance that has frustrated Ukraine, European capitals, and American lawmakers.

A Reuters report from December noted that U.S. intelligence agencies had warned Putin had not abandoned his goal of capturing all of Ukraine and restoring parts of the former Soviet empire, though National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard denied that assessment.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran has no plans to execute anti-government protesters. He made the remarks in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday. His comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had been assured that killings of protesters in Iran had stopped, according to Al Jazeera.

When asked about possible executions, Araghchi said the question of carrying out death sentences does not arise. Earlier, Trump told reporters he was informed that the killing of protesters had ceased and that planned executions were suspended. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump mentioned receiving the information from what he described as a very important source but did not specify who it was.

Al Jazeera’s correspondent Mike Hanna reported from Washington, D.C., that Trump’s tone toward Iran appeared softer, suggesting a possible cooling of tensions. Hanna added that Trump seemed to be considering various options after being briefed by his national security team, indicating a potential move away from immediate escalation.

The Bangladesh interim government is preparing a new law titled the 'July Uprising Protection and Indemnity Ordinance, 2026' to provide legal immunity to participants of the 2024 July uprising. According to a senior Cabinet Division official, the draft, containing six sections, is expected to be presented at the advisory council’s regular meeting on Thursday. The proposed law stipulates that all cases filed against July fighters between July 1 and August 5, 2024, will be automatically withdrawn without requiring any application. It also bars future lawsuits related to the uprising and allows victims of the 36-day movement to seek compensation through the National Human Rights Commission.

The draft states that the ordinance aims to protect those who acted in self-defense and to restore public order during the anti-autocratic movement. Law Adviser Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul affirmed the ordinance’s constitutional validity under Article 46 and compared it to post-revolution indemnity laws in other countries. He emphasized that July fighters risked their lives to free the country from fascist rule and deserve legal protection.

The law ministry began reviewing and withdrawing related cases after the interim government took office, though some remain pending due to legal complexities.

Rabeya Islam Sampa, wife of slain activist Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, posted on Facebook on Wednesday afternoon demanding justice for her husband’s killing. In her post, made at 2:40 p.m., she questioned why the organization Inkilab Moncho had not yet announced any program related to the case. Sampa insisted that justice must be ensured at any cost and expressed frustration over the delay in legal proceedings.

The post recalled Hadi’s earlier remarks about perseverance and struggle, urging supporters to continue his fight. Sampa also reflected on the grief of Hadi’s family and followers, describing their emotional state since his death. The post has drawn attention to the lack of visible action from the platform Hadi once led.

According to the report, Osman Hadi, aged 32, a front-line activist of the July Movement and convener of Inkilab Moncho, was shot in the head during an attack in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar on December 12. He was later taken to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he died. His funeral drew thousands, and he was buried beside the national poet’s mausoleum.

A newly released 223-page report by the commission on enforced disappearances has revealed that during the administration of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s judiciary was often used to legitimize state repression. The report, published on Tuesday, found that the legal system was manipulated to portray victims as criminals, normalize illegal detentions, and record coerced confessions as legal truths. It concluded that the judiciary was diverted from protecting citizens’ rights and instead served political objectives.

The commission identified a systematic pattern of forced confessions, procedural manipulation, and strategic case filing that allowed enforced disappearances to persist under legal cover. Testimonies from victims described being coerced into memorizing scripts, threatened with violence, and denied access to legal counsel. Magistrates often failed to verify whether confessions were voluntary, and in some cases, recorded statements under duress or in the presence of law enforcement officers.

The commission emphasized that the judiciary must act as the guardian of constitutional rights, stressing that no law enforcement agency is above the law and that even the most serious offenders are entitled to justice.

Bir Muktijoddha Rafiqul Baset, former president of Gazipur Metropolitan Freedom Fighter unit and vice-president of BNP’s central Freedom Fighter unit, has left the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to join Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. He formally joined the party on Wednesday evening at the Jamaat office of Ward 57 under Tongi East Police Station in Gazipur. Baset announced his decision through a Facebook post, stating that he had voluntarily resigned from all responsibilities within BNP and its affiliated organizations.

In his post, Baset explained that after long self-reflection and contemplation, he decided to lead his life according to Islamic ideals. He joined Jamaat through Gazipur Metropolitan Nayeb-e-Ameer and Jamaat’s nominated candidate for Gazipur-2 constituency, Hossain Ali, and Metropolitan Assistant Secretary Afzal Hossain. He expressed his belief that the Islamic way of life ensures justice in personal, social, and state affairs, and sought forgiveness for past mistakes.

After joining, Baset said that Jamaat-e-Islami follows the path of Allah and His Messenger and that he had long desired to join the party. He added that he had been involved with BNP politics since the era of Ziaur Rahman.

Two leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Tongi, Gazipur, formally joined Jamaat-e-Islami on Wednesday evening. The joining ceremony took place at the 57th Ward Jamaat office in Tongi Bazar. The new members are Rafiqul Baset, central vice-president of the Bangladesh Nationalist Freedom Fighters’ Party and president of its Gazipur metropolitan unit, and Sohrab Uddin, a former member of the Greater Tongi Thana BNP. Jamaat leaders including Muhammad Hossain Ali, Gazipur metropolitan Nayeb Amir and MP candidate for Gazipur-2, attended the event along with other local leaders.

After joining, Rafiqul Baset said he decided to join Jamaat-e-Islami after long self-reflection and a desire to live by Islamic ideals. He expressed his belief that Jamaat works under divine guidance and prayed to remain steadfast in his new political path. Sohrab Uddin stated that they would openly inform BNP leaders and share the news on social media.

The event marks a notable shift of local BNP figures toward Jamaat-e-Islami in Gazipur’s Tongi area.

Nearly 10,000 doctors in Bangladesh’s health cadre, including supernumerary positions, are undergoing promotion, with more than 5,500 already elevated to ranks such as junior consultant, assistant professor, associate professor, and professor. A significant portion of those promoted are reportedly aligned with the Awami League and its affiliate organization, Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad (Swachip). Allegations have surfaced that a syndicate involving the Chief Adviser’s Office and the Ministry of Public Administration facilitated these promotions, sometimes in exchange for money. Some doctors accused of legitimizing violence during the so-called ‘peace rally’ at the Shaheed Minar have also been promoted.

Officials from the Health Ministry acknowledged that promotions were granted under an old executive order from the autocratic era, bypassing mandatory senior scale examinations. This has caused discontent among qualified but overlooked candidates. The Health Secretary stated that actions are taken only when specific complaints or intelligence reports are received, as no comprehensive list of Awami-affiliated doctors exists.

Investigations are ongoing into about 1,500 Swachip members whose promotions were withheld, while allegations persist that political groups including BNP, Jamaat, and NCP also influenced the process.

A new report by the Washington-based Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH) and its India Hate Lab (IHL) project shows a sharp rise in hate speech incidents targeting religious minorities in India. In 2025, over 1,318 hate speech cases were recorded across 21 states, marking a 13 percent increase from 2024 and a 97 percent rise since 2023. Nearly 98 percent of these incidents targeted Muslims, while 133 involved Christians. Most cases occurred in states governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accounting for 88 percent of all recorded hate speech.

The report found that extremist Hindu groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Parishad were linked to hundreds of incidents. Many speeches invoked conspiracy theories like “love jihad,” “land jihad,” and “population jihad,” often calling for violence, boycotts, or destruction of mosques and churches. Attacks on Christians also surged around Christmas, including assaults on churches in Raipur and other cities.

Experts cited in the report warned that religious hate speech has become intertwined with BJP’s political strategies, fueling communal tensions and violence against minorities.

Exiled Iranian figure Reza Pahlavi, son of the country’s last deposed Shah, presented his vision for a future Iran following the fall of the Islamic Republic. In a message posted Wednesday on social media platform X, he said a new Iran would end its nuclear military program, recognize Israel, and seek normalized relations with the United States.

Addressing “friends” around the world, Pahlavi stated that Iran’s current global image is defined by terrorism, extremism, and poverty. He argued that a free Iran would contribute to regional stability and act as a responsible global partner. On security and foreign policy, he pledged to halt support for terrorist groups and cooperate internationally against terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, and extremist Islamism.

Pahlavi also emphasized economic openness, describing Iran as one of the world’s largest untapped markets. He said the country would aim to become a reliable global energy supplier and adopt international standards of transparency and good governance. He called for international support for the Iranian people, envisioning a free Iran as a force for peace and prosperity.