The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has postponed the hearing on the formation of formal charges against Sajib Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her ICT adviser, and former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak. The new date for the hearing has been set for January 11. The two are accused of crimes against humanity, including shutting down the internet during the so-called July Revolution. The order was issued by tribunal member Shafiul Alam Mahmood, with Palak produced before the court from prison. The hearing was originally scheduled for today but was delayed because the state-appointed lawyer for fugitive accused Joy had not yet received the necessary authorization letter. Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam, along with prosecutors Mizanul Islam and Gazi M.H. Tamim, represented the prosecution, while Liton Ahmed appeared for Palak. Earlier, on December 4, arrest warrants were issued against both accused, and Joy was later declared absconding after failing to appear. The tribunal had previously appointed a state defense lawyer for Joy on December 17 after public notices failed to secure his appearance. The next hearing will determine whether formal charges will be framed against the two accused.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has dismissed reports by Indian media suggesting that the International Cricket Council (ICC) issued an ultimatum requiring Bangladesh to play the upcoming T20 World Cup matches in India. In a press release issued on Wednesday, the BCB stated that the ICC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring Bangladesh’s full and uninterrupted participation in the tournament and expressed willingness to work closely with the board to address its concerns. The BCB clarified that claims of receiving an ultimatum from the ICC were completely baseless and fabricated. It emphasized that the content of the ICC’s communication bore no resemblance to such reports. The board also reiterated that the ICC welcomed BCB’s input in the tournament’s detailed security planning and would give due consideration to its views. According to the statement, the BCB remains firm in prioritizing the safety and security of the national team and players. It plans to continue constructive discussions with the ICC and relevant authorities to ensure a satisfactory and practical resolution for Bangladesh’s smooth participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Police recovered the body of an unidentified young man from a pond near Daulatpur Mosque in Kutubpur, under Narayanganj Sadar upazila, on Wednesday morning around 9 a.m. The body, believed to be of a man aged between 25 and 26 years, was found without any clothing, according to police reports. Fatullah Model Police Station Sub-Inspector Milon Fakir stated that the body was recovered after receiving information from locals. No one in the area recognized the deceased. A bag containing clothes was found on the bank of the pond. The police prepared an inquest report and sent the body to the hospital for autopsy. Efforts are underway to identify the victim. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of death, and police said the investigation will continue until the man’s identity and circumstances of death are confirmed.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has held a meeting with the Election Commission (EC) under the leadership of the party’s Nayeb-e-Ameer, Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher. The discussion began on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, around 3:15 p.m. at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, inside the Chief Election Commissioner’s (CEC) conference room. The meeting was presided over by Chief Election Commissioner A. M. M. Nasir Uddin and attended by the full commission. A six-member delegation from Jamaat-e-Islami, led by Dr. Taher, participated in the meeting. The delegation included several senior leaders of the party. The report did not specify the agenda or topics discussed during the session. The meeting marks a formal engagement between the Election Commission and Jamaat-e-Islami leadership, though details of the outcomes or next steps were not disclosed in the source.

A report from Kurigram recalls the tragic killing of a 13 or 14-year-old Bangladeshi girl named Felani, who was shot dead by an Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldier while crossing the border near pillar 947 at Phulbari’s Uttar Anantapur area. The incident occurred as her father, Nurul Islam, attempted to bring her home from Delhi through brokers without valid travel documents. The girl, wearing a red sweater, was found hanging on the barbed wire fence after being struck by a bullet fired by BSF member Amiya Ghosh. The article describes Felani’s background as the eldest daughter of a poor family who had gone to India to work and support her parents and siblings. After a year of labor in Delhi, she was returning home for marriage when the fatal shooting occurred. The report portrays the event as a symbol of border violence and human tragedy. According to the report, fifteen years after the killing, no justice has been served, leaving the case unresolved and the memory of Felani’s death a painful reminder for border residents.

Mir Arshadul Haque, joint convener and chief coordinator of the Chattogram metropolitan unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The joining took place on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, where Haque met the party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Later, he received the party’s primary membership from BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. According to the report, Haque had earlier announced his resignation from the NCP on December 25 through a Facebook post. His move marks a shift from his previous political affiliation to one of Bangladesh’s major opposition parties. The report did not mention any official statement from Haque or BNP leaders regarding the reasons for his switch or his future role within the party.

Iran’s army chief, General Amir Hatami, issued a warning on Wednesday that the country will not quietly accept threats from foreign powers. His statement came after the United States and Israel expressed support for anti-government protests in Iran and made strong remarks against Tehran. According to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, Hatami said the Islamic Republic views the escalation of hostile rhetoric against the Iranian nation as a threat and will not tolerate its continuation without response. In recent days, US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could intervene in Iran if protesters were killed, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly voiced support for the demonstrations. Tehran’s reaction, delivered through its military leadership, signals a firm stance amid ongoing political unrest and growing international pressure. The statement reflects Iran’s intent to resist external interference as tensions rise over domestic protests and foreign criticism, underscoring a potentially volatile phase in its relations with the US and Israel.

Human rights organization Odhikar has demanded justice for the killing of Felani by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and called for an end to border killings. The demand was made on Wednesday at a rally held at the National Press Club in Dhaka to mark Felani Day and protest her death. Odhikar’s director Nasir Uddin Elan stated that the manner in which Felani was killed at the border is known, yet justice has not been served. He described the killing of a woman at the border as a grave human rights violation and urged everyone to raise their voices against such incidents. Families of several victims of border killings were present at the event, along with Odhikar researcher Taskin Fahmin and other senior leaders of the organization. The rally highlighted ongoing concerns about human rights violations along the Bangladesh-India border and renewed calls for accountability and justice for victims of cross-border violence.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will launch direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi starting January 29, marking the resumption of direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan after more than ten years. According to airline officials, two weekly flights will operate on this route for an initial three-month period, continuing until March 30 of the current year. The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has already granted approval for the route and designated airspace usage. Currently, travelers between Bangladesh and Pakistan rely on transit hubs in the Middle East such as Dubai or Doha. The new direct service is expected to simplify travel, strengthen people-to-people connections, and enhance bilateral trade. Officials noted that the decision followed several months of discussions with Pakistani authorities. Aviation experts described the Dhaka-Karachi route as both commercially and strategically significant. They believe that restoring direct air links will reinforce economic relations and mutual engagement between the two countries.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep sorrow and condolences over the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s three-time former Prime Minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). In a condolence message sent on January 2 to Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Guterres conveyed his sympathy on behalf of the United Nations. The message was released by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Wednesday. In his message, Guterres said he was deeply saddened by the passing of the former Prime Minister. He extended heartfelt condolences to the people of Bangladesh and to Khaleda Zia’s family, noting that as the country’s first female Prime Minister, she held a distinct and dignified place in Bangladesh’s political history. He added that through her long years of public service and leadership, she left a significant mark on the nation’s political life. Khaleda Zia, known for her uncompromising stance on democracy, passed away on December 30 of the previous year while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at the age of 80. She was buried with state honors on December 31 beside the grave of late President Ziaur Rahman at the capital’s Zia Udyan.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan announced that submission of Value Added Tax (VAT) returns will be made mandatory online from the next fiscal year. He made the announcement at an event held at the Revenue Building in Agargaon, Dhaka, marking the launch of an online VAT refund system that transfers refunds directly to taxpayers’ bank accounts. According to the NBR chairman, while online submission of income tax returns is already mandatory, the VAT law has not yet required it. The upcoming budget will include a provision to make online VAT return submission compulsory. During the event, the chairman inaugurated the online VAT refund process by transferring Tk 45.35 lakh to the bank accounts of three taxpayers from three VAT commissionerates in Dhaka. The NBR has instructed taxpayers who previously filed paper-based VAT returns to enter those records into the e-VAT system by March. After that, they will also be able to register online. The new system aims to ensure transparency and faster processing of refund applications without requiring taxpayers to visit VAT offices.

A student died after falling from the roof of a madrasa while trying to escape in Kaliakoir upazila of Gazipur on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred at Safiatul Ummah Hifz Model Madrasa in the Safipur area. According to local sources, the student, Alif Hasan, fell from the roof and was seriously injured. Madrasa authorities and locals rescued him and took him to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Police said Alif, son of Shahid Shah of Kouchakuri village in Kaliakoir, had previously attempted to flee the madrasa several times. On Wednesday morning, he reportedly tried to climb down a pipe from the roof when he accidentally fell. His body was being sent to Gazipur Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. Following the incident, the victim’s family and other guardians accused the madrasa authorities of negligence and lack of safety measures, expressing anger over the death.

Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez has declared seven days of national mourning following a US military strike on Saturday that killed at least 57 people. In a televised address on Tuesday, Rodríguez said the mourning honors those who gave their lives defending the country and President Nicolás Maduro. According to BBC, the dead include 23 members of Venezuela’s security forces, 32 Cuban fighters, and two civilian women. Cuba’s state newspaper Granma published details of the fallen soldiers under the headline “Honor and Glory.” The Cuban government expressed condolences to the families of the 32 Cuban fighters, while President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced two days of national mourning in Cuba to honor their bravery and dignity. Cuba has long been a close ally of Venezuela, providing military and police support in key operations. Mourning ceremonies were held across both countries over the weekend to commemorate the victims.

A high-level European Union delegation met with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at his Bashundhara office on Wednesday. The delegation, led by Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Chief of the European External Action Service’s Asia and Pacific Division, included the EU ambassador to Dhaka and another official. Following the meeting, Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher told reporters that the main discussion focused on the upcoming national election and the Rohingya issue. He said the EU delegation informed them that the Union would send the highest number of observers to monitor the election. Dr. Taher emphasized that fair and impartial elections are essential for Bangladesh, noting that the lack of credible polls has been a major cause of national crises over the past 55 years. He expressed concern that recent government and law enforcement activities suggest bias toward one party, raising fears of a rigged election. Jamaat urged the government, Election Commission, and authorities to act neutrally to protect the country. The EU delegation also discussed the Rohingya issue, and Jamaat leaders said they would work with the international community to ensure Rohingya safety and rights if they come to power.

A businessman named Shahabuddin, aged 40, was killed in an attack by miscreants in Dhaka’s Kadamtali area on Tuesday night. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. in the Kudar Bazar area, where Shahabuddin, who ran a gas cylinder business, was assaulted with sharp weapons. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition and declared dead by doctors at 11 p.m. According to his elder brother, Mahiyuddin, Shahabuddin previously ran a scrap business in the Kadamtali-Jurain area and had started the gas cylinder business two months ago. He said the family was unaware of who attacked his brother or why. Police confirmed the death and said the body was kept at the hospital morgue. Kadamtali Police Inspector (Investigation) Shafayet Hossain stated that initial findings suggest the killing resulted from previous enmity. Police are working to identify those involved in the attack.