Former Indian diplomat and Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar suggested that ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should be allowed to stay in India indefinitely, even for life, recognizing her contributions to India. Speaking at a literary festival in Kolkata, Aiyar praised recent diplomatic discussions between India and Bangladesh and emphasized continued dialogue. Amid political turmoil and protests, 77-year-old Hasina left Bangladesh for India in August and has since remained there. Aiyar also addressed Bangladesh’s extradition demands.

A dispute over leaflet distribution led to a clash between the National Citizens’ Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Pirojpur’s Town Club grounds. Both groups were distributing leaflets regarding the “July Revolution Declaration.” The rivalry stems from prior internal conflicts within the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, which split into two factions. Allegations of exclusion, disruption, and organizational manipulation have intensified tensions. Police intervened to restore order after verbal altercations escalated into physical confrontations.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s interim Chief Advisor, has urged an investigation into UK Anti-Corruption Minister Tulip Siddiq’s London properties, alleging they may stem from corruption during the ousted Awami League government. Tulip, granddaughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, denies any wrongdoing. Reports link her to properties owned by offshore entities tied to Bangladeshi businessmen. Yunus criticized such practices as “plain robbery” and called for accountability. Meanwhile, UK authorities are monitoring the situation, with growing pressure on Siddiq to address the claims.

Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar, Advisor to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, stated that teachers engaging in politics will face action as per regulations. Speaking at NAPE, Mymensingh, he highlighted the government’s efforts to enhance education quality through curriculum and exam reforms. He stressed the importance of holistic child development, including sports and cultural activities. Dr. Poddar also addressed delays in book distribution and efforts to register private educational institutions to reduce costs.

A German study involving 461,818 women found that incorporating AI into breast cancer screening increased detection rates by 17.6% compared to standard methods, identifying one additional cancer case per 1,000 women without raising false positives. The AI tool flagged suspicious scans and served as a “safety net,” reducing radiologists’ workload while maintaining accuracy. It also improved speed in reviewing normal scans and supported higher detection of cancers, including in situ cases. Experts praise the findings as promising but stress the need for long-term research to address potential overdiagnosis risks and ensure clinically meaningful outcomes. AI offers significant potential in healthcare efficiency.

Southern California authorities have imposed a nightly curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in fire evacuation zones to prevent looting amid ongoing wildfires, including the Palisades and Eaton Fires. Thousands remain under evacuation orders in Los Angeles County, where six wildfires have claimed six lives and destroyed numerous structures. After 20 looters were arrested, the County has enlisted 400 National Guard members to assist local police with traffic control and infrastructure protection. Officials vow to safeguard residents affected by the devastation and displacement caused by the fires.

Shafiqul Alam, the Press Secretary of the Chief Adviser, confirmed that all students will receive their new textbooks by February. He compared the current administration’s effort with the previous government’s practice of a one-day textbook festival, which did not result in timely distribution. Alam added that textbooks in past years were sometimes distributed as late as July, and the interim government is working swiftly with stakeholders, including paper manufacturers, to ensure prompt delivery.

Interim government advisor Mahfuz Alam stated that discussions with political parties and organizations would begin next week to draft the July Uprising Declaration based on consensus. The government will not draft the declaration but support the process. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and National Citizen Committee have demanded its release by January 15, though Alam indicated additional time might be required to ensure agreement among all stakeholders.

Fast-moving wildfires in Los Angeles, fueled by hurricane-force winds, have destroyed over 10,000 structures, displaced 180,000 people, and killed seven, with the toll likely to rise. The Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires caused widespread destruction, including celebrity homes. Crews face extreme conditions with erratic winds and water shortages. Officials call the disaster historic, likening devastated areas to bomb sites. Though evacuation orders eased in some regions, the fires continue to pose significant threats.

Adviser Mahfuz Alam stated that issuing a declaration by January 15 is not feasible but assured minimal delay. Discussions with political and mass uprising groups will finalize the declaration within a week based on consensus. He emphasized unity for constitutional reforms and stated that reforms would begin after receiving commission reports. Local elections, he noted, could improve citizen services, while the national election date would be decided after completing election-related reforms in consultation with political parties.

The trial for the BDR rebellion case begins today at the Alia Madrasa grounds in Dhaka. A temporary court was previously set up at the Government Alia Madrasa and in front of Dhaka Central Jail, but student protests in July-August caused damage to the court building and obstructed proceedings. Due to security and transportation issues, the accused are now held at Keraniganj Central Jail, where a temporary court will be established to ensure smooth trial operations.

After 7.5 years, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her elder son, Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, emotionally reunited in London. Khaleda Zia, in need of advanced medical care, arrived at Heathrow Airport on Wednesday morning via a special air ambulance. She was welcomed by Tarique, daughter-in-law Zubaida Rahman, and BNP leaders. Khaleda, suffering from severe health issues, will undergo treatment at London Clinic and later Johns Hopkins Hospital in the USA. Her health has deteriorated since her 2018 imprisonment. Her return home may include performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia.

Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has taken responsibility for the family of Felani Khatun, killed by BSF gunfire at the Fulbari border in Kurigram. He will support her siblings' education and employment. Felani was shot dead in 2011 by BSF member Amiya Ghosh, who was later acquitted in trials. Despite appeals, the case has not seen further progress since a postponed hearing in 2018.

The interim government has approved a 3% hike in supplementary duty on mobile services, raising it from 20% to 23%. This increase will further reduce the value of mobile recharges, leaving users with only 43.7 BDT worth of service per 100 BDT recharge. The move has sparked criticism from consumer rights groups, citing rising costs as a barrier to internet accessibility and technological progress. Mobile and internet subscriber numbers have already declined significantly due to escalating costs.

The interim government cited disruptions in textbook printing due to interference by dishonest groups active during the previous government. This year, all textbooks are being printed locally, shifting from earlier reliance on Indian facilities. As of January 6, over 11 crore textbooks have been printed and distributed out of a target of 40 crore. While delays caused inconvenience, the government highlighted the economic benefit to 10-12 lakh local workers and expressed optimism about overcoming challenges soon.