Bangladesh Bank has purchased an additional 81 million US dollars from ten commercial banks through an auction. The transaction took place on Monday, January 12, 2026, according to Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The exchange rate for the purchase was set at 122.30 taka per dollar, with the cutoff price matching that rate. With this latest purchase, the central bank’s total dollar acquisition in January has reached 698 million US dollars. The report also notes that during the ongoing 2025–26 fiscal year, Bangladesh Bank has conducted several rounds of dollar purchases through auctions. So far, the total amount bought stands at 3.83 billion US dollars. The continued dollar purchases indicate the central bank’s ongoing efforts to manage foreign exchange reserves and stabilize the domestic currency market, as reflected by the consistent auction-based acquisitions throughout the fiscal year.

The political platform July Oikya, inspired by the spirit of the 24th mass uprising, announced it will submit a memorandum to the Election Commission on Tuesday demanding the cancellation of nominations of candidates from the 14-party alliance, including the Jatiya Party, and the NDF coalition for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The announcement was made Monday afternoon at a press conference held at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen by one of the group’s organizers, Plabon Tarek. As part of the program, a ‘March to EC’ will take place on January 13 at noon, followed by similar marches and memorandum submissions to divisional election offices on January 14. At the press conference, July Oikya organizer Musaddeq Ali Ibne Mohammad accused the Election Commission of failing to act on repeated demands and warned it to stop serving what he called fascist interests. He questioned whether the Commission truly intends to hold a fair election. Another organizer, A.B. Zubair, said the group has been campaigning to ban the Awami League’s politics and to cancel nominations of parties allegedly involved in past atrocities. The organizers reiterated their demand for immediate cancellation of all nominations of the Jatiya Party and allied groups, emphasizing their ongoing legal and protest efforts.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has called for ensuring that election rigging never occurs again in Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon at the state guesthouse Jamuna after receiving the report from the National Election (2014, 2018, 2024) Investigation Commission. Yunus said the entire electoral process had been distorted and that the truth must be presented to the nation. He emphasized the need to identify those involved and ensure accountability so that citizens can regain confidence in the system. According to the commission’s report, the elections of 2014, 2018, and 2024 were systematically manipulated under decisions made at the highest levels of the state to keep the Awami League in power. The report stated that in 2014, 153 seats were uncontested, while the remaining contests were prearranged. In 2018, ballot papers were allegedly stamped overnight in 80 percent of polling centers, and in 2024, dummy candidates were used to simulate competition. The commission found that administrative, police, and intelligence agencies were used to execute these plans. The report further noted that between 2014 and 2024, election administration shifted from the Election Commission to the bureaucracy, making the latter the main controlling force.

More than fifty workers at a garment factory in Tongi, Gazipur, fell ill on Monday afternoon following what doctors described as a mass panic attack. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. at the Garments Export Village, a unit of the Mtranet Group on Meghna Road. The affected workers were taken to Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital and nearby facilities for treatment, with seventeen later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital. The factory declared a one-day closure following the incident. According to hospital emergency physician Dr. Nafiza Sharmin, most of the workers were suffering from panic attack-related symptoms, including breathing difficulties and physical weakness. Industrial Police Inspector Azad Rahman said police were dispatched to the site and were in contact with factory authorities to gather more details. Workers reported that the illness began on the fifth floor and spread quickly as panic set in among other floors. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation while treatment for the affected workers is ongoing.

International Crimes Tribunal prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim has declared that there will be no compromise in the trial of the July genocide cases. He made the statement on Monday after the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement submitted a three-point demand to the tribunal’s prosecution, urging that no accused be granted bail, acquittal, or exemption in the ongoing crimes against humanity cases linked to the July revolution. Tamim said one of the group’s demands was to form a special investigation team and a special tribunal to expedite the trials. He noted that establishing such bodies is the government’s responsibility, but the prosecution will forward the demand for prompt action. The student group also announced plans to file cases against business and cultural figures accused of aiding the July killings, to which Tamim responded that investigations would begin swiftly once formal complaints are received. The demands followed the January 11 conditional bail granted to Humayun Kabir Patwari, a local political leader accused in a crimes against humanity case. Tamim clarified that the bail was approved on humanitarian grounds due to the accused’s serious health conditions.

Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar, clarified that the comments made by Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul regarding the International Cricket Council (ICC) were not based on a direct response from the organization. In a Facebook post on Monday, Azad Majumdar stated that the communication mentioned by the adviser was actually an internal ICC note assessing potential threats surrounding the T20 World Cup in India. According to Azad Majumdar, the note was not an official reply to Bangladesh’s request to move its matches outside India. Earlier, Asif Nazrul had said at a press conference that ICC security officials had identified three factors that could heighten security risks for Bangladesh: the inclusion of player Mustafizur Rahman, fans wearing national team jerseys, and the approach of national elections. Nazrul also mentioned that Bangladesh had sent two letters to the ICC and was awaiting a formal response. The clarification aimed to distinguish between an internal ICC assessment and an official communication regarding Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that insulting a cricketer amounts to insulting Bangladesh. He expressed agreement with the government’s decision on the matter. Fakhrul made the remarks on Monday morning while speaking to journalists at his residence in Thakurgaon town. Discussing the country’s law and order situation, Fakhrul said there has been no significant improvement and expressed concern that the government has failed to recover illegal weapons. On the issue of elections, he noted that the current environment appears fair but added that the situation will become clearer after January 22. Fakhrul also said that if the BNP forms the next government, it will ensure Bangladesh receives its fair share of water from the Teesta and other rivers shared with India. Local BNP leaders, including district general secretary Poigam Ali, were present during the discussion.

Star Cineplex is set to launch three new multiplex cinemas across Bangladesh during the upcoming Eid season. Two of these, located in Narayanganj’s Jalkuri area and Bogura’s Police Plaza, are being developed by Star Cineplex. The Narayanganj branch at Simanto Tower is planned for inauguration on Eid-ul-Fitr, featuring three halls, while the Bogura branch with two halls is also expected to open later this year. The company’s senior marketing manager, Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, confirmed the plans and noted that the projects had been delayed but are nearing completion. In addition, the Padma Cineplex in Jazira, Shariatpur, near the Padma Bridge South Police Station, is almost complete. Its owner, film producer Mohammad Iqbal, said about 90 percent of the construction work has been finished, with an opening targeted for Eid-ul-Azha. Star Cineplex previously announced plans to expand to 100 screens nationwide and aims to extend operations beyond major cities to district and sub-district levels. These developments come amid widespread closures of traditional cinema halls, offering renewed optimism for Bangladesh’s film exhibition industry.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized smuggled goods and narcotics worth about Tk 7.49 crore in coordinated operations across the 1,668.854-kilometer Rangpur region border during December 2025. The information was disclosed by Lieutenant Colonel Mahbub Ul Haque, the acting officer of the Rangpur region, at a press briefing held on Monday, January 12, 2026, at the Kurigram BGB hall room. A total of 70 suspects were detained during the month-long drives. The seized items include Indian phensedyl, yaba, cannabis, heroin, tapentadol tablets, and other intoxicant syrups. BGB also recovered six foreign pistols, 29 rounds of ammunition, 197 cattle including cows and buffaloes, and various smuggled goods such as motorcycles, cosmetics, clothing, pesticides, cumin, bicycles, and stone artifacts. As part of anti-human trafficking efforts, 15 people at risk of trafficking were rescued and handed over to police, while surveillance against counterfeit currency and cross-border crimes was intensified. Additionally, BGB distributed blankets among 1,125 cold-affected people and provided free medical care and medicines to 1,100 individuals. The official stated that patrols and operations will continue to ensure border security and internal law and order.

The Directorate of Primary Education has stated that it found no evidence of question paper leaks in the government primary school assistant teacher recruitment examination. The information was shared with the media by A.K. Mohammad Shamsul Ahsan, Director of the Policy and Operation Division of the directorate. He said that despite allegations of question leaks, irregularities, and negligence by authorities, no credible proof was discovered. The directorate is now working to publish the exam results promptly. According to the directorate, rumors about question leaks are being spread, and the public has been urged to remain cautious. Meanwhile, a group of job seekers staged protests demanding the cancellation of the exam, citing allegations of question leaks and digital fraud. In response, the directorate decided to investigate the claims. The protesters demanded that the exam be retaken, all recruitment tests be held in Dhaka, and that device checkers and network jammers be installed at every center. They also called for an independent committee to oversee all exams and strict punishment for anyone proven involved in leaks.

A Dhaka court recorded the confessional statement of Mohammad Jinnat, one of the accused shooters in the murder of former Dhaka North Swechchhasebak Dal general secretary Azizur Rahman Mosabbir. The confession was taken by Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque after Jinnat agreed to give his statement. Following the recording, he was sent to jail. The court also granted seven-day remand for three other accused — Mohammad Billal, his brother Abdul Kadir, and Mohammad Riaz — for further investigation. The hearing took place on Monday afternoon when the investigation officer presented the accused before the court. The remand request was heard by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam, with Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruki representing the state. The accused denied involvement, claiming they were not connected to the incident. The murder occurred last Thursday night near Hotel Super Star in West Tejturi Bazar, Tejgaon, when unidentified assailants shot Mosabbir, who later died at a local hospital. His wife filed a murder case the following day, leading to multiple arrests across several districts and the recovery of a motorcycle and cash linked to the crime.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) has announced a major revision of its main index, DSEX, following an annual trading review. Nine new companies will be added to the index, six of which are identified as weak in fundamentals. At the same time, sixteen companies will be removed, including five well-known Islamic banks whose shares have been declared void and trading suspended. The changes will take effect on January 18, according to DSE authorities. The six weak fundamental companies joining the DSEX are BD Welding, Desco, Dulamia Cotton, Safko Spinning, Standard Ceramic, and Jhil-Bangla Sugar. The other three additions are Ha-Well Textile, Northern Islami Insurance, and Sharp Industries. The five Islamic banks being removed—First Security Islami Bank, Exim Bank, Social Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, and Union Bank—have merged to form a new entity named Sammilit Islami Bank. Other companies dropped include Apollo Ispat, United Capital, Meghna Condensed Milk, and several others. The DSE also adjusted its DS-30 index, adding Meghna Petroleum, BSRM Steels, and Fine Foods, while removing Heidelberg Cement, GPH Ispat, and Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag.

Iran’s government has declared three days of national mourning following recent violent protests and clashes that left multiple civilians and security personnel dead. The announcement was made on Sunday evening, January 11, through a statement from the presidential office, according to Tasnim News. The government said the mourning period honors those killed in the unrest, expressing condolences on behalf of the state and cabinet. Authorities reiterated their commitment to bringing those responsible for the violence to justice and to maintaining public order. Officials alleged that the recent incidents were carried out by “externally supported rioters” who attacked political figures and security forces, creating instability across the country. The declaration of mourning comes amid heightened political tension and ongoing opposition activity within Iran’s political and security environment, reflecting the government’s attempt to restore calm after widespread unrest.

Meta has deactivated more than 540,000 Facebook, Instagram, and Threads accounts in Australia following the country’s new social media ban for users under 16. The U.S. technology company stated that between December 4 and 11, it removed 330,639 Instagram accounts, 173,497 Facebook accounts, and 39,916 Threads accounts believed to be operated by minors. The action came after Australia implemented the world’s first full prohibition on social media use by children under 16, effective December 10. According to Anadolu Agency, the Australian government’s decision bars minors from creating, using, or maintaining profiles on major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat. In a blog post, Meta said it seeks constructive dialogue with the government to explore safer, privacy-preserving, and age-appropriate online experiences instead of a total ban. The company emphasized that a unified industry standard for age verification is still lacking. Meta reaffirmed its commitment to comply with Australian law but expressed concern over the absence of clear and consistent age determination standards across the industry.

The General Secretary of Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (ChakSU), Saeed Bin Habib, has alleged that national newspapers Prothom Alo and Samakal published biased reports regarding the detention of Hasan Mohammad Roman Shuvo, a teacher from the university’s law department. Speaking at a press conference at the ChakSU office on Monday, Habib said the incident was misrepresented as mob harassment, though video footage showed no physical abuse or violence. He stated that ChakSU leaders handed Shuvo over to the administration after he attempted to flee when questioned about allegations against him. Habib further claimed that ChakSU leaders, particularly female members, have been facing organized cyberbullying and death threats through social media, including the use of obscene and misogynistic language. He described the attacks as part of a coordinated campaign of defamation and intimidation. Addressing recent recruitment issues at the university, Habib urged the administration to disclose all relevant information under the Right to Information Act, 2009, to strengthen trust between students and the administration. ChakSU believes that transparency in recruitment processes will help resolve ongoing disputes and restore confidence within the university community.