Gold prices in the international market declined on Thursday, with spot gold falling 0.4 percent to 4,435.62 dollars per ounce, according to a Reuters report. U.S. gold futures for February delivery also dropped by the same margin to 4,444.40 dollars per ounce. The current price marks a decrease of about 110 dollars from the record high of 4,549.71 dollars per ounce reached on December 29. The report attributes the decline to a stronger U.S. dollar and increased profit-taking by investors, which have limited the upward momentum of gold prices. Alongside gold, silver prices also fell sharply, with spot silver dropping 2.6 percent to 76.08 dollars per ounce, down from its all-time high of 83.62 dollars per ounce recorded on December 29. HSBC projected that silver prices in 2026 could range between 58 and 88 dollars per ounce, driven by investment demand and high gold prices, though the bank also warned of potential sharp declines later in the year.

The Lebanese Army announced that it has successfully completed the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah. In a statement released on Thursday, the army said the operation covered the area from the Israeli border to the Litani River and achieved its set objectives. The army added that future phases will expand the disarmament effort to other parts of Lebanon. According to the statement, the army now controls the entire area south of the Litani River, except for several positions still held by Israel near the border. Despite being weakened by the November 2024 war with Israel, the Iran-backed Hezbollah has refused to surrender its weapons in other parts of the country. Under a ceasefire agreement in effect for over a year, Israel was expected to withdraw from Lebanese territory but continues to hold five strategic border positions. The Lebanese Army said it will continue operations in the south to neutralize unexploded ordnance and locate tunnels dug by Hezbollah, while taking permanent measures to prevent armed groups from rebuilding their military capabilities.

A Dhaka court has ordered two-day remand for eight suspects arrested in connection with the attack, arson, and looting at the Prothom Alo office in Karwan Bazar. The order was issued on Thursday by Metropolitan Magistrate Md Hasan Shahadat, confirmed by state prosecutor Shamsuddoha Suman. The accused are Md Naim Islam, Md Saidur Rahman, Abul Kashem, Md Pranto Sikder, Md Raju Ahmed, Md Sagor Islam, Md Jahangir, and Md Hasan. According to the case filed at Tejgaon Police Station, the incident occurred on December 18 when 20 to 30 unidentified attackers armed with sticks and flammable materials attempted to storm the newspaper’s office. Police said the attackers gathered illegally, chanted provocative slogans, and later vandalized, looted, and set fire to the building, causing an estimated loss of Tk 320 million. Investigators recovered Tk 50,000 in cash and items allegedly bought with looted money from one suspect. The investigating officer stated that remand was necessary to identify other suspects, recover stolen goods, and trace those who aided the attack. Defense lawyers sought bail, which the court denied after hearing both sides.

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.

A massive fire broke out at a jhoot (garment waste) warehouse in the Dewaliyabari area of Konabari, Gazipur Metropolitan, on Thursday afternoon, January 8, 2026. The blaze started around 4:15 p.m. at the warehouse owned by Arif Mollah and quickly spread to several nearby warehouses. Six units of the Fire Service are currently working to bring the fire under control. According to local and fire service sources, smoke was first noticed by residents before the flames spread rapidly across adjacent warehouses. Two units from the Konabari Fire Service initially responded, followed by four additional units from the Sarabo and DBL fire stations as the fire intensified. Warehouse Inspector Saiful Islam from the Konabari Modern Fire Station confirmed that six units are engaged in firefighting, with two more on the way. Firefighters continue efforts to contain the blaze, which has affected multiple warehouses in the industrial area. No information on casualties or damage has been reported so far.

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.

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) traders in Bangladesh have withdrawn their strike following a meeting with Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Chairman Jalal Ahmed. The announcement came after discussions held at the BERC office on Thursday, leading to the immediate resumption of LPG sales across the country. According to Gas Traders Cooperative Association President Selim Khan, the strike was linked to demands that consumer rights raids on LPG shops be halted. Traders also urged authorities to fix the retail price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder at 1,500 taka. The strike had been declared on Wednesday night in response to nationwide raids and fines, with traders threatening to suspend LPG supply from all company plants until their demands were met. In the broader context, the government has initiated steps to revise VAT and tax structures on imported and locally produced LPG amid rising shortages and price instability. Efforts are also underway to ease bank loan and letter of credit procedures for LPG imports.

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.