BNP leader Lutfuzzaman Babar has been acquitted of a life sentence in the 10-truck arms smuggling case, with no obstacles remaining for his release on January 16. The High Court also acquitted four others and reduced sentences for five, including ULFA commander Paresh Barua. In total, five defendants were sentenced, five acquitted, and four were exonerated due to death. The case, involving former high-ranking officials, revolved around arms smuggling and illegal arms possession.

The Appellate Division acquitted BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, and all other accused in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The court overturned previous High Court and lower court verdicts, stating the trial stemmed from political vengeance. Khaleda had been sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018, serving over two years. The Anti-Corruption Commission found no evidence of corruption. Defense lawyers hailed the verdict, calling the earlier trial a mockery of justice.

Motiur Rahman, ex-NBR official, and his wife Laila Kaniz were arrested in Dhaka over allegations of amassing illegal wealth. Their involvement in the “Goat Incident,” where their son’s extravagant Qurbani goat purchase sparked public outrage, led to scrutiny. The Anti-Corruption Commission found evidence of undeclared assets, including land, flats, resorts, and industrial establishments worth 1.24 billion BDT. Their bank accounts were frozen, and travel bans were imposed. They submitted wealth statements following ACC notices but remain under investigation.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of 200 crore taka in assets and the freezing of 87 bank accounts of S Alam and his family members over allegations of laundering one billion dollars to Singapore. The assets include buildings and plots in Dhaka and Chittagong, and large sums deposited in Union Bank and Global Islami Bank accounts. The move follows an earlier travel ban imposed on the family members in October.

Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, stated that young people will oppose anyone supporting fascism, including media outlets. Speaking at Narayanganj Shaheed Minar, he emphasized youth inclusion in all agendas and demanded legal action against Awami League leaders. Abdullah criticized the party’s politics of criminalization and vengeance, blaming them for disillusioning the youth. Alongside Samantha Sharmin, he led public campaigns and rallies in Narayanganj, advocating the July Revolution manifesto and urging accountability for past injustices.

UK Economic Secretary Tulip Siddiq has resigned following allegations of financial misconduct, including receiving gifts from individuals linked to former Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina. Despite an independent ethics review clearing her of rule violations, Siddiq stepped down citing the controversy’s impact on government focus. Reports link her to Bangladesh’s embezzlement cases and earlier controversies. Opposition demands and media scrutiny added pressure. Siddiq’s resignation paves the way for Emma Reynolds to succeed her as Pensions Minister.

The interim government is forming the “July Mass Uprising Directorate” to provide financial aid and rehabilitation for families of those killed and injured during the July-August 2024 protests. Eligible individuals will receive allowances and job opportunities based on defined criteria. The directorate’s policy draft includes categorization of injuries for aid distribution and committee formation for implementation. Pending approvals from relevant ministries, activities will commence soon. Additionally, the initiative faces mixed reactions over overlooked organizational upgrades.

Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Kamrul Ahsan met Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus to discuss plans for the long-awaited JAKSU election. The roadmap has been unveiled, with the schedule set to be announced on February 1. The Chief Advisor encouraged holding the election, inactive since 1992, under university leadership. Dr. Ahsan highlighted recent progress at the university and provided updates on the July uprising case, including the allocation of 3.7 million BDT for treatment of the injured.

The Public Administration Reform Commission proposes reducing 26 civil service cadres to six, replacing “cadre” with “officer,” and extending the retirement age. A permanent pay commission may adjust salaries monthly based on inflation. Recommendations include renaming Deputy Commissioners as District Magistrates, enhancing service accountability, and curbing harassment in public service sectors. These changes aim to address inter-cadre conflicts, streamline operations, and improve public perception of civil services. The commission’s final report faces delays but is due soon.

Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency is expected to lead to stricter H-1B visa regulations, raising concerns among Indian professionals. Reports indicate that some Indians, despite receiving job offers, face delays, revocations, and visa issues. Many worry that the tightening of visa policies will disproportionately affect Indian workers, as they make up a significant portion of H-1B visa recipients, with 72% of 2023 visas granted to Indians.

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.