Md. Arfan Hossain, the younger brother of Felani Khatun who was killed by BSF gunfire at the border, has officially joined the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) as a sepoy. He took an oath to protect the nation’s sovereignty and integrity during the passing-out parade of the 104th recruit batch at the Bir Uttam Mujibur Rahman Parade Ground of the Border Guard Training Center and College in Baitul Izzat, Satkania, Chattogram. The event marked the induction of 3,023 new BGB members, including 2,950 men and 73 women—the highest number in the force’s history.

Arfan had passed the recruitment examination organized by 15 BGB on February 23 before beginning his training. His enlistment carries deep emotional significance for his family, who have long sought justice for Felani’s death in 2011 at the Anantapur border in Kurigram’s Phulbari. The family and local residents believe Arfan’s service symbolizes hope and the continuation of Felani’s unfulfilled dream.

The ceremony underscored BGB’s ongoing expansion and the inclusion of new recruits dedicated to safeguarding Bangladesh’s borders.

A rickshaw puller named Babul Hawlader Sagar, aged 45, was killed after being hit by a covered van in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area early Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. near the Kajla area. According to witnesses and police, Sagar was repairing a battery-run autorickshaw near the Kajla toll plaza when a covered van struck him from behind and fled the scene. He was rescued in critical condition and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead around 6:15 a.m.

Sub-inspector Shahnewaz of Jatrabari Police Station confirmed the incident. The victim, originally from Madanpur in Narayanganj, lived in the Shonir Akhra area with his wife and two children. His body has been kept at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Police have not yet identified the vehicle or driver responsible for the accident, and no further details on the investigation were provided in the report.

Iran’s Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni has pledged to expedite the trials of individuals arrested during recent protests across the country. The announcement was made on Wednesday through state television, which described the demonstrations as “riots.” During a visit to a Tehran prison where many detainees are being held, Mohseni stated that authorities must act quickly in cases involving violence such as arson or beheadings.

According to Iranian news agencies, Mohseni also called for the trials to be conducted publicly. Reports said he spent about five hours at the Tehran facility reviewing case files of those detained in connection with the unrest. Human rights organizations have claimed that thousands of people have been arrested in the recent protests and expressed fears that Iran’s judiciary may impose widespread death sentences.

The situation has heightened international concern over human rights conditions in Iran, as observers warn that the judiciary’s approach could further escalate tensions within the country.

Thirteen-year-old Omar Halawa from northern Gaza lost his right leg after being hit during an Israeli attack in October 2025 while fetching water near the Jabalia area. His mother, Yasmin Halawa, told Al Jazeera that the family had been displaced more than 15 times and that Omar’s injury occurred amid severe water shortages. The family buried his severed leg near their tent, and Omar visits the grave daily, saying his leg has gone to heaven before him.

Omar’s sister Layan was also injured in a November 2023 airstrike, and their eight-year-old cousin was killed. Yasmin said her children have been deeply traumatized, with Omar now frightened even by small noises. UNICEF spokesperson Kazem Abu Khalaf told Al Jazeera that Gaza’s children are living in the world’s most terrifying place instead of enjoying their childhood. According to the report, more than 71,000 Palestinians, including 20,000 children, have been killed in two years of Israeli attacks, and around 42,000 children have been injured.

UNICEF noted that even after a ceasefire, over 95 children have been killed, underscoring the continuing danger for Gaza’s young population.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) conducted a raid at the University of Chittagong on Wednesday following allegations of irregularities in more than 150 appointments approved by a university syndicate. The operation began at 11:30 a.m. under the leadership of ACC Chittagong Assistant Director Sayed Alam, and the matter was confirmed to the media by ACC Chittagong Deputy Director Subel Ahmed.

According to university authorities, the 565th syndicate meeting held on January 9 approved the appointment of 113 individuals, including teachers, officers, and employees. Among them, 21 were appointed as teachers, 8 as officers, and 84 as third- and fourth-class employees. The list also included Mahira Khan, daughter of the university’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor Shamim Uddin Khan, who was appointed as a lecturer.

The ACC raid followed public allegations that the recruitment process involved irregularities, prompting the commission to investigate the matter further.

The Home Affairs Adviser stated that threats made by individuals living abroad hold no value and urged those with courage to return to Bangladesh and face the law. He made the remarks on Wednesday morning at the Border Guard Training Center and College in Baitul Izzat, Satkania, Chattogram, following the 104th Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recruiting parade. Responding to questions about threats directed at the Prime Minister and her son over the election, he said that such statements from fugitives abroad are meaningless unless made within the legal framework of the country.

Addressing election security, the adviser said that the number of security forces is being increased to prevent any disorder during the polls and expressed confidence that the election would remain peaceful with public cooperation. On border issues, he noted that the Arakan Army currently controls parts of Myanmar’s Rakhine region, creating problems for Bangladesh. He added that Bangladesh maintains communication with Myanmar’s government and protests whenever incidents occur along the border.

The adviser also mentioned that clashes between Myanmar forces and the Arakan Army sometimes cause shells to land inside Bangladesh, and the government is taking all necessary measures to prevent future incidents.

UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, Mai Sato, has warned that Iran’s use of the death penalty to suppress anti-government protests is illegal and demonstrates the authorities’ readiness to execute protesters. In a statement issued Wednesday, Sato said the announcement of death sentences against protesters constitutes a clear violation of international human rights standards. She cited the case of 26-year-old protester Erfan Soltani, arrested on January 8 in Fardis, west of Tehran, who was sentenced to death and scheduled for execution the same day.

Sato wrote on social media platform X that although the execution did not take place on Wednesday, the declared intent to use the death penalty and the sentencing of a protester under the charge of “moharebeh” or “enmity against God” reflect the authorities’ deep disregard for freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. She emphasized that the death penalty cannot be a legitimate response in a country that respects these freedoms.

The statement underscores growing concern over Iran’s handling of dissent and its adherence to international human rights obligations.

The Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Central Students’ Union (ShakSU) election will be held on January 20, as scheduled. However, the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) required all candidates to sign a pledge form containing specific conditions. On January 13, vice president candidates from various panels confirmed that they had collectively rejected this requirement and decided instead to submit a memorandum expressing their commitment to a peaceful and disciplined election.

According to the EC’s proposal, the pledge form included three conditions: that the ShakSU election would have no link to the national election, would not influence it adversely, and would not lead to any deterioration of law and order. The university administration had instructed candidates to include their names, mobile numbers, and positions in the signed document. Candidates from panels supported by different student groups argued that ensuring non-violence was the responsibility of the administration and the EC, not the contestants.

After prolonged discussions with the acting vice-chancellor and other officials, all candidates agreed to submit a memorandum instead of signing the EC’s pledge form, reaffirming their cooperation in conducting a fair and festive election.

Students from seven affiliated colleges in Dhaka have announced a new phase of their movement demanding the issuance of the final ordinance for the proposed Dhaka Central University. The announcement came on Wednesday afternoon on behalf of Bangla College students, who said that the current sit-in program had been suspended for the day but would resume as a continuous peaceful protest from Thursday.

According to student representative Masum Billah, the coordinated decision was made at Gabtoli Technical intersection. He stated that starting Thursday at 11 a.m., students would hold simultaneous peaceful sit-ins at Science Lab, Technical, and Tantibazar intersections in the capital. The students emphasized that their movement centers on a single demand—the final issuance of the ordinance to establish the proposed university.

Participants described the campaign as a long struggle for their future and rights, asserting that even though the day’s program ended, they would not retreat from their main demand.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki has said that only U.S. President Donald Trump can prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from threatening Europe. In an interview with Radio 4, Nawrocki stated that Russia poses a threat to Poland and to Central and Eastern Europe, and that Trump is the only person capable of resolving the issue and ending the war in Ukraine. He warned that these are dangerous times and urged Europe to support Trump’s efforts to bring the conflict to an end.

Nawrocki, known as a supporter of Trump, also commented on the relationship between Europe and the United States. He said that despite recent U.S. statements regarding Greenland, the United States remains the guarantor of Europe’s security. According to him, Trump’s actions toward Europe deserve support and respect. Nawrocki expressed concern that Europe is moving away from the United States, which he believes would not be beneficial for the European Union’s economic or military security.

The president’s remarks reflect Poland’s continued emphasis on transatlantic ties and its reliance on U.S. leadership in European security matters.

Bedouin residents of Ras Ain al-Auja village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank are dismantling their sheep pens and loading belongings onto trucks as they prepare to leave their homes. Facing increasing violence from Israeli settlers, many families say they have no choice but to flee. According to AFP, the semi-nomadic Bedouin community is among the most vulnerable, alleging that the lack of effective law enforcement has left them victims of forced displacement.

Local resident Farhan Jahalin said two years of continuous settler attacks have devastated their community, making it impossible to remain. UN data cited in the report shows settler attacks in the West Bank reached a record 260 incidents in October last year. About half of the 130 families in the village have already decided to relocate, while others are dismantling their homes. Residents accuse settlers of cutting water and electricity supplies and grazing livestock near Bedouin homes to create fear and pressure.

The Israeli military said it is aware of incidents in the Ras al-Ain area and has deployed forces to maintain order. However, Bedouins fear that even if they move elsewhere, they may face displacement again in the future.

The Sirajganj Press Club organized a protest and human chain on Wednesday morning following a petrol bomb attack on the home of Shariful Islam Inna, the district correspondent of the daily Amar Desh and general secretary of the Sirajganj Press Club. The event took place at the press club premises, where speakers including club president Harun-or-Rashid Khan Hasan and office secretary Enamul Haque condemned the attack and demanded the immediate arrest of those involved.

According to the report, the attack occurred on Saturday night, January 10, around 9 p.m., in the Diyar Dhangora area of Sirajganj municipality. Three youths reportedly arrived on a motorcycle and threw two petrol bombs at Inna’s residence before fleeing. The explosion caused a fire that spread panic among family members, but it was quickly brought under control with water. A complaint has been filed with the local police station.

Members of the Sirajganj Press Club’s executive committee, including several current and former office bearers, attended the protest to express solidarity and demand justice for the attack.

Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA has filed an appeal in a US court against an order to sell its American subsidiary, Citgo. Company representatives said on Tuesday that they have requested the cancellation of the court-directed sale, which was initiated to repay outstanding debts. Multiple creditors have long sought to recover more than 20 billion dollars owed by Venezuela, with Citgo being a key target for repayment claims.

According to AFP, a court in Delaware approved the sale of Citgo in late November last year as part of efforts to resolve the prolonged legal dispute. Citgo’s board has also petitioned to halt the sale, arguing that the US foreclosure process involves a serious conflict of interest that could harm the company’s economic value. The board estimates Citgo’s current worth at around 10 billion dollars.

The appeal marks the latest development in a complex legal battle over Venezuela’s unpaid debts and the future of one of its most valuable foreign assets.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has clarified the island’s stance on its political alignment, stating that if forced to choose between the United States and Denmark, Greenland would choose Denmark. He made the remarks during a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, according to BBC reports.

The statement follows comments by US President Donald Trump suggesting that the United States should acquire ownership of Greenland to counter Russia and China. The White House reportedly discussed the possibility of purchasing the island and did not entirely rule out the use of force. In response, Denmark’s Prime Minister described the US approach as “completely unacceptable pressure” from a close ally and warned that the situation could become more difficult.

Nielsen emphasized that Greenland faces a “geopolitical crisis” but firmly rejected any notion of US ownership or governance, reiterating that Greenland does not want to be part of the United States.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy arrived in Dhaka on the morning of January 14, 2026, as part of its global tour. The golden trophy was flown in by a special aircraft to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, accompanied by Brazilian football legend and 2002 World Cup winner Gilberto Silva. Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Tabith Awal received the trophy at the airport, joined by national team captain Jamal Bhuiyan, BIDA Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury, and NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan.

Following its arrival, the trophy was taken to the Radisson Blu Hotel in the capital. Only selected winners of Coca-Cola’s “Under the Cap” campaign were allowed to view and photograph the trophy between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The event was kept limited, with no public display, due to overall national circumstances. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in June and July.

The brief visit marked a rare opportunity for Bangladeshi football fans to witness the iconic trophy up close, even under restricted arrangements.