The prosecution’s appeal seeking to upgrade the life imprisonment sentences of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death penalties in a war crimes case will be presented before the Chamber Judge Court within the next few days. Prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim confirmed the development on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

According to the prosecution, the appeal follows a verdict delivered by Tribunal-1 on November 17, which sentenced both Hasina and Kamal to life imprisonment on one charge and death on another. After receiving the full copy of the verdict, the prosecution reviewed it and decided to appeal for harsher punishment. The formal appeal was filed within 30 days of the verdict announcement.

The case stems from crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the July uprising linked to the anti-discrimination student movement. The Chamber Judge Court is expected to hear the prosecution’s petition within the current week.

Job seekers protesting in Mirpur, Dhaka, have demanded the cancellation and retake of the assistant teacher recruitment exam following allegations of question leaks. In response, the Directorate of Primary Education has decided to investigate the claims, according to its Director General Abu Noor Md. Shamsuzzaman, who spoke to the media on Sunday.

Shamsuzzaman stated that intelligence agencies including DGFI, NSI, DB, SB, and district administrations had recovered some questions before the exam, but none matched the official set. He acknowledged attempts to leak questions but clarified that digital devices were used for cheating rather than leaking. A total of 207 candidates were expelled, and several legal actions were taken against offenders.

He added that if the investigation confirms the allegations, the exam will be canceled, as had happened twice before. The protesters’ five-point demands include holding all exams in Dhaka with device checkers and network jammers, forming an independent exam committee, and ensuring strict punishment for those involved in any proven leaks.

The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has pardoned 25 Bangladeshi nationals who had been convicted in the UAE. The pardon was confirmed in a statement issued by the Emirati Embassy in Dhaka on Sunday. According to the embassy, the decision followed a formal request from the Government of Bangladesh.

The individuals were arrested and tried for violating UAE laws after participating in activities linked to protests in Bangladesh during July 2024. Following the pardon, all 25 Bangladeshis have been released and repatriated to Bangladesh. The embassy described the move as a reflection of the UAE leadership’s compassion, tolerance, and commitment to justice, as well as a sign of the deep and brotherly relations between the two nations.

Previous instances of similar pardons were also noted, highlighting the UAE’s humanitarian approach and the generosity of President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The head of the European Union Election Observation Mission, Eivers Ijabs, has emphasized that Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national parliamentary election must be held peacefully, credibly, and transparently through ballot boxes. In a written statement, he said the election will play a crucial role in strengthening democratic institutions and expressed hope that the mission’s work would help build public trust in the electoral process.

The EU deployed its observation mission to Bangladesh in December of the previous year to monitor the election scheduled for February 12. According to an official release, this is the first full EU election observation mission in Bangladesh since 2008. The mission will assess how the election is conducted under national law and its alignment with regional and international democratic standards adopted by Bangladesh.

Ijabs stated that the mission’s technical assessment is guided by three principles: independence, impartiality, and non-interference. He clarified that the mission will observe the process but will not certify the results, stressing that the election belongs solely to the people of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s interim government spent about USD 3,877.74 million in 2025 to import 109 LNG cargoes, up from USD 3,022.32 million for 86 cargoes in 2024, according to Petrobangla officials. The imports totaled 350,766,440 MMBtu of LNG, reflecting a USD 855.42 million increase from the previous year. Officials said the rise was driven by growing industrial demand and insufficient domestic gas supply.

Petrobangla and Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL) reported that LNG was procured under long-term, short-term, and spot market contracts. QatarEnergy supplied 40 cargoes worth USD 1,204.49 million, while Oman’s OQ Trading delivered 16 cargoes under long-term deals and five under short-term contracts. Bangladesh also purchased 48 cargoes from the spot market through suppliers including PetroChina International and TotalEnergies Gas & Power. The government plans to import 115 cargoes in the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

Officials noted that daily gas demand reached 3,800 million cubic feet against production of 2,594.7 million cubic feet on January 5–6, 2026. The Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan 2023 projects demand to rise to 6,240 million cubic feet per day by 2030.

Candidates have staged a protest in Mirpur demanding the cancellation of the government primary school assistant teacher recruitment exam, citing allegations of question leaks and device-based cheating. The demonstration began on Sunday morning as participants surrounded the Directorate of Primary Education and vowed to continue their movement until their demands are met.

The protesters presented five key demands, including immediate cancellation and retake of the exam, holding all job exams in Dhaka with device checkers and network jammers at every center, formation of an independent committee to oversee all exams, prohibition of multiple exams on the same day, and strict punishment for those involved in question leaks. They also called for the resignation of the head of any question-setting institution found responsible within 24 hours.

The exam took place on January 9 across 61 districts, excluding three in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, with over 1.08 million candidates. Allegations of leaked questions circulated on social media days before the test, and candidates claimed that several leaked questions appeared verbatim in the actual exam.

Researchers have identified a large and organized digital propaganda network operating behind Iran’s ongoing protests. The joint investigation by the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab and Israeli media outlets The Marker and Haaretz revealed that the operation allegedly uses artificial intelligence technology and is indirectly funded by the Israeli government. The campaign’s stated goal is to promote monarchist sentiment among Iranians and destabilize the current regime.

According to the findings, the network has been spreading provocative content aimed at reinstating exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi. It was most active during the attack on Tehran’s Evin Prison, when thousands of fake social media accounts circulated explosion reports and AI-generated deepfake videos before Iranian media coverage. The network also encouraged acts like bank robberies and prison breaks. Citizen Lab noted that the timing of these campaigns coincided with Israeli military operations.

Researchers warned that such unethical digital operations by democratic states could further threaten long-term stability in the Middle East, even as they appear to strengthen Iran’s ruling government domestically.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) for the southern region and candidate for Comilla-4 (Debidwar), stated that asking for votes is more honorable than committing theft or corruption. He made the remarks on Sunday, January 11, during an anti-aggression march and public outreach event at Syedpur Bazar in Bara Shalghar Union of Debidwar upazila, Comilla.

During his address, Abdullah emphasized that his party would approach voters with love and humility, even if it meant begging for their support. He urged citizens to back the 'yes' vote in the upcoming referendum, which he said would strengthen democracy and protect fundamental rights. He called for an end to corruption, extortion, and loan defaulting, describing the forthcoming election as one aimed at building a corruption-free Bangladesh.

Abdullah also mentioned that if corruption could be eradicated, the country would inevitably progress, and that no one should serve as prime minister more than twice, reflecting his party’s stance on political reform.

The European Union (EU) has decided to send a large observer mission to Bangladesh for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. The decision was announced in Dhaka during a meeting between Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the EU Election Observation Mission’s Chief Observer, European Parliament member Ivars Ijabs. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam later briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy, confirming that the EU views the election as historic and will deploy observers across the country to monitor the entire process.

According to the briefing, the meeting discussed election preparations, ensuring a level playing field, and the importance of a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum. Ijabs noted that the EU had not sent observers during Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year tenure but sees positive momentum this time. Dr. Yunus assured that the election and referendum would be free, fair, credible, and peaceful, with full readiness from the Election Commission and interim government.

Security measures will include body-worn cameras for security personnel at sensitive polling centers, centralized monitoring through an app, and CCTV coverage nationwide. Official campaigning will begin on January 22, with the government expecting high voter turnout, especially among women and youth.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed seven separate cases accusing 93 individuals of embezzling at least Tk 47 crore from various branches of United Commercial Bank (UCB) PLC. The cases were lodged on Sunday at the ACC’s Chattogram-1 integrated district office. According to the case reports, fake identities of rural farmers, day laborers, and tailors were used to open current accounts and secure loans under the names of non-existent companies such as Hossain Trading, Karnaphuli Emporium, Zahid International, Cat’s Eye Corporation, Shah Trading, Harun & Sons, and Mallik & Brothers.

Investigations revealed that former top UCB officials, branch managers, and credit operations staff were directly involved in the scheme. The fraudulent loans were approved using forged trade licenses, fake documents, and fabricated verification reports prepared by an organized group. The funds were later transferred across accounts and withdrawn in cash. The ACC report also named former UCB director and executive committee chairman Anisuzzaman Chowdhury Rony and former director Bashir Ahmed as directly linked to the scam.

The ACC stated that similar embezzlement cases had been filed earlier and several related investigations remain ongoing.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared that protecting national security is its red line as widespread protests continue across the country. The elite force, separate from the regular army, made the statement on Saturday after overnight demonstrations described as the largest in years. The IRGC said it is determined to safeguard the nation’s security and the achievements of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, claiming that armed attackers targeted military and law enforcement bases, killing both security personnel and civilians and setting fire to public and private facilities.

Iran’s army also announced its commitment to defending national interests, strategic infrastructure, and public assets. Both the army and the IRGC operate under the authority of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The protests began two weeks ago over uncontrolled inflation but have since taken on political dimensions, with some demonstrators calling for the fall of the Islamic Republic.

State media reported that a municipal building in Karaj was set ablaze, while doctors in Tehran confirmed at least 217 protester deaths in six hospitals, most showing gunshot wounds. Internet watchdog NetBlocks said Iran has imposed a nationwide blackout lasting more than 36 hours.

Jagannath University has published the admission test results for the 2025–2026 academic session of its Faculty of Social Sciences, known as the ‘D’ unit. The announcement was made on Sunday, January 11, through a notice signed by Professor Dr. Sanjida Farhana, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Applicants can view their individual results by logging into the university’s official admission website at https://admission.jnu.ac.bd.

According to the notice, the next step for successful candidates is to complete the subject choice process. Detailed information regarding this procedure will be announced later through official notices on the university’s website. The ‘D’ unit admission test was held on January 9 for first-year undergraduate (honours) students under the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The university has advised all applicants to regularly check its website for updates on subject selection and subsequent admission activities.

Professor Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, announced that the official symbol for the upcoming national referendum will be a tick mark. He made the statement on Sunday afternoon while addressing the Divisional Imam Conference at Bell’s Park in Barishal. Riaz explained that voters should use the tick mark to indicate a 'yes' vote in the referendum, which is being held alongside the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

He contrasted this referendum with previous ones, noting that earlier referendums sought approval after decisions were made, whereas this time public consent is being sought first before implementation. The event, organized to promote the referendum and encourage voter participation, was attended by senior government and law enforcement officials, including the Additional Divisional Commissioner Mahfuzur Rahman and other dignitaries.

Riaz urged citizens to unite beyond political and religious divisions to build a state based on equality, human dignity, and social justice, echoing the promises of 1971. He emphasized that the referendum offers a rare opportunity for citizens to shape the nation’s future.

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has emphasized that elections are vital for strengthening democratic institutions through the ballot. Chief observer Ivars Ijabs made the remarks on Sunday at a press conference in Dhaka, underscoring the need for Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election to be peaceful, credible, and transparent. He expressed hope that EU observers would help enhance public confidence in the electoral process.

Ijabs stated that the EU’s engagement with political parties is ongoing and that the mission will assess whether a level playing field exists. He noted that the EU believes Bangladesh has the capacity to hold free, fair, and impartial elections. This marks the first time since 2008 that the EU has deployed a full election observation mission to Bangladesh.

According to Ijabs, an 11-member core team arrived in Bangladesh last week, and a 56-member long-term observer group was scheduled to arrive today, reflecting the EU’s renewed commitment to monitoring the upcoming election process.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin stated that the ongoing IPL issue has not caused any negative impact on trade between Bangladesh and India. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday after a meeting on the new import policy order, he said that business activities with India are continuing normally.

The adviser emphasized that Bangladesh believes in open trade with all countries and does not take country-specific bilateral decisions unless domestic trade is disrupted. He added that various trade measures with India are being monitored to assess any possible effects. Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman noted that daily events rarely affect bilateral trade, though India’s closure of several land ports last May reduced Bangladesh’s exports. He clarified that Bangladesh did not take any countermeasures.

Rahman further explained that the decision to halt jute exports to India was made to maintain domestic supply and not to harm another country. He reiterated that Bangladesh’s trade policies are designed to protect internal markets rather than target any nation.