Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna on Sunday regained his candidacy for Bogra-2 constituency as the Election Commission declared his nomination paper valid after hearing his appeal petition. Manna, in an instant reaction, said there was a conspiracy behind the cancellation of his nomination, but it has ultimately failed. Expressing satisfaction with the Election Commission’s role, Manna said the Commission had taken a stand in favour of inclusive politics. Manna, who submitted nomination papers for Bogra-2 and Dhaka-18 to run the 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12 next. His nomination paper for Dhaka-18 was accepted, his nomination paper for Bogra-2 was cancelled on ground of bank loan default during the scrutiny conducted by the returning officers.

At least eight people, including the bride and groom, were killed early Sunday when a gas cylinder exploded at a house in Pakistan’s capital shortly after a wedding reception, police and officials said. The explosion occurred while guests who had gathered to celebrate the newlyweds were sleeping at the house, causing part of the building to collapse, according to Islamabad police. Government administrator Sahibzada Yousaf said authorities were alerted early Sunday and investigations were underway. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and conveyed condolences to the victims’ families. Many households in Pakistan rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders due to low natural gas pressure, and such cylinders have often been linked to fatal accidents caused by gas leaks.

A Bangladeshi child has been killed and several others injured after being hit by stray bullets following clashes between Myanmar’s rebel group, the Arakan Army, and Rohingya armed groups across the border in Whykong, Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. The incident occurred at around 9:00 am on Sunday in the Techchhi Bridge border area of Whykong Union in Teknaf upazila, said Sub-Inspector Khokon Chandra Rudra, Officer-in-Charge of the Whykong police outpost. At one stage, members of the Rohingya armed group retreated towards the zero line of the border and took up positions there. During this exchange, bullets fired from the Myanmar side struck a residential house on the Bangladeshi side of the border, killing a Bangladeshi child after she was hit by gunfire. The body of the deceased child is still at her home, said SI Khokon Chandra Rudra.

Several circulating videos, which have not been verified by AFP, allegedly showed relatives in a Tehran morgue identifying bodies of protesters killed in the crackdown. The US-based Center for Human Rights in Iran (Chri) said it had received “eyewitness accounts and credible reports indicating that hundreds of protesters have been killed across Iran during the current internet shutdown.”“A massacre is unfolding in Iran. The people should believe that we (the government) want to establish justice,” he told state broadcaster Irib. The price of meat has nearly doubled since the start of the protests, and while some shops are open, many others are not. Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the ousted shah, who has played a prominent role in calling for the protests, called for new actions later Sunday.

Dhaka Bank PLC welcomed banking veteran Osman Ershad Faiz as its managing director and chief executive officer (MD & CEO) on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Prior to joining Dhaka Bank, Faiz served as additional managing director and chief operating officer (AMD & COO) of Eastern Bank PLC, a role he assumed in January 2025. Faiz has held several high-profile global positions, including chief information & operating officer (CIOO) of AMTD Digital and managing director & chief operating officer of Standard Chartered Bank Singapore. Abdul Hai Sarker, chairman of Dhaka Bank PLC, said: “On behalf of the board, I am delighted to welcome Osman as Managing Director and CEO of Dhaka Bank. These include capital-markets and merchant banking services delivered through its subsidiaries, Dhaka Bank Securities Limited and Dhaka Bank Investment Limited.

Each week as part of SunLit — The Sun’s literature section — we feature staff recommendations from book stores across Colorado. This week, the staff from Poor Richard’s Books in Colorado Springs recommends books that touch on conspiracy, calm and calamity. In a sickening turn of events, Gamache has realized that plot, as horrific as it was, was just the beginning. From Jeffery Payne, assistant retail manager: Thich Nhat Hanh, a monk admired for his gentle spirit and deep wisdom, shares his insights in a way that’s both simple and beautiful. The universe lost a treasure when Thich Nhat Hanh passed.

Earlier, on December 15, the state filed an appeal seeking enhancement of the sentences awarded to Sheikh Hasina and Kamal in connection with crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising centred on the anti-discrimination student movement. Prosecutor Tamim said that on November 17, Tribunal-1 delivered its verdict in the case, sentencing Sheikh Hasina and Kamal to life imprisonment on one charge and death on another. On November 17, the tribunal sentenced Sheikh Hasina and Kamal to death by hanging along with life imprisonment and ordered confiscation of all their properties in the country. For these incidents, Hasina and Kamal were sentenced to life imprisonment. For these incidents, Sheikh Hasina and Kamal were sentenced to death.

Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) has increased the speed of all its existing internet packages by up to three times, while keeping monthly charges unchanged, aiming to provide faster and more digital-friendly services for its customers. The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology issued a media release in this regard on Sunday. The upgraded speeds are expected to enhance online education, office work, video streaming, gaming, and other digital services, allowing users to enjoy significantly faster internet at the same cost. Under the new packages, the Tk399 Sulov-5 plan (5 Mbps) has been upgraded to Shasroyi-20 with 20 Mbps, Tk500 Sulov-12 (12 Mbps) to Shasroyi-25 with 25 Mbps, and Tk500 Campus-15 to Campus-50 with 50 Mbps. BTCL said it will continue customer-friendly initiatives to ensure quality and reliable internet services in the future.

Junior Chamber International (JCI) Dhaka Sparks concluded its 2025 general assembly and election meeting at a ceremony held at The Ascott Palace. The event marked a smooth and democratic transition of leadership, with Raihan Ahmed Dip elected as local president for the 2026 administrative year. The oath-taking ceremony was led by outgoing Local President Shaiful Islam Akash, who formally inducted President Dip and the members of the 2026 board. In recognition of their dedication and service, crests were presented to the 2025 board members, advisers, and the guests. The newly sworn-in 2026 Board of JCI Dhaka Sparks brings together a dynamic group of young leaders committed to advancing the organization’s mission of empowering youth to create positive and lasting change.

The commission has issued a stern warning stating that conducting political campaigning by writing on the postal ballot envelopes is a legally punishable offense. The distribution of postal ballots to overseas voters began on December 20 and was finalized on Thursday, January 8. Regarding domestic voting, EC officials confirmed that 761,141 voters have registered under the 'In-Country Postal Vote' category. According to EC data, a total of 15,33,683 voters registered for postal balloting through the 'Postal Vote BD' app. This figure includes 7,72,542 expatriate voters and 7,61,141 internal voters.

Police have arrested four people in connection with the shooting death of Azizur Rahman Musabbir, joint general secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan North Swechhasebak Dal. On Sunday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Deputy Commissioner (DC-Media) Talibur Rahman confirmed the arrest of the four. He said, that details on this matter will be announced through a press conference at the DMP media center this afternoon. On January 7, miscreants shot Azizur Rahman Musabbir in Star Goli of Karwan Bazar at around 8pm. Abu Sufian Bepari Masud, (general secretary of the Tejgaon Police Station Rickshaw-Van Workers Union) who was with him at the time, was also shot.

The family of a schoolgirl found dead in South Banasree has alleged that she was murdered in a planned attack for money and gold, with suspicion falling on an employee of their family-run hotel. Her father, Sajib Talukder, has filed a murder case with Khilgaon Police Station, naming hotel employee Milan as the accused. “When I left the house, Milan also left. A police source said the hotel had been doing good business and that the absence of other family members may have created an opportunity for the crime. Police recovered the body of Fatema Akhter Lily from the house in South Banasree on Saturday afternoon.

The Jatiya Party leader said this time there will be two sharp parties in the voting field. “So, the Jatiya Party can get votes from the Islamists as well,” he said. The Japa secretary general reiterated his demand for a level playing field, alleging that the current administration appears aligned with BNP-Jamaat interests. “There is a risk of unwarranted attacks and threats against Jatiya Party candidates and voters. That is why state control and a level playing field must be ensured before that time,” he added.

EU election observer chief Ivars Ijabs on Sunday said that it would be important for Bangladesh to conduct the upcoming election in a peaceful, credible and transparent manner. In response to an invitation by the authorities of Bangladesh, the European Union has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) for the parliamentary elections scheduled for 12 February 2026. The long-term observers will be deployed across all 64 districts of Bangladesh, marking the first fully-fledged EU election observation mission in the country since 2008. He said the EU EOM would also assess the overall space for political and civic participation, including for women, youth and other vulnerable groups. The EU EOM will issue a preliminary statement and hold a press conference in Dhaka on February 14, two days after the polls.

On Sunday, the EC heard a total of 35 petitions till 1pm. The Election Commission will hear and dispose of all the petitions by January 18. Earlier, the returning officers declared 1,842 nomination papers valid, while 723 others invalid during the scrutiny from December 30 to January 04. Since BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia passed away, her three nomination papers were not scrutinized. The Election Commission on December 11 announced the polls schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026.