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.

Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu -Photo:CollectedDHAKA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS)- A Dhaka court today acquitted BNP leader and former deputy minister for land Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu in a case lodged over tax evasion. Judge Md Rabiul Alam of Dhaka 4th Special Judge Court passed the judgement today. Then assistant commissioner of taxes Hafij Al Asad of National Bureau of Revenue (NBR) filed the case on August 3, 2008 for evading income tax around Taka 10 lakh, against his total income of Taka 2.34 crore since 1983. He was also accused of concealing actual income and expenditure information to mislead the income tax authorities. On April 9, 2023, the court framed charge against Dulu.

DHAKA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) has announced a major upgrade to all its existing internet packages, increasing speeds by up to three times while keeping monthly charges unchanged, aiming to ensure improved digital services for customers. Under the new initiative, customers will be able to enjoy significantly faster internet at the same cost, enhancing experiences in online education, official work, video streaming, gaming and the use of smart services, said a BTCL press release today. As per the upgraded packages, the Taka 399 SULOV-5 package offering 5 Mbps has been upgraded to SHASHROYI-20 with 20 Mbps. The Taka 500 SULOV-12 package with 12 Mbps has been upgraded to SHASHROYI-25 providing 25 Mbps, while the Taka 500 CAMPUS-15 package has been enhanced to CAMPUS-50 offering 50 Mbps. BTCL believes the initiative will ensure more reliable, faster and quality internet services for customers and further accelerate the country's digital transformation.

“We spent US$ 855.42 million more for the LNG import in then outgoing year compared to the previous 2024 to meet increased demand,” an official of Bangladesh Oil, Gas & Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) said. He said some US$3,877.74 million ws required to import 350,766,440 MMBTu (Million British Thermal units). “The LNG import appeared essential since the gas availability from domestic sources appeared inadequate,” an official of state-run Rupantaroto Prakritik Gas Company Ltd (RPGCL) said. RPGCL officials said each LNG-filled cargo contain nearly 33.60 lakh MMBTu gas while under long-term contracts the price stands at $9.5 per MMBTu. Patrobangla’s deputy general manager and spokesman Tariqul Islam Khan said Bangladesh received LNG cargos every month to meet energy demand in the country.

LOS ANGELES, United States, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder has been suspended three games by the NBA for "confronting and attempting to strike another player," the league said Saturday. The NBA said in a release that the incident occurred some 40 minutes after the Kings' 125-101 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on December 28 at Crypto.com Arena. There, the league said, "Schroder sought out the player in an arena hallway and initiated the confrontation." Germany's Schroder will begin serving his suspension on Sunday when the Kings host the Houston Rockets. Schroder, 32, is averaging 13.0 points, 5.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 31 games this season.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): When you believe in your mission and purpose, taking constructive action is as natural as breathing. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You could be asked to stretch credulity past the snapping point, most likely in your home space. Keep your eyes open, don’t join and just go to sleep. By mid-March everything can turn around and 2026 can open its opportunities and blessings to you. With just a few glitches, your stars for 2026 are setting up to deliver dreams come true in multiple categories.