DHAKA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) - The White Paper prepared by the task force on the Posts and Telecommunications Department (PTD) was published today on the official website of the department (ptd.gov.bd). Alongside identifying the problems, the white paper also includes a set of recommendations aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and good governance in the Post and Telecommunication sector in the future. The task force was officially formed on April 21, 2025 with the approval of the Chief Adviser. Its primary mandate was to prepare a detailed white paper examining corruption and irregularities in the Post and Telecommunication sector over the last 15 years. The government expressed hope that the findings and recommendations of the white paper will serve as a key guideline for institutional reform, corruption prevention, and the delivery of

Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Collected photoBOGOTÁ, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Monday he would "take up arms" in the face of threats from US counterpart Donald Trump, who over the weekend seized the leader of neighboring Venezuela in a military strike. Petro, a former guerrilla who has for months been the target of insults and threats from Trump, said on X: "I swore not to touch a weapon again... but for the homeland I will take up arms again." Trump said over the weekend that Petro should "watch his ass" and described Colombia's first-ever leftist leader as "a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."

Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif today visited the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad to offer condolences over the death of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) - Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif today visited the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad to offer condolences over the death of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. During the visit, the Pakistan prime minister wrote his remarks in the visitors' book, paying tribute to the late leader, who also served as chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, according to a message received here. Begum Khaleda Zia, the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh, breathed her last on December 30, 2025 at the age of 80 while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the city.

Md Zobayer Hossain Pappu, the prime accused in the fatal assault of Pabna Judge Court apprentice lawyer Naeem Kibria, has confessed to his involvement in the killing before a Dhaka court. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana recorded the statement following an application by the investigation officer and ordered him sent to jail, confirmed prosecution SI Zakir Hossain. Investigation Officer Inspector Mehedi Hasan said evidence, including CCTV footage, linked him to the crime. Footage showed Zobayer and two to three other motorcycles chasing Kibria’s car, blocking it at the entrance of Road No. Kibria was then taken to another location and assaulted again by a second group of assailants, leading to his death.

DHAKA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS)—Rangpur Riders Captain Nurul Hasan Sohan sent Chattogram Royals to bat first after winning the toss in their crucial Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) game at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today. Both teams had won three matches in four to occupy the top two slots with Chattogram in the top position based on the net-run-rate. Therefore a victory would give any of them a chance to go two points clear from the next rivals. Line Ups:Chattogram Royals: Naim Sheikh, Adam Rossington, Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Hasan Nawaz, Asif Ali, Mahedi Hasan (c), Aamer Jamal, Tanvir Islam, Shoriful Islam, Abu Hider Rony. Rangpur Riders: Kyle Mayers, Liton Das, Dawid Malan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Khushdil Shah, Nurul Hasan (c), Aliss Al Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Akif Javed, Rakibul Hasan.

This was Nasum's first-ever five-wicket haul in his 147-match T20 career. While Fahim Ashraf also claimed 5 wickets for 7 runs, Nasum achieved his feat by completing his full quota of overs, giving him a superior economy rate. Nasum is now tied for third in the record for taking five or more wickets for the fewest runs on Bangladesh soil in T20s. The record is held by Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath, who took 5 wickets for 3 runs against New Zealand in the 2014 T20 World Cup in Chattogram. Remarkably, Priyandana took all 5 wickets in a single over.

One of the two children rescued from a roadside in Chattogram’s Anwara has died. After nine days of treatment, 14-month-old Morshed, identified with a single name, passed away on Monday in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Chattogram Medical College Hospital, according to Anwara Upazila administrator (UNO) Tahmina Akter. On Dec 30, following directives from the Chattogram deputy commissioner, the infant was initially admitted to the Chattogram General Hospital for treatment. He was transferred to the CMCH NICU the following day.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Monday claimed that the environment for free, fair, and impartial election has yet to be established in the country, accusing the administration of favoring a particular political party. The council discussed the environment surrounding the upcoming referendum and the 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to the party, complaints have been received from multiple areas alleging that some government officials are working in favor of a specific party. The council also said political leaders and activists continue to be killed openly in broad daylight in different regions. Jamaat-e-Islami called on the Election Commission, election officials, and law enforcement agencies to perform their duties with complete neutrality and urged the government to ensure law and order to facilitate free, fair, and impartial election.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday described Begum Khaleda Zia as the nation's undisputed and uncompromising leader who dedicated her life to the restoration of democracy. He said this while speaking at a memorial and dua mehfil for Begum Khaleda Zia, former prime minister and BNP Chairperson at a hotel in the city. The new Bangladesh must be built on unity and love, not revenge or malice,” he added. Fakhrul reiterated his stance that Begum Khaleda Zia was the country’s first female freedom fighter, citing her 1971 arrest by Pakistani forces while her husband, Ziaur Rahman, was fighting on the front lines. He connected her struggle to the legacy of Ziaur Rahman, who he credited with introducing multi-party democracy and a free press to Bangladesh after 1975.

Meherun Runi and Sagar Sarowar. File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 05, 2026 (BSS) - A Dhaka court today set February 9 for filing the probe report in the case lodged over the sensational murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, extending the deadline for the 123rd time. The charge was later transferred to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which failed to submit the probe report despite taking time for 111 times over the long 12 years. The government subsequently formed a four-member task force on October 23, 2024, through a Home Ministry’s notification. According to the notification, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) was named the task force convener.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin today spoke at a press conference held at the Secretariat. He made the remarks at a press conference held at the Secretariat here, marking the issuance of the ordinance. Bashir also said civil aviation authorities have been empowered to detect fake online bookings through digital systems and manual checks, with monitoring authority vested in the chairman of the civil aviation authority. At the press conference, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nasreen Jahan read out a written statement detailing the provisions of the ordinance. She said the ordinance requires agencies to source tickets directly from airlines or authorised platforms, eliminating multiple mark-ups and preventing artificial seat shortages created through syndication.

Inqilab Mancho spokesperson and July Uprising frontline fighter Sharif Osman bin Hadi. Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS)– The charge sheet in the sensational murder case of Inqilab Mancho spokesperson and July Uprising frontline fighter Sharif Osman bin Hadi will be submitted to the court on Wednesday, 26 days after the brutal killing. “The charge sheet in the murder of Sharif Osman bin Hadi will be submitted on January 7, 2026,” he said, adding that the case would be transferred to a speedy trial tribunal to ensure justice within the tenure of the interim government. According to police, Faisal Karim Masud and an accomplice opened fire on Hadi while he was riding in a motorcycle. After Hadi’s death, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Siddique Azad on December 20 ordered the inclusion of Section 302 (murder) of the Penal Code in the case.

DHAKA, Jan 05, 2026 (BSS) – The Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested a drug dealer with 3,000 yaba tablets from the Jatrabari area of the city. The arrestee was identified as Md Ziabul Haque, 42, according to a press release issued by the media and public relations division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) here today. Acting on a tip-off, a DB team of the Gulshan division under the DMP conducted a raid in the Matuail area under Jatrabari Police Station at around 6:10 am today and arrested him with 3,000 yaba tablets. Ziabul, a member of an organised drug trafficking gang, has been collecting yaba tablets from different areas and selling those in various parts of the city for a long time. A case was filed with Jatrabari Police Station under the Narcotics Control Act.

Dr Ali Riaz, special assistant to the chief adviser, said on Monday that whether another fascist like ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina emerges in Bangladesh will be decided by the people through a referendum. In the next 50 years, another fascist like Sheikh Hasina could be created. You will decide—whether another fascist like Sheikh Hasina will emerge or not. The people of Bangladesh will decide,” Riaz said. Riaz also explained the difference between a referendum and a parliamentary election.

JU student expelled for one year, case to be filed over possession of foreign liquorFile PhotoJAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) - Jahangirnagar University (JU) authorities have expelled a student for one academic year and ordered filing of a case against him after foreign liquor was recovered from his possession at a residential hall on the campus. The incident occurred on January 4, 2026, when 20 bottles of foreign liquor were seized from beneath a bed locker in Room No. He was found guilty of violating Clause 4(1) (C) of the Jahangirnagar University Students’ Disciplinary Ordinance, 2018, the order said. As per the order, the student has been expelled from the university for one academic year with immediate effect. The Deputy Registrar (Security-1) has also been instructed to take necessary steps to file a case against the student, it added.