The Election Commission will accept appeal on rejection and validation of the nomination papers of 13th Parliamentary Election from Monday. Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Monday said the aspirants whose nomination papers were rejected as well as any individual aggrieved with validation of any nomination paper, can appeal to the Commission. EC secretary said out of 2,568 nomination papers filed for the upcoming national elections, 1,842 candidacies were declared valid after scrutiny. Nomination papers of 723 individuals were cancelled due to various errors. Additionally, he said, three nomination papers filed in favour of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia were processed without scrutiny due to her demise.

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 05, 2026 (BSS)- Police today recovered bodies of two workers of a ship breaking yard from coastal area in Sitakunda Upazila. Fire Service officials recovered the bodies in the morning from a place near Kumira Ferry ghat. The deceased were identified as Saiful Islam and Abdul Khaleq, both hailing from Gaibandha district. According to police, they were employed at the KR Ship Recycling Yard in Kumira. Fire Service stated that Saiful’s body carries mark of injuries inflicted by sharp weapons.

DHAKA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS)—Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed claimed his maiden five-for in recognized T20 cricket as Sylhet Titans thrashed Noakhali Express by six wickets in their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) game today at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Nasum grabbed his five wickets for just seven runs in four overs, including three wickets in four balls, to help the side, wrap up Noakhali for just 61 in 14.2 overs. Sylhet, however, lost four wickets but reached 62-4 for a victory in just 8.4 overs with opener Tawfique Khan hitting 18 ball-32. He not only stifled Noakhali but also took wickets at regular interval, ensuring they would never recover from the collapse. The victory put Sylhet in third spot behind Chattogram Royals and Rangpur Riders though they played six matches, two more than the top two teams.

Photo : BSSKHULNA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) – Tourists and a resort owner, who were held hostage by a gang of pirates in the Sundarbans, have been rescued in a joint operation conducted by the Coast Guard with support from the Navy, police, and RAB. Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, media officer of the Coast Guard, disclosed the information this morning. The pirates later released three tourists and the boatman but took two tourists and the Golkanon Resort owner to an undisclosed location in the Sundarbans, demanding ransom. Subsequently, at around 7 pm on Sunday (January 4), the two hostage tourists and the Golkanon Resort owner were safely rescued from the adjacent Gazi Fisheries area of the Sundarbans using drone surveillance. He added that the rescued tourists are being handed over to their families, while the arrested pirate associates are being transferred to the respective police stations.

The deadline for voter registration through the Postal Vote BD app will end at midnight. The registration started on Nov 19 to enable Bangladeshi expatriates and certain groups of citizens inside the country to vote in the parliamentary polls and referendum scheduled to be held on Feb 12. Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the Out of Country Voting System and Implementation (OCV-SDI) project, on Monday said the voter registration deadline ends at 11:59pm on Monday. Over 1.4 million people have registered via the app to vote in the general election until 3:30pm on Monday. The registered Bangladeshi voters included government officers, people who will be on election duty, Ansar members, and inmates.

The Promulgation of the Commercial Court Ordinance 2026: An OverviewThe promulgation of the Commercial Court Ordinance 2026 (Ordinance No. 01 of 2026) by President Mohammed Shahabuddin on January 1, 2026, represents a seminal transformation in the state’s approach to the adjudication of high-stakes business disputes.1 For a nation positioned as an emerging global economic hub, the intersection of commerce and the rule of law has historically been a site of significant friction. Section 2(ঘ) of the Ordinance provides an exhaustive list of 24 categories of disputes that qualify as “commercial”.12 This broad definition is essential for capturing the multifaceted nature of modern trade, ranging from traditional mercantile transactions to sophisticated digital services and natural resource management.12The 24 Functional Categories of Commercial DisputesThe Ordinance adopts a functional approach to jurisdiction, focusing on the nature of the transaction. Its success depends on implementation: the transition to an autonomous judiciary through the Supreme Court Secretariat provides the necessary foundation.27 If the state can successfully invest in digital infrastructure and specialized training for the bench and bar 9, the Commercial Courts will become a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s post-LDC prosperity. Harper James, accessed January 3, 2026, https://harperjames.co.uk/article/what-is-summary-judgment-how-does-it-work/Motions to Dismiss and Moving for Summary Judgment | NYSBA, accessed January 3, 2026, https://nysba.org/events/motions-to-dismiss-and-moving-for-summary-judgment-best-practices/The Singapore International Commercial Court: Friend or Foe to International Arbitration?, accessed January 3, 2026, https://legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com/arbitration-blog/the-singapore-international-commercial-court-friend-or-foe-to-international-arbitration-in-singapore/UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Mediation, 2018, accessed January 3, 2026, https://uncitral.un.org/en/texts/mediation/modellaw/commercial_conciliationAnnex II UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Mediation, accessed January 3, 2026, https://uncitral.un.org/sites/uncitral.un.org/files/media-documents/uncitral/en/annex_ii.pdfDCCI Welcomes Commercial Court Ordinance, accessed January 3, 2026, https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/dcci-welcomes-commercial-court-ordinance-sees-it-boost-business-climate-1319456

Election Commissioner Brig. Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah today spoke at a view-exchange meeting on the occasion of the 13th National Parliament Election on the Bandarban Police Lines premises. Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah today said from now on everyone must be committed to conducting the next parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12, in a fair manner. Addressing the officials, the Election Commissioner said, “Everyone must perform their duties with transparency, impartiality and firmness. Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah arrived in Bandarban on a one-day visit.

Photo : BSSDHAKA, Jan 05, 2026 (BSS) - Food and Land Adviser today urged the countrymen to exercise their voting rights in the upcoming national parliament election and referendum in a festive atmosphere. So I’m urging all of you to cast your vote in a festive atmosphere,” he said while inaugurating the activities of the mobile ‘Voter Gari’ (Vote Car) at the Cumilla Town Hall premises. He urged voters to cast their votes and take part in the referendum, which will be held on the same day, in a festive atmosphere. Organized under the supervision of the District Information Office, the event welcomed visitors with musical performances, performed by artists of the Super Caravan. Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md Reza Hasan, Additional Superintendent of Police Rashedul Haque Chowdhury, officials of the District Information Office and District Election Office, among others, were present at the event.

A condolence message from Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the passing of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was formally handed over to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan Office. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) – A condolence message of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the death of three-time former Prime Minister, symbol of the democratic movement, and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has been formally handed over to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. Chief Adviser’s Private Secretary Shazeeb M Khairul Islam today handed over the condolence message to the BNP acting chairman at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan Office in the city, according to Chief Adviser’s Press Wing this afternoon. In his message, head of the interim government Prof Yunus expressed profound shock and deep grief at the death of Begum Khaleda Zia and prayed for the eternal peace of her departed soul. The Chief Adviser also conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members, party leaders, activists and supporters.

Photo: BSSMYMENSINGH, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) - A book of condolence has been opened at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) in memory of former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The condolence book was opened at 10.00 am today at the initiative of the Bangladesh Agricultural University Sonali Dal. It has been placed in the corridor adjacent to the university's administrative building, allowing teachers, students, officials, and employees to pay their respects by signing the book. Vice-Chancellor of BAU Professor Dr. AK Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, BNP-nominated candidate for Mymensingh-4 (Sadar) constituency Abu Wahab Akand Wahid, along with teachers, officials and employees of the university, were present at the opening ceremony and signed the condolence book. According to the organizers, the condolence book will remain open for public signatures in front of the administrative building from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm every day for the next three days.

Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday reaffirmed the interim government's firm commitment to ensuring peace, public order, and a secure environment ahead of the upcoming 13th national elections. "We are firmly committed to maintaining peace and public order. The highest priority has been given to keeping the law and order situation stable and undisrupted, particularly in view of the forthcoming elections," he said. He made the remarks at a press briefing following the 19th meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Law and Order at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Bangladesh Secretariat here. The home adviser has warned that road blockades causing public suffering will face immediate action, with no concessions.

The BUFT National Cultural Fest 2026, presented by Twelve Clothing, was held at BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology on Monday. The day-long event was organised by the university’s Cultural Club, celebrating youth creativity, inter-university cultural exchange and campus life. A total of 18 awards were presented in six categories — music, dance, drama, fine arts, creative writing and recitation. The University of Dhaka emerged champion in both drama and creative writing, and Shanto-Mariam University won in the fine arts category. The festival featured a range of performances at the university’s open stage, including music, drama, poetry, fine arts and hip-hop.

France on Monday expressed its “solidarity” with Denmark following US President Donald Trump’s fresh threats to take over the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland. “Borders cannot be changed by force,” French foreign ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux told television channel TF1. Trump rattled European leaders by attacking Caracas and grabbing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who is now being detained in New York. Washington’s military intervention in Venezuela has reignited fears for Greenland, which Trump has said he wants to annex, given its strategic location in the Arctic. The French foreign ministry spokesman said that “international law had not been respected” during the US intervention in Venezuela.

The probe report submission date in a case filed over the 2012 killing of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi has been deferred for the 123rd time. A Dhaka court on Monday extended the date till February 9 for submitting the probe report. Investigating officer and PBI Additional Superintendent of Police Md Azizul Haque failed to submit the report to the court, prompting the magistrate to reschedule the date. Nousher Ali Roman, Runi’s brother, filed a case at Sher-e-Bangla police station the following day in connection with the murders. The seven other suspects are Rafiqul Islam, Bakul Mia, Abu Syed, Mintu alias Baggira Mintu alias Masum Mintu, Quamrul Hasan alias Arun, security guard Enam Ahmed alias Humayun Kabir and Palash Rudra Pal.

The chargesheet in the murder case of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi will be submitted by January 7, said Nasimul Ghani, senior secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday. The home secretary said this at a press briefing held at the Secretariat. “The chargesheet in Hadi murder case will definitely be submitted by January 7. The final chargesheet will be submitted after reviewing,” he said. Later, he was airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18.