Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 04, 2026 (BSS)- As there is no crisis of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country, the energy ministry today asked local administration to take action against those responsible for artificial crisis. Another meeting was held in the ministry between the leaders of the LPG Owners Association and LPG operators with energy secretary in the chair. LPG association leaders and importers in the meeting said that retailers created the crisis taking advantage of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission’s re-fixing LPG price this month, it said. Local retailers have created an artificial crisis in the market,” the release said. In the meeting also decided that the LPG Operators Association will issue a statement today regarding the artificial crisis.

The National Equipment Identification Register (NEIR) system will remain suspended for the next three months, according to Masud Alam, deputy commissioner (DC) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Ramna Division. However, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has yet to officially confirm any decision regarding the postponement of the NEIR system. Representatives of mobile phone traders, who observed a nationwide shutdown of mobile phone shops on Sunday, also said they were unaware of any such development. Earlier in the day, at least 20 mobile phone traders were injured and 12 reportedly detained as police cleared protesters from several key intersections in the capital. Law enforcement used baton charges, water cannons, tear shells and sound grenades as traders staged sit-ins demanding the withdrawal and postponement of the NEIR system.

Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque on Sunday said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday expressed concern over mob violence and the growing insecurity of people’s lives and property. “He is worried about mob violence and the insecurity of people’s lives and property. “Another topic we discussed was the ongoing mob violence and the insecurity of people’s lives and property. Haque added Tarique Rahman also inquired about preparations in Dhaka-12 and assured cooperation, encouraging unity among BNP leaders and activists to support the alliance candidate. He said Tarique Rahman has assured that he will personally visit Dhaka-12 during formal campaigning and later other constituencies, reaching out to voters across the country.

Photo : BSSKHULNA, Jan 04, 2025 (BSS)- A meeting was held on Sunday afternoon between the European Union (EU) advance team and the Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Commissioner at the KMP to discuss security preparations for the upcoming national parliamentary election. A KMP press release said KMP Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Hasan briefed the EU representatives on the overall election-time security arrangements. He highlighted the multi-layered security measures, coordinated planning, and various aspects of field-level preparedness undertaken by the KMP. The commissioner also reiterated KMP’s firm commitment to ensuring the safety and security of both domestic and international election observers throughout the election period. Senior officials of the KMP were present.

RAJSHAHI, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) - Thirty-eight candidates have submitted their nomination papers for six constituencies in the district for the upcoming parliamentary election and the nominations of 19 of those have been declared valid. According to the affidavits, 92 percent of the valid candidates are educated. The valid candidates are BNP's Abu Sayed Chand, SSC, two others, Nazmul Haque, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh's Abdus Salam Suruj. As per the election schedule, the candidates, whose nominations were cancelled in scrutiny, can submit appeals against the returning officer's decision. Till January 20, the candidates can withdraw their nomination papers and election symbols will be allocated on January 21.

The government has promoted three additional secretaries to the rank of secretary. The Ministry of Public Administration issued three separate notifications on Sunday confirming the promotions. Md Saidur Rahman Khan, director general of the Department of Social Services, was promoted to secretary and assigned to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, director general of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), was appointed secretary of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs. Additional Secretary Mohammad Altaf-ul-Alam of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was promoted to secretary and posted to the Bangladesh Civil Service Administration Academy.

Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb handed over the cheque to Labour and Employment Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain. Photo : PIDDHAKA, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC has handed over a cheque worth Taka 1,25,40,394 from its annual dividend to Labour Welfare Foundation under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Sakhawat Hussain said such initiatives by institutions for the overall welfare of workers are highly commendable. Labour and Employment Ministry Secretary Dr. Md. Sanwar Jahan Bhuiyan, Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Abdun Naser Khan, and Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC General Manager Targhibul Islam were present at the event.

Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu and 13 others have been declared ineligible to run for parliament in three constituencies of Kishoreganj. The Election Commission cancelled Chunnu’s nomination for the Kishoreganj-3 constituency. Abu Bakar Siddiqui’s nomination for the constituency was declared valid. Returning Officer Mohammad Aslam Molla said Abu Bakar’s Jatiya Party nomination document was found valid, but Chunnu provided the party’s nomination with signatures not recognisable to the EC. The EC earlier cancelled 10 nominations out of the total 29 submitted for Kishoreganj-4, 5, and 6 seats.

Photo : BSSKHULNA, Jan 4, 2025 (BSS) – A tigress trapped in a deer-hunting snare laid by poachers in the Sundarbans was rescued by the Forest Department this afternoon and taken to Khulna for treatment. The tigress was first tranquilised and then safely freed from the trap, Depon Chandra Das, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of the Chandpai Range under the East Sundarbans Division, said. Forest officials said that on Saturday at noon, officers and staff of the Chandpai Range of the East Sundarbans spotted the tigress caught in a snare in the Sorkar Khal area while on patrol. Officer-in-Charge of the Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Centre of the East Sundarbans, Howlader Azad Kabir, said the tigress was initially sedated using special measures. If it fully recovers, it will be released back into the Sundarbans, Azad Kabir added.

DHAKA, Jan 4, 2025 (BSS0 - The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has frozen 123 bank accounts belonging to former Member of Parliament Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel and his associates over allegations of money laundering. According to the CID’s Financial Crime Unit, the frozen accounts value at a total of TK 48,47,23,570.38. Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel, a former MP and Vice Chairman of Madhumoti Bank PLC, is the prime accused in the case. Acting on the application, the court on Sunday, 4 January 2026, ordered the freezing of the bank accounts, savings certificates and BO accounts. The CID stated that investigation activities against Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel and his associated persons are ongoing.

114 killed in week of attacks in Sudan's Darfur: medical sourcesCollected photoPORT SUDAN, Sudan, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Attacks by Sudan's army and its paramilitary foes on two Darfur towns over the past week have killed 114 people, medical sources told AFP Sunday. Drone strikes attributed to the army on the town of Al-Zuruq, controlled by their rivals the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), killed 51 civilians on Saturday, a medical source at Al-Zuruq Hospital told AFP. Five days of RSF attacks on the town of Kernoi, 100 kilometres (62 miles) west, last week killed 63 civilians and wounded 17 more, another medical source at the local hospital told AFP.

The government has withdrawn its decision to cut interest rates on some national savings certificates. As a result, investors will receive the same returns as before for the first six months of this year, January through June, the Internal Resources Division Secretary Abdur Rahman Khan said on Sunday. “It appears the previous rates have been maintained in the official notification. If not, it will happen shortly,” he added.

RAB Director General (DG) and Additional IGP AKM Shahidur Rahman at a press conference. Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 4, 2025 (BSS) – Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General (DG) and Additional IGP AKM Shahidur Rahman today said his force is working with utmost sincerity and dedication to ensure the upcoming national elections are free, fair, impartial and festive. “The elite force is also maintaining relentless efforts to uphold overall law and order across the country. He made the remarks at a press conference held at the RAB Media Center in Karwan Bazar. In addition, the RAB chief said operations are continuing to arrest those involved in attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) – A seminar titled “FRC and Economic Governance in Bangladesh” was held today in the capital highlighting the role of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) in strengthening economic governance in the country. Chairman of the FRC Dr. Md. Sazzad Hossain Bhuiyan, presented the keynote paper at the seminar held at the Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair. Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder and officials from the Finance Division and the FRC attended the event. He directed both the Finance Division and the FRC to take expeditious steps to implement the Council’s key action plans, said a Finance Ministry press release.

File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) - The Jagannath University (JnU) authorities have suspended all classes and examinations scheduled for January 6 as the JnU Central Students' Union (JnUCSU) will be held on that day. However, all university offices will remain open as usual. According to the notification, classes and examinations will remain closed on January 6 to facilitate smooth conduct of the election, while offices will function. The university authorities requested teachers, officials, employees and others not to bring private vehicles to the campus on the day. Later, the university authorities rescheduled the election for January 6.