BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia -File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) – The leadership of the United Arab Emirates has expressed profound sorrow over the death of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, conveying condolences to Bangladesh and praying for eternal peace for the BNP chairperson. The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, expressed deep sorrow and profound grief at the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, said a press release issued by the UAE embassy here today. Both leaders conveyed their sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy on this great loss, praying to Almighty Allah to bestow His abundant mercy and forgiveness upon her, grant her a place in His eternal Paradise, and give patience and comfort to her family, relatives, and loved ones. Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan also expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of Begum Khaleda Zia. In a separate condolence message addressed to President of Bangladesh Mohammed Shahabuddin, the United Arab Emirates conveyed its deepest sympathies on the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, said the release.

The Election Commission (EC) has directed the Power Division to provide electricity to 325 polling stations nationwide ahead of the national election, as currently, they have no power. “There is no electricity connection at 325 polling stations among the 42,761 polling stations installed on the occasion of the referendum and the 13th parliamentary election. The power connection at the 325 polling stations is required,” said a letter sent by the Election Commission to the senior secretary of the Power Division on Sunday. The EC earlier released the final list of a total of 42,761 polling stations across the country for the upcoming national election and the referendum. The Election Commission on December 12 last declared the schedule to arrange the 13th national election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026.

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on Sunday adjusted upward the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) saying from now on the widely used 12 kilogram LPG cylinder would be sold to consumers at Tk1,306 instead of Tk1,253. “The newly fixed price of LPG is Tk1,306, which will be effective from Sunday at 6pm and all licensees of LPG marketing companies will implement the price,” BERC chairman Jalal Ahmed told a media announcement. The BERC also re-fixed auto gas price at Tk59.80 per litre, which was Tk57.32 in December. The BERC said they readjusted the LPG price as per the Saudi Contract Price (Saudi CP) which was $520 and $525 per ton of the Propane and Butane. Considering the Propane and Butane ratio 35:65 average, Saudi CP per tonne $521.75, the BERC re-fixed the price of LPG and auto gas for January 2025.

Bangladesh Navy has foiled a major human trafficking attempt in the Bay of Bengal, arresting 273 people who were attempting to travel illegally to Malaysia by sea. The operation was carried out late Saturday night based on intelligence information by naval ship BNS Swadhinata, which was patrolling waters near Saint Martin’s Island. According to the Navy, the vessel detected suspicious movement of a wooden boat about 30 nautical miles southwest of Saint Martin’s Island. During the operation, the Navy detained 273 individuals, including 10 members of a suspected trafficking syndicate. “The timely and effective action of the Bangladesh Navy has successfully thwarted a large-scale human trafficking operation,” a Navy statement said on Sunday.

In addition, the nomination of independent candidate Jahangir Alam Molla, former vice-president of the district BNP, has also been cancelled. The decisions were taken during the scrutiny of nomination papers held on Sunday from 10am to 1pm at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Over the past two days, nomination papers of 25 candidates across the district’s six constituencies have been cancelled. In the same constituency, the nomination of Democratic Party candidate Dilwar Hossain Bhuiyan was cancelled due to complications with the signature of the party chief. In Kishoreganj-1 (Sadar–Hossainpur) constituency, the nomination papers of six candidates—including three top district BNP leaders contesting as independents—were cancelled.

The scrutiny of nomination papers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the national referendum, scheduled to be held on February 12, has been completed. Of the 238 nomination papers submitted for 20 parliamentary constituencies in Dhaka district, returning officers have declared 161 as valid. The nomination papers of 81 candidates were cancelled due to a lack of required documents and information. As a result, 161 nominations were declared valid, 81 were rejected, and the candidacy of one applicant was suspended. Candidates whose nominations have been cancelled may appeal the returning officer’s decision between Monday and Friday.

Of the registered voters, 11,22,287 are men and 184,806 are women. District-wise, Comilla topped the list with 99,915 registered voters, followed by Dhaka with 93,465 and Chittagong with 83,759. Meanwhile, for the 13th national election and the referendum, postal ballots have been sent to 581,689 expatriate voters across 75 countries worldwide over the last 14 days. Among them, the highest numbers of 187,443 ballots were sent to expatriate voters in Saudi Arabia. For registration, expatriate voters must use a mobile number of the respective country.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has stepped up efforts to arrest the two prime suspects directly linked to the killing of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The suspects, identified as shooter Faisal and his motorcycle rider Alamgir, remain at large. “We have deployed our full strength to arrest the key suspects, Faisal and Alamgir. “In addition to other security forces, RAB will be deployed during the election. The police and Ansar will secure polling centres, while the BGB, army, and RAB will operate as mobile striking forces.

Traffic in the capital’s Karwan Bazar returned to normal on Sunday afternoon after mobile phone traders withdrew their blockade following hours of clashes with law enforcement agencies. Police later launched operations to clear the road, with members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the army joining the effort. However, a section of traders returned to the road at noon, prompting the use of water cannons. By around 2pm, the traders finally left the road, and traffic gradually resumed, becoming normal by about 2:30pm. The prolonged blockade caused severe disruption, leaving commuters stranded and triggering traffic congestion in several parts of the city, including Rampura, Mohakhali and Uttara.

The delegation was led by Professor Takatoshi Nakamura, an award-winning information security scientist, MIT-based researcher and inventor of Complete Cipher Technology, which is considered a next-generation, quantum-proof security innovation. The meeting focused on enhancing quantum-proof national information security, safeguarding government communications and digital platforms, and exploring the development of community-level digital cash systems. Professor Yunus, along with Md Daud Ali and Professor Ashir Ahmed, underscored the importance of deepening cooperation in technology, research and trade. Also present at the meeting were Apple Mahmud, strategic diplomate and chairman of Cipher Core Ltd, and engineer Mahi Islam, managing director. The delegation has since held follow-up talks with the governor of Bangladesh Bank on issues related to digital financing and financial information security.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited has announced the suspension of its regular flights on the Dhaka–Manchester–Dhaka route from February 1, 2026. Biman said passengers booked on the Dhaka–Manchester–Dhaka route will be provided necessary assistance in line with the airline’s existing policies including flight date changes, alternative travel via the Dhaka–London–Dhaka route, ticket refunds and other related services. Affected passengers have been requested to contact Biman’s Dhaka or London sales offices, the Biman call centre at 13636 or +88-096109-13636, or authorised Biman travel agents for support. The national flag carrier expressed sincere regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to passengers and all concerned. Biman added that passengers would be informed in due course once flights on the Dhaka–Manchester–Dhaka route resume, the press release added.

DHAKA, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) - The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has launched a Security Operations Center (SOC) to strengthen cybersecurity and reduce risks to its digital infrastructure, particularly the ASYCUDA system and other sensitive information assets. The SOC has been established as part of the implementation of the cybersecurity policy and compliance framework issued by the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), according to a NBR press release issued today. NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan formally inaugurated the organization’s own Security Operations Center today. The SOC is being operated by a specialized NBR team using advanced technologies and in line with international cybersecurity standards. The initiative aims to enhance the overall security posture of NBR’s digital systems and ensure the protection of critical revenue-related data amid growing cyber threats.

decides to impose restrictions on pesticide use in haor region during Boro seasonDHAKA, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) – The government will take necessary steps to impose restrictions in selling pesticides at seven haor dominated districts during the upcoming boro season with an aim to protect fisheries and livestocks. Side by side, training and motivational programme on safe and appropriate use of the pesticides will be implemented for the farmers at the haor region. So, it is necessary to take emergency steps for protecting the fisheries and livestock by impose control on the pesticide use, she said. He encouraged on using of bio-pesticides and alternative pest management system instead of harmful pesticides. Even a decision was taken to complete an implementation of a coordinated action plan in controlling pesticides in the haor region by January 31.

LONDON, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Britain and France on Sunday said they had carried out joint strikes on the Islamic State group in Syria to prevent the Islamist extremists resurging. France said it was part of Operation Inherent Resolve, a US-led international offensive against IS in Iraq, Syria and also Libya. The British Ministry of Defence said it cooperated with France on Saturday night to strike an underground facility in Syria that had likely been used by the Islamic State group to store weapons. "Royal Air Force aircraft have completed successful strikes against Daesh in a joint operation with France," the ministry said in a statement, using the Arabic acronym for IS. IS was territorially defeated in Syria in 2019 but still maintains a presence, particularly in the country's vast desert.

Since then, the former prime minister has been remembered with love and reverence by thousands of ordinary people, along with party leaders and activists. Even today, on the fifth day since the burial, a large crowd of people is seen to pay their respects at Khaleda Zia's grave. When asked about the BNP's future leadership, he said, "Begum Khaleda Zia harbored no malice or hatred. Shahbuddin said, "I have prayed for former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in my own way." Begum Khaleda Zia passed away on Tuesday (December 30) at 6:00 AM while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.