REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachBuildings lie in ruin in Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as seen from southern Israel, Jan 5, 2025. REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachIsraeli airstrikes killed at least nine Palestinians in two separate attacks in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, taking the weekend death toll to 97, Palestinian medics said, as US and Arab mediators stepped up efforts to conclude a ceasefire deal. Earlier on Sunday, the health ministry of Hamas-run Gaza said Israeli strikes across the territory had killed at least 88 Palestinians and wounded more than 200 others in the past 24 hours. ISRAEL SAYS DOZENS OF HAMAS MILITANTS KILLEDThe Israeli military said in a statement on Sunday that its forces had attacked more than 100 targets across Gaza over the weekend, killing dozens of Hamas militants. Israel launched its assault on Gaza in response to an Oct 7, 2023 attack by Hamas militants on communities in southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

The ministry officials say 90 Bangladeshis are detained in Indian prisons, while 95 Indian fishermen are in Bangladeshi prisonsExtradition in the sea: 90 fishermen to return Bangladesh, 95 to IndiaAs many as 185 fishermen from Bangladesh and India will be returning to their homes as both countries are handing them over at the intentional sea border on Sunday. There were 95 Indian fishermen in Bangladeshi prisons. On the other hand, 95 Indian fishermen from Bangladesh prison will be handed over to the Indian Coast Guard. Then on Dec 26, the Ministry of Home Affairs in Bangladesh issued an order withdrawing the cases against 95 Indian fishermen and decided to return their trawlers. On the other side, the Indian home ministry decided to release the 90 Bangladeshi fishermen.

A technical glitch in the FlexTrade software provided by a Singapore-based company disrupts tradingA technical glitch in the trading software delayed the Dhaka Stock Exchange, or DSE, from commencing transactions on the week's first day. The issue in the order management system of the FlexTrade software, provided by a Singapore-based company, prevented trading from starting on time on Sunday. A DSE official said the problem originated in the order management system of the FlexTrade software. DSE trading begins at 10am. After market hours, brokerage houses automatically receive settlement data from the FlexTrade Order Management System, or OMS.

On Saturday, Halima told bdnews24.com: “The cold air hits his ears when the boy goes to school at 7 in the morning. Scenes like these have become common at Dhaka’s Shishu Hospital, where doctors report an uptick in patients suffering from cold-induced ailments. On Saturday, Maliha Keya, a resident of Old Dhaka, brought her 2-year-old to the Shishu Hospital. They’ll get better eventually, so I did not take them to the doctor.”Shishu Hospital Director Dr Mahbubul Alam told bdnews24.com that although the total number of patients at the hospital has decreased, the number of cold-related patients has increased. After they recover from the cold, they should be given normal temperature water and bathed in warm water.”

The election date depends on how much reform people want, the chief advisor saysReiterating two tentative times for the next general election, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has said balloting will be fully free and fair. “The election date depends on how much reform people want,” he said. There was a fake parliament, fake MPs, and a fake speaker. The whole country has now got their voices back; their voice was taken away forcibly,” the chief advisor was quoted as saying. She expressed her willingness to return to Bangladesh to observe the next general election.

Experts say reforms in service quality are crucial to fully seize the opportunityHow much opportunity does Bangladesh have in healthcare sector as India limits visas? The exact number of people who travel to India for treatment each year is not available from the relevant government department. "In India, doctors are trained in counselling. Specialised centres for cancer and cardiac treatment have been established in the private sector, with a few private cancer hospitals already operational. Our doctors treated patients in the country.”He added that despite some limitations, Bangladesh’s healthcare sector is ahead of many countries, with private healthcare improving as well.

The Anti-discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens’ Committee have announced a joint nationwide public relations campaign from Jan 6 to Jan 11. They announced the programme at a press conference at the central office of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement on Saturday at 11:30am, reports bdnews24.com. Hasnat said that they will hold public relations events across the country over the five days, "At this time, we will distribute leaflets, hold rallies and conduct public relations at various levels. Nasiruddin also said, “There has been a positive response and cooperation from all political parties in formulating the declaration. Although there are some differences in viewpoints, the work of formulating the declaration is underway based on everyone's opinions.”

Rickshaw-puller Md Rasel of Dhaka's Mohakhali told bdnews24.com: "This morning feels less cold compared to previous days. Night temperatures may rise slightly, while daytime temperatures are expected to increase by one to two degrees Celsius. A mild cold wave is sweeping over the northern district of Panchagarh, where the lowest temperature of the day was recorded at 9.4 degrees Celsius in Tentulia. Other low temperatures recorded include 11 degrees Celsius in Jashore, 11.4 degrees Celsius in Kushtia's Kumarkhali, and 11.8 degrees Celsius in Nilphamari's Syedpur. Dhaka's minimum temperature stood at 13 degrees Celsius, while Teknaf recorded the highest at 28.2 degrees Celsius.

Baby Amena’s identity was later confirmed by officials and Fatema was arrested in Pallabi on Friday night. DMP spokesperson Md Jahangir Kabir said, “The child was murdered due to an extramarital affair between the child's mother, Fatima, and a man named Zafar. When baby Amena began crying, investigators say, Zafar mixed sleeping pills into soup to subdue her. After the murder, Zafar reportedly wrapped Amena’s body in a bedsheet, placed it in a shopping bag, and abandoned it near the metro rail pillar. Jahangir added, “Fatema, who was arrested in the murder case, has given her confession in court.

The party leader urges students to remain united to uphold the spirit of the mass uprisingGanosamhati Andolon has cautioned that divisions or distrust in the political process could jeopardise the outcomes of the July-August uprising. "Stay united and continue fighting to ensure that this dream is realised throughout the election process," he said. Saki also called for the interim government to facilitate the political process. Saki, leader of Ganosamhati Andolon, which has been engaged in joint action with the BNP against the Awami League government, stressed the importance of unity among political forces. The leader reminded the history of attempts to depoliticise or exclude people from the political process.

A total of 438 organisations have been fined around Tk 2.87 million for the production, distribution, and use of polythene bagsMobile courts run by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change have seized 60,000 kg of polythene and administered fines of nearly Tk 2.9 million over the past two months in a nationwide drive against the use of illegal polythene bags. He said that the drive to stop the production of polythene shopping bags will escalate and the number of mobile courts working on the issue has been increased. Since Nov 3, 216 mobile courts have been operating nationwide and 438 organisations have been fined around Tk 2.87 million. At the same time, the mobile courts have seized 59,959 kg of polythene. Officials from the Ministry of Environment, Department of Environment, members of law enforcement agencies and representatives of the concerned market committees participated in the monitoring drive.

South Africa Dominates Pakistan On Day 1 Of Second Test Ryan Rickelton's unbeaten 176 and Temba Bavuma's 106 put South Africa firmly in control at Newlands, setting the stage for Day 2. South Africa faced Pakistan at Newlands, Cape Town, on January 3, 2025, for the second Test match of their series, finishing Day 1 with strong momentum. Batting conditions were expected to deteriorate, prompting South Africa to maximize their time at the crease. Going forward, South Africa now has the opportunity to build their first-innings score significantly. The pressure is on to draw the match experience from previous encounters and force South Africa to concede under properly challenging conditions.

Their family started a search after they did not return homeThe bodies of a married couple have been found next to rail tracks in Tangail’s Kalihati Upazila. The dead were identified as Nilkanta Mandal, 60, and his wife Rani Mandal, 55. Their family started a search after they did not return home. We went there and saw the bodies of the husband and wife. It is believed that they were run over and killed by a train at some time during the night, Station Master Shaheen said.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department said the cold wave is expected to ease in the next two days, with temperatures likely to rise both during the day and at night. Night temperatures may rise slightly, while daytime temperatures are expected to increase by one to two degrees Celsius. A mild cold wave is sweeping over the northern district of Panchagarh, where the lowest temperature of the day was recorded at 9.4 degrees Celsius in Tentulia. Other low temperatures recorded include 11 degrees Celsius in Jashore, 11.4 degrees Celsius in Kushtia’s Kumarkhali, and 11.8 degrees Celsius in Nilphamari’s Syedpur. Dhaka’s minimum temperature stood at 13 degrees Celsius, while Teknaf recorded the highest at 28.2 degrees Celsius.

The two organisations will distribute leaflets, hold rallies, and conduct PR at various levels, says Hasnat AbdullahThe Anti-discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens’ Committee have announced a joint nationwide public relations campaign from Jan 6 to Jan 11. They announced the programme at a press conference at the central office of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement on Saturday at 11:30am. Hasnat said that they will hold public relations events across the country over the five days, "At this time, we will distribute leaflets, hold rallies and conduct public relations at various levels. At this time, Nasiruddin Patwari, convener of the National Citizens’ Committee, said: “The government's activities in formulating this declaration are not yet visible. Nasiruddin also said, “There has been a positive response and cooperation from all political parties in formulating the declaration.