DHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) –Over 12 lakh voters have so far registered to cast their ballots through the postal voting system in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and referendum. Besides expatriate Bangladeshis, election officials and employees, as well as government servants staying outside their constituencies, are registering under the postal voting system. Within the country, 5,21,981 voters registered under the ‘in-country postal voting’ category. Seat-wise, Feni-3 ranked first with 14,526 registered voters, followed by Chattogram-15 with 11,964 and Noakhali-1 with 11,916. For registration, expatriate voters must use a mobile number of the respective country.

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed-File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS)- BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed today said that the void and sorrow created by the death of the party's chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia will never be filled. Salahuddin Ahmed said, “Begum Khaleda Zia is no longer with us today, but she remains in the hearts of the people. We are anxious as to whether we can genuinely fulfill those expectations.”Following Khaleda Zia’s death, he highlighted the legal aspect of her nomination in the upcoming election. Salahuddin Ahmed stated, “Since she is no longer physically present, her legal entity ceases to exist. Salahuddin Ahmed stressed the need to keep the party united, concluding, “We must unite everyone within our limited means and lead the nation forward.

Photo:BSSRANGPUR, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - The weather continued to improve bringing reliefto common people for the second consecutive day today following further risein maximum temperatures despite a little fall in minimum temperatures in thenorthern region. Later, the smile of the bright sun in a clear sky free from fog and cloudsmade the weather even sweeter and more enjoyable today. Earlier, the weather deteriorated causing a chilling cold following reductionof the gap between maximum and minimum temperatures to the minimum in recentdays when minimum temperatures mostly ranged between 9 and 12 degreesCelsius. "The maximum temperatures marked further rises by one to two degrees Celsiusand ranged between 22.3 and 24.1 degrees Celsius at 3 pm today, increasingthe gap between the two temperatures by 12 degrees Celsius today," he said. Following improvement of the weather situation, common people and farm- andday- laborers conducted normal activities everywhere, including remote charareas today.

Cities around the world welcome 2026 with thunderous fireworks and heightened securityFrom Sydney to Paris to New York City, crowds have rung in the new year with exuberant celebrations filled with thunderous fireworks, while others have taken a more subdued approach

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS)- Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has issued early warning about late blight disease, a highly destructive fungus of potatoes caused by a microorganism. The potato late blight or fungal infection is likely to become epidemic form during this winter season, said an alert issued by the plant protection wing of the DAE. Under the situation, early warning instructions are usually issued for the farmers to protect their crops. The DAE message said the period from November to February is very much sensitive for the disease which particularly spread quickly during low temperature, foggy cloudy and drizzling weather condition. After receiving the weather forecast which is favorable to disease, the DAE alert said the farmers immediately have to spray fungicide after mixing each two grams of fungicide with a liter of water in every seven days for disease prevention.

Photo : ISPRDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Army-led joint forces in separate drives across the country arrested 157 suspected criminals in the last eight days from December 25, 2025 to January 1, 2026. Besides, 13 illegal firearms, 228 rounds of different types of ammunition, 10 petrol bombs, several cocktails, contraband drugs items and sharp weapons were recovered from their possessions. Subsequently, the arrestees were handed over to the concerned police stations for necessary interrogation and legal proceedings, the release mentioned. The Bangladesh Army is conducting regular patrols and security operations in various regions to ensure public safety across the country. Meanwhile, it also urged the general people to inform the nearest army camp if any suspicious or unusual activity is observed, the ISPR added.

Dhaka, Jan. 1 -- The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has approved four cases against Salman F Rahman, his brother and their sons over allegations of embezzlement and money laundering involving billions of taka from state-owned Jamuna Bank. The cases relate to the alleged misappropriation of Tk 28.57 billion obtained in the name of loans, the commission's Director-General, Md Akhtar Hossain, said on Thursday. Salman is the vice-chairman of the Beximco Group and previously served as a private industry and investment advisor to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. His brother, Sohel F Rahman, is the chairman of the industrial conglomerate. Their son...To read the full article or to get the complete feed from this publication, please Contact Us

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed two separate cases against former councilor Ziaul Haque Sumon and his wife Shahnaz Akhtar from Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) South Halishahar ward. The cases were filed today at the ACC Chattogram Integrated District Office-1 by Apel Mahmud Biplob, Deputy Assistant Director of the same office. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has uncovered evidence of Ziaul Haque Sumon acquiring and possessing assets worth Tk 165,110,352 that are inconsistent with his known income. Consequently, a case has been filed against him under Sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004. The ACC alleges that Shahnaz Akhtar obtained and possessed these illegal assets with the assistance of her husband, Ziaul Haque Sumon.

A collected photo of former Prime Minister Khaleda ZiaDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - Sylhet Titans have dedicated their victory againstDhaka Capitals in today's Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) game to BegumKhaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, who passed away on 30December in 2025. The franchise said in a press release that "as a mark of respect andinspiration" they dedicated the victory to Begum Khaleda Zia. The release added: "Team management described the victory as a reflection ofunity, belief, and resilience, emphasizing that such performances strengthenthe Titans' ambition to compete with consistency and purpose in the remainingmatches." "Sylhet Titans remain focused on building momentum and deliveringperformances that inspire both on and off the field." Sylhet sit at the second spot of the point table at this moment after winningtwo matches out of three.

Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan. File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Dr Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan today said some technical tests were required to be carried out overseas to ascertain what caused a metro rail accident in October killing a pedestrian in the capital. Pedestrian Abul Kalam Azad, 35, died when a bearing pad of metro rail station fell on him in Dhaka's Farmgate area on October 26. “It appears from the initial investigation that the hardness, compression set and the neoprene (synthetic rubber) of the deviated bearing pad was not up to the mark. The adviser said a “third party safety audit” was required as well to review the overall project design of the Metrorail system.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam spoke at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy today. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) – Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today expressed hope that the interim government would be able to hold one of the best credible elections in the country’s history in a free, fair and participatory manner with record voter turnout. Since the process involves not only the parliamentary election but also a referendum, the press secretary believed that there will be “a record voter turnout”. We are giving highest attention to the matter,” Shafiqul Alam said, adding, there was a positive development that the submission of nomination papers was completed smoothly without report of any disorder or violence. About postal ballot, Shafiqul Alam said about 7 lakh Bangladeshi diaspora got registered as of Wednesday to cast their votes through postal ballot- ever the first initiative by the government to allow participation of expatriates Bangladeshis in elections.

The government has reduced duties on domestically produced and imported mobile phones to lower handset prices. The decision came during Thursday’s Advisory Council meeting amid calls from the businessmen, announced later by Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. Customs duty on mobile imports has been cut from 25 per cent to 10 per cent, bringing the total import burden -- including advance tax and VAT -- down from 61.80 per cent to 43.43 per cent. In a parallel move, the government also eased import duties on parts for local phone assemblers, providing additional support for domestic production.

The Department of National Savings has announced new profit rates for investment in savings certificates and bonds for the first half of the year. Under the new rates, the pension scheme will offer a maximum return of 10.59 percent, while general savings certificates will yield up to 10.54 percent. For family savings certificates with the same investment cap, the five-year return now stands at 10.54 percent, down from 11.98 percent. The government has decided to announce interest rates for savings certificates every six months. This revision aligns returns with current fiscal policies, offering a structured, transparent framework for small and large investors alike.

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DHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - Rangpur Riders captain Nurul Hasan Sohan sentRajshahi Warriors in to bat first after winning the toss in their second gameof the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at Sylhet International CricketStadium today. Rajshahi won two out of three so far while Rangpur aim to win their secondsuccessive game after winning the opening match. Both of the teams looked enough firepower in batting and bowling to clinchthe coveted trophy, making it a titanic clash. Line Ups:Rajshahi Warriors: Sahibzada Farhan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul HossainShanto (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, SM Meherob, Yasir Ali, Mohammad Nawaz,Hussain Talat, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Binura Fernando, Ripon Mondol. Rangpur Riders: Dawid Malan, Liton Das, Kyle Mayers, Towhid Hridoy, KhushdilShah, Mahmudullah Riyad, Nurul Hasan Sohan (captain), Faheem Ashraf, Aliss AlIslam, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana.