India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and expressed his condolences over the death of Bangladesh’s former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah received Singh during the visit. Khaleda Zia, a three-time former prime minister and mother of BNP’s acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, passed away on Tuesday morning while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. Her namaz-e-janaza was held at Manik Mia Avenue near the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, drawing lakhs of mourners. She was later laid to rest beside her husband, Ziaur Rahman, the founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Jahangir Alam Chowdhury signed the condolence book on Wednesday evening at the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) Gulshan office to pay tribute to the memory of BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has signed the condolence book on Wednesday evening at the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) Gulshan office to pay tribute to the memory of BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The condolence book was opened following her death on 30 December 2025, allowing political leaders, diplomats, party activists and members of the public to express their condolences. Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister passed away at the Evercare Hospital after a prolonged illness. Following the funeral prayers, Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her late husband, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman’s grave at Zia Uddyan in Dhaka, in a burial that drew large crowds and military honours, including a ceremonial salute.

DHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) – Biman Bangladesh Airlines has decided in principle to purchase 14 aircraft from Boeing, opting out of rival Airbus, in a major fleet expansion and modernisation move. During the meeting, the Board of Directors principally approved the purchase of 14 Boeing aircraft, subject to price negotiations and other terms in line with recommendations of Biman’s techno-finance committee, Biman General Manager (Public Relations) Bosra Islam told BSS today. The approved order comprises eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and four Boeing 737-8 max aircraft. Officials said the interim government had earlier pledged to purchase aircraft from Boeing as part of efforts to help reduce the trade deficit with the United States. Officials noted that Boeing 787 Dreamliners are wide-body aircraft designed for long-haul international routes, while the Boeing 737-8 is a narrow-body aircraft typically used for shorter regional and domestic flights.

DHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) under the Ministry of Education has already sent over 24 crore textbooks to schools across the country to ensure that students get books on the first day of the year. He said total number of textbooks from pre-primary to secondary levels for the 2026 academic year is 30,02,55,154. Of those, he said, 24,69,92,010 books were supplied till today, which was 82.26 percent of the total textbooks. He said at the primary level, the number of textbooks for general education was 8,59,24, 854 and of those, 100 percent was delivered. "The total number of books for class-IX is over 5.7 crore in which more than 4.86 crore have been delivered."

WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Steeper US tariffs on some imported furniture items took effect Thursday, in a move that could add pressure on households already feeling the pinch from elevated costs of living. In October, a 10-percent duty on imported softwood timber and lumber came into effect, along with a 25-percent duty on certain upholstered furniture and kitchen cabinets. Effective Thursday, the rate on certain upholstered furniture rises to 30 percent, while that on kitchen cabinets and vanities doubles to 50 percent. The measure is likely to impact imports from countries like Vietnam and China, which have been key suppliers of imported furniture to the United States. The Supreme Court is due to rule on the legality of these countrywide tariffs, imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Located about seven kilometres from Tangail town, Korotia Hat is widely regarded as the heart of the district’s textile trade, particularly for Tangail handwoven sarees. Historical accounts trace the establishment of Korotia Hat to around 1800, during the Zamindari period. After independence, Korotia Hat became one of Tangail’s most important commercial hubs. Sarees from Korotia Hat reach markets in Pathrail, Balla, Rampur, Enayetpur, Baburhat, Belkuchi, Islampur and major shopping malls in Dhaka and other cities. Saree trader Samiul Islam said Korotia Hat remains a key centre for both domestic and imported textile products.

Organizations like Colorado Media Project, the Colorado News Collaborative, Colorado Health Foundation, Press Forward and others continue to inject money, support, and innovation into our state’s media ecosystem. Each week, I write an emailed newsletter, underwritten by Colorado Media Project and others, that reports on, comments on and analyzes Colorado’s news scene. (Kathryn Scott, Special to The Colorado Sun)In February, Colorado’s public media outlets were on alert — with good reason. Colorado Media Project, which underwrites “Inside the News in Colorado,” got a new director in Kimberly Spencer. Public funding for Colorado public media broadcasters officially dried up.

MADRID, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Real Madrid on Wednesday said that Kylian Mbappe had suffered a knee sprain, delivering a blow to their bid to reel in Liga leaders Barcelona. "After the tests carried out today on our player Kylian Mbappe by Real Madrid's medical services, he was diagnosed with a sprain in his left knee. Real Madrid did not indicate how long the 27-year-old striker would be out for, but a source close to the France superstar told AFP that he would be absent for at least three weeks. Real did not say when or how Mbappe was injured, however he had trained with the team on Tuesday. Mbappe has enjoyed a stellar 2025, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo's club record 59 goals in a calendar year, and has at times carried Real Madrid, relieving some pressure on under-fire coach Xabi Alonso.

Ukrainians wish for peace in 2026 -- and no more power cutsVYSHGOROD, Ukraine, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ukrainians marking their fourth New Year's Eve since Russia's invasion said their biggest wish for 2026 was peace -- as well as an end to the power cuts that had made life "hell". Russia has pounded its neighbour with almost daily drone and missile attacks since it launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Her biggest wish for 2026? "Of course, peace," she said, although she cautioned it was not wise to say wishes out loud -- "or they might not come true." Pensioner Neonila said Ukrainians had "adapted" to the power outages, living by candlelight and with flashlights on their phones.

Ahead of the parliamentary polls, three former Awami League leaders have filed nominations to contest under different banners, signalling a shift in loyalties and ambitions. They are participating as Jatiya Party, JP, and independent candidates. Two of the trio had previously sought Awami League nominations but, denied the party ticket, ran independently in earlier elections. He had previously sought Awami League nomination in the last election but ran independently when denied. Ashraful, also previously denied Awami League nomination, filed as an independent candidate, submitting 4,901 signatures, mostly from women voters.

From the first day of the year, exporters operating bonded warehouses must obtain Utilisation Permission (UP) exclusively through an online system to import raw materials under duty-free facilities, marking a decisive shift in the bonded management regime. In a media statement issued on Thursday, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) said the Customs Bond Management System (CBMS) has been made mandatory for all bonded warehouse licence holders. The NBR had announced a month earlier that the move would take effect from Jan 1 as part of efforts to make the country’s bonded management system “modern, transparent and technology-driven”. On Dec 1, the authority said services for bonded warehouse licence holders were already being provided online through 24 CBMS modules operated by three customs bond commissionerates under the NBR. Officers say the move is expected to streamline trade procedures and strengthen oversight of duty-free imports under the bonded warehouse facility.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - A cold wave has been sweeping over 17 districts of the country and moderate to dense fog may occur in some parts across the country, weather officials said here today. The districts facing cold wave are Madaripur, Gopalganj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Cumilla, Khulna, Satkhira, Jashore, Chuadanga, Kushtia, Barishal and Bhola. It further said night temperatures across the country may rise slightly while day temperatures may increase by one to two degrees Celsius. Yesterday, the country’s highest temperature was recorded at 27 degrees Celsius in Teknaf. Today, the lowest temperature was recorded at 7.8 degrees Celsius in Jashore.

Foreign Adviser Md. File photoDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - Foreign Adviser Md. It was a good gesture-nothing more than that," the foreign adviser told journalists at the Foreign Ministry here this afternoon. "His (Jaishankar's) visit was better not to seek meanings beyond courtesy," he added. Asked whether Jaishankar's visit would help ease tensions between Bangladesh and India, the foreign adviser said the answer would have to be assessed in the future.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said the passing of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at a critical juncture for the country has deeply saddened the people. "I believe the people will ensure that the next election is free, fair and impartial, and that the force representing the nation, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, will emerge victorious," he added. Speaking about Khaleda Zia's political stature and legacy, Fakhrul said she had established a unique position in national politics by upholding the philosophy of Bangladeshi nationalism bequeathed by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, alongside safeguarding the country's independence and sovereignty. Asked about the impact of Khaleda Zia's absence on the upcoming election, the BNP secretary general said the emotions and affection generated among the people following her passing would further strengthen the party. Replying to a question on post-funeral rituals, including the Kulkhani, Fakhrul said no decision had yet been taken and that details would be announced later.

National Citizens Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has declared consulting as his profession, with an annual income of Tk16 lakh, according to his affidavit submitted to the Election Commission (EC) ahead of the 13th national parliamentary elections. In the affidavit, Nahid Islam said he will contest from the Dhaka-11 constituency. The affidavit states that Nahid Islam does not own any house, flat, car, agricultural or non-agricultural land. In terms of assets, Nahid Islam declared cash worth Tk19.5 lakh, while his wife has Tk2 lakh in cash. He declared jewellery worth Tk7.75 lakh in his own name and jewellery worth Tk10 lakh in his wife’s name.