It was a moment that hopefully showcased that while disagreement is inevitable in any democracy, destruction has no place in it. Most recently, of course, we lived through an unfortunate and profoundly impactful moment for the nation: The passing of Khaleda Zia. Despite one’s political allegiance, it is perhaps a unified opinion that her death marked the end of an era. The hope for the year ahead is demanding yet simple: A Bangladesh that responds to crises with preparedness, to disagreement with restraint, and to change with responsibility. To our readers, we wish a happy new year marked by safety, stability, and a renewed belief that progress is most certainly an attainable dream if we choose a reflective and collaborative approach.

Nation observing state mourning for second day over death of Begum Khaleda ZiaBNP chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) – The nation is observing the state mourning for the second consecutive day following the death of three-time former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Condolence books remain open at Bangladesh missions abroad at the death of the former Prime Minister. Before the burial, millions of people from all walks of life including foreign guests and diplomats joined the namaz-e-janaza of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital. The country’s first female Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who is widely regarded as an uncompromising leader for democracy in Bangladesh, played a crucial role in the country's transition to parliamentary democracy and introducing the caretaker government system.

LOS ANGELES, United States, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Victor Wembanyama limped out of the San Antonio Spurs' clash with the New York Knicks on Wednesday after suffering an apparent leg injury. Wembanyama, who only returned from a calf injury earlier in December, landed awkwardly after jumping up for a rebound during the fourth quarter of the game in San Antonio. The French prodigy stayed on the floor for several seconds before being helped off the court and hobbling to the locker room. Wembanyama had scored 31 points with 13 rebounds before he departed. There was no immediate word from San Antonio over the nature of Wembanyama's injury.

Macron vows to work until 'last second' of mandatePARIS, France, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - France's President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday he would stay until the "last second" of his second term after a year of domestic political turmoil that included calls for him to resign. "I will be at work until the very last second, striving each day to live up to the mandate you entrusted to me," he said in a televised New Year's Eve address. Macron kept a high international profile in 2025, including as part of efforts to stem the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Macron's third new prime minister since the snap polls, Sebastien Lecornu, has struggled to push a much-needed austerity budget through the hung parliament. Within the president's centrist ranks, his former prime minister Edouard Philippe -- a 2027 candidate -- in October urged early presidential elections.

KYIV, Ukraine, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday his country was "10 percent" away from a deal to end the war with Russia, but cautioned that the most important issues were unresolved and warned against rewarding Moscow. US-led efforts to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II have gained pace in recent weeks, but both sides remain at odds over the key issue of territory in a post-war settlement. In his New Year's Eve address, Zelensky said his country wanted an end to the war but not at "any cost", and that any agreement needed strong security guarantees to deter Russia from invading again. And that is far more than just numbers," Zelensky said in the address, posted on his Telegram account. Russia has called it a "personal" and "terrorist attack" and against Putin, saying it will toughen its negotiation stance in the Ukraine war talks.

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A total of 128 journalists were killed around the world in 2025, more than half of them in the Middle East, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said Thursday. The press group voiced particular alarm over the situation in the Palestinian territories, where it recorded 56 media professionals killed in 2025 as Israel's war with Hamas ground on in Gaza. The IFJ's count for the number of journalists killed is typically far higher than that of Reporters Without Borders, due to different counting methods. This year's IFJ toll also included nine accidental deaths. Reporters Without Borders said 67 journalists were killed in the course of their work this year, while UNESCO puts the figure at 93.

Gasperini was hand-picked to lead Roma at 67 by his predecessor Claudio Ranieri, who is still at the club as an advisor to the American owners. After the phenomenal job he did in nine years at Atalanta, Gasperini will undoubtedly be hailed as a returning hero by Atalanta's fervent home support at the Gewiss Stadium, until kick-off. Roma sit fourth, three points behind league leaders Inter Milan, who host Bologna on Sunday night in the first round of fixtures in a packed January. Roma have lost six times in Serie A this season, with four of those defeats coming against Inter, Milan, Napoli and fifth-placed Juventus who host lowly Lecce on Saturday. Fixtures (all times GMT)FridayCagliari v AC Milan (1945)SaturdayComo v Udinese (1130), Genoa v Pisa, Sassuolo v Parma (1400), Juventus v Lecce (1700), Atalanta v Roma (1945)SundayLazio v Napoli (1230), Fiorentina v Cremonese (1400), Verona v Torino (1700), Inter Milan v Bologna (1945)

MELBOURNE, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were Thursday named in a spin-heavy provisional Australian squad for this year's Twenty20 World Cup after their Ashes campaign was ruined by injury. Hazlewood and big-hitter Tim David (hamstring) are also on the comeback trail, but are expected to be ready. "Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David are tracking well and we are confident they will be available for the World Cup," chief selector George Bailey said. They will name a separate squad for a T20 series against Pakistan that precedes the World Cup. Squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

In Venezuela, price of US dollar up 479 percent in a yearCARACAS, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Venezuela, currently in the throes of an escalating crisis with the United States, closed the books Wednesday on a complicated year for its economy, with the official cost of buying a US dollar up 479 percent in the last 12 months. The gap between the official and black market rate is mounting as well, nearing 100 percent in an economy that has become increasingly dollarized as a way to tackle hyperinflation. Venezuela's central bank on Wednesday set the official rate at 301.37 bolivars to the US dollar, a rate in effect until January 2. That marks a 479.25 percent increase from the rate of 52.02 bolivars to the dollar posted in early 2025. Venezuela has been under a US oil embargo since 2019 and exports the vast majority of its output on the black market at a sharp discount.

SEOUL, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised his troops fighting abroad as forging an "invincible alliance" with Russia in a new year's message, state media said Thursday. Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine, according to South Korean and Western intelligence agencies. At least 600 have died and thousands more have sustained injuries, according to South Korean estimates. The North Korean leader praised soldiers for strengthening the "invincible alliance" with Russia, calling on them to fight "for the fraternal Russian people". On-the-ground accounts, however, paint a grim picture for North Korean troops embedded in Europe's bloodiest war in decades.

World welcomes 2026 with fireworks after year of Trump and turmoilPARIS, France, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Revellers around the world toasted the start of 2026, bidding farewell on Wednesday to a volatile year when temperatures soared, US President Donald Trump upended global trade, and the brutal conflict in Ukraine raged on. A new American pope was installed at the Vatican, the world lost pioneering zoologist Jane Goodall, and Labubu dolls sparked a worldwide frenzy. Russia's Vladimir Putin meanwhile used his traditional New Year address to urge his compatriots to believe that Moscow would deliver a victory in Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II. Trump returned as US president in January, launching a tariff blitz that sent global trade and world stock markets into meltdown. And in New York, thousands gathered in freezing temperatures amid tight security for the traditional ball drop in Times Square.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. File PhotoDHAKA, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today called upon all participating countries and institutions at the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) to work together in a spirit of mutual cooperation and partnership. The head of the government extended his sincere greetings and felicitations to all participants, including domestic and foreign entrepreneurs, investors, traders and buyers. Noting that the DITF plays a vital role in promoting domestic products and expanding Bangladesh’s export, Prof Dr Yunus said through this fair, local entrepreneurs and consumers get valuable idea regarding the quality, design and global trends of foreign products as well. Wishing for the DITF 2026 ‘every success’, the chief adviser expected that the fair to emerge as a vibrant, buyer-friendly and festive occasion through the meaningful engagement of all stakeholders.

DHAKA, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman today expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of July warrior Shafiqul Islam. In a condolence message, Jamaat Ameer conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members of Shafiqul Islam and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul. He said many July warriors are still receiving treatment in hospitals and their sacrifices have not yet ended. Shafiqul Islam was one of them," he said, adding that the nation would remember them with due respect. Shafiqul Islam, one of the brave fighters of the July movement, passed away on Tuesday while undergoing treatment.

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Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury. File PhotoDHAKA, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS) – Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury today joined the namaj-e-janaza of three-time Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Chief Prosecutor of the International Crime Tribunal (ICT) Muhammad Tajul Islam, leaders of Supreme Court Bar Association too joined the janaza of the former premier. From Tuesday night, all major roads leading to Manik Mia Avenue were crowded as people travelled from every corner of the country by buses, trains, launches, and metro and other services. Scenes of deep sorrow were visible with thousands of mourners seen weeping openly.