Dec. 30, 2025, 4:03 a.m. ETTake a bow, 2025. From individual and team state titles, NJCAA national title runs, region crowns, rivalry classics and program shakeups, you delivered it all. So much so that I can't think of a year since I arrived to the Emerald Coast in 2012 where so many area teams defied the stereotype that the Panhandle can't compete with the private school machines of Central and South Florida.
The Election Commission has expressed deep sorrow and condolences over the death of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The release stated that on Bangladesh’s former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at 6am on Tuesday. “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.” The Election Commission expressed profound grief and sorrow over her death. It added that Begum Khaleda Zia was an influential and important figure in Bangladesh’s democratic politics. The Election Commission prayed for the departed soul of the late Khaleda Zia and conveyed heartfelt condolences to her bereaved family, relatives, and colleagues.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urgently summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, back to Dhaka. The High Commissioner has been called to discuss bilateral relations. The foreign affairs adviser has acknowledged multiple times that there are strains in the bilateral relationship. Meanwhile, protests in Delhi and threats against the High Commissioner have led to the suspension of visa and consular services at Delhi and two other assistant missions. Additionally, Dhaka expressed concern over the persecution of minorities in India, rejecting comments made by India on the matter.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus is addressing the nation at 12pm on Tuesday. The address is being broadcast simultaneously on Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar. During the address, he declared three days of state mourning and one-day general holiday.
Leaders from across the world have expressed condolences over the death of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. IndiaPrime Minister Narendra Modi said that as the first female prime minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia’s contributions to the country’s development and to India-Bangladesh relations would be remembered. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. In a post on X on Tuesday, she wrote: “I am saddened by the demise of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister and one of its prominent leaders Begum Khaleda Zia. I extend my condolences to her grieving family, friends, and political colleagues.”PakistanPakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed deep sadness at the death of Begum Khaleda Zia.
The meeting took place at the foreign affairs adviser’s office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the afternoon. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had summoned Bangladesh’s high commissioner to India to Dhaka on an emergency basis. The national security and foreign affairs advisers also held discussions on India-related issues on Monday, the sources added. Most recently, on December 23, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka. Later the same day, India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah in New Delhi.
The death of BNP Chairperson and three-time former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, regarded as an uncompromising leader for democracy in Bangladesh, got wide coverage in the international media. Reuters reports: Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first female prime minister, dies at 80Khaleda Zia, who became Bangladesh's first female prime minister in 1991, died on Tuesday after a long illness. The Qatar-based media ran another report with headline "Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first woman PM: A life of power and resistance". British daily The Guardian in its online version reports: Khaleda Zia, first female Bangladesh prime minister, dies aged 80Indian news agency PTI reports: Khaleda Zia: A formidable figure who dominated Bangladesh politics for decades. Khaleda Zia, the first woman prime minister of Bangladesh and the second in the Muslim world, dominated the country's politics for decades.
Three-time Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. File photoDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) today expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of BNP Chairperson and three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. "The Supreme Court Bar Association expresses its deep sorrow at the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, an uncompromising leader in Bangladesh's politics and a three-time Prime Minister. We hope the nation will transform this grief into strength," a condolence message signed by SCBA President AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon said. The association prayed for the eternal peace of her departed soul and extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
SINGAPORE, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Facebook owner Meta has agreed to acquire Manus, an artificial intelligence agent created by a company founded in China but now based in Singapore, the two firms said. Exceeding the capabilities of AI chatbots like ChatGPT, AI agents can autonomously perform complex tasks for users, and are seen as having huge potential. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is making a huge push into AI, spending billions of dollars on acquisitions, hiring engineers and building data centres. Bloomberg Intelligence analysts said the purchase is likely aimed at expanding Meta's AI agent task capabilities, and that it could be worth more than $2 billion. However, "it could draw regulatory scrutiny given that Singapore-based Manus was founded in China", the analysts said.
BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the ministries for environment, forest and climate change and water resources, has expressed deep shock at the demise of Begum Khaleda Zia, a former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson. In a condolence message today, the adviser said the death of Begum Khaleda Zia marked the end of an important and glorious chapter in the political history of Bangladesh. "Her role in the struggle to establish democracy, multi-party political culture and people's rights in the country will be remembered," Rizwana said. She said the nation will forever remember with respect the role Khaleda Zia played in environment, infrastructure, women's education, health, social development and strengthening democratic institutions during her tenure as the premier.
Begum Khaleda Zia, Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. "The BCB recalls with gratitude her constant blessings and good wishes for the progress of cricket in this country," the BCB said in a press release today. During her tenure as Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia provided outstanding support for the development of cricket in Bangladesh, significantly contributing to improvements in cricket infrastructure and the sport's growth nationwide, the Board noted. "The Bangladesh Cricket Board joins the whole country in profound grief and sadness at this great loss and extends its heartfelt condolences.
BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Former Prime Minister . File photoDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS)-Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The passing of Begum Khaleda Zia is an irreparable loss for Bangladesh. Following her demise, BFF president Tabith Awal, along with senior vice president, vice presidents, members of the executive committee, general secretary, all standing committees of BFF, officials and employees, have expressed their deep sorrow and conveyed sincere condolences. Khaleda Zia passed away this morning while undergoing treatment at a city hospital.
BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. File PhotoDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) – Adviser to the Ministries of Finance and Science and Technology Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of former Prime Minister, veteran politician and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. In a condolence message, the adviser said Khaleda Zia was a long-standing and influential leader in Bangladesh’s political arena whose contributions would be remembered as a unique and memorable chapter in the country’s political history. The adviser said that Khaleda Zia demonstrated honesty, determination and a strong sense of responsibility while discharging state duties, adding that her decisions and positions on key national issues had a significant impact on the country’s political journey. Terming her death as an irreparable loss to the nation’s political landscape, Dr Salehuddin Ahmed prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family members, BNP leaders and activists, and her numerous followers.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus delivered a televised address, simultaneously aired by Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar. "At the death of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, I declare three days of state mourning and a one-day general holiday tomorrow on the day of her Namaz-e-Janaza," he said in the televised address simultaneously aired by Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar at 12 noon. The Chief Adviser urged everyone to maintain discipline and order during the Janaza and observance of mourning. Expressing profound shock and sorrow, at the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, he said, "With her death, the nation has lost a great guardian". "It is very important for all of us to play our responsible role during this time," Prof Yunus added.
