BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s nomination papers for the Dhaka-17 constituency were submitted on Monday to contest the upcoming national election from the seat, alongside Bogra-6. Besides, nomination papers for Bogra-7 on behalf of BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia will be submitted. Earlier on Sunday, nomination papers for Dinajpur-3 on behalf of Begum Khaleda Zia were submitted by the district BNP president and general secretary. The deadline for the submission of nomination papers expires Monday at 5pm, according to the schedule announced by the Election Commission. According to the election schedule, the deadline for submitting nomination papers is December 29, while the last date for withdrawing candidature is January 20.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSad), a partner of the 14-party alliance, has announced that it will not participate in the upcoming referendum and the 13th national parliamentary elections, describing both as “unconstitutional” and “one-sided.”In a statement issued on Monday morning, the JaSad Central Executive Committee said the party would boycott what it termed an “unconstitutional referendum and one-sided election in the name of the 13th national parliamentary polls.”“The interim government is clearly not neutral. Instead of holding inclusive and participatory elections, it has organised an unconstitutional referendum and a one-sided parliamentary election,” the statement said, adding that the Election Commission was acting to implement the political will of the government. The statement, signed by JaSad Office Secretary Sajjad Hossain, noted that although JaSad is an election-oriented party registered with the Election Commission and has participated in most past elections, it has decided not to take part in the upcoming polls due to the prevailing political situation. However, it alleged that the interim government failed to act as a neutral caretaker administration and instead prolonged its tenure. “For these reasons, JaSad will not participate in the referendum and the 13th national elections,” the statement added.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has postponed its previously announced grand rally due to the upcoming admission test of agricultural and agriculture-focused universities, scheduled for January 3. The party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Parwar, confirmed this information in a statement on Sunday. The grand rally was originally scheduled to be held on January 3 at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka. Candidates from the cluster admission tests of nine agricultural universities across the country are expected to come to Dhaka on that day.

DHAKA, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS) – Authorities of Bangladesh Railway (BR) today urged all to refrain from damaging the national asset. Railways are country’s national asset,” said a BR press release. The Ministry of Railways and Bangladesh Railway urged everyone to be more careful in fulfilling this moral responsibility,” the release said. The BR is committed to providing quality services to people. It sought cooperation from all to ensure quality services for the passengers.

The ban has slashed poppy production overall to just 10,200 hectares (25,200acres) this year, "one of the lowest levels ever recorded" in Afghanistan,the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said. In Badakhshan on the border with Tajikistan, surveyed in the agency's mostrecent report, poppy production has jumped since the Taliban returned topower in 2021. Many farmers are instead growing wheat and other cereals, but in 2023 "theaverage per-hectare income from wheat was just $770, whereas opium poppyyielded around $10,000 per hectare". Poppy revenues had long been a major source of Afghanistan's economic outputbefore the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Farmers' income from opium sales fell by nearly half, to $134 million thisyear from $260 million in 2024.

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Myanmar's dominant pro-military party is "winning a majority" in the first phase of junta-run elections, a party source told AFP on Monday, after democracy watchdogs warned the poll would entrench military rule. The pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is "winning a majority of seats around the country according to different reports", said a party official in the capital Naypyidaw, requesting anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to media. The military overturned the results of the last poll in 2020 after Suu Kyi's party, the NLD, trounced the USDP. "We guarantee it to be a free and fair election," he told reporters after casting his vote in Naypyidaw. But amid the war, the military has acknowledged that elections cannot happen in almost one in five lower house constituencies.

Bangladeshi leg-spinner Rishad Hossain. Photo: ESPNDHAKA, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain continueshis rich vein of form in Big Bash League, guiding his side Hobart Hurricanesto a four-wicket win over Melbourne Renegades today at their home venue inBellerive Oval in Hobart. In this match, Rishad picked up two wickets for 34 runs in four overs but asusual gave the side an impetus in the middle overs, stifling Melbourne forruns. Rishad so far took eight wickets in five matches, second highest behind TomCurran and Haris Rauf who had nine wickets. The victory, however, propelled Hobart to second spot with eight points fromfive matches.

Ripon shines as Rajshahi need 125 for 2nd win in BPLDHAKA, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS) - Pacer Ripon Mondol claimed his career-best 4-13 asRajshahi Warriors put them in strong position after restricting NoakhaliWarriors to a meager 124-8 in their third game in the Bangladesh PremierLeague (BPL) T20 today at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Tanzim Hasan Sakib gave him ably support with 2-31. After Tanzim brokethrough the top order, Ripon applied pressure in middle overs, effectivelyruining Noakhali's aspiration to recover from the early collapse. Haider Ali, who led the side in absence of Shykat Ali, was the top-scorer forthe side with 33 off 28 while Mahidul Islam Ankon made 22. Earlier, Rajshahi won one and lost one in their first two matches whileNoakhali suffered defeats in both of the matches.

DHAKA, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS)- Medium pacer Fahim Ashraf claimed a five-wickethaul to steer Rangpur Riders to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory overChattogram Royals in their opening game at the Bangladesh Premier League(BPL) T20 tournament today at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan recruit Fahim's 5-17 was instrumental in wrapping up Chattogram fora meager 102 in 17.5 overs before former England opener Dawid Malan hit a 51to guide Rangpur to 107-3 for a victory in just 15 overs. Mustafizur Rahman picked up 2-19 to complement Fahim in wrecking havoc onChattogram batting line up. But young pace sensation Nahid Rana began the rot by claiming Chattogramopener Adam Rossington for 1 after they were sent to bat first. Mustafizur also dismissed Naim Sheikh who top-scored for Chattogram with 20ball-39, Fahim then sparked the middle order collapse, ensuring that Rangpurwill get an easier target to chase.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS) - Cute Jamalpur District Men's Handball League,organised by Bangladesh Handball Federation (BHF), was inaugurated atJamalpur Handball Stadium in Jamalpur today (Monday). Jamalpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Yusuf Ali formally inaugurated the meetas the chief guest, sponsored by Moushumi Industries Limited. Jamalpur District Sports Association's Member Secretary Dhirendra ChandraSarkar presided over the opening ceremony. Cute district-wide handball league coordinator and BHF technical committee'sjoint member secretary Sayeed Ahmed was also present there. On the opening day matches, Provati Jubo Sangha beat Prottasha Club by 6-4goals while Rokon Smrity Sangsad defeated Mohammedan Sporting Club by 11-5goals.

DHAKA, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP) take on Barisal district in the final match of UCB BFF U-15 Football League scheduled to be held at Shaheed Bhulu Stadium in Noakhali tomorrow (Tuesday). The match kicks off at 2 pm. Bangladesh Football Federation president Tabith Awal is expected to be present in the final as the chief guest and distribute the trophy. United Commercial Bank PLC chairman Sharif Zaheer will also be present in the final as the special guest. A total of twelve district teams including BKSP are taking part in the final round of the league split into four groups.

Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS)— Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed has expressed his gratitude towards the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for easing the NOC (No Objection Certificate) policy, allowing players to participate in overseas leagues. He highlighted the multi-dimensional environment created by foreign leagues, which feature diverse coaching staffs, players from various countries, and shared experiences that help players grow. “When you play in an overseas league, you’re exposed to a completely different environment,” Taskin explained. However, in recent months, the BCB has granted several players permission to play in foreign leagues. He also discussed the pressure that comes with playing in foreign leagues.

Taxpayers struggling with online income tax returns have until Jan 15 to request permission for alternate filing from their tax offices. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued an order on Monday setting the deadline for applications from taxpayers unable to submit e-returns. Earlier, the online filing requirement for individual taxpayers had been partially relaxed, allowing those unable to submit returns electronically to seek permission for alternative submission. Legal representatives may submit returns online if they wish, but there is no obligation. Expatriates can also file their returns online if they choose.

The number of people who registered to vote through the Postal Voting app has exceeded 950,000. The postal voting registration had begun on Nov 19. About 46,800 people on election duty and 4,367 Ansar members have also enrolled for postal voting. There are 3,675 inmates who registered for postal voting as well. The registered voters can also vote for the referendum for implementing the July Charter using the Postal Voting app.

Photo : BSSTHAKURGAON, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS) – BSRI Director General Dr. Kabir Uddin Ahmed said that fostering entrepreneurship among the July warriors can create significant employment opportunities in emerging sectors related to sugar crops, including coconut. Now, enriched with advanced international ideas, its activities have significantly expanded.”“We have started research activities on pulses, dates, stevia, almonds, coconuts and even grapes. The program was presided over by BSRI Thakurgaon Regional Centre Chief Research Officer and Station In-charge Dr. Md. Special guests included BSRI Director (Research) Dr. Md. Ataur Rahman and Director (TOT) Dr. Selina Akhtar, among others.