Adviser: Substandard bearing, faulty design behind metro rail accident
The metro rail accident that killed a pedestrian on October 26 was caused by a faulty design and the use of substandard bearing pads, Road Transport and Bridges Ministry Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan said on Thursday. He said preliminary findings showed that the hardness, compression set and neoprene content of the displaced bearing pad did not meet standard specifications, although further testing at overseas laboratories is required for confirmation. The bearing pad was also installed at a slight slope of 0.8%, which may have contributed to its displacement, the adviser added. It further recommended establishing a robust structural health monitoring system, strengthening the metro rail authority’s technical capacity, and ensuring effective technology transfer from foreign consultants to local experts. On October 26, Abul Kalam Azad, was killed when a bearing pad fell from a metro rail pillar near Farmgate station in Dhaka.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 01, 2026 12:56 UTC
Omarzai trumps Patwari to lead Sylhet to victory in BPL
DHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS)—Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai made an instant impact with a brilliant performance in his Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) debut as Sylhet Titans pulled off a six-run victory over Dhaka Capitals for their second victory in the tournament at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today. Omarzai firstly hammered a 24 ball-50 not out to steer Sylhet to a challenging 173-5 before taking 3-40 in his four overs to significantly damage Dhaka Capitals. A six could have sent the game to the Super Over but Amir baffled Shamim to bowl a dot, ensuring Sylhet’s victory. Omarzai then ripped through Dhaka batting line up, ably supported by left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed who took 2-26. However, Mohammad Amir used his vast experience to deny Patwari and Dhaka at the end.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 01, 2026 12:47 UTC
Mustard fields depict eye-catching yellow look in Jhenaidah
Farmers said the bright mustard fields not only enhance the rural landscape but also promise good returns, making the crop increasingly popular. As a short-duration crop, mustard is being widely cultivated on land that otherwise remains fallow after the harvest of Boro paddy. Another farmer, Aynal Hossain from the Fulhari area of Shailkupa upazila, said mustard cultivation improves soil fertility while providing additional income. Deputy Director of DAE Md Kamruzzaman said farmers cultivated mustard on almost all available land this season and received good yields. “We hope mustard cultivation will increase further in the coming season,” he said.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 01, 2026 12:45 UTC
Zelensky says Russia 'brings war into the New Year' with fresh strikes on Ukraine
Zelensky says Russia 'brings war into the New Year' with fresh strikes on UkraineUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: CollectedKYIV, Ukraine, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday said Russia was carrying the near four-year war "into the New Year" with more than 200 drones fired at Ukraine, mainly targeting energy infrastructure. "Russia deliberately brings war into the New Year -- launching more than two hundred attack drones against Ukraine overnight," Zelensky said on social media, adding that the "targets were our energy infrastructure."
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 01, 2026 12:44 UTC
Two-month ban on crab harvesting begins in Sundarbans Satkhira Range
Photo: BSSSATKHIRA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - A two-month ban on crab harvesting in the rivers and canals of the Sundarbans Satkhira Range came into effect today, as the crab breeding season has begun. Burigoalini Forest Station Officer (SO) Md Ziaur Rahman said the government has imposed a two-month ban on crab harvesting to enhance crab breeding in the rivers of the Sundarbans. Mentioning the various species of crabs are found in the rivers under the Sundarbans Satkhira Range, he said in this breeding period crabs migrate in large numbers from the sea into the rivers to lay eggs. Md Fazlul Haque, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of the Sundarbans Satkhira Range, said crabs are one of the key earners of foreign currency. He said all preparations have been completed by the Forest Department to enhance crab breeding.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 01, 2026 12:29 UTC
Russia says at least 20 killed in Ukrainian drone strike
Russia says at least 20 killed in Ukrainian drone strikeCollected photoMOSCOW, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian-held part of Ukraine's southern Kherson region has killed at least 20 people, a Moscow-installed governor and Russian authorities said Thursday. "Three UAVs struck a cafe and hotel on the Black Sea coast in Khorly. According to preliminary reports, more than 50 people were injured, and 24 people were killed," Vladimir Saldo, a governor of the Russian-occupied part of the Kherson region, said on Telegram. Russia's Investigative Committee said it had opened a probe into the attack which had "killed more than 20 people and injured many more."
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 01, 2026 12:23 UTC
Stocks surge as 2026 trading begins
Trading volume was active, with 11,80,15,162 shares and mutual fund units traded throughout the day. The list of top gainers was led by Apex Spinning, followed by Rupali Bank, EBL 1st Mutual Fund, and Saiham Tex. Other companies that saw significant price hikes included Monospool Paper, Desh Garments, NCCBL 1st Mutual Fund, Orion Infusion, NRBC Bank, and Uttara Bank. Conversely, the top losers of the day were Aramit Ltd, Tun Hai Ind., Noorani Dyeing, and several mutual funds, including IFIC 1st MF and 1st Janata MF. Other stocks facing declines included FBFIF, Phoenix Finance, City General Insurance, DBH 1st MF, and BD Thai Foods Ltd.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 01, 2026 12:15 UTC
Happy New Year from the Hoover Sun
× Expand Adobe stock image A festive 2026 new years eve celebration design featuring a golden clock and sparkling confetti, isolated on white backgroundIt’s great to look back and reflect over the past year and review successes, accomplishments and opportunities for improvement. But it’s also important to look forward and plan for the future. We here at the Hoover Sun hope that your 2025 was productive and fruitful, but we also want to wish each of you a blessed 2026 as we all look for ways to make our community a better place to live, work, play and worship. May 2026 be a great year for you all!
Source:Daily Sun
January 01, 2026 12:09 UTC
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Source:Daily Sun
January 01, 2026 12:08 UTC
Government recovers khas land worth Tk 10 cr in Sunamganj
SUNAMGANJ, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - The district administration on Thursday recovered government khas land worth around Taka 10 crore in the Launchghat area, one of the most important locations in Sunamganj district town, by demolishing illegal structures built on it. According to officials, about 31 decimal of the government-owned Khas Khatian land in the Launchghat area had been occupied illegally for a long time. The operation was led by Sadar Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Aditya Pal. Sadar Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Aditya Pal told BSS that the recovery of this valuable government land in the heart of the town was achieved after a prolonged effort. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Samar Kumar Pal also confirmed that the land had been recovered and said those responsible for illegal tree felling would face legal consequences.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 01, 2026 12:05 UTC
Mobile traders clash with regulators at BTRC in protest against NEIR launch
The launch of the National Equipment Identification Register (NEIR) has been met with attack and vandalism at the BTRC office in Agargaon. The service was kicked off as part of mandatory mobile handset registration on Thursday. In protest, mobile traders resorted to violence in the afternoon as police struggled to control the sudden unrest, with bricks and stones reportedly thrown. Tejgaon Division Deputy Commissioner Ibn-e-Mizan said, “They launched an abrupt attack, hurling bricks. We are trying to manage the situation.”
Source:bd News24
January 01, 2026 11:59 UTC
Disability community recalls Khaleda Zia’s role in social protection, inclusion
Disability rights activists say Khaleda Zia’s tenure marked an important shift in how persons with disabilities were recognized by the state—gradually moving away from a charity-based outlook toward institutional responsibility and inclusion. Launched under her leadership, the program—formally known as the Allowance Program for Insolvent Persons with Disabilities—initially provided Tk200 per month to beneficiaries, laying the foundation for Bangladesh’s disability-focused social protection system. Beyond social protection, Khaleda Zia’s governments also took early steps to expand access to education, skills development, and employment for persons with disabilities, at a time when disability inclusion remained largely absent from mainstream policy discussions. Advocate Zahirul Islam, a visually impaired disability rights activist, said Khaleda Zia initiated several measures that helped strengthen institutional support for persons with disabilities. As discussions continue around Begum Khaleda Zia’s broader political legacy, disability rights advocates agree that her role in initiating state responsibility toward persons with disabilities remains one of her most enduring contributions to Bangladesh’s social development.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 01, 2026 11:40 UTC
India’s defence minister condoles death of former PM Khaleda Zia
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).
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 01, 2026 11:40 UTC
Home Adviser signs condolence book to pay tribute to Khaleda Zia
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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 01, 2026 11:35 UTC
Biman approves 14 Boeing aircraft purchase
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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 01, 2026 11:35 UTC