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Bangladesh has inscribed its name in the Guinness World Records by setting a new world record for parachuting with the highest number of flags in hand on the occasion of the Great Victory Day on December 16, 2025. On Monday, the World Records Management Team officially informed Team Bangladesh of the achievement, said a press release of the Chief Adviser’s press wing. According to the description published on the Guinness World Records website: “The most flags flown simultaneously while skydiving (parachute jump) is 54 and was achieved by Team Bangladesh (Bangladesh) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on 16 December 2025. “The team attempted this record to unite skydivers from across Bangladesh in a single historic achievement and demonstrate national collaboration. The attempt was made to commemorate Bangladesh’s 54th Victory Day,” according to the description.

Arable land in Rajshahi is shrinking rapidly due to widespread excavation of ponds, posing a serious threat to agricultural production and soil fertility. The district has lost 16,159 hectares of arable land between 2015 and 2023, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). In the 2024–25 fiscal year, fish production in Rajshahi reached 84,803 tons, far exceeding the district’s local demand of 52,063 tons, reflecting the rapid expansion of commercial fish cultivation. Officials and farmers say much of the high-yielding agricultural land has been converted into ponds in violation of Soil Conservation Guidelines and Agricultural Land Protection and Land Use Act, 2018. But if I lease the same land for a commercial pond, I can earn between Tk 80,000 and Tk 120,000 annually.

After nearly two decades, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to visit Sylhet to formally launch the party’s election campaign for the 13th parliamentary election slated for February 12. Tarique last visited Sylhet in 2005 when he was the party’s senior joint secretary general. “January 22 will mark the formal beginning of our election campaign across the country. BNP leaders and activists from Sylhet and Sunamganj districts, including party-nominated parliamentary candidates, are expected to attend the rally. According to the Election Commission’s announced schedule, electoral symbols will be allocated on January 21, while election campaign will begin on January 22.

“I have heard that this year we have to cast two votes—one for the parliamentary election and another for a referendum. Although the national election has generated a festive atmosphere, campaigning for the referendum is virtually nonexistent. Political divide over campaign responsibilityPolitical divisions over responsibility for referendum campaigning have become increasingly visible. In the port city of Chattogram, voters Zaynab Begum and Rafiqul Islam said they recognize parliamentary candidates but are unfamiliar with the referendum. Khulna regional election officer Faisal Kader issued a warning against promoting the national election under the guise of referendum campaigning.

Police arrested a suspected drug peddler along with a huge amount of Yaba pills from Fultala upazila in Khulna district on Monday night. The arrested was identified as Md Wahidul Mohaldar, 40. Police recovered 500 pieces of Yaba pills from his possession. Khulna Police Super (SP) Office confirmed the incident through a press release and said that a case has been filed with Fultala Police Station under the Narcotics Control Act. Legal procedures against the arrested accused are currently underway, added the press release.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has completed witness examination in the high-profile Abu Sayed murder case, which stems from the first killing during the July–August 2024 mass uprising. The stage of witness examination concluded on Tuesday through cross-examination of investigation officer Ruhul Amin before the two-member judicial panel led by Judge Md. Under tribunal procedure, defense witness examination follows prosecution testimony. However, no application for defense witness examination was submitted. Twenty-four accused, including BRUR Vice Chancellor Hasibur Rashid, remain absconding.

BNP Standing Committee member and Chairman of the party’s Election Steering Committee, Nazrul Islam Khan, said Tuesday that the party will vote “yes” if a referendum is held on the upcoming election and constitutional reforms. Voting ‘yes’ in a referendum is the BNP’s decision,” he told reporters after meeting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission building in Agargaon. Nazrul said BNP had consistently supported qualitative reforms of the state and proposed increasing the number of reserved seats for women in the national parliament. The BNP genuinely believes in women’s empowerment.”During the meeting, the BNP delegation raised concerns over the cancellation of candidacies. The four-member BNP delegation was led by Nazrul Islam Khan and included BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ismail Zabiullah, former acting secretary of the Election Commission Mohammad Zakaria, and BNP leader Ruhul Quddus Kajal.

Iran stands at a volatile crossroads as nationwide anti-government protests enter a new, deadlier phase, with authorities mounting an aggressive crackdown and the United States intensifying pressure on Tehran. State media has amplified narratives that frame protesters as “terrorists” and agents of foreign powers, seeking to link them to alleged efforts by the United States to destabilize Iran. Internationally, the crisis has triggered an extraordinary response from the United States. This position marks a continuation of the administration’s “maximum pressure” policy on Iran but with heightened rhetoric linked explicitly to protester deaths. Demonstrators carried placards demanding action by the United States and other governments to stop the violence and restore freedoms to Iranian citizens.

Diplomats, journalists and policymakers gathered at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, to pay tribute to Bangladesh’s first female prime minister Khaleda Zia, honouring her political legacy, personal sacrifices and lifelong struggle for parliamentary democracy. The memorial meeting, held on Monday evening at the century-old institution, reflected deep respect for Khaleda Zia’s role in shaping Bangladesh’s democratic journey. The event was organized by National Press Club member and Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Mexico, Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey. Dan Mozena described Khaleda Zia as a leader who earned respect by showing respect to others. Former AP editor Myron Belkind said Khaleda Zia’s life demonstrated that democracy is never a gift.

River Police rescued four fishermen who were abducted by pirates while fishing in the Meghna River under Borhanuddin Police Station in Bhola district. Based on information received from local residents, In-charge of Mirzakalu Naval Police Outpost, Police Inspector (retd) Sanatan Chandra Sarkar, immediately informed higher authorities. Under the overall supervision of SM Nazmul Haque, Superintendent of Police, Barisal Region, River Police, an expeditionary team was formed. The rescued fishermen have been identified as Md Mohiuddin Matabbar, 40, Md Sabuj, 22, Md Bajlu Majhi, 38, and Md Sharif, 30. After the rescue, the fishermen were provided with necessary first aid.

A Jamaat-e-Islami leader was killed at his residence in West Rajabazar, Dhaka, early Monday after assailants tied up his wife and carried out the attack. After entering the house, they bound Anwarullah’s wife and later killed him. The assailants then took cash and gold ornaments before leaving the house. CCTV footage showed that the assailants first cut the balcony grill and then the grill of a room to enter the house. The family said the assailants took eight tolas of gold and Tk5 lakh in cash after killing Anwarullah.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 13, 2026 (BSS) - In a significant move to bolster the country’s textile and garment accessories sector, Leaders Label Material (Bangladesh) Co. Ltd. today signed a land lease agreement with the Bangladesh Special Economic Zone (BSEZ). Leaders Label Material (Bangladesh) is a subsidiary of the Chinese firm Huzhou Lingxian Silk Ribbon Co. Ltd., based in Zhejiang Province. By choosing the BSEZ for its first production facility in Bangladesh, the company cited the zone's strategic location, modern infrastructure, and investment-friendly environment. The BSEZ, frequently referred to as the Japanese Economic Zone, is a landmark government-to-government (G2G) initiative between the governments of Bangladesh and Japan. Managed under the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), the zone aims to diversify industrial production, attract both local and Japanese investment, and alleviate poverty through sustainable economic growth.

News Desk :National Citizen Party’s Member Secretary Akhter Hossen has been cleared of charges in two cases filed nearly five years ago over alleged “rioting, illegal assembly and obstructing government work”. The cases were filed at Shahbagh Police Station. Two separate Dhaka courts passed the orders on Tuesday. Akhter’s lawyer Md Mujahidul Islam said they sought the acquittals, citing to the courts the gazette issued by the home ministry for withdrawing the cases against Akhter, bdnews24.com. Three separate cases were filed with Shahbagh Police following the demonstration against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bangladesh visit in March of 2021.

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan. File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 13, 2026 (BSS) - Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan today said the government is taking all possible measures to resolve the ongoing gas crisis and ensure that consumers are no longer held hostage by shortages. "Currently, LPG is not imported by the public sector, but the government is reviewing the feasibility of public-sector imports," he added. The adviser said that if the public sector begins importing LPG, it will help stabilize the market and resolve the crisis, ensuring that consumers are no longer held hostage. The adviser expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to consumers and assured that the government is actively working to improve the situation.