Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher on Wednesday alleged that his party faced serious discrimination during the scrutiny of nomination papers and demanded the removal of partisan Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) from their posts. He said two kinds of decisions were seen on the similar issues as some partisan DCs were appointed in different places who took decisions based on their partisan attitude not laws during the scrutiny of nomination papers. “In similar cases of dual citizenship, nomination papers were accepted in some constituencies, while in others they were rejected,” he said, adding that the nomination paper of Jamaat aspirant Mahbub Salehin in Kurigram was rejected on similar grounds. Among them, nomination papers of two candidates were accepted, but in the same circumstances, the nomination of our candidate Hamidur Rahman Azad was rejected,” he said. The six-member Jamaat delegation also included its Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar and Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair and Jamaat MP candidate Shishir Monir.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has fixed January 11 for the hearing on framing of charges against Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak in a crimes against humanity case. The order was passed on Wednesday by a single-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud. As Joy remains absconding, the tribunal on December 17 ordered the appointment of state defence counsel on his behalf. On December 10, the tribunal directed that notices be published in two national newspapers asking Joy to surrender. The case was filed on allegations of inciting crimes against humanity through the suspension of internet services.

Professor Md Ataur Rahman Biswas, chairperson of the Islamic History and Culture (IHC) department at Dhaka University and convener of the University Teachers’ Link (UTL), passed away early Wednesday morning. University sources said Professor Ataur Rahman had been at the centre to attend a workshop organised by the Faculty of Arts of Dhaka University. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan expressed deep sorrow over the death. In a condolence message, he said Professor Ataur Rahman made remarkable contributions to education and research and played key roles in academic and administrative initiatives including addressing several recent crises faced by the university. The vice-chancellor prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Apart from Mim Islam and Kumari Payel Rani’s hat-trick with three goal each, Jannatul Ferdous Jhinuk, Most Shila Akter and Hoymonti Sukla supported them with a lone in the one-sided affairs. The early breakthrough came for Suddopuskorini when Jhinuk doubled the lead scoring the second goal for Suddopuskorini in the next minute. Shila Akter further widened the margin scoring the third goal for Suddopuskorini in the 17th minute and Mim Islam made the score line 4-0 in the 28th minute. Mim completed her hat-trick scoring two more goals for Suddopuskorini Jubo Sports Club in the 34th and 38th minutes while Payel Rani also joined the party scoring two more goals to her name in the 42nd and 72nd minute to complete her hat-trick. With this win, Suddopuskorini Jubo Sports Club raised their tally to six points from three matches while Kacharpipara Ekadash yet to open their account playing the same number of matches.

DHAKA, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS) - The government has promulgated a new ordinance imposing stringent financial penalties to curb forest land encroachment and safeguard the country’s ecological balance. This ordinance shall be called the “Ordinance, 2026 for Regulating the Use of Forest Land for Non-Forest Purposes, Preventing Encroachment of Forest Land, Ensuring Proper Conservation of Forests and Forest Land, Preventing the Reduction of Forest Land, and Providing for Tree Conservation.”It has been ordered to implement the ordinance immediately. Emphasizing the importance of protecting the environment, it also stated that no natural forest land can now be used for non-forest purposes. In addition, the Forest Department has been given special powers to determine forest boundaries, conduct technology-based monitoring and evict encroachers. In addition, the Forest Department has been instructed to ensure that the traditional and customary forest rights of small ethnic groups in the Chattogram Hill Tracts are not violated.

DHAKA, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS)- A total of 593,500 blankets have been allocated from the Chief Advisor's Relief Fund to distribute among cold-stricken and distressed people across the country. In addition, funds are being allocated for the purchase of blankets based on the requirements submitted by the deputy commissioners. Blankets were procured with the fund allocated from the Chief Adviser’s Relief Fund and MoDMR. Upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) have already purchased blankets on an emergency basis and distributed them among the needy people following all relevant financial rules and regulations. MoDMR has instructed all deputy commissioners to closely monitor the purchase and distribution of blankets to ensure proper implementation of the programme.

Photo: BSSRANGPUR, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS) - Although common people experienced a severe coldamid foggy weather in the morning, they experienced a very pleasant situationin the afternoon across the country's northern region on Wednesday. "In the northern region, the weather may remain cooler and foggy at nightsand in the mornings and sunny and easy in the afternoon in the next fewdays," he predicted. The difference between the minimum and maximum temperatures had come down tothe lowest due to the intense cold due to foggy weather in the morning today,adding misery to the poor, distressed and displaced people. Talking to BSS from Dinajpur, social worker Mahatab Liton said that commonpeople saw the smiling face of the sun there since the morning today. Meanwhile, the interim government through the district administrations hasfurther intensified distribution of warm clothes to cold-hit distressedpeople in the northern districts.

Green valley old age home and Orphanage in Natore to be inaugurated soonPhoto: BSSNATORE, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS) - The newly constructed Green Valley Old Age Home and Orphanage in Lalpur upazila of the district is now awaiting inauguration, marking a significant step toward providing shelter and care for vulnerable elderly people and orphaned children. Built by Prakriti Foundation with the slogan of “We want to put a smile on everyone’s face,” the three-storey facility has been constructed at a cost of Taka 8 crore on one acre of land. Initially, activities will begin with 20 orphans and 10 elderly residents. Designed to foster a family-like environment, the institution will allow orphaned children and elderly residents to live together, promoting mutual care and guardianship. Speaking to BSS, Prakriti Foundation Chairman Nuria Parveen said, “We have a plan to transform the ‘Green Valley Old Age Home and Orphanage’ into a world-class institution.

Photo: The LocalPARIS, France, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Snow, ice and high winds brought transport chaos to swathes of Europe for a third day on Wednesday, with hundreds of flights cancelled and passengers stranded. Six people have died in weather-related accidents as the continent reels from the most bitter cold snap of the winter so far. Five of those deaths were confirmed in France on Tuesday, while a woman died in Bosnia as heavy snow and rain sparked floods and power outages across the Balkans. For those without homes sleeping on the streets, the cold snap has come as a huge shock. Schiphol Airport said more than 700 flights had been cancelled so far and warned that the number was likely to increase.

BERLIN, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The North Sea experienced its warmest year on record in 2025, Germany's national agency for maritime affairs and hydrology (BSH) said Wednesday. "In 2025, the North Sea reached an average temperature of 11.6C, the highest value in the BSH data series since 1969," Tim Kruschke, head of the BSH's climate team, said in a statement.

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Eurozone inflation eased in December, official data showed Wednesday, thanks to a faster decline in energy costs. Consumer price rises fell to 2.0 percent last month, in line with the European Central Bank's target, from 2.1 percent in November. The December reading was also in line with forecasts of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg and FactSet.

Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has secured a swift return to top-tier franchise cricket abroad, signing up for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) just days after being dropped from the Indian Premier League (IPL). Mustafizur Rahman joins HBL PSL 11.”Mustafizur’s move comes in the wake of a controversial exit from the IPL, where he was set to represent Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). While the IPL setback appeared abrupt, the PSL opportunity has offered Mustafizur a timely alternative. With the PSL’s expansion and Mustafizur’s proven pedigree in T20 cricket, the Bangladeshi pacer now has an opportunity to turn an IPL disappointment into PSL comeback. Mustafizur, however, has not made any comment on this regard after PSL announcement.

A Dhaka court on Wednesday ordered the freezing of 53 bank accounts belonging to Faisal Karim Masud, the prime accused in the shooting death of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, and the confiscation of Tk65.50 lakh in favour of the state. Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Sabbir Faiz passed the order on January 7 following a petition filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Sub-inspector Abdul Latif filed the application on behalf of the CID seeking the freezing of the accounts and confiscation of the funds. The CID said analysis of the bank accounts of Faisal Karim Masud, as well as those of organisations and individuals linked to his interests, revealed a number of suspicious transactions. A preliminary investigation has also found indications of involvement in murder, terrorism, financing of terrorism and organised crime, offences that fall under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

BNP senior leader and former minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Wednesday said no force, either local or foreign, will be able to depoliticize Bangladesh. So, I believe no force or superpower can depoliticize this country,” he said. But that attempt failed.”Dr Moyeen, a BNP Standing Committee member, said Khaleda Zia enjoyed towering popularity and proved it by winning elections repeatedly. Dr Moyeen expressed confidence that, following this legacy, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will lead the country forward. Later, a special prayer was offered seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of Khaleda Zia.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah on Wednesday said the upcoming election will bring a derailed electoral system back on track. The election commissioner said the minimum age for election observers has been reduced to 21 years, noting that while this allows broader participation, it also raises concerns about lack of experience. Calling for collective efforts, Sanaullah urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure a credible and conscience-driven election in 2026. Urging observers to remain vigilant, Sanaullah said their feedback would be crucial in further improving the newly introduced postal voting system. “I hope that together we can deliver on our national expectations and present the nation with a free, fair and credible election,” he added.