BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday urged the European Union to continue supporting Bangladesh’s development in the post-election period during a meeting with an EU delegation led by Ambassador Michael Miller. The delegation paid a courtesy call at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office at 6:30 pm, where discussions focused on contemporary political developments, the upcoming national election, and the country’s democratic environment. BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ismail Jabiullah, Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir, and acting chairman’s adviser Dr Mahdi Amin attended the meeting. Speaking to journalists afterwards, Nazrul Islam Khan said the BNP would actively participate in the upcoming election. He also welcomed the EU’s decision to deploy a large number of election observers, noting that it demonstrates the bloc’s commitment to ensuring a credible and acceptable electoral process in Bangladesh.

DHAKA, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS) - The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has refutedreports published by certain media outlets that falsely attributed statementsto DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali regarding the security of candidates in the13th national parliament election. In a clarification issued today, the DMP stated that the Commissioner did notmake any such comments to any media outlet concerning candidate security. The DMP emphasized that the misleading reports do not reflect theCommissioner's views or any official position of the police force. Calling on the public to remain cautious, the DMP urged citizens not to bemisled by inaccurate or false news. The police authority reaffirmed its commitment to transparency andresponsible communication, especially during the sensitive election period,and advised media outlets to verify information from reliable and officialsources before publication.

DHAKA, Jan 06, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Bank (BB) has instructed all scheduled banks to build women-friendly washrooms, citing the lack of adequate facilities for women at banking workplaces. “Women bank officials and customers are facing difficulties in receiving services due to the shortage of such washrooms,” said a BB circular issued today. According to the Bangladesh Bank, women-friendly washrooms are required at bank head offices as well as at regional offices, branches, and sub-branches. The central bank also instructed banks to carry out necessary renovations where required and ensure the availability of adequate sanitary supplies. In the circular, the central bank said all banks must take measures to construct hygienic, women-friendly washrooms for female officers, employees, and women service recipients at their head offices, regional offices, and all branches and sub-branches, alongside ensuring proper sanitation facilities.

More than 15 lakh people have registered to vote through the postal balloting in the upcoming national election and referendum. “A total of 15,33,683 voters completed the registration process (with Postal Vote BD app) to vote through the postal ballots,” said Director (Public Relations) of the Election Commission Secretariat Ruhul Amin Mollik on Tuesday. The deadline for the postal vote registration expired at 12am on Monday. Among the registrants, a total of 7,61,140 voters are from Bangladesh as the government staff posted outside their respective constituencies, the polling personnel and the prisoners are allowed to vote through the postal ballots this year. Among expatriate voters, the highest number- 2,39,186-are from Saudi Arabia.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said the interim government will complete the splitting process of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) before the February 12 general election. The long-discussed process of separating policy formulation from tax administration at the NBR has missed the December 31 deadline. The controversy began in May 2025, when the interim government promulgated the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance, 2025, abolishing the long-standing National Board of Revenue — established in 1972 — and replacing it with two separate entities: the Revenue Policy Division (RPD) and Revenue Management Division (RMD) under the Finance Ministry. The split, however, triggered intense resistance from NBR officials and employees, who argued that the ordinance was issued without adequate consultation and bypassed recommendations of the NBR Reform Committee. Demonstrations disrupted tax, customs and VAT operations briefly, including a partial halt at Chattogram Port — Bangladesh’s busiest trade gateway.

Newly appointed United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen is set to arrive in Dhaka on January 11, ahead of the 13th parliamentary elections, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Senate confirmed Christensen’s appointment on December 18, making him the 18th US ambassador to Bangladesh. Following the departure of former ambassador Peter Haas in July 2024, Tracy Ann Jacobson served as acting ambassador before recently leaving the post. President Donald Trump nominated Christensen in September 2025, with the Senate confirming the nomination in December. Diplomatic sources said the new US ambassador is expected to hold meetings with various political parties in Dhaka ahead of the elections.

National Citizen Party (NCP) on Tuesday warned that democracy is at risk, accusing senior government officials, including intelligence chiefs, of openly favoring a party ahead of the national election. “We’ve seen various government officials and chiefs of different intelligence agencies seemingly fix their focus on a single party office and visit it regularly. We believe this is a serious threat to democracy in Bangladesh,” said NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain. He alleged that practices reminiscent of what he termed “illegal conduct during the period of Awami fascism” are resurfacing. “We call on the government to take immediate punitive action against those involved and to assure the people that their voting rights still remain intact....You must restore this confidence (among the people),” he said.

LONDON, Jan 6, 2026 (AFP) - All-electric vehicles accounted for nearly one quarter of new cars sold in the UK last year, a record high, industry data showed Tuesday, as Britain phases out combustion engines. With a record 473,348 all-electric vehicles registered in 2025, the SMMT said the UK ranked as Europe's second-largest EV market by volume. Separate figures Tuesday showed a sharp rise in EV sales in Germany, where registrations surged 43.2 percent last year to a total of 545,142 vehicles. "Rising EV uptake is an undoubted positive, but the pace is still too slow and the cost to industry too high," the SMMT said. JLR sales fell in its third quarter, with wholesale volumes down 43.3 percent and retail sales down 25.1 percent year on year, it disclosed Monday.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed and Energy Adviser Dr Fouzul Kabir Khan on Tuesday described Bangladesh’s response to the controversy surrounding cricketer Mustafizur Rahman and the Indian Premier League (IPL) as "robust and appropriate". Dr Salehuddin said it has had no bearing on government decisions, procurement processes or broader financial engagements. These are emotional issues on both sides, but we should handle them with restraint,” Dr Salehuddin said. I believe the response was proper, robust and appropriate,” Fouzul Kabir said. That is why such matters should be handled with sensitivity,” Dr Salehuddin said.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): If the world isn’t bringing comfort, your home base probably can today. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Romance could be on the agenda this evening, there’s lots of heat in partner stars. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): When you bring the party to the place, doing good can feel like fun, not work. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Past survival reminds you of what you can survive. Let the past be your foundation, let today be the moment you work within, let the future pull you forward.

Over the last three days, around 1,400 children have received treatment at the Khulna Divisional Children’s Hospital, hospital sources said. Most of the affected children are suffering from fever, cough and cold, cold diarrhoea, abdominal ailments and pneumonia. In the last three days alone, 68 children were admitted with cold-related illnesses, while 127 others were admitted with various diseases. “Because of the cold, children often roam barefoot at home and do not keep blankets on them at night. At the hospital’s outpatient department, dozens of mothers were seen waiting with their children, most of whom were suffering from cold-related illnesses.

DHAKA, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS) – The land ministry has asked divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, upazila nirbahi officers and upazila land officers to verify the quick response (QR) code of land development tax receipts using the ‘Land’ app. Even duplicate or fake QR codes resembling the original QR code of receipts issued by the land service system are being used to deceive the general public, the land ministry letter added. The QR code, located at the bottom of the land tax receipt issued by the land service system, is used to verify the accuracy of the receipt after scanning. Under the circumstances, the land ministry is requesting all the concerned to verify the QR code of the land development tax receipt through ‘land’ app recently launched by the land ministry to overcome the problem and ensuring easy and safe land service for the common people. A message such as “QR code is not correct” will appear when the QR code of a duplicate or fake land tax receipt is verified through the Land app, helping to identify fraudulent receipts.

Kylian Mbappe. Photo: CollectedJEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe will miss the Spanish Super Cup this week as he recovers from a knee sprain. The Spanish giants did not name the French superstar, the team's top goalscorer, in their squad on Tuesday for the tournament in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Xabi Alonso's side face city rivals Atletico Madrid on Thursday in the semi-finals, with Barcelona taking on Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday. The Spanish coach is under pressure after a disappointing start to the season, with his team trailing champions Barca by four points in La Liga.

Conservation must be given priority in St. Martin’s Island master plan: RizwanaEnvironment Adviser speaks as chief guest at high-level strategic consultation workshop on Saint Martin's Island Master Plan. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today stressed giving priority to conservation in the proposed "Master Plan of Saint Martin's Island”. The environment adviser made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a high-level strategic consultation workshop on Saint Martin’s Island Master Plan here. Three power-point presentations were made at the workshop on ‘Overview of the Draft Saint Martin's Island Master Plan’, ‘Collected Feedback on the Draft Saint Martin’s Island Master Plan’ and ‘Biodiversity of Saint Martin Island’. Its aim is to protect the long-term ecological balance of Saint Martin's Island and ensure social and economic resilience.

General Daily Insight for January 06, 2026 Our choices should have purpose. The Sun teams up with harmonious Venus in your 10th House of Purpose, inviting you to showcase leadership through real proof. Taurus April 20 – May 20 Hope abounds throughout the day! Your 7th House of Loved Ones is blessed by today’s Sun-Venus embrace, supporting fair conversations across many kinds of connections. Your 12th House of Closure receives both the Sun and Venus, encouraging gentle retreat through your preferred methods of relaxation.