Photo : BSSDHAKA, Jan 05, 2026 (BSS) - Food and Land Adviser today urged the countrymen to exercise their voting rights in the upcoming national parliament election and referendum in a festive atmosphere. So I’m urging all of you to cast your vote in a festive atmosphere,” he said while inaugurating the activities of the mobile ‘Voter Gari’ (Vote Car) at the Cumilla Town Hall premises. He urged voters to cast their votes and take part in the referendum, which will be held on the same day, in a festive atmosphere. Organized under the supervision of the District Information Office, the event welcomed visitors with musical performances, performed by artists of the Super Caravan. Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md Reza Hasan, Additional Superintendent of Police Rashedul Haque Chowdhury, officials of the District Information Office and District Election Office, among others, were present at the event.

A condolence message from Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the passing of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was formally handed over to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan Office. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) – A condolence message of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the death of three-time former Prime Minister, symbol of the democratic movement, and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has been formally handed over to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. Chief Adviser’s Private Secretary Shazeeb M Khairul Islam today handed over the condolence message to the BNP acting chairman at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan Office in the city, according to Chief Adviser’s Press Wing this afternoon. In his message, head of the interim government Prof Yunus expressed profound shock and deep grief at the death of Begum Khaleda Zia and prayed for the eternal peace of her departed soul. The Chief Adviser also conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members, party leaders, activists and supporters.

Photo: BSSMYMENSINGH, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) - A book of condolence has been opened at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) in memory of former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The condolence book was opened at 10.00 am today at the initiative of the Bangladesh Agricultural University Sonali Dal. It has been placed in the corridor adjacent to the university's administrative building, allowing teachers, students, officials, and employees to pay their respects by signing the book. Vice-Chancellor of BAU Professor Dr. AK Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, BNP-nominated candidate for Mymensingh-4 (Sadar) constituency Abu Wahab Akand Wahid, along with teachers, officials and employees of the university, were present at the opening ceremony and signed the condolence book. According to the organizers, the condolence book will remain open for public signatures in front of the administrative building from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm every day for the next three days.

Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday reaffirmed the interim government's firm commitment to ensuring peace, public order, and a secure environment ahead of the upcoming 13th national elections. "We are firmly committed to maintaining peace and public order. The highest priority has been given to keeping the law and order situation stable and undisrupted, particularly in view of the forthcoming elections," he said. He made the remarks at a press briefing following the 19th meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Law and Order at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Bangladesh Secretariat here. The home adviser has warned that road blockades causing public suffering will face immediate action, with no concessions.

The BUFT National Cultural Fest 2026, presented by Twelve Clothing, was held at BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology on Monday. The day-long event was organised by the university’s Cultural Club, celebrating youth creativity, inter-university cultural exchange and campus life. A total of 18 awards were presented in six categories — music, dance, drama, fine arts, creative writing and recitation. The University of Dhaka emerged champion in both drama and creative writing, and Shanto-Mariam University won in the fine arts category. The festival featured a range of performances at the university’s open stage, including music, drama, poetry, fine arts and hip-hop.

France on Monday expressed its “solidarity” with Denmark following US President Donald Trump’s fresh threats to take over the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland. “Borders cannot be changed by force,” French foreign ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux told television channel TF1. Trump rattled European leaders by attacking Caracas and grabbing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who is now being detained in New York. Washington’s military intervention in Venezuela has reignited fears for Greenland, which Trump has said he wants to annex, given its strategic location in the Arctic. The French foreign ministry spokesman said that “international law had not been respected” during the US intervention in Venezuela.

The probe report submission date in a case filed over the 2012 killing of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi has been deferred for the 123rd time. A Dhaka court on Monday extended the date till February 9 for submitting the probe report. Investigating officer and PBI Additional Superintendent of Police Md Azizul Haque failed to submit the report to the court, prompting the magistrate to reschedule the date. Nousher Ali Roman, Runi’s brother, filed a case at Sher-e-Bangla police station the following day in connection with the murders. The seven other suspects are Rafiqul Islam, Bakul Mia, Abu Syed, Mintu alias Baggira Mintu alias Masum Mintu, Quamrul Hasan alias Arun, security guard Enam Ahmed alias Humayun Kabir and Palash Rudra Pal.

The chargesheet in the murder case of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi will be submitted by January 7, said Nasimul Ghani, senior secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday. The home secretary said this at a press briefing held at the Secretariat. “The chargesheet in Hadi murder case will definitely be submitted by January 7. The final chargesheet will be submitted after reviewing,” he said. Later, he was airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18.

The Dhaka University unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, formed its new committee for 2026 on Monday, appointing Mohammad Mohiuddin Khan as president and Ashiqur Rahman as secretary. Central unit Chhatra Shibir President Nurul Islam made the announcement as Mohiuddin secured the highest number of votes. Besides, Md Sazzad Hossain Khan was made the organising secretary of the unit. The election and nominations were finalised through a meeting held at the Shaheed Mahbubur Rahman Auditorium on the DU campus at 8am. Based on consultations with members, the newly elected president later nominated Ashiqur Rahman as secretary and Md Sazzad Hossain Khan as organising secretary for the 2026 session.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday said that the country’s existence could not be imagined without 1971. “The Liberation War is the foundation of Bangladesh as a state and its politics. Tarique Rahman said: “The new political reality and possibilities that have emerged in the country after the recent uprising must be utilized. Without the Liberation War, Bangladesh's existence is not possible. “We must move forward by upholding the aspirations of the '90 mass uprising and the '24 mass uprising,” Firoz said as Tarique Rahman was saying.

United said in a statement that the Portuguese had left his role, with the club's leadership having "reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change". The club added: "This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish." United are presently sixth in the table after a 1-1 draw at Leeds on Sunday. The 40-year-old had alluded to frustration behind the scenes in the build-up to the match as the United boss refused to clarify his recent comments about the club's transfer plans. Amorim was appointed in November 2024 and led the team to the Europa League final in Bilbao in May, losing to Tottenham Hotspur, but they finished 15th in the Premier League last season.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Monday ordered television channels to suspend the broadcast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with immediate effect. The directive was given in an official letter to television channels on Monday. The decision follows the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) excluding Bangladesh star cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the upcoming IPL season, said the letter. In view of the situation, the ministry has instructed the chief executives of all television channels to immediately stop the broadcast of all IPL matches and related programmes until further notice. Bangladesh team has four matches scheduled in India, three are at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and one is at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The bodies of two shipbreaking yard workers have been recovered from a coastal area in Chattogram’s Sitakunda Upazila. Fire Service personnel found the bodies around 8:30am on Monday near the Kumira Ferry Jetty. Police said they worked at the KR Ship Recycling Yard in Kumira. He said four workers pursued them in a boat, and two later died after being attacked. The Fire Service said Saiful’s body showed severe injuries consistent with wounds caused by sharp weapons.

Bangladesh has said it is concerned about recent developments in Venezuela following a US military operation that led to the capture of the country's President Nicolas Maduro. He is due to appear before a federal court in New York on Monday on charges linked to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism, Reuters reports. He warned that further military action could follow if Venezuela does not cooperate with US demands to open its oil industry and curb drug trafficking. The detention of Maduro has drawn international concern and raised questions about the legality of seizing a sitting foreign head of state. Maduro, 63, has denied the charges against him, which were first filed in 2020 and accuse him of supporting major drug trafficking groups.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) – Bangladesh today expressed concern over the recent developments in Venezuela, reaffirming that diplomacy and dialogue should prevail in resolving disputes in line with the UN Charter and international law. “Bangladesh notes with concern the recent developments in Venezuela,” the foreign affairs ministry said in a press release issued here today. “Bangladesh believes that diplomacy and dialogue should prevail to solve all disputes between countries and reaffirms steadfast commitment to the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law,” read the release.