Top leaders of the Left Democratic Alliance today met with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman at the BNP Chairman's office in Gulshan, Dhaka. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) - Top leaders of the Left Democratic Alliance have met with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today. Prior to the meeting, the Left Democratic Alliance leaders signed the condolence book for BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, placed at the venue. After meeting with Tarique Rahman, Bazlur Rashid Firoz, the Coordinator of the Democratic United Front, said that a new situation and opportunity has arisen in Bangladesh following the 2024 mass uprising. The Democratic United Front has called upon the Acting Chairman of BNP to ensure that anti-liberation forces cannot play any political role in the future.

Photo : BSSBAGERHAT, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) - A tigress trapped in a leaf trap set by deer poachers was rescued on Sunday from the forest near Sharkir Canal in the East Sundarbans. An expert team from Dhaka carried out the rescue operation in the afternoon, said Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Forest Division. Forest officials were immediately dispatched to the site and found the tigress trapped inside the forest. An expert rescue team later arrived from Dhaka and successfully freed the tigress on Sunday afternoon. Following the rescue, the tigress was sent in an iron cage to the Khulna Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center for intensive treatment.

Ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Tulip Siddique. Photo: collageDHAKA, Jan 05, 2026 (BSS) – The testimony in a case against 18 people, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her nieces Tulip Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq, over alleged irregularities in allocating a plot in the RAJUK New Town Project. Investigation officer, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya, today testified at the Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 and was later cross-examined by the defence. After the conclusion of her cross-examination, Judge Robiul Alam brought the testimony to an end and set January 8 for the placing statement by the defence. The ACC filed the case against 16 on January 13, 2025, and filed a charge sheet on March 10 against the 18.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has disclosed an annual income of more than Tk6.75 lakh. His wife, Zubaida Rahman, holds Tk6,654,747 in her name. Asset details show that he owns shares worth Tk500,000 and company shares valued at Tk45 lakh. His investments also include Tk20,000 in savings deposits, Tk9,024,307 in fixed deposit receipts (FDRs) and Tk100,000 in other deposits. The affidavit further notes that Zubaida Rahman’s annual income for the 2025–26 fiscal year is Tk3,560,925.

DHAKA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) - Police arrested 11 individuals in a day-long special operation conducted across different areas under the Rupnagar Police Station in the capital on Monday. Jabed Hossain alias Roni (25), Md. Aminul (29), Hridoy Sarkar (25), Md. Following their arrest, all the accused were produced before the Special Metropolitan Magistrate for further legal proceedings. Police officials said such special drives will continue regularly to curb crime and ensure the safety and security of residents in the Rupnagar area.

Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today 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 said all law enforcement agencies have been instructed to operate with heightened vigilance and close coordination at the field level throughout the election period. The Home Adviser has warned that road blockades causing public suffering will face immediate action, with no concessions.

Vietnam says economy grew 8.0% in 2025 despite US tariffsHANOI, Vietnam, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Vietnam said on Monday its economy grew 8.0 percent last year, thanks to gains in services, construction and exports and despite fresh US tariffs taking effect. "GDP in 2025 is projected to grow significantly at an estimated rate of 8.02 percent compared to the previous year," the General Statistics Office said in a statement.

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HONG KONG, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Hong Kong reclaimed its position as the world's top spot for initial public offerings in 2025 after it raised more than HK$285 billion (US$36.6 billion), a 225 percent increase on-year, accounting giant PwC said Monday. But data from the Hong Kong stock exchange showed it is now processing more than 300 applications. Accounting giants KPMG and Deloitte also marked 2025 as one of the hottest IPO years for Hong Kong. If Beijing continues subsidising Chinese companies to boost domestic demand, it could lead to more Hong Kong listings, PwC's Wong said. But global stock exchanges are also streamlining their listing rules, which would put Hong Kong in a competitive environment, he added.

Two killed in series of Russian attacks on UkraineKYIV, Ukraine, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Russia bombarded Ukraine early Monday, killing two people in the Kyiv region, authorities said on the eve of a diplomatic summit in France. Another pre-dawn attack on the neighbouring city of Fastiv killed one man in his 70s, according to Kyiv regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk. - Trump refutes strike on Putin home -Bombarded daily and losing ground, Ukraine has responded with its own drone attacks launched towards Russian territory, targeting in particular energy infrastructure that funds the war effort. Moscow accuses Kyiv of being insincere in its peace efforts, while Ukraine says Russia is trying to scupper the diplomatic momentum to end the conflict. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, describing it as a "special military operation" to prevent the expansion of NATO.

File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 05, 2026 (BSS) – The Bangladesh authorities have suspended broadcast of all cricket matches of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season scheduled to begin on March 26 next. The decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to drop Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team for the IPL cricket tournament has left the people of Bangladesh saddened, shocked and aggrieved, said an official handout here today. In such situation, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting today issued a letter stating that all matches and events of the IPL will remain suspended in Bangladesh until further notice.

Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele marked their returns to the Paris Saint-Germain starting XI by securing a 2-1 win over Paris FC on Sunday as the French capital enjoyed its first top-flight derby since 1990. Victory for Luis Enrique's second-placed PSG, thanks to goals either side of half-time by Doue and Dembele, took them back to within one point of surprise league leaders Lens. But there were few chances of that streak being broken in the first top-division Paris derby since February 25, 1990, when Racing Paris 1 beat PSG 2-1 at the Parc des Princes home that they shared. With just their third victory of the season, Nantes have climbed out of the relegation zone at the expense of Auxerre, who lost 2-0 at Brest later in the day. Substitute Nadir was dismissed after collecting a pair of yellow cards in the space of two minutes early in the second half.

he United States’ military operation on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, beyond being shocking and deeply disturbing, sets a very dangerous precedent - that certain nations can essentially bypass international norms and regulations. It must be said that no nation, regardless of their strength or global standing, has the right to dismantle the sovereignty of another. The aggression seen against Venezuela is therefore nothing new but the continuation of a pattern - one that undermines the very principles of self‑determination enshrined in the UN Charter. It must be reaffirmed that sovereignty cannot be abducted, and that there must be some modicum of respect for international laws and regulations. To remain silent now is to condone a world where might makes right, regardless of whether these actions have any legal justification.

Inter Milan returned to the top of Serie A after a 3-1 win over Bologna at the San Siro on Sunday. Goals from Piotr Zielinski, Lauaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram lifted Inter one point clear of city rivals AC Milan, who had taken provisional control of the Italian summit with a 1-0 win at Cagliari on Friday. Defending champions Napoli sit third, two points shy of Inter, after a 2-0 win at Lazio earlier Sunday. Polish midfielder Zielinski put Inter ahead in the 39th minute with a left-footed shot from outside the box, the assist provided by Martinez. But La Viola, who celebrate their 100th anniversary next season, are still in troubled waters, three points adrift of safety from relegation.

Indictment hearing in a sedition case against Hasina, 285 others Jan 21Ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 05, 2026 (BSS) – A Dhaka court today set January 21 for holding a hearing on charge framing in a sedition case filed against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 285 others. The case has a total of 286 accused, including Sheikh Hasina, of whom 258 remain absconding. Upon receiving the Home Ministry’s approval, CID ASP Md Enamul Haque filed the sedition case against Sheikh Hasina and 72 others with the court on March 27, 2025. After the investigation, the CID officer submitted a charge sheet on August 14 against 286 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina.