After scrutiny of 46 nomination papers submitted for six parliamentary constituencies in Khulna for the 13th national parliamentary elections, the district returning officer has cancelled 10 nominations, adjourned one and declared 35 nomination papers valid. In Khulna-4 (Rupsha-Terokhada-Dighalia), the nomination paper of independent candidate S M Azmol Hossain was cancelled. In Khulna-6 (Paikgachha-Koyra), the nomination papers of Jatiya Party candidate Md Mostofa Kamal Zahangir and independent candidate Md Asadul Biswas were cancelled. They are BNP candidate Amir Ezaz Khan, CPB candidate Kishor Kumar Roy, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Krisna Nandi, Bangladesh Minority Janata Party candidate Probir Gopal Roy, JSD candidate Proshenjit Dutta, Islami Andolon Bangladesh candidate Md Abu Sayeed, Jatiya Party candidate Md Zahangir Hossain, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish candidate Md Firozul Islam, Bangladesh Islami Front candidate Sunil Shuvo Roy and Bangladesh Somo Adhikar Party candidate Subroto Mondol. Returning Officer A S M Jamshed Khondokar said scrutiny of all nomination papers in the six constituencies has been completed.

The organization has decided to submit this list to the ICT Tribunal and file cases against those concerned. He reiterated that the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement is preparing a list of OCs, SPs and senior commanding officers of police stations under whose jurisdiction students and members of the public were martyred during the July uprising. The organization has decided to submit this list to the ICT Tribunal and initiate legal proceedings against them. This process has already begun today (Sunday)”Rifat Rashid stated that only partial implementation of their first demand has taken place. We want to see whether there is any such example in any civilized state in the world.”The press conference was attended by the chief coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Hasib Al Islam, along with other leaders and activists.

The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances submitted its final report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday. The commission stated that a total of 1,913 complaints were submitted to the commission. Commission members stated that the former prime minister directly ordered multiple disappearances. Chief Adviser Professor Yunus thanked the commission members for their tireless work and resilience. Commission members specially thanked the chief adviser, saying that the work could not have been completed without his strong support and guidance.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested three key suspects in connection with the brutal killing of Khokon Das (50), a local medicine shop owner and mobile financial service agent, in Shariatpur. A press release from the RAB Press Wing identified the arrested as Sohag, Rabbi, and Palash. Shariatpur Superintendent of Police Rawnak Jahan stated that before his death, Khokon Das had identified the attackers by name. When they realized he recognized some of them, they allegedly attempted to burn him alive by pouring petrol over his body. Das was admitted to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital and later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

At the very beginning of the new year, travel costs have increased for passport-holding passengers crossing the India–Bangladesh land route. Since January 1, Indian authorities have imposed passenger user charge (PUC) ranging from 200 to 500 Indian rupees on international passengers travelling through Petrapole, the largest land port between the two countries. Several passengers, including India-bound traveller Abdur Rahim, said that the imposition of user charge at Petrapole has further increased the financial burden on passport-holding passengers. In addition, the Indian government’s newly imposed 200-rupee port charge has become an added burden, particularly for poor, sick, and underprivileged people. Authorities said that the fee has been introduced to further improve and modernise international passenger services at the passenger terminal building.

According to the release, it has been observed that LPG prices at the retail stage have risen sharply beyond normal levels. The discussions revealed that the country currently has sufficient LPG stock, but local retailers have deliberately created an artificial shortage. The ministry expressed hope that these measures would help bring LPG prices back to normal quickly. Asked about the unusually high price, shopkeeper Azad claimed there was a severe shortage of LPG cylinders. Tamiya Sultana, a resident of the Palli Bidyut area, said her LPG cylinder ran out on Wednesday.

File PhotoKHULNA, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) – Law enforcement agencies have rescued three tourists, including the owner of an eco-resort, who were kidnapped for ransom while visiting the Sundarbans from Dakop area in Khulna. The rescue operation, a joint effort by police and the Coast Guard, took place around 8:30 pm today in Banisanta area of Dakop Upazila. The tourists were abducted on Friday afternoon from Kenur Khal near Dhangmari range in the Sundarbans. Two of the victims, Sohel and Jony, are residents of Dhaka, along with the eco-resort owner, Shripati Bachhar. OC Atikur Rahman said the rescue was possible through coordinated operations by the Coast Guard, river police, and local police.

Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today visited a police training workshop at the DMP Training Academy in Rajarbagh, Dhaka. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today visited a police training workshop on skills and capacity building for electoral duties at the DMP Training Academy in Rajarbagh, ahead of the 13th national election. The Home Affairs Adviser provided important guidelines to the field level police members to ensure a smooth, peaceful and orderly election. He said, national election is an important state responsibility, where the role of the police is very significant. He also said that every police member must perform election duties by maintaining the highest standard of responsibility, honesty and professionalism.

File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 04, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Bank (BB) has launched a new Risk-Based Supervision (RBS) framework to restore confidence among depositors after years of sectoral stress. The central bank today moved away from a traditional, compliance-driven oversight model to a system that prioritises supervision based on the specific risk profiles of individual institutions. Through the RBS regime, the central bank will abandon a ‘one-size-fits-all’ model of supervision. Thirteen existing departments have been reorganised into 17 specialised units, including 12 bank supervision departments that will provide targeted oversight based on real-time data. Five additional specialised units have been created to focus on digital banking, data analytics, payment systems and policy formulation.

LOS ANGELES, United States, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - "Avatar: Fire and Ash" has surpassed the $1 billion mark at the global box office, as it kept the top spot in North American theaters with another $40 million in ticket sales, industry estimates showed Sunday. The third installment in director James Cameron's blockbuster series has now earned $306 million in the United States and Canada, and another $777 million abroad, putting the total at $1.08 billion, Exhibitor Relations reported. It is the fourth Cameron film to pass the $1 billion mark, with the first two "Avatar" films and "Titanic." In second place in North America was "Zootopia 2," Disney's feel-good animated film and an Oscar contender, at $19 million. "Marty Supreme," A24's period sports drama starring Timothee Chalamet, finished in fourth place with $12.6 million.

BAGERHAT, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Coast Guard, in coordination with the Navy, Naval Police, Department of Shipping and Bagerhat District Administration, conducted a joint operation today to ensure the safety of tourist vessels in Mongla. Passengers were also briefed on safety measures, while authorities checked whether passenger lists were maintained and vessel capacities adhered to. Vessel captains, masters, and crew were instructed to exercise greater caution and awareness during operations. Illegal structures built to carry additional passengers were removed, and warnings were issued that no vessel would be allowed to operate without proper fitness and a valid license. Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq added that the Coast Guard would continue such operations to ensure risk-free travel and the safety of tourists in the region.

DHAKA, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) - Openers Naim Sheikh and Adam Rossington hit half-centuries as Chattogram Royals thrashed Sylhet Titans by nine wickets in their fourth match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today. The victory looked imminent once Chattogram bowlers put a disciplined show to hold back Sylhet to a meager 126-7. Naim and Rossington made the victory a cake-walk by adding 115 runs for the opening stand as Sylhet raced to the victory with 24 balls to spare, reaching 130-1. Rossington, however, left the ground after ensuring the victory as he was unbeaten on 53 ball-73, hitting eight fours and two sixes. Unable to gauge the pressure, created by Chattogram bowlers, the middle order fell like a pack of cards, leaving Sylhet 34-5.

EC Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah delivered the speech as the chief guest at a view-sharing meeting at the Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner's Office on Sunday evening. Photo: BSSCOX'S BAZAR, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) - Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah today said there would be no scope for exerting any unethical influence in the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad election. The Election Commissioner said strict measures would be taken to prevent Rohingyas from engaging in any election-related activities, adding that the Rohingya camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf would be sealed before and after the polls. Terming the national election crucial, he warned that failure to conduct it properly would have serious consequences, particularly for those responsible for maintaining law and order. Deputy Commissioner and District Returning Officer Md Abdur Mannan chaired the meeting, which was attended by senior officials of law enforcement agencies and the district administration.

MOSCOW, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Three out of four of Moscow's airports shut to air traffic on Sunday after Ukraine launched dozens of drones at the Russian capital, authorities said. The attacks led to multiple flight delays, including at Moscow's second-busiest airport of Vnukovo, Russian media reported. Ukraine, which has itself endured waves of Russian drone strikes throughout the nearly four-year war, did not immediately comment. Each of the airports -- Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky -- partially re-opened less than an hour later, he said in later posts. Russia, which launched a full-scale military assault on its neighbour in 2022, has repeatedly closed its airspace in response to the Ukrainian drone strikes.

Dhaka, Jan. 4 -- The Bangladesh Navy has detained 273 people while they were attempting to travel illegally to Malaysia by sea. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) disclosed the information in a press statement on Sunday, reports bdnews24.com. According to the statement, the navy carried out an operation late Saturday night in the sea adjacent to St Martin's Island, detaining 273 individuals along with a wooden boat as they attempted to leave the country illegally by sea. During initial questioning, all of the detainees said they were travelling to Malaysia through illegal means. The ISPR said suspicious movement of a wooden boat was detected about 30 nautical miles southwest of St Martin's Island by the Bangladesh Navy ship BN...To read the full article or to get the complete feed from this publication, please Contact Us