114 killed in week of attacks in Sudan's Darfur: medical sourcesCollected photoPORT SUDAN, Sudan, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Attacks by Sudan's army and its paramilitary foes on two Darfur towns over the past week have killed 114 people, medical sources told AFP Sunday. Drone strikes attributed to the army on the town of Al-Zuruq, controlled by their rivals the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), killed 51 civilians on Saturday, a medical source at Al-Zuruq Hospital told AFP. Five days of RSF attacks on the town of Kernoi, 100 kilometres (62 miles) west, last week killed 63 civilians and wounded 17 more, another medical source at the local hospital told AFP.

The government has withdrawn its decision to cut interest rates on some national savings certificates. As a result, investors will receive the same returns as before for the first six months of this year, January through June, the Internal Resources Division Secretary Abdur Rahman Khan said on Sunday. “It appears the previous rates have been maintained in the official notification. If not, it will happen shortly,” he added.

RAB Director General (DG) and Additional IGP AKM Shahidur Rahman at a press conference. Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 4, 2025 (BSS) – Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General (DG) and Additional IGP AKM Shahidur Rahman today said his force is working with utmost sincerity and dedication to ensure the upcoming national elections are free, fair, impartial and festive. “The elite force is also maintaining relentless efforts to uphold overall law and order across the country. He made the remarks at a press conference held at the RAB Media Center in Karwan Bazar. In addition, the RAB chief said operations are continuing to arrest those involved in attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) – A seminar titled “FRC and Economic Governance in Bangladesh” was held today in the capital highlighting the role of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) in strengthening economic governance in the country. Chairman of the FRC Dr. Md. Sazzad Hossain Bhuiyan, presented the keynote paper at the seminar held at the Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair. Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder and officials from the Finance Division and the FRC attended the event. He directed both the Finance Division and the FRC to take expeditious steps to implement the Council’s key action plans, said a Finance Ministry press release.

File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) - The Jagannath University (JnU) authorities have suspended all classes and examinations scheduled for January 6 as the JnU Central Students' Union (JnUCSU) will be held on that day. However, all university offices will remain open as usual. According to the notification, classes and examinations will remain closed on January 6 to facilitate smooth conduct of the election, while offices will function. The university authorities requested teachers, officials, employees and others not to bring private vehicles to the campus on the day. Later, the university authorities rescheduled the election for January 6.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia -File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) – The leadership of the United Arab Emirates has expressed profound sorrow over the death of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, conveying condolences to Bangladesh and praying for eternal peace for the BNP chairperson. The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, expressed deep sorrow and profound grief at the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, said a press release issued by the UAE embassy here today. Both leaders conveyed their sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy on this great loss, praying to Almighty Allah to bestow His abundant mercy and forgiveness upon her, grant her a place in His eternal Paradise, and give patience and comfort to her family, relatives, and loved ones. Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan also expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of Begum Khaleda Zia. In a separate condolence message addressed to President of Bangladesh Mohammed Shahabuddin, the United Arab Emirates conveyed its deepest sympathies on the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, said the release.

The Election Commission (EC) has directed the Power Division to provide electricity to 325 polling stations nationwide ahead of the national election, as currently, they have no power. “There is no electricity connection at 325 polling stations among the 42,761 polling stations installed on the occasion of the referendum and the 13th parliamentary election. The power connection at the 325 polling stations is required,” said a letter sent by the Election Commission to the senior secretary of the Power Division on Sunday. The EC earlier released the final list of a total of 42,761 polling stations across the country for the upcoming national election and the referendum. The Election Commission on December 12 last declared the schedule to arrange the 13th national election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026.

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on Sunday adjusted upward the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) saying from now on the widely used 12 kilogram LPG cylinder would be sold to consumers at Tk1,306 instead of Tk1,253. “The newly fixed price of LPG is Tk1,306, which will be effective from Sunday at 6pm and all licensees of LPG marketing companies will implement the price,” BERC chairman Jalal Ahmed told a media announcement. The BERC also re-fixed auto gas price at Tk59.80 per litre, which was Tk57.32 in December. The BERC said they readjusted the LPG price as per the Saudi Contract Price (Saudi CP) which was $520 and $525 per ton of the Propane and Butane. Considering the Propane and Butane ratio 35:65 average, Saudi CP per tonne $521.75, the BERC re-fixed the price of LPG and auto gas for January 2025.

Bangladesh Navy has foiled a major human trafficking attempt in the Bay of Bengal, arresting 273 people who were attempting to travel illegally to Malaysia by sea. The operation was carried out late Saturday night based on intelligence information by naval ship BNS Swadhinata, which was patrolling waters near Saint Martin’s Island. According to the Navy, the vessel detected suspicious movement of a wooden boat about 30 nautical miles southwest of Saint Martin’s Island. During the operation, the Navy detained 273 individuals, including 10 members of a suspected trafficking syndicate. “The timely and effective action of the Bangladesh Navy has successfully thwarted a large-scale human trafficking operation,” a Navy statement said on Sunday.

In addition, the nomination of independent candidate Jahangir Alam Molla, former vice-president of the district BNP, has also been cancelled. The decisions were taken during the scrutiny of nomination papers held on Sunday from 10am to 1pm at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Over the past two days, nomination papers of 25 candidates across the district’s six constituencies have been cancelled. In the same constituency, the nomination of Democratic Party candidate Dilwar Hossain Bhuiyan was cancelled due to complications with the signature of the party chief. In Kishoreganj-1 (Sadar–Hossainpur) constituency, the nomination papers of six candidates—including three top district BNP leaders contesting as independents—were cancelled.

The scrutiny of nomination papers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the national referendum, scheduled to be held on February 12, has been completed. Of the 238 nomination papers submitted for 20 parliamentary constituencies in Dhaka district, returning officers have declared 161 as valid. The nomination papers of 81 candidates were cancelled due to a lack of required documents and information. As a result, 161 nominations were declared valid, 81 were rejected, and the candidacy of one applicant was suspended. Candidates whose nominations have been cancelled may appeal the returning officer’s decision between Monday and Friday.

Of the registered voters, 11,22,287 are men and 184,806 are women. District-wise, Comilla topped the list with 99,915 registered voters, followed by Dhaka with 93,465 and Chittagong with 83,759. Meanwhile, for the 13th national election and the referendum, postal ballots have been sent to 581,689 expatriate voters across 75 countries worldwide over the last 14 days. Among them, the highest numbers of 187,443 ballots were sent to expatriate voters in Saudi Arabia. For registration, expatriate voters must use a mobile number of the respective country.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has stepped up efforts to arrest the two prime suspects directly linked to the killing of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The suspects, identified as shooter Faisal and his motorcycle rider Alamgir, remain at large. “We have deployed our full strength to arrest the key suspects, Faisal and Alamgir. “In addition to other security forces, RAB will be deployed during the election. The police and Ansar will secure polling centres, while the BGB, army, and RAB will operate as mobile striking forces.

Traffic in the capital’s Karwan Bazar returned to normal on Sunday afternoon after mobile phone traders withdrew their blockade following hours of clashes with law enforcement agencies. Police later launched operations to clear the road, with members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the army joining the effort. However, a section of traders returned to the road at noon, prompting the use of water cannons. By around 2pm, the traders finally left the road, and traffic gradually resumed, becoming normal by about 2:30pm. The prolonged blockade caused severe disruption, leaving commuters stranded and triggering traffic congestion in several parts of the city, including Rampura, Mohakhali and Uttara.

The delegation was led by Professor Takatoshi Nakamura, an award-winning information security scientist, MIT-based researcher and inventor of Complete Cipher Technology, which is considered a next-generation, quantum-proof security innovation. The meeting focused on enhancing quantum-proof national information security, safeguarding government communications and digital platforms, and exploring the development of community-level digital cash systems. Professor Yunus, along with Md Daud Ali and Professor Ashir Ahmed, underscored the importance of deepening cooperation in technology, research and trade. Also present at the meeting were Apple Mahmud, strategic diplomate and chairman of Cipher Core Ltd, and engineer Mahi Islam, managing director. The delegation has since held follow-up talks with the governor of Bangladesh Bank on issues related to digital financing and financial information security.