The nomination process of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia for the Bogra-7 constituency has been declared closed following her death. District Returning Officer Md Taufiqur Rahman announced the decision after scrutiny of nomination papers around 11:00 am on Saturday. He said that as Begum Khaleda Zia has passed away, no further action can be taken regarding her nomination paper, and the matter has therefore been settled. During the scrutiny, the nomination of one out of four candidates in the Bogra-7 constituency was cancelled. As a result, three candidates have been declared valid for the Bogra-7 seat.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has expressed his deepest condolences to Swiss Confederation President Guy Parmelin following a devastating fire at a bar in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana that killed at least 40 people and injured 119 others, one of the deadliest tragedies in Switzerland’s history. “I am deeply saddened to learn about the tragic fire incident at a ski resort in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, that caused the loss of many invaluable lives,” Prof Yunus said in a message of condolences to the Swiss President. Prof Yunus said their thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims during this period of immense grief and shock. We also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the message shared by the Chief Adviser’s press wing reads. Investigators said Friday that they believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited a fatal fire at the Swiss ski resort when they came too close to the ceiling of a bar crowded with New Year’s Eve revellers.

President Donald Trump said Saturday that US forces had captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro after launching a “large scale strike” on the South American country. “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” Trump said on Truth Social. “A lot of good planning and lot of great, great troops and great people,” the paper quoted Trump as saying. Trump’s stunning announcement follows months of steadily mounting US military and economic pressure on leftist leader Maduro and his country’s oil-export-dependent economy. Trump told reporters on Monday that the United States had hit and destroyed a docking area for alleged Venezuelan drug boats, in what was the first known strike on Venezuelan soil of the campaign.

In a post on social media platform X, Petro outlined what he described as a series of bombardments and disruptions affecting military, government and infrastructure sites across Venezuela. Petro further alleged that Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s main military complex, was bombed, and that an airport in El Hatillo came under attack. In addition, Petro said a defence plan was activated at Miraflores, the presidential palace in Caracas, following the reported incidents. Among the other locations listed was a military helicopter base in Higuerote, which Petro said was disabled and bombed. There was no immediate response or confirmation from the Venezuelan government or military regarding the reported attacks.

Saudi Arabia on Saturday called for dialogue between factions in southern Yemen amid clashes in resource-rich Hadramawt province, where the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) seized vast swathes of territory in recent weeks. The Saudis and Emiratis have for years supported rival factions in Yemen’s fractured government territories. According to an AFP journalist, gunfire rocked the Yemeni city of Mukalla, the capital of Hadramawt province, on Saturday morning. Residents in the province’s city of Seiyun, where coalition strikes on Friday targeted the airport and a military base, also said they heard gunfire and clashes early on Saturday. But after a brutal, decade-long civil war, the Houthis remain in place while the Saudi and Emirati-backed factions attack each other in the south.

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan spoke at a training workshop on ‘Election-Time Journalism’, organized by the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) at Sylhet Press Club today. She made the remarks while inaugurating a training workshop on ‘Election-Time Journalism’, organized by the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) at Sylhet Press Club here. Sylhet Press Club General Secretary Mohammad Sirajul Islam moderated the programme. The Information Adviser said the upcoming election is taking place after the fall of nearly 16 years of autocratic rule. Information Secretary Mahbuba Farzana said efforts would be made to ensure that people could exercise their voting rights freely and with informed understanding.

DHAKA, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS) - Rahmatganj Muslim and Friends Society split point with ten men Bangladesh Police Football Club when their match ended in a 1-1 goal draw in the ninth or last round of the first phase of Bangladesh Football League (BFL) held at Shaheed Barkat Stadium in Gazipur today (Saturday). The early breakthrough came for Rahmatganj when Gambian midfielder King Solomon scored the first goal in the 16th minute converting a spot kick. Brazilian forward Paulo Henrique however restored the parity for Police in the 45th minute of the match. After the resumption, both the teams got several scoring chances to increase the margin but failed to score any in the remaining proceeding and eventually both had to leave the field sharing one point. With the day’s outcome, the traditional old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj finished the first phase standing at third position in the league table with 15 points from nine matches while Police FC is closely following Rahmatganj with 14 points playing the same number of matches.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Argentine President Javier Milei on Friday signed into law a so-called "tax innocence" bill, which aims to encourage people to bank dollars stashed under mattresses or in offshore accounts by forgiving a degree of tax evasion. Over years of high inflation and currency controls, Argentines traded their battered pesos for dollars, which they often hoarded at home, in cash. The government estimates Argentines are sitting on some $251 billion in what are commonly called "mattress dollars" -- six times the Central Bank's reserves which stood at $41 billion on December 30. Opposition leaders, however, warned that the initiative would turn Argentina into a money laundering mecca. The funds were frozen in special accounts until Friday, when owners gained the right to freely dispose of them.

DHAKA, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS) - The 11th edition of Chobi Mela International Festival of Photography 2026, one of Asia's leading photography festivals, will open on January 16 here in the city. Reflecting on the festival's journey, Dr Shahidul Alam said Chobi Mela was founded on resilience and commitment. Festival director ASM Rezaur Rahman said the 11th edition is being organised on a full scale under the theme 'Punoh' (Re:), meaning again, anew or differently. "At a time when the world is searching for new beginnings, we have reimagined Chobi Mela with that spirit," he said. In addition, "Dheu", an exhibition by nine artists supported through the Chobi Mela Fellowship, will be on display.

Power handover to elected govt. as soon as possible: TouhidForeign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain spoke to journalists after an exchange meeting with officials of various government offices and departments at the Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner’s conference room. Photo: BSSMUNSHIGANJ, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS) – The interim government aims to hand over state power to the elected government as soon as possible after the February 12 election, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said today, dismissing any notion of external pressure over the polls. The adviser made the remarks while replying to journalists after an exchange meeting with officials of various government offices and departments at the Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner’s conference room. Responding to a question on justice, Touhid Hossain said there is no scope for haste in the judicial process.

': desperate search for the missing after Swiss fireCRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland, Jan 2, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Teenagers Eleonore and Elisa started the year with a frantic search for friends who have been missing since a deadly fire tore through a bar in a neighbouring Swiss town. Police estimate around 40 people have been killed and about 115 injured, many of them young visitors to the Swiss Alps. More than 30 victims were taken to hospitals with specialised burns units in Zurich and Lausanne, and six were taken to Geneva, according to a Swiss news agency. There is no official estimate of the missing or headcount from Le Constellation bar that night. I'm going to wake up tomorrow and get all my loved ones back who sadly died in this incident," he said.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus -File photoDHAKA, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed deep condolences to the President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin over the loss of lives in a fire incident at a ski resort in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. "I am deeply saddened to learn about the tragic fire incident at a ski resort in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, that caused the loss of many invaluable lives," he wrote in a message to the Swiss Confederation President on Friday. The Chief Adviser's Press Wing released the message here this afternoon. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims during this period of immense grief and shock. "We also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," Prof Yunus also said, adding, "Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest considerations".

Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Jan 3, 2025 (BSS) - Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited will hold a milad and doa mahfil on Monday seeking eternal peace of the departed soul of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The milad and doa mahfil will be held at the club premises at 3 pm. The Mohammedan Sporting Club in a press release today requested its directors, donators, permanent members, sports organizers, sportsmen and sports lovers to attend the milad and doa mahfil. Khaleda Zia, regarded as the uncompromising leader, passed away on December 30 last while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the city.

Collected photo of Nicolas MaduroWEST PALM BEACH, United States, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump said Saturday that US forces had captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro after launching a "large scale strike" on the South American country. "The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country," Trump said on Truth Social. Trump's stunning announcement follows months of steadily mounting US military and economic pressure on leftist leader Maduro and his country's oil-export-dependent economy. Trump's claim of Maduro's capture comes two days after Maduro attempted to engage with Trump, offering cooperation on fighting drug trafficking and illegal migration. Trump told reporters on Monday that the United States had hit and destroyed a docking area for alleged Venezuelan drug boats, in what was the first known strike on Venezuelan soil of the campaign.

A colorful rally was held at the Upazila Parishad Auditorium, Bagerhat today on the occasion of National Social Service Day. Photo: BSSBAGERHAT, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS) - Keeping in mind the slogan "Technology and compassion, trust in welfare and equality today in social service", a colorful rally and discussion meeting was jointly organized by the Chitalmari Upazila Administration and Upazila Social Service Office of Bagerhat on the occasion of National Social Service Day. The discussion meeting was held at the Upazila Parishad Auditorium at 11 am today under the chairmanship of Upazila Social Service officer Ranjan Halder (acting). Freedom fighters, officials of various government departments, various beneficiaries, journalists of news and print media and officials of the Social Service office were present at the program. The participants in the discussion meeting discussed the role of government and private sector in building a welfare state, the effectiveness of social service to ensure social security, and the possibilities and challenges.