Australia's Usman Khawaja said Friday he will retire from international cricket after the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney, drawing the curtain on an illustrious 15-year career. It will be an 88th Test for the classy left-hander, culminating his Test career where it began after making his debut at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2011, also against England. "I'm here to announce I will be retiring from all international cricket after the SCG Test match," he said at an early morning press conference at the ground. "I'm a proud Muslim coloured boy from Pakistan who was told that he would never play for the Australian cricket team. Khawaja immigrated to Australia from Islamabad as a child, battling the odds to become the country's first Pakistan-born national player.

A milad and doa mahfil was held at Gulshan Azad Mosque in the capital, seeking eternal peace for the soul of BNP chairperson and three-time former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The special prayer program was organised after Asr prayers on Friday and was attended by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. He was joined on the second floor of the mosque by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman; the wife of his late younger brother Arafat Rahman Koko, Shamila Rahman; and their children. Besides party leaders and activists, a large number of ordinary people also joined the milad. Following the passing of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, a three-day state mourning was observed across the country.

For decades, remittance inflows have been the stabilizer of our economy - propping up reserves, easing current account deficits, and cushioning shocks when other sectors falter. With graduation meaning reduced access to trade preferences and concessional financing, remittances must evolve from a lifeline into a lever for long-term growth. This will not be possible without diversifying the skills of migrant workers, and transitioning away from low-wage labour migration. As LDC graduation approaches, the challenge is to honour the sacrifices made by our migrant workers by turning remittance into a driver of positive economic change, ensuring that the hard-earned billions sent home not only sustain livelihoods but help create a better Bangladesh. Without such planning, renewable sources will remain inadequate and unable to make any significant dent in our reliance on gas and coal for power generation.

Inqilab Mancha on Friday staged a demonstration demanding justice for its slain spokesperson Sharif Osman bin Hadi, with a huge number of protesters in attendance. They brought out a procession from the central mosque premises of Dhaka University after Jumma prayers. Earlier on December 28, the platform announced a four-point demand seeking justice for Shaheed Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. Osman Hadi, also a prospective candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan. On December 20, he was laid to rest beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at Dhaka University.

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DHAKA, Jan 2, 2026 (BSS) - Following the declaration of three days of state mourning over the death of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, National Social Services Day 2026 will be observed tomorrow (Jan 3) with due dignity through various programmes across the country instead of January 2. (Trust in Social Services through Technology and Compassion, Welfare and Equity.) Under the management of the Ministry of Social Welfare, the main programme will begin at 9.30 am at the Madhumati Auditorium of the Department of Social Services with the hoisting of the national flag. Director General of the Department of Social Services Md Saidur Rahman Khan will preside over the event. The first session, titled "Self-Exploration," will focus on the depth of service-oriented work and humanitarian values.

KYIV, Ukraine, Jan 2, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday named military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov as the new head of his office, after his previous top aide resigned in November over a corruption scandal. "I had a meeting with Kyrylo Budanov and offered him the role of the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine," Zelensky said on social media. Formal procedures to appoint him as the president's chief of staff have been launched, Zelensky's adviser Dmytro Lytvyn told journalists. When appointed, Budanov will replace Andriy Yermak, who resigned in November after investigators raided his house as part of a sweeping corruption probe. The four-year conflict, the deadliest on European soil since World War II, has killed tens of thousands and ravaged swathes of Ukrainian territory.

Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 2, 2026 (BSS) – Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has expressed condolences to Bangladesh over the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. In a condolence message sent to President Mohammed Shahabuddin, Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani conveyed deep sympathy following the passing of Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female prime minister. The Amir extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the late leader. Begum Khaleda Zia, who had long suffered from multiple health complications, was airlifted to London last year for emergency medical treatment after the Qatari Amir arranged a special air ambulance to transport her from Dhaka.

Adviser Sharmeen S. Murshid visited BNP's Gulshan office and signed the condolence book to pay tribute to BNP Chairperson and three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Photo : PIDDHAKA, Jan 2, 2026 (BSS) - Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S. Murshid on Thursday paid a courtesy call on BNP’s acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and expressed profound sorrow at the death of Begum Khaleda Zia. Later, she visited Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) Gulshan office and signed the condolence book to pay tribute to BNP Chairperson and three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. After signing the condolence book, she meet the party leaders and activists present at the BNP party office. She said the contribution of Begum Khaleda Zia to the country’s politics will be remembered forever.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 2, 2026 (BSS) - Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have expressed condolences to Bangladesh over the death of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, praying for divine mercy and extending sympathies to her bereaved family. The King also conveyed heartfelt condolences to the family members of Begum Khaleda Zia. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a similar message of condolence. Begum Khaleda Zia, who breathed her last on December 30, 2025 at the age of 80, was laid to eternal rest with full state honor beside her husband Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman's grave at Zia Udyan in the capital on December 31, 2025.

Photo : BSSDHAKA, Jan 2, 2025 (BSS) - The leaders of 1990's DUCSU and All-Party Student Alliance today paid tributes to the grave of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Talking to media, Aman Ullah Aman said, "We came here to pay tribute to the uncompromising leader Khaleda Zia. "The sacrifice and role of Khaleda Zia against the autocrat and fascists cannot be expressed in words. Her funeral proved what she was for the country," Aman Ullah said. BNP announced seven-day mourning following the demise of the party's chairman Begum Khaleda Zia.

Trawler with 300 tons of salt sinks in Meghna following collisionPhoto : BSSBHOLA, Jan 2, 2026 (BSS) - A trawler carrying 300 tons of salt sank today in the Meghna River near the Tulatuli area of Bhola Sadar after being struck by a cargo ship. While all seven people on board were rescued alive, the entire shipment of salt dissolved into the river water. The trawler, identified as MV Diloya-3, was route from Kutubdia in Cox’s Bazar to Jailkhana Ghat in Khulna. During this time, a cargo ship collided with the trawler, causing it to take on water. The seven individuals on board managed to reach the riverbank using a small boat attached to the trawler.

Photo : BSSBOGURA, Jan 2, 2025 (BSS) - A special prayer was held today in the district seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Organized by the Bogura District BNP as part of a central party programme, the event took place at the Baitur Rahman Central Mosque following the Jummah prayers. Rezaul Karim Badsha, the President of Bogura District BNP. Among the local leaders District BNP’s Acting General Secretary and former MP Mosharraf Hossain, Adviser Prof. Dr. Shah Md. The prayer session also saw significant participation from the heads of various associate organizations, including Juba Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Tanti Dal, Krishak Dal, and Chhatra Dal.

PATUAKHALI, Jan 2, 2026 (BSS) - One person was killed and three others injured in a road accident at Dashmina upazila of the district this morning. The accident occurred around 8:30am on the Dashmina-Galachipa road at a place known as Korder Kola. The deceased was identified as Palash Fakir, 40, son of Md Nizam Uddin Fakir of Bashbaria village under Bashbaria union of the upazila. The injured are Md Ibrahim, 25, son of Shah Alam Pyada of Gachhani village; Md Russell Mridha, 35, son of late Badsha Mridha of Bashbaria village; and Md Shah Alam Pyada, 60, son of late Kanchan Ali Pyada of Gachhani village. Locals rescued the injured in critical condition and took them to Dashmina Upazila Health Complex, where the on-duty physician declared tomtom driver Palash Fakir dead.