Prayers held at DU Jagannath Hall in memory of Khaleda ZiaDhaka University Jagannath Hall hosts interfaith prayer this evening, honoring former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s memory. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - A prayer event was held this evening at Dhaka University Jagannath Hall in memory of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. A brief discussion on the life and achievements of Begum Khaleda Zia was held later with Jagannath Hall Provost Debashish Paul in the chair. Dr. Asim Kumar Das and Assistant Professor Sanjay Dey Ripon delivered speeches praying for Khaleda Zia's eternal peace. While reminiscing about Begum Zia's contributions, Debashish Paul said, "Through her unwavering dedication, Khaleda Zia restored Bangladeshi nationalism and democracy."

During the operations, they recovered a total of 3.61 lakh meters of illegal fishing nets, 2,715 kg of fish and 1,550 kg of jellied shrimps were seized, while 379 bushes used for illegal fishing activities were destroyed from rivers, said a press release of the force. Legal action was also taken against 67 bulkheads which were produced before the Naval Court for failing to carry valid documents. According to official sources, 165 individuals were arrested during the eight-day operation. The River Police stated that all seized illegal nets and jellied shrimps were destroyed in accordance with the law, while the recovered fish were distributed to orphanages. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to continuing such operations to safeguard aquatic resources, enforce maritime laws, and maintain security on the nation’s waterways.

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BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. File photoDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) – The Islamic Foundation, an organization under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, has said that special prayers will be offered in all mosques across the country on Friday (tomorrow) for former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. In an official letter issued on Tuesday by the Foundation’s Coordination Division and signed by its Director Md Mohiuddin, stated that as part of the state mourning programme, the national flag will be hoisted at half-mast for three days in all government, semi-government, autonomous bodies , educational institutions, as well as public and private buildings, and Bangladesh missions abroad. The letter added that special prayers seeking eternal peace of the departed soul of Begum Khaleda Zia will be held after Jummah prayer on Friday (January 2) in all mosques throughout the country. The Islamic Foundation also requested its divisional and district offices to ensure that the national flag is hoisted at half-mast for three days as state mourning and to take all necessary measures to organize the special prayers in line with the directive.

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A heavy, unfamiliar stillness has settled over “Feroza” in Dhaka’s Gulshan, the house where former prime minister Khaleda Zia spent the last 13 years of her life. Even the home next door, once alive with visitors and activity, now feels drained of sound. About one and a half months ago, the BNP chairperson was taken from Feroza to Evercare Hospital for treatment. The sentry posts are unchanged, as if the house is still waiting for her return. Khaleda moved to Feroza after being evicted from her Dhaka Cantonment home on Nov 13, 2010, during the Awami League’s tenure.

Later, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed the media about the meeting at the Foreign Service Academy here this afternoon. About tax reduction for mobile phone, Shafiqul Alam said the customs duty on imported mobile phones has been reduced from 25 percent to 10 percent. For locally manufactured mobile phones, he said, the customs duty, which was previously 10 percent, has been cut to 5 percent. About the Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, the press secretary said some complaints have been raised regarding certain provisions of the recently enacted labour law. Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad were present at the briefing.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has appointed is Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan as chairman and Senior Joint General Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi as member secretary of its Central Election Steering Committee (CESC) to oversee the 13th National Parliament Election–2026. The committee has been formed with the coordination of 41 leaders from across the party, including Begum Selima Rahman and Shamsuzzaman Dudu as vice chairmen, and Md Ismail Jabiullah as chief coordinator, according to a post on BNP verified Facebook account. Other members include Dr Ziauddin Haider, Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, Barrister Giasuddin Rimon and Major General (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar. All concerned party members were requested to provide full support to the committee in carrying out its responsibilities.

Faridpur observes 123rd birth anniversary of poet Jasimuddin with tributes, discussions, and cultural programmes. Photo : BSSFARIDPUR, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - The 123rd birth anniversary of eminent poet Jasimuddin, popularly known as Palli Kabi, was observed today in Faridpur with various programmes. Another programme was held at the poet's mausoleum at Ambikapur, attended by Faridpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Kamrul Hasan Mollah, Superintendent of Police Md. In his poetry, Jasimuddin skillfully portrayed the joys and sorrows of rural people in simple and lucid language. He studied at Faridpur Welfare School and later at Faridpur Zilla School, passing the Entrance Examination in 1921.

Four policemen were injured in an attack by a group of drug peddlers during an anti-narcotics drive in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur district on Thursday. Two of the injured were identified as sub-inspectors- Arup Kumar Biswas and Mohammad Masud Rana. After news of the arrests spread, local drug peddlers and their associates equipped with locally-made weapons attacked the police team and hurled brick chips and stones, leaving four policemen injured. The injured were taken to a local hospital. SI Arup Kumar also filed a case with Sreepur Police Station against 24 identified people and 80-90 unidentified people.

Begum Khaleda Zia was laid to rest with full state honours on Tuesday afternoon beside the grave of her husband, president Ziaur Rahman. Sultan Mahmud, a Jubo Dal activist from Kurigram, said: “As long as Bangladesh exists, Begum Khaleda Zia will never be forgotten. I thank Allah for that.”Saiful Alam, a BNP activist from Badda, recalled how often Khaleda Zia herself visited the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. I came to visit our leader’s grave. Begum Khaleda Zia passed away early Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman met BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday evening and expressed condolences over the death of his mother and former prime minister Khaleda Zia. The Jamaat chief came to the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office around 7pm, a day after Khaleda Zia’s burial. Later, he met Tarique Rahman at his chamber in the presence of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed and AZM Zahid Hossain. During the meeting, the Jamaat chief held a brief discussion with Tarique Rahman and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved family. On Wednesday, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, along with other senior party leaders, also attended the namaz-e-janaza of the late BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Amir and Rangpur-2 candidate ATM Azharul Islam said Thursday that there is still an opportunity to discuss seat-sharing among the 10-party alliance participating in the upcoming election. “Among the 10 parties, we can still discuss all matters, including seat-sharing. Hopefully, everything will be settled before the nomination papers are withdrawn,” he told reporters while taking part in the nomination paper verification process at the Rangpur deputy commissioner’s office. He added that nomination papers have been submitted according to decisions made up to Monday, and discussions will continue until the withdrawal deadline. Addressing the government and the Election Commission, Azhar said: “The law-and-order situation has still not been brought under control.

On the very first morning of the new year, Siam Ahmed didn’t offer wishes, he issued a warning. “Hold your seat tight in the cinema hall,” the star told fans, viewers and critics alike, hinting that 2026 will be anything but calm. What greater achievement can there be for an actor?”Last year, Siam’s characters did not just appear — they stayed. Posters were made, memes flooded timelines, video mashups and background scores emerged around characters that had barely lived on screen. He believes an actor’s duty is to constantly challenge himself, to arrive on screen with unfamiliar shades and unfamiliar stories.