Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Thursday said the interim government expects a record voter turnout in the upcoming election, with full security and a free, fair, and inclusive process. “There has been no clash, no violence, and the number of candidates is also sufficient. On average, more than eight candidates are participating per constituency, and over 50 political parties have nominated candidates for the election,” he said. He said a strong turnout is anticipated, noting that about 700,000 overseas Bangladeshis will vote by postal ballot for the first time. “When the foreign minister of Nepal spoke with the principal adviser yesterday, he inquired about how we are implementing it.

Moulvibazar district, surrounded by haors, hills and tea gardens, is currently experiencing a severe cold wave, with tea workers and low-income labourers bearing the brunt of the harsh winter. Earlier, temperatures stood at 12.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday (December 31) and 14.6 degrees Celsius on both Tuesday and Monday. Despite the biting cold, tea workers and daily wage labourers are forced to leave for work early in the morning, often without adequate warm clothing. Rural residents are also enduring extreme hardship as the cold wave continues. Anisur Rahman, officer-in-charge of the Srimangal Meteorological Observatory, said a mild cold wave is currently sweeping the region.

A lawyer was beaten to death after his private car hit a motorcycle in the Bashundhara Residential Area of the capital on Wednesday night. The victim, Naeem Kibria 35, was a lawyer at the Pabna District Judge’s Court. According to Vatara Police Station Sub-Inspector Ariful Islam, the incident occurred around 10:00 p.m. when Naeem, who was driving a private car, collided with a motorcycle. Naeem was rescued by his cousin, Rafiqul Islam, and taken to Kurmitola General Hospital around 11:00 p.m., where doctors declared him dead. Rafiqul Islam said Naeem came to his house in Purbachal 10 days ago and went out on Wednesday night using a friend’s private car.

A two-month ban on crab harvesting in the rivers and canals of the Sundarbans’ Satkhira Range came into force on Thursday as the crab breeding season begins. Following the ban, crab fishermen have started returning from deep forest areas to their localities. Burigoalini Forest Station Officer (SO) Md Ziaur Rahman said the government imposed the seasonal ban to ensure uninterrupted crab breeding in the Sundarbans’ river systems. As a result, he said, he lacks sufficient savings to support his family during the ban period and will have to rely on loans from moneylenders. Md Fazlul Haque, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of the Sundarbans Satkhira Range, said crabs are a major source of foreign currency earnings.

BKSP, representing Zone 5, clinched the title of the BRAC Bank Aparajeyo Alo Women’s Hockey Tournament after thrashing Zone 2 (Dhaka and Mymensingh) by 8–0 in the final at the Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium in the capital on Thursday. Nini Sen Rakhain and Tonni Khatun added one goal each as BKSP dominated proceedings from start to finish. Arpita emerged as the top scorer of the final round, netting an impressive 22 goals in five matches. “I never expected that I would score so many goals,” said Arpita after the final. BKSP joined the four zonal champions in the final round, which started in late December.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said Bangladesh is fully prepared to hold free, fair, and peaceful elections on February 12. “We will learn from your experiences,” Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said. “We witnessed a true Saarc spirit at the funeral yesterday. The Saarc spirit is still alive,” he said during his meeting with Maldives Minister Ali Haider Ahmed. We shared our grief and sorrow together,” he told Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.

Rangamati Photo: BSSBy Mansur AhmedRANGAMATI, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - Rangamati, often described as the hilly daughter of natural beauty, is witnessing a record surge in tourists during the ongoing winter season, with hotels, resorts and cottages operating at full capacity. While Rangamati usually sees increased tourist movement from Thursday to Saturday, this winter season has brought a steady flow of visitors throughout the week. Transport operators have also benefited from the increased tourist movement. Jamir Uddin, a tourist from Chattogram, said the natural beauty of Rangamati left a lasting impression on him. Tourist Police Rangamati Zone In-charge Tariqul Alam Jewel said law enforcement agencies are on alert to ensure the safety and smooth movement of visitors during the busy season.

DHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) –Over 12 lakh voters have so far registered to cast their ballots through the postal voting system in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and referendum. Besides expatriate Bangladeshis, election officials and employees, as well as government servants staying outside their constituencies, are registering under the postal voting system. Within the country, 5,21,981 voters registered under the ‘in-country postal voting’ category. Seat-wise, Feni-3 ranked first with 14,526 registered voters, followed by Chattogram-15 with 11,964 and Noakhali-1 with 11,916. For registration, expatriate voters must use a mobile number of the respective country.

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed-File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS)- BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed today said that the void and sorrow created by the death of the party's chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia will never be filled. Salahuddin Ahmed said, “Begum Khaleda Zia is no longer with us today, but she remains in the hearts of the people. We are anxious as to whether we can genuinely fulfill those expectations.”Following Khaleda Zia’s death, he highlighted the legal aspect of her nomination in the upcoming election. Salahuddin Ahmed stated, “Since she is no longer physically present, her legal entity ceases to exist. Salahuddin Ahmed stressed the need to keep the party united, concluding, “We must unite everyone within our limited means and lead the nation forward.

Photo:BSSRANGPUR, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - The weather continued to improve bringing reliefto common people for the second consecutive day today following further risein maximum temperatures despite a little fall in minimum temperatures in thenorthern region. Later, the smile of the bright sun in a clear sky free from fog and cloudsmade the weather even sweeter and more enjoyable today. Earlier, the weather deteriorated causing a chilling cold following reductionof the gap between maximum and minimum temperatures to the minimum in recentdays when minimum temperatures mostly ranged between 9 and 12 degreesCelsius. "The maximum temperatures marked further rises by one to two degrees Celsiusand ranged between 22.3 and 24.1 degrees Celsius at 3 pm today, increasingthe gap between the two temperatures by 12 degrees Celsius today," he said. Following improvement of the weather situation, common people and farm- andday- laborers conducted normal activities everywhere, including remote charareas today.

Cities around the world welcome 2026 with thunderous fireworks and heightened securityFrom Sydney to Paris to New York City, crowds have rung in the new year with exuberant celebrations filled with thunderous fireworks, while others have taken a more subdued approach

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS)- Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has issued early warning about late blight disease, a highly destructive fungus of potatoes caused by a microorganism. The potato late blight or fungal infection is likely to become epidemic form during this winter season, said an alert issued by the plant protection wing of the DAE. Under the situation, early warning instructions are usually issued for the farmers to protect their crops. The DAE message said the period from November to February is very much sensitive for the disease which particularly spread quickly during low temperature, foggy cloudy and drizzling weather condition. After receiving the weather forecast which is favorable to disease, the DAE alert said the farmers immediately have to spray fungicide after mixing each two grams of fungicide with a liter of water in every seven days for disease prevention.

Photo : ISPRDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Army-led joint forces in separate drives across the country arrested 157 suspected criminals in the last eight days from December 25, 2025 to January 1, 2026. Besides, 13 illegal firearms, 228 rounds of different types of ammunition, 10 petrol bombs, several cocktails, contraband drugs items and sharp weapons were recovered from their possessions. Subsequently, the arrestees were handed over to the concerned police stations for necessary interrogation and legal proceedings, the release mentioned. The Bangladesh Army is conducting regular patrols and security operations in various regions to ensure public safety across the country. Meanwhile, it also urged the general people to inform the nearest army camp if any suspicious or unusual activity is observed, the ISPR added.

Dhaka, Jan. 1 -- The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has approved four cases against Salman F Rahman, his brother and their sons over allegations of embezzlement and money laundering involving billions of taka from state-owned Jamuna Bank. The cases relate to the alleged misappropriation of Tk 28.57 billion obtained in the name of loans, the commission's Director-General, Md Akhtar Hossain, said on Thursday. Salman is the vice-chairman of the Beximco Group and previously served as a private industry and investment advisor to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. His brother, Sohel F Rahman, is the chairman of the industrial conglomerate. Their son...To read the full article or to get the complete feed from this publication, please Contact Us

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed two separate cases against former councilor Ziaul Haque Sumon and his wife Shahnaz Akhtar from Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) South Halishahar ward. The cases were filed today at the ACC Chattogram Integrated District Office-1 by Apel Mahmud Biplob, Deputy Assistant Director of the same office. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has uncovered evidence of Ziaul Haque Sumon acquiring and possessing assets worth Tk 165,110,352 that are inconsistent with his known income. Consequently, a case has been filed against him under Sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004. The ACC alleges that Shahnaz Akhtar obtained and possessed these illegal assets with the assistance of her husband, Ziaul Haque Sumon.