A collected photo of former Prime Minister Khaleda ZiaDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - Sylhet Titans have dedicated their victory againstDhaka Capitals in today's Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) game to BegumKhaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, who passed away on 30December in 2025. The franchise said in a press release that "as a mark of respect andinspiration" they dedicated the victory to Begum Khaleda Zia. The release added: "Team management described the victory as a reflection ofunity, belief, and resilience, emphasizing that such performances strengthenthe Titans' ambition to compete with consistency and purpose in the remainingmatches." "Sylhet Titans remain focused on building momentum and deliveringperformances that inspire both on and off the field." Sylhet sit at the second spot of the point table at this moment after winningtwo matches out of three.

Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan. File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Dr Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan today said some technical tests were required to be carried out overseas to ascertain what caused a metro rail accident in October killing a pedestrian in the capital. Pedestrian Abul Kalam Azad, 35, died when a bearing pad of metro rail station fell on him in Dhaka's Farmgate area on October 26. “It appears from the initial investigation that the hardness, compression set and the neoprene (synthetic rubber) of the deviated bearing pad was not up to the mark. The adviser said a “third party safety audit” was required as well to review the overall project design of the Metrorail system.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam spoke at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy today. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) – Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today expressed hope that the interim government would be able to hold one of the best credible elections in the country’s history in a free, fair and participatory manner with record voter turnout. Since the process involves not only the parliamentary election but also a referendum, the press secretary believed that there will be “a record voter turnout”. We are giving highest attention to the matter,” Shafiqul Alam said, adding, there was a positive development that the submission of nomination papers was completed smoothly without report of any disorder or violence. About postal ballot, Shafiqul Alam said about 7 lakh Bangladeshi diaspora got registered as of Wednesday to cast their votes through postal ballot- ever the first initiative by the government to allow participation of expatriates Bangladeshis in elections.

The government has reduced duties on domestically produced and imported mobile phones to lower handset prices. The decision came during Thursday’s Advisory Council meeting amid calls from the businessmen, announced later by Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. Customs duty on mobile imports has been cut from 25 per cent to 10 per cent, bringing the total import burden -- including advance tax and VAT -- down from 61.80 per cent to 43.43 per cent. In a parallel move, the government also eased import duties on parts for local phone assemblers, providing additional support for domestic production.

The Department of National Savings has announced new profit rates for investment in savings certificates and bonds for the first half of the year. Under the new rates, the pension scheme will offer a maximum return of 10.59 percent, while general savings certificates will yield up to 10.54 percent. For family savings certificates with the same investment cap, the five-year return now stands at 10.54 percent, down from 11.98 percent. The government has decided to announce interest rates for savings certificates every six months. This revision aligns returns with current fiscal policies, offering a structured, transparent framework for small and large investors alike.

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DHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - Rangpur Riders captain Nurul Hasan Sohan sentRajshahi Warriors in to bat first after winning the toss in their second gameof the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at Sylhet International CricketStadium today. Rajshahi won two out of three so far while Rangpur aim to win their secondsuccessive game after winning the opening match. Both of the teams looked enough firepower in batting and bowling to clinchthe coveted trophy, making it a titanic clash. Line Ups:Rajshahi Warriors: Sahibzada Farhan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul HossainShanto (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, SM Meherob, Yasir Ali, Mohammad Nawaz,Hussain Talat, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Binura Fernando, Ripon Mondol. Rangpur Riders: Dawid Malan, Liton Das, Kyle Mayers, Towhid Hridoy, KhushdilShah, Mahmudullah Riyad, Nurul Hasan Sohan (captain), Faheem Ashraf, Aliss AlIslam, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana.

The Chief Adviser made the remarks as several regional leaders met him after joining the funeral process of three-time former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on Wednesday. Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Foreign Minister of Bhutan D.N. Of them, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Nepal's Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma met the Chief Adviser on Wednesday, Shafiqul Alam said. "The SAARC spirit is alive and well. He added that they told Professor Yunus that they had never witnessed such a massive funeral while they praised the way it was conducted with discipline.

Symbolic PhotoDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - The government has reduced the prices of all types of fuel oil by Taka 2 per litter. A press release issued today by the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources said that fuel oil prices at the consumer level are fixed every month through an automatic pricing mechanism in line with fluctuations in the global market. Accordingly, following the revised pricing formula, fuel prices for January have been readjusted at comparatively affordable rates to ensure smooth supply. Under the new rates, the price of diesel has been reduced by Taka 2 from Tk 104.00 to Taka 102.00 per litter, while octane by Taka 2 from Tk 124.00 to Taka 122.00 per litter, petrol by Taka 2 from Taka 120.00 to Taka 118.00 per litter, and kerosene by Taka 2 from Taka 116.00 to Taka 114.00 per litter. The revised prices will come into effect from January 1, added the release.

Sanjay Chisim and Faisal Karim Masud, who were arrested in connection with the murder of Inqilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman bin Hadi, have provided statements in court “confessing to their guilt”. They agreed to give their statements following the end of a three-day interrogation under police custody. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Jamshed Alam recorded these depositions on Thursday. Prosecution police Sub-Inspector Roknuzzaman said they were subsequently sent to prison.

The metro rail accident that killed a pedestrian on October 26 was caused by a faulty design and the use of substandard bearing pads, Road Transport and Bridges Ministry Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan said on Thursday. He said preliminary findings showed that the hardness, compression set and neoprene content of the displaced bearing pad did not meet standard specifications, although further testing at overseas laboratories is required for confirmation. The bearing pad was also installed at a slight slope of 0.8%, which may have contributed to its displacement, the adviser added. It further recommended establishing a robust structural health monitoring system, strengthening the metro rail authority’s technical capacity, and ensuring effective technology transfer from foreign consultants to local experts. On October 26, Abul Kalam Azad, was killed when a bearing pad fell from a metro rail pillar near Farmgate station in Dhaka.

DHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS)—Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai made an instant impact with a brilliant performance in his Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) debut as Sylhet Titans pulled off a six-run victory over Dhaka Capitals for their second victory in the tournament at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today. Omarzai firstly hammered a 24 ball-50 not out to steer Sylhet to a challenging 173-5 before taking 3-40 in his four overs to significantly damage Dhaka Capitals. A six could have sent the game to the Super Over but Amir baffled Shamim to bowl a dot, ensuring Sylhet’s victory. Omarzai then ripped through Dhaka batting line up, ably supported by left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed who took 2-26. However, Mohammad Amir used his vast experience to deny Patwari and Dhaka at the end.

Farmers said the bright mustard fields not only enhance the rural landscape but also promise good returns, making the crop increasingly popular. As a short-duration crop, mustard is being widely cultivated on land that otherwise remains fallow after the harvest of Boro paddy. Another farmer, Aynal Hossain from the Fulhari area of Shailkupa upazila, said mustard cultivation improves soil fertility while providing additional income. Deputy Director of DAE Md Kamruzzaman said farmers cultivated mustard on almost all available land this season and received good yields. “We hope mustard cultivation will increase further in the coming season,” he said.

Zelensky says Russia 'brings war into the New Year' with fresh strikes on UkraineUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: CollectedKYIV, Ukraine, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday said Russia was carrying the near four-year war "into the New Year" with more than 200 drones fired at Ukraine, mainly targeting energy infrastructure. "Russia deliberately brings war into the New Year -- launching more than two hundred attack drones against Ukraine overnight," Zelensky said on social media, adding that the "targets were our energy infrastructure."

Photo: BSSSATKHIRA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - A two-month ban on crab harvesting in the rivers and canals of the Sundarbans Satkhira Range came into effect today, as the crab breeding season has begun. Burigoalini Forest Station Officer (SO) Md Ziaur Rahman said the government has imposed a two-month ban on crab harvesting to enhance crab breeding in the rivers of the Sundarbans. Mentioning the various species of crabs are found in the rivers under the Sundarbans Satkhira Range, he said in this breeding period crabs migrate in large numbers from the sea into the rivers to lay eggs. Md Fazlul Haque, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of the Sundarbans Satkhira Range, said crabs are one of the key earners of foreign currency. He said all preparations have been completed by the Forest Department to enhance crab breeding.