Russia says at least 20 killed in Ukrainian drone strikeCollected photoMOSCOW, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian-held part of Ukraine's southern Kherson region has killed at least 20 people, a Moscow-installed governor and Russian authorities said Thursday. "Three UAVs struck a cafe and hotel on the Black Sea coast in Khorly. According to preliminary reports, more than 50 people were injured, and 24 people were killed," Vladimir Saldo, a governor of the Russian-occupied part of the Kherson region, said on Telegram. Russia's Investigative Committee said it had opened a probe into the attack which had "killed more than 20 people and injured many more."

Trading volume was active, with 11,80,15,162 shares and mutual fund units traded throughout the day. The list of top gainers was led by Apex Spinning, followed by Rupali Bank, EBL 1st Mutual Fund, and Saiham Tex. Other companies that saw significant price hikes included Monospool Paper, Desh Garments, NCCBL 1st Mutual Fund, Orion Infusion, NRBC Bank, and Uttara Bank. Conversely, the top losers of the day were Aramit Ltd, Tun Hai Ind., Noorani Dyeing, and several mutual funds, including IFIC 1st MF and 1st Janata MF. Other stocks facing declines included FBFIF, Phoenix Finance, City General Insurance, DBH 1st MF, and BD Thai Foods Ltd.

× Expand Adobe stock image A festive 2026 new years eve celebration design featuring a golden clock and sparkling confetti, isolated on white backgroundIt’s great to look back and reflect over the past year and review successes, accomplishments and opportunities for improvement. But it’s also important to look forward and plan for the future. We here at the Hoover Sun hope that your 2025 was productive and fruitful, but we also want to wish each of you a blessed 2026 as we all look for ways to make our community a better place to live, work, play and worship. May 2026 be a great year for you all!

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SUNAMGANJ, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - The district administration on Thursday recovered government khas land worth around Taka 10 crore in the Launchghat area, one of the most important locations in Sunamganj district town, by demolishing illegal structures built on it. According to officials, about 31 decimal of the government-owned Khas Khatian land in the Launchghat area had been occupied illegally for a long time. The operation was led by Sadar Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Aditya Pal. Sadar Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Aditya Pal told BSS that the recovery of this valuable government land in the heart of the town was achieved after a prolonged effort. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Samar Kumar Pal also confirmed that the land had been recovered and said those responsible for illegal tree felling would face legal consequences.

The launch of the National Equipment Identification Register (NEIR) has been met with attack and vandalism at the BTRC office in Agargaon. The service was kicked off as part of mandatory mobile handset registration on Thursday. In protest, mobile traders resorted to violence in the afternoon as police struggled to control the sudden unrest, with bricks and stones reportedly thrown. Tejgaon Division Deputy Commissioner Ibn-e-Mizan said, “They launched an abrupt attack, hurling bricks. We are trying to manage the situation.”

Disability rights activists say Khaleda Zia’s tenure marked an important shift in how persons with disabilities were recognized by the state—gradually moving away from a charity-based outlook toward institutional responsibility and inclusion. Launched under her leadership, the program—formally known as the Allowance Program for Insolvent Persons with Disabilities—initially provided Tk200 per month to beneficiaries, laying the foundation for Bangladesh’s disability-focused social protection system. Beyond social protection, Khaleda Zia’s governments also took early steps to expand access to education, skills development, and employment for persons with disabilities, at a time when disability inclusion remained largely absent from mainstream policy discussions. Advocate Zahirul Islam, a visually impaired disability rights activist, said Khaleda Zia initiated several measures that helped strengthen institutional support for persons with disabilities. As discussions continue around Begum Khaleda Zia’s broader political legacy, disability rights advocates agree that her role in initiating state responsibility toward persons with disabilities remains one of her most enduring contributions to Bangladesh’s social development.

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and expressed his condolences over the death of Bangladesh’s former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah received Singh during the visit. Khaleda Zia, a three-time former prime minister and mother of BNP’s acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, passed away on Tuesday morning while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. Her namaz-e-janaza was held at Manik Mia Avenue near the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, drawing lakhs of mourners. She was later laid to rest beside her husband, Ziaur Rahman, the founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Jahangir Alam Chowdhury signed the condolence book on Wednesday evening at the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) Gulshan office to pay tribute to the memory of BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has signed the condolence book on Wednesday evening at the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) Gulshan office to pay tribute to the memory of BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The condolence book was opened following her death on 30 December 2025, allowing political leaders, diplomats, party activists and members of the public to express their condolences. Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister passed away at the Evercare Hospital after a prolonged illness. Following the funeral prayers, Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her late husband, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman’s grave at Zia Uddyan in Dhaka, in a burial that drew large crowds and military honours, including a ceremonial salute.

DHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) – Biman Bangladesh Airlines has decided in principle to purchase 14 aircraft from Boeing, opting out of rival Airbus, in a major fleet expansion and modernisation move. During the meeting, the Board of Directors principally approved the purchase of 14 Boeing aircraft, subject to price negotiations and other terms in line with recommendations of Biman’s techno-finance committee, Biman General Manager (Public Relations) Bosra Islam told BSS today. The approved order comprises eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and four Boeing 737-8 max aircraft. Officials said the interim government had earlier pledged to purchase aircraft from Boeing as part of efforts to help reduce the trade deficit with the United States. Officials noted that Boeing 787 Dreamliners are wide-body aircraft designed for long-haul international routes, while the Boeing 737-8 is a narrow-body aircraft typically used for shorter regional and domestic flights.

DHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) under the Ministry of Education has already sent over 24 crore textbooks to schools across the country to ensure that students get books on the first day of the year. He said total number of textbooks from pre-primary to secondary levels for the 2026 academic year is 30,02,55,154. Of those, he said, 24,69,92,010 books were supplied till today, which was 82.26 percent of the total textbooks. He said at the primary level, the number of textbooks for general education was 8,59,24, 854 and of those, 100 percent was delivered. "The total number of books for class-IX is over 5.7 crore in which more than 4.86 crore have been delivered."

WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Steeper US tariffs on some imported furniture items took effect Thursday, in a move that could add pressure on households already feeling the pinch from elevated costs of living. In October, a 10-percent duty on imported softwood timber and lumber came into effect, along with a 25-percent duty on certain upholstered furniture and kitchen cabinets. Effective Thursday, the rate on certain upholstered furniture rises to 30 percent, while that on kitchen cabinets and vanities doubles to 50 percent. The measure is likely to impact imports from countries like Vietnam and China, which have been key suppliers of imported furniture to the United States. The Supreme Court is due to rule on the legality of these countrywide tariffs, imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Located about seven kilometres from Tangail town, Korotia Hat is widely regarded as the heart of the district’s textile trade, particularly for Tangail handwoven sarees. Historical accounts trace the establishment of Korotia Hat to around 1800, during the Zamindari period. After independence, Korotia Hat became one of Tangail’s most important commercial hubs. Sarees from Korotia Hat reach markets in Pathrail, Balla, Rampur, Enayetpur, Baburhat, Belkuchi, Islampur and major shopping malls in Dhaka and other cities. Saree trader Samiul Islam said Korotia Hat remains a key centre for both domestic and imported textile products.

Organizations like Colorado Media Project, the Colorado News Collaborative, Colorado Health Foundation, Press Forward and others continue to inject money, support, and innovation into our state’s media ecosystem. Each week, I write an emailed newsletter, underwritten by Colorado Media Project and others, that reports on, comments on and analyzes Colorado’s news scene. (Kathryn Scott, Special to The Colorado Sun)In February, Colorado’s public media outlets were on alert — with good reason. Colorado Media Project, which underwrites “Inside the News in Colorado,” got a new director in Kimberly Spencer. Public funding for Colorado public media broadcasters officially dried up.

MADRID, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Real Madrid on Wednesday said that Kylian Mbappe had suffered a knee sprain, delivering a blow to their bid to reel in Liga leaders Barcelona. "After the tests carried out today on our player Kylian Mbappe by Real Madrid's medical services, he was diagnosed with a sprain in his left knee. Real Madrid did not indicate how long the 27-year-old striker would be out for, but a source close to the France superstar told AFP that he would be absent for at least three weeks. Real did not say when or how Mbappe was injured, however he had trained with the team on Tuesday. Mbappe has enjoyed a stellar 2025, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo's club record 59 goals in a calendar year, and has at times carried Real Madrid, relieving some pressure on under-fire coach Xabi Alonso.