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DHAKA, Jan 01, 2026 (BSS) - A court here today ordered the attachment of 385 satak of land, including a multistoried building, under the Gulshan Revenue Circle, owned by Afroza Begum, wife of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan. Deputy Director (Money Laundering) of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Jahangir Alam filed the application on behalf of the commission. According to the application, allegations of money laundering have been brought against Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and persons and institutions associated with his interests. Reliable sources indicate that Afroza Begum, wife of the accused Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, has been attempting to transfer her immovable properties. Therefore, attachment of the immovable properties has become absolutely necessary, the application said.

COLOMBO, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Sri Lanka's inflation rose 2.1 percent last year, well below its target of five percent, the central bank said Thursday, but projected a "gradual acceleration" in 2026. While low inflation may appear positive for consumers, a rate below the central bank's target signals underlying economic issues including weak consumer demand. The Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI), the official measure of inflation, rose to 195.8 in December from 191.7 a year earlier, marking a 2.1 percent increase. "Inflation projections... (since) November 2025 indicate a gradual acceleration of inflation towards the target of five percent in the period ahead," the central bank said. Sri Lanka has secured a $206 million emergency loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to meet part of the relief costs.

Dec. 31, 2025, 10:33 p.m. PTAI-assisted summary A viral TikTok posture therapist recommends prepping tight muscles before alignment work. Aging gracefully and moving well starts with smart habits—and TikTok’s viral posture therapist, PostureGuyMike, knows the secret: prep tight muscles before alignment work. Now available in a convenient 8-ounce pump bottle, it’s easier than ever to make posture prep part of your daily routine. Penetrex Joint + Muscle Therapy TikTok’s viral posture expert swears by Penetrex for easing tight muscles before alignment work. Yes, it’s designed for consistent use as part of recovery or posture prep routines.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Today’s a poor day for new beginnings but 2026 overall is a very good year. It could be hit or miss today, there are better stars for your sign than in the Universal sky. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Financial optimism for 2026 is not misplaced, your financial sectors are on fire and 2026 brings lots of great days with high opportunity. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Time with friends could be happy and flowing even though the Universal stars are underwater. In business and career, January’s Universal stars are strong enough for a major new beginning if the rest of the pieces line up.

DHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Coast Guard has rescued eight fishermen and a fishing boat after it drifted at sea for three days due to mechanical failure. Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq today said that the rescued fishing boat was identified as MV Mayer Doa. He said the fishing boat left Golbunia Ghat under Mahipur Police Station in Patuakhali at around 8:00 am on December 28,2025 with eight fishermen on board for fishing in the sea. The Coast Guard media officer said Nizamapur Coast Guard Station conducted a rescue operation from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on Wednesday to recover the fishing boat. During the operation, he said, the Coast Guard rescued the eight fishermen along with the disabled boat and also provided necessary assistance to make the boat's engine operational.

"What happened recently has made southerners more determined -- psychologically and emotionally -- to restore the state," STC spokesman Anwar Al-Tamimi told AFP during an interview in Abu Dhabi. "When the appropriate historical, international and regional moment arrives will we be ready to restore our state. Whether it will be in the long term, medium term or immediately, that will depend on the circumstances," Tamimi added. Experts say the separatists' successes have embarrassed Saudi Arabia, a regional heavyweight and the main backer of the internationally recognised Yemeni government. The UAE-backed STC is a coalition of groups that long vowed to bring back South Yemen, which existed from 1967 until its unification in 1990 with North Yemen.

Despite some commendable initiatives by the interim government, incidents of mob violence and human rights abuses have surged in Bangladesh over the past year, raising serious concerns among activists and organizations both domestically and internationally. Human rights groups say the government has largely failed to control killings and attacks linked to mob violence. The Human Rights Culture Foundation (MSF) reported a rise in political violence, mob beatings, deaths in custody, discovery of unidentified bodies, and attacks on journalists. ASM Nasiruddin Alan, director of human rights organization Odhikar, said the interim government has taken some important steps, including signing long-pending international human rights instruments and issuing the enforced disappearance ordinance, creating frameworks to protect detainees. Alan warned that deaths from political violence and mob attacks have increased sharply.

The speaker arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday to offer condolences on the sad demise of Begum Khaleda Zia. On arrival, senior officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh and High Commissioner of Pakistan received him. Before the funeral prayer, he had a meeting with Tarique Rahman, son of Begum Zia and Acting Chairman of BNP at the Parliament building. The speaker paid tribute to Begum Khaleda Zia noting the special bond she shared with Pakistan and her commitment towards revitalising historical ties, mutual respect and bilateral cooperation between the two nations. Afterwards, the speaker offered the funeral prayer of Begum Khaleda Zia.

Despite restrictions imposed by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on the occasion of 31st night, fireworks were set off across the capital. The DMP had already imposed a complete ban on releasing sky lanterns and setting off firecrackers in Dhaka on 31st night. Meanwhile, the DMP has implemented heightened security measures across the capital for 31st night. As an added precaution to prevent risks caused by sky lanterns, additional police personnel have been deployed on the metro rail. According to DMP sources, the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, and explosive materials has been banned on the 31st night to prevent fire hazards and loss of life.

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked fifth on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 184 at 10:10am on Thursday morning. Dhaka’s air was classified as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ referring to a health threat, according to the AQI index. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

It was a moment that hopefully showcased that while disagreement is inevitable in any democracy, destruction has no place in it. Most recently, of course, we lived through an unfortunate and profoundly impactful moment for the nation: The passing of Khaleda Zia. Despite one’s political allegiance, it is perhaps a unified opinion that her death marked the end of an era. The hope for the year ahead is demanding yet simple: A Bangladesh that responds to crises with preparedness, to disagreement with restraint, and to change with responsibility. To our readers, we wish a happy new year marked by safety, stability, and a renewed belief that progress is most certainly an attainable dream if we choose a reflective and collaborative approach.

Nation observing state mourning for second day over death of Begum Khaleda ZiaBNP chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) – The nation is observing the state mourning for the second consecutive day following the death of three-time former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Condolence books remain open at Bangladesh missions abroad at the death of the former Prime Minister. Before the burial, millions of people from all walks of life including foreign guests and diplomats joined the namaz-e-janaza of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital. The country’s first female Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who is widely regarded as an uncompromising leader for democracy in Bangladesh, played a crucial role in the country's transition to parliamentary democracy and introducing the caretaker government system.

LOS ANGELES, United States, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Victor Wembanyama limped out of the San Antonio Spurs' clash with the New York Knicks on Wednesday after suffering an apparent leg injury. Wembanyama, who only returned from a calf injury earlier in December, landed awkwardly after jumping up for a rebound during the fourth quarter of the game in San Antonio. The French prodigy stayed on the floor for several seconds before being helped off the court and hobbling to the locker room. Wembanyama had scored 31 points with 13 rebounds before he departed. There was no immediate word from San Antonio over the nature of Wembanyama's injury.