BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia -File PhotoDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) – The namaz-e-janaza of three-time former Prime Minister, uncompromising leader of the democratic movement and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will be held across the Manik Mia Avenue in the city after Zohr prayers around 2:00 pm tomorrow. Instead of the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, the coffin will be kept at the western end of Manik Mia Avenue while the janaza will be held across the inner ground of the Jatiya Sangsad, its outer premises and the entire stretch of Manik Mia Avenue, said the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Tuesday night. Necessary arrangements are also being taken so that people can stand along the surrounding roads of Manik Mia Avenue. After the janaza, Begum Khaleda Zia will be laid to eternal rest with state honour beside Shaheed President and valiant freedom fighter Ziaur Rahman’s grave around 3:30 pm. Family members of Begum Khaleda Zia, important state dignitaries, responsible officials of the government, foreign guests, ambassadors and BNP-nominated political leaders will be present during the burial.

This finding could help doctors diagnose IBD earlier, and, researchers added, potentially fuel efforts to find new treatments for the condition. These results support the “oxygen hypothesis” of IBD — the idea that increased oxygen in the gut lining can disrupt a person’s microbiome, contributing to disease, researchers said. Treating those bacteria — or preventing them from populating a person’s gut — could help ward off IBD, researchers said. Other new treatments could focus on lowering oxygen levels in the gut, or populating the gut with healthier bacteria, the team added. SOURCE: University of Birmingham, news release, Dec. 23, 2025What This Means For YouChanges in gut bacteria could help doctors more quickly diagnose inflammatory bowel disease.

In the general election, 2,090 candidates from 51 political parties have submitted nomination papers, while 478 seek to run as independent candidates. Among these parties, the BNP has the highest number of candidates in 300 seats, with 331 nominations submitted. The Jamaat-e-Islami has fielded the second-highest number of candidates with 276, while Islami Andolan Bangladesh is third with 268. The National Citizen Party (NCP) has fielded 44 candidates, while 224 nomination papers from the Jatiya Party and seven from the JaSaD have also been submitted. A total of 2,569 nomination papers have been submitted for the election to be held in February, excluding the Awami League, whose activities have been banned after being ousted in the 2024 mass uprising.

Khaleda Zia remains unmatched in Bangladesh’s electoral history as the country’s first elected female prime minister and a leader who never lost a parliamentary election she contested. The seventh parliamentary election, held in June 1996, resulted in an Awami League government. Earlier, in the sixth parliamentary election held on February 15, 1996, the BNP returned to power, and Khaleda Zia won from Feni-1, Feni-2, Bogra-7, Sirajganj-2 and Rajshahi-2. In the 2008 parliamentary election, after the Election Commission imposed a limit of three constituencies per candidate, Khaleda Zia contested from Bogra-6, Bogra-7 and Feni-1, winning all three seats. She had intended to contest the upcoming 13th parliamentary election from Bogra-7, Dinajpur-3 and Feni-1.

BGB deployed at key points over ensuring security for state funeral of Khaleda ZiaBNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. File PhotoDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - A sufficient number of Border Guard Bangladesh(BGB) personnel have been deployed at several important points in the capitalfor the state funeral arrangements, burial, public tributes of former three-time prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The deployment covers strategic locations, including Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban,Evercare Hospital, Zia Udyan, according to BGB. Khaleda Zia passed away at Evercare Hospital on Tuesday morning. After theNamaz-e-Janaza, scheduled to be held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya SangsadBhaban at 2:00 pm tomorrow, she will be laid to rest beside her husband,Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan.

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has expressed condolences over the death of BNP chief and former premier Khaleda Zia. In a post on X on Tuesday, Joy extended his sympathies to Khaleda’s family and supporters, describing her death as a blow to the country’s efforts to stabilise during its political transition. Despite the long-standing political rivalry between Khaleda and Hasina, Joy acknowledged Khaleda’s role in shaping national policy, saying she achieved “a host of successes” over the course of her political career. She described Khaleda as a significant political figure whose contributions to the country would be remembered. Khaleda, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, died under hospital care on Tuesday at the age of 79 after a prolonged illness.

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Photo : CollectedJAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - Vice-Chancellor (VC) ofJahangirnagar University (JU) Professor Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan todayexpressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of former Prime Minister and BNPChairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Begum Khaleda Zia, a three-time elected former prime minister, passed away ataround 6:00 am today while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in thecapital. In a condolence message, he said the nation has lost an eminent guardian anda towering stateswoman with the death of Begum Khaleda Zia. The JU Vice-Chancellor extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved familyand prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Begum Khaleda Zia.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia -File PhotoDhaka, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Judicial Service Association (BJSA) has expressed deep sorrow at the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. In a condolence message, BJSA President Mohammad Ali Hossain and Secretary General Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman conveyed their profound grief over her demise. The message said her death has deprived the nation of an extraordinary political personality, which is an irreparable loss in national life. "Uncompromising leader Begum Khaleda Zia, throughout her long political career, made remarkable contributions to safeguarding Bangladesh's independence, sovereignty, democratic values and the establishment of a discrimination-free society. The association prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and expressed its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul signed the condolence book in person at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan Office in the city tonight. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) – Three advisers of the interim government today signed the condolence book expressing their grief at the death of former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman signed the condolence book in person at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan Office in the city tonight, said the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was present on the occasion.

A wave of sadness has swept the country following the death of BNP Chairperson and three-time former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia. To ensure the participation of people from all walks of life in paying their final respects, the interim government has taken necessary preparations. Special arrangements have been made for women wishing to attend Begum Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayers. It may be noted that Begum Khaleda Zia’s janaza will be held at 2pm after Zohr prayers. The relevant authorities have taken all necessary measures to ensure overall security and order for those arriving to bid their final farewell to Begum Khaleda Zia.

Nikli registered the country’s lowest temperature of 10 degrees Celsius on Monday . Photo : BSSKISHOREGANJ, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - A cold spell continues to grip Kishoreganj as the country’s lowest temperature has been recorded in Nikli upazila here for the third consecutive day, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department. On Tuesday morning, the temperature in the haor-dominated upazila was recorded at 11 degrees Celsius. Earlier, Nikli registered the country’s lowest temperature of 10 degrees Celsius on Monday (December 29), while on Sunday (December 28) the mercury dropped to 9.8 degrees Celsius—the lowest recorded nationwide on that day. Meteorological Department data published at 11 am on Tuesday confirmed that Nikli again experienced the lowest temperature in the country.

Former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma has expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. He noted that her guidance in the country’s socio-economic and overall economic progress remains unforgettable. He said the people of the country will always remember her rich contributions to the advancement of the country and nation with deep respect. The adviser prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members and her political well-wishers.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister , Begum Khaleda Zia , with her son Tarique Rahman. Photo: collectedDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS)- BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman urged everyone to pray for his mother BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Tarique Rahman said, "My mother Begum Khaleda Zia has responded to the call of Almighty Allah and left us today. Tarique Rahman remarked that her life was illuminated by sacrifice, enduring repeated arrests, denial of medical care, and relentless persecution. Tarique Rahman concluded by stating that Begum Khaleda Zia leaves behind an "unforgettable legacy of patriotism, sacrifice, and resistance," a legacy that will forever live on in the democratic conscience of the people of Bangladesh.

Collected photoROME, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Four people were injured and around 100 were stranded atop a mountain in northwest Italy on Tuesday after a cable car accident, authorities said. Filippo Besozzi, administrator of the company that manages the cable car, told the ANSA news agency that the most seriously injured was a 59-year-old man who had a wound on his arm. He said there had been a "technical problem" and the cable car did not slow down properly as it entered the station, and hit a barrier. He said there was no significant damage to the cable car, which was renovated in 2023, but it was undergoing checks. In May 2021, 14 people died in a cable car accident on the Mottarone mountain overlooking Lake Maggiore in northern Italy after the cable snapped.

Now, researchers say the next safety upgrade may come from an unexpected source: The brains of the people riding inside those cars. In a new study, Chinese researchers tested whether monitoring passengers’ brain activity could help self-driving systems make safer decisions in risky situations. The researchers built a new system that combines brain data from passengers with an autonomous vehicle’s driving software. The study found that this approach outperformed traditional autonomous driving methods in several areas, including learning speed, overall safety and comfort. SOURCE: Beijing Institute of Technology Press Co., news release, Dec. 29, 2025What This Means For YouFuture self-driving cars may use human brain signals to operate more safety.