BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Photo : CollectedJHENAIDAH, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - People across the district are in deep shock at the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Begum Khaleda Zia passed away passed away this morning (December 30) while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Local businessman Aslam Mia spoke with deep respect, saying, "Begum Khaleda Zia has struggled all her life. Residents Selina Khatun and Rikta Khatun expressed their shock upon hearing the news, adding, "Begum Khaleda Zia stood by the people in times of crisis.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) – All scheduled banks will remain closed tomorrow following a government executive order. The directive was issued by Bangladesh Bank (BB) today accordance with a notification from the Ministry of Public Administration. The government has declared a one-day public holiday via executive order following the death of the former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. In addition to the public holiday, the circular clarified that December 31, 2025, is also the designated “Bank Holiday" for the year. Despite the general closure, the central bank has granted individual banks the discretion to keep specific branches or departments open if they are essential for the annual or half-yearly account closing of 2025.

Bhola town has descended into chaos after crude bombs were hurled at a protest of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) demanding justice for its slain student leader Rezwan Amin Sifat. Police fired blank shots to bring the situation under control after the Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) office at Natun Bazar in Bhola town was set on fire after the attack on BNP office. Bhola Sadar Police chief Monirul Islam said the arson attack took place at 4pm on Monday, reports bdnews24.com.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) says the biting cold gripping the country is set to persist through Wednesday, as dense fog continues to block sunlight across large swathes of Bangladesh. Parts of the country, including Dhaka, saw light drizzle on Tuesday morning. “The gap between maximum and minimum temperatures has narrowed significantly, intensifying the cold,” said Afroza Sultana, a meteorologist at the BMD. “The intense cold will persist for two more days,” she said. No cold wave was sweeping Bangladesh on Monday, and there was little chance of one setting in over the following days, the BMD added.

Three-time Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. File photoDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) today expressed condolences over the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. "The BIMSTEC Secretariat extends its heartfelt condolences on passing away of Begum Khaleda Zia, Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of BNP. May her blessed soul rest in eternal peace," the BIMSTEC Secretariat said In a condolence message.

Govt to procure LNG from SOCAR Trading SA, Switzerland on G2G basisDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) – The Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs today recommended for approving a proposal in principle submitted by SOCAR Trading SA, Switzerland for the short-term supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The proposal was considered for processing under the Government-to-Government (G2G) procurement method in line with Section 68 of the Public Procurement Act, 2006 and Rules 99(2) and 107(2) of the Public Procurement Rules, 2025. After detailed discussion, the committee recommended for approving the proposal in principle. The meeting also considered a proposal related to organising the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad election in 2026 in a festive manner. Following deliberations, the committee recommended the proposal for approval in principle.

DHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - The Detective Branch (DB) of police has arrested a terrorist along with a foreign-made revolver, a pistol and ammunition from Pallabi in the city. The arrested person was identified as Ashikur Islam Shanto, 20, according to a press release issued by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) media and public relations division today. A case was filed with Pallabi Police Station in this regard. Ashikur and other members of the group have long been involved in various terrorist activities, including drug trafficking, extortion and robbery, in the Pallabi area. He is accused in 10 cases, including robbery, theft and drug trafficking.

DHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - Health officials today said they recorded 120 fresh cases of dengue onslaughts, killing at least one person in the past 24 hours. "We recorded death of one dengue patients in 24 hours ending at 8 am today," a spokesman of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said adding his office simultaneously recorded 120 fresh cases of dengue onslaughts during the same period. "Out of the 120 fresh cases, 12 were hospitalised in Barishal division, 59 in Chattogram division, six in Dhaka division excluding capital, 18 in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and 10 in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) areas, three in Khulna division, nine in Mymensingh division, one in Rajshahi division and two in Sylhet division, a Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) statement said. Since the start of the dengue onslaughts Bangladesh this year witnessed so far 413 deaths while the disease inflicted 102,793. The dengue last year claimed 575 lives and inflicted 1,01,214 people in the country.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has paid an emotional tribute to his mother, Begum Khaleda Zia, following her death, describing her as both a national leader and a tender guardian at home. In a heartfelt post on his official Facebook account, Tarique wrote: “My mother, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, has responded to the call of Almighty Allah and left us today. She led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for decades, serving three terms as prime minister between 1991 and 2006. Tarique Rahman recalled her sacrifices, noting that she endured repeated arrests, denial of medical care, and relentless persecution, yet continued to shelter her family with courage and compassion. “Though her life was illuminated by sacrifice and struggle, at home she was our truest guardian, a mother whose infinite love gave us strength in our darkest moments,” Tarique said.

Senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Nepalese Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath will be present at the funeral. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced the visit in a post on social media platform X yesterday, stating that the speaker would represent Pakistan at the funeral. The presence of high‑level dignitaries underscores Khaleda Zia’s long‑standing political stature and her role in regional relations during her tenure as prime minister. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to arrive in Dhaka to pay his respects. Bhutanese Foreign Minister D.N.

In line with the government-declared general holiday following the death of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, the Appellate Division and the High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court will also observe a general holiday on Wednesday. The information was disclosed in a notification signed by Supreme Court Registrar General Muhammad Habibur Rahman Siddiqui on Tuesday. The notification stated: “Under an executive order of the Ministry of Public Administration, Wednesday has been declared a one-day government holiday due to the demise of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Begum Khaleda Zia’s passing marks not merely the end of a political chapter, but the close of an era. She remained a firm and uncompromising leader in the struggle to uphold democracy, national sovereignty, and the rights of the people.

The interim government has taken extensive preparations across the capital to ensure that the funeral prayers and burial of three-time former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia are carried out with full state honours. Her namaz-e-janaza (funeral prayer) will be held on Wednesday, at 2pm after Zohr prayers at the South Plaza of the National Parliament House and the adjacent Manik Mia Avenue. To ensure the smooth and orderly conduct of the janaza and burial, several high-level coordination meetings were held on Tuesday at the chief adviser’s residence, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the National Parliament complex. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the namaz-e-janaza will be led by Mufti Abdul Malek, Khatib of the national mosque Baitul Mukarram. Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at 6am on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital.

Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - The Bangladesh cricketers and BPL franchises have expressed their heartfelt condolences over the death of former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and BNP Chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia. "May Allah Almighty grant former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia the highest place in Paradise and forgive her. BPL franchise team Rangpur Riders expressed their grief, stating, "Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is no more! The Rajshahi Warriors family also expressed their condolences: "We extend our deepest condolences on the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The leader of Yemen's presidential council declared a state of emergency and cancelled a security pact with the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday after Abu Dhabi-backed separatists seized swathes of territory. "The Joint Defence Agreement with the United Arab Emirates is hereby cancelled," a statement said, while a separate decree announced a 90-day state of emergency including a 72-hour air, sea and land blockade.

Dhaka, Dec. 30 -- Authorities have announced security restrictions for the funeral prayers and burial of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, including a ban on bags at the funeral prayer venue and limited access to the burial ceremony. In a notice on Tuesday, the Chief Advisor's Office said mourners attending the funeral prayers would not be allowed to carry bags or heavy belongings. The funeral prayers are scheduled to take place at 2 pm on Wednesday at the Parliament's South Plaza and the adjoining Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka. Khaleda will be laid to rest with state honours around 3:30 pm beside the grave of her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, reports bdnews24.com. Members of the general public will not ...To read the full article or to get the complete feed from this publication, please Contact Us