National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has said that BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia was steadfast on issues concerning the country’s and nation’s sovereignty. Throughout her long political career, she endured imprisonment and many hardships but remained unwavering in her political ideals and commitment to the rights of the people. She was uncompromising on matters of the nation’s sovereignty, the post added. He further wrote that Begum Khaleda Zia’s contributions and struggle for the establishment of democracy in Bangladesh will surely be remembered. Her long political life devoted to the welfare of the country and its people will serve as an inspiration for future generations.

Miura, known as "King Kazu", will join Japan's Fukushima United on loan until June for what will be his 41st season as a professional footballer. "My passion for football hasn't changed, no matter how old I get," the former Japan international said in a statement issued by his new club. "I'm very grateful to be given the opportunity to play in Fukushima, and I will fight hard as a member of Fukushima United. Miura made his professional debut in 1986 for Brazilian team Santos and he has also played for teams in Italy, Croatia, Australia and Portugal. He helped put football in Japan on the map when the professional J.

MADRID, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Atletico Madrid on Monday announced the death at 91 of club legend Enrique Collar, who captained the team to a league title and three cup successes in the 1960s. "The red and white family loses a symbol who gave everything to take Atletico Madrid to the pinnacle of national and continental football," the club said in a statement. He was on the scoresheet as Atletico defeated eternal rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the 1960 cup final, before winning further cups in 1961 and 1965. His leadership also saw the Spanish capital's less fashionable team claim the 1965/66 league title in a decade where Real dominated the top flight. Collar also won the 1962 European Cup Winners' Cup and earned 16 caps for Spain, playing at the 1962 World Cup in Chile.

For the first time under the parliamentary system, a woman was elected Prime Minister and she was Begum Khaleda Zia. The foundation for many later economic improvements was laid by Khaleda Zia. In one of her historic speeches, Khaleda Zia said: "We are neither right-wing nor left-wing. Both Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia were quiet by nature, believing in "less talk, more work." Of the rare couple, Khaleda Zia governed for a comparatively longer period, and she endured more political persecution, harassment, and propaganda.

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi . File photoDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed deep sorrow at the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, recalling her contributions to Bangladesh and bilateral relations. In a condolence message, Modi said, "Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka." Recalling her political legacy, the Indian prime minister said, "As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, her important contributions towards the development of Bangladesh, as well as India-Bangladesh relations, will always be remembered." Modi also referred to his personal interaction with the late leader, saying, "I recall my warm meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015.

CA to address nation around 12 noonChief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. File photoDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will address the nation around 12:00 noon today. Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar will broadcast the address simultaneously, Chief Adviser's Press Wing told the news agency.

Following news of the death of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, party leaders and activists have been gathering at Evercare Hospital on Tuesday morning. Members of law enforcement agencies and party volunteers are struggling to manage the crowd lining both sides of the road. However, law enforcement personnel remain on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents. No one is being allowed to enter the hospital without a valid card. They said Khaleda Zia was the undisputed leader of Bangladesh and that they are unable to come to terms with her death.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec 30, 2025 (AFP) - A Saudi-led coalition said it targeted shipments of weapons and combat vehicles in Yemen that were unloaded from vessels coming from the United Arab Emirates, the Saudi news agency reported Tuesday. "Two ships arrived from the port of Fujairah entered the port of Mukalla on Saturday and Sunday, December 27-28, 2025, without obtaining official permits from the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition," state news agency SPA reported. "Given the danger and escalation posed by these weapons that threaten security and stability, the Coalition air forces carried out a limited military operation this morning targeting weapons and combat vehicles that had been unloaded from the two ships at the port of Almukalla," it added.

DHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has convened an urgent meeting of its Standing Committee this afternoon at 12:00 pm following the death of its Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Shayrul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP Media Cell, confirmed that the meeting will take place today at the party chief's political office in Gulshan following the sudden developments. Begum Khaleda Zia, the country's first female Prime Minister and long-time Chairperson of the BNP, passed away today around 6:00 am while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the city.

I can tell you in two weeks, 15 days, we received 150 million ticket requests. This shows how powerful the World Cup is." Infantino said the majority of ticket requests had come from the United States, followed by requests from Germany and Britain. There is football thanks to these revenues that we generate from the World Cup which we reinvest all over the world." The group said earlier this month tickets would cost almost five times more than tickets for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Bhutan spinner takes eight wickets to set new T20 recordHONG KONG, Dec 30, 2025 (AFP) - A left-arm spinner from Bhutan has become the first bowler to take eight wickets in a Twenty20 international. Sonam Yeshey, 22, took 8-7 in his four overs during the third men's T20 international at home to Myanmar, who were all out for 45 replying to 127-9. Yeshey went ahead of Syazrul Idrus, who took 7-8 for Malaysia against China in 2023, and Ali Dawood, who had 7-19 for Bahrain against Bhutan earlier this year, on the all-time T20 international best bowling list. Yeshey made his T20 international debut in 2022 against Malaysia when he had figures of 3-16 and has gone on to take 37 wickets in 34 matches. The best bowling figures in a women's T20 international are 7-0 by Indonesia's Rohmalia against Mongolia in 2024.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has expressed condolences over the death of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, saying she was his hero. In the post, the press secretary wrote: "She was the most graceful of all leaders—a symbol of our resistance and a patriot of the highest order. "Rest in peace, Begum Khaleda Zia. Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female prime minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has passed away at the age of 80. Khaleda Zia had long been battling multiple health complications, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney problems.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. File photoDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - China today expressed deep condolences over the death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, paying tribute to her role in Bangladesh's democratic journey and reaffirming continued friendly relations with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Yao Wen said Begum Khaleda Zia embodied the democratic aspirations of the Bangladeshi people and inspired the nation through her resilience, courage and leadership. He further said that the Communist Party of China would continue to maintain its longstanding and friendly relations with the BNP under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. Extending sincere condolences once again, Yao Wen prayed for eternal peace for Begum Khaleda Zia's departed soul and expressed hope that her contributions to Bangladesh and to China-Bangladesh relations would be remembered for generations to come.

The Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) and hall union elections have been postponed. University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Rezaul Karim disclosed the decision to journalists on Tuesday, following a syndicate meeting. Although voting was scheduled to begin at 8:30am on Tuesday, an emergency syndicate meeting was convened after news broke of the death of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female prime minister and chairperson of the BNP, has passed away at the age of 80. Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 for routine tests, during which doctors detected a chest infection and decided to keep her under observation.

LONDON, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Ipswich narrowed the gap on the top two clubs in English football's second-tier Championship with a 2-0 win at Coventry on Monday that ended the leaders' unbeaten home record this season. Ipswich started the day 13 points behind Coventry and five behind Boro following a run of four away matches without a win. Monday's win was the second time this month that Ipswich, relegated from the Premier League last season, had defeated Frank Lampard's Coventry following a 3-0 success at Portman Road on December 6. By contrast, this latest result ended a run of eight straight home wins for Coventry. Coventry remain eight points clear at the top after Middlesbrough lost 1-0 at home to Hull City, fourth on goal difference.