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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. She died while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka early Tuesday morning around 6am, confirmed her personal physician Professor AZM Zahid Hossain. 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. Plans were considered to take her abroad for advanced treatment, but her fragile condition made travel impossible. Khaleda Zia had long been battling multiple health complications, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney problems.
Former adviser of interim government Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has formally joined the National Citizen Party (NCP) but will not contest the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election. He has also been given the responsibility of serving as chief of the party’s election management committee. The announcement was made at 6:30 pm on Monday during a press conference at the party’s temporary central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, where NCP Convener Nahid Islam stated that Asif Mahmud has been appointed the party’s spokesperson. "Today, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain officially joined the National Citizen Party (NCP)," announced Nahid. Nahid further announced that Asif Mahmud will not be 'contesting the election himself'.
With 2,582 candidates in the fray, Bangladesh is heading towards its 13th national parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12. By the close of the final day, 2,582 candidates had submitted nomination papers nationwide. The final day of nomination submission witnessed a significant rush, as candidates filed their papers across the country. The Jatiya Party, led by GM Quader and which served as the opposition in recent parliaments, is participating in the polls. According to Shamim Haider Patwary, around 200 candidates from the Jatiya Party have submitted nomination papers nationwide.
Foreign aid commitments jump to $1.219b during July-Nov of FY26DHAKA, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS) - Foreign aid commitments to Bangladesh from the development partners rose sharply in the first five months (July-November) of the current fiscal year (FY26) as it more than doubled compared to the same period last year. In the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year (FY25), commitments stood at only $522.68 million. ERD officials said that with the overall situation improving, the volume of new commitments has increased significantly. According to ERD data, foreign loan disbursements increased during the July–November period compared to the same period last year. During July–November of the current fiscal year, Bangladesh paid $1.89 billion in principal and interest on various foreign loans.
RANGPUR, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS) - A total of 56 candidates have filed their nomination papers for six parliamentary constituencies in Rangpur amid festive atmosphere ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections, slated for February 12, 2026. According to district administration sources, nominations were filed in all six constituencies of the district. Of them, nine candidates submitted papers in Rangpur-1, five in Rangpur-2, 10 in Rangpur-3, 11 each in Rangpur-4, Rangpur-5 and Rangpur-6. Earlier, 61 candidates had collected nomination papers for these constituencies. According to the election schedule, scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted from December 30 to January 4, 2026.
Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Yusuf Ali said the candidates submitted their nomination papers in compliance with the electoral code of conduct between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm today. In Jamalpur-1, covering Dewanganj and Bakshiganj upazilas, four candidates submitted nomination papers. In Jamalpur-2 (Islampur), nine candidates filed their nominations, while 11 candidates submitted papers in Jamalpur-3, comprising Melandah and Madarganj upazilas. In Jamalpur-4 (Sarishabari), 10 candidates submitted nomination papers and in Jamalpur-5 (Jamalpur Sadar Upazila), 12 candidates filed their nominations. According to the election schedule, scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted from December 30 to January 4, 2026.
DHAKA, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS) - Police arrested 591 more crime suspects and seized 14 firearms in the past 24 hours as part of the ongoing nationwide Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2. The Police Headquarters confirmed the arrests and seizures in a statement issued today. During the operation, law enforcement agencies searched 32,524 motorcycles and 46,614 other vehicles across the country. As a result of the checks, 467 illegal motorcycles were seized for registration irregularities and other legal violations. According to the statement, the decision to launch Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2 was taken on December 13, 2025, with the objective of curbing the activities of extremist and criminal elements and restoring law and order.
4 candidates submit nominations forms for four seats in BagerhatPhoto: BSSBAGERHAT, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS) – A total of four candidates have filed nomination papers for four parliamentary constituencies of Bagerhat in the 13th national elections. Accompanied by a large number of supporters and followers, the candidates submitted their respective nomination papers to the office of the District Returning Officer in festive mood. BNP candidate for Bagerhat-2 constituency Barrister Zakir Hossain submitted his nomination papers to Bagerhat District Commissioner Golam Md. At the same time, BNP candidate for Bagerhat-4 constituency Somnath Dey submitted his nomination papers to the Morelganj Upazila Executive Officer. Earlier, on Sunday afternoon, BNP candidate for Bagerhat-1 constituency Kapil Krishna Mandal submitted his nomination papers to Chitalmari Upazila Executive Officer Shyamananda Kundu.
38 candidates submit nomination forms for six constituencies in RajshahiPhoto: BSSRAJSHAHI, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS) - A total of 38 candidates have submitted nomination papers for six constituencies for the upcoming 13th Parliamentary Election in the district till today, the last day for submission of the nomination papers. Election cell of the District Returning Officer said 58 candidates had collected nomination papers and 38 of them submitted their candidatures. The cell sources said the highest nine candidates’ submitted nomination papers for Rajshahi-2 (Rajshahi city) constituency followed by eight in Rajshahi-5 (Puthiya-Durgapur) constituency. Seven candidates submitted nomination papers in Rajshahi-3 (Paba-Mohanpur) constituency) followed by six in Rajshahi-1 (Godagari-Tanore) seat. Four candidates submitted nomination papers in Rajshahi-4 (Bagmara) seat and a similar number in Rajshahi-6 (Charghat-Bagha) seat.
Bangladesh Bank has extended the period of late payment (useance) facility for the import of industrial raw materials, agricultural inputs and fertilizers. According to the new decision, foreign sellers can open letters of credit (LC) with a maximum payment term of 270 days for the import of these products. In the case of back-to-back LC, the use-case period will be determined in line with the prescribed period for repatriation of export proceeds. However, this extended use-case facility will not be applicable to imports financed under Export Development Fund (EDF) loans. This decision of Bangladesh Bank is being viewed as positive by business leaders and industry stakeholders.
Khulna University (KU) has published the results of the admission tests for the four units of the first-year undergraduate (honors) programs for the 2025–2026 academic session. The results were released on Monday noon on the university’s official admission website. Candidates can check their results by logging into their individual profiles at http://apply.ku.ac.bd/Students included in the merit list must complete their online discipline preference selection from January 1 to January 3. The final discipline-wise results will be published on January 8, while admission from the merit list will be conducted on January 12 and 13, from 9:30am to 5:00pm. Earlier, a meeting was held on Monday morning to approve the results, chaired by Vice-Chancellor and President of the Central Admission Committee Professor Dr Md Rezaul Karim.
The event was held under the Empowering Women Through Civil Society Actors (EWCSA) project, co-funded by the European Union and implemented by Oxfam, along with 33 civil society organisations. Roksana Sultana, Executive Director of Breaking the Silence, shared insights from the ground: "Empowerment of women workers is impossible unless we understand their real, lived challenges. “Tea garden workers, fisherfolk, domestic workers, and home-based RMG workers are marginalized. Our Minimum Wage Board is ensuring fair pay for women tea workers. - Laila Jesmin Banu, Programme Manager at the EU Delegation “Empowerment of women workers is impossible unless we understand their real, lived challenges.
A fire broke out at a Rohingya camp in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, late Sunday night, destroying more than 25 homes. According to sources, at least 25 houses were gutted in the blaze, which started around 10:30pm at Rohingya camps 24 and 25 in the Leda and Alikhali areas of Hnila Union. Mohammad Alam, president of the Leda Development Management Committee in Teknaf, told Dhaka Tribune that preliminary reports suggest the fire originated in the house of a camp resident, Fatema Akter, possibly due to a mobile phone charger explosion. Syed Alam, a resident of the Leda Rohingya camp, said the fire spread rapidly to several houses. Another resident, Nur Akm Md Alam, said the blaze began in a hut inside the camp.
“Khaleda Zia’s condition is extremely critical. She is being kept on life support and is now receiving regular dialysis,” said her medical board member Dr Ziaul Haque. Tarique went straight to Evercare Hospital after spending more than three hours at the BNP central office in Nayapaltan. Khaleda Zia has been receiving treatment in the CCU of Evercare Hospital for more than a month. Following a medical board meeting on Saturday night, Khaleda Zia’s personal physician Professor AZM Zahid Hossain said her condition remains complex and critical.
