The nomination of Dr. Tasnim Zara, an independent candidate and former NCP leader for the Dhaka-9 parliamentary seat, has been canceled. The Dhaka district returning officer announced the cancellation at around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Dr. Zara stated that the authorities rejected her nomination due to issues with voter signatures and said she would appeal to the Election Commission, expressing hope of regaining her candidacy.

Dr. Zara had submitted her nomination papers on December 29 at the Sabujbagh Thana election office, meeting the requirement of collecting support from one percent of the constituency’s voters. According to her affidavit, she is a physician with an annual income of 713,333 taka from her job and 3,200 British pounds from abroad, paying 34,057 taka in taxes. Her declared assets include jewelry worth 250,000 taka, 10,019 taka in bank deposits, 1.6 million taka in cash, and 2,270 British pounds.

The affidavit also shows she has no loans, lawsuits, or government dues. Her husband, Khaled Saifullah, holds 1.5 million taka in cash and earns 39,800 British pounds abroad. Dr. Zara, born on October 7, 1994, holds an MSc degree and resides in Khilgaon, Dhaka.

Iran has sent a formal letter to the United Nations Secretary-General and the President of the UN Security Council condemning what it called the “illegal threats” made by U.S. President Donald Trump. The letter, delivered on Friday by Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, followed Trump’s warning of possible intervention if Iran used violence to suppress protests. According to Al Jazeera, the Iranian envoy urged UN officials to strongly denounce Trump’s “reckless and provocative statements,” describing them as serious violations of the UN Charter and international law.

In the letter, Iran stated that any attempt to incite or justify internal unrest as a pretext for external pressure or military intervention would constitute a grave breach of the country’s sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity. The letter affirmed Iran’s right to defend its sovereignty and held the United States fully responsible for any consequences or escalation arising from Trump’s threats.

The correspondence came amid widespread protests in Iran over rising living costs, during which six people have reportedly been killed in clashes with security forces.

Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar publicly shook hands with Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in Dhaka on the last day of 2025. The two met during the funeral of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, attended by several South Asian leaders. The gesture, made in the presence of diplomats, contrasted sharply with recent refusals by Indian cricket teams to shake hands with Pakistani players.

Analysts in Pakistan described the handshake as a rare sign of warmth in long-frozen relations, while some Indian commentators downplayed its significance. The meeting followed months of heightened hostility, including a deadly attack in Kashmir, India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and a brief air conflict in May 2025. Former Pakistani ambassador Sardar Masood Khan called the handshake a diplomatic signal that likely had high-level approval, though he cautioned that major obstacles remain.

Experts suggested that limited dialogue and confidence-building measures could help stabilize ties. However, persistent mistrust and India’s tougher stance since 2019 make any near-term reconciliation uncertain.

Nahid Islam, the convenor of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and candidate of the 12-party alliance for Dhaka-11 constituency, has had his nomination paper declared valid. The decision was announced by the district commissioner and returning officer at noon on Saturday. His nomination form had been submitted earlier on December 29 by representatives to the Dhaka divisional returning officer and divisional commissioner Sharaf Uddin Ahmad Chowdhury.

According to the affidavit submitted by Nahid Islam, the total acquisition value of his movable assets amounts to 2.6 million taka, with an estimated current value of 3 million taka. His declared assets include 1.95 million taka in cash, 385,363 taka in bank and financial institutions, 775,000 taka in jewelry, 100,000 taka in electronic goods, and 170,000 taka in furniture.

The validation of his nomination confirms his eligibility to contest the upcoming election from Dhaka-11 under the 12-party alliance banner.

Dr. Tasnim Jara, who resigned from the NCP, has had her nomination as an independent candidate for the Dhaka-9 constituency canceled. The decision was announced on Saturday by Returning Officer and Dhaka District Commissioner Rezaul Karim. According to Jara, some unintentional errors occurred in the signatures submitted with her nomination due to incomplete voter information.

Speaking to journalists after leaving the Returning Officer’s office, Jara explained that the signatories believed they were voters of Dhaka-9, but the Election Commission’s records showed otherwise. She mentioned that one signatory tried to verify their voter number on the Election Commission’s website but could not find it, relying instead on the address listed on their national ID card. A similar mistake occurred with another signatory.

Jara added that the Election Commission lacks an effective system for voters to confirm their constituency, which led to the confusion. She emphasized that there was no dishonest intent behind the errors and noted that, despite the challenge, she has received strong public support as an independent candidate.

The nomination paper of BNP candidate Engineer Ishraq Hossain for the Dhaka-6 constituency has been declared valid by the district commissioner and returning officer. The announcement was made at noon on Saturday, confirming his eligibility to contest in the upcoming election.

Earlier, on December 28 of the previous year, Ishraq Hossain submitted his nomination papers at the office of the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner, Shafor Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, located in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. Following the submission, Ishraq stated that the electoral environment was very good so far and expressed hope that the election would be held peacefully, with all political parties participating democratically.

The validation of Ishraq’s nomination clears the way for him to officially campaign as the BNP candidate in Dhaka-6, as the election process continues under the supervision of the returning officer.

Inqilab Mancha has launched a program titled 'March for Insaf' demanding justice for the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi. The campaign began on Saturday, January 3, and will continue until Tuesday, January 6. During this period, members of the organization will reach out to the government, political parties, and people across the country to seek cooperation in ensuring justice for Hadi’s killing.

The group has also demanded that those involved in Hadi’s murder be identified and a charge sheet be filed by January 7. Failing that, Inqilab Mancha warned of launching a final phase of protests after that date and threatened a movement for the government’s resignation if justice is not delivered within 22 working days. The program was announced by the organization’s member secretary, Abdullah Al Jaber, following a protest march from Dhaka University’s central mosque to Shahbagh.

Sharif Osman Hadi, a potential independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the head on December 12 in Purana Paltan. He later died on December 18 while undergoing treatment in Singapore after being transferred there for advanced medical care.

Dr. Tasnim Zara, an independent candidate and former NCP leader for the Dhaka-9 parliamentary constituency, has had her nomination paper cancelled. The decision was announced by the Dhaka district returning officer at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Zara had submitted her nomination on December 29 at the Sabujbagh Thana election office, fulfilling the requirement of collecting support from one percent of the total voters in her constituency.

According to her affidavit, Dr. Zara is a physician with an annual income of 713,333 taka from her job and an additional 3,200 British pounds earned abroad. She has paid 34,057 taka in income tax. Her declared assets include 250,000 taka in jewelry, 10,019 taka in bank deposits, 1.6 million taka in cash, and 2,270 British pounds. She reported no loans, cases, or government dues. Her husband, Khaled Saifullah, holds 1.5 million taka in cash and 6,000 British pounds, with foreign income of 39,800 pounds.

As per the election schedule, appeals against returning officer decisions can be filed between January 5 and 9, with resolution from January 10 to 18. Final candidate lists and symbols will be issued on January 21, and campaigning will run until February 10 morning.

A former Bangladeshi secretary has shared personal recollections of Begum Khaleda Zia, portraying her as a leader of integrity, empathy, and restraint. The narrative spans from the early 1990s, when the author met Khaleda Zia’s son Arafat Rahman Koko in Australia, to later years when the author worked at the Prime Minister’s Office. Through these memories, the author highlights Khaleda Zia’s concern for her son’s hardships abroad, her modest lifestyle, and her composed leadership style during her tenure as prime minister.

The account recalls Koko’s financial struggles as a student in Melbourne, his mother’s inability to send money, and her distress upon learning that counterfeit dollars had reached him. It also describes Khaleda Zia’s humility in office, her fairness in decision-making, and her interactions with ministers and cultural figures such as writer Humayun Ahmed. The author concludes with a reflection on her lifelong dedication to the nation and a prayer for her peace in the afterlife.

The piece serves as a personal tribute, emphasizing Khaleda Zia’s moral strength and human sensitivity as remembered by someone who observed her closely over decades.

A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has sentenced eight journalists and YouTubers to life imprisonment for allegedly spreading terrorism online by supporting former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The verdict was delivered on Friday, with the court stating that the accused engaged in online activities deemed as terrorism under Pakistani law. According to the court, their actions created fear and unrest in society. Most of the accused were not present during the trial as they are reportedly outside Pakistan.

Those convicted include former military officers and YouTubers Adil Raja and Syed Akbar Hussain, journalists Wajahat Saeed Khan, Sabir Shakir, and Shaheen Sehbai, commentator Haider Raza Mehdi, and analyst Moeed Pirzada. The court noted that after Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023, his supporters carried out violent protests, including attacks on military camps, and the accused were found to have incited the violence.

Earlier, on December 20, 2023, Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 17 years in prison in the Toshakhana corruption-2 case and are currently held in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.

Following the death of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on December 30, the party’s top post has become vacant. Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman, who had been serving as acting chairman during Khaleda Zia’s imprisonment and illness, continues to perform the duties of the position. According to the BNP constitution, the senior vice chairman automatically assumes the role of chairman when the post becomes vacant. However, official party statements still refer to Tarique Rahman as acting chairman.

Election experts note that under the election code, candidates may only use the current party chief’s image in campaign materials. Since the 13th parliamentary election campaign begins on January 22, BNP must formally designate Tarique Rahman as chairman before that date to use his image. The Election Commission’s senior secretary stated that the decision rests with the party.

BNP policymakers confirm that constitutionally Tarique Rahman is already chairman, though the party continues a seven-day mourning period for Khaleda Zia. Some leaders suggest a council could later formalize his position, but it is not mandatory under the party’s constitution.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at an event in Chennai, explained New Delhi’s approach toward neighboring countries by citing examples of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He stated that India formulates its policies based on the behavior and relationship patterns of its neighbors, clearly differentiating between “good” and “bad” neighbors. According to him, India supports countries that maintain cooperative relations, offering assistance through vaccine diplomacy, economic aid, and emergency support.

Jaishankar’s remarks came just days after attending former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s funeral. He emphasized that India reserves the right to defend itself against nations that consistently support terrorism or pose security threats. He added that India’s neighborhood policy is guided by common sense and national interest rather than emotion. Referring to India’s firm stance toward Pakistan and its aid to Sri Lanka during its economic crisis, he suggested that a neighbor’s conduct determines India’s policy approach.

Although he did not directly mention Bangladesh, his comments indicated that India views mutual trust, cooperation, and security as the foundation of regional relations.

Bangladesh’s Home Ministry has advanced legal proceedings against police officers accused of involvement in the July massacre. Around 1,500 cases were filed nationwide, with 302 selected for transfer to the International Crimes Tribunal for adjudication. Each case names between 10 and 80 police officers as defendants. The ministry will soon hand over related documents to the tribunal’s investigation agency, according to a senior official who confirmed the development anonymously.

The ministry’s findings describe how, during the July–August 2024 uprising against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, police used lethal force across the country, including live ammunition, to suppress protests. Reports from the United Nations and international media documented widespread killings, including of minors, and alleged that police actions followed directives from senior leadership. Investigations also revealed that the violence was part of a broader state repression policy.

The Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal welcomed the ministry’s move, saying it would support justice for victims and ensure accountability for those responsible. Several trials are already underway, with one verdict delivered and others nearing completion.

RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam has called for collective efforts and public awareness to solve Old Dhaka’s long-standing problems. He made the remarks on Friday at a views-exchange meeting organized by the Dhaka Metropolitan Association at Noyabazar, where he attended as the chief guest. The meeting discussed issues such as unplanned buildings, narrow roads, and unauthorized constructions that pose various risks in the area.

The RAJUK chairman emphasized that Old Dhaka’s problems cannot be solved by law enforcement alone and that residents must become more conscious to build a safer and more beautiful city for future generations. He highlighted the importance of keeping sufficient road space for emergency services like fire and ambulance access during disasters such as fires or earthquakes. He also sought the cooperation of building owners in making old structures risk-free and urged strict adherence to RAJUK’s construction regulations.

The meeting was presided over by Dhaka Association President Alhaj Md. Ismail Nawab, with senior RAJUK officials and local dignitaries present. RAJUK’s development plans for the area were also presented during the event.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has decided to appoint Kyrylo Budanov, head of the military intelligence agency, as the new chief of the presidential office. The move follows the resignation of Zelensky’s previous top aide in November after a corruption scandal. According to AFP from Kyiv, Zelensky announced on social media that he met Budanov and offered him the position, with the formal appointment process now underway, confirmed by presidential adviser Dmytro Litvin.

Budanov, 39, is a well-known and influential figure in Ukraine, credited with leading several daring operations against Moscow since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. His nomination comes at a critical stage of the nearly four-year-long war. Zelensky recently stated that a U.S.-mediated peace proposal is about 90 percent ready and emphasized the need to strengthen Ukraine’s defense and security capabilities while advancing diplomatic talks.

If confirmed, Budanov will replace Andriy Yermak, who resigned after his home was raided as part of a corruption investigation. Yermak, once a close ally of Zelensky, had faced criticism in Kyiv for allegedly consolidating excessive power and controlling access to the president.