A doa and milad mahfil was held at Gulshan Azad Mosque in Dhaka on Friday after Asr prayers for the salvation of the soul of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The event was attended by BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman as the chief guest. Participants prayed for Khaleda Zia’s departed soul and remembered her contributions with respect.

Senior BNP leaders, party activists, and worshippers joined the gathering, which was led by the mosque’s imam. Special prayers were also offered for the welfare of the country, the nation, and democracy. The event reflected the party’s collective remembrance and spiritual observance following the passing of its long-time leader.

The doa mahfil underscored the continued reverence within the BNP for Khaleda Zia’s political and personal legacy, as party members united in prayer for both her memory and the nation’s well-being.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that the Awami League no longer has public acceptance and that he sees no future for the party in Bangladesh’s politics. He made the remarks on Friday morning while speaking to journalists after visiting the Gaur Gopal Seba Ashram in Magura’s Notun Bazar area.

According to Shafiqul Alam, many Awami League leaders and activists abroad are spreading false information, including claims that three thousand police officers were killed and that millions of young protesters are being portrayed as extremists. He said such statements are misleading the international community and worsening the situation, questioning why the people of Bangladesh would accept the party under these circumstances.

He further noted that the Awami League has not admitted its mistakes over the past 17 months, and with the nomination process nearing completion, it is now too late to do so. He emphasized that self-criticism and responsible behavior are essential for political survival and that regaining public trust requires acknowledging past mistakes.

Leaders and activists of Inqilab Moncho staged a blockade at Shahbagh in Dhaka on Friday, demanding the arrest and trial of those involved in the killing of their convener, Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. The protest began after Friday prayers with a procession from the Dhaka University Central Jame Mosque to Shahbagh, where demonstrators occupied part of the road, disrupting traffic on one side while adjacent routes remained open. As of 4:30 p.m., the demonstration was still ongoing.

During the protest, participants chanted slogans calling for justice and accountability. Inqilab Moncho’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber attended the event and urged authorities to ensure a swift trial for Hadi’s murder. Earlier in the day, the group had invited the public via its Facebook page to join the rally at Shahid Hadi Chattar in Shahbagh.

Sharif Osman Hadi, who had announced his candidacy as an independent for the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot by assailants on a motorcycle on December 12 while traveling by battery-run rickshaw in Purana Paltan. He later died on December 18 in Singapore while undergoing treatment.

Maulana Mohammad Mamunul Haque, Amir of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, visited the grave of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar’s Zia Udyan on Friday after Jumma prayers. During the visit, he requested visitors not to raise their hands toward the grave while praying, explaining that such gestures may appear as if one is asking something from the deceased. He emphasized that prayers should be made facing the Qibla, as per Islamic teachings.

Haque further stated that after death, a person’s only need is for their loved ones and followers to perform good deeds and send spiritual rewards for their forgiveness. He called on all Muslims to perform such acts either at home or near the grave, following the Sunnah and the guidance of the Qur’an. He also recited Surah Fatiha and other verses from the Qur’an for the souls of Khaleda Zia and her husband, late President Ziaur Rahman, praying for their forgiveness and peace in the afterlife.

Rashed Pradhan, vice president and spokesperson of the National Democratic Party (JAGPA), has described Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the founder of extrajudicial crossfire in Bangladesh. He made the remark on Friday at 11 a.m. after placing a floral wreath and offering prayers at the grave of Siraj Sikder in Mohammadpur Central Cemetery, marking the 51st anniversary of Sikder’s death.

Pradhan said that Siraj Sikder, one of the organizers of the Liberation War, realized after independence that Bangladesh had become a subservient state to India. He alleged that Sikder was brutally killed the day after his arrest to suppress his anti-Indian revolutionary movement. According to Pradhan, this marked the beginning of extrajudicial crossfire in the country.

He further stated that patriots like Siraj Sikder, Abrar Fahad, and Osman Hadi were martyred for protesting Indian dominance, while figures such as Major Jalil, Allama Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, and Shafiul Alam Pradhan faced persecution. Warning pro-India elements, Pradhan said that those who bow to India would face the same fate as Sheikh Mujib and Sheikh Hasina. Several JAGPA leaders were present at the event.

BNP National Standing Committee member and former minister Salahuddin Ahmed visited the home of journalist Ansar Hossain in Cox’s Bazar on Friday, January 2, 2026. Hossain, a staff reporter and office head of the daily Amar Desh in Cox’s Bazar, recently lost his wife and son within two months. Salahuddin arrived at Cox’s Bazar Airport around 1 p.m., performed Friday prayers at Uttor Nuniarchar Jame Mosque, and then visited the graves of Hossain’s wife Rokhsana Nur and their 13-year-old son Abdullah Ritaz Hossain. He offered prayers for the deceased and expressed sympathy to the grieving family.

During his visit to Hossain’s residence, Salahuddin met with family members, including the journalist’s elder son Abdullah Nur Hossain Rudra, and conveyed his condolences. He remarked that losing both wife and child in such a short time is an indescribable loss and prayed for the family’s strength and patience.

According to the report, Rokhsana Nur passed away on October 14, and their son Abdullah Ritaz died on December 27, reportedly from illness brought on by grief. The tragedy has drawn condolences from journalists and various political and social organizations.

Cumilla district police have transferred Debidwar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Golam Sarwar in the public interest following a report published in the daily Amar Desh. The report, titled 'Student arrested claiming to be a Swechchhasebak League leader,' drew attention ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election. According to an order signed by Cumilla Superintendent of Police Anisuzzaman on Thursday, Sarwar has been attached to the district police lines, while Mohammad Moniruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Kotbari outpost in Cumilla Sadar, has been appointed as the new OC of Debidwar. The order takes immediate effect.

Earlier, Golam Sarwar had joined Debidwar Police Station on December 8 of the previous year after a divisional reshuffle of all OCs in Chattogram Division through a lottery signed by Additional DIG Ahsan Habib. The transfer follows public criticism after student Nazmul Hasan, who participated in an anti-discrimination movement, was arrested on December 13 from his father’s grocery shop and later sent to jail in a sabotage case. Local movement representatives and residents condemned the incident.

The transfer decision appears linked to maintaining administrative neutrality before the national election, as indicated in the official order.

In the verification process for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, three out of ten nomination papers submitted for the Chattogram-1 (Mirsarai) constituency were canceled. The review took place on Friday at the office of the District Commissioner and Returning Officer. Seven candidates, including nominees from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Insoniyat Biplob Bangladesh, Jatiya Party, Muslim League, and JASAD (ASM Abdur Rob), were declared valid.

According to the report, the nomination of Shahidul Islam Chowdhury, former convener of the upazila BNP, was canceled due to the absence of party endorsement. Independent candidate Advocate Ashraf Siddiqui’s nomination was rejected after his voter signature information was found false. The nomination of Ershad Ullah, submitted on behalf of the Jatiya Party, was also canceled due to missing documents.

Mirsarai Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Somaiya Akter stated that three nominations were canceled for lack of required documents, and the affected candidates may appeal within four working days.

The board of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), led by its president Mahmud Hasan Khan, visited the grave of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at the Zia Udyan in Dhaka on Friday morning. The delegation laid floral wreaths and offered prayers seeking forgiveness for the late leader’s soul.

Senior Vice President Inamul Haque Khan, Vice Presidents Vidhya Amrit Khan and Md. Shihab Uddoja Chowdhury, and several directors including Shah Raeed Chowdhury, Faisal Samad, Nafis-ud-Doula, Mozumdar Arifur Rahman, Kazi Mizanur Rahman, Dr. Rashid Ahmed Hossaini, and Sakif Ahmed Salam accompanied the president. After the prayer, the BGMEA leaders stood in silence to honor her memory.

Speaking to the media, Mahmud Hasan Khan described Khaleda Zia as an uncompromising leader for democracy and acknowledged her contribution to the development of Bangladesh’s garment sector. He expressed condolences to her bereaved family and prayed for her eternal peace.

A special prayer and munajat were held on Friday after Juma prayers seeking forgiveness for former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The event took place beside her grave at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, led by BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas. Leaders and activists from across the country joined the gathering, along with general worshippers, many of whom were seen in tears as they prayed.

The prayer session began immediately after Juma prayers, with participants visiting the grave in sequence to offer prayers for Khaleda Zia’s soul. Among the attendees was Md. Sajib Chowdhury from Turag, who said he had attended her funeral and came again on the first Friday to pray for her forgiveness. He described Khaleda Zia’s patience and determination during her political struggles, imprisonment, and illness as inspiring.

The gathering reflected the continued emotional connection of BNP supporters with their late leader, as people from different areas came together to honor her memory.

The Sylhet Press Club held its 2026–2027 biennial election on Thursday at the Subidbazar Club building in Sylhet city in a festive atmosphere. Out of 92 registered voters, 91 exercised their voting rights. Muktabis-un-Nur, editor of the Daily Jalalabad, was elected president, while Mohammad Sirajul Islam, chief reporter of the Daily Sylheter Dak, was elected general secretary. The election commission announced the results in the evening after the voting concluded.

Other elected office bearers include M A Hannan of the Daily Sylhet Bani as senior vice president, Md. Foysal Alam of the Daily Shubho Protidin as vice president, Khaled Ahmad (Mehedi) of Desh Television as joint secretary, Sheikh Ashraful Alam Nasir of The Daily Star as sports secretary, and Muhibur Rahman of the Daily Nawroj as library and publication secretary. Members elected include Amzad Hossain of Bangladesh Betar, Anas Habib Collins of the Daily Sylheter Dak, and Abdul Awal Shipar of Mohona Television.

The election was completed smoothly with strong participation from club members, reflecting an active and engaged journalist community in Sylhet.

The nomination paper of Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya and former DUCSU vice president, has been canceled for the Bogura-2 (Shibganj) constituency. The district returning officer and Bogura Deputy Commissioner Md. Taufiqul Islam announced the decision on Friday at 4 p.m. during the scrutiny of nomination papers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The cancellation was based on inconsistencies in the affidavit information and discrepancies in the date of signature on the notary public documents. The returning officer advised that appeals could be filed against the decision.

Earlier, the nomination of Jatiya Party’s former MP Shariful Islam Jinnah was also canceled due to a pending case related to the July Movement attack. Other valid candidates for the constituency include Mir Shahe Alam (BNP), Maulana Abul Azad Md. Shahadatuzzaman (Jamaat-e-Islami), and Md. Jamal Uddin (Islami Andolan). A total of seven candidates had submitted nomination forms for Bogura-2, but the nominations of Ganadhikar Parishad’s Selim Sarkar and independent candidate Rezaul Karim Talukder were also rejected.

Eleven candidates, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami nominee Mohammad Yusuf Hakim Sohel, had their nominations canceled in Comilla-1, Comilla-2, and Comilla-3 constituencies. The decision came on Friday afternoon following a scrutiny session at the Comilla Deputy Commissioner's office, where the district returning officer declared their nomination papers invalid.

The returning officer, Md. Reza Hasan, confirmed the cancellations after the verification process. Meanwhile, the scrutiny committee validated the nominations of several candidates, including BNP nominees Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Khandaker Maruf Hossain, and others from Comilla-1, Comilla-2, and Comilla-3. Jamaat candidate Yusuf Sohel stated that his nomination was rejected due to a minor error and that he plans to appeal after resolving the issue.

Election-related sources explained that nominations can be canceled for errors, inconsistencies, or missing documents. According to Election Commission rules, disqualified candidates may appeal within the stipulated timeframe. The verification of nomination papers for the remaining five of Comilla’s eleven constituencies is scheduled for Saturday.

In the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, candidates from the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have submitted nomination papers for the Cox’s Bazar-4 constituency, which includes Ukhiya and Teknaf. Analysis of their affidavits shows a major disparity in wealth and income between BNP’s Shahjahan Chowdhury and Jamaat’s Principal Nur Ahmad Anwari. Shahjahan, the district BNP president and former MP, declared assets worth about Tk 10.9 crore, roughly 21 times higher than Anwari’s Tk 51.5 lakh.

According to Shahjahan’s affidavit, his annual income is around Tk 12 lakh, with most earnings from house rent, agriculture, and fisheries. His immovable assets include 15 acres of agricultural land, 0.52 acres of non-agricultural land, 20.66 acres of leased government land, a house, and 2.5 flats. He also owns a shotgun, a revolver, a Proton Jeep, and 10 tolas of gold, with no liabilities. In contrast, Anwari’s assets include a house, 0.6 acres of land, Tk 15.24 lakh in bank deposits, and 10 tolas of gold.

The nomination papers for Cox’s Bazar-4 will be scrutinized at the district returning officer’s office at noon on Saturday, where five candidates are competing in total.

U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited debate about his age and health after claiming in a lengthy interview that he is in 'perfect' condition. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Trump said he takes more aspirin than doctors recommend, uses makeup to cover hand injuries, and avoids regular exercise because he finds it boring. He also clarified that he underwent a CT scan in October, not an MRI as he had previously told reporters.

At 79, Trump is the oldest president in U.S. history, and reports suggest he has shown signs of aging, including dozing off during meetings and occasionally missing questions. The Journal reported that Trump expressed irritation over public discussions about his health.

Trump said he has taken 325 milligrams of aspirin daily for 25 years, despite doctors advising 81 milligrams. He explained that he does not want to change his routine due to superstition and prefers golf as his only form of exercise.