Taiwanese President Lai Ching vowed to defend his country’s sovereignty in a televised New Year’s address amid escalating tensions with China. The statement came after Beijing launched continuous missile tests around Taiwan’s main island and deployed warplanes, naval vessels, and coast guard ships. Taipei condemned the Chinese military drills as highly provocative.

China maintains that democratic Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control. In his speech, Lai reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening national defense, ensuring social stability, and building a robust democratic security system. He emphasized that Taiwan’s international support has remained strong.

The United States, Taiwan’s main security partner, recently announced a major arms sale to Taipei, while Japan also expressed support for Taiwan. Japan’s prime minister warned that any Chinese use of force against Taiwan could prompt a military response from Tokyo.

Bangladesh’s interim government foreign affairs adviser Md. Touhid Hossain has advised against interpreting Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Dhaka in political or inter-state terms. Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, January 1, he said Jaishankar’s brief participation in the funeral events for former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was a gesture of goodwill and should not be overanalyzed.

Hossain clarified that there was no one-on-one meeting between him and Jaishankar, and no bilateral issues were discussed. He noted that representatives from all South Asian countries attended the event, including Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Bhutan’s Foreign Minister D.N. Dhungyel, and others. Hossain described Jaishankar’s interactions, such as handshakes with other dignitaries, as acts of courtesy.

He added that Khaleda Zia held a positive image across South Asia and that participation by regional leaders in her funeral was natural. When asked whether Jaishankar’s visit might ease tensions between Bangladesh and India, Hossain said the answer would become clear in the future.

An analysis of affidavits submitted by candidates in Chattogram’s 16 constituencies shows that BNP nominees possess significantly higher wealth compared to their Jamaat counterparts. The richest candidate is BNP’s Aslam Chowdhury from Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda), who declared assets worth about Tk 456.95 crore but also reported loans totaling Tk 1,700 crore. In contrast, Jamaat’s Md. Anwar Siddiqui from the same constituency is the poorest candidate, declaring assets of Tk 43.84 lakh. Other wealthy BNP candidates include Humam Quader Chowdhury of Rangunia with Tk 134 crore and Golam Akbar Khondkar of Raozan with Tk 52 crore.

Most Jamaat candidates come from teaching or small business backgrounds, declaring assets between Tk 30 lakh and Tk 1 crore, with limited cash holdings. Only Fatikchhari’s Nurul Amin stands out with Tk 13 crore in assets. Economist Dr. Moinul Islam noted that many candidates’ declared assets appear disproportionately high compared to their income and called for independent audits to ensure transparency. Regional Election Officer Mohammad Belayet Hossain Chowdhury emphasized that false or concealed information in affidavits could lead to legal consequences, including disqualification.

The Election Commission has instructed that both candidates and transparency-focused organizations verify affidavit accuracy, underscoring its legal importance in maintaining electoral accountability.

A Krishak Dal leader was assaulted in Gaibandha’s Saghata upazila after protesting derogatory remarks about Begum Khaleda Zia’s reported death. The incident occurred at Patilbari Char in Holdia Union, where Shahjahan Mondal, member secretary of the local Krishak Dal and a shopkeeper, was attacked at his grocery store. He was later admitted to Saghata Health Complex for treatment.

Local residents said that on Wednesday, Farid Mirza, a banned Awami League ward president from the same area, made offensive comments in public about the former prime minister and BNP chairperson. Shahjahan Mondal protested the remarks, leading to a heated exchange. Farid Mirza and his associates then allegedly launched a sudden attack on Mondal’s shop, beating him severely.

Holdia Union BNP president Omar Ali stated that Mondal was attacked for protesting the insult. Saghata Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahmudul Alam said that action would be taken if a formal complaint is received.

The Advisory Council of Bangladesh’s interim government has approved the official public holiday calendar for 2026. According to the list, there will be a total of 28 public holidays throughout the year, nine of which fall on regular weekends, leaving 19 effective working-day holidays. The decision applies to all government, semi-government, statutory, autonomous, and semi-autonomous institutions across the country. Optional holidays have also been designated: five for Muslims, nine for Hindus, eight for Christians, seven for Buddhists, and two for employees from small ethnic communities.

The calendar outlines opportunities for extended breaks by combining official and weekend holidays. February offers a four-day break around Shab-e-Barat, while March provides the longest stretch with up to seven consecutive days off around Eid-ul-Fitr and Shab-e-Qadr. In May, employees could enjoy up to ten days off around Eid-ul-Azha by taking two additional leave days. Other months such as April, August, October, and December also feature multiple long-weekend opportunities.

The approved schedule standardizes holiday observance across all public institutions, ensuring uniformity in 2026’s national leave structure.

A deep sense of mourning has enveloped Indurkani upazila in Pirojpur following the death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. As a mark of respect, all business establishments in the upazila remained closed from Thursday morning, January 1. Markets including Parerhat, Pattashi, and Ghosherhat were shuttered, with many shops locked and black flags and half-masted national flags displayed in mourning.

Md. Shahidul Islam, senior joint secretary of the Indurkani Market Management Committee, said traders voluntarily decided to close their businesses to express deep respect and sorrow for Begum Khaleda Zia. He added that all commercial activities would remain suspended throughout the day.

Begum Khaleda Zia had visited Indurkani on April 21, 2002, when she declared the then Jianagar area a full-fledged upazila. Later, the Awami League government renamed it Indurkani. Residents across the upazila are expressing grief and respect for the late leader, reflecting her lasting connection with the area.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said people across Bangladesh are deeply saddened by the passing of party chairperson Khaleda Zia at a critical juncture for the nation. He made the remarks on Thursday at the BNP chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka. Fakhrul noted that an unprecedented number of people attended her funeral, reflecting the public’s affection for her as a rare political figure who never compromised on principles or national sovereignty.

He described Khaleda Zia as a lifelong fighter for democracy who endured imprisonment and illness but never left the country. Fakhrul said her love for the nation and its people inspired millions. He added that her absence at this crucial time has left citizens grief-stricken, yet hopeful that the upcoming election will bring victory to the BNP.

Fakhrul also stated that Tarique Rahman would continue Khaleda Zia’s and Ziaur Rahman’s vision of Bangladeshi nationalism, working to safeguard sovereignty and democracy with public support.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Thursday, January 1, to express condolences over the death of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. During his visit, he signed the condolence book and met with officials at the mission. In a post on X, Singh said he conveyed deep sorrow over Zia’s passing and extended sympathy to her family and the people of Bangladesh.

A day earlier, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had traveled to Dhaka to attend Zia’s funeral and pay respects. During that visit, he met Tarique Rahman and handed him a condolence message from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The gestures from both Indian ministers followed recent tensions surrounding the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi.

In late December, protests organized by Hindu nationalist groups took place outside the mission, with some demonstrators shouting threatening slogans. Analysts view Singh’s visit as a significant diplomatic signal aimed at easing strains and maintaining normal bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh.

Israel has decided to revoke the licenses of 37 aid organizations operating in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The decision, announced to take effect from January 1, will also suspend the licenses of well-known international groups such as ActionAid, the International Rescue Committee, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, with their operations required to cease within 60 days.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned Israel’s move, saying it would obstruct and weaken UNRWA’s operational capacity in Gaza. He stated that the decision is inconsistent with international legal frameworks and should be immediately withdrawn. Guterres emphasized that UNRWA is an integral part of the United Nations and reminded Israel of its obligations under the UN Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.

The Israeli authorities said the action was taken because the organizations failed to meet new registration policy requirements.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed announced that those who submitted nomination papers as substitutes for the late BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in her three constituencies will officially be the party’s candidates. He made the statement on Thursday, December 1, at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka, while speaking to the media. Ahmed clarified that Khaleda Zia’s death would not affect the election process, as she passed away before the nomination scrutiny stage.

He explained that if such an event had occurred after the allocation of symbols, legal complications could have delayed the election, but that situation does not apply now. Ahmed described Khaleda Zia as the “Mother of Democracy,” saying she remains in people’s hearts despite her passing. He noted that many joined her funeral prayers in absentia and that her lifelong struggle for democracy made her a global symbol of democratic leadership.

Ahmed added that BNP would carry forward Khaleda Zia’s legacy of sacrifice and patriotism to build a strong, democratic, and equitable Bangladesh, reflecting the nation’s collective aspiration.

Professor Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman, who resigned on Wednesday from his post as Special Assistant (with the rank of State Minister) at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Bangladesh’s interim government, was reappointed to the same position the following day through an official notification issued on Thursday.

Rahman explained that his resignation was part of a formal retirement process, as his service tenure had ended. He stated that he would continue performing the same duties after being reappointed and expressed gratitude for public support. Earlier on Wednesday morning, he had posted on Facebook that it was his last day in service and that his resignation had been accepted as part of his retirement.

Before his appointment to the ministry in November, Professor Rahman had served as the former Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Medical University. The reappointment ensures continuity in his role within the interim government’s health administration.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss various bilateral matters. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to further strengthen the long-standing fraternal ties between the two nations, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. The call was described as warm and cordial.

During the discussion, Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of maintaining unity and harmony within the Muslim Ummah amid current challenges. He highlighted that dialogue and diplomacy are essential for ensuring regional peace and stability. The conversation reflected mutual goodwill and a shared vision for cooperation.

Crown Prince Mohammed thanked the Pakistani Prime Minister for the call and expressed interest in expanding cooperation across all areas of mutual interest. He also conveyed his intention to undertake an official visit to Pakistan in 2026, signaling continued engagement between the two countries.

Israel has approved the construction of 126 illegal housing units in Sa-Nur, located in the occupied West Bank. The plan was sanctioned by the Higher Planning Council under the Civil Administration, allowing settlers to return to the Sa-Nur outpost. The area had been unilaterally separated from Palestinian territory by Tel Aviv in 2005.

According to Israeli media reports, the approval follows the repeal of the 2005 Disengagement Law by the Israeli parliament in March 2024. The law had previously restricted settlement activity in certain evacuated areas. On December 23, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich convened a meeting of the Higher Planning Council to consider the 126-unit proposal. Channel 7 reported that the plan is expected to take effect within two months.

The Palestinian Authority has repeatedly urged the international community to pressure Israel to halt settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, which the United Nations and international law consider illegal.

Widespread protests and strikes in Iran over inflation and the sharp fall of the national currency have expanded to several cities, including Tehran, Karaj, Hamedan, Qeshm, Malard, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Shiraz, and Yazd. On Wednesday, the fourth day of demonstrations, police used tear gas to disperse protesters. The unrest began on Sunday after the Iranian rial hit a record low against the US dollar in Tehran’s open market, prompting shopkeepers to join the movement.

The Iranian government has expressed sympathy toward the protesters’ demands, stating that their concerns will be heard patiently despite the difficult circumstances. University students have also joined the demonstrations, chanting slogans against the government, which observers view as a significant challenge for the authorities.

According to BBC reports cited in the source, the country’s worsening economic situation and currency devaluation have caused deep public anxiety, fueling the ongoing protests.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara is taking transformative steps in the defense sector to ensure regional and global stability. He made the remarks during a phone call with soldiers gathered at the Artillery and Missile School Command in Polatlı, Ankara, on New Year’s Eve. Erdogan stated that Turkey is engaged in a strong struggle to establish stability in the world.

He emphasized that Turkey’s actions align with the foreign policy principle of the Republic’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, of “peace at home, peace in the world.” Highlighting efforts to strengthen internal unity, Erdogan said the country is striving to ensure stability both within its region and beyond. He detailed Turkey’s growing military capabilities, including tanks, howitzers, helicopters, drones, missiles, air defense systems, warships, submarines, and unmanned sea vehicles.

Erdogan added that despite serious challenges, Turkey has seized a “historic opportunity” to turn recent achievements into lasting success. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to building a stronger and greater Turkey for future generations.