A report from Kurigram recalls the tragic killing of a 13 or 14-year-old Bangladeshi girl named Felani, who was shot dead by an Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldier while crossing the border near pillar 947 at Phulbari’s Uttar Anantapur area. The incident occurred as her father, Nurul Islam, attempted to bring her home from Delhi through brokers without valid travel documents. The girl, wearing a red sweater, was found hanging on the barbed wire fence after being struck by a bullet fired by BSF member Amiya Ghosh.

The article describes Felani’s background as the eldest daughter of a poor family who had gone to India to work and support her parents and siblings. After a year of labor in Delhi, she was returning home for marriage when the fatal shooting occurred. The report portrays the event as a symbol of border violence and human tragedy.

According to the report, fifteen years after the killing, no justice has been served, leaving the case unresolved and the memory of Felani’s death a painful reminder for border residents.

Mir Arshadul Haque, joint convener and chief coordinator of the Chattogram metropolitan unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The joining took place on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, where Haque met the party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Later, he received the party’s primary membership from BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

According to the report, Haque had earlier announced his resignation from the NCP on December 25 through a Facebook post. His move marks a shift from his previous political affiliation to one of Bangladesh’s major opposition parties.

The report did not mention any official statement from Haque or BNP leaders regarding the reasons for his switch or his future role within the party.

Human rights organization Odhikar has demanded justice for the killing of Felani by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and called for an end to border killings. The demand was made on Wednesday at a rally held at the National Press Club in Dhaka to mark Felani Day and protest her death.

Odhikar’s director Nasir Uddin Elan stated that the manner in which Felani was killed at the border is known, yet justice has not been served. He described the killing of a woman at the border as a grave human rights violation and urged everyone to raise their voices against such incidents. Families of several victims of border killings were present at the event, along with Odhikar researcher Taskin Fahmin and other senior leaders of the organization.

The rally highlighted ongoing concerns about human rights violations along the Bangladesh-India border and renewed calls for accountability and justice for victims of cross-border violence.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will launch direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi starting January 29, marking the resumption of direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan after more than ten years. According to airline officials, two weekly flights will operate on this route for an initial three-month period, continuing until March 30 of the current year. The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has already granted approval for the route and designated airspace usage.

Currently, travelers between Bangladesh and Pakistan rely on transit hubs in the Middle East such as Dubai or Doha. The new direct service is expected to simplify travel, strengthen people-to-people connections, and enhance bilateral trade. Officials noted that the decision followed several months of discussions with Pakistani authorities.

Aviation experts described the Dhaka-Karachi route as both commercially and strategically significant. They believe that restoring direct air links will reinforce economic relations and mutual engagement between the two countries.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep sorrow and condolences over the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s three-time former Prime Minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). In a condolence message sent on January 2 to Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Guterres conveyed his sympathy on behalf of the United Nations. The message was released by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Wednesday.

In his message, Guterres said he was deeply saddened by the passing of the former Prime Minister. He extended heartfelt condolences to the people of Bangladesh and to Khaleda Zia’s family, noting that as the country’s first female Prime Minister, she held a distinct and dignified place in Bangladesh’s political history. He added that through her long years of public service and leadership, she left a significant mark on the nation’s political life.

Khaleda Zia, known for her uncompromising stance on democracy, passed away on December 30 of the previous year while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at the age of 80. She was buried with state honors on December 31 beside the grave of late President Ziaur Rahman at the capital’s Zia Udyan.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan announced that submission of Value Added Tax (VAT) returns will be made mandatory online from the next fiscal year. He made the announcement at an event held at the Revenue Building in Agargaon, Dhaka, marking the launch of an online VAT refund system that transfers refunds directly to taxpayers’ bank accounts.

According to the NBR chairman, while online submission of income tax returns is already mandatory, the VAT law has not yet required it. The upcoming budget will include a provision to make online VAT return submission compulsory. During the event, the chairman inaugurated the online VAT refund process by transferring Tk 45.35 lakh to the bank accounts of three taxpayers from three VAT commissionerates in Dhaka.

The NBR has instructed taxpayers who previously filed paper-based VAT returns to enter those records into the e-VAT system by March. After that, they will also be able to register online. The new system aims to ensure transparency and faster processing of refund applications without requiring taxpayers to visit VAT offices.

A student died after falling from the roof of a madrasa while trying to escape in Kaliakoir upazila of Gazipur on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred at Safiatul Ummah Hifz Model Madrasa in the Safipur area. According to local sources, the student, Alif Hasan, fell from the roof and was seriously injured. Madrasa authorities and locals rescued him and took him to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Police said Alif, son of Shahid Shah of Kouchakuri village in Kaliakoir, had previously attempted to flee the madrasa several times. On Wednesday morning, he reportedly tried to climb down a pipe from the roof when he accidentally fell. His body was being sent to Gazipur Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Following the incident, the victim’s family and other guardians accused the madrasa authorities of negligence and lack of safety measures, expressing anger over the death.

A high-level European Union delegation met with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at his Bashundhara office on Wednesday. The delegation, led by Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Chief of the European External Action Service’s Asia and Pacific Division, included the EU ambassador to Dhaka and another official. Following the meeting, Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher told reporters that the main discussion focused on the upcoming national election and the Rohingya issue. He said the EU delegation informed them that the Union would send the highest number of observers to monitor the election.

Dr. Taher emphasized that fair and impartial elections are essential for Bangladesh, noting that the lack of credible polls has been a major cause of national crises over the past 55 years. He expressed concern that recent government and law enforcement activities suggest bias toward one party, raising fears of a rigged election. Jamaat urged the government, Election Commission, and authorities to act neutrally to protect the country.

The EU delegation also discussed the Rohingya issue, and Jamaat leaders said they would work with the international community to ensure Rohingya safety and rights if they come to power.

A businessman named Shahabuddin, aged 40, was killed in an attack by miscreants in Dhaka’s Kadamtali area on Tuesday night. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. in the Kudar Bazar area, where Shahabuddin, who ran a gas cylinder business, was assaulted with sharp weapons. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition and declared dead by doctors at 11 p.m.

According to his elder brother, Mahiyuddin, Shahabuddin previously ran a scrap business in the Kadamtali-Jurain area and had started the gas cylinder business two months ago. He said the family was unaware of who attacked his brother or why. Police confirmed the death and said the body was kept at the hospital morgue.

Kadamtali Police Inspector (Investigation) Shafayet Hossain stated that initial findings suggest the killing resulted from previous enmity. Police are working to identify those involved in the attack.

A devastating fire in Ramganj municipality’s Ward 7 of Narimpur village in Lakshmipur killed a four-month-old child named Ayat Hossain on Tuesday around 5 p.m. The blaze began in the home of Dulal Mikar, reportedly caused by an electrical short circuit, and quickly spread to nearby houses. Before fire service units could arrive, three residential houses were completely burned down. The deceased child was the son of Dulal Mikar and Poran Begum.

According to local sources, Dulal’s wife had gone outside to collect clothes drying in the sun when the fire broke out. A gas cylinder explosion inside the house intensified the flames, spreading them to the homes of Md. Shahid Ullah, Siraj Mia, and Sabuj, which were all destroyed. Ramganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farashid Bin Enam visited the site and provided Tk 10,000 in immediate assistance. Officials from the local police and several political parties also inspected the scene.

Fire Station Leader Md. Rezaul Karim stated that the fire likely originated from an electrical short circuit, and the extent of the damage is being assessed.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to embark on a four-day visit to northern Bangladesh, beginning on January 11, 2026. According to the party, the trip is primarily focused on religious and social events. The BNP stated that the tour will fully comply with the code of conduct issued by the Bangladesh Election Commission. The party has submitted applications to the Election Commission, as well as to the relevant district commissioners and election officers, to ensure adherence to the regulations.

The tentative itinerary shows that Rahman will travel from Dhaka through Tangail and Sirajganj to Bogura on the first day, then proceed to Rangpur, Dinajpur, and Thakurgaon over the following days, before returning to Dhaka on January 14. During the trip, he will visit the graves of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, Shaheed Abu Sayeed, and Tayeba Mojumdar, among others, and attend prayer gatherings. He is also scheduled to meet injured freedom fighters and families of martyrs from the democratic movements.

The BNP emphasized that the visit is non-political in nature and intended to honor historical and social figures while maintaining compliance with electoral guidelines.

More than one hundred leaders and activists of the Jatiya Party (GM Quader faction) in Singair, Manikganj, have joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The formal joining took place on Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m., when they presented flowers to Engineer Moinul Islam Khan Shanto, the BNP-nominated candidate for the Manikganj-2 constituency.

Among those who joined were Pirzada Mohammad Ali, vice-president of the upazila Jatiya Party, member Mozzaffar Hossain, former organizing secretary Mojibur Rahman, municipal organizing secretary Shahanur Rahman, religious affairs secretary Mufti Akkas Ali, and upazila women’s Jatiya Party president Munni Akter, along with numerous supporters. Pirzada Mohammad Ali and Shahanur Rahman said they were inspired by the ideals of late President Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman.

BNP candidate Engineer Moinul Islam Khan Shanto welcomed the new members, noting their long involvement with Jatiya Party politics. He urged everyone to work together to ensure victory for the BNP’s electoral symbol and to develop Singair and southern Manikganj into a modern region.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has rejected reports that his party would allocate 10 parliamentary seats to the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP). Speaking at a briefing after a meeting with European Union representatives at the Jamaat Ameer’s political office in Dhaka on Wednesday morning, he said the claim was imaginary and that an agreement among 11 allied parties over seat distribution would be finalized soon.

Dr. Taher warned that Bangladesh would face destruction if elections were manipulated as in the past. He also stated that if Jamaat came to power, it would form a government in coordination with all political parties.

The statement followed media reports published on Tuesday claiming Jamaat would not give NCP more than ten seats, which sparked renewed political discussion.

The Anti-Aggression Movement, known as a symbol of public resistance against political aggression, dominance, and oppression, is holding its first anniversary event titled the 'July Hero Honor' ceremony on Wednesday. The program began at 9 a.m. at the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh (IDEB) auditorium in Kakrail, Dhaka. Families of July martyrs, injured participants, and July fighters from various districts including Chattogram, Cumilla, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Noakhali gathered in the capital early in the morning.

According to the organizers, the event will honor those who were martyred, injured, or persecuted during the July Movement. National-level political leaders, social figures, journalists, and citizen representatives are attending the ceremony. The Anti-Aggression Movement stated in a notice on Tuesday that the initiative continues the movement launched on January 7, 2025, at Dhaka University’s Raju Memorial, opposing political prescription and hegemonic aggression.

The organization reaffirmed its commitment to work uncompromisingly for national interests, sovereignty, and people’s rights. The event is being supported by JAM Sangstha, an organization active in education, health, and social development.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has warned that Bangladesh will head toward destruction if future elections are manipulated as in the past. He made the remarks on Wednesday morning in Dhaka after a meeting with representatives of the European Union at the political office of the Jamaat Ameer.

During the briefing, Taher said that discussions among 11 political parties regarding seat-sharing are nearing an agreement. He dismissed as imaginary the claim that the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP) would receive 10 seats. The Jamaat leader also stated that if his party comes to power, it will form a government in coordination with all political parties.

The meeting with EU representatives and Taher’s comments reflect ongoing political negotiations and concerns over electoral integrity ahead of the next national polls.