A severe cold wave and dense fog have paralyzed daily life in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj district. The cold weather has particularly affected day laborers, children, and the elderly, while continuous low temperatures have disrupted normal activities. Farmers are struggling to cultivate land, and livestock owners are facing difficulties protecting their animals. The dense fog, lasting from evening until noon, has reduced visibility on roads, forcing vehicles to move under risky conditions. The sun has not been visible for two days, preventing many workers from going to work.

The cold has also led to a rise in cold-related illnesses such as cough, pneumonia, and respiratory problems, especially among children and the elderly. Many patients have been admitted to the upazila health complex over the past week. Poor and homeless people are suffering acutely due to a shortage of warm clothing. Although local voluntary organizations and the upazila administration have begun distributing winter clothes, the assistance remains insufficient compared to the growing need.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has decided to remove all banners and posters across the country, including Dhaka, within three days. The decision was made under the directive of the party’s acting chairman Tareq Rahman. However, banners and posters expressing condolences for the late party chairperson Khaleda Zia will remain in place for a few more days. The removal drive was formally launched in front of the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan, led by Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

A meeting was held at the BNP central office with top leaders from Dhaka North and South city units, as well as from the Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal. Rizvi emphasized that while banners and posters are a form of political expression, they can harm the city’s beauty and aesthetics. He said the initiative aims to ensure that no one’s rights are disrupted by political displays.

Rizvi added that responsibilities have been distributed among party units and that the cleanup will continue nationwide until all banners and posters, except mourning ones, are removed within the set timeframe.

January 2, 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the killing of revolutionary leader Siraj Sikder, founder of the Purba Bangla Sarbahara Party. According to the report, Sikder was arrested in Chittagong on January 1, 1975, brought to Dhaka, and later killed by security forces under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s government. The incident is described as the first major custodial killing in independent Bangladesh and is widely regarded as the country’s first case of extrajudicial execution.

Contemporary media reports and accounts from Sikder’s followers claim he was tortured and shot dead near Jahangirnagar University after being taken from the Rakkhi Bahini headquarters. However, the official police press note at the time stated that Sikder was killed while allegedly trying to escape from a police van in Savar’s Talbag area. A case was filed at Savar Police Station following the incident.

Sikder, born in 1944 in present-day Shariatpur, was influenced by Marxist-Leninist-Maoist ideology and led armed movements against multiple forces, including the Mujib government, which he accused of being pro-India.

Severe cold has disrupted daily life in Chuadanga, where the temperature dropped to 9.0 degrees Celsius on Friday morning, January 2, 2026. After five days without sunshine, residents finally saw the sun, but the cold remained intense. People were seen lighting fires to keep warm, while vehicles moved with headlights on due to fog. Hospitals reported an increase in patients, especially children and the elderly.

According to the Chuadanga Weather Office, the cold wave is being caused by northern winds, dense fog, and cloudy skies. The biting cold has severely affected day laborers and homeless people, forcing many to endure extreme hardship. Streets have become deserted, and poor and low-income families are struggling to find work, leading to worsening living conditions.

Acting officer Jaminnur Rahman of the Chuadanga Weather Office said humidity was 95 percent at 9 a.m. He added that the lowest temperature in the country was recorded in Jessore at 8 degrees Celsius.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s daughter Jaima Rahman, along with other family members, visited the grave of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Zia Udyan in Dhaka on Friday morning. The family paid their respects around 10:30 a.m. Jaima was accompanied by Sharmila Rahman, wife of Khaleda Zia’s late younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, and other relatives.

During the visit, the family also offered prayers at the nearby grave of former President Ziaur Rahman, which is located within the same premises. The visit came days after Khaleda Zia passed away early Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was buried with state honors beside her husband, the late President Ziaur Rahman, following a funeral prayer held on Wednesday at Manik Mia Avenue.

The family’s visit marks one of the first public appearances at the grave following the burial, reflecting continued mourning within the BNP leadership and family circle.

Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem has said he will endure oppression and injustice like the late former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia but will not leave the country. He made the remark while signing the condolence book for Khaleda Zia at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Thursday, before a meeting with acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman.

In his written message, Kayem described Khaleda Zia as a voice against Indian dominance and uncompromising in her struggle for justice. He stated that the nation would remember her lifelong fight for independence, sovereignty, and justice. He also emphasized that the political ideology of Shaheed Zia and Begum Zia represents the future of Bangladesh, opposing corruption, terrorism, and mafia influence.

After the meeting, Kayem told reporters that Tarique Rahman advised student leaders to remain united against fascism following the July revolution and urged all anti-fascist political and student organizations, including BNP and Jamaat, to work together.

Ferry operations on the Daulatdia–Paturia river route, one of Bangladesh’s key transport links, returned to normal on Friday morning after being suspended for about seven and a half hours due to dense fog. The suspension began around 2:30 a.m. on Thursday night when heavy fog over the Padma River severely reduced visibility, prompting authorities to halt all ferry and vessel movement for safety reasons.

According to local sources, the decision was taken to ensure the safety of passengers and vehicles as navigation became difficult in the thick fog. During the suspension, hundreds of vehicles were stranded at both terminals, causing significant inconvenience to travelers. Operations resumed around 10 a.m. on Friday after the fog lifted and visibility improved to a safe level.

Officials from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) confirmed that ferry movement was restored once conditions normalized. The report noted that such disruptions are common during winter when dense fog frequently affects ferry operations on this vital route, impacting travel and goods transport to the southern region.

BNP-nominated candidate for Sylhet-2 (Osmaninagar–Bishwanath) constituency, Tahsina Rushdir Luna, has declared total assets worth Tk 26,143,492 in her affidavit submitted to the Election Commission. The former deputy registrar of Dhaka University, now retired, stated that she owns no house in her name. Her affidavit lists 40 bhori of gold ornaments received as marriage gifts, cash holdings of Tk 1,770,464, including Tk 1,350,000 borrowed from her son, and one car registered under her name.

According to the affidavit, Luna’s movable assets have an acquisition value of Tk 11,376,157 and a current market value of Tk 15,011,058. Her immovable assets were valued at Tk 8,966,500 at current market rates. She also mentioned jointly owned property worth Tk 34,200. Her annual income is Tk 952,387, and she has no pending legal cases.

Among nine candidates in the constituency, Luna tops in declared assets, while independent candidate Barrister Mohammad Abdus Shahid leads in annual income, reporting Tk 5 million in his tax return.

Dhaka experienced severe cold and dense fog on Friday morning, disrupting normal life across the capital. The city was covered in a thick layer of fog from dawn, forcing vehicles to move with headlights on due to poor visibility. The biting cold and chilly winds made it difficult for residents to cope, even with multiple layers of warm clothing. As it was a holiday, fewer people were seen on the roads, but those who ventured out faced significant discomfort.

According to weather updates, the country’s overall weather may remain dry with partly cloudy skies. Moderate to dense fog is likely to occur in many areas from midnight to morning, possibly persisting until noon in some places. The intensity of cold has increased across the country, including Dhaka, with forecasts suggesting that the cold conditions may continue for several days.

The weather office also indicated that after January 4, the cold may intensify again, while 17 districts are expected to see a gradual reduction in the ongoing cold wave.

The interim government of Bangladesh has approved the establishment of a new public medical college and hospital in Munshiganj district. The decision was announced through a circular signed by Md. Saidur Rahman, Secretary of the Health Education and Family Welfare Division, on Thursday. The circular stated that the project has received policy-level approval, and academic activities will begin once the necessary infrastructural development is completed.

According to the report, this is the latest in a series of approvals by the interim government aimed at expanding medical education and healthcare facilities. Earlier, on November 11 of the previous year, the government had granted permission for academic activities at a private institution, Barrister Rafiqul Haque Medical College, located in Jurain, Dhaka.

The new medical college in Munshiganj is expected to enhance access to medical education and healthcare services in the region once construction and development are finalized.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has launched an intensive campaign to reclaim all four parliamentary constituencies in Bhola ahead of the 13th national election. Each seat features heavyweight BNP candidates, while Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolon Bangladesh are also actively contesting. Despite strong candidates, BNP faces internal disputes in some constituencies, particularly over nominations and coordination with its ally BJP. Jamaat, with single strong contenders in each seat, appears more organized and confident.

In Bhola-1, former mayor Golam Nabi Alamgir leads BNP’s campaign, while Jamaat’s Nazrul Islam has been engaging voters through social and welfare activities. In Bhola-2, former MP Hafiz Ibrahim is working to regain his seat, facing Jamaat’s Mufti Fazlul Karim. Veteran BNP leader Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed is contesting Bhola-3, where Jamaat-backed Nizamul Haque Nayeem has gained youth support. In Bhola-4, BNP’s Nurul Islam Noyon faces internal divisions, while Jamaat’s Mostafa Kamal is seen as well-positioned.

Political analyst ABM Mojibur Rahman noted that post-July uprising activities will influence voters and emphasized the need for army presence to ensure fair polling.

Thousands of mourners gathered at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka on Thursday to visit the graves of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her husband, late President Ziaur Rahman. From dawn until late night, people of all ages and backgrounds arrived at the Zia Udyan mausoleum carrying flowers, reciting prayers, and reading from the Quran. The area turned into a scene of deep mourning and emotion as visitors paid tribute to the late leader.

Many visitors expressed their grief and admiration for Khaleda Zia’s political legacy and personal sacrifices. Among them were families, students, and BNP leaders who described her as a symbol of courage, dignity, and dedication to Bangladesh’s interests. Former press aide and current Bangladeshi ambassador to Mexico, Mushfiqur Fazal Ansari, called her an uncompromising builder of democracy and economic progress. Others pledged to continue her political ideals under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.

Khaleda Zia was buried with state honors on Wednesday beside her husband’s grave at Zia Udyan, following her funeral prayer held earlier that afternoon.

A total of 1,219,142 people have registered through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app to cast their ballots from abroad in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to the Election Commission (EC) website, as of Friday morning, 1,052,333 men and 166,807 women had completed registration. The EC will send ballot papers by mail to the registered expatriates’ addresses within the specified time.

This marks the first time the EC has introduced an IT-supported postal ballot system. The initiative allows expatriates, individuals in legal custody, and election officials on duty to vote through this method after registering in the app. Registration began on November 19 and will continue until January 5, 2026, following an extension announced on December 30.

The EC stated that registered voters will receive postal ballots by mail, cast their votes, and return them in sealed envelopes to the returning officers. The commission is preparing to hold the election in the first half of February 2026, targeting participation from five million expatriate voters.

Religious Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain announced that necessary steps have been taken to implement the Dawra-e-Hadith certification for Qawmi madrasa graduates. Speaking on Thursday at the Islamic Foundation auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, he said that semi-official letters had been sent to four ministries, and the Law Ministry had already amended regulations to allow Dawra-e-Hadith certificate holders to obtain marriage registrar licenses. He also discussed with the Chief Adviser the possibility of appointing these graduates as khatibs, imams, and religious teachers in various departments under the Ministry of Defence.

Dr. Hossain highlighted that the Ministry of Religious Affairs officials worked tirelessly to secure approval for the project titled “Mosque-based Child and Mass Education Program (Phase 8),” which aims to promote moral and religious values. He added that initiatives are underway to transfer the project to the revenue sector.

He further announced that the Islamic Foundation will offer PhD scholarships in Islamic studies for imams and scholars with postgraduate degrees, with funding being arranged. Additionally, individuals who have made special contributions to Islamic service across the country will be honored later this month.

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) of Bangladesh has made major revisions to the 2026 academic year textbooks, incorporating new historical and political content. The updated editions emphasize the role of late President Ziaur Rahman in declaring independence during the Liberation War and in restoring multiparty democracy after the one-party BAKSAL system. They also include the leadership of Khaleda Zia in the 1990 anti-Ershad movement and the establishment of a democratic government under her leadership.

According to NCTB sources, the revisions were made following recommendations from the National Curriculum Coordination Committee (NCC). The ‘Bangladesh and Global Studies’ textbooks for grades six through ten now present a broader account of the country’s political evolution, including the 1990 uprising, the 2024 July student-people movement, and the fall and escape of Sheikh Hasina. The eighth-grade book details Ziaur Rahman’s 26 March independence declaration from Kalurghat radio, while the ninth-grade book includes his photograph and outlines his political and economic initiatives.

The new textbooks have already been published and uploaded online for students nationwide.