Bangladesh Bank has announced a special resolution scheme for depositors of five troubled Islamic banks being merged into a new entity named Combined Islamic Bank. According to the circular issued on Tuesday, depositors can initially withdraw up to two lakh taka, while those with higher balances may withdraw one lakh taka every three months for up to two years. Term deposits cannot be encashed before maturity, and specific timelines have been set for repayment after maturity.

The five banks being merged are First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, and EXIM Bank. Bangladesh Bank stated that persistent irregularities, severe liquidity shortages, and high non-performing loans had crippled their operations. The merger and resolution scheme aim to safeguard depositors’ funds and restore financial stability. Institutional fixed deposits worth 15,000 crore taka will be converted into new bank shares, while depositors outside the financial sector may access loans or investments up to 20 percent of their deposit balance.

The central bank has set the new bank’s authorized capital at 40,000 crore taka and paid-up capital at 35,000 crore taka, with a seven-member board appointed to oversee operations.

Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia pursued an independent and balanced foreign policy outside India’s sphere of influence, according to diplomatic and political analysts cited by Amar Desh. They noted that she strengthened ties with the Muslim world and China while maintaining cordial relations with Western nations, particularly the United States. She also sought to avoid hostility with India and worked to build effective bilateral relations.

Experts including Professor M Shahiduzzaman, Professor Dilara Chowdhury, and former ambassador M Humayun Kabir said Khaleda Zia emphasized a “Look-East Policy” to deepen economic relations with China and ASEAN countries, while promoting active participation in regional and international organizations such as SAARC and OIC. Her foreign policy was described as anti-hegemonic, prioritizing national interest and mutual respect in regional relations.

Analysts added that during her tenure, Bangladesh expanded trade with India, opened the Tin Bigha corridor, and increased manpower exports to Muslim countries. They credited her with keeping Bangladesh off the U.S. list of terror-sponsoring nations in 2004, reflecting her success in maintaining balanced global relations.

In the 13th National Parliamentary Election, a father and son are competing from different political parties in the Noakhali-6 (Hatiya) constituency, creating widespread discussion and curiosity in the area. On December 29, after the nomination submission deadline, it was confirmed that Amirul Islam Mohammad Abdul Malek filed his nomination under the Bangladesh Supreme Party (BSP) with the 'Ektara' symbol, while his son, Abdul Hannan Masud, senior joint chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), entered the race with the 'Shapla Koli' symbol.

Local residents and political observers described the dual candidacy as a strategic move rather than a coincidence. Some believe it could influence voter dynamics and shift focus from development issues to family-based power displays, potentially affecting democratic practices. A total of 14 candidates have submitted nominations for the seat, representing parties including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Party, JSD, Ganadhikar Parishad, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and LDP.

Abdul Hannan Masud stated that although he has been active in anti-fascist movements, this is his first electoral experience. He said he encouraged his father’s nomination, while Abdul Malek has not commented publicly.

A man named Ayub, aged 46, was arrested by joint forces in Khagrachhari on Tuesday night, December 30, while allegedly attempting to purchase a firearm. The arrest took place around 7:45 p.m. near the Agricultural Research Center area of the district town. Ayub is the son of the late Ishaq from Chandraghona in Rangunia upazila of Chattogram.

According to police, the operation was conducted based on secret intelligence regarding illegal arms trading. A patrol team from the 30 Bir Battalion of the Khagrachhari Sadar Zone, along with joint forces, carried out the raid and caught Ayub red-handed. Authorities recovered a pistol, two rounds of ammunition, and 4,000 taka in cash from his possession.

Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Kay Kislu of Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station confirmed the arrest and stated that preparations were underway to file a case against Ayub in connection with the incident.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled two influential leaders from Narayanganj for breaching party discipline. Former Member of Parliament Muhammad Giasuddin and BNP National Executive Committee member Shah Alam were removed from all party positions, including their primary memberships. The decision was announced on Tuesday, December 30, through a press release signed by Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The statement cited their involvement in organizational activities defying party directives as the reason for expulsion.

According to party sources, BNP’s central leadership had instructed that no party leader should contest as an independent candidate in constituencies where the party or its alliance had already nominated candidates for the upcoming national election. Despite this, Giasuddin and Shah Alam submitted nomination papers as independent candidates for the Narayanganj-4 constituency on Monday. District BNP convener Professor Mamun Mahmud confirmed the expulsion, emphasizing that the move was necessary to maintain party discipline.

Following the decision, Shah Alam said he was not worried about being expelled but expressed sorrow that the decision came on a day of mourning for party members.

Popular Islamic scholar and speaker Maulana Mizanur Rahman Azhari has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, December 30, he wrote that Khaleda Zia has completed her worldly journey and prayed for Allah to forgive her shortcomings, accept her good deeds, and make her a guest in paradise.

According to the report, Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 a.m. at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she had been under treatment. She was 80 years old at the time of her death. The country’s Chief Adviser also expressed grief, describing her passing as the loss of a great guardian of the nation and conveying his deep sorrow.

The article notes that social media has been flooded with images and videos from Khaleda Zia’s funeral, reflecting widespread mourning across the country.

In Lalmonirhat’s Patgram upazila, the district executive magistrate fined representatives of BNP and Jamaat for violating the election code of conduct ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. On Monday, December 29, the magistrate, Mir Foysal Ali, imposed a fine of 20,000 taka on the representative of BNP’s nominated candidate Barrister Hasan Rajib Pradhan for gathering a large crowd in front of his residence before submitting nomination papers. Jamaat’s nominated candidate Anwarul Islam Raju’s representative was fined 5,000 taka for campaigning with the party symbol in Jagatber Union.

According to the mobile court, the fines were imposed under section 9(gha) of the Political Party and Candidate Code of Conduct 2025. Representatives of both parties paid the fines on behalf of their respective organizations. Patgram Police Officer-in-Charge Nazmul Haque was present during the operation.

The magistrate stated that both BNP and Jamaat were penalized for breaching the election code, emphasizing that the fines were settled by their local representatives.

Former three-time Prime Minister Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 a.m. on Tuesday at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, marking the end of a major chapter in Bangladesh’s political history. Her death cast a pall of grief over the nation’s sports community, which remembered her contributions to cricket’s global debut, football’s achievements, and the development of sports infrastructure. In her honor, all ongoing matches across the country were suspended.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board, Bangladesh Football Federation, and Bangladesh Olympic Association led tributes, expressing deep sorrow and respect. The BFF described her as a lifelong influential political figure and a strong voice for humanity, while the BOA highlighted her role as Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and a key supporter of sports development. Numerous other federations—including hockey, athletics, tennis, swimming, and women’s sports organizations—issued condolence messages to her bereaved family.

Sports journalists’ associations and major clubs such as Mohammedan Sporting Club also joined in mourning, reflecting the widespread respect Khaleda Zia commanded across Bangladesh’s sporting landscape.

The Officers’ Association of BMET has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The condolence message, signed by the association’s president Md Masud Rana, was issued to the media on Tuesday. The statement described Khaleda Zia as an unforgettable figure in Bangladesh’s political history and praised her contributions to restoring democracy, strengthening the multiparty system, and safeguarding the country’s independence and sovereignty.

The message further highlighted her uncompromising leadership, determination, and courage throughout a long political career marked by adversity. It noted that her struggle for people’s voting rights and democratic freedoms would continue to inspire the nation. The association also acknowledged her administrative experience, political wisdom, and patriotic stance as vital to Bangladesh’s political progress.

On behalf of the BMET Officers’ Association, prayers were offered for the departed soul, and heartfelt sympathy was extended to her bereaved family, party members, and admirers.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has announced a general holiday on Wednesday across all garment factories in the country following the death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The announcement was made on Tuesday afternoon through a press release issued by BGMEA Acting Secretary Major Md. Saiful Islam (Retd). The statement said Khaleda Zia, a three-time former prime minister, passed away at 6 a.m. on Tuesday. The government has declared three days of national mourning and one day of public holiday in her honor.

BGMEA said it agreed with the government’s decision and requested all member factories to observe a one-day general holiday on Wednesday. In a condolence message, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan expressed deep sorrow, describing Khaleda Zia’s death as an irreparable loss for the nation and the garment industry community. The association prayed for the departed soul and extended sympathy to her bereaved family.

The government’s declaration of national mourning and BGMEA’s observance reflect the widespread respect for Khaleda Zia’s political legacy and leadership.

Preparations are underway for the funeral prayer of Begum Khaleda Zia, three-time former Prime Minister, uncompromising leader of the democratic movement, and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The janaza will be held on Wednesday after Zuhr prayers, around 2 p.m., at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka. Instead of the South Plaza of the National Parliament, her coffin will be placed at the western end of the avenue, with the ceremony extending across the Parliament grounds and the entire avenue.

Security forces and relevant state agencies have completed all necessary arrangements to allow citizens to pay their respects smoothly. Measures are being taken to accommodate the public along surrounding roads. After the janaza, at around 3:30 p.m., Begum Khaleda Zia will be buried with state honors beside the late President and freedom fighter Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar’s Zia Udyan. Only designated individuals will be allowed at the burial site, and public movement in the area will remain restricted until the ceremony concludes.

Leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) paid tribute to former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia following her death. On Tuesday night, NCP Convener Nahid Islam and other party leaders visited the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka, where they signed the condolence book on behalf of their party.

During the visit, Nahid Islam stated that Khaleda Zia’s uncompromising attitude and determination had inspired democracy-loving and freedom-seeking people across Bangladesh. He emphasized that her legacy would continue to motivate the struggle for the country’s sovereignty, freedom from dominance, and the establishment of democracy.

The tribute reflected the NCP’s recognition of Khaleda Zia’s political influence and her role as a symbol of resilience in Bangladesh’s democratic movement.

Three advisers of the interim government signed a condolence book expressing grief over the death of former three-time Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The signing took place on Tuesday night at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka, where BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was also present.

The advisers who signed the condolence book were Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul, Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, and National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman. Their attendance marked an official expression of sympathy from the interim government following Khaleda Zia’s passing.

The event reflected the government’s acknowledgment of Khaleda Zia’s political legacy and her role as a three-time prime minister and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued special traffic restrictions ahead of the funeral prayer of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, scheduled for Wednesday, December 31, after Zuhr at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital. The DMP announced that diversions will be in effect from 7 a.m. until the funeral ends to ensure smooth traffic management and public safety.

According to a public notice signed by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali, several key roads and crossings, including Farmgate, Bijoy Sarani, Indira Road, and Ganabhaban crossings, will remain closed or restricted. Motorists have been advised to avoid Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue and use alternative routes such as the Moghbazar flyover and Mahakhali bus terminal roads. Parking for city vehicles will be available at the old trade fair ground, while visitors from outside Dhaka may park in designated areas including Motijheel, Shahbagh, Uttara, and Purbachal.

The DMP urged residents to cooperate fully with the temporary measures to facilitate the large public gathering expected at the funeral.

Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq will represent his country at the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. The confirmation came from Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who announced on social media platform X on Tuesday night that Sadiq would arrive in Dhaka on Wednesday to attend the funeral.

Earlier, the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka had stated that Ishaq Dar himself would travel to Bangladesh for the funeral. The commission’s press counsellor, Md. Fasih Ullah Khan, had also confirmed that Dar would arrive on Wednesday. However, the plan was later revised, and Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was designated to represent Pakistan at the event.

The change in Pakistan’s representation underscores the country’s official acknowledgment of Khaleda Zia’s political stature. The funeral is also expected to be attended by foreign dignitaries, including the foreign ministers of Nepal and Sri Lanka, according to the source.