Nahid Islam, the convenor of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and candidate of the 12-party alliance for Dhaka-11 constituency, has had his nomination paper declared valid. The decision was announced by the district commissioner and returning officer at noon on Saturday. His nomination form had been submitted earlier on December 29 by representatives to the Dhaka divisional returning officer and divisional commissioner Sharaf Uddin Ahmad Chowdhury. According to the affidavit submitted by Nahid Islam, the total acquisition value of his movable assets amounts to 2.6 million taka, with an estimated current value of 3 million taka. His declared assets include 1.95 million taka in cash, 385,363 taka in bank and financial institutions, 775,000 taka in jewelry, 100,000 taka in electronic goods, and 170,000 taka in furniture. The validation of his nomination confirms his eligibility to contest the upcoming election from Dhaka-11 under the 12-party alliance banner.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has warned of multiple cold waves sweeping across the country throughout January 2026. According to its long-term forecast, two to three mild to moderate cold waves and one to two moderate to severe cold waves may occur, with temperatures in some areas expected to fall as low as 4 to 6 degrees Celsius. Northern regions and river basin areas are likely to experience the most intense cold. The forecast, issued after a meeting of the department’s expert committee, also predicts moderate to dense fog from midnight to morning, sometimes lasting until noon. This fog is expected to reduce the difference between day and night temperatures, intensifying the overall cold sensation. Despite normal rainfall being expected for the month, no cyclones or low-pressure systems are anticipated over the Bay of Bengal. In December, rainfall across the country was 99.3 percent below normal, and the lowest temperature recorded was 7.5 degrees Celsius in Gopalganj on December 31. The department cautioned that cold wave days could disrupt normal life even if average temperatures remain typical for the season.

Dr. Tasnim Jara, who resigned from the NCP, has had her nomination as an independent candidate for the Dhaka-9 constituency canceled. The decision was announced on Saturday by Returning Officer and Dhaka District Commissioner Rezaul Karim. According to Jara, some unintentional errors occurred in the signatures submitted with her nomination due to incomplete voter information. Speaking to journalists after leaving the Returning Officer’s office, Jara explained that the signatories believed they were voters of Dhaka-9, but the Election Commission’s records showed otherwise. She mentioned that one signatory tried to verify their voter number on the Election Commission’s website but could not find it, relying instead on the address listed on their national ID card. A similar mistake occurred with another signatory. Jara added that the Election Commission lacks an effective system for voters to confirm their constituency, which led to the confusion. She emphasized that there was no dishonest intent behind the errors and noted that, despite the challenge, she has received strong public support as an independent candidate.

The nomination paper of BNP candidate Engineer Ishraq Hossain for the Dhaka-6 constituency has been declared valid by the district commissioner and returning officer. The announcement was made at noon on Saturday, confirming his eligibility to contest in the upcoming election. Earlier, on December 28 of the previous year, Ishraq Hossain submitted his nomination papers at the office of the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner, Shafor Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, located in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. Following the submission, Ishraq stated that the electoral environment was very good so far and expressed hope that the election would be held peacefully, with all political parties participating democratically. The validation of Ishraq’s nomination clears the way for him to officially campaign as the BNP candidate in Dhaka-6, as the election process continues under the supervision of the returning officer.

Inqilab Mancha has launched a program titled 'March for Insaf' demanding justice for the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi. The campaign began on Saturday, January 3, and will continue until Tuesday, January 6. During this period, members of the organization will reach out to the government, political parties, and people across the country to seek cooperation in ensuring justice for Hadi’s killing. The group has also demanded that those involved in Hadi’s murder be identified and a charge sheet be filed by January 7. Failing that, Inqilab Mancha warned of launching a final phase of protests after that date and threatened a movement for the government’s resignation if justice is not delivered within 22 working days. The program was announced by the organization’s member secretary, Abdullah Al Jaber, following a protest march from Dhaka University’s central mosque to Shahbagh. Sharif Osman Hadi, a potential independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the head on December 12 in Purana Paltan. He later died on December 18 while undergoing treatment in Singapore after being transferred there for advanced medical care.

Dr. Tasnim Zara, an independent candidate and former NCP leader for the Dhaka-9 parliamentary constituency, has had her nomination paper cancelled. The decision was announced by the Dhaka district returning officer at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Zara had submitted her nomination on December 29 at the Sabujbagh Thana election office, fulfilling the requirement of collecting support from one percent of the total voters in her constituency. According to her affidavit, Dr. Zara is a physician with an annual income of 713,333 taka from her job and an additional 3,200 British pounds earned abroad. She has paid 34,057 taka in income tax. Her declared assets include 250,000 taka in jewelry, 10,019 taka in bank deposits, 1.6 million taka in cash, and 2,270 British pounds. She reported no loans, cases, or government dues. Her husband, Khaled Saifullah, holds 1.5 million taka in cash and 6,000 British pounds, with foreign income of 39,800 pounds. As per the election schedule, appeals against returning officer decisions can be filed between January 5 and 9, with resolution from January 10 to 18. Final candidate lists and symbols will be issued on January 21, and campaigning will run until February 10 morning.

Retired Commodore Jasim Uddin Bhuiyan has cautioned that leasing Chattogram Port to foreign operators such as Maersk Group, RSJGT, or DP World could endanger Bangladesh’s sovereignty. Writing in the newspaper ‘Amar Desh’ on January 3, 2026, he argued that strategic ports are not mere infrastructures but vital instruments of national power. Drawing parallels with Ukraine’s Sevastopol Port, he warned that foreign control through long-term leases can lead to economic and political dependency. The article highlights that over 92 percent of Bangladesh’s trade passes through Chattogram Port, making it the country’s economic lifeline. Bhuiyan criticized the move toward foreign concession models, calling it a potential 30-year trap that could turn the port into a foreign-managed gateway. He proposed an alternative “operator model” combining local and global operators to maintain national control while improving efficiency. He urged transparency in all port agreements, rejection of non-disclosure clauses, and cancellation of any deals that compromise revenue or authority. The piece concludes that sovereignty cannot be leased and warns policymakers to learn from global maritime history before finalizing such arrangements.

Australian captain Steve Smith has said that teammate Usman Khawaja faced unfair treatment during his international cricket career. The 39-year-old left-handed batter is set to retire after the Sydney Test, which will be his final match in the ongoing Ashes series. Smith voiced his support for Khawaja, noting that the player had been dropped from the national team multiple times, including eight occasions in his Test career and again during the current Ashes. Smith refrained from commenting directly on Khawaja’s criticisms but described some of the claims against him, such as being injured while playing golf before a match, as unjust. He praised Khawaja’s 15-year career and his consistent improvement over time. Smith recalled that Khawaja had also been dropped during the 2017 series against India but used that setback to refine his playing techniques. Smith concluded by calling Khawaja an exceptional talent whose development over the years had been remarkable, highlighting their early days playing together in New South Wales youth cricket.

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck Mexico’s southern Guerrero state on Friday morning, killing two people and triggering widespread tremors. According to the National Seismological Service, the quake’s epicenter was located 35 kilometers beneath San Marcos, about 92 kilometers from the Pacific coastal city of Acapulco. More than 500 aftershocks were recorded following the initial quake, and landslides were reported in several parts of the state. Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado confirmed that a 50-year-old woman died when her house collapsed near the epicenter, while another person in Mexico City died after falling during a building evacuation. A hospital in the state capital, Chilpancingo, sustained structural damage, prompting the evacuation of patients. Residents and tourists in Mexico City and Acapulco rushed into the streets as the ground shook. During a morning briefing at the National Palace, President Claudia Sheinbaum and journalists were forced to evacuate when the earthquake alarm sounded. Civil defense teams continued to assess damage and monitor aftershocks across the affected areas.

A former Bangladeshi secretary has shared personal recollections of Begum Khaleda Zia, portraying her as a leader of integrity, empathy, and restraint. The narrative spans from the early 1990s, when the author met Khaleda Zia’s son Arafat Rahman Koko in Australia, to later years when the author worked at the Prime Minister’s Office. Through these memories, the author highlights Khaleda Zia’s concern for her son’s hardships abroad, her modest lifestyle, and her composed leadership style during her tenure as prime minister. The account recalls Koko’s financial struggles as a student in Melbourne, his mother’s inability to send money, and her distress upon learning that counterfeit dollars had reached him. It also describes Khaleda Zia’s humility in office, her fairness in decision-making, and her interactions with ministers and cultural figures such as writer Humayun Ahmed. The author concludes with a reflection on her lifelong dedication to the nation and a prayer for her peace in the afterlife. The piece serves as a personal tribute, emphasizing Khaleda Zia’s moral strength and human sensitivity as remembered by someone who observed her closely over decades.

Ferry operations on the Shariatpur–Chandpur river route returned to normal on Saturday morning after being suspended overnight because of dense fog. According to the BIWTC terminal authorities, services resumed at around 10:45 a.m. when visibility improved. The suspension had begun at 1 a.m. on Friday night to prevent possible accidents amid heavy fog, causing congestion of passengers and vehicles on both sides of the river. Md. Iqbal Hossain, deputy manager of the BIWTC Narsinghpur ferry terminal, said the decision to halt operations was taken for safety reasons as fog density increased late at night. Once conditions improved, ferry movement was restored. Currently, six ferries of various sizes are operating on the route. With the resumption of ferry services, both passenger and cargo transport have returned to normal, easing pressure on the terminals and restoring regular movement across the Shariatpur–Chandpur route.

A government investigation has found evidence supporting 16 out of 22 allegations against Aminul Haque, principal of Mohammadpur Women’s College in Dhaka and proposer of banned Awami League leader Jahangir Kabir Nanak’s election nomination. The Directorate of Inspection and Audit (DIA) under the Ministry of Education conducted the inquiry from March 16 to 20 last year and finalized its report on December 2. The report cites proof of financial irregularities, misuse of college funds, threats to election officials, and forced dismissal of employees. The investigation found that Haque took unauthorized commissions from exam funds, inflated vehicle purchase costs, and used political influence in recruitment. It also confirmed that he threatened presiding officers during a dummy election and misused college resources. However, some allegations, such as using college funds for private events, were not proven. Complainant lecturer Humayun Kabir accused Haque of delaying the inquiry by seeking changes in investigating officers. Affected employees have demanded Haque’s removal, punishment, and reinstatement of dismissed staff. Haque denied the allegations, calling them false and politically motivated, and said he sought officer changes due to lack of confidence, not to delay the process.

The admission test for the 2025–26 academic session of nine agriculture cluster universities in Bangladesh is being held today, Saturday, January 3. The one-hour multiple-choice examination began at 2 p.m. and will continue until 3 p.m. A total of 88,228 students are participating in the test for 3,701 available seats, meaning around 24 candidates are competing for each seat. The examination is taking place simultaneously at 20 sub-centers across the country. Gazipur Agricultural University (GAKRUBI) is coordinating all technical and administrative aspects of the examination. The universities under the agriculture cluster include Bangladesh Agricultural University, Gazipur Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Sylhet Agricultural University, Khulna Agricultural University, Habiganj Agricultural University, and Kurigram Agricultural University. Among the total seats, Bangladesh Agricultural University has 1,006, Gazipur Agricultural University 510, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University 705, Patuakhali Science and Technology University 452, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University 275, Sylhet Agricultural University 431, Khulna Agricultural University 150, Habiganj Agricultural University 90, and Kurigram Agricultural University 82.

Over the past ten years, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has allegedly killed 36 Bangladeshi nationals along the Maheshpur border in Jhenaidah district through shootings and torture following abductions. The report states that more than a hundred others were injured in assaults by BSF personnel. The Maheshpur border, stretching 72 kilometers, includes 60 kilometers of barbed wire fencing and 12 kilometers of open frontier adjoining India’s Nadia and North 24 Parganas districts in West Bengal. According to the investigation, most casualties occurred near BSF camps in Indian areas opposite Baghdanga, Shyamkur, and other Bangladeshi border unions. The killings have turned the Maheshpur frontier into what locals describe as a “valley of death.” The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) established its 58th battalion camp in Maheshpur in 2015 to improve surveillance and reduce cross-border crimes. BGB sources claim that killings have decreased somewhat since the camp’s establishment. BGB officials said awareness programs are ongoing to prevent illegal crossings and smuggling, while protests against BSF actions are raised during bilateral flag meetings. Families of victims allege BSF hostility and fear cultivating land near the border.

Ferry services on the Shariatpur–Chandpur river route were temporarily suspended early Friday, January 3, 2026, due to dense fog. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) halted operations from 1 a.m. to prevent potential accidents as visibility on the river sharply decreased. The decision was taken as a safety precaution amid worsening fog conditions overnight. According to BIWTC’s Narsinghpur ferry terminal deputy manager Md. Iqbal Hossain, visibility on the river route dropped significantly, prompting the suspension to ensure the safety of passengers and vehicles. He confirmed that no ferry was stranded on the river and that services would resume once the fog clears. The suspension has caused congestion at both ferry terminals, where passengers and drivers are waiting for improved weather conditions to continue their journeys.