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.

A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has sentenced eight journalists and YouTubers to life imprisonment for allegedly spreading terrorism online by supporting former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The verdict was delivered on Friday, with the court stating that the accused engaged in online activities deemed as terrorism under Pakistani law. According to the court, their actions created fear and unrest in society. Most of the accused were not present during the trial as they are reportedly outside Pakistan. Those convicted include former military officers and YouTubers Adil Raja and Syed Akbar Hussain, journalists Wajahat Saeed Khan, Sabir Shakir, and Shaheen Sehbai, commentator Haider Raza Mehdi, and analyst Moeed Pirzada. The court noted that after Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023, his supporters carried out violent protests, including attacks on military camps, and the accused were found to have incited the violence. Earlier, on December 20, 2023, Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 17 years in prison in the Toshakhana corruption-2 case and are currently held in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.

Following the death of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on December 30, the party’s top post has become vacant. Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman, who had been serving as acting chairman during Khaleda Zia’s imprisonment and illness, continues to perform the duties of the position. According to the BNP constitution, the senior vice chairman automatically assumes the role of chairman when the post becomes vacant. However, official party statements still refer to Tarique Rahman as acting chairman. Election experts note that under the election code, candidates may only use the current party chief’s image in campaign materials. Since the 13th parliamentary election campaign begins on January 22, BNP must formally designate Tarique Rahman as chairman before that date to use his image. The Election Commission’s senior secretary stated that the decision rests with the party. BNP policymakers confirm that constitutionally Tarique Rahman is already chairman, though the party continues a seven-day mourning period for Khaleda Zia. Some leaders suggest a council could later formalize his position, but it is not mandatory under the party’s constitution.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at an event in Chennai, explained New Delhi’s approach toward neighboring countries by citing examples of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He stated that India formulates its policies based on the behavior and relationship patterns of its neighbors, clearly differentiating between “good” and “bad” neighbors. According to him, India supports countries that maintain cooperative relations, offering assistance through vaccine diplomacy, economic aid, and emergency support. Jaishankar’s remarks came just days after attending former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s funeral. He emphasized that India reserves the right to defend itself against nations that consistently support terrorism or pose security threats. He added that India’s neighborhood policy is guided by common sense and national interest rather than emotion. Referring to India’s firm stance toward Pakistan and its aid to Sri Lanka during its economic crisis, he suggested that a neighbor’s conduct determines India’s policy approach. Although he did not directly mention Bangladesh, his comments indicated that India views mutual trust, cooperation, and security as the foundation of regional relations.

Bangladesh’s Home Ministry has advanced legal proceedings against police officers accused of involvement in the July massacre. Around 1,500 cases were filed nationwide, with 302 selected for transfer to the International Crimes Tribunal for adjudication. Each case names between 10 and 80 police officers as defendants. The ministry will soon hand over related documents to the tribunal’s investigation agency, according to a senior official who confirmed the development anonymously. The ministry’s findings describe how, during the July–August 2024 uprising against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, police used lethal force across the country, including live ammunition, to suppress protests. Reports from the United Nations and international media documented widespread killings, including of minors, and alleged that police actions followed directives from senior leadership. Investigations also revealed that the violence was part of a broader state repression policy. The Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal welcomed the ministry’s move, saying it would support justice for victims and ensure accountability for those responsible. Several trials are already underway, with one verdict delivered and others nearing completion.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported on Friday that Israeli positions fired shotgun and machine gun rounds that landed dangerously close to UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. Although no casualties were reported, the UN mission condemned the incidents, describing them as part of a worrying pattern of repeated occurrences near the Blue Line border area. According to UNIFIL, peacekeepers were on patrol when the first incident occurred, with 15 small-arms rounds landing just 50 meters away. Shortly afterward, another patrol in the same area came under fire from around 100 machine gun rounds. The peacekeepers identified the source of the gunfire as Israeli military positions located south of the Blue Line. UNIFIL stated that it had previously informed Israeli forces of its patrol activities and later communicated through established channels to request a halt to the firing. In its statement, UNIFIL urged Israeli forces to cease attacks on peacekeepers operating near the Blue Line, emphasizing that such actions threaten peace and stability in the region.

RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam has called for collective efforts and public awareness to solve Old Dhaka’s long-standing problems. He made the remarks on Friday at a views-exchange meeting organized by the Dhaka Metropolitan Association at Noyabazar, where he attended as the chief guest. The meeting discussed issues such as unplanned buildings, narrow roads, and unauthorized constructions that pose various risks in the area. The RAJUK chairman emphasized that Old Dhaka’s problems cannot be solved by law enforcement alone and that residents must become more conscious to build a safer and more beautiful city for future generations. He highlighted the importance of keeping sufficient road space for emergency services like fire and ambulance access during disasters such as fires or earthquakes. He also sought the cooperation of building owners in making old structures risk-free and urged strict adherence to RAJUK’s construction regulations. The meeting was presided over by Dhaka Association President Alhaj Md. Ismail Nawab, with senior RAJUK officials and local dignitaries present. RAJUK’s development plans for the area were also presented during the event.

Bangladesh is experiencing an unusually prolonged and intense cold wave, with dense fog covering much of the country and temperatures dropping sharply. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that the cold conditions are expected to worsen from January 5, with mild to moderate cold waves likely in northwestern districts. On Friday, nine flights were diverted from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport due to poor visibility caused by fog, though operations later resumed as conditions improved. Meteorologists said the persistent fog and lack of sunlight have intensified the cold, with Dhaka recording a minimum temperature of 13.3°C and Jessore 8°C. Northern regions such as Rangpur and Rajair are facing severe cold, halting work and increasing hardship for low-income workers. Health authorities confirmed at least 32 deaths in Rangpur Division from cold-related illnesses over the past week, mostly among children, women, and the elderly. Experts attributed repeated flight diversions to the absence of a Category-2 Instrument Landing System at Dhaka airport. The cold wave has severely affected daily life, particularly for the homeless and day laborers lacking warm clothing, while fog continues to disrupt road and air transport nationwide.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has decided to appoint Kyrylo Budanov, head of the military intelligence agency, as the new chief of the presidential office. The move follows the resignation of Zelensky’s previous top aide in November after a corruption scandal. According to AFP from Kyiv, Zelensky announced on social media that he met Budanov and offered him the position, with the formal appointment process now underway, confirmed by presidential adviser Dmytro Litvin. Budanov, 39, is a well-known and influential figure in Ukraine, credited with leading several daring operations against Moscow since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. His nomination comes at a critical stage of the nearly four-year-long war. Zelensky recently stated that a U.S.-mediated peace proposal is about 90 percent ready and emphasized the need to strengthen Ukraine’s defense and security capabilities while advancing diplomatic talks. If confirmed, Budanov will replace Andriy Yermak, who resigned after his home was raided as part of a corruption investigation. Yermak, once a close ally of Zelensky, had faced criticism in Kyiv for allegedly consolidating excessive power and controlling access to the president.

The final Test of the Ashes series between Australia and England will be broadcast live early tomorrow morning at 5:30 a.m. on Star Sports, according to the schedule published by Amar Desh on January 3, 2026. This marks the concluding match of the long-standing cricket rivalry between the two nations in the current series. In addition to the Ashes, the day’s sports broadcast lineup includes several other cricket and football events. The Big Bash League match between Sydney Thunder and Hobart Hurricanes will air at 2:15 p.m. on Star Sports Select HD 1, while SA T20 fixtures will feature Joburg Super Kings against Sunrisers Eastern Cape at 5 p.m. and Pretoria Capitals versus Durban’s Super Giants at 9:30 p.m. Football fans can watch Bangladesh Premier League matches, English Premier League’s Bournemouth vs Arsenal, La Liga’s Espanyol vs Barcelona, Serie A’s Juventus vs Lecce, and Africa Cup of Nations fixtures. The schedule highlights a packed day for sports viewers, with multiple international and domestic competitions broadcast across various channels.