The Advisory Council of Bangladesh’s interim government has approved the official public holiday calendar for 2026. According to the list, there will be a total of 28 public holidays throughout the year, nine of which fall on regular weekends, leaving 19 effective working-day holidays. The decision applies to all government, semi-government, statutory, autonomous, and semi-autonomous institutions across the country. Optional holidays have also been designated: five for Muslims, nine for Hindus, eight for Christians, seven for Buddhists, and two for employees from small ethnic communities. The calendar outlines opportunities for extended breaks by combining official and weekend holidays. February offers a four-day break around Shab-e-Barat, while March provides the longest stretch with up to seven consecutive days off around Eid-ul-Fitr and Shab-e-Qadr. In May, employees could enjoy up to ten days off around Eid-ul-Azha by taking two additional leave days. Other months such as April, August, October, and December also feature multiple long-weekend opportunities. The approved schedule standardizes holiday observance across all public institutions, ensuring uniformity in 2026’s national leave structure.

A deep sense of mourning has enveloped Indurkani upazila in Pirojpur following the death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. As a mark of respect, all business establishments in the upazila remained closed from Thursday morning, January 1. Markets including Parerhat, Pattashi, and Ghosherhat were shuttered, with many shops locked and black flags and half-masted national flags displayed in mourning. Md. Shahidul Islam, senior joint secretary of the Indurkani Market Management Committee, said traders voluntarily decided to close their businesses to express deep respect and sorrow for Begum Khaleda Zia. He added that all commercial activities would remain suspended throughout the day. Begum Khaleda Zia had visited Indurkani on April 21, 2002, when she declared the then Jianagar area a full-fledged upazila. Later, the Awami League government renamed it Indurkani. Residents across the upazila are expressing grief and respect for the late leader, reflecting her lasting connection with the area.

Students of ibtedayi madrasas in Nawabganj upazila of Dinajpur expressed joy after receiving new textbooks on the first day of the year. The distribution began at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, across 39 affiliated and 34 independent ibtedayi madrasas. From early morning, students gathered at their madrasa premises to collect the colorful new books, while teachers and parents expressed satisfaction with the government’s timely distribution. Madrasa authorities said that receiving books on the first day of the year would increase students’ interest in studies and help ensure regular classes from the start of the academic session. Parents from several madrasas thanked the government and education officials for providing free textbooks at the beginning of the school year. Upazila Secondary Education Officer Dipak Kumar Bonik stated that the distribution was completed on schedule under government directives, generating widespread enthusiasm among students. He added that timely delivery of textbooks would make the education process more dynamic. The event followed the national curriculum policy of distributing free textbooks to primary and ibtedayi students on the first day of every year.

A lawyer named Naim Kibria, aged 35, was allegedly beaten to death in Dhaka’s Bashundhara residential area following a collision between his private car and a motorcycle on Wednesday night. According to Bhatar Police Sub-Inspector Ariful Islam, unidentified youths, including the motorcycle rider, dragged Naim from his car and assaulted him severely before leaving him on the road. His cousin Rafiqul Islam later took him to Kurmitola General Hospital around 11 p.m., where doctors declared him dead. Police recovered the body from the hospital around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday and sent it to Dhaka Medical College morgue for autopsy after completing legal formalities. Naim, a lawyer at Pabna Judge Court and resident of Chak Joyenpur village in Pabna Sadar, had come to Dhaka about ten days earlier to discuss a discrimination-related case with Supreme Court lawyers. He had gone out in a friend’s private car on the night of the incident. Authorities have not yet identified or detained the attackers, and the investigation is ongoing.

Detective Branch (DB) police in Bogura have arrested two members of an inter-district robbery gang in connection with a robbery at the Bogura CNG Filling Station in Barpur area. The arrests were announced during a press briefing at Sadar Police Station on Thursday noon, led by Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Mostafa Manzur. The robbery took place on December 23 when the robbers tied up the night guard and attempted to flee in a mini truck after sensing police presence. Police from Sadar and DB units conducted operations in several areas, including Narayanganj, to capture the suspects. During the operation, law enforcement recovered a jack vehicle, two oxygen gas cylinders, six iron pipes, four shotgun bullets, four machetes, one knife, and rope used in the robbery. The arrested individuals were identified as Modachher Hossain, 29, from Nangalkot in Cumilla, and Yusuf Lori, 47, from Kabirhat in Noakhali. Both have multiple robbery cases filed against them in different districts. The press briefing was attended by senior police officials from Sadar and DB units, including the officer-in-charge and investigating officers.

Dinajpur is experiencing severe cold as the temperature dropped to 9.9 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026, according to the local weather office. The temperature had been 12.1 degrees Celsius on December 31, 2025. The cold wave has affected both humans and animals, with dense fog and chilly winds intensifying the situation. The humidity level was recorded at 96 percent. The cold has severely impacted the lives of the poor and day laborers, many of whom are struggling to find work and shelter. The absence of sunlight from December 27 to 30 worsened the conditions, and even when the sun appeared on December 31, the warmth was minimal. The biting cold has made life nearly stagnant across the district. Hospitals, including Dinajpur Medical College Hospital and local health complexes, have reported an increase in patients suffering from cold-related illnesses. Children and the elderly are particularly affected, with many admitted due to respiratory and seasonal ailments.

Students of ibtedayi madrasas in Nawabganj upazila of Dinajpur expressed joy after receiving new textbooks on the first day of the year. The distribution began at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, across 39 affiliated and 34 independent ibtedayi madrasas. From early morning, students gathered at their madrasa premises to collect the colorful new books, while teachers and parents expressed satisfaction with the government’s timely distribution. Madrasa authorities said that receiving books on the first day of the year would increase students’ interest in studies and help ensure regular classes from the start of the academic session. Parents from several madrasas thanked the government and education officials for providing free textbooks at the beginning of the school year. Upazila Secondary Education Officer Dipak Kumar Bonik stated that the distribution was completed on schedule under government directives, generating widespread enthusiasm among students. He added that timely delivery of textbooks would make the education process more dynamic. The event followed the national curriculum policy of distributing free textbooks to primary and ibtedayi students on the first day of every year.

On January 1, 2026, many secondary-level students in Bangladesh did not receive all their free textbooks, though primary students received complete sets. According to the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), over 27 percent of secondary textbooks had not yet been supplied by the first day of the new school year. Officials said about 75 percent of secondary books had been distributed by December 31, with the remainder expected by mid-January. NCTB officials explained that while printing and distribution for primary books were completed on time, delays occurred for grades seven and eight after the government canceled printing tenders for grades six to eight in November and reissued them. As a result, only 72.71 percent of secondary books had reached field level by the end of December, though 88 percent had been printed and 81.13 percent passed pre-distribution inspection. Officials expect all secondary students to receive their remaining books by mid-January, though some sources indicated that full distribution could extend through January or even into February.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said people across Bangladesh are deeply saddened by the passing of party chairperson Khaleda Zia at a critical juncture for the nation. He made the remarks on Thursday at the BNP chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka. Fakhrul noted that an unprecedented number of people attended her funeral, reflecting the public’s affection for her as a rare political figure who never compromised on principles or national sovereignty. He described Khaleda Zia as a lifelong fighter for democracy who endured imprisonment and illness but never left the country. Fakhrul said her love for the nation and its people inspired millions. He added that her absence at this crucial time has left citizens grief-stricken, yet hopeful that the upcoming election will bring victory to the BNP. Fakhrul also stated that Tarique Rahman would continue Khaleda Zia’s and Ziaur Rahman’s vision of Bangladeshi nationalism, working to safeguard sovereignty and democracy with public support.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Thursday, January 1, to express condolences over the death of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. During his visit, he signed the condolence book and met with officials at the mission. In a post on X, Singh said he conveyed deep sorrow over Zia’s passing and extended sympathy to her family and the people of Bangladesh. A day earlier, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had traveled to Dhaka to attend Zia’s funeral and pay respects. During that visit, he met Tarique Rahman and handed him a condolence message from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The gestures from both Indian ministers followed recent tensions surrounding the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi. In late December, protests organized by Hindu nationalist groups took place outside the mission, with some demonstrators shouting threatening slogans. Analysts view Singh’s visit as a significant diplomatic signal aimed at easing strains and maintaining normal bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh.

Israel has decided to revoke the licenses of 37 aid organizations operating in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The decision, announced to take effect from January 1, will also suspend the licenses of well-known international groups such as ActionAid, the International Rescue Committee, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, with their operations required to cease within 60 days. UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned Israel’s move, saying it would obstruct and weaken UNRWA’s operational capacity in Gaza. He stated that the decision is inconsistent with international legal frameworks and should be immediately withdrawn. Guterres emphasized that UNRWA is an integral part of the United Nations and reminded Israel of its obligations under the UN Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. The Israeli authorities said the action was taken because the organizations failed to meet new registration policy requirements.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed announced that those who submitted nomination papers as substitutes for the late BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in her three constituencies will officially be the party’s candidates. He made the statement on Thursday, December 1, at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka, while speaking to the media. Ahmed clarified that Khaleda Zia’s death would not affect the election process, as she passed away before the nomination scrutiny stage. He explained that if such an event had occurred after the allocation of symbols, legal complications could have delayed the election, but that situation does not apply now. Ahmed described Khaleda Zia as the “Mother of Democracy,” saying she remains in people’s hearts despite her passing. He noted that many joined her funeral prayers in absentia and that her lifelong struggle for democracy made her a global symbol of democratic leadership. Ahmed added that BNP would carry forward Khaleda Zia’s legacy of sacrifice and patriotism to build a strong, democratic, and equitable Bangladesh, reflecting the nation’s collective aspiration.

Professor Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman, who resigned on Wednesday from his post as Special Assistant (with the rank of State Minister) at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Bangladesh’s interim government, was reappointed to the same position the following day through an official notification issued on Thursday. Rahman explained that his resignation was part of a formal retirement process, as his service tenure had ended. He stated that he would continue performing the same duties after being reappointed and expressed gratitude for public support. Earlier on Wednesday morning, he had posted on Facebook that it was his last day in service and that his resignation had been accepted as part of his retirement. Before his appointment to the ministry in November, Professor Rahman had served as the former Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Medical University. The reappointment ensures continuity in his role within the interim government’s health administration.

Israel has recognized Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, reportedly in exchange for establishing a military base there. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made the allegation, warning that the move could heighten the risk of conflict in the region. He stated that Somalia would not accept any Israeli presence in its territory, according to TRT World. In interviews with TRT World and Al Jazeera, Mohamud described Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as unexpected and strange. Citing intelligence reports, he claimed Somaliland agreed to host Israeli military facilities and to resettle Palestinians. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, operates autonomously but lacks international recognition. Mogadishu continues to regard Somaliland as part of Somalia and views any direct foreign engagement with it as a violation of national sovereignty. Mohamud also said Somaliland had accepted participation in the 2020 Abraham Accords involving Israel and several Arab states. Reports suggest Israel seeks to strengthen its strategic position along key waterways such as the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House late last month to discuss the possibility of launching another military strike on Iran. Reports from international media said the talks focused on Iran’s nuclear program, missile capabilities, and regional security concerns, which have intensified in recent weeks. According to Anadolu Agency, Netanyahu raised Israel’s concerns over Iran’s nuclear and missile development and mentioned Hezbollah’s efforts to rebuild its long-range missile stockpile in Lebanon. Axios reported, citing a U.S. official, that a potential second round of attacks on Iran in 2026 was discussed. The previous June saw a 12-day conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran, targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure. Trump had then warned that any renewed Iranian nuclear activity would be met with destruction. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned of a strong response to any aggression, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged Trump to return to dialogue under a “respectful environment.”