Hamas’s Al-Qassam Brigades on Tuesday officially announced the martyrdom of its former spokesperson Abu Ubaida and four senior commanders—Muhammad Sinwar, Mohammad Shabana, Raed Sa’d, and Abu Omar Al-Suri—who were killed in an Israeli attack. In response, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir expressed deep sorrow and strong condemnation of the incident, describing it as a brutal act by Israeli occupying forces. In a statement sent to the media, Shibir’s central president Nurul Islam Saddam and secretary general Sibgatullah said Abu Ubaida had made the highest sacrifice for the rights of the Palestinian people and the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque. They described his courage and leadership as a source of inspiration for Muslim youth. The statement also recalled that many top Hamas leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, had previously sacrificed their lives in the struggle against Israeli occupation. The Shibir leaders called the attacks on civilians in Palestine a clear violation of international human rights and reaffirmed their solidarity with the Palestinian people, urging an immediate end to Israeli violence.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul and National Security Special Assistant Dr. M. Khalilur Rahman met with foreign dignitaries who arrived in Dhaka to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The meeting took place on Wednesday at the National Parliament complex. Among those present were Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nand Sharma, and Bhutan’s Foreign Minister D. N. Dhungel. The visiting officials came to pay their final respects to Khaleda Zia, who passed away early Tuesday morning. During the meeting, the advisers expressed gratitude to the foreign guests for their presence and solidarity with the people of Bangladesh during this period of national mourning. Both domestic and international dignitaries gathered at the Parliament area and Manik Mia Avenue to attend the funeral ceremony.

A total of 94,000 applications have been submitted for the 2025–26 undergraduate admission tests at Comilla University (CoU), according to the university’s admission committee. The application process closes tonight at 11:59 p.m. The committee’s convener, Professor Dr. Md. Tofayel Ahmed, confirmed the information on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. The university has 890 seats across three units—Science, Humanities, and Business Studies—excluding quotas, with an additional 107 seats reserved under various quotas. The Science unit (‘A’) received 44,827 applications for 300 seats, Humanities (‘B’) received 36,700 for 390 seats, and Business Studies (‘C’) received 12,473 for 200 seats. Admission tests will be held on January 30 for the ‘A’ unit, and on January 31 for the ‘B’ and ‘C’ units. Each test will be one hour long, carrying 100 marks in multiple-choice format, with 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer. The minimum passing score is 33. After the application period ends, seat distribution and related details will be published on the university’s admission website. Applicants may correct their information between January 1 and 5 during office hours.

Manch 24 has called on the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to reject India’s condolence message following the death of former BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. In a statement sent to the media on Wednesday evening, the organization alleged that India had sheltered those responsible for pushing Khaleda Zia toward death and described the Indian message as an insult to her legacy. The group said that while many countries sent condolences and attended her funeral, India’s message, delivered by Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar to Tarique Rahman, was unacceptable. The statement emphasized that Khaleda Zia had never compromised in her struggle for democracy and justice. It recalled that in 2015, she refused to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after the death of her son, citing her uncompromising stance. Manch 24 argued that BNP should uphold that same principle by rejecting India’s “dramatic” condolence message. The group further accused India of supporting authoritarian actions in Bangladesh and claimed that accepting its message would dishonor Khaleda Zia’s ideals and the anti-hegemony movement she represented.

Masud Saeedi, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Pirojpur-1 constituency, said that the spirit of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia would find peace only when fascism is eradicated from the country. He made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon at a memorial and prayer meeting for Khaleda Zia, organized by Kuakata Istanbul Hotel and Resort Limited. Saeedi called for national unity to build a peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh and to uproot the remnants of fascism. During his speech, Saeedi praised Khaleda Zia’s contributions to democracy, Islamic values, and her respect for religious scholars. He recalled her stance during the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident and her rejection of the Shahbagh movement. He also shared personal memories, noting that Khaleda Zia supported his family when his father, Allama Delwar Hossain Saeedi, was imprisoned. Saeedi urged BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman to continue Khaleda Zia’s efforts to unite all political groups for national development. He emphasized that the upcoming election’s outcome would be decided by the people and called for unity regardless of who comes to power.

Nurul Haque Nur, president of Gana Odhikar Parishad, signed the condolence book following the death of former three-time Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Acting General Secretary Hasan Al Mamun also signed the book. They visited the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Tuesday night to express their condolences. The government has declared three days of national mourning from December 31 to January 2 and announced a public holiday across the country on December 31. Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 a.m. at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she had been receiving treatment. Her funeral prayer is scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the South Plaza of the National Parliament building.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her late husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Her funeral prayer took place at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, known as Manik Mia Avenue, where millions of people gathered to pay their last respects. The prayer was led by Sheikh Abdul Malek, Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Among those attending were Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, members of the advisory council, chiefs of the three armed forces, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, senior party leaders, and foreign diplomats. Before the prayer, Tarique Rahman addressed the crowd, asking forgiveness for any pain his mother may have caused and requested prayers for her soul. People from all walks of life braved the cold to attend the funeral, filling the surrounding streets, rooftops, and metro areas. Khaleda Zia, widely known as the “Mother of Democracy,” had been suffering from multiple health complications and passed away at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on December 30 at dawn. Foreign governments, including India and China, expressed condolences, noting her contributions to Bangladesh’s political and diplomatic relations.

Diplomatic representatives from 32 countries attended the funeral prayer of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. According to the BNP’s media cell, ambassadors, high commissioners, and officials from various diplomatic missions joined the prayer held at Manik Mia Avenue. They paid their final respects to Begum Khaleda Zia and expressed condolences to her bereaved family. The funeral prayer took place shortly after 3 p.m. on Wednesday at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. The prayer was led by the Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Large crowds gathered across several kilometers surrounding Manik Mia Avenue to participate in the event. Many people unable to find space joined from nearby rooftops and the metro rail station area. The presence of diplomats from 32 nations highlighted the international attention surrounding the event, as thousands of citizens also came to pay their last respects to the former leader.

A massive funeral prayer for BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was held on Wednesday at 3:03 p.m. at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building in Dhaka. The event drew an unprecedented crowd, with people filling Manik Mia Avenue and surrounding areas for several kilometers. Many who could not find space joined the prayer from nearby metro rail stations and rooftops of residential buildings. Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, members of the advisory council, chiefs of the three armed forces, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, senior party leaders, and foreign diplomats attended the funeral. Eyewitnesses reported that the entire area around the Parliament complex, including adjacent streets and alleys, was packed with mourners. Residents were seen praying from their rooftops and offering prayers for Khaleda Zia. Before the prayer concluded, Tarique Rahman delivered a brief address, asking forgiveness for any hurt his mother may have caused and requesting prayers for her soul. The funeral was described as one of the largest in recent memory, reflecting Khaleda Zia’s enduring influence and the deep public sentiment surrounding her passing.

Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayer drew millions of people from across Bangladesh to Dhaka on Wednesday. The prayer took place at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building, where mourners filled surrounding areas including Manik Mia Avenue, Farmgate, Shahbagh, Khamarbari, and Bijoy Sarani. After the ceremony, large crowds were seen walking back to their destinations due to traffic restrictions and the absence of vehicles. Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 a.m. on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital. Known as a prominent voice against Indian dominance, she was remembered by supporters and citizens who traveled from various regions to pay their last respects. The funeral site turned into a gathering point for people expressing opposition to fascism and foreign influence. The massive turnout reflected the deep affection and respect many held for the former leader, marking one of the largest public gatherings in recent memory in Dhaka.

The funeral prayer of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was held on Wednesday at 3:03 p.m. at the South Plaza of the National Parliament in Dhaka. The event drew millions of people, marking one of the largest gatherings in recent memory. Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, members of the Advisory Council, chiefs of the three armed forces, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, senior party leaders, and foreign diplomats attended the prayer. Before the prayer, her son and acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman addressed the crowd, asking forgiveness for any pain his mother might have caused and requesting prayers for her. The prayer was led by the Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Crowds filled not only Manik Mia Avenue but also nearby streets, rooftops, and metro stations to participate. India sent a condolence message through its Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, who handed it to Tarique Rahman at the Parliament complex. Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq arrived in Dhaka to pay respects, as confirmed by the Pakistan High Commission.

Outgoing UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has voiced deep concern over the growing divisions and conflicts worldwide. Speaking to AFP, Grandi said that increasing geopolitical fragmentation is intensifying crises and fueling hostility toward people fleeing violence and war. He reflected on his decade-long tenure at the UN refugee agency, describing the current global situation as one of the most troubling he has witnessed. Grandi, an Italian diplomat, emphasized that geopolitical divisions have triggered numerous crises and are preventing the world from resolving conflicts. He warned that the inability to establish peace reflects a broader failure of the international community to unite in addressing global challenges. According to Grandi, the deepening divisions not only hinder peace efforts but also exacerbate suffering for displaced populations, underscoring the urgent need for renewed global cooperation and solidarity.

Thousands of people gathered in Dhaka on Wednesday, December 31, to attend the funeral prayer of Begum Khaleda Zia at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. From early morning, mourners from across the country filled Manik Mia Avenue and surrounding areas, creating a human sea that extended several kilometers. The streets around the venue were paralyzed as people stood in lines, many with tears in their eyes, praying silently for the late leader. Observers described the turnout as unprecedented, reflecting the deep affection and respect Khaleda Zia commanded across political divides. Elderly citizens compared the scene to the 1981 funeral of President Ziaur Rahman, noting the emotional resonance of history repeating itself. Attendees included people from all walks of life—workers, students, professionals, and party supporters—while rooftops and sidewalks overflowed with mourners. Diplomatic representatives from 32 countries, including ministers from India, Bhutan, and Nepal, attended the ceremony. Thousands of women also paid their respects from nearby areas, many wearing black badges as a sign of mourning for Bangladesh’s first female prime minister.

U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a 20-point peace plan aimed at resolving the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kyiv and Moscow are expected to sign the agreement in January. Following a meeting with Trump in Florida, Zelensky said he hopes Ukraine, the United States, Russia, and Europe will reach consensus on the document soon. According to details, Zelensky sought U.S. security guarantees in exchange for a ceasefire with Russia, a condition accepted by Washington. The fifth point of Trump’s plan includes a 15-year U.S. security guarantee for Ukraine, though Zelensky is negotiating to extend it to 50 years. He stated that only U.S. troops would remain in Ukraine after the ceasefire, and the Trump administration would provide Patriot air defense systems for national security. Zelensky also highlighted postwar reconstruction efforts, noting that Trump emphasized rebuilding war-torn Ukraine. He said U.S. and European companies would invest in reconstruction and other sectors, aiming to raise citizens’ average income after the war.

The United States has announced new sanctions targeting Iran and Venezuela, accusing them of assisting in drone and ballistic missile trade. The measures, announced on Tuesday, apply to ten individuals and entities from both countries. According to the report, the Trump administration stated that such trade poses a threat to the United States and its allies in the Middle East. The sanctions include a Venezuelan company and its chairman, accused of purchasing Iranian drones, as well as three Iranian nationals allegedly involved in procuring chemicals used in ballistic missile production. Several Iran-based individuals and organizations linked to the previously sanctioned ‘Rayan Fan Group’ were also named. The US Treasury Department said the sanctions aim to restore UN restrictions related to Iran’s nuclear activities and increase economic pressure on Tehran. The Treasury further stated that Iran’s supply of conventional weapons to Venezuela threatens US interests in the Western Hemisphere and pledged to take all necessary measures to halt such trade.