Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayebe Ameer and former MP Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has declared total assets worth Tk 18.5 million, while his wife Dr. Habiba Akhter Chowdhury owns Tk 55 million in combined movable and immovable property. The information was submitted on December 28 at the Comilla District Returning Officer’s office as part of his affidavit for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, where he is contesting from Comilla-11 (Chandina) constituency. According to the affidavit, Dr. Taher owns 10 decimals of agricultural land and 15 decimals of non-agricultural land valued at Tk 2.216 million, while his wife possesses 0.8 acres and 15 kathas of land worth Tk 3.256 million, along with three houses valued at Tk 32.25 million. Dr. Taher also declared cash holdings of Tk 5.1 million, and his wife has Tk 2.19 million in cash. The affidavit notes that Dr. Taher faced 35 cases in the past, most of which were stayed, withdrawn, or resolved by court orders, posing no legal barrier to his candidacy. Dr. Taher serves as chairman of Comilla Central Medical College and Hospital, which has a Tk 31.47 million loan from EXIM Bank. His wife holds loans from several banks totaling over Tk 3.7 million.

More than 3,000 migrants have died this year while attempting to reach Spain by sea, according to Spanish migrant rights group Caminando Fronteras. The organization reported that between January and December 15, 2025, a total of 3,090 people drowned, including 192 women and 437 children. Although the total number of deaths decreased compared to 2024, the number of shipwrecks rose to 303, with 70 boats disappearing without a trace. Caminando Fronteras research coordinator Helena Maleno said that despite the lower death toll, the rise in shipwrecks remains alarming. Spain’s Interior Ministry stated that by December 15, 35,935 irregular migrants had arrived by sea and land, compared with 60,311 during the same period in 2024. Authorities attributed the decline in arrivals mainly to stricter border policing, particularly in Mauritania, a key departure point for migrants heading to Spain. The report highlights the continuing risks faced by migrants seeking better lives in Europe and the impact of intensified border controls on migration routes.

The body of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was taken to the Gulshan residence of BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarek Rahman on Wednesday morning. The vehicle carrying her body, wrapped in the national flag, entered the house on Road 196 of Gulshan-2 at 9:10 a.m. Video footage showed Tarek Rahman sitting beside the vehicle, reciting from the Quran and offering prayers for his mother. Family members, including Tarek Rahman’s wife Zubaida Rahman, daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman, and Khaleda Zia’s younger son Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Sharmila Rahman, were present at the residence. Senior BNP leaders such as Mirza Abbas, Dr. Moin Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, and Mahadi Amin also attended. The area was secured by SSF, army, BGB, RAB, and police personnel. According to the report, family members, relatives, and top BNP leaders will pay their final respects to Khaleda Zia at Tarek Rahman’s residence, where a somber atmosphere prevailed among party members and the public.

Thousands of people gathered at Manik Mia Avenue and the south plaza of the National Parliament in Dhaka on Wednesday to attend the funeral prayer of Begum Khaleda Zia, the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and former prime minister. The crowd of party leaders, activists, and general citizens continued to grow as the time approached for the funeral, scheduled for 2 p.m. The body of Khaleda Zia arrived at the venue around 11:50 a.m. in a red and green vehicle, accompanied by Tarique Rahman. Strict security measures were in place around the vehicle. Earlier in the morning, the funeral procession departed from her residence at 196 Gulshan at 11 a.m. Authorities requested that no vehicles use Mirpur Road to reach Manik Mia Avenue to ensure the smooth conduct of the funeral. Supporters had begun gathering in the area since Tuesday night. Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at the age of 80. She had been under treatment there since November 23 due to a critical health condition.

The body of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia arrived at the South Plaza of the National Parliament in Dhaka on Wednesday morning under strict security arrangements. Her body, wrapped in the red and green national flag, was transported in a freezer van escorted by the army, which formed a human chain as part of the state protocol. The van reached the South Plaza at 11:48 a.m. after departing from her son Tarique Rahman’s residence on Gulshan Avenue at 11:05 a.m. Earlier in the morning, at 8:54 a.m., Khaleda Zia’s body was taken from Evercare Hospital to Gulshan. Although initially planned to be brought to her long-time residence “Firoza,” it was later redirected to Tarique Rahman’s house, where family members and BNP leaders paid their final respects until 11:05 a.m. Her funeral prayer is scheduled to be held after the noon prayer at Manik Mia Avenue, led by Baitul Mukarram’s Khatib Mufti Abdul Malek. Following the prayer, Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside her late husband, former President Ziaur Rahman.

A third-grade student named Lamia and her mother Rabeya Khatun attended the funeral prayer of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at the South Plaza of the National Parliament on Wednesday morning. They came to pay their final respects to the late leader, joining others who gathered to say goodbye. Speaking to Amar Desh, Lamia said she had heard from her parents that Khaleda Zia was a kind person who never harbored jealousy and loved everyone. Her mother, Rabeya Khatun, expressed deep sorrow over Khaleda Zia’s death, describing her as someone who made great sacrifices for the country. Rabeya mentioned that their family originally came from Keraniganj and now lives in Shahbagh, and that Khaleda Zia’s patriotism inspired her to attend the funeral. Rabeya also noted that Khaleda Zia endured imprisonment and severe suffering for a long time, and she prayed for the departed leader’s peace.

A vegetable trader named Bimal Biswas, aged 62, was killed in a motorcycle collision at Pabahati City intersection in Jhenaidah municipality on Tuesday night around 10:30 p.m. According to local sources, Biswas had closed his vegetable shop and was standing by the roadside when a motorcycle coming from the bus terminal area toward Arappur struck him forcefully. Locals rescued him in critical condition and took him to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital, where he died around 11:30 p.m. while undergoing treatment. Dr. Rajib Chakraborty, the on-duty physician at the hospital’s emergency department, said excessive bleeding was believed to be the cause of death. The body has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy. Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shamsul Arefin confirmed the incident and stated that no complaint had been filed yet. He added that legal action would be taken upon receiving a formal complaint. The incident has raised concern among locals about road safety in the municipal area, though no official investigation has yet begun.

Thousands of people from Gazipur began traveling to Dhaka on the morning of December 31, 2025, to attend the funeral prayers of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Crowds of party leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens were seen heading toward the capital by road and rail. Despite dense morning fog, the number of travelers increased as the day progressed, with buses, minibuses, private cars, and trains carrying large groups of mourners. Many senior leaders from Gazipur had already reached Dhaka following Khaleda Zia’s death, while others traveled overnight to avoid congestion. At Joydebpur Railway Station, thousands boarded trains wearing traditional attire such as panjabi and caps, expressing grief and solidarity as they made their way to join the funeral prayers in Dhaka. The report highlights the massive public turnout from Gazipur and the somber atmosphere surrounding the event, reflecting widespread mourning for the late former prime minister.

Large numbers of people gathered in Dhaka on Wednesday, December 31, to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Many arrived from districts across Bangladesh and were seen walking from Paltan toward Manik Mia Avenue, near the National Parliament, due to a shortage of available vehicles. The report described a continuous flow of people heading to the capital to pay their final respects. The article noted that Khaleda Zia, a three-time former prime minister and known opponent of Indian dominance, had endured imprisonment and hardship during what was described as 17 years of authoritarian rule. Her funeral drew people from various regions, including families with children, reflecting the public’s desire to bid farewell to the veteran political leader. Social media was reported to be filled with photos and videos from the funeral, while parts of Dhaka, including the university metro station, were closed in the evening.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has expressed deep sorrow over the death of July movement fighter Shafiqul Islam. In a statement released to the media on Wednesday, he said that Shafiqul Islam passed away on December 30 while undergoing treatment. He conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and fellow fighters, praying for forgiveness and acceptance of the deceased as a martyr. According to the report, Shafiqul Islam was injured during the July 2024 movement and had been under medical care since then. He died one and a half years after the movement. Dr. Rahman noted that many July fighters are still hospitalized and that their sacrifices remain unfinished. He described Shafiqul Islam as one of those whose dedication contributed to the making of a new Bangladesh. The deceased hailed from Haluaghat in Mymensingh. The statement emphasized that the nation will remember the July fighters with respect for their sacrifices.

Pakistan’s Parliament Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday, December 31, to attend the funeral prayer of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. According to Pakistan High Commission Counsellor (Press) Md. Fasih Ullah Khan, the Speaker landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:45 a.m. The funeral prayer for Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister, is scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. The prayer will be led by the Khatib of the National Mosque, Baitul Mukarram. Following the funeral, she will be buried with state honors beside the grave of Shaheed Zia. The visit of Pakistan’s Speaker underscores international attention to the state funeral of the veteran political leader, marking a moment of diplomatic presence at a significant national event.

Amar Desh’s residential editor Oliullah Noman assured residents of Chunarughat and Madhabpur that he would remain by their side in both happiness and sorrow. He made the remarks on Tuesday evening at a views-exchange meeting held at the Chunarughat Upazila office of Jamaat-e-Islami. Noman expressed gratitude for the support he received and said he hoped to contribute to the area’s development. The event turned emotional as the Upazila Ameer embraced Noman and wept, moving many in attendance. Earlier, Noman had been announced as Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate for the Habiganj-4 constituency on December 1 after the district Ameer was withdrawn. Over the following 26 days, he campaigned extensively across unions with party leaders and supporters. However, in the interest of maintaining the political alliance, he ultimately refrained from submitting his nomination papers following a party decision. Local leaders praised Noman’s tireless efforts and expressed their desire to continue working with him across the constituency’s villages and towns.

A red and green vehicle carrying the body of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia arrived at the South Plaza of the National Parliament and Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka at 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday. Her son Tarique Rahman accompanied the vehicle. The body left her residence at Gulshan 196 around 11 a.m. under tight security arrangements. The funeral prayer is scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. at the same location. Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, at the age of 80. She had been receiving treatment there since November 23, with her condition described as extremely critical. Supporters and party members began gathering in the area from Tuesday night to pay their respects. The event marks the final public farewell to the long-serving political leader, with large crowds expected to attend the funeral prayer at the Parliament premises.

Ferry operations on the Daulatdia–Paturia route, one of Bangladesh’s key river crossings, returned to normal after being suspended for nearly five hours due to dense fog. The suspension began around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday when heavy fog over the Padma River drastically reduced visibility, prompting authorities to halt all ferry and vessel movement for safety reasons. According to port sources, navigation became difficult as the fog obscured directions on the river, leading to the decision to stop operations to protect passengers and vehicles. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the river, causing severe inconvenience to travelers. Once the fog lifted and visibility improved around 9:30 a.m., ferry and vessel services resumed under the supervision of the Daulatdia and Paturia terminal authorities. Officials from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) confirmed that such disruptions are common during winter when dense fog frequently affects ferry movement, impacting travel and goods transport to the country’s southern regions.

The body of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was taken from her son’s residence in Gulshan to the funeral venue on Wednesday morning. Around 11 a.m., the hearse departed from house number 196 in Gulshan under tight security. Her funeral prayer is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building and Manik Mia Avenue, where supporters began gathering from Tuesday night. Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at the age of 80. She had been receiving treatment there since November 23, with her condition described as extremely critical and passing through a crisis period. The area around the funeral site has seen a large turnout of party members and supporters, while security measures have been intensified to manage the crowd and ensure order during the proceedings.