The district returning officer has declared the nomination of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman valid for the Bogura-6 constituency in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The announcement was made on Saturday morning, confirming his candidacy under the party’s electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf. According to the report, Tarique Rahman signed his nomination papers on December 28 as the BNP candidate for Bogura-6. Party leaders collected the nomination form from District Commissioner and Returning Officer Taufiqur Rahman on his behalf. The following day, on December 29 at around 2:30 p.m., Bogura District BNP President Rezaul Karim submitted the completed nomination papers to the returning officer on behalf of Tarique Rahman. The validation of Tarique Rahman’s nomination formally secures his position as the BNP candidate for the Bogura-6 seat in the forthcoming national election.

Kazi Reha Kabir Sigma has emerged as the only independent female candidate among six constituencies in Kishoreganj for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. She is contesting from Kishoreganj-4, which includes Austagram, Itna, and Mithamain upazilas. Sigma, originally from the remote haor area of Austagram, described herself in her affidavit as a researcher, entrepreneur, and long-time social worker. She declared an annual income of Tk 544,167 and total assets worth Tk 28.74 million, while her husband Sadequl Kabir reported assets of Tk 44.45 million. According to her affidavit submitted to the returning officer, Sigma holds a postgraduate degree, runs a business, and has no criminal cases. She stated she is not a dual citizen and is over 48 years old, residing in Gulshan, Dhaka. Her declared assets include two apartments in Gulshan valued at Tk 15.5 million, gold jewelry, a jeep, and bank deposits. The Kishoreganj-4 constituency has nine candidates, including nominees from BNP, Jamaat, and other parties. The district returning officer and deputy commissioner Mohammad Aslam Molla confirmed that nomination papers for Kishoreganj-4 were submitted by nine candidates and were scheduled for scrutiny on January 3.

The United States has launched attacks on multiple civilian and military installations across Venezuela, including several states such as Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. According to the report, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the strikes targeting Venezuelan military bases and other sites. In response, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro declared a state of emergency across the country following the assaults. The Venezuelan government issued a statement condemning what it described as U.S. military aggression, rejecting it before the international community. Caracas claimed that Washington’s actions were aimed at seizing Venezuela’s oil and mineral resources, but vowed that such attempts would not succeed. The attacks occurred amid heightened U.S. military activity in the Caribbean and Pacific, where operations against drug trafficking have reportedly killed 115 people in recent months. Thousands of U.S. troops and several naval vessels have been deployed in the region, and President Trump has hinted at possible further military operations. The explosions in Venezuela took place against this tense backdrop, deepening the crisis between the two nations.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified patrols and surveillance along the Lalmonirhat border ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. Rangpur Battalion (51 BGB) Commander Lt. Colonel Selim Al Din confirmed that special patrols, strict monitoring, and enhanced intelligence activities are being conducted to ensure security in the border areas. Temporary checkpoints have also been set up at key points to strengthen inspection operations. According to BGB, the measures aim to prevent illegal infiltration and drug smuggling by criminal groups during the election period. Regular and special patrols, including coordinated operations involving multiple Border Outposts (BOPs), are being carried out in Patgram upazila. Awareness meetings are also being organized among local residents to encourage cooperation with BGB and to prevent any criminal activity. BGB has maintained coordination with India’s Border Security Force (BSF) through flag meetings, pledging joint efforts to curb cross-border crimes. The force stated that patrols, intelligence surveillance, and public awareness programs will continue to ensure stability and peaceful elections in the border region.

The nomination of Jatiya Party candidate Anisul Islam Mahmud Chowdhury for the Chattogram-5 (Hathazari) constituency was canceled on Saturday afternoon. The decision was made by Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer Dr. Zia Uddin at the Chattogram Divisional Commissioner’s Office. Shortly after the announcement, police detained Mahmud’s proposer, Md. Salauddin, for questioning. The reason for the cancellation was not immediately disclosed. Earlier in the day, a hearing for the constituency began at noon, during which more than a hundred students under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement staged a protest outside the office. They chanted slogans demanding the cancellation of Mahmud’s nomination and later chased his proposer, who was then handed over to police. Salauddin was taken into custody by a team from Kotwali Police Station. Chattogram North District Chhatra Dal president Takibul Hasan Chowdhury Taki alleged that Mahmud, though a Jatiya Party leader, had previously acted in favor of the Awami League and was responsible for repression in Hathazari. Authorities confirmed that Mahmud’s nomination had been officially canceled.

Abul Basar Khan, a central leader of the banned Awami League and a fugitive accused in the July Revolution murder case, has submitted his nomination papers to contest as an independent candidate from Faridpur-1 constituency. Following the announcement, he has become visibly active in the area, accompanied by a large motorcade. On November 28, he declared his candidacy at his own Razzak Jute Mill hall in Madhukhali, hosting over a thousand guests including two hundred journalists. According to case documents, Basar is the 27th accused among 95 individuals named in a case filed at Mirpur Model Police Station, with Sheikh Hasina listed as the prime accused. The case, now under investigation, alleges brutal attacks on students and civilians during the July movement. Basar remains neither arrested nor on bail. He holds positions in the Awami League’s central subcommittee and Madhukhali Upazila advisory council. Local voters have labeled him a “guest bird” for his sudden reappearance, while activists from the anti-discrimination student movement in Faridpur described his candidacy as a rehabilitation of fascism.

A series of explosions occurred in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, prompting the Venezuelan government to accuse the United States of carrying out attacks on both civilian and military installations. In an official statement cited by Al Jazeera, Caracas condemned what it described as U.S. military aggression and called on the international community to reject such actions. According to the report, the U.S. administration said it was aware of the explosion reports but did not issue an immediate response. Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted on social media that bombings were taking place in Caracas, warning the world about missile strikes on Venezuela, though he did not name any country. He urged the United Nations to intervene in the situation. The explosions come amid heightened regional tensions, as the United States has been conducting naval operations against drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in 115 deaths. Thousands of U.S. troops and several naval vessels have been deployed in the area, and President Trump has hinted at possible military action.

Jamaat-e-Islami has declared its readiness to challenge the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in multiple constituencies of Cox’s Bazar ahead of the upcoming 13th national election. The coastal district, known for its long beach and tourism, has four parliamentary seats across nine upazilas. Campaigns are intensifying as BNP, Jamaat, and several smaller parties, including the National Citizen Party (NCP), Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, and others, engage in day-and-night electioneering. Historically, the region’s voters have leaned toward Islamist and nationalist parties, giving BNP and Jamaat a strong base. In Cox’s Bazar-1, BNP’s Salahuddin Ahmed faces Jamaat’s Abdullah Al Faruk, while in Cox’s Bazar-2, Jamaat’s Hamidur Rahman Azad’s nomination was canceled over legal issues. BNP’s internal divisions have surfaced in several seats, with multiple factions demanding candidate changes. In Cox’s Bazar-3 and 4, both parties have fielded strong contenders, including Jamaat’s Shahidul Alam Bahadur and Nur Ahmed Anwari. Jamaat leaders believe their organizational strength and renewed public confidence since the “July Revolution” will make them formidable rivals to BNP. The contests in Cox’s Bazar are expected to be closely fought, with BNP’s dominance facing its strongest challenge in years from Jamaat’s mobilized grassroots network.

The nomination scrutiny for the Sylhet-2 (Osmaninagar-Bishwanath) constituency in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election has been completed. Out of nine candidates, six were declared valid, two were rejected, and one was kept pending. The verification took place on Saturday at the conference room of the Sylhet District Commissioner, who also serves as the district returning officer. According to the returning officer, valid nominations include those of BNP candidate Tahsina Rushdir Luna, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Professor Abdul Hannan, Khelafat Majlish’s Mohammad Muntasir Ali, Jatiya Party’s Mahbubur Rahman Chowdhury, Islami Andolan’s Maulana Amir Uddin, and Gano Forum’s Supreme Court lawyer Md. Mujibul Haque. Independent candidates Abrar Ilyas and Abdus Shahid had their nominations canceled due to irregularities, while Gano Odhikar Parishad’s Zaman Ahmad Siddique’s nomination was suspended for absence during scrutiny. As per the Election Commission’s schedule, the 13th National Parliamentary Election is set for February 12, 2026. Candidates whose nominations were canceled or suspended may appeal within the stipulated timeframe.

The nomination of Dr. Tasnim Zara, an independent candidate and former NCP leader for the Dhaka-9 parliamentary seat, has been canceled. The Dhaka district returning officer announced the cancellation at around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Dr. Zara stated that the authorities rejected her nomination due to issues with voter signatures and said she would appeal to the Election Commission, expressing hope of regaining her candidacy. Dr. Zara had submitted her nomination papers on December 29 at the Sabujbagh Thana election office, meeting the requirement of collecting support from one percent of the constituency’s voters. According to her affidavit, she is a physician with an annual income of 713,333 taka from her job and 3,200 British pounds from abroad, paying 34,057 taka in taxes. Her declared assets include jewelry worth 250,000 taka, 10,019 taka in bank deposits, 1.6 million taka in cash, and 2,270 British pounds. The affidavit also shows she has no loans, lawsuits, or government dues. Her husband, Khaled Saifullah, holds 1.5 million taka in cash and earns 39,800 British pounds abroad. Dr. Zara, born on October 7, 1994, holds an MSc degree and resides in Khilgaon, Dhaka.

Israeli military operations continued in Gaza despite an ongoing ceasefire, as residents faced worsening weather conditions. On Friday, marking the 84th day of the truce, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reportedly instructed the army to prepare for intensified strikes. The military confirmed no orders had been received to reopen the Rafah crossing with Egypt. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, one person was killed and another injured in the past 24 hours, bringing the ceasefire-period toll to 416 dead and 1,153 wounded, with 683 bodies recovered. Over two years of conflict have left 71,271 Palestinians dead and 171,233 injured. The Palestinian Meteorological Department reported cold and unstable weather across Gaza, warning of heavy rainfall and possible flooding. A child died from severe cold in the Nuseirat refugee camp, raising the death toll from cold-related causes to 18 since December. Separately, a fire in a Gaza refugee camp killed three people, including a woman and a child, and injured five others. In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces and settlers jointly attacked Palestinian communities, damaging property and farmland, and arrested over 100 people in one week.

Multiple explosions occurred in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, according to reports published on January 3, 2026. The United States confirmed awareness of the incidents but the Trump administration did not issue an immediate response. Colombian President Gustavo Petro claimed on social media that Caracas was under bomb attack and warned the world that missiles had been used against Venezuela, though he did not name any country. He also called for United Nations intervention. The explosions come amid heightened regional tension. For several months, the United States has been conducting naval operations in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean targeting drug trafficking, resulting in 115 deaths. Thousands of U.S. troops and several naval vessels have been deployed in the area, and President Trump has hinted at a possible military operation. The Caracas explosions occurred against this backdrop of military activity and diplomatic strain. The situation remains fluid, with no official attribution or confirmation of responsibility for the explosions at the time of reporting.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, once close Gulf allies, have entered open hostility after years of quiet disagreements. On Tuesday, Saudi forces carried out an airstrike on Yemen’s southern port of Al-Mukalla, claiming it targeted a weapons shipment from the UAE intended for the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC). Riyadh accused Abu Dhabi of endangering Saudi security through “dangerous behavior,” while the UAE dismissed the allegations as “fundamentally false.” The exchange has triggered a war of words between commentators from both nations. Analysts cited in the report say the rift has been building for years, with disputes over oil policy, Sudan’s conflict, and Yemen’s internal divisions. The UAE supports paramilitary and separatist groups such as the STC and Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, while Saudi Arabia backs national armies and seeks to preserve existing regional borders. The two also diverged over Somalia’s recognition of Somaliland, with the UAE absent from a joint condemnation led by Saudi Arabia. Experts warn that the growing divide could reshape Middle Eastern alliances in 2026, as reconciliation mechanisms appear to have failed.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that Dhaka and surrounding areas will experience moderate to dense fog until noon on Saturday, reducing visibility across the capital. The forecast, issued for the six hours from 7 a.m., also noted that the sky may remain partly cloudy and the weather is expected to stay dry during this period. According to the department, light winds from the west and northwest at speeds of 6 to 12 kilometers per hour may prevail. The temperature is likely to remain nearly unchanged, with 13.0 degrees Celsius recorded at 6 a.m. and humidity at 99 percent. On Friday, Dhaka’s highest temperature was 20.4 degrees Celsius, and the lowest recorded today was 12.7 degrees Celsius. No rainfall was recorded in the past 24 hours. The forecast further mentioned that sunset in Dhaka will occur at 5:24 p.m. on Saturday, while sunrise on Sunday is expected at 6:42 a.m.

A 20-year-old man named Kajol, son of Bashir Bhuiya from South Mohammadpur village in Daudkandi, Cumilla, died on December 31 after being seriously injured in a mob attack linked to a playground dispute. The incident occurred on November 27 in Mohammadpur Chowmuhani area, where a group allegedly attacked him with sharp and blunt weapons during a conflict over preparing a badminton court. Kajol was first taken to Daudkandi Upazila Health Complex and later referred to a hospital in Dhaka, where he succumbed to his injuries after prolonged treatment. According to the case statement, ten named individuals and 10–12 unidentified others were accused in connection with the assault. Following Kajol’s death, police confirmed that the case had been reclassified as a murder investigation. The victim was buried on January 2 after a post-mortem examination. Local residents expressed grief and demanded justice for the killing. Police stated that evidence collection and efforts to arrest the accused are ongoing as part of the investigation.