The National Citizen Party (NCP) has issued a clarification regarding confusion surrounding its convener Nahid Islam’s election affidavit, which recently circulated on social media. The party stated that misinformation was being spread about Islam’s declared total assets of 3.2 million taka. In a message sent on Thursday night, NCP joint member secretary Tamim Ahmed explained that Islam’s income during his tenure as an interim government adviser amounted to 1.136 million taka, with an average monthly salary of 165,000 taka over seven months. After resigning, he began working as a consultant at a private firm with a monthly honorarium of 100,000 taka, bringing his total annual income to 1.6 million taka for the 2024–25 fiscal year, on which he paid 113,274 taka in income tax. The statement further detailed that Islam’s declared assets of 3.216 million taka include earnings from his advisory and consultancy roles, cash in hand, previous savings, and gifts received from relatives at events and weddings. The NCP also denied claims that Islam’s profession was listed as teaching, clarifying that his affidavit identifies him as a consultant and former government adviser. It added that he currently holds only two bank accounts: one at Sonali Bank and another at City Bank opened for election expenses.

A meeting held on Thursday, January 1, at the Chief Adviser’s Office recommended installing digital and manual billboards in densely populated urban areas to clearly present the content of the upcoming referendum linked to the 13th parliamentary election. The directive was issued to mayors, panel mayors, and administrators of all city corporations and municipalities across the country. The meeting was chaired by Professor Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser and Chief Coordinator of public awareness activities for the election and referendum. Officials from the Information Ministry, Local Government Division, and Cultural Affairs Ministry reported that awareness campaigns were already underway through billboards, video content, and mobile publicity vehicles. Seven video contents have been produced, with more in progress. Participants emphasized using social media and local networks, including religious leaders, to reach voters effectively. The meeting also observed a moment of mourning for former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. The chair urged all city and municipal authorities to display the referendum logo, ballot samples, and leaflets within seven days in major public areas and to maximize publicity using available resources.

Mohammad Shafiul Alam, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Chattogram-11 constituency, has objected to a report published in the online edition of the daily Amar Desh regarding his election affidavit. In a written statement issued Thursday night, he described the report as false and misleading. The report, titled “Surprising information in Jamaat candidate’s affidavit!”, claimed that his two sons and one daughter had an annual income of five lakh taka, which Alam denied. He stated that his eldest son’s annual net income was only fifty thousand taka, as clearly mentioned in the affidavit, and that his other two children had no income or assets listed. Alam further said the report incorrectly described his children’s professions as legal consultants. He clarified that the combined income of his wife and eldest son amounted to five lakh taka, as properly documented in the affidavit. He alleged that the publication of such “false and misleading” news before the election had damaged his personal reputation and electoral image, and that the report had spread widely on social media. The reporter responded that the story was based entirely on the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission, citing specific columns listing dependents’ professions and income sources.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced the formation of its election steering committee to oversee preparations for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election in 2026. According to a press release signed by Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the committee will be chaired by BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, with Rizvi serving as the member secretary. The announcement was made on Thursday. The committee includes Selima Rahman and Shamsuzzaman Dudu as vice chairmen, while Md. Ismail Jabiuallah has been named the chief coordinator. Other members include Advocate Moyazzem Hossain Alal, Bijon Kanti Sarkar, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Dr. Ziauddin Haider, Dr. Mahdi Amin, and several others from the party’s senior leadership. The formation reflects BNP’s organizational preparations ahead of the national election. The announcement signals the party’s move to formalize its election management structure as it prepares for the 2026 parliamentary polls.

Inquilab Mancha has called for nationwide prayers, supplications, and sermons opposing dominance to seek justice for the killing of martyr Sharif Osman bin Hadi and for the forgiveness of his soul. The organization made the appeal in a statement issued on Thursday night, emphasizing the need for collective remembrance and resistance. The organization, founded by martyr Osman Hadi, stated that he was a leading figure in the anti-Indian dominance movement and a visionary for building a just Bangladesh. Through its statement, Inquilab Mancha reiterated its commitment to continuing the struggle against dominance and honoring the legacy of its founder through spiritual and social mobilization. The call reflects the group’s ongoing focus on anti-dominance activism and remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives for the cause, as expressed in its official statement.

On the first day of the new year, customers of five long-troubled Islamic banks in Bangladesh began withdrawing money following their merger into the newly established Sammilit Islami Bank. Under the Bangladesh Bank’s resolution scheme, withdrawals of up to two lakh taka from current and savings accounts were allowed starting Thursday. Branches reported smooth transactions without major crowds as customers accessed their funds after a prolonged suspension. The merged institutions—Social Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, and EXIM Bank—have transferred their assets, liabilities, and staff to Sammilit Islami Bank, headquartered at Sena Kalyan Bhaban in Dhaka’s Motijheel. The central bank’s scheme set the new bank’s authorized capital at Tk 40,000 crore and paid-up capital at Tk 35,000 crore, with the government contributing Tk 20,000 crore as Class A shares. Depositors can withdraw up to Tk 2 lakh at once, and for larger deposits, Tk 1 lakh every three months for up to two years. Fixed depositors outside financial institutions may also access investment or loan facilities up to 20 percent of their balances.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that his government will adopt a tougher stance against what he termed 'illegal Bangladeshi' immigrants. Speaking ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections, he declared that anyone identified as a foreigner in Assam would be expelled without following any diplomatic procedures. Sarma said the era of a 'soft policy' on deportation had ended, and his administration would act immediately once a foreigner is declared. According to the report, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making the issue of so-called 'immigrants' or 'infiltrators' a central theme of its election campaign in Assam. Sarma stated that the state government’s approach aligns with recent remarks by India’s Home Minister Amit Shah. Previously, deportation required a lengthy diplomatic process involving the Ministry of External Affairs and verification with Bangladesh. Sarma said that under the new policy, Assam will no longer wait for formal responses from Bangladesh before expelling those declared foreigners, signaling a significant shift in the state’s handling of immigration cases.

Law enforcement agencies have recovered 17 active SIM cards from one of the accused in the murder case of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. The identity of the accused has not been disclosed. Following this discovery, security agencies have urged the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to reduce the number of SIM cards allowed per person. The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology confirmed the matter in a notice issued on Thursday. The notice stated that the murder of Hadi has caused nationwide concern, prompting calls for the implementation of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) and restrictions on the number of SIMs per user. Hadi was shot in the head on December 12, 2025, in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area and later died on December 18 after being taken to Singapore for treatment. So far, 11 suspects have been arrested, six of whom have confessed in court. The government has decided to transfer the case to a speedy trial tribunal, with the charge sheet expected to be submitted by January 7, according to the Home Affairs adviser.

An audio recording of former BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia expressing anger toward party leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has gone viral on social media. The conversation, reportedly from 2013, captures Khaleda Zia reprimanding Khasru for allegedly obstructing a party program in Chattogram. In the audio, she instructs former organizational leader Golam Akbar Khondkar to ensure that Khasru does not interfere with the work assigned to Dr. Shahadat Hossain, warning that she would remove him immediately if he did. Golam Akbar Khondkar confirmed the authenticity of the conversation, explaining that it took place during a period of internal disagreement within the Chattogram BNP over movement strategies. At the time, Khasru was the city convenor, and Khondkar served as organizational secretary. The dispute reportedly arose over the organization of a rally or meeting that Khasru opposed despite directives from Khaleda Zia. Attempts to reach Amir Khasru for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages. Senior BNP leaders declined to comment publicly, with some suggesting that the resurfacing of the old audio might have political motives.

A fish farmer in Muksedpur upazila of Gopalganj has alleged that poison was applied to his ponds, killing fish worth around five lakh taka. The incident occurred early Thursday, January 1, in the Kahaldia Ruitar Beel area under Batikamari Union. Later that afternoon, a written complaint was filed at Muksedpur Police Station naming three individuals as accused. According to local sources, the victim, Montu Molya of Kahaldia village, had leased five ponds this year for cultivating various native fish species. He claimed that unknown persons poisoned the ponds, destroying all the fish and leaving him financially devastated. The accused in the complaint are Israfil Sheikh, Asad Kazi, and Rafik Sheikh. Muksedpur Police Station’s second officer, Sukanta Baul, confirmed receiving the complaint and stated that legal action would be taken after investigation.

Professor UH Ruhina Jesmin of Khulna University’s English Discipline sparked controversy after posting on Facebook comparing former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and a convicted war criminal named Hasina. The post, made on Wednesday from her personal account, praised both women’s empowerment journeys in a male-dominated society and described their rise from domestic life to national leadership as inspirational. The post quickly drew anger from students on campus and across social media. Students criticized the comparison as historically inaccurate and politically biased, citing human rights concerns during Sheikh Hasina’s rule. Several commenters described the post as an attempt to elevate Hasina’s image by equating her with Khaleda Zia. Allegations also surfaced that Jesmin mocked religious students and pressured female students to remove hijabs during classes and exams. Rumors circulated that her university appointment was linked to political connections with a former Awami League mayor. Jesmin defended her post, saying her intention was to highlight women’s empowerment, not politics. She later uploaded a video apology, stating she had clarified her position and expressed regret for any misunderstanding.

Saudi Arabia carried out a record 356 executions in 2025, the highest number in the country's history, according to data released by the Saudi government and reported by Agence France-Presse. Of these, 243 were related to drug offenses, marking a sharp increase linked to Riyadh’s declared “war on drugs.” Many of the executions involved individuals whose legal proceedings concluded this year after earlier arrests. In 2024, Saudi Arabia executed 338 people, making 2025 the second consecutive year with record-high executions. The country resumed enforcing death sentences for drug-related crimes in late 2022 after nearly three years of suspension. The United Nations reported that since the anti-drug campaign began, Saudi authorities have expanded police checkpoints on highways and borders, seizing large quantities of narcotics and arresting numerous traffickers. Saudi officials maintain that the death penalty is necessary to preserve public order and is only implemented after all appeals are exhausted. Amnesty International has documented Saudi execution data since 1990, noting that earlier records remain unclear.

Rashed Khan, a young national-level politician, has resigned from Gono Odhikar Parishad and joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Following his move, he received the BNP nomination for the Jhenaidah-2 (Kaliganj–Sadar partial) constituency. According to his election affidavit, he owns no house, car, land, or plot. He listed his professions as politics and business, while his wife, Rabeya Akter Alo, was described as a homemaker. The affidavit states that Rashed Khan holds 3,545,875 taka in cash and 7,582 taka in two private bank accounts. His wife has 30,000 taka in cash. The couple jointly possess 40 bhori of gold, valued at 81,48,412 taka at current rates, received as gifts. His wife also owns gold, electronics, furniture, and other household items worth about 17,70,000 taka. Rashed Khan declared no immovable property, shares, bonds, savings certificates, or foreign assets. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, he reported an income of 450,000 taka and total assets worth 38,45,915 taka, according to his tax return information.

The Chittagong University undergraduate admission tests for the 2025–26 academic year will begin on Friday, January 2, with the ‘A’ unit under the Faculty of Science. A total of 233,327 candidates are competing for 4,165 seats across four units and three sub-units, meaning 56 applicants per seat. The highest number of applicants, 87,794, have applied for the ‘A’ unit, which includes science, biology, engineering, and marine sciences faculties, while the lowest, 1,421, have applied for the ‘D-1’ sub-unit under the Faculty of Education. The exams will be held in three divisional cities—Chittagong University, Dhaka University, and Rajshahi University. The ‘A’ unit test starts at 11:15 a.m. and ends at 12:15 p.m. on Friday. Other units will follow on January 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Each test carries 120 marks, including 100 for multiple-choice questions and 20 from SSC and HSC GPA scores. A penalty of 0.25 marks applies for each wrong answer. Security arrangements include 637 personnel, with traffic police, university security staff, and law enforcement agencies ensuring order. Six information booths and six parent waiting tents have been set up for assistance.

A police sub-inspector named Abdul Alim died of a heart attack while on duty at the Chapainawabganj Police Lines on Thursday evening. He was being taken to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital when he passed away. Abdul Alim was the son of the late Bander Ali from Baroipara village in Sujanagar upazila of Pabna district and was serving at the Chapainawabganj Police Lines. The officer-in-charge of Chapainawabganj Sadar Police Station, Nure Alam, confirmed the incident. According to reports, Alim suddenly felt unwell in the afternoon while performing his duties. Fellow police members first took him to the 250-bed Chapainawabganj District Hospital, where doctors found his condition critical and referred him to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. He died on the way to Rajshahi. Dr. Rumali Khatun, emergency medical officer at Chapainawabganj District Hospital, said the officer was admitted after a heart attack and later referred due to his serious condition. The incident has been officially confirmed by police authorities, and medical officers have detailed the sequence of treatment attempts before his death.