U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly praised Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, crediting him for helping avert a potential nuclear war between Pakistan and India. At a December 22 press conference, Trump claimed he had ended eight wars and said his mediation saved millions of lives. Since June, this was at least the tenth time Trump publicly lauded Munir, calling him a “great warrior” and “exceptional man.” Trump also acknowledged Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s role in peace efforts during his October speech at the Sharm El-Sheikh peace summit. Analysts link the warming U.S.-Pakistan ties to the four-day war between India and Pakistan in May 2025, which ended through U.S. mediation. Pakistan recognized Washington’s role and nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, while India denied U.S. involvement. Former Pakistani officials said the conflict elevated Munir’s international stature and marked a turning point in bilateral relations. Experts note that Pakistan’s cooperation in counterterrorism and Munir’s diplomatic outreach, including two U.S. visits in 2025, have positioned Islamabad as a potential regional player in Washington’s strategic plans.

Bhutan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Lyonpo D. N. Dhungyel, arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday morning to pay his final respects to former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. He is visiting as a representative of the Bhutanese government to honor the late leader. Upon arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, he was received by Bhutan’s ambassador to Bangladesh and senior officials from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Begum Khaleda Zia, who served as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister and led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away early Tuesday morning at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka while undergoing treatment. Her death has prompted condolences and tributes from various quarters, including international representatives such as the Bhutanese minister. The visit underscores Bhutan’s gesture of respect toward Bangladesh’s former leader and reflects the diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries.

Nepal has decided to cancel the 'deposit scheme' introduced to keep Mount Everest free from pollution. The government made the decision after 11 years of implementation, citing a lack of expected results. Under the scheme, climbers were required to deposit a certain amount of money before their ascent, refundable only if they brought down at least eight kilograms of waste. Despite most climbers reclaiming their deposits, the overall pollution level on Everest showed little improvement, according to the Ministry of Tourism. Himala Gautam, Director of Nepal’s Tourism Department, said the project failed to play an effective role in environmental protection and instead created administrative complications. Climbers often collected waste from lower camps, leaving the higher camps neglected. Shering Sherpa, Chief Executive of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, noted that the most severe pollution persists in the upper camps, where tents, plastic cans, food packets, and used oxygen cylinders are still abandoned. Experts pointed out that each climber generates about 12 kilograms of waste per expedition, while the rule required only eight kilograms to be brought down. They emphasized the need for more practical and effective policies to protect Everest’s environment.

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will be buried beside her late husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka. The interim government confirmed that she will be laid to rest with state honors. Khaleda Zia passed away early Tuesday morning at a hospital in Dhaka after a prolonged illness. Ziaur Rahman, a former president and a sector commander in Bangladesh’s Liberation War, was killed in a military coup in Chittagong on May 30, 1981. Initially buried in Rangunia, his body was later brought to Dhaka and reinterred with state honors at what was then Sher-e-Bangla Park, adjacent to the National Parliament. The site was later renamed several times, known alternately as Chandrima Udyan and Zia Udyan. Political historian Mahiuddin Ahmed noted that the decision to bury Ziaur Rahman near the Parliament was made by the interim government led by Acting President Justice Abdus Sattar. Former deputy minister A.B.M. Ruhul Amin Howlader said the cabinet unanimously approved the proposal, which was also supported by then army chief Hussain Muhammad Ershad.

Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia passed away on Tuesday, December 30, at 6 a.m. Her funeral is scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the South Plaza of the National Parliament on Manik Mia Avenue. Thousands of people from across Dhaka have gathered at the venue to attend her janaza, paying their final respects to the veteran leader. At the site, recordings of Khaleda Zia’s 2013 speech, delivered outside her Gulshan residence ‘Firoza’ when she was blockaded by sand trucks, are being played repeatedly. In that address, she criticized Sheikh Hasina and spoke against foreign dominance over Bangladesh, urging unity and resistance to oppression. She referenced the grief of families affected by the BDR mutiny and the Shapla Chattar incident, emphasizing that such suffering would not be forgotten. The replay of her old speech at her funeral underscores her image as a leader uncompromising on national sovereignty and justice, resonating deeply with supporters gathered to honor her memory.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will be buried beside her husband, late President Ziaur Rahman, behind the National Parliament building in Dhaka. Before the burial, her funeral prayer will be held at Manik Mia Avenue, the same location where millions gathered 44 years ago to pay their last respects to Ziaur Rahman. The event is being described as a repetition of history. In 1981, President Ziaur Rahman was killed in a failed military coup at the Chittagong Circuit House. His funeral took place on June 2 that year at Manik Mia Avenue, followed by a state burial near the Parliament building. The massive public turnout at his funeral became a historic moment in Dhaka’s history. Khaleda Zia entered politics after her husband’s death, taking charge of the BNP without prior political experience. Through years of political struggle, she led the party to electoral victories and served three terms as Prime Minister, becoming the country’s first female head of government.

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.