Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has announced his readiness to engage in discussions with the United States on issues related to drug trafficking and oil. Speaking in an interview broadcast on Venezuela’s state television on Thursday, Maduro said he was willing to meet at any place and time preferred by the United States. He also expressed interest in including migration matters in the talks.

The statement came amid heightened tensions between the two countries. The U.S. president had earlier claimed that American forces carried out an attack in a Venezuelan jetty area, a question Maduro avoided addressing. Over the past three months, U.S. naval forces have conducted operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific regions against vessels suspected of drug trafficking, resulting in more than 110 deaths. The United States has yet to provide evidence of drug smuggling on those ships.

Additionally, U.S. forces have taken strict actions against oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. On December 10, an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast was seized by U.S. forces, who alleged it was transporting authorized oil from Venezuela and Iran. Venezuela described the incident as an act of international piracy.

Pakistan has warned India regarding its proposed hydropower project on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Husei Andrabi stated that under the Indus Water Treaty, India cannot misuse its limited permission to construct hydropower projects unilaterally on western rivers. Andrabi expressed concern that Pakistan had not been informed about the project, reportedly named Dulhasti Stage 2.

The Indus Water Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, grants India full rights over the eastern rivers—Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas—while Pakistan holds rights over the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. India is allowed limited use of the western rivers for power generation. Andrabi said that if India proceeds with the project, it would constitute a serious violation of the treaty’s written limitations.

He emphasized that Pakistan prefers to resolve disputes peacefully but warned that Islamabad would not tolerate any deliberate breach of the treaty or actions harming Pakistan’s national interests.

In the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, candidates from the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have submitted nomination papers for the Cox’s Bazar-4 constituency, which includes Ukhiya and Teknaf. Analysis of their affidavits shows a major disparity in wealth and income between BNP’s Shahjahan Chowdhury and Jamaat’s Principal Nur Ahmad Anwari. Shahjahan, the district BNP president and former MP, declared assets worth about Tk 10.9 crore, roughly 21 times higher than Anwari’s Tk 51.5 lakh.

According to Shahjahan’s affidavit, his annual income is around Tk 12 lakh, with most earnings from house rent, agriculture, and fisheries. His immovable assets include 15 acres of agricultural land, 0.52 acres of non-agricultural land, 20.66 acres of leased government land, a house, and 2.5 flats. He also owns a shotgun, a revolver, a Proton Jeep, and 10 tolas of gold, with no liabilities. In contrast, Anwari’s assets include a house, 0.6 acres of land, Tk 15.24 lakh in bank deposits, and 10 tolas of gold.

The nomination papers for Cox’s Bazar-4 will be scrutinized at the district returning officer’s office at noon on Saturday, where five candidates are competing in total.

A fruit trader named Ershad Khan, aged 35, was killed in a road accident in Naria upazila of Shariatpur on Friday morning. The incident occurred around 7 a.m. in front of the Naria Livestock Office on the Naria–Shariatpur road when a truck ran over him. Police later conducted an operation and detained both the truck and its driver.

According to the report, Ershad Khan, son of Mesher Kha from South Naria village under Naria municipality, was heading to Naria market by motorcycle as part of his daily routine. While overtaking a cement-laden truck, his motorcycle collided head-on with an oncoming trolley. He lost control, fell onto the road, and was crushed under the truck’s rear wheel, dying instantly at the scene.

The accident caused temporary disruption to traffic and deep sorrow among local residents. Police quickly arrived, brought the situation under control, and recovered the body. Naria Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Bahar Mia confirmed the incident.

Two motorcyclists were killed and two others injured when a speeding truck hit a motorcycle from behind in Gobindaganj upazila of Gaibandha early Thursday night. The accident occurred around midnight on the Dhaka–Rangpur highway at the Fasitla flyover area under Kamardah Union. The truck crushed the motorcycle, killing two riders on the spot. The truck’s helper and another motorcyclist were seriously injured and later taken to Gobindaganj Upazila Health Complex by the local fire service team.

The deceased were identified as Jony Mia, 40, of Buzruk Boalia village in Gobindaganj municipality, and Siddiqur Rahman Siddiq, 42, of Patoa village in Nakai Union. The injured motorcyclist was Shariful Islam, 45, from Dhankhunia village of the same union. Officer-in-Charge Mozzafar Hossain of Gobindaganj Highway Police confirmed the deaths, stating that the victims’ bodies were handed over to their families and the truck involved in the crash was seized.

Police have taken the truck into custody as part of the ongoing investigation into the fatal road accident.

U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited debate about his age and health after claiming in a lengthy interview that he is in 'perfect' condition. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Trump said he takes more aspirin than doctors recommend, uses makeup to cover hand injuries, and avoids regular exercise because he finds it boring. He also clarified that he underwent a CT scan in October, not an MRI as he had previously told reporters.

At 79, Trump is the oldest president in U.S. history, and reports suggest he has shown signs of aging, including dozing off during meetings and occasionally missing questions. The Journal reported that Trump expressed irritation over public discussions about his health.

Trump said he has taken 325 milligrams of aspirin daily for 25 years, despite doctors advising 81 milligrams. He explained that he does not want to change his routine due to superstition and prefers golf as his only form of exercise.

Hasnat Abdullah, the central chief organizer (southern region) of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said his income decreased following the July Revolution. Speaking on Friday at a prayer event in Debidwar municipal hall for the late BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, he stated that his annual income is about 1.25 million taka, with total assets worth 5 million taka. Abdullah emphasized that his income had been higher before the revolution and claimed transparency about his earnings.

During his speech, Abdullah praised Khaleda Zia as an uncompromising leader who resisted autocracy and endured imprisonment. He called on supporters to back reform and change through a “yes” vote in the upcoming referendum. He also criticized the rule of fugitive Sheikh Hasina, alleging lack of freedom to express dissent, and pledged to defend political freedom in Debidwar.

Abdullah further warned against drug-linked politicians and urged expatriates to exercise their voting rights, noting that remittances would influence future elections. The event was attended by NCP and Jamaat leaders, including Jamaat candidate Saiful Islam Shahid.

Two independent candidates in Bhola-2 (Daulatkhan-Borhanuddin) constituency had their nomination papers canceled during the scrutiny process for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The verification took place on Thursday under the supervision of Bhola Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Dr. Shamim Rahman, who rejected the nominations of Mohibullah Khokon and Taslima Begum after examining the required documents.

According to the Returning Officer, nomination papers of seven other candidates were declared valid following the review. These include BNP’s Md. Hafiz Ibrahim, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Mufti Maulana Fazlul Karim, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish’s Maulana Abdus Sobhan, Liberal Democratic Party’s Mokfar Uddin Chowdhury, Jatiya Party’s Advocate Jahangir Alam Ritu, Amjonotar candidate Mohammad Alauddin, and independent candidate Zakir Hossain.

Officials from the district administration, police, National Board of Revenue, Rural Electrification Board, and local banks were present during the verification process organized by the Bhola district administration.

A doa and milad mahfil was held in Madaripur on Thursday evening in memory of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The event took place at the DC Bridge area of the town, organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Participants prayed for the forgiveness of Khaleda Zia’s soul and for peace and prosperity of the nation.

Following the prayers, party leaders, activists, and local worshippers paid their respects and expressed condolences for the late national leader. The gathering was attended by BNP’s Madaripur-2 constituency candidate Jahandar Ali Mia, district BNP convener Jafar Ali Mia, member Tofazzal Hossain Santu Khan, district Swechchhasebak Dal general secretary Advocate Masud Parvez, organizational secretary Mizan Shikder, and other leaders and activists from various BNP-affiliated organizations.

The event reflected the local BNP’s continued reverence for their late leader and served as a moment of collective remembrance and unity among party members in Madaripur.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) reported that Israel detained 42 Palestinian journalists during 2025, including eight women. According to the PJS report, arrests occurred across the occupied West Bank, Jerusalem, and other areas, often during home raids or while journalists were covering news events.

The report noted that although the number of detentions decreased compared to 2023 and 2024, Israeli authorities continued to repeatedly detain prominent journalists without charges or trial, subjecting them to physical and psychological abuse. The PJS documented several cases where journalists were arrested while reporting on military operations and settler attacks.

The syndicate alleged that Israel’s actions aimed to obstruct the dissemination of factual information and truth by targeting journalists engaged in field reporting.

On Friday, the third day after her burial, large numbers of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens continued to visit the grave of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at the Jatiya Zia Udyan in Dhaka. Delegations arrived from various districts including Natore, Jhalokathi, and Faridpur to offer prayers at the graves of both Khaleda Zia and late President Ziaur Rahman.

Among those present were BNP leaders such as Aman Ullah Aman, Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu, and Sanjida Islam Tuli, who led groups of party members and parliamentary candidates from different constituencies. From early morning, families and supporters gathered despite cold and foggy weather, reflecting the late leader’s enduring popularity and symbolic status as a figure of independence and sovereignty.

Khaleda Zia, who had been under treatment at Evercare Hospital for a prolonged illness, passed away on December 30. She was buried with state honors beside her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, following funeral prayers at Manik Mia Avenue on Wednesday.

A migrant boat carrying more than 200 people sank off the coast of Gambia, leaving at least seven dead and 96 rescued alive, according to a statement from the Gambian Ministry of Interior on Thursday. The ministry said that ten of the rescued individuals are in critical condition and receiving emergency medical treatment. The Gambian Navy launched a search and rescue operation shortly after midnight on December 31, and efforts are continuing.

The ministry’s statement noted that the vessel was part of a migration attempt along the Atlantic route, which is commonly used by African migrants trying to reach Spain. This route is considered one of the most dangerous in the world. The European Union reported that more than 46,000 irregular migrants arrived in Spain’s Canary Islands in 2024, marking a record high.

The report also recalled a previous incident in August 2025, when a migrant boat from Gambia sank, killing at least 70 people. Authorities have not yet provided further details about the latest tragedy or the nationalities of those on board.

A severe cold wave and dense fog have paralyzed daily life in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj district. The cold weather has particularly affected day laborers, children, and the elderly, while continuous low temperatures have disrupted normal activities. Farmers are struggling to cultivate land, and livestock owners are facing difficulties protecting their animals. The dense fog, lasting from evening until noon, has reduced visibility on roads, forcing vehicles to move under risky conditions. The sun has not been visible for two days, preventing many workers from going to work.

The cold has also led to a rise in cold-related illnesses such as cough, pneumonia, and respiratory problems, especially among children and the elderly. Many patients have been admitted to the upazila health complex over the past week. Poor and homeless people are suffering acutely due to a shortage of warm clothing. Although local voluntary organizations and the upazila administration have begun distributing winter clothes, the assistance remains insufficient compared to the growing need.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has decided to remove all banners and posters across the country, including Dhaka, within three days. The decision was made under the directive of the party’s acting chairman Tareq Rahman. However, banners and posters expressing condolences for the late party chairperson Khaleda Zia will remain in place for a few more days. The removal drive was formally launched in front of the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan, led by Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

A meeting was held at the BNP central office with top leaders from Dhaka North and South city units, as well as from the Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal. Rizvi emphasized that while banners and posters are a form of political expression, they can harm the city’s beauty and aesthetics. He said the initiative aims to ensure that no one’s rights are disrupted by political displays.

Rizvi added that responsibilities have been distributed among party units and that the cleanup will continue nationwide until all banners and posters, except mourning ones, are removed within the set timeframe.

January 2, 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the killing of revolutionary leader Siraj Sikder, founder of the Purba Bangla Sarbahara Party. According to the report, Sikder was arrested in Chittagong on January 1, 1975, brought to Dhaka, and later killed by security forces under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s government. The incident is described as the first major custodial killing in independent Bangladesh and is widely regarded as the country’s first case of extrajudicial execution.

Contemporary media reports and accounts from Sikder’s followers claim he was tortured and shot dead near Jahangirnagar University after being taken from the Rakkhi Bahini headquarters. However, the official police press note at the time stated that Sikder was killed while allegedly trying to escape from a police van in Savar’s Talbag area. A case was filed at Savar Police Station following the incident.

Sikder, born in 1944 in present-day Shariatpur, was influenced by Marxist-Leninist-Maoist ideology and led armed movements against multiple forces, including the Mujib government, which he accused of being pro-India.