Bangladesh Bank announced that customers of five recently merged Islamic banks will begin receiving refunds of their deposits starting Thursday, January 1. In the first phase, depositors will be able to withdraw up to two lakh taka. The banks involved in the merger are First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, and EXIM Bank. These institutions have been consolidated under a newly formed entity named Sammilit Islami Bank.

According to Bangladesh Bank, all current, savings, and fixed deposits from the five banks have been transferred to the new bank. Depositors are assured that up to two lakh taka of their funds are protected and can be withdrawn initially. To facilitate this process, necessary funds have been allocated from the Deposit Protection Fund to the banks under resolution.

Customers who choose not to withdraw their money immediately will continue to earn market-based profit on their existing balances, as stated by Bangladesh Bank.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has pledged to carry forward the legacy of his late mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. In a Facebook post published on Thursday morning, he expressed his commitment to continue from where his mother’s journey ended. He wrote that he had laid her to rest beside his father, late President Ziaur Rahman, and described the nation’s overwhelming presence during this difficult time as a source of strength and solace.

Rahman said he was deeply moved by the love and respect shown by countless supporters, well-wishers, and citizens. He noted that the massive turnout reminded him that Khaleda Zia was not only his mother but also a mother figure to the nation. He also expressed gratitude to South Asian leaders, global diplomats, and development partners who paid their respects in person, as well as to countries that sent condolences.

He concluded by praying for his mother’s peace and urged the nation to draw inspiration from her lifelong dedication, sacrifice, and compassion, which he described as guiding examples for unity and patriotism.

The United States has carried out another strike on a vessel accused of drug trafficking, resulting in at least five deaths. The attack was announced in a statement by the US military’s Southern Command on Wednesday, though the location of the operation was not specified. Previous similar strikes had taken place in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean, according to Al Jazeera. The US Coast Guard has been directed to conduct search and rescue operations at the site, but no evidence supporting the attack has been presented.

The statement detailed that three alleged traffickers were killed in the first operation, while others from two additional boats jumped into the water to escape. Those boats were later sunk in a subsequent strike, which killed two more people. The military said the Coast Guard was instructed to activate its search and rescue system. A similar incident in September had drawn heavy criticism after reports that survivors were targeted, with some Democratic lawmakers and legal experts calling it a crime, while the Trump administration and some Republican lawmakers defended it as lawful.

Zohraan Mamdani will be sworn in as the mayor of New York City at midnight on December 31, 2025, in an abandoned subway station built during America’s ‘Golden Age’. The location was chosen to symbolize the beginning of a ‘new era’. The station currently serves as a turnaround point for the local No. 5 train. Thousands of New Yorkers will be gathered in Times Square for the New Year countdown as the ceremony takes place underground.

In a statement, Mamdani described the site as a monument to a city that once dared to build beautifully and transform the lives of working people. He said the ambition represented by the station should not remain confined to the past or the tunnels beneath City Hall. He expressed honor at the opportunity to lead millions of New Yorkers.

Progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will introduce Mamdani at the ceremony, which will also feature Senator Bernie Sanders. New York Attorney General Letitia James will administer the oath. Mamdani, 34, won the November 4 election by defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, becoming the first Muslim and South Asian–descended mayor in U.S. history.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has strongly rejected media reports citing Reuters that claimed he held a secret meeting with Indian diplomats. In a post on his verified Facebook account on Thursday, he clarified the circumstances and urged journalists to avoid publishing misleading information without verifying facts.

Dr. Rahman explained that during a recent interview with Reuters, he was asked whether his party maintained any communication with India. He said that after returning home from medical treatment last year, many visitors, including diplomats from various countries, came to see him. Among them were two Indian diplomats who visited his residence. He stated that the meeting was not secret and that his team had offered to make it public, but the diplomats requested otherwise.

Expressing surprise at local media reports describing the meeting as secret, Dr. Rahman condemned such reporting and called on the media to act responsibly in the future.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a boycott of the influential daily newspaper Haaretz, accusing it of supporting Israel’s enemies during the Gaza war. According to a report by Middle East Monitor, the decision includes cutting all advertising and editorial ties with the paper. A government directive instructs all ministries, state-funded companies, and public advertising agencies to avoid any relationship with Haaretz. The boycott was implemented based on a government decision made in November 2024.

The Israeli government claims that Haaretz published editorials during the Gaza conflict that undermined Israel’s legitimacy and right to self-defense. Officials stated that they would not tolerate a domestic newspaper supporting enemies or calling for international sanctions against Israel.

Israel’s Attorney General has warned that the new restrictions could negatively affect press freedom, increasing the risk of commercial and political interference in media operations.

U.S. President Donald Trump this week vetoed two major bipartisan bills, marking his first use of veto power in his second term. According to reports from Washington, the vetoes targeted the 'Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act' and the 'Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act'. The White House confirmed that Trump issued the vetoes on Monday. To override them, both chambers of Congress would need a two-thirds majority vote.

The Arkansas Valley Conduit Act aimed to implement a long-standing clean water supply project in Colorado’s Eastern Plains. Trump argued the project was too costly and described it as an unreliable policy for American taxpayers. The second bill sought to expand the Miccosukee tribe’s control in Florida’s Everglades National Park. Trump stated he would not allow the tribe residential rights in that area and criticized spending taxpayer money on projects inconsistent with his administration’s immigration policies.

The move marks a significant political moment, as presidential vetoes are relatively rare. Trump had vetoed ten bills during his first term, while his predecessor Joe Biden vetoed thirteen over four years.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has extended New Year 2026 greetings to Bangladeshis at home and abroad, as well as to people around the world. In a message issued on Wednesday ahead of the English New Year, he wished happiness, peace, and prosperity for all, calling for strengthened bonds of harmony, friendship, and brotherhood in the coming year.

Yunus described the New Year as a time for new dreams, hopes, and possibilities, urging everyone to move forward with renewed inspiration and dedication to building a better future. Expressing optimism for a democratic Bangladesh, he called on citizens to unite in overcoming challenges and to work toward a just, equitable, and discrimination-free nation.

Referring to the post-July uprising context, Yunus said the coming year holds special significance for the nation. He noted that the journey toward democratic transition would reach fulfillment through a national election and a referendum on the July Charter Implementation Order, expressing hope that these steps would further strengthen Bangladesh’s democratic advancement.

Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq met Bangladesh’s interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka on Wednesday. The meeting took place at the state guesthouse Jamuna, according to information released by the Chief Adviser’s press wing.

Earlier, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq arrived in Dhaka to pay respects to former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who passed away early Tuesday. On the same day, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bhol Nanda Sharma also met with Chief Adviser Yunus, as confirmed by the press wing.

Following Khaleda Zia’s death, Bangladesh declared three days of national mourning starting Wednesday, with a public holiday announced for the day of her funeral. She was buried with state honors after a large public funeral attended by many mourners.

Bobby Hajjaj, former chairman of the National Democratic Movement (NDM) and recently joined member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has submitted his election affidavit as the BNP-nominated candidate for Dhaka-13 constituency. According to the affidavit, he owns no land, house, or apartment. He declared cash holdings of Tk 15,693,872, 35 bhori of gold in his name, and 120 bhori of gold belonging to his wife. His wife also has Tk 1,450,845 in bank deposits and Tk 1.2 million in savings certificates.

The affidavit lists Hajjaj’s annual income as Tk 2,755,529 from his profession, Tk 89,895 from shares, and Tk 690,369 from a joint business. He has Tk 465,579 deposited in banks and no loans from any financial institution. Hajjaj holds an MBA degree, has no pending cases, and works as a teacher at a private university. He is also a director at Detco Private Company, managing director of Gnyani IT Limited, and managing partner of Veritas Academy.

The affidavit further identifies his mother as Taniz Fatema Chowdhury, with the family home located in Gulshan, Dhaka.

A severe cold wave accompanied by dense fog has paralyzed daily life across Lalmonirhat and other northern districts of Bangladesh. The cold intensified over the past week, forcing residents to stay indoors while rural communities light fires to keep warm. Farmers and agricultural workers are struggling to work in the fields where maize, mustard, wheat, potato, and Aman seedbeds remain exposed to the cold. The biting weather has also sharply reduced outdoor activity and income for day laborers and rickshaw pullers.

Health officials report a significant rise in cold-related illnesses. Lalmonirhat’s 250-bed hospital and upazila health complexes are seeing more children and elderly patients suffering from pneumonia, asthma, respiratory problems, and diarrhea. Civil Surgeon Abdul Hakim urged families to take special care of vulnerable groups. The Department of Agricultural Extension is advising farmers to minimize crop damage, while the district administration has distributed blankets among the poor and requested additional supplies from the ministry.

Authorities continue monitoring the situation as cold-related illnesses and disruptions persist across the region.

Gono Odhikar Parishad president and former DUCSU vice president Nurul Haque Nur has disclosed his income and assets in an affidavit submitted to the Election Commission ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election. According to the affidavit, Nur, a businessman by profession, declared total assets valued at Tk 8,982,841, while his wife, teacher Maria Akter, holds assets worth Tk 1,266,818. Nur’s annual income amounts to Tk 2,040,048, including Tk 1,585,426 from business and Tk 454,622 from other sources. He possesses over Tk 2.8 million in cash and has mentioned bank deposits, shares, and inherited property.

The affidavit further states that Nur owns 82 decimals of agricultural land, while his wife owns three acres. He has liabilities amounting to Tk 388,160 but no bank loans. Six cases are currently pending against him, though he has been acquitted in eight previous ones. Both he and his wife regularly file income tax returns.

Nur is contesting from the Patuakhali-3 (Galachipa–Dashmina) constituency under the ‘Truck’ symbol. The BNP did not field a candidate there due to an alliance understanding. The Election Commission’s schedule sets voting for February 12, 2026.

India has expressed deep respect over the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. On Wednesday, December 31, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar handed over an official condolence message from the Government of India to BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman at the National Parliament complex in Dhaka. The message described Khaleda Zia as a symbol of courage and struggle, honoring her steadfast commitment to Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty.

Earlier in the day, Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka at 11:55 a.m. on a special Indian Air Force flight and was received at the Bashar Air Base by Foreign Ministry Secretary M. Forhad Hossain and Indian High Commissioner Pranab Verma. Following his meeting with Tarique Rahman, Jaishankar wrote on his verified Facebook page that Khaleda Zia’s ideals and values would continue to guide the partnership between the two nations. He also delivered a personal letter from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tarique Rahman and conveyed condolences on behalf of the Indian government and people.

BNP later confirmed through its verified Facebook page that India had paid tribute to Khaleda Zia, describing her as the “Mother of Democracy” and a “symbol of courage and struggle.”

A video message allegedly from Faisal Karim Masud, the main accused in the murder of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, has recently circulated on social media. Many users claimed the video was created using artificial intelligence, but digital investigative outlet The Descent verified that it was not AI-generated. The outlet confirmed that Faisal’s facial features and expressions matched his real appearance, and background noise analysis across four AI detection tools supported the conclusion.

The Descent noted that while the video showed some visual inconsistencies, such as Faisal’s beard disappearing in certain frames, these were attributed to active video filters rather than AI generation. In the video, Faisal claimed to be in Dubai, but the outlet stated that his location could not be verified from the footage alone. He also denied being on the motorcycle used in Hadi’s killing, a claim contradicted by prior investigations confirming his and associate Alamgir Sheikh’s involvement.

Faisal further alleged that Hadi had taken money for ministry-related lobbying, but The Descent reported that no such accusations had previously surfaced against Hadi.

Tabligh Jamaat Bangladesh (Shura-e-Nizam) has decided not to hold any gathering at the Tongi Ijtema ground following a government directive. The Ministry of Home Affairs requested that no Khurujer Jor or other assemblies take place at the Turag River site before the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Media coordinator Habibullah Raihan announced that participants preparing for the January 2–4 Khurujer Jor have been instructed to begin their journeys from their respective districts instead of gathering in Tongi. The group has also started dismantling the structures built for the event under police observation.

Raihan explained that the decision aligns with the group’s respect for administrative instructions. He referenced past violent incidents involving the Sad faction, including attacks in 2018 and 2024 that left many injured and several dead, which he said discredited Tabligh’s work. According to him, those responsible have lost the moral right to organize events at the Ijtema ground.

The Home Ministry stated that the restriction aims to ensure a peaceful and uninterrupted election process. It confirmed that the World Ijtema will be held in Tongi after the national election concludes.