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.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) governing council has confirmed that no matches of this year’s tournament will be held in Chattogram. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has revised the schedule, moving the Chattogram phase to Sylhet. The announcement was made by BPL governing council member secretary Ifthekhar Rahman Mithu at a press conference at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Originally, the Chattogram phase was scheduled to begin on January 5 after the Sylhet leg ended on January 2. However, considering production logistics and the national team’s preparation needs, all matches planned for Chattogram have been shifted to Sylhet. The Sylhet phase will now run until January 12, followed by the Dhaka phase. The BPL must conclude by January 23 as the Bangladesh national team departs for the T20 World Cup on January 25.

The decision also follows a two-day suspension of matches after the death of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, which disrupted the original schedule. The BCB took this step to recover from the scheduling setback and ensure timely completion of the tournament.

The President of Bangladesh has issued the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, introducing a maximum fine of Tk 5,000 for selling cigarettes or tobacco products near educational institutions, hospitals, clinics, sports venues, and children's parks. The ordinance was promulgated on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, through the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law.

According to the ordinance, no person may sell or allow the sale of tobacco or tobacco products within 100 meters of the boundaries of these designated areas. The government or local authorities may extend this restricted perimeter through general or special orders as needed. The ordinance amends the original Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act of 2005.

Violators of the new rule will face a fine of up to Tk 5,000, and repeated offenses will result in double penalties. The measure aims to strengthen tobacco control around sensitive public spaces.

BNP Chairperson’s adviser and Chattogram-4 constituency candidate Lion Aslam Chowdhury has declared total assets worth about Tk 456.95 crore, combining movable and immovable properties. According to his nomination affidavit, his total liabilities stand at Tk 1,700 crore, the highest among candidates in Chattogram. Of this, Tk 354.41 crore is owed to five banks and other institutions, Tk 1,059 crore as guarantor, and Tk 285 crore as director of various companies. His liabilities are 24.25 times higher than his assets, though he stated that most of the debts arose from his roles as guarantor and director.

The affidavit also shows that Aslam Chowdhury holds Tk 11 crore in cash and faces 132 legal cases, including political and financial ones. His main source of income is business, generating Tk 48.37 lakh annually. His wife Jamila Nazneen Maula and daughter Meherin Anhar Uzma also reported significant assets and incomes. The document details his shares, bonds, firearms, and other possessions, with immovable assets valued at Tk 43.78 crore and movable assets at Tk 26.16 crore.

The disclosures highlight the financial scale and legal challenges surrounding the BNP candidate ahead of the upcoming election.

Israel has decided to revoke the licenses of 37 organizations providing humanitarian assistance in Palestine, citing their failure to meet new registration requirements. According to Israeli authorities, the groups did not submit complete personal data of their staff as required under the updated regulations. The suspension, affecting well-known international NGOs such as ActionAid, the International Rescue Committee, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, will take effect on January 1, with operations to cease within 60 days.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from ten countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Japan, which described the new rules as excessively strict and unacceptable. In a joint statement, their foreign ministers warned that forced closures of international NGOs would severely disrupt access to essential services such as healthcare in Gaza, where humanitarian conditions remain catastrophic. They urged Israel to allow NGOs to continue sustainable operations.

The UN-supported Humanitarian Country Team previously warned that Israel’s new registration policy poses fundamental risks to NGO activities in Gaza and the West Bank, calling the system arbitrary and politically driven, with conditions that could undermine humanitarian principles.

India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, according to the country’s annual economic review released on December 31, 2025. The review stated that India’s gross domestic product has reached approximately 4.18 trillion dollars and is projected to grow to 7.3 trillion dollars by 2030. Based on current trends, India could surpass Germany within the next three years to become the world’s third-largest economy, trailing only the United States and China.

The report highlighted that India’s real GDP grew by 8.2 percent in the second quarter of the 2025–26 fiscal year, up from 7.8 percent in the previous quarter. It also noted that merchandise exports rose to 38.13 billion dollars in November, compared to 36.43 billion dollars in January. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had earlier projected that India would overtake Japan next year, a milestone now confirmed by the review.

The findings underscore India’s accelerating economic expansion and its strengthening position among the world’s major economies.

In Gabtali of Bogura, members of the Gabtali Business Unity Council closed their shops for three hours on Wednesday, December 31, to pray for the soul of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Following the closure, they gathered at the Pilot High School field to participate in a special absentee funeral prayer (gayebana janaza) held in her honor.

The event was attended by the council’s president Fazlul Bari Khokon, vice presidents Badsha Mia and Abdul Khalek Munnu, general secretary Arifur Rahman Zakir, joint general secretary Nurullah Akand, cashier Shahinur Alom, and publicity secretary Zahidul Islam. Local residents also joined the traders in expressing solidarity and took part in the prayer gathering.

The collective participation reflected local respect for Khaleda Zia’s political legacy and leadership, as traders and residents united in remembrance of the former prime minister.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has confirmed that he met an Indian diplomat earlier this year, adding that the diplomat had asked him to keep the meeting confidential. The disclosure was reported by Reuters on December 31, 2025. The report stated that India has been expanding its outreach to political parties in Bangladesh that could form the next government after the upcoming national elections.

According to the report, while diplomats from other countries met Rahman publicly, the Indian official requested secrecy regarding their meeting. Dr. Rahman said that all parties should maintain openness and that improving relations between the two countries is essential. Reuters contacted India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which did not directly confirm the meeting, though a government source acknowledged that India is engaging with various Bangladeshi political groups.

When asked about Pakistan, Rahman said Jamaat seeks balanced relations with all nations. He also commented that no government would feel entirely comfortable with current President Md. Shahabuddin, who was elected unopposed in 2023 with Awami League support.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of causing the death of its chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia by keeping her imprisoned in what it called a false case and denying her medical treatment. The allegation was made during Zia’s funeral, which the report described as drawing millions of people at Manik Mia Avenue and the South Plaza of the National Parliament in Dhaka. BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan read out Zia’s life story before the crowd and blamed Hasina for her suffering and death.

According to the BNP statement, Khaleda Zia had been imprisoned since February 8, 2018, and her health deteriorated due to lack of medical care. The party claimed that Hasina acted out of personal vengeance and that Zia’s death was the result of prolonged neglect. Nazrul Islam Khan also recounted Zia’s political career, her leadership against autocracy, and the hardships faced by her family under Hasina’s government.

The BNP called on the public to pray for Khaleda Zia’s soul and asserted that Hasina would never be absolved of responsibility for the opposition leader’s death.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has declared that he owns no house or car, with total assets valued at Tk 1.96 crore. The information was disclosed in his affidavit submitted with nomination papers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. He is contesting from Bogura-6 (Sadar) and Dhaka-17 (Gulshan-Banani-Baridhara-Cantonment) constituencies. His profession is listed as politics, and his highest educational qualification is higher secondary. He stated that he is a citizen only of Bangladesh.

According to the affidavit, Rahman has Tk 31.58 lakh in cash and his wife holds Tk 66.54 lakh. He has no foreign currency or bank deposits but owns company shares worth Tk 50 lakh and fixed deposits of Tk 90.24 lakh. He possesses gold and ornaments valued at Tk 2,950 and furniture worth Tk 1.79 lakh. He owns 1.4 percent non-agricultural land valued at Tk 3.45 lakh, while his wife owns 111.25 percent land and a jointly owned two-storey building.

The affidavit also notes that Rahman has been acquitted or exempted from all 77 cases filed against him and has no loans from any bank or financial institution.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has said the party is interested in joining a national government after the upcoming elections. In an interview with Reuters at his office in Dhaka, he stated that the party seeks a stable country for at least five years and believes that if political parties unite, they can govern together. He added that the leader of the party winning the most seats should become prime minister, and if Jamaat wins the most, the party will decide whether he will take that role.

Rahman emphasized that an anti-corruption agenda should be a shared goal for any national government. He also expressed concern over Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India after losing power, saying Bangladesh-India relations have reached their lowest point in decades. He confirmed meeting an Indian diplomat earlier this year, noting that the official requested the meeting remain confidential. India’s foreign ministry did not comment, though a government source said it maintains contact with various political parties.

Rahman further stated that Jamaat seeks balanced relations with all countries, including Pakistan, without leaning toward any single nation.