Nurul Haque Nur, president of Gana Odhikar Parishad, signed the condolence book following the death of former three-time Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Acting General Secretary Hasan Al Mamun also signed the book. They visited the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Tuesday night to express their condolences.

The government has declared three days of national mourning from December 31 to January 2 and announced a public holiday across the country on December 31. Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 a.m. at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she had been receiving treatment.

Her funeral prayer is scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the South Plaza of the National Parliament building.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her late husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Her funeral prayer took place at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, known as Manik Mia Avenue, where millions of people gathered to pay their last respects. The prayer was led by Sheikh Abdul Malek, Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Among those attending were Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, members of the advisory council, chiefs of the three armed forces, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, senior party leaders, and foreign diplomats.

Before the prayer, Tarique Rahman addressed the crowd, asking forgiveness for any pain his mother may have caused and requested prayers for her soul. People from all walks of life braved the cold to attend the funeral, filling the surrounding streets, rooftops, and metro areas. Khaleda Zia, widely known as the “Mother of Democracy,” had been suffering from multiple health complications and passed away at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on December 30 at dawn.

Foreign governments, including India and China, expressed condolences, noting her contributions to Bangladesh’s political and diplomatic relations.

Diplomatic representatives from 32 countries attended the funeral prayer of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. According to the BNP’s media cell, ambassadors, high commissioners, and officials from various diplomatic missions joined the prayer held at Manik Mia Avenue. They paid their final respects to Begum Khaleda Zia and expressed condolences to her bereaved family.

The funeral prayer took place shortly after 3 p.m. on Wednesday at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. The prayer was led by the Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Large crowds gathered across several kilometers surrounding Manik Mia Avenue to participate in the event. Many people unable to find space joined from nearby rooftops and the metro rail station area.

The presence of diplomats from 32 nations highlighted the international attention surrounding the event, as thousands of citizens also came to pay their last respects to the former leader.

A massive funeral prayer for BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was held on Wednesday at 3:03 p.m. at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building in Dhaka. The event drew an unprecedented crowd, with people filling Manik Mia Avenue and surrounding areas for several kilometers. Many who could not find space joined the prayer from nearby metro rail stations and rooftops of residential buildings. Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, members of the advisory council, chiefs of the three armed forces, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, senior party leaders, and foreign diplomats attended the funeral.

Eyewitnesses reported that the entire area around the Parliament complex, including adjacent streets and alleys, was packed with mourners. Residents were seen praying from their rooftops and offering prayers for Khaleda Zia. Before the prayer concluded, Tarique Rahman delivered a brief address, asking forgiveness for any hurt his mother may have caused and requesting prayers for her soul.

The funeral was described as one of the largest in recent memory, reflecting Khaleda Zia’s enduring influence and the deep public sentiment surrounding her passing.

Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayer drew millions of people from across Bangladesh to Dhaka on Wednesday. The prayer took place at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building, where mourners filled surrounding areas including Manik Mia Avenue, Farmgate, Shahbagh, Khamarbari, and Bijoy Sarani. After the ceremony, large crowds were seen walking back to their destinations due to traffic restrictions and the absence of vehicles.

Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 a.m. on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital. Known as a prominent voice against Indian dominance, she was remembered by supporters and citizens who traveled from various regions to pay their last respects. The funeral site turned into a gathering point for people expressing opposition to fascism and foreign influence.

The massive turnout reflected the deep affection and respect many held for the former leader, marking one of the largest public gatherings in recent memory in Dhaka.

The funeral prayer of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was held on Wednesday at 3:03 p.m. at the South Plaza of the National Parliament in Dhaka. The event drew millions of people, marking one of the largest gatherings in recent memory. Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, members of the Advisory Council, chiefs of the three armed forces, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, senior party leaders, and foreign diplomats attended the prayer.

Before the prayer, her son and acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman addressed the crowd, asking forgiveness for any pain his mother might have caused and requesting prayers for her. The prayer was led by the Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Crowds filled not only Manik Mia Avenue but also nearby streets, rooftops, and metro stations to participate.

India sent a condolence message through its Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, who handed it to Tarique Rahman at the Parliament complex. Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq arrived in Dhaka to pay respects, as confirmed by the Pakistan High Commission.

Outgoing UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has voiced deep concern over the growing divisions and conflicts worldwide. Speaking to AFP, Grandi said that increasing geopolitical fragmentation is intensifying crises and fueling hostility toward people fleeing violence and war. He reflected on his decade-long tenure at the UN refugee agency, describing the current global situation as one of the most troubling he has witnessed.

Grandi, an Italian diplomat, emphasized that geopolitical divisions have triggered numerous crises and are preventing the world from resolving conflicts. He warned that the inability to establish peace reflects a broader failure of the international community to unite in addressing global challenges.

According to Grandi, the deepening divisions not only hinder peace efforts but also exacerbate suffering for displaced populations, underscoring the urgent need for renewed global cooperation and solidarity.

Thousands of people gathered in Dhaka on Wednesday, December 31, to attend the funeral prayer of Begum Khaleda Zia at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. From early morning, mourners from across the country filled Manik Mia Avenue and surrounding areas, creating a human sea that extended several kilometers. The streets around the venue were paralyzed as people stood in lines, many with tears in their eyes, praying silently for the late leader.

Observers described the turnout as unprecedented, reflecting the deep affection and respect Khaleda Zia commanded across political divides. Elderly citizens compared the scene to the 1981 funeral of President Ziaur Rahman, noting the emotional resonance of history repeating itself. Attendees included people from all walks of life—workers, students, professionals, and party supporters—while rooftops and sidewalks overflowed with mourners.

Diplomatic representatives from 32 countries, including ministers from India, Bhutan, and Nepal, attended the ceremony. Thousands of women also paid their respects from nearby areas, many wearing black badges as a sign of mourning for Bangladesh’s first female prime minister.

U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a 20-point peace plan aimed at resolving the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kyiv and Moscow are expected to sign the agreement in January. Following a meeting with Trump in Florida, Zelensky said he hopes Ukraine, the United States, Russia, and Europe will reach consensus on the document soon.

According to details, Zelensky sought U.S. security guarantees in exchange for a ceasefire with Russia, a condition accepted by Washington. The fifth point of Trump’s plan includes a 15-year U.S. security guarantee for Ukraine, though Zelensky is negotiating to extend it to 50 years. He stated that only U.S. troops would remain in Ukraine after the ceasefire, and the Trump administration would provide Patriot air defense systems for national security.

Zelensky also highlighted postwar reconstruction efforts, noting that Trump emphasized rebuilding war-torn Ukraine. He said U.S. and European companies would invest in reconstruction and other sectors, aiming to raise citizens’ average income after the war.

The United States has announced new sanctions targeting Iran and Venezuela, accusing them of assisting in drone and ballistic missile trade. The measures, announced on Tuesday, apply to ten individuals and entities from both countries. According to the report, the Trump administration stated that such trade poses a threat to the United States and its allies in the Middle East.

The sanctions include a Venezuelan company and its chairman, accused of purchasing Iranian drones, as well as three Iranian nationals allegedly involved in procuring chemicals used in ballistic missile production. Several Iran-based individuals and organizations linked to the previously sanctioned ‘Rayan Fan Group’ were also named. The US Treasury Department said the sanctions aim to restore UN restrictions related to Iran’s nuclear activities and increase economic pressure on Tehran.

The Treasury further stated that Iran’s supply of conventional weapons to Venezuela threatens US interests in the Western Hemisphere and pledged to take all necessary measures to halt such trade.

The United States has signed a defense agreement with Israel to strengthen the latter’s military capabilities. According to the Pentagon, the deal, valued at $8.6 billion, involves the supply of 25 F-15IA fighter jets manufactured by Boeing. The aircraft will be designed, integrated, tested, and produced in Missouri, with final delivery to Israel scheduled for December 31, 2035. The announcement followed a meeting in Florida between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which Netanyahu also held a closed-door discussion with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The report noted that since the Gaza conflict began two years ago, the United States under both the Biden and Trump administrations has provided Israel with at least $21.7 billion in military assistance. This support includes unconditional arms aid, annual privileges, additional wartime funds, and limited congressional oversight, which have collectively bolstered Israel’s defense sector.

The new F-15IA deal further deepens US-Israel defense cooperation and underscores Washington’s continued commitment to Israel’s military modernization.

Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met in Dhaka on Wednesday at the residence of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to pay their final respects. According to Geo News, this was the first such meeting between senior officials of the two countries since their conflict in May 2025.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of recent hostilities between India and Pakistan. India had blamed Pakistan for a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Kashmir, an allegation Islamabad has consistently denied. Following the attack, India launched strikes inside Pakistan, prompting retaliatory action from Islamabad. The confrontation ended after a ceasefire brokered by the United States.

The Dhaka meeting, marked by a cordial handshake between the two leaders, symbolized a rare moment of contact between the neighboring nations after months of tension.

Cox’s Bazar district police have announced seven restrictions to maintain law and order during the 2026 English New Year celebrations. The measures will be in effect from the evening of December 31 to the evening of January 1. According to a police statement issued on December 30, fireworks, firecrackers, and sky lanterns are completely banned in the city and beach areas. Sales and marketing of such items are also prohibited to prevent accidents. Public concerts, dances, and entertainment events in open spaces or on roads are not allowed, and all bars and liquor shops must suspend alcohol sales during the restriction period.

Police have urged everyone to refrain from spreading rumors, propaganda, or provocative content on social media, warning that such actions could harm communal harmony and public order. Additional restrictions include bans on loud horns, vehicle races, joyrides, and reckless driving. Authorities have also taken a strict stance against harassment of female tourists. Hotel and motel operators have been asked to inform the district police’s special branch about indoor events and suspicious individuals.

District police spokesperson Alok Biswas stated that the restrictions aim to ensure safety for tourists and residents, with heightened police vigilance across the city.

Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as the new mayor of New York City on January 1, marking the start of his leadership of the United States’ largest city. His popularity has surged rapidly, rising from 14 points in September to 38 points, a record level for any incoming mayor. Statewide, Mamdani’s approval exceeds 15 points, also a record. The public inauguration at City Hall will feature introductions by Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, with Senator Bernie Sanders in attendance, and New York Attorney General Letitia James administering the oath.

Mamdani campaigned on promises to reduce living costs and make city buses faster and free, funded by taxes on billionaires and millionaires. His transit plan currently enjoys 50 percent public support, with 41 percent opposing. On November 4, he defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa by a wide margin.

Mamdani becomes the first Muslim and South Asian–descended leader to serve as New York City mayor and, at 34, the youngest in a century.

U.S. President Donald Trump, beginning his second term on January 20, tightened the country’s immigration policies, leading to widespread labor shortages within a year. Construction firms in Louisiana are struggling to find carpenters, hospitals in West Virginia face shortages of foreign doctors and nurses, and a neighborhood football league in Memphis cannot form enough teams as immigrant children have stopped arriving. The administration has raised visa fees, reduced legal entry routes, and deported over six hundred thousand people, while hundreds of thousands more face deportation after the withdrawal of temporary legal status granted under the previous administration.

Oxford Economics estimates that current policies have reduced net immigration to about 450,000 people annually, far below the 2–3 million per year under the Biden administration. Immigrants now make up 14.8 percent of the U.S. population, the lowest since 1890. Cities once vibrant with immigrant communities, such as Los Angeles and New York, have grown quieter, with fewer international students and diminished cultural activity.

Business owners fear the labor shortage will worsen, affecting industries like construction, nursing homes, and childcare, even as higher wages fail to attract enough workers.