Indian Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. In a message posted on social media platform X on Tuesday, December 30, Gandhi said he was deeply saddened by her passing and acknowledged her significant role in Bangladesh’s political journey.

According to the report, Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 a.m. on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was 80 years old at the time of her death. Her funeral prayer is scheduled to be held on Wednesday after the noon prayer at the National Parliament area and Manik Mia Avenue, after which she will be buried beside her late husband and former president Ziaur Rahman.

Gandhi also extended his heartfelt condolences to Khaleda Zia’s family, supporters, and the people of Bangladesh during this time of mourning.

Israel has warned that it will suspend the operations of several donor and humanitarian organizations working in the war-torn Gaza Strip, accusing them of failing to comply with new regulations. According to the report, the restrictions are set to take effect from Thursday and will affect more than 30 groups, including Doctors Without Borders, the Norwegian Refugee Council, CARE International, the International Rescue Committee, Oxfam, and Caritas. Israel claims these organizations did not meet requirements to share information about their staff, funding, and activities.

Tel Aviv further alleged that some staff members of Doctors Without Borders were cooperating with Hamas and that the organization failed to clarify their roles. Doctors Without Borders denied the accusations and warned that Israel’s decision would have a devastating impact on its medical work in Gaza. International organizations described Israel’s new rules as arbitrary, while Israeli authorities stated that permits for 37 groups had not been renewed.

The dispute underscores growing tensions between Israel and international aid agencies over operational transparency and humanitarian access in Gaza.

The United Arab Emirates has announced the withdrawal of its remaining troops from Yemen, citing recent Saudi-led coalition airstrikes and escalating tensions in the country’s southern region. The decision follows a demand from Yemen’s internationally recognized government, which gave the UAE 24 hours to remove its forces. The UAE Defense Ministry said the move was made voluntarily, considering the impact of current conditions on the safety and effectiveness of its counterterrorism mission, and that coordination with partners would ensure troop security during the process.

Earlier, Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council chairman Rashad al-Alimi canceled the joint defense agreement with the UAE, imposed a 90-day state of emergency, and restricted all border crossings for 72 hours. The developments came after coalition airstrikes targeted two UAE-linked ships at Mukalla port, which reportedly entered without authorization. Yemen’s government accused the vessels of transporting weapons to the Southern Transitional Council, further complicating the security situation.

The UAE’s withdrawal marks a significant shift in the coalition’s dynamics and could affect ongoing operations in southern Yemen.

India has expressed deep respect following 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.

In the message, India described Khaleda Zia as a 'symbol of courage and struggle' and honored her unwavering commitment to Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty. Dr. Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka earlier that day 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, along with Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Pranab Verma.

Khaleda Zia, who served as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister three times, passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday, December 30, while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.

The funeral prayer for BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was held on Wednesday afternoon at the South Plaza of the National Parliament building and Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka. The prayer was led by Mufti Abdul Malek, Khatib of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram. Crowds of supporters and citizens began gathering at the site from Tuesday night, and by midday Wednesday, the area was filled with people from all walks of life. Khaleda Zia will be buried beside the grave of late President Ziaur Rahman at 3 p.m.

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 critical health complications. Born on August 15, 1945, Khaleda Zia was Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister and the second woman in the Muslim world to hold such a position after Benazir Bhutto.

Her funeral marks the end of an era in Bangladesh’s political history, as she was a central figure in the country’s leadership for decades.

The funeral prayer of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was held on Wednesday afternoon. At around 3 p.m., her son and the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, delivered a brief address to the nation. He introduced himself as Khaleda Zia’s eldest son and requested that anyone from whom his late mother might have taken a loan contact him so that he could arrange repayment.

Tarique Rahman also sought forgiveness from the people of Bangladesh on behalf of his mother if anyone had ever been hurt by her words or actions. He concluded his remarks by asking everyone to pray for Khaleda Zia’s eternal peace and for Allah to grant her a place in paradise.

The event marked a solemn moment for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its supporters as they bid farewell to their long-time leader.

Professor Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser with the rank of State Minister at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has resigned from his position. A government notification issued on Tuesday night confirmed that the President accepted his resignation.

According to the Cabinet Division’s circular, Dr. Rahman had been exercising executive authority equivalent to a State Minister within the interim government’s Health and Family Welfare Ministry. His resignation marks a change within the advisory team of the interim administration.

The report notes that in November of the previous year, Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus appointed three Special Assistants with the rank of State Minister. Dr. Rahman was one of those appointees.

In Lalmonirhat’s Patgram upazila, the district executive magistrate fined representatives of BNP and Jamaat for violating the election code of conduct ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. On Monday, December 29, the magistrate, Mir Foysal Ali, imposed a fine of 20,000 taka on the representative of BNP’s nominated candidate Barrister Hasan Rajib Pradhan for gathering a large crowd in front of his residence before submitting nomination papers. Jamaat’s nominated candidate Anwarul Islam Raju’s representative was fined 5,000 taka for campaigning with the party symbol in Jagatber Union.

According to the mobile court, the fines were imposed under section 9(gha) of the Political Party and Candidate Code of Conduct 2025. Representatives of both parties paid the fines on behalf of their respective organizations. Patgram Police Officer-in-Charge Nazmul Haque was present during the operation.

The magistrate stated that both BNP and Jamaat were penalized for breaching the election code, emphasizing that the fines were settled by their local representatives.

Former three-time Prime Minister Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 a.m. on Tuesday at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, marking the end of a major chapter in Bangladesh’s political history. Her death cast a pall of grief over the nation’s sports community, which remembered her contributions to cricket’s global debut, football’s achievements, and the development of sports infrastructure. In her honor, all ongoing matches across the country were suspended.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board, Bangladesh Football Federation, and Bangladesh Olympic Association led tributes, expressing deep sorrow and respect. The BFF described her as a lifelong influential political figure and a strong voice for humanity, while the BOA highlighted her role as Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and a key supporter of sports development. Numerous other federations—including hockey, athletics, tennis, swimming, and women’s sports organizations—issued condolence messages to her bereaved family.

Sports journalists’ associations and major clubs such as Mohammedan Sporting Club also joined in mourning, reflecting the widespread respect Khaleda Zia commanded across Bangladesh’s sporting landscape.

The Officers’ Association of BMET has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The condolence message, signed by the association’s president Md Masud Rana, was issued to the media on Tuesday. The statement described Khaleda Zia as an unforgettable figure in Bangladesh’s political history and praised her contributions to restoring democracy, strengthening the multiparty system, and safeguarding the country’s independence and sovereignty.

The message further highlighted her uncompromising leadership, determination, and courage throughout a long political career marked by adversity. It noted that her struggle for people’s voting rights and democratic freedoms would continue to inspire the nation. The association also acknowledged her administrative experience, political wisdom, and patriotic stance as vital to Bangladesh’s political progress.

On behalf of the BMET Officers’ Association, prayers were offered for the departed soul, and heartfelt sympathy was extended to her bereaved family, party members, and admirers.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has announced a general holiday on Wednesday across all garment factories in the country following the death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The announcement was made on Tuesday afternoon through a press release issued by BGMEA Acting Secretary Major Md. Saiful Islam (Retd). The statement said Khaleda Zia, a three-time former prime minister, passed away at 6 a.m. on Tuesday. The government has declared three days of national mourning and one day of public holiday in her honor.

BGMEA said it agreed with the government’s decision and requested all member factories to observe a one-day general holiday on Wednesday. In a condolence message, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan expressed deep sorrow, describing Khaleda Zia’s death as an irreparable loss for the nation and the garment industry community. The association prayed for the departed soul and extended sympathy to her bereaved family.

The government’s declaration of national mourning and BGMEA’s observance reflect the widespread respect for Khaleda Zia’s political legacy and leadership.

Preparations are underway for the funeral prayer of Begum Khaleda Zia, three-time former Prime Minister, uncompromising leader of the democratic movement, and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The janaza will be held on Wednesday after Zuhr prayers, around 2 p.m., at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka. Instead of the South Plaza of the National Parliament, her coffin will be placed at the western end of the avenue, with the ceremony extending across the Parliament grounds and the entire avenue.

Security forces and relevant state agencies have completed all necessary arrangements to allow citizens to pay their respects smoothly. Measures are being taken to accommodate the public along surrounding roads. After the janaza, at around 3:30 p.m., Begum Khaleda Zia will be buried with state honors beside the late President and freedom fighter Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar’s Zia Udyan. Only designated individuals will be allowed at the burial site, and public movement in the area will remain restricted until the ceremony concludes.

Leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) paid tribute to former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia following her death. On Tuesday night, NCP Convener Nahid Islam and other party leaders visited the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka, where they signed the condolence book on behalf of their party.

During the visit, Nahid Islam stated that Khaleda Zia’s uncompromising attitude and determination had inspired democracy-loving and freedom-seeking people across Bangladesh. He emphasized that her legacy would continue to motivate the struggle for the country’s sovereignty, freedom from dominance, and the establishment of democracy.

The tribute reflected the NCP’s recognition of Khaleda Zia’s political influence and her role as a symbol of resilience in Bangladesh’s democratic movement.

Three advisers of the interim government signed a condolence book expressing grief over the death of former three-time Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The signing took place on Tuesday night at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka, where BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was also present.

The advisers who signed the condolence book were Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul, Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, and National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman. Their attendance marked an official expression of sympathy from the interim government following Khaleda Zia’s passing.

The event reflected the government’s acknowledgment of Khaleda Zia’s political legacy and her role as a three-time prime minister and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued special traffic restrictions ahead of the funeral prayer of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, scheduled for Wednesday, December 31, after Zuhr at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital. The DMP announced that diversions will be in effect from 7 a.m. until the funeral ends to ensure smooth traffic management and public safety.

According to a public notice signed by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali, several key roads and crossings, including Farmgate, Bijoy Sarani, Indira Road, and Ganabhaban crossings, will remain closed or restricted. Motorists have been advised to avoid Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue and use alternative routes such as the Moghbazar flyover and Mahakhali bus terminal roads. Parking for city vehicles will be available at the old trade fair ground, while visitors from outside Dhaka may park in designated areas including Motijheel, Shahbagh, Uttara, and Purbachal.

The DMP urged residents to cooperate fully with the temporary measures to facilitate the large public gathering expected at the funeral.