The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced the formation of its election steering committee to oversee preparations for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election in 2026. According to a press release signed by Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the committee will be chaired by BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, with Rizvi serving as the member secretary. The announcement was made on Thursday.

The committee includes Selima Rahman and Shamsuzzaman Dudu as vice chairmen, while Md. Ismail Jabiuallah has been named the chief coordinator. Other members include Advocate Moyazzem Hossain Alal, Bijon Kanti Sarkar, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Dr. Ziauddin Haider, Dr. Mahdi Amin, and several others from the party’s senior leadership. The formation reflects BNP’s organizational preparations ahead of the national election.

The announcement signals the party’s move to formalize its election management structure as it prepares for the 2026 parliamentary polls.

Inquilab Mancha has called for nationwide prayers, supplications, and sermons opposing dominance to seek justice for the killing of martyr Sharif Osman bin Hadi and for the forgiveness of his soul. The organization made the appeal in a statement issued on Thursday night, emphasizing the need for collective remembrance and resistance.

The organization, founded by martyr Osman Hadi, stated that he was a leading figure in the anti-Indian dominance movement and a visionary for building a just Bangladesh. Through its statement, Inquilab Mancha reiterated its commitment to continuing the struggle against dominance and honoring the legacy of its founder through spiritual and social mobilization.

The call reflects the group’s ongoing focus on anti-dominance activism and remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives for the cause, as expressed in its official statement.

On the first day of the new year, customers of five long-troubled Islamic banks in Bangladesh began withdrawing money following their merger into the newly established Sammilit Islami Bank. Under the Bangladesh Bank’s resolution scheme, withdrawals of up to two lakh taka from current and savings accounts were allowed starting Thursday. Branches reported smooth transactions without major crowds as customers accessed their funds after a prolonged suspension.

The merged institutions—Social Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, and EXIM Bank—have transferred their assets, liabilities, and staff to Sammilit Islami Bank, headquartered at Sena Kalyan Bhaban in Dhaka’s Motijheel. The central bank’s scheme set the new bank’s authorized capital at Tk 40,000 crore and paid-up capital at Tk 35,000 crore, with the government contributing Tk 20,000 crore as Class A shares.

Depositors can withdraw up to Tk 2 lakh at once, and for larger deposits, Tk 1 lakh every three months for up to two years. Fixed depositors outside financial institutions may also access investment or loan facilities up to 20 percent of their balances.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that his government will adopt a tougher stance against what he termed 'illegal Bangladeshi' immigrants. Speaking ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections, he declared that anyone identified as a foreigner in Assam would be expelled without following any diplomatic procedures. Sarma said the era of a 'soft policy' on deportation had ended, and his administration would act immediately once a foreigner is declared.

According to the report, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making the issue of so-called 'immigrants' or 'infiltrators' a central theme of its election campaign in Assam. Sarma stated that the state government’s approach aligns with recent remarks by India’s Home Minister Amit Shah. Previously, deportation required a lengthy diplomatic process involving the Ministry of External Affairs and verification with Bangladesh.

Sarma said that under the new policy, Assam will no longer wait for formal responses from Bangladesh before expelling those declared foreigners, signaling a significant shift in the state’s handling of immigration cases.

Law enforcement agencies have recovered 17 active SIM cards from one of the accused in the murder case of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. The identity of the accused has not been disclosed. Following this discovery, security agencies have urged the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to reduce the number of SIM cards allowed per person. The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology confirmed the matter in a notice issued on Thursday.

The notice stated that the murder of Hadi has caused nationwide concern, prompting calls for the implementation of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) and restrictions on the number of SIMs per user. Hadi was shot in the head on December 12, 2025, in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area and later died on December 18 after being taken to Singapore for treatment. So far, 11 suspects have been arrested, six of whom have confessed in court.

The government has decided to transfer the case to a speedy trial tribunal, with the charge sheet expected to be submitted by January 7, according to the Home Affairs adviser.

An audio recording of former BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia expressing anger toward party leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has gone viral on social media. The conversation, reportedly from 2013, captures Khaleda Zia reprimanding Khasru for allegedly obstructing a party program in Chattogram. In the audio, she instructs former organizational leader Golam Akbar Khondkar to ensure that Khasru does not interfere with the work assigned to Dr. Shahadat Hossain, warning that she would remove him immediately if he did.

Golam Akbar Khondkar confirmed the authenticity of the conversation, explaining that it took place during a period of internal disagreement within the Chattogram BNP over movement strategies. At the time, Khasru was the city convenor, and Khondkar served as organizational secretary. The dispute reportedly arose over the organization of a rally or meeting that Khasru opposed despite directives from Khaleda Zia.

Attempts to reach Amir Khasru for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages. Senior BNP leaders declined to comment publicly, with some suggesting that the resurfacing of the old audio might have political motives.

A fish farmer in Muksedpur upazila of Gopalganj has alleged that poison was applied to his ponds, killing fish worth around five lakh taka. The incident occurred early Thursday, January 1, in the Kahaldia Ruitar Beel area under Batikamari Union. Later that afternoon, a written complaint was filed at Muksedpur Police Station naming three individuals as accused.

According to local sources, the victim, Montu Molya of Kahaldia village, had leased five ponds this year for cultivating various native fish species. He claimed that unknown persons poisoned the ponds, destroying all the fish and leaving him financially devastated. The accused in the complaint are Israfil Sheikh, Asad Kazi, and Rafik Sheikh.

Muksedpur Police Station’s second officer, Sukanta Baul, confirmed receiving the complaint and stated that legal action would be taken after investigation.

Professor UH Ruhina Jesmin of Khulna University’s English Discipline sparked controversy after posting on Facebook comparing former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and a convicted war criminal named Hasina. The post, made on Wednesday from her personal account, praised both women’s empowerment journeys in a male-dominated society and described their rise from domestic life to national leadership as inspirational. The post quickly drew anger from students on campus and across social media.

Students criticized the comparison as historically inaccurate and politically biased, citing human rights concerns during Sheikh Hasina’s rule. Several commenters described the post as an attempt to elevate Hasina’s image by equating her with Khaleda Zia. Allegations also surfaced that Jesmin mocked religious students and pressured female students to remove hijabs during classes and exams. Rumors circulated that her university appointment was linked to political connections with a former Awami League mayor.

Jesmin defended her post, saying her intention was to highlight women’s empowerment, not politics. She later uploaded a video apology, stating she had clarified her position and expressed regret for any misunderstanding.

Saudi Arabia carried out a record 356 executions in 2025, the highest number in the country's history, according to data released by the Saudi government and reported by Agence France-Presse. Of these, 243 were related to drug offenses, marking a sharp increase linked to Riyadh’s declared “war on drugs.” Many of the executions involved individuals whose legal proceedings concluded this year after earlier arrests.

In 2024, Saudi Arabia executed 338 people, making 2025 the second consecutive year with record-high executions. The country resumed enforcing death sentences for drug-related crimes in late 2022 after nearly three years of suspension. The United Nations reported that since the anti-drug campaign began, Saudi authorities have expanded police checkpoints on highways and borders, seizing large quantities of narcotics and arresting numerous traffickers.

Saudi officials maintain that the death penalty is necessary to preserve public order and is only implemented after all appeals are exhausted. Amnesty International has documented Saudi execution data since 1990, noting that earlier records remain unclear.

Rashed Khan, a young national-level politician, has resigned from Gono Odhikar Parishad and joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Following his move, he received the BNP nomination for the Jhenaidah-2 (Kaliganj–Sadar partial) constituency. According to his election affidavit, he owns no house, car, land, or plot. He listed his professions as politics and business, while his wife, Rabeya Akter Alo, was described as a homemaker.

The affidavit states that Rashed Khan holds 3,545,875 taka in cash and 7,582 taka in two private bank accounts. His wife has 30,000 taka in cash. The couple jointly possess 40 bhori of gold, valued at 81,48,412 taka at current rates, received as gifts. His wife also owns gold, electronics, furniture, and other household items worth about 17,70,000 taka. Rashed Khan declared no immovable property, shares, bonds, savings certificates, or foreign assets.

For the 2025–26 fiscal year, he reported an income of 450,000 taka and total assets worth 38,45,915 taka, according to his tax return information.

The Chittagong University undergraduate admission tests for the 2025–26 academic year will begin on Friday, January 2, with the ‘A’ unit under the Faculty of Science. A total of 233,327 candidates are competing for 4,165 seats across four units and three sub-units, meaning 56 applicants per seat. The highest number of applicants, 87,794, have applied for the ‘A’ unit, which includes science, biology, engineering, and marine sciences faculties, while the lowest, 1,421, have applied for the ‘D-1’ sub-unit under the Faculty of Education.

The exams will be held in three divisional cities—Chittagong University, Dhaka University, and Rajshahi University. The ‘A’ unit test starts at 11:15 a.m. and ends at 12:15 p.m. on Friday. Other units will follow on January 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Each test carries 120 marks, including 100 for multiple-choice questions and 20 from SSC and HSC GPA scores. A penalty of 0.25 marks applies for each wrong answer.

Security arrangements include 637 personnel, with traffic police, university security staff, and law enforcement agencies ensuring order. Six information booths and six parent waiting tents have been set up for assistance.

A police sub-inspector named Abdul Alim died of a heart attack while on duty at the Chapainawabganj Police Lines on Thursday evening. He was being taken to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital when he passed away. Abdul Alim was the son of the late Bander Ali from Baroipara village in Sujanagar upazila of Pabna district and was serving at the Chapainawabganj Police Lines. The officer-in-charge of Chapainawabganj Sadar Police Station, Nure Alam, confirmed the incident.

According to reports, Alim suddenly felt unwell in the afternoon while performing his duties. Fellow police members first took him to the 250-bed Chapainawabganj District Hospital, where doctors found his condition critical and referred him to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. He died on the way to Rajshahi. Dr. Rumali Khatun, emergency medical officer at Chapainawabganj District Hospital, said the officer was admitted after a heart attack and later referred due to his serious condition.

The incident has been officially confirmed by police authorities, and medical officers have detailed the sequence of treatment attempts before his death.

Jamaat-e-Islami central executive member and Sylhet city Ameer Muhammad Fakhrul Islam stated that despite Bangladesh’s vast potential, ordinary citizens remain deprived of their rightful benefits due to the absence of proper political direction and honest leadership. He made these remarks on Thursday, January 1, during a winter clothing distribution event organized by the 39th Ward Jamaat at Tukergaon in Sylhet’s Jalalabad area.

Fakhrul Islam criticized corruption and plundering in politics, saying that while some leaders have amassed personal wealth, marginalized and underprivileged people see no positive impact on their lives. He emphasized Jamaat-e-Islami’s goal of building a welfare state by eliminating social inequality and establishing a justice-based system. He urged party members at all levels to work unitedly to fulfill public expectations.

He added that Jamaat believes in serving humanity to attain divine satisfaction and continues humanitarian efforts such as distributing winter clothes to the poor affected by severe cold across the country, including Sylhet.

The Chattogram district administration has launched a winter blanket distribution program for cold-affected people, led by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah. During a late-night visit to different city areas, the DC encountered a beggar family at the Sholoshahar railway station. After hearing their plea for help, he provided initial assistance and invited them to his office, promising permanent rehabilitation.

According to district administration sources, the DC and his team distributed blankets among destitute people on Wednesday night, starting from Sholoshahar station and continuing through several city points. Among those they met was Abdul Majid, a physically challenged man from Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, who lives on the streets of Chattogram with his seven-year-old daughter Yasmin. The DC assured them of long-term support, citing concern for the child’s safety and future.

Following the incident, news of the DC’s gesture spread widely on social media, drawing widespread praise for his compassionate response and commitment to social welfare.

Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. has renewed his contract with Santos FC for another year, extending his stay with the club until December 31, 2026. The announcement ends speculation that he might leave his boyhood team. According to Brazilian outlet Globo, Neymar will remain with Santos at least until the end of club president Marcelo Teixeira’s term. The new deal marks his third contract since returning to Santos, following two six-month agreements in 2025.

Under the new terms, Neymar will earn a salary comparable to several average players at the club. In addition to his playing contract, Santos has a separate image rights agreement with NR Sports, a company owned by Neymar’s family, valued at 85 million Brazilian reals to be paid by the end of next year. Neymar is currently recovering from meniscus surgery on his left knee, with a return to the field expected no earlier than mid-February.

Santos credits Neymar’s performance last season for avoiding relegation, as he scored four goals and provided one assist in three decisive 3–0 victories despite playing through injury.