Joint forces intensified vehicle searches across Gopalganj to maintain law and order and ensure public safety ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election. On Wednesday night, December 31, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., a joint team of police and army personnel set up a checkpoint at Gohardanga Chourangi intersection on the Dhaka–Pirojpur highway in Tungipara. Over a hundred vehicles were inspected during the operation.

Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Al-Amin Halder led the inspection, verifying driving licenses, registration papers, and safety equipment. Five cases were filed for missing helmets and invalid documents, resulting in fines totaling Tk 15,000. Passenger bags were also checked, but no untoward incidents were reported.

Officials stated that such coordinated operations involving the army, police, and magistrates will continue regularly in key and crowded areas to keep law and order stable and raise awareness among drivers about carrying valid documents and using helmets.

The Cumilla Battalion of Border Guard Bangladesh (10 BGB) seized illegal Indian goods worth about Tk 20 million from Rasulpur Railway Station in Cumilla district. The operation took place on the night of December 31, when a special task force comprising BGB and police members conducted a raid on the Chattala Express train bound for Chattogram. The seized items included fireworks, cosmetics, saris, basmati rice, and snacks, all found without any owner. The seizure was confirmed by Colonel Mir Ali Ejaz, commanding officer of the 10 BGB.

According to BGB sources, the Cumilla Battalion regularly conducts operations to prevent smuggling and cross-border crimes within its assigned border areas. The December 31 operation was carried out in the presence of Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Rafid Khan, under the leadership of the battalion’s adjutant. The seized goods were valued at Tk 1 crore 86 lakh 68 thousand 670.

Colonel Mir Ali Ejaz stated that necessary legal measures would be taken regarding the confiscated goods and that such anti-smuggling operations would continue.

The Election Commission has canceled the nominations of four candidates and validated eight others in Chattogram-11 (Bandar–Patenga) constituency following the scrutiny of nomination papers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The decision was announced on Thursday, January 1, by Chattogram Regional Election Officer and Returning Officer Mohammad Belayet Hossain Chowdhury after completing the verification process.

According to the election office, the four canceled candidates are independent Mohammad Jahangir Bhuiyan, Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Md. Nur Uddin, Gono Odhikar Parishad’s Muhammad Nezam Uddin, and BNP’s rebel candidate A.K.M. Abu Taher. Their nominations were rejected for reasons including incorrect voter support lists, incomplete party forms, unpaid city corporation dues, and loan default. Eight candidates from various political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Party, and others, were declared valid.

The election office stated that a total of 12 candidates had submitted nomination papers for Chattogram-11, while 23 had collected forms earlier. After verification, four nominations were canceled and eight were approved for the upcoming election.

The Government of Bangladesh has approved a plan to purchase 14 aircraft from U.S. manufacturer Boeing. The decision was endorsed in a Biman Bangladesh Airlines board meeting held on Tuesday, where members agreed in principle to proceed with formal negotiations on pricing and terms. Boeing’s proposal, submitted on November 24, 2025, and revised on December 20, 2025, includes two Boeing 787-9s, eight 787-10s, and four 737-8s. Biman’s managing director and CEO Md. Shafiqul Rahman confirmed in a letter to Boeing’s vice president that the approval marks only the start of formal discussions and does not yet create any financial or legal obligations.

The move aligns with Bangladesh’s broader strategy to strengthen trade and economic ties with the United States. Officials view the purchase as a step toward reducing the bilateral trade deficit and improving understanding on export tariff issues. A committee will now be formed to negotiate pricing and related matters with Boeing.

According to officials, if implemented, the fleet expansion could enhance Biman’s international competitiveness and bring positive changes to the country’s aviation sector.

Turkey has announced that Chinese citizens will be allowed to enter the country without a visa for tourism and transit purposes starting January 2, 2026. The decision, published in the Official Gazette through a presidential decree, was reported by Turkey-based Hurriyet Daily News. Under the new rule, holders of passports from the People's Republic of China can stay in Turkey for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa.

The move is expected to boost bilateral tourism and strengthen economic ties between Turkey and China. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1971 and elevated to a strategic cooperation level in 2010. In recent years, trade and investment relations have expanded significantly, with bilateral trade rising from 1 billion dollars in 2001 to 48 billion dollars in 2024.

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, Turkey exported goods worth 3.4 billion dollars to China in 2024, while imports reached 44.9 billion dollars. The two nations have also been exploring cooperation in electric vehicle production and raw material processing, with Chinese automaker BYD already signing a deal to establish a production facility in Turkey.

Two people were killed on Thursday in clashes between protesters and security forces in southwestern Iran amid ongoing demonstrations against high inflation and economic hardship. According to state media, these were the first fatalities reported after several days of unrest. The incident occurred in Lordegan city of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, where protesters reportedly threw stones at government and public buildings, prompting police to use tear gas. An unspecified number of people were injured.

State sources said one of the dead was a 21-year-old member of the Basij militia, though Reuters could not independently verify the claim. The Basij, linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that 13 of its members were injured and accused some groups of exploiting the protests. The unrest began after shopkeepers’ demonstrations in Kuhdasht, Lorestan province, and later spread to several other regions including Fars, Kermanshah, Khuzestan, and Hamedan.

Iran’s economy has been under prolonged strain from Western sanctions, with inflation exceeding 40 percent. Tehran has proposed dialogue with trade unions and business representatives to address the crisis, while reports indicate heavy security presence, arrests, and continued clashes in multiple cities.

Nine public agricultural universities in Bangladesh will hold their unified undergraduate admission test for the 2025–26 academic year on Saturday, January 3. The one-hour multiple-choice examination will take place simultaneously across the country from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. under the overall supervision of Gazipur Agricultural University, which is leading this year’s cluster. The seating plan was published on December 28 on the official cluster website, and all necessary preparations have been completed to ensure smooth operations.

A total of 88,228 applicants have registered for 3,701 available seats, meaning around 24 candidates will compete for each seat. Gazipur Agricultural University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. GKM Mostafizur Rahman stated that the university has taken maximum preparations to conduct the exam in a fair, transparent, and peaceful manner. Question preparation, transportation, center management, monitoring, and security arrangements have been finalized, with law enforcement and vigilance teams deployed to prevent irregularities.

The nine universities in the cluster include Bangladesh Agricultural University, Gazipur Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Sylhet Agricultural University, Khulna Agricultural University, Habiganj Agricultural University, and Kurigram Agricultural University.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, contesting from Chattogram-11 (Bandar–Patenga), has declared total assets exceeding Tk 210 million jointly with his wife Tahera Alam. According to the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission, the couple hold Tk 32 million in cash, the highest amount among submitted documents. Khasru reported around Tk 150 million in movable and immovable assets, while his wife declared over Tk 60 million.

The affidavit lists Khasru’s annual income as Tk 16 million and Tahera Alam’s as Tk 3.78 million. Their assets include houses, land, investments, bank deposits, private business shares, and gold ornaments. The constituency has a total of 12 candidates, including two from the BNP—Amir Khasru and A.K.M. Abu Taher.

The disclosure of Khasru’s wealth has sparked renewed discussion in political circles, as the large cash holdings and total asset value drew notable attention following the submission of nomination papers.

Police in Mongla, Bagerhat arrested former Sundarban Union Chhatra League vice president Md. Bulbul Fakir during a special operation named 'Devil Hunt Phase-2' on Thursday, January 1. The arrest took place in the Bashatala area of Ward No. 3 under Sundarban Union. The 28-year-old detainee is the son of Md. Akrafil from the same area.

According to police sources, Bulbul Fakir was an active member of the Awami League and previously served as vice president of the local Chhatra League unit. He was detained as part of a regular case under the ongoing special operation. Mongla Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shahinur Rahman Shahin stated that the arrest was made in connection with a regular case and that similar operations will continue to maintain law and order.

Police confirmed that the arrested individual will be presented before the court following legal procedures.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has announced a reduction in gold prices following record highs in the domestic market. In a notice issued on Thursday night, January 1, 2026, the association said the price of 22-carat gold has been lowered by Tk 1,458 per bhori, setting the new rate at Tk 222,724 per bhori. The revised price will take effect from Friday, January 2.

According to the BAJUS statement, the adjustment was made due to a decline in the price of pure or 'tejaabi' gold in the local market. The association said the new rate reflects the overall market situation. This marks the third consecutive reduction in gold prices after a period of record highs in Bangladesh.

The latest price adjustment indicates a continued correction in the gold market, aligning domestic rates with recent changes in the underlying value of pure gold.

A prayer and Gita recitation ceremony was held at the Madhya Nijpara Sarbojonin Sri Sri Durga Temple (floating) in Kaunia upazila, Rangpur, seeking forgiveness and eternal peace for the soul of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The event took place on Thursday, December 1, at 7 p.m., with participation from Hindu community leaders.

Temple Committee President Mohan Roy Fulbabu, General Secretary Bishwajit Barman, and other local Hindu leaders attended the ceremony. After the prayers and Gita recitation, participants prayed for the departed soul’s peace and expressed deep respect for Khaleda Zia’s distinguished political life.

Separately, Kaunia Upazila BNP organized a doa mahfil at its party office after Maghrib prayers, attended by leaders and activists from the upazila BNP and its affiliated organizations.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has expressed a desire to work together with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the national interest, similar to past cooperation. He made the remarks on Thursday evening at BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan while offering condolences to acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and his bereaved family following the death of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Dr. Rahman signed the condolence book and later briefed the press, stating that both parties share the same aspiration to collaborate.

During the meeting, Dr. Rahman said that the upcoming national election and referendum scheduled for 12 February should be peaceful, fair, and acceptable. He emphasized that Jamaat and BNP leaders discussed the possibility of jointly planning for the nation’s stability and progress over the next five years. He also announced that both parties intend to sit together immediately after the election but before government formation to discuss national issues and make collective decisions.

Senior BNP leaders including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Salahuddin Ahmed, and Nazrul Islam Khan were present at the meeting, along with senior Jamaat officials.

More than 30 people were detained after mobile handset traders attacked and vandalized the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) building in Dhaka’s Agargaon area on Thursday, January 1. The protest erupted around 4 p.m. against the government’s decision to launch the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) without reducing import duties. Police said the protesters threw bricks and stones at the building, breaking windows and damaging property.

Tejgaon Division Deputy Commissioner of Police Ibne Mizan stated that the attack was sudden and that officers were working to bring the situation under control. He added that glass windows of the BTRC mosque were shattered while employees were praying, though no injuries were immediately reported. A BTRC official said several hundred protesters gathered on the street and hurled bricks, trapping staff inside the building even after office hours.

The incident highlights growing tensions between mobile phone traders and authorities over the NEIR initiative, which makes handset registration mandatory. Police have taken control of the situation and detained those involved.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has expressed a desire to work jointly with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for the country's interest, similar to past cooperation. He made the remarks on Thursday evening at BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan while offering condolences to Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and the bereaved family of late former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. During the meeting, he signed the condolence book and later briefed the press about their discussions.

Dr. Rahman praised Khaleda Zia’s leadership and lifelong struggle for democracy and citizens’ rights, criticizing the government’s treatment of her during her illness. He noted that both Jamaat and BNP leaders, including Tarique Rahman, shared the aspiration to collaborate again. The Jamaat chief also mentioned that the next national election and a referendum are scheduled for February 12, emphasizing the need for a peaceful and credible process.

He added that both parties plan to meet after the election but before the formation of the next government to discuss national issues and decisions, aiming to uphold the unity platform established by Khaleda Zia.

Bangladesh will make its debut in the SAFF Futsal Championship under the captaincy of Sabina Khatun, with the tournament scheduled to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from January 13 to 15. The national team is set to depart for Bangkok tomorrow. At a press conference held at the Bangladesh Football Federation building, Sabina expressed her ambition to achieve a strong result in the country’s first appearance in the regional futsal competition.

Sabina noted her personal connection to futsal, recalling that she was the first Bangladeshi female footballer to play abroad, also in futsal. She acknowledged that Maldives and India are likely to be stronger opponents due to their experience, while other teams are relatively new like Bangladesh. The team has trained for just over a month in preparation. National player Matsushima Sumaiya, who will also compete, emphasized the need for a dedicated futsal stadium in Dhaka, questioning why training remains difficult despite existing facilities.

Seven teams—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—will participate in the tournament.