The public administration remained under strain for most of the year, grappling with a leadership vacuum and relentless pressure from officials for coveted transfers and promotions.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to holding “free, fair and peaceful” elections, saying full preparations are underway to ensure the success of both the parliamentary elections and the referendum.

A chase and counter-chase took place between traders and a group of alleged extortionists at Karwan Bazar yesterday, raising tensions in the area.

The National Citizen Party submitted nomination papers for 47 candidates yesterday even though its seat-sharing arrangement with Jamaat-e-Islami covers 30 seats.

A total of 2,582 candidates submitted nomination papers for the upcoming parliamentary polls by the end of the deadline yesterday, as the final count settled without reports of any major breaches of the electoral code of conduct.

The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD) and the Workers Party of Bangladesh, two partners of the 14-party alliance of Awami League, whose activities are now banned, yesterday announced that they will not take part in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election and the referendum.

The National Citizen Party’s decision to join the Jamaat-led electoral alliance has touched off sharp debate in Bangladesh’s political circles. While some warn it could erode the NCP’s youthful promise and cast doubt on its future, others see it as a breakthrough for Jamaat-e-Islami.

The Centre of Research Excellence in Semiconductor Technology (CREST) was inaugurated at BRAC University yesterday, marking a significant step towards becoming a “nation of innovation” and a credible participant in the global semiconductor ecosystem.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has shown no improvement in her physical condition, doctors said last night.

BDR Kalyan Parishad, an association of dismissed members of the then Bangladesh Rifles (now Border Guard Bangladesh), yesterday expressed frustration over the delay in making public the inquiry commission’s report on the 2009 Pilkhana carnage.

The BNP is set to contest the upcoming polls in 286 of the 300 constituencies, leaving 14 seats for alliance partners and political leaders who stood with the party during the anti-fascist movement.

The prosecution yesterday informed the International Crimes Tribunal-2 that law enforcers had failed to arrest Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and six other leaders of the party and its affiliated bodies in a crimes against humanity case linked to the July uprising.

Radhika Das, a five‑month‑old girl from Brahmanbaria’s Bancharampur upazila, caught a cold on Friday.

Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury yesterday said around 35,000 Border Guard Bangladesh members will be deployed during the upcoming national election.

Inqilab Moncho called for an online campaign today to seek recognition of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi as the country’s cultural icon, briefly pausing its consecutive four-day Shahbagh blockade amid the cold wave.

BNP acting chairman reached the hospital around 10:10pm

Nomination papers submitted

Senior lawyer already serving as special prosecutorial adviser with AG status

Police say it was a toy pistol

Dhaka records highest submissions as deadline closes