BNP is set to hold sit-in protest in Nayapaltan tomorrow after getting green signal from Dhaka Metropolitan Police. And if you've missed all the latest updates of the day, here's a quick catch up of all you need to know. 

PM Hasina: Far-left and far-right groups joining BNP

Addressing a discussion marking the historic Homecoming Day of Bangabandhu, organised by the Awami League at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC), PM Sheikh Hasina said BNP has found companionship with the far-left and far-right. "All extremists are gathering in one place to topple us from power," she said.

Her remarks precede the BNP's call for sit-ins at cities on Jan 11, which follows after like-minded political parties joined BNP's mass procession around the country on December 30. 

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But Hasina said her government is strong enough to withstand the opposition's effort to oust AL from power. "Let me tell you one thing. The AL works for the people and their welfare. Don't think it will fall if one shakes it. Things are not that much easy," she added. 

Bangladesh's position improved in Henley Passport Index 

The 2023 edition of the Henley Passport Index, the most widely-accepted rating of global travel documents has placed Bangladesh's passport at 101st position, up three places from last year. 

But interestingly enough, passports of heavily sanctioned Iran, economically devastated Lebanon and Sri Lanka, and conflict-ridden Sudan have fared better compared to that of Bangladesh -- at 99th and 100th (shared) positions, respectively.

For context, passports are ranked based on their Mobility Score. The higher the Mobility Score, the better the Passport Power Rank. Countries are ranked by the number of passports they accept visa-free or with visa on arrival. 

86 children died from pneumonia in last two months

During winter, the incidence of respiratory illnesses, including childhood pneumonia rises countrywide. In Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and institute, at least 86 children have died of pneumonia in November and December. 

Representational image. File photo

And at least 75 people, including children, died of acute respiratory illnesses in around the last two months outside Dhaka city, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). On the other hand, the lowest temperature this year has been recorded today at 6.9 degrees Celsius at Tetulia in Panchagarh.

HC stays trial of DSA case against singer Rita Dewan

High Court today stayed of the trial proceedings of the case filed under the Digital Security Act against Baul singer Rita Dewan. The singer was charged for making "derogatory comments" about Islam and hurting people's sentiment during a performance in 2019.

Photo: AFP

After public uproar, a video surfaced where Rita Dewan, along with her two daughters, was shown apologising for the matter that day. Her lawyer Abdullah Al Noman told The Daily Star, "Rita has not made derogatory comments..she has only performed traditional "pala gaan" as a constitutional right to freedom of expression." 

BPL: Mehedi Hasan Miraz lead Barishal to beat Rangpur

Fortune Barishal got their first win of the Bangladesh Premier League with a six-wicket win over Rangpur Riders courtesy of an all-round display from Mehedi Hasan Miraz and a fifty from Afghanistan batter Ibrahim Zadran at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. 

Miraz scalped two wickets to help restrict Rangpur to 158-7 and then came back with the bat to smash 43 off 29 balls in an 84-run stand with Ibrahim who scored a 41-ball 52 hitting five fours and two sixes in the process to help set up a successful chase for last year's runners-up.