Zelensky, in a slick 21-minute New Year video greeting to his compatriots, also said only a strong Ukraine could secure peace and earn worldwide respect. "I have no doubt that the new American president wants and will be able to bring peace and end (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's aggression," Zelensky said. And I believe that, together with the United States, we are capable of the strength to force Russia into a just peace." Russia, Zelensky said, was not to be trusted either in battle or in talks. "If today Russia shakes your hand, it doesn't mean that tomorrow the same hand will not start killing you," he said.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar and United States has helped the EU find alternative supply. The remaining buyers of Russian gas via Ukraine such as Slovakia and Austria have also arranged alternative supply. "The European gas infrastructure is flexible enough to provide gas of non-Russian origin to Central and Eastern Europe via alternative routes. UKRAINE WARDespite the EU’s progress in replacing Russian supply via Ukraine, Europe has felt the impact, with higher energy costs hitting its industrial competitiveness versus the United States and China, for example. The only Russian gas route still operating is TurkStream which crosses the Black Sea to Turkey.

At least 20 people have been injured in a clash after an Anti-discrimination Student Movement convoy headed to Dhaka for the “March for Unity” programme was attacked in Bagerhat’s Mollahat. Citing locals and students, OC Shafiqul said that 25 buses from the Khulna Metropolitan Area set off on Tuesday for the “March for Unity” event in Dhaka. At least 20 people were reported injured in the clash, the OC said. Zahurul Tanvir, Anti-discrimination Student Movement coordinator for Khulna, said: “Our convoy was peacefully going to Dhaka from Khulna. Later, OC Shafiqul said that traffic on the road had normalised since 1:15pm, adding: “The situation has become somewhat normal.

Two more people have died of dengue while 84 new patients have been hospitalised with the Aedes mosquito-borne disease across Bangladesh over the past 24 hours. The number of patients hospitalised with the disease this year has risen to 101,214. In addition, 14 were hospitalised in the Dhaka Division, 21 in the Chattogram Division, three in the Khulna Division, two in the Rajshahi Division and 13 in the Barishal Division. The DGHS has been keeping records of dengue hospitalisations and fatalities since 2000. Since then, a record 321,179 dengue hospitalisations were logged in 2023.

Dhaka shook once again on Tuesday night, but this time with the explosive sounds of celebration. Hours before midnight, isolated firecrackers exploded and fireworks began in parts of Dhaka. Right now, an announcement is being made on a microphone in East Shewrapara—'A newborn baby has died from the sound of fireworks. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police had issued a ban on fireworks days earlier. Though there’s widespread music in the alleys, the fear isn’t gone.”As in previous years, bans on fireworks, firecrackers, and floating lanterns proved ineffective.

As such, in the majority of the seats, the vote was between Awami League and independent candidates of the Awami League. In August 2022, she publicly rebuked the BNP, asserting that the Awami League, the party she helmed, would never retreat. The interim administration cancelled the new curriculum introduced by the Awami League and announced a return to the 2012 curriculum. Before these issues were settled, clashes erupted on Nov 20 between students of Dhaka College and Dhaka City College, injuring over 150 students. Dhaka College students demanded the relocation of Dhaka City College from the Science Laboratory area.

In the five months of the interim government, 98 alleged mob killings have been reportedExtrajudicial killings continue in Bangladesh even after July uprising: ASK, MSFThe 2024 human rights monitoring report by Ain O Salish Kendra, or ASK, and Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation, or MSF, has revealed a wave of extrajudicial executions, despite commitments to end killings without trial. According to ASK, 12 people died in custody or were victims of extrajudicial killings during the first five months of the interim government, while MSF reported 98 deaths from mob lynching during the same period. EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGSASK report noted that while the frequency of extrajudicial killings has declined, these incidents continue to occur. The ASK report also emphasised attacks on minorities or political retaliation “cannot be considered acts related to protests”. The ASK report says there have been attacks against various media organisations in the country, including slander and threats of siege.

Bangladesh Bank has directed all commercial banks to bolster fire safety measures as a precaution following recent fire incidents causing extensive damage to lives, assets, and critical documents. The central bank's Banking Regulation and Policy Department issued a notification on Tuesday outlining the necessary steps banks must take to ensure fire safety. It instructed banks to verify and implement effective fire detection systems, including smoke and heat detection mechanisms, as well as fire alarms and extinguishing systems, to prevent fire hazards. It further mandated the installation of smoke and heat detection systems and fire alarms in all bank facilities. The instructions also highlighted the importance of implementing special security measures in sensitive areas, such as server rooms and key IT departments at headquarters.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says there is no time left this year to sign a new dealWhat happens when Russian gas supply to Europe via Ukraine ends? Here is what we know about options for when Russian gas transit via Ukraine stops. Slovakia has said the loss of Russian supply would not hit its consumption and that it has diversified supply contracts. As for Ukraine, its security of supply will not be impacted as it does not use Russian transit gas, the European Commission said. Transdniestria borders Ukraine and also receives Russian gas via Ukraine.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a stern warning to civil servants, including administration cadre officials, against engaging in undisciplined activities amid ongoing protests over promotions to the rank of deputy secretary. The success of public administration depends on disciplined, responsible, and professional conduct by government employees. The protests began after the Public Administration Reform Commission proposed reducing the administration cadre’s quota for deputy secretary promotions from 75 percent to 50 percent, allocating the other 50 percent to officials from other cadres. The Bangladesh Administrative Service Association, representing administration cadre officials, protested the recommendation in a statement on Dec 25. Historically, the 1975 Service Act allowed for merit-based promotions, later amended to include quotas prioritising administration cadre officials.

REUTERS/Francis MascarenhasPeople sit inside a relief camp for displaced Meiteis after their homes and shops were set ablaze, in Borobekra, Jiribam in the northeastern state of Manipur, India, Nov 23, 2024. REUTERS/Francis MascarenhasThe chief minister of India's northeastern state of Manipur apologised on Tuesday for months of ethnic unrest that has killed at least 250 people and prompted criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's federal government. "This entire year has been very unfortunate," Singh told reporters in the state capital Imphal. "I want to say sorry to the people of the state for what's happening ... many people lost their loved ones. Kukis accuse Chief Minister Biren Singh, a Meitei and member of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), of complicity in attacks on members of their community and have sought his removal.

The Anti-Corruption Commission is set to revive a graft case over the Padma Bridge project which was closed 10 years ago during the Awami League regime after the watchdog cited a lack of evidence. The case dossier said, “These accused, by conspiring to exchange bribes, arranged for the work of the supervisory consultant of the Padma Bridge project to be awarded to one of the bidders, SNC Lavalin International. The report found that no evidence of “corruption or conspiracy” was found in the construction of the Padma Bridge. On Oct 16, 2014, a Dhaka court accepted the final report submitted by the ACC and acquitted all seven accused. However, since some evidence was found in this regard, the commission has decided to investigate the case further.”

January 2025 will be colder than in previous years, says Meteorologist Muhammad Abul Kalam MallikThe Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast several cold waves in the first month of the new year. “At least one to three mild to moderate cold waves and one to two intense cold waves are likely to sweep through the country in January,” Mallick told bdnews24.com. Sharp cold weather will be felt throughout the month.”A cold wave is said to occur when the temperature is at or below 10 degrees Celsius. When the mercury drops below 6 degrees Celsius, it is assumed to be a severe cold wave. LOWEST TEMPERATURE 10.9 DEGREES IN TENTULIAPanchagarh’s Tentulia recorded the country's lowest temperature at 10.9 degrees Celsius in the 24 hours to 6am on Tuesday.

Students from across the country are flocking to Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar to take part in the ‘March for Unity’ called by the Anti-discrimination Student Movement. The programme is set to start at 3:00 pm on Tuesday. Students and members of the public could be seen leading small processions in the Dhaka University and Shaheed Minar areas before gathering at the monument. “Many students have come together on behalf of our university,” he said. We hope for the success of today’s programme.”At 1:45am on Tuesday, the Anti-discrimination Student Movement announced the ‘March for Unity’ programme to be held at the Central Shaheed Minar at 3pm from its offices in Dhaka’s Bangla Motor area.

The government primary schools will have 76 days of holidays in 2025 in addition to the weekend on Friday and Saturday. The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education approved the list of 76 holidays for government primary schools in 2025. “The Directorate of Primary Education proposed a list of 76 holidays. Three days of holidays have been reserved at the discretion of the headmaster in 2025. Approval from the Upazila or Thana primary education officer will be required for those holidays.