The NYPD ended 2025 with double-digit decreases in both murders and shootings compared with last year while suffering a troubling increase in rape investigations, the Daily News has learned. As of Tuesday night, the NYPD had seen a 20% drop in homicides, from 381 last year to 303 this year, NYPD sources said. The number of shooting victims, which includes homicide victims and survivors, across the five boroughs also decreased — by 22% — from 1,101 last year to 853 through Tuesday, the numbers show. The NYPD has not yet released crime statistics for Wednesday, the last day of 2025, or their year-end numbers. The number of rape cases reported to the NYPD jumped by 15% this year, from 1,762 last year to 2,043 in 2025.

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain emphasized the interim government's dedication to fostering unity and harmony among all communities in the country, including Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians. The "Ashtaparishkarasah Sanghadan" program was held to commemorate the late Agra Mahapandit Dr Gyanashree Mahathero, the third-highest religious guru of Buddhism, during the "National Anitya Sabha and Smriticharan" event. Dr AFM Khalid Hossain praised Dr Gyanshree Mahathero for his exemplary qualities as a humanitarian and welfare-oriented individual. He emphasized that Dr Gyanshree Mahathero's dedication to religious work over the past century sets him apart as a great man. Blessings were given by the fourteenth Sangharaja Bhadanta Dharmapriyo Mahathera, the sub-sangharaja Priyadarshi Mahathera, the sub-sangharaja Silrakshit Mahathera, and the sub-sangharaja Dharmadarshi Mahathera.

Inqilab Mancha has warned it will launch a movement to overthrow the government if the trial over the murder of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi is not completed within the next 30 working days. Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of the organization, made the announcement Friday during a sit-in program at Shahbaghh. Al Jaber said Hadi was killed for initiating a movement to protect Bangladesh’s independence and establish justice. Al Jaber said the government requested time until January 7, while Inqilab Mancha had given 30 working days, of which 22 remain. If the government fails to complete the trial within the stipulated time, we will launch a movement to overthrow the government,” he said.

Dr Kamal Hossain, founder of Gono Forum and constitutional expert, has been admitted to Square Hospital in Dhaka after his lung-related condition worsened on Friday afternoon. Gono Forum General Secretary Dr Mizanur Rahman confirmed to Dhaka Tribune that Kamal is currently under intensive medical observation, with several tests and examinations underway. Detailed updates are expected in 48 hours. Kamal Hossain, 88, most recently attended the funeral of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Wednesday, at Manik Mia Avenue. A veteran of Bangladeshi politics, Kamal served as the head of Bangladesh’s Constitution Drafting Committee in 1972 and remains a prominent political figure in the country.

SYDNEY, Jan 2, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Seamer Matthew Potts and spinner Shoaib Bashir were included in a 12-man England squad Friday for the fifth Ashes Test against Australia as the tourists look to finish the series on a high. Potts is the only unused fast bowler from their original 16-man squad and gets his chance after Gus Atkinson limped off with a hamstring issue at the previous Test in Melbourne, which England won inside two days. Wood (knee) only played the first Test in Perth while Archer was ruled out after the third Test in Adelaide with a side strain. Bashir was considered England's top spinner when they arrived in Australia but has yet to play with all-rounder Jacks preferred. England squad: Ben Stokes (capt), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue.

MANIKGANJ, Jan 2, 2026 (BSS) - Valiant Freedom Fighter Md Shah Jahan Ali passed away following a cardiac arrest at Monno Medical College Hospital here today. Family sources said Shah Jahan Ali suffered a cardiac arrest at his residence in Dakkhin Seota village under Manikganj Poura Sabha area this morning. He was rushed to Monno Medical College Hospital, where he breathed his last at around 6:30 am. Government officials, fellow freedom fighters and people from all walks of life attended the janaza and paid their last respects. The late freedom fighter is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter and a host of relatives, well-wishers and fellow freedom fighters.

North Indian Canyon Drive remains closed between Sunrise Parkway and Garnet Avenue at the wash, and East Vista Chino remains closed between Clubhouse View Drive and Carmela Drive in Palm Springs. Palm Springs rain totalsPhilip Gonsalves, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego, urged motorists to exercise caution and avoid driving through low-water crossings during a conversation about rainfall totals. He said Palm Springs recorded about 0.58 inches of rain in the past 12 hours. In total, since October, Palm Springs has received 2.34 inches of rain, exceeding the normal 1.11 inches for that period. Palm Springs rain forecastShowers are expected to taper off by mid to late afternoon Thursday as rain moves northeast out of San Diego County.

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The month-long 30th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF)-2026 will begin on Saturday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal. Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin is scheduled to inaugurate the trade fair at 10am. The Commerce Secretary said a total of 324 stalls and pavilions will be set up at the fair this year. With the participation of 11 foreign stalls and pavilions, the event will be recognized as an international trade fair. The Dhaka International Trade Fair has been organized since 1995 under the joint initiative of the Ministry of Commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau to promote, expand, and market domestic products, support production, and create employment opportunities.

Enzo Maresca left his role as Chelsea head coach on Thursday after just 18 months in charge, the Premier League club announced. "Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company," said a club statement. Under-21s head coach Calum McFarlane is expected to take charge of Sunday's trip to Manchester City. Maresca's stock at Chelsea was high after the Blues beat Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League in November. Chelsea sit 13th in the Champions League table and are likely to miss out on direct qualification for the last 16 via a top-eight finish.

In post on his Facebook account, Taiyeb stated that the authorities have received over three billion data sets from mobile operators, including historical records. "Due to the way migration data is currently displayed, some NIDs show a higher number of active SIMs or handsets than actually in use," he explained. Taiyeb also noted that the NEIR system is not new; it was first attempted in 2021. Previously, one individual could use up to 20 SIMs per NID, later it was reduced to 15, and currently limited to 10. Regarding data security, Taiyeb confirmed that measures have been taken, including secure JWT digital tokens and rate-limiting.

BNP leaders and activists, many of them with tears in their eyes, offered prayers at the grave of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Friday after Jummah prayers. He said Khaleda Zia bore all the suffering while thinking of the people of the country and the nation. Meanwhile, BNP leaders, activists and ordinary people visited the grave of Khaleda Zia throughout the day to pay their respects and offer prayers. Due to their visit, entry for party leaders, activists and the general public was temporarily suspended from 10am to 10:50am. Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated organisations visited the grave throughout the day to offer prayers.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Friday said the international community is expressing a positive outlook about the upcoming 13th national election. "The global community expects a democratic transition in Bangladesh through a peaceful, credible and inclusive election,” he said. Shafiqul came up with the remarks while speaking to journalists after visiting the Nanduali Nitai Gouro Gopal Sebashram in Magura town in the morning. As part of the security measures, all 301 polling centres in Magura district are being brought under live CCTV surveillance within January, he said. Similar preparations are underway across the country, with risky polling centres identified nationwide, he added.

Teenagers Eleonore and Elisa started the year with a frantic search for friends who have been missing since a deadly fire tore through a bar in a neighboring Swiss town. Police estimate around 40 people have been killed and about 115 injured, many of them young visitors to the Swiss Alps. More than 30 victims were taken to hospitals with specialized burns units in Zurich and Lausanne, and six were taken to Geneva, according to a Swiss news agency. There is no official estimate of the missing or headcount from Le Constellation bar that night. Away from the press and guarded by police, families of the victims are received and offered assistance by authorities, diplomats and chaplains.

Pakistan suffered its most lethal year in more than a decade in 2025, with deaths linked to militant violence rising by 74%, according to a report published by an independent research organization. The report noted a 124% increase in militant deaths, attributing the surge to intensified counterterrorism campaigns against Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Violence has coincided with rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of allowing cross-border attacks — allegations the Afghan Taliban government denies. Picss documented at least 1,066 militant attacks in 2025, including 26 suicide bombings — a 53% increase from the previous year. Islamabad says reopening hinges on assurances from Kabul that Afghan soil will not be used for attacks on Pakistan.