Bulgaria readies to adopt the euro, nearly 20 years after joining EUSOFIA, Bulgaria, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Bulgaria was preparing to switch to the euro on Wednesday night to become the 21st eurozone member, amid concerns the move could usher in higher prices and add to political instability rattling the Balkan country. - Cheers, fears and queues -Some Bulgarians worry the introduction of the euro could lead to price increases. According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, 49 percent of Bulgarians are against the single currency. He stressed that introducing the euro will have "a positive long-term effect on the Bulgarian economy and on the environment in which the country is developing". Bulgaria's accession will bring the number of Europeans using the euro to more than 350 million.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. File photoDHAKA, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS) – Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has greeted all the Bangladeshis living in the country and abroad at the advent of English New Year 2026'. In a message, he said the New Year means the introduction of new dreams, new hopes and new possibilities. It stimulates new energy and inspiration to forget all the sorrows and walk to the path of a beautiful future,” the chief adviser said. The chief adviser hoped that in a democratic Bangladesh, by loving the country, all will devote their best strength to the welfare of the people.

Female family members, advisers of the interim government and other distinguished personalities took part in Begum Khaleda Zia's namaz-e-janaza in the special area reserved for women. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS) - Female family members, advisers of the interim government and other distinguished personalities took part in Begum Khaleda Zia's namaz-e-janaza in the special area reserved for women. The namaz-e-janaza of three-time former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was held across Manik Mia Avenue in the city around 3pm. Millions of people from all walks of life including Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, advisers of the interim government, political leaders, foreign guests and diplomats joined the funeral prayer to bid farewell to Begum Zia.

At least 36 people have been killed in Khulna city during the period between January and December in 2025. Just two days after two top extremist leaders—Nasimul Gani alias Nasim and Arman Sheikh alias Armin—were released from Khulna Central Jail, the double murder took place. According to police, the notorious gang leader Rony Chowdhury Babu alias Grenade Babu was involved in the double murder. Colonel Nistar Ahmed said that a seven-member team was involved in the double murder mission. On December 17, one accused involved in the murder was arrested from Aichgati area adjacent to Khulna city.

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar left Dhaka after paying his final respects to former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. He departed on a special Indian Air Force flight just before evening on Wednesday. According to sources at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, Jaishankar left the city around 5pm. While in Dhaka, Jaishankar met with Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman of the interim government. Following the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, Jaishankar became the first Indian minister to visit Dhaka.

The DMP had earlier imposed a complete ban on the release of sky lanterns and the use of firecrackers on Thirty-First Night. Extra personnel have been deployed on the metro rail network to prevent risks posed by sky lanterns, with a dedicated team working to keep the tracks clear. The MRT Police have confirmed that strict security surveillance will continue throughout the night. Additional Inspector General of Police (Crime and Operations) Khondoker Rafiqul Islam told Dhaka Tribune, “Extensive security preparations have been taken centring on Thirty-First Night. Social media monitoring has also been increased.”MRT Police DIG Siddiqi Tanjilur Rahman added, “Although flying sky lanterns is prohibited, some people still violate the ban.

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Dec. 31, 2025, 4:56 a.m. ETFresh off of their opening - and with a focus on only using fresh homemade flours - downtown Hanover's newest bakery is also perhaps its freshest. Bakery Kneads, LLC., which recently opened in the Square Commercial Center at 1 Center Square in downtown Hanover, is co-owned by baker friends Kalena Bartoszak and Katara Vasher, who wanted to share their love of freshly milled flowers.

Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq today exchanged greetings with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Dhaka. Photo: CA's Press wingDHAKA, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS) – Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq today exchanged greetings with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar here ahead of the funeral programme of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The two leaders of the neighbouring countries arrived here this morning to attend the state funeral of three-time former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on behalf of their governments. Prior to the namaj-e-janaza, Sadiq and Jaishankar conveyed condolence messages to BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman at the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, reflecting their respective countries’ respect for the veteran Bangladeshi leader.

After the ghaibana janaza, a special prayer was held seeking forgiveness for the soul of the Begum Khaleda Zia. In addition, a ghaibana funeral prayer was held at the Central Mosque of Begum Rokeya University after Asr prayers to pray for the eternal peace of Begum Khaleda Zia. Meanwhile, the death of Begum Khaleda Zia has cast a shadow of mourning everywhere in the district among the party leaders and workers as well as the common people. A grocery shop owner Mizanur Rahman said Begum Khaleda Zia is a unique personality in the political history of Bangladesh. Auto-rickshaw driver Yasin Ali said that Begum Khaleda Zia has never deviated from her ideal which has elevated her to a unique height.

BNP chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Khaleda Zia was physically sound when she was sentenced by the court on 8th February 2018 and walked into the old jail on Nazimuddin Road. After the assassination of Ziaur Rahman, the house was allocated to Begum Khaleda Zia in his honour, becoming her permanent home. On November 13, 2010, the Awami League government took the house away, and Begum Khaleda Zia, was forced to leave. Feroza saw a different Begum Khaleda Zia, one who was sick, frail, and frequently by herself.

DAMASCUS, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Authorities in Syria's Latakia province arrested 21 people allegedly linked to ousted leader Bashar al-Assad's rule on Tuesday, state media reported, as a curfew blanketed the provincial capital after sectarian violence the previous night. State television said security forces in coastal Latakia province arrested 21 "former regime remnants who are involved in criminal acts, sectarian incitement and targeting internal security forces". The report came after an overnight curfew entered into effect until 6:00 am (0300 GMT) on Wednesday in Latakia, a mixed city in Syria's Alawite coastal heartland that also has several Sunni-majority neighbourhoods. Friday's bombing in a mosque in a predominantly Alawite area of the central Syrian city of Homs killed eight people. Hundreds of Alawites were killed in sectarian massacres in the community's coastal heartland in March.

According to the latest information on the Election Commission (EC) website as of 12 noon today, a total of 1,125,263 voters have registered. Among the registered voters, 9,80,424 are male voters and 1,44,837 are female. Within the country, 471,784 voters have registered in the 'in-country postal vote' category. Among the constituencies, Feni-3 has the highest number of registered voters, followed by Chattogram-15 with 11,589 and Noakhali-1 with 11,476 voters. To register, expatriate voters must use a mobile number from the respective country.

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday met visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Speaker of the Pakistan National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Nepal's Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma, and Bhutan's Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Dhaka. The dignitaries arrived in Dhaka to attend the last rites of former prime minister and national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, who passed away on Tuesday. The advisers expressed their gratitude to the visiting dignitaries for their presence and for showing solidarity with the people of Bangladesh during this time of national mourning.

The rights body Manabadhikar Songskriti Foundation (MSF) has said the outgoing year 2025 saw no progress in Bangladesh’s human rights situation. In its year-end assessment, the rights body said the overall political, social, democratic and legal climate, along with the human rights situation, remained “concerning” from January to December. MSF made the remarks on Wednesday while releasing a report at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity. The organisation said it compiled the report by verifying media reports on human rights violations.