RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec 30, 2025 (AFP) - A Saudi-led coalition said it targeted shipments of weapons and combat vehicles in Yemen that were unloaded from vessels coming from the United Arab Emirates, the Saudi news agency reported Tuesday. "Two ships arrived from the port of Fujairah entered the port of Mukalla on Saturday and Sunday, December 27-28, 2025, without obtaining official permits from the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition," state news agency SPA reported. "Given the danger and escalation posed by these weapons that threaten security and stability, the Coalition air forces carried out a limited military operation this morning targeting weapons and combat vehicles that had been unloaded from the two ships at the port of Almukalla," it added.

DHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has convened an urgent meeting of its Standing Committee this afternoon at 12:00 pm following the death of its Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Shayrul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP Media Cell, confirmed that the meeting will take place today at the party chief's political office in Gulshan following the sudden developments. Begum Khaleda Zia, the country's first female Prime Minister and long-time Chairperson of the BNP, passed away today around 6:00 am while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the city.

I can tell you in two weeks, 15 days, we received 150 million ticket requests. This shows how powerful the World Cup is." Infantino said the majority of ticket requests had come from the United States, followed by requests from Germany and Britain. There is football thanks to these revenues that we generate from the World Cup which we reinvest all over the world." The group said earlier this month tickets would cost almost five times more than tickets for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Bhutan spinner takes eight wickets to set new T20 recordHONG KONG, Dec 30, 2025 (AFP) - A left-arm spinner from Bhutan has become the first bowler to take eight wickets in a Twenty20 international. Sonam Yeshey, 22, took 8-7 in his four overs during the third men's T20 international at home to Myanmar, who were all out for 45 replying to 127-9. Yeshey went ahead of Syazrul Idrus, who took 7-8 for Malaysia against China in 2023, and Ali Dawood, who had 7-19 for Bahrain against Bhutan earlier this year, on the all-time T20 international best bowling list. Yeshey made his T20 international debut in 2022 against Malaysia when he had figures of 3-16 and has gone on to take 37 wickets in 34 matches. The best bowling figures in a women's T20 international are 7-0 by Indonesia's Rohmalia against Mongolia in 2024.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has expressed condolences over the death of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, saying she was his hero. In the post, the press secretary wrote: "She was the most graceful of all leaders—a symbol of our resistance and a patriot of the highest order. "Rest in peace, Begum Khaleda Zia. Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female prime minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has passed away at the age of 80. Khaleda Zia had long been battling multiple health complications, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney problems.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. File photoDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - China today expressed deep condolences over the death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, paying tribute to her role in Bangladesh's democratic journey and reaffirming continued friendly relations with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Yao Wen said Begum Khaleda Zia embodied the democratic aspirations of the Bangladeshi people and inspired the nation through her resilience, courage and leadership. He further said that the Communist Party of China would continue to maintain its longstanding and friendly relations with the BNP under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. Extending sincere condolences once again, Yao Wen prayed for eternal peace for Begum Khaleda Zia's departed soul and expressed hope that her contributions to Bangladesh and to China-Bangladesh relations would be remembered for generations to come.

The Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) and hall union elections have been postponed. University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Rezaul Karim disclosed the decision to journalists on Tuesday, following a syndicate meeting. Although voting was scheduled to begin at 8:30am on Tuesday, an emergency syndicate meeting was convened after news broke of the death of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female prime minister and chairperson of the BNP, has passed away at the age of 80. Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 for routine tests, during which doctors detected a chest infection and decided to keep her under observation.

LONDON, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Ipswich narrowed the gap on the top two clubs in English football's second-tier Championship with a 2-0 win at Coventry on Monday that ended the leaders' unbeaten home record this season. Ipswich started the day 13 points behind Coventry and five behind Boro following a run of four away matches without a win. Monday's win was the second time this month that Ipswich, relegated from the Premier League last season, had defeated Frank Lampard's Coventry following a 3-0 success at Portman Road on December 6. By contrast, this latest result ended a run of eight straight home wins for Coventry. Coventry remain eight points clear at the top after Middlesbrough lost 1-0 at home to Hull City, fourth on goal difference.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has expressed profound sorrow over the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. In a post shared on the social media platform Facebook on Tuesday morning (December 30, 2025), the Jamaat Ameer prayed for Khaleda Zia. In his message, the Jamaat Ameer said: “May the Almighty Allah, give mercy on BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, forgive her and accept her as a guest in His beloved Paradise. May Almighty Allah grant patience and steadfastness to her family, loved ones, Amen.”The BNP chairperson breathed her last at 6am on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital, according to AKM Wahiduzzaman, the party’s ICT Affairs Secretary and head of its Online Activists Network.

Precious metals fall again, Asian stocks swing as traders wind downHONG KONG, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Precious metals extended losses Tuesday on profit-taking after hitting recent records, while equities fluctuated in quiet trade as investors wound down ahead of the New Year break. The big moves of late have been seen in precious metals, with gold hitting a record just shy of $4,550. Investors have been piling into the commodities on bets for more US rate cuts, a weaker dollar and geopolitical tensions. However, both metals have pulled back sharply this week on profit-taking, with gold now around $4,340 and silver at $73.50. Bitcoin, which has tumbled since spiking above $126,000 in October, was stabilising just below $90,000 after a shaky end to the year.

"At the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, the nation has lost a great guardian. Prof Yunus said many of Begum Khaleda Zia's actions and decisions helped move the country forward significantly. The Chief Adviser said that Begum Khaleda Zia was remarkably successful in her political life and was never defeated in any election. Prof Yunus said that because of her political success, Begum Khaleda Zia became a victim of extreme political vengeance. The Chief Adviser expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family of Begum Khaleda Zia and to the leaders and activists of her party.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a seven-day mourning program following the death of its Chairperson Khaleda Zia, on Tuesday. The program was announced by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday morning after the party officially confirmed Khaleda Zia’s death at 9am. The namaz-e-janaza of Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female prime minister and chairperson of the BNP, may be held on Wednesday. Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female prime minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has passed away at the age of 80. Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 for routine tests, during which doctors detected a chest infection and decided to keep her under observation.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, widely regarded as an uncompromising leader for democracy in Bangladesh, passed away this morning while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the city. The three-time former prime minister, Khaleda Zia, had been suffering from multiple health complications, including heart and lung, liver and kidney, diabetes, arthritis and eye-related ailments. Since returning from London on May 6, after receiving advanced medical care, Khaleda Zia had been undergoing regular check-up at the Evercare Hospital. Under the leadership of Khaleda Zia, BNP formed a 7-party alliance in 1983 and launched a movement against the autocratic regime of Ershad.

Two killed in strike on alleged drug boat in Eastern Pacific: US militaryWASHINGTON, United States, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The US military said Monday two people were killed in a strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the Eastern Pacific, bringing the total killed in Washington's campaign in the region to at least 107. In a post to X, US Southern Command said "intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations," adding two men were killed. The post included a black-and-white video of the "lethal kinetic strike" on a small boat, with what appeared to be two explosive flashes and flaming debris visible. Since September, the US military has carried out at least 30 strikes on what it says are boats used to smuggle drugs to the United States, with the majority of the attacks occurring in the Eastern Pacific. Trump says he does not need lawmakers' approval to strike suspected drug cartels at sea or on land in Venezuela, citing concerns over information leaks.

SAN FRANCISCO, United States, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Citgroup on Monday said it is selling the last of its business operations in Russia, and expecting to log a $1.1 billion loss in the process. The US banking giant anticipated the sale will close in the first half of 2026 but noted it is subject to regulatory approval. "Citi will report its remaining business in Russia as 'held for sale' as of the fourth quarter 2025," the banking group said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. That move will result in an after-tax loss going on its books in the current quarter, Citigroup said in the filing. AO Citibank, which conducts the company's remaining operations in Russia, is being sold to Renaissance Capital, according to the financial institution.