PRISTINA, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Preliminary results in Kosovo's parliamentary elections Sunday suggested that caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti's party was nearing 50 percent, potentially ending the country's long-running political deadlock. The Central Election Commission (CEC) said Kurti's Vetevendosje (VV) party was projected to win 49.79 percent, after processing about 95 percent of polling stations. It was followed by the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) with 21.18 percent and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) with 13.77 percent, the CEC added. "We must move forward as quickly as possible to establish institutions," Kurti said after the preliminary results were published. "Electoral corruption," responded the two other main parties, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK).

LATAKIA, Syria, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - At least three people were killed on Sunday during Alawite protests in western Syria, health authorities said, as thousands took to the streets across the religious minority's heartland following a deadly mosque bombing. A security source also confirmed to AFP that one of the three dead was a member of the General Security forces within the police department. Latakia's head of internal security Brigadier General Abdul Aziz al-Ahmad said "our security forces and protesters were subjected to direct fire from an unknown source", resulting in civilian and security personnel injuries, the interior ministry reported. Since Assad's fall, the Observatory and Homs residents have reported kidnappings and killings targeting members of the minority community. In March, Syria's coastal areas saw massacres of Alawite civilians, with authorities accusing armed Assad supporters of sparking the violence by attacking security forces.

QUITO, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Multiple gunmen killed six people on Sunday, including a two-year-old girl, after shooting up a beachside boardwalk in southwestern Ecuador, police said. Three others were wounded in the attack in popular whale-watching destination Puerto Lopez, after men in a van and on two motorcycles opened fire on the boardwalk before fleeing. It was the third deadly attack in the city this weekend, with a total death toll of nine, local media reports said. Ecuador is located between the world's two top exporters of cocaine, Colombia and Peru, and has seen a surge in violence by gangs linked to Mexican and Colombian cartels. Hardline policies instituted by its President Daniel Noboa have done little to stem the tide of violence to date.

PALM BEACH, United States, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump said Sunday that a deal was closer than ever to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine but reported no apparent breakthrough on the flashpoint issue of territory after new talks with the warring countries' leaders. "I really believe we're, Mr. President, probably closer than -- far closer than -- ever before with both parties," Trump said with Zelensky at his side in the tea room of his Mar-a-Lago estate. After their talks, Zelensky and Trump spoke jointly by telephone with key European leaders, who have been particularly alarmed about any decisions that would embolden Russia. Zelensky said that he and European leaders could return jointly for talks with Trump in Washington in January. Trump offered to address the Ukrainian parliament to promote the plan -- an idea, however unlikely, that Zelensky was quick to welcome.

De Minaur muscles up in bid to be Sinner-Alcaraz 'disruptor'SYDNEY, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Alex de Minaur has muscled up in a bid to bridge the gap on Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, with the Australian aiming to be a "disruptor" to the pair's tennis dominance. In contrast, De Minaur is yet to go beyond the last eight at a major. One of the things De Minaur has been working on is body strength, employing a new fitness trainer as he prepares for the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 18. De Minaur secured one title last season in Washington, adding to his nine other career victories. Australia face the Czech Republic and Norway at the mixed-teams United Cup, which is also being played in Perth.

HONG KONG, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Asian equities mostly rose Monday in quiet post-Christmas trading as investors look ahead to the release of minutes from the Federal Reserve's policy meeting this month, while precious metals retreated from record highs. In early trade Monday, shares in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei and Manila rose while those in Tokyo, Sydney and Wellington retreated. On commodities markets, gold and silver slipped after hitting new records in recent days. The precious metals have also enjoyed strong buying, with gold and silver both hitting record highs on expectations for more rate cuts, which makes them more desirable to investors. The white metal has also seen a sharp run-up in recent weeks owing to surging demand and tight supply.

MELBOURNE, Dec 29, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - England pace spearhead Gus Atkinson was Monday ruled out of the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia with a hamstring injury, their third fast bowler to head home early during the series. The Surrey right-armer hobbled off early on day two of the fourth Test in Melbourne clutching his left leg and took no further part. "Gus Atkinson has been ruled out for the remainder of the Ashes tour after scans confirmed he has sustained a left hamstring injury," the England Cricket Board said. Atkinson is the third England quick to be sidelined after Mark Wood (knee) and Jofra Archer (side strain), leaving Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes to shoulder the attack. England are 3-1 down ahead of the Sydney Test starting on Sunday.

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General Daily Insight for December 29, 2025 A well-balanced life is aided by daily choices. As Luna squares transformative Pluto, midday dynamics may stir tension. Thanks to Luna boosting your 2nd House of Self‑Worth, you’re prepared to price your work fairly and spend intentionally. Should transformative Pluto test any pre-set 7th house agreements, you’re braced to renegotiate terms respectfully with personal bonds or professional clients. Even when transformative Pluto stresses your 6th House of Routines, you can adjust timelines so your standards remain high without burnout.

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Dense fog and severe cold cripple life in Lalmonirhat as poor families struggle for warmth and relief. Seventy-eight-year-old Sonavan Begum told BSS that her old blanket is no longer effective against the cold. Despite the severe cold, many workers are continuing their daily activities out of necessity. She said cases of cold, fever, diarrhea and pneumonia have risen, while some children are suffering from asthma, breathing problems and convulsions. Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate HM Rakib Haider told BSS that blanket distribution is already underway in the district.

Md Mahfuj Alam- File PhotoDHAKA, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) - Former interim government adviser and frontline July uprising leader Mahfuj Alam said that maintaining his long-standing political position is more important than contesting an election as a Jamaat-NCP alliance candidate in any Dhaka constituency. "Rather than becoming a Jamaat-NCP alliance candidate in any constituency in Dhaka, it is more important for me to uphold my long-standing position," he said in a Facebook post this evening, dismissing speculation about his electoral future. He reiterated that his political position has consistently focused on establishing a new political and economic order, resisting fascism through cultural struggle, confronting social fascism, promoting reconciliation and building a society based on responsibility and compassion. While affirming continued respect and solidarity with his July comrades, Mahfuj made it clear that he is not joining the NCP at this stage. He also rejected claims that he was not offered a proposal by the Jamaat-NCP alliance, saying such claims were incorrect.

CHATTOGRAM, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Navy held a two-day long 15th meeting of National Hydrographic Committee (NHC) at BNS Isa Khan here, with the aim of ensuring sustainable use of marine resources and conducting maritime activities in a safe, orderly and effective manner. Representatives of about 25 maritime and allied organizations, including various ministries, departments, government and autonomous institutions and maritime organizations related to hydrographic activities took part in the NHC meeting. The participants of the event visited the activities of the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Center of Bangladesh Navy and witnessed hydrographic activities at sea through the survey ship of the Navy, the release said. Hydrographic survey plays an important role in the safe navigation of seagoing vessels and the development of the maritime economy. In recognition of its significant contribution to international standard hydrographic activities, the Bangladesh Navy is serving as the Chairman of the North Indian Ocean Hydrographic Commission (NIOHC) for the 2025-2027 term, which is an important milestone for Bangladesh, the ISPR added.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this incredibly difficult time.”Crews including the Florida Highway Patrol responded to reports of a crash around 5:45 a.m. on U.S. 27 at an intersection with County Road 316 in Marion County, Fl., according to Orlando media reports. The reports said a motor home was traveling on U.S. 27 and a SUV was traveling on County Road 316 when the two collided at the intersection and the motorhome overturned as a result of the collision. Reports said the driver of the motor home had minor injuries, but the 13 other people inside the motor home had critical injuries and were transported to a local hospital. All fifteen people inside the motor home are reportedly from Clark County. Orlando media reports said nobody inside the motor home was wearing seat belts and the driver of the SUV was also transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

ABIDJAN, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Voting ended Saturday in Ivory Coast's parliamentary elections, a vote marked by poor turn-out following a boycott call by opposition parties. The election comes two months after 83-year-old Alassane Ouattara won a presidential ballot that extended his 14-year rule. Elections in Ivory Coast are often marred by political tensions or violence, and more than 40,000 security force personnel deployed for the presidential election in late October had been maintained for Saturday's polls. - Low turnout -Ouattara, who won a fourth term in the presidential election, cast his own ballot earlier in Saturday's legislative race. Eleven people died in violence around the presidential election and dozens of opposition supporters were detained, including one deputy.