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.

LAKSHMIPUR, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) - Nomination paper was collected on behalf of former Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam as an independent candidate from Lakshmipur-1 (Ramganj) constituency for the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections, slated for February 12, 2026. The nomination paper was collected on Sunday from Ramganj Upazila Election Officer and Returning Officer Obaidur Rahman. Meanwhile, Mahfuj Alam's elder brother, Mahbub Alam Mahir, joint convener of the central NCP, also collected nomination papers from the same constituency. So far, a total of 16 candidates have collected nomination papers to contest the election from Lakshmipur-1. Among them are Shahadat Hossain Selim, who recently joined the BNP after dissolving the BLDP and Harun Or Rashid, joint convener of Dhaka South City BNP and former commissioner of Motijheel Ward.

The National Citizen Party (NCP), formed by a group of youth leaders who spearheaded the July uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina’s long rule, has formally allied with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. Party Convener Nahid Islam confirmed the alliance around 8pm on Sunday at a press briefing held at the party’s makeshift office in Banglamotor in the capital. Earlier Sunday, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqul Islam announced the alliance at a press briefing at the National Press Club. Announcing the decision, Shafiqul said: “Their convener, Nahid Islam, spoke to us directly. He informed us of their decision.”With the alliance, speculation over whether the NCP would position itself as a centrist political force appears to have been settled ahead of the party’s first national election.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Sunday that the trial of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi’s murder would be completed during the tenure of the current interim government. “I want to assure you that the trial of Hadi’s murder will be completed during the term of the current interim government, InshaAllah,” he told the media after a meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order at the Secretariat. The adviser said the interim government is determined to ensure justice in the murder of Hadi, a frontline fighter of the July uprising. The adviser said law enforcement agencies are continuing efforts to identify those behind the murder. He urged everyone not to do anything that may strengthen our enemies or hinder the trial process of Hadi’s murder.

The residents of the border areas of Ukhiya and Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar were panic-stricken by loud shelling sounds overnight as fighting continued between the Arakan Army and Myanmar’s junta forces in Maungdaw, Rakhine State. Residents living along the Bangladesh–Myanmar border reported hearing repeated explosions throughout the night, triggering widespread panic. The information was confirmed on Sunday morning after speaking with residents in the border areas of Ukhiya and Teknaf. Palongkhali Union Parishad Chairman Gafuruddin Chowdhury said border residents were living in fear as shelling sounds were heard again after a long gap. Whykong Union Parishad Ward No 2 member Sirajul Mostafa Lalu said sudden explosion-like sounds caused panic among border residents, many of whom spent the night awake.

Police have arrested Sabina Yasmin, a female leader of Awami League and president of Solia Bakpur Union Mahila Awami League in Banaripara, in connection with 10 criminal cases, including the murder of her husband. Banaripara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mojibur Rahman said Yasmin was taken into custody from her residence on Saturday night following a secret tip-off. Sabina Yasmin, who contested the 2024 upazila vice chairman election with Awami League backing but was defeated, was previously known as a close associate of former Chief Whip Abul Hasanat Abdullah and Barisal District Awami League General Secretary Talukder Md Yunus. Local sources said she actively participated in all Banaripara Upazila Awami League programs. She was previously out on bail in the case filed over the death of her ailing husband, businessman Salam Golandaz.

Content creator Ashraful Alam, popularly known as Hero Alam, formally joined Aam Janatar Dal on Sunday. Aam Janatar Dal Member Secretary Tarek Rahman handed over the party membership form to Hero Alam at a program held in the evening, welcoming him to the party. Speaking on the occasion, Hero Alam said he had held discussions with several political parties before deciding to join Aam Janatar Dal, citing alignment in views and political direction. He said he plans to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections under the party’s banner instead of running as an independent candidate. Earlier, Hero Alam contested elections as an independent candidate from the Bogra-4 and Dhaka-17 constituencies but was defeated.

On Sunday night, he shared his political position in a Facebook post. My Political PositionJatiya Nagorik Committee and NCP were organized under the leadership of the forefront of the July Movement. I have spoken on many issues, such as a new political-economic settlement, cultural struggle against fascism, combating social fascism, reconciliation, and building a society of responsibility and care. I have made every effort to position NCP independently under a broad July umbrella. A new political-economic settlement is possible and realistic.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) yesterday said the prime accused in the murder of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, along with an accomplice, fled to India with assistance from two Indian nationals. DMP has claimed that Meghalaya Police have arrested the two Indian citizens for their role in facilitating the escape. However, India’s Meghalaya Police and the Border Security Force (BSF) have rejected the claims that the two main suspects in the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi fled to India and that two of their alleged abetters were arrested across the border. According to the Hindustan Times report, Indian authorities said no evidence has been found to support the claim that the suspects were in India. They later fled the area in a vehicle driven by Sami.

A fire broke out at a Rohingya camp in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar on Sunday. The incident occurred around 10:30pm on Sunday at Rohingya camps numbers 24–25 in Leda and Alikhali areas of Hnila Union. Mohammad Alam, president of the Leda Development Management Committee in Teknaf, told Dhaka Tribune: “Preliminary reports suggest the fire started in the house of camp resident Fatema Akter due to a phone charger explosion. The fire service is also working on it.”Syed Alam, a resident of Leda Rohingya Camp, said: “Suddenly, fire broke out in several houses in the camp. The fire is still not under control.”Another camp resident, Nur Akm Md.

“My children are shivering from cold and fear... But despite the truce, Gazans still face a severe humanitarian crisis, and most of those displaced by the war have been left with little or nothing. Living in tents means we die from the cold in the rain and from the heat in the summer,” said Umm Rami Bulbul. Of more than 3,00,000 tents requested to shelter displaced people, “we have received only 60,000”, Shawa told AFP, pointing to Israeli restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid into the territory. Earlier this month, Gaza experienced a similar spell of heavy rain and cold.