Sylhet adds Azmatullah Omarzai to bolster its strength in BPLDHAKA, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) - Afghanistan allrounder Afghanistan Omarzai joinsSylhet Titans to bolster its strength further. In a video message posted in Sylhet official facebook page today, Omarzaisaid, "I am proud to announce that I will play for Sylhet in the ongoingBPL." The 25-year-old Omarzai is a seasoned cricketer in franchise cricket, havingalready played in renowned tournaments like IPL, Big Bash, SA T20, ILT20, PSLand others. He has scored 1844 runs with the strike rate of 133.52 and took 149 wicketsat an economy rate of 8.36 in 159 T20 matches so far. Sylhet had played two matches in BPL and won one.

File photoKISHOREGANJ, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) - The lowest temperature in the country today was recorded in Nikli upazila of Kishoreganj district, where the mercury dropped to 9.8 degrees Celsius in the morning. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Nikli registered the lowest temperature nationwide on Sunday. Officer-in-Charge of the Nikli Meteorological Office Jahidul Islam Masum said the intensity of winter may increase slightly from tomorrow. He added that a mild cold wave is currently sweeping over the Kishoreganj district. The Meteorological Department also forecast that the intolerable cold is like to continue during next several days.

The Election Commission has approved the inclusion of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in the country’s voter list ahead of the national election and referendum scheduled for February 12, 2026. “The inclusion of Tarique Rahman in the voter list has been approved by the Election Commission,” said EC Director (Public Relation) Ruhul Amin Mallik on Sunday afternoon. Earlier on Saturday, Tarique Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman completed the necessary process for National Identity Card (NID) registration and voter enlistment. Tarique Rahman and Zaima Rahman were registered as voters in the Dhaka-17 constituency under DNCC Ward No. On December 25, Tarique Rahman, along with Zubaida Rahman and Zaima Rahman, returned to Bangladesh after nearly 17 years abroad.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have joined the Jamaat-led eight-party alliance. With this development, the alliance has now emerged as a ten-party coalition. The announcement was made on Sunday at a press conference held at the National Press Club by Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman. The Jamaat Ameer said he had spoken with NCP Convener Nahid Islam a short while earlier, adding that the NCP would make its formal announcement by tonight. Leaders of other parties were also present at the press conference.

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs may refuse a student visa application if an applicant fails to provide biometric information when requested. The Australian High Commission in Dhaka said that applicants for an Australian student visa may be asked to provide biometrics. It is important to understand that if a student visa application is lodged from outside Australia and biometrics are required the applicant must complete the biometric process at an Australian Biometric Collection Centre before travelling to Australia, the statement added. If biometrics are not completed while the applicant is overseas they may be required to leave Australia again in order to do so. The High Commission further said that if an applicant is requested to provide biometrics and fails to comply the student visa application may be refused due to non-completion of biometric requirements.

The government has cancelled the certificates of 71 fake freedom fighters. A gazette notification was issued on December 24 in this regard. Earlier, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs issued an official notification in this regard. According to the notification, the certificate of the fake FFs was cancelled under Section 6(ga) of the National Freedom Fighters Council Act, 2022 and the powers granted in Schedule-1 (Allocation of Business) of the Rules of Business, 1996, following a decision taken at the 101st meeting of the National Freedom Fighters Council (Jamuka). Those whose certificates were cancelled include those listed under civilian, Indian list, Lal Mukti Barta, Ansar force, Bangladesh Army and martyred police force categories.

Bangladesh has expressed deep concern over recent incidents of violence and killings involving minority communities in India, urging the authorities there to carry out impartial investigations and bring those responsible to justice. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson SM Mahbubul Alam conveyed the concern on Sunday. He said reports of brutal killings, mob violence, arbitrary detentions and disruptions of religious ceremonies targeting minorities, including Muslims and Christians, in different parts of India were alarming. The spokesperson also expressed concern over what he described as widespread violence against Christians during Christmas celebrations across India last week, calling the incidents hate crimes and acts of targeted violence. “We expect the relevant authorities in India to conduct impartial investigations into these incidents and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice,” he said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday rejected recent comments made by the spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs regarding the situation of minority communities in Bangladesh, saying the remarks do not reflect the ground reality. In a statement, the foreign ministry said its attention had been drawn to the comments, which it described as false, exaggerated and misleading. Bangladesh categorically rejects any narrative that misrepresents the country’s long-standing tradition of communal harmony, it added. Calling for restraint, the foreign ministry urged various quarters in India to refrain from spreading misleading narratives that undermine good neighbourly relations and mutual trust. According to the government, it stemmed from a violent situation linked to extortion and criminal activities.

DHAKA, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh pacer Mehedi Hasan Rana became the ninth bowler to claim a hat-trick in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 tournament. Playing for Noakhali Express, the pacer achieved the feat against Sylhet Titans on Saturday at the SylhetInternational Cricket Stadium. Mehedi Rana, however, is the fifth Bangladesh bowler to enter into the exclusive club, which was opened by Pakistan first bowler Mohammad Sami in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2012. Pacer Al-Amin Hossain was the first Bangladesh bowler to claim a BPL hat-trick in 2015. Moeen Ali (England)- Comilla Victorians vs Chattogram Challengers 2024Mehedi Hasan Rana (Bangladesh)—Noakhali Express vs Sylhet Titans 2025

General Daily Insight for December 28, 2025 Today invites honest, gentle self-reflection. We have the strength to handle this — especially once the emotional Moon conjoins comforting Chiron at 6:26 PM EST. Taurus April 20 – May 20 Quiet energy permeates your current mindset. Cancer June 21 – July 22 Certain priorities may need handling before you can find clarity on anything else. Partnerships need kindness as the moody Moon supports Chiron within your 7th House of One-on-One Relationships, encouraging adjustments that respect dignity.

DHAKA, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) - As many as seven Pakistan players who were signed by different franchisees of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) were named in Pakistan’s squad for the next month’s three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka. However, the seven players are expected to remain available for their respective BPL teams during the Sylhet phase, which concludes on January 2. But they will miss the Chattogram phase of BPL, which will run from January 5 to 12. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated that the squad features several new faces, as some senior players were allowed to participate in the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia. Senior batsman Babar Azam and fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali will miss the Sri Lanka tour due to their commitments in Australia.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today visited a conserved shrimp farm at Gutudia Bardanga under Dumuria upazila, Khulna. Photo : BSSKHULNA, Dec 28, 2025(BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today said freshwater prawn (Galda) and tiger shrimp (Bagda), which are highly recognized and appreciated internationally, must be conserved and their production should be increased in a planned manner. She made the remarks at a view exchange meeting with the shrimp farmers after visiting a conserved shrimp farm at Gutudia Bardanga under Dumuria upazila here as chief guest. The adviser listened attentively to the problems and proposals raised by the shrimp farmers and instructed the concerned departments to provide necessary support and coordination to address those issues. In addition, the adviser later visited the Buffalo Breeding and Development Farm at Kabirhat in Bagerhat district.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) – Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman today said that National Citizen Party (NCP) and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have joined its electoral alliance, expanding the alliance to 10 political parties. Dr Shafiqur Rahman made the announcement at a press conference held at the National Press Club in the capital this afternoon. They are the National Citizen Party (NCP) and the Liberal Democratic Party led by Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed,” the Jamaat Amir said. Following the post-uprising political developments, Jamaat-e-Islami earlier formed an electoral understanding with six parties—Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party and Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (JAGPA)—to field single candidates in all constituencies. With the inclusion of NCP and LDP, the total number of parties in the Jamaat-led alliance has now risen to 10.

DHAKA, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) – A court here today sent Kabir Hossain, a close aide to Foysal Karim Masud, the prime accused in the case filed over the murder of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, to jail. Earlier, on December 16, the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Hasibuzzaman placed Kabir on a seven-day remand. On December 20, the court ordered the inclusion of Section 302 (murder) of the Penal Code in the case, which was initially filed as an attempted murder, following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi on December 18. Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent parliamentary candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, was shot on December 12 in the capital’s Bijoynagar Box Culvert area. Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Zaber filed the case with Paltan Model Police Station on December 14.

The ‘Voter Gari’, a mobile campaign initiative, arrived in Natore district. Photo: BSSNATORE, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) - The ‘Voter Gari’, a mobile campaign initiative aimed at raising public awareness ahead of the upcoming referendum and national elections, has arrived in Natore district. Documentary film screenings through the ‘Voter Gari’ began on Saturday in the district under the theme of “The key to the country is in your hands” and will continue till Monday. As part of this campaign, exhibitions and film screenings were held on Sunday at Biprabelgharia and Madhnagar areas of Naldanga upazila in Natore. According to Rajshahi Divisional Monitoring Supervisor of ‘Voter Gari’, Md.