Today is the last Best Day of 2025 for anything important you want to kick off. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): It’s a great blessing when family are also friends and friends become family, may you receive this gift in your life. CANCER (June 21-July 22): It’s easier to show up and put out the effort when you feel seen and appreciated. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): When you’ve got both the grace and the high energy, a good impression isn’t hard to make. Step by step, keep going, keep building your best life.

DHAKA, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS)- Election Commission (EC) in a letter sent to all returning officers today informed that it is not mandatory to provide income tax-related information of a candidate’s spouse and dependents, including children, in the nomination paper for the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad election. In the letter issued to clarify some issues of nomination forms, the EC said from now on, providing income tax information of the spouse, children and dependents in the section titled “Details of submission of income tax returns” under serial number 10 of the affidavit of the nomination form will be considered optional.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhter Hossain. File PhotoDHAKA, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) – Two separate courts today granted bail to National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhter Hossen in two cases filed with Shahbagh Police Station over allegations of obstructing police in discharging their duties and attempt to murder. Earlier, Akhter surrendered before the courts of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrates Awlad Hossain Mohammad Zunayed and Jashita Islam and sought bail in the cases. Police filed the two cases in 2021 in connection with protests against the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh. Later, police submitted charge sheets in the cases.

DHAKA, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS)- The Election Commission (EC) has approved the inclusion of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in the voter list. Director (Public Relations) and Information Officer of the EC Secretariat Ruhul Amin Mallick confirmed it to BSS today. He said, "The Election Commission has approved the inclusion of Tarique Rahman in the voter list." Earlier, on Saturday, Tarique Rahman completed all necessary procedures for voter registration and the issuance of a National Identity Card (NID) at the Election Commission. "BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman have completed the process by filling out and submitting the voter registration forms."

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today attended a meeting of the National Cyber Security Council at the State Guest House Jamuna. Photo : Chief Adviser’s Press WingDHAKA, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) – Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today directed the National Cyber Security Agency to ensure all types of cyber security ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections and the referendum. He said, "Organisations, including cyber security agencies, that will adopt cyber security measures have to regularly update their software and hardware. He stressed on coordination between the National Cyber Security Agency and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to prevent rumours, misinformation, disinformation and other cybercrimes centering the upcoming elections. Following the promulgation of the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025 on May 21 this year, the National Cyber Security Council was formed on August 26 to ensure cyber security for state institutions and citizens under the amended ordinance.

Education Adviser Professor Dr Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar today inaugurated the programme titled "Uploading Soft Copies of Textbooks for the 2026 Academic Year on the Website" in the capital. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) – Education Adviser Professor Dr Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar today said the government has made every effort to provide quality and accurate textbooks to students. The education adviser said the Ministry of Education and the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) held several meetings on ensuring the accuracy and quality of textbooks for students. The education adviser said that despite pressure from various interest groups, the government did not back down from its commitment to providing accurate and quality textbooks. The education adviser said that although there were proposals for printing abroad or adopting a direct purchase method, trust was placed in domestic printers.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) - Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), for the first time, has brought 2,467 cleaners under health insurance coverage. The DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz inaugurated the health insurance coverage programme at the Nagar Bhaban today. “I think there should be health insurance for cleaners in all government and private offices. Beneficiaries under the health insurance coverage will be able to receive medical services at half the cost at more than 400 private clinics in the capital, he said. Sajeda Foundation and Reckitt Bangladesh (Harpic) will bear the insurance premium for 1,000 people, while the DNCC will provide the insurance premium for 1,467 people.

A state-of-the-art In Vitro Culture and Genome Editing facility was inaugurated at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). Photo: BSSMYMENSINGH, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) onSunday inaugurated a state-of-the-art 'In Vitro Culture and Genome Editing'clean laboratory, marking a new milestone in advanced research on heredityand genetics of livestock. The laboratory was inaugurated at 11.00 am at the initiative of theDepartment of Animal Breeding and Genetics. The inauguration ceremony was moderated by Professor Dr Md Monir Hossain,head of the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Among others StudentAffairs Adviser Prof Dr Md Shahidul Haque, Dean of the Faculty of AnimalHusbandry Prof Md Ruhul Amin, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine ProfDr Md Bahanur Rahman, Convener of the Provost Council Prof Md Ruhul Amin andProctor Prof Dr Md Abdul Alim, along with teachers, researchers andpostgraduate students from various faculties were present.

It is a collected photo of Brigitte BardotPARIS, France, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - French film legend Brigitte Bardot, acinema icon of the 1950s and sixties who walked away from global stardom tobecome an animal rights protector, has died aged 91, her foundation saidSunday. Bardot had rarely been seen in public in recent months but was hospitalisedin October and in November released a statement denying rumours that she haddied. "The Brigitte Bardot Foundation announces with immense sadness the death ofits founder and president, Madame Brigitte Bardot, a world-renowned actressand singer, who chose to abandon her prestigious career to dedicate her lifeand energy to animal welfare and her foundation," it said in a statement sentto AFP. Bardot became a global star after appearing in "And God created Woman" in1956, and went on to appear in about 50 more movies before giving up acting. She retired from film to settle permanently near the Riviera resort of Saint-Tropez where she devoted herself to fighting for animals.

BELGRADE, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - A 470-kilogram (1,000-pound) World War IIaerial bomb was safely removed on Sunday from a construction site in acentral district of Serbia's capital, Belgrade, police said. The US-made AN-M44 bomb was used during Allied air raids on German positionsduring the liberation of Belgrade from Nazi occupation in 1944. Several unexploded bombs dating back to past wars have been discovered inSerbia in recent years, all of which were safely removed without detonating. In September 2024, a century-old artillery shell weighing nearly 300kilograms (660 pounds) was cleared from a construction site near the Serbianparliament in Belgrade. In 2021, a 242-kilogram (530-pound) World War II bomb was also removed from aconstruction site in a Belgrade suburb.

Photo: BSSRAJSHAHI, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS)- Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), in ananti-crime drive, recovered a number of firearms and ammunition from a remotevillage of the district in the early hours of today. On a tip-off, a team of the elite force conducted a drive at Chuniaparavillage under Tanore upazila from 00.30am to 1.40am, said a RAB press releasehere this afternoon. The team recovered a foreign-made pistol, two empty magazines, five rounds ofpistol-bullets, 12 shotgun-bullets and four pipe guns, it said. However, none could be arrested in this connection, the release added.

Photo : BSSRAJSHAHI, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS)- Speakers at a meeting here today unanimously said integrated efforts of all the government, non-government and volunteer organisations concerned can be the crucial means of establishing tobacco-free society for sound public health. They also mentioned community role is of essence to build tobacco-free Rajshahi city, urging all to come forward and work together to attain the cherished goal. Imposing restrictions on smoking in public places and transports is very important for protecting many non-smokers from various non-communicable diseases caused by smoking. Shahnaz Parveen called for a proper enforcement of the revised tobacco control law to free the public health from various non-contagious diseases caused by tobacco use. She said frequent and indiscriminate smoking in public places affects the non-smokers more than that of the direct smokers.

Photo: CollectedYANGON, Myanmar, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Polls closed in the first round of Myanmar's junta-run elections on Sunday, an AFP journalist saw, ending the opening phase of a month-long vote democracy watchdogs describe as a ploy to rebrand military rule. An AFP journalist saw a polling station put out a final call for voters over loudspeakers before closing at 4:00 pm (1030 GMT) in downtown Yangon, near the site of huge pro-democracy protests in 2021 after the military seized power in a coup.

Photo : BSSBARISHAL, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) - Public life in Barishal district has been severely disrupted as a bitter cold spell accompanied by icy winds continues to grip the region, causing immense hardship for low-income and working-class people. According to the district meteorological office, the lowest temperature recorded on Sunday was 13.4 degrees Celsius, while Saturday saw the season’s lowest temperature at 12.4 degrees Celsius. Similarly, Liton, a rickshaw puller from Sadar road, said strong winds and extreme cold have made driving exhausting, while passengers are scarce. Pranab Kumar Roy, an observer at the district meteorological office, said that the lowest temperature of the season was recorded at 12.4 degrees Celsius, with the day’s highest temperature reaching 25.5 degrees Celsius. Meteorological officials forecasted that cold conditions may persist over the next few days, urging residents, especially vulnerable groups, to take necessary precautions.

Joint Convener of NationalCitizen Party, Tajnuva Jabeen. Photo :CollectedDHAKA, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) - Tajnuva Jabeen, Joint Convener of NationalCitizen Party (NCP) , today resigned and announced that she will not contest the upcoming national parliamentary election. She alleged that although nominations were initially invited nationwide,later seat-sharing decisions restricted candidates from contesting independently, leaving many without the opportunity to run in the election. Tajnuva said she has resigned from all party posts and will not take part in the general election. Despite stepping away from the party, she said she would continue to work fordemocratic change and political reform in the country.