QABATIYAH, Palestinian Territories, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Israeli forces imposed a lockdown on a Palestinian village in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, their second day of operations there after a local resident killed two people in Israel. Bilal Hunaisha, a resident of Qabatiya, south of Jenin in the northern West Bank, said the town "is being subjected to collective punishment by the Israeli occupation". In the attack on Friday a 34-year-old Palestinian man killed two people in northern Israel. A few hours later, the Israeli army and the Shin Bet domestic security agency began operating in Qabatiya. During the same period, violence has also surged in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.

Mane struck as Senegal came from behind to draw 1-1 with the Democratic Republic in Tangiers, a result that kept both former African champions on course for the second round. Osimhen was a constant menace to the Tunisians as he scored his second AFCON goal, and first since the opening round of the 2024 tournament. Much improved after a scrappy opening win over Tanzania, Nigeria lost momentum in the closing stages and Tunisia twice came close to equalising in added time. Defender Yohan Roche scored on 28 minutes to give Benin a first AFCON win after five draws and 10 losses in five appearances from their 2004 debut. Mbaye burst away from Arthur Masuaku, who appeared to injure himself going to tackle, and then saw his shot blocked by Lionel Mpasi, but Mane was on hand to score his 10th AFCON goal.

How company bets on bitcoin can backfireLONDON, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The year-end plunge in cryptocurrencies has rattled companies that had bet heavily on bitcoin, sending share prices tumbling and reviving fears of a bubble. But problems can emerge if a company's share price falls -- for example, if a drop in the bitcoin price makes its business model less appealing. -Software company Strategy is the largest corporate holder of bitcoin, owning more than 671,000 coins, or about three percent of all the bitcoin that will ever exist. "Bitcoin is inherently volatile in both directions, and we view that volatility as the cost of long-term upside," Dylan LeClair, head of bitcoin strategy at Japan's Metaplanet, told AFP. He told AFP that falling prices are "a good opportunity because it allows you to buy more bitcoin cheaply."

DHAKA, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) - The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued a warning after a fraud syndicate was found using the name of the personal assistant to the NBR chairman to intimidate people and demand money. According to a cautionary notice, the group has been falsely identifying themselves as Md Kawsar, personal assistant to the NBR chairman, while contacting various individuals and resorting to threats and coercion to extort money. The NBR urged all its officials and employees to remain vigilant and refrain from responding to such fraudulent calls or demands. The revenue board emphasized that the chairman or his office has no involvement in such activities and warned that legal action would be taken against those involved in the scam. A general diary has been lodged with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station in this connection.

MELBOURNE, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Australia's Travis Head Sunday backed under-pressure opening partner Jake Weatherald to come good after an "extremely tough" start to his Test career in a wild Ashes series. Weatherald made his debut in the opening Test against England in Perth, the latest in a flurry of players looking to fill the giant hole left by David Warner calling it quits two years ago. The aggressive left-hander has scored 146 runs at 20.85 across eight innings so far, with almost half of that courtesy of his 72 at the second Test in Brisbane. "International cricket is extremely tough," Head told Australian media in Melbourne after they lost the fourth Test by four wickets. After the final Ashes match in Sydney, Australia's next Test series is not until the middle of 2026, when they host Bangladesh.

The South American country is the world's second-largest producer of lithium, a key component of EVs and other clean technologies, and has about 40 percent of the world's lithium reserves. The partnership between the firms will allow them to jointly ramp up the exploitation of lithium in the Atacama salt flat region of northern Chile. The new company "will carry out lithium exploration, extraction, production, and commercialization activities in the Atacama salt flat until 2060," Codelco said in a statement. The partnership aims to restore Chile's leadership in lithium production, a title it lost to Australia nearly a decade ago. The new company aims to increase production by about 300,000 tons per year in the Atacama salt flat.

MILAN, Italy, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Pierre Kalulu's fortunate goal helped Juventus to a 2-0 win at struggling Pisa in Serie A on Saturday and to within a point of leaders Inter Milan. Kalulu struck in the 73rd minute when Pisa defender Arturo Calabresi's attempted clearance from a Weston McKennie cross ricocheted off the Frenchman and into the net. Kenan Yildiz added a second in stoppage time as Pisa pressed for an equaliser, tapping home after good work from substitute Fabio Moretti. Pisa have just one win all season on their return to the top flight after a 34-year absence but twice hit the woodwork before Juventus took the lead. Parma won 1-0 at home to bottom side Fiorentina as Cagliari came from behind to beat Torino 2-1.

MELBOURNE, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Melbourne Cricket Ground head curator Matt Page said Sunday he was in a "state of shock" watching the carnage unfold during the two-day fourth Ashes Test which has left Cricket Australia facing millions of dollars in revenue shortfall. More than 90,000 fans were expected for day three and many more for days four and five. But with ticket sales having to be refunded, Cricket Australia faces another big financial hit after the Ashes series opener in Perth also ended within two days. "I've never been involved in a Test match like it and hopefully never involved in a Test match like that again. Greenberg said Cricket Australia would undertake an end-of-season review of the management of Test wickets, conceding that the financial deficits "sting".

Huda joined the Bangladesh police in 1970 and served as inspector general from Jun 7, 2000, to Nov 6, 2001. On whether a peaceful election could be held given the current law and order situation, Huda said he believed it could. The discussion also turned to the attacks on various institutions on the night of Dec 18. That may be why intelligence is not arriving on time, or why swift action is not taken even when it does. If reliable intelligence is gathered quickly and action is taken on that basis, controlling the situation is not particularly difficult."

Zelensky looks to close out Ukraine peace deal at Trump meetPALM BEACH, United States, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will sit down Sunday with Donald Trump and seek to secure the US president's stamp of approval for a new proposal to end the nearly four-year conflict with Russia. Russia has accused Ukraine and its European backers of trying to "torpedo" a previous US-brokered plan to stop the fighting. Trump has made ending the Ukraine and Gaza wars the centerpiece of his self-proclaimed second term as a "president of peace." - Security guarantees -In Canada, Zelensky told reporters that security guarantees would be a key focus of the talks in Florida. Ukraine insists it needs more European and US support in terms of funding and weaponry -- especially drones.

CONAKRY, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Guinean security forces neutralised an armed group in the capital they said had "subversive intentions threatening national security", according to an official statement, a day before the country holds elections. The west African country's presidential election is set to take place on Sunday with nine candidates participating, including junta leader General Mamady Doumbouya. Since its 1958 independence, Guinea has had a complex history of military and authoritarian rule. Guinea is rich in minerals, but more than half of its inhabitants live below the poverty line, according to World Bank figures for 2024. Sunday's election is intended to conclude a four-year transition period since the military seized power in September 2021.

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing said Sunday the country's elections are "free and fair", despite being run by the military which seized power in a coup five years ago. "We guarantee it to be a free and fair election," he told reporters after casting his ballot in the capital Naypyidaw. "Its reputation is not tarnished because it's being held by the military."

Thailand and Cambodia agree to 'immediate' ceasefireCollected photoBANGKOK, Dec 27, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an "immediate" ceasefire on Saturday, the two countries said in a joint statement, pledging to end border clashes that killed dozens of people. Cambodia and Thailand agreed to the ceasefire that took effect at 12 pm (0500 GMT), said the statement signed by the Southeast Asian neighbours' defence ministers at a border checkpoint on the Thai side. "The EU welcomes the ceasefire agreement signed by Cambodia and Thailand and calls on both sides to implement it in good faith," he said in a post on X. Trump witnessed the signing of an expanded agreement between Thailand and Cambodia in October, but it was broken within months. Cambodia accused Thailand on Friday of intensifying its bombardment of disputed border areas, and Thai media reported Cambodian attacks overnight.

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Photo : BSSRANGPUR, Dec 27, 2025 (BSS) - Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) Inqilab Manch today held a sit-in programme demanding justice for the assassination of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi, a frontline fighter of the July Uprising. Inqilab Manch leaders, general students and activists took a stand at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed Memorial Square in the city's Park intersection area in frnt of the university this afternoon. Speakers from the programme demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the assassination of Osman Hadi, including the mastermind. Osman Hadi's murderers have taken up residence in India. BRUR Inqilab Manch convener Zahid Hasan Joy said the longer the government delays, the more the sound of its fall will spread.