Shipping Adviser Dr M Sakhawat Hossain spoke to reporters after inspecting the launch damaged in the accident at Sadarghat in the capital on Friday. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS)- Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain today said the government will provide Taka 1.5 lakh each to the families of the persons died in a lunch accident at Chandpur today. Among all the types of transport, the river route is the safest, yet any accident might happen,” he said. The shipping adviser said the real cause behind the incident could be known after investigation. “No launch will operate in fog at night and lights must be used if parked anywhere at night.

- Market worries -The expanding budget also arrives as the market worries about Takaichi's big spending policies adding to Japan's public debts. The 122-trillion-yen figure compares with the 115 trillion yen sought for the current fiscal year to March, which was also a record. Some observers have drawn comparisons to the United Kingdom's 2022 bond market turmoil under then-premier Liz Truss. The current size of the budget is unlikely to shock the bond market, Takahide Kiuchi, executive economist at Nomura Research Institute, wrote in a note before Friday. Kiuchi noted that, under Takaichi, the extra budget quickly ballooned, reaching $18 trillion yen.

Photo: BSSRANGPUR, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS) - Potato farmers in the Rangpur agricultural region have already exceeded the potato cultivation target by one percent as sowing continues this season with the expectation of an all-time record yield. Meanwhile, early varieties of potato have started to appear in local markets in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari districts of the region. "Farmers have already brought 105,600 hectares of land, higher by one percent against the fixed farming target, under potato cultivation," Additional Director of the DAE's Rangpur region, Agriculturist Md Shirajul Islam, told BSS. The DAE, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute and related agri-organizations are providing quality potato seeds and assistance to farmers to make the potato farming programme a success. Former president of Rangpur Chamber, Mustafa Sohrab Chowdhury Titu, emphasized the need to establish more agro-based industries for storage and export of potato products to ensure fair prices and encourage farmers to expand potato cultivation.

Photo: Chinese EmbassyDHAKA, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS) - Marking the golden jubilee of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations, the Chinese Literature Readers Club was formally launched in the capital today to strengthen literary and cultural exchanges between the two countries. Jointly organised by the China Writers Association and the Apon Friendship Exchange Center, the club aims to create a sustainable platform for cooperation among writers, researchers, publishers and readers of both countries. Speaking on the occasion, Yu Guangyue Anandi said China has a five-thousand-year old history and a rich literary heritage, adding that the club would allow Bangladeshi readers greater access to Chinese literature and help expand bilateral literary exchanges. In his remarks, Cultural Counsellor of Chinese Embassy Li Shaofeng said the establishment of the club was significant, as it would enable deeper dialogue among writers, researchers and readers of both nations. Li also stressed the importance of organising regular reading circles at the Chinese Book Corner of the National Library with participation from Bangladeshi writers, and assured continued cooperation with local writers and publishers working on Chinese literature.

Photo: BSSKURIGRAM, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS) - Life in Kurigram, a northern district of the country, has been brought to a near standstill by a severe cold snap. In char areas of Chilmari, Roumari, Rajibpur, Ulipur and Kurigram Sadar, children and the elderly are disproportionately affected by the lack of adequate warm clothing. Kobad Ali, a daily wage earner, from Borber Char in Kodalkati Union, separated by the Brahmaputra River in Char Rajibpur Upazila, expressed his despair. Locals criticise the insufficient distribution of winter clothes to the char areas, noting that government and private aid falls far short of the urgent need. However, for the hardworking residents of Kurigram's char areas, this winter is not just a battle against the cold, but a daily struggle for survival.

BGB deployed at key points to maintain law and orderPhoto: BSSDHAKA, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS) - To ensure law and order, a sufficient number of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been deployed at several important points along with the Dhaka-Aricha highway. The deployment covers strategic locations, including Zia Udyan and Savar National Memorial, said a BGB press release here today. Authorities said the move aims to maintain security, ensure smooth movement of traffic, and prevent any untoward incidents. Law enforcement agencies remain on alert, and security measures have been strengthened in the surrounding areas.

Ferry services on the Paturia-Daulatdia and Aricha-Kazirhat water routes were suspended due to dense fog, leaving more than 300 vehicles stranded at terminals. To prevent accidents, ferry operations on the Aricha-Kazirhat route were suspended. At the time, two ferries — Bir Shrestha Hamidur Rahman and Chitra — were stranded mid-river carrying passengers and vehicles, while two other ferries remained at Kazirhat ghat. Meanwhile, ferry services on the Paturia-Daulatdia route were suspended around 12:30am as fog density increased further. The official said ferry services would resume once visibility improves and fog conditions ease.

Ahead of the arrival of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, law enforcement agencies have imposed strict security measures at the National Memorial in Savar, Dhaka. Journalists were allowed inside the National Memorial until 9am, but after 9:30am, no one has been permitted entry. At present, they are positioned near the main gate of the National Memorial. Anwar Hossain Khan Anu, officer-in-charge of the National Memorial and Assistant Sub-Engineer of Savar Public Works Department, said public and visitor access has been closed since morning. The memorial will be reopened for visitors after Tarique Rahman departs.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP's) Dhaka North City unit has took massive initiatives to operate cleanup drives at "July 36 Expressway" (popularly known as the 300-feet road), used for its Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman's public address, in the Purbachal area of the capital. The multi-faceted cleanup initiative combines workers from the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), BNP activists, and 300 hired cleaning staff, who are diligently removing accumulated garbage and debris. Aminul Haque, convener of the Dhaka North BNP, is leading the cleanliness programme. Meanwhile, cleaning staff from the DNCC are also working actively to clean the garbage from the road. Furthermore, the BNP has decided to plant new trees to replace those damaged along the roadside due to the massive gathering of people for the public meeting.

A mild cold wave is sweeping through the districts of Jessore, Chuadanga, Gopalganj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, and Nilphamari, and it may continue on Saturday, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has indicated. This information was included in the 24-hour weather forecast issued from 9am on Friday. The forecast noted that the mild cold wave is currently affecting the seven districts mentioned above and may persist in some areas. From midnight to morning, moderate to dense fog is likely over river basins in some areas, while light to moderate fog may occur elsewhere across the country. Dense fog may temporarily disrupt air travel, inland water transport, and road communication.

Two separate fire incidents within a night have struck Rohingya refugee camps in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar, destroying a key health centre and several residential shelters. Early Friday morning, a fire broke out at a health centre in Block D of Camp 4, Madhurchhara, Rajapalong Union. No casualties have been reported, but the health centre was destroyed, including medical equipment and essential infrastructure. Mahmudul Hasan Siddiqui Rashed, health coordinator for Obat Helpers Bangladesh, said the centre was destroyed and the exact cause of the fire is still unknown. Separately, on Thursday night around 10pm, another fire in Block B of Kutupalong Registered Rohingya Camp destroyed at least five residential shelters.

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was found guilty Friday of abusing his power in the 1MDB graft scandal, which saw billions plundered from the now-defunct sovereign wealth fund. "The prosecution, I find, has thus proven its case against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt in respect of the first charge," Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah said, adding, "I therefore convict the accused of the first charge."

Ukraine's Zelensky says to meet Trump in 'near future'KYIV, Ukraine, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that he would soon meet US leader Donald Trump, as part of efforts to end the Russian invasion. "We have agreed on a meeting at the highest level -- with President Trump in the near future. The latest plan would freeze the frontline and remove a requirement for Kyiv to legally renounce its bid to join NATO, Zelensky said in a briefing Wednesday. Moscow has said it was "formulating its position" and declined to comment on the specifics of the latest plan. On Thursday Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said progress to end the war was "slow but regular."

Photo: BNP Media CellDHAKA, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS)- Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP's) Dhaka North City unit has took massive initiatives to operate cleanup drives at "July 36 Expressway" (popularly known as the 300-feet road), used for its Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman's public address, in the Purbachal area of the capital. The multi-faceted cleanup initiative combines workers from the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), BNP activists, and 300 hired cleaning staff, who are diligently removing accumulated garbage and debris. Aminul Haque, convener of the Dhaka North BNP, is leading the cleanliness programme. Meanwhile, cleaning staff from the DNCC are also working actively to clean the garbage from the road. Furthermore, the BNP has decided to plant new trees to replace those damaged along the roadside due to the massive gathering of people for the public meeting.

Narsingdi, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS) - Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested the General Secretary of the Narsingdi district unit of the Bangladesh Krishak League, an affiliate of the Awami League whose activities have been banned, on murder charges. Acting on a tip-off, DB personnel conducted a raid in the Sadar Upazila intersection area of the district town on Thursday and arrested him. He is accused in a murder case filed with Madhabdi Police Station in connection with the anti-discrimination movement.