Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain.File PhotoDHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossaintoday said communal harmony and peaceful coexistence are essentialprerequisites for sustainable development and building a progressive society. "Alongside the temple-based child and mass education project, the mosque-based child and mass education project is providing both moral and moderneducation to children," he added. Chaired by NAPD Director General (Senior Secretary) Siddiq Zobair, it wasalso addressed by NAPD Additional Director General Saima Afroz and DeputyDirector and Course Director Abeda Sultana. Temple-based child and mass education project is being implemented at a costof Taka 365 crore with government funding. Under the project, pre-primary,adult and child education centres are being operated at 7,400 temples acrossthe country.

One held, arms, ammo and equipment for crackers recovered in cityDHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - Police, in a drive, today arrested an individualand recovered a foreign-made pistol, three rounds of bullet, fireworks,crackers, gunpowder and various cocktail making equipment from the city'sAdabar area. The arrested was Himon Rahman Sikder, 32, according to a press release issuedby the media and public relations division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police(DMP). Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman issued the release saying thatpolice arrested Himon after conducting a raid at a residential hotel underAdabar Police Station at about 2:00 pm today. Based on confidential information from the Intelligence and Analysis Division(IAD), police conducted the operation at Baitul Aman Housing area underAdabar Police Station in the capital and recovered a foreign-made pistol,three rounds of ammunition, fireworks, crackers, gunpowder and cocktailmaking equipment. During the preliminary interrogation, Himon and his associate were planningto carry out sabotage activities, according to Adabor police.

Photo: BSSRAJSHAHI, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - A month-long NASCIB Entrepreneurs Fair-2025 began in Rajshahi on Wednesday with a call to boost the economic condition of the region through increased promotion of its industrial sector. NASCIB District unit president Shafiqul Islam opened the fair through balloons and festoons and addressed the opening ceremony as the chief guest. Shafiqul Islam said the present interim government has been ensuring a business-friendly atmosphere to encourage local entrepreneurs to revitalize the sector. He said that handlooms and cottage goods symbolised the true craftsmanship of the Bangladeshi artisans. The fair will remain open from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm every day until January 20, 2026.

Youth festival held in Rajbari thru various competitionsPhoto: BSSRAJBARI, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - Youth Festival 2025 was held in the districtthrough different competitions like debate, quiz, and painting. Local administration organised the festival at district Shilpakala Academyyesterday while Deputy Director of Local Government Department of Rajbari DrMd Mahmudul Haque addressed the function as the chief guest. Additional Deputy Commissioners Md Tarif-ul-Hasan, Shankar Chandra Boidya,District Primary Education Officer Tabibar Rahman, District ShilpakalaAcademy Officer Md Mahmudur Rahman were also present. The speakers said that educational and cultural activities play an importantrole in developing the creativity and latent talent of the youth. Later, prizes were distributed among 12 winners of various competitions.

Thompson, David J. Born on December 24, 1943 in Harrisburg, PA to Jane and Richard Thompson, the family relocated to the Rochester NY area when David was a toddler. in 1962, David entered the U.S. Navy where he served 2 years Active and 4 years Reserve. In 2014 he and wife Joan moved to The Villages, Florida after travelling all over the U.S. and Canada in their RV. David was a charter member of the Webster Area Firemen’s Exempts and a charter member of the Rochester Area SPAMFAA, a national organization for the preservation of antique fire apparatus in America.

Shirley Kay McDowell went to be with the Lord on November 21, 2025, in The Villages, Florida. Shirley began her career as a registered nurse, a role that cultivated the compassion she carried throughout her life. The loss of her middle son, Chance Corey Owen McDowell, transformed her, but not in the way grief often does. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, W.F Ham and Eva (Richards) Shiveline; her beloved husband, Paul McDowell; her sister, Linda Lockhart; her niece, Dhana Lockhart; and her son, Chance McDowell. She is survived by her sister Judy (Bob) Hoopfer, sons Dodd (Jill) McDowell and Colt (Jessica) McDowell; her daughter-in-law, Raquel McDowell; and her grandchildren Brooks (Ashley) McDowell, Morgan (Kevin) Kennel, Riley Kay McDowell, Bella McDowell, and Taylor McDowell, all of The Villages, Florida.

THE VILLAGE, FL - William "Bill" McCarty, 78, died in The Villages, Florida at Cornerstone Hospice on November 7, 2025, surrounded by his family. Bill was born in Delaware, Ohio on April 20,1947 to Edith (Bolen) and Eugene "Buck" McCarty. Also surviving are his daughter Alissa (Kenneth Schmidt) McCarty, stepson, Justin Krock (Holly), brother Jack (Marge) McCarty, niece Melissa (Ralph) Lowry, brother-in-law Paul Max Stoner, and grandchildren. Bill loved spending time with his wife on what they called "Bill and Bev's Excellent Adventures", which included golfing, antiquing, attending festivals, and camping. He will be gravely missed by his wife, family and friends.

Hadi Murder: court grants 5-day remand to Raju to help to flee FaisalPhoto : BSSDHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS)- A court here today granted a five-day remand toAminul Islam Razu, 37, who reportedly helped prime accused of Sharif OsmanHadi Faisal Karim Masud alias Daud, 37, in the Sharif Osman Hadi murder case,to flee from the country through bordering area. Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate in the 13th National Electionfrom Dhaka-8 constituency and convener of the Inqilab Moncho, succumbed tobullet injury at a health facility in Singapore on December 18. Inspector Faisal Ahmed of the Detective Branch (DB) of Police and also theInvestigation Officer (IO) of the case produced Raju before the ChiefMetropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court and prayed for granting a 10-day remand. After the hearing, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) ofDhaka Awlad Hossain Mohammad Junaid granted a five-day remand for Razu'sinterrogation. On December 12, at about 2:20 pm, miscreants shot Osman Hadi at Box CulvertRoad under Paltan Police Station and fled the scene.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam spoke at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy today. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - Citing that Awami League's (AL) activities remains banned in the country, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today said AL could not take part in the upcoming elections slated for February 12 next year. The press secretary made the remarks responding to a question from a journalist at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy here this afternoon. Regarding a letter from five US lawmakers to the Chief Adviser "Expressing concern over the ban on a political party's activities", Shafiqul Alam said he was not aware of any such letter. Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahmmad was present at the briefing.

President Md Sahabuddin. File PhotoDHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - President Md Sahabuddin today extended his heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the Christian community on the occasion of Christmas Day, the greatest religious festival of Christians. In a message on the eve of the day, the President said Christmas, the birthday of the great Jesus Christ, is the biggest religious festival of the Christian community. He said, “Jesus Christ was a seeker of truth, a messenger of salvation for mankind and a guide of light. He wished for peace, prosperity and well-being of all members of the Christian community.

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Jair Bolsonaro. Photo: CollectedBRASÍLIA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro, imprisoned for attempting a coup, was temporarily released Wednesday to undergo surgery in the capital Brasilia, a source at the clinic told AFP. AFP journalists saw a convoy of black cars escorted by motorcycles enter the parking garage of the DF Star hospital ahead of Bolsonaro's surgery Thursday.

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Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today exchanged Christmas greetings with representatives of the Christian community at the State Guest House Jamuna. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) – Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today exchanged Christmas greetings with representatives of the Christian community at the State Guest House Jamuna here on the occasion of Christmas. In their welcome address, Christian leaders highlighted Professor Muhammad Yunus’s global reputation and his role in improving the country’s economy and overall situation. On the occasion, leaders of the Christian Religious Welfare Trust specially thanked the interim government for granting Taka 2.5 crore to the trust on the occasion of Christmas. Later, the Chief Adviser cut a cake together with representatives of the Christian community to mark Christmas.

The interim government has approved the final draft of the Bangladesh Telecommunications (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, paving the way for the dissolution of the National Telecommunications Monitoring Centre (NTMC). The amendment explicitly says internet and telecommunications services cannot be shut down under any circumstances, addressing longstanding concerns over arbitrary service disruptions. The draft amendment was approved on Wednesday at a meeting of the Advisory Council, according to a media statement issued by the Chief Advisor’s Office. Under the amendment, the NTMC will be replaced by a new body, the Centre for Information Support (CIS). The CIS will be authorised to conduct interception and monitoring activities only with prior approval from a semi-judicial council, strengthening legal safeguards and institutional oversight.