DHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has taken extensive nationwide security measures to ensure the peaceful celebration of Christmas tomorrow. The force has deployed additional forces, enhanced intelligence surveillance, and strengthened patrols across metropolitan cities, districts and upazilas from December 23 last, said a press release of the force. RAB is also monitoring cyberspace round the clock to prevent rumors and communal provocation, ensuring legal action against offenders. CCTV surveillance, volunteer support, and preventive measures against harassment of women have been reinforced. Special security arrangements are in place for foreign diplomats, VIPs, and Christian community leaders, along with protection of key national installations.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Rumin Farhana has collected nomination papers for Brahmanbaria-2 to contest the parliamentary polls as an independent candidate. The seat has been ceded by her party to its alliance partner Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh. Sarail Upazila Jubo Dal’s former organising secretary Ali Hossain collected the nomination papers from the office of the Upazila administrator on behalf of the former BNP lawmaker Rumin on Wednesday afternoon. Several hundred activists of the BNP and its affiliated organisations appeared in support of Rumin during the purchase of her nomination papers. In Brahmanbaria-2, Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam has nominated its central committee Joint Secretary General Junaid Al Habib as its candidate.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today chaired the weekly meeting of the Council of Advisers at his office in Dhaka. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - The Council of Advisers today gave final approval to the Bangladesh Telecommunication (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, introducing wide-ranging reforms aimed at improving service quality, strengthening regulation, and preventing misuse of surveillance power. The approval came from a regular weekly meeting of the Council with Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus in the chair at his office in Tejgaon . To ensure accountability, the amendment establishes a quasi-judicial council and parliamentary oversight mechanisms. The amendment had earlier received in-principle approval on November 20 and was subsequently reviewed by the Ministries of Home Affairs, Finance, and Planning before receiving final approval at today’s Advisory Council meeting.

Collected photoMOSCOW, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Two police officers were killed in an overnight explosion in Moscow when they tried to stop a suspicious person, Russia's Investigative Committee said in a statement Wednesday. The blast occurred close to the site where a Russian general was killed earlier this week. The blast took place near where Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov was killed on Monday by an explosive device that had been placed under his parked car. Sarvarov had been the head of the Russian General Staff's training department. In a statement, the GUR source said the attack was carried out by a "local resident" and did not claim to have been involved.

According to the plan, Tarique Rahman will depart London’s Heathrow Airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman. To minimise public inconvenience and traffic congestion in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman alone will speak at the reception, said Salahuddin. On Friday, following the Jummah prayers, Tarique Rahman will visit the grave of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman. On Saturday, Tarique Rahman will be formally registered as a voter. Tarique Rahman was arrested during the caretaker government in 2007 and spent around 18 months in prison.

Collected photoLONDON, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is relishing the prospect of knocking former club Chelsea out of the League Cup following his key role in a penalty shootout win over Crystal Palace. The Gunners went through to the semi-finals on Tuesday after Kepa saved Maxence Lacroix's spot-kick in a dramatic 8-7 shootout success following a 1-1 draw with Palace at the Emirates Stadium. Kepa, who has made all three of his Arsenal appearances so far in the League Cup, said: "Right now, if you want a trophy, and that's something that we want, we have to fight against good teams. "We've conceded in a couple of games in the last minute so it's something that we have to look at," said Kepa, deputising for Arsenal first-choice keeper David Raya. They kept us in the game, and they gave me an opportunity to make a save.

International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Wednesday ordered commencement of trial against four people including ex-BGB officer Lieutenant Colonel Redwanul Islam in connection with the killing of 28 people in Rampura during July-August Movement. The three-member tribunal led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder framed charges against them and passed the order. The other accused are ex-BGB Major Md Rafat Bin Alam, additional deputy commissioner of DMP Khilgaon zone Rashedul Islam and former officer-in-charge of Rampura police station Mashiur Rahman. Among them Major Rafat was produced before the court from Dhaka Cantonment sub-jail. According to the prosecution, 28 people were killed and several others injured in Rampura area by members of law enforcement agencies during the July uprising.

BNP has reached an electoral understanding with seven more alliance partners of the anti-fascist movement, leaving eight parliamentary seats for them for the upcoming national election. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the list at a press conference at the party Chairperson’s Gulshan office on Wednesday afternoon. Bangladesh Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque will contest from Dhaka-12, and Ganosanghati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki from Brahmanbaria-6. Earlier on Tuesday, the party announced to leave four seats for Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. Of the remaining 28 seats, four were allocated to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh on Tuesday, while eight more seats were allocated to other alliance partners on Wednesday.

A group of influential United States lawmakers has urged Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure that the upcoming national election in February is free, fair, and inclusive, warning that the exclusion of major political actors could undermine democratic legitimacy. The lawmakers serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and its Subcommittee on South and Central Asia. The move has sparked debate both domestically and internationally over its potential impact on political pluralism and electoral credibility. In the letter, the lawmakers underscored the importance of creating conditions that allow citizens to peacefully express their political will through the ballot box. “Freedom of association, as well as the principle of individual rather than collective criminal responsibility, are fundamental human rights,” the lawmakers wrote.

Bilateral trade has not increased since its peak of around $3 billion in 2023 due to several reasons. At the same time, the bilateral trade data can be somewhat misleading because Korean companies supply goods that are chiefly manufactured in third countries. Korean companies possess cutting-edge technologies, while Bangladeshi companies and entrepreneurs have strong potential to initiate new ventures. Korean firms are interested in exploring further investment opportunities. Korea and Korean companies are ready to accompany Bangladesh on this path.

It is, instead, a political moment shaped by time, circumstances, and the cumulative failures of governance for the past years. Tarique Rahman remained outside the country, but he could not be removed from the political process. Tarique Rahman’s return to Dhaka, therefore, bears significance beyond the party's need; it is needed for the national revival as a whole. In that evolving landscape, Tarique Rahman’s return is seen as an expression of a new political reality shaped by present crises. In the history of Bangladesh’s politics, this return will mark a watershed moment, in which the nature of “power” is inevitably shifting from the powerful to the people.

The elevated expressway in the airport area will remain toll-free for the general people for four hours on Thursday. Vehicles entering Dhaka city through the airport area elevated expressway will not have to pay any toll from 11am to 3pm, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus -File photoDHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus 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, he said Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, was born in Bethlehem on this day. He said Jesus came into the world with the message of peace, justice and the liberation of humanity. The chief adviser said the present interim government is working to build a discrimination-free, justice-based and prosperous Bangladesh for all, irrespective of religion, caste and community. He wished peace, prosperity and well-being to all, including the Christian community.

Photo: Izvestia in RussiaHAYMANA, Turkey, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Turkish authorities found the cockpit voice recorder and black box from a private jet that crashed Wednesday killing the head of Libya's armed forces and his four aides. The Falcon 50 aircraft requested an emergency landing because of electrical failure minutes after it took off from the Turkish capital Ankara, but contact was lost, Turkish officials said. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told reporters at the crash site that the plane's voice recorder and the flight data recorder (black box) had been recovered. Turkish officials said the Ankara prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the incident. He said data from the black box would reveal what happened, adding the analysis process may take several months.

TAIPEI, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - A shallow 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Taiwan on Wednesday evening, the US Geological Survey said, but there were no immediate reports of damage. The quake struck at 5:47 pm (0947 GMT) at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) in Taitung county, USGS said. The last major earthquake occurred in April 2024 when the island was hit by a deadly 7.4-magnitude tremor that officials said was the strongest in 25 years. At least 17 people were killed in that quake, which triggered landslides and severely damaged buildings around Hualien. It was the most serious in Taiwan since a 7.6-magnitude tremor struck in 1999 -- the deadliest natural disaster in the island's history.