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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) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today put strong emphasis on formulating budget in a self-reliance manner focusing quality education, rural development, youth-women empowerment, local production and health. The Chief Adviser laid the emphasis while reviewing the revised budget, which will come into effect from February 1, during the weekly meeting of the Council of Advisers. The Chief Adviser particularly emphasised on education, especially the quality of education, the press secretary said, noting that while past years focused on expanding educational establishments, the quality of education has declined rapidly, particularly during the previous authoritarian period. He said Prof Yunus underscored that improving education quality must now receive the highest priority.

WASHINGTON, United States, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - A US federal judge on Tuesday upheld President Donald Trump's $100,000 fee to process H-1B visa applications, acknowledging it could "inflict significant harm on American businesses and institutions of higher education." Trump argued that the H-1B visa system was being abused to replace American workers with people willing to work for less money. The United States awards 85,000 H-1B visas per year on a lottery system. Tech entrepreneurs -- including Trump's former ally Elon Musk -- have warned against targeting H-1B visas, saying that the United States does not have enough homegrown talent to fill important tech sector job vacancies. At least two additional lawsuits against the $100,000 H-1B visa application fee remain ongoing.

DHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), the country’s capital market regulator, has decided to conditionally extend the deadline for provision conservation and adjustment for six additional intermediary institutions. This decision aims to provide relief to firms struggling with deficits related to negative equity and unrealized losses. The decision was finalized during the 989th Commission meeting of the BSEC, held today at the BSEC conference room in the city, said a press release. The six institutions are: NBL Securities Limited, Unicap Securities Limited, LankaBangla Securities Limited, New Era Securities Limited, Kabir Securities Ltd and NBL Capital and Equity Management Ltd. This latest regulatory action highlighted a continuing trend of financial stress among capital market intermediaries.

DHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) – The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today fixed January 20 for delivering its judgment in a crimes against humanity case filed over the killing of six people in the capital’s Chankharpul area on August 5, 2024. Earlier, on July 14, 2025, the tribunal framed charges against eight accused in connection with the killings. Barrister Sifat Mahmud appeared for constable Md Sujon, Advocate Shibli Sadekin for constable Imaj Hossain Emon and Advocate Abul Hasan for constable Nasirul Islam. State-appointed counsel Advocate Md Kutubuddin defended the four fugitive accused. Shahriar Khan Anas, Sheikh Mahdi Hasan Zunayed, Md Yakub, Md Rakib Hawlader, Md Ismamul Haque and Manik Miah were martyred in the Chankharpul area on August 5, 2024.

Among its many attractions, the country's sole 'Panchagarh Rocks Museum' stands out, drawing significant interest from both local and international visitors. Established in 1997 on the campus of Panchagarh Government Women's College, the museum offers a unique glimpse into the geological history and ancient artifacts of Bangladesh. "I had heard about the Rocks Museum for a long time. I'm impressed that such a significant collection of ancient stones exists in our country," she remarked. I was curious after seeing information about the Rocks Museum on YouTube, which is why I came.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - Security has been tightened across the country, particularly in the capital, ahead of Christmas Day, the largest religious festival of the Christian community, to ensure peaceful celebrations. “Christmas Day is the largest religious festival of the Christian community. Required security measures have already been taken to ensure peaceful and festive celebrations,” he said, adding that appropriate security arrangements have been put in place at every church. Law enforcement agencies have also enhanced regular patrols on key roads across Dhaka to make the security arrangements foolproof. DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali has sought the full cooperation of city residents to help ensure that the holy Christmas festival is celebrated smoothly and safely.

LONDON, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - British oil giant BP said Wednesday it has agreed to sell a majority stake in its Castrol lubricants business to US investment firm Stonepeak, as it seeks to cut debt. Castrol will be owned by a joint venture, with BP retaining a minority stake. "The sale marks an important milestone in the ongoing delivery of our reset strategy," said interim chief executive Carol Howle. BP extended its shakeup last week as it appointed energy industry veteran Meg O'Neill to become chief executive from April, replacing Murray Auchincloss. American national O'Neill joins BP from her position as chief executive of Australian group Woodside Energy.

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RABAT, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Elias Achouri's double helped Tunisia ease to a 3-1 win over Uganda in their opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday. Ellyes Skhiri headed in an early opener and FC Copenhagen winger Achouri then scored twice either side of half-time in a game played in relentless rain in Rabat. We got three goals and we wanted to start the competition in the best possible way," Achouri said. Achouri then took centre stage, doubling the lead with a lovely cushioned finish from an Ali Abdi cross as the interval approached. Uganda were well beaten but salvaged some pride when Omedi scored in stoppage time, his shot finding the net via a big deflection off Tunisian defender Yan Valery.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said Tuesday Bangladesh manages its ties with India by keeping economic interests distinct from political rhetoric, with trade-related decisions driven by competitiveness and national interest rather than diplomacy. Dr Salehuddin stressed that Bangladesh has never pursued punitive trade measures against India for political reasons. On the broader state of Bangladesh–India relations, Dr Salehuddin acknowledged that political rhetoric, particularly during periods of heightened political activity, can sometimes appear strained. “Political rhetoric is common, especially in public discourse. Highlighting Bangladesh’s regional outlook, Dr Salehuddin said the country believes strongly in regionalism and constructive engagement with all neighbours.

There are no words that can truly describe the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das. Mob violence has been arguably the biggest issue over the past year and a half in our country, yet the latest incidents have defied all belief. That a young man’s life could be extinguished in such a frenzy is truly the worst of humanity, an act of barbarism. There is no other way of saying this: The state has failed to protect its people and its institutions from the scourge that is mob violence with astonishing frequency. We simply cannot continue to live in a society where mob violence is the norm.

The Election Commission (EC) has banned the approval, announcement, foundation stone-laying and inauguration of development projects ahead of voting, aiming to ensure a free, fair and influence-free national parliamentary election and referendum. The directive was issued in a letter signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain on Wednesday. According to the letter, voting for the 13th national parliamentary election and the referendum is scheduled for February 12. Officials and employees of local government institutions are also barred from being engaged in election activities under any circumstances. The EC warned that any violation of the Rules of Conduct of Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections, 2025 will invite punishment under Rule 27 of the code.

For years, “Indo-Pacific” sounded like a distant diplomatic riddle -- a slogan crafted in polished conference rooms, drifting over maps and PowerPoints but never quite touching the ground beneath our feet. Strategic ambiguity is not indecision, it is careful maneuvering, a deliberate balance between competing forces. Above all, strategic ambiguity anchors Bangladesh in long-term economic logic rather than the fleeting allure of diplomatic flattery. In an era where influence is currency, ambiguity is power -- and power is the tool that will allow Bangladesh to stay upright in the squeeze of the Indo-Pacific. The squeeze is real, and the pressure will only intensify.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin has appointed Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury of the Appellate Division as the 26th chief justice of Bangladesh. Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury was born on May 18, 1961. Justice Chowdhury enrolled as a lawyer in the judges’ court in 1985 and in the High Court Division of the Supreme Court in 1987. The newly appointed chief justice is scheduled to take oath at Bangabhaban on December 28. Under the constitution, the incumbent 25th chief justice, Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed, will retire on December 27 upon attaining the age of 67.