MOSCOW, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Two police officers were injured in an "incident" in Moscow near where a senior Russian general was killed this week, authorities said on Wednesday, with local media reporting that an explosion occurred. Russia's Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said it was "establishing the circumstances of an incident in southern Moscow that injured two traffic police officers". The statement on Telegram added that investigators were inspecting the scene and carrying out forensic analysis including "medical and explosive examinations". Sarvarov had been the head of the Russian General Staff's training department. Kyiv has claimed responsibility for some of the attacks but has not commented on Monday's incident.

SEOUL, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Two North Korean prisoners of war held by Ukraine have expressed their desire to start a "new life" in South Korea, according to a letter seen by AFP on Wednesday. North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine, according to South Korean and Western intelligence agencies. Previous reports have indicated that the two men, held captive by Kyiv since January after sustaining injuries on the battlefield, were seeking to defect to the South. "We firmly believe that we are never alone, and we think of those in South Korea as our own parents and siblings and have decided to go into their embrace," they wrote. The letter is signed by the two soldiers, whose names AFP has been asked to withhold to protect their safety.

DHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - The government has reduced the existing import duty on the import of dates by 40 percent to ensure adequate supply and keep prices affordable for consumers during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. The NBR also noted that advance income tax at the import stage on all fruits, including dates, was reduced from 10 percent to 5 percent in the last national budget through amendments to relevant regulations. Moreover, the existing 50 percent rebate on advance income tax on dates and other fruit imports has been extended for this year as well. Officials said the combined reduction in customs duty and advance income tax is expected to significantly lower import costs, ensuring steady supply and preventing any unusual price hikes in the domestic market during Ramadan. The NBR expressed optimism that these measures will help keep the market price of dates within the purchasing capacity of general consumers throughout the holy month.

Asian markets mostly up after US growth fuels Wall St recordHONG KONG, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Most Asian stocks rose Wednesday and gold topped $4,500 for the first time as investors tracked a record on Wall Street following forecast-beating US economic growth data. Markets looked set to go into the Christmas break on a broadly positive note amid optimism for 2026, which has offset recent worries about stretched tech valuations and rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela. Asian markets swung between gains and losses as traders wound down before Christmas. Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Wellington and Taipei all rose though Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore and Jakarta edged down. The yen extended its recent rebound against the dollar after Japan's Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama suggested authorities were prepared to step in to finance markets to support the currency, citing speculative moves in markets.

DHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - The government has extended the Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption on Metro Rail services until June 30, 2026, aiming to promote the use of the country's modern, environmentally friendly mass transit system. The VAT exemption on Metro Rail services was previously scheduled to remain effective until December 31, 2025. The extension follows a recommendation from the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, which emphasized the role of Metro Rail in ensuring sustainable and affordable public transportation. In this regard, the government issued a gazette notification on December 23, 2025, formally extending the VAT exemption period up to June 30, 2026, the NBR release said. The move is expected to keep Metro Rail fares affordable for commuters and further enhance the popularity of the service as a modern solution to Dhaka's growing transportation challenges.

By Stephen BeechThe perfect travel partners are not your dearest and dearest, according to new research. As millions gear up for the festive season, an Australian study suggests what really makes for the perfect travel companion. Professor Huang noted that compared with solo travel, traveling with a companion was more likely to foster high-quality and memorable experiences, while also offering a measure of safety. "More and more young travelers tend to establish temporary travel partner relationships with strangers who share common travel goals through online travel communities." The research found that travel partners with extensive travel experience and a strong sense of conscientiousness are better equipped to overcome obstacles on the road and work effectively together to achieve shared goals.

How the One Big Beautiful Bill affects your healthcareOn July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed into law the budget reconciliation package known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Key takeaways:The One Big Beautiful Bill Act makes major changes to Medicaid. The OBBBA makes major changes to how people get and keep health insurance, especially through Medicaid and ACA marketplace coverage. When do the Big Beautiful Bill healthcare changes go into effect? The timeline below highlights when major healthcare changes discussed in this article take effect, along with a few health-related provisions in the OBBBA:GoodRxThe bottom lineThe One Big Beautiful Bill brings many changes to healthcare, including Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

This year, we scooted off to Barcelona, Athens, London, Tokyo, Fiji, Paris, Sydney, Milan, Montblanc and wine country in Bordeaux. Oh, it’s just absolutely stunning (From what I can remember, LOL — I may have had a little too much vintage Chateau Haut-Brion…). For the first time, we also privated to a private (“P2P”) — that’s when you take a private jet to a private island. We bought our little slice of the Caribbean in March — come visit! When he’s not doing his business deals (it’s always work, work, work with that one!)

After assuming office on August 8, 2024, following the July mass uprising, the interim government first formed five reform commissions through a gazette on October 3, namely – the Election System Reform Commission, the Judicial Reform Commission, the Public Administration Reform Commission, the Police Reform Commission, and the Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission, and thereafter, through another gazette on October 7, formed the Constitution Reform Commission. Professor Dr. Ali Riaz, head of the Constitution Reform Commission, was made the Vice-Chairman of the Consensus Commission. On this issue, the Constitution Reform Commission recommended that a person cannot become Prime Minister more than twice. There will be a separate secretariat for the judiciary under the control of the Supreme Court. However, the Public Administration Reform Commission thinks that the post of vice chairman of upazila parishads may be abolished.

WASHINGTON, United States, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The US Supreme Court dealt a blow to President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown on Tuesday by blocking his deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago. After two lower courts blocked Trump from sending troops into Chicago, his administration made an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court rebuff of the emergency appeal was a rare defeat for Trump at the top court, where conservatives hold a 6-3 majority. It was not immediately clear how Tuesday's decision would affect the other cases where Democratic-ruled states have challenged Trump's National Guard deployment. Some 300 National Guard troops remain activated in the Chicago area but are not engaged in operations.

General Daily Insight for December 24, 2025 Simple moves can bring calm and clarity. Venus, planet of attraction, enters your 10th House of Career and Status, refreshing your public image and encouraging measured moves that display confidence without heat. Because ambitious goals deserve steady care, make a point of rehearsing any upcoming presentations and thanking any other team members involved. Resources get clearer as Venus, planet of money, enters your 8th House of Shared Resources, encouraging tidy agreements and honest talk about needs. Venus, planet of self-worth, enters your sign today!

THE HAGUE, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Belgium on Tuesday joined a case brought by South Africa before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which accuses Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. The UN's highest court, based in The Hague, said in a statement that Brussels had filed a declaration of intervention. Several countries including Brazil, Colombia, Ireland, Mexico, Spain and Turkey have already joined the case. In rulings in January, March and May 2024, the ICJ told Israel to do everything possible to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza, including by providing urgently needed humanitarian aid to prevent famine. The campaign has also displaced the majority of the 2.2 million people in the Palestinian territory.

At UN, Russia and China criticize US conduct toward VenezuelaUNITED NATIONS, United States, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Russia and China on Tuesday criticized the United States for its military and economic pressure on Venezuela, telling the UN Security Council it was "cowboy behavior" and "intimidation." Venezuela, which requested the emergency council meeting with the backing of Moscow and Beijing, accused Washington of "the greatest extortion known in our history." US President Donald Trump accuses Venezuela of using oil, the South American country's main resource, to finance "narcoterrorism, human trafficking, murders, and kidnappings." "The responsibility of Washington is also evident for the constant catastrophic consequences of such cowboy-like conduct," he told the council. "This is the greatest extortion known in our history," he added.

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