DHAKA, Dec 23, 2025 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast that most parts of the country will remain generally dry with intervals of partly cloudy skies, while foggy conditions may continue and day and night temperatures are expected to fall slightly during the next 24 hours beginning at 9:00 am today. According to A BMD bulletin, Moderate to thick fog may occur at places over the country during midnight to morning. Night and day temperature may fall slightly over the country, it added. On Monday, Teknaf recorded the highest temperature at 31.2 degrees Celsius, while Rajarhat registered the lowest at 12.0 degrees Celsius today. In Dhaka, sunset will be at 5:17 pm today and sunrise at 6:38 am tomorrow.

During the panel discussion, Mohammad Zakir Hasan, Executive Director (ICT) of Bangladesh Bank, revealed that the central bank has already initiated the formulation of an integrated AI policy. Mohammad Ali, Managing Director of Pubali Bank PLC, delivered the keynote paper, outlining a clear roadmap for an effective AI strategy tailored for the financial sector. Rezaul Karim, Joint Director (ICT) of BBTA, presented on the practical adoption of AI within financial institutions. Presiding over the seminar, Md. Hanif Mia, Executive Director of BBTA, described AI as a powerful tool that can make the financial sector more inclusive, efficient, and stable if governed by proper oversight.

"We strongly demand that those involved in this incident be brought to justice," he said. "Referring to the situation after the Aug 5 uprising, Rosario said incidents targeting minority communities had increased. "We have placed a report before the nation on behalf of the Oikyo Parishad, but we have yet to see any effective trial," he said. "Every incident that occurred after the mass uprising must be brought under judicial process. "He said the human chain was aimed at pressing for special measures to ensure justice in the Dipu Chandra Das case.

All online VAT related activities to be conducted thru eVAT system: NBRDHAKA, Dec 23, 2025 (BSS) - The National Board of Revenue (NBR) today announced that all online value-added tax (VAT)-related activities will now be conducted through the eVAT System, following the renaming of the existing iVAS platform. To ensure greater clarity for taxpayers, businesses and stakeholders, the iVAS System has been formally rebranded as the eVAT System, while all its functions and services will remain unchanged. The NBR said the eVAT System will serve as the single digital platform for conducting a wide range of VAT-related activities. These include online VAT registration, electronic submission of VAT returns, and all A-Challan and e-payment-based transactions. The eVAT System also facilitates real-time VAT collection through PKI software-based applications, strengthening transparency and efficiency in revenue mobilisation.

JAKARTA, Dec 23, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Indonesia has finalised details of a tariff deal with the United States, a senior minister said, with the leaders of both countries' expected to sign it next month. Washington in July slashed the tariff faced by Southeast Asia's largest economy from 32 percent to 19 percent, but discussions over the details of the deal have been ongoing since then. Indonesia's chief economic minister Airlangga Hartarto said after a meeting with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer in Washington that both countries had reached an agreement over the details of the deal. Under the framework deal announced in July, Indonesia has also committed to spending billions to increase energy, agriculture, and aircraft imports from the United States. Data from the USTR shows Washington's goods trade deficit with Indonesia was $17.9 billion in 2024, up 5.4 percent from the year before.

A quieter BPL opening as focus shifts to cricketBreaking from its usual fanfare, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will launch the 2025 edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) with a small-scale opening ceremony in Sylhet on December 26, according to a report by bssnews.net. To make room for the cultural program, the BCB has modified the match timings for the opening day. Tournament to travel across three citiesThe 2025 BPL season will be contested by six franchises, with matches spread across Sylhet, Chattogram, and Dhaka. Sylhet will host the opening leg from December 26 to January 2. Ticket prices revealed for Sylhet legIn preparation for the Sylhet fixtures, the BCB has announced the ticket pricing structure, offering a range to suit different fans.

Photo: BSSJAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY, Dec 23, 2025 (BSS) - Jahangirnagar University (JU) today published the results of the 'B', 'C' and 'E' Unit admission tests for the first-year honours programme under 2025-26 academic session. Detailed information regarding the admission process and results is available on the JU admission website at ju-admission.org. The admission tests were held in 11 shifts over two days. On the first day, the 'C' Unit examinations were conducted in six shifts, while on the second day, the 'B' and 'E' Unit tests were held in five shifts. A total of 20,583 candidates applied for 326 seats in the 'B' Unit under the Faculty of Social Sciences.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the target for winter tomato cultivation in Rajshahi district has been fixed at 3,500 hectares of land. Of the nine upazilas, Godagari alone accounts for tomato cultivation on 2,250 hectares. Over the last two weeks, he sold tomatoes worth Tk 30,000 at rates of Tk 70-75 per kilogram. More than one lakh families are directly benefiting from tomato cultivation and trading, while a large number of employment opportunities are generated every year. Retired Chief Scientific Officer of the Fruit Research Station, Dr Alim Uddin, said the soil and climatic conditions of Rajshahi, Natore, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj districts are highly suitable for tomato cultivation.

(Archived versions of more posts sharing this claim can be seen here, here, here, and here.) : The graphic is altered and there is no evidence of Yunus having made a statement of this nature, making the claim is false .

Ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina-File PhotoDHAKA, Dec 23, 2025 (BSS) - The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) -1 today ordered the commencement of trial by framing charges against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 16 others, including 10 army officers, in a case for crimes against humanity involving enforced disappearance and torture at the Taskforce For Interrogation (TFI) cell during the Awami League regime. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, on behalf of the prosecution, prayed for framing of charges bringing four allegations against the accused. On the other hand, defence lawyers filed separate petitions seeking discharge of the accused from the case. After hearing the arguments from both the sides, the three-member tribunal led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder rejected the discharge petitions and passed the order. The tribunal has fixed January 21 for placing the opening statement and recording the witness testimonies.

DHAKA, Dec 23, 2025 (BSS) - The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has banned drone flights at all airports and surrounding areas, citing serious risks to national security and safe aircraft operations. In an official letter, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh said unauthorised drone operations are strictly prohibited at airports, including Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, and their adjacent zones under the Drone Registration and Operation Policy 2020. The authority noted that despite the existing ban, some electronic media outlets operated drones without permission on December 19 while covering the arrival of the body of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi at the airport in the presence of three advisers and other important persons. Such unauthorised drone flights pose a grave threat to safe air navigation and aircraft movement, the letter said. CAAB urged representatives of electronic media and members of the public to strictly refrain from flying drones in and around airport areas in the interest of aviation safety and national security.

Trump says would be 'smart' for Venezuela's Maduro to step downWASHINGTON, United States, Dec 23, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump said Monday it would be "smart" for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down, as US naval forces pressed a blockade on the South American country's oil wealth. Venezuela's key ally Moscow, however, expressed its "full support" for Maduro's government, as Washington has dialed up military operations and threats against Caracas. Firing back just hours later, Maduro said that Trump would be "better off" if he focused on his own country's problems rather than threatening Caracas. US President Trump on December 16 also announced a blockade of "sanctioned oil vessels" sailing to and from Venezuela. Trump claims Caracas under Maduro is using oil money to finance "drug terrorism, human trafficking, murder and kidnapping."

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on shortly before 10am on Tuesday. According to ministry sources, Pranay Verma was summoned due to the emerging security situation surrounding Bangladesh missions in various parts of India. He was requested to strengthen security at Bangladesh missions across various locations in India. Earlier, on December 14, Pranay Verma had also been summoned. Bangladesh requested that if the accused manages to enter Indian territory, they be immediately arrested and extradited to Bangladesh.

The decision comes ahead of the return of BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman from London. The government will enforce maximum security measures, restricting access to the airport area until his departure. Members of the BNP welcoming Tarique Rahman, however, will be permitted entry. Tarique Rahman and his family are scheduled to fly from London’s Heathrow Airport to Dhaka on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG202 on Wednesday evening. Biman Bangladesh Airlines authorities held a meeting on Monday with representatives from various agencies to review security and VIP arrangements for Tarique Rahman’s flight.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday reiterated his commitment to holding general elections on February 12, 2026. Sergio Gor, who also serves as the US Ambassador to India, congratulated Professor Yunus for his leadership during recent tariff negotiations. The US special envoy also discussed the massive funeral of Shaheed Osman Hadi. The chief adviser noted that supporters of the ousted autocratic regime were allegedly spending millions of dollars to disrupt the electoral process and that their fugitive leader was inciting violence. We want to make it remarkable," Professor Yunus said.