Police claim they have found no evidence of the BNP leader’s house in Lakshmipur being locked before it was set on fire with petrol, despite allegations. The fire broke out at the house of Belal Hossain, the co-organising secretary of BNP’s Bhabaniganj Union in Sadar Upazila, on Friday. The fire killed his youngest daughter Ayesha Akhter, 8, and left Belal and his two other daughters Smriti Akter, 17, and Bithi Akter, 14, with burn injuries.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman -File PhotoBOGURA, Dec 21, 2025 (BSS) – BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today called upon all political parties that believe in democracy, including the BNP, to remain united in the interest of safeguarding the country’s democratic future. Calling upon all to work hard from their respective positions to rebuild the country, the BNP Acting Chairman said millions of people are becoming unemployed and sustainable employment opportunities must be created. Tarique Rahman said that after 1975, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman rescued the country from the brink of destruction, while BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia later led the country out of autocratic rule and towards development. “Once again, the soldiers of these two leaders have been given the opportunity to rebuild the country from the brink of destruction,” he said. Referring to Inqilab Mancha Spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, Tarique Rahman said the July martyr stood firmly in favour of democracy and believed in electoral politics.

Prior to the namaj-e-janaza, pallbearers slow marched the coffin to the stage while funeral parade was also held giving a state salute to AK Khandkar. BAF Biman Secretary Air Vice Marshal Abdullah Al Mamun read the biography of AK Khandaker while AK Khandaker's son Jafrul Karim Khandaker spoke on the occasion. After the namaj-e-janaza, on behalf of the President, his Military Secretary paid homage to AK Khandaker by placing a wreath on his coffin. First Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Abdul Karim Khandkar breathed his last around 10:35 am on Saturday due to age-related complications. Born on January 1, 1930, Abdul Karim Khandkar - widely known as AK Khandkar - was 95 at the time of his passing.

DCAB hosts Media Award and Writers' Honour Ceremony at Dhaka's Foreign Service Academy, with Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam as chief guest. Photo: DCABDHAKA, Dec 21, 2025 (BSS) - Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam today saiddiplomatic journalism is strengthening Bangladesh's foreign policy as threejournalists received the DCAB Media Award for outstanding reporting ondiplomacy. The Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) organised theDCAB Media Award and Members' Writers' Honour Ceremony at the Foreign ServiceAcademy in Dhaka, with Asad Alam Siam attending as the chief guest. The Foreign Secretary, along with jury board head editor of Dhaka TributeRiaz Ahmed, handed over the awards to the winners. Speaking at the event, Asad Alam Siam said that amid complex geopoliticalrealities, diplomatic journalists are playing a constructive role inaddressing multifaceted challenges related to foreign policy andinternational relations.

DHAKA, Dec 21, 2025 (BSS)—Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman produced a sensational bowling performance to script Dubai Capitals’ facile six-wicket victory over Gulf Giants at International League T20 (ILT20) in Abu Dhabi today. Mustafizur ended with 3-34, a performance that was key in Gulf Giant bowling out for just 156 in 19.5 overs. Dubai Capitals gunned down the small target effortlessly, reaching 162-4 in 19.2 overs for their fourth victory in eighth match, which propelled them to second spot in the point table. Mustafizur was named man of the match for his decisive performance. Shayan Jahangir top-scored for Dubai with 44 ball-48 but Rovman Powell hastened the victory with 31 ball-47 not out, an innings featuring one four and three sixes.

Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain and Bir Uttam AK Khandker. Photo : CollageDHAKA, Dec 21, 2025 (BSS) - Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain today expressed deep sorrow at the death of Bir Uttam AK Khandker, hailing his unparalleled leadership in the Liberation War and his lasting contributions to Bangladesh's nation-building. "With his demise, the nation has lost a brilliant military officer and one of the key organizers of the Great Liberation War," the Foreign Adviser said.

Bangladesh honors six martyred peacekeepers in Sudan with Namaz-e-Janaza, state tribute. Prior to the janaza, brief life sketches of the martyred peacekeepers were read out and their next of kin spoke. On the occasion, the Chief Adviser’s Military Secretary, on behalf of the Chief Adviser, placed wreaths to pay tribute to the martyred peacekeepers. The Government of Bangladesh and senior officials of the United Nations earlier strongly condemned the heinous drone attack. In the terrorist drone attack, six peacekeepers were martyred and nine others were injured.

Stephen Dee Burton, 86, of The Villages, Fl passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Steve grew up in Fairmount, IN, and was a proud Applied Mathematics graduate of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He later co-founded Concord Computing, a pioneer in POS systems, before retiring to establish his own consulting company. A long-time resident of North Reading, MA, Steve was Chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of the Hillview Commission and golf handicap Chairman. He retired to The Villages in 2003 where he lived his dream of playing golf daily and never ever wearing his watch again!

Paul Robert Sutterer, 88, of Summerfield, Florida, passed away on December 3, 2025. Born on February 1, 1937, in Worthington, Minnesota, Paul devoted nearly six decades of his life to the Lutheran ministry, faithfully serving congregations across Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, New York City, Maryland, and Florida. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, William and Florence; his brothers, William and Dittmar; and his sister, Mary Jane. He is survived by his daughter, Michelle Strezishar, and his son, Mike Sutterer, as well as five beloved grandchildren who brought him immense joy. A memorial service honoring Paul's life will be held on Monday, February 2, at 10:00 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church in The Villages, Florida.

Rangpur farmers achieve record Aman rice harvest this season, enjoying high yields and strong market prices.Photo : BSSRANGPUR, Dec 21, 2025 (BSS) - Despite facing drought-like conditions during the initial stages of cultivation, farmers in the Rangpur agricultural region have produced over 20 lakh tonnes of clean Aman rice this season. Farmers have produced 20,00,614 tonnes of clean Aman rice (30,00,921 tonnes of paddy) against the set production target of 20,10,505 tonnes of clean Aman rice in the region this season. Cultivation of high-yielding and hybrid varieties of Aman rice in more land areas resulted in an excellent yield rate leading to the super bumper production of Aman rice this season. "However, farmers have finally produced 20,00,614 tonnes of clean Aman rice this season, higher by 12,654 tonnes against last year's production of 19,87,960 tonnes of clean Aman rice in the region," Krishibid Islam said. "After harvesting Aman rice, farmers are sowing seeds of potatoes, winter vegetables and other Rabi crops in the same land," he said, adding that farmers in rural areas are busy celebrating the Nabanna festival with their newly harvested Aman rice now.

The court has granted bail to Abdul Hannan, a former owner of the motorcycle initially linked by the RAB to the fatal attack on Inqilab Moncho Convenor Shari Osman bin Hadi. On Dec 12, Hadi was attacked near the Bijoynagar Water Tank while travelling in a rickshaw. He was arrested on Dec 13 from Chand Udyan in Mohammadpur by the RAB and handed over to Paltan Police on Dec 14. During remand, Hannan told the court he had sold the bike to a showroom and could not change ownership due to illness. A case was filed on Dec 14 by Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inqilab Moncho, naming Faisal Karim Masud and unidentified individuals as suspects.

At this stage, we believe around another 15 lakh taxpayers will submit their returns online,” he said. The NBR chairman made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of an income tax return submission support booth at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) today where a request was made to extend the return submission deadline. The DRU has taken a special initiative to assist its members in preparing and submitting their income tax returns. Rahman also said preparations were underway to introduce digital VAT return submission, which is expected to be launched next year. According to the NBR chairman, around 4.2 million taxpayers have registered for online return submission, while more than 2.6 million have already filed their returns.

BNP leaders pray for Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s recovery, praising her as enduring democracy symbol. Photo: BSSKHULNA, Dec 21, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Information Affairs Secretary and party candidate for Khulna-4 constituency Azizul Bari Helal today said that despite imprisonment, repression and conspiracies, BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia continues to remain a symbol of democracy in Bangladesh. He made the remarks at a doa mahfil held at Terokhada Upazila of the district on Saturday, seeking Khaleda Zia's recovery. Earlier in the day, Helal attended a views-exchange meeting with women at Chagladahi Dhankhali in Terokhada, where he urged people to pray for Khaleda Zia's early recovery. In the evening, Helal joined separate views-exchange meetings with members of the Hindu community in Karalia and attended a waz mahfil at Ichamati as the chief guest.

Photo: BSSSATKHIRA, Dec 21, 2025 (BSS) - Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized various goods including Indian ice meth and wincarex drugs and bidis in a special anti-smuggling operation at the border of Satkhira Sadar and Kalaroa upazilas of the district. “The paramilitary special operation teams of Bakal Check Post, Toluigacha, Madra, Sultanpur and Chanduria BOP seized drugs worth Tk.213.57 crore from Sadar and Kalaroa upazila during the last night and today,” according to a BGB official release issued here today. It said a special team of Battalion Sadar seized 4 kg and 250 grams of Ice Meth, 40 bottles of wincarex syrup and a motorcycle from Raichpur in Satkhira Sadar Upazila. Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Ashiqur Rahman said that the seized goods were handed over to Satkhira Customs. Besides, the seized narcotics were deposited in the BGB store for destruction after filing a general diary with Satkhira Narcotics Control Department, he said.

Young farmer Sumon Mia pioneers yellow watermelon cultivation on Jamuna char lands, inspiring local farmers. Inspired by videos he watched on YouTube, Sumon decided to experiment with watermelon cultivation for the first time. Taking a bold step, he leased five bighas of land and personally initiated the cultivation of yellow watermelon this year. Interest in off-season watermelon cultivation is growing among farmers due to its high market value. With proper planning and support, watermelon cultivation could contribute significantly to the economic development of the region.