Dhaka’s temperature drops to season’s lowest 12.5°C, cold wave grips 9 districts
Amid shivering cold and dense fog, Dhaka recorded the season’s lowest 12.5°C on Saturday morning, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. Dhaka and its surrounding areas may remain covered by moderate to dense fog until noon, it said. The prevailing cold and foggy conditions have reduced visibility in some areas, affecting early morning movement. A mild cold wave is sweeping Rajshahi, Pabna, Naogaon, Sirajgonj, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Jessore, Chuadanga and Kushtia districts, and it may continue. The country’s minimum temperature was recorded at 9.0°C in Rajshahi, Ishwardi in Pabna and Badalgacchi of Naogaon district.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 03, 2026 07:00 UTC
Explosions heard in Venezuela's capital: AFP journalist
CARACAS, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Loud explosions, accompanied by sounds resembling aircraft flyovers, were heard in Caracas around 2:00 am (0600 GMT) Saturday, an AFP journalist reported. The explosions come as US President Donald Trump, who has deployed a navy task force to the Caribbean, raised the possibility of ground strikes against Venezuela. Sounds of explosions were still being heard around 2:15 am, although their exact location was unclear. Trump on Monday said the United States hit and destroyed a docking area for alleged Venezuelan drug boats. For weeks Trump has threatened ground strikes on drug cartels in the region, saying they would start "soon," with Monday being the first apparent example.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 03, 2026 06:46 UTC
National Kabaddi finals today
BGB face Army while Ansar and Police battle for Festival of Youth 2025 National Kabaddi Championship. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS) - The finals of the Festival of Youth 2025 National Kabaddi Championship in both men's and women's sections will be held today at the Shaheed Captain M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium. In the men's section final, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will face Bangladesh Army at 4:00 pm, while Bangladesh Ansar and VDP will take on Bangladesh Police in the women's section final at 5:00 pm. Youth and Sports Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam is expected to be present at the finals as the chief guest and distribute the prizes.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 03, 2026 06:30 UTC
Ukraine hosts talks with security allies in Kyiv
KYIV, Ukraine, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ukraine is hosting security advisers for crunch talks on Saturday as Kyiv insists negotiations are zeroing in on a deal, while Russia claims a deadly New Year strike torpedoed the efforts. Russia captured the most Ukrainian land last year since launching its all-out invasion in 2022, an AFP analysis showed. Russia made its biggest advance in 2025 in November -- 701 square kilometres -- whereas the 244 square kilometres it gained in December was the smallest since March, the data showed. Zelensky also recently named Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov to head his presidential office. "At this time, Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues, the development of the Defence and Security Forces of Ukraine, as well as on the diplomatic track of negotiations," Zelensky said.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 03, 2026 05:49 UTC
NEIR uncovers massive use of clone, fake IMEI phones across networks
The release, however, said that these IMEI numbers are not being blocked immediately. Analysis of the most frequently used duplicate IMEI numbers shows that around 19.50 lakh devices are active under the IMEI "440015202000". Authorities have compiled a list of fake and duplicate IMEI numbers with more than 100,000 active connections each, underscoring the scale and seriousness of the problem. The analysis of the most frequently used duplicate IMEI numbers showed that certain devices dominate the list. For instance, IMEI 440015202000 is active on 1,949,088 devices, IMEI 35227301738634 on 1,758,848 devices, IMEI 35275101952326 on 1,523,571 devices, and even the single-digit zero IMEI "0" is found on 586,331 devices.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 03, 2026 05:40 UTC
2025 was UK's hottest and sunniest year on record
LONDON, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Last year was Britain's hottest and sunniest on record, the national weather service confirmed on Friday, calling it a "clear demonstration" of the impacts of climate change. The Met Office had already announced last month that 2025 was the country's sunniest year since that record series began in 1910. The United Kingdom, which comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, saw 1648.5 hours of sunshine, 61.4 hours more than the previous record set in 2003. - Wildfires -Spring and then a summer featuring four heatwaves were Britain's warmest on record, while spring was the driest in more than a century. Wind, solar and biomass power combined to supply 47 percent of the country's electricity in 2025, climate and energy website Carbon Brief said in a study Friday.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 03, 2026 05:28 UTC
UN force says Israeli army fired near peacekeepers in south Lebanon
UNIFIL has repeatedly reported Israeli fire near or towards its personnel in recent months, and last week said an Israeli attack near one of its positions lightly wounded a peacekeeper. Personnel patrolling in south Lebanon on Friday "reported 15 rounds of small arms fire that struck no more than 50 metres away from them", a UNIFIL statement said. "We reiterate our call to the IDF to cease aggressive behaviour and attacks on or near peacekeepers working for peace and stability along the Blue Line." The force on Friday noted that "attacks on or near peacekeepers are serious violations" of a 2006 UN Security Council resolution that formed the basis of the current ceasefire. Under heavy US pressure and fears of expanded Israeli strikes, Lebanon has committed to disarming Hezbollah, starting in the south near the frontier.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 03, 2026 05:28 UTC
Tesla loses EV crown to China's BYD in 2025 as sales slip
Tesla loses EV crown to China's BYD in 2025 as sales slipWASHINGTON, United States, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Tesla's sales fell in 2025, the company reported Friday, ceding its position as the world's biggest electric vehicle maker for the year to Chinese auto giant BYD. Analysts had expected Tesla's sales in the final quarter to slow less, to 449,000, according to a FactSet consensus. Tesla has also been grappling with rising competition from BYD and other Chinese companies, and from European giants. Shenzhen-based BYD, which also produces hybrid cars, unveiled record EV sales in the past year on Thursday. Tesla only narrowly beat BYD in annual EV sales in 2024, with the US company's 1.79 million outpacing the latter's 1.76 million.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 03, 2026 05:22 UTC
BBC settles with October 7 attack survivors after filming 'without permission'
The crew, which included senior correspondent Jeremy Bowen, entered the Horenstein family's home in the days after the attacks in 2023. "While we do not generally comment on specific legal issues we are pleased to have reached an agreement in this case," a BBC spokesperson said. Tzeela and Simon Horenstein and their two young children survived the attack when a door the Hamas militants tried to blast open twisted and jammed. The BBC had reportedly agreed to pay the family o28,000 ($37,000), according to the Jewish News. A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been in place since October 10.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 03, 2026 05:10 UTC
LA Galaxy midfielder Puig to have surgery after knee recovery 'setback'
LOS ANGELES, United States, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Spanish midfielder Riqui Puig will require surgery after a "setback" in his recovery from the torn knee ligament that saw him miss all of the 2025 Major League Soccer season, the Los Angeles Galaxy said Friday. Puig, a product of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, had returned to training with the Southern California club last autumn. "Riqui Puig suffered a setback in his ACL recovery while in Barcelona, Spain," the Galaxy said. Since arriving in the United States in 2022, Puig has played 74 matches, scoring 27 goals and recording 23 assists across the regular season and playoffs. In May of 2024, he signed a new contract with the Galaxy to stay with the club until 2027.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 03, 2026 05:06 UTC
'Chaotic mess' Kyrgios determined to enjoy himself after injuries
BRISBANE, Australia, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A philosophical Nick Kyrgios said Saturday he had been a "chaotic mess" throughout his career and now just wants to enjoy himself when he returns to the tour this week. Speaking ahead of his opening-round match, Kyrgios said he was feeling fit and had been playing as well as ever in the build-up. "I think after every injury I have had the last couple of years, and to see how quickly something can be snatched away from you, I have a day-by-day mindset," the former world number 13 said. Kyrgios, who was granted a wildcard to play in Brisbane, begins his tour comeback against US world number 60 Aleksandar Kovacevic. Kyrgios could yet be offered a wildcard to play singles at the Australian Open this month.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 03, 2026 04:50 UTC
Violence cannot replace the law
What should have remained a disagreement apparently escalated into violence and resulted in the loss of a life. There can be no justification for taking the law into one’s own hands. While the search for the perpetrators is ongoing, it is crucial that law enforcement ensures a thorough and transparent investigation, and that those responsible are made to face the full force of the law -- not only because the victim deserves justice, but also to reinforce a zero-tolerance stance against indiscriminate violence. Violence cannot be an accepted response to conflict, and vigilante action cannot be allowed to replace lawful process. Upholding the rule of law is not merely the responsibility of the authorities, it is our collective obligation as members of society.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 03, 2026 04:46 UTC
Dhaka’s air quality remains ‘unhealthy’ amid fog
Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked eighth on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 163 at 9:15am. The capital's air was classified as "unhealthy", according to the AQI index. An AQI score between 50 and 100 is considered "moderate", usually prompting sensitive individuals to limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 03, 2026 04:46 UTC
The election, and an anatomy of the political parties
If things progress as per the directives of the interim government (IG) the next general election in Bangladesh in February 2026 seems all set to go. The dominant political parties of Bangladesh except Awami League whose activities are currently under suspension, namely the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam (BJI), and the newly formed student-led party, the National Citizen Party (NCP), have gone into election mode and are preparing for the election, quite enthusiastically. Notwithstanding, this may also be a good time to review Awami League, a party that led Bangladesh to independence. Instead, the Awami League has opted for revenge and that too with external help. As is evident from the above, the current state of Bangladesh’s dominant political parties is anything but inspiring, nor is it conducive to steer Bangladesh to a democratic, secular, and inclusive society.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 03, 2026 04:46 UTC
England captain Stokes says no coasting in 'huge' final Ashes clash
SYDNEY, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Captain Ben Stokes on Saturday called the fifth and final Test against Australia a "huge game" for England and vowed there would be no coasting at the end of a long and draining Ashes tour. "This is a big game, purely because we're walking out there representing England," he said. "The Ashes, unfortunately for us, hasn't gone the way we wanted it to, but we've got one more game in a big series. Australia captain Steve Smith on Saturday said a final look at the wicket was needed before the hosts decided on their starting XI. Stokes said England also needed more time, but admitted no one really knew how the wicket would play despite captains and coaches pretending they did.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 03, 2026 04:16 UTC