China's factory activity edges up, snapping 8-month slide
BEIJING, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - China's factory activity ticked up slightly in December, official data showed Wednesday, an unexpected silver lining to cap an otherwise lacklustre end to the year for the world's second-largest economy. Additionally, the non-manufacturing PMI rose to 50.2 in December, NBS data showed, returning to positive territory after an unexpected dip to 49.5 the previous month. NBS statistician Huo Lihui hailed "an overall improvement in the country's economic activity", according to a statement offering official interpretations of the data. In a stark indication of China's consumer woes, retail sales grew in November at their slowest pace in nearly three years, official data showed this month. Momentum in the country's service sector "remains weak", while growth in manufacturing is heavily dependent on exports, he warned.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
December 31, 2025 11:15 UTC
With teary eyes and heavy hearts, thousands attend Khaleda's janaza
Earlier in the morning, shortly before 9am, Khaleda Zia’s body was taken from Evercare Hospital to Tarique Rahman’s residence in Gulshan, draped in the national flag. Senior BNP leaders, relatives and party activists were present there to pay homage. Senior political leaders as well as diplomats from home and abroad were also present to pay their respects. Many mourners were seen in tears as they recalled Khaleda Zia’s life and political legacy. “Khaleda Zia dedicated her life to the people of this country.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
December 31, 2025 11:01 UTC
Train crash near Peru's Machu Picchu kills one, injures 40
LIMA, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - A head-on collision between two trains on the line that services Peru's Machu Picchu killed one person and injured at least 40 others, authorities said, updating an earlier toll. Officials said they were working to identify the injured train passengers, many of them foreign visitors and most of them seriously hurt. Police wearing hardhats and neon-colored jackets carried injured passengers on stretchers from the trains to receive treatment. Locals were demanding a new bus company be chosen in a fair bidding process to ferry visitors to the foot of Machu Picchu, and have repeatedly protested to press their demands. The Inca empire's ancient capital Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century at an altitude of 2,500 meters (about 8,200 feet) on orders from the Inca ruler Pachacutec.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
December 31, 2025 11:00 UTC
Weather improves notably bringing easiness to northern people
By Md Mamun IslamRANGPUR, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS) - There is a notable improvement in the weather today as the maximum temperatures increased by eight to 10 degrees Celsius and the sun was visible since this morning, bringing easiness to the people of the northern region. Although the maximum temperatures have increased by an average of 10 degrees Celsius in most parts of the northern region, the minimum temperatures have remained mostly unchanged or slightly decreased in the last 24 hours ending at 3:30 pm today. Earlier, the weather deteriorated causing a chilling cold following reduction of the gap between maximum and minimum temperatures to minimum as minimum temperatures ranged between 10 and 13 degrees Celsius in the last seven days. “The maximum temperatures marked sharp rises by eight to 10 degrees Celsius and ranged between 21.5 and 23 degrees Celsius at 3 pm today, increasing the gap between the two temperatures by 10 degrees Celsius today,” he said. Following improvement of the weather situation, common people and farm- and day- laborers started normal activities everywhere, including remote char areas today.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
December 31, 2025 10:56 UTC
Khaleda Zia to be laid to rest beside husband Ziaur Rahman's grave
Khaleda Zia to be laid to rest beside husband Ziaur Rahman's graveShaheed President Ziaur Rahman's grave in Dhaka. After the janaza, Begum Khaleda Zia will be laid to eternal rest with state honour beside Shaheed President and valiant freedom fighter Ziaur Rahman's grave around 3:30 pm. Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at 6am on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the city. Under the leadership of Khaleda Zia, BNP formed a 7-party alliance in 1983 and launched a movement against the autocratic regime of Ershad. Khaleda Zia contested five constituencies in three consecutive parliamentary elections and won in all the seats.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
December 31, 2025 10:55 UTC
Bangladesh mourns as it prepares to bid farewell to former PM Khaleda Zia
Dhaka, Dec. 31 -- Bangladesh is in mourning following the death of Khaleda Zia, the country's first female prime minister. A three-day state mourning period began on Wednesday, with the national flag flown at half-mast at all government, autonomous and private institutions, educational establishments, and Bangladesh missions abroad. As part of the observance, the national flag was flown at half-mast at Chandrakola Harikali Para Government Primary School in Natore Sadar Upazila, said Saddam Hossain, the school's office manager. He told bdnews24.com the flag was first hoisted to the top of the pole and then lowered to one-fourth of its height. "At the time of lowering at the end of ...To read the full article or to get the complete feed from this publication, please Contact Us
Source:bd News24
December 31, 2025 10:40 UTC
Chief Advisor’s Special Assistant Sayedur Rahman resigns
Another special assistant to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has stepped down within a week. Sayedur Rahman, who was tasked with overseeing the health ministry, has resigned this time. The former vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Medical University had been serving as a special assistant to the health ministry with the rank of a state minister since last November. Earlier, on Dec 25, another special assistant Khuda Baksh Chowdhury also resigned. Before that, the special assistant to the education ministry, Professor Aminul Islam, resigned on Mar 10.
Source:bd News24
December 31, 2025 10:35 UTC
Pakistan’s Speaker to attend Khaleda Zia’s funeral
Former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. File photoDHAKA, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS) – Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, will attend the funeral of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia today, representing the Government of Pakistan. The announcement was confirmed by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar through a post on his verified X account, stating that Sadiq would represent Pakistan at the state funeral of the late Bangladeshi leader. The funeral ceremony is scheduled to be held at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka, with foreign dignitaries, political leaders, and representatives from various countries expected to attend.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
December 31, 2025 10:35 UTC
Gopalganj feels the chill as mercury drops to season’s low of 7.5°C
Gopalganj has recorded the lowest temperature in the country so far this winter, with the mercury falling to 7.5 degrees Celsius. The temperature was recorded at 6am on Wednesday, according to Abu Sufian, acting officer at the Gopalganj Meteorological Department. He said a moderate cold wave is currently sweeping across the district. There is also the possibility of another cold wave affecting the country towards the end of the first week of January. Hospitals have begun to see patients suffering from cold-related illnesses, including respiratory problems and diarrhoea.
Source:bd News24
December 31, 2025 10:34 UTC
Depleted Man Utd 'lack quality', says Amorim
"We have a lack of fluidity and then lack of quality and then lack of creation of chances, and then we suffer a goal from a set-piece," said Amorim. Amorim, though, remains confident his side will end the season strongly once they have their key players back fit and available. "I think we are in one situation that you have a lot of players out in the same time. We just need to recover our players, the players from AFCON to return and then the fluidity is going to be different. "I'm really confident when we recover all the players that we are going to be a strong team, there is no doubt in my mind."
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
December 31, 2025 10:05 UTC
Jaishankar hopes Khaleda Zia's values to guide Dhaka-Delhi ties
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today met with BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban and formally handing over a condolence message of the Indian government. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS) - Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today expressed confidence that former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia's vision and values would continue to guide the development of Bangladesh-India relations. "On arrival in Dhaka, met with Mr Tarique Rahman, Acting Chairman of BNP and son of former PM of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia. Handed over to him a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he wrote in the post. After handing over the formal condolence message, Jaishankar attended the funeral of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia as the representative of the Indian government.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
December 31, 2025 09:53 UTC
Ukraine says no evidence it attacked Putin residence
KYIV, Ukraine, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Ukraine said Tuesday there was no "plausible" evidence it launched a drone attack on one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's residences, accusing Moscow of peddling falsehoods to manipulate talks on ending the war. The Kremlin said Tuesday it considered the alleged drone attack on Putin's secluded residence in the Novgorod region to be a "terrorist act" and a "personal attack against Putin". - European leaders rally around Ukraine -European leaders rallied around Ukraine following Moscow's allegation. The longtime Russian leader's residences are shrouded in secrecy in Russia -- as is much of his private life. Putin had been increasingly using the residence since the Ukraine war began, as it is more secluded and better protected by air defence installations, according to an investigation by RFE/RL.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
December 31, 2025 09:50 UTC
Millions attend BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s janaza
Millions of people today joined namaz-e-janaza of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS) – Millions of people from across Bangladesh attended the namaz-e-janaza of BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital. "I am Tarique Rahman, elder son of late Begum Khaleda Zia . Scenes of deep sorrow were visible as thousands wept openly, holding national flags, party banners and portraits of Begum Zia. She is survived by her elder son Tarique Rahman, two daughters-in-law and three grandchildren.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
December 31, 2025 09:49 UTC
'Sincaraz' set to dominate as 2026 tennis season kicks off
The new season gets under way on Friday with the mixed-teams United Cup in Perth and Sydney, headlined by women's world number two Iga Swiatek and men's world number three Alexander Zverev. But he is yet to go beyond the quarter-finals at the Australian Open, losing to Novak Djokovic in the last eight in 2025. -Djokovic begins what could be his last year on tour at the Adelaide International starting on January 12, still chasing an elusive record 25th major crown and 11th Australian Open title. Since his last Slam title, in 2023 at the US Open, Alcaraz or Sinner have shared all eight majors. Sabalenka heads into the new season as undoubted world number one, having collected a second US Open title while also winning events at Brisbane, Madrid and Miami.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
December 31, 2025 09:45 UTC
Global 'fragmentation' fuelling world's crises: UN refugee chief
GENEVA, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The outgoing United Nations refugee chief fears an increasingly fragmented world is fuelling global conflicts and crises, and inflaming hostility towards people desperately fleeing for safety. - 'Very painful' -Grandi acknowledged it was "very painful" to be leaving when his agency is going through a profound crisis. The deep cuts have forced the agency to reduce aid and shutter services -- at a time when global displacement is surging. "What worries me most is this 'my country first' rhetoric," he said, stressing: "It's not just Washington -- it's global". "When that slogan is applied to international challenges, it is weak."
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
December 31, 2025 09:45 UTC