Putin says Russia believes it will win in Ukraine in New Year addressRussian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: CollectedMOSCOW, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country believed it would win in Ukraine, where Moscow has led an almost four-year offensive, in his New Year's Eve address on Wednesday. In the comments, Putin called on Russians to "support our heroes" fighting in Ukraine, saying: "We believe in you and our victory."
India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar handed over a message of condolence to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Wednesday. The condolence message was delivered as a mark of respect following the passing of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, according to a Facebook post of the BNP media cell. S Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday to represent the government and people of India at the funeral of Khaleda Zia. Jaishankar arrived here at 11:30am, a senior official told UNB, noting that it is a brief visit on short notice to pay last respect to Khaleda. Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma were present at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to receive the Indian minister.
BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. File PhotoDHAKA, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS) – Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today paid tributes to three-time former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. On behalf of the Chief Adviser, his Military Secretary Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq placed a wreath at the grave of Begum Khaleda Zia after the burial, said the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.
Xi says China to hit 2025 growth target of 'around 5 percent'President Xi Jinping. Photo: CollectedBEIJING, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - China's economy is expected to have grown "around five percent" in 2025, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday, despite "pressure" during a year he described as "very unusual", state media reported. Such an annual expansion would be in line with the official government target and on par with the five percent growth recorded in 2024. Experts widely expect Beijing to announce a similar economic growth target for 2026 at a major annual political gathering in early March. China should "focus on our goals and tasks, boost confidence, and build momentum to press ahead" in the coming year, he said.
KHULNA, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS) - The Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) has issued a public notice imposing restrictions to ensure the peaceful observance of the 31st Night and English New Year 2026. Exercising authority under Section 29 of the Khulna Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1985, KMP has banned the organisation of concerts and dance shows in open spaces and on streets within the metropolitan area on December 30 and 31, 2025. The notice also prohibits the use of firecrackers, fireworks and the flying of sky lanterns during the same period. KMP warned that legal action would be taken against anyone found violating the restrictions. The public notice was signed by Mohammad Zahidul Hasan, Police Commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police.
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma today met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS) – Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma today called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna here, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing. Earlier, he joined the funeral process of three-time former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on behalf of his government. Bala Nanda arrived here last night to attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
Russia shows video of drone it says Ukraine fired at Putin residenceMOSCOW, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Russia's defence ministry published a video Wednesday of a downed drone that it said Ukraine launched at President Vladimir Putin's residence in northwest Russia this week -- a claim Kyiv has branded a "lie". But Russia has called it a "terrorist attack" and a "personal attack" against Putin, saying it will toughen its negotiation stance in Ukraine war talks. The video, shot at night in the dark, showed a damaged drone lying in snow in a forested area. Russia has not said where Putin was at the time, claiming the attack was launched on the night of December 28-29 at Putin's home in the Novgorod region. The defence ministry said the attack started around 7:00 pm on December 28 and was a "mass" drone launch at Putin's residence, but said the longtime leader's home was not damaged.
Manik Mia Avenue filled with mourners as nation gathers to bid farewell to BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda. The atmosphere remained solemn as mourners stood shoulder to shoulder, holding national flags, party banners and portraits of Khaleda Zia. Speaking to BSS, Md Manik bin Zahid, a government employee from Bogura, said Khaleda Zia was like a guardian of the nation. Begum Khaleda Zia breathed her last at 6:00 am on Friday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Khaleda Zia had been imprisoned since 2018 in a corruption case and was later granted conditional release in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman today met foreign dignitaries at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Dec 31, 2025 - Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman today met visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Speaker of the Pakistan National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Nepal's Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma, and Bhutan's Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban here. The dignitaries arrived in Dhaka to attend the last rites of former Prime Minister and national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, who passed away yesterday. The advisers expressed their gratitude to the visiting dignitaries for their presence and for showing solidarity with the people of Bangladesh during this time of national mourning.
The namaz-e-janaza will be held across the Manik Mia Avenue in the city after Zohr prayers around 2:00 pm. Instead of the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, the coffin will be kept at the western end of Manik Mia Avenue while the janaza will be held across the inner ground of the Jatiya Sangsad, its outer premises and the entire stretch of Manik Mia Avenue, said the Chief Adviser's Press Wing on Tuesday night. Necessary arrangements have been taken so that people can stand along the surrounding roads of Manik Mia Avenue. Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at 6am on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the city at the age of 80. Under the leadership of Khaleda Zia, BNP formed a 7-party alliance in 1983 and launched a movement against the autocratic regime of Ershad.
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman sought doa for his mother, Begum Khaleda Zia—a three-time former Prime Minister and the party's chairperson—ahead of her Namaz-e-Janaza (funeral prayer) at Dhaka's Manik Mia Avenue this afternoon. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman sought doa (supplication) for eternal peace of the departed soul of his mother Begum Khaleda Zia, three-time former Prime Minister and the party's chairperson, prior to her Namaz-e-Janaza at Manik Mia Avenue here this afternoon. "I am Tarique Rahman, elder son of late Begum Khaleda Zia . Millions of people joined the Janaza of Khaleda Zia, the country's first female Prime Minister and political icon. Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Khatib Mufti Mohammad Abdul Malek conducted the funeral prayers while BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan read out a brief biography of Begum Zia.
BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. File PhotoDHAKA, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS) - A number of distinguished foreign dignitaries attended the funeral process of three-time former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, reflecting strong regional solidarity and respect for Bangladesh during a moment of national mourning. Dhungyel, Foreign Minister of Bhutan, Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, Bala Nanda Sharma, Foreign Minister of Nepal. 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. Khaleda Zia was later laid to eternal rest beside her husband Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman grave at Zia Udyan with state honour around 4:50pm today.
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.
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.
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.
