Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has expressed profound sorrow over the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. In a post shared on the social media platform Facebook on Tuesday morning (December 30, 2025), the Jamaat Ameer prayed for Khaleda Zia. In his message, the Jamaat Ameer said: “May the Almighty Allah, give mercy on BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, forgive her and accept her as a guest in His beloved Paradise. May Almighty Allah grant patience and steadfastness to her family, loved ones, Amen.”The BNP chairperson breathed her last at 6am on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital, according to AKM Wahiduzzaman, the party’s ICT Affairs Secretary and head of its Online Activists Network.

Precious metals fall again, Asian stocks swing as traders wind downHONG KONG, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Precious metals extended losses Tuesday on profit-taking after hitting recent records, while equities fluctuated in quiet trade as investors wound down ahead of the New Year break. The big moves of late have been seen in precious metals, with gold hitting a record just shy of $4,550. Investors have been piling into the commodities on bets for more US rate cuts, a weaker dollar and geopolitical tensions. However, both metals have pulled back sharply this week on profit-taking, with gold now around $4,340 and silver at $73.50. Bitcoin, which has tumbled since spiking above $126,000 in October, was stabilising just below $90,000 after a shaky end to the year.

"At the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, the nation has lost a great guardian. Prof Yunus said many of Begum Khaleda Zia's actions and decisions helped move the country forward significantly. The Chief Adviser said that Begum Khaleda Zia was remarkably successful in her political life and was never defeated in any election. Prof Yunus said that because of her political success, Begum Khaleda Zia became a victim of extreme political vengeance. The Chief Adviser expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family of Begum Khaleda Zia and to the leaders and activists of her party.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a seven-day mourning program following the death of its Chairperson Khaleda Zia, on Tuesday. The program was announced by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday morning after the party officially confirmed Khaleda Zia’s death at 9am. The namaz-e-janaza of Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female prime minister and chairperson of the BNP, may be held on Wednesday. Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female prime minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has passed away at the age of 80. Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 for routine tests, during which doctors detected a chest infection and decided to keep her under observation.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, widely regarded as an uncompromising leader for democracy in Bangladesh, passed away this morning while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the city. The three-time former prime minister, Khaleda Zia, had been suffering from multiple health complications, including heart and lung, liver and kidney, diabetes, arthritis and eye-related ailments. Since returning from London on May 6, after receiving advanced medical care, Khaleda Zia had been undergoing regular check-up at the Evercare Hospital. Under the leadership of Khaleda Zia, BNP formed a 7-party alliance in 1983 and launched a movement against the autocratic regime of Ershad.

Two killed in strike on alleged drug boat in Eastern Pacific: US militaryWASHINGTON, United States, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The US military said Monday two people were killed in a strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the Eastern Pacific, bringing the total killed in Washington's campaign in the region to at least 107. In a post to X, US Southern Command said "intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations," adding two men were killed. The post included a black-and-white video of the "lethal kinetic strike" on a small boat, with what appeared to be two explosive flashes and flaming debris visible. Since September, the US military has carried out at least 30 strikes on what it says are boats used to smuggle drugs to the United States, with the majority of the attacks occurring in the Eastern Pacific. Trump says he does not need lawmakers' approval to strike suspected drug cartels at sea or on land in Venezuela, citing concerns over information leaks.

SAN FRANCISCO, United States, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Citgroup on Monday said it is selling the last of its business operations in Russia, and expecting to log a $1.1 billion loss in the process. The US banking giant anticipated the sale will close in the first half of 2026 but noted it is subject to regulatory approval. "Citi will report its remaining business in Russia as 'held for sale' as of the fourth quarter 2025," the banking group said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. That move will result in an after-tax loss going on its books in the current quarter, Citigroup said in the filing. AO Citibank, which conducts the company's remaining operations in Russia, is being sold to Renaissance Capital, according to the financial institution.

SEOUL, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has toured a factory making new multiple rocket launchers that could target the South, touting their ability to "annihilate the enemy" in a concentrated attack, state media reported Tuesday. A 2020 study by the RAND think tank assessed that North Korean artillery systems could inflict 10,000 casualties in just an hour if targeting major population centres like the South Korean capital Seoul. Accompanied by top officials from North Korea's missile programme, Kim said the new weapons system would serve as his military's "main strike means", according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "From South Korea's perspective, this means the military threat from the North is increasing," he added. "Systems to mount various types of small nuclear warheads on multiple rocket launchers are already in place," he added.

Chief Organizer of the southern region of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Hasnat Abdullah on Monday said there will be no compromise on the issue of justice (Insaaf). He submitted his nomination papers at around 3:30pm on Monday. Shaheed’s family members, along with alliance leaders and party leaders and activists, were also present. He also mentioned that Sharif Osman Bin Hadi was martyred while establishing justice and said justice must be ensured from the local to the national level of the state. At the same time, we will maintain an uncompromising position on the issue of justice,” Hasnat said.

Former Adviser of the interim government Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has joined the National Citizen Party (NCP), taking on the responsibilities of party spokesperson and head of the election management committee. In the interim administration, Asif served as the advisor for the youth, labour, and local government ministries. NCP Convenor Nahid Islam said at the briefing that Asif had been entrusted with overseeing the party's election management committee, a role that will involve coordinating activities for those who are not standing as candidates. He noted that Asif had resigned from his government post earlier and formally joined the party on Monday. "We hope that this journey with Asif Mahmud will help us achieve our goals and objectives," Nahid said.

BOGOTÁ, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Monday the country's minimum wage would increase by 23.7 percent starting in the new year, its highest raise in 25 years. The increase, coupled with the government's transportation subsidy, would take the monthly minimum wage from 1.6 million pesos ($422) to two million pesos ($520). Petro, Colombia's first leftist president, has overseen a series of minimum wage hikes since coming to power, including a 16 percent raise in 2023. Colombia's Ministry of Finance and Public Credit said Petro's administration has raised the minimum wage by 42.4 percent over the past three years. Roughly half of workers in Colombia, many of whom work informal jobs, make less than the minimum wage, according to Colombia's National Administrative Department of Statistics.

WASHINGTON, United States, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The United States said Monday it had approved a $1.8-billion sale of patrol aircraft to Denmark, despite renewed tension after an envoy of President Donald Trump called again for seizing Greenland. The State Department said it approved a request from Denmark to buy the P-8A patrol and reconnaissance system from Boeing, which will include up to three aircraft. One week earlier, the State Department approved a separate sale of nearly $1 billion in air-to-air missiles to Denmark. The United States has long pushed NATO allies to pay more on defense, with Trump seeking to reduce the US footprint in Europe despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Trump has refused to rule out seizing Greenland by force, insisting that the United States needs the resource-rich island for its own security.

BNP Chairperson and three-time former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at 6am on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. During this period, corruption cases were filed against Khaleda Zia and her two sons. While in detention, Khaleda Zia spent Eid-ul-Fitr on October 14, 2007, and Eid-ul-Azha on December 21 that year in jail. When her mother died in Dinajpur on January 18, 2008, Khaleda Zia was released on parole for six hours the following day to attend the funeral. On November 27, 2024, Khaleda Zia was acquitted in the corruption case.

The dollar largely rose against main rivals, precious metals retreated from record highs and oil prices firmed in quiet post-Christmas trading with some focus on Ukraine talks. The prospect of cuts has helped push world stock markets to multiple record highs this year, offsetting worries about stretched valuations in the tech sector. The precious metals had both hit record highs on expectations of more rate cuts, which made them more desirable to investors. Silver shed almost 10 percent on Friday's close, sliding down to $71.86 an ounce having earlier touched a record above $84. An end to the war could see sanctions on Russian oil removed, adding to an oversupplied market.

KYIV, Ukraine, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Russia accused Ukraine on Monday of having fired dozens of drones at one of President Vladimir Putin's residences, an accusation that Ukraine called a "lie" aimed at undermining US-led efforts to end the war. It's not good," Trump told reporters of the alleged attack at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. President Putin told me about it." Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, describing it as a "special military operation" to demilitarise the country and prevent the expansion of NATO. Nikita, a 23-year-old who fought in Ukraine for a year, lauded Russia's advance in eastern Ukraine, even if it came "at a cost".