Eight inbound flights to Dhaka were diverted to alternate airports on Saturday as dense fog sharply reduced visibility at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, airport authorities said. Airport officials said safety considerations prompted the diversions after visibility dropped due to heavy fog at the capital's main airport. Of the diverted flights, three were redirected to Shah Amanat International Airport, four landed at Kalkata in India and one was rerouted to Bangkok International Airport, officials confirmed. They said normal flight operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport will resume once weather conditions improve. Airport authorities thanked passengers for their cooperation and patience amid the temporary disruption.

Thirty founding members of the National Citizen Party (NCP) have threatened to resign en masse if the party proceeds with a potential alliance with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the 8-party coalition. One of the female NCP leaders, who signed the letter, confirmed its contents to Dhaka Tribune. “If moderate people and those expecting new politics withdraw their support, we will lose the party’s moderate base in the future. This will damage NCP’s own centrist political agency,” the letter said. The members concluded by urging that “strategy should be determined based on principled positions; principled positions should not be sacrificed for strategic reasons,” while maintaining respect for party discipline.

The Sundarbans has become vibrant with the movement of domestic and foreign tourists during the ongoing three-day holiday. On Friday alone, more than 2,000 tourists visited Katka, marking the highest single-day turnout of the season. According to Forest Department sources, over 4,000 tourists have toured Katka and other points of the Sundarbans in the last week. Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Forest Division, Bagerhat, said tourist movement has increased significantly. On December 25, the department issued 18 tour permits, allowing 611 local and 13 foreign tourists to visit the Sundarbans after depositing the prescribed revenue.

Three members of a family, including a patient, were killed after a truck hit an ambulance on the Bhanga-Khulna highway in Faridpur's Bhanga upazila on Saturday. The accident occurred around 7:30AM at Mansurabad when the Khulna-bound truck crashed into the Dhaka-bound ambulance from Jashore, leaving three dead on the spot and two others injured, Bhanga Highway Police OC Helal Uddin confirmed. The injured were admitted to Bhanga Upazila Health Complex from where doctors referred two of them to Faridpur Medical College and Hospital for better treatment. The deceased were identified as patient Mizanur Rahman, 40, his wife Rukaiya Akter Nila, 32, and Rukaiya's brother Sakibur Rahman Nishan, 27. Mizanur had suffered a stroke a few days ago and met the accident while going to Dhaka for treatment.

Inqilab Mancha on Saturday called on pro-Bangladesh cultural organizations to join its ongoing blockade demanding justice for the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi. Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inqilab Mancha, made the appeal around 7:50pm on the second consecutive day of the blockade. He reiterated that the protest will continue even if Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus requests it be lifted. “Even if Dr Yunus comes and asks us to lift the blockade, we will not lift it. The blockade will remain a blockade.

The Coast Guard has arrested two deer poachers along with 21.5 kilograms of deer meat, a head, legs and hunting traps from Nalian area of the Sundarbans. Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq confirmed the matter on Saturday. During the operation, the Coast Guard arrested the two poachers and recovered 21.5 kg venison and approximately 600 meters of deer-hunting traps. The seized venison, traps and the arrested persons were handed over to the Nalian Forest Office for further legal action. Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq said the Coast Guard would continue such operations in the future to prevent the killing and smuggling of wildlife in the Sundarbans.

Mild cold wave of the season is disrupting normal life in the Jessore region. Photo: BSSJASHORE, Dec 27, 2025 (BSS) – The Met Office recorded the country’s lowest temperature for the second consecutive day as the mercury dropped to 8.8 degrees Celsius on Saturday, according to sources at the Meteorological Office. Residents reported that movement during early morning hours has become challenging due to reduced visibility and biting cold. As a result of the cold wave, most people in urban areas are returning home earlier than usual in the evenings. The cold weather has also severely affected daily wage earners.

DHAKA, Dec 27, 2025 (BSS) - ‘Vote’r Gari’, the convoy of 10 vehicles known as the Super Caravan, is traveling across the country to carry out campaigns for the upcoming referendum and the parliamentary elections. “Under the initiative of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the ‘Vote’r Gari’ is touring across the country to campaign for the referendum and the parliamentary elections,” said the Chief Adviser's Press Wing tonight. The specially designed ‘Vote’r Gari’ began the nationwide journey with the theme ‘Desher Chabi Apnar Hate (Country’s Key is in Your Hand)’ on December 22 to make people aware about the 13th national polls and the proposed referendum on the July National Charter. Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed and Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam formally inaugurated the voting vehicles by cutting the ribbon at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban here. To raise awareness, the voting vehicles are screening TVCs highlighting incidents like Felani Murder, Abrar Fahad Murder, extensive neighboring influence and dependency nationwide to create mass awareness about the national elections and the referendum slated for February 12 next year.

Photo : BSSJAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY, Dec 27, 2025 (BSS) - Jahangirnagar University Journalists' Association (JUJA) today screened a documentary on the July 2024 mass uprising and unveiled its commemorative souvenir 'Arunodoy,' highlighting the campus movement and preserving its historical significance. The programme was held at the university's Senate Building at around 2:00 pm, with Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan attending as the chief guest. Addressing the event, JU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan said documenting movements through photographs and writings plays an important role in preserving history and inspiring future generations. Recalling past movements against administrative irregularities at the university, the VC said JUJA members faced harassment but never deviated from truth. Lutful Elahi of History Department and Professor Dr Md Abdul Halim of Botany Department attended the programme.

Three held with Tk 11.38 lakh fake currency in BandarbanPhoto: BSSBANDARBAN, Dec 27, 2025 (BSS) - Police have arrested three members of a counterfeit currency gang and recovered fake banknotes worth Taka 11.38 lakh in a special operation in Naikhongchhari upazila of the district. Superintendent of Police Abdur Rahman confirmed the arrests at a press conference held at the Superintendent of Police's conference room at 11:00 am on Saturday. According to police, acting on a tip-off, a special team conducted a raid late Thursday night (December 25) in front of Nurul Islam's shop in Wachkhali area adjacent to Dochhari union of Naikhongchhari upazila and arrested them red-handed while exchanging counterfeit currency. Police recovered a total of Tk 11.38 lakh in fake notes, consisting of 12 bundles of Taka 1,000 denomination notes, from their possession. Further investigation is underway to identify other members of the gang and determine the source of the fake notes, police said.

Sheikh Al Amin’s wife, Asiya, who managed the madrasa, was arrested first. Background on Al Amin and madrasa operationsAl Amin, who remains at large, had previously been arrested in 2017 and 2020. Detective Branch (DB) units are actively searching for Al Amin, and authorities said accurate details of the incident will emerge once he is apprehended. Superintendent of Police Md Mizanur Rahman said at a press conference on Saturday that Sheikh Al Amin had rented the house since 2022. Investigators said Mufti Harun originally ran the madrasa and entrusted its management to his brother-in-law Al Amin and Al Amin’s wife, Ashiya.

NARSINGDI, Dec 27, 2025 (BSS) - Police arrested two drug peddlers along with huge quantity of Indian-made Phensedyl syrup and seized a pickup van from Shibpur upazila of Narsingdi on Saturday. Abul Qayes Akanda Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Narsingdi District DB confirmed the information on Saturday afternoon. During the operation, the team intercepted a Dhaka-bound pickup van and searched it. The pickup van used for transporting the drugs was also seized. OC Md Abul Qayes Akand said the district DB police have been conducting regular drives to prevent theft, robbery and snatching, recover illegal arms and drugs, arrest criminals and maintain law and order in the society.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Dec 27, 2025 (BSS) – The Junior Scholarship Examination for Class Eight students will begin tomorrow and will continue until December 31. According to the examination schedule, the tests will be held daily from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. As per the routine, the Bangla examination will be held on the first day. Special instructions for the Junior Scholarship Examination state that candidates must take their seats at least 30 minutes before the examination begins. Examinees will not be allowed to bring mobile phones or any other electronic devices into the examination centres.

Mahbub Ali Zaki arrived at the ground in the team bus in the afternoon. “I am deeply shocked and saddened at the news of the passing of coach Mahbub Ali Zaki. “Mahbub Ali Zaki sir was my first Pace bowling coach when I got selected through Pacer Hunt. “When I was picked through the Pacer Hunt, Mahbub Ali Zaki sir was my first coach. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, currently playing in Australia, wrote:“Hearing from faraway Australia that Mahbub Ali Zaki sir is no longer with us has been deeply painful.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain today spoke at a voting vehicle programme at Bhola Government School ground as the chief guest. Photo : BSSBHOLA, Dec 27, 2025 (BSS) - Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain today said the government is serious and fully committed to ensuring a free, fair and credible election, stressing that people have long been deprived of their fundamental right to vote. The adviser made the remarks while inaugurating a voting vehicle programme at Bhola Government School ground as the chief guest. Touhid Hossain said the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election is scheduled to be held in February next year and the interim government has taken comprehensive preparations to ensure fair polling. Addressing political parties, Touhid Hossain urged them to present their views to voters without resorting to violence, calling for restraint to ensure a free and peaceful election.