What we know about the US air strikes in NigeriaLAGOS, Dec 27, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - After the United States launched strikes targeting ISIS bases in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, questions remain concerning the strategy and details of the operation. Later, both countries said that they were involved, and that the strikes had the approval of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. -Washington said it targeted militants linked to the Islamic State group and US African command said there were multiple casualties, without providing details of precise targets among the multiple armed groups operating in Nigeria. But Nigeria said two major Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves located within the Bauni forest in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto state, were struck. - What is known about Islamic State group in Nigeria -Nigeria has been battling a jihadist insurgency in its northeast since 2009, waged by Boko Haram and rival offshoot Islamic State West Africa Province.

After a promising first half, the Red Devils were forced to defend for almost the entirety of the second period. But they held on for just a second clean sheet of the season despite Newcastle having 67 percent possession and 16 shots on goal. "We did a good first half and then the second half we just had to defend and try to do something (going forward). "It was a good win but I had so many games here saying we played really well and didn't get the three points. "Second half was a lot better than the first, but we didn't do enough.

SEOUL, Dec 27, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un highlighted on Saturday how his nation and Russia had shared "blood, life and death" in the Ukraine war, as he sent President Vladimir Putin new year's greetings. Earlier this month, Pyongyang acknowledged that it had sent troops to clear mines in Russia's Kursk region in August 2025. Kim sent Putin his new year's greetings a day after the North Korean leader ordered officials to step up missile production. In addition to sending troops to fight for Russia, Pyongyang has sent artillery shells, missiles and long-range rocket systems. In return, Russia is sending North Korea financial aid, military technology and food and energy supplies, analysts have said.

The match was a tale of two spot-kicks, with Brahim Diaz giving Morocco the lead from a penalty deep in first-half injury time and Sinayoko replying on 64 minutes. It also means Morocco have not yet confirmed their place in the knockout phase, although they are on top of Group A with four points from two games. Mali come next on two points alongside Zambia, who drew 0-0 with minnows Comoros earlier in Casablanca. The penalty changed the game a bit," Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi told broadcaster beIN Sports. "We go into the third game with the same approach, to win the game and finish top of the group."

AL MUKALLA, Yemen, Dec 27, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Yemen separatists said they were undeterred after strikes blamed on Saudi Arabia hit their positions Friday, in the latest escalation since they seized large swathes of territory last month. Washington, which counts both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as allies, on Friday called for restraint. The strikes came as a Yemeni government official in Riyadh told AFP that Saudi Arabia may be considering military action against the separatists if talks fail. A Yemeni military official said around 15,000 Saudi-backed fighters were amassed near the Saudi border but were not given orders to advance on separatist-held territory. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio avoided taking sides between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

KYIV, Ukraine, Dec 27, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Several powerful explosions rocked Kyiv on Saturday as authorities warned that the Ukrainian capital was under threat of missile attack. "Explosions in the capital. Ukraine's air force also announced a countrywide air alert in the early hours of Saturday and said on social media that drones and missiles were moving over several Ukrainian regions, including the capital. AFP journalists in Kyiv heard several loud explosions, some accompanied by bright flashes that lit the horizon orange. The air alert comes as Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday to discuss a proposed plan to end the fighting that has killed tens of thousands since 2022.

MELBOURNE, Dec 27, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - A pumped-up England grabbed six wickets before lunch to stay in the hunt on another chaotic day at the fourth Ashes Test Saturday as a fragile Australia built a 140-run lead. Australia resumed on 4-0 after an explosive opening day of searing pace saw 20 wickets fall with the hosts dismissed for 152 and England just 110. It was the most wickets to tumble on the first day of an Ashes Test since 1909, and eclipsed the 19 on day one of the series opener in Perth. Josh Tongue came into the attack on a hat-trick after bagging the last two Australia wickets on day one, but Weatherald whipped his full ball for three. Australia have already retained the Ashes after crushing eight-wicket victories in Perth and Brisbane and an 82-run win in Adelaide.

MOSCOW, Dec 27, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Russia on Friday accused Ukraine of trying to "torpedo" talks on a US plan to end its military offensive, saying a text presented by Kyiv this week was "radically different" to one Moscow negotiated with Washington. "Especially in a context where Kyiv and its sponsors -- notably within the European Union, who are not in favour of an agreement -- have stepped up efforts to torpedo it." Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is to meet US counterpart Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday to discuss his new version of a US plan. "Without an adequate resolution of the problems at the origin of this crisis, it will be quite simply impossible to reach a definitive accord," Ryabkov said. According to the new 20-point plan revealed by Zelensky, the current front line would be frozen, but Ukraine could pull back troops from the east, where demilitarised buffer zones could be created.

US stocks edge lower from records as precious metals surgeNEW YORK, Dec 27, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Wall Street stocks edged down from records on Friday amid holiday-thinned trading while precious metals extended their year-long surge to record highs. Precious metals have surged in 2025 as uncertainty about US policy under President Donald Trump -- and the prospect of further Federal Reserve interest rate cuts -- have weakened the dollar, reducing its appeal to investors. All three finished marginally lower, with the Dow and S&P 500 both slightly below Wednesday's records. Stocks often rise in the peak festive period, sometimes yielding a "Santa Claus rally." Oil prices, meanwhile, dropped more than two percent as markets looked ahead to a meeting Sunday between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on peace proposals.

A superior court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of visually impaired New Hampshire voters who argued a newly passed absentee voter law violates the state constitution. On Dec. 12, NH Superior Court Judge David Ruoff dismissed the case, ruling the new policies are reasonable. “We appreciate the Court’s recognition that the identification requirements for absentee voters are reasonable, constitutional, and consistent with New Hampshire’s long-standing election practices,” said New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella, who defended the law in court. New Hampshire residents who vote in person are already required to show an ID at the polls when requesting a ballot. Supporters of the new law say the same safeguards should be in place for those voters who request an absentee ballot.

DHAKA, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS) - Islami Andolon Bangladesh Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, also known as the Chormonai Pir, has urged party leaders and activists to remain prepared to face any situation for the country's interest. Speaking at a nomination paper distribution programme for party candidates at Pushpodham Auditorium, Purana Paltan, here, he stressed continuing full-scale 'dawah' activities in all 300 constituencies and maintaining organizational momentum, even if some seats are left for political compromise. He announced a grand rally in Dhaka on January 9 to protest the killing of Shaheed Osman Hadi and to mobilize public support for the July Charter. The Chormonai Pir urged the party members to act responsibly and stay active in safeguarding people's rights. The programme was attended by central leaders including Secretary General Maulana Yunus Ahmad, Presidium Members Maulana Syed Mosaddeq Billah Al-Madani and Professor Ashraf Ali Akon.

Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have seized 24 electronic detonators from the Maijhati area near the Charagaon border in Tahirpur upazila of Sunamganj. Acting on a tip-off, BGB members carried out a raid near the zero-point area on Friday morning and seized the detonators. Lieutenant Colonel Zakaria Qadir, Commanding Officer of BGB-28, said electronic detonators can be used with plastic explosives and bomb-making materials to produce highly powerful explosives capable of causing widespread damage. However, due to BGB’s surveillance along the border, the explosives could not be smuggled into the country, foiling a major sabotage attempt. Necessary steps have been taken to neutralise the seized explosives.

Police have arrested Bhendabari Union Awami League president and former union parishad (UP chairman) Md Manjur Hossain, 52, in the 'Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2' drive from Pirganj upazila of Rangpur. Photo: BSSRANGPUR, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS) - Police have arrested Bhendabari Union AwamiLeague president and former union parishad (UP chairman) Md Manjur Hossain,52, in the 'Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2' drive from Bhendabari Bazar inPirganj upazila of Rangpur. "On Friday afternoon, around 3:30 pm, we arrested Md Manjur Hossain in adrive based on secret information from Bhendabari Bazar," Inspector(Investigation) of Pirganj police station Md Nahid Hasan told BSS at 6 pmtoday..Manjur Hossain is the son of Md Monwar Hossain of Bhendabari village in theupazila. He is also a member of Pirganj Upazila Awami League. "After due legal process, we will produce arrested Manjur Hossain before aRangpur court tomorrow (Saturday)," Inspector Md Nahid Hasan added.

Dhaka/New Delhi: BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday visited the grave of his father and Bangladesh’s former president Ziaur Rahman in Dhaka, a day after he returned home from self-exile in the UK. Rahman reached Zia Udyan in a red-and-green bulletproof bus and paid floral tributes at the grave, offering ‘dua’ and ‘munajat’ for the eternal peace of his father’s soul, news portal bangla.daily-sun.com reported. The 60-year-old Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader returned to the country on Thursday after over 17 years. He has been living in London since 2008. This is the first time in almost 19 years that Rahman has paid tribute at his father’s grave, news portal tbsnews.net reported.

BNP senior leaders today paid tribute to Liberation War martyrs on behalf of party acting chairman Tarique Rahman at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS) - BNP senior leaders today paid tribute to Liberation War martyrs on behalf of party acting chairman Tarique Rahman at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar. According to BNP Media Cell, as it was not possible to reach the altar of the National Martyrs’ Memorial before sunset, as per the established protocol, tribute was paid by party senior leaders to the martyrs of the Great War of Liberation on behalf of Tarique Rahman at 5:06 pm. BNP Standing Committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council member Amanullah Aman, Lutfozzaman Babar, Dhaka District BNP President Khandaker Abu Ashfaq and General Secretary Advocate Nipun Roy Chowdhury were present during the tribute. Dr. Dewana Mohammad Salauddin, Tamizuddin, Yasin Ferdous Murad, Ayub Khan, Major General (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar and Media Cell member Shayrul kabir Khan was also present.