DHAKA, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Coast Guard today arrested two smugglers along with 770 sacks of cement while those were being smuggled to Myanmar from Hatiya in Noakhali. Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq said the arrest was made around 5:00 am following a tip-off, when a Coast Guard team conducted an operation in the Tangi Khal adjacent area of Hatiya. The seized cement, worth about Tk 4,38,900, was being transported illegally by evading duties and taxes. Legal action against the detained individuals is underway.

ATM Azaharul Islam today spoke to local journalists at his residence in the Badarganj, Rangpur. Photo : BSSRANGPUR, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS)- Terming journalists as the conscience of society Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami ATM Azaharul Islam said they can play a supportive role in building a prosperous and enlightened nation. He said this while exchanging views with local journalists at his residence in the Baluabhat area of Badarganj here today. He also called on everyone to encourage the people to vote for 'Daripala' symbol in the next Jatiya Sangsad elections. Jamaat-e-Islami District Working Committee Member Moulana Abdul Hannan, Badarganj Upazila Ameer Muhammad Kamruzzaman Kabir, Nayeb-e-Ameer Shah Muhammad Rustam Ali, Upazila Secretary Moulana Mohammad Minhajul Islam, Badarganj Municipality Ameer Moulana Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman, among others, were present.

A day after returning to Bangladesh following 17 years of exile in London, Tarique Rahman paid respects to his father. Ahead of the visit, Mirza Fakhrul told reporters: “Our beloved leader and future prime minister, Mr Tarique Rahman, has returned to Bangladesh. Standing at the front of the bus, decorated in red and green, Tarique Rahman waved to supporters. Tarique Rahman, 16 when his father was assassinated in 1981, also lost his younger brother, Arafat Rahman Koko, in 2015 while in exile. After their release in 2008, Tarique Rahman went to the United Kingdom, while Arafat Rahman moved to Malaysia.

DHAKA, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS) - National University (NU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ASM Amanullah has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Professor Dr. Jamal Uddin Ahmed, former NU Treasurer and Supernumerary Professor at Dhaka University. Prof Jamal Uddin breathed his last today. In a condolence message, the NU Vice-Chancellor described late Prof Jamal as a dedicated educationist and exemplary teacher. He prayed for the departed soul and extended sympathy to the bereaved family.

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has announced that it will publish online versions of textbooks for primary and secondary levels from Sunday. Students will be able to access PDF copies of these textbooks on the NCTB website. NCTB Public Relations Officer SM Asaduzzaman said students will be able to read their new textbooks online even before the end of the year. Students will be able to access PDF copies of 647 textbooks in Bangla and English versions for primary and secondary levels on the NCTB website (www.nctb.gov.bd).

Ruth Carnahan, a long-time resident of The Villages, died on December 20, 2025 of natural causes at the Harbor Chase Assisted Living facility in Lady Lake, Florida. Ruth is survived by her children, David Carnahan and his wife Sharon, Jane Anderson and her husband Jerry, Katherine Timm and her husband Bill. Ruth was blessed with seven grandchildren, John Wenda and wife Tracy, Robert Timm and wife Kristen, Elizabeth Donohue and husband Michael, Jennifer Harding and husband Ian, Rachel Coward & husband Stephen, Sarah Wenda, and Lee Carnahan and wife Casey. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Lee Carnahan, daughter Nancy Trimble and husband Ronald, along with her brother John Gough. Ruth was 91 when she entered into the loving arms of our Lord, and savior Jesus Christ.

Cecelia L. Hanley age 93, passed away on December 11,2025 at her home in Summerfield, Florida with family in attendance. Cecelia was born in New London, Connecticut to Leroy & Christine Miner on October 26, 1932. Cecelia was the last remaining sibling-survivor of 11 children in her family, all from the Connecticut area. Cecelia is survived by 4 children - Daniel and wife Pat, Marion and husband Mike, Peggy and husband Chuck and Gib Hanley. Cecelia is also survived by10 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

A mild earthquake measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale struck Ruma in Bandarban on Friday evening. The tremor occurred at 6:43pm, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). The epicenter was recorded at latitude 22.07°N and longitude 92.51°E, approximately 289km southeast of the BMD Seismic Center in Agargaon, Dhaka. No immediate reports of damage or casualties have been received, said the report.

Voting for the central president was conducted online nationwide from 7pm on Wednesday to 10pm on Thursday. In line with Chhatrashibir's constitution, the newly elected president, in consultation with the executive council, nominated Sibgatullah as secretary general. Nurul Islam Saddam previously served as the organisation's secretary general while Sibgatullah served as the office secretary for the 2025 session. The second session was conducted by assistant election commissioner and former central president Selim Uddin. Chief election commissioner and former central president Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand announced the election results and administered the oath to the newly elected president.

BNP's Tarique Rahman visits his father's graveRahman 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.

ETA winter weather advisory is predicting slippery road conditions and sleet during the Friday evening commute. According to an alert by the U.S. National Weather Service, a winter weather advisory is in effect from 12 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26 until 7 a.m. Saturday for York and other Central Pa. counties. According to the forecast, the precipitation could include sleet, which can be hazardous on bridges and sidewalks. ALL Pennsylvania interstates west of I-81 including: PA Turnpike I-76 PA Turnpike I-70 All western PA Turnpike extensions. ALL Pennsylvania interstates east of I-81 including: PA Turnpike I-76 All eastern PA Turnpike extensions.

A fire that broke out at Khoddor Bazar Shopping Complex at Zero Point in Gulistan, Dhaka, has been brought under control. Nine firefighting units brought the fire under control at 6:06pm on Friday, said Shahjahan Sikder, in-charge (media) of the media of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Department. The Fire Service received news of the blaze at 5:28pm. The fire started in a warehouse on the roof of the eight-storey commercial building. The Fire Service control room added that the extent of damage and cause of the fire were yet to be determined.

"We do not want our youths to accept unemployment allowances from anyone. Dr Shafiqur said Jamaat-e-Islami would work in unity with people of all classes to build a humane and discrimination-free Bangladesh. Not unemployment allowance, but the youths themselves will bring revolution in every sector of this country," he added. Referring to Chhatrashibir's recent victories in different student unions, he said the youths now carry the responsibility of 180 million people. The Jamaat chief also said his party wants to establish justice in the country, noting that Bangladesh is currently facing an acute shortage of justice.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud on Friday said there is no legal obstacle for BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to be enlisted as a voter. Talking to BSS on Friday, the Election Commissioner said the Election Commission has the authority to enlist any individual as a voter at any time under Section 15 of the Voter List Act. “According to Section 15 of the Voter List Act, the Election Commission can include any person in the voter list at any time. In this case, there is no legal barrier,” Masud said. BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed, after a meeting with the chief election commissioner on Monday, last informed the press that Tarique Rahman would complete all formalities related to voter registration and preparation of the National Identity Card (NID) on Saturday to formally take part in the electoral process.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Friday said Bangladesh bears deep wounds—an ever-widening fracture that only a truly credible election can heal. In a post from his verified Facebook account, he said the general election and the referendum are now just seven weeks away—49 days. Yesterday’s events, however, erased whatever lingering doubts critics had about whether the February 12 elections would take place as scheduled," the press secretary said. Alam said it was a clear testament to the country’s readiness for an election. Printing presses will roar into action, Alam said, noting that television stations will begin election debates that reach all the way down to the village level.