Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, made the remarks during a media briefing, adding that India seeks free, fair, inclusive, and participatory election in a peaceful environment in Bangladesh. “We are all aware of the recent incidents happening in Bangladesh. Regarding BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh, Jaiswal said India supports free, fair, and inclusive election in Bangladesh, and such matters should be viewed in that context. He added that India seeks stronger relations with the people of Bangladesh and supports peace and stability in the country. “India wants free, fair, inclusive, and participatory election in a peaceful environment in Bangladesh,” he said.

In a press release issued today, PROGGA and ATMA stated that the approval of the amendment represents a significant milestone in safeguarding public health in Bangladesh. The organisations emphasised that swift gazette notification is critical to completing the legal process and preventing undue influence by vested interests. Tobacco use remains one of the most serious public health challenges in Bangladesh. With the aim of effectively reducing tobacco use and protecting public health, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare took the initiative to further strengthen the existing tobacco control law. PROGGA and ATMA noted that once the ordinance is gazetted and fully implemented, it will lead to a substantial reduction in tobacco-related deaths.

Photo : BSSDHAKA, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS) - For the first time, O Aa Ka Kha, a literary organization, today launched a print magazine to cultivate direct engagement of readers and increase public engagement in the literature. The first edition of the magazine includes literary works including articles, stories, poems, interview, features, book reviews and reports. Besides, Editors of various literary journals, writers, researchers and cultural organisers also joined the programme. Poet Farhad Mazhar emphasised the need to continue face-to-face literary engagement. Aakakh, which has been involved in literary, cultural and intellectual activities for the past three years, officially debuted as a printed literary magazine through this event.

The fire at the Khadder Bazar Shopping Complex in Dhaka’s Gulistan has been contained after about one and a half hours of effort. Fire Service Media Officer Anwarul Islam said the flames were brought under control around 7pm on Friday. Earlier, the Fire Service received reports of a fire in a warehouse on the roof of an eight-storey building around 5:30pm. Later, nine units of the Fire Service worked to douse the fire. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and no casualties have been reported so far.

Authorities have cancelled the route permit of the MV Adventure-9 launch following a collision between two passenger vessels on the Meghna River in Chandpur that left four people dead. Barishal Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Assistant Director Md Solaiman said on Friday evening that the route permit of Adventure-9 has been revoked over the incident. The collision occurred around 2am on Thursday between MV Zakir Samrat-3 and MV Adventure-9, both operating on the Barishal-Bhola to Dhaka route. Around 10am on Friday, Adventure-9 of Nizam Shipping Lines reached Jhalokathi ferry terminal, where Barishal River Police and Jhalokathi Police jointly conducted an operation, seizing the vessel and detaining four crew members. Those detained are Md Mintu, 28, Mohin Hawladar, 25, Md Sohel, 40, and Md Moniruzzaman, 40.

India has expressed grave concern over what it called “unremitting hostilities” against minorities in Bangladesh. India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remark at his weekly media briefing on Friday. “We condemn the recent killing of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh and expect that the perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice,” the Indian newspaper quoted Jaiswal. Citing independent sources, Jaiswal reportedly pointed out at the briefing that more than 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities have been documented in Bangladesh. “The incidents of violence against minorities in Bangladesh cannot be brushed aside as media exaggeration or dismissed as political violence,” Jaiswal was quoted as saying.

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Photo : BSSNARAYANGANJ, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS) - A sand-laden bulkhead sank in the Buriganga River at Fatulla this morning after being struck by a passenger launch, leaving two people missing. The missing individuals were identified as Jahirul, 25, from Patuakhali district, and Hasan, 20, from Jhalakati district, said Pagla River Police Outpost In-charge Inspector Aqibul Islam. Diver teams from the Bangladesh Coast Guard and the Fire Service were immediately deployed for rescue operations, he added. The Dhaka-bound launch Sundarban-16 collided with the bulkhead of MV Kasfa Sahana, which was anchored near the dockyard, causing it to sink. BIWTA Joint Director Mahmudul Hasan said rescue operations faced difficulties due to severe cold, but efforts are ongoing to locate the missing persons.

DHAKA, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS) - A fire that broke out at the Khaddar Bazar Shopping Complex at Zero Point in Gulishtan, Dhaka, this afternoon was brought under control by firefighters in the evening. Firefighters received the alert immediately and reached the scene within five minutes, at 5:33 pm. Initially, six firefighting units from the Siddiq Bazar Fire Station were deployed to tackle the blaze. Later, a total of nine units worked at the scene and successfully brought the fire under control by around 6:58 Islam confirmed. The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage could not be determined immediately.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday (December 26, 2025) visited the grave of his father and Bangladesh's former president Ziaur Rahman in Dhaka, 17 years after he returned home from self-exile in the U.K. The 60-year-old Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman returned to the country on Thursday (December 25, 2025) after living in London since 2008. BNP founder Ziaur Rahman was a Bangladeshi military officer who served as the sixth president of Bangladesh from 1977 until his assassination in 1981. The BNP leader was accompanied by senior party leaders during the visit. While Rahman was paying respects, party leaders and activists gathered in front of the entrance and chanted slogans.

One arrested with firearm, hand bomb in BholaBHOLA, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS) -Bangladesh Coast Guard arrested a man and recovered a firearm, hand bombs, and marijuana during an operation under Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2 in Bhola district. Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, media officer of the Bangladesh Coast Guard, said the team carried out a raid last night in the Bheduria area under Bhola Sadar Police Station and arrested Md Jewel, 25. During the operation, the team seized a locally made firearm, one round of cartridge, five hand bombs, and 300 grams of marijuana, he added. Haq said the ongoing nationwide operation aims to strengthen law enforcement, enhance public safety, and crack down on criminal activities ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary elections. The security drive was relaunched on December 13 to curb illegal activities, recover unlawful arms, and maintain law and order across the country.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): An inner dark cloud could cast shadows over all you have to be proud of. Remind yourself of how far you’ve come — it hasn’t been a level playing field, celebrate your journey from where you began. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A friend might need a serious infusion of positivity — not to disown up a grief, but to feel seen, held and supported. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Financial pessimism could be overblown, getting triggered emotionally won’t improve decision-making skills. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take the mic, take the stage, the spotlight could be on you and your gifts.

Photo: BSSRANGPUR, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS) - Normal life still remained affected as the mildcold wave has been sweeping over the sub-Himalayan northern districts for thefourth consecutive day today causing sufferings to the common people. Officer-in-Charge of Rangpur Meteorological office meteorologist MdMostafizar Rahman said that the minimum temperatures remained mostlyunchanged with a little rise at places while maximum temperatures marked arise today. However, the intensity of cold remained almost unchanged in the region. "Although the gap between the minimum and maximum temperatures increasedslightly compared to yesterday, it is still feeling cold for the fourthconsecutive day," he said. The minimum temperature of 11.2 degrees Celsius was recorded at 9 am todaylike yesterday's same temperature and maximum of 22.4 degrees againstyesterday's 20 degrees Celsius at Rangpur city.

A gazette has been published redefining the boundaries of four parliamentary constituencies in the districts of Pabna and Faridpur. The constituencies are Pabna-1, Pabna-2, Faridpur-2, and Faridpur-4. According to the published gazette, the boundaries of Pabna-1 (Constituency No 68) include Santhia Upazila and Bera Municipality, along with Haturia, Nakalia, Natun Varenga, Chakla, and Kaitola unions of Bera Upazila. The boundaries of Pabna-2 (Constituency No 69) include Sujanagar Upazila and the remaining areas of Bera Upazila, excluding Bera Municipality and the five unions—Haturia, Nakalia, Natun Varenga, Chakla, and Kaitola. The boundaries of Faridpur-4 (Constituency No 214) include Bhanga Upazila, Charbhadrasan Upazila, and Sadarpur Upazila.