Moderate to thick fog may temporarily disrupt air navigation, inland river transport and road communication in different parts of the country, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). In its regular bulletin, BMD said moderate to thick fog may occur at places across the country from midnight to morning, starting at 6pm on Thursday and may continue until noon on Friday in some areas. The bulletin also said that night temperatures may fall slightly, while day temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country. Weather conditions are likely to remain dry with a temporarily partly cloudy sky, the bulletin added. The lowest temperature in the country was recorded at 10.2°C in Rajshahi in 24 hours till 6pm on Thursday, while the highest temperature was 29°C in Teknaf

The Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, led by Mamunul Haque, is considering withdrawing from the eight-party alliance of religion-based parties, which includes Jamaat-e-Islami. Multiple reliable sources within Khelafat Majlis told Dhaka Tribune that an understanding has already developed between Jamaat and the NCP. A central leader of Khelafat Majlis said a meeting between Jamaat and Khelafat Majlis delegations was held on Wednesday, attended by leaders of several other parties. On Tuesday, influential Jamaat leaders held a meeting with several NCP leaders. Later, Khelafat Majlis Joint Secretary General Maulana Ataullah Amin said: “No decision has yet been taken on seat-sharing among the eight parties.

Dhaka ranks second among cities worldwide with the worst air quality, recording an AQI of 260 at 9:55am on Friday. The city’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, posing serious health risks to residents, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI). The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.

SEOUL, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the "expansion" and modernisation of the country's missile production next year and the construction of more factories to meet growing demand, state media said Friday. "The missile and shell production sector is of paramount importance in bolstering up the war deterrent," the North Korean leader said. Pyongyang has significantly increased missile testing in recent years. Analysts say this is aimed at improving precision strike capabilities, challenging the United States as well as South Korea, and testing weapons before potentially exporting them to Russia. He also learned about research into "new underwater secret weapons", KCNA said.

"I am proud to call the United States my home," he said in a statement. Ahmed faces the "imminent prospect of unconstitutional arrest, punitive detention, and expulsion" from the United States, the court filing said. When reached for comment Thursday, the State Department expressed defiance. That mission has pitted me against big tech executives -- and Elon Musk in particular -- multiple times," Ahmed said. Breton, the EC's former top tech regulator, often clashed with tycoons including Musk -- a Trump ally -- over their obligations to follow EU rules.

“A cold wave, however, might set in by the end of the month or early January,” he said. A cold wave is an official way of describing lower minimum temperatures during winter. A cold wave occurs when the night temperature in winter falls to 10°C or lower. The temperature drop, however, failed to constitute a cold wave, for it was confined to a small pocket. The officially recorded minimum temperature in Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions ranged from 10°C and 11°C on Thursday.

VATICAN CITY, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Pope Leo XIV on Thursday urged Russia and Ukraine to find the "courage" to hold direct talks and spoke of the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza in his first Christmas message. "Let us pray in a particular way for the tormented people of Ukraine," he said. Britain's King Charles III called for "compassion and reconciliation" at a time of "division" across the world in his annual Christmas Day message broadcast. In Syria, Christmas lights illuminated Damascus's Old City despite the Christian community's fears of violence after a deadly attack in June. - Trump's Christmas message -In the United States, President Donald Trump issued a starkly different message to those of religious leaders.

KYIV, Ukraine, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Ukraine used British Storm Shadow missiles to attack a Russian oil refinery on Thursday, the Ukrainian military said. The Novoshakhtinsk refinery was hit by the missiles and "numerous explosions" were recorded, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a social media post. It has already used the British missiles to attack targets inside Russia. "Units of the air force of the armed forces of Ukraine successfully struck the Novoshakhtinsk oil products plant in the Rostov region of the Russian Federation with Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles," the statement said. Ukraine, which faces daily missile and drone onslaughts from Russia, has sought to respond with attacks inside Russia on energy and infrastructure facilities.

Zelensky says has had talks on Ukraine with US envoysKYIV, Ukraine, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday he had had "very good" talks with US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, focused on ending the "brutal Russian war". "We discussed certain substantive details of the ongoing work," he said in a post on social media. Zelensky thanked the two envoys for their "constructive approach, the intensive work, and the kind words". They had also agreed during the conversation that Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov would speak with the two envoys again Thursday. Zelensky conceded on Wednesday that there were some points in the document that he did not like.

Early Thursday, the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast that southern California, including Los Angeles, the second-most populous US city, was at risk of excessive rainfall. It warned of a "broad plume of moisture" producing heavy rain in California on Thursday. State authorities declared a state of emergency in several counties, including Los Angeles. Check conditions before venturing out today," Los Angeles County officials said Thursday on X. - Rescue work -Heavy rain began lashing Southern California Wednesday, where some communities had already seen 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) of rain in the first storm, forecasters said.

Trump says US launched 'numerous' deadly strikes on IS in NigeriaPALM BEACH, United States, Dec 26, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump said Thursday that US forces conducted deadly strikes against Islamic State "Scum" in northwestern Nigeria, and vowed more attacks if the militants keep killing Christians. Without providing details, the commander in chief said "The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes," on Christmas Day, against IS targets. US Africa Command said in an X post that it conducted a strike "at the request of Nigerian authorities...killing multiple ISIS terrorists." Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth took to X to praise his department's readiness to take action in Nigeria, and said he was "grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation." Nigeria's government and independent analysts reject framing the country's violence in terms of religious persecution -- a narrative long used by the Christian right in the United States and Europe.

Police have arrested six more people in connection with the grisly murder of Dipu Chandra Das, who was beaten to death and burned in Mymensingh's Bhaluka.Abdullah Al Mamun, an additional police superintendent, said the new arrests were made around Wednesday midnight by the Detective Branch. The six suspects allegedly incited the factory staff and spread rumours that Dipu had "blasphemed".After the killing, police said the murder occurred after Dipu's colleagues had handed him over to an enraged crowd.The colleagues had allegedly also forced Dipu, a readymade garment factory worker, to resign before inciting the mob on him.With the latest, the total arrests over the gruesome murder rose to 18, according to a media statement from the district police office.�"bdnews24.com

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and former adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan. Asif Mahmud wished Tarique Rahman success in his future political journey, hoping it would prove beneficial and welfare-oriented for the country and its citizens. Tarique Rahman today returned home after 17 years in exile. A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying Tarique Rahman from London landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 11:40 am via Sylhet. Later, Tarique Rahman attended the public event at July 36 expressway and addressed to the thousands of people.

Mobile network operators in Bangladesh deployed portable network towers and expanded capacity to ensure uninterrupted connectivity during the reception marking the return of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman after around 17 years. Robi Axiata Chief Corporate Officer Shahed Alam said the operator deployed five Cellular on Wheels (COW) units to maintain service continuity. The operator also installed mobile towers and strengthened the network by sharing capacity with nearby sites. Grameenphone did not disclose the number of portable towers deployed or specific technical measures. Due to overnight network upgrades and advance technical measures, no major complaints related to call quality or video streaming were reported.

NCP leaders: Return a product of mass uprisingHasnat Abdullah, chief coordinator (Southern) of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said Tarique Rahman’s return should be viewed as a milestone in Bangladesh’s ongoing struggle for democracy. NCP Convener Nahid Islam echoed similar views, calling Tarique Rahman’s return a positive outcome of Bangladesh’s democratic movement. He said Tarique Rahman’s return could strengthen multiparty democracy and stressed the need to build a culture of coexistence and healthy political competition in the new political reality. BNP leaders and family welcome him homeBNP leaders, family members and supporters also welcomed Tarique Rahman upon his arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Across party lines, leaders said Tarique Rahman’s return marks a new phase in Bangladesh’s political journey—one shaped by the demand for democratic rights, accountability and political coexistence.