Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has removed a total of 148 tons of waste from the 300 Feet area in the capital, where a reception was held for BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s homecoming. The cleanup operation began on Friday morning following instructions from DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz, who had directed officials the previous night to ensure swift waste removal. A special cleaning drive was conducted with the participation of 350 DNCC sanitation workers. Using 20 trucks, the collected waste was transported in 148 trips to the Aminbazar landfill for safe disposal. By noon, the entire venue was cleared and made accessible for public movement. Some local BNP leaders and activists voluntarily joined DNCC workers in the cleanup effort from 10 a.m. Administrator Mohammad Ejaz thanked all participants, emphasizing that collective involvement of citizens and political activists after large gatherings can make the city cleaner and more livable, while easing the delivery of civic services.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman visited the grave of his father and party founder Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Friday afternoon, a day after returning to Bangladesh from a 17-year exile. He arrived at the site around 4:40 p.m., offered prayers, and stood silently for some time in an emotional moment. Senior BNP leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and members of the party’s standing committee, accompanied him. Earlier on Thursday, Tarique Rahman returned to the country after years abroad. Upon arrival, he attended a reception organized by the party at Purbachal’s 300 Feet area, visited his ailing mother at Evercare Hospital, and then went to his residence. From noon on Friday, thousands of BNP leaders and activists gathered around Chandrima Udyan and the mausoleum area with banners and festoons to witness his visit. A large number of police, BGB, Ansar, and plainclothes security personnel were deployed to maintain order and ensure his safety. Following the grave visit, Tarique Rahman was scheduled to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar.

The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) has accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of failing in political compromise and responsibility, leading to a complex and uncertain democratic transition in Bangladesh. The allegation was made on Friday, December 26, at a press conference organized by JSD at the Jatiya Press Club’s Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall, where the party’s general secretary, Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan, presented a written statement. In his remarks, Swapan said that BNP had not shown the expected respect and commitment to the politics of compromise and declared political responsibility in the current political context. He urged all to avoid provocation and rumors, stand for humanity, and choose unity over division. He emphasized that building a broader national unity is the only effective and sustainable way to overcome the ongoing crisis. JSD senior vice-president Tania Rob, presiding over the event, reiterated the party’s stance against injustice and its commitment to lead the state based on the spirit of the Liberation War. She said that despite divisions and doubts, the youth would eventually find their direction, and JSD would stand beside them.

A total of 170 doctors have completed their graduation in war-torn Gaza, holding a ceremony on Thursday in front of the destroyed Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Once the largest hospital in the Palestinian territory, Al-Shifa suffered extensive damage during Israeli attacks that left most of its buildings and equipment destroyed or unusable. The graduates continued their studies and hospital work during two years of famine, displacement, and mass violence. Some were injured or arrested during this period. Gaza’s Health Ministry official Yusuf Abu al-Reish described the event as earning degrees “through bombardment, rubble, and rivers of blood.” One graduate, Dr. Ahmed Basil, said achieving an advanced degree amid destruction sent a message that Palestinians cherish life and remain committed to scientific progress. Empty chairs displaying photos of healthcare workers killed during the war were placed at the ceremony, symbolizing the loss suffered by Gaza’s medical community.

Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), visited the grave of his father and party founder, Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Friday, December 26, 2025. The visit took place a day after his return to Bangladesh following 17 years of exile. He arrived at the site at around 4:40 p.m. and offered prayers in an emotional atmosphere. On Thursday, Rahman returned to the country and attended a reception organized by the party at the 300 Feet area in Purbachal, Dhaka. Later, he visited his ailing mother at Evercare Hospital before returning to his residence. From noon on Friday, thousands of BNP leaders and activists gathered at Chandrima Udyan and the mausoleum area, carrying banners and festoons to welcome him. To maintain order and ensure security, large contingents of police, Border Guard Bangladesh, Ansar, and plainclothes law enforcement officers were deployed. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members, and senior central leaders accompanied Rahman during the visit. He was also scheduled to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar afterward.

Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Najib Razak has been found guilty of abusing his power in connection with the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) fund. On Friday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court convicted him on four counts related to the illegal transfer of about 539 million dollars from the 1MDB project. Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah stated that the prosecution had proven the case beyond reasonable doubt. Prosecutors accused Najib of misusing his positions as prime minister, finance minister, and chairman of the 1MDB advisory board to divert large sums into his personal accounts. The 1MDB scandal, first exposed in 2015, revealed Malaysia’s involvement in global fraud and corruption. Najib had previously been sentenced in 2020 to 12 years in prison for misappropriating 9.9 million dollars from the same fund, later reduced to six years. Najib, who served as prime minister from 2009 to 2018, still faces 21 additional charges of money laundering, each carrying potential prison terms of 15 to 20 years. He has claimed that fugitive financier Jho Low misled him, though Low remains wanted by Interpol since 2016.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Machud stated that there is no legal obstacle preventing BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman from becoming a registered voter in Bangladesh. He explained that the Election Commission (EC) has the authority to register any eligible person as a voter at any time. Machud made these remarks on Friday while speaking to a national media outlet. Tarique Rahman returned to the country on Thursday after 17 years abroad. Earlier, on December 22, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner A. M. M. Nasir Uddin that Tarique Rahman would register as a voter on Saturday, December 27. However, Commissioner Machud could not confirm whether Rahman would appear at the Election Commission office on that date. The EC’s clarification comes amid renewed political attention following Rahman’s return, with his potential voter registration seen as a significant step in his re-engagement with national politics.

The second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement is expected to begin in early January, according to Israeli media citing a senior Israeli official. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly informed Israel and mediators that the next stage of the Gaza deal would start at the beginning of the new year. Israeli officials have expressed concern that U.S. President Donald Trump may proceed with the next phase without ensuring the disarmament of Hamas. The ceasefire was originally agreed on October 9 under Trump’s peace plan, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. However, Gaza’s Health Ministry stated that Israeli violations of the agreement and delays in implementing the second phase have resulted in the deaths of more than 400 Palestinians. Since October 2023, Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed over 71,000 people, most of them women and children, and injured more than 171,000 others. The report, citing TRT World, suggests that the coming phase will test the durability of the ceasefire and the effectiveness of international mediation efforts.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the party prioritizes creating employment opportunities for youth instead of providing unemployment allowances. Speaking on Friday, December 26, 2025, at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka during the central members’ conference of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, he stated that every young person should be given work to become skilled and self-reliant. He emphasized that Islami Chhatra Shibir has now assumed a guardian role for the nation’s student community in the post-2024 context. Dr. Rahman highlighted the need for educational institutions to focus on moral education, character building, and modern research. He said the dark era of campus violence and insecurity is fading but not yet over. He urged Shibir members to ensure campuses remain free from weapons, drugs, and disorder, and to create a safe environment for female students. He further called for building a corruption-free, just, and humane Bangladesh based on Quranic and prophetic principles, stressing that national unity should be founded on justice and integrity.

Nurul Islam Saddam has been elected as the new central president of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir for the year 2026. The election took place on Friday through direct voting by the organization’s members. The announcement was made during the Central Members’ Conference 2025, which began in the morning at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka. More than six thousand members from across the country participated in the conference, marking a major organizational gathering for the student body. The event served as the platform for selecting the leadership for the upcoming term, confirming Saddam’s election as central president for 2026. The conference highlighted the organization’s internal democratic process, with broad member participation in leadership selection for the next operational year.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the nation remains under a 'dark shadow' and vowed that the party and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, will continue their struggle until it is lifted. He made the remarks on Friday at the central members’ conference of Islami Chhatra Shibir held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka. Dr. Rahman called for unity among all religions and political groups to build a corruption-free and just Bangladesh. He emphasized creating skilled citizens instead of relying on unemployment allowances and urged for an improved education curriculum. He said educational institutions should be free from drugs, terrorism, and fear, ensuring safety and dignity for women. He described the student-teacher relationship as one of mutual respect and responsibility. The Jamaat chief stressed moral education, character building, and research-friendly environments in schools. He said the responsibility to restore these values now lies with Islami Chhatra Shibir, which he described as more than a student organization. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar alleged that false propaganda is being used to suppress the group.

The 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) was inaugurated at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium with a colorful ceremony. The event began with a one-minute silence in memory of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, followed by the national anthem and the release of balloons to officially open the tournament. The opening match will feature hosts Sylhet Titans facing Rajshahi Warriors, organized by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) before the game. Former Pakistani cricketer and commentator Waqar Younis hosted the ceremony, while BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul expressed gratitude to all attendees. The stadium had been bustling with preparations the previous night for the grand opening. The BCB also scheduled an additional 45-minute segment of performances before the day’s second match, featuring musician Fuad Al Muqtadir and actress Tanjin Tisha. The event marked the formal start of the BPL’s 12th season, highlighting both sporting and cultural festivities at the Sylhet venue.

The nonprofit organization Open Doors reported that more than 60 attacks on Christians occurred across India during the Christmas period. Incidents included vandalism of churches, destruction of decorations, and threats against people celebrating the holiday. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India condemned the assaults, attributing them to extremist Hindu nationalist groups and urging the Home Minister to ensure legal protection for Christians. Among the most criticized incidents was one in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, where a local BJP leader, Anju Varghava, was seen harassing and assaulting a visually impaired Christian woman during a Christmas event. The viral video drew widespread criticism, prompting the local BJP unit to issue a show-cause notice. Varghava denied wrongdoing, and police said no complaint had been filed. Videos from Odisha and Delhi also showed extremist youths harassing Christmas vendors and women in festive attire. The United Christian Forum reported that at least 600 attacks on Christians occurred across India this year, raising concerns about the safety and religious freedom of minority communities.

Ukraine has carried out a missile strike on a Russian oil refinery using British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles, according to the country’s armed forces. The attack targeted the Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Russia’s southern Rostov region, where multiple explosions were reported. Ukraine’s General Staff said its air force units successfully hit the target with air-launched missiles. The military described the Novoshakhtinsk refinery as a key energy facility supplying diesel and aviation fuel to Russian forces. Ukrainian authorities stated that the strike was part of an intensified campaign against energy and infrastructure sites inside Russia, in response to ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks. The report noted that Ukraine has previously used Storm Shadow missiles against targets within Russia, signaling a continued escalation in cross-border strikes amid the conflict.

Madhya Pradesh Urban Administration Minister and senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya has stirred fresh controversy by claiming that the Taj Mahal was originally a temple later converted into a mausoleum by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Speaking at the inauguration of a cricket tournament in Bina town of Sagar district, he said Mumtaz Mahal was first buried in Burhanpur and later moved to a site where a temple was under construction, which eventually became the Taj Mahal. His remarks created a stir among attendees, and a video of his speech quickly spread across social media, drawing sharp and divided reactions. Supporters described his statement as a “historical interpretation,” while critics called it provocative and misleading. The debate has since intensified online. At the same event, Vijayvargiya also made a remark about people from Bihar, saying humility was not mandatory for them but praised BJP national executive member Nitin Naveen for his modesty. This comment too triggered mixed reactions online, with some calling it normal political talk and others labeling it inappropriate.