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.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) prevented an attempt to push 14 Indian nationals into Bangladesh through the Daulatpur border in Kushtia. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. on Thursday at the Madaner Ghat border in Ramkrishnapur union, where six men, four women, and four children from the same family were reportedly being pushed in from India’s Bausmari border. BGB confirmed the matter in a statement issued on Friday morning.

According to BGB and local sources, the group, residents of Tarikunda village in Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha, India, were stopped near border pillar 157/1-S by a patrol team from Ramkrishnapur Border Outpost under the 47 BGB Battalion. Following a strong protest from BGB, a flag meeting between BGB and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) was held at the Chaidoba border at 1:40 p.m. Thursday.

After verifying their identities as Indian citizens, BSF took custody of the 14 individuals, and the meeting concluded peacefully. BGB stated it remains committed to preventing illegal crossings and border crimes, including drug trafficking, along the Kushtia frontier.

The Dhaka University branch of Inqilab Mancha staged a protest march on Friday after the Juma prayers, starting from the university’s central mosque and ending at Shahbagh intersection. The demonstrators blocked surrounding roads, causing severe traffic congestion, as they demanded justice for their slain spokesperson, Sharif Osman Hadi. As of the time of reporting, the protesters were continuing their sit-in at the site.

According to the organization’s earlier Facebook post on Thursday night, the protest was part of a nationwide call for prayers and demonstrations seeking justice for Hadi’s killing. Hadi, who was a potential independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the head on December 12 at Purana Paltan’s Box Culvert Road, a day after the announcement of the 13th national election and referendum schedule. Investigators reportedly identified a banned Chhatra League leader as the shooter, who is believed to have fled to India.

Hadi was initially treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to a private hospital before being flown to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he died on December 18.

Four passengers were killed and at least fifteen others injured when two passenger launches collided in dense fog on the Meghna River near Chandpur’s Haimchar area early Thursday, December 25. The accident occurred around 2 a.m. near Banglabazar in Nilkomol Union, involving the Bhola-to-Dhaka bound MV Zakir Samrat-3 and the Dhaka-to-Barishal bound MV Adventure-9. Witnesses said heavy fog blanketed the river, causing the Adventure-9 to lose direction and crash into the Zakir Samrat-3, which was severely damaged and left partially submerged. Another vessel, MV Karnaphuli-9, rescued many passengers and continued toward Dhaka.

Chandpur River Police Assistant Superintendent Imtiaz Ahmed confirmed four fatalities, all passengers of the Zakir Samrat-3. Police later seized the Adventure-9 when it reached Jhalakathi via Barishal. The Chandpur River Police Officer-in-Charge said both launches left the scene before authorities arrived. BIWTA officials suggested dense fog was the likely cause of the collision.

A government naval adviser was expected to inspect the damaged launch at Sadarghat following the incident, as authorities began investigating the cause and safety lapses.

Christmas celebrations across India were overshadowed by fear and tension as reports of threats, disruptions, and attacks emerged from several states. Allegations pointed to the involvement of groups linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other right-wing Hindu organizations. Incidents were reported in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala, targeting churches, prayer meetings, carol events, and decorations. Police made arrests in some areas and increased security, while religious leaders urged protection of constitutional rights.

In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, a group of 80 to 90 people allegedly vandalized Christmas decorations at a shopping mall. The Vishva Hindu Parishad called on Hindus to avoid Christmas celebrations, labeling them a threat to cultural awareness, which critics said fosters exclusion and harassment. In Kerala, children under 15 singing carols were attacked, and one RSS-linked suspect was arrested. A BJP leader’s remark defending the assault drew public outrage. In Madhya Pradesh, a blind woman was reportedly harassed during a prayer meeting, and Christians faced intimidation.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the incidents as contrary to India’s secular values, accusing RSS-linked groups of pressuring schools to cancel Christmas events.

Bangladesh’s women’s volleyball team won the bronze medal at the CAVA Cup held in the Maldives, defeating Afghanistan 3–0 in straight sets. The victory secured third place for Bangladesh, marking the best achievement in the country’s women’s volleyball history. Four teams participated in this year’s tournament, where Bangladesh lost to the Maldives in the semifinals before claiming the bronze in the third-place match. The team was coached by experienced trainer Shafiqul Islam Russell.

Bangladeshi women have been playing volleyball since 1973 and have represented the country internationally for 52 years. However, this is the first time they have finished third in an international competition. Officials of the Bangladesh Volleyball Federation expressed great satisfaction with the result. Executive member Sohel Rana described the success as commendable and a sign of progress for women’s volleyball in the country, expressing hope for even better performances in the future.

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan has called for realizing the vision shown by the 'July warriors', saying they pointed out the right path for the nation. He stated that the country had been on the wrong track and must correct its course to build a prosperous Bangladesh. Khan made these remarks on Friday, December 26, at the centenary celebration of Dalta Rahmania High School in Ramganj, Lakshmipur, where he attended as the chief guest.

During his speech, the NBR chairman emphasized the need for social respect toward deserving individuals, noting that society often honors the wrong people while neglecting those who merit recognition. He also encouraged students to pursue education sincerely, saying that opportunities are open both at home and abroad for those who learn properly.

The event was presided over by education enthusiast and social worker Khorhshed Alam Bhuiyan and conducted by former student Abu Hannan Lavlu. Several notable figures, including Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr. Mamun Ahmed and industrialist Kamal Hossain, addressed the program virtually.

Supreme Court senior lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir has collected nomination papers to contest the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election from the Sunamganj-2 (Dirai-Shalla) constituency as a candidate of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. He collected the nomination papers on Friday, December 26, from the office of the Dirai Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer.

During the submission, he was accompanied by senior teacher Pulin Bihari Das, freedom fighter Pandab Chandra Das, Jamaat’s Dirai Upazila Ameer Abdul Kaddus, Ashish Chakraborty, farmer Sudhanshu Biswas, Rabeya Monir, Sushma Pal, and physically challenged Samraj Mia, along with leaders of the eight-party alliance. After collecting the papers, Shishir Monir told journalists that he wanted a free, fair, and festive election in Dirai-Shalla.

He emphasized that all participants should follow the electoral code of conduct until the end of the campaign and urged the administration to ensure a level playing field so that no voter or candidate feels intimidated during the election process.

On the opening day of the Boxing Day Ashes Test in Melbourne, a total of 20 wickets fell as Australia took a narrow lead. England’s Josh Tongue produced a five-wicket haul to bowl out Australia for 152 runs in their first innings. However, England’s batting collapsed even more dramatically, managing only 110 runs in reply. By the end of the day, Australia reached 4 without loss in their second innings, leading by 46 runs overall.

Australia’s innings unraveled early, losing wickets rapidly after reaching 27 runs. Michael Neser top-scored with 35, while Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey contributed 29 and 20 respectively. For England, Harry Brook scored 41, Gus Atkinson added 28, and captain Ben Stokes made 16, but the rest fell cheaply. Australia’s Michael Neser took four wickets, Scott Boland three, and Mitchell Starc two.

The first day’s play left Australia in a stronger position, holding a modest but valuable lead heading into the second day of the Test.

Bangladesh and Thailand have signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding to facilitate the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers in Thailand. The agreement was signed on Friday, December 26, at the office of Thailand’s Labour Minister Trinuch Thienthong. During the signing ceremony, Minister Thienthong expressed optimism that the recruitment process could begin soon under the new arrangement, noting Thailand’s need to address its existing labor shortages through foreign worker recruitment.

Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Thailand, Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, assured that workers would be sent through a safe, orderly, and regular process. He also invited Thai authorities to visit Bangladesh to gain firsthand understanding of the country’s labor migration systems and procedures. Minister Thienthong instructed her senior colleagues to advance discussions on implementing the memorandum and emphasized the importance of swift action to meet labor market demands.

Ambassador Kazi briefed the Thai minister on ongoing discussions with Thai business communities and reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to following best practices similar to other major labor markets in the Asia-Pacific region.

At least three people were killed in an armed clash along the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border, according to Tajik officials. The incident occurred on Tuesday in Kavo village of Shamsiddin Shohin district when three individuals allegedly crossed the border from Afghanistan. The confrontation began after the group reportedly refused to surrender to Tajik border guards.

Tajik authorities described the infiltrators as terrorists who resisted arrest and planned an armed attack on a border post. The border guards launched an operation in which all three were killed. Officials said the group had crossed into Tajik territory before the clash erupted.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the site, including three M-16 rifles, one Kalashnikov assault rifle, three foreign pistols with silencers, ten hand grenades, a night-vision scope, explosives, and other military equipment, according to the officials.

The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture reported that Israeli military operations and attacks by illegal settlers destroyed more than 8,000 olive trees across the West Bank within a week, resulting in an estimated loss of about $7 million. The most severe damage occurred in the northern and central regions, including the uprooting of 5,000 trees in Silat al-Harithiya (Jenin) and 3,000 in Turmus Ayya (Ramallah). Additional destruction was recorded in Tulkarem, Qalqilya, Salfit, Bethlehem, and East Jerusalem.

The ministry said agricultural infrastructure also suffered extensive damage, with 13 wells and farmhouses destroyed, irrigation systems harmed, water pumps stolen, 82 beehives ruined, and livestock poisoned. It described the attacks as part of a “systematic policy” aimed at seizing Palestinian land and displacing residents.

According to the report, violence in the West Bank typically intensifies during planting and harvest seasons. Since October 2023, Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 1,100 Palestinians, injured around 11,000, and detained 21,000. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements.

Former sports adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has said that his official Facebook page, which had around three million followers, was removed by Facebook authorities following mass reports. He claimed the removal occurred after posts about Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, were reported. Asif shared the information in a Facebook post on Friday, stating that all posts and videos related to Hadi were targeted with strikes and coordinated reports.

According to Asif, links were circulated in various Telegram groups to organize the reporting campaign, and three videos about Hadi received strikes. The incident comes as Asif prepares to contest the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election as an independent candidate from Dhaka-10. He had earlier resigned as a student adviser of the interim government, along with Mahfuz Alam, a day before the election schedule was announced.

The removal of the page has drawn attention due to its timing before the election and the large follower base involved, though Facebook’s official reasoning for the removal has not been detailed in the report.