Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami convened a preparatory meeting of its Grand Rally Implementation Committee at the party’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka, ahead of a major rally scheduled for January 3. The meeting, chaired by Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, focused on ensuring the successful organization of the event, which aims to promote social awareness amid the country’s evolving political situation.

During the session, committee members reviewed logistical and organizational aspects of the rally and formed several subcommittees to oversee specific responsibilities. Senior leaders including Maulana ATM Masum, Maulana Abdul Halim, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, and Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud were among those present. The participants emphasized coordination and community engagement to maximize turnout and impact.

The upcoming rally is expected to serve as a key platform for Jamaat-e-Islami to demonstrate its organizational strength and political relevance. Party officials expressed optimism about broad participation and concluded the meeting with prayers for the event’s success.

The Indian Army has introduced a new social media policy restricting its personnel from posting, liking, or commenting on Instagram. Soldiers will now be allowed to use the platform solely for viewing and monitoring content. According to Indian media reports, the directive has been circulated across all army units and departments to enhance awareness of online trends and identify misleading or harmful content.

Officials said the move aims to prevent security breaches and protect sensitive information after several past incidents where personnel were targeted through online 'honey traps' by foreign entities. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, speaking at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue, emphasized the importance of smartphones for communication but urged caution in digital engagement. He distinguished between reacting impulsively and responding thoughtfully, underscoring that soldiers should avoid hasty online interactions.

The new policy reflects the Army’s ongoing efforts to balance operational security with the realities of modern communication, as it seeks to maintain discipline while adapting to the digital habits of younger recruits.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has returned to Bangladesh after nearly sixteen years abroad, receiving a large public reception upon arrival. Following his return, he visited his ailing mother, former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka’s Bashundhara area.

According to party sources, after taking rest from his long journey from London, Rahman will begin his official programs on Friday. His schedule includes visiting the grave of his father, former President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, followed by paying tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar. On Saturday, he is expected to go to the Election Commission in Agargaon to register as a voter and potential candidate for the upcoming elections.

Later, Rahman will visit the Dhaka University campus to pay respects at the graves of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and martyr Osman Hadi, before visiting the National Orthopedic Hospital to meet those injured in the July uprising. His return marks a significant political moment for the BNP ahead of the national polls.

India has successfully test-fired a medium-range K-4 ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads from the INS Arighat submarine in the Bay of Bengal. The launch took place off the coast of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on Tuesday, according to NDTV. The K-4 missile can strike targets up to 3,500 kilometers away, marking a significant step in India’s strategic deterrence capabilities.

Commissioned into the Indian Navy on August 29, 2024, the K-4 missile makes India one of the few nations able to launch nuclear weapons from land, air, and sea. The missile, designed to carry a 2.5-ton nuclear payload, is India’s second-longest-range system after the land-based Agni-III. The test comes amid heightened diplomatic tension between India and Bangladesh, drawing regional attention to India’s expanding naval strength.

Defense analysts suggest the test underscores India’s commitment to maintaining a credible nuclear triad. However, observers warn that such demonstrations could further strain relations with neighboring countries and intensify regional security concerns in South Asia.

A 19-year-old Muslim construction worker from West Bengal, Jewel Rana, was beaten to death in Odisha’s Sambalpur district on Wednesday night after being accused of being Bangladeshi. Two of his coworkers were also assaulted and hospitalized. Police have arrested six suspects and launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred in the Danipali area under Ainthapalli police station.

Witnesses said the attackers demanded identification before assaulting the workers, forcing them to chant religious slogans. Migrant worker organizations and human rights advocates have linked the killing to a broader pattern of mob violence targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims, allegedly fueled by recent government directives to identify and deport undocumented Bangladeshis and Rohingyas.

The case has reignited debate over communal tensions and migrant safety in India. Activists have urged both state and central authorities to address the growing trend of vigilante attacks, warning that political rhetoric and administrative inaction are emboldening extremist groups. The Odisha government has promised a thorough investigation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used his Christmas address to deliver one of his most direct condemnations of Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing a wish for his death. The statement came as Ukraine faced another wave of Russian missile and drone attacks that killed at least three people and left large parts of the country without power.

Zelensky said that despite Russia’s ongoing aggression, it had failed to destroy Ukrainians’ unity, faith, and spirit. Without naming Putin directly, he declared that Ukrainians shared a single hope — the death of the man responsible for their suffering. His remarks followed a series of Russian strikes using ballistic and Kinzhal missiles, which Kyiv described as one of the most intense bombardments in recent weeks.

The comments underscored the deepening hostility between Kyiv and Moscow as the war nears its third year. Analysts suggest Zelensky’s rhetoric reflects growing frustration with the relentless attacks and the slow pace of Western support. Further escalation in rhetoric and military action is expected as both sides brace for a harsh winter.

Bangladesh is experiencing a sharp drop in temperature, with cold winds and dense fog gripping much of the country, including the capital Dhaka. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the current cold spell is expected to persist for at least five more days, with nighttime temperatures falling by 1–2°C and daytime temperatures also slightly lower. The lowest temperature recorded on Thursday was 10.2°C in Rajshahi, while Dhaka saw 14°C.

Meteorologists said that while no formal cold wave has yet developed, the chill is being felt more intensely due to fog and reduced sunlight. Experts attribute the conditions to a subcontinental high-pressure system that is amplifying the cold. The BMD forecasts that temperatures may drop further around the start of the new year.

The cold has worsened hardship for low-income and homeless residents, many seen huddling on city streets. Meanwhile, sales of winter clothing have surged in local markets as people prepare for a potentially harsher cold phase ahead.

A major rift has emerged within the eight-party Islamist alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami as negotiations over seat-sharing for the upcoming national election stall. The coalition, which includes Islami Andolan Bangladesh led by Charmonai Pir Syed Rezaul Karim and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish led by Maulana Mamunul Haque, has failed to finalize a unified candidate list despite multiple liaison committee meetings. Both parties are demanding significantly higher seat allocations—around 100 for Islami Andolan and 25–30 for Khelafat Majlish—creating pressure on Jamaat, which aims to contest at least 200 constituencies.

Sources suggest that if demands remain unmet, Islami Andolan and Khelafat Majlish may withdraw to form a separate platform, possibly encouraged by external political assurances. Jamaat leaders, however, maintain optimism that consensus will be reached before the nomination withdrawal deadline. The inclusion of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), seeking 50 seats, has further complicated talks. Analysts note that the outcome of these negotiations could reshape Islamist political alignments and influence opposition strategies in the forthcoming election.

Former Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuz Alam stated that the Zia family’s long-standing commitment to Bangladesh’s sovereignty and democracy has once again been proven. In a Facebook post on Thursday evening, he welcomed Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, expressing hope that his comeback would strengthen public confidence in democratic governance.

Tarique Rahman, son of former President Ziaur Rahman and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, left Bangladesh in 2008 for medical treatment following his release from an 18-month detention under the military-backed caretaker government. Since then, multiple corruption cases had kept him abroad. His return marks the end of a prolonged absence that began during a politically turbulent period.

Political observers note that Tarique’s homecoming could reshape the opposition landscape ahead of future elections. Supporters view it as a symbolic moment for the BNP’s revival, while critics remain cautious about its political and legal implications.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman visited his mother, former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is currently receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. He was accompanied by his wife, physician Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman. During the visit, Tarique Rahman inquired about his mother’s condition and spoke with the attending medical team.

Outside the ICU cabin, Khaleda Zia’s personal physician, Professor Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain, was seen briefing family members about her health status and ongoing treatment. Khaleda Zia, who has been suffering from multiple health complications, has been under close medical supervision for several weeks. Her condition continues to draw attention from political circles and supporters.

The visit marks a rare public appearance by Tarique Rahman, who has been living abroad for years. Party insiders say his presence underscores the family’s concern and the BNP leadership’s focus on Khaleda Zia’s health amid ongoing political developments in Bangladesh.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman paid tribute to Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi during a public reception in Purbachal on December 25, emphasizing Hadi’s vision for restoring the people’s economic rights. Rahman recalled Hadi’s recent martyrdom and linked his sacrifice to the broader struggle for a just and prosperous Bangladesh.

In his address, Rahman urged citizens of all faiths—Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians—to unite in building a peaceful nation. Drawing parallels between the liberation struggle of 1971 and the defense of sovereignty in 2024, he said Bangladeshis now seek to reclaim their rights to free speech and democracy. He highlighted the role of the youth in shaping the country’s future and stressed the need for a democratic system supported by a strong economic foundation.

Rahman concluded by repeating his call for peace, underscoring that national harmony and inclusive development are essential for fulfilling the sacrifices of past generations.

A helicopter conducting a medical evacuation mission crashed near Barafu Camp on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, killing five people, the country's Civil Aviation Authority confirmed on Thursday. The victims included two foreign nationals, a local doctor, a tour guide, and the pilot. The crash occurred on Wednesday at an altitude between 4,670 and 4,700 meters, according to local media reports.

Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak at nearly 6,000 meters above sea level, attracts around 50,000 climbers annually. The Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority stated that an investigation has been launched in accordance with international aviation safety protocols. Helicopter crashes in this region are rare; the last recorded incident occurred in November 2008, resulting in four deaths.

Authorities are now focusing on determining the cause of the crash, with weather conditions and mechanical failure among possible factors. The tragedy underscores the risks associated with high-altitude rescue operations in challenging terrain.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman delivered his first public speech in Dhaka after returning to Bangladesh following 17 years of exile. Speaking at a mass reception on the 300 Feet Road on December 25, he expressed gratitude to God and pledged to build a just and inclusive nation modeled on the fairness of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Rahman emphasized unity among all religious communities, calling on citizens to work together for peace and national progress.

His return marks a significant political moment for the BNP, which has faced leadership challenges during his absence. Party supporters gathered in large numbers to welcome him, viewing his comeback as a potential turning point ahead of future elections. Analysts note that Rahman’s message of justice and inclusivity aims to broaden BNP’s appeal beyond its traditional base.

Political observers expect his re-entry to reshape opposition dynamics and test the government’s response to renewed BNP activism in the coming months.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman delivered his first public speech in Dhaka after returning to Bangladesh following 17 years in exile. Addressing a massive crowd at a reception event on the 300 Feet Road area, Rahman urged citizens of all faiths—Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians—to work together to build a peaceful and inclusive nation. He expressed gratitude to the Almighty for his safe return to his homeland.

Rahman arrived at Sylhet Osmani International Airport early on December 25 from London and traveled to Dhaka amid large public gatherings along the route. His return marks a significant political moment for the BNP, which has been under pressure amid ongoing political challenges. Party leaders and supporters hailed his comeback as a potential revival of BNP’s national leadership.

Analysts suggest Rahman’s return could reshape Bangladesh’s political landscape ahead of future elections, though questions remain about his legal status and political strategy in the coming months.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman delivered his first public address in Bangladesh after 17 years, speaking at a grand reception event on Dhaka’s 300 Feet Road in Purbachal on December 25, 2025. Expressing gratitude to the Almighty, he said he had returned to his motherland through divine blessings. The rally marked his first direct engagement with supporters since his long exile abroad.

In his speech, Rahman compared the people’s recent political struggle to the 1971 Liberation War, asserting that citizens across all sectors—students, farmers, and workers—had united to defend the nation’s sovereignty in 2024. He emphasized the public’s desire to restore democracy and called for collective efforts to rebuild the country. Party leaders and supporters hailed his return as a symbolic revival of BNP’s leadership.

Analysts view Rahman’s comeback as a potential turning point for the opposition’s political strategy ahead of future national elections. His remarks suggest a renewed attempt to mobilize grassroots support and reposition BNP in Bangladesh’s evolving political landscape.