Bangladesh’s Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 22 new development projects totaling Tk 46,419 crore (approximately USD 4.2 billion). The approval came during the committee’s 18th meeting under the interim government, chaired by Chief Adviser and ECNEC Chairperson Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the NEC Conference Room in Dhaka. The Planning Ministry confirmed the decision in an official statement following the meeting. Of the total allocation, Tk 30,482 crore will come from government funds, Tk 1,689 crore from project loans, and Tk 14,247 crore from implementing agencies’ own resources. This marks the seventh ECNEC meeting of the 2025–26 fiscal year, reflecting the government’s continued focus on infrastructure and socio-economic development despite the political transition. Officials noted that the newly approved projects span key sectors including transport, energy, and rural development. Economists expect the investments to stimulate employment and regional connectivity, though they cautioned about ensuring transparency and timely implementation to maximize impact.

A video showing chaos during a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of former president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman went viral on social media Monday, drawing widespread discussion and criticism. The incident occurred when members of the newly formed 'Bangladesh Nationalist Generation of the Liberation War' paid tribute under the leadership of Ishraq Hossain, BNP’s candidate for Dhaka-6. Later that night, Ishraq issued a public apology through his verified Facebook page, expressing regret for the disorder. He explained that the large turnout and enthusiasm among party activists led to difficulties in maintaining protocol. Ishraq clarified that his role required ensuring the safety and comfort of senior leaders, including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat, who attended as chief and special guests. The apology was seen as an attempt to contain internal criticism and maintain discipline within BNP’s youth ranks. Political observers note that the incident underscores the challenges of managing large-scale party events ahead of the upcoming national elections.

Police in Bogura recovered the body of businessman Pintu Akanda, 35, seven hours after he was abducted at gunpoint from his Lotto showroom in Dupchanchia upazila on Monday night. Witnesses reported that four masked men forced him into a white microbus around 9:08 p.m. and drove toward Adamdighi. His body was later found in the Kumarpara area of Adamdighi upazila. Law enforcement officials have detained three suspects, including the microbus driver, Sanowar Hossain, and two others named Sakil and Sagor, for questioning. Bogura Additional Superintendent of Police Atowar Hossain confirmed that the vehicle used in the crime has been seized, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest the remaining perpetrators. The motive behind the killing remains unclear. The incident has sparked fear among local business owners in the area, prompting calls for stronger security measures. Police are reviewing CCTV footage that captured the abduction and continuing their investigation to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the murder.

Vince Zampella, the co-creator of the globally acclaimed video game series ‘Call of Duty,’ has died in a car accident near Los Angeles. Electronic Arts (EA) confirmed his death on Monday, stating that the 55-year-old gaming pioneer was driving his Ferrari on a mountainous road north of the city when the crash occurred on Sunday. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the vehicle veered off the road for unknown reasons, struck a concrete barrier, and caught fire. Both Zampella and a passenger sustained critical injuries and later died. Eyewitnesses shared footage on social media showing the burning red Ferrari at the crash site. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the accident. Zampella was widely regarded as a trailblazer in first-person shooter gaming, having co-founded studios responsible for several of the best-selling titles in history. His death marks a major loss for the global gaming community, with tributes pouring in from fans and industry peers worldwide.

Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris has appealed to the United Nations Security Council to support a comprehensive peace plan aimed at ending the country’s prolonged civil war. Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York, Idris called on the Council to “stand on the right side of history,” urging for an immediate ceasefire under joint supervision by the UN, African Union, and Arab League. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has killed thousands and displaced millions. The RSF currently controls parts of western and southern Sudan. Idris proposed that rebel forces withdraw from occupied territories and pledged to hold free and fair elections following a transitional period to foster national dialogue. A UN spokesperson confirmed that Idris did not meet Secretary-General António Guterres during his visit. Despite earlier mediation efforts by the United States and the “Quad” group—Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—negotiations remain stalled, leaving Sudan’s humanitarian crisis unresolved.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka on Tuesday morning. The meeting followed rising security concerns surrounding Bangladeshi missions in several Indian cities, including New Delhi and Kolkata. According to diplomatic sources, Dhaka expressed serious concern over recent activities by Hindu nationalist groups near its missions. Officials indicated that Bangladesh lodged a strong protest regarding the incidents and sought assurances from India to ensure the safety of its diplomatic staff and premises. This is the second time in December that Verma has been called in; earlier, on December 14, he was summoned over remarks made by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina while in India and over the alleged flight of suspects in a political attack case. The repeated summons reflect growing diplomatic tension between Dhaka and New Delhi amid heightened political sensitivities in both countries. Observers suggest that both sides may seek to de-escalate through dialogue to preserve bilateral cooperation on security and regional stability.

A large protest erupted outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 23, led by members of the Hindu nationalist groups Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. Demonstrators broke through security barricades and attempted to enter the diplomatic compound, prompting a strong response from Indian security forces. The protest was reportedly triggered by the killing of a Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, and broader allegations of minority persecution. Authorities established a three-tier security perimeter around the High Commission, deploying police and paramilitary personnel to prevent escalation. India’s Ministry of External Affairs earlier described a smaller protest on December 20 as non-threatening, but Bangladesh has rejected that account, citing serious security lapses. Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain questioned how members of extremist groups could approach such a sensitive diplomatic zone without prior authorization. The incident risks straining bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh, with Dhaka expected to raise the issue formally through diplomatic channels. Both governments are under pressure to ensure the safety of diplomatic missions and prevent further unrest.

Cambodia has formally invited Thailand to hold ceasefire talks in Kuala Lumpur following two weeks of deadly border clashes. In a letter obtained by AFP, Cambodia’s defense minister Tea Seiha urged that the meeting be held in a neutral and secure venue due to ongoing hostilities along the frontier. The proposal comes after at least 23 people in Thailand and 21 in Cambodia were killed, with over 900,000 displaced across both countries. Thailand’s foreign minister Sihasak Phuangketkeo had earlier announced plans for a bilateral meeting under the existing Joint Border Committee framework in Chanthaburi province. However, Cambodia’s request to shift the venue to Malaysia, the current ASEAN chair, underscores concerns over safety and impartiality. Malaysia has reportedly agreed to host the dialogue. Tensions remain high as Cambodia accused Thailand of launching airstrikes shortly after the meeting announcement. Continued shelling near the border town of Poipet has further strained relations, raising fears of a wider regional crisis if diplomacy fails to take hold.

Bangladesh’s National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has scrapped more than two million faulty primary school textbooks, valued at around Tk 15 crore, after discovering widespread printing defects and substandard paper use. Over fifty printing presses have been implicated, and more than 3,000 tons of low-quality paper have been rejected. Officials said the books were destroyed using cutting machines as part of a drive to ensure quality compliance. Former and current NCTB officials confirmed that similar irregularities occurred in previous years, with some presses allegedly linked to a long-standing political and business syndicate accused of embezzling billions of taka through low-quality textbook production. Industry leaders and inspectors reported threats and bribery attempts aimed at avoiding penalties. The Education Ministry has pledged strict action against those responsible. Observers note that the crackdown marks one of the largest quality-control interventions in Bangladesh’s textbook printing history. However, questions remain about whether entrenched networks within the printing sector can be dismantled and accountability sustained in the coming academic years.

At least two people were killed and thirteen others injured in clashes between the Syrian Army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo on December 22. The fighting erupted near the Sheikh Maqsoud and Lairamoun roundabouts, involving heavy machine guns and mortar fire. According to state media, several families fled the area, while the Syrian Civil Defense reported injuries among rescue workers and children. The Syrian Interior Ministry accused the SDF of attacking joint checkpoints, labeling the group as 'traitors.' In contrast, the SDF blamed pro-government militias for targeting civilians. After hours of fighting, both sides agreed late Monday night to cease fire following orders from their respective commands. The confrontation occurred as Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Damascus to discuss integrating the U.S.-backed SDF into the Syrian Army—a process stalled since a March agreement. Analysts warn that the issue remains one of Syria’s most sensitive national unity challenges, with Turkey’s classification of the SDF as a terrorist organization further complicating regional diplomacy.

A Mexican Navy aircraft on a medical mission crashed near Galveston, Texas, killing at least five people, officials confirmed Monday. The King Air model plane was carrying eight passengers, including one minor, when it went down during a humanitarian flight. Two individuals survived unharmed, while one person remains missing. According to the Mexican Navy, the aircraft was part of a medical transport mission supported by the Mishu y Mau Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides treatment for severely burned children. Among the passengers were four naval officers and four civilians. The minor patient being transported for medical care was among those killed. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, while rescue teams continue searching for the missing person. The incident has drawn condolences from both U.S. and Mexican officials, highlighting the risks faced by humanitarian and medical transport missions operating across borders.

A recent incident in Bihar, where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar publicly removed a Muslim doctor’s hijab during a state event, has reignited concerns over deep-rooted Islamophobia within India’s political establishment. Over the past decade, from 2015 to 2025, communal violence targeting Muslims has become increasingly systemic, with independent trackers estimating at least 70–80 Muslim deaths linked to mob attacks and hate crimes. Official data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) omits religion-specific figures, obscuring the true scale of the violence. Analysts and human rights advocates argue that such attacks are not isolated but reflect a pattern of state-enabled impunity. Common triggers include rumors of cow slaughter, interfaith relationships, and inflammatory political rhetoric. Experts like Dr. Muzammil Ayub Thakur and Dr. Mohammad Ashrafuluzzaman warn that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological affiliates have normalized hate speech and discriminatory laws, including the 2025 Waqf Amendment Act. Observers fear that without transparent data and judicial accountability, India’s secular fabric will continue to erode, leaving minority communities vulnerable and distrustful of state institutions.

A 65-year-old Palestinian gravedigger, Yusuf Abu Hatab, from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, has described the overwhelming toll of the ongoing conflict. He claims to have buried between 17,000 and 18,000 people during Israel’s military operations, often under extreme conditions with limited tools and materials. Many of the dead were unidentified, forcing mass and improvised burials in courtyards, hospitals, and even sports fields. According to Gaza’s media office, around 71,000 people have been killed and more than 171,000 injured since the war began in October 2023, most of them women and children. Despite a ceasefire declared in October, reports of violations and continued airstrikes persist, leaving hundreds more dead. Abu Hatab said he often worked from dawn until after sunset, sometimes burying up to 100 bodies a day. The account underscores Gaza’s deep humanitarian collapse, with destroyed cemeteries, blocked aid routes, and psychological trauma among survivors. Humanitarian groups continue to warn that without open crossings and reconstruction materials, the crisis will worsen further.

Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election has sparked intra-alliance tension as Barrister Rumeen Farhana, a central executive member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), announced her independent candidacy in Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail-Ashuganj). The seat was allocated to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Maulana Junayed Al-Habib under a BNP-Jamiat electoral understanding. Despite not receiving the BNP nomination, Rumeen declared her intention to contest independently during a local event in Sarail, fueling speculation of internal rifts. The BNP and Jamiat recently formalized an agreement granting Jamiat four constituencies—Nilphamari-1, Narayanganj-4, Sylhet-5, and Brahmanbaria-2. Under new electoral rules, Jamiat candidates must run using their party’s ‘date tree’ symbol rather than BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’. Party officials confirmed this arrangement in a joint press conference at BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office. Analysts suggest Rumeen’s independent bid could test BNP’s alliance discipline and voter cohesion in key constituencies. The development underscores the complexities of opposition coordination ahead of the national polls.

The Gaza Government Media Office has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement 875 times since it took effect on October 10, 2025. According to the office’s statement released Monday, Israeli attacks have killed at least 411 Palestinians and injured 1,112 others during this period. The reported violations include 265 incidents of direct gunfire at civilians, 49 military incursions into residential areas, 421 shelling operations, and the destruction of 150 homes. The office further alleged that Israel has failed to meet its humanitarian obligations under the truce. Only 17,819 of the 42,800 aid trucks agreed upon have entered Gaza, averaging 244 per day instead of the expected 600. Fuel deliveries have reached just 10% of the agreed amount, with only 394 trucks allowed in. Officials warned that hospitals, bakeries, and water systems are near collapse, creating an “unprecedented humanitarian crisis.” The statement urged mediating nations and the international community to ensure safe delivery of aid and fuel, warning that without immediate action, Gaza’s humanitarian disaster will deepen further.