Non-cadre officers and employees working at Bangladesh’s Secretariat have intensified their protest demanding a 20 percent 'Secretariat Allowance'. Despite assurances, the government has yet to issue an official order, prompting renewed demonstrations on Thursday. Protesters gathered outside the Secretariat, chanting slogans and warning that they would begin a complete work stoppage next week if the order is not released by the end of the day.

The movement escalated after protesters confined the Finance Adviser for nearly six hours on Wednesday, demanding immediate action. Police later intervened to free him amid tense confrontations. Officials had earlier indicated that a formal notification might be issued by Monday, but demonstrators rejected the delay, insisting on immediate implementation.

The standoff underscores growing frustration among government staff over pay disparities and delayed administrative decisions. If the strike proceeds, it could disrupt key bureaucratic functions, putting pressure on the Finance Ministry to resolve the issue swiftly.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a notification withdrawing Dr. Mohammad Mohibul Hasan from his position as Director at the Chief Adviser’s Office. According to the circular released on Wednesday, December 10, the order was signed by Joint Secretary Abul Hayat Md. Rafiq under the authority of the President. Dr. Hasan has been instructed to return to his original cadre organization under the Health Education and Family Welfare Division.

The notification stated that the decision was made in the public interest and will take immediate effect. No specific reason for the reassignment was disclosed. Such administrative reshuffles are common in Bangladesh’s civil service, often reflecting internal restructuring or policy adjustments within the government.

Observers note that the move may be part of broader efforts to streamline administrative functions under the caretaker government framework. Further appointments or transfers in related departments may follow in the coming weeks.

The High Court of Bangladesh has ruled that all marriages and divorces must be registered through a mandatory digital system. The verdict, delivered on December 11 by a bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan, directs authorities to establish a secure, centralized government database for recording marital information. The decision follows a 2021 writ petition seeking digitalization of marriage and divorce records.

According to petitioner’s counsel Ishrat Hasan, the initiative aims to prevent data concealment, secret marriages, and disputes over divorce authenticity. She emphasized that digital registration will enhance citizens’ social protection, ensure justice, and rebuild trust within society. The court’s directive is expected to significantly reduce administrative complications and fraudulent practices.

Authorities are now required to implement the digital system nationwide, marking a major step toward modernizing Bangladesh’s civil registration framework. Implementation details and timelines are yet to be announced, but the ruling signals a shift toward greater transparency and accountability in personal status documentation.

At a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, U.S. President Donald Trump sparked discussion by making personal remarks about White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt. While promoting his administration’s economic record, Trump digressed to praise the 28-year-old official’s appearance, calling her a ‘superstar’ and comparing her lips to a ‘small machine gun’ when she speaks on television.

The comments drew mixed reactions, with supporters cheering during the event while critics accused Trump of objectifying a female staff member. Trump also used the occasion to highlight his administration’s stance on gender and immigration, contrasting his policies with those of his political opponents. This is not the first time Trump has made similar remarks about Leavitt; he previously used comparable language in a 2023 interview with Newsmax.

Leavitt, who served as assistant press secretary during Trump’s first term, has not publicly commented on the latest remarks. Observers note that such statements may reignite debates over Trump’s rhetoric and treatment of women as he seeks to consolidate support ahead of the upcoming election season.

A Dhaka court has granted a five-day remand for Shawkat Mahmud, former president of the National Press Club and current secretary-general of Janata Party Bangladesh, in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The case accuses him of conspiring to overthrow the interim government and collaborating with foreign agents. Metropolitan Magistrate Fahmida Khandaker Anna approved the remand after a hearing on Thursday.

Mahmud was arrested last Sunday in Dhaka’s Malibagh area by the Detective Branch (DB) police, following the earlier arrest of US citizen of Bangladeshi origin, Enayet Karim Chowdhury, who is accused in the same case. Investigators claim Mahmud and others held secret meetings with political and business figures to destabilize Bangladesh’s political and economic environment. Authorities say interrogation is needed to uncover his alleged connections with foreign entities.

The case has drawn attention due to its political sensitivity and the involvement of several figures from different parties. Other accused individuals remain in custody as the investigation continues under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The Appellate Division of Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has announced that the final hearing on the appeal against the High Court verdict regarding the 15th Amendment to the Constitution will take place after the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed’s bench scheduled March 5 as the date for the hearing, effectively placing the matter beyond the election period.

Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman told the court that certain aspects of the 15th Amendment should be left for the next parliament to decide, emphasizing the need to avoid any ruling that could invite controversy. Lawyers representing the BNP argued that with national elections only two months away, repealing the amendment now could complicate future constitutional reforms.

Barrister Sara Hossain stressed that any future constitutional amendment must preserve the core principles of the Liberation War. The decision to delay the hearing underscores the judiciary’s cautious approach amid heightened political sensitivity ahead of the polls.

Israel’s military is facing a wave of resignations as around 600 officers and non-commissioned officers have submitted their resignations following a Supreme Court decision to suspend a long-standing financial benefit known as the “Chief of Staff Increase.” The suspended allowance had been a key incentive for career officers, and its sudden halt has triggered widespread discontent within the ranks.

According to Israeli daily *Israel Hayom*, most of the officers resigning are over 42 years old and intend to leave before the end of the month, when the suspension becomes effective. The dispute stems from a stalled agreement between the Finance and Defense Ministries, blocked in the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee due to objections from MK Amit Halevi. The deadlock has intensified frustration among soldiers who have long relied on financial perks to maintain loyalty.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly considering convening a meeting to assess the operational impact on the army amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. Military leadership, initially reluctant to intervene, is now lobbying for a rapid legal resolution as manpower shortages threaten operational readiness.

More than 307,000 Bangladeshi expatriates have registered to vote in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app, according to the Election Commission (EC). As of Thursday morning, 284,173 men and 23,219 women had completed registration. The EC began dispatching ballot papers to registered expatriates on Tuesday, marking the first time Bangladesh has introduced an IT-supported postal voting system.

The initiative allows expatriates, individuals in legal custody, and election officials on duty to cast their votes remotely. Registration, which opened on November 19, will continue until December 25. Eligible voters from countries including South Korea, Japan, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and several African nations are participating. The EC aims to engage up to five million expatriate voters through this system.

Officials say the postal ballots will be sent to voters’ registered addresses, and completed ballots must be mailed back to returning officers. The EC is preparing to hold the election in the first half of February, viewing this digital voting expansion as a milestone in inclusive electoral participation.

India’s Home Minister Amit Shah sparked uproar in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday by calling the Nehru-Gandhi family the country’s first ‘vote thieves’. The remark came during a debate on electoral reforms, where Shah accused the Congress of hypocrisy over objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process meant to update voter rolls. His comments triggered a sharp exchange with Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who challenged Shah to a public debate on election integrity.

Shah alleged that the first instance of ‘vote theft’ occurred when Jawaharlal Nehru became India’s first Prime Minister despite Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel receiving more provincial votes. He further cited Indira Gandhi’s 1975 election annulment and Sonia Gandhi’s alleged early voting as examples of Congress malpractice. Congress MPs protested, calling the allegations baseless and politically motivated.

The confrontation underscores rising tensions between the ruling BJP and Congress ahead of upcoming state elections. Analysts say the exchange reflects deepening polarization over electoral credibility and institutional trust, issues likely to dominate India’s political discourse in the coming months.

The Jagannath University Teachers’ Association has announced the schedule for its 2025 executive election, set to take place on December 24. The election timetable was released on December 10 through an official notice signed by Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman. According to the schedule, nomination papers can be collected on December 17–18, verified on December 20, and withdrawn on December 21. Voting will occur from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the university’s teachers’ auditorium, with results to be declared the same day.

The election commission, led by Professor Rahman from the Department of Chemistry, includes four other faculty members from various departments. The nomination fee has been set at Tk 1,000 for executive member posts and Tk 1,500 for editorial positions. The commission met with the university’s vice-chancellor and treasurer to discuss ensuring a fair and transparent election process.

The upcoming election is expected to shape the leadership of the teachers’ association for 2025, influencing academic and administrative collaboration within the university.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi held an unusually long meeting inside India’s Parliament, sparking widespread political speculation. Official sources said the discussion centered on the appointment of a new Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), a post vacant since September following Hiralal Samariya’s retirement. The extended duration of the meeting, however, has prompted questions about whether broader political issues were also discussed.

Under India’s constitutional framework, the CIC is selected by a committee comprising the Prime Minister, a minister nominated by him, and the Opposition Leader. Sources indicate that Gandhi rejected all proposed names and submitted written objections, continuing his pattern of challenging key appointments. The vacancy has left only two commissioners managing a backlog of around 31,000 pending Right to Information (RTI) cases.

Opposition parties accuse the government of deliberately delaying the appointment, undermining transparency and citizens’ access to information. Analysts suggest the meeting may have also touched on parliamentary deadlock, controversial bills, and economic concerns. No official statement was issued, leaving the true scope of the discussion uncertain.

Three Bangladeshi civil society organizations—Local Education and Economic Development Organization (LEEDO), Human Rights Development Centre (HRDC), and Dhaka Centre for Dialogue (DCD)—have jointly called on political parties to include four child protection commitments in their 2026 election manifestos. The demand was made during a discussion at the National Press Club in Dhaka on International Human Rights Day.

The groups urged parties to ban children’s participation in political rallies, ensure safety for street and vulnerable children during elections, include explicit commitments to child rights in manifestos, and sign public declarations against the political use of minors. Speakers, including academics and political representatives, warned that children face heightened risks during election periods despite not being voters. They criticized ongoing child labor and exploitation, calling for stronger state action on education, healthcare, and shelter for street children.

Participants emphasized that meaningful elections require safeguarding the next generation. They also urged future governments to institutionalize child protection policies and criticized global silence over children affected by conflict worldwide.

Residents of Babuganj in Barishal organized a broom procession and protest on Wednesday against Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, the general secretary of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party and its candidate for Barishal-3 constituency. The demonstration took place at Mirganj Bazar, where hundreds of men and women condemned Fuad’s recent remarks and demanded their withdrawal along with legal action against him.

According to protesters, Fuad had accused local residents of extortion and terrorism during a bridge inauguration event on December 7, alleging that Babuganj politicians and citizens sought money from a Chinese construction firm. Locals called the statements false and defamatory, saying they tarnished the reputation of the community. Fuad later claimed that bomb-making factories and illegal firearms were common in the area, further angering residents.

Protesters insisted that Fuad must apologize unconditionally and face exemplary punishment, warning of intensified movements if their demands remain unmet. The incident highlights growing tensions between the AB Party candidate and his constituency ahead of the upcoming election.

BNP publicity secretary and Tangail-5 candidate Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has pledged that no human rights violations will occur if his party forms the next government. Speaking at a human chain organized to mark the 77th International Human Rights Day in Tangail, he said the BNP’s politics is centered on public welfare and democracy, promising a humane and democratic Bangladesh free of violence and repression.

Tuku criticized past governments as illegitimate and authoritarian, accusing them of suppressing citizens’ fundamental rights and using law enforcement to commit abuses. He highlighted BNP’s recent social initiatives, including distributing wheelchairs and winter clothing to underprivileged and homeless people, as examples of people-centered politics.

He urged citizens to remain united to prevent any future authoritarian rule and to express their democratic will in the upcoming national elections. The event, organized by the Unity for Universal Human Rights of Bangladesh Foundation, concluded with a rally through Tangail town.

Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the Ministry of Shipping and Labour, said the interim government has been working to restore public confidence and reform every sector after taking charge in a severely damaged state following the fall of the former autocratic regime. He made the remarks on Wednesday while visiting a ship under construction at Karnaphuli Ship Builders in Narayanganj.

During the inspection, senior officials including the shipping secretary, district commissioner, and police superintendent accompanied him. Hossain emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring a level playing field for all candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections, dismissing any doubts about the electoral process. He also instructed shipyard authorities to maintain strict safety standards for workers.

When asked about special prisons for former military officers accused of enforced disappearances, Hossain declined to elaborate, saying details would be shared later. His comments reflect the administration’s effort to project stability and transparency amid a sensitive political transition.