The Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association (BPJA) organized a human chain in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Saturday to protest the arson attacks on the offices of the newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, and the reported harassment of journalist Nurul Kabir. The demonstration condemned the incidents and demanded justice for those responsible.

During the event, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury said the government would bear a stain if it failed to investigate the attacks. He described the fires at the newspaper offices and the journalists’ desperate attempts to escape. My Desh Chief Reporter Bashir Jamal called for the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those behind the attacks, noting that similar incidents had previously targeted other media outlets such as Amar Desh, Naya Diganta, and Sangram.

BPJA President A.K. Mohsin said the media had played a vital role over the past 15 years and that attacks on journalists were unacceptable. Several other journalist leaders also spoke at the protest, expressing solidarity and demanding accountability.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman and his daughter Jaima Rahman have completed their voter registration process at the Election Commission (EC) in Dhaka. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed informed reporters on Saturday that the commission will make a final decision on Sunday regarding their inclusion in the official voter list. Both submitted their registration forms, provided biometric and iris data, and applied to be listed as voters in Ward 19 of Dhaka-17 constituency.

According to the EC secretary, the registration was carried out under Section 15 of the Voter List Act, 2009, which authorizes the commission to include any eligible citizen as a voter. He explained that although the registration process was completed, verification of fingerprints, signatures, facial, and iris data would take some time before issuing their National ID numbers, expected later the same day.

The secretary added that the decision on their inclusion is linked to the upcoming by-election scheduled for February 12. The matter will be presented to the commission, which may decide either through a formal meeting or by file circulation. The final decision is expected before the nomination submission deadline on December 29.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, announced that he will approach the High Court’s chamber judge on Sunday regarding a loan default issue with Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited. Speaking at a press conference at his party office on Saturday, Manna said he hopes the court’s decision will remove obstacles to his participation in the upcoming 13th national election. He explained that the dispute stems from a business loan taken in 2010 for Akafu Cold Storage Limited in Shibganj, Bogura, which later became problematic after his business partner allegedly took control and failed to repay the loan.

Manna stated that the loan, originally Tk 22 crore, had grown to about Tk 38 crore with interest and penalties. He said he repaid Tk 2 crore over the past year, and Bangladesh Bank directed Islami Bank to reschedule the loan, which the bank’s board approved on December 10. However, a previous High Court stay order in his favor was unexpectedly recalled. Manna said he will seek a new order to clear his name from the defaulter list before the December 29 deadline to remain eligible for election candidacy.

He expressed optimism that the upcoming hearing will resolve the issue and allow him to contest from Bogura-2, Sirajganj-1, and Dhaka-18 constituencies.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has dispatched a total of 293,147 postal ballots to expatriate voters across various countries over the past eight days ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. According to Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the Out of Country Voting System and Implementation (OCV-SDI) project, the ballots were sent throughout the week, including Friday evening, to ensure participation of overseas Bangladeshis.

Election Commission sources confirmed that on Friday alone, 57,360 postal ballots were sent to expatriates in different countries, with Saudi Arabia receiving the highest number at 22,000. The previous day, 10,999 ballots were sent to the United Arab Emirates, 3,500 to the United Kingdom, 900 to Kuwait, and 17,500 to Saudi Arabia. In total, Saudi Arabia received 57,343 ballots, the highest among all destinations.

Khan added that domestic postal voter registration is expected to increase, possibly reaching one million, while expatriate voter registration could exceed 600,000, reflecting growing engagement from both domestic and overseas voters.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain stated that no more flawed elections will be allowed in Bangladesh. He described the past three elections as flawed and emphasized that voters must be able to choose their preferred candidates without obstruction. He made these remarks on Saturday at the inauguration of the 'Voting Caravan' held at Bhola Government High School field, where he served as the chief guest.

Hossain clarified that the government will not act out of self-interest but will fully cooperate if citizens take initiative to establish their rights. He noted that nomination papers have already been accepted and that the upcoming election will take place on schedule. He urged campaigners to make voters aware of two key issues: the type of leadership they are choosing for the future and the rights they are entitled to in state governance. The event was attended by local administrative and law enforcement officials.

The adviser also dismissed speculations surrounding the upcoming election, reiterating that the government will not engage in any conjecture and that the electoral process will proceed as planned.

Adilur Rahman Khan, adviser to the Ministries of Industries, Housing and Public Works, and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, stated that any attempt to disrupt Bangladesh’s upcoming election will be resisted. He made the remarks on Saturday noon in the Mothar Bazar area of Madaripur after visiting the grave of July Movement martyr Naimur Rahman. Khan emphasized that the government is working to ensure security for all citizens and that the people will stand by the government to ensure a fair election.

During his visit, Khan also said that no patriotic citizen should doubt the election process and urged everyone to cooperate for a peaceful and fair vote. He mentioned that he regularly visits districts to inspect development projects, pay respects to July Movement martyrs, and meet their families. Earlier, he visited the grave of martyr Mamun, laid flowers at the July Memorial, and inspected progress on housing and waste management projects in Shibchar upazila.

Senior district officials, including the Deputy Commissioner and Additional Deputy Commissioner of Madaripur, accompanied him during the visit.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain said the government has invited election observers from around the world to ensure transparency and prevent any disorder during Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election. He made the remarks on Saturday, December 27, at Bhola Government School field while inaugurating the election campaign vehicle ‘Caravan’ for the parliamentary polls and the July National Charter implementation.

Hossain stated that the European Union and the American Republican Institute will each send observers, and the government will provide full support and security to them. He emphasized that citizens are eager to vote after being deprived of their voting rights for a long time and expressed hope that the election will take place in a festive atmosphere with broad participation.

The event was attended by Bhola Deputy Commissioner Dr. Shamim Rahman, Police Superintendent Md. Shahidullah Kawchar, political leaders, and local residents who witnessed the inauguration and demonstrations of the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ voting options.

Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, the 25th Chief Justice of Bangladesh, has formally retired from the judiciary after reaching the constitutional retirement age of 67. He stepped down from the top judicial post on Saturday, marking the end of his judicial career. Dr. Ahmed had taken oath as Chief Justice on August 11, 2024, following the post-uprising period in Bangladesh.

A former student of the University of Dhaka, Dr. Ahmed earned a first-class law degree from Wadham College, University of Oxford, and later obtained his master’s and PhD degrees from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the United States. He also worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as an expert on immigration law.

Beginning his legal career in 1984 at the Dhaka District Court and joining the High Court Division in 1986, Dr. Ahmed was appointed an additional judge in 2003 and became a permanent judge two years later. As Chief Justice, he introduced a roadmap for judicial reform, playing a key role in establishing a separate judicial secretariat and initiating laws for judge recruitment.

Barrister Zaima Rahman, daughter of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, completed her voter registration at the Election Commission building on Saturday afternoon. She finished the process and left the premises at 12:45 p.m., accompanied by her mother, Dr. Zubaida Rahman. The registration marks her official inclusion in the national voter list.

Earlier, on June 23, Dr. Zubaida Rahman was added to the national voter list after completing her own registration. Meanwhile, National Identity Registration Director General ASM Humayun Kabir informed journalists that Tarique Rahman has applied online for his National ID card and will receive it within 24 hours of completing his voter registration.

Tarique Rahman recently returned to Bangladesh with his family on December 25, ending 17 years of exile in the United Kingdom.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman visited the grave of his younger brother Arafat Rahman Koko at Banani Cemetery on Saturday. Before the visit, he completed voter registration work at the Election Building. Tarique Rahman also paid respects at the grave of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of Inquilab Mancha, prior to visiting his brother’s resting place.

Arafat Rahman Koko was born in Dhaka in 1969 and passed away from cardiac arrest in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on January 24, 2015. He left behind his wife and two daughters, Jafia Rahman and Jahia Rahman. From 2003 to 2005, Koko served as a member of the advisory council of the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

The visit by Tarique Rahman followed his official voter registration activities and reflected a personal moment of remembrance for his late brother, who had been involved in sports administration in Bangladesh.

Inqilab Mancha activists returned to Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka around noon on Saturday after briefly moving to Katabon to make way for BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Following Rahman’s departure from the Dhaka University area after visiting Sharif Osman Hadi’s grave, the protesters resumed their sit-in at Shahbagh, chanting slogans demanding justice for Hadi’s killing.

According to the report, Inqilab Mancha had been occupying Shahbagh since Friday afternoon, continuing their protest through the night until early Saturday. The group’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber earlier declared that they would not leave Shahbagh until government advisers appeared before them. He also stated that the protest would continue until those involved in planning, executing, or aiding the escape of Hadi’s killers to India were arrested.

Hadi, the group’s spokesperson and a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot in the head on December 12 in Purana Paltan. He later died on December 18 in Singapore after being transferred there for treatment. Investigators reportedly identified a banned Chhatra League leader as the shooter, who has since fled to India.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman completed his voter registration at the Election Commission building on Saturday afternoon to participate in the upcoming national election. He arrived at the commission around 1 p.m. and completed the process in 16 minutes at the Election Training Institute’s Room 104. According to the Director General of the National Identity Registration Wing, S M Humayun Kabir, Rahman will receive his national identity card within 7 to 24 hours after providing his fingerprints.

The registration marks the end of a 17-year gap during which Rahman could not register as a voter due to living abroad. The Election Commission had finalized the voter list on October 31, but Rahman and his daughter Jaima Rahman were added after the election schedule was announced. The commission will now publish a revised supplementary list for Dhaka-17 constituency. His registration removes all barriers to his candidacy in the 13th parliamentary election, for which nomination submission closes on December 29.

The national election and referendum were announced on December 11, with voting scheduled for February 12. Rahman has already collected nomination papers from Bogura.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman will receive his National Identity (NID) card within a maximum of 24 hours and a minimum of 7–8 hours after providing his fingerprint, according to SM Humayun Kabir, Director General of the National Identity Registration Division. He made the announcement at a press conference at the Election Commission (EC) office on Saturday morning, confirming that the EC has completed all necessary preparations, including the room where Rahman will provide his biometric data.

Tarique Rahman is set to be included in the voter list and collect his NID today. His daughter, Zaima Rahman, will also apply for an NID. He has already submitted his online application and will visit the EC office in Agargaon by noon to complete the remaining process. Reliable sources from the EC and BNP confirmed that his voter registration will be under Ward 19 of Dhaka-17 constituency, using a Gulshan address.

The EC’s readiness indicates that Rahman’s NID issuance process will be completed swiftly once biometric verification is done.

Tensions are reportedly rising between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top advisers to U.S. President Donald Trump. According to a report by Axios, Trump’s senior aides believe Netanyahu is deliberately undermining the Gaza peace process. The report states that frustration among Trump’s inner circle has grown as they suspect Netanyahu is taking active steps to delay the peace agreement and weaken the ceasefire.

The report names Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, peace envoy Steve Witkoff, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles as among those disappointed with Netanyahu. A White House official indicated that Netanyahu has largely lost the support of Trump’s core team, though Trump himself continues to back him and wants the agreement to move forward quickly.

Under Trump’s peace plan, the first phase of the ceasefire took effect on October 10, but Israel has reportedly failed to comply. Israeli forces have continued attacks in Gaza, with 412 people killed and 1,118 injured since the ceasefire began, according to TRT World.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman visited the grave of martyr Osman Hadi on Saturday at around 11:30 a.m. He also paid respects at the nearby grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and participated in prayers with senior BNP leaders. The visit took place before Rahman departed for the Election Commission to register as a voter at 11:40 a.m.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, and Joint Secretary General Habibun Nabi Khan Sohel were present during the visit. Rahman also spoke with Hadi’s brother, Abu Bakar Siddique. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, along with other university officials and DUCSU Vice President Sadik Kayem, welcomed Rahman at the site.

The visit highlighted Rahman’s engagement with party leaders and university officials ahead of his voter registration process.