BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman issued a public apology to retired Major General Sadiq Hasan Rumi during a virtual meeting with over a hundred retired military officers on Tuesday night. The meeting, held at the BNP chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, was attended by senior party leaders including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who presided over the session.

Speaking from London, Rahman recalled an incident from a past political rally where he had behaved rudely toward Rumi, then serving as the Director General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). Rahman expressed regret for his conduct and said he had long sought an opportunity to apologize. In response, Rumi thanked him and said he would remember the gesture.

The meeting was part of BNP’s broader outreach to retired armed forces personnel. Party insiders said such engagements aim to strengthen ties with former defense officials ahead of potential political mobilizations. Several senior BNP leaders and retired officers also delivered remarks emphasizing unity and national service.

Allies of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are set to meet on Wednesday in Dhaka’s Paltan area amid growing unease over seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming 13th national election. The meeting, to be held at the Nagorik Oikya office, will include leaders from Ganatantra Mancha, the 12-Party Alliance, Gana Odhikar Parishad, Jatiyatabadi Samomona Jote, Nezame Islami Party, and Gano Forum, among others.

The gathering follows BNP’s announcement of candidates for 272 parliamentary constituencies, leaving 28 seats unallocated, which the party says are mostly reserved for allies. However, several alliance members have expressed frustration, claiming BNP declared its candidate lists without prior consultation. Some unregistered allies reportedly sought nominations under BNP’s symbol but were excluded. BNP sources insist the party values its partners and aims to resolve the dispute while maintaining unity.

The Election Commission is expected to announce the official election schedule this week, intensifying political maneuvering among opposition blocs seeking to present a united front against the ruling Awami League.

National Citizen Party (NCP) northern chief organizer Sarjis Alam has questioned why BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has not returned to Bangladesh more than a year after the political upheaval. Speaking at a party meeting in Thakurgaon, Alam said he believes Rahman would face no obstacles if he came back, and urged all political groups to ensure a competitive but peaceful election process.

Alam emphasized that the NCP supports holding elections on schedule under the interim government and seeks a level playing field for all parties. He announced the formation of a Democratic Reform Alliance, uniting several reform-minded groups under a single electoral symbol. Alam also criticized corruption within law enforcement and warned that any officer acting as a partisan agent would face consequences.

He argued that the upcoming election may break the traditional two-party dominance and that a third political force could influence the outcome. The NCP, he said, aims to position itself as a centrist alternative advocating reform and resistance to external interference.

Mufti Syed Muhammad Fayzul Karim, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, has alleged that a conspiracy is underway to delay the country’s 13th national parliamentary election. Speaking at a campaign rally in Narayanganj on Tuesday, he warned that the people would not accept any attempt to postpone the election for the benefit of any individual or political group. He emphasized the need for a level playing field and a neutral interim government to ensure a credible vote early next February.

Karim cautioned that any use of muscle power, intimidation, or violence during the polls would be resisted. He said citizens no longer wish to support extortionists, terrorists, or corrupt figures, urging the government to guarantee an environment where voters can freely choose their preferred candidates. Senior party leaders, including Professor Mahbubur Rahman and Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, also addressed the gathering, attended by supporters who arrived in processions.

The remarks come amid growing political tension and uncertainty over the election schedule, with opposition parties demanding greater transparency and fairness in the electoral process.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for national unity to preserve and strengthen the achievements of the 2024 mass uprising. Speaking at the book unveiling ceremony of Professor Dr. Mahbub Ullah and his wife Salma Alo at the National Press Club on December 9, Fakhrul emphasized that differences among political parties must not undermine the movement’s sacrifices and outcomes.

He described Professor Mahbub Ullah as an extraordinary thinker and uncompromising advocate for citizens’ rights, voting rights, and economic justice. Fakhrul also paid tribute to Begum Rokeya on her birth anniversary, recognizing her role in women’s empowerment in South Asia. The event featured academics, journalists, and political figures including Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman and Saiful Haque, who echoed calls for unity and democratic consolidation.

Analysts note that Fakhrul’s remarks come as Bangladesh’s opposition seeks to maintain momentum following the uprising, amid ongoing political uncertainty and calls for institutional reform.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) has announced that four political symbols, including the Awami League’s boat, will not appear on postal ballots for the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahman El Mashud stated on Tuesday that symbols of parties whose registration has been suspended or cancelled will be excluded from the final postal ballot design.

Since party registration became mandatory in 2008, 59 political parties have been registered. The Awami League’s registration is currently suspended, while the Freedom Party (axe), United Citizens’ Movement (key), and PDP (tiger) have had their registrations cancelled. The EC clarified that symbols of deregistered parties remain under the commission’s authority and may still appear on ballots if necessary.

For this election, 118 symbols have been finalized. Postal ballots, which must be prepared and dispatched early, will include only symbols rather than candidate names. Voters will mark their chosen symbol after verifying candidate details through the EC’s app or website.

Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam has confirmed that members of the interim government’s advisory council will not be allowed to contest in the upcoming national elections or participate in any campaign activities. Speaking to reporters on December 9, he said the Election Commission (EC) has taken this position in line with the electoral code of conduct, which prohibits anyone holding a government position from engaging in electioneering.

Islam noted that recent discussions had suggested some advisers might resign before the election schedule is announced to become candidates. However, he emphasized that as long as they hold government posts, they are ineligible to run. The commissioner also stated that all preparations for the election are nearly complete, including constituency delineation, appointment of returning officers, and formation of monitoring and law enforcement cells.

Another commissioner, Abdur Rahmanel Masud, added that maintaining law and order before the schedule announcement is not the EC’s responsibility, but ensuring equal opportunity for all candidates will be once the schedule is declared.

Bangladesh’s interim government has released the complete eight-volume report of the National Consensus Commission, detailing its recommendations, the July National Charter 2025, and summaries of consultations with political parties and alliances. The report also includes public opinion survey results and related documentation. According to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, all volumes are now accessible online at https://reform.gov.bd, alongside reports from ten other reform commissions.

Formed under the leadership of Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the National Consensus Commission was established after the completion of six initial reform commissions. Professor Ali Riaz, head of the Constitutional Reform Commission, served as vice-chair. The commission incorporated heads of other reform bodies, later adjusted due to unavailability of some members. Following extensive dialogue with political parties and civil society, the July National Charter 2025 was finalized on July 31 and formally signed on October 17.

The government has already issued the ‘July National Charter Implementation (Constitution) Order,’ signaling the start of institutional reforms aligned with the commission’s recommendations.

Bangladesh’s interim government has urged all political and civic groups to refrain from organizing unauthorized rallies or demonstrations following the imminent announcement of the national election schedule. The decision was made at a Home Ministry meeting on December 9, under the directive of the Chief Adviser, as the country prepares for the 13th parliamentary election expected in early February.

Officials said the government’s primary goal is to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election. Nearly 900,000 members of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies will be deployed nationwide, marking the largest security operation in the country’s electoral history. About 150,000 police officers have already received election-specific training. Authorities warned that any illegal gatherings or disruptive movements will be strictly controlled, and violators will face legal action.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury acknowledged citizens’ rights to protest but urged them to present their demands to the next elected government. He emphasized maintaining calm and avoiding activities that could disturb the electoral environment.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has officially designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations, according to an executive order announced on December 8. The order directs all state agencies to avoid contracts, funding, or employment ties with either group or their affiliates. The move mirrors a similar declaration made by Texas last month.

CAIR, a prominent U.S. Muslim civil rights organization founded in 1994 with 25 chapters nationwide, denounced the decision as unconstitutional and defamatory, vowing to challenge it in court. The federal government has not listed either CAIR or the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist entities. The Muslim Brotherhood, founded nearly a century ago in Egypt, claims to have renounced violence and supports democratic participation.

The designation underscores growing tensions between state-level policies and federal standards on terrorism classifications. Legal experts expect the issue to test the boundaries of state authority in defining foreign threats, with potential implications for interfaith relations and civil rights advocacy in the United States.

Bangladesh’s Planning Secretary S. M. Shakil Akhter has sharply criticized the lack of proper implementation of government-approved projects, saying that while proposals are well-written on paper, they often fail to materialize effectively. Speaking at a seminar titled “National Energy Resilience Through Renewable Integration: The Bangladesh Perspective” held at the NEC conference room in Agargaon on Tuesday, he emphasized that project execution frequently deviates from the approved plans.

Akhter noted that once budget allocations are approved, responsible officials often neglect the actual implementation process. He argued that without identifying and penalizing specific individuals responsible for failures, no reform initiative will succeed. The secretary also objected to the practice of blaming entire teams of 20 to 30 people for implementation failures, insisting that accountability should be focused on those directly involved.

He concluded that Bangladesh will only see real progress when a system of individual accountability and punishment for negligence is enforced, signaling a call for structural reform in project management and oversight.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Mexico of a potential 5% tariff, accusing the country of breaching a long-standing water-sharing agreement. In a statement posted Monday on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed Mexico has failed to deliver the agreed water volumes to the United States, causing severe agricultural damage in Texas.

Trump alleged that Mexico owes more than 800,000 acre-feet of water accumulated over the past five years, despite repeated U.S. requests for compliance. He demanded that Mexico release at least 700,000 acre-feet by December 31 and settle the remainder soon after. According to Trump, the lack of action constitutes a serious injustice to American farmers.

He added that he has already approved the necessary documentation to impose the 5% tariff if Mexico does not act immediately. The warning revives trade tensions between the two neighbors and could complicate cross-border relations ahead of the upcoming U.S. election season.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M Nasir Uddin has formally requested Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed to assign 300 judges to serve as executive magistrates during Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election. The meeting took place at the Supreme Court on December 9, where the CEC sought the judiciary’s cooperation to ensure a fair and orderly electoral process. The Chief Justice assured full institutional support for the Election Commission’s efforts.

According to Election Commission officials, the schedule for the 13th national election and a related referendum is expected to be announced after the CEC’s meeting with the President on Wednesday or Thursday. Preparations are already underway, including arrangements for the CEC’s national address to be recorded by Bangladesh Television and Radio. Sources indicate that voting may be held in the first half of February next year.

This will be the first major electoral test for the Nasir Uddin-led Commission since assuming office, with political observers emphasizing the importance of judicial involvement to maintain transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.

Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has issued a stern message to Afghanistan’s Taliban government amid escalating border tensions. Speaking at a Guard of Honour ceremony in Rawalpindi’s General Headquarters, Munir said Pakistan remains a peace-loving nation but will not compromise on its sovereignty or territorial integrity. He urged the Taliban to make a decisive choice between supporting the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or maintaining stable relations with Islamabad.

The remarks come as cross-border violence and militant activity continue to strain Pakistan-Afghanistan relations despite multiple rounds of peace talks. Munir’s statement underscores Pakistan’s growing frustration over the Taliban’s perceived inaction against TTP fighters operating from Afghan soil. During the same event, he also warned India that any future aggression would be met with a swift and forceful response.

Analysts view Munir’s comments as part of Pakistan’s broader effort to pressure Kabul into curbing militant sanctuaries. The warning signals a potential shift toward a harder security stance if diplomatic efforts fail to yield results.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin has indicated that the schedule for Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament election could be announced within the current week. He made the remark on Tuesday, December 9, after a one-hour closed-door meeting with Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed at the Supreme Court. The meeting, held in the Chief Justice’s chamber, followed a long-standing tradition where the CEC meets the Chief Justice before announcing the national election schedule.

Earlier, Election Commissioner Abul Fazl Md. Sanaullah stated that the schedule for both the parliamentary election and a national referendum would be declared by December 15. The Election Commission is reportedly finalizing preparations for the announcement, including constituency logistics and polling arrangements. Political observers note that the meeting signals the final phase of pre-election formalities.

The upcoming announcement is expected to set the timeline for candidate nominations, campaign periods, and polling dates, marking the formal start of the election process. Stakeholders are closely watching for signs of consensus and transparency as Bangladesh heads into another national vote.