A police constable named Robiul Islam was killed in a road accident on Monday morning in the Bhanga Pol area of the Dhaka–Khulna highway under Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj. According to the report, an unidentified bus ran over him and fled the scene. Locals rescued Robiul and took him to Muksudpur Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. He was returning home to Muksudpur on his motorcycle after completing his night duty at Narail Sadar Police Station.

Robiul Islam was the son of Hiru Mia from Nowhata village in Muksudpur upazila. Muksudpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun stated that the body would be handed over to the family after completing legal procedures.

The report did not mention whether the bus or its driver had been identified or apprehended following the incident.

Former minister and Jatiya Party (JP) chairman Anwar Hossain Manju has announced that he will not contest in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. He cited physical illness as the reason for his withdrawal. Manju had earlier collected nomination papers for the Pirojpur-2 constituency, which includes Kawkhali, Bhandaria, and Nesarabad, but confirmed to the media on Monday that he would not submit them.

The nomination papers were collected on December 24 from the office of the assistant returning officer and upazila executive officer in Bhandaria. Senior leaders from JP’s local units and affiliated organizations were present at the time. On Sunday, a human chain was organized in Pirojpur under the banner of “Chhatra-Janata,” demanding the cancellation of Manju’s candidacy and his arrest over allegations of collaboration with the Awami League and involvement in violence during the July uprising.

Anwar Hossain Manju has been elected seven times from Pirojpur-2 and has served in multiple ministries. He and Anisul Islam Mahmud recently launched a new political alliance, the National Democratic Front (NDF), comprising 18 parties, which has already announced its candidates for the election.

The Chamber Judge Court of the Appellate Division has suspended the inclusion of Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna’s name in the loan defaulter list. The order, issued on Monday by Justice Md Rezaul Haque, effectively removes any legal barrier to Manna’s participation in the upcoming election, according to lawyers involved in the case.

Earlier, the High Court had rejected Manna’s writ petition seeking removal of his name from the defaulter list. The case stems from a December 10 call-back notice issued by Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited’s Bogura Barogola branch to recover Tk 38.04 crore in defaulted loans from Afaku Cold Storage Limited, a company chaired by Manna. The notice identified Manna as holding a 50 percent ownership stake, with ABM Nazmul Kadir Shajahan Chowdhury and Ismat Ara Laiju holding 25 percent each.

Following the High Court’s rejection, Manna appealed to the Appellate Division, which has now stayed the earlier order, allowing him to proceed with his election plans pending further proceedings.

Tasnim Zara, who recently resigned from the NCP, is facing difficulties collecting voter signatures required to run as an independent candidate in Bangladesh’s Dhaka-9 constituency. According to election rules, an independent candidate must submit signatures or affidavits from at least one percent of the total voters in their constituency, along with other required documents. Zara began collecting signatures from Khilgaon on Sunday but reported that obtaining voter serial numbers has become nearly impossible.

She stated that there are five official ways to access voter serial numbers—via SMS, online, phone calls, and QR codes—but claimed that none of these methods are currently functional. Zara alleged that the Election Commission has effectively blocked all avenues to retrieve voter numbers, and the commission’s website server remains down. She expressed concern that this situation makes it impossible to complete the required documentation.

With the nomination submission deadline set for today, uncertainty remains over whether Zara will be able to gather the necessary voter serial numbers in time to qualify as an independent candidate.

Former Bangladesh national cricket team captain Tamim Iqbal has called on clubs and stakeholders to stand by players affected by the ongoing turmoil surrounding the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) election. The dispute has disrupted Dhaka’s club cricket, with eight of the 20 first-division teams and reportedly 10 of the 24 second-division teams not participating in the league. These boycotts, mainly by clubs that refused to take part in the BCB election, have left many cricketers without playing opportunities.

In an audio message, Tamim expressed concern that the growing practice of halting matches is harmful to players and their futures. He warned that the current situation could affect others in the future and estimated that around 150 players are already impacted by the first-division withdrawals. Tamim urged all parties to prioritize the interests of players over personal or institutional agendas, emphasizing that the continuity of cricket in Bangladesh must be ensured.

He reiterated that his only interest is to see cricket continue in Bangladesh without players suffering losses due to political or administrative disputes.

Jagannath University authorities have instructed all general students to vacate the campus by 3:30 p.m. on Monday, December 29, ahead of the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) and hall student council elections. The directive was issued through an emergency notice signed by Acting Registrar Professor Dr. Md. Sheikh Gias Uddin.

According to the notice, voting for both the JAKSU and hall student council elections will take place the following day, starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m. Only students whose names appear on the voter list will be allowed to enter the campus to cast their votes.

The university administration stated that the decision aims to ensure a fair election process, maintain discipline on campus, and uphold overall security during the election period.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit the party’s central office in Naya Paltan on Monday. Party sources said he will leave his Gulshan residence at noon and head directly to the central office. The visit is part of his review of political programs and organizational matters, according to those involved.

This marks his first appearance at the central office since returning to the country after a long period of exile. Party leaders and activists have shown heightened interest surrounding his visit. Security measures have been strengthened in the Naya Paltan area ahead of his arrival, with RAB’s dog squad conducting sweeping operations in and around the office premises.

On Sunday, a day before the planned visit, Tarique Rahman worked for the first time at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan following his return to Bangladesh.

A group of miscreants attacked a human chain organized by traders in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar on Monday around 11:30 a.m. The traders had gathered to protest extortion in the area. The incident led to repeated chases and counter-chases between the attackers and participants, leaving several traders injured, according to reports.

The traders alleged that expelled Tejgaon Thana Jubo Dal general secretary Abdur Rahman and his followers had been extorting money from businesses in Karwan Bazar for a long time. They organized the human chain to demand an end to the extortion and the arrest of Abdur Rahman. During the peaceful demonstration, the attackers reportedly assaulted the participants.

The report did not specify the number of injured or whether any arrests were made following the attack.

The nomination paper of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has been submitted for the Feni-1 constituency. The submission took place on Monday, when her election coordinator, Rafiqul Alam Majnu, who also serves as the convener of Dhaka South BNP, handed over the documents to the district returning officer and Deputy Commissioner Monira Haque, accompanied by party leaders.

As Khaleda Zia is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital, Rafiqul Alam Majnu also filed a nomination as an alternative candidate. He stated that although he submitted the nomination following the party’s decision, he would continue to work on behalf of Begum Khaleda Zia.

The submission marks BNP’s formal step in the electoral process for Feni-1, with the party maintaining its leadership’s involvement despite Khaleda Zia’s medical condition.

Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kashem Arman, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Dhaka-14 constituency, submitted his nomination papers on Monday at the office of the Returning Officer located in the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner’s premises. The submission marks his formal entry into the upcoming parliamentary race for the seat.

During the submission, Barrister Arman stated that he was freed because people had united during the July movement, setting aside divisions. He described the current campaign as a struggle against corruption, black money, and muscle power, expressing confidence that his side would prevail in this fight.

The nomination submission comes amid broader political activities across Dhaka constituencies, with several parties finalizing their candidates for the upcoming election.

The 30th Dhaka International Trade Fair will begin on January 1 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal. Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to inaugurate the event. The announcement was made by Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman during a press conference held at the exhibition center on Monday afternoon.

According to the Commerce Secretary, this year’s fair has introduced online allocation for various categories of stalls and pavilions. Visitors will be able to purchase tickets both on-site and online, with entry facilitated through QR code scanning. The press conference was attended by Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice Chairman Hasan Arif, Additional Secretary (Export) of the Ministry of Commerce Abdur Rahim Khan, and EPB Director General Baby Rani Karmakar.

The fair marks a continuation of Bangladesh’s annual trade promotion efforts, with the new digital ticketing and stall allocation systems aimed at improving accessibility and management for participants and visitors.

Mia Golam Parwar, Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami and the party’s candidate for Khulna-5 constituency, submitted his nomination papers to District Commissioner and Returning Officer A S M Jamshed Khondkar on Monday. Other Jamaat candidates also filed nominations in Khulna-1, Khulna-2, and Khulna-6 constituencies.

After submitting his papers, Parwar said the nation seeks change and that those who previously held power cannot bring it. He emphasized that a new coalition, now expanded to ten parties, could deliver the desired transformation. He called for immediate measures to address the deteriorating law and order situation and urged citizens to remain united to ensure a free and fair election, warning against any attempt to manipulate votes.

Parwar also defended the nomination of Hindu candidate Krishna Nandi in Khulna-1, stating that Jamaat’s politics is based on justice and good governance, not religion. He invited people of all faiths who share these values to join the party and urged a “yes” vote in the referendum on implementing the July Charter.

The Bogura district unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is renovating a long-unused office room at its Nawabbari Road headquarters for acting chairman Tarique Rahman. The room, which had remained unused for 17 years, is being prepared as Rahman is expected to contest from the Bogura Sadar constituency. Renovation work includes new flooring, tiles, fly board, and ceiling decoration. On Monday morning, five to six workers were seen working on the walls and ceiling, while doors were being cleaned for repainting.

Interior engineer Saikat, who is overseeing the project, said the room will feature two book shelves, a large table, and more than ten chairs. District BNP media cell official Rashedul Islam Rashed confirmed that the work is progressing quickly under the supervision of district president Rezaul Karim Badsha. Several local leaders, including MR Islam Swadhin and Sheikh Taha Uddin Nine, visited the site Sunday night.

The BNP district office houses various party wings, and the building regularly draws hundreds of activists, according to the report.

The chief coordinator of the BNP’s election management committee for Dhaka-17, Abdus Salam, submitted nomination papers on behalf of the party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The submission took place around noon on Monday. Dr. Farhad Halim Donar was the proposer, and Advocate Alamgir Hossain was the supporter. Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP convener Aminul Islam and others were present during the submission.

After submitting the nomination, Abdus Salam told reporters that Tarique Rahman had been kept outside the country for 17 years and had faced oppression. He sought prayers for Rahman and expressed confidence that Rahman would win the seat by a large margin and work to resolve the current national crisis as head of government.

According to the election schedule, scrutiny of nomination papers will take place from December 30 to January 4, 2026. Appeals against returning officers’ decisions can be filed between January 5 and 9, with disposal from January 10 to 18. The final date for withdrawal of candidacy is January 20.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Bin Harun stated that the return of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman to the country serves as a confidence booster for investors. He made the comment in a post on his verified Facebook page on Sunday night, noting that the development signals progress toward a free and fair election, which he said is vital for an investment-friendly environment.

In the same post, Harun highlighted the recent completion of negotiations on the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), describing it as a major step for the country’s economic future. The agreement will provide duty-free access for 7,379 Bangladeshi products to Japan and 1,039 Japanese products to Bangladesh. It is expected to attract Japanese investment in sectors such as ICT, logistics, electronics, renewable energy, and agro-processing, while also enhancing employment and skills among Bangladeshi youth.

Harun added that the government is forming a specialized negotiation team to handle future trade agreements with countries like the United States, South Korea, and Turkey, aiming to strengthen Bangladesh’s trade capacity after LDC graduation.