The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam have reached an electoral understanding ahead of the upcoming national polls. Under the agreement, BNP will not field candidates in four constituencies where Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam will contest, while Jamiat will reciprocate in BNP-held seats. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the deal at a joint press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office, urging voters to support the 'date tree' symbol in those constituencies.

The four constituencies allocated to Jamiat are Nilphamari-1, Narayanganj-4, Sylhet-5, and Brahmanbaria-2. The candidates include Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi, Mufti Monir Hossain Kasemi, Maulana Ubaidullah Faruq, and Maulana Junaid Al-Habib. The announcement follows earlier amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), requiring coalition partners to contest under their own party symbols.

Political analysts view the arrangement as a strategic move by BNP to consolidate opposition votes and strengthen its alliance base before the election. The cooperation may influence local dynamics in key constituencies, potentially reshaping opposition coordination in the coming months.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has officially endorsed Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi, Secretary General of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, as its supported candidate for the Nilphamari-1 (Domar-Dimla) constituency in the upcoming 13th national election. The announcement was made by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir during a press conference at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan on Tuesday.

The decision marks a shift from earlier expectations, as Shahreen Islam Chowdhury Tuhin, nephew of Khaleda Zia and cousin of Tarique Rahman, had been actively campaigning in the area anticipating BNP’s nomination. His exclusion has reportedly caused mixed reactions within party ranks. Afendi expressed gratitude for the nomination, stating his confidence in victory and pledging to work toward a corruption-free administration and society.

Political observers view this move as part of BNP’s broader strategy to strengthen alliances with Islamist parties ahead of the election. The Nilphamari-1 seat is expected to be closely contested, with local dynamics and coalition politics playing a decisive role in the outcome.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to express concern over recent security incidents targeting its diplomatic and consular premises in India. The ministry cited violent protests outside the Bangladesh High Commission and the High Commissioner’s residence in New Delhi, as well as vandalism at the Bangladesh Visa Centre in Siliguri by extremist groups.

In a statement, Dhaka condemned what it described as “planned acts of violence and intimidation” against its diplomatic facilities, stressing that such incidents threaten the safety of mission staff and undermine the principles of mutual respect and tolerance. Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain alleged that a group of Hindu extremists breached security barriers and issued threats, accusing Indian authorities of failing to ensure adequate protection.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded that the protest was peaceful and limited to slogans over a domestic incident in Bangladesh. This marks the second time in December that Verma has been summoned, reflecting rising diplomatic sensitivity between the two neighbors over security and cross-border political issues.

Nearly 72,000 students have applied for admission to Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) for the 2025–26 academic year, according to the university’s admission committee. As of December 23, 49,861 students applied to Unit A and 20,947 to Unit B, with an additional 1,185 applicants in sub-units. The application period, which began on December 8, will close on December 25 at 11:59 p.m., with no extension planned.

Admission Committee Member Secretary Professor Dr. Mohammad Selim confirmed that the final number of applicants will be known after the deadline. The admission tests are scheduled for January 13 for Unit A and January 14 for Unit B, to be held in Sylhet and Dhaka centers. This year, SUST will admit 1,566 students, including 985 in Unit A and 581 in Unit B, with 77 additional seats reserved under five quota categories.

The merit list will be based on a combined score of test marks and GPA from SSC and HSC results, following the updated admission guidelines.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has detained four individuals, including a suspected human trafficker, and seized 46 bottles of Indian liquor during separate operations along the Thakurgaon and Dinajpur border areas. The arrests took place late on December 22 and early the next morning, following intelligence-led raids by patrol teams from Fakirganj and Chapsha Border Outposts. The detainees were later handed over to local police for legal proceedings.

According to the 42 BGB Battalion in Dinajpur, the liquor was recovered from an abandoned spot inside Bangladesh territory near pillar 342 in Pirganj upazila. In another operation near pillar 348 in Haripur upazila, three individuals, including a human trafficker named Saddam Hossain, were apprehended while attempting cross-border movement. BGB officials stated that intelligence teams are working to identify other suspects involved in smuggling and trafficking networks.

The BGB reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening patrols and surveillance along the northern border to prevent smuggling, drug trade, and illegal crossings, emphasizing continued cooperation with local law enforcement agencies.

More than fifty workers at Concept Knitting Limited in Tongi, Gazipur, suddenly fell ill on Tuesday afternoon after their lunch break. The incident occurred around noon when mostly female workers began experiencing vomiting, abdominal pain, and fainting. They were immediately taken to Gutia International Medical College Hospital for treatment, according to factory officials.

Workers reported that they had consumed filtered water and home-cooked meals during their break. Factory management confirmed that all affected workers are receiving medical care, though the cause of the illness remains undetermined. Police and health authorities have visited the site to assess the situation, but doctors have not yet commented publicly.

Officials are considering whether the illness could be linked to contaminated water or a mass panic reaction. The incident has raised concerns about workplace health standards and emergency response in Bangladesh’s garment sector. Further medical tests are expected to determine the source of the outbreak.

Authorities at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka have announced a 24-hour restriction on visitors, citing security and operational reasons related to the return of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. From 6 p.m. on December 24 to 6 p.m. on December 25, only passengers with valid tickets and passports will be allowed entry into the airport premises.

The Civil Aviation Authority stated that the measure aims to maintain passenger service, safety, and operational discipline during the high-profile arrival. Airlines have advised passengers traveling on those dates to arrive early due to anticipated congestion. BNP sources confirmed that Tarique Rahman and his entourage are scheduled to land in Dhaka around noon on December 25 via a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight.

BNP leaders said Rahman will travel directly from the airport to Evercare Hospital, where his mother and party chairperson Khaleda Zia has been receiving treatment. The temporary restriction underscores heightened security preparations as the political figure returns after a long absence.

At an international conference titled “Decolonization and Maulana Bhashani” held at Dhaka University, eminent scholar Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury emphasized that Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani never pursued politics for power or personal gain. Speaking at the closing session, he described Bhashani as a genuine anti-imperialist leader who dedicated his life to the liberation of working people rather than seeking ministerial or diplomatic positions.

The two-day event, organized by the Centre for Advanced Research in Arts and Social Sciences (CARASS), featured academics including Professor Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, Professor Ahmed Kamal, and Dr. Iftikhar Iqbal. Speakers highlighted Bhashani’s socialist ideals, his rejection of capitalist dominance within the Congress, and his vision for a democratic Pakistan ensuring equal rights for all ethnic groups. Professor Abrar described Bhashani as a moral voice who valued justice, equality, and human dignity over political power.

Participants urged renewed research on Bhashani’s political philosophy and proposed establishing a dedicated research center to preserve his intellectual legacy and relevance for Bangladesh’s democratic future.

A Chattogram Metropolitan Magistrate Court has ordered the transfer of the murder case of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif to the Chattogram District Sessions Judge Court for trial commencement. Magistrate Abu Bakkar Siddique issued the order on Tuesday morning, marking the completion of lower court procedures. Alif’s father and case plaintiff, Jamal Uddin, was present during the hearing and subsequently petitioned the Home Minister through the District Commissioner to move the case to a special tribunal for expedited trial.

The investigation concluded on June 1, 2025, with a charge sheet naming 39 accused, including 17 fugitives. Arrest warrants, property seizures, and public notices have been issued for the absconding suspects. Government prosecutor Raihan Wazed Chowdhury confirmed that the case is now legally ready for trial. The murder, committed by alleged extremists linked to ISKCON after a mass uprising, sparked nationwide outrage. Legal professionals and civic groups continue to urge the government to transfer the case to a speedy trial tribunal to ensure justice.

Observers note that the government’s delay in forming a special tribunal has raised public concern over judicial efficiency and victim justice.

A special tribunal in Dhaka has formally ordered the start of trial proceedings against deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 12 army officers, among 17 accused, in a case involving alleged abductions and torture at the Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) cell. The three-member judicial panel, led by Chairman Golam Mortuza Majumdar, read out the charges and set January 21 for opening statements. Ten of the accused are currently in custody, while seven, including Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, remain fugitives.

Defense lawyers for the present and absconding defendants pleaded for dismissal of charges, asserting their clients’ innocence. Prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim urged the tribunal to proceed, citing sufficient grounds for trial. The accused, including several senior military officers, denied all allegations when asked by the court.

The case marks a significant legal development following the political upheaval that removed Hasina from power. Observers say the trial could have far-reaching implications for Bangladesh’s civil-military relations and accountability in state security operations.

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.

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.

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.