Dhaka’s Metro Rail authority has launched an online recharge system for Rapid Pass and MRT Pass cards, allowing passengers to top up their travel cards without visiting station counters. The new service, accessible through the website rapidpass.com.bd, supports payments via major digital platforms including bKash, Nagad, Rocket, and credit cards. This move aims to reduce long queues at metro stations and enhance commuter convenience in the traffic-congested capital.

According to the announcement, users can register online, log in, and recharge between Tk 100 and Tk 5,000. bKash users can receive up to Tk 100 cashback on transactions. Each card can have only one pending recharge at a time, and refunds are subject to a 5% service charge. The refund process is currently suspended.

Officials expect the online system to streamline fare management and encourage digital payment adoption among commuters. The initiative aligns with Bangladesh’s broader push toward smart urban transport and cashless mobility solutions.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, a former student representative in the interim government’s advisory council, has collected his nomination form to contest the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election from Dhaka-10 constituency. He obtained the form from the Dhanmondi Thana Election Office on Monday morning, confirming his intention to run as an independent candidate.

Bhuiyan and fellow student adviser Mahfuz Alam resigned from their advisory roles on December 10 after meeting with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Their resignations sparked speculation about possible political affiliations, with rumors suggesting Bhuiyan might join the National Citizen Party (NCP) or the Gonodhikar Parishad under the BNP alliance. However, Bhuiyan clarified on December 12 that he would contest independently.

The Dhaka-10 constituency, covering Dhanmondi, Kalabagan, New Market, and Hazaribagh, is expected to see a competitive race. BNP has nominated Sheikh Robiul Alam, while Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate is Supreme Court lawyer Jasim Uddin Sarkar. The NCP has yet to announce its contender for the seat.

The digital content landscape is witnessing a growing debate between short-form and long-form video formats. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have popularized quick, algorithm-driven clips that cater to shrinking attention spans and fast-paced lifestyles. Meanwhile, long-form videos—ranging from podcasts to documentaries—continue to attract audiences seeking depth, storytelling, and emotional connection.

Analysts note that short videos excel in virality and brand visibility, while long videos build trust and loyalty. However, both formats face challenges: short clips risk superficiality, and long videos demand sustained viewer engagement. Increasingly, creators are blending the two—using short clips to attract viewers and long videos to retain them. This hybrid model is emerging as the most effective strategy.

Experts predict that the future of digital content will depend less on format dominance and more on creators’ adaptability. Success will hinge on understanding audience behavior and choosing the right format for the right moment.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that the country will experience mostly dry weather with partly cloudy skies over the next five days. The forecast, issued Monday morning for the next 120 hours, indicates that night and day temperatures may fluctuate slightly but will largely remain stable. Moderate to dense fog is expected in several regions, particularly from midnight to morning, affecting visibility and transportation.

According to the department, the extended outlook shows no significant weather changes during this period. The subcontinental high-pressure ridge currently lies over West Bengal and adjoining areas, while a seasonal low is positioned over the South Bay of Bengal. On Sunday, Chuadanga recorded the lowest temperature at 11.7°C, while Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar registered the highest at 30.8°C.

Officials advised caution for drivers and river transport operators during early morning hours due to fog. No cold wave is expected, but cooler nights may persist in northwestern districts.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for collective resistance against all forms of oppressive forces, emphasizing that awareness alone is not enough. Speaking on Monday morning, he urged citizens and political actors to take a firm stand to protect democratic values and freedoms.

Addressing recent attacks on media outlets, Fakhrul stated that the assaults on newspapers such as Prothom Alo and The Daily Star were not merely attacks on institutions but on democracy itself and the fundamental right to free expression. His remarks come amid growing concerns over press freedom and political polarization in Bangladesh.

Political analysts note that the BNP’s renewed rhetoric signals a broader campaign to mobilize public sentiment ahead of upcoming political activities. Observers warn that continued pressure on the media could further strain Bangladesh’s democratic environment and complicate dialogue between major political parties.

More than 575,000 expatriate Bangladeshis have registered to vote in the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ mobile application, according to the Election Commission’s latest update as of Monday morning. The registration process, initially open until December 18, has been extended to December 25 to accommodate more overseas voters.

Among the registered expatriates, 538,808 are men and 36,459 are women. Saudi Arabia accounts for the highest number of registrants at 138,705, followed by Qatar with 52,109, Oman with 38,099, Malaysia with 36,427, the United Arab Emirates with 26,500, and the United States with 24,055 voters. The Election Commission stated that the initiative aims to ensure greater participation of Bangladeshis living abroad in national decision-making.

Officials expect the final registration tally to rise further before the December 25 deadline, marking a milestone in Bangladesh’s effort to integrate its diaspora into the democratic process through digital platforms.

Tensions have risen within the eight-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami in Sunamganj as disputes over candidate selection intensify ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th national election. The uncertainty centers on two constituencies—Sunamganj-1 and Sunamganj-3—where frequent party-switching by two prominent politicians, Dr. Rafiqul Islam Chowdhury and Advocate Maulana Shahinur Pasha Chowdhury, has triggered grassroots mistrust and internal divisions.

Dr. Rafiqul Islam, once a BNP executive member, has shifted allegiances multiple times, most recently joining Islami Andolan Bangladesh in November 2025 to seek the alliance’s nomination. Local Jamaat leaders argue his candidacy could endanger the coalition’s vote base. Similarly, Shahinur Pasha, now with Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, faces skepticism from alliance activists due to his history of switching parties and participation in controversial elections.

Grassroots leaders warn that nominating controversial figures could erode voter confidence and damage the alliance’s electoral prospects. Party insiders suggest that final nominations will depend on field surveys and local acceptance to prevent internal rifts before the polls.

Economist and historian Mahbub Ullah has argued that Bangladesh, despite 54 years of independence, remains economically fragile and politically fractured. In a recent commentary, he contrasted Bangladesh’s limited industrial progress with Vietnam’s socialist-driven industrialization, noting that Bangladesh’s economy still depends heavily on garments and remittances. He warned that poverty has risen from 18% to 22% in four years due to inflation and job scarcity, while investment remains stagnant.

Ullah accused past governments of fostering oligarchic kleptocracy, capital flight, and institutional decay. He claimed that corruption and state capture have undermined democracy and economic vitality. The economist also alleged that Indian influence has compromised Bangladesh’s sovereignty through trade barriers and political interference.

He urged national unity to counter external dominance and restore confidence in state institutions, warning that internal political divisions and social media hostility threaten the country’s stability. His call emphasized the need for structural reform, economic diversification, and a renewed commitment to national self-reliance.

Bangladesh stands at a pivotal juncture as the nation prepares for its next general election following the July 2024 mass uprising that reshaped the country’s political landscape. The uprising, driven by grassroots frustration with authoritarianism and inequality, has intensified calls for a fair, participatory election and deep institutional reform. Reform proposals under Professor Muhammad Yunus’s interim administration have introduced structural changes to the Election Commission, though key recommendations—such as an independent delimitation body and recall voting—were excluded.

Analysts warn that public trust in the electoral process remains fragile after years of politicized governance. Concerns persist over the influence of money, partisan administration, and weak law enforcement. Political parties’ confrontational rhetoric and reports of violence, including an attack on Inquilab leader Sharif Osman Hadi, have raised fears of voter intimidation. Media independence and digital misinformation also pose challenges.

Experts emphasize that democratic transition requires more than a single election. Institutional accountability, judicial independence, anti-corruption measures, and inclusion of women and marginalized groups are essential to fulfilling the July uprising’s promise of a just, participatory republic.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun has appealed against the five-year prison sentence handed to him by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal. The appeal, filed on December 17, seeks acquittal from charges related to crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the July Uprising. The tribunal had delivered its verdict on November 17, sentencing Mamun to five years in prison.

The judgment was issued by a three-member panel of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, chaired by Justice Golam Murtuza Mozumdar, with Justices Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members. Prosecutors had earlier, on March 16, requested that Mamun be made an accused in the case, a motion the tribunal accepted.

Legal analysts note that the appeal will test the tribunal’s procedural robustness and may set a precedent for future cases involving senior officials. The Supreme Court is expected to schedule a hearing date in early 2026, with both prosecution and defense preparing extensive documentation.

Bangladesh’s interim government, formed after the fall of an authoritarian regime, is preparing for national elections amid rising regional security challenges. Despite political stabilization, the country faces mounting external and internal threats, including India’s expanded military presence near the northern border, insurgent activity in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and instability from Myanmar’s civil war. Analysts warn that Bangladesh’s outdated defense infrastructure—comprised largely of obsolete tanks, aircraft, and naval assets—cannot meet these evolving threats.

A proposed modernization roadmap outlines a three-phase plan from 2025 to 2040 to rebuild the armed forces into a technologically advanced, integrated defense system. Immediate priorities include acquiring modern main battle tanks, 4.5-generation fighter jets, guided-missile frigates, and advanced air defense systems. Midterm goals focus on joint command structures, domestic defense production, and cyber and drone warfare capabilities. Long-term objectives envision a blue-water navy and AI-driven defense research. Experts emphasize increasing defense spending to 2% of GDP and launching defense bonds for expatriates. The plan underscores that national security, not politics, must now be Bangladesh’s foremost priority.

Bangladesh’s interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has initiated a major realignment in foreign policy, emphasizing national sovereignty and reduced dependence on India. Following Sheikh Hasina’s fall from power after mass protests, Yunus has sought to reassert Bangladesh’s diplomatic independence by strengthening ties with China, Turkey, and Pakistan while maintaining engagement with Western partners. His administration’s early moves include reviving the Teesta River project with Chinese participation and signing agreements to modernize Mongla Port.

This shift recalls the foreign policy of former President Ziaur Rahman, who steered Bangladesh away from the Soviet-India axis in the late 1970s. Analysts note that Yunus’s approach has unsettled New Delhi, which had long enjoyed strategic influence over Dhaka’s political and defense affairs. Indian media have responded critically, reflecting growing unease over Bangladesh’s diversification of alliances.

The new policy’s implications are significant: it could reshape South Asian geopolitics by balancing regional powers and enhancing Bangladesh’s bargaining position. However, the transition also carries risks of diplomatic friction with India and challenges in sustaining economic and security cooperation across competing blocs.

Following the July–August revolution, Bangladesh’s interim government initiated an ambitious administrative reform drive, forming 11 commissions to restructure governance, decentralize power, and curb corruption. The Public Administration Reform Commission proposed reducing ministries from 43 to 25 and divisions from 61 to 40, introducing merit-based promotions, and creating a professional, citizen-oriented bureaucracy. However, several proposals, such as converting divisions into provinces, have been criticized as unrealistic.

The reform process has been derailed by entrenched cadre rivalries, particularly over the deputy secretary promotion quota, and by persistent political interference in recruitment and transfers. Administrative cadres protested against the proposed 50:50 quota, while other cadres supported it as a step toward equality. Analysts note that despite reform rhetoric, political parties have failed to prioritize bureaucratic neutrality and accountability.

Experts warn that without political consensus, transparent implementation, and institutional safeguards against politicization, the reform agenda risks stagnation. The future of Bangladesh’s bureaucracy now hinges on whether the government can enforce merit-based systems and restore public trust in state institutions.

The Bangladesh government has assigned armed bodyguards and initiated firearm licensing for several political figures and July Movement leaders following a surge in security concerns. Among those receiving protection are former interim government adviser and National Citizens’ Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam, NCP coordinators Hasnat Abdullah, Tasnim Zara, and Sarjis Alam. The move follows recent violent incidents, including the daylight shooting of activist Sharif Osman Hadi, which heightened fears of targeted attacks against anti-hegemony and sovereignty advocates.

Security agencies have reportedly identified a hit list targeting individuals critical of India’s influence in Bangladesh’s internal politics. In response, multiple politicians from parties such as BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Party, and LDP have applied for armed protection. Authorities confirmed that several requests are being processed, with some already approved. Additional Inspector General Khondker Rafiqul Islam stated that all applicants seeking security are being reviewed carefully.

The decision underscores the government’s attempt to stabilize the political environment ahead of upcoming elections, though it also reflects deepening mistrust and polarization within Bangladesh’s political landscape.

Sharif Osman Hadi, one of the prominent leaders of Bangladesh’s 2024 July uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government, died on December 18, 2025, in Singapore after being shot in Dhaka on December 12. The 32-year-old activist had emerged as a key figure in the post-revolt political landscape, leading the Inquilab Manch and promoting the ‘July Charter’—a proposed roadmap for a new political order emphasizing cultural independence and national identity.

Hadi’s politics centered on a Bengali Muslim identity and opposition to what he termed India-backed “cultural fascism.” While some student leaders joined Muhammad Yunus’s interim government or formed the National Citizen Party, Hadi’s faction remained independent, mobilizing grassroots groups. His assassination has triggered allegations of involvement by Bangladesh’s “deep state,” though police have arrested several suspects linked to the attack.

His death underscores the fragility of Bangladesh’s post-Hasina transition. With the July Charter referendum planned alongside the February 2026 elections, Hadi’s absence may reshape alliances among youth-led movements and challenge the interim government’s legitimacy.