Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has recovered 150,000 yaba tablets valued at approximately Tk 45 million during a special operation in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. The seizure took place early Thursday morning when a patrol team from BGB’s 64th Battalion spotted a suspect crossing from Myanmar. Upon being challenged, the individual abandoned a black plastic bag and fled across the Naf River back into Myanmar.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Jasim Uddin, commander of the Ukhiya Battalion, the confiscated drugs were found inside airtight blue packets within the bag. Intelligence surveillance has been intensified to identify and arrest the fleeing trafficker. The recovered yaba consignment is being handed over to Ukhiya Police Station for further legal procedures.

BGB officials reaffirmed their commitment to combating cross-border drug trafficking and smuggling, emphasizing that such operations will continue. The seizure underscores the persistent challenge of narcotics entering Bangladesh through the Myanmar border, a hotspot for yaba trafficking in recent years.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has introduced a new sub-module called 'Truck Movement' under the ASYCUDA World System to digitally monitor the movement of goods-laden trucks entering from India. The system electronically records each truck’s entry, duration of stay, and return of empty vehicles, replacing the previous manual process that was time-consuming and prone to errors. A pilot program began on December 15 at the Benapole Customs House in Jashore.

According to the NBR, the automated system will ensure real-time tracking and reporting of cross-border truck movements, improving efficiency in data management and minimizing revenue leakage. Officials believe the initiative will strengthen transparency and accountability in customs operations while enhancing border security. The NBR emphasized that accurate data will also help improve customs supervision and tax collection.

The revenue authority plans to expand the 'Truck Movement' module to all land ports across the country soon. Experts expect the system to modernize import operations, streamline border trade, and support Bangladesh’s broader digital governance goals.

Nine Bangladeshi fishermen were reportedly detained by members of the Arakan Army while fishing near Shah Porir Island in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, on Thursday morning. According to Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Inamul Hafiz Nadim, the fishermen were taken away by armed men in speedboats from the sea area bordering Myanmar.

Local fisherman Md. Belal said the group was fishing in two engine-powered boats when the Arakan Army chased and captured them. The detainees, all residents of Dangarpara village on Shah Porir Island, have been identified by local authorities. The Upazila administration has informed the Coast Guard and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), who are maintaining communication with relevant agencies to verify the incident and secure their release.

Officials said the situation is being closely monitored amid growing security concerns along the maritime border with Myanmar. The incident underscores ongoing cross-border tensions and the risks faced by Bangladeshi fishermen operating near disputed waters.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has formally requested the Ministry of Railways to arrange special trains or reserve additional carriages on seven major routes ahead of Acting Chairman Tareque Rahman’s scheduled return from the United Kingdom on December 25, 2025. The application, submitted by Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, aims to facilitate travel for supporters expected to gather in Dhaka to welcome Rahman.

According to the BNP’s letter, the party anticipates a large influx of people from across the country and has pledged to pay the government-approved fares for the reserved trains. The proposed routes include Cox’s Bazar–Dhaka, Sylhet–Dhaka, Jamalpur–Mymensingh–Dhaka, Tangail–Dhaka, Chapainawabganj–Rajshahi–Dhaka, Panchagarh–Nilphamari–Parbatipur–Dhaka, and Kurigram–Rangpur–Dhaka.

The Ministry of Railways has yet to respond to the request. Observers note that the move underscores the BNP’s efforts to mobilize nationwide participation in Rahman’s homecoming, which could have significant political and logistical implications for Dhaka’s transport and security management.

A Dhaka court on Thursday granted a three-day remand for Sibion Diu and Sanjoy Chisim, who were arrested for allegedly helping Faisal Karim Masud flee to India following the attempted murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the political-cultural platform Inquilab Moncho. The order was issued by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam after police sought seven days of remand for interrogation.

According to investigators, the two suspects were detained from Mymensingh’s Haluaghat and Dubaura areas. The prosecution argued that their interrogation was necessary to trace Masud’s escape route and identify other accomplices. No defense lawyer was present during the hearing. The case was filed on December 14 by Inquilab Moncho’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber.

Hadi was shot on December 12 in Dhaka’s Paltan area by unidentified assailants on a motorcycle and remains in critical condition in a Singapore hospital. Several other suspects, including Masud’s family members and associates, have already been placed on remand as the investigation expands.

Police in Dhaka have recovered the body of Jannatara Rumi, a leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), from a privately owned women’s hostel in Jigatola. Authorities are investigating whether her death was a suicide or a homicide. Rumi had filed a general diary (GD) at Dhanmondi Police Station a month earlier, citing death and assault threats from social media accounts linked to activists of the banned Awami League. She reported being targeted for her political activities and expressed fears for her safety.

According to party colleagues, Rumi had been subjected to sustained cyberbullying and threats for nearly two months, which left her psychologically distressed. Despite her GD, police reportedly provided no effective protection. Family members stated that Rumi had been battling depression following two failed marriages and was under psychiatric care. Police confirmed that an unnatural death case has been filed, with the family attributing her death to mental health struggles.

The case has sparked debate over online harassment, political intimidation, and the adequacy of law enforcement response to threats against opposition figures.

More than 200 leaders and activists from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have joined Jamaat-e-Islami in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat. The group, led by Burimari Union BNP adviser Rezwan Hossain and expelled Krishak Dal ward secretary Abdul Mannan, formally joined Jamaat at a gathering held at Hossain’s residence on Thursday afternoon. The event was attended by Jamaat’s Lalmonirhat-1 candidate Anwarul Islam Raju and several local Jamaat leaders.

Rezwan Hossain stated that he left the BNP after losing confidence in its activities, adding that his decision had prompted the local BNP unit to expel him the previous night. The Patgram BNP leadership confirmed his expulsion in a press release, citing violations of party discipline and damage to its image.

The mass defection highlights ongoing political realignments at the grassroots level ahead of national elections. Analysts suggest such shifts could influence local campaign dynamics, particularly in northern constituencies where both parties have strong organizational bases.

Student group Jatiya Chhatra Shakti staged a protest at Dhaka University on Thursday, demanding the resignation of Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. The protest accused him of failing to arrest attackers involved in the assault on Inquilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi and of worsening public security. Demonstrators burned an effigy of the adviser and announced plans for a symbolic funeral prayer on Friday.

The rally began at Shahbagh and moved through the TSC and VC areas before concluding at the Raju Sculpture. During the gathering, Jatiya Chhatra Shakti president Zahid Ahsan sharply criticized the adviser, calling him unfit for his position and accusing him of irresponsibility. Protesters chanted slogans demanding Jahangir’s resignation and accountability.

The protest reflects growing frustration among student activists over law enforcement and political accountability. Organizers warned of further demonstrations if the adviser does not step down, signaling potential escalation of campus-based political unrest.

Leaders of the National Chhatra Shakti have threatened to stage a sit-in in front of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s residence if Home Adviser Jahangir Alam does not resign by Thursday night. The warning came during a protest rally at Dhaka’s Shahbagh, where demonstrators demanded Alam’s immediate removal, accusing him of incompetence and failure to ensure public security.

Chhatra Shakti President Zahid Hasan directly addressed Yunus, urging him to act swiftly to avoid further agitation. Protesters marched from Shahbagh to Dhaka University’s Raju Memorial Sculpture and back, chanting slogans and later burning an effigy of the home adviser. They argued that the interim government did not need a home adviser who lacked sensitivity to public issues.

The protest reflects growing frustration among youth activists over the interim administration’s handling of governance and security matters. Political observers note that such confrontations could intensify pressure on Yunus’s advisory council in the coming days.

Jannat Ara Rumi, a 30-year-old leader of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and a prominent activist in the July uprising, was found dead in her hostel room in Jigatola, Dhaka, on Thursday. Police recovered her hanging body after a domestic worker discovered the open door and alerted others. Rumi, known for her role in anti-discrimination protests and the movement that led to the fall of the Hasina government, was serving as the joint coordinator of NCP’s Dhanmondi branch.

Family members expressed deep sorrow and said Rumi had been staying alone that night, as her roommate was away. They suggested that she might have taken her own life due to depression but called on law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation. NCP officials confirmed her political position and described her as a dedicated activist.

Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of death, and the incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media. Police said an autopsy report will determine whether foul play was involved.

The SME Foundation of Bangladesh announced that 138 individuals, including 72 men and 66 women, have successfully become entrepreneurs through its Business Incubation Center. The participants received training, mentorship, and business advisory support, along with opportunities to showcase their products at national and international trade fairs in the UK, China, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. A certificate distribution ceremony was held on December 18, 2025, in Dhaka, with senior officials from the SME Foundation and Startup Bangladesh in attendance.

Chairperson Md. Musfiqur Rahman emphasized that the incubation center provides essential business knowledge, workspace, networking, and technical assistance to new entrepreneurs. The initiative aligns with the government’s National Industrial Policy 2022 and the SDG 2030 agenda. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, SMEs contribute about 30% to the national economy and employ over 30 million people.

The program is expected to further strengthen Bangladesh’s SME ecosystem, enhance women’s participation, and support sustainable economic development through innovation and capacity building.

Police recovered the hanging body of Jannatara Rumi, a leader of the Nationalist Citizens’ Party (NCP), from a private women’s hostel in Jigatola, Dhaka. Authorities have registered an unnatural death case, though questions remain over whether it was suicide or foul play. Family members cited her long struggle with depression, while party colleagues pointed to sustained online harassment as a possible contributing factor.

According to NCP senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adib, Rumi had faced months of cyberbullying and threats of violence from activists linked to the now-banned Awami League. Her personal and family information had reportedly been circulated online, leaving her distressed and withdrawn in recent weeks. Police confirmed that the family’s case mentioned her mental health issues and ongoing treatment.

The incident has sparked debate over the growing problem of political cyber harassment in Bangladesh. Rights groups have urged a transparent investigation and stronger digital safety measures for women in politics. Police said they are awaiting autopsy results before determining the cause of death.

Bogura district has become politically active following reports that BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman may return to Bangladesh ahead of the next national election. Workers have been renovating his long-abandoned residence on Riaz Kazi Lane, once a hub of northern political activity. The house, neglected since Rahman’s arrest and subsequent exile after the 2007 political crisis, is now being repaired under the supervision of former MP Helaluzzaman Talukder.

Local BNP sources suggest Rahman could contest from the Bogura-6 (Sadar) constituency, prompting the revival of his old political base. Around 20 laborers have been working daily for several days to restore the property, repainting walls and repairing gates. The district’s youth wing has already organized celebratory rallies, and a welcoming meeting is planned at the BNP office.

If Rahman’s return materializes, it could significantly energize BNP’s grassroots in northern Bangladesh ahead of the election, reshaping local campaign dynamics and signaling a more direct leadership role for him after years abroad.

The Bangladeshi government has dispatched a senior foreign ministry official to Singapore to oversee the treatment of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure of the July uprising and spokesperson for the Inquilab Mancha. Hadi remains in critical condition at Singapore General Hospital, where doctors are preparing for a complex brain operation to remove a bullet fragment lodged in his brainstem. The decision followed a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka.

Singapore’s Foreign Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan has been in regular contact with Dr. Yunus to monitor Hadi’s condition. Hadi’s two brothers are currently by his side, and another family member is en route to Singapore. Dhaka Medical College neurosurgeon Dr. Abdul Ahad confirmed that Hadi suffered a massive heart attack and severe infection before his transfer.

Officials say the dispatched diplomat will coordinate between Hadi’s family, hospital authorities, and the Singaporean government to ensure timely medical and administrative decisions as the situation remains highly critical.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) has announced that international election observers and foreign media must submit applications by January 17, 2025, to monitor the country’s 13th National Parliamentary Election and accompanying referendum scheduled for February 12. The directive, signed by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, confirms that voting will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on election day.

The EC stated that it is committed to holding a free, fair, credible, and participatory election. To ensure transparency, all electoral processes will remain open to both domestic and international observers. The commission has invited observer organizations and foreign journalists from around the world to coordinate with local monitors under the International Observer and Foreign Media Policy 2025.

Officials emphasized that interested parties must comply with policy clauses 2.3 through 3.1 when applying. The EC’s Public Relations Director, Md. Ruhul Amin Mallik, has been designated as the contact point for inquiries. The move is seen as part of Bangladesh’s effort to enhance global confidence in its electoral process.