Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) employees have announced a strike starting December 12 at 7 a.m., suspending all metro rail passenger services in Dhaka. The workers say the decision follows the authorities’ failure to finalize and publish the company’s employment regulations, despite repeated assurances. The strike is expected to disrupt daily commuting for thousands of passengers in the capital.

Officials and employees stated that since DMTCL’s establishment in 2013, no formal employment policy has been approved for its more than 900 staff. Workers recruited after the metro’s commercial launch in December 2022 claim they have been denied essential benefits such as leave, provident fund, gratuity, shift allowance, overtime, and group insurance. They noted that an advisory committee had directed completion of the job rules within 60 working days from September 2024, but the deadline passed without progress.

The strike underscores growing frustration among employees after multiple unfulfilled promises by management. Unless resolved quickly, the standoff could affect Dhaka’s public transport reliability and erode confidence in the city’s flagship infrastructure project.

A tense rescue operation is underway in Tanore upazila of Rajshahi, Bangladesh, to save a two-year-old boy named Sajid who fell into a narrow 8-inch-wide borehole and became trapped about 35 feet underground. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon in Koelhat Purbo Para village, when Sajid accidentally slipped into the unused well while playing near a field.

Three units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence have been working continuously for over 21 hours to rescue the child. Officials said oxygen is being supplied through a pipe to help him survive, while excavators dig around the site. Assistant Director Didarul Islam of the Rajshahi Fire Service confirmed that local residents initially attempted a rescue but caused soil to collapse into the hole, complicating the operation.

Authorities estimate that it may take several more hours to reach Sajid. The borehole, originally drilled for irrigation a year ago but left uncovered, has raised concerns about rural safety and the need for stricter oversight of abandoned wells.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has issued a firm warning to Dhaka-based clubs considering boycotting the upcoming First Division Cricket League, urging them to participate to safeguard players’ livelihoods. At a press conference in Mirpur, BCB Vice-President Faruque Ahmed emphasized that any boycott would primarily harm cricketers, not administrators or officials. The league, scheduled to begin on December 14, has already included 20 teams in its fixture list, with none yet formally withdrawing.

Faruque praised national cricketer Tamim Iqbal and his club Old DOHS for reversing their earlier decision to skip the league, calling it a positive example. CCDM officials reiterated that bylaws and playing conditions have been shared with all clubs, and any team refusing to play will face disciplinary measures under existing regulations.

The BCB has also discussed the issue with senior national players and is exploring ways to ensure continuous match opportunities. If necessary, the board may organize alternative tournaments to keep players active while maintaining the integrity of domestic cricket.

More than 307,000 Bangladeshi expatriates have registered to vote in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app, according to the Election Commission (EC). As of Thursday morning, 284,173 men and 23,219 women had completed registration. The EC began dispatching ballot papers to registered expatriates on Tuesday, marking the first time Bangladesh has introduced an IT-supported postal voting system.

The initiative allows expatriates, individuals in legal custody, and election officials on duty to cast their votes remotely. Registration, which opened on November 19, will continue until December 25. Eligible voters from countries including South Korea, Japan, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and several African nations are participating. The EC aims to engage up to five million expatriate voters through this system.

Officials say the postal ballots will be sent to voters’ registered addresses, and completed ballots must be mailed back to returning officers. The EC is preparing to hold the election in the first half of February, viewing this digital voting expansion as a milestone in inclusive electoral participation.

A mild cold wave has swept across Tetulia in northern Bangladesh as temperatures dropped to 9.2°C early Thursday, marking the season’s lowest reading so far. The region, located in Panchagarh district, has been experiencing persistent cold for several days due to chilly Himalayan winds. Despite sunny mornings, the air remains cold and damp, with humidity recorded at 99 percent.

Local residents, particularly low-income workers, are struggling to cope with the sudden cold. Many have reported difficulties working outdoors or in rivers, while hospitals are seeing a rise in cold-related illnesses, especially among children and the elderly. In response, the district administration has distributed 8,640 blankets across 43 unions using funds from the Disaster Management Department and requested an additional 65,000 blankets from the ministry.

Officials warn that temperatures may fall further in the coming days, urging residents to take precautions as the cold wave intensifies across northern Bangladesh.

Residents of Sylhet experienced two consecutive earthquakes just five minutes apart in the early hours of Wednesday, December 10. According to India’s National Center for Seismology, the first quake occurred at 2:20:31 a.m. with a magnitude of 3.5 and a depth of 20 kilometers, followed by a second tremor at 2:25:14 a.m. measuring 3.3 in magnitude and 30 kilometers deep. No immediate reports of damage or casualties were recorded.

The same night, a 4.3-magnitude earthquake struck the Bay of Bengal at 3:38 a.m., while another tremor of magnitude 3.7 was reported in Myanmar around 2:54 a.m. Earlier in December, several mild to moderate quakes were recorded across Bangladesh, including in Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, and Chattogram.

Experts note that the recent sequence of tremors highlights the region’s seismic vulnerability, particularly along the Indo-Burma fault line. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and ensure structural safety measures as minor quakes continue to occur across the region.

The Jagannath University Teachers’ Association has announced the schedule for its 2025 executive election, set to take place on December 24. The election timetable was released on December 10 through an official notice signed by Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman. According to the schedule, nomination papers can be collected on December 17–18, verified on December 20, and withdrawn on December 21. Voting will occur from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the university’s teachers’ auditorium, with results to be declared the same day.

The election commission, led by Professor Rahman from the Department of Chemistry, includes four other faculty members from various departments. The nomination fee has been set at Tk 1,000 for executive member posts and Tk 1,500 for editorial positions. The commission met with the university’s vice-chancellor and treasurer to discuss ensuring a fair and transparent election process.

The upcoming election is expected to shape the leadership of the teachers’ association for 2025, influencing academic and administrative collaboration within the university.

Three Bangladeshi civil society organizations—Local Education and Economic Development Organization (LEEDO), Human Rights Development Centre (HRDC), and Dhaka Centre for Dialogue (DCD)—have jointly called on political parties to include four child protection commitments in their 2026 election manifestos. The demand was made during a discussion at the National Press Club in Dhaka on International Human Rights Day.

The groups urged parties to ban children’s participation in political rallies, ensure safety for street and vulnerable children during elections, include explicit commitments to child rights in manifestos, and sign public declarations against the political use of minors. Speakers, including academics and political representatives, warned that children face heightened risks during election periods despite not being voters. They criticized ongoing child labor and exploitation, calling for stronger state action on education, healthcare, and shelter for street children.

Participants emphasized that meaningful elections require safeguarding the next generation. They also urged future governments to institutionalize child protection policies and criticized global silence over children affected by conflict worldwide.

A criminal case has been filed against five individuals, including a former Additional Superintendent of Police and a former Public Prosecutor, in Satkhira, Bangladesh. The case, lodged by former Debhata Upazila Chairman Md. Al Ferdous Alfa, accuses the defendants of demanding extortion money, abduction, and physical assault related to a 2019 incident involving the seizure of seafood worth approximately 15 million taka.

According to the complaint, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized the fish shipment, after which police officials allegedly demanded 10 million taka from the plaintiff. When he refused, he and his brother were reportedly abducted and tortured. The plaintiff further claims that the confiscated fish were later sold at a fraction of their value and that additional bribes were taken under the pretext of securing bail.

The Satkhira Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate accepted the case and ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate. The next hearing is set for April 20, 2026, with the case highlighting ongoing concerns about police corruption and abuse of power in regional law enforcement.

Residents of Babuganj in Barishal organized a broom procession and protest on Wednesday against Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, the general secretary of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party and its candidate for Barishal-3 constituency. The demonstration took place at Mirganj Bazar, where hundreds of men and women condemned Fuad’s recent remarks and demanded their withdrawal along with legal action against him.

According to protesters, Fuad had accused local residents of extortion and terrorism during a bridge inauguration event on December 7, alleging that Babuganj politicians and citizens sought money from a Chinese construction firm. Locals called the statements false and defamatory, saying they tarnished the reputation of the community. Fuad later claimed that bomb-making factories and illegal firearms were common in the area, further angering residents.

Protesters insisted that Fuad must apologize unconditionally and face exemplary punishment, warning of intensified movements if their demands remain unmet. The incident highlights growing tensions between the AB Party candidate and his constituency ahead of the upcoming election.

BNP publicity secretary and Tangail-5 candidate Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has pledged that no human rights violations will occur if his party forms the next government. Speaking at a human chain organized to mark the 77th International Human Rights Day in Tangail, he said the BNP’s politics is centered on public welfare and democracy, promising a humane and democratic Bangladesh free of violence and repression.

Tuku criticized past governments as illegitimate and authoritarian, accusing them of suppressing citizens’ fundamental rights and using law enforcement to commit abuses. He highlighted BNP’s recent social initiatives, including distributing wheelchairs and winter clothing to underprivileged and homeless people, as examples of people-centered politics.

He urged citizens to remain united to prevent any future authoritarian rule and to express their democratic will in the upcoming national elections. The event, organized by the Unity for Universal Human Rights of Bangladesh Foundation, concluded with a rally through Tangail town.

The Government of Bangladesh has extended the deadline for registering unregistered mobile phones until March 15, following discussions with the Mobile Business Community of Bangladesh (MBCB). The National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), initially set to launch on December 16, will still go into effect as planned, but users now have additional time to register devices purchased or used without prior registration.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, the decision came after three days of continuous dialogue with mobile traders. The ministry clarified that there are no restrictions on importing mobile phones, and relevant authorities will be notified about permissible models and import conditions. Ongoing discussions with the National Board of Revenue and the Ministry of Commerce aim to revise import duties.

Officials urged mobile traders to maintain order and avoid any actions that could disrupt public safety. The government’s mediation seeks to balance regulatory enforcement with business concerns, ensuring a smoother transition to the NEIR system and curbing illegal handset use.

Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the Ministry of Shipping and Labour, said the interim government has been working to restore public confidence and reform every sector after taking charge in a severely damaged state following the fall of the former autocratic regime. He made the remarks on Wednesday while visiting a ship under construction at Karnaphuli Ship Builders in Narayanganj.

During the inspection, senior officials including the shipping secretary, district commissioner, and police superintendent accompanied him. Hossain emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring a level playing field for all candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections, dismissing any doubts about the electoral process. He also instructed shipyard authorities to maintain strict safety standards for workers.

When asked about special prisons for former military officers accused of enforced disappearances, Hossain declined to elaborate, saying details would be shared later. His comments reflect the administration’s effort to project stability and transparency amid a sensitive political transition.

Authorities in Dhaka’s Keraniganj have disconnected electricity and gas lines to a seven-story building that tilted following a recent earthquake. The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) took the action on Wednesday after the owner failed to vacate the structure despite repeated warnings. The building, located near the Jinjira Ferry Ghat in Lachmonganj, remains occupied even after being declared unsafe.

RAJUK Executive Magistrate Belayet Hossain said the building, owned by local resident Sattar Mia, was constructed without design approval. A technical team from the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) classified it as “risky” and recommended immediate evacuation. Officials from RAJUK, the local police, and Dhaka Palli Bidyut Samity participated in the operation to cut utility connections. The owner claimed he had requested more time before evacuation.

Authorities stated that further action will depend on a detailed report from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns over unauthorized high-rise construction in the capital’s outskirts.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued eight fishermen who had been held hostage by the notorious Jahangir pirate gang in the Sundarbans. Acting on a tip-off, a special operation was launched near the Chhoto Dagra canal of the Shibsha River, where the captives were found along with a single-barrel gun, four live cartridges, and seven empty shells. The pirates managed to flee deep into the forest before the raid.

According to Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, the rescued fishermen were safely handed over to their families on Wednesday morning. The victims, all residents of Koyra upazila in Khulna district, said they had been detained for seven days and tortured as the gang attempted to extort ransom money.

Authorities have intensified surveillance in the Sundarbans region to curb piracy and ensure the safety of local fishing communities. The Coast Guard continues to pursue the Jahangir gang, which has long been linked to kidnapping and extortion in the coastal areas.