The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has finalized preparations to announce the schedule for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, expected either on Wednesday evening or by December 11. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud confirmed that the announcement will follow a meeting with the President, after which Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin will deliver a televised address to the nation. The EC has already instructed Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar to record the CEC’s speech.

According to EC officials, the election is likely to be held in the first half of February next year. The commission emphasized the importance of cooperation from all political parties and stakeholders to ensure a fair and peaceful election process. This will be the first national election under the current commission led by Nasir Uddin, marking a major test of its administrative and organizational capacity.

If the schedule is not announced on Wednesday, it will be declared the following day, officials added, signaling the final phase of election preparations.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) on Monday held a crucial meeting with the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB) at its Agargaon headquarters to address disputes surrounding the National Equipment Identity Registrar (NEIR) system. While discussions continued inside, hundreds of mobile traders gathered outside the BTRC building, staging a sit-in to press for reforms to the NEIR policy.

Traders argue that the NEIR’s implementation could harm thousands of small retailers and benefit only select groups, while also driving up handset prices for consumers due to increased taxes and regulatory costs. MBCB leaders emphasized their preference for a peaceful, negotiated resolution. In contrast, BTRC officials defended the NEIR as essential for curbing illegal handset imports, ensuring consumer safety, and improving transparency in device tracking.

A high-level joint meeting is scheduled for Tuesday to resolve the impasse, involving the Prime Minister’s economic adviser, the NBR chairman, the commerce secretary, and representatives from mobile manufacturers and traders. The outcome could determine the future of Bangladesh’s mobile phone retail market and regulatory environment.

At a discussion marking International Anti-Corruption Day in Dhaka, Economic Adviser Salahuddin Ahmed emphasized that corruption in Bangladesh can only be reduced if politicians uphold integrity and society collectively resists unethical behavior. He argued that punishment alone is insufficient, calling for a revival of social norms that once ostracized corrupt individuals.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Dr. Mohammad Abdul Momen noted that despite widespread public opposition to corruption, eliminating it remains difficult when governance includes extortionists and criminals. He urged the government to assign senior officials to negotiate with foreign states to recover laundered funds. Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies Director Dr. A.K. Enamul Haque added that corruption cannot be eradicated by punishment alone, stressing the need for awareness and transparency.

ACC Commissioner Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Hafiz Ahsan Farid proposed publishing all government project details online to enhance accountability. Speakers agreed that Bangladesh must develop its own anti-corruption model rather than relying on foreign frameworks.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has reinstated the registration of the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party–JAGPA and approved a new electoral symbol, the ‘glasses’. The party, originally registered in 2008, lost its registration in January 2021 for failing to meet EC requirements. Following a legal challenge by party president Tasmia Pradhan, the High Court ordered the restoration of the registration in March this year.

According to the gazette published on December 9, the EC confirmed that the party had now fulfilled the necessary conditions for registration. The commission also approved the party’s request to modify its name to ‘Jatiya Ganatantrik Party–JAGPA’ and replace its previous symbol, the ‘hookah’, with the ‘glasses’. Party officials welcomed the decision as a recognition of their compliance and political legitimacy.

The reinstatement allows JAGPA to contest future national and local elections under its new symbol. Political analysts note that the decision reflects the EC’s ongoing efforts to regularize party registrations ahead of the next general election cycle.

A fisherman in Kaptai, Rangamati, caught a massive 23-kilogram Catla fish in the Karnaphuli River on Monday evening. The fish was netted near the Koila Depot Ghat area of Chandraghona Union’s Ward No. 3 by local fisherman Ujjal Mallik while he was fishing with a traditional net. Later that night, he sold the fish to local residents at 1,000 taka per kilogram, earning a total of 23,000 taka.

Speaking by phone on Tuesday, Mallik said he had gone fishing in the afternoon and was surprised by the size of the catch. He mentioned that this was not his first large catch—he had previously caught another 23-kilogram fish in the same river. Local residents gathered to see the rare catch, which drew attention for its size and price.

Such large fish are increasingly uncommon in the Karnaphuli River, highlighting both the river’s biodiversity and the challenges faced by local fishermen due to declining fish populations.

Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer of the National Citizen Party’s (NCP) southern region, alleged that the former Awami League government coerced the judiciary into validating unlawful decisions. He made the remarks while testifying before the International Crimes Tribunal-2 in the case concerning the killing of Abu Sayeed, a Begum Rokeya University student and the first martyr of the July Movement.

Abdullah claimed that during the Awami League’s tenure, intelligence officials dictated media narratives, and their statements were directly reflected in television news scrolls. His testimony was recorded before a three-member judicial panel led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. The tribunal proceedings are part of ongoing investigations into political violence and alleged abuses of power.

The allegations add to a series of testimonies criticizing the previous administration’s handling of judicial independence. Legal analysts suggest the tribunal’s findings could influence future accountability measures and shape public discourse on the separation of powers in Bangladesh.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released the final list of players eligible for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction, featuring seven Bangladeshi cricketers but excluding Shakib Al Hasan, the country’s most successful IPL representative to date. The auction is scheduled to take place on December 16 in the United Arab Emirates.

Among the Bangladeshi players, left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman has the highest base price at INR 2 crore. Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana, and Shoriful Islam each carry a base price of INR 75 lakh, while spinner Rakibul Hasan is listed at INR 30 lakh. The announcement comes as franchises prepare to rebuild squads ahead of the next season, which will follow the T20 World Cup.

Analysts note that Shakib’s omission may reflect his recent injury concerns and limited availability. The inclusion of several young Bangladeshi players, however, signals growing international recognition of the country’s emerging T20 talent pool.

Dhaka police are investigating the gruesome killing of Laila Afroz and her daughter Nafisa Lawal Binte Aziz, whose bodies were found with multiple stab wounds in their Mohammadpur residence on December 8. The authorities have filed a murder case naming domestic worker Ayesha as the prime suspect, though the motive remains unclear.

Investigators described the attack as unusually brutal, with forensic reports showing over 30 injuries on the mother and several deep wounds on the daughter. Deputy Commissioner Ibn Mizan of the Tejgaon Division said the nature of the killings suggests the assailant was a trained killer. CCTV footage is being analyzed to trace the suspect’s movements before and after the incident.

Police sources indicated that the killer may have changed clothes and left the scene calmly, adding to suspicions of premeditation. Investigators expect to identify the motive and apprehend the suspect soon, as the case has sparked public concern over household security and background checks for domestic workers.

Bangladesh’s prison authorities are preparing to launch a video calling system that will allow inmates to communicate with their families using IP phones. Currently, prisoners can make a 10-minute voice call every seven days for 10 taka through a fingerprint-based system. The new initiative will expand this service to include video calls, enabling inmates to see their relatives for 10 minutes each week at a cost of 15 taka.

Officials from the Department of Prisons said the move aims to reduce the financial and emotional burden on families who often travel long distances to visit inmates, spending an average of 3,000 taka per visit. The system will be centrally controlled through software, ensuring security and monitoring. Assistant Inspector General (Development) Md. Jannat-ul Farhad stated that the success of the fingerprint-based calling system encouraged the adoption of IP-based video communication.

Authorities believe the video call service will modernize prison communication, reduce inmate isolation, and strengthen family ties. The installation of IP phones across all prisons is expected to begin soon.

A renewed clash broke out between students of Dhaka College and Ideal College in Dhaka’s Science Lab area on Tuesday, just a month after both sides had reached a verbal ‘peace agreement’ to end previous hostilities. The altercation began around 11:30 a.m. when students from Ideal College allegedly threw stones at a Dhaka College bus near Labaid Hospital, prompting a violent response.

Police from New Market and Kalabagan stations intervened to disperse the students and restore order. New Market Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Ayub confirmed that Dhaka College students were sent back to campus, while Kalabagan police worked to control the situation from the Ideal College side. Authorities are investigating whether any deeper causes triggered the renewed violence.

Frequent clashes among students of Dhaka College, Ideal College, and Dhaka City College have long disrupted traffic and caused distress to commuters in the Science Lab area. The latest incident raises concerns about the sustainability of informal peace deals and the need for stronger institutional measures to prevent recurring unrest.

Bangladesh Bank has released a new report estimating the total assets of the country’s financial sector at Tk 42.42 trillion as of June 2025. The figure includes banks, non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), insurance companies, and capital market entities. About 96% of these assets are held by the banking sector, while insurance and capital market institutions account for less than 3%. However, economists warn that the reported figure represents gross assets and may not reflect the true financial health of the sector.

Experts, including former Bangladesh Bank chief economist Dr. Mustafa K. Mujeri, have questioned the reliability of the data, citing massive loan defaults and corruption across financial institutions. Non-performing loans now exceed Tk 6.4 trillion, with over one-third of NBFI loans in default. Mujeri and others argue that only forensic audits can reveal the real asset value, but such efforts remain limited. The central bank says it plans to expand data coverage in future surveys to improve accuracy.

The findings highlight deep structural weaknesses in Bangladesh’s financial governance. Analysts urge the interim government and regulators to strengthen oversight, enforce transparency, and restore public confidence before further instability spreads across the sector.

In northern Bangladesh’s Kurigram district, political tensions are rising ahead of the 13th National Election as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) struggles with internal divisions across three of its four constituencies. Despite officially announcing its candidates, local factions within BNP remain at odds over nominations, particularly in Kurigram-1, -3, and -4, where rival groups have openly clashed. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami has launched a coordinated and disciplined campaign, positioning itself as a strong contender in several constituencies.

The fall of the Awami League-led government following the July uprising has reshaped the political landscape, leaving the once-dominant Jatiya Party weakened and unpopular. BNP’s internal disputes threaten to undermine its voter base, while Jamaat’s early organization and grassroots outreach have strengthened its prospects. Other smaller parties, including Islami Andolon, the National Citizen Party (NCP), and Gano Adhikar Parishad, are also active in the field.

Analysts suggest that Kurigram’s voters—long affected by river erosion, unemployment, and poor infrastructure—are seeking credible leadership capable of addressing local hardships. The outcome may hinge on which party can unite its ranks and present a coherent development vision.

On International Anti-Corruption Day, BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman highlighted Bangladesh’s ongoing struggle with corruption and the party’s historical efforts to curb it. In a Facebook post, he described how corruption affects citizens—from job seekers and farmers to patients and entrepreneurs—and linked rising food prices, poor education quality, and road insecurity to systemic corruption.

Rahman recalled that under President Ziaur Rahman and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the BNP government introduced administrative reforms, strict financial laws, and transparent procurement systems. He cited the 2004 establishment of the Anti-Corruption Commission as a milestone recognized by the World Bank and ADB, noting that surveys then showed declining public perception of corruption.

Looking ahead, Rahman proposed a seven-point plan emphasizing institutional independence, digital transparency, whistleblower protection, and ethics education. He acknowledged the challenges of reversing entrenched mismanagement but asserted that honest leadership and public support could restore accountability if BNP returns to power.

A woman named Eni Akter from Satkania, Chattogram, gave birth to five babies—three girls and two boys—on Monday night at People’s Hospital after ten years of infertility. The births followed an intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedure recommended by doctors. The rare event has drawn widespread attention for its emotional and medical significance.

All five newborns are currently receiving treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit at Park View Hospital. Doctors reported that three of the babies weigh between 1.4 and 1.6 kilograms, while the other two, each weighing around 1 kilogram, are under special observation due to low birth weight. They will remain under observation for at least 72 hours.

Dr. Farida Yasmin Sumi, an infertility specialist from Rangamati Medical College, said the couple struggled for years and faced financial hardship during treatment. Despite concerns about medical expenses, the family expressed joy and relief at the safe arrival of the quintuplets.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia will remain in Dhaka for continued treatment after her medical board deemed her unfit for a long flight to London. Despite earlier plans to fly her abroad for advanced care, the air ambulance scheduled for Tuesday has been canceled for the second time. Doctors at Evercare Hospital are providing advanced treatment as her condition remains stable but fragile.

Medical sources report that while some of Zia’s health parameters have improved, new complications continue to arise. Her liver condition has stabilized, but kidney issues persist, with creatinine levels exceeding safe limits. She requires regular dialysis, and recovery is slow due to age-related factors. The medical board, including specialists from the UK, US, and China, meets daily to adjust her treatment.

BNP leaders say any decision on foreign treatment will depend on medical advice. Family members, including her daughter-in-law Dr. Zubaida Rahman, are closely coordinating her care. Supporters continue to hold prayers for her recovery across the country.