A Dhaka court has ordered the imprisonment of Shawkat Mahmud, former president of the National Press Club and current secretary-general of Janata Party Bangladesh, in connection with a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana issued the order on Monday after police sought a 10-day remand for Mahmud. The court set Thursday for the hearing on the remand petition.

Mahmud was arrested on Sunday in the same case that led to the detention of Bangladeshi-American Enayet Karim Chowdhury, who is accused of involvement in a conspiracy to overthrow the government. Following his arrest, Detective Branch (DB) police produced Mahmud before the court, requesting remand for further interrogation. However, the hearing was postponed due to the absence of the case’s main documents.

The case has drawn attention from political observers and media circles, as Mahmud is a well-known journalist and political figure. The outcome of Thursday’s hearing is expected to determine whether investigators will be allowed to question him in custody.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has strongly criticized Jamaat-e-Islami, accusing the Islamist party of exploiting religion as a political tool to incite division, hatred, and violence. In a press release issued Monday, NCP rejected Jamaat’s recent statement against its member secretary Akhtar Hossain, calling it baseless and an attempt to mislead public opinion. NCP’s media cell editor Mushfiq us Salehin circulated the statement to the press.

The NCP cited a recent incident in Ishwardi, Pabna, where a Jamaat activist was allegedly involved in election-related violence, as confirmed by local intelligence police. The party argued that Jamaat’s denial of such facts reflects an effort to conceal the truth and evade responsibility. NCP urged Jamaat to embrace the post–August 5 political culture of peace and democratic values instead of reverting to old patterns of dominance and confrontation.

The NCP emphasized that responsible behavior by all political parties is essential for national stability ahead of the upcoming general election, warning that continued provocation could endanger peace and public trust.

The Ministry of Education has announced that classes for the first batch of Dhaka Central University, formed with seven government colleges in Dhaka, will begin on January 1, 2025. The ministry confirmed that the draft ordinance establishing the new university is being refined through consultations and will be presented at an inter-ministerial meeting on December 25. An operational manual for interim administration and academic activities has already been approved.

The announcement comes amid ongoing protests by teachers and students over the proposed ‘schooling’ structure of the university. Teachers from the general education cadre fear that the new structure could undermine their promotion rights and the autonomy of the colleges. Meanwhile, some students are demanding swift issuance of the ordinance to ensure legal clarity for their academic future.

The ministry stated it has received over 5,000 opinions from stakeholders and is reviewing them for legal and practical alignment. It assured that academic continuity will not be disrupted during the transition, as classes proceed under existing college frameworks.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman has warned that the country is already caught in a debt trap, stressing that acknowledging this reality is essential for moving forward. Speaking at a seminar in Dhaka’s NEC conference hall, he highlighted the sharp decline in the tax-to-GDP ratio—from over 10 percent a few years ago to around 7 percent now—and called for identifying the structural weaknesses behind this fall.

The seminar, organized by the General Economics Division (GED) of the Planning Commission, also unveiled the ‘Bangladesh State of the Economy 2025’ and the ‘SDG Progress Report 2025’. Policy experts, including CPD’s Mustafizur Rahman and former World Bank economist Zahid Hossain, expressed concern that rising debt servicing costs are crowding out spending on vital sectors such as agriculture and education. Rahman noted that interest payments have now become one of the largest budgetary expenditures.

Analysts warned that unless revenue mobilization improves, Bangladesh may face increasing pressure to borrow to repay existing loans, risking long-term fiscal sustainability and development priorities.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has finalized the registration of 81 domestic election observer organizations ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The announcement was made on December 8 by the EC’s public relations division, confirming that the registration process was completed in two phases following a review of applications and objections.

Initially, 73 local organizations were shortlisted in September, after which the EC invited public objections until October 20. Following the resolution of claims, 66 organizations were approved in the first phase, with registration valid from November 6, 2024, to November 5, 2030. Another 15 organizations received approval in the second phase, valid from December 4, 2024, to December 3, 2030.

The EC also noted that the registrations of 96 observer groups from the 12th parliamentary election were automatically canceled under the new Election Observation Policy 2025. Since the introduction of observer registration in 2008, the number of approved organizations has fluctuated, reflecting evolving oversight measures and transparency efforts in Bangladesh’s electoral process.

The High Court of Bangladesh has dismissed a writ petition that sought to suspend all activities related to the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The bench, comprising Justice Shikdar Mahmudur Razi and Justice Riaz Uddin, ruled that the petition was not properly presented and noted that the nation is already election-focused, making such a request untimely.

The petition was filed on December 3 by Advocate Yarul Islam, Secretary General of the registered political party Bangladesh Congress. It challenged the legality of appointing election officials from the executive branch and requested the formation of an independent Electoral Service Commission. Following the court’s observation, the petitioner withdrew the case, citing national interest.

Legal experts say the ruling clears procedural uncertainty ahead of the polls. The Election Commission continues its preparations, including coordination with deputy commissioners and returning officers. The decision reinforces judicial reluctance to interfere with the electoral timeline unless clear constitutional violations are proven.

The Bangladesh Ministry of Education has issued new guidelines clarifying when and how religious teachers can be appointed in private secondary schools under the updated MPO (Monthly Pay Order) policy. According to the directive, a school may appoint one religious teacher for each faith represented by at least 30 students. The policy was published on Sunday, December 7, by the Secondary and Higher Education Division.

The new rules, outlined in clause 11(21) of the MPO policy, aim to ensure proportional representation of religious instruction based on student demographics. Additionally, clause 11.19 stipulates that candidates for teaching and staff positions in private schools and colleges must not have more than one third division, class, GPA, or equivalent grade throughout their academic career.

Education officials say the move seeks to standardize recruitment and maintain quality across private institutions. The policy is expected to reduce ambiguity in teacher appointments and promote fairness in religious education across Bangladesh’s diverse school system.

Bangladesh Weather Observation Team (BWOT) has forecast the season’s first mild cold wave, named ‘Parash,’ expected to affect parts of the country between December 14 and 20. The cold wave is likely to bring minimum temperatures down to 8–10°C in regions including Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet divisions.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the lowest temperature recorded so far this season was 10.5°C in Tetulia, Panchagarh. Other areas such as Srimangal, Comilla, Naogaon, and Rajshahi have also reported temperatures between 11°C and 13°C. Meteorologists note that a cold wave is officially recognized when temperatures drop to 10°C or below.

Forecasts suggest that one or two cold waves may occur this month, ranging from mild to moderate intensity. Authorities advise residents, particularly in northern districts, to prepare for cooler nights and potential health impacts associated with the seasonal temperature drop.

Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed confidence that the upcoming national election in Bangladesh will not be postponed. Following a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other commissioners on Monday, the party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, stated that Jamaat does not foresee any risk of delay in the electoral schedule.

During the meeting, the six-member Jamaat delegation urged the Election Commission (EC) to install CCTV cameras at polling centers to ensure transparency and public confidence in the voting process. Porwar suggested that the EC could seek assistance from donor agencies to fund the initiative. The meeting followed similar consultations held earlier with representatives from the BNP, NCP, and the Bangladesh Administration Association.

Jamaat leaders also met with a European Union delegation, where party chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman emphasized that Jamaat’s politics serve the people rather than any individual or group, and that while the party works with religious values, it does not exploit religion for political gain.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has instructed Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar to prepare for recording the Chief Election Commissioner’s (CEC) address to the nation on December 10, when the schedule for the 13th National Parliamentary Election will be announced. The EC’s Public Relations Department confirmed the directive on December 8, noting that the CEC, A M M Nasir Uddin, will deliver a pre-recorded speech outlining the election timetable.

According to EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, the CEC and other commissioners will meet the President on the same day before the address is recorded. Officials indicated that the election schedule could be formally declared by December 11, with voting likely to occur between February 8 and 12. The EC emphasized its commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and neutral election process.

Unlike the previous election, when the CEC delivered the announcement live, this year’s address will be pre-recorded. The CEC is expected to urge citizens to participate in the election and call on candidates to uphold fairness throughout the process.

The Italian Embassy in Dhaka has released an urgent notice outlining the procedure for Bangladeshi citizens applying for Italian work visas. According to the announcement issued on Monday, December 8, applicants holding a 2025-issued or reconfirmed work nulla osta must register through a specific VFS Global web portal. They are required to upload a copy of the employer-provided nulla osta, after which the embassy will verify its validity and assign an appointment within a few days.

The embassy further clarified that applicants with nulla osta documents issued in 2023 or 2024 must wait until the Italian immigration office completes its review. Once the review is finalized, VFS Global will contact them directly for further processing. The embassy emphasized that following the official registration process is essential to avoid misinformation or delays.

This directive aims to streamline the visa application process amid growing demand from Bangladeshi workers seeking employment in Italy. The embassy’s structured approach is expected to reduce confusion and ensure timely scheduling for eligible applicants.

A German-based operator has canceled the air ambulance flight that was scheduled to transport former Bangladeshi Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia from Dhaka to London for medical treatment. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) confirmed that the operator, FAI Aviation Group, formally withdrew its landing slot request through its local agent despite having prior approval for arrival on Tuesday morning.

According to CAAB officials, the air ambulance, a Bombardier Challenger 604 jet, had been arranged with support from the Qatari government. It was expected to land in Dhaka at 8 a.m. and depart for London at 9 p.m. with Khaleda Zia on board. However, the operator later submitted a formal request to cancel the slot, which CAAB has forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Neither the operator nor the BNP has provided an official explanation for the cancellation, leaving uncertainty over Khaleda Zia’s next medical transfer plan and her current treatment arrangements in Bangladesh.

A new political alliance named the National Democratic Front (NDF) was officially launched in Dhaka under the leadership of former Jatiya Party heavyweights Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud and Anwar Hossain Manju. The announcement came during a press conference at the Jana Party Center in Gulshan, where leaders introduced a coalition of 20 parties, including the Jatiya Party (Manju), Jatiya Party (Anisul), Bangladesh National Party, Trinamool BNP, and several smaller groups.

NDF leaders said the alliance aims to uphold democratic continuity and protect citizens’ rights. They criticized the government’s approach to the upcoming election, calling for a truly participatory process. ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader, a Jatiya Party faction leader, stressed that reforms cannot exclude the Jatiya Party and urged all parties to be given equal opportunity. Mahmud argued that the interim government’s stance on ensuring fair competition remains unclear and self-serving.

The coalition’s formation follows a November 30 consultation meeting where 16 parties initially joined, later expanding to 20. The NDF’s emergence signals renewed efforts to reshape Bangladesh’s opposition landscape before the next national polls.

The Dhaka Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education has released the 2025 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) scholarship list. The announcement, made on Sunday, December 7, details that 456 students have received merit scholarships and 3,032 have been granted general scholarships. The list is now available on the board’s official website.

Earlier, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education issued an official order on November 26 outlining the distribution of merit and general scholarships across nine education boards based on the 2025 HSC results. According to the directive, a total of 1,125 students nationwide will receive merit scholarships, while 9,375 will receive general scholarships.

Recipients of merit scholarships will receive a monthly stipend of BDT 825 and an annual grant of BDT 1,800, while general scholarship holders will get BDT 375 per month and a yearly grant of BDT 750. The initiative aims to encourage academic excellence and support students’ continued education.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya and former Daksu vice president, has cautioned that any delay in announcing Bangladesh’s election schedule will deepen public uncertainty. Speaking at the inauguration of his party’s district office in Kurigram on Sunday, he noted that the Election Commission had initially hinted at declaring the schedule earlier in the month but has since deferred the announcement. Manna reiterated his party’s stance that the election should be held before Ramadan to maintain public confidence.

He praised Begum Khaleda Zia’s contributions to democratic movements, expressing concern over her health and emphasizing the importance of her participation in the electoral process. Manna also said that Nagorik Oikya maintains communication with the BNP and other opposition groups but has yet to form any formal electoral alliance. Senior party leaders, including Shahidullah Kaiser and Major (Retd.) Abdus Salam, were present at the event.

Observers note that Manna’s remarks reflect growing anxiety among smaller political groups about election timing and opposition unity ahead of the national polls.