The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs of Bangladesh has finalized the selection of four distinguished women for the Begum Rokeya Padak 2025, recognizing their outstanding contributions in various fields. The honorees are Dr. Ruvana Rakib for women’s education (research), Kalpana Akter for women’s labor rights, Dr. Nabila Idris for human rights, and Ritu Porna Chakma for women’s empowerment in sports.

According to ministry sources, the nominations were approved following recommendations from the National Awards Advisory Council meetings held on November 27 and December 7. The summary of the recommendations was later endorsed by the Chief Adviser, and the official gazette notification is now pending. The Begum Rokeya Padak, named after the pioneering feminist and social reformer Begum Rokeya, is one of the highest state honors for women in Bangladesh.

The award highlights the government’s continued commitment to promoting gender equality and recognizing women’s leadership across diverse sectors, from academia and activism to sports and social reform.

Ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th national election, three parties—including the National Citizen Party (NCP)—have formed the Democratic Reform Alliance. Former Dhaka University student leader and anti-discrimination activist Abdul Kader reacted to the development on social media, expressing regret that the NCP has become politically marginalized within just one year of its formation.

In a Facebook post on December 7, Kader wrote that the alliance’s formation drew little attention, suggesting it added no significant political value. He lamented that a youth-driven party with early promise had become isolated due to internal leadership choices, despite public and institutional goodwill. Kader also noted that the NCP now struggles to sustain itself, relying on minimal resources and effort to remain relevant.

The new alliance named NCP convener Nahid Islam as its spokesperson, with Bangladesh State Reform Movement and Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) as partners. Political observers view the coalition as an attempt to consolidate smaller reformist groups ahead of the upcoming election.

A November 21 earthquake damaged 22 of the 97 government primary schools in Agailjhara upazila of Barishal, Bangladesh. Among them, four schools—Ashoksen, Gaila Nonapukurpar, Taltarmath, and Dakshin Bagdha—suffered major structural cracks in beams, floors, walls, and roofs. The local education office has compiled a list of affected schools and forwarded it to higher authorities for repair and safety assessment.

Teachers and students are reportedly anxious about continuing classes in damaged buildings, fearing potential collapse during aftershocks. Parents have also expressed concern over sending their children to school under such conditions. Headteachers from several schools confirmed visible cracks and immediate reporting to the upazila education office.

Upazila Primary Education Officer Md. Amjad Hossain stated that the list of affected schools has been submitted for urgent renovation approval. Local officials expect repair work to begin soon to ensure student safety and restore normal academic activities.

In Bangladesh’s Satkhira district, the Shyamnagar upazila has seen an unprecedented surge of over 300 individuals claiming to be journalists, many allegedly using fake press cards to gain influence and engage in extortion. Local sources report that eight separate press clubs now operate within the upazila, with more than 250 registered members and dozens of self-styled ‘independent reporters’ roaming freely. The misuse of press credentials has reportedly led to intimidation of officials, teachers, and business owners.

Government officers, speaking anonymously, described a climate of fear and manipulation, where refusal to meet demands often results in negative coverage or online smear campaigns. Senior journalists in Shyamnagar, including Abu Sayed and Sheikh Afzalur Rahman, have urged authorities to shut down unverified online portals and enforce strict verification before issuing press cards.

The situation underscores a growing crisis in local journalism ethics and regulation. Without intervention, professionals warn that genuine reporters may lose credibility, and public trust in the media could erode further.

A Dhaka court has ordered the imprisonment of Daily Nawroj editor Shamsul Haque Durrani after he surrendered in an extortion case. The order was issued on Sunday, December 7, by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Md. Mahbubur Rahman. Durrani’s lawyer, Dhaka Bar Association President Khorshed Mia Alam, had sought bail, but the court rejected the plea and sent him to jail.

The case was filed on November 12 by contractor Rajibul Islam, who accused Durrani of demanding BDT 2 million to allow construction work at a government seed office site in Melandah, Jamalpur, to proceed without interference. The contractor alleged that Durrani threatened to obstruct the project if the payment was not made. Following the complaint, the court had earlier issued an arrest warrant against Durrani.

The incident has drawn attention to alleged misuse of influence by media figures. Legal analysts note that the case underscores growing scrutiny of press accountability in Bangladesh’s judicial process.

Bangladesh Railway has closed 20 unauthorized and high-risk level crossings along the Dhaka–Sylhet rail route passing through four upazilas of Habiganj district. The move aims to reduce frequent accidents and fatalities caused by unprotected crossings lacking safety infrastructure or signalmen. Railway officials confirmed that the closures are part of a phased plan to eliminate all 46 unauthorized crossings in the district.

According to the railway’s engineering division, the first phase targeted the most accident-prone points, with the remaining 26 crossings to be closed gradually. Many of these crossings were locally built without approval, posing serious safety hazards for both trains and pedestrians. However, local residents have expressed frustration, saying the closures were implemented without prior notice or alternative routes.

Residents and local leaders are urging authorities to construct overpasses or underpasses before closing crossings to prevent public hardship. Officials maintain that the closures are necessary to ensure passenger safety and reduce the risk of future train collisions.

Bangladesh’s bottled soybean oil price has been raised by Tk 6 per liter following a meeting at the Ministry of Commerce. The new retail price is set at Tk 195 per liter, up from Tk 189, and will take effect from Monday, December 8. The Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association announced the revised rates through an official press release.

The association had earlier sought government approval twice—in November—to increase prices by Tk 9 per liter, citing rising import and production costs. However, the ministry did not respond, prompting some refiners to raise prices unilaterally to Tk 198 per liter. This led to consumer backlash and government warnings. Commerce adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin confirmed that show-cause notices were issued to several companies for unauthorized price adjustments.

The latest decision aims to stabilize the edible oil market and align official prices with global cost trends. Authorities are expected to monitor compliance closely to prevent further unauthorized hikes and ensure fair consumer pricing.

Bangladesh’s overall inflation increased slightly in November, reaching 8.29 percent compared to 8.17 percent in October, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). Food inflation rose to 7.36 percent from 7.08 percent, while non-food inflation eased marginally to 9.08 percent. The BBS report highlights that inflation has remained above 8 percent for several months, reflecting persistent price pressures across both rural and urban areas.

The report shows rural inflation at 8.26 percent and urban inflation at 8.39 percent, with food costs rising faster in both segments. Despite government efforts—such as raising interest rates and reducing import duties on essentials like oil, potatoes, onions, and eggs—price stability remains elusive. Wage growth in November stood at 8.04 percent, still below the inflation rate, indicating continued pressure on household purchasing power.

Economists warn that sustained high inflation, now persisting for nearly three years, poses a major challenge for the interim government. Further monetary tightening and improved supply chain management may be required to curb price growth in the coming months.

Dr. Dhanadeb Barman, a physician at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, has submitted an unconditional apology following a public altercation with the Director General (DG) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr. Md. Abu Zafar. The apology came in response to a show-cause notice issued after the incident, which occurred during the DG’s inspection visit to the hospital on December 6.

According to hospital officials, Dr. Barman responded formally to the notice, though details of his written explanation were not disclosed. The confrontation, captured on video and widely circulated on social media, showed both parties engaging in a heated exchange over hospital management, staffing shortages, and service quality. The DG had reportedly ordered Dr. Barman’s suspension during the incident.

The episode has sparked debate within the medical community about workplace stress, administrative accountability, and communication between senior officials and frontline doctors. The DGHS has yet to announce whether further disciplinary action will follow or if the apology will close the matter.

A tense standoff erupted at Baharampur DB Anwara Government Primary School in Rajshahi on Sunday when parents barred assistant teachers from entering the school to conduct exams. The teachers had returned after a weeklong work stoppage but found the gates locked by angry parents, who proceeded to administer the students’ annual exams themselves.

Parents accused the teachers of neglecting their duties and disrupting the academic schedule through repeated strikes, claiming this had harmed students’ learning outcomes. Education officials later intervened, mediating between both sides and allowing the teachers to re-enter the school once the exams had already concluded. Witnesses reported that parents supervised the tests for several subjects during the morning.

Teachers defended their absence as part of a centrally organized protest and expressed frustration at being denied entry. The headteacher confirmed that the misunderstanding was resolved after official mediation, but the incident highlights growing tensions between educators and parents over accountability and the impact of teacher movements on primary education quality.

Hundreds of mobile phone traders under the banner of the Bangladesh Mobile Business Community (BMBC) surrounded the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) headquarters in Dhaka on Sunday, demanding reforms to the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system. The protest, which began in the morning, blocked one side of the busy Agargaon road, causing severe traffic congestion. Demonstrators set fires at several points near the BTRC building and confined the chairman and senior officials inside for several hours.

Traders argue that the NEIR system, set to take effect on December 16, will harm thousands of small retailers by restricting the use of unregistered or imported phones. They claim the policy benefits a select group while increasing handset prices for consumers due to added taxes and procedural complexity. BMBC leaders said repeated requests for dialogue with authorities were ignored, leaving them with no alternative but to protest.

Police diverted traffic to alternate routes to ease congestion. The standoff highlights growing tension between regulators and traders ahead of the NEIR rollout, with further demonstrations likely if demands remain unmet.

A local youth leader from the opposition BNP’s youth wing in Chandpur, Bangladesh, has announced his resignation from politics after posting a viral video of himself bathing in milk. Md Hossain Mia, a member of the Kolakanda Union Jubo Dal convening committee, shared the video on Facebook around midnight on December 6, declaring his departure from political life. The unusual act and his emotional message quickly drew widespread attention online.

In his post, Hossain expressed deep frustration and alleged that internal conspiracies and financial power had destroyed his political career. He accused both ruling and opposition factions of colluding against him. Local political figures and social media users reacted with mixed emotions—some offering sympathy, others calling his move impulsive. Rashed Zaman Tipu, acting convener of the Upazila Jubo Dal, described the decision as regrettable and urged Hossain to reconsider.

The incident underscores growing disillusionment among grassroots political activists in Bangladesh, where factionalism and financial influence often shape local politics. Observers expect further discussion within the party about internal discipline and member support mechanisms.

Local leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami have been accused of attacking government revenue collectors and looting collected funds at the Char Lengta ferry ghat in Companiganj upazila, Noakhali. According to officials, the incident occurred when government staff were collecting revenue from the state-owned ghat, which had not been leased due to an ongoing court petition. The attackers allegedly assaulted the staff and took away around 12,000 to 13,000 taka before ordering them to leave the site.

Assistant Land Officer Selim Chowdhury confirmed the incident and said preparations are underway to file a case. He added that the matter has been reported to higher authorities. The accused Jamaat leaders, Mahbubul Haque and Helal, claimed they had leased the ghat but failed to produce any documents. Companiganj Assistant Commissioner (Land) Rubaiya Binte Kashem stated that legal action will follow upon receiving a written report.

The disruption has halted revenue collection since Thursday, depriving the government of income and raising concerns about law enforcement in the area.

National Citizen Party (NCP) South Region chief organizer Hasnat Abdullah called on voters to give his party a single opportunity to prove its commitment to people-oriented politics. Speaking during a series of rallies and door-to-door campaigns across several villages in Gunai Ghar South Union, Debidwar, Comilla, on Sunday, Abdullah said that if his party fails to deliver on its promises, citizens should reject them as they have done with other political leaders.

Abdullah emphasized that the NCP is not a gang-based political organization and will not rely on intimidation to win votes. He stated that the party’s mission is to rebuild Bangladesh in line with public expectations and that, with popular support, the NCP aims to form a government in the future. He also noted that the party, formed only nine months ago, has already brought positive change.

Local residents reportedly welcomed Abdullah warmly, offering hospitality and small financial contributions for election expenses, while NCP and affiliate leaders accompanied him throughout the campaign.

Azerbaijan has announced plans to open an embassy in Dhaka following Bangladesh’s upcoming national election, signaling a new phase in bilateral relations. The announcement came during a courtesy meeting between Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev’s daughters, Leyla and Arzu Aliyeva, and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka.

Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in trade, energy, culture, and environmental protection. Professor Yunus recalled his previous visits to Baku and his meeting with President Aliyev during the COP-29 conference. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, conveyed the Azerbaijani President’s greetings and expressed interest in joint humanitarian and environmental projects with Bangladeshi organizations.

Azerbaijan’s non-resident ambassador Elchin Huseynli confirmed that the embassy initiative followed a request from Professor Yunus last November. Officials said the new embassy would elevate bilateral engagement and facilitate people-to-people connections between the two nations.