A tragic incident in Gazipur’s Tongi area has sparked public outrage after a family allegedly threw a stillborn baby girl from a fourth-floor apartment window early Sunday morning. Police recovered the infant’s body and sent it for autopsy at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital. The baby’s mother, identified as 28-year-old Riva Akter, has been detained for questioning.

According to police, Riva gave birth to a stillborn child at her home in Ward 54, Auchpara College Gate area, before the baby was allegedly thrown from the kitchen window. Locals alerted authorities after discovering the body near the building. Investigators suspect that family conflict may have influenced the decision not to bury the stillborn child properly.

Tongi West Police Station Officer-in-Charge Harun-or-Rashid confirmed that legal proceedings are underway. The incident has raised concerns about social awareness, mental health support, and the handling of stillbirths within families in Bangladesh.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir, Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, expressed gratitude to supporters and urged the government to understand the people’s voice following a series of successful divisional rallies organized by the eight-party alliance. In a statement issued Sunday, he praised the organizers for their efficiency and unity despite limited preparation time, calling the gatherings a testament to organizational discipline and public engagement.

Rezaul Karim highlighted the strong public turnout as evidence of widespread support for the alliance’s five-point demands, which include separating national elections from referendums and ensuring accountability for alleged authoritarian practices. He extended thanks to local leaders, journalists, and the administration for their cooperation during the events.

Calling on the government to respect public opinion, Karim said the rallies demonstrated national unity on key electoral and governance issues. He urged authorities to respond positively to the people’s demands, warning that ignoring them could deepen political polarization ahead of future national decisions.

Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and four election commissioners traveled to Jamuna on Monday to meet Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The meeting comes as the Election Commission (EC) finalizes preparations for announcing the schedule of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and a national referendum later this week.

Earlier in the day, the EC held a key meeting at its Agargaon headquarters to finalize the election timetable. Commissioner Abul Fazl Md. Sanaullah confirmed that the official schedule will be declared within the week. The EC decided that two magistrates will be assigned to each upazila from the day of announcement to ensure compliance with the electoral code of conduct. The commission also extended voting hours by one hour, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The EC further ruled that no new government projects may be approved after the schedule is announced, and only legally permitted individuals may contest the election. Printing of ballots for expatriate voters will begin on December 8, with government and semi-government officials serving as polling staff.

A hearing has begun at Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 on the formation of charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her security adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and 11 others in a case involving allegations of enforced disappearance and torture. The prosecution initiated the session on Sunday, December 7, marking a significant step in the long-running legal proceedings.

Among the 13 accused are three former directors of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI)—Major General Sheikh Md. Sarwar Hossain, Brigadier General Md. Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui, and Brigadier General Ahmed Tanvir Mazahar Siddiqui—who are currently in military custody and were produced before the tribunal. The list of defendants also includes five former DGFI director generals, reflecting the case’s deep ties to Bangladesh’s security establishment.

In a separate case at Tribunal-2, testimony continued against former minister and JASAD president Hasanul Haq Inu over alleged crimes against humanity during the Kushtia uprising, with witnesses including a freedom fighter and an investigation officer. Both Inu and Salman F Rahman appeared before the court in connection with the July killings case.

Dr. Zubaida Rahman, daughter-in-law of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, visited the former prime minister at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Sunday morning after spending the night at her parental home in Dhanmondi. According to BNP’s media cell, Rahman arrived at the hospital around 11:30 a.m., maintaining close communication with the medical team overseeing Khaleda Zia’s treatment.

Khaleda Zia has been under intensive care at Evercare Hospital since November 23 due to critical health complications. A specialist medical board led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder is supervising her treatment, with Dr. Zubaida Rahman serving as one of the board members. BNP leaders have stated that a royal air ambulance from Qatar remains on standby to transport Khaleda abroad once doctors approve her travel.

The repeated hospital visits by Rahman underscore the family’s close involvement in the treatment process, while the BNP leadership continues to monitor the situation closely. The party has not yet confirmed when or whether the medical board will permit Khaleda Zia’s overseas transfer.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly protested comments made by National Citizen Party (NCP) member-secretary Akhtar Hossain, who alleged that parties like BNP and Jamaat are competing in 'armed demonstrations.' In a press statement issued on Sunday, Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair dismissed the remarks as 'false, fabricated, and politically motivated.'

Zubair emphasized that Jamaat is a responsible, peace-loving, and disciplined political party committed to the rule of law and democratic values. He argued that the party’s history and conduct do not support any claims of involvement in violent or unlawful activities. Calling Hossain’s statement 'regrettable and baseless,' he urged the NCP leader to withdraw his comments and act responsibly.

The statement further appealed to the media, political community, and citizens not to be misled by misinformation or political propaganda. The exchange highlights ongoing political friction in Bangladesh as parties navigate a tense post-uprising environment.

A new political and electoral alliance is being formed in Bangladesh, comprising the National Citizen Party (NCP), Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, and the Bangladesh State Reform Movement. The coalition will be officially launched on Sunday, December 7, at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in Segunbagicha. The alliance aims to promote political reform and uphold the spirit of the July uprising, according to organizers.

Discussions initially involved four parties, including the Gano Adhikar Parishad, but the final coalition excludes that group. NCP’s chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari confirmed that the alliance will operate under NCP’s leadership. AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Bhuiyan Monju and State Reform Movement Joint General Secretary Didarul Bhuiyan also confirmed their participation.

Political analysts view the move as an attempt to consolidate smaller reformist parties ahead of the next general election. The alliance’s success will depend on its ability to present a unified platform and attract broader public support in a competitive political environment.

Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has begun exhuming 114 bodies from Dhaka’s Rayerbazar graveyard to identify victims of the July popular uprising. The operation, launched Sunday morning, aims to conduct autopsies and collect DNA samples before reburial with full religious respect, CID chief Additional IGP Md. Shibgat Ullah confirmed.

The initiative follows a Dhaka court order responding to petitions from families of unidentified martyrs. Argentine forensic expert Luis Fondebrider, invited through the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), is leading the forensic process. CID officials said at least 10 families have already applied for identification, though the actual number of victims may exceed 114.

Authorities emphasized that the process adheres to international forensic standards. Once DNA profiles are matched, families may reclaim remains if desired. The CID plans to release hotline numbers for relatives seeking information. The exhumation marks a major step toward documenting the human cost of the 2024 July uprising and ensuring accountability through scientific verification.

A new political alliance comprising three Bangladeshi parties, including the National Citizen Party (NCP), is set to be formally announced this Sunday afternoon at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in Segunbagicha. The coalition marks another attempt to reshape the country’s opposition landscape ahead of future elections.

Discussions had been ongoing among four parties — NCP, AB Party, Bangladesh State Reform Movement, and Gana Adhikar Parishad — to form a joint electoral front. However, the Gana Adhikar Parishad ultimately decided not to join. The alliance, according to party representatives, aims to uphold the ‘July Uprising Pledge’ and promote a new political and electoral framework in Bangladesh.

Political analysts view the move as part of a broader trend of smaller parties seeking relevance amid shifting power dynamics. The alliance’s effectiveness will depend on its ability to coordinate agendas and attract voter attention in an already crowded political field.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh convened a crucial meeting on Sunday, December 7, to finalize the schedule for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and a national referendum. The meeting, held at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, was attended by the Chief Election Commissioner, four election commissioners, the EC secretary, and senior officials. Discussions focused on finalizing the timetable for the election announcement, reviewing overall preparations, and setting postal ballot logistics.

According to EC sources, the agenda included ten key issues, such as coordination with field administration, appointment of returning and assistant returning officers, and progress on referendum preparations. Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar stated that after the meeting, the EC would meet the President to finalize the schedule before its public announcement.

The EC has already completed inter-ministerial and law-and-order meetings ahead of the schedule declaration. Administrative reshuffles among deputy commissioners, police officials, and election officers have been implemented to ensure neutrality. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to strict adherence to election laws and sought cooperation from all political parties and voters.

A Dhaka court has once again postponed the submission of the investigation report in the long-running murder case of Bangladeshi film actor Salman Shah. The report, which was due on December 7, could not be submitted by the investigating officer, prompting Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana to set a new date of January 13 for submission. The case names 11 accused, including Salman Shah’s former wife Samira Haque, her mother Latifa Haque Luchi, businessman Aziz Mohammad Bhai, and actor Don.

The case has a complex history dating back to 1996, when Salman Shah was found dead at his Eskaton residence. Initially treated as an unnatural death, the case was later reclassified as a murder following petitions from Shah’s family. Multiple investigations by the CID and judicial authorities have alternately concluded suicide or homicide, leading to repeated legal challenges. The latest revision petition was filed in June 2022 after the PBI’s final report was accepted in 2021.

Legal observers note that the repeated delays underscore procedural challenges in Bangladesh’s high-profile criminal cases, with the next hearing expected to determine whether the investigation will finally move forward.

Students from Dhaka’s seven government colleges staged demonstrations on Sunday, blocking the Shikkhabhaban and Shahbagh intersections to protest delays in establishing the proposed ‘Dhaka Central University’. The protest began around 11:30 a.m. with a march that disrupted traffic on one of the capital’s busiest roads. Students demanded immediate issuance of the university ordinance, which they say has been pending for months without visible progress.

According to organizers, the draft ordinance’s proposed ‘schooling model’ could jeopardize the autonomy of higher secondary education and create identity and academic uncertainties for nearly 150,000 students. Despite the Education Ministry’s earlier statement confirming a policy decision to merge the seven colleges under a new public university, students claim no concrete steps have followed. The ministry urged students to avoid misinformation and act responsibly.

Observers note that the prolonged delay risks deepening student frustration and disrupting academic schedules. Further negotiations between student representatives and the ministry are expected in the coming days to resolve the impasse.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer, ATM Azharul Islam, stated that if his party secures a majority in the upcoming national election, it would govern the country based on Islamic principles. Speaking on Sunday, December 7, in Kishoreganj, Nilphamari, during a relief distribution event for 90 families affected by a recent cyclone, he said the current laws and constitution are man-made and not fully aligned with Islam.

The event was organized by the Kishoreganj Upazila unit of Jamaat-e-Islami and chaired by local party leader Abdur Rashid Shah. Several regional and district-level Jamaat leaders, including Muhammad Abdur Rashid, Maulana Abdus Sattar, Dr. Khairul Anam, Maulana Antajul Islam, and Hafiz Abdul Muntakim, were also present.

Azharul Islam’s remarks come at a time when Jamaat is seeking to reassert its political relevance ahead of national polls. His statement underscores the party’s long-standing ideological stance on establishing governance rooted in Islamic law, a position that has historically drawn both support and criticism within Bangladesh’s political landscape.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has publicly clarified that it has not yet decided to nominate any of its members for the upcoming national election, countering media speculation about Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem contesting from Dhaka-8 under the scale symbol. The clarification came from Shibir’s Central Publicity Secretary Azizur Rahman Azad, who posted on his verified Facebook account on Saturday night.

Azad stated that several journalists and supporters had inquired about the rumor, prompting the organization to reiterate that no official decision had been made. He added that any future decision regarding participation in the election would be formally announced by the central leadership. The statement followed reports citing Jamaat-e-Islami sources suggesting that the party might replace its current candidate, Advocate Dr. Helal Uddin, with Sadiq Kayem in Dhaka-8.

The clarification underscores internal deliberations within Jamaat and its affiliated student wing as the national election approaches, reflecting broader uncertainty over candidate selection in key constituencies.

Bangladesh’s Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud has cautioned that democracy by itself cannot guarantee economic development unless politics becomes genuinely welfare-oriented. Speaking at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) annual research conference in Dhaka, he argued that when politics turns into a pursuit of privileges rather than public service, it attracts youth seeking livelihood opportunities rather than civic engagement. He also warned that vested business interests can form powerful circles that obstruct welfare-driven policymaking.

Dr. Mahmud emphasized that the country’s education system is producing unemployed graduates, and that behavioral norms and values must be studied to understand development barriers. He noted that limited reforms cannot solve deep-rooted issues such as collusion between bureaucracy and business or tax evasion, calling for broader structural reforms. The adviser stressed that effective democracy should aim to build an equitable, poverty-free society, but lamented that Bangladesh still struggles to establish even a functional democratic system. BIDS Director General Prof. A.K.M. Enamul Haque added that the two-day conference would present around fifty research papers addressing unemployment, poverty, and health sector challenges.