Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has extended warm congratulations to the Election Commission of Bangladesh for announcing the schedule of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum on the July National Charter 2025. In his message, Yunus described the announcement as a significant milestone in the country’s democratic journey following the historic mass uprising. He expressed confidence that the Election Commission would fulfill its constitutional duties independently, impartially, and with professionalism. The interim government, he said, would provide all necessary support to ensure a festive, participatory, and fair electoral process. Yunus called on political parties, candidates, the media, civil society, and citizens to treat the election and referendum as a national unity initiative. The Chief Adviser emphasized that Bangladesh stands at the threshold of a new future, urging active and responsible participation from all stakeholders to build a modern, just, and prosperous state. The Election Commission has set February 12, 2026, as the date for both the parliamentary election and the referendum.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, saying that failure to take stronger action against the cocaine trade could lead to serious consequences. Speaking at a White House meeting with business leaders, Trump accused Colombia of producing large quantities of cocaine that end up in the United States, urging Petro to act decisively. The warning comes amid ongoing tensions between the two leaders, who have clashed over drug policy, migration, and trade. Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president, responded by asserting that his government has already destroyed around 18,400 drug laboratories and cautioned that any interference with Colombia’s sovereignty would amount to a declaration of war. He also invited Trump to visit Colombia and witness anti-narcotics operations firsthand. The dispute adds to broader regional friction, as Petro has criticized U.S. naval actions in the Caribbean and Trump’s sanctions on Venezuela and Iran. UN human rights experts have condemned those operations as extrajudicial, intensifying diplomatic strains between Bogotá and Washington.

Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin has announced that the 13th National Parliamentary Election will be held on February 12 next year, alongside a national referendum on the July Charter. In a televised address on December 11, the CEC confirmed that nomination papers for parliamentary candidates can be submitted from December 12 to December 29. According to the schedule, scrutiny of nomination papers will take place from December 30 to January 4, while candidates will have until January 20 to withdraw their nominations. Election symbols will be allocated on January 21, giving candidates roughly 20 days for campaigning before the February 12 vote. The CEC described the upcoming election as a nationwide “festival of democracy.” The announcement sets in motion Bangladesh’s formal electoral timeline, with political parties now preparing to finalize their candidate lists and campaign strategies. Observers expect heightened political activity and negotiations in the coming weeks as the country moves toward its next parliamentary term.

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, remains in critical condition after sustaining a severe gunshot wound to the head. Doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) reported that the bullet entered through his left ear and exited from the right side, causing massive brain injury and damage to the brain stem. Hadi is currently on artificial ventilation with his skull partially opened to relieve intracranial pressure. Professor Zahid Rahan, head of DMCH’s neurosurgery department, stated that Hadi’s condition is extremely unstable, with fluctuating brain pressure and internal bleeding. Medical teams have performed decompression and craniotomy procedures to manage swelling and bleeding. Health Ministry officials confirmed that Hadi briefly suffered cardiac arrest and that his Glasgow Coma Scale score was only 3 upon arrival. Doctors emphasized that the next 72 hours are highly critical for his survival. Hadi has been transferred to Evercare Hospital for continued intensive care, while medical staff continue to monitor his condition closely.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has decided to assign at least two executive magistrates to every upazila or police station area during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to an official letter signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain, the deployment will begin the day after the election schedule is announced and continue until two days after voting concludes. The decision, taken under the Mobile Court Act 2009, aims to strictly enforce the electoral code of conduct and ensure discipline throughout the election period. Copies of the directive have been sent to the Cabinet Division, the Chief Adviser’s Office, the Police Headquarters, divisional commissioners, and deputy commissioners for necessary coordination. Officials expect the magistrates’ presence to strengthen monitoring of campaign activities, prevent violations, and support law enforcement agencies in maintaining order. The move reflects the Election Commission’s effort to enhance transparency and fairness in the upcoming national polls.

Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin has announced that the 13th National Parliamentary Election and a national referendum will be held simultaneously on February 12. The announcement, made in a televised address on December 11, ends months of speculation about the electoral timeline. Voting will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with white-and-black ballots for the parliamentary race and pink ballots for the referendum. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud stated that the Election Commission (EC) will begin enforcing electoral codes and related laws immediately after the schedule’s publication. Over 297,000 expatriates have registered online to vote via postal ballots. For the first time, some constituencies will have symbolic returning officers from within the EC, while district commissioners will serve in most others. This will be the first election under the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, formed after the August 2024 mass uprising that ended the Awami League’s rule. The EC plans to issue circulars on campaign conduct, law enforcement, and government coordination as the country enters full election mode.

Bangladesh’s High Court has ruled that political parties forming alliances for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election must contest under their respective party symbols. The verdict, delivered on Thursday by a bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Fatema Anwar, dismissed a petition challenging the legality of this electoral provision. The ruling clarifies that even within an electoral alliance, each constituent party must retain its own identity on the ballot. Historically, smaller parties in alliances often contested under the symbol of the leading party, a practice now deemed inconsistent with electoral law. Legal experts suggest the decision reinforces transparency and voter clarity, while some smaller parties express concern over potential disadvantages in campaign recognition. The Election Commission is expected to issue updated guidelines reflecting the court’s decision ahead of the 13th parliamentary polls. Political analysts note that the ruling could reshape alliance strategies and negotiations in the coming months.

Police detained at least four non-cadre officials from Bangladesh’s Secretariat on Thursday afternoon as protests escalated over a demand for a 20% ‘Secretariat allowance’. The detainees include Badiul Kabir, president of one faction of the Secretariat Officers’ Association, and Shahin Golam Rabbani, vice president of the same group, along with two others from the Health Ministry. They were taken into custody around 4 p.m. and transported in a prison van. The detentions followed a tense standoff the previous day, when protesters held the finance adviser confined for nearly six hours, pressing for a government order to implement the allowance. Although officials had promised to issue the order by Monday, demonstrators continued their sit-in after the commitment was not fulfilled. Police have since reinforced security across the Secretariat compound. The incident underscores growing frustration among non-cadre government employees over pay disparities and delayed administrative reforms. Authorities have yet to confirm whether disciplinary or legal actions will follow, while unions warn that further detentions could intensify the standoff.

Non-cadre officers and employees working at Bangladesh’s Secretariat have intensified their protest demanding a 20 percent 'Secretariat Allowance'. Despite assurances, the government has yet to issue an official order, prompting renewed demonstrations on Thursday. Protesters gathered outside the Secretariat, chanting slogans and warning that they would begin a complete work stoppage next week if the order is not released by the end of the day. The movement escalated after protesters confined the Finance Adviser for nearly six hours on Wednesday, demanding immediate action. Police later intervened to free him amid tense confrontations. Officials had earlier indicated that a formal notification might be issued by Monday, but demonstrators rejected the delay, insisting on immediate implementation. The standoff underscores growing frustration among government staff over pay disparities and delayed administrative decisions. If the strike proceeds, it could disrupt key bureaucratic functions, putting pressure on the Finance Ministry to resolve the issue swiftly.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a notification withdrawing Dr. Mohammad Mohibul Hasan from his position as Director at the Chief Adviser’s Office. According to the circular released on Wednesday, December 10, the order was signed by Joint Secretary Abul Hayat Md. Rafiq under the authority of the President. Dr. Hasan has been instructed to return to his original cadre organization under the Health Education and Family Welfare Division. The notification stated that the decision was made in the public interest and will take immediate effect. No specific reason for the reassignment was disclosed. Such administrative reshuffles are common in Bangladesh’s civil service, often reflecting internal restructuring or policy adjustments within the government. Observers note that the move may be part of broader efforts to streamline administrative functions under the caretaker government framework. Further appointments or transfers in related departments may follow in the coming weeks.

The High Court of Bangladesh has ruled that all marriages and divorces must be registered through a mandatory digital system. The verdict, delivered on December 11 by a bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan, directs authorities to establish a secure, centralized government database for recording marital information. The decision follows a 2021 writ petition seeking digitalization of marriage and divorce records. According to petitioner’s counsel Ishrat Hasan, the initiative aims to prevent data concealment, secret marriages, and disputes over divorce authenticity. She emphasized that digital registration will enhance citizens’ social protection, ensure justice, and rebuild trust within society. The court’s directive is expected to significantly reduce administrative complications and fraudulent practices. Authorities are now required to implement the digital system nationwide, marking a major step toward modernizing Bangladesh’s civil registration framework. Implementation details and timelines are yet to be announced, but the ruling signals a shift toward greater transparency and accountability in personal status documentation.

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) of Bangladesh has issued new guidelines regarding the syllabus for the 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations. According to the directive, irregular and improvement candidates will continue to follow the revised syllabus used for the 2025 exams. All education boards have been instructed to take necessary measures to implement this decision. The Dhaka Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education circulated the instruction on December 11, confirming that the 2025 HSC and Alim exams were conducted under the NCTB’s revised curriculum. Following that pattern, the same syllabus will apply to irregular or improvement candidates in 2026. Education boards and related institutions have been asked to ensure compliance with the directive. This move aims to maintain consistency in assessment standards and reduce confusion among students preparing under different syllabi. Further updates on the 2026 regular candidates’ syllabus are expected from NCTB in the coming months.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has announced that the written examination for the recruitment of assistant teachers in government primary schools will be held simultaneously across all eight divisions on January 2. The exam will begin at 10 a.m., according to Masud Akhtar Khan, Additional Secretary of the ministry’s school division and a member of the Primary School Teacher Recruitment Committee. Earlier, the recruitment process was announced in two phases. The first phase, published on November 5, covered Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet, Khulna, Barishal, and Mymensingh divisions, offering 10,219 assistant teacher positions. The second phase, announced on November 12, included Dhaka and Chattogram divisions with 4,166 vacancies. The unified examination aims to streamline the recruitment process and ensure uniform evaluation across the country. Officials expect the synchronized exam to reduce administrative complexity and maintain transparency. Results and subsequent interview schedules are likely to follow in early 2025, depending on the exam’s completion and evaluation timeline.

Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister François Wu has reportedly made a secret visit to Israel, according to three sources cited by Reuters. The trip, said to have taken place earlier this month, underscores the discreet nature of Taiwan’s foreign engagements due to Beijing’s pressure on countries to avoid formal ties with Taipei. Israel, like most nations, officially recognizes Beijing rather than Taipei, making such a visit highly unusual. Sources did not disclose whom Wu met or what was discussed, though speculation surrounds potential talks on Taiwan’s new multi-layered air defense system, the T-Dome, modeled partly on Israel’s Iron Dome. Taiwan’s foreign ministry declined to confirm the visit but emphasized that both sides share democratic values and will continue practical cooperation in trade, technology, and culture. Israel’s foreign ministry did not comment. The visit, if confirmed, signals Taipei’s effort to deepen ties with democratic partners amid rising cross-strait tensions and ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Taiwan has expressed support for Israel since October 2023.

A physician at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Dr. Dhanadeb Chandra Barman, has been reinstated to his previous post just four days after being relieved of duty following a verbal altercation with the Director General (DG) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Md. Abu Jafar. The reinstatement order, signed by hospital director Brigadier General Golam Ferdous, was issued on December 10 and confirmed the next day by Assistant Director (Administration) Mainuddin Khan. According to the order, Dr. Barman had been served a show-cause notice on December 6 for alleged misconduct during the DG’s visit. After submitting a written apology and assurance to avoid such behavior in the future, his response was deemed satisfactory by the DGHS. The DG, citing leniency, approved his reinstatement as Casualty OT In-Charge and Assistant Professor of Surgery. The incident highlights the importance of professional conduct in public healthcare institutions and the DGHS’s willingness to resolve disciplinary matters through due process and reconciliation.