Housing and Public Works Ministry adviser Adilur Rahman Khan has said that the upcoming 13th national election will be held in a festive atmosphere with spontaneous participation from people across Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Sunday, December 28, after inspecting a residential building project for municipal sanitation workers in Madaripur. Adilur stated that citizens had not been able to vote freely for the past 15 years, but this time they would exercise their voting rights. He added that the parliamentary election would take place alongside a public referendum on the July Charter, allowing people to express their opinions. According to him, all patriotic citizens would support and participate in the election, though some groups might attempt sabotage or conspiracy. He emphasized that the people of Bangladesh would remain united to resist any such attempts. Senior local officials, including the Madaripur deputy commissioner and other administrative officers, were present during his visit.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the newspaper Amar Desh, filed a defamation case in Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Jewel Rana’s court on Sunday against two individuals for allegedly spreading false information on Facebook. The case accuses Prothom Alo columnist A.F.M. Rashedul Haque (Mallik Maruf) and BNP Information and Technology Secretary A.K.M. Wahiduzzaman Apollo of posting and sharing claims that Amar Desh was involved in an attack, vandalism, and arson at the Prothom Alo office. Rahman stated that the Facebook posts severely damaged his and his newspaper’s reputation, creating hostility and resentment among the public. He alleged that those spreading such misinformation were acting as agents of Indian expansionism and conspiring to shut down Amar Desh because of its stance against Indian dominance and the former government. The court recorded Rahman’s statement and kept the case pending for an order, accepting charges under sections 500 and 109, while awaiting government approval for section 505. Rahman emphasized that Amar Desh had tried to calm the situation during the attacks on Prothom Alo and The Daily Star and denied any involvement in the incidents.

Large-scale illegal sand extraction has severely damaged hills and streams in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj. Over recent months, sand looters have cut through hills and channels, removing vast quantities of valuable silica sand. The report states that these groups are not ordinary traders but politically connected networks operating at night. Their activities have caused major damage to the road passing through the 10th section of Amtali Plantation in Vadeswar Union, turning parts of it into a canal and triggering hill collapses. According to the upazila administration, no sand quarry has been officially leased in Bahubal during the current fiscal year. Yet, politically linked sand syndicates based in Mirpur continue to control the illegal extraction from Mushai Hill. The Amtali Plantation authorities have strengthened night patrols to stop the theft, while the administration has conducted multiple raids in Sundratiki stream, Mushai Hill, and deep forest areas. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Mahbubul Islam said that operations against sand smuggling and soil cutting are ongoing, with fines and jail terms being imposed. The administration plans to continue these enforcement drives.

A continuous cold wave for five days has severely disrupted daily life in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur. Freezing temperatures, dense fog, and the absence of sunlight have made normal activities nearly impossible. The harsh weather has hit low-income workers the hardest, including day laborers, rickshaw pullers, and van drivers, many of whom are unable to work due to the cold. Thick fog from dawn until noon has reduced visibility, making road travel risky and delaying workers, students, and traders. The biting cold has forced many to stay home, while those who venture out struggle without adequate warm clothing. As a result, daily earnings have dropped, deepening financial worries for poor families. With the cold intensifying, crowds have increased at local markets where people are seeking warm clothes. However, rising prices have prevented many from buying enough garments. Some residents are lighting fires along roadsides at night to stay warm, while health concerns are growing among children and the elderly.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, chairing the National Cyber Security Council meeting at the state guesthouse Jamuna on Sunday, directed the National Cyber Security Agency to ensure comprehensive cyber protection ahead of the upcoming national election and referendum. He emphasized enhancing technological capacity and taking strict measures against all forms of cybercrime. Yunus also instructed that all citizen service sectors be given priority and that institutions regularly update their software and hardware while improving staff skills. During the meeting, Yunus proposed introducing a rating system to evaluate institutional cyber readiness and directed the agency to play an active role alongside the judiciary in addressing financial cybercrimes. Special Assistant Fayez Ahmad Tayyeb reported that 35 institutions have been listed as critical information infrastructure, recommending more additions. He also stressed coordination between the National Cyber Security Agency and BTRC to counter misinformation and cyber offenses related to the election. Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur shared that steps have been taken to strengthen banking sector cybersecurity and praised the initiative to form sectoral CERTs. The council, formed on 26 August 2025 under the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025, is led by the Chief Adviser and includes 25 members.

Tension erupted outside the Bangladesh High Commission in London on Sunday during a protest organized to express solidarity with minorities. The demonstration saw a confrontation between pro-Khalistan Sikh activists from ‘Sikhs for Justice’ and supporters of British Indian Hindu groups aligned with India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The protest, centered on allegations of killings of Hindus in Bangladesh, turned heated as both sides exchanged slogans and shoves before Metropolitan Police intervened to separate them and restore order. During the protest, pro-Khalistan participants displayed flags and chanted anti-India slogans, accusing the Indian government of involvement in the deaths of Sikh leaders. Prominent Sikh activist Paramjit Singh Pamma, coordinator of the Khalistan Referendum campaign, confronted Hindu demonstrators and later claimed that India persecutes Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians while attempting to deflect human rights criticism toward Bangladesh. Indian security agencies list Pamma as a “most wanted terrorist,” though he maintains that no British court has convicted him or acted on any Indian extradition request. The incident occurred amid strained India-Bangladesh relations following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster and recent violent incidents in Dhaka involving Hindu and student victims.

Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury announced that the trial of the murder of frontline July fighter Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi has made significant progress. He stated that the charge sheet in the case will be submitted by January 7. The announcement came during an emergency press conference at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday afternoon. The home adviser emphasized that the trial will be completed during the tenure of the current interim government. He said the authorities are giving the highest priority to ensuring justice for those involved in the killing and reaffirmed the interim government’s commitment to a fair judicial process. So far, eleven individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. The statement reflects the government’s intent to expedite the judicial process and ensure accountability in a case that has drawn national attention.

Posters declaring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as 'wanted' have appeared across London’s buses, streets, and busy public areas. According to a report by Anadolu Agency on Sunday, pro-Palestinian groups in the United Kingdom organized the campaign. The posters highlight Netanyahu’s alleged role in war crimes and genocide in Gaza and reference an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in November 2024. The ICC warrant was issued over accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Gaza Strip. The report states that Israeli military operations over the past two years have killed more than 71,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. Despite a ceasefire that took effect on October 10, Israeli attacks reportedly continued. The campaign reflects ongoing international criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and renewed calls for accountability following the ICC’s legal move against Netanyahu.

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary Akhtar Hossain has been granted bail after surrendering before two separate courts in Dhaka on Sunday, December 28, 2025. The cases, filed at Shahbagh Police Station, accuse him of attempted murder, unlawful assembly, and obstructing government work. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrates Awlad Hossain Mohammad Junaid and Joshita Islam issued the bail orders. His lawyer, Md Mujahidul Islam, confirmed the development, stating that Hossain applied for bail in two 2021 cases. According to the report, the courts granted bail on bonds totaling 1,500 taka. Before the hearing, Hossain said that six cases had been filed against him during the previous Awami League government, of which he had been acquitted in four. He surrendered in the remaining two cases to obtain bail. Case records indicate that the charges stemmed from protests in 2021 against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh. Hossain was previously detained near the Central Shaheed Minar while distributing iftar items to the poor during Ramadan that year.

A large-scale power outage hit Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and surrounding areas after Russian missile strikes on December 27. According to a statement from Ukrainian energy company DTEK, more than one million homes were left without electricity following the attacks. The information was reported from Kyiv by AFP on Saturday. DTEK stated that electricity supply across Kyiv was severely disrupted as a result of the widespread missile assault. Despite ongoing air raid alerts, power workers were continuing efforts to restore electricity and stabilize the situation as quickly as possible. The company’s statement highlighted the risks faced by repair crews working under threat of further attacks, underscoring the scale of the damage to Kyiv’s energy infrastructure.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has been officially added to the national voter list, according to confirmation from the Election Commission. The registration process was completed as part of his preparation to participate in upcoming elections. On Saturday afternoon, around 1 p.m., he arrived at the Election Commission building to finalize the voter registration formalities. Before being added to the voter list, Tarique Rahman’s national identity card (NID) was prepared, as confirmed by S M Humayun Kabir, Director General of the National Identity Registration Wing. Rahman completed his online voter registration form to become a voter in Ward 19 of Dhaka North City Corporation, located in the Gulshan area under the Dhaka-17 constituency. The completion of Tarique Rahman’s voter registration marks a formal step toward his electoral participation, aligning with his role as the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Adilur Rahman Khan, advisor to the Ministries of Industries, Housing and Public Works, and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, has directed the proper preservation of archaeological sites in Rajoir upazila of Madaripur. He made the directive on Sunday, December 28, after visiting the Khalia Rajaram Temple and speaking to journalists at noon. Khan said that as part of reviewing ongoing activities of various ministries, several archaeological structures in Rajoir and Madaripur were inspected. He noted that Rajoir has three and Madaripur several more historical sites that urgently need preservation to protect the region’s history and heritage. He added that the district administration is active in this effort, with the deputy commissioner and the LGED secretary already issuing necessary instructions. He emphasized that with local cooperation, the preservation work could be completed smoothly. Senior officials including LGED Secretary Maksudul Alam, Deputy Commissioner Jahangir Alam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education) Fatema Azrin Tonni, and Rajoir Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Mahfuzul Haque were present during the visit. The advisor also inspected land offices in Khalia and Kadambari unions and instructed officials to ensure the protection of government establishments.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president and decorated freedom fighter Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram, a long-time ally of the BNP, has joined the Jamaat-e-Islami–led eight-party alliance to contest the upcoming election. The announcement was made on Sunday afternoon at the National Press Club, where several other parties also joined the coalition. The alliance, led by Jamaat, remains intact as new partners are added. According to the report, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is joining the alliance with at least 30 constituencies, while Islami Andolan Bangladesh, led by the Pir of Charmonai, is expected to receive a similar number of seats after previously threatening to leave if not allotted 120. Oli Ahmed’s LDP may receive six constituencies, and the AB Party is expected to get three to four. Jamaat is also revising its candidate list to accommodate new allies and prominent figures. Jamaat has finalized retired Colonel Mohammad Abdul Haque for Dhaka-2 and is preparing to nominate Ahmad Abdul Kader of Khelafat Majlish for Habiganj-4, replacing journalist Oliullah Noman. A Jamaat source indicated that several surprises may be announced at the evening press conference.

Representatives of civil society in Bangladesh have warned that a fair election will be impossible without visible improvement in the law and order situation. Speaking at a roundtable titled “Fair Election and Democratic Transition: Citizens’ Thoughts” held at the Chattogram Parishad auditorium on Sunday, they said the failure to recover illegal weapons, the rise of mob violence, and corruption within the administration have worsened the situation, exposing government shortcomings. The event was organized by Sujan (Citizens for Good Governance) Chattogram as part of a democratic strengthening initiative. Speakers noted that the public expectations from the July movement were frustrated, and administrative anarchy has endangered citizens’ safety. They cautioned that holding elections under such conditions would be highly risky and expressed concern about the upcoming referendum. Speakers added that the government had formed six commissions and received nearly a thousand proposals, of which 166 were presented and consensus reached on 84. Forty-eight of these proposals require constitutional amendments to be decided through a public referendum. They emphasized building consensus on elections, reforms, and the referendum to ensure democratic progress.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to the United States on Sunday to meet President Donald Trump in Florida the following day, according to an Israeli official in Jerusalem. This will be their fifth meeting of the year, taking place as the United States and regional mediators intensify efforts to advance the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the meeting may cover a range of regional issues, including Iran, the Israel-Syria security agreement, a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the next stage of the Gaza agreement. Progress on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, brokered in October by Washington and regional allies, has been slow, with both sides accusing each other of violations and mediators fearing deliberate delays. According to Axios, the Trump-Netanyahu meeting is considered crucial for advancing the next phase of the Gaza deal. The report also noted growing dissatisfaction among senior Trump administration officials over Netanyahu’s role in the stalled peace process.