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.

Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has described the country’s ongoing election as free and fair. Speaking to reporters in the capital Naypyidaw on Sunday after casting his vote, he said transparency and neutrality in the election process had been ensured. The remarks were reported by AFP. Min Aung Hlaing, who seized power five years ago through a military coup, claimed that the military’s role in organizing the election did not undermine its credibility or image. He emphasized that the process was being conducted properly under military supervision. The report noted that this election marks the first phase of Myanmar’s general election, taking place under the junta’s rule since the coup.

The modernization and renovation work of the Sixth Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, also known as the Mukterpur Bridge, officially began in Munshiganj. The project, supported technically and financially by the Chinese government, aims to ensure structural safety and enhance the bridge’s long-term durability. The inauguration ceremony was held on the banks of the Dhaleshwari River, attended by Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen as chief guest and chaired by Bridge Division Secretary and Bangladesh Bridge Authority Executive Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf. Senior officials from the Bridge Division, Bangladesh Bridge Authority, representatives from the Chinese Embassy, and engineers involved in the project were present. The Bridge Secretary stated that the renovation is being carried out under the guidance and supervision of the Adviser to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan. He emphasized that the project will improve connectivity between Dhaka, Munshiganj, and southern Bangladesh. The secretary expressed gratitude to the Chinese government, noting that the initiative reflects the Belt and Road cooperation and symbolizes mutual trust between the two nations. He also called for the construction of a second Mukterpur Bridge to meet growing traffic demand in the region.

At least 400 Muslim families in Bengaluru, Karnataka, were reportedly rendered homeless after the state government demolished around 200 houses without prior notice. The demolition took place in Fakir Colony and Wasim Layout of Kogilu village at around 4 a.m. on December 22, carried out by Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited. The incident occurred during the winter season, leaving hundreds of families without shelter. The affected residents claimed they had lived in the area for about 25 years and possessed valid Aadhaar and voter ID cards. They alleged that police forcibly evicted them without warning, leaving many unable to retrieve essential documents and belongings. The event has sparked a political dispute between Karnataka’s ruling Congress and Kerala’s Left Front, with opposition parties accusing Congress of adopting the Bharatiya Janata Party’s controversial “bulldozer rule.” Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the action, calling it an example of anti-minority politics under the Congress government. Reports also noted a broader rise in minority persecution across India, including violence against Bengali-speaking Muslims and attacks on Christians during Christmas celebrations.

Bangladesh has expressed deep concern over recent killings and violence targeting minorities in India and called on New Delhi to ensure impartial investigations and bring perpetrators to justice. Foreign Ministry spokesperson S M Mahbubul Alam made the statement on Sunday, December 28, citing incidents of brutal murders, mob attacks, arbitrary detentions, and disruptions of religious events involving Muslims and Christians in several Indian states, including Odisha, Bihar, and Kerala. Alam said Bangladesh is particularly alarmed by reports of widespread violence against Christians during Christmas celebrations across India, describing such acts as hate crimes and targeted violence. Dhaka also rejected recent remarks by India’s Ministry of External Affairs regarding communal violence and minority conditions in Bangladesh, stating that Delhi’s comments misrepresented the country’s longstanding tradition of communal harmony. In an official statement, Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry asserted that isolated criminal incidents were being deliberately portrayed as institutional persecution of Hindus to spread anti-Bangladesh sentiment in India. It warned that selective and biased narratives were being used to incite hostility against Bangladesh and its diplomatic missions.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami announced on Sunday that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the National Citizens Party (NCP) have joined its political alliance. The announcement was made by Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at a press conference held at 5 p.m. He stated that discussions with the NCP had been finalized earlier, but no representatives from the party could attend the event. The NCP is expected to hold its own press conference after internal discussions. Before the inclusion of the two new parties, the alliance consisted of eight members: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Khelafat Majlish, Nezame Islam Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, and Bangladesh Development Party. The addition of LDP and NCP expands the coalition under Jamaat’s leadership. The NCP’s absence from the joint press conference suggests that the party may still be finalizing its internal stance before publicly confirming its participation in the alliance.

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has predicted that the next major step toward superhuman artificial intelligence will come when AI systems achieve what he called “infinite, perfect memory.” Speaking on the Big Technology Podcast, Altman said the company is working toward this goal by 2026, envisioning AI that can remember every detail of a user’s life. He contrasted this with human assistants, who cannot recall every word, document, or interaction, describing current AI memory as still “very crude” and “very early.” Altman’s remarks follow reports that he declared a “code red” at OpenAI after Google launched its Gemini 3 model in November, which the company described as marking a “new era of intelligence.” Despite acknowledging Gemini 3’s strong benchmark performance, Altman said OpenAI’s response was standard practice when facing competition. He noted that Gemini 3 had not yet had the impact initially feared but did expose weaknesses OpenAI is now addressing. Altman outlined OpenAI’s strategy to stay ahead in the AI race: build the best models, create strong products around them, and ensure sufficient infrastructure for large-scale deployment.

A 24-year-old student from Tripura, Angel Chakma, was killed in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, after being attacked by a group of youths who allegedly hurled racial slurs and accused him of being Chinese. The incident occurred on December 9 when Angel and his younger brother went shopping. After protesting the insults, Angel was stabbed in the neck and spine, leaving him critically injured. He remained on life support for 14 days before dying. His father is a Border Security Force (BSF) soldier. The case has sparked outrage across India, particularly in the northeastern states. Police have arrested five suspects, including two minors, while the main accused, Yagya Awasthi, remains at large and is believed to have fled to Nepal. Authorities have announced a reward for information leading to his capture. The suspects face charges of murder and criminal conspiracy. Student organizations across northeastern India have demanded a national law against hate crimes. Tipra Motha Party leader Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma condemned the attack, calling it a blow to national unity and dignity.

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said the newly formed alliance between the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Jamaat-e-Islami does not align with NCP’s declared ideology. He described the alliance as a political decision of the respective parties. Khan made the remarks on Sunday afternoon after meeting Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasiruddin at the Election Commission office in Agargaon, Dhaka. During the meeting, BNP raised several election-related issues, including concerns over a directive requiring candidates to submit details of their children's assets during nomination filing. Khan said this requirement, though not explicitly mentioned in the Representation of the People Order (RPO), is creating complications. The party also expressed concern about the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) on social media during the upcoming national election. BNP warned that AI could be used to spread false information, images, and videos, and urged the Election Commission to take strong preventive measures. Khan emphasized that the Commission’s effective role is crucial to ensure a free, fair, and credible election, and the party expects clear initiatives from the Commission in this regard.