Law enforcement and intelligence agencies have reported increased illegal arms infiltration through the Rajshahi border region as Bangladesh approaches its next parliamentary election. According to multiple sources, fugitive political leaders and militants based in Kolkata are directing a powerful smuggling syndicate operating across the Padma River and Rajshahi-Chapainawabganj frontier. The network reportedly involves former influential Awami League figures who fled to India but continue to manage operations through local associates. Authorities said most firearms enter through the Shibganj border in Chapainawabganj, prompting heightened vigilance by RAB-5 and Border Guard Bangladesh. Recent seizures include foreign pistols, magazines, ammunition, and explosives, with several arrests made in Rajshahi and Naogaon. Intelligence reports indicate that many weapons, though marked as foreign-made, originate from Bihar’s Munger and are trafficked using fruit and vegetable consignments. Political and security analysts warn that the stockpiling of illegal arms under political protection poses a serious threat to the upcoming election environment. They urge coordinated action by the executive branch and Home Ministry to dismantle the networks and prevent further destabilization.

Election activities have intensified across Madaripur ahead of the upcoming national polls, with candidates from various parties reaching out to voters. The district, long dominated by the Awami League, is witnessing renewed competition as opposition groups seek to capitalize on public discontent. However, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is struggling with internal divisions in two of the district’s three constituencies, where disputes and rebel candidacies have disrupted its campaign momentum. In contrast, the eight-party Islamist alliance, including Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, appears more organized and confident. Their candidates have completed preparations to campaign jointly. In Madaripur-1 and Madaripur-2, BNP’s nomination disputes have led to protests and independent bids, while the Islamist bloc’s nominees are actively campaigning. Only in Madaripur-3 has the BNP managed to maintain unity, with its official candidate running unopposed within the party. The developments mark a shift in a region historically controlled by the Awami League, as opposition parties intensify efforts to attract voters through meetings and local outreach programs.

Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury will be sworn in today as the 26th Chief Justice of Bangladesh. According to Supreme Court Public Relations Officer Md. Shafiqul Islam, the oath-taking ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at Bangabhaban, where President Md. Shahabuddin will administer the oath. The appointment was made under Article 95(1) of the Constitution through a presidential order issued on December 20, signed by Law Secretary Liaqat Ali Molla. The appointment takes effect from the date of the oath. Justice Chowdhury began his legal career in 1985 at the Judge Court and became an advocate of the High Court Division in 1987. He was appointed as an additional judge of the High Court Division on August 27, 2003, and became a permanent judge two years later. On August 12, 2024, he was elevated to the Appellate Division. He holds an LLB (Honours) and LLM from the University of Dhaka and later earned an LLM in International Law from the United Kingdom.

A total of 170 central leaders of the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP) have sent a letter to the party’s convener, Nahid Islam, expressing support for forming an alliance with Jamaat. The letter, issued on Saturday, emphasized that the decision was made considering political realities ahead of the upcoming election and called for a unified and pragmatic approach under Nahid’s leadership. The move followed internal tension after a separate letter from 30 leaders opposing the alliance was made public, despite an understanding that it would remain confidential. This disclosure led to disagreement within the party, prompting pro-alliance leaders to begin collecting counter-signatures. According to several sources, the number of signatories supporting the alliance could exceed 170. In their letter, the supporting leaders expressed confidence in Nahid Islam’s leadership and political foresight, stating that his decisions would strengthen the NCP organizationally and reinforce public trust in the party.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under the interim government, has assured that the trial of those responsible for killing Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi will be completed during the interim government’s tenure. She made the statement late Saturday night at the Inquilab Mancha sit-in program at Shahbagh in Dhaka. Hasan said the government is in regular contact with Hadi’s family and is working tirelessly to identify and prosecute everyone involved in the murder. She noted that the charge sheet will be submitted after January 7, 2025, and the trial will proceed swiftly. She also mentioned that if any accused have fled abroad, they will be tried in absentia, and diplomatic efforts are underway to bring them back, with India expressing cooperation. She added that the government aims to prepare a flawless and strong charge sheet, drawing on past experience of completing trials within a few working days. Police are scheduled to hold a press conference on Sunday morning to share further details about the investigation.

Tajikistan has reported multiple armed incursions along its border with Afghanistan this month, heightening tensions with the Taliban government. Officials in Dushanbe said more than a dozen people have been killed, including Chinese nationals working in remote areas. In the latest incident in Shamsiddin Shokhin district, five people were killed after armed men crossed from Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province. Tajik authorities described the attackers as members of a terrorist organisation and accused the Taliban of failing to uphold its security commitments. The clashes follow two late-November attacks targeting Chinese companies in Tajikistan, which killed at least five Chinese workers. Beijing, Tajikistan’s largest creditor, urged its citizens to evacuate border areas and demanded stronger protection measures. Analysts said the assaults bear the hallmarks of the ISIL affiliate in Khorasan Province, which seeks to undermine the Taliban’s credibility as a regional security guarantor. The Taliban expressed sorrow over the killings, blamed an unnamed armed group, and reaffirmed its commitment to the 2020 Doha Agreement. Despite limited diplomatic engagement since 2023, Tajikistan remains one of the Taliban’s strongest critics in Central Asia. The recent violence threatens to derail fragile ties and complicate regional security cooperation involving China and Afghanistan.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) is facing internal division as its alliance or seat-sharing arrangement with Jamaat-e-Islami and seven like-minded parties nears finalization. According to party sources, around 90 percent of the executive council and 80 percent of the central committee members supported the move, and a formal announcement could come on Sunday. However, 30 central leaders submitted a letter to convener Nahid Islam expressing principled objections, citing concerns over the party’s ideals and the historical role of Jamaat. Senior joint member secretary Dr. Tasnim Zara resigned from the party on Saturday to run as an independent candidate in Dhaka-9. The dissenting leaders argued that joining Jamaat would weaken NCP’s moral position and contradict the spirit of the July uprising. Some signatories later claimed their names were added without consent. NCP leaders said the decision followed failed seat-sharing talks with the BNP and was driven by the need to ensure representation of July revolution supporters in the next parliament. Jamaat’s leadership also indicated that a final announcement on seat-sharing among eight parties could come today. The alliance decision comes just before Monday’s nomination submission deadline, making finalization urgent for both parties.

The Inqilab Mancha has announced a new round of blockade programs across eight divisional cities, following a temporary suspension of its ongoing sit-in at Shahbagh in Dhaka. The movement, demanding justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, was briefly eased on Saturday night after the arrival of Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the interim government on environment, forest, and climate change. Protesters paused slogans and blockades after hearing her remarks, but declared that demonstrations would continue until visible progress in the trial process. Rizwana Hasan assured demonstrators that the interim government was actively pursuing justice, stating that a specific and accurate charge sheet would be submitted in early January and that the trial would be completed within the government’s tenure. She also mentioned diplomatic efforts regarding fugitives and said India had been formally informed. The adviser urged calm and announced that the Dhaka Metropolitan Police would brief the media on the investigation’s progress the following morning. Inqilab Mancha confirmed that no one would remain at Shahbagh overnight and that the next phase of protests would begin at 2 p.m. after reviewing the DMP press conference.

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary Akhtar Hossain stated that agreement on reform points among NCP, Jamaat, and other parties is being considered the main factor in forming an electoral alliance. He made the remarks on Saturday in a post on the NCP’s official Facebook page. Hossain explained that during discussions in the Consensus Commission, differences were observed between the BNP and other parties regarding reform issues. However, NCP, Jamaat, and several other groups naturally reached agreement on those reform points. He emphasized that the commitment to rebuilding the country and reshaping Bangladesh’s state structure through reform-oriented politics is the most important consideration in forming alliances or understandings for elections. The post reflects NCP’s focus on political reform as the foundation for cooperation with like-minded parties ahead of upcoming electoral arrangements.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is passing through a critical phase of illness, according to Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain, a member of her medical board and BNP Standing Committee. He made the statement during an unannounced briefing outside Evercare Hospital in Dhaka around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday night. Dr. Zahid said Khaleda Zia’s condition has not improved and remains extremely complicated. He explained that Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23, after which her health deteriorated significantly. Due to the worsening condition, she was moved from a cabin to the CCU and later to the ICU. Both local and foreign doctors are involved in her treatment, including her daughter-in-law Dr. Zubaida Rahman. BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman visited his mother at the hospital late Saturday night after returning from London for the first time in 17 years. Khaleda Zia is undergoing regular medical tests as part of her ongoing treatment for multiple health complications, including diabetes, kidney, heart, and lung problems.

On Friday night, several major football clubs recorded key victories across leagues. In the English Premier League, Manchester City defeated Nottingham Forest 2–1, Arsenal beat Brighton 2–1, and Liverpool won by the same margin against Wolverhampton. Manchester United, despite being outplayed in possession and attack, secured a narrow 1–0 home win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford, with Patrick Dorgu scoring the decisive goal. The victory marked coach Ruben Amorim’s first win in three matches. Meanwhile, in the Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo’s two goals led Al Nassr to a commanding 3–0 win over Al Akhdood. The results highlighted a competitive night of football across Europe and the Middle East. Manchester United’s win broke a short run of poor form, while Arsenal, City, and Liverpool maintained their strong performances in the Premier League. Ronaldo’s brace reaffirmed his influence in Saudi football as Al Nassr continued their winning momentum. These outcomes could influence the standings in both leagues, with title races and top-four battles intensifying as the season progresses.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman will contest the upcoming national election from two constituencies—Bogura-6 and Dhaka-17—according to party standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed. He disclosed this information to the media on Saturday night, stating that the decision was made by the party leadership. The report also mentions that BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will contest from three constituencies: Bogura-7, Feni-1, and Dinajpur-3, while Tarique Rahman will run from two. Meanwhile, Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partha, chairman of BNP’s ally Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), was initially featured on posters as a candidate for Dhaka-17 but will instead contest from his home constituency Bhola-1 under his party’s symbol, according to Salahuddin Ahmed. The announcement clarifies BNP’s candidate lineup for key constituencies ahead of the 13th parliamentary election, indicating coordination among alliance partners and finalization of seat decisions.

At Jagannath University’s Nawab Faizunnesa Hall, two candidates from the Chhatra Dal-backed Oikyo Nirbhik Jobian panel admitted to distributing money and chocolates, an act that violates the JnUSU election code of conduct. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. on Friday inside the women’s dormitory. A video reportedly shows GS candidate Khadijatul Kubra handing over 3,000 taka in the presence of another candidate, while AGS candidate Atikur Rahman Tanzil’s supporters distributed chocolates to residents. Khadijatul Kubra acknowledged giving money but claimed it was part of a previously announced scholarship program for meritorious students. When asked about the timing of the distribution just days before the election, she declined further comment. Tanzil denied personal involvement, saying some of his well-wishers may have distributed chocolates without his direction. Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. Mostafa Hasan said the hall provost is responsible for initial action and that the commission will act upon receiving a written complaint. Hall Provost Anjuman Ara stated she was unaware of the incident and had not received any formal complaint.

Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman has resigned from his post, citing personal reasons in a letter submitted to the President. According to administrative officer Md. Nasir Uddin from the Attorney General’s Office, the resignation letter was submitted on Saturday night and is expected to be forwarded to the Ministry of Law on Sunday morning. Reports indicate that Asaduzzaman plans to contest in the upcoming national parliamentary election from the Jhenaidah-1 constituency as a candidate of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). His resignation marks a significant development within the legal and political landscape, as the country prepares for the forthcoming election. The resignation coincides with other key judicial transitions, including the retirement of the 25th Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed and the scheduled swearing-in of a new Chief Justice on Sunday.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has removed a total of 148 tons of waste from the 300 Feet area in the capital, where the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) held a reception on May 25 to mark the return of its acting chairman, Tarique Rahman. DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz ordered the cleanup on Thursday night, and a special cleaning drive began Friday morning with 350 sanitation workers participating. The collected waste was transported in 148 trips by 20 trucks and safely dumped at the Aminbazar landfill. By noon, the entire venue was cleared and reopened for public movement. During the operation, some local BNP activists voluntarily joined DNCC workers from 10 a.m. to assist in the cleaning effort. Administrator Ejaz expressed gratitude to all participants, emphasizing that joint efforts by city authorities, citizens, and political activists after large gatherings can make the city cleaner and more livable. The cleanup followed a massive public gathering celebrating Tarique Rahman’s return after 17 years, prompting DNCC’s immediate action to maintain environmental hygiene.