A Feni court has issued arrest warrants against Nizam Uddin Hazari, general secretary of the Feni district Awami League, and 71 other fugitives in connection with the killing of autorickshaw driver Md. Sabuj during a protest in August 2024. The order was given by Senior Judicial Magistrate Mohammad Hasan of the Feni Sadar court after accepting the charge sheet filed by police. According to case records, Sabuj was shot dead when armed activists of the Awami League and its now-banned affiliates opened fire on demonstrators demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The case, filed by Sabuj’s brother, named 65 individuals and implicated up to 400 others. Police later charged 124 people, of whom 54 have been arrested so far, while 71 remain at large. Authorities stated that copies of the arrest warrants will soon be sent to local police stations. The case is one of 24 filed over the violent crackdown, including seven murder and 17 attempted murder cases, highlighting ongoing political tensions in Feni.

BJP legislator and Jammu & Kashmir opposition leader Sunil Sharma declared that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not remain silent on matters concerning Bangladesh and Pakistan. Speaking at a protest in Kishtwar organized by Hindu groups, Sharma linked recent violence in Bangladesh, including the killing of a Hindu worker, to what he described as an international conspiracy aimed at destabilizing India and provoking regional conflict. Sharma asserted that countries like the United States and China fear Modi’s leadership and that he symbolizes hope for Hindus in Bangladesh. He further claimed that India’s growing economic and military strength toward 2047 has prompted attempts by rival nations to weaken it. Protesters submitted a memorandum to local authorities and announced plans to appeal to India’s top leadership for intervention to protect Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. The remarks come amid heightened political sensitivity ahead of Bangladesh’s 2026 elections. Sharma also questioned the silence of international organizations on minority rights in Bangladesh, alleging that unrest there may be intended to delay the polls.

U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that Greenland is essential to American national security and should come under U.S. control, following his appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy for Greenland affairs. The move has sparked renewed diplomatic tension with Denmark, which retains sovereignty over the Arctic island. Copenhagen reacted sharply, summoning the U.S. ambassador for an explanation. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen called the appointment 'deeply concerning,' warning that Denmark would not accept any action undermining its territorial integrity. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen emphasized that only Greenlanders can decide their future, expressing openness to cooperation with the U.S. based on mutual respect. The controversy revives Trump’s earlier 2019 attempt to purchase Greenland, rejected by both Denmark and Greenland. Analysts see the latest step as part of Washington’s growing strategic focus on the Arctic amid rising competition with Russia and China. The European Union has voiced full solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, underscoring the geopolitical stakes of the unfolding dispute.

Dr. Tasnim Jara, senior joint member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and a candidate for Dhaka-9 constituency, announced that her campaign fund received over Tk 1.2 million in just seven hours. The announcement came early Tuesday through her verified Facebook page, where she expressed gratitude for the overwhelming public support. The fundraising drive began Monday night as part of her effort to finance her election campaign. According to Jara, the campaign’s total target is Tk 4.69 million, with fundraising to stop once Tk 3.4 million more is collected. She noted that donations through the mobile payment platform bKash were temporarily halted after reaching transaction limits, but contributions could still be made via bank accounts. Jara also shared screenshots of the donation accounts, emphasizing transparency and accountability in fund management. The rapid response highlights growing citizen engagement in digital political fundraising in Bangladesh. Observers say such initiatives may reshape campaign financing norms, especially among younger and tech-savvy voters ahead of the upcoming national elections.

Police in Khulna have detained a young woman named Tonima Tonbi in connection with the shooting of Md. Motaleb Shikdar, the divisional convener of the National Workers’ Power (NCP). Authorities confirmed that the shooting occurred at Tonbi’s rented residence on Monday afternoon. Detective Branch Officer-in-Charge Taimur Islam verified the arrest late Monday night but said more details would be shared after further investigation. Earlier, the victim’s wife, Fahima Taslim Jhumur, held a press conference at Khulna Press Club, urging police to arrest Tonbi and her husband Miraj for questioning. She stated that her husband had gone to Khulna Medical College Hospital on Sunday night to visit a patient and did not return home. The next morning, she was informed that he had been shot. Police have yet to determine the motive or identify the shooter. The victim’s family has demanded a thorough investigation to uncover the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 is set to deliver its order today, December 23, on whether to formally frame charges against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 12 army officers in a case involving alleged abductions and torture at the Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) cell. The three-member judicial panel, led by Chairman Golam Mortuza Majumdar, scheduled the ruling after concluding hearings earlier this month. The case names 17 accused in total, including 10 currently in custody and seven absconding, among them former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and ex-RAB chief Benazir Ahmed. Defense lawyers have sought dismissal of the charges, while prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim urged the tribunal to proceed with trial. Hearings were previously postponed on December 21 following defense requests for special arguments. The tribunal’s decision will determine whether a full trial begins against the former leader and senior military officials. The proceedings are being closely watched both domestically and internationally for their potential political and legal implications in post-Hasina Bangladesh.

U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly called on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to relinquish power, describing such a move as the most “intelligent decision” for the long-time leader. Speaking from his Florida residence, Trump warned that Maduro’s continued grip on power could worsen his political situation. The remarks come amid Washington’s tightening naval blockade targeting Venezuela’s oil sector, which the U.S. accuses of funding criminal activities including narcotics trafficking and human rights abuses. Russia has strongly condemned the U.S. actions, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov labeling the naval operations and oil tanker seizures as threats to international maritime freedom and regional stability. Venezuela, backed by Russia and China, has requested a United Nations Security Council meeting, accusing the U.S. of “international piracy” and attempts at regime change. Maduro, in a letter to UN member states, warned that the blockade could disrupt global energy supplies. The escalating standoff underscores deepening geopolitical friction between Washington and Moscow over Latin America’s strategic oil resources.

A draft report from the U.S. Department of Defense alleges that China has deployed more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) across three newly built silo fields near its border with Mongolia. The report, cited by Reuters, suggests Beijing shows little interest in arms control talks despite Washington’s calls for renewed disarmament dialogue. According to the Pentagon, China is modernizing and expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other nuclear power. Beijing has rejected the allegations, calling them an attempt to tarnish its image and mislead the international community. The report estimates China’s nuclear warhead count exceeded 600 in 2024 and could surpass 1,000 by 2030 if current trends continue. The document also raises concerns about China’s military ambitions toward Taiwan, suggesting Beijing aims to achieve the capability to prevail in a potential conflict by 2027. China maintains that its nuclear policy remains defensive and adheres to a “no first use” principle.

Authorities in Comilla have reported growing concerns over illegal arms entering Bangladesh through the Tripura border as the 13th national election approaches. The issue follows the unsolved case of 17 police firearms looted during last year’s student protests, which remain unrecovered. Recent Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) operations have seized both narcotics and foreign pistols, intensifying public anxiety about potential election-related violence. Local political leaders and residents have expressed frustration at the administration’s failure to recover the missing weapons. Opposition figures allege that fugitive members of the former ruling party are orchestrating arms inflows from India to disrupt the polls. BGB officials confirmed that firearms were found alongside drugs in recent raids, marking the first such discovery in the district. Police say joint efforts with the army and Rapid Action Battalion are ongoing to locate the missing weapons. Security analysts warn that the combination of unrecovered police arms and new smuggling routes could destabilize the region if not swiftly contained before election day.

A fire broke out early Tuesday morning at the 14-storey Haji Tower in Babubazar, Armanitola, Old Dhaka. The blaze started on the sixth floor around 6:40 a.m., prompting an immediate response from the Fire Service and Civil Defence. Within five minutes of receiving the alert, firefighters reached the scene and engaged nine units from Sadarghat, Sutrapur, and Siddikbazar stations. The fire was brought under control by 7:20 a.m. Officials from the Fire Service’s media wing confirmed that no casualties or injuries had been reported as of press time. The cause of the fire and the extent of property damage remain under investigation. Authorities stated that a detailed assessment will follow once the site is fully secured. This incident highlights ongoing fire safety challenges in densely populated areas of Old Dhaka, where narrow roads and aging infrastructure often complicate emergency responses. Investigators are expected to review building safety compliance and electrical systems in the coming days.

Cambodia has accused Thailand of launching airstrikes on its territory just hours after a regional ASEAN meeting in Malaysia. Phnom Penh’s defense ministry stated that Thai F-16 fighter jets bombed several areas in Siem Reap and Preah Vihear provinces on Monday, despite both countries agreeing earlier in the week to hold ceasefire talks aimed at ending deadly border clashes. The Cambodian statement described the strikes as a violation of the spirit of regional diplomacy, coming immediately after ASEAN discussions on border stability. Thailand has not yet issued an official response to the allegations. The two nations have long disputed sections of their shared border, with tensions periodically flaring into violence. Regional observers warn that the latest incident could undermine ASEAN’s efforts to mediate peace and may further destabilize the border region. Diplomatic sources suggest emergency consultations could follow if the situation escalates further.

Russia has sharply escalated its attacks on Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, targeting key port and maritime infrastructure. The latest strikes have caused widespread power outages affecting over 120,000 residents and damaged a civilian vessel, according to local officials. Fires broke out at a major port, destroying containers of flour and cooking oil, while earlier missile attacks killed at least eight people and injured dozens. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba said Moscow is conducting “systematic” strikes on Odesa, warning that the war’s focal point may shift toward the region. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia aims to sever Ukraine’s maritime logistics, following threats from President Vladimir Putin to restrict Kyiv’s access to the Black Sea in response to drone attacks on Russia’s “shadow fleet.” Odesa’s strategic importance has grown as other southern ports remain under Russian control. Zelensky announced plans to appoint a new air force commander after dismissing Dmytro Karpenko, signaling a potential shift in Ukraine’s defensive strategy in the region.

Malaysia has called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to take all necessary measures to de-escalate the ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. The appeal was made during a special meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers held in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, following renewed clashes earlier this month in disputed frontier areas. According to official reports, the fighting has displaced more than 500,000 people across both countries, with at least 22 killed in Thailand and 19 in Cambodia. Both Bangkok and Phnom Penh have accused each other of provoking violence and targeting civilians, while heavy weaponry, including tanks, drones, and artillery, has reportedly been used. Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan emphasized that the conflict poses not only a regional but also a global security concern, urging ASEAN to safeguard peace and stability. He stressed that the goal should extend beyond reducing tensions to building trust and maintaining dialogue between the two sides despite ongoing disputes.

Russia has declared its full support and solidarity with Venezuela as tensions escalate with the United States over naval operations in the Caribbean Sea. Moscow’s announcement came ahead of a key UN Security Council meeting set to discuss the growing crisis between Washington and Caracas. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Venezuelan counterpart Yván Gil condemned recent U.S. actions, calling them a threat to international maritime security and regional stability. The statement follows a series of U.S. naval operations targeting vessels allegedly linked to drug trafficking, which have resulted in numerous deaths. On December 16, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a blockade on Venezuelan oil tankers under sanctions, accusing President Nicolás Maduro’s government of using oil revenues to fund criminal activities. Caracas denounced the move as “international piracy,” while Russia and China backed Venezuela’s call for a UN discussion on sovereignty and non-interference. Analysts warn that the standoff could further strain global energy markets. Maduro has cautioned that U.S. sanctions may disrupt international oil supply chains, adding another layer of uncertainty to global energy stability.

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has stated that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro 'needs to go,' reinforcing Washington’s stance for leadership change in Caracas. In an interview with Fox News, Noem linked the recent seizure of Venezuela-bound oil tankers to a broader message against Maduro’s alleged illicit activities. Her remarks come as the US intensifies sanctions and maritime enforcement targeting Venezuela’s oil trade. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump ordered a blockade on sanctioned oil vessels connected to Venezuela. The US has already seized two ships and is pursuing another. Washington has accused Maduro of leading the 'Cartel of the Suns,' labeling it a narco-terrorist organization, and offered a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest. Meanwhile, US naval forces have increased their presence in the Caribbean, conducting operations that have destroyed several vessels and caused over a hundred deaths. International legal experts have questioned the legitimacy of these operations, suggesting possible violations of international law. Analysts view the actions as part of a broader effort to pressure Maduro’s government rather than solely targeting narcotics trafficking.