Bangladesh Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah announced that joint forces will continue regular operations to maintain law and order ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election and referendum. Speaking at a law enforcement briefing in Agargaon, Dhaka, he stated that the operations are ongoing and will be reported through regular press briefings. According to him, around 2,000 individuals are being arrested daily as part of the security drive. Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials from the armed forces, police, and intelligence agencies to review the overall security situation. The meeting included the chiefs of the army, navy, and air force, as well as top representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and other security agencies. The Election Commission’s decision signals an intensified security approach as Bangladesh prepares for a politically sensitive election period. Observers note that the coordination between civil and military authorities aims to prevent unrest and ensure a peaceful voting environment.

Speakers at a discussion organized by the Civil Coalition in Dhaka on December 21 stressed that the interim government must guarantee security to hold what it calls the 'best election in history.' Participants from various political and civic groups warned that without robust law enforcement and accountability, public trust in the electoral process cannot be restored. They emphasized that both the Election Commission and the government share responsibility for ensuring voter confidence and safety. Leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami, BNP, Ganosamhati Andolon, Ganaodhikar Parishad, and the AB Party voiced concerns about political violence, unlicensed weapons, and the failure to arrest perpetrators of recent killings. Rights activists, including Shahidul Alam and Irene Khan, also called for stronger institutional reforms. Several speakers criticized the government’s claim of lacking funds for CCTV installations, calling it an excuse for inaction. Analysts warn that continued insecurity could undermine the legitimacy of the upcoming election. They urged political unity and police accountability to prevent further destabilization and ensure a transparent, participatory vote.

At a Dhaka panel discussion on the future of Bangladesh’s education system in the age of artificial intelligence, speakers emphasized the need to develop citizens who are ethical, skilled, and capable of competing in both domestic and global labor markets. The event, organized by the Youth Council of Bangladesh, featured political and educational figures including Dr. Mahdi Amin, Bobby Hajjaj, and Shahriar Chowdhury. Panelists argued that AI is transforming education, employment, and leadership, making teacher empowerment a national priority. They proposed a 'One Teacher, One Tablet' policy to ensure continuous learning and quality instruction, stressing that technology should strengthen, not replace, teachers. The discussion also addressed education policy reform, digital inequality, and AI’s role in preparing youth for future leadership. Experts warned that without language proficiency and job-oriented training, Bangladesh may fail to benefit from global employment opportunities in countries like Japan and South Korea. The dialogue underscored the urgency of aligning education with AI-driven economic realities.

Bangladesh has formally questioned India after a group identified as Hindu extremists breached the security perimeter of the diplomatic zone in New Delhi and staged a protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission on Saturday night. According to Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain, the demonstrators even issued threats to the High Commissioner, raising serious concerns about the adequacy of Indian security measures. Hossain rejected India’s explanation that the protest was peaceful and limited to slogans over the killing of Bangladeshi citizen Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh. He argued that the protesters’ ability to reach deep into the secured diplomatic area suggested a lapse or deliberate allowance. Bangladesh has already arrested several suspects in connection with the murder, he added, calling the linkage to minority safety issues misleading. India’s Ministry of External Affairs maintained that the protest did not involve any breach or attempt to disrupt security. Dhaka has noted India’s assurance to review mission security, but the incident has added tension to bilateral relations, highlighting sensitivities over cross-border communal narratives.

England’s Ashes campaign ended in disappointment after losing the series to Australia within just 11 days. Captain Ben Stokes admitted the team’s dream had collapsed following the defeat in Adelaide, calling the result ‘devastating’ but vowing that England would continue to fight in the remaining matches. The loss marked a major setback for coach Brendon McCullum’s side, which had entered the tour with high hopes of reclaiming the Ashes. Australian skipper Pat Cummins, meanwhile, expressed his determination to complete a series whitewash, emphasizing that his team would not relax despite already securing the trophy. However, Cummins hinted that he might miss the upcoming Melbourne Test due to a lingering back injury, saying he would reassess his fitness before the final matches. His possible absence could open opportunities for Australia’s pace reserves. The remaining two Tests will determine whether England can salvage pride or if Australia will achieve a clean sweep. Both teams now face strategic decisions regarding player rotation and injury management ahead of the next fixtures.

Police in Jhalakathi have arrested Afzal Hossain Rana, former mayor of Jhalakathi Municipality and ex-joint general secretary of the district Awami League, in connection with a case filed under the Explosives Act. He was detained on Sunday morning by the district Detective Branch (DB) officers as he exited the Deputy Commissioner’s office, where he had gone to renew his firearm license. After initial questioning at the DB office, he was handed over to Sadar Police Station. Authorities later produced Rana before a court, which ordered his imprisonment pending further investigation. DB Inspector Md Touhiduzzaman confirmed the arrest, stating that it was made under an existing explosives case. Rana previously served two terms as the district Awami League’s organizational and joint general secretary. The arrest has drawn local attention given Rana’s political background. Officials have not disclosed details of the explosives case, and no comment has yet been issued by the Awami League’s district leadership. Further legal proceedings are expected in the coming days.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has urged the Bangladeshi government to issue a clear statement on the arrest and trial of those responsible for the killing of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson and July revolutionary fighter Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. Speaking at a prayer gathering in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, Porwar also called on Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to fulfill the promises he made during Hadi’s funeral. Porwar expressed solidarity with Inqilab Moncho’s 24-hour ultimatum to the government to apprehend the perpetrators. He questioned how the attackers managed to flee the country within hours of the incident and demanded an investigation into possible complicity within intelligence agencies. Other party leaders and Hadi’s brother, Omar Bin Hadi, echoed the call for justice and urged unity in realizing Hadi’s vision for a just and sovereign Bangladesh. The event, attended by senior Jamaat leaders and supporters, concluded with prayers for Hadi’s soul and appeals for swift government action to ensure accountability and transparency in the murder investigation.

An emergency press briefing called by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs to update the public on national law and order developments took place Sunday evening without the attendance of the Home Affairs Adviser, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. The briefing was instead conducted by senior officials from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Border Guard Bangladesh, who discussed the ongoing ‘Devil Hunt Phase-2’ operation and recent security improvements. Earlier in the day, ministry spokesperson Faisal Hasan had confirmed that the adviser would address journalists directly. His absence, however, drew attention from reporters and observers, as the session had been announced as a high-level update on internal security. Officials did not provide a reason for his nonappearance. The briefing highlighted continued coordination among law enforcement agencies to maintain stability ahead of upcoming national events. Analysts suggest the adviser’s absence may raise questions about communication within the ministry, though operational updates indicate that security initiatives remain active and coordinated.

Bangladeshi civic group Inkilab Moncho has warned that the Home Adviser and his assistant, Khoda Box, must resign if they fail to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding government actions following the shooting of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. The warning came ahead of the Home Adviser’s scheduled press conference on Saturday. In a statement, the group outlined two key demands: swift prosecution of all individuals involved in the killing—including planners, accomplices, and protectors—and a public account of the steps taken since December 12 to ensure justice. Inkilab Moncho also urged authorities to identify and arrest alleged fascist collaborators embedded within civil and military intelligence networks. The group’s statement reflects growing frustration over perceived government inaction and lack of transparency in the investigation. The Home Adviser’s upcoming briefing is expected to address these concerns, and failure to do so could heighten political pressure on the interim administration.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has filed three separate cases against three subsidiaries of S. Alam Group, accusing them of embezzling Tk 6,243 crore from state-owned Janata Bank under the guise of business loans. The cases were lodged at the ACC Chattogram-1 office, naming S. Alam Group chairman Saiful Alam Masud, his wife Farzana Parveen, and several Janata Bank officials as defendants. According to the ACC, the alleged embezzlement occurred between 2005 and 2024 through S. Alam Vegetable Oil Ltd, S. Alam Cold Rolled Steel Mills Ltd, and S. Alam Trading Company Ltd. Each entity is accused of obtaining loans and misappropriating funds with accrued interest. The cases follow two earlier lawsuits filed on December 17 involving another Tk 3,085 crore linked to the group’s sugar and edible oil mills. Investigators said the probe is ongoing and may expand to include additional individuals and institutions. The cases highlight growing scrutiny of corporate loan practices and potential collusion between private conglomerates and state-owned banks.

At a Dhaka panel discussion on the future of Bangladesh’s education system in the age of artificial intelligence, speakers emphasized the need to develop citizens who are ethical, skilled, and capable of competing in both domestic and global labor markets. The event, organized by the Youth Council of Bangladesh, featured education and policy experts including Dr. Mahdi Amin, Bobby Hajjaj, and Shahriar Chowdhury. Panelists argued that AI is transforming education, employment, and leadership, making teacher empowerment and continuous learning essential. They proposed a 'One Teacher, One Tablet' initiative to ensure educators can adapt to new technologies and deliver higher-quality instruction. Speakers also noted that countries like Japan and South Korea offer vast job opportunities, but language and skills gaps hinder participation. The discussion highlighted the urgency of education policy reform, digital inclusion, and AI-driven skill development to prepare Bangladesh’s youth for global competitiveness. Participants called for coordinated national strategies to align education with future labor demands.

Bangladeshi electronics giant Walton has once again been named the country’s number one brand in the refrigerator, air conditioner, and television categories at the 17th Best Brand Awards 2025, organized by Bangladesh Brand Forum. The recognition marks Walton Refrigerator’s 12th consecutive win, Walton TV’s third, and Walton AC’s second in a row, reaffirming the company’s dominance in the domestic electronics market. At the award ceremony held in Dhaka’s Le Méridien Hotel, Walton executives expressed gratitude to customers, dealers, and employees. Chief Marketing Officer Zoheb Ahmed highlighted Walton’s vision to transform Bangladesh into a global hub for AI- and IoT-based smart electronics manufacturing. The company is integrating advanced technologies into its products and has already expanded exports to over 50 countries, aiming to reach 100 markets. The Best Brand Awards use the global “Winning Brands” methodology, evaluating consumer perception, brand equity, and market share. Walton’s continued recognition, alongside other national and international honors, strengthens its ambition to become one of the world’s leading smart electronics brands.

Bangladesh has formally rejected India's press note regarding an attempted protest near its High Commission in New Delhi. Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain said on Sunday that the family of the Bangladeshi High Commissioner in Delhi felt threatened and unsafe following the incident. He noted that although there was no concrete evidence of direct threats, reports of verbal intimidation had reached Dhaka. Hossain also questioned how demonstrators managed to enter the heavily secured diplomatic enclave and hinted that Bangladesh might consider scaling down its mission in India if necessary. The incident occurred on Saturday night when several individuals arrived in three vehicles and shouted slogans outside the Bangladesh High Commission gate, demanding protection for Hindus and calling for the High Commissioner to be confronted. India’s Ministry of External Affairs later dismissed the reports as misleading propaganda. Dhaka’s rejection of that statement underscores growing diplomatic unease between the two neighbors. Observers suggest that both sides will likely engage in quiet diplomatic consultations to prevent further escalation and ensure the safety of diplomatic personnel in Delhi.

Two Bangladeshi peacekeepers from Kurigram, killed in a drone attack on a UN mission base in Sudan’s Abyei region, were buried in their home villages on Sunday. The bodies of Sergeant Mominul Islam, 38, and Private Shanto Mondol, 26, arrived by military helicopter in Kurigram, where the Bangladesh Army provided a guard of honor before funeral prayers and burial. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), six Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed and eight injured when separatist militants launched a drone strike on the Kadugli logistics base on December 13. Both soldiers had been deployed to Sudan only weeks earlier as part of Bangladesh’s long-standing contribution to UN peacekeeping operations. Local officials, family members, and villagers attended the funerals, expressing pride and grief. Mominul leaves behind his wife and two daughters, while Shanto’s wife is five months pregnant. The government and military have pledged support for the families as Bangladesh mourns the loss of its peacekeepers abroad.

Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team clinched the 2025 Youth Asia Cup title with a commanding 191-run victory over India in Dubai. Batting first at the ICC Academy Ground, Pakistan posted a massive 347 for eight, powered by opener Samir Minhas’s stunning 172 off 113 balls, featuring 17 fours and nine sixes. Ahmed Hossain added 56, while Usman Khan contributed 35, setting India a daunting target. In reply, India’s batting lineup collapsed under pressure, managing only 156 runs in 26.2 overs. Dipesh Devendran top-scored with 36, as Pakistan’s bowlers dominated — Ali Raza took four wickets, while Mohammad Sayem, Abdul Subhan, and Huzaifa Ahsan claimed two each. The victory marked Pakistan’s second Youth Asia Cup triumph, following their shared title with India in 2012. Samir Minhas was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series for his outstanding performance. The result reinforces Pakistan’s growing strength in youth cricket and sets the tone for the next generation of international players from the region.