Police in Dhaka have recovered the body of Jannatara Rumi, a leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), from a privately owned women’s hostel in Jigatola. Authorities are investigating whether her death was a suicide or a homicide. Rumi had filed a general diary (GD) at Dhanmondi Police Station a month earlier, citing death and assault threats from social media accounts linked to activists of the banned Awami League. She reported being targeted for her political activities and expressed fears for her safety. According to party colleagues, Rumi had been subjected to sustained cyberbullying and threats for nearly two months, which left her psychologically distressed. Despite her GD, police reportedly provided no effective protection. Family members stated that Rumi had been battling depression following two failed marriages and was under psychiatric care. Police confirmed that an unnatural death case has been filed, with the family attributing her death to mental health struggles. The case has sparked debate over online harassment, political intimidation, and the adequacy of law enforcement response to threats against opposition figures.

More than 200 leaders and activists from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have joined Jamaat-e-Islami in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat. The group, led by Burimari Union BNP adviser Rezwan Hossain and expelled Krishak Dal ward secretary Abdul Mannan, formally joined Jamaat at a gathering held at Hossain’s residence on Thursday afternoon. The event was attended by Jamaat’s Lalmonirhat-1 candidate Anwarul Islam Raju and several local Jamaat leaders. Rezwan Hossain stated that he left the BNP after losing confidence in its activities, adding that his decision had prompted the local BNP unit to expel him the previous night. The Patgram BNP leadership confirmed his expulsion in a press release, citing violations of party discipline and damage to its image. The mass defection highlights ongoing political realignments at the grassroots level ahead of national elections. Analysts suggest such shifts could influence local campaign dynamics, particularly in northern constituencies where both parties have strong organizational bases.

Student group Jatiya Chhatra Shakti staged a protest at Dhaka University on Thursday, demanding the resignation of Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. The protest accused him of failing to arrest attackers involved in the assault on Inquilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi and of worsening public security. Demonstrators burned an effigy of the adviser and announced plans for a symbolic funeral prayer on Friday. The rally began at Shahbagh and moved through the TSC and VC areas before concluding at the Raju Sculpture. During the gathering, Jatiya Chhatra Shakti president Zahid Ahsan sharply criticized the adviser, calling him unfit for his position and accusing him of irresponsibility. Protesters chanted slogans demanding Jahangir’s resignation and accountability. The protest reflects growing frustration among student activists over law enforcement and political accountability. Organizers warned of further demonstrations if the adviser does not step down, signaling potential escalation of campus-based political unrest.

Leaders of the National Chhatra Shakti have threatened to stage a sit-in in front of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s residence if Home Adviser Jahangir Alam does not resign by Thursday night. The warning came during a protest rally at Dhaka’s Shahbagh, where demonstrators demanded Alam’s immediate removal, accusing him of incompetence and failure to ensure public security. Chhatra Shakti President Zahid Hasan directly addressed Yunus, urging him to act swiftly to avoid further agitation. Protesters marched from Shahbagh to Dhaka University’s Raju Memorial Sculpture and back, chanting slogans and later burning an effigy of the home adviser. They argued that the interim government did not need a home adviser who lacked sensitivity to public issues. The protest reflects growing frustration among youth activists over the interim administration’s handling of governance and security matters. Political observers note that such confrontations could intensify pressure on Yunus’s advisory council in the coming days.

Jannat Ara Rumi, a 30-year-old leader of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and a prominent activist in the July uprising, was found dead in her hostel room in Jigatola, Dhaka, on Thursday. Police recovered her hanging body after a domestic worker discovered the open door and alerted others. Rumi, known for her role in anti-discrimination protests and the movement that led to the fall of the Hasina government, was serving as the joint coordinator of NCP’s Dhanmondi branch. Family members expressed deep sorrow and said Rumi had been staying alone that night, as her roommate was away. They suggested that she might have taken her own life due to depression but called on law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation. NCP officials confirmed her political position and described her as a dedicated activist. Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of death, and the incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media. Police said an autopsy report will determine whether foul play was involved.

The SME Foundation of Bangladesh announced that 138 individuals, including 72 men and 66 women, have successfully become entrepreneurs through its Business Incubation Center. The participants received training, mentorship, and business advisory support, along with opportunities to showcase their products at national and international trade fairs in the UK, China, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. A certificate distribution ceremony was held on December 18, 2025, in Dhaka, with senior officials from the SME Foundation and Startup Bangladesh in attendance. Chairperson Md. Musfiqur Rahman emphasized that the incubation center provides essential business knowledge, workspace, networking, and technical assistance to new entrepreneurs. The initiative aligns with the government’s National Industrial Policy 2022 and the SDG 2030 agenda. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, SMEs contribute about 30% to the national economy and employ over 30 million people. The program is expected to further strengthen Bangladesh’s SME ecosystem, enhance women’s participation, and support sustainable economic development through innovation and capacity building.

Police recovered the hanging body of Jannatara Rumi, a leader of the Nationalist Citizens’ Party (NCP), from a private women’s hostel in Jigatola, Dhaka. Authorities have registered an unnatural death case, though questions remain over whether it was suicide or foul play. Family members cited her long struggle with depression, while party colleagues pointed to sustained online harassment as a possible contributing factor. According to NCP senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adib, Rumi had faced months of cyberbullying and threats of violence from activists linked to the now-banned Awami League. Her personal and family information had reportedly been circulated online, leaving her distressed and withdrawn in recent weeks. Police confirmed that the family’s case mentioned her mental health issues and ongoing treatment. The incident has sparked debate over the growing problem of political cyber harassment in Bangladesh. Rights groups have urged a transparent investigation and stronger digital safety measures for women in politics. Police said they are awaiting autopsy results before determining the cause of death.

India’s Coast Guard has detained 35 Bangladeshi fishermen and seized two fishing trawlers, the FB Sabina-1 and FB Rupshi Sultana, for allegedly entering Indian territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal. The vessels were intercepted near the South 24 Parganas coast and later handed over to local police in Fraserganj for legal proceedings. The detained fishermen reportedly hail from Kutubdia in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar district. The arrests come amid heightened maritime tensions following an earlier incident in which India accused a Bangladeshi naval vessel of colliding with an Indian fishing trawler, causing it to sink. Eleven Indian fishermen were rescued, while five remain missing. Indian authorities have presented the detained Bangladeshis before the Kakdwip Sub-Divisional Court for questioning. The episode underscores recurring disputes over fishing rights and maritime boundaries in the Bay of Bengal. Diplomatic engagement between Dhaka and New Delhi is expected to address the detentions and prevent further escalation in cross-border fishing conflicts.

Bogura district has become politically active following reports that BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman may return to Bangladesh ahead of the next national election. Workers have been renovating his long-abandoned residence on Riaz Kazi Lane, once a hub of northern political activity. The house, neglected since Rahman’s arrest and subsequent exile after the 2007 political crisis, is now being repaired under the supervision of former MP Helaluzzaman Talukder. Local BNP sources suggest Rahman could contest from the Bogura-6 (Sadar) constituency, prompting the revival of his old political base. Around 20 laborers have been working daily for several days to restore the property, repainting walls and repairing gates. The district’s youth wing has already organized celebratory rallies, and a welcoming meeting is planned at the BNP office. If Rahman’s return materializes, it could significantly energize BNP’s grassroots in northern Bangladesh ahead of the election, reshaping local campaign dynamics and signaling a more direct leadership role for him after years abroad.

The Bangladeshi government has dispatched a senior foreign ministry official to Singapore to oversee the treatment of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure of the July uprising and spokesperson for the Inquilab Mancha. Hadi remains in critical condition at Singapore General Hospital, where doctors are preparing for a complex brain operation to remove a bullet fragment lodged in his brainstem. The decision followed a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka. Singapore’s Foreign Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan has been in regular contact with Dr. Yunus to monitor Hadi’s condition. Hadi’s two brothers are currently by his side, and another family member is en route to Singapore. Dhaka Medical College neurosurgeon Dr. Abdul Ahad confirmed that Hadi suffered a massive heart attack and severe infection before his transfer. Officials say the dispatched diplomat will coordinate between Hadi’s family, hospital authorities, and the Singaporean government to ensure timely medical and administrative decisions as the situation remains highly critical.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) has announced that international election observers and foreign media must submit applications by January 17, 2025, to monitor the country’s 13th National Parliamentary Election and accompanying referendum scheduled for February 12. The directive, signed by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, confirms that voting will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on election day. The EC stated that it is committed to holding a free, fair, credible, and participatory election. To ensure transparency, all electoral processes will remain open to both domestic and international observers. The commission has invited observer organizations and foreign journalists from around the world to coordinate with local monitors under the International Observer and Foreign Media Policy 2025. Officials emphasized that interested parties must comply with policy clauses 2.3 through 3.1 when applying. The EC’s Public Relations Director, Md. Ruhul Amin Mallik, has been designated as the contact point for inquiries. The move is seen as part of Bangladesh’s effort to enhance global confidence in its electoral process.

A decomposed human skeleton, believed to be that of 22-year-old Ismail Hossain, was discovered in a forested area of Eidgaon, Cox’s Bazar, two months after his disappearance. The remains were found along with clothing and sandals matching those he wore when last seen, near the border of Islampur and Islamabad unions. Family members, who had been searching for Ismail since he went missing, identified the items and informed local police. His aunt, Jyotsna, said Ismail had been mentally unstable and vanished from home two months earlier. About a month after his disappearance, an unidentified caller demanded a ransom of 100,000 taka from Ismail’s father, threatening to kill him if unpaid. Police have dispatched a team to the site and are awaiting forensic confirmation of the identity. Authorities are investigating whether the case involves abduction and murder or other causes. The discovery has raised concerns among locals about safety and law enforcement in the area.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the United States for what it described as threatening behavior and potential naval blockade measures against Venezuela. In a statement reported by Mehr News Agency, Tehran accused Washington of breaching international law and United Nations principles by attempting to obstruct Venezuela’s legitimate oil exports or detain commercial vessels. The ministry characterized such actions as state piracy and armed robbery at sea, rejecting any justification under unilateral U.S. sanctions. It reaffirmed Venezuela’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as protected under international law, warning that interference in its internal affairs was unacceptable. Iran urged the international community and the United Nations to denounce what it called illegal U.S. actions and hold Washington accountable for violating global norms. Diplomatic observers note that Tehran’s statement underscores its alignment with Caracas amid rising tensions with Washington. Analysts warn that continued unilateral measures could heighten geopolitical friction and threaten global maritime stability.

Three people were killed and one critically injured in a motorcycle collision late Wednesday night in Golapganj, Sylhet. The accident occurred around midnight on the Sylhet-Bianibazar-Jakiganj road near Termaile. Police confirmed that one person died at the scene, while two others succumbed to injuries at Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital. Among the four riders involved, only one remains under treatment. The deceased were identified as Abdul Ahad (42) from Goaspur village, Sabbir Ahmed (21) from Ranaping Chhatrish village, and Ariful Haque Joy (35) from Fazilpur village. The injured, Zakir Ahmed (20) from Juri upazila of Moulvibazar, is receiving treatment at the hospital. Golapganj Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Ariful Islam said locals rescued the victims before police arrived and sent them to the hospital. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, which adds to a rising trend of fatal motorcycle accidents in the Sylhet region. Road safety advocates have urged stricter enforcement of traffic laws and helmet use to prevent further tragedies.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to deploy police forces at the offices of returning and assistant returning officers nationwide. The move aims to strengthen security ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and a planned referendum scheduled for February 2025. The directive, signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain, follows the official announcement of the election schedule on December 11. According to the EC letter, these offices store critical election materials, documents, and equipment, making them sensitive sites requiring enhanced protection. The commission emphasized that ensuring the safety of election officials and safeguarding electoral assets are essential to maintaining law and order during the election period. The Ministry of Home Affairs has been asked to ensure sufficient police presence at all relevant locations. Observers note that the EC’s proactive step reflects growing concerns over potential unrest during the election period. The deployment is expected to reassure stakeholders and help preserve public confidence in the electoral process.