Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara has accused Israel of deliberately escalating regional tensions through military operations justified under the guise of security. Speaking at the Doha Forum, Al-Shara reiterated his government’s commitment to national unity, peace, women’s empowerment, and democratic reforms, including plans to hold parliamentary elections within five years of the constitutional declaration. In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Al-Shara claimed Israel is using the October 7 attacks as a pretext to expand military actions across the region, describing it as a state “fighting ghosts.” He urged Israel to return to pre-conflict positions and respect the 1974 disengagement agreement over the Golan Heights, warning that altering the long-standing accord could destabilize the region. Al-Shara also addressed Syria’s internal reconciliation efforts, announcing amnesty measures and rejecting sectarian politics. He emphasized that Syria is governed by law and that women’s rights are protected, signaling a shift toward inclusive governance after years of conflict.

Bhojpuri singer Neha Singh Rathore is facing possible arrest after the Allahabad High Court on Friday, December 6, rejected her anticipatory bail plea. The court’s decision came amid multiple legal cases filed against her across Uttar Pradesh following her remarks questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s responsibility for the Pahalgam attack earlier this year. Rathore had publicly criticized the government, alleging that national politics has become dominated by religious and nationalist divisions while issues like education and healthcare are being neglected. Her comments went viral, prompting strong backlash from pro-government groups who accused her of defamation and incitement. In response, Rathore defended her statements, asserting her constitutional right to question the government’s handling of public safety and denying that her remarks were inflammatory. Legal experts note that the case highlights growing tensions between artistic expression and political sensitivity in India. If arrested, Rathore could face prolonged legal proceedings, while the case may further fuel debate over freedom of speech and dissent in the country.

Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has begun exhuming 114 bodies from Dhaka’s Rayerbazar graveyard to identify victims of the July popular uprising. The operation, launched Sunday morning, aims to conduct autopsies and collect DNA samples before reburial with full religious respect, CID chief Additional IGP Md. Shibgat Ullah confirmed. The initiative follows a Dhaka court order responding to petitions from families of unidentified martyrs. Argentine forensic expert Luis Fondebrider, invited through the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), is leading the forensic process. CID officials said at least 10 families have already applied for identification, though the actual number of victims may exceed 114. Authorities emphasized that the process adheres to international forensic standards. Once DNA profiles are matched, families may reclaim remains if desired. The CID plans to release hotline numbers for relatives seeking information. The exhumation marks a major step toward documenting the human cost of the 2024 July uprising and ensuring accountability through scientific verification.

A new political alliance comprising three Bangladeshi parties, including the National Citizen Party (NCP), is set to be formally announced this Sunday afternoon at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in Segunbagicha. The coalition marks another attempt to reshape the country’s opposition landscape ahead of future elections. Discussions had been ongoing among four parties — NCP, AB Party, Bangladesh State Reform Movement, and Gana Adhikar Parishad — to form a joint electoral front. However, the Gana Adhikar Parishad ultimately decided not to join. The alliance, according to party representatives, aims to uphold the ‘July Uprising Pledge’ and promote a new political and electoral framework in Bangladesh. Political analysts view the move as part of a broader trend of smaller parties seeking relevance amid shifting power dynamics. The alliance’s effectiveness will depend on its ability to coordinate agendas and attract voter attention in an already crowded political field.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh convened a crucial meeting on Sunday, December 7, to finalize the schedule for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and a national referendum. The meeting, held at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, was attended by the Chief Election Commissioner, four election commissioners, the EC secretary, and senior officials. Discussions focused on finalizing the timetable for the election announcement, reviewing overall preparations, and setting postal ballot logistics. According to EC sources, the agenda included ten key issues, such as coordination with field administration, appointment of returning and assistant returning officers, and progress on referendum preparations. Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar stated that after the meeting, the EC would meet the President to finalize the schedule before its public announcement. The EC has already completed inter-ministerial and law-and-order meetings ahead of the schedule declaration. Administrative reshuffles among deputy commissioners, police officials, and election officers have been implemented to ensure neutrality. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to strict adherence to election laws and sought cooperation from all political parties and voters.

Pakistan’s Election Commission (ECP) has declined to recognize Barrister Gohar Ali Khan as chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), citing ongoing legal proceedings over the party’s internal elections. The ECP also rejected his request to formally include independent senators into the PTI ranks, stating that the party currently lacks the legal authority to make such incorporations. The decision comes as PTI’s intra-party election case remains under judicial review, with the Lahore High Court having suspended aspects of the party’s internal processes. In its official response, the ECP clarified that no certification or recognition could be issued to Gohar at this stage. Barrister Gohar has expressed disappointment and announced plans to challenge the ruling in court, arguing that the ECP’s stance undermines the party’s democratic rights. The dispute adds to PTI’s ongoing legal and political challenges following the 2024 general elections. Analysts suggest the outcome could influence PTI’s parliamentary standing and its ability to contest future elections under its current leadership structure.

A Dhaka court has once again postponed the submission of the investigation report in the long-running murder case of Bangladeshi film actor Salman Shah. The report, which was due on December 7, could not be submitted by the investigating officer, prompting Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana to set a new date of January 13 for submission. The case names 11 accused, including Salman Shah’s former wife Samira Haque, her mother Latifa Haque Luchi, businessman Aziz Mohammad Bhai, and actor Don. The case has a complex history dating back to 1996, when Salman Shah was found dead at his Eskaton residence. Initially treated as an unnatural death, the case was later reclassified as a murder following petitions from Shah’s family. Multiple investigations by the CID and judicial authorities have alternately concluded suicide or homicide, leading to repeated legal challenges. The latest revision petition was filed in June 2022 after the PBI’s final report was accepted in 2021. Legal observers note that the repeated delays underscore procedural challenges in Bangladesh’s high-profile criminal cases, with the next hearing expected to determine whether the investigation will finally move forward.

Students from Dhaka’s seven government colleges staged demonstrations on Sunday, blocking the Shikkhabhaban and Shahbagh intersections to protest delays in establishing the proposed ‘Dhaka Central University’. The protest began around 11:30 a.m. with a march that disrupted traffic on one of the capital’s busiest roads. Students demanded immediate issuance of the university ordinance, which they say has been pending for months without visible progress. According to organizers, the draft ordinance’s proposed ‘schooling model’ could jeopardize the autonomy of higher secondary education and create identity and academic uncertainties for nearly 150,000 students. Despite the Education Ministry’s earlier statement confirming a policy decision to merge the seven colleges under a new public university, students claim no concrete steps have followed. The ministry urged students to avoid misinformation and act responsibly. Observers note that the prolonged delay risks deepening student frustration and disrupting academic schedules. Further negotiations between student representatives and the ministry are expected in the coming days to resolve the impasse.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul clarified on Thursday that incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani does not have the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city. Her statement came after Mamdani reiterated his pledge to detain Netanyahu, citing an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant as justification. Mamdani, known for his vocal criticism of Israel, is set to assume office on January 1. His remarks have sparked concern among Jewish communities in New York, many of whom view his stance as extreme. Hochul, who supports Israel, emphasized that the mayor’s office has no jurisdiction over international or federal legal matters. Legal experts also noted that U.S. federal law prohibits local authorities from cooperating with the ICC and protects foreign leaders from detention. Despite the controversy, Netanyahu confirmed he will proceed with his planned visit to New York, where he traditionally attends the United Nations General Assembly each year.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer, ATM Azharul Islam, stated that if his party secures a majority in the upcoming national election, it would govern the country based on Islamic principles. Speaking on Sunday, December 7, in Kishoreganj, Nilphamari, during a relief distribution event for 90 families affected by a recent cyclone, he said the current laws and constitution are man-made and not fully aligned with Islam. The event was organized by the Kishoreganj Upazila unit of Jamaat-e-Islami and chaired by local party leader Abdur Rashid Shah. Several regional and district-level Jamaat leaders, including Muhammad Abdur Rashid, Maulana Abdus Sattar, Dr. Khairul Anam, Maulana Antajul Islam, and Hafiz Abdul Muntakim, were also present. Azharul Islam’s remarks come at a time when Jamaat is seeking to reassert its political relevance ahead of national polls. His statement underscores the party’s long-standing ideological stance on establishing governance rooted in Islamic law, a position that has historically drawn both support and criticism within Bangladesh’s political landscape.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has publicly clarified that it has not yet decided to nominate any of its members for the upcoming national election, countering media speculation about Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem contesting from Dhaka-8 under the scale symbol. The clarification came from Shibir’s Central Publicity Secretary Azizur Rahman Azad, who posted on his verified Facebook account on Saturday night. Azad stated that several journalists and supporters had inquired about the rumor, prompting the organization to reiterate that no official decision had been made. He added that any future decision regarding participation in the election would be formally announced by the central leadership. The statement followed reports citing Jamaat-e-Islami sources suggesting that the party might replace its current candidate, Advocate Dr. Helal Uddin, with Sadiq Kayem in Dhaka-8. The clarification underscores internal deliberations within Jamaat and its affiliated student wing as the national election approaches, reflecting broader uncertainty over candidate selection in key constituencies.

Bangladesh’s Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud has cautioned that democracy by itself cannot guarantee economic development unless politics becomes genuinely welfare-oriented. Speaking at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) annual research conference in Dhaka, he argued that when politics turns into a pursuit of privileges rather than public service, it attracts youth seeking livelihood opportunities rather than civic engagement. He also warned that vested business interests can form powerful circles that obstruct welfare-driven policymaking. Dr. Mahmud emphasized that the country’s education system is producing unemployed graduates, and that behavioral norms and values must be studied to understand development barriers. He noted that limited reforms cannot solve deep-rooted issues such as collusion between bureaucracy and business or tax evasion, calling for broader structural reforms. The adviser stressed that effective democracy should aim to build an equitable, poverty-free society, but lamented that Bangladesh still struggles to establish even a functional democratic system. BIDS Director General Prof. A.K.M. Enamul Haque added that the two-day conference would present around fifty research papers addressing unemployment, poverty, and health sector challenges.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has launched an inquiry into former president Abdul Hamid over allegations of embezzlement and illegal wealth accumulation. The probe centers on claims that Tk 240 million in state funds were misused under the guise of beautification and development works in the Nikunja-1 area of Dhaka. ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhter Hossain confirmed the investigation on Sunday, emphasizing that the commission does not consider personal identity but focuses on the factual basis of complaints. Reports indicate that Hamid, who completed his presidential term in April 2023, resides with his family in a three-story duplex house on Lake Drive Road, Nikunja-1. Allegations include the construction of decorative decks, hanging bridges, and modern lamp posts that allegedly caused significant financial loss to the state. The investigation marks a rare scrutiny of a former head of state by the ACC and could test the institution’s impartiality and political independence in handling high-profile corruption cases.

Students from several government colleges in Dhaka blocked the Shahbagh intersection on Sunday to protest the proposed schooling model in the draft Dhaka Central University Ordinance. The demonstration began around 11:30 a.m., halting traffic at one of the capital’s busiest junctions. After about 45 minutes, the students withdrew their blockade, and traffic flow returned to normal by 12:30 p.m. Protesters argued that if the ordinance is enacted, it could jeopardize higher secondary education at the seven affiliated government colleges and undermine their longstanding academic traditions. Students from Dhaka College, Government Bangla College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Shaheed Suhrawardy Government College, and Begum Badrunnesa Government Women’s College joined the protest march. The brief but disruptive demonstration highlights growing student concern over education governance and institutional restructuring. Authorities have yet to issue an official response, but further dialogue between the education ministry and student representatives is expected in the coming days.

Pakistan’s federal authorities have imposed foreign travel bans on 132 senior leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, citing their alleged involvement in the violent protests and vandalism that erupted on May 9, 2023. The decision, confirmed on Saturday, adds the names of several prominent figures to the Exit Control List (ECL), effectively preventing them from leaving the country. Among those restricted are PTI founder Imran Khan, senior leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Omar Ayub, Fawad Chaudhry, and Shibli Faraz. Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Shehryar Afridi, Usman Dar, and female leaders Shireen Mazari, Zartaj Gul, Musarrat Cheema, and Kanwal Shauzab are also included. Officials said the Punjab Home Department had recommended the inclusion of 132 names. The move reflects the government’s intensified scrutiny of PTI members accused of inciting political instability. Analysts suggest the bans could further strain relations between the ruling coalition and PTI supporters, potentially complicating efforts toward political reconciliation ahead of future elections.