Tasnim Zara, who recently resigned from the NCP, is facing difficulties collecting voter signatures required to run as an independent candidate in Bangladesh’s Dhaka-9 constituency. According to election rules, an independent candidate must submit signatures or affidavits from at least one percent of the total voters in their constituency, along with other required documents. Zara began collecting signatures from Khilgaon on Sunday but reported that obtaining voter serial numbers has become nearly impossible. She stated that there are five official ways to access voter serial numbers—via SMS, online, phone calls, and QR codes—but claimed that none of these methods are currently functional. Zara alleged that the Election Commission has effectively blocked all avenues to retrieve voter numbers, and the commission’s website server remains down. She expressed concern that this situation makes it impossible to complete the required documentation. With the nomination submission deadline set for today, uncertainty remains over whether Zara will be able to gather the necessary voter serial numbers in time to qualify as an independent candidate.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir came under attack from angry Palestinians during a visit to the Bedouin village of Tarabin in the occupied Negev region of southern Palestine. The incident occurred on Sunday after Israeli forces had raided the village and arrested several Palestinians. As Ben-Gvir arrived to oversee a police operation, villagers reportedly threw stones at him, forcing him to flee the area under heavy police protection. According to Channel 14, the confrontation escalated when residents clashed with police during the minister’s visit. Social media videos showed Palestinians throwing stones at Ben-Gvir as he left the area surrounded by security forces. Israeli police responded by firing tear gas to disperse the crowd. The report, citing Middle East Eye, highlights ongoing tensions in the occupied Negev region, where Israeli security operations and Palestinian resistance frequently lead to violent confrontations.

Former Bangladesh national cricket team captain Tamim Iqbal has called on clubs and stakeholders to stand by players affected by the ongoing turmoil surrounding the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) election. The dispute has disrupted Dhaka’s club cricket, with eight of the 20 first-division teams and reportedly 10 of the 24 second-division teams not participating in the league. These boycotts, mainly by clubs that refused to take part in the BCB election, have left many cricketers without playing opportunities. In an audio message, Tamim expressed concern that the growing practice of halting matches is harmful to players and their futures. He warned that the current situation could affect others in the future and estimated that around 150 players are already impacted by the first-division withdrawals. Tamim urged all parties to prioritize the interests of players over personal or institutional agendas, emphasizing that the continuity of cricket in Bangladesh must be ensured. He reiterated that his only interest is to see cricket continue in Bangladesh without players suffering losses due to political or administrative disputes.

Jagannath University authorities have instructed all general students to vacate the campus by 3:30 p.m. on Monday, December 29, ahead of the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) and hall student council elections. The directive was issued through an emergency notice signed by Acting Registrar Professor Dr. Md. Sheikh Gias Uddin. According to the notice, voting for both the JAKSU and hall student council elections will take place the following day, starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m. Only students whose names appear on the voter list will be allowed to enter the campus to cast their votes. The university administration stated that the decision aims to ensure a fair election process, maintain discipline on campus, and uphold overall security during the election period.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war are in their final stage. He made the remarks after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, according to Anadolu Agency. Trump said the discussions could either conclude soon or continue for a long time with heavy casualties if unresolved. Trump reiterated his claim of having ended eight wars during his presidency and described the Russia-Ukraine conflict as the most difficult one yet. He emphasized that both presidents are willing to reach an agreement and that his goal is to end the war rather than set a specific timeline. Following his meeting with Zelensky, Trump plans to call Russian President Vladimir Putin to continue the dialogue. He added that a strong security agreement is being considered, with European countries expected to play a key role in the security framework.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are cautiously working to overcome deep differences regarding the banned militant group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Recent developments suggest both sides are reducing public criticism to create a more positive environment for dialogue, though major progress remains elusive. Islamabad insists Afghan soil must not be used for attacks inside Pakistan, and discreet diplomatic efforts have reportedly yielded limited progress. Mediators have encouraged both governments to tone down public rhetoric and focus on constructive engagement. Afghan religious leaders recently issued a fatwa prohibiting cross-border attacks, which Pakistan welcomed as a confidence-building measure. Soon after, Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani assured that Afghan territory would not be used against any country. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar praised Haqqani’s remarks and emphasized dialogue over confrontation. Despite multiple rounds of talks, progress remains limited. Pakistan continues to link improved relations to concrete action against TTP, while Kabul maintains it does not allow its territory to be used for attacks. Islamabad has indicated it expects visible change within two to four weeks before reassessing its approach.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit the party’s central office in Naya Paltan on Monday. Party sources said he will leave his Gulshan residence at noon and head directly to the central office. The visit is part of his review of political programs and organizational matters, according to those involved. This marks his first appearance at the central office since returning to the country after a long period of exile. Party leaders and activists have shown heightened interest surrounding his visit. Security measures have been strengthened in the Naya Paltan area ahead of his arrival, with RAB’s dog squad conducting sweeping operations in and around the office premises. On Sunday, a day before the planned visit, Tarique Rahman worked for the first time at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan following his return to Bangladesh.

A group of miscreants attacked a human chain organized by traders in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar on Monday around 11:30 a.m. The traders had gathered to protest extortion in the area. The incident led to repeated chases and counter-chases between the attackers and participants, leaving several traders injured, according to reports. The traders alleged that expelled Tejgaon Thana Jubo Dal general secretary Abdur Rahman and his followers had been extorting money from businesses in Karwan Bazar for a long time. They organized the human chain to demand an end to the extortion and the arrest of Abdur Rahman. During the peaceful demonstration, the attackers reportedly assaulted the participants. The report did not specify the number of injured or whether any arrests were made following the attack.

The nomination paper of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has been submitted for the Feni-1 constituency. The submission took place on Monday, when her election coordinator, Rafiqul Alam Majnu, who also serves as the convener of Dhaka South BNP, handed over the documents to the district returning officer and Deputy Commissioner Monira Haque, accompanied by party leaders. As Khaleda Zia is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital, Rafiqul Alam Majnu also filed a nomination as an alternative candidate. He stated that although he submitted the nomination following the party’s decision, he would continue to work on behalf of Begum Khaleda Zia. The submission marks BNP’s formal step in the electoral process for Feni-1, with the party maintaining its leadership’s involvement despite Khaleda Zia’s medical condition.

Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kashem Arman, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Dhaka-14 constituency, submitted his nomination papers on Monday at the office of the Returning Officer located in the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner’s premises. The submission marks his formal entry into the upcoming parliamentary race for the seat. During the submission, Barrister Arman stated that he was freed because people had united during the July movement, setting aside divisions. He described the current campaign as a struggle against corruption, black money, and muscle power, expressing confidence that his side would prevail in this fight. The nomination submission comes amid broader political activities across Dhaka constituencies, with several parties finalizing their candidates for the upcoming election.

The 30th Dhaka International Trade Fair will begin on January 1 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal. Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to inaugurate the event. The announcement was made by Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman during a press conference held at the exhibition center on Monday afternoon. According to the Commerce Secretary, this year’s fair has introduced online allocation for various categories of stalls and pavilions. Visitors will be able to purchase tickets both on-site and online, with entry facilitated through QR code scanning. The press conference was attended by Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice Chairman Hasan Arif, Additional Secretary (Export) of the Ministry of Commerce Abdur Rahim Khan, and EPB Director General Baby Rani Karmakar. The fair marks a continuation of Bangladesh’s annual trade promotion efforts, with the new digital ticketing and stall allocation systems aimed at improving accessibility and management for participants and visitors.

Residents of war-torn Gaza are facing extreme hardship amid cold and hostile weather, according to Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). In a post on social media platform X, Lazzarini described worsening conditions with more rainfall, despair, and death, saying Palestinians are living in flooded tents and ruins while essential aid deliveries remain blocked. He added that UNRWA could greatly expand its relief efforts if restrictions on aid supplies were lifted. Gaza authorities reported that nearly 200,000 prefabricated housing units are urgently needed to meet the humanitarian needs of displaced people affected by the severe weather. Winter storms have flooded thousands of tents across the region, with some blown away, further worsening the crisis. Recent months have seen Gazans struggling against harsh weather, building collapses, and flooding. According to the report, since October 2023, Israeli military actions in Gaza have killed more than 71,200 people, mostly women and children, and injured over 171,200 others.

Mia Golam Parwar, Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami and the party’s candidate for Khulna-5 constituency, submitted his nomination papers to District Commissioner and Returning Officer A S M Jamshed Khondkar on Monday. Other Jamaat candidates also filed nominations in Khulna-1, Khulna-2, and Khulna-6 constituencies. After submitting his papers, Parwar said the nation seeks change and that those who previously held power cannot bring it. He emphasized that a new coalition, now expanded to ten parties, could deliver the desired transformation. He called for immediate measures to address the deteriorating law and order situation and urged citizens to remain united to ensure a free and fair election, warning against any attempt to manipulate votes. Parwar also defended the nomination of Hindu candidate Krishna Nandi in Khulna-1, stating that Jamaat’s politics is based on justice and good governance, not religion. He invited people of all faiths who share these values to join the party and urged a “yes” vote in the referendum on implementing the July Charter.

The Bogura district unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is renovating a long-unused office room at its Nawabbari Road headquarters for acting chairman Tarique Rahman. The room, which had remained unused for 17 years, is being prepared as Rahman is expected to contest from the Bogura Sadar constituency. Renovation work includes new flooring, tiles, fly board, and ceiling decoration. On Monday morning, five to six workers were seen working on the walls and ceiling, while doors were being cleaned for repainting. Interior engineer Saikat, who is overseeing the project, said the room will feature two book shelves, a large table, and more than ten chairs. District BNP media cell official Rashedul Islam Rashed confirmed that the work is progressing quickly under the supervision of district president Rezaul Karim Badsha. Several local leaders, including MR Islam Swadhin and Sheikh Taha Uddin Nine, visited the site Sunday night. The BNP district office houses various party wings, and the building regularly draws hundreds of activists, according to the report.

The chief coordinator of the BNP’s election management committee for Dhaka-17, Abdus Salam, submitted nomination papers on behalf of the party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The submission took place around noon on Monday. Dr. Farhad Halim Donar was the proposer, and Advocate Alamgir Hossain was the supporter. Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP convener Aminul Islam and others were present during the submission. After submitting the nomination, Abdus Salam told reporters that Tarique Rahman had been kept outside the country for 17 years and had faced oppression. He sought prayers for Rahman and expressed confidence that Rahman would win the seat by a large margin and work to resolve the current national crisis as head of government. According to the election schedule, scrutiny of nomination papers will take place from December 30 to January 4, 2026. Appeals against returning officers’ decisions can be filed between January 5 and 9, with disposal from January 10 to 18. The final date for withdrawal of candidacy is January 20.