Rashed Khan has resigned from his position as general secretary of Gana Odhikar Parishad to join the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and contest the upcoming election under the BNP’s paddy sheaf symbol. The announcement was made on Friday night through an audio message from Gana Odhikar Parishad president Nurul Haque Nur. Party media coordinator Abu Hanif confirmed that while Rashed Khan will run under the BNP symbol, Nurul Haque Nur will contest using the Gana Odhikar Parishad’s truck symbol. Nurul Haque Nur explained that during the joint movement against what he described as fascism, BNP led coordination among around 42 political parties and alliances, including Gana Odhikar Parishad. He said that following the movement, discussions were held to rebuild the state and form a national government together. Under current election laws, coalition partners must contest under their own symbols, but some allies are choosing to run under the BNP symbol as a strategic move to increase their chances of winning. Nur added that Rashed Khan’s decision to contest under the BNP symbol was part of this coordinated strategy, and the party will soon appoint an acting general secretary.

Protesters under the banner of Inquilab Moncho announced an overnight sit-in at Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka on Friday, December 26, 2025, demanding justice for slain activist Sharif Osman Hadi. The group declared that they would not leave the area until the government ensures justice for Hadi, who was shot dead on December 12 in Purana Paltan. The sit-in, part of an indefinite blockade program, began after a protest march from Dhaka University Central Mosque following Friday prayers and brought traffic in the Shahbagh area to a halt. Inquilab Moncho leaders reiterated their three-point demand: formation of a speedy trial tribunal to complete Hadi’s murder trial within 30 working days, inclusion of an internationally recognized investigative agency such as the FBI or Scotland Yard, and arrest of alleged Awami-linked perpetrators within civil and military intelligence. Leaders including Abdullah Al Jaber and Fatima Tasnim Juma accused the government of failing to ensure citizens’ safety and called for public accountability. Participants said the blockade would continue until the killers are brought to justice, urging government representatives to come to Shahbagh and answer directly to the people.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman addressed the central members’ conference of Islami Chhatra Shibir at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. At the event, Nurul Islam Saddam was elected as the new president and Sibgatullah Sibga as the secretary general for the 2026 term. Rahman stated that any political party could form an electoral alliance with Jamaat if it met three conditions: refraining from corruption, ensuring equal justice for all, and committing to implement reform recommendations. Rahman emphasized Jamaat’s goal of establishing an education system that eliminates unemployment, saying the party wants every young person to become a builder of the nation rather than depend on unemployment benefits. He criticized past decades for diverting students from education, claiming that campuses had turned into militarized zones and that students’ safety and careers were uncertain. The event was attended by leaders from Jamaat and other allied organizations, including Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Ahmad Abdul Kader and several parliamentary candidates.

Freedom fighter Md. Rafiqul Islam from Bhairab, Kishoreganj, has formally joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The joining ceremony took place on Friday afternoon at the party’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka, where he presented flowers to Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and completed the associate membership form. The former BNP leader was welcomed by several senior Jamaat figures, including former MP and freedom fighter Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman Ranjan, Kishoreganj district Ameer Professor Ramzan Ali, and local Jamaat leaders. Rafiqul Islam had been politically active since the founding of the BNP and previously served as president of Bhairab Municipal BNP. He is also known as the founder of Bhairab Rafiqul Islam Women’s College and several other educational and religious institutions, including Halima Sadia Women’s Madrasa and Fatema Ramzan Government Primary School. In the 1960s, he was elected Drama and Recreation Secretary of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU). Earlier, on December 13, freedom fighter Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman Ranjan also joined Jamaat-e-Islami, drawing public attention.

Several Facebook pages and social media accounts linked to posts about Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi have reportedly disappeared, with allegations pointing to Indian involvement. The report claims that after Hadi’s killing by members of the banned organization Chhatra League, his supporters and activists who posted about him faced content removals. Among those affected was former interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, whose official page with three million followers was taken down. Former army officer Mustafizur Rahman alleged that a group of Indian-origin employees at Meta played a role in removing a video of Hadi’s poem from the chief adviser’s official Facebook page. He claimed the group had previously coordinated with Bangladeshi officials to suppress opposition voices and was now misusing Meta’s internal reporting system to label Hadi as a criminal. Activist Pinaki Bhattacharya also alleged that a coordinated network was disabling social media accounts through fake copyright reports. The article portrays Hadi as a symbol of anti-hegemony resistance whose death has sparked international attention and protests, particularly among Sikh leaders abroad.

Ferry services on the crucial Daulatdia–Paturia river route between Rajbari and Manikganj were suspended again on Friday evening due to dense fog. The suspension took effect from around 7:15 p.m., as authorities at the ferry terminals halted all operations citing safety concerns. Visibility on the river dropped sharply after sunset, making navigation lights unclear and increasing the risk of accidents. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Daulatdia office confirmed that the decision was taken to prevent possible river accidents. Assistant General Manager (Commercial) Mohammad Salauddin said fog began forming before sunset and intensified rapidly, reducing visibility to a dangerous level. As a result, all ferries and other vessels were temporarily stopped for safety. The suspension left passengers and drivers of buses, trucks, and private cars stranded in the cold night, with long queues forming at both ferry terminals. Authorities said ferry operations would resume once fog density decreases and conditions improve.

The Bangladesh Election Commission has published a gazette redefining the boundaries of four parliamentary constituencies—Pabna-1, Pabna-2, Faridpur-2, and Faridpur-4. The gazette, signed by Md. Mamunur Rashid, Deputy Director of the Department of Films and Publications attached to the Commission, was released on Wednesday. The decision follows a writ petition filed with the High Court Division of the Supreme Court. According to the gazette, Pabna-1 (constituency 68) will now include Santhia Upazila and several unions and the municipality of Bera Upazila. Pabna-2 (constituency 69) will cover Sujanagar Upazila and the remaining parts of Bera Upazila, excluding the areas included in Pabna-1. Faridpur-2 (constituency 212) will consist of Nagarkanda and Saltha upazilas, while Faridpur-4 (constituency 214) will include Bhanga, Charbhadrasan, and Sadarpur upazilas. The redefinition aims to align constituency boundaries with administrative and legal considerations as directed by the High Court petition.

Fatima Tasnim Juma, spokesperson for the Dhaka University branch of Inquilab Manch, expressed strong anger at the interim government’s stance on the murder of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. On Friday, December 26, after the Juma prayers, Inquilab Manch leaders, students, and supporters marched from the university’s central mosque to Shahbagh, where they blocked the road and halted traffic. The protest site filled with slogans demanding justice for Hadi’s killing. In her speech, Juma recalled Hadi’s legacy as a humble activist who never claimed leadership but inspired others through his dedication. She criticized the authorities for failing to provide clear information about the suspects’ whereabouts and accused intelligence agencies of negligence. Juma also warned against attempts to label their movement as mob activity, calling such claims a tactic to delay justice and elections. Juma declared that the protesters would not leave the streets until Hadi’s killers are brought to justice, vowing that the trial must take place in Bangladesh and that Shahbagh would witness its outcome.

After Friday prayers, leaders and activists of Inquilab Mancha, along with students and the public, marched from Dhaka University Central Mosque to Shahbagh intersection and began a sit-in. The demonstration was organized to demand justice for Sharif Osman Hadi, who was shot on December 12 and later died in a Singapore hospital on December 18. Inquilab Mancha member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber announced that the protesters would not leave Shahbagh until the interim government’s advisers publicly respond regarding Hadi’s case. He stated that they were prepared to stay overnight and even risk their lives to continue the protest. A reliable source indicated that the sit-in would continue until Home Adviser Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury arrives at the site. The protesters accused government advisers of avoiding accountability and vowed to maintain their position at Shahbagh until their demands are addressed.

A fire that broke out at the Khaddar Bazar Shopping Complex in Gulistan, Dhaka, was brought under control after about one and a half hours on Friday, December 26. The Fire Service managed to contain the blaze at 6:58 p.m., after receiving the first report at 5:28 p.m. The first response team arrived at the scene within five minutes, and a total of nine units from the Siddik Bazar Fire Station worked to extinguish the fire. The upper floors of the commercial building contained warehouses, raising fears that the fire could spread quickly. Panic spread among shopkeepers and customers on the lower floors, prompting them to evacuate the building immediately. Firefighters initially faced difficulties in accessing water sources due to heavy crowds on the road. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire or the extent of the damage, and an assessment is expected once the site is fully secured.

Dhaka University authorities announced that additional metro rail services will operate on Saturday, December 27, to ease transportation for candidates attending the 2025–26 academic year science unit undergraduate admission test. The measure aims to prevent travel congestion as both Dhaka University (DU) and the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) are holding admission tests on the same day. The DU Public Relations Office confirmed the arrangements on Friday, December 26. A total of 114,114 students will compete for 1,891 seats in the DU science unit admission test, which will be held at Dhaka University and seven public universities in divisional cities including Rajshahi, Chittagong, Barishal, Khulna, Sylhet, Mymensingh, and Rangpur. To accommodate students who shifted their DU exam centers to Dhaka due to the MIST schedule, three additional centers have been set up in Mirpur and Farmgate. Authorities have also shortened metro rail intervals and arranged extra trains to ensure safe and smooth travel for examinees. Additionally, MIST rescheduled its architecture department’s second phase exam from December 27 to December 28 following DU’s request.

A poem by Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, previously shared on Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s verified Facebook page, was suddenly removed along with the page’s profile photo. The disappearance, noticed on Friday morning, quickly drew widespread discussion and speculation across social media platforms. The poem had earlier sparked nationwide attention after being posted on the Chief Adviser’s page. When users found the post and profile photo missing, questions arose about the cause. Senior Assistant Press Secretary Fayez Ahmad stated that neither the government nor the press office deleted any content. He attributed the incident to a technical error on Facebook’s side and confirmed that communication with the platform’s authorities was underway to resolve the issue. According to the press wing, the changes were temporary and the page was expected to return to normal soon. However, the unexplained timing of the “technical error” continued to fuel public curiosity during a sensitive period.

A record crowd gathered in Dhaka’s 300 Feet area to welcome BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, defying the season’s coldest spell. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam described the turnout as clear evidence of the nation’s readiness for the upcoming general election and referendum. In a verified Facebook post on December 26, he confirmed that both events would proceed on schedule, just seven weeks away. Alam stated that the recent developments had dispelled any remaining doubts about the February 12 election date. He added that nomination submissions for parliamentary seats would begin within days, followed by campaign activities across the country. Printing presses and television debates were expected to intensify as the election approached. Political analysts cited in the report said the massive turnout and the government’s high-level remarks reflected growing political engagement and tension ahead of the polls. Alam concluded that only a truly credible election could heal the deepening national divisions.

The Rehab Fair 2025, one of the largest events in Bangladesh’s housing sector, is set to conclude tomorrow. On Friday, the third day of the fair, large crowds gathered at the China–Bangladesh Friendship Conference Center despite traffic congestion and personal commitments. Visitors came with families, friends, and colleagues, exploring options for affordable apartments and residential plots. The fairgrounds became lively in the afternoon as people sought information and offers from developers. Developers such as Hawk Homes & Builders and Credence Housing Limited participated with ready and ongoing projects across key locations in Dhaka. Credence Housing announced special discounts and booking offers for buyers, while Hawk Homes reported increased attendance later in the day as temperatures rose. The fair has become more than a marketplace, serving as a platform for inspiration and planning for those aspiring to own homes. With only one day remaining, many visitors are making preliminary discussions and comparisons, hoping to finalize decisions before the fair ends tomorrow.

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) will upload the online versions of free primary and secondary textbooks for the 2026 academic year on its official website this Sunday, December 28. The launch event will be attended by Education Adviser Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar. According to a letter signed by NCTB’s public relations officer, students of both Bangla and English versions will be able to access and read the books before the new school year begins. The NCTB website, www.nctb.gov.bd, will host a total of 647 textbooks covering all levels of primary and secondary education. The initiative aims to make the government’s free textbooks available online ahead of the academic session, ensuring early access for students across the country. The official inauguration ceremony, titled “Uploading of 2026 Academic Year Textbooks Online,” will be organized by NCTB on December 28, marking a step toward digital accessibility in the national education system.