Although Israeli airstrikes have decreased, Palestinian children in Gaza continue to die—this time from cold weather and collapsing buildings. Heavy rains have flooded tent camps and temporary shelters, while damaged structures have caved in on families. At least 16 Palestinians, including several children, were killed in recent storms. Amnesty International described these deaths as preventable, blaming Israel’s blockade and violations of ceasefire terms for obstructing humanitarian aid and shelter access. Over two months of ceasefire breaches have left more than 1,400 Palestinians dead or injured, with Israel continuing to restrict essential supplies and repair materials. The UNRWA, which could provide shelter for 1.3 million displaced people, has been denied entry for its materials. Nearly 92% of Gaza’s infrastructure is damaged, and more than half of its territory remains inaccessible to residents. Human rights groups warn that the ongoing blockade and destruction are creating unlivable conditions. International legal experts urge Israel to comply with humanitarian law and allow aid access, as Gaza faces worsening humanitarian collapse.

Police Superintendents across Bangladesh have urged the Election Commission to increase the number of executive magistrates deployed during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. During a high-level coordination meeting in Dhaka’s Agargaon, they argued that without additional magistrates, police should be granted limited magistracy powers to ensure smooth law enforcement and prevent electoral violence. The officers cited challenges including vehicle shortages, insufficient manpower, and the logistical strain of managing multiple elections on the same day. They also requested higher operational budgets and recommended deploying Red Crescent volunteers to assist elderly and disabled voters. District Commissioners, meanwhile, highlighted the need for helicopters for remote areas, tighter border security, and stronger measures against misinformation and AI-driven disinformation. The Election Commission is expected to review these proposals as part of its final election preparedness plan. Analysts note that granting police magistracy powers could raise legal and accountability concerns, but may also enhance rapid response capacity in volatile regions.

A Dhaka court has granted a five-day remand for Kabir, a close associate of Faisal Karim Masud alias Rahul Dawood, the prime suspect in the murder of Inquilab Mancha leader Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. The order came from Additional Metropolitan Magistrate Sefatullah after Kabir was produced before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court upon completion of a previous seven-day remand. According to Detective Branch Inspector Faisal Ahmed, Kabir accompanied Faisal multiple times to Hadi’s office and owned the motorcycle allegedly used in the killing. The prosecution, led by Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruki, argued that Kabir’s close ties with Faisal and his possession of the vehicle warranted further interrogation. The court approved five days of additional remand despite Kabir not having legal representation during the hearing. Investigators are still uncertain whether Faisal has fled the country or remains in hiding. Authorities have emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to identify the actual perpetrators behind the high-profile murder that has drawn nationwide attention.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education of Bangladesh has officially upgraded the pay grade of all government primary school head teachers from the 11th to the 10th grade, granting them gazetted officer status. The new salary scale starts at BDT 16,000 and rises to BDT 38,640, replacing the previous range of BDT 12,500 to BDT 30,230. The gazette notification, signed on December 15 and published on December 23, affects 65,502 head teachers nationwide. The decision follows a long legal and administrative process, including approval from the Ministry of Public Administration, the Finance Division, and the Administrative Development Secretary Committee. It also complies with a Supreme Court ruling that recognized head teachers as second-class gazetted officers. Untrained head teachers must complete Basic Training for Primary Teachers (BTPT) within 18 months. The government expects the move to enhance financial security and social recognition for head teachers, motivating them to improve primary education quality. Meanwhile, assistant teachers—currently in the 13th grade—continue to press for an upgrade to the 11th grade, a proposal now under review by the National Pay Commission.

U.S. President Donald Trump has described Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Field Marshal Asim Munir as a “highly respected general,” lauding his leadership during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. Trump claimed his administration had “stopped eight wars,” including a potential nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan, which he said could have cost millions of lives. The remarks follow a series of public compliments Trump has made toward Munir since their June meeting in Washington, where the Pakistani military leader was hosted for a rare White House luncheon. Trump reiterated his positive relations with both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan’s leadership, calling them “tremendous people.” His comments come amid ongoing debate over conflicting accounts of the May border conflict in Kashmir, during which both nations claimed aerial victories. Analysts note that Trump’s statements may reflect his broader effort to highlight diplomatic achievements ahead of the 2026 election cycle, though his version of events has drawn skepticism from regional observers and defense analysts.

Dr. Tasnim Jara, senior joint member secretary of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and a potential candidate for the Dhaka-9 parliamentary seat, announced that her election fund received Tk 2.368 million in just 14 hours. The update was shared on her verified Facebook page on Tuesday afternoon, where she expressed gratitude to supporters and encouraged further contributions through bank transfers after her mobile payment limit was reached. Jara stated that her campaign’s fundraising target is Tk 4.693 million, meaning she has already secured more than half of the goal within the first day of the drive. Earlier, she reported receiving over Tk 1.2 million within the first seven hours of launching the campaign on Monday. She emphasized transparency in handling donations, sharing screenshots of transactions and promising full disclosure of expenditures. Observers note that Jara’s rapid fundraising reflects growing public engagement in digital political financing in Bangladesh. Her approach could set a precedent for transparent, citizen-driven campaign funding ahead of the upcoming national elections.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has officially ceded the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, covering Sarail and Ashuganj, to its alliance partner Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam. Jamiat’s central vice-president Maulana Junaid Al Habib will contest the seat with BNP’s support. However, Barrister Rumin Farhana, BNP’s international affairs secretary and a prominent figure within the party, has announced she will run independently after being denied the nomination. Rumin Farhana stated that she respects the party’s alliance decision but intends to test her popularity as an independent candidate. Local BNP leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to follow the party line, emphasizing unity within the organization. The Brahmanbaria-2 seat has historically been shared between major parties and their allies, making it a politically sensitive constituency. Analysts suggest Farhana’s independent candidacy could test BNP’s internal cohesion and alliance management ahead of the national election. Her move may also influence future seat-sharing negotiations within the opposition coalition.

Jamuna Bank PLC has inaugurated its 170th branch in Naria, Shariatpur, reaffirming its commitment to modern and accessible banking services. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Additional Managing Director and COO Md. Abdus Salam as chief guest, with Md. Abdus Sobhan, Head of NRB Banking, Foreign Remittance, and Operations, presiding over the event. Local representatives, business leaders, and customers were also present. Speakers highlighted the importance of remittances from Europe, particularly Italy, where a large Bangladeshi expatriate community contributes significantly to the national economy. Jamuna Bank emphasized its global remittance partnerships that ensure secure and fast fund transfers to beneficiaries in Bangladesh. The new Naria branch is expected to enhance financial inclusion in the region, making banking services more efficient for residents and supporting the growing flow of remittances from abroad. The expansion aligns with the bank’s broader strategy to strengthen rural and semi-urban financial networks across the country.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has approved a Tk 576.90 crore project to upgrade and modernize Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) in Dinajpur. The project, sanctioned for the 2025–26 fiscal year, aims to strengthen academic, administrative, and research infrastructure while promoting a technology-driven learning environment. According to Professor Dr. Moniruzzaman Bahadur, Director of Planning, Development, and Works at HSTU, the initiative includes the construction of a 12-story academic building, new dormitories, residential facilities for faculty and staff, and expansions of the administrative and medical centers. It also covers internal roads, drainage, substations, water supply systems, and boundary walls. Officials expect the project to alleviate accommodation shortages, enhance research capacity, and elevate the university’s academic environment to international standards. Implementation is anticipated to begin in the upcoming fiscal cycle, with long-term benefits for higher education infrastructure in northern Bangladesh.

The United States has approved a $686 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) package to modernize Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jet fleet. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally notified Congress after the proposal cleared the 30-day review period without objections. Lockheed Martin will serve as the primary contractor, providing hardware and software upgrades, maintenance, and technical support. According to DSCA, the package includes 92 Link-16 data-link systems, avionics modernization, secure communication tools, and training equipment. Of the total cost, $37 million will cover major defense items, while $649 million will go toward maintenance and modernization services. The upgrades aim to extend the operational life of Pakistan’s Block-52 and Mid-Life Upgrade F-16 aircraft to 2040 and maintain interoperability with U.S. and allied forces. Washington emphasized that the sale aligns with U.S. foreign policy and national security interests, supporting counterterrorism cooperation without altering the regional military balance. Pakistan first requested the upgrade in 2021–22, but the process only advanced under the Trump administration in late 2025 after previous delays.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has issued a strong statement cautioning authorities not to arrest or harass innocent critics in connection with recent attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. The group’s leaders, Allama Muhibullah Babunagari and Allama Sajedur Rahman, said they oppose violence but demanded the immediate release of those detained without cause. In their media statement, the leaders accused the two newspapers of long-standing bias and alleged collaboration with foreign interests. They criticized the government’s handling of the arrests and condemned the mention of a detainee’s madrasa background in an official press release as discriminatory. Hefazat also recalled earlier crackdowns on media outlets and claimed that civil society’s silence during those times had weakened moral accountability. The statement reflects growing tension between religious groups and sections of the media in Bangladesh. Analysts suggest the remarks could further polarize public discourse and complicate ongoing investigations into the alleged attacks.

Two senior BNP leaders, Gazi Muhammad Shahjahan Jewel, a former MP, and Saifuddin Salam Mithu, joint convener of Chattogram South BNP, have collected nomination forms for the Chattogram-12 (Patiya) constituency. Their move comes despite the party’s preliminary nomination of district BNP member Enamul Haque Enam. Representatives of both leaders collected the forms from the Patiya Upazila Executive Officer’s office on Tuesday. Party insiders confirmed that four BNP aspirants, including Jewel and Mithu, have lodged complaints with the acting chairman against the initial nominee. Mithu told reporters that the final candidate has not yet been announced and pledged to support whoever receives the party’s official endorsement. As of December 23, eight candidates from various parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Party, Islami Front, and independents, have collected nomination forms. The internal contest underscores growing tension within BNP’s local ranks ahead of the upcoming national election. Party leaders expect a final decision from the acting chairman soon, which may determine whether the dispute escalates or resolves within party discipline.

Police in Dhaka recovered the body of a newborn boy from a narrow alley in the Chandni Ghat area of Chawkbazar on Tuesday afternoon. The infant, estimated to be about one day old, was found wrapped in a black plastic bag after locals alerted authorities. Officers from Chawkbazar Police Station took the body into custody and began an investigation. Sub-Inspector Ashraful Alam confirmed the recovery and stated that the identity of those who abandoned the newborn remains unknown. After completing initial legal procedures, police sent the body to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. Officials said the post-mortem report will determine the exact cause of death. The incident has sparked concern among residents and child rights advocates, who called for stronger social awareness and support systems to prevent such tragedies. Investigators are reviewing nearby CCTV footage and seeking witnesses to trace those responsible.

At least five people were killed and several others injured on Tuesday in a gunfight between two rival groups over control of Jaglar Char, a disputed island area in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali district. The confrontation reportedly began in the morning between factions led by Shamsuddin and Alauddin, both claiming authority over the land. Local sources said hundreds of landless families currently live on the island, which is partly government-owned and partly privately held. Shamsuddin had allegedly been selling plots to settlers for years but recently withheld payments owed to local enforcers, sparking the attack. Police confirmed that five bodies were recovered, including those of Shamsuddin, his son Mobarak Hossain, and Alauddin. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, while security has been tightened across the area to prevent further violence. Officials said the conflict underscores long-standing disputes over land rights and illegal occupation in coastal regions of Bangladesh.

A viral video from India’s Himachal Pradesh has sparked widespread outrage after showing a doctor allegedly assaulting a patient at Shimla’s Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC). The incident reportedly occurred during a dispute over medical treatment when the patient, Arjun Panwar, who was suffering from breathing difficulties, was physically attacked by the attending physician. According to reports, Panwar had undergone a bronchoscopy and sought oxygen support when the doctor questioned his right to occupy a hospital bed. The confrontation escalated, leading to the alleged assault, which was captured on video and circulated widely on social media. The footage, showing the doctor repeatedly striking the patient, has prompted strong criticism of hospital authorities and renewed debate over patient safety and medical ethics. Hospital officials have announced an internal investigation, though no formal disciplinary action has been confirmed. The incident has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of professional conduct standards and better oversight of public healthcare institutions in India.