At the seventh convocation of State University of Bangladesh (SUB) in Purbachal, Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, emphasized that academic degrees alone are insufficient for success in global competition. He called on graduates to cultivate capability, discipline, and credibility, noting that Bangladesh has achieved much at the individual level but lagged in building sustainable institutions. Dr. Nazrul observed that once-strong institutions such as the police, judiciary, and administration have weakened over the past decade and a half, making effective governance difficult. Drawing on post–World War II Europe, he stressed that strong institutions are vital for sustainable development. University Grants Commission Chairman Dr. S.M.A. Faiz also addressed the event, urging graduates to transform technological challenges into opportunities and contribute to a humane, knowledge-driven Bangladesh. The convocation awarded degrees to 672 graduates across ten departments, with several receiving gold, silver, and dean’s awards. The event concluded with a colorful procession and cultural program celebrating the university’s achievements.

Police in Patiya, Chattogram, have arrested two local leaders from the Krishak League and Awami League for alleged involvement in anti-state activities. The detainees are Nurul Abbas Khan, 32, organizational secretary of Baralia Union Krishak League, and Ratan Chakraborty, 62, a local Awami League leader. Abbas was detained Sunday afternoon from Kolagaon Union, while Chakraborty was arrested Saturday night during an ongoing special operation titled “Devil Hunt Phase-2.” According to police, Abbas was charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act and Chakraborty under the Explosives Act. Both were presented before court following their arrests. Investigating Officer Yujutsu Yash Chakma stated that preliminary interrogation revealed evidence of their involvement in activities deemed harmful to the state. Local law enforcement has intensified surveillance under the special operation to curb subversive activities in the region. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the nature of the alleged offenses. The arrests come amid heightened security operations across Chattogram, and further investigations are underway to identify any wider network linked to the suspects.

Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, the Amir of Islami Andolon Bangladesh and Charmonai Pir, has called on the United Nations to take responsibility for ensuring that political killers from Bangladesh do not find refuge in neighboring India. Speaking to journalists after visiting the grave of slain leader Sharif Osman Hadi, he demanded that those involved in Hadi’s murder and other crimes under the previous government be extradited to Bangladesh for trial. Karim emphasized that mutual respect for sovereignty is a fundamental principle of international politics and criticized what he described as India’s regional dominance. He questioned how Hadi’s killers managed to flee Bangladesh after the high-profile shooting in Dhaka. The cleric also praised the massive public turnout at Hadi’s funeral as evidence of national unity against external interference. The statement comes amid heightened political tension and cross-border sensitivity. Observers note that the demand for UN involvement reflects growing frustration over perceived impunity and regional power dynamics. The government has yet to respond to Karim’s remarks.

Maulana Muhammad Faisal, the Central Organizing Secretary of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, has officially collected his nomination papers to contest in the upcoming national election from Dhaka-8 (Ramna–Motijheel) constituency. The nomination was collected on Sunday afternoon from the office of the Divisional Commissioner in Dhaka, marking the formal start of his campaign activities. Party leaders including Maulana Fazlur Rahman, Maulana Zahirul Islam, Maulana Harunur Rashid, and Maulana Ruhul Amin accompanied Faisal during the submission. Party officials confirmed that Faisal has been finalized as the party’s candidate and will contest under the ‘Rickshaw’ symbol. The event drew enthusiasm among local supporters and activists. The nomination marks Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis’s renewed effort to strengthen its political presence in Dhaka’s central constituencies. Observers note that the party’s participation could diversify the electoral competition in the capital, where major national parties traditionally dominate.

More than 200 men and women from Telihati Union in Gazipur’s Sreepur upazila formally joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Sunday. The joining ceremony took place at the residence of Professor Dr. S.M. Rafiqul Islam Bachchu, BNP’s central assistant secretary for health affairs and party candidate for Gazipur-3 constituency. The group was led by Telihati Union Parishad member Safiqul Islam and local resident Abdul Malek. During the event, the new members presented flowers to Dr. Bachchu, expressing admiration for his leadership and the party’s nationalist ideals. Dr. Bachchu welcomed them, stating that the country is facing a deep political and democratic crisis, and that citizens’ spontaneous participation reflects trust in the BNP. He emphasized that such grassroots involvement would strengthen the movement to restore democracy. Local BNP leaders, including Mosleh Uddin Mridha and Nurul Amin Akand, attended the event. Party officials described the mass joining as a sign of growing public confidence ahead of future political mobilizations in the region.

Denmark’s national postal service, PostNord, announced it will deliver its final batch of letters on December 30, 2025, marking the end of a 400-year-old tradition that began in 1624. The decision follows a dramatic decline in letter volumes, with mail usage dropping by over 90% in the past 25 years as digital communication and e-commerce reshaped postal demand. As part of the transition, PostNord will lay off around 1,500 employees and remove 1,500 of its iconic red mailboxes. The company has already sold 1,000 mailboxes within hours of listing them, with additional units set for auction in January. Private courier DAO will expand its letter delivery services from January 1, offering online payment and home collection options. Experts note that while physical letters are fading, their emotional and cultural value is rising. Younger Danes, particularly those aged 18–34, are reportedly sending more letters than older generations, viewing handwritten correspondence as a meaningful counterbalance to digital saturation.

Al Jazeera Media Network has unveiled a new integrative artificial intelligence model named 'The Core', developed in collaboration with Google Cloud. The initiative aims to embed AI more deeply into journalistic workflows, shifting its role from a passive support tool to an active partner in content creation and newsroom operations. According to Al Jazeera, 'The Core' is built on six foundational pillars that will enable AI systems to assist journalists in complex data analysis, immersive storytelling, and automated internal processes. Director General Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani said the project reflects Al Jazeera’s vision of combining human expertise with AI to modernize journalism. Google Cloud’s EMEA AI Managing Director Alex Rutter described the platform as a key step toward next-generation intelligent media. The collaboration underscores Al Jazeera’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation in media. Industry observers expect 'The Core' to influence how news is produced, analyzed, and consumed across global networks in the coming years.

Bangladeshi non-governmental organization CSS has announced a new recruitment circular for 2025, seeking to hire 200 loan officers. The circular, published on December 20, 2025, invites both male and female candidates with at least an HSC or bachelor’s degree to apply. Applications must be submitted online between January 9 and January 30, 2026, depending on the chosen deadline. The salary range for the positions is set between BDT 23,080 and BDT 25,000 per month. According to the announcement, both fresh graduates and experienced applicants are eligible to apply, provided they meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years. The recruitment process will be conducted through a formal examination. CSS, known for its community development and microfinance programs, aims to expand its workforce to strengthen its financial inclusion initiatives. The recruitment is expected to support CSS’s ongoing rural development projects and microcredit operations. Interested candidates are advised to complete their online applications within the specified dates to ensure eligibility for the selection process.

Bangladesh Bank has reduced the provisioning rate for loans in the agriculture and cottage, micro, small, and medium enterprise (CMSME) sectors to encourage banks to expand credit to these areas. According to a circular issued on Sunday, banks will now need to maintain only 0.5% provisioning against standard and special mention account (SMA) loans in these sectors until December 31, 2026. This marks a reduction from the previous 1% rate set in October 2025. The central bank stated that the decision aims to stimulate short-term agricultural lending and support small-scale industries that are vital for rural employment and economic resilience. Financial analysts view the move as a liquidity-friendly measure that could ease credit flow to underserved sectors. However, some caution that lower provisioning may heighten risk exposure if loan recovery remains weak. The revised policy is expected to help banks allocate more funds to productive sectors, potentially boosting rural output and SME growth in 2026. Bangladesh Bank will monitor compliance and loan performance under the new framework.

BNP Chairperson’s adviser Lion Aslam Chowdhury has officially collected nomination papers to contest from Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda) constituency in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The papers were collected on his behalf by Mohammad Morsalin, former president of the North District Jubo Dal, from the office of the Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer in Chattogram on Sunday afternoon. Several local BNP leaders and activists were present during the submission, including Sitakunda Upazila BNP convener Dr. Kamal Kader, municipal BNP convener Zakir Hossain, and former district committee members. Their presence signaled strong local organizational support for Chowdhury’s candidacy. As the election approaches, major political parties are accelerating their nomination processes across Bangladesh. Chowdhury’s move reflects BNP’s efforts to strengthen its position in key constituencies of Chattogram, a region historically significant in national politics. The final list of candidates is expected to be confirmed following scrutiny by the Election Commission later this month.

Bangladesh Bank reported that the country received $2.17 billion in remittances during the first 20 days of December 2025, equivalent to about Tk 26,499 crore at an exchange rate of Tk 122 per US dollar. The data highlights strong inflows through private and state-owned banks, reflecting continued reliance on expatriate earnings to support the national economy. According to the central bank’s updated report, private banks handled the majority of remittances, totaling $1.58 billion, while state-owned banks received $371 million and specialized banks $215 million. Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited topped the list with $484.9 million, followed by Bangladesh Krishi Bank and Janata Bank. Eight banks, including five foreign ones, reported no remittance inflows during the period. Economists note that the steady remittance flow remains a vital source of foreign exchange amid global economic uncertainty. Analysts expect total December inflows to surpass previous months if the current pace continues, helping to stabilize the country’s reserves and currency value.

Bangladesh Bank has purchased $2.93 billion from commercial banks in the first half of the current fiscal year, including $60 million from four banks last Sunday. The central bank confirmed the move as part of its strategy to prevent the dollar’s value from falling too sharply amid increased foreign currency supply. Officials said the market has seen a turnaround since the fall of the previous government, with remittance inflows and export earnings both rising following tighter anti–money laundering measures. Between fiscal years 2021–22 and 2023–24, the central bank sold nearly $34 billion to stabilize the market, but this year it has shifted to buying dollars as supply now exceeds demand. Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan stated that the intervention aims to maintain exchange rate balance and protect exporters and remittance earners from losses. As a result, the country’s foreign exchange reserves have risen to $32.57 billion, or $27.87 billion under IMF’s BPM–6 methodology. Analysts say sustained inflows could further strengthen reserves if the trend continues.

In Naldanga upazila of Natore, Bangladesh, farmers have begun planting onion and garlic with renewed optimism for the winter season. Favorable weather and last year’s good prices have encouraged many to expand cultivation, with local agricultural officials setting ambitious acreage targets and promoting improved seed varieties. However, this optimism is clouded by an acute fertilizer shortage. Farmers allege that local dealers are distributing fertilizer selectively, forcing many to buy at inflated retail prices—up to Tk 1,000 higher per sack and often underweight. Small and medium farmers say these irregularities are undermining their ability to cultivate properly. Agricultural officers acknowledge the problem and stress the need for transparent distribution and stronger monitoring. If the shortage persists, farmers fear reduced yields could disrupt future market supply, potentially driving up prices. They are urging the administration to ensure fair fertilizer access and curb dealer malpractice before the planting season’s critical window closes.

National Tubes Limited (NTL), Bangladesh’s only manufacturer of MS and GI pipes licensed by the American Petroleum Institute (API), held its 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday at its Tongi, Gazipur factory premises. The meeting was chaired by Md. Anwarul Alam, Additional Secretary and Chairman of Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation (BSEC) and NTL’s Board of Directors. The event was attended by board members including A.K.M. Mizanur Rahman, Director (Finance) of Petrobangla; Nurunnahar, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Industries; Dr. Ridwanul Haque, Professor at IBA, University of Dhaka; Company Secretary Mohammad Abu Sayeem; and Managing Director Engineer Nirupam Singh. Shareholders, BSEC officials, and employees from all levels of the company were also present. The AGM highlighted NTL’s continued role in Bangladesh’s industrial sector and its strategic importance as the country’s sole API-certified pipe producer. Stakeholders discussed operational performance, future growth opportunities, and the company’s contribution to national infrastructure development.

Bangladesh police have stated that there is still no confirmed information on the whereabouts of Faisal, the prime suspect in the murder of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. Additional Inspector General (AIGP) Khondker Rafiqul Islam made the remarks during a press briefing at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday evening, where he also discussed the progress of the 'Devil Hunt Phase-2' operation and the overall law and order situation. The AIGP clarified that authorities have not received any reliable evidence suggesting Faisal has fled abroad, warning that misinformation about suspects’ locations often circulates. He added that multiple police units are investigating different aspects of the case, and ten individuals allegedly involved in planning the murder have already been arrested. Officials emphasized that the investigation remains active, with forensic evidence being analyzed. Law enforcement agencies are under pressure to locate Faisal and bring all perpetrators to justice as public attention on the case continues to grow.