Former U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Mexico of a potential 5% tariff, accusing the country of breaching a long-standing water-sharing agreement. In a statement posted Monday on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed Mexico has failed to deliver the agreed water volumes to the United States, causing severe agricultural damage in Texas. Trump alleged that Mexico owes more than 800,000 acre-feet of water accumulated over the past five years, despite repeated U.S. requests for compliance. He demanded that Mexico release at least 700,000 acre-feet by December 31 and settle the remainder soon after. According to Trump, the lack of action constitutes a serious injustice to American farmers. He added that he has already approved the necessary documentation to impose the 5% tariff if Mexico does not act immediately. The warning revives trade tensions between the two neighbors and could complicate cross-border relations ahead of the upcoming U.S. election season.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M Nasir Uddin has formally requested Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed to assign 300 judges to serve as executive magistrates during Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election. The meeting took place at the Supreme Court on December 9, where the CEC sought the judiciary’s cooperation to ensure a fair and orderly electoral process. The Chief Justice assured full institutional support for the Election Commission’s efforts. According to Election Commission officials, the schedule for the 13th national election and a related referendum is expected to be announced after the CEC’s meeting with the President on Wednesday or Thursday. Preparations are already underway, including arrangements for the CEC’s national address to be recorded by Bangladesh Television and Radio. Sources indicate that voting may be held in the first half of February next year. This will be the first major electoral test for the Nasir Uddin-led Commission since assuming office, with political observers emphasizing the importance of judicial involvement to maintain transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.

Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has issued a stern message to Afghanistan’s Taliban government amid escalating border tensions. Speaking at a Guard of Honour ceremony in Rawalpindi’s General Headquarters, Munir said Pakistan remains a peace-loving nation but will not compromise on its sovereignty or territorial integrity. He urged the Taliban to make a decisive choice between supporting the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or maintaining stable relations with Islamabad. The remarks come as cross-border violence and militant activity continue to strain Pakistan-Afghanistan relations despite multiple rounds of peace talks. Munir’s statement underscores Pakistan’s growing frustration over the Taliban’s perceived inaction against TTP fighters operating from Afghan soil. During the same event, he also warned India that any future aggression would be met with a swift and forceful response. Analysts view Munir’s comments as part of Pakistan’s broader effort to pressure Kabul into curbing militant sanctuaries. The warning signals a potential shift toward a harder security stance if diplomatic efforts fail to yield results.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh announced plans to register an additional 100,000 businesses for Value Added Tax (VAT) by the end of December. The initiative, revealed by NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan during a press conference marking VAT Day, aims to expand the country’s tax base and address the low number of VAT-paying enterprises. Currently, Bangladesh has about 644,000 VAT-registered businesses, which the chairman noted is significantly lower than the total number of active enterprises. The NBR will conduct a month-long special drive through its VAT commissionerates to meet the registration target. Khan acknowledged that a large number of businesses remain unregistered, indicating substantial untapped potential in VAT collection. Looking ahead, the NBR expects to bring 3–4 million businesses under VAT registration within the next two years. Plans are also underway to introduce a simplified online “one-click” VAT return system for small enterprises. The authority will observe “VAT Week” from December 10 to 15 under the theme “Register on Time, Pay VAT Properly.”

Bangladesh’s mobile and gadget retailers have decided to continue their nationwide shutdown after a second round of talks with regulators failed to resolve disputes over the National Equipment Identity Registrar (NEIR) system. The Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB) said no positive outcome emerged from Tuesday’s meeting with the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), and stores will remain closed until further notice. MBCB President Md. Aslam stated that another meeting is scheduled for Wednesday with representatives from the National Board of Revenue (NBR). He urged members to remain calm but warned of tougher protests if demands remain unmet. The standoff has disrupted business across the country and caused public inconvenience, especially after retailers began their protest outside the BTRC headquarters earlier this week. A high-level meeting involving government advisers, NBR, the Commerce Ministry, mobile manufacturers, and MBCB representatives is expected on Wednesday to find a resolution. The ongoing impasse raises concerns about market stability and consumer access to mobile devices during the peak sales season.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin has indicated that the schedule for Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament election could be announced within the current week. He made the remark on Tuesday, December 9, after a one-hour closed-door meeting with Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed at the Supreme Court. The meeting, held in the Chief Justice’s chamber, followed a long-standing tradition where the CEC meets the Chief Justice before announcing the national election schedule. Earlier, Election Commissioner Abul Fazl Md. Sanaullah stated that the schedule for both the parliamentary election and a national referendum would be declared by December 15. The Election Commission is reportedly finalizing preparations for the announcement, including constituency logistics and polling arrangements. Political observers note that the meeting signals the final phase of pre-election formalities. The upcoming announcement is expected to set the timeline for candidate nominations, campaign periods, and polling dates, marking the formal start of the election process. Stakeholders are closely watching for signs of consensus and transparency as Bangladesh heads into another national vote.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) of Bangladesh has issued five urgent directives to all educational institutions to guarantee the timely distribution of free textbooks for the 2026 academic year. The notice, signed by Assistant Director S.M. Ziaul Haider Henry, emphasizes that printing and supply of textbooks for primary, secondary, Dakhil, SSC, and vocational levels have already begun. According to the circular, institutions must collect textbooks from designated printing firms following National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) specifications. Officials are required to approve delivery challans online without delay through the NCTB portal. The DSHE also instructed that book distribution continue uninterrupted, including on weekends, and that all district and sub-district education officers update their contact details and signatures in the system. The directives aim to prevent delays and ensure quality control in textbook distribution, a recurring challenge in previous years. Authorities expect the measures to streamline logistics and improve accountability across administrative levels before the new school year begins.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has announced the withdrawal of excise duty on air tickets for next year’s Hajj pilgrims. The directive, issued on December 9, takes immediate effect and will remain valid until June 30, 2025. The exemption means that pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj will not have to pay the usual 5,000 taka excise duty on their flight tickets. This is not the first time the NBR has introduced such a waiver; similar exemptions have been granted in previous years to ease the financial burden on pilgrims. Typically, the excise duty is collected at the time of ticket purchase and deposited into the national treasury. The measure is expected to reduce travel costs for thousands of Bangladeshi pilgrims preparing for the annual pilgrimage. According to official estimates, 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims will be allowed to perform Hajj in 2025, which is expected to take place around May 26, depending on the lunar calendar.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly ruled out any territorial concessions to Russia, as Kyiv prepares to submit a revised peace proposal to the United States. Speaking at a joint press conference with European and NATO leaders, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine’s constitution, national laws, and international norms do not allow the surrender of any part of its territory. He added that any border changes would require a national referendum. The move follows reports that Kyiv rejected a proposal discussed during a recent secret meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian officials. Zelensky met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at Downing Street, where leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine and called for a “just and lasting peace.” Zelensky’s ongoing European tour includes meetings with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Meanwhile, Moscow described its talks with Washington as “constructive,” though no policy shift was evident. Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Zelensky, claiming he is the main obstacle to a peace deal.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer of the National Citizens Party’s southern region, disclosed new information about a secret safe house while testifying before the International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Tuesday. His testimony is part of a case concerning the killing of Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University, during the July 2024 mass uprising. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, is hearing charges against 30 accused, including former university vice-chancellor Hasibur Rashid. Abdullah recounted that on July 16, 2024, nationwide protests saw several student deaths, including Sayeed’s in Rangpur. He alleged that after the protests, intelligence agencies detained him and others, pressuring them to withdraw their movement. He described being taken overnight to a “safe house” near the Department of Fisheries and the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka, where they were interrogated and threatened. The testimony has drawn attention to alleged state-level coercion during the July uprising. The tribunal will resume hearing Abdullah’s remaining statement later in the day, with prosecutors Gazi M.H. Tamim and Moinul Karim representing the state.

An unexpected clash broke out on Tuesday between students of Dhaka College and Dhanmondi Ideal College, leading to a series of chases and counter-chases near the campuses. Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Ramna Division) Masud Alam confirmed that the situation escalated after allegations that some Ideal College students attacked a Dhaka College bus. Police quickly intervened, dispersing the students and restoring order. Authorities said several students were injured during the confrontation. Meetings between police, college administrations, and teachers were held to calm tensions. DC Masud stated that investigators are examining whether any external groups were involved and have requested video evidence from both institutions. He also clarified that a viral photo of a student named Ahad was from a previous incident and that he is no longer enrolled at Ideal College. The clash comes less than a month after both colleges signed a peace agreement mediated by New Market Police, pledging to avoid future violence. Police remain on alert as normalcy gradually returns to the area.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar have formally signed an agreement to construct a high-speed electric passenger rail line connecting Riyadh and Doha, marking the first major infrastructure collaboration between the two Gulf nations once seen as fierce rivals. The project, announced on December 8 through Saudi state media, will link Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport with Doha’s Hamad International Airport, passing through Al-Hofuf and Dammam. The train is expected to exceed speeds of 300 km/h, cutting travel time between the capitals to roughly two hours compared to the current 90-minute flight. The six-year project aims to transport 10 million passengers annually and create around 30,000 jobs across both countries. The agreement was signed during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Riyadh. Analysts view the deal as a symbol of improving Saudi-Qatari relations following years of diplomatic tension. It also aligns with broader Gulf initiatives to enhance regional connectivity and economic diversification under Saudi Vision 2030.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin met privately with Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed on Tuesday, December 9, at the Chief Justice’s chamber in Dhaka. The meeting took place shortly before the expected announcement of the national election schedule, following a long-standing practice of consultations between the Election Commission and the judiciary. According to officials, discussions covered boundary-related legal cases and measures to prevent election-related writ petitions from disrupting the electoral process after the schedule is announced. The two also reportedly discussed the role of judges in carrying out magistracy duties during the election period. The CEC attended the meeting accompanied only by his secretary, underscoring the confidential nature of the discussion. The meeting signals coordination between the judiciary and the Election Commission to ensure a smooth and legally sound election process. Further announcements from the Election Commission regarding the election timetable are expected soon.

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan declared that the people of Bangladesh will not allow any conspiracy surrounding the upcoming national election. Speaking at a BNP-organized discussion titled “Plan to Build the Nation” in Dhaka’s Krishibid Institution, Khan cited a recent survey suggesting that 66% of respondents expect BNP to win the most seats, while 26% favored Jamaat-e-Islami. He warned that such figures might prompt attempts at manipulation but insisted that citizens are determined to prevent it. Khan emphasized that the fall of what he called a “fascist regime” has already occurred and that an interim government is necessary to complete the transition toward a neutral election. He criticized the country’s development model, arguing that while infrastructure has expanded, inequality and poverty have worsened. He noted that Bangladesh reportedly produces the highest number of new millionaires per capita, even as millions fall below the poverty line. The event, chaired by BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, also featured student leaders and is part of the party’s broader effort to outline its post-election governance and economic reform agenda.

The Bangladesh government has issued a gazette amending several sections of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and national referendum. The revisions clarify the conditions under which postal ballots will be counted or invalidated, expanding the authority of returning officers and defining new judicial powers related to election management. Under the updated Article 27(10) and newly added Article 37A, postal ballots lacking a voter’s signature, containing no mark, or showing marks for multiple candidates will not be counted. Ballots will also be excluded if a court alters the candidate list for a constituency or if the returning officer does not formally accept the ballot before counting. These changes aim to ensure procedural transparency and reduce disputes over postal votes. Election observers note that the amendments could tighten oversight but may also increase ballot rejection rates. The Election Commission is expected to issue detailed guidelines soon to help returning officers apply the new provisions consistently.