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.

A midair collision between two helicopters near Hammonton Municipal Airport in New Jersey, United States, left one person dead and another critically injured, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration. The incident occurred around 11:25 a.m. local time, when the aircraft collided and caught fire. Police confirmed that both helicopters had only their pilots onboard.

Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said the helicopters were flying very close to each other, which may have caused the collision. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the crash. A nearby café owner, Sal Silipino, said both pilots were regular customers at his café and often had breakfast together. He and other witnesses saw the helicopters take off before one began spiraling downward, followed by the other losing control.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the collision, with initial reports suggesting proximity during flight as a possible factor.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Bin Harun stated that the return of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman to the country serves as a confidence booster for investors. He made the comment in a post on his verified Facebook page on Sunday night, noting that the development signals progress toward a free and fair election, which he said is vital for an investment-friendly environment.

In the same post, Harun highlighted the recent completion of negotiations on the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), describing it as a major step for the country’s economic future. The agreement will provide duty-free access for 7,379 Bangladeshi products to Japan and 1,039 Japanese products to Bangladesh. It is expected to attract Japanese investment in sectors such as ICT, logistics, electronics, renewable energy, and agro-processing, while also enhancing employment and skills among Bangladeshi youth.

Harun added that the government is forming a specialized negotiation team to handle future trade agreements with countries like the United States, South Korea, and Turkey, aiming to strengthen Bangladesh’s trade capacity after LDC graduation.

The 8 Armed Police Battalion (APBn) conducted extensive operations across 11 Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, over the past six months to maintain law and order. During nearly 200 special raids, 108 individuals were arrested in connection with 52 cases involving weapons, drugs, and other crimes. Authorities recovered a large cache of arms, ammunition, and narcotics, including submachine guns, pistols, one-shooter guns, and 175,068 yaba tablets, along with cash and other contraband.

According to APBn sources, the operations were carried out in camps under several police zones, including Panbazar, Moynarghona, and Hakimpara. Local representatives praised the continuous drives, noting improved security and reduced criminal activity in and around the camps. They emphasized the importance of sustaining such efforts to ensure community safety.

APBn commander Riaz Uddin Ahmed stated that the battalion is operating under a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, illegal arms, and drug trafficking. He pledged to continue coordinated operations with local authorities to prevent criminal networks from re-emerging in the camps.

North Korea has conducted a test of long-range cruise missiles under the direct supervision of its leader Kim Jong Un. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the missiles flew over the sea west of Pyongyang along designated trajectories and accurately hit their targets. Kim expressed satisfaction with the results and announced that the country would continue sustainable development of its nuclear capabilities.

KCNA did not specify the exact launch site. However, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that its military detected multiple missile launches from the Sunan area near Pyongyang on Sunday morning. The report also suggested that North Korea might conduct additional missile tests before the end of the year.

Kim stated that regular testing of nuclear capabilities is necessary due to ongoing security threats. He emphasized that Pyongyang will persist in its efforts toward unlimited and sustainable advancement of nuclear strength.

Mufti Habibur Rahman, a central executive member of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and a prominent Islamic scholar from Muktagacha in Mymensingh, passed away on Sunday night at his home after falling ill. He was 57 years old and is survived by his wife and three sons. His funeral prayer is scheduled for Monday after the Zuhr prayer at his residence in Garai Kutir, Muktagacha, followed by burial in the family graveyard.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad expressed deep sorrow over the death, describing Mufti Habibur Rahman as a dedicated scholar, principled organizer, and steadfast worker of the Islamic movement. In a statement to the media, he praised Rahman’s contributions to religious preaching, organizational duties, and his exemplary personal character marked by humility and piety.

The party leader said Rahman’s death is not only a loss to his family and organization but also to the broader religious community. He prayed for the departed soul’s forgiveness and requested the nation to join in prayers for him.

The Chamber Court of the Appellate Division has ordered the removal of Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna’s name from the list of loan defaulters. The directive was issued on Monday at around 11 a.m. following a hearing. According to lawyers, this decision clears the way for Manna to contest the national election from Bogura.

Earlier, Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited’s Bogura Barogola branch had issued a call-back notice on December 10 to recover Tk 38 crore 4 lakh 76 thousand in defaulted loans. The notice was sent to Afaku Cold Storage Limited, a company led by Manna. The company’s ownership structure includes 50 percent held by Manna, 25 percent by Managing Director ABM Nazmul Kadir Shajahan Chowdhury, and 25 percent by his wife Ismat Ara Laiju. The notice required repayment by December 18, warning of legal action for noncompliance.

Manna had previously filed a writ petition in the High Court seeking removal of his name from the defaulter list, but the petition was dismissed last Wednesday before the Chamber Court’s latest directive.

The US-based organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has announced a reward of 5.5 million taka for information leading to the identification and arrest of those responsible for the killing of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Manch. The announcement was made on Monday in a statement following reports from Dhaka Metropolitan Police that the suspects had fled Bangladesh and taken refuge in India.

According to the SFJ statement, the killers escaped to India after the incident. SFJ General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun alleged that the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi was involved in the murder, describing it as part of cross-border terrorism extending from Bangladesh to the United States. He also claimed similarities between Hadi’s killing and the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

SFJ said the reward aims to gather credible public information to help law enforcement locate, arrest, and extradite the suspects. The organization further alleged that India’s intelligence agency RAW was involved and called for international accountability for the killing.

Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem declared on Sunday that the group will not surrender under any circumstances. Speaking at a public event, he called for national unity to resist Israel’s air, land, and sea offensives, emphasizing the need to end Israeli aggression. Qassem demanded full implementation of the ceasefire withdrawal agreement and the release of prisoners, warning that if southern Lebanon falls under Israeli control, the rest of the country would be at risk.

Qassem stated that despite the 2024 ceasefire agreement, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have continued. He described the current situation as a historic crossroads, saying Lebanon must either allow full U.S. and Israeli control or rise to reclaim its sovereignty and territory. He also argued that calls for Hezbollah’s disarmament are part of an Israel-U.S. project serving Israeli interests rather than Lebanon’s.

The Hezbollah leader reiterated that national unity is essential to defend Lebanon’s sovereignty and prevent further territorial losses, urging all citizens to stand together against Israel.

The final day for submitting nomination papers for Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election and national referendum is Monday, December 29, 2025. The Election Commission’s central coordination committee reported that by Sunday, 2,780 nomination papers had been collected nationwide, though only about fifty had been submitted. The election and referendum are scheduled to take place on February 12, 2026, with voting from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

According to the Election Commission, scrutiny of submitted nominations will occur from December 30 to January 4, appeals against returning officers’ decisions can be filed between January 5 and 9, and appeal resolutions will be completed by January 18. The deadline for candidate withdrawal is January 20, symbol allocation will take place on January 21, and voting will be conducted using transparent ballot boxes. Dhaka region recorded the highest number of nomination collections at 501, followed by Comilla with 405 and Mymensingh with 339.

The Commission noted that most candidates traditionally submit on the final day. Restrictions remain in place limiting attendance during submission to five persons and prohibiting rallies or showdowns to ensure compliance with the electoral code of conduct.

Home Affairs Adviser Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has called on the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to take necessary preparations to ensure a peaceful election. He made the remarks on Monday morning while addressing an event marking BGB Day. The adviser emphasized the need for strategic measures to resolve border issues and urged vigilance to prevent terrorists from escaping through border areas.

According to the adviser, maintaining security along the borders is crucial for national stability, particularly during the election period. His comments came as part of broader discussions on law enforcement readiness and coordination among security agencies ahead of the polls.

The call for BGB’s preparedness highlights the government’s focus on preventing cross-border threats and ensuring a secure environment for the upcoming election process.

Iran launched three remote-sensing satellites—Tolou-3, Zafar-2, and Kowsar-1.5—into orbit on Sunday from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome. The satellites were carried aboard a Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle as part of a multi-payload mission. This marks the seventh time Iran has used a Russian rocket for satellite deployment, according to the Mehr news agency.

Hassan Salarieh, head of Iran’s Space Agency, said the launch signals a bright future for the country’s space sector and is the first instance of Iran sending multiple satellites into space simultaneously. Among the satellites, Tolou-3 is Iran’s heaviest and most advanced observation satellite to date, weighing 150 kilograms. About 80 percent of its components were manufactured domestically, representing a major step toward the localization of satellite cluster technology.

Iran also plans to launch its first telecommunications satellite cluster, named “Shahid Soleimani,” next year, continuing its efforts to expand national space capabilities.

At least 16 people were killed in a fire that broke out at a nursing home in Manado, the capital of Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province, on Sunday night at 8:36 p.m. local time, according to Xinhua. Police spokesperson Almsiah P. Hasibuan said identification of the victims’ bodies was underway at the North Sulawesi Regional Police Hospital.

Police reported that three fire department units were dispatched immediately after the blaze began, and the fire was brought under control by around 9:30 p.m. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but an investigation has been launched. Manado Fire Service Chief Jimmy Ratinsulu stated that most of the residents were physically weak due to old age and became trapped inside the building when the fire erupted.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the source of the fire and to identify all victims.

China has announced plans to conduct large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, including live-fire drills in five maritime and air zones near the island on Tuesday. Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Chinese military, said the exercises, code-named “Justice Mission 2025,” will involve the army, navy, air force, and rocket force under the PLA Eastern Theater Command. The state news agency Xinhua confirmed that the drills will begin on December 29.

In response, Taiwan has deployed what it described as “appropriate forces” around the island. Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo condemned China’s actions as “military intimidation.” The announcement follows Japan’s recent plan to deploy missiles near Taiwan, which prompted China to warn that any foreign interference in Taiwan would be thwarted. Beijing reiterated its determination to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The exercises mark another escalation in the region, reflecting ongoing military and political friction between China and neighboring countries over Taiwan’s security and foreign involvement.

Advocate Monjila Sultana Jhuma, a leader of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has announced that she will not participate in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. She made the announcement on Sunday night through a post on her Facebook page, confirming that she had informed the party’s Khagrachhari district convener, Nahid Islam, of her decision earlier that day.

According to Jhuma, the NCP had initially nominated her to contest from Khagrachhari-298 constituency with the party’s ‘Shapla Koli’ symbol, and the nomination form had already been collected on her behalf on December 24. The final date for submission was the following day, but she decided to withdraw from the race. Her announcement follows recent resignations from the NCP by senior joint member secretary Dr. Tasnim Zara, who declared her candidacy as an independent from Dhaka-9, and joint convener Tajnuva Jabin.

Jhuma concluded her post expressing faith that young people will eventually enter parliament, reflecting optimism about future political participation.