A ceasefire has taken effect along the Thailand–Cambodia border after several weeks of deadly clashes, but many displaced residents remain too fearful to return home. In Thailand’s Surin city, 21-year-old Kanlaya Somjettana said she would not go back until authorities confirm the area is safe, citing past ceasefire breakdowns. In Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province, 35-year-old So Cheun, who is expecting a child, also plans to wait several days to ensure peace holds before returning.

Officials from both countries confirmed the ceasefire was in force on Sunday, though normal conditions have not yet been declared in most areas. The recent three-week conflict killed at least 47 people and displaced over one million across both nations. A previous truce in July collapsed after five days. Under the current agreement, both sides pledged to halt shelling, suspend troop movements, and facilitate civilian return, while Thailand promised to repatriate 18 detained Cambodian soldiers.

Some residents, such as Thai farmer Saichon Wongpitak, have decided to return home for agricultural reasons despite doubts about the ceasefire’s durability.

Myanmar concluded the first phase of its general election on Sunday, marking the country’s first nationwide vote since the 2021 military coup. According to Eleven Myanmar, polling took place across 102 cities, with voting beginning at 6 a.m. and closing at 4 p.m. local time. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that 139 representatives from diplomatic missions and international election observers monitored the process. The second and third phases are scheduled for January 11 and January 25, respectively, with a total of 21,517 polling stations established nationwide.

The election comes under the shadow of prolonged military rule following the ouster of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) government in 2021. Although the NLD and 40 other parties were dissolved in 2023, at least six parties with 4,963 candidates are participating, alongside 57 regional parties. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party has fielded about 1,018 candidates. Junta leader and acting president Min Aung Hlaing claimed the election was free and fair after casting his vote in Naypyidaw.

UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews urged the international community via social media to reject the legitimacy of the election.

The interim government of Bangladesh is sending seven fighters injured in the July Uprising 2024 to Thailand for advanced medical treatment. According to an official order signed by Md. Zahirul Islam, Deputy Secretary of the July Uprising Directorate under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, the group will depart on Monday morning from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. They will travel to Bangkok on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight scheduled to leave at 11:15 a.m.

The seven individuals traveling for treatment are Md. Sujan Mia, Sheikh Mohammad Shanto, Md. Shakil, Md. Liton, Ali Hossain, Md. Mizan Mia, and Md. Hamidul Sarkar. Each of them will be accompanied by one family member to assist during their stay abroad. The decision reflects the government’s ongoing support for those injured during the July 2024 uprising.

The arrangement aims to ensure that the injured fighters receive specialized medical care not available locally, with family members providing personal support throughout their treatment period in Thailand.

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has welcomed the growing engagement between Bangladesh and Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of expanding travel, cultural and educational cooperation, and people-to-people contact among SAARC member states. He made the remarks on Sunday during a courtesy call by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka.

According to the Chief Adviser’s press wing, both sides discussed strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, and aviation, as well as expanding exchanges in culture, education, and healthcare to deepen bilateral relations. Yunus expressed hope that during Haider’s tenure, both countries would explore new investment and joint venture opportunities.

High Commissioner Haider noted a 20 percent increase in bilateral trade compared to the previous year and said business communities were seeking new investment avenues. He added that Bangladeshi students were increasingly interested in higher studies in Pakistan, particularly in medical science, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Haider also mentioned the possible launch of a direct Dhaka-Karachi flight in January.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has suspended all passenger vessel operations between Barishal and the rest of the country due to dense fog. The decision, announced around 7 p.m. on Sunday, affects both the Barishal–Dhaka route and all internal waterways in the region. Thousands of passengers were forced to leave terminals after the sudden suspension, which authorities said was necessary to prevent accidents and ensure safety.

According to BIWTA officials in Barishal, the abrupt increase in fog has heightened the risk of river accidents, prompting the emergency measure. Launch owners confirmed that several scheduled departures, including MV Aman Khan-7, MV Parabat-10, MV Parabat-12, Suravi-7, and Bhaira, were canceled, and cabin passengers received ticket refunds. Many travelers expressed frustration over the disruption, noting that alternative bus tickets were unavailable at the start of the workweek.

BIWTA stated that the suspension will remain in effect until further notice, emphasizing that passenger safety remains the top priority.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has returned 14 Indian nationals who were pushed into Bangladesh through the Darshana border in Chuadanga by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). The repatriation took place early Sunday through the Madonenghat border point in Ramkrishnapur Union of Daulatpur upazila, Kushtia. According to BGB and local sources, the individuals were handed back to India and later detained by the BSF.

A BGB-47 battalion statement said the BSF attempted to push the 14 Indian citizens into Bangladesh twice, first around 2 a.m. on Wednesday and again at 10 a.m. on Thursday. BGB increased vigilance along the zero line after detecting the attempts. Following a flag meeting between company commanders of BGB and BSF at India’s Chaidoba, the BSF agreed to take back the individuals after BGB’s protest.

BGB officials said the group claimed to be residents of Odisha, India, and spoke Hindi. Local police stated they had been evicted from government land in India, jailed for a short period, and later pushed toward Bangladesh by BSF.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a written message to the annual Muslim American Society conference held in Chicago on December 26–27. In his message, he emphasized the importance of global Muslim unity and praised the role of the Muslim American community. Erdogan expressed hope that the conference would yield positive outcomes for the Islamic world and thanked the organizers for their invitation.

The conference’s theme, “Faith Under Trial: Standing Firm in Turbulent Times,” reflected the challenges facing the Muslim world, particularly Palestinians. Organizers said the event aimed to raise voices against international silence and support for Israel amid ongoing violence in Gaza since 2023. Erdogan highlighted that unity and mutual trust were essential to overcoming crises and conflicts affecting Muslim regions.

From Turkey, Tugba Isik Ercan, head of the ruling Justice and Development Party’s women’s branch, attended the conference. She outlined Turkey’s humanitarian diplomacy, including calls for ceasefire, enforcement of international law, and the opening of aid corridors. She also noted Turkey’s suspension of trade with Israel as part of Erdogan’s “justice-based foreign policy.”

Former interim government adviser Mahfuz Alam announced on Sunday that he will not contest the 13th National Parliamentary Election under the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance or the National Citizens Party (NCP). In a verified Facebook post, he clarified his political stance, stating that although he had advised and supported the NCP and Citizens Committee over the past year and a half, he would not be part of the alliance.

Alam explained that he had tried to establish the NCP as an independent platform under a broader 'Big July' umbrella but was unable to do so for various reasons. He emphasized that his respect and friendship with his July colleagues remain intact, but maintaining his long-standing political position is more important than contesting a seat in Dhaka under the Jamaat-NCP alliance.

He further wrote that Bangladesh is currently in a “cold war” phase and that it is better to remain steadfast in one’s principles without taking sides. Alam reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing political, cultural, and intellectual efforts toward a new political-economic framework and the rise of alternative youth forces.

Representatives from 21 Arab, Islamic, and African countries have condemned Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, as an independent state. In a joint statement released through Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foreign ministers of these countries rejected the move, warning that it violates international law and poses a serious threat to regional stability.

The statement described Israel’s action as setting a dangerous precedent that could endanger international peace and security. It further asserted that the decision contradicts the principles of the United Nations Charter, which emphasizes respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity. The countries reaffirmed their full support for Somalia’s sovereignty and unity, rejecting any actions that undermine its territorial integrity.

Somaliland has operated with its own administrative, political, and security structures since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, but it has not received international recognition. Somalia’s central government continues to regard Somaliland as an integral part of its territory and opposes any direct engagement with the region as a violation of national sovereignty.

Sylhet Divisional Commissioner Khan Md. Reza-un-Nabi has directed that the Haor protection embankment must be completed within the scheduled timeframe. He warned that any irregularities, negligence, or obstruction in the construction process would prompt immediate strict action by the upazila administration. He made these remarks on Sunday while visiting the Hali Haor embankment, Beheli Union Parishad, and attending a public awareness meeting on the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum in Jamalganj, Sunamganj.

During the visit, the commissioner also distributed winter clothes among the poor, inaugurated the renovated upazila public library and children’s park, and inspected the Bhimkhali Union Parishad village court records and the upazila land office. He emphasized that the construction and maintenance of the Haor embankment require collective efforts from local representatives, implementing agencies, and residents to ensure crop protection and sustainable development.

He further stated that the government and election administration are fully prepared to hold the upcoming election and referendum in a free, fair, and impartial manner, ensuring that voters can cast their ballots without fear or pressure.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has decided to join an alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami and other like-minded parties to strengthen broader political unity. NCP Convener Nahid Islam announced the decision at an emergency press conference held on Sunday night, December 28, 2025, at the party’s temporary office in Banglamotor, Dhaka. He stated that the decision was made with the majority consent of party members.

Nahid Islam explained that the NCP had been preparing to contest all 300 constituencies in the upcoming national parliamentary election and referendum. However, the political context changed following the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha. Earlier, the NCP had reached an understanding with two other parties to form a reform alliance, but the evolving situation prompted a new strategic decision.

He also alleged that defeated hegemonic forces in Bangladesh were conspiring to disrupt the election process and undermine the new generation. The NCP’s latest move reflects its effort to consolidate opposition unity ahead of the national polls.

A United Nations peacekeeper was lightly injured during a patrol in southern Lebanon when gunfire and an explosion occurred near the team, according to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The incident took place near the village of Bastara, where heavy machine-gun fire from an Israeli military position south of the Blue Line struck close to a UNIFIL patrol inspecting a roadblock. Shortly afterward, a grenade explosion was reported nearby. UNIFIL said the peacekeeper sustained a mild ear concussion but no infrastructure damage was reported.

UNIFIL stated that, in accordance with standard procedures, the Israeli army had been informed in advance about the patrol activities in the sensitive area along the Blue Line. The mission’s statement was released on Friday, as reported by Anadolu Agency.

The report noted that a ceasefire has been in effect in Lebanon since November 2024, following over a year of conflict linked to the war in Gaza, which left more than 4,000 people dead and about 17,000 injured.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that Islamabad intends to enhance engagement with Dhaka from February following Bangladesh’s 13th national election. Speaking at a year-end press conference in Islamabad on December 27, Dar referred to his August visit to Bangladesh, the first by a Pakistani foreign minister in 13 years, as a key step toward revitalizing bilateral relations.

Dar described his meetings with leaders of the National Citizen Party, BNP, and Jamaat-e-Islami as positive and productive. He noted that past governments, including those led by the Awami League, had not maintained strong bilateral ties, but expressed optimism about future cooperation. The visit focused on expanding trade, investment, cultural and educational collaboration, and regional cooperation under SAARC.

Dar emphasized that post-election political realities could open new opportunities for diplomatic and cooperative progress between the two South Asian nations.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has announced its decision to join an eight-party alliance that includes Jamaat-e-Islami to participate in the upcoming national election. NCP Convener Nahid Islam made the announcement on Sunday night, December 28, 2025, during an emergency press conference at the party’s temporary office in Banglamotor, Dhaka. He said the alliance was formed to ensure a fair election and promote broader political unity. The final list of candidates is expected to be announced on Monday.

Nahid Islam explained that the NCP had initially planned to contest all 300 constituencies independently and had sought nominations nationwide. Later, the party reached an understanding with two other groups to form a reform-oriented coalition. However, the political situation changed following the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, prompting the NCP to expand its alliance to include more like-minded parties.

According to Nahid Islam, the decision to join the alliance with Jamaat was made based on majority consensus within the party.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) began an emergency press conference on Sunday night, December 28, at its temporary central office in Rupayan Tower, Banglamotor, Dhaka. The event focused on issues related to the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.

Earlier the same day, at 5 p.m., Jamaat-e-Islami announced at a press conference at the National Press Club that two new parties had joined its eight-party alliance. The newly joined parties are the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed, and the National Citizen Party (NCP). The announcement was made by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Amir, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, though no NCP leaders were present at that event.

The NCP’s emergency briefing later in the evening came amid its formal inclusion in the alliance, signaling its alignment with the coalition ahead of the 13th parliamentary election.