Bangladesh and Japan have finalized the draft of their long-anticipated Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), paving the way for extensive trade liberalization between the two nations. Under the agreement, Japan will grant duty-free access to 7,379 Bangladeshi products, including ready-made garments, while Bangladesh will offer similar benefits to 1,039 Japanese items. The formal signing is expected in January 2026, following months of negotiations led by trade officials from both countries.

The EPA also covers the services sector, with Bangladesh opening 97 service categories and Japan 120, aimed at boosting investment and technology exchange. The agreement follows eight rounds of discussions held alternately in Dhaka and Tokyo since early 2024. Officials say the deal will deepen bilateral trade ties and diversify Bangladesh’s export base beyond apparel.

Analysts view the EPA as a strategic step for Bangladesh ahead of its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, ensuring continued market access in Asia’s third-largest economy. The agreement is expected to strengthen supply chains, attract Japanese investment, and enhance Bangladesh’s competitiveness in high-value exports.

A petition has been submitted to the Chattogram Superintendent of Police seeking the arrest of former MP Anisul Islam Mahmud, accused of involvement in the July 2024 violence in Hathazari. The application, filed by Omar Faruk of Cumilla’s Laksam area, alleges that Mahmud, a known associate of the former authoritarian regime, directly participated in attacks on protesters on August 5, 2024, which led to multiple deaths.

According to the petition, Mahmud remains at large despite being named as the prime accused in several cases, including those filed at Double Mooring, Hathazari, and Kotwali police stations. The petitioner claims that Mahmud and his associates have been threatening victims’ families to withdraw their cases, creating fear in the community. Copies of the petition were also sent to senior law enforcement and advisory officials.

The call for Mahmud’s arrest has reignited public debate over accountability for the 2024 violence. Rights groups and local residents have urged authorities to ensure a transparent investigation and uphold justice for the victims.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has restored the previous boundaries of Pabna-1, Pabna-2, Faridpur-3, and Faridpur-4 constituencies following a High Court verdict. The EC decided not to contest the ruling and issued a revised gazette notification on Wednesday, ahead of the scheduled appeal hearing on January 4. The court order effectively reverses the recent redistricting carried out by the EC.

Earlier, the EC had redrawn constituencies based on administrative integrity, population balance, and geographical considerations. However, the High Court’s decision reinstates the earlier demarcations, similar to a previous ruling that restored Bagerhat’s seat configuration, which had reduced Gazipur’s seats. Reliable EC sources confirmed the implementation of the court’s directives.

The decision affects specific unions and municipalities within Bera, Sujanagar, Nagarkanda, Saltha, Bhanga, Charbhadrasan, and Sadar upazilas. Political observers note that the restoration may influence local electoral dynamics ahead of the next national polls, as constituency boundaries often shape party strategies and voter alignments.

In 2025, Turkey’s long-term strategic patience paid off as it successfully balanced relations between Russia and the West amid ongoing global conflicts. Despite early fears that Ankara would be forced to choose sides following the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war, the country maintained diplomatic flexibility, turning crises into opportunities. Through initiatives such as the Antalya peace talks, the Black Sea grain deal, and the Istanbul peace process, Turkey positioned itself as a key mediator while sustaining trade with Moscow under Western sanctions.

Turkey’s defense industry gained global recognition, particularly for its Bayraktar drones used in Ukraine and Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh operations. The country also benefited from shifting regional dynamics, including the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and emerging peace prospects between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Improved ties with the EU, the U.S., and Gulf nations further strengthened Turkey’s geopolitical standing. Analysts suggest that Ankara’s pragmatic diplomacy and defense partnerships could accelerate its EU integration talks and restore its role in the F-35 program, marking 2025 as a pivotal year for its global influence.

Bangladesh authorities have heightened operational and security measures at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and across Biman Bangladesh Airlines ahead of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s return to Dhaka. Rahman is scheduled to arrive on Biman flight BG-202 from London’s Heathrow, landing first in Sylhet before continuing to Dhaka on Thursday morning. The national carrier has implemented additional oversight on flight operations, cabin services, and ground handling, with close coordination among airport and airline teams.

Airport management has temporarily restricted non-passenger access to terminals from December 24 evening to December 25 evening to maintain order and safety. Officials advised travelers to arrive early due to expected traffic congestion around the airport and major connecting roads. Aviation sources emphasized that Rahman’s high-profile arrival coincides with a busy morning arrival window, requiring real-time coordination among air traffic, apron, and law enforcement units.

Following his arrival, Rahman is expected to attend a reception in Purbachal before heading to Gulshan. Authorities are prioritizing uninterrupted flight operations and passenger processing throughout the event.

Russia’s state space agency Roscosmos has announced plans to construct a nuclear power plant on the Moon by 2036. The facility is expected to supply electricity to Russia’s lunar exploration program and a planned joint Russia-China research base. The project will be developed in partnership with the Lavochkin Association, with participation from the state nuclear corporation Rosatom and the Kurchatov Institute, Russia’s leading nuclear research center.

The initiative marks Moscow’s renewed ambition to regain prominence in space exploration after setbacks such as the crash of its Luna-25 lander in 2023. Roscosmos described the proposed power plant as a critical step toward establishing a sustainable lunar presence. Although the agency did not explicitly confirm the plant’s nuclear nature, the involvement of major nuclear institutions strongly indicates that direction.

Analysts view the project as part of Russia’s broader strategy to compete with the United States and China in lunar development. If successful, it could enable long-term human and robotic operations on the Moon, though technical and financial challenges remain significant.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that a presidential election will be organized as soon as a peace agreement is signed to end Russia’s invasion. Speaking to journalists from AFP and other outlets, Zelensky referred to a draft plan prepared jointly by the United States and Ukraine, which has been sent to Moscow for review. The document reportedly includes a clause requiring Ukraine to hold elections promptly after the signing of the peace accord.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has been under martial law, suspending all national elections. Zelensky has repeatedly stated that holding a vote during wartime is impractical and unsafe. His latest remarks signal readiness to restore democratic processes once hostilities cease.

Analysts note that the move could mark a crucial step toward political normalization and international legitimacy for post-war Ukraine. However, the timeline and feasibility of such elections will depend on the durability of any peace settlement and the country’s security conditions.

A bomb explosion outside a police station in Moscow early Wednesday killed three people, including two traffic police officers. According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, the blast occurred on Yeletskaya Street when officers approached a suspicious man who then detonated an explosive device. The incident follows a car bomb attack two days earlier in the same area that killed Russian Army General Fanil Sarvarov.

Authorities have not yet confirmed who was behind the latest explosion, though previous similar attacks in Russia have been linked to alleged Ukrainian intelligence involvement. The deceased officers were aged 24 and 25, and one reportedly leaves behind a wife and a nine-month-old child. The attack has prompted heightened security measures across Moscow.

The explosion underscores growing security concerns in the Russian capital amid ongoing regional tensions and recent high-profile attacks. Investigators are working to determine whether the two incidents are connected as Moscow tightens surveillance around police and military facilities.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) General Secretary S.M. Farhad and Assistant General Secretary Mohiuddin Khan made a symbolic call for justice during their wedding ceremony, demanding accountability for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha. The two student leaders held placards reading “Justice for Hadi” while standing on their wedding stage, drawing attention to the unresolved case.

Writer and political analyst Pinaki Bhattacharya shared a photo of the moment on social media, praising the duo for prioritizing justice even on their wedding day. Hadi’s death has previously sparked protests among student and activist groups, who allege political motives behind the killing. The renewed call from DUCSU leaders has reignited discussions about impunity and political violence on campuses.

Observers note that the gesture reflects growing frustration among young activists over delayed investigations. The demand for justice may pressure authorities to revisit the case, as public attention intensifies around student-led accountability movements in Bangladesh.

A Dhaka court has granted a fresh four-day remand for Khadija Yasmin, daughter of jailed crime figure Subrata Bain, in connection with the murder of Jubo Dal leader Arif Sikder. The order was issued by Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque after police sought additional time for interrogation. During the hearing, Yasmin told the court that her father’s criminal record should not make her responsible for his actions.

Defense lawyers argued against the remand, saying no new information had been obtained during the previous five-day interrogation and that Yasmin, a working mother of two, should be granted bail. The prosecution, however, claimed that she might hold crucial information relevant to national security and the ongoing investigation, especially ahead of the national elections.

Yasmin was arrested on December 15 near Cumilla Jail and previously remanded for five days. The case stems from the April 2025 shooting of Jubo Dal leader Arif Sikder in Dhaka’s Hatirjheel area, which later turned into a murder case after his death in hospital.

Pakistan has finalized the sale of a 75% stake in its national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), to Arif Habib Investment for $482 million. The auction, broadcast live on state television, saw participation from three domestic bidders. Arif Habib Investment emerged as the top bidder with an offer of 135 billion Pakistani rupees, narrowly surpassing a consortium led by Lucky Cement, which offered 134 billion rupees. Private airline Air Blue placed a distant third bid of 26.5 billion rupees.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the transaction as one of the largest in Pakistan’s history, emphasizing transparency throughout the process. The deal also grants Arif Habib Investment the option to acquire the remaining 25% of PIA shares in the coming months. The privatization move follows a failed attempt last year, as the government seeks to reduce losses and modernize the struggling airline.

Analysts say the sale could mark a turning point for Pakistan’s aviation sector, though challenges remain in restructuring operations and restoring PIA’s global reputation.

Rashed Khan, the central general secretary of Gana Adhikar Parishad, has been officially nominated as the BNP-backed candidate for the Jhenaidah-4 constituency. The announcement was made Wednesday afternoon by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan. The news quickly spread across social media, sparking mixed reactions and debates among party supporters and observers.

Several local BNP leaders, including Saiful Islam Firoz, Hamidul Islam Hamid, and Murshida Zaman, had sought the nomination for the same seat. Rashed Khan confirmed his candidacy via phone, stating that the decision was finalized during a meeting at the BNP office on Tuesday night. He also mentioned that BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to hold a campaign rally in Jhenaidah-4 soon.

The nomination reflects BNP’s broader strategy of aligning with smaller opposition groups ahead of the upcoming national elections, aiming to consolidate anti-government votes in key constituencies.

A recent editorial cartoon published in Pakistan’s influential English-language daily *Dawn* has stirred new diplomatic discussions across South Asia. The cartoon, released on December 21, 2025, depicts Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi standing before a large tiger labeled “Bangladesh.” Analysts interpret the image, drawn by artist Rohait Bhagwant, as symbolizing Bangladesh’s growing confidence and shifting dynamics in its relationship with India. The artwork quickly went viral on social media, prompting debates about regional power balances.

In response, a youth leader from Pakistan’s ruling Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML–N) issued a strong warning to India. Kamran Saeed Usmani stated in a video message that Pakistan’s military and missiles are ready to defend Bangladesh’s sovereignty if threatened. He further accused India of pursuing an “Akhand Bharat” agenda and proposed a military alliance between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Analysts caution that any such alignment could significantly alter South Asia’s strategic equilibrium, signaling renewed regional tension.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 has scheduled January 20 for delivering its verdict in a war crimes case involving the killing of six people in Dhaka’s Chankharpul area during the July uprising. The case names former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman and seven others as accused of crimes against humanity.

The three-member tribunal, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, fixed the date on Wednesday. The panel also includes Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmud and retired District and Sessions Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury. The case has drawn significant public attention due to the seniority of the accused and the historical context of the July uprising.

Legal observers note that the verdict could set an important precedent for accountability in post-conflict justice. Families of the victims have expressed hope for closure, while defense lawyers maintain that the charges are politically motivated. Security measures are expected to be heightened around the tribunal on the day of the verdict.

BNP’s student wing general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir stated that attacks on the media cannot silence dissent or prevent elections in Bangladesh. Speaking at an event in Noakhali’s Subarnachar, he accused certain political groups of trying to destabilize the country following the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. Nasir also demanded the resignation of the home affairs adviser and the chief adviser’s special assistant.

He recalled past incidents of government interference in the press, citing closures of several television channels and alleged attacks on journalists, including Mahmudur Rahman. Nasir criticized what he described as a pattern of suppressing media freedom to manipulate political outcomes.

Nasir further called on BNP activists to gather in Dhaka on December 25 to welcome acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s return, predicting a massive turnout. Party leaders said the event would energize members ahead of the upcoming political season, signaling renewed organizational momentum for the opposition.