BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi stated that although Bangladesh has passed through what he called a dark period of fascist rule, the nation’s sense of fear has not yet subsided. Speaking at a discussion meeting in Dhaka’s Radisson Blu Hotel on Sunday, Rizvi described the previous political climate as one where journalists and political activists alike faced widespread repression.

He emphasized that attacks on individuals for their opinions or statements remain unacceptable, warning that such incidents continue to raise deep concern even after the end of authoritarian governance. Rizvi referenced the treatment of veteran journalist Shafik Rehman as an example of the harsh conditions faced during that period.

The BNP leader also condemned the recent death of a young political activist, arguing that no one should lose their life for expressing their views. His remarks reflect the opposition’s ongoing criticism of the government’s human rights record and its call for greater political tolerance and accountability.

A thick blanket of fog continued to cover Nawabganj upazila in Dinajpur on Sunday morning, disrupting normal life despite the advancing day. The temperature dropped to 13°C at 6 a.m., with humidity at 95% and wind speed barely reaching 1 km/h, according to the local weather office. Vehicles were forced to move slowly with headlights on even after 10 a.m. due to extremely low visibility.

Residents, especially daily wage earners, have been hit hardest by the cold and fog. Many laborers reported being unable to work, leading to a sharp decline in daily income. CNG driver Tuhin Islam said visibility was so poor that vehicles could not be seen even a few meters ahead, while day laborer Jobbar Fakir lamented that the cold had halted work opportunities.

Officials noted that this is among the coldest periods of the season, with a previous low of 10.8°C recorded earlier. The persistent fog and chill are expected to continue affecting transportation and livelihoods in the coming days.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior announced the arrest of 18,880 undocumented migrants during a week-long nationwide operation conducted between December 11 and 17, 2025. The coordinated raids, carried out with the support of multiple government agencies, targeted individuals violating residency, border, and labor laws across the kingdom.

According to Saudi daily Okaz, 11,190 people were detained for lacking valid residency documents, 3,801 for illegal border entry, and 2,889 for labor law violations. Authorities also arrested 15 Saudi citizens accused of sheltering or assisting undocumented migrants. The Interior Ministry warned that citizens or residents found aiding illegal migrants could face up to 15 years in prison and fines reaching 1 million riyals. Vehicles and properties used in such offenses may also be confiscated.

The crackdown reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to regulate its labor market and curb irregular migration. Officials emphasized that enforcement will continue, signaling stricter oversight of both employers and intermediaries facilitating illegal employment.

The Shibir-supported panel ‘Adommo Jobian Oikko’ has announced a 21-point manifesto ahead of the 2025 Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) and hall elections. The manifesto, revealed on Sunday at the university’s Rafiq Bhaban, outlines reforms to be implemented within 12 months, prioritizing a second campus project, resolving housing shortages, and ensuring a safe, violence-free campus.

Key pledges include adopting an output-based education curriculum, expanding high-speed internet, introducing paperless administration, and promoting research through scholarships and exchange programs. The panel also emphasized women’s safety through security apps, daycare facilities, and mental health support, along with commitments to accessible campuses for students with special needs.

Panel leaders said the manifesto reflects students’ core problems and aspirations. They pledged transparency by publishing monthly JAKSU activities online and engaging regularly with students. The panel’s VP candidate Md. Riazul Islam stated that their campaign seeks to build a student-friendly alliance based on ethics and justice rather than politics.

A local BNP leader in Fulgazi, Feni, has been accused of locking the Amjadhat Darul Qur'an Islamia Madrasa and orphanage following a dispute over its management committee. Witnesses reported that around 50–60 men, allegedly led by union BNP organizing secretary Anwar Hossain Tipu, forced students out and locked the premises. A teacher, Hafiz Ahmad Hossain, was reportedly assaulted when he tried to intervene. Police arrived at the scene after a 999 emergency call was made.

According to police, the madrasa was locked due to internal conflict over committee leadership rather than political motives. The locks were removed the following day after the incident drew public attention. Teachers and local residents condemned the attack, calling it deeply regrettable. Tipu denied involvement, claiming his name was used due to local political rivalry.

The dispute reportedly began after the madrasa’s founder fell ill and management was transferred to another religious institution, which later replaced the acting principal over alleged irregularities. Authorities are monitoring the situation to prevent further unrest.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is set to contest the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election from the Bogura-7 (Gabtali–Shajahanpur) constituency. On Sunday, her election coordinator and former MP Helaluzzaman Talukder Lalu collected the nomination papers on her behalf from the Election Office on Gohail Road in Bogura city, in the presence of local BNP leaders and activists.

Following the submission, Lalu stated that Bogura-7 is Khaleda Zia’s traditional constituency, from which she was elected to parliament three consecutive times. He added that local residents are eager to see their leader return to parliament. The announcement has generated enthusiasm among BNP supporters across Gabtali and Shajahanpur, who expressed optimism about her victory if a fair electoral environment is maintained.

Khaleda Zia’s candidacy marks a significant political moment for the BNP, as the party seeks to regain parliamentary strength amid ongoing political challenges. The Election Commission is expected to finalize candidate lists and campaign schedules in the coming weeks.

Several European countries have expressed concern over new US sanctions imposed on two judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The sanctions, announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, target judges Gocha Lordkipanidze and Erdenebalsuren Damdin. European governments argue that such measures undermine the court’s independence and the global fight against impunity.

France called for the immediate withdrawal of the sanctions, condemning all forms of coercion against ICC officials and supporting organizations. Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot warned that the move weakens efforts to uphold judicial freedom. Denmark, Finland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Norway also reaffirmed their support for the ICC as an impartial judicial body.

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between Washington and European allies over the ICC’s authority. Analysts suggest the sanctions could complicate transatlantic cooperation on international justice and accountability issues, particularly in cases involving alleged war crimes.

The Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (BJCD) has announced a strong stance against groups accused of inciting mob violence under the guise of religion. Speaking at a rally at Dhaka University, BJCD central president Rakibul Islam Rakib warned that the organization will actively resist attempts to exploit religious sentiment to destabilize the nation. The protest, organized to demand justice for recent mob killings, concluded with a call for unity and social harmony.

Rakibul criticized what he described as a coordinated campaign by certain factions to spread hatred online and fuel unrest since early August. He reaffirmed BJCD’s commitment to democratic principles, emphasizing patience and restraint in confronting violence. Dhaka University BJCD president Ganesh Chandra Roy echoed the demand for impartial investigations and exemplary punishment for those responsible.

The rally followed recent incidents in Mymensingh and Lakshmipur, where a garment worker and a child were killed in alleged mob attacks. The student group urged the government to ensure swift justice and to prevent further religiously motivated violence.

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha and a university lecturer, was buried on December 20 beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at Dhaka University. Hadi, who hailed from a family of Islamic scholars in Nalchity, Jhalakathi, was shot in the head by assailants on December 12 in Purana Paltan, Dhaka. He was first treated in Dhaka before being flown to Singapore, where he died from his injuries.

Hadi, a former political science student at the University of Dhaka, was known for his activism against authoritarianism. His father, Maulana Abdul Hadi, was a madrasa teacher, and most of his siblings and in-laws are engaged in religious education or teaching. Thousands attended his funeral prayer at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, led by his elder brother Abu Bakkar Siddiq.

Authorities have yet to confirm the motive behind the attack, though investigations are ongoing. Hadi’s death has drawn widespread attention, highlighting concerns over political violence and the safety of activists in Bangladesh.

Turkey’s intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, met with a Hamas delegation in Istanbul to discuss the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and the next phase of the peace plan. The meeting, held on Saturday, was led by Khalil al-Hayya, a senior member of Hamas’s political bureau and head of its negotiation team, according to Middle East Monitor.

During the talks, Hamas representatives reiterated their compliance with the ceasefire terms and presented evidence of alleged Israeli violations. Both sides discussed Turkey’s ongoing efforts to ensure the ceasefire holds and to prevent further breaches. They also reviewed the conditions necessary to advance to the second phase of the Gaza peace initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state.

The discussions come amid continuing humanitarian devastation in Gaza, where since October 2023, Israeli operations have reportedly killed over 70,700 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and injured more than 171,000 others.

The Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (Palli Bidyut Samiti) has announced its 2025 recruitment circulars, published on December 2 and 18, 2025. The authority plans to hire a total of six individuals across four job categories, offering permanent government positions for both male and female candidates. Applications can be submitted directly, by post, or online until December 22, 2025, and January 8, 2026, depending on the specific circular.

According to the announcement, educational qualifications range from completion of grade eight to a bachelor’s degree, depending on the position. While some posts require prior experience, others are open to fresh candidates. Salaries range from BDT 16,600 to BDT 46,240, with experienced positions offering higher pay. Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old, with a two-year age relaxation for quota candidates.

The recruitment reflects ongoing efforts to expand employment opportunities in Bangladesh’s rural energy sector, which continues to play a crucial role in national electrification and rural development.

Students at Rajshahi University on Sunday locked the offices of six deans reportedly aligned with the Awami League, protesting their continued presence after their official terms expired on December 17. The action took place at noon in the Deans’ Complex, where demonstrators chanted slogans demanding the removal of the deans and denouncing what they called political influence in university administration.

Student leaders, including RAKSU’s cultural secretary Zaid Hasan Zoha, said the deans had lost moral legitimacy to hold office beyond their tenure, calling their continued stay a betrayal of the July movement’s ideals. Senate member Akil Bin Taleb criticized the administration for failing to uphold the spirit of the post-July reforms and cited unresolved security issues on campus, including the killing of activist Hadi.

RAKSU General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar stated on social media that none of the six deans attended campus duties and had informed the vice-chancellor they would step aside. Students vowed to keep the offices locked until accountability measures are taken, putting pressure on the university administration to announce replacements.

Bangladesh observed its Victory Day with solemn tributes to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to uphold the values for which independence was achieved. The commemorations emphasized that true respect for the fallen heroes lies in building a united, corruption-free, and democratic nation.

Speakers and commentators highlighted that the nine-month war was not only a fight for territorial freedom but also a struggle against oppression and inequality. They urged citizens to embody the spirit of humanity, justice, and secularism that guided the liberation movement. University representatives and civic leaders reiterated the need to institutionalize democracy and reject political violence and division.

The Victory Day reflections underscored a collective pledge to protect sovereignty and work toward a prosperous and dignified Bangladesh for future generations. Observers noted that sustaining unity and moral governance remains essential to realizing the aspirations of 1971.

A Dhaka court has issued a travel ban against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 16 others, including senior Awami League leaders and ex-ministers, in connection with a corruption case involving alleged embezzlement of 3.09 billion taka. The order was delivered by Acting Judge Md Abdullah Al Mamun of the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court following a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

According to the ACC, the accused conspired to misappropriate government funds through inflated billing by Computer Network System Limited, which reportedly caused significant financial losses to the state. The court was informed that the accused might attempt to leave the country, potentially obstructing the investigation and destroying evidence.

The travel restriction marks a significant legal development following the fall of Hasina’s government. Legal analysts suggest the case could set a precedent for future anti-graft proceedings involving high-profile political figures. The ACC is expected to continue its investigation in the coming weeks before filing formal charges.

Dhaka University has announced a new date for its postponed Science Unit admission test for the 2025–2026 academic year. According to an official notice signed by Acting Director of Public Relations Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, the first-year undergraduate entrance exam will now be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The university also stated that candidates who had applied to sit for the exam at centers outside Dhaka and have overlapping admission tests at other universities on December 26 or 27 will be allowed to change their exam centers to Dhaka. Applicants can submit their requests online between 5:00 p.m. on December 21 and midnight on December 23 through the admission website admission.eis.du.ac.bd.

Students must upload copies of their HSC registration card and the admit card of the conflicting university exam when applying for a center change. The new schedule aims to minimize conflicts and ensure fair access for all applicants ahead of the competitive admission season.