Police recovered the hanging body of Jannatara Rumi, a leader of the Nationalist Citizens’ Party (NCP), from a private women’s hostel in Jigatola, Dhaka. Authorities have registered an unnatural death case, though questions remain over whether it was suicide or foul play. Family members cited her long struggle with depression, while party colleagues pointed to sustained online harassment as a possible contributing factor.

According to NCP senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adib, Rumi had faced months of cyberbullying and threats of violence from activists linked to the now-banned Awami League. Her personal and family information had reportedly been circulated online, leaving her distressed and withdrawn in recent weeks. Police confirmed that the family’s case mentioned her mental health issues and ongoing treatment.

The incident has sparked debate over the growing problem of political cyber harassment in Bangladesh. Rights groups have urged a transparent investigation and stronger digital safety measures for women in politics. Police said they are awaiting autopsy results before determining the cause of death.

India’s Coast Guard has detained 35 Bangladeshi fishermen and seized two fishing trawlers, the FB Sabina-1 and FB Rupshi Sultana, for allegedly entering Indian territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal. The vessels were intercepted near the South 24 Parganas coast and later handed over to local police in Fraserganj for legal proceedings. The detained fishermen reportedly hail from Kutubdia in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar district.

The arrests come amid heightened maritime tensions following an earlier incident in which India accused a Bangladeshi naval vessel of colliding with an Indian fishing trawler, causing it to sink. Eleven Indian fishermen were rescued, while five remain missing. Indian authorities have presented the detained Bangladeshis before the Kakdwip Sub-Divisional Court for questioning.

The episode underscores recurring disputes over fishing rights and maritime boundaries in the Bay of Bengal. Diplomatic engagement between Dhaka and New Delhi is expected to address the detentions and prevent further escalation in cross-border fishing conflicts.

Bogura district has become politically active following reports that BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman may return to Bangladesh ahead of the next national election. Workers have been renovating his long-abandoned residence on Riaz Kazi Lane, once a hub of northern political activity. The house, neglected since Rahman’s arrest and subsequent exile after the 2007 political crisis, is now being repaired under the supervision of former MP Helaluzzaman Talukder.

Local BNP sources suggest Rahman could contest from the Bogura-6 (Sadar) constituency, prompting the revival of his old political base. Around 20 laborers have been working daily for several days to restore the property, repainting walls and repairing gates. The district’s youth wing has already organized celebratory rallies, and a welcoming meeting is planned at the BNP office.

If Rahman’s return materializes, it could significantly energize BNP’s grassroots in northern Bangladesh ahead of the election, reshaping local campaign dynamics and signaling a more direct leadership role for him after years abroad.

The Bangladeshi government has dispatched a senior foreign ministry official to Singapore to oversee the treatment of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure of the July uprising and spokesperson for the Inquilab Mancha. Hadi remains in critical condition at Singapore General Hospital, where doctors are preparing for a complex brain operation to remove a bullet fragment lodged in his brainstem. The decision followed a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka.

Singapore’s Foreign Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan has been in regular contact with Dr. Yunus to monitor Hadi’s condition. Hadi’s two brothers are currently by his side, and another family member is en route to Singapore. Dhaka Medical College neurosurgeon Dr. Abdul Ahad confirmed that Hadi suffered a massive heart attack and severe infection before his transfer.

Officials say the dispatched diplomat will coordinate between Hadi’s family, hospital authorities, and the Singaporean government to ensure timely medical and administrative decisions as the situation remains highly critical.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) has announced that international election observers and foreign media must submit applications by January 17, 2025, to monitor the country’s 13th National Parliamentary Election and accompanying referendum scheduled for February 12. The directive, signed by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, confirms that voting will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on election day.

The EC stated that it is committed to holding a free, fair, credible, and participatory election. To ensure transparency, all electoral processes will remain open to both domestic and international observers. The commission has invited observer organizations and foreign journalists from around the world to coordinate with local monitors under the International Observer and Foreign Media Policy 2025.

Officials emphasized that interested parties must comply with policy clauses 2.3 through 3.1 when applying. The EC’s Public Relations Director, Md. Ruhul Amin Mallik, has been designated as the contact point for inquiries. The move is seen as part of Bangladesh’s effort to enhance global confidence in its electoral process.

A decomposed human skeleton, believed to be that of 22-year-old Ismail Hossain, was discovered in a forested area of Eidgaon, Cox’s Bazar, two months after his disappearance. The remains were found along with clothing and sandals matching those he wore when last seen, near the border of Islampur and Islamabad unions.

Family members, who had been searching for Ismail since he went missing, identified the items and informed local police. His aunt, Jyotsna, said Ismail had been mentally unstable and vanished from home two months earlier. About a month after his disappearance, an unidentified caller demanded a ransom of 100,000 taka from Ismail’s father, threatening to kill him if unpaid.

Police have dispatched a team to the site and are awaiting forensic confirmation of the identity. Authorities are investigating whether the case involves abduction and murder or other causes. The discovery has raised concerns among locals about safety and law enforcement in the area.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the United States for what it described as threatening behavior and potential naval blockade measures against Venezuela. In a statement reported by Mehr News Agency, Tehran accused Washington of breaching international law and United Nations principles by attempting to obstruct Venezuela’s legitimate oil exports or detain commercial vessels.

The ministry characterized such actions as state piracy and armed robbery at sea, rejecting any justification under unilateral U.S. sanctions. It reaffirmed Venezuela’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as protected under international law, warning that interference in its internal affairs was unacceptable. Iran urged the international community and the United Nations to denounce what it called illegal U.S. actions and hold Washington accountable for violating global norms.

Diplomatic observers note that Tehran’s statement underscores its alignment with Caracas amid rising tensions with Washington. Analysts warn that continued unilateral measures could heighten geopolitical friction and threaten global maritime stability.

Three people were killed and one critically injured in a motorcycle collision late Wednesday night in Golapganj, Sylhet. The accident occurred around midnight on the Sylhet-Bianibazar-Jakiganj road near Termaile. Police confirmed that one person died at the scene, while two others succumbed to injuries at Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital. Among the four riders involved, only one remains under treatment.

The deceased were identified as Abdul Ahad (42) from Goaspur village, Sabbir Ahmed (21) from Ranaping Chhatrish village, and Ariful Haque Joy (35) from Fazilpur village. The injured, Zakir Ahmed (20) from Juri upazila of Moulvibazar, is receiving treatment at the hospital. Golapganj Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Ariful Islam said locals rescued the victims before police arrived and sent them to the hospital.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, which adds to a rising trend of fatal motorcycle accidents in the Sylhet region. Road safety advocates have urged stricter enforcement of traffic laws and helmet use to prevent further tragedies.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to deploy police forces at the offices of returning and assistant returning officers nationwide. The move aims to strengthen security ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and a planned referendum scheduled for February 2025. The directive, signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain, follows the official announcement of the election schedule on December 11.

According to the EC letter, these offices store critical election materials, documents, and equipment, making them sensitive sites requiring enhanced protection. The commission emphasized that ensuring the safety of election officials and safeguarding electoral assets are essential to maintaining law and order during the election period. The Ministry of Home Affairs has been asked to ensure sufficient police presence at all relevant locations.

Observers note that the EC’s proactive step reflects growing concerns over potential unrest during the election period. The deployment is expected to reassure stakeholders and help preserve public confidence in the electoral process.

The Government of Bangladesh has finally issued an official gazette appointing 673 candidates from the 27th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination, held in 2005. The appointments, approved by the Ministry of Public Administration following recommendations from the Public Service Commission (PSC), will place the candidates in various cadres under the National Pay Scale 2015, with salaries ranging from BDT 22,000 to 53,060.

According to the notification, appointees must complete foundational training at the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre or another government-approved institution, followed by specialized training relevant to their assigned posts. Each will serve a two-year probationary period, extendable by up to two years. The order also stipulates that those resigning within three years of confirmation must repay all training-related expenses and allowances.

The government clarified that the appointments will take effect retroactively from the date of the first 27th BCS appointment to preserve seniority, though no arrears or financial benefits will be provided. The move ends a long-standing administrative backlog, offering long-awaited relief to candidates who had been waiting nearly 20 years for recruitment.

China has introduced a value-added tax (VAT) on condoms and other contraceptives for the first time in three decades, as part of a broader effort to modernize its tax system and address the country’s persistently low birth rate. The new VAT law, passed in 2024, ends a long-standing exemption dating back to 1993. At the same time, Beijing has launched a national childcare subsidy program worth 90 billion yuan ($12.7 billion) and expanded maternity coverage under the national health insurance scheme.

The policy shift comes as China’s birth rate stood at just 6.77 per 1,000 people in 2024, despite incentives such as cash bonuses, IVF discounts, and extended paid leave for new couples. Social media users have mocked the condom tax, calling it a desperate attempt to boost fertility. Experts argue the measure is largely symbolic and unlikely to influence reproductive decisions, though it signals the government’s preference for pro-natalist behavior.

Sociologists warn that restricting access to contraception could disproportionately affect women, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, while raising concerns about intrusive local monitoring of women’s reproductive cycles.

Bangladesh’s legal adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has expressed serious concern to Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed regarding what he described as indiscriminate bail granted by the High Court to individuals accused of terrorism. Speaking to reporters after meeting the Chief Justice at the Supreme Court on Thursday, Nazrul warned that such bail decisions could endanger public safety and undermine judicial integrity.

Nazrul argued that granting bail to politically motivated offenders or those accused of violent crimes contradicts the principles of justice, especially when there is a credible threat to citizens’ lives. He referenced recent threats allegedly made by exiled political figures and urged judges to exercise greater caution when considering bail for suspects with potential links to violence. His remarks have sparked debate within legal and political circles about the balance between judicial independence and national security.

The Chief Justice has not yet issued a formal response, but legal observers expect the Supreme Court to review bail procedures in sensitive cases. The issue may influence upcoming judicial reforms and public trust in the rule of law.

Bangladeshi civic alliance July Unity has strongly criticized India’s Ministry of External Affairs for describing its recent movement as an ‘extremist group activity’. At a press conference at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen, organizer and DUCSU Social Welfare Secretary A.B. Zubair said the Indian statement reflects political and moral bankruptcy and violates diplomatic norms. The group argued that its campaign was peaceful and democratic, aimed at defending Bangladesh’s sovereignty.

July Unity accused India of sheltering individuals allegedly responsible for atrocities in Bangladesh and failing to act against Hindu extremists involved in an attack on the Bangladeshi Assistant High Commission in Agartala. The organization urged Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry to summon the Indian envoy and declare him persona non grata under Article 9 of the Vienna Convention. It also announced nationwide protests and a march to the Foreign Ministry if no action is taken within 72 hours.

Analysts note that the dispute underscores rising diplomatic friction between Dhaka and New Delhi amid heightened nationalist rhetoric and regional political sensitivities.

Police in Rajshahi on Thursday prevented demonstrators from reaching the Indian Assistant High Commission during a planned march and siege organized by the group 'July 36 Mancha.' The procession was stopped about 100 meters from the commission’s office, where officers had set up barricades to block access. Protesters demanded permission to proceed, and after a 15-minute standoff, attempted to move forward, leading to brief pushing and shoving with police.

Authorities had tightened security in the Vodra area earlier in the day, deploying additional law enforcement personnel and closing nearby roads. The demonstrators then held a sit-in at the barricade for over an hour, chanting slogans but failing to advance further. Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner Nasir Farhad stated that police acted to prevent any attempt to besiege the diplomatic mission.

The incident underscores ongoing tensions surrounding local activism and diplomatic sensitivities. No injuries or arrests were reported, and the situation remained under control by late afternoon.

Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson for the Inkilab Manch and a potential candidate for Dhaka-8 in Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election, has been moved to Singapore for a high-risk surgery after his health deteriorated sharply. Doctors advised against transferring him to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, citing his fragile condition, prompting the family to approve the operation locally in Singapore.

Fatima Tasnim Juma, DUCSU’s Liberation and Democratic Movement Secretary and a leader of Inkilab Manch, confirmed the development through a Facebook post, requesting prayers for Hadi’s recovery. She described his condition as being at the threshold between life and death and noted that the surgery’s success rate is extremely low. Juma also urged supporters to remain prepared for peaceful mobilization should Hadi not survive.

The situation has drawn attention within political circles ahead of the national polls, highlighting the emotional and organizational strain within Inkilab Manch. Further updates on Hadi’s condition are expected following the surgery in Singapore.