Police in Dhaka recovered the hanging body of Jannat Ara Rumi, a 30-year-old leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), from the fifth floor of a women’s hostel on Jigatola Old Kitchen Market Road in Hazaribagh on Thursday morning. Rumi served as the joint coordinator of the Dhanmondi Thana coordination committee under NCP’s Dhaka South unit.

Authorities identified her as the daughter of Zakir Hossain and Nurjahan Begum from Nazipur in Patnitala, Naogaon district. Law enforcement officials have initiated an investigation to determine whether the death was a suicide or if foul play was involved. Hostel residents reportedly alerted police after discovering her body.

The incident has drawn attention within local political circles, as Rumi was an active organizer in Dhaka’s grassroots political network. Police stated that an autopsy will be conducted to confirm the cause of death, while NCP representatives expressed shock and called for a transparent inquiry.

The Shailkupa Mini Fish Hatchery in Jhenaidah, Bangladesh, has remained closed for ten years due to a persistent shortage of staff and malfunctioning equipment. Once a vital source of fish fry production since its establishment in 1982, the facility has fallen into disrepair, causing a significant shortage of fish fry in the region. Local fish farmers have urged the government to reopen the hatchery to restore supply and reduce costs.

According to the Upazila Fisheries Office, the hatchery could produce around 40 kilograms of fish spawn per season—enough for over four million fry—if operational. Farmers report that the closure has forced them to buy fry from distant districts, increasing expenses and reducing profitability. Shailkupa Fisheries Officer Imran Hossain confirmed that while the facility was renovated in 2024 through a government allocation, it remains inactive due to staffing and budget constraints.

Experts warn that without urgent action, the hatchery’s infrastructure may become permanently unusable, further undermining local aquaculture and rural livelihoods.

The United States Congress has permanently lifted all economic sanctions imposed on Syria during the rule of former President Bashar al-Assad. The decision, approved by both chambers of Congress and signed by President Donald Trump, aims to reopen the war-torn nation to domestic and foreign investment after years of civil conflict and economic isolation.

The Senate passed the bill with 77 votes in favor and 20 against, following appeals from Saudi Arabia and Turkey to normalize economic ties with Damascus. Senator Jeanne Shaheen of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said the move would give Syrians a real chance to rebuild after decades of hardship. Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Shara—once linked to al-Qaeda’s Syrian branch—had been pressing for a full lifting of sanctions since taking office.

The decision has been welcomed in Damascus, where officials described it as a step toward national recovery. Analysts note that the lifting of sanctions could accelerate reconstruction but also raise questions about governance and regional stability.

Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) has reported a sharp rise in arms smuggling along the Chapainawabganj-India border as the country prepares for its 13th national election. In a recent operation, BGB seized four U.S.-made pistols, nine magazines, and 24 rounds of ammunition from smugglers who fled during a chase near Monoharpur. Officials fear the weapons are being brought in to incite unrest and violence during the election period.

Chapainawabganj’s 129-kilometer border with India has long been a sensitive route for illegal trade. Following the shooting of a political figure in Dhaka, BGB launched special operations and set up additional checkpoints. Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Mustafizur Rahman confirmed that intelligence reports indicated attempts to smuggle arms to destabilize the political environment. The BGB has since strengthened surveillance and patrols to prevent further infiltration.

Authorities warn that the influx of foreign arms could threaten national security and disrupt the election process. Enhanced intelligence coordination and cross-border cooperation are expected to continue in the coming weeks.

A late-night arson attack targeted the Grameen Bank branch at Shorshodi Bazar in Feni Sadar upazila, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, December 17. Unknown assailants allegedly poured petrol outside the bank’s main gate and set it on fire, burning three motorcycles and several pieces of furniture. Bank staff, who were asleep on the second floor, were awakened by the night guard’s alarm and helped control the blaze before firefighters arrived to extinguish it completely.

Branch manager Ashok Kumar Debnath stated that the attackers climbed over the boundary wall and ignited the fire from outside the gate. Police from Feni Model Station visited the site and confirmed that a formal complaint had been filed by the bank authorities. Inspector (Investigation) Sajal Kanti Das said an inquiry is underway, and legal measures will follow based on the findings.

The incident has raised concerns over security at rural financial institutions, prompting calls for enhanced surveillance and nighttime protection in remote banking areas.

Two Union Parishad chairmen and their relatives in Cumilla’s Titas upazila have been accused of illegally occupying land owned by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) to construct a market. The disputed land, located near the Asmania Bazar area along the left bank of the Gumti River embankment, was originally acquired for flood protection projects. A local resident, Zainal Abedin, has filed a formal complaint demanding the removal of the illegal structures.

According to the complaint, the encroachers built multiple commercial establishments on about 15 decimals of BWDB land, renting them out for profit. Despite previous eviction notices in 2016 and 2020, enforcement was reportedly halted due to political interference. The accused chairmen, including Narandia Union’s current and former leaders, claim they will vacate the land only if BWDB conducts an official eviction.

BWDB Executive Engineer Mohammad Rashed Shahriar confirmed receiving the complaint and said a surveyor has been assigned to verify the land boundaries. The findings will determine subsequent legal and administrative actions.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused the United States of attempting to overthrow his government and install a puppet administration to control the country’s vast oil resources. In a televised address on Wednesday, Maduro alleged that Washington, under President Donald Trump, seeks to turn Venezuela into a U.S. colony through political pressure and economic sanctions.

Maduro denounced threats of military intervention and oil embargoes as acts of “barbaric diplomacy,” describing U.S. policy toward Caracas as warlike and imperialist. He claimed that the U.S. aims to dismantle Venezuela’s constitution and sovereignty. Meanwhile, President Trump labeled the Venezuelan government a “foreign terrorist organization,” accusing it of stealing U.S. assets and resources.

The renewed exchange underscores the deepening hostility between Caracas and Washington, with Venezuela’s economic crisis and oil dependency further complicating the standoff. Analysts warn that escalating rhetoric could heighten regional instability and hinder diplomatic resolution efforts.

At least eight women were killed on Wednesday in a drone strike near Kadugli, the capital of Sudan’s South Kordofan state, as they attempted to flee the besieged city. Eyewitnesses told AFP that the attack occurred in Kurkal, about 15 kilometers north of Kadugli, an area under army control but surrounded for 18 months by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The city has become a new flashpoint in Sudan’s prolonged civil war.

Following the RSF’s capture of the army’s last base in Darfur in October, the group shifted its focus to resource-rich Kordofan, a strategic link between army-held Khartoum and RSF-controlled western regions. Communications in the area remain cut off, and the UN recently declared famine in Kadugli. According to the World Food Programme, the humanitarian situation is “extremely dire,” with residents scavenging for food in forests and facing grave risks while trying to escape.

The latest attack underscores the intensifying conflict and the growing civilian toll, as aid agencies warn that access and security conditions continue to deteriorate across Sudan’s war zones.

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha, remains in extremely critical condition at Singapore General Hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head. His brother Omar bin Hadi was allowed a brief visit on Thursday morning. Doctors report that Hadi suffered a massive heart attack and a spreading infection, further worsening his condition overnight.

Dhaka Medical College neurosurgeon Dr. Abdul Ahad confirmed the deterioration, describing Hadi’s state as 'extremely critical.' The Chief Adviser’s Office issued a statement echoing that assessment and announced that a senior Foreign Ministry official has been dispatched to Singapore to coordinate with Hadi’s family, hospital authorities, and Singaporean officials. The government’s advisory council also held an unscheduled discussion on Hadi’s condition and the ongoing investigation into the attempted murder.

Authorities are reviewing security measures and progress in identifying those responsible for the attack. Further updates are expected following consultations between Dhaka and Singapore medical teams.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami have finalized their candidates for seven parliamentary constituencies in North Chattogram ahead of the 13th national election. Following the political collapse of the Awami League after the 2024 July uprising and the flight of its top leaders, the region’s political landscape has shifted sharply. BNP has nominated new faces in five constituencies, while all Jamaat candidates are newcomers, signaling a generational and strategic reset.

Historically a BNP stronghold, North Chattogram now sees Jamaat gaining organizational strength through early campaigning and consistent grassroots presence. In contrast, BNP faces internal divisions and delayed candidate announcements, leading to factional disputes and even threats of rebel candidacies. Analysts note that the direction of former Awami League voters could decisively shape outcomes. Local observers describe competitive races in Mirsharai, Fatikchhari, Sandwip, Sitakunda, Hathazari, Raozan, and Rangunia, where Islamist alliances and Hefazat-linked networks may also influence results.

The evolving dynamics suggest a fragmented opposition contest, with Jamaat’s disciplined mobilization challenging BNP’s traditional dominance in the region.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur has directed that all depositors of five recently merged banks must receive their funds by the end of December 2025. The instruction came during the first board meeting of the newly formed Sammilit Islami Bank, which combines the five institutions under a single resolution framework. Mansur emphasized completing all procedural and technical preparations to ensure timely repayment and avoid disruptions.

The meeting, chaired by Dr. Mohammad Ayub Mia, included senior government secretaries and Bangladesh Bank officials. The governor also ordered rapid integration of IT systems and the creation of a unified human resources policy to harmonize ranks, grades, and promotion structures across the merged banks. Customers will be allowed to withdraw funds using previously issued checks.

The Sammilit Islami Bank is scheduled for formal inauguration in January 2026, but depositors are expected to receive their money beforehand. The board pledged to prioritize depositor protection and maintain transparency under Bangladesh Bank’s supervision.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov has claimed that nearly 500,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the beginning of 2025. Speaking at a Defense Ministry meeting attended by President Vladimir Putin, Belousov asserted that Ukraine’s military capability has fallen by about one-third compared to last year. He added that the scale of losses has made it difficult for Kyiv to reorganize its forces.

Belousov further stated that Ukraine has lost more than 103,000 pieces of military equipment this year, including 5,500 tanks and armored vehicles supplied by Western allies. He argued that the heavy casualties have discouraged civilians from joining the army, complicating Ukraine’s mobilization efforts.

The remarks come amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict that began in 2022 after tensions over Crimea and Ukraine’s NATO aspirations. Western sources have not independently verified the Russian figures, and analysts caution that both sides often release conflicting casualty data for strategic reasons.

Real Madrid advanced to the Copa del Rey Round of 16 after a hard-fought 3–2 victory over third-division side Talavera, powered by a brace from Kylian Mbappé. Manager Xabi Alonso rotated his squad heavily, resting key players such as Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, and Aurélien Tchouaméni, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois remained unavailable. Despite the changes, Real managed to edge past their spirited opponents.

Talavera fought back impressively after falling behind, leveling the score at 2–2 through goals from Nahuel Arroyo Majora and Gonzalo Di Renzo. However, Mbappé’s decisive second goal sealed the win for Los Blancos, with an own goal from Talavera contributing to Real’s tally. The match highlighted Real Madrid’s depth but also exposed defensive vulnerabilities against lower-tier opposition.

The result ensures Real Madrid’s progression in the domestic cup, while Alonso’s rotation strategy will be closely watched as the team balances multiple competitions. Mbappé’s form continues to be a key factor as Real targets silverware across all fronts this season.

The United States has announced a temporary deployment of Air Force personnel to Ecuador’s Manta air base to support joint anti-narcotics operations with the Ecuadorian military. The move comes as Washington intensifies efforts to curb drug trafficking across Latin America, a region increasingly destabilized by cartel violence. The deployment revives a U.S. presence at Manta, which was used until 2009, despite Ecuadorian voters recently rejecting a proposal to lift the ban on foreign military bases.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Quito, the mission is a short-term collaboration aimed at strengthening Ecuador’s intelligence and operational capacity against drug networks. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa welcomed the initiative, saying it would help “identify and destroy trafficking routes” and restore national security. Noboa, seen as a close ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, faces mounting pressure to address escalating cartel violence.

Ecuador, once one of South America’s safest nations, has become a major transit hub for cocaine from Colombia and Peru. Analysts warn that the U.S. deployment could draw political scrutiny amid rising U.S.-Venezuela tensions and domestic opposition to foreign military involvement.

Saudi Arabia has announced the cancellation of work permit (Iqama) fees for expatriate workers employed in licensed industrial establishments. The decision, approved under the chairmanship of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, follows recommendations from the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA). Officials said the move aims to strengthen the industrial sector and support sustainable economic diversification under Vision 2030.

Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bandar Al-Khorayef stated that waiving the fees will reduce operational costs for factories, attract quality investments, and encourage expansion and higher production. He added that the policy will enhance Saudi industries’ global competitiveness and reduce the kingdom’s reliance on oil revenues. The initiative is also expected to accelerate the adoption of automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

The decision comes as Saudi Arabia remains a major source of remittances for countries such as Pakistan, which received $753 million in November 2025. Analysts view the policy as a strategic step toward a more diversified, technology-driven industrial economy.