Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, a former student representative in the interim government’s advisory council, has collected his nomination form to contest the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election from Dhaka-10 constituency. He obtained the form from the Dhanmondi Thana Election Office on Monday morning, confirming his intention to run as an independent candidate.

Bhuiyan and fellow student adviser Mahfuz Alam resigned from their advisory roles on December 10 after meeting with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Their resignations sparked speculation about possible political affiliations, with rumors suggesting Bhuiyan might join the National Citizen Party (NCP) or the Gonodhikar Parishad under the BNP alliance. However, Bhuiyan clarified on December 12 that he would contest independently.

The Dhaka-10 constituency, covering Dhanmondi, Kalabagan, New Market, and Hazaribagh, is expected to see a competitive race. BNP has nominated Sheikh Robiul Alam, while Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate is Supreme Court lawyer Jasim Uddin Sarkar. The NCP has yet to announce its contender for the seat.

The digital content landscape is witnessing a growing debate between short-form and long-form video formats. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have popularized quick, algorithm-driven clips that cater to shrinking attention spans and fast-paced lifestyles. Meanwhile, long-form videos—ranging from podcasts to documentaries—continue to attract audiences seeking depth, storytelling, and emotional connection.

Analysts note that short videos excel in virality and brand visibility, while long videos build trust and loyalty. However, both formats face challenges: short clips risk superficiality, and long videos demand sustained viewer engagement. Increasingly, creators are blending the two—using short clips to attract viewers and long videos to retain them. This hybrid model is emerging as the most effective strategy.

Experts predict that the future of digital content will depend less on format dominance and more on creators’ adaptability. Success will hinge on understanding audience behavior and choosing the right format for the right moment.

Fresh fighting erupted along the Thailand-Cambodia border early Monday, raising fears of derailing ongoing diplomatic efforts to restore peace between the two neighbors. The clashes, which began on December 8, have already claimed at least 40 lives and displaced nearly one million people on both sides. ASEAN foreign ministers are meeting in Malaysia to discuss ways to revive a ceasefire originally brokered in July under U.S. mediation.

Cambodia’s Defense Ministry accused Thailand of launching four bomb attacks in Banteay Meanchey province and using toxic gas in the Preah Chan area. Thai media reported artillery exchanges in Sa Kaeo province, though Bangkok has yet to issue an official statement. Cambodian media said shelling in Battambang injured at least one civilian.

The renewed hostilities come as both governments trade blame, complicating ASEAN’s mediation efforts. Observers warn that without restraint, the conflict could destabilize regional security and disrupt cross-border trade, while humanitarian agencies struggle to assist the displaced populations.

The U.S. administration under President Donald Trump is preparing to intensify its anti-immigration campaign in 2026, allocating $170 billion over the next three and a half years to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The funding, which runs through September 2029, will support expanded enforcement operations across workplaces and communities nationwide.

Officials said the plan includes hiring thousands of new agents, opening additional detention centers, and partnering with private firms to locate undocumented immigrants. The initiative marks one of the largest financial boosts to federal immigration enforcement in recent years. However, public support for Trump’s immigration policy has declined, with approval dropping from 50% in March to 41% by mid-December, according to recent polls.

Critics warn that the expanded operations could strain local economies and deepen divisions in immigrant-heavy cities such as Miami. The administration maintains that the measures are necessary to ensure border security and uphold immigration laws, setting the stage for renewed political debate in 2026.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that the country will experience mostly dry weather with partly cloudy skies over the next five days. The forecast, issued Monday morning for the next 120 hours, indicates that night and day temperatures may fluctuate slightly but will largely remain stable. Moderate to dense fog is expected in several regions, particularly from midnight to morning, affecting visibility and transportation.

According to the department, the extended outlook shows no significant weather changes during this period. The subcontinental high-pressure ridge currently lies over West Bengal and adjoining areas, while a seasonal low is positioned over the South Bay of Bengal. On Sunday, Chuadanga recorded the lowest temperature at 11.7°C, while Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar registered the highest at 30.8°C.

Officials advised caution for drivers and river transport operators during early morning hours due to fog. No cold wave is expected, but cooler nights may persist in northwestern districts.

Harry Kane has achieved a new milestone in the German Bundesliga, becoming the fastest player to reach 100 goal contributions. The Bayern Munich striker reached the mark with a goal in a 4–0 victory over Heidenheim, helping his team strengthen their lead at the top of the table by nine points. Kane scored in stoppage time after earlier goals from Josip Stanisic, Michael Olise, and Luis Díaz.

This record underscores Kane’s remarkable consistency since joining Bayern. In the current season, he has scored 30 goals in 25 matches across all competitions, including 19 in the Bundesliga. His 81 goals and 19 assists in league play make him the quickest to achieve a century of goal involvements, surpassing Dutch legend Arjen Robben, who needed 119 matches to reach the same feat.

The record further cements Kane’s status as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards. Bayern’s strong form positions them well for the new year, with Kane’s performance continuing to drive their domestic and continental ambitions.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for collective resistance against all forms of oppressive forces, emphasizing that awareness alone is not enough. Speaking on Monday morning, he urged citizens and political actors to take a firm stand to protect democratic values and freedoms.

Addressing recent attacks on media outlets, Fakhrul stated that the assaults on newspapers such as Prothom Alo and The Daily Star were not merely attacks on institutions but on democracy itself and the fundamental right to free expression. His remarks come amid growing concerns over press freedom and political polarization in Bangladesh.

Political analysts note that the BNP’s renewed rhetoric signals a broader campaign to mobilize public sentiment ahead of upcoming political activities. Observers warn that continued pressure on the media could further strain Bangladesh’s democratic environment and complicate dialogue between major political parties.

Gaza’s Health Ministry has warned of a critical collapse in the territory’s healthcare system as Israel’s blockade continues despite a declared ceasefire. In a press briefing at Al-Shifa Hospital, officials reported that 52% of essential medicines and 71% of medical equipment are now unavailable, leaving hospitals unable to meet basic patient needs.

According to ministry data, supplies of 321 essential drugs have completely run out, while shortages in emergency and intensive care services have reached 38%. Around 200,000 patients risk losing emergency care, and 1,000 cancer patients are reportedly without treatment due to a 70% shortage in oncology drugs. Dialysis services for 650 kidney patients have also been disrupted. Cardiac surgeries and orthopedic operations have largely been suspended due to the lack of critical materials.

Health officials have appealed for immediate international intervention to restore medical supply routes. Humanitarian agencies warn that continued restrictions could lead to a full-scale health disaster in Gaza if aid access is not urgently restored.

More than 575,000 expatriate Bangladeshis have registered to vote in the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ mobile application, according to the Election Commission’s latest update as of Monday morning. The registration process, initially open until December 18, has been extended to December 25 to accommodate more overseas voters.

Among the registered expatriates, 538,808 are men and 36,459 are women. Saudi Arabia accounts for the highest number of registrants at 138,705, followed by Qatar with 52,109, Oman with 38,099, Malaysia with 36,427, the United Arab Emirates with 26,500, and the United States with 24,055 voters. The Election Commission stated that the initiative aims to ensure greater participation of Bangladeshis living abroad in national decision-making.

Officials expect the final registration tally to rise further before the December 25 deadline, marking a milestone in Bangladesh’s effort to integrate its diaspora into the democratic process through digital platforms.

A recent analytical essay by a former university researcher argues that the relationship between democracy and media has reached a critical turning point in the digital age. The author contends that modern media infrastructures—social networks, search engines, and data algorithms—are now dominated by a handful of global technology corporations, shifting moral and civic authority toward techno-plutocratic control. This concentration of power, the essay warns, endangers the democratic values of free expression, informed debate, and public consent.

Tracing the historical evolution of media from oral traditions to the digital era, the essay cites thinkers from Aristotle and Mill to Chomsky and Habermas to show how information flow has always defined the strength of democracy. It highlights how corporate ownership, algorithmic manipulation, and misinformation now erode the public sphere, replacing truth with emotional narratives. The author concludes that defending media freedom is no longer just a journalistic duty but a civilizational struggle to preserve human autonomy, ethical reasoning, and the very existence of democracy itself.

Tensions have risen within the eight-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami in Sunamganj as disputes over candidate selection intensify ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th national election. The uncertainty centers on two constituencies—Sunamganj-1 and Sunamganj-3—where frequent party-switching by two prominent politicians, Dr. Rafiqul Islam Chowdhury and Advocate Maulana Shahinur Pasha Chowdhury, has triggered grassroots mistrust and internal divisions.

Dr. Rafiqul Islam, once a BNP executive member, has shifted allegiances multiple times, most recently joining Islami Andolan Bangladesh in November 2025 to seek the alliance’s nomination. Local Jamaat leaders argue his candidacy could endanger the coalition’s vote base. Similarly, Shahinur Pasha, now with Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, faces skepticism from alliance activists due to his history of switching parties and participation in controversial elections.

Grassroots leaders warn that nominating controversial figures could erode voter confidence and damage the alliance’s electoral prospects. Party insiders suggest that final nominations will depend on field surveys and local acceptance to prevent internal rifts before the polls.

Economist and historian Mahbub Ullah has argued that Bangladesh, despite 54 years of independence, remains economically fragile and politically fractured. In a recent commentary, he contrasted Bangladesh’s limited industrial progress with Vietnam’s socialist-driven industrialization, noting that Bangladesh’s economy still depends heavily on garments and remittances. He warned that poverty has risen from 18% to 22% in four years due to inflation and job scarcity, while investment remains stagnant.

Ullah accused past governments of fostering oligarchic kleptocracy, capital flight, and institutional decay. He claimed that corruption and state capture have undermined democracy and economic vitality. The economist also alleged that Indian influence has compromised Bangladesh’s sovereignty through trade barriers and political interference.

He urged national unity to counter external dominance and restore confidence in state institutions, warning that internal political divisions and social media hostility threaten the country’s stability. His call emphasized the need for structural reform, economic diversification, and a renewed commitment to national self-reliance.

Bangladesh stands at a pivotal juncture as the nation prepares for its next general election following the July 2024 mass uprising that reshaped the country’s political landscape. The uprising, driven by grassroots frustration with authoritarianism and inequality, has intensified calls for a fair, participatory election and deep institutional reform. Reform proposals under Professor Muhammad Yunus’s interim administration have introduced structural changes to the Election Commission, though key recommendations—such as an independent delimitation body and recall voting—were excluded.

Analysts warn that public trust in the electoral process remains fragile after years of politicized governance. Concerns persist over the influence of money, partisan administration, and weak law enforcement. Political parties’ confrontational rhetoric and reports of violence, including an attack on Inquilab leader Sharif Osman Hadi, have raised fears of voter intimidation. Media independence and digital misinformation also pose challenges.

Experts emphasize that democratic transition requires more than a single election. Institutional accountability, judicial independence, anti-corruption measures, and inclusion of women and marginalized groups are essential to fulfilling the July uprising’s promise of a just, participatory republic.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun has appealed against the five-year prison sentence handed to him by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal. The appeal, filed on December 17, seeks acquittal from charges related to crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the July Uprising. The tribunal had delivered its verdict on November 17, sentencing Mamun to five years in prison.

The judgment was issued by a three-member panel of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, chaired by Justice Golam Murtuza Mozumdar, with Justices Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members. Prosecutors had earlier, on March 16, requested that Mamun be made an accused in the case, a motion the tribunal accepted.

Legal analysts note that the appeal will test the tribunal’s procedural robustness and may set a precedent for future cases involving senior officials. The Supreme Court is expected to schedule a hearing date in early 2026, with both prosecution and defense preparing extensive documentation.

Bangladesh’s interim government, formed after the fall of an authoritarian regime, is preparing for national elections amid rising regional security challenges. Despite political stabilization, the country faces mounting external and internal threats, including India’s expanded military presence near the northern border, insurgent activity in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and instability from Myanmar’s civil war. Analysts warn that Bangladesh’s outdated defense infrastructure—comprised largely of obsolete tanks, aircraft, and naval assets—cannot meet these evolving threats.

A proposed modernization roadmap outlines a three-phase plan from 2025 to 2040 to rebuild the armed forces into a technologically advanced, integrated defense system. Immediate priorities include acquiring modern main battle tanks, 4.5-generation fighter jets, guided-missile frigates, and advanced air defense systems. Midterm goals focus on joint command structures, domestic defense production, and cyber and drone warfare capabilities. Long-term objectives envision a blue-water navy and AI-driven defense research. Experts emphasize increasing defense spending to 2% of GDP and launching defense bonds for expatriates. The plan underscores that national security, not politics, must now be Bangladesh’s foremost priority.