Hundreds gathered at the South Plaza of Bangladesh’s National Parliament and Manik Mia Avenue to bid farewell to Sharif Osman Hadi, a youth activist killed during the July Revolution protests. Among the mourners were young people from Hindu, Christian, and Muslim communities, reflecting a rare moment of interfaith unity in grief and respect. Many also joined demonstrations at Shahbagh demanding justice for Hadi’s killing. Aditya Chowdhury, a Hindu student from Northern University, attended the funeral alongside his Christian friend Arnab D’Cruz from Notre Dame University. Chowdhury described Hadi as a brother beyond religious boundaries, saying his death had shaken the conscience of the youth. Another friend, Hridita Das, joined protests calling for the arrest of those responsible. Observers note that Hadi’s funeral has become a symbol of cross-community solidarity and youth activism in Bangladesh. Calls for justice continue to grow, with civil society urging authorities to ensure accountability and prevent further violence against demonstrators.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet former U.S. President Donald Trump later this month to discuss Iran’s expanding ballistic missile program and potential military responses, according to an NBC News report citing Israeli officials. The meeting is likely to take place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where Netanyahu plans to outline Israel’s assessment of Iran’s growing threat. Israeli sources told NBC that Tehran has been rebuilding its uranium enrichment facilities following U.S. airstrikes in June, raising fears of renewed escalation. Officials in Jerusalem reportedly intend to alert Trump to possible preemptive action against Iran. The meeting comes only months after a brief two-week conflict between Israel and Iran earlier this year, during which Israel claimed to have damaged Iran’s missile infrastructure. Neither the Israeli government nor Iran’s mission to the United Nations commented on the report. Analysts suggest the talks could signal Israel’s effort to secure U.S. political backing for future operations, as regional tensions remain high.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.N. Nasir Uddin will hold a high-level meeting with the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force on Sunday, December 21, to review nationwide security preparations for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and related referendum. The meeting is scheduled for noon at the Election Commission Secretariat in Agargaon, Dhaka. According to Election Commission sources, the CEC will also meet senior law enforcement officials later that afternoon to coordinate security measures. Election commissioners, senior military officers, and police representatives are expected to attend. The discussions will focus on maintaining law and order, troop deployment strategies, and ensuring a peaceful voting environment. The meeting comes amid heightened political activity and public attention on election security. Officials say the coordination between the armed forces and law enforcement agencies is crucial to prevent unrest and ensure voter confidence. Further briefings are expected following the meetings to outline the Commission’s final security roadmap.

A Dhaka court on Saturday ordered Anis Alamgir to be sent to jail following the completion of a five-day police remand in a case filed under Bangladesh’s Anti-Terrorism Act. Metropolitan Magistrate Md Hasan Shahadat issued the order after the investigating officer, DB Inspector Kazi Shahnewaz, presented Alamgir before the court and sought his detention. The prosecution claimed that Alamgir provided important information during interrogation, which is now being verified. Defense lawyers, led by Nazneen Nahar, requested that Alamgir receive division facilities in jail, which the court said would be handled according to prison regulations. The case, filed by a man named Arian Ahmed, accuses Alamgir and three others — actress Meher Afroz Shaon, model Maria Kispatta, and presenter Imtu Ratish Imtiaz — of conspiring to destabilize the state and inciting a banned organization through social media and talk shows. The incident has drawn public attention due to Alamgir’s outspoken political commentary on television and Facebook. Authorities indicated that further remand could be sought if new evidence emerges.

The United States has made halting Sudan’s ongoing war its top foreign policy priority, citing an escalating humanitarian catastrophe. At a year-end press briefing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Washington’s goal to establish a humanitarian ceasefire at the start of the new year, enabling aid agencies to reach millions trapped by fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Rubio acknowledged that delivering aid has become nearly impossible amid reports of attacks on relief convoys and worsening insecurity. He accused external actors of fueling the conflict and confirmed that the US is coordinating with regional governments to pressure both sides into talks. Despite repeated mediation attempts, ceasefire efforts have so far failed. The war, which erupted in April 2023 after Sudan’s failed transition to civilian rule, has displaced hundreds of thousands and intensified food shortages, particularly after the RSF seized El Fasher in North Darfur in October. Washington’s renewed push signals growing concern that Sudan’s crisis could destabilize the wider region.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Washington is preparing to establish a new governance structure for Gaza, followed by the deployment of an international security force to stabilize the region. The plan aims to reinforce the fragile ceasefire brokered in October under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has been undermined by continued Israeli strikes. Rubio said the proposal includes forming an international governing board and a Palestinian technocratic authority to manage Gaza’s civil affairs. He confirmed progress in identifying potential Palestinian members but noted that key issues remain unresolved, including how to disarm Hamas. Several countries, including Pakistan, have expressed interest in participating, though concerns persist about potential involvement in active conflict. The US diplomat emphasized that clear mandates and funding mechanisms must be defined before troop commitments are made. He also linked effective governance and security to unlocking international reconstruction funds, warning that donors will hesitate to invest without assurances of long-term stability.

Bangladesh’s interim government has formally requested Meta to remove content that allegedly incites violence and disrupts the upcoming national election and referendum. The National Cyber Security Agency sent a letter to Meta last Friday, urging the company to enforce stricter monitoring of Bangladesh-related content until February 2026. The government expressed concern that social media platforms are being used to provoke real-world violence and attacks on media institutions. According to the letter, several Facebook posts have supported the death of Osman Hadi and called for violence against journalists, leading to attacks on two newspaper offices. The government accused Meta of failing to deactivate accounts that spread such content despite repeated appeals from authorities and civil society. Officials warned that online incitement threatens citizens’ safety, minority rights, and the country’s democratic transition. The letter called on Meta to apply community standards more rigorously, strengthen Bangla-language moderation, enhance sentiment analysis, and ensure immediate removal of content promoting intimidation or organized harm. Meta has not yet issued a public response.

The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) has announced a program to lay siege to the Vice-Chancellor’s office, pressing three key demands. The declaration was made on DUCSU’s official Facebook page on Saturday night, calling for immediate administrative action from the university authorities. The demands include renaming Mujib Hall as Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall, renaming Fazilatunnesa Hall as Felani Hall, and taking disciplinary measures against teachers, officers, and staff who allegedly supported the July massacre. DUCSU leaders stated that the move seeks to honor historical figures and ensure accountability within the university community. The announcement has sparked debate among students and faculty, with some viewing it as a legitimate expression of student activism, while others warn of political overtones. University officials have yet to issue an official response. The protest program is expected to intensify if the administration does not engage in dialogue soon.

Venezuela’s ambassador to the United Nations, Samuel Moncada, has sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments describing Venezuelan territory and oil resources as effectively belonging to the United States. Speaking at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly on the International Day for the Elimination of Colonialism, Moncada called the remarks a severe breach of international law and the UN Charter. Moncada accused Washington of reviving 19th-century imperialist attitudes and undermining the principles of state sovereignty. He described the U.S. stance as a “crime against civilized conduct” and urged respect for the UN Charter. The Venezuelan diplomat further argued that the Trump administration’s policies were fostering global instability and transforming modern forms of control into acts of aggression. Expressing solidarity with Palestine and Puerto Rico, Moncada said foreign domination contradicts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. His statement underscores growing tensions between Caracas and Washington, as Venezuela continues to resist external pressure and defend its sovereignty on the global stage.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has issued a revised gazette notification amending parts of the previously declared schedule for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Signed by Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, the updated notification, released on December 20, modifies several dates and references originally published on December 11. According to the EC, three main changes were made under Article 11(1) of the Representation of the People Order, 1972. The revisions include adjustments to the appeal filing and disposal periods related to returning officers’ decisions on nomination papers. Specifically, the appeal filing window now runs from January 5–9 instead of January 5–11, and the appeal disposal period has been shifted to January 10–18 instead of January 12–18. Election officials stated that these corrections aim to ensure procedural clarity and synchronization across all constituencies. The EC is expected to hold further coordination meetings with security agencies and returning officers ahead of the election process.

The bodies of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed in a terrorist drone attack on a UN peacekeeping base in Sudan’s Abyei region have returned to Dhaka. The flight carrying the remains landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday morning, where senior military and civilian officials received them. A funeral prayer will be held on Sunday at the Dhaka Cantonment Central Mosque before the bodies are flown to their respective hometowns for burial with full military honors. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the soldiers were martyred in the December 13 attack targeting the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). Nine other Bangladeshi peacekeepers were injured, eight of whom are being treated at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi and are reportedly out of danger. The Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shamim, led the reception ceremony, joined by UN and government representatives. Bangladesh, one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, has expressed deep sorrow over the loss while reaffirming its commitment to global peace operations.

Turkey’s Interior Ministry confirmed that a Russian-made unmanned aerial vehicle, believed to be an Orlan-10 model, was found crashed in the northwestern province of Kocaeli. The ministry said the drone, typically used for reconnaissance missions, was discovered in the Kyubuklubala area, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident. Local media reported that the drone showed visible damage, though authorities have not confirmed whether it was shot down or suffered a technical malfunction. The crash occurred just days after Turkish forces downed another drone that had entered its airspace from the Black Sea. The incidents come as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned against the Black Sea becoming a “zone of conflict” between Russia and Ukraine. The discovery follows a recent Russian airstrike near Ukraine’s Odesa that damaged a Turkish vessel, underscoring the region’s growing volatility. Analysts say Ankara is likely to raise the issue with Moscow as it seeks to balance ties with both Russia and Ukraine.

National Life Insurance Company Limited has been awarded the Gold Medal in the Life Insurance category at the 15th ICMA Bangladesh Best Corporate Award 2024. The award ceremony took place on December 17 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, where Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin presented the honor to CEO Md. Kazim Uddin and CFO Probir Chandra Das FCA. The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB) recognized National Life for its excellence in corporate governance, transparency, and contribution to the national economy. Senior officials including NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, and Financial Reporting Council Chairman Dr. Md. Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan attended the event. This marks the fourth consecutive year that National Life Insurance has received the prestigious Gold Award, reinforcing its leadership in Bangladesh’s life insurance sector and its commitment to ethical business practices and financial reporting standards.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that while famine in Gaza has been averted following the recent ceasefire, the humanitarian situation remains dire. Speaking at UN headquarters in New York, Guterres said over 75% of Gaza’s population—around 1.6 million people—are suffering from severe food insecurity and face heightened risks of malnutrition. Guterres urged all parties to ensure a sustainable ceasefire and called for the removal of restrictions on border crossings, the entry of essential supplies, and bureaucratic barriers that hinder aid delivery. He emphasized the need for safe routes within Gaza, consistent donor funding, and uninterrupted access for humanitarian agencies. The UN chief also highlighted worsening conditions in the West Bank, where Palestinians face escalating settler violence, land seizures, and home demolitions. Guterres stressed that advancing to the second phase of the peace plan is essential, warning that continued inaction would deepen the crisis and prolong civilian suffering across the occupied territories.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow is ready to consider halting attacks on Ukraine during its election days if Ukrainians living in Russia are granted voting rights. Speaking at a year-end press conference in Moscow, Putin linked a potential ceasefire to the participation of Ukrainian citizens residing in Russia, estimated between five and ten million people, in Ukraine’s national elections. Putin stated that Russia could ensure security during the Ukrainian elections by refraining from deep strikes into Ukrainian territory, provided that Kyiv allows its citizens in Russia to vote. The proposal, reported by Turkey-based Anadolu Agency, marks a rare public linkage between Russia’s military actions and Ukraine’s electoral process. Analysts view the statement as a strategic move to influence Ukraine’s domestic politics and international negotiations. Kyiv has not yet responded officially, but Western observers are likely to interpret the offer as an attempt to exert political pressure under the guise of humanitarian concern.