India has granted final approval for the Dulhasti Stage-2 hydropower project on the Chenab River, located in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, according to The News. The project, costing about 327.7 billion Indian rupees, will be implemented by the state-owned NHPC Limited and aims to generate up to 260 megawatts of electricity. Construction is expected to begin early next year.

Analysts link the approval to India’s earlier decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) following the Pahalgam incident, which heightened border tensions and led to reciprocal military actions between India and Pakistan. Despite India’s move, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to the IWT and pledged to continue participating in the neutral expert process. In August, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that western rivers must flow freely for Pakistan’s unrestricted use.

Experts warn that the project could harm Pakistan strategically and environmentally, as the Chenab flows into its territory. Environmental authorities have cautioned that altering water flow may disrupt the Marusudar River’s natural structure and ecosystem over a 25-kilometer stretch downstream of the Pakal Dul project.

Law enforcement agencies have been unable to arrest Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and six other top leaders of the party’s affiliated organizations in a war crimes case related to killings during the July Revolution. The prosecution informed International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Monday that officers visited both permanent and temporary addresses but could not locate the accused. The tribunal, led by retired district judge Md Manjurul Basid with member judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir, said further orders would follow after receiving all reports.

The accused include Awami League Joint General Secretary A.F.M. Bahauddin Nasim, former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain, and General Secretary Wali Asif Enan. Arrest warrants were issued on December 18 after the prosecution filed formal charges and presented specific allegations against each accused, including three counts against Quader for instruction, provocation, and incitement.

The tribunal will issue its next order once the remaining address report for Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash is submitted.

Nine people, including five children, were killed in a mass stabbing in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, police confirmed on Sunday. The attack occurred overnight when a man used a sharp weapon to kill multiple people in his home and nearby area. Among the dead were four of the suspect’s own children. Another child and one adult were seriously injured and are receiving hospital treatment. The suspect, who was wounded and detained, reportedly attempted to attack police officers before being shot in the leg.

Local media reported that the suspect had argued with his wife over the phone before the attack, and neighbors suggested he might have been suffering from mental health issues. Police have not released his identity but said he remains under hospital supervision. Suriname’s President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, calling it an unimaginably difficult time and offering strength and comfort to the bereaved families.

Authorities stated that further details about the circumstances of the incident will be released later as investigations continue.

The government has canceled the appointments of one deputy attorney general and three assistant attorneys general over allegations of irregularities. A formal notification announcing the decision was issued on Monday afternoon, according to the report published on December 29, 2025.

Those whose appointments have been revoked are Deputy Attorney General Zulfiqar Ali Shimul and Assistant Attorneys General Ibrahim Khalil, Ayub Ali, and Montu Alam. The report did not provide further details about the nature of the alleged irregularities or the specific circumstances leading to the decision.

Further information about the case is expected to be released later, as the report indicated that more details are forthcoming.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that night temperatures across the country may drop slightly within the next 24 hours, increasing the feeling of cold. The forecast, issued on Monday morning, also warned that moderate to dense fog may form in various parts of the country from midnight to morning, with some areas experiencing it until noon.

According to the department, the weather is expected to remain dry with partly cloudy skies nationwide. The fog could disrupt air travel, inland water transport, and road communication. The lowest temperature in the country was recorded at 10 degrees Celsius in Nikli, Kishoreganj. The Met Office attributed the current conditions to the extension of a subcontinental high-pressure zone over West Bengal and adjoining areas, while a seasonal low lies over the South Bay of Bengal extending to the northeast.

The department noted that while daytime temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged, the cold sensation will persist in many regions due to foggy conditions.

At least three people were killed on Sunday when security forces opened fire during Alawite community protests in western Syria, according to the country’s health authorities. The demonstrations erupted after a deadly bombing at a mosque in Homs city, which killed eight people on Friday. The protests spread across coastal and central provinces, raising renewed concerns over minority safety under the new Islamist-led government.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that two people were shot dead in Latakia province as security forces dispersed demonstrators, while state news agency SANA cited local health officials saying three were killed and about 60 injured in attacks blamed on remnants of the former regime. The Interior Ministry later confirmed one of the dead was a member of the General Security police. Clashes also broke out between protesters and government supporters in Latakia and Jableh, prompting security intervention and aerial gunfire.

Alawite religious leader Ghazal Ghazal, who called for the protests, urged political decentralization and protection of minority rights. The Alawite Council condemned attacks on unarmed civilians and asked supporters to return home.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia’s formal recognition of Afghanistan’s Taliban government has opened new opportunities for regional cooperation. Russia granted official recognition to the Taliban administration in July, a move welcomed by the Afghan government, according to Tolo News. Lavrov emphasized that the recognition has paved the way for collaboration between the two countries in areas including regional security.

The Taliban government in Kabul expressed appreciation for Russia’s stance, saying that expanding regional cooperation would contribute to regional stability. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid called on other countries to normalize relations with Afghanistan, describing Russia’s decision as courageous and beneficial for positive engagement.

Political analyst Najibullah Hotak noted that Russia, as a regional power, could encourage Central Asian and other nations to strengthen ties with Afghanistan. Russia remains the only country to have officially recognized the Taliban government as of July 4.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has confirmed that another political party is joining its existing 10-party electoral alliance. The announcement was made by Jamaat’s central assistant secretary general Advocate Abdul Halim, who said the name of the new party would be revealed soon. He expressed hope that the alliance would succeed in building an inclusive and united Bangladesh. The statement came after Jamaat Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman’s nomination papers were submitted for the Dhaka-15 constituency, which includes Mirpur and Kafrul.

At a press conference following the submission, Jamaat assistant secretary general Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair said the alliance’s seat-sharing arrangement among 11 parties would be finalized and announced later in the afternoon. He clarified that Jamaat had not sought an extension for nomination submission and emphasized the need for the Election Commission to ensure a level playing field. Zubair described the alliance as a strong electoral understanding rather than a formal coalition, with each party fielding one candidate per seat while others offer support.

He also urged the interim government and the Election Commission to take necessary steps to create a fair electoral environment, including recovering illegal arms and arresting identified criminals.

A Dhaka court has granted a five-day remand for Major Md. Sadequl Haque and his wife Sumaiya Tahmid Zafrin in two separate cases filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The cases were lodged at Vatara and Gulshan police stations over alleged activities linked to guerrilla training of Awami League members. The order was issued on Monday by Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Hasan Shahadat, confirmed by state prosecutor Muhammad Shamsuddoha Suman.

Investigators had sought seven-day remands for both accused. Major Sadequl was shown arrested on December 15 in the Vatara case, while Zafrin’s remand request was filed on December 21 in the Gulshan case. Both were produced before the court during the hearing. The cases accuse them of involvement in secret meetings and anti-government demonstrations.

According to the case files, the alleged incidents involved banned organizations and gatherings that chanted anti-state slogans and planned activities deemed to threaten public security. Police filed the cases in July and April following these incidents.

Social media personality and Ten Minute School founder Ayman Sadiq came under heavy criticism on Monday after posting on Facebook about justice for Osman Hadi, who was killed earlier in December. In his post, Sadiq wrote that Hadi had always sought justice and that others should show courage to continue that pursuit. He questioned how long it would take to achieve justice, marking ten days since Hadi’s death.

The post sparked strong reactions from netizens, with many criticizing Sadiq for speaking out late and for not mentioning Hadi’s name directly in his message. Users also mocked him through comments and memes shared across Facebook. The controversy unfolded as protests demanding justice for Hadi continued at Shahbagh under the banner of Inquilab Mancha.

Osman Hadi was shot on December 12 in Dhaka’s Paltan area while returning from Friday prayers and died on December 18 in Singapore. Police have arrested 11 suspects, six of whom have given confessional statements in court.

South Korean automaker Hyundai has unveiled its new electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the Supernal S-A2, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in the United States. The aircraft is designed for short-distance passenger transport within cities, capable of vertical takeoff and landing like a helicopter and forward flight like an airplane. It can fly up to 1,500 feet high at a maximum speed of 120 miles per hour and cover 25 to 40 miles on a single charge. Being fully electric, it produces minimal noise and no fuel-based pollution, making it suitable for urban environments.

In the context of Dhaka, the idea of air taxis is both exciting and challenging. Experts note that managing air routes, ensuring safety, and building vertiports would require significant investment and planning. Initially, such services might cater to corporate passengers or emergency needs, but as technology becomes cheaper and infrastructure develops, air taxis could evolve into a broader public transport option.

The report suggests that while air taxis may not fully solve Dhaka’s traffic crisis, they could help reduce congestion and transform urban mobility in the long term.

More than 941,000 expatriate Bangladeshis have registered to vote in the 13th National Parliament election and referendum through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app, according to the Election Commission’s website update as of Monday at 2 p.m. Among the registrants, 838,309 are men and 102,839 are women. Saudi Arabia accounts for the highest number of registrants at 176,840, followed by Qatar with 63,754, Oman with 47,069, Malaysia with 51,212, the United Arab Emirates with 31,180, and the United States with 27,088.

The Election Commission has extended the registration deadline to December 31. Expatriate voters, government employees, election duty personnel, and those in legal custody can register through the app until that date. The app, launched on November 18, allows registration from 148 countries.

To complete registration, expatriate voters must use a mobile number from their respective countries, as required by the Election Commission.

A truck driver was killed and four others were injured in a head-on collision between a bus and a truck on the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar highway at Amjurhat in Patiya late Sunday night. The deceased was identified as Md. Salam, 55, son of Akhtar Mia from Bogura. The injured were Jahidul Islam, 26, Jakir Islam, 30, Sakib Ul Hasan, 17, and Nasrin Sultana, 29, all from Brahmanbaria. The accident occurred when a Hanif Paribahan bus traveling from Cox’s Bazar to Dhaka collided with a goods-laden truck coming from the opposite direction.

According to local authorities, Salam was trapped between the two vehicles during the collision. A team from Patiya Fire Service reached the spot at around 2:20 a.m. and rescued him after a prolonged effort. He was taken to Patiya Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. The four injured were given initial treatment at the same facility before being transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

Highway police later recovered both vehicles and took them into custody. Legal procedures regarding the accident are underway, officials confirmed.

A robot developed in China has set a new world record in badminton by successfully returning the shuttlecock 1,452 times in a row. The match took place in Shaoxing city of Zhejiang province, where the robot competed against several human players. The achievement marks the highest number of consecutive counter-hits ever recorded by a mobile robot without interruption.

The robot was created by Zhejiang Shenzhen Kaidong Technology Company. Organizers explained that the athletic robot was built using advanced vision systems and motion control technology. The event highlighted China’s growing capabilities and potential in the field of robotics.

According to the organizers, the record demonstrates the progress of Chinese engineering in developing robots capable of performing complex athletic tasks with precision and endurance.

A police constable named Robiul Islam was killed in a road accident on Monday morning in the Bhanga Pol area of the Dhaka–Khulna highway under Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj. According to the report, an unidentified bus ran over him and fled the scene. Locals rescued Robiul and took him to Muksudpur Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. He was returning home to Muksudpur on his motorcycle after completing his night duty at Narail Sadar Police Station.

Robiul Islam was the son of Hiru Mia from Nowhata village in Muksudpur upazila. Muksudpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun stated that the body would be handed over to the family after completing legal procedures.

The report did not mention whether the bus or its driver had been identified or apprehended following the incident.