NCP’s southern regional organizer Hasnat Abdullah declared that his party would not retreat from its reform agenda even at the cost of their lives. Speaking at a mourning and solidarity rally in Feni on Wednesday, organized by the Democratic Reform Alliance, Abdullah condemned the brutal killing of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi and accused political opponents of continuing attempts to silence reformist voices.

He criticized elements within the administration, alleging that some officials appointed through a ‘controlled lottery’ were showing partisan loyalty. Abdullah warned that those acting as political agents could face consequences similar to former officials Benazir and Harun. He also expressed frustration over the lack of visible progress in the investigation into Hadi’s murder, calling it a dangerous sign for justice and governance.

The event was chaired by local AB Party leader Master Ahsanullah and attended by senior figures from NCP, the AB Party, and the State Reform Movement. Speakers reiterated their commitment to political reform and demanded impartial administration and accountability for political violence.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has collected a nomination form on behalf of its chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia, for the Dinajpur-3 (Sadar) constituency ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The form was collected from the office of the district returning officer and deputy commissioner Rafiqul Islam by district BNP general secretary Bokhtiar Ahmed Kochi on Wednesday afternoon.

Senior BNP leaders, including district vice presidents Mahbub Ahmed and Abu Bakar Siddique, were present during the submission. Siddique described Khaleda Zia as a three-time former prime minister and a daughter of Dinajpur, expressing optimism that local voters would support her overwhelmingly. Party activists in the district have shown strong enthusiasm and are praying for her recovery amid ongoing health concerns.

The move signals BNP’s intent to field its top leadership in key constituencies despite uncertainties surrounding Khaleda Zia’s health and legal status. The Dinajpur-3 race is expected to draw significant attention as the election campaign intensifies nationwide.

Irish cartoonist Harry Burton has sharply criticized Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, calling it a moral failure amid ongoing violence in Gaza. In a widely discussed editorial and accompanying cartoon published in The Irish Examiner, Burton depicted an Israeli singer performing under bright lights while surrounded by imagery of destruction and blood, symbolizing the contrast between entertainment and war.

Burton argued that allowing Israel to compete despite accusations of genocide in Gaza undermines international accountability. He compared the situation to Russia’s exclusion from global sports following its invasion of Ukraine, questioning why similar standards are not applied to Israel. His comments follow the European Broadcasting Union’s December 4 decision to permit Israel’s entry, which has triggered withdrawals from Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland.

The controversy reflects growing cultural backlash against Israel’s actions in Gaza, where over 70,000 people have reportedly been killed since October 2023. Observers expect further boycotts and debates over the role of cultural diplomacy in conflict zones.

Thousands of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activists from Bogura began traveling to Dhaka on Wednesday to welcome the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, who is scheduled to return to the country on December 25. Local BNP leaders said more than 1,000 buses, minibuses, and microbuses have departed from 12 upazilas, carrying an estimated 50,000 supporters. Transport unions confirmed that all inter-district coach tickets from Bogura have sold out, with limited services now operating toward Dhaka.

District BNP and affiliated organizations coordinated the large-scale movement, with unit-based vehicle lists prepared to ensure smooth travel. Leaders from the youth and student wings said they were eager to witness what they described as a historic moment for the party. Social media platforms have been flooded with images of convoys heading toward the capital.

The massive mobilization signals renewed enthusiasm among BNP supporters ahead of Rahman’s return, which party insiders view as a potential turning point in national politics. Authorities are expected to monitor traffic and security conditions closely as thousands converge on Dhaka.

Indian teenage cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi stunned the cricket world by scoring a 36-ball century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, setting multiple world records. Playing for Bihar against Arunachal Pradesh, the 14-year-old left-handed opener reached 150 runs off just 59 balls and finished with 190 from 84 deliveries, including 16 fours and 15 sixes. His explosive innings made him the youngest player ever to score a century in List A cricket at 14 years and 272 days, surpassing Pakistan’s Zahoor Elahi, who held the record since 1986.

Suryavanshi’s century was India’s second-fastest in List A history and the fourth-fastest globally, behind Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk’s 29-ball record. His 59-ball 150 also broke AB de Villiers’ 2015 record of reaching the milestone in 64 balls. The performance drew widespread attention, overshadowing the returns of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to domestic cricket after long absences. Analysts hailed Suryavanshi as a prodigious talent, with expectations rising for his future in Indian cricket.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has instructed its leaders and activists in Sylhet not to gather at Osmani International Airport to welcome acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who is scheduled to return from London on Thursday, December 25. The directive was issued through a press release by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday.

According to the statement, Tarique Rahman’s flight will arrive in Bangladesh via Sylhet before landing at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The party urged all levels of BNP and affiliated organizations to refrain from forming crowds at the airport, emphasizing discipline and adherence to party instructions.

The call for restraint appears aimed at avoiding public gatherings that could draw attention or create logistical challenges. BNP leaders in Sylhet district and metropolitan areas have been specifically asked to comply with the directive. Tarique Rahman’s return marks a significant political moment for the party, which has been preparing for renewed leadership activity ahead of future political developments.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is preparing a large public reception in Dhaka’s Purbachal 300-Foot area to welcome its acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, who is returning from London on December 25 after nearly 16 years. A massive stage, measuring 48 by 36 feet, has been built for the event, with final decorations and lighting completed ahead of his arrival. Party activists from across the country have already begun gathering at the venue, turning the area into a festive scene filled with slogans, banners, and flags.

Security measures have been intensified, with police and army patrols deployed to ensure a safe environment. BNP student and youth leaders described the occasion as one of the most significant political moments since the fall of autocracy, calling it a day of national celebration. Organizers expect the event to demonstrate strong grassroots support for Rahman. His motorcade will travel from the airport through Banani and Kakoli to the main stage, where he will address supporters upon arrival.

The High Court of Bangladesh has dismissed a petition filed by Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of the political platform Citizen Unity, seeking removal of his name from the list of loan defaulters. The bench of Justice Md Bazlur Rahman and Justice Md Manzur Alam issued the order on Wednesday, effectively disqualifying Manna from contesting in the upcoming national election.

According to court documents, Manna’s company, Afaku Cold Storage Limited, owes Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited approximately Tk 38.04 crore. The bank’s Bogura branch had issued a call-back notice earlier in December, demanding repayment by December 18. Failure to comply led to the company’s inclusion in the defaulter list. Due to a three-day court recess, Manna cannot appeal before December 28, leaving his disqualification in effect.

Legal analysts note that the decision underscores the Election Commission’s strict enforcement of financial eligibility rules for candidates. Manna may still seek redress through the chamber court after the holidays, but his immediate electoral prospects remain uncertain.

Bangladesh’s Advisory Council has approved a major amendment to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Ordinance, introducing a landmark clause that prohibits any government or authority from shutting down internet or telecom services. The 52nd council meeting also endorsed reforms aimed at strengthening regulatory independence, accountability, and transparency within the sector, including a new framework for lawful interception and data protection.

The revised ordinance rebalances powers between the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), restoring licensing authority to BTRC while mandating periodic public hearings. It also establishes the Center for Information Support (CIS) under the Home Ministry to replace the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC), ensuring judicial oversight and compliance with data protection laws. Misuse of SIM or device registration data for surveillance or harassment is now a punishable offense.

Analysts view the amendment as a step toward aligning Bangladesh’s telecom governance with international best practices, potentially boosting investor confidence and digital rights protection. The ordinance is expected to reshape state surveillance mechanisms and enhance citizens’ trust in digital infrastructure.

Supporters of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal staged a rail blockade at Sararchar station in Bajitpur, Kishoreganj, after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) replaced him with Syed Ehsanul Huda as its nominee for the Kishoreganj–5 (Nikli–Bajitpur) constituency. Protesters placed tree trunks on the railway tracks, halting train operations, including the Dhaka–Kishoreganj intercity service, for nearly an hour before traffic resumed.

The nomination shift followed Huda’s decision earlier in the week to dissolve his own political party, the Bangladesh National Party, and join the BNP with his followers. The move sparked anger among Iqbal’s supporters, who viewed the replacement as a breach of internal party commitments. Station officials confirmed that train services were temporarily suspended due to the blockade.

The incident underscores growing internal tensions within the BNP ahead of the upcoming national elections. Party leaders have yet to comment publicly on the protests, but observers suggest the nomination reshuffle could deepen factional divides in several constituencies.

The United Nations has issued a stark warning about the worsening humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, citing ongoing Israeli military operations and escalating violence by illegal settlers. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), six Palestinians, including four children, were killed between December 9 and 22, 2025. The agency also reported that more than 100 Palestinians were displaced during the same period due to home demolitions and forced evictions across the West Bank.

OCHA expressed grave concern over the growing displacement crisis, noting that 63 of those displaced were from East Jerusalem and the rest from Area C. Palestinian government data indicate that since October 2023, at least 1,102 Palestinians have been killed, nearly 11,000 injured, and around 21,000 detained by Israeli forces and settlers. Humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza remains severely restricted, with shortages of essential supplies hampering maintenance of sanitation systems.

The UN urged immediate action to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access and protection of civilians, warning that continued restrictions could push the region into an even deeper humanitarian catastrophe.

The interim government of Bangladesh has reaffirmed that the Awami League will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam made the announcement during an emergency press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Wednesday, citing the party’s existing ban on political activities.

According to the press secretary, the Election Commission has already excluded the Awami League from the list of registered political parties eligible to contest. The interim government had earlier, in May, issued a notification prohibiting all activities of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations under the amended Anti-Terrorism Ordinance. The ban will remain in place until ongoing proceedings at the International Crimes Tribunal are concluded.

The decision underscores the government’s firm stance on maintaining the prohibition, raising questions about the inclusiveness of the upcoming election and the political representation landscape in Bangladesh.

Barrister Rumin Farhana, the BNP’s International Affairs Secretary, has decided to contest as a rebel candidate in the Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail-Ashuganj) constituency for Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. On Wednesday, her representative collected nomination papers from the local election office, accompanied by several hundred BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal activists from the area.

The BNP had earlier allocated the Brahmanbaria-2 seat to its alliance partner, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, nominating Maulana Junaid Al-Habib as the coalition candidate. Farhana’s move signals internal dissent within the party, as several BNP hopefuls were reportedly disappointed by the seat-sharing decision. Speaking to reporters, she acknowledged the party’s strategic alliance decision but hinted she might still run independently.

Political analysts suggest her candidacy could test BNP’s internal discipline and alliance cohesion. The party leadership has yet to comment on possible disciplinary measures if she proceeds independently. The development adds new complexity to the opposition’s electoral strategy in a key constituency.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a temporary ban on fireworks, firecrackers, sky lanterns, and gas balloons across the capital during the Christmas holiday. The restriction will be in effect from 6 p.m. on December 24 to 6 a.m. on December 26, 2025. The decision, announced by DMP Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman, aims to maintain a solemn and festive environment for the Christian community’s largest religious celebration.

Authorities stated that the ban is enforced under Section 28 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance (Ordinance No. III/76). The DMP urged residents to cooperate in ensuring a peaceful and safe observance of Christmas. Police officials emphasized that the measure is preventive, designed to avoid fire hazards, noise disturbances, and public safety risks.

The restriction aligns with similar safety protocols implemented during major religious and national events in Dhaka. Law enforcement agencies are expected to increase patrols and monitoring across key church areas and public spaces during the holiday period.

Bangladesh has finalized the draft of its first major Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan, marking a milestone in bilateral economic relations. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Choudhury Ashiq described the achievement as historic, emphasizing that it reflects Bangladesh’s commitment to policy continuity, investment protection, and credible dispute resolution mechanisms.

The agreement is expected to open new opportunities beyond traditional manufacturing and energy sectors, extending to automobiles, digital services, logistics, and healthcare. Ashiq noted that Japanese investment will bring advanced technology, skills, and standards, reshaping Bangladesh’s economic landscape. The move aligns with Bangladesh’s preparations for graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, positioning the nation for broader global integration.

Officials indicated that this is only the beginning, as Bangladesh seeks similar agreements with key markets such as the United States, the European Union, and South Korea. The EPA is seen as a strategic foundation for sustaining growth and competitiveness in the post-LDC era.