A 99-member contingent of the Bangladesh Navy has departed Dhaka to join the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) as part of the Bangladesh Force Marine Unit-11. The team left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on December 9, replacing Marine Unit-10. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), another group of 39 naval personnel will follow on December 19 to complete the deployment. Under UN directives, Bangladesh’s naval peacekeepers are tasked with ensuring the safe movement of barges carrying fuel, food, medicine, and humanitarian aid in remote areas of South Sudan. They also monitor and control river piracy, assist local communities in firefighting, and provide rescue and logistical support to both military and civilian operations. For over three decades, the Bangladesh Navy has played an active role in global peacekeeping, contributing to missions in conflict zones worldwide. Its continued participation in UNMISS and other maritime operations, such as in Lebanon’s Mediterranean Task Force, has significantly enhanced Bangladesh’s international reputation for professionalism and humanitarian commitment.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has officially designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations, according to an executive order announced on December 8. The order directs all state agencies to avoid contracts, funding, or employment ties with either group or their affiliates. The move mirrors a similar declaration made by Texas last month. CAIR, a prominent U.S. Muslim civil rights organization founded in 1994 with 25 chapters nationwide, denounced the decision as unconstitutional and defamatory, vowing to challenge it in court. The federal government has not listed either CAIR or the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist entities. The Muslim Brotherhood, founded nearly a century ago in Egypt, claims to have renounced violence and supports democratic participation. The designation underscores growing tensions between state-level policies and federal standards on terrorism classifications. Legal experts expect the issue to test the boundaries of state authority in defining foreign threats, with potential implications for interfaith relations and civil rights advocacy in the United States.

Bangladesh’s Planning Secretary S. M. Shakil Akhter has sharply criticized the lack of proper implementation of government-approved projects, saying that while proposals are well-written on paper, they often fail to materialize effectively. Speaking at a seminar titled “National Energy Resilience Through Renewable Integration: The Bangladesh Perspective” held at the NEC conference room in Agargaon on Tuesday, he emphasized that project execution frequently deviates from the approved plans. Akhter noted that once budget allocations are approved, responsible officials often neglect the actual implementation process. He argued that without identifying and penalizing specific individuals responsible for failures, no reform initiative will succeed. The secretary also objected to the practice of blaming entire teams of 20 to 30 people for implementation failures, insisting that accountability should be focused on those directly involved. He concluded that Bangladesh will only see real progress when a system of individual accountability and punishment for negligence is enforced, signaling a call for structural reform in project management and oversight.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Mexico of a potential 5% tariff, accusing the country of breaching a long-standing water-sharing agreement. In a statement posted Monday on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed Mexico has failed to deliver the agreed water volumes to the United States, causing severe agricultural damage in Texas. Trump alleged that Mexico owes more than 800,000 acre-feet of water accumulated over the past five years, despite repeated U.S. requests for compliance. He demanded that Mexico release at least 700,000 acre-feet by December 31 and settle the remainder soon after. According to Trump, the lack of action constitutes a serious injustice to American farmers. He added that he has already approved the necessary documentation to impose the 5% tariff if Mexico does not act immediately. The warning revives trade tensions between the two neighbors and could complicate cross-border relations ahead of the upcoming U.S. election season.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M Nasir Uddin has formally requested Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed to assign 300 judges to serve as executive magistrates during Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election. The meeting took place at the Supreme Court on December 9, where the CEC sought the judiciary’s cooperation to ensure a fair and orderly electoral process. The Chief Justice assured full institutional support for the Election Commission’s efforts. According to Election Commission officials, the schedule for the 13th national election and a related referendum is expected to be announced after the CEC’s meeting with the President on Wednesday or Thursday. Preparations are already underway, including arrangements for the CEC’s national address to be recorded by Bangladesh Television and Radio. Sources indicate that voting may be held in the first half of February next year. This will be the first major electoral test for the Nasir Uddin-led Commission since assuming office, with political observers emphasizing the importance of judicial involvement to maintain transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.

Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has issued a stern message to Afghanistan’s Taliban government amid escalating border tensions. Speaking at a Guard of Honour ceremony in Rawalpindi’s General Headquarters, Munir said Pakistan remains a peace-loving nation but will not compromise on its sovereignty or territorial integrity. He urged the Taliban to make a decisive choice between supporting the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or maintaining stable relations with Islamabad. The remarks come as cross-border violence and militant activity continue to strain Pakistan-Afghanistan relations despite multiple rounds of peace talks. Munir’s statement underscores Pakistan’s growing frustration over the Taliban’s perceived inaction against TTP fighters operating from Afghan soil. During the same event, he also warned India that any future aggression would be met with a swift and forceful response. Analysts view Munir’s comments as part of Pakistan’s broader effort to pressure Kabul into curbing militant sanctuaries. The warning signals a potential shift toward a harder security stance if diplomatic efforts fail to yield results.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh announced plans to register an additional 100,000 businesses for Value Added Tax (VAT) by the end of December. The initiative, revealed by NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan during a press conference marking VAT Day, aims to expand the country’s tax base and address the low number of VAT-paying enterprises. Currently, Bangladesh has about 644,000 VAT-registered businesses, which the chairman noted is significantly lower than the total number of active enterprises. The NBR will conduct a month-long special drive through its VAT commissionerates to meet the registration target. Khan acknowledged that a large number of businesses remain unregistered, indicating substantial untapped potential in VAT collection. Looking ahead, the NBR expects to bring 3–4 million businesses under VAT registration within the next two years. Plans are also underway to introduce a simplified online “one-click” VAT return system for small enterprises. The authority will observe “VAT Week” from December 10 to 15 under the theme “Register on Time, Pay VAT Properly.”

Bangladesh’s mobile and gadget retailers have decided to continue their nationwide shutdown after a second round of talks with regulators failed to resolve disputes over the National Equipment Identity Registrar (NEIR) system. The Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB) said no positive outcome emerged from Tuesday’s meeting with the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), and stores will remain closed until further notice. MBCB President Md. Aslam stated that another meeting is scheduled for Wednesday with representatives from the National Board of Revenue (NBR). He urged members to remain calm but warned of tougher protests if demands remain unmet. The standoff has disrupted business across the country and caused public inconvenience, especially after retailers began their protest outside the BTRC headquarters earlier this week. A high-level meeting involving government advisers, NBR, the Commerce Ministry, mobile manufacturers, and MBCB representatives is expected on Wednesday to find a resolution. The ongoing impasse raises concerns about market stability and consumer access to mobile devices during the peak sales season.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin has indicated that the schedule for Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament election could be announced within the current week. He made the remark on Tuesday, December 9, after a one-hour closed-door meeting with Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed at the Supreme Court. The meeting, held in the Chief Justice’s chamber, followed a long-standing tradition where the CEC meets the Chief Justice before announcing the national election schedule. Earlier, Election Commissioner Abul Fazl Md. Sanaullah stated that the schedule for both the parliamentary election and a national referendum would be declared by December 15. The Election Commission is reportedly finalizing preparations for the announcement, including constituency logistics and polling arrangements. Political observers note that the meeting signals the final phase of pre-election formalities. The upcoming announcement is expected to set the timeline for candidate nominations, campaign periods, and polling dates, marking the formal start of the election process. Stakeholders are closely watching for signs of consensus and transparency as Bangladesh heads into another national vote.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) of Bangladesh has issued five urgent directives to all educational institutions to guarantee the timely distribution of free textbooks for the 2026 academic year. The notice, signed by Assistant Director S.M. Ziaul Haider Henry, emphasizes that printing and supply of textbooks for primary, secondary, Dakhil, SSC, and vocational levels have already begun. According to the circular, institutions must collect textbooks from designated printing firms following National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) specifications. Officials are required to approve delivery challans online without delay through the NCTB portal. The DSHE also instructed that book distribution continue uninterrupted, including on weekends, and that all district and sub-district education officers update their contact details and signatures in the system. The directives aim to prevent delays and ensure quality control in textbook distribution, a recurring challenge in previous years. Authorities expect the measures to streamline logistics and improve accountability across administrative levels before the new school year begins.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has announced the withdrawal of excise duty on air tickets for next year’s Hajj pilgrims. The directive, issued on December 9, takes immediate effect and will remain valid until June 30, 2025. The exemption means that pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj will not have to pay the usual 5,000 taka excise duty on their flight tickets. This is not the first time the NBR has introduced such a waiver; similar exemptions have been granted in previous years to ease the financial burden on pilgrims. Typically, the excise duty is collected at the time of ticket purchase and deposited into the national treasury. The measure is expected to reduce travel costs for thousands of Bangladeshi pilgrims preparing for the annual pilgrimage. According to official estimates, 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims will be allowed to perform Hajj in 2025, which is expected to take place around May 26, depending on the lunar calendar.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly ruled out any territorial concessions to Russia, as Kyiv prepares to submit a revised peace proposal to the United States. Speaking at a joint press conference with European and NATO leaders, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine’s constitution, national laws, and international norms do not allow the surrender of any part of its territory. He added that any border changes would require a national referendum. The move follows reports that Kyiv rejected a proposal discussed during a recent secret meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian officials. Zelensky met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at Downing Street, where leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine and called for a “just and lasting peace.” Zelensky’s ongoing European tour includes meetings with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Meanwhile, Moscow described its talks with Washington as “constructive,” though no policy shift was evident. Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Zelensky, claiming he is the main obstacle to a peace deal.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer of the National Citizens Party’s southern region, disclosed new information about a secret safe house while testifying before the International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Tuesday. His testimony is part of a case concerning the killing of Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University, during the July 2024 mass uprising. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, is hearing charges against 30 accused, including former university vice-chancellor Hasibur Rashid. Abdullah recounted that on July 16, 2024, nationwide protests saw several student deaths, including Sayeed’s in Rangpur. He alleged that after the protests, intelligence agencies detained him and others, pressuring them to withdraw their movement. He described being taken overnight to a “safe house” near the Department of Fisheries and the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka, where they were interrogated and threatened. The testimony has drawn attention to alleged state-level coercion during the July uprising. The tribunal will resume hearing Abdullah’s remaining statement later in the day, with prosecutors Gazi M.H. Tamim and Moinul Karim representing the state.

An unexpected clash broke out on Tuesday between students of Dhaka College and Dhanmondi Ideal College, leading to a series of chases and counter-chases near the campuses. Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Ramna Division) Masud Alam confirmed that the situation escalated after allegations that some Ideal College students attacked a Dhaka College bus. Police quickly intervened, dispersing the students and restoring order. Authorities said several students were injured during the confrontation. Meetings between police, college administrations, and teachers were held to calm tensions. DC Masud stated that investigators are examining whether any external groups were involved and have requested video evidence from both institutions. He also clarified that a viral photo of a student named Ahad was from a previous incident and that he is no longer enrolled at Ideal College. The clash comes less than a month after both colleges signed a peace agreement mediated by New Market Police, pledging to avoid future violence. Police remain on alert as normalcy gradually returns to the area.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar have formally signed an agreement to construct a high-speed electric passenger rail line connecting Riyadh and Doha, marking the first major infrastructure collaboration between the two Gulf nations once seen as fierce rivals. The project, announced on December 8 through Saudi state media, will link Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport with Doha’s Hamad International Airport, passing through Al-Hofuf and Dammam. The train is expected to exceed speeds of 300 km/h, cutting travel time between the capitals to roughly two hours compared to the current 90-minute flight. The six-year project aims to transport 10 million passengers annually and create around 30,000 jobs across both countries. The agreement was signed during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Riyadh. Analysts view the deal as a symbol of improving Saudi-Qatari relations following years of diplomatic tension. It also aligns with broader Gulf initiatives to enhance regional connectivity and economic diversification under Saudi Vision 2030.