At a roundtable discussion titled 'Upcoming National Election and the Future of Bangladesh' held on December 27, 2025, at the National Press Club in Dhaka, Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman stated that India does not want a credible election in Bangladesh. He argued that a free and fair election would go against India’s interests, as it would make it harder for India to exert influence and carry out what he described as harmful activities in Bangladesh. Rahman also criticized the interim government, questioning its ability to hold a fair election within the remaining six weeks before the polls.

He urged civil society to demand written commitments from political parties to ensure fair voting practices and prevent electoral manipulation. Rahman further claimed that India had fully supported the Awami League government and would not extend similar backing to any future administration. Other speakers, including political scientist Dr. Dilara Chowdhury, emphasized the need for patriotism, the removal of illegal arms, and a level playing field for all parties.

The event was organized by the Election Working Alliance and the Fair Election Advisory Committee and chaired by Dr. Md. Shariful Alam.

International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Advocate Tazul Islam has reaffirmed his determination to capture those responsible for killings. On Saturday, he expressed this commitment through a verified Facebook post, declaring that justice will not be defeated and that the perpetrators will be brought to account regardless of where they hide.

The post, shared on December 27, 2025, reflects the prosecutor’s continued resolve to ensure justice under the tribunal’s mandate. His statement emphasized that no distance or concealment would protect the accused from facing justice. The message was framed as a strong assurance of accountability and faith in the judicial process.

The declaration comes amid ongoing discussions about justice and accountability in Bangladesh, underscoring the tribunal’s ongoing efforts to pursue those accused of serious crimes.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, announced that he will approach the High Court’s chamber judge on Sunday regarding a loan default issue with Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited. Speaking at a press conference at his party office on Saturday, Manna said he hopes the court’s decision will remove obstacles to his participation in the upcoming 13th national election. He explained that the dispute stems from a business loan taken in 2010 for Akafu Cold Storage Limited in Shibganj, Bogura, which later became problematic after his business partner allegedly took control and failed to repay the loan.

Manna stated that the loan, originally Tk 22 crore, had grown to about Tk 38 crore with interest and penalties. He said he repaid Tk 2 crore over the past year, and Bangladesh Bank directed Islami Bank to reschedule the loan, which the bank’s board approved on December 10. However, a previous High Court stay order in his favor was unexpectedly recalled. Manna said he will seek a new order to clear his name from the defaulter list before the December 29 deadline to remain eligible for election candidacy.

He expressed optimism that the upcoming hearing will resolve the issue and allow him to contest from Bogura-2, Sirajganj-1, and Dhaka-18 constituencies.

Russia has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his European supporters of attempting to derail the ongoing peace process. The allegation came as Zelensky prepared to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday to discuss a proposal aimed at ending the war. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that reaching an agreement depends on the political will of the other side, adding that the latest plan differs entirely from previous proposals discussed between Washington and Moscow.

Zelensky is expected to present a revised 20-point peace proposal that includes a suspension of direct combat, security guarantees, and economic measures. He has also indicated readiness to submit a final plan for a referendum if difficult territorial decisions are required, noting that at least a 60-day ceasefire would be necessary to hold such a vote safely.

Russia continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw its forces from the eastern regions and abandon its efforts to join NATO, conditions that Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain stated that no more flawed elections will be allowed in Bangladesh. He described the past three elections as flawed and emphasized that voters must be able to choose their preferred candidates without obstruction. He made these remarks on Saturday at the inauguration of the 'Voting Caravan' held at Bhola Government High School field, where he served as the chief guest.

Hossain clarified that the government will not act out of self-interest but will fully cooperate if citizens take initiative to establish their rights. He noted that nomination papers have already been accepted and that the upcoming election will take place on schedule. He urged campaigners to make voters aware of two key issues: the type of leadership they are choosing for the future and the rights they are entitled to in state governance. The event was attended by local administrative and law enforcement officials.

The adviser also dismissed speculations surrounding the upcoming election, reiterating that the government will not engage in any conjecture and that the electoral process will proceed as planned.

Adilur Rahman Khan, adviser to the Ministries of Industries, Housing and Public Works, and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, stated that any attempt to disrupt Bangladesh’s upcoming election will be resisted. He made the remarks on Saturday noon in the Mothar Bazar area of Madaripur after visiting the grave of July Movement martyr Naimur Rahman. Khan emphasized that the government is working to ensure security for all citizens and that the people will stand by the government to ensure a fair election.

During his visit, Khan also said that no patriotic citizen should doubt the election process and urged everyone to cooperate for a peaceful and fair vote. He mentioned that he regularly visits districts to inspect development projects, pay respects to July Movement martyrs, and meet their families. Earlier, he visited the grave of martyr Mamun, laid flowers at the July Memorial, and inspected progress on housing and waste management projects in Shibchar upazila.

Senior district officials, including the Deputy Commissioner and Additional Deputy Commissioner of Madaripur, accompanied him during the visit.

Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, the 25th Chief Justice of Bangladesh, has formally retired from the judiciary after reaching the constitutional retirement age of 67. He stepped down from the top judicial post on Saturday, marking the end of his judicial career. Dr. Ahmed had taken oath as Chief Justice on August 11, 2024, following the post-uprising period in Bangladesh.

A former student of the University of Dhaka, Dr. Ahmed earned a first-class law degree from Wadham College, University of Oxford, and later obtained his master’s and PhD degrees from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the United States. He also worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as an expert on immigration law.

Beginning his legal career in 1984 at the Dhaka District Court and joining the High Court Division in 1986, Dr. Ahmed was appointed an additional judge in 2003 and became a permanent judge two years later. As Chief Justice, he introduced a roadmap for judicial reform, playing a key role in establishing a separate judicial secretariat and initiating laws for judge recruitment.

Barrister Zaima Rahman, daughter of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, completed her voter registration at the Election Commission building on Saturday afternoon. She finished the process and left the premises at 12:45 p.m., accompanied by her mother, Dr. Zubaida Rahman. The registration marks her official inclusion in the national voter list.

Earlier, on June 23, Dr. Zubaida Rahman was added to the national voter list after completing her own registration. Meanwhile, National Identity Registration Director General ASM Humayun Kabir informed journalists that Tarique Rahman has applied online for his National ID card and will receive it within 24 hours of completing his voter registration.

Tarique Rahman recently returned to Bangladesh with his family on December 25, ending 17 years of exile in the United Kingdom.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman visited the grave of his younger brother Arafat Rahman Koko at Banani Cemetery on Saturday. Before the visit, he completed voter registration work at the Election Building. Tarique Rahman also paid respects at the grave of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of Inquilab Mancha, prior to visiting his brother’s resting place.

Arafat Rahman Koko was born in Dhaka in 1969 and passed away from cardiac arrest in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on January 24, 2015. He left behind his wife and two daughters, Jafia Rahman and Jahia Rahman. From 2003 to 2005, Koko served as a member of the advisory council of the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

The visit by Tarique Rahman followed his official voter registration activities and reflected a personal moment of remembrance for his late brother, who had been involved in sports administration in Bangladesh.

Yemen’s internationally recognized government has requested military assistance from the Saudi-led coalition to protect civilians and restore peace in the country. The request was made following an emergency meeting of the National Defense Council. According to Al Arabiya, Rashad al-Alimi, president of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), made the appeal on Friday, stating that such support is necessary to safeguard ordinary citizens and stabilize the nation.

Since 2015, Iran-backed Houthi rebels have controlled the capital Sanaa and roughly half of Yemen, while the PLC governed the remaining areas recognized internationally as Yemen’s legitimate government. However, in early December, the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) seized control of most of these territories. Saudi Arabia urged the STC to withdraw, but the group instead strengthened its positions.

Tensions escalated after Saudi forces launched airstrikes in Hadramaut, Yemen’s largest southern province, which along with Al-Mahra province, remains under STC control. Saudi Arabia warned that continued STC dominance could deepen divisions and allow Houthi forces to exploit the situation. The Yemeni president has called on the STC to relinquish control of both provinces.

The Bangladesh Navy will conduct a missile firing exercise in the Bay of Bengal between Cox’s Bazar and Hatiya on Monday and Tuesday. The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) announced the exercise in a statement issued on Saturday, urging all types of vessels to avoid the designated area during the operation for safety reasons.

According to the ISPR, the restriction applies to all maritime traffic, including fishing boats and trawlers, to ensure the safety of lives and property during the missile firing. The advisory emphasized that no vessels should remain or move within the specified zone while the exercise is underway.

The notice serves as a precautionary measure to prevent accidents and maintain operational security during the naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal.

Inqilab Mancha activists returned to Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka around noon on Saturday after briefly moving to Katabon to make way for BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Following Rahman’s departure from the Dhaka University area after visiting Sharif Osman Hadi’s grave, the protesters resumed their sit-in at Shahbagh, chanting slogans demanding justice for Hadi’s killing.

According to the report, Inqilab Mancha had been occupying Shahbagh since Friday afternoon, continuing their protest through the night until early Saturday. The group’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber earlier declared that they would not leave Shahbagh until government advisers appeared before them. He also stated that the protest would continue until those involved in planning, executing, or aiding the escape of Hadi’s killers to India were arrested.

Hadi, the group’s spokesperson and a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot in the head on December 12 in Purana Paltan. He later died on December 18 in Singapore after being transferred there for treatment. Investigators reportedly identified a banned Chhatra League leader as the shooter, who has since fled to India.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman completed his voter registration at the Election Commission building on Saturday afternoon to participate in the upcoming national election. He arrived at the commission around 1 p.m. and completed the process in 16 minutes at the Election Training Institute’s Room 104. According to the Director General of the National Identity Registration Wing, S M Humayun Kabir, Rahman will receive his national identity card within 7 to 24 hours after providing his fingerprints.

The registration marks the end of a 17-year gap during which Rahman could not register as a voter due to living abroad. The Election Commission had finalized the voter list on October 31, but Rahman and his daughter Jaima Rahman were added after the election schedule was announced. The commission will now publish a revised supplementary list for Dhaka-17 constituency. His registration removes all barriers to his candidacy in the 13th parliamentary election, for which nomination submission closes on December 29.

The national election and referendum were announced on December 11, with voting scheduled for February 12. Rahman has already collected nomination papers from Bogura.

The African Union has rejected Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland as an independent state. In a statement issued on Friday, the AU reaffirmed its commitment to Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmud Ali Yusuf declared that any initiative to recognize Somaliland as a separate entity was unacceptable, emphasizing that Somaliland remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

The statement warned that any attempt to undermine Somalia’s unity or territorial integrity would violate the AU’s core principles and could have far-reaching consequences for peace and stability across the continent. It also described Israel’s recognition as a dangerous precedent. The AU expressed full support for Somalia’s efforts to strengthen state institutions, consolidate peace, and promote inclusive governance.

Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state on Friday. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has awaited international recognition for decades. The issue has been a top priority since Abdi Rahman Mohamed Abdullahi assumed the presidency last year.

Israel has become the first country to officially recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, as an independent state. The announcement was followed by reactions from the United States and Turkey. U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not intend to follow Israel’s decision, adding that the matter will be reviewed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he would inform Trump about Somaliland’s interest in joining the Abraham Accords during their scheduled meeting on Monday.

Turkey strongly condemned Israel’s move, calling it illegal. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keçeli said on social media that the recognition represents another example of what he described as the Netanyahu government’s unlawful actions aimed at creating instability both regionally and globally. Keçeli added that the decision constitutes open interference in Somalia’s internal affairs and emphasized that any decisions about the future of Somalia and Somaliland should reflect the will of the Somali people.

The development has introduced new diplomatic tensions involving Israel, Turkey, and the United States, while raising questions about the future of regional stability in the Horn of Africa.