Somalia has demanded that Israel withdraw its recognition of Somaliland, the self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war. Somaliland has operated independently with its own currency, flag, and parliament, though it remains unrecognized by any United Nations member state and faces territorial disputes in its eastern regions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the recognition as part of the spirit of the Abraham Accords and announced plans to advocate for Somaliland’s cause during an upcoming meeting with United States President Donald Trump. Somaliland’s leader Cirro has accepted Netanyahu’s invitation to visit Israel.

The United States has recently voiced frustration with Somalia’s government, criticizing its failure to improve national security despite substantial international aid. At a UN Security Council meeting, Washington signaled it may end funding for a costly peacekeeping mission. Somalia’s relations with Israel have long been strained, rooted in Israel’s historical military and intelligence support for Ethiopia, Somalia’s regional rival. The 1977 Ogaden War, in which Somalia was defeated, deepened this animosity and contributed to decades of instability.

The diplomatic developments highlight shifting alliances in the Horn of Africa and could further complicate Somalia’s internal and regional politics.

Several extremist Hindu organizations staged a violent protest on Saturday near the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Guwahati, India. According to a diplomatic source cited by the report, hundreds of protesters under the banners of Hindu Yuva Chhatra Parishad, Rashtriya Hindu Front, and Hindu Ekta Manch attempted to enter the mission premises while carrying saffron flags and chanting anti-Bangladesh slogans. Police intervened before they could reach the mission, after which the protesters blocked a nearby road and held a rally. During the rally, effigies of Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus were burned, and a memorandum was later submitted to the mission.

The demonstration followed a series of violent incidents targeting Bangladeshi missions across India, including an attack on the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi on November 20. The report alleged that the attack occurred with the encouragement of the Modi government and included threats against High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah. In response, Bangladesh summoned the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka and demanded stronger security for its missions.

Subsequent unrest spread to Mumbai, Kolkata, and Agartala, with extremists setting fire to the Bangladesh visa center in Siliguri. Bangladesh has since suspended visa issuance for Indian nationals, heightening diplomatic tension between Dhaka and New Delhi.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of A.K.M. Shahidul Islam, who was arrested on charges of making derogatory remarks about the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman. The demand was made through a press statement issued on Saturday night by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

According to the statement, Tarique Rahman visited the graves of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Shaheed Osman Hadi and national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on Saturday. During that time, police arrested Shahidul Islam under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and later produced him before a court, which ordered his imprisonment.

The BNP stated that freedom of expression is a fundamental human and civic right in a democratic country and argued that Shahidul Islam’s arrest and imprisonment solely for expressing his opinion were unjustified. The party urged the authorities to release him immediately and uphold citizens’ democratic rights.

In Patuakhali-3 constituency, covering Galachipa and Dashmina, BNP grassroots leaders have declared Hasan Mamun as an independent candidate opposing the alliance nominee Nurul Haque Nur, president of Gono Odhikar Parishad and former DUCSU vice president. The decision followed BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s December 24 announcement endorsing Nur as the joint candidate of the BNP-led alliance. Local BNP leaders, angered by the nomination, collected nomination papers for Mamun, with Galachipa BNP president Md. Siddiqur Rahman leading the effort.

At an extended meeting in Dashmina, BNP activists rejected the alliance’s choice, pledging unified support for Mamun in the upcoming 13th national election. Mamun, a former president and general secretary of the Dhaka University Chhatra Dal and a BNP national executive member, said he would contest based on grassroots demand, noting that BNP had not won the seat in 46 years. Both BNP and Gono Odhikar Parishad have collected nomination papers for their respective candidates.

As of the report’s filing, Mamun and his supporters were in Dhaka seeking a meeting with BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

Widespread irregularities and corruption have been reported in a Tk 500 crore project aimed at preventing erosion, rebuilding embankments, and protecting slopes along the coastal areas of Banshkhali in Chattogram. The project, divided into six packages, includes major works in Chhanua, Khan Khanabad, and Sadhanpur. Reports indicate that local syndicates, allegedly operating under political influence, have divided project work among themselves, while contractors have been accused of using substandard materials such as low-quality sand, dirty stones, and saline water in concrete block construction.

Field visits revealed that blocks were being made with local Betagi sand instead of the specified Sylheti sand, and that vibration machines were not used during block production. Locals claimed that the blocks often broke during installation due to poor quality. Officials from the Water Development Board (Paubo) stated that saline water use had been stopped and deep tube wells were now supplying fresh water for construction. The project, approved by ECNEC on 28 May 2024, is scheduled for completion by June 2027.

Political infighting and alleged mismanagement have slowed progress in several areas, raising concerns that the embankment’s durability and the safety of coastal residents could be at risk.

Investigators are still trying to determine the motive behind the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesman of Inquilab Mancha and a leader of the July Revolution movement. Two suspects, Faisal Karim and Alamgir, who allegedly took part in the killing mission, remain at large and are believed to have fled to India, according to law enforcement sources. The case, initially filed as an attempted murder after Hadi was shot on December 12, was later converted to a murder case following his death. Fourteen people have been arrested so far, but investigators say no clear clue has yet emerged.

Officials involved in the investigation said they are examining who might have benefited from Hadi’s death and who financed or supported the network behind the killing. Preliminary findings suggest Hadi’s prominent role in the July movement, his strong stance against domination, and his leadership of Inquilab Mancha may have made him a target. Law enforcement agencies have recovered three firearms, including the weapon used in the murder, from a lake in Narsingdi, and continue to analyze Hadi’s digital content for further leads.

A bumper early potato harvest has been reported along the banks of the Gomti River in Comilla, where farmers are expressing concern over low market prices despite strong yields. The report, published on December 28, 2025, describes lush green fields and high-quality produce, yet growers fear they will not recover rising production costs. Farmers cite increased prices of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides as major challenges and are calling for government support and market regulation.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, potatoes were cultivated on 8,310 hectares in Comilla this season, about 800 hectares less than last year. The highest cultivation occurred in Daudkandi, followed by Debidwar and Burichang upazilas. Farmers are currently selling potatoes at 18 taka per kilogram to wholesalers, who resell them in markets for 25–30 taka after transport costs. Officials note that although cultivation has declined slightly, existing stocks mean there is no shortage risk in the district.

Local agricultural officers said that while yields are good, it is too early to predict price trends until new potatoes reach broader markets.

The newly built third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka has no mobile network coverage due to a design flaw, delaying its inauguration. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) discovered the issue after construction was nearly complete and has begun urgent work to install network infrastructure inside the terminal. The correction process, including opening parts of the aesthetic ceiling to lay cables, is expected to take six to seven months.

According to CAAB sources, the original design did not include an in-building mobile network solution, forcing a redesign and additional costs estimated in the millions. An emergency board meeting decided to sign a five-year agreement with state-owned Teletalk to implement the network, as other operators only offered space rental without revenue sharing. The contract will be reviewed every two years, with rent increasing by 2.5 percent annually upon renewal.

CAAB officials acknowledged that the absence of mobile coverage is a major operational flaw in an otherwise world-class facility. They expect the new agreement with Teletalk to resolve the issue and enable the terminal’s opening once the network installation is complete.

Myanmar has begun voting in a general election despite ongoing civil conflict and widespread doubts about its legitimacy. This is the first national election since the military seized power in 2021 by ousting the elected government. The junta claims the vote will help revive the country’s politics and economy, which have suffered years of instability.

Critics, including the United Nations, several Western governments, and human rights groups, argue the process is neither free nor credible because anti-junta parties are excluded. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is participating, while the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by imprisoned Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, has been dissolved by the junta.

The election will take place in three phases, with the first round now underway and subsequent rounds scheduled for January 11 and 25. Voting is planned in 265 of 330 townships, though the junta lacks full control in many areas. No date has been announced for vote counting or results, and analysts warn the election may only serve to extend military rule.

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Taiwan late Saturday night, according to the island’s weather administration. The quake hit at 11:05 p.m. local time near Yilan County, with its epicenter located 73 kilometers beneath the seabed. Buildings in the capital Taipei shook, prompting residents to rush outdoors in fear. No major damage or casualties were immediately reported.

Taipei city authorities said there were no significant losses, though minor incidents such as gas and water pipe leaks and slight structural damage occurred in some buildings. Taiwan Power Company reported temporary power outages affecting tens of thousands of homes in Yilan. Chipmaker TSMC briefly evacuated some staff from its Hsinchu Science Park facilities before resuming normal operations.

The weather administration warned of possible aftershocks measuring between 5.5 and 6.0 within the next 24 hours. President Lai Ching-te stated that the situation was under control and urged citizens to remain alert for aftershocks.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on Saturday that the United States, Israel, and Europe are conducting a “full-fledged war” against Iran. His remarks were published on the official website of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, just days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump. Pezeshkian said Iran’s military forces are stronger than before despite challenges and warned that any new attack would face a decisive response.

The statement follows a series of confrontations, including Israeli and US strikes on Iran six months ago and the reimposition of United Nations sanctions by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom over Tehran’s nuclear program. Pezeshkian compared the current situation to the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq war, calling it more complex and difficult. The US and its allies accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies.

Recent tensions include a 12-day war in June between Israel and Iran that left more than 1,000 casualties, followed by US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Trump’s administration has reinstated the “maximum pressure” policy, and Netanyahu is expected to urge further military action against Iran’s missile program during his upcoming visit.

Law enforcement and intelligence agencies have reported increased illegal arms infiltration through the Rajshahi border region as Bangladesh approaches its next parliamentary election. According to multiple sources, fugitive political leaders and militants based in Kolkata are directing a powerful smuggling syndicate operating across the Padma River and Rajshahi-Chapainawabganj frontier. The network reportedly involves former influential Awami League figures who fled to India but continue to manage operations through local associates.

Authorities said most firearms enter through the Shibganj border in Chapainawabganj, prompting heightened vigilance by RAB-5 and Border Guard Bangladesh. Recent seizures include foreign pistols, magazines, ammunition, and explosives, with several arrests made in Rajshahi and Naogaon. Intelligence reports indicate that many weapons, though marked as foreign-made, originate from Bihar’s Munger and are trafficked using fruit and vegetable consignments.

Political and security analysts warn that the stockpiling of illegal arms under political protection poses a serious threat to the upcoming election environment. They urge coordinated action by the executive branch and Home Ministry to dismantle the networks and prevent further destabilization.

Election activities have intensified across Madaripur ahead of the upcoming national polls, with candidates from various parties reaching out to voters. The district, long dominated by the Awami League, is witnessing renewed competition as opposition groups seek to capitalize on public discontent. However, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is struggling with internal divisions in two of the district’s three constituencies, where disputes and rebel candidacies have disrupted its campaign momentum.

In contrast, the eight-party Islamist alliance, including Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, appears more organized and confident. Their candidates have completed preparations to campaign jointly. In Madaripur-1 and Madaripur-2, BNP’s nomination disputes have led to protests and independent bids, while the Islamist bloc’s nominees are actively campaigning. Only in Madaripur-3 has the BNP managed to maintain unity, with its official candidate running unopposed within the party.

The developments mark a shift in a region historically controlled by the Awami League, as opposition parties intensify efforts to attract voters through meetings and local outreach programs.

Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury will be sworn in today as the 26th Chief Justice of Bangladesh. According to Supreme Court Public Relations Officer Md. Shafiqul Islam, the oath-taking ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at Bangabhaban, where President Md. Shahabuddin will administer the oath. The appointment was made under Article 95(1) of the Constitution through a presidential order issued on December 20, signed by Law Secretary Liaqat Ali Molla. The appointment takes effect from the date of the oath.

Justice Chowdhury began his legal career in 1985 at the Judge Court and became an advocate of the High Court Division in 1987. He was appointed as an additional judge of the High Court Division on August 27, 2003, and became a permanent judge two years later. On August 12, 2024, he was elevated to the Appellate Division.

He holds an LLB (Honours) and LLM from the University of Dhaka and later earned an LLM in International Law from the United Kingdom.

A total of 170 central leaders of the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP) have sent a letter to the party’s convener, Nahid Islam, expressing support for forming an alliance with Jamaat. The letter, issued on Saturday, emphasized that the decision was made considering political realities ahead of the upcoming election and called for a unified and pragmatic approach under Nahid’s leadership.

The move followed internal tension after a separate letter from 30 leaders opposing the alliance was made public, despite an understanding that it would remain confidential. This disclosure led to disagreement within the party, prompting pro-alliance leaders to begin collecting counter-signatures. According to several sources, the number of signatories supporting the alliance could exceed 170.

In their letter, the supporting leaders expressed confidence in Nahid Islam’s leadership and political foresight, stating that his decisions would strengthen the NCP organizationally and reinforce public trust in the party.