Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has seized a foreign vessel in the Persian Gulf on allegations of fuel smuggling. The ship, reportedly carrying 350,000 liters of contraband diesel, was intercepted following intelligence surveillance and brought to a southern Iranian port under court order, according to IRGC officials. The vessel was identified as flying the flag of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). Authorities stated that 13 crew members—comprising Indian nationals and citizens of a neighboring country—were detained for investigation. The confiscated fuel has been returned to Iran and is currently being offloaded under judicial supervision. The seizure underscores Iran’s ongoing campaign against fuel smuggling, a persistent issue driven by the country’s heavily subsidized domestic fuel prices. The IRGC frequently announces similar operations in the Persian Gulf, reflecting both economic and security dimensions of Iran’s maritime enforcement strategy.

Three members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed in what authorities described as a terrorist assault near the southeastern city of Zahedan, close to the Lar border region, on Wednesday. According to state-run Press TV, the attack targeted troops stationed to protect Iran’s frontier areas. A statement from the IRGC’s Quds regional headquarters confirmed that the soldiers were ambushed while performing border security duties. Iranian forces have since launched a counter-operation to locate and confront the attackers. The Sistan and Baluchestan province, where the incident occurred, has long been a hotspot for militant activity against both civilians and security personnel. Officials in Tehran have previously accused foreign intelligence agencies of supporting armed groups operating in the region. The latest attack underscores persistent security challenges along Iran’s volatile southeastern border, raising concerns about cross-border militancy and regional instability.

A mild cold wave has swept across Tetulia in northern Bangladesh as temperatures dropped to 9.2°C early Thursday, marking the season’s lowest reading so far. The region, located in Panchagarh district, has been experiencing persistent cold for several days due to chilly Himalayan winds. Despite sunny mornings, the air remains cold and damp, with humidity recorded at 99 percent. Local residents, particularly low-income workers, are struggling to cope with the sudden cold. Many have reported difficulties working outdoors or in rivers, while hospitals are seeing a rise in cold-related illnesses, especially among children and the elderly. In response, the district administration has distributed 8,640 blankets across 43 unions using funds from the Disaster Management Department and requested an additional 65,000 blankets from the ministry. Officials warn that temperatures may fall further in the coming days, urging residents to take precautions as the cold wave intensifies across northern Bangladesh.

Israel has approved the construction of 764 new housing units for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank, according to Israeli media outlet Channel Seven. The plan includes 478 homes in Hashmonaim near Ramallah, 230 in Beitar Illit, and 56 in Giv’at Ze’ev. The decision comes amid an ongoing ceasefire in Gaza, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has not issued an official statement on the matter. The move adds to Israel’s long-running settlement expansion policy, widely condemned under international law. Since Netanyahu returned to power in 2022, settlement approvals have accelerated sharply. Reports indicate that over 51,000 new settler homes have been authorized across the West Bank in the past three years. Israeli NGO Peace Now estimates that around 450,000 settlers live in the West Bank and another 250,000 in East Jerusalem. Analysts warn that the latest approval could further strain Israel’s relations with Western allies and complicate future peace negotiations with the Palestinians, who view the settlements as illegal encroachments on their prospective state.

Residents of Sylhet experienced two consecutive earthquakes just five minutes apart in the early hours of Wednesday, December 10. According to India’s National Center for Seismology, the first quake occurred at 2:20:31 a.m. with a magnitude of 3.5 and a depth of 20 kilometers, followed by a second tremor at 2:25:14 a.m. measuring 3.3 in magnitude and 30 kilometers deep. No immediate reports of damage or casualties were recorded. The same night, a 4.3-magnitude earthquake struck the Bay of Bengal at 3:38 a.m., while another tremor of magnitude 3.7 was reported in Myanmar around 2:54 a.m. Earlier in December, several mild to moderate quakes were recorded across Bangladesh, including in Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, and Chattogram. Experts note that the recent sequence of tremors highlights the region’s seismic vulnerability, particularly along the Indo-Burma fault line. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and ensure structural safety measures as minor quakes continue to occur across the region.

The United States has seized a large fuel tanker off the coast of Venezuela, President Donald Trump announced at a White House press conference on Wednesday, December 10. Trump described the vessel as one of the largest tankers ever captured and said further details would be released later. The operation was reportedly led by the US Coast Guard, according to Reuters, citing three American officials familiar with the matter. The seizure comes as Washington intensifies its maritime presence in the Caribbean, citing anti-narcotics operations. Over recent months, US forces have conducted multiple strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in international waters between Venezuela and Colombia, resulting in more than 80 deaths since early September. The Trump administration maintains that these actions are part of its self-defense and anti-drug efforts. Venezuelan authorities, however, accuse Washington of using such operations as a pretext to destabilize President Nicolás Maduro’s government. The incident underscores escalating geopolitical friction in the region, with potential implications for US–Venezuela relations and regional security dynamics.

At least 19 people were killed and 16 others injured when two adjacent four-story buildings collapsed early Wednesday in the historic city of Fez, Morocco, according to state media reports. The incident occurred in the Al-Mustaqbal district, where eight families lived in the two structures. Emergency teams, including local authorities, security forces, and civil protection units, quickly launched search and rescue operations. State broadcaster SNRT reported that the buildings had visible cracks and were in a state of long-term neglect. Despite known structural risks, local authorities reportedly failed to take preventive measures. Reuters noted it could not independently verify the extent of the damage, and the Interior Ministry did not immediately comment. The collapse comes two months after protests in Fez over deteriorating living conditions and inadequate public services. The tragedy has renewed scrutiny of Morocco’s urban safety standards, particularly in aging neighborhoods of major cities, where maintenance and enforcement remain inconsistent.

India’s Home Minister Amit Shah sparked uproar in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday by calling the Nehru-Gandhi family the country’s first ‘vote thieves’. The remark came during a debate on electoral reforms, where Shah accused the Congress of hypocrisy over objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process meant to update voter rolls. His comments triggered a sharp exchange with Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who challenged Shah to a public debate on election integrity. Shah alleged that the first instance of ‘vote theft’ occurred when Jawaharlal Nehru became India’s first Prime Minister despite Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel receiving more provincial votes. He further cited Indira Gandhi’s 1975 election annulment and Sonia Gandhi’s alleged early voting as examples of Congress malpractice. Congress MPs protested, calling the allegations baseless and politically motivated. The confrontation underscores rising tensions between the ruling BJP and Congress ahead of upcoming state elections. Analysts say the exchange reflects deepening polarization over electoral credibility and institutional trust, issues likely to dominate India’s political discourse in the coming months.

The Jagannath University Teachers’ Association has announced the schedule for its 2025 executive election, set to take place on December 24. The election timetable was released on December 10 through an official notice signed by Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman. According to the schedule, nomination papers can be collected on December 17–18, verified on December 20, and withdrawn on December 21. Voting will occur from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the university’s teachers’ auditorium, with results to be declared the same day. The election commission, led by Professor Rahman from the Department of Chemistry, includes four other faculty members from various departments. The nomination fee has been set at Tk 1,000 for executive member posts and Tk 1,500 for editorial positions. The commission met with the university’s vice-chancellor and treasurer to discuss ensuring a fair and transparent election process. The upcoming election is expected to shape the leadership of the teachers’ association for 2025, influencing academic and administrative collaboration within the university.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi held an unusually long meeting inside India’s Parliament, sparking widespread political speculation. Official sources said the discussion centered on the appointment of a new Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), a post vacant since September following Hiralal Samariya’s retirement. The extended duration of the meeting, however, has prompted questions about whether broader political issues were also discussed. Under India’s constitutional framework, the CIC is selected by a committee comprising the Prime Minister, a minister nominated by him, and the Opposition Leader. Sources indicate that Gandhi rejected all proposed names and submitted written objections, continuing his pattern of challenging key appointments. The vacancy has left only two commissioners managing a backlog of around 31,000 pending Right to Information (RTI) cases. Opposition parties accuse the government of deliberately delaying the appointment, undermining transparency and citizens’ access to information. Analysts suggest the meeting may have also touched on parliamentary deadlock, controversial bills, and economic concerns. No official statement was issued, leaving the true scope of the discussion uncertain.

Three Bangladeshi civil society organizations—Local Education and Economic Development Organization (LEEDO), Human Rights Development Centre (HRDC), and Dhaka Centre for Dialogue (DCD)—have jointly called on political parties to include four child protection commitments in their 2026 election manifestos. The demand was made during a discussion at the National Press Club in Dhaka on International Human Rights Day. The groups urged parties to ban children’s participation in political rallies, ensure safety for street and vulnerable children during elections, include explicit commitments to child rights in manifestos, and sign public declarations against the political use of minors. Speakers, including academics and political representatives, warned that children face heightened risks during election periods despite not being voters. They criticized ongoing child labor and exploitation, calling for stronger state action on education, healthcare, and shelter for street children. Participants emphasized that meaningful elections require safeguarding the next generation. They also urged future governments to institutionalize child protection policies and criticized global silence over children affected by conflict worldwide.

A criminal case has been filed against five individuals, including a former Additional Superintendent of Police and a former Public Prosecutor, in Satkhira, Bangladesh. The case, lodged by former Debhata Upazila Chairman Md. Al Ferdous Alfa, accuses the defendants of demanding extortion money, abduction, and physical assault related to a 2019 incident involving the seizure of seafood worth approximately 15 million taka. According to the complaint, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized the fish shipment, after which police officials allegedly demanded 10 million taka from the plaintiff. When he refused, he and his brother were reportedly abducted and tortured. The plaintiff further claims that the confiscated fish were later sold at a fraction of their value and that additional bribes were taken under the pretext of securing bail. The Satkhira Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate accepted the case and ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate. The next hearing is set for April 20, 2026, with the case highlighting ongoing concerns about police corruption and abuse of power in regional law enforcement.

Malaysian immigration authorities have arrested 56 undocumented migrants, including several Bangladeshis, during two separate operations across Terengganu state. The raids, conducted in five districts, primarily targeted construction sites. In the first operation, held on December 10, officers inspected seven sites in Kuala Nerus, Kuala Terengganu, and Setiu, checking the documents of 92 workers. Forty-two Bangladeshis were detained for various visa and documentation irregularities under the Immigration Act 1952/63. According to Terengganu Immigration Director Mohamad Yusri Mohamad Nor, 27 individuals were charged with violating permit conditions, 13 lacked valid travel documents, and two overstayed their visas. All detainees were transferred to the Ajil Immigration Depot for further legal proceedings. In a second operation across Kuala Terengganu, Marang, and Dungun, authorities arrested 14 more migrants—five each from Bangladesh and Indonesia, three from Thailand, and one from Myanmar, aged between 23 and 49. Officials stated that enforcement against undocumented migrants will continue, reflecting Malaysia’s ongoing crackdown on illegal labor amid rising concerns over labor rights and documentation compliance.

Residents of Babuganj in Barishal organized a broom procession and protest on Wednesday against Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, the general secretary of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party and its candidate for Barishal-3 constituency. The demonstration took place at Mirganj Bazar, where hundreds of men and women condemned Fuad’s recent remarks and demanded their withdrawal along with legal action against him. According to protesters, Fuad had accused local residents of extortion and terrorism during a bridge inauguration event on December 7, alleging that Babuganj politicians and citizens sought money from a Chinese construction firm. Locals called the statements false and defamatory, saying they tarnished the reputation of the community. Fuad later claimed that bomb-making factories and illegal firearms were common in the area, further angering residents. Protesters insisted that Fuad must apologize unconditionally and face exemplary punishment, warning of intensified movements if their demands remain unmet. The incident highlights growing tensions between the AB Party candidate and his constituency ahead of the upcoming election.

BNP publicity secretary and Tangail-5 candidate Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has pledged that no human rights violations will occur if his party forms the next government. Speaking at a human chain organized to mark the 77th International Human Rights Day in Tangail, he said the BNP’s politics is centered on public welfare and democracy, promising a humane and democratic Bangladesh free of violence and repression. Tuku criticized past governments as illegitimate and authoritarian, accusing them of suppressing citizens’ fundamental rights and using law enforcement to commit abuses. He highlighted BNP’s recent social initiatives, including distributing wheelchairs and winter clothing to underprivileged and homeless people, as examples of people-centered politics. He urged citizens to remain united to prevent any future authoritarian rule and to express their democratic will in the upcoming national elections. The event, organized by the Unity for Universal Human Rights of Bangladesh Foundation, concluded with a rally through Tangail town.