The Ministry of Public Administration has taken custody of 30 luxury Pajero vehicles worth about Tk 400 crore that were imported under duty-free privileges in the names of several fugitive former ministers and MPs of the Awami League. The vehicles, which had been stuck for one and a half years in the car shed of Chattogram Port, were transported to Dhaka on Friday morning with approval from the National Board of Revenue (NBR). Earlier, the cars had been put up for auction but failed to attract expected bids.

According to customs sources, the vehicles were imported after the 2024 dummy election by at least 40 former MPs and ministers using duty-free facilities. Most of the cars remained unclaimed amid the quota reform movement, leading to their seizure by customs. Attempts to auction them failed due to alleged manipulation by a syndicate offering unrealistically low bids. The government then decided to allocate the cars for official use through the transport pool after resolving legal complications.

Officials said the decision prevents national assets from being wasted, while future claimants may still retrieve the vehicles by paying full duties. Business representatives welcomed the move but suggested reforming the auction process to ensure fair competition and revenue collection.

A major fire broke out on the passenger ship MV Atlantic bound for Saint Martin from Cox’s Bazar early Saturday morning. The incident occurred at 6:20 a.m. at the North Nuniachhara BIWTA jetty, just before passengers were to board. Fire Service, Coast Guard, district administration, BIWTA, and Department of Environment officials brought the blaze under control around 9:30 a.m.

According to officials, the MV Atlantic and another vessel, LCT Kajol, were scheduled to carry 194 passengers to Saint Martin Island. After the fire, more than a hundred passengers were transferred to other ships—Keari Cruise & Dine, Keari Sindbad, and Bay Cruise. Nasir Uddin, an official of Atlantic Bay Cruise, said the fire started suddenly in the engine room while the ship was moving from anchorage to the jetty, though the cause remains unknown.

Authorities announced that passengers unable to travel on Saturday would be sent to Saint Martin on Sunday to avoid disorder. Senior district officials, including the Additional District Magistrate, visited the site following the incident.

Barrister Rafique Ahmed’s article, published on December 27, 2025, examines Bangladesh’s intelligence agencies and argues that they have become symbols of chronic institutional failure. He cites repeated intelligence breakdowns from the assassinations of national leaders to recent killings, describing them as evidence of deep structural and accountability crises. The author questions whether these failures are historical accidents or symptoms of an ongoing institutional epidemic.

The article identifies several core problems: excessive focus on data collection over analysis, political misuse of intelligence for partisan surveillance, lack of inter-agency coordination, and weak counter-intelligence against foreign espionage. It also highlights impunity for intelligence-linked killings and inadequate professional training in cyber and psychological operations. Ahmed calls for depoliticization, transparency, and a supervisory board including government, opposition, civil society, and experts to ensure accountability.

He concludes that minor reforms will not suffice and urges a fundamental transformation of Bangladesh’s intelligence structure—technological modernization, ethical training, and a renewed mission centered solely on national security.

A mild cold wave is sweeping across several districts of Bangladesh, including Jessore, Chuadanga, Gopalganj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, and Nilphamari, and is expected to continue until Saturday. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that temperatures have fallen significantly over the past five days, with Dhaka recording around 13 degrees Celsius on Friday. In at least two districts, temperatures dropped below 10 degrees Celsius, marking the lowest of the season.

According to the weather office, the cold conditions are being influenced by a subcontinental high-pressure zone. The forecast for the next 120 hours warns of moderate to dense fog in parts of the country, which may temporarily disrupt air, river, and road transport. The lowest temperature was recorded at about 9 degrees Celsius in Tetulia, Panchagarh, while similar conditions were observed in Jessore.

The cold has severely affected daily life, particularly in northern Bangladesh, where low-income and floating populations are suffering the most. The intensity of cold and fog is expected to increase further in the coming days.

An informal eight-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami is making strong efforts to maintain unity ahead of the upcoming election through seat-sharing arrangements. Despite complications over finalizing single candidates in various constituencies, leaders expect the issues to be resolved soon. Discussions are also underway to include additional parties such as the NCPC in the coalition. Multiple meetings were held on Friday, with further talks scheduled for Saturday, and final decisions are expected within a few days.

The alliance, which evolved from an issue-based movement platform, includes Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Khelafat Majlish, Khelafat Andolan, Nezame Islam Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA), and Bangladesh Development Party (BDP). A liaison committee began selecting single candidates for each seat on December 9, and the process is now in its final stage. However, disputes over the number of seats allocated to each party have delayed the final agreement.

Leaders, including Maulana Mamunul Haque and Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad, expressed optimism that the alliance will remain intact and that discussions with new parties are progressing. They expect the seat-sharing deal to be finalized within two to four days.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh last Thursday after 17 years in exile, drawing massive crowds and widespread attention. Political analysts described his homecoming as a positive development for both the BNP and the country, noting that his speech at the reception inspired hope and a sense of renewal. Rahman called for national unity and urged the youth to dream of building a new Bangladesh, referencing the vision of Martin Luther King Jr. He also paid tribute at the National Martyrs’ Memorial and at the grave of his father, late President Ziaur Rahman, and is expected to contest the next parliamentary election from Bogura-6.

Analysts including Professor M Shahiduzzaman, Dr Dilara Chowdhury, Dr Mahbub Ullah, and others viewed his return as filling a leadership void and sparking optimism among citizens. They praised his non-confrontational tone and emphasis on unity, while acknowledging that his plans face significant challenges. Some noted that his political proposals, including earlier 27- and 31-point agendas, could be strengthened further to meet national aspirations.

Observers expect Rahman’s leadership to shape BNP’s future direction and influence Bangladesh’s political landscape ahead of the next election.

Multiple Islamic scholars remain imprisoned for years due to disputed charge sheets in the murder case of former finance minister Shah A.M.S. Kibria. According to the report, three separate charge sheets were filed in the lower court, each differing from the others. The third, submitted in 2015 by CID officer Meherunnesa Parul, added several prominent scholars allegedly to show links with opposition and militancy. Among them, two died mysteriously in custody, while others, including Mufti Abdul Hai and Mufti Shafiqur Rahman, remain detained.

The investigation officer later admitted under oath that political pressure influenced the inclusion of certain accused and that she was rewarded by the then government for filing the false charge sheet. Kibria’s son, Reza Kibria, accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her associates of manipulating the case for political motives. Legal experts and academics have called for an independent committee to review politically sensitive cases involving innocent scholars.

Experts argue that repeated charge sheet changes and prolonged detentions indicate a justice system driven by political suspicion rather than evidence, urging immediate re-investigation and fair resolution.

Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed several cases against former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal’s son, Shafi Modassir Khan Jyoti, for allegedly amassing vast illegal wealth and manipulating government tenders. Following the July Revolution, the ACC began investigating senior figures of the former Awami League government, identifying Jyoti as a key suspect. He was arrested in Ashulia on 14 September 2024 while reportedly planning to flee the country. ACC investigations found that Jyoti and his father possessed undeclared assets worth nearly Tk 20 crore and conducted suspicious transactions exceeding Tk 84 crore through various bank accounts.

The ACC’s probe revealed that Jyoti controlled a network led by his associate Selim, who managed tender manipulation and bribery across law enforcement and public procurement sectors. The syndicate allegedly extorted money from businesses, including restaurants in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi and Karwan Bazar areas. ACC has also submitted a charge sheet accusing Kamal, his wife, and children of acquiring Tk 22 crore in illegal assets and laundering Tk 87 crore. Further cases allege Tk 60 crore in unaccounted wealth and over Tk 416 crore in suspicious transactions linked to the family.

ACC officials confirmed that investigations into Jyoti and his associates’ corruption activities remain ongoing.

Each of Dhaka Metro Rail’s 16 stations from Uttara to Motijheel has a first aid room for passengers needing immediate medical attention during accidents or sudden illness. Despite being operational for three years and serving around seven thousand people so far, most passengers remain unaware of these facilities due to poor publicity and lack of visible signage. Field visits across several stations revealed that passengers only learn about the service by asking staff or security personnel.

Officials and station controllers acknowledged that the absence of trained medical staff is a major limitation. There are no designated doctors, nurses, or pharmacists, and regular station employees provide only basic assistance before referring serious cases to hospitals. The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has not prioritized promotion, citing the absence of major emergencies. However, the company has initiated training for staff to perform CPR in critical situations.

Public health experts have suggested appointing at least one health assistant per station to ensure proper care and encourage awareness among passengers.

In Dhaka’s Shahbagh area, protesters have continued a late-night blockade demanding justice for Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho, who was shot on December 12 and later died in Singapore. Despite freezing winter temperatures, men, women, children, and the elderly gathered under makeshift tents, chanting slogans for justice. The demonstrators vowed not to leave until the trial for Hadi’s killing begins.

Inquilab Moncho announced that the blockade would continue day and night until judicial proceedings start. Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber stated that no assurance would end the protest unless a trial begins within 30 working days. The group reiterated three demands: formation of a special tribunal to complete the trial within 30 days, an impartial investigation by an internationally recognized agency, and resignation of the home adviser and others responsible for the incident.

The protest followed a rally after Friday prayers from Dhaka University’s central mosque to Shahbagh, joined by students, political activists, and citizens. Emotional participants said they sought justice, not politics, and would remain until accountability is ensured.

Police in Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar arrested six Rohingya men on Friday, December 26, during a special operation that uncovered two live rounds of G-4 rifle ammunition. The arrests took place at a temporary police checkpoint set up in the Pine Garden area of Khuniapalong Union’s Ward No. 1 along the Ramu–Maricha road. Officers stopped a passenger CNG auto-rickshaw around 2:40 p.m. and found the bullets in the right pocket of one passenger, identified as Md. Alam, 35.

According to police, the detainees admitted during initial questioning that they were traveling from Ukhiya to Naikhyangchhari via Ramu with the recovered ammunition. Preliminary investigation suggested that the group was involved in illegal arms trading and other criminal activities. All six detainees are Rohingya refugees—five from Ukhiya’s Kutupalong camp and one from Teknaf’s Thaingkhali camp.

Ramu Police Station Officer-in-Charge Manjurul Islam Bhuiyan said a case is being prepared against the suspects, and further investigation is underway to identify their associates and others linked to the network.

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has made major revisions to Bangladesh’s 2026 academic textbooks, emphasizing the July Revolution, its background, events, and the sacrifices of students and citizens. The new editions also include accounts of the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government and the end of fascism, along with improvements in overall quality. Officials said the changes follow widespread criticism of last year’s textbooks and were made under recommendations from a high-level committee.

According to NCTB sources, the revised content spans grades six to ten, particularly in the Bangladesh and World Identity and Civics books, which now present a broader political history. The eighth-grade book’s third chapter has been renamed “Bangladesh’s Liberation War and Democratic Struggle,” expanding coverage from the 1990 uprising to the July Revolution and Hasina’s downfall. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s March 7 speech has been removed from the eighth-grade Bangla literature book.

NCTB officials said printing and distribution are ongoing, with all students expected to receive the new books at the start of the academic year despite production challenges.

All types of vessel movement on the Dhaka-Chandpur-Barishal route have been suspended due to dense fog. The decision was confirmed late Friday night, December 26, by Babu Lal Baidya, Deputy Director (Naval Traffic) of BIWTA Chandpur. He stated that the sudden increase in fog density over the rivers made navigation unsafe, prompting authorities to halt all passenger vessel operations across southern Bangladesh, including routes to Bhola and Barishal.

According to the official, launches currently on the river have been instructed to anchor at their present locations until visibility improves. The suspension will remain in effect until the fog clears, after which normal vessel operations will resume. The measure aims to prevent accidents and ensure passenger safety amid poor visibility conditions.

The temporary halt affects key southern waterways linking Dhaka with Chandpur and Barishal, disrupting regular passenger transport and cargo movement until weather conditions stabilize.

Gaurab Singh and Abdul Zahir Tanvir clinched the men’s doubles championship at the Yonex-Sunrise Bangladesh International Series 2025. The all-Bangladeshi final was held on December 26, 2025, at the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Indoor Stadium, where the pair defeated Mizanur Rahman and Rahatun Nayeem 2–1 (21–19, 17–21, 22–20) after a fiercely contested match.

The final saw intense rallies throughout. Gaurab and Tanvir took the first set 21–19, but Mizanur and Nayeem leveled the match by winning the second set 21–17. In the decisive third set, both pairs were tied at 20–20 before Gaurab and Tanvir secured two consecutive points to seal victory. After the match, awards were presented by Badminton Federation President Habib Ullah Don, General Secretary Russel Kabir Suman, and other officials.

Habib Ullah Don announced that the federation would discuss special financial rewards to encourage the Bangladeshi finalists. In other events, India, Kazakhstan, Thailand, and Malaysia claimed titles in women’s singles, men’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles respectively.

Hotels in Siliguri, Malda, and Cooch Behar districts of West Bengal have imposed a ban on Bangladeshi guests, displaying notices that prohibit their entry. The decision, announced by local hotel owners’ associations, was reportedly taken in protest against alleged persecution of minorities in Bangladesh and recent tensions along the border. Leaders of the associations said the move also follows the suspension of passport and visa services from Bangladesh.

The Malda Hotel Owners’ Association president stated that no Bangladeshi guests would be allowed to stay in district hotels, citing concerns over the situation in Bangladesh. Similarly, the Cooch Behar association said it halted services for Bangladeshi citizens after India suspended visa facilities. In Siliguri, the local association confirmed that 180 hotels under its jurisdiction have implemented the restriction, withdrawing earlier exemptions for medical and educational visitors.

The decision has drawn mixed reactions. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) welcomed the move, while the Trinamool Congress described it as an independent decision by hotel owners. Critics argued that such actions reflect growing hostility toward Bangladesh and could harm bilateral relations.