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.

The Government of Bangladesh has extended the deadline for registering unregistered mobile phones until March 15, following discussions with the Mobile Business Community of Bangladesh (MBCB). The National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), initially set to launch on December 16, will still go into effect as planned, but users now have additional time to register devices purchased or used without prior registration. According to a statement from the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, the decision came after three days of continuous dialogue with mobile traders. The ministry clarified that there are no restrictions on importing mobile phones, and relevant authorities will be notified about permissible models and import conditions. Ongoing discussions with the National Board of Revenue and the Ministry of Commerce aim to revise import duties. Officials urged mobile traders to maintain order and avoid any actions that could disrupt public safety. The government’s mediation seeks to balance regulatory enforcement with business concerns, ensuring a smoother transition to the NEIR system and curbing illegal handset use.

Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the Ministry of Shipping and Labour, said the interim government has been working to restore public confidence and reform every sector after taking charge in a severely damaged state following the fall of the former autocratic regime. He made the remarks on Wednesday while visiting a ship under construction at Karnaphuli Ship Builders in Narayanganj. During the inspection, senior officials including the shipping secretary, district commissioner, and police superintendent accompanied him. Hossain emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring a level playing field for all candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections, dismissing any doubts about the electoral process. He also instructed shipyard authorities to maintain strict safety standards for workers. When asked about special prisons for former military officers accused of enforced disappearances, Hossain declined to elaborate, saying details would be shared later. His comments reflect the administration’s effort to project stability and transparency amid a sensitive political transition.

Malaysian immigration authorities detained 101 foreign workers, including 86 Bangladeshi nationals, during a late-night raid on a popular Middle Eastern restaurant in Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Bintang district. The operation, conducted around 11:10 p.m. on Tuesday, targeted a five-story building following allegations that undocumented foreign workers were employed there without valid permits. Wan Mohammad Saupi Wan Yusuf, director of Kuala Lumpur Immigration, confirmed that documents of 111 migrants and six local staff were examined. Among those detained were 86 Bangladeshis, 12 Syrians, and two Indonesians, along with the local restaurant manager. Officials stated that some workers held permits for other sectors—such as construction, retail, cleaning, or factory work—but not for restaurant employment. Authorities said the detainees, aged between 21 and 40, are being held for further investigation under Malaysia’s immigration laws. The raid underscores ongoing enforcement efforts against illegal employment practices in the hospitality sector, which has seen increased scrutiny amid labor policy reforms.

Authorities in Dhaka’s Keraniganj have disconnected electricity and gas lines to a seven-story building that tilted following a recent earthquake. The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) took the action on Wednesday after the owner failed to vacate the structure despite repeated warnings. The building, located near the Jinjira Ferry Ghat in Lachmonganj, remains occupied even after being declared unsafe. RAJUK Executive Magistrate Belayet Hossain said the building, owned by local resident Sattar Mia, was constructed without design approval. A technical team from the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) classified it as “risky” and recommended immediate evacuation. Officials from RAJUK, the local police, and Dhaka Palli Bidyut Samity participated in the operation to cut utility connections. The owner claimed he had requested more time before evacuation. Authorities stated that further action will depend on a detailed report from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns over unauthorized high-rise construction in the capital’s outskirts.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued eight fishermen who had been held hostage by the notorious Jahangir pirate gang in the Sundarbans. Acting on a tip-off, a special operation was launched near the Chhoto Dagra canal of the Shibsha River, where the captives were found along with a single-barrel gun, four live cartridges, and seven empty shells. The pirates managed to flee deep into the forest before the raid. According to Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, the rescued fishermen were safely handed over to their families on Wednesday morning. The victims, all residents of Koyra upazila in Khulna district, said they had been detained for seven days and tortured as the gang attempted to extort ransom money. Authorities have intensified surveillance in the Sundarbans region to curb piracy and ensure the safety of local fishing communities. The Coast Guard continues to pursue the Jahangir gang, which has long been linked to kidnapping and extortion in the coastal areas.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced Abdullah Al Waki as its candidate for the Bogura-6 (Sadar) constituency, a seat long dominated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The announcement was made at a press conference in Dhaka, where NCP member secretary Akhtar Hossain confirmed Waki’s nomination. Waki expressed optimism about his campaign, pledging to begin outreach immediately and to seek support across party lines. Bogura-6 holds symbolic importance for the BNP, as former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia won the seat in multiple elections between 1996 and 2008. This year, her son and acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman is contesting from the constituency under the party’s traditional ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol. Other contenders include Jamaat-e-Islami’s Abidur Rahman Sohel, BASAD’s Advocate Dilruba Nuri, and Islami Andolon’s A N M Mamunur Rashid. With the official election schedule expected to be announced Thursday, political activity in Bogura has intensified. BNP activists are mobilizing to secure a strong victory for Tarique Rahman, while Khaleda Zia’s illness has prompted widespread prayer gatherings across the district.

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is responding positively to ongoing treatment at Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital, according to her personal physician and party standing committee member Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday night, Dr. Zahid confirmed that the former prime minister remains under intensive care and is receiving the highest level of medical attention available in the country. Earlier in the day, Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury visited the hospital to assess her condition and spoke with the medical team. Dr. Zahid noted that while the medical board had previously considered transferring Khaleda Zia abroad, her current health and technical issues with the air ambulance prevented the move. He emphasized that she is now stable enough to receive treatment locally and urged the public not to believe rumors. The medical board, operating under the supervision of acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, includes both local and foreign specialists. Khaleda Zia has been hospitalized since November 23 after a lung infection worsened her condition, leading to her transfer to the Critical Care Unit on November 27.

A two-year-old boy named Sajid fell about 35 feet into an eight-inch-wide borehole in Rajshahi’s Tanore upazila on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred in Koelhat Purbo Para village when the child accidentally slipped into an abandoned semi-deep tube well hole while playing near a field where his mother was collecting rice straw. Three units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence from Tanore, Chapainawabganj, and Rajshahi Sadar are engaged in a complex rescue operation. According to officials, oxygen is being supplied through a pipe to keep the child alive, while an excavator is digging beside the borehole to reach him. Assistant Director Didarul Islam of Rajshahi Fire Station said that local residents had attempted a rescue before firefighters arrived, causing some soil to fall into the hole. Rescue teams have used cameras to locate the child but have not yet received a clear response. Authorities estimate that the operation may take another three to four hours. Local residents have gathered anxiously at the site, hoping for Sajid’s safe recovery.

Senior Naib-e-Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh and Director General of Hathazari Madrasa, Mufti Khalil Ahmad Quraishi Qasemi, emphasized that only qualified and ethical leadership can ensure a prosperous, peaceful, and education-friendly Hathazari. Speaking at a scholars’ conference supporting Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh’s parliamentary candidate Maulana Nasir Uddin Munir, he said a learned Islamic leader can guide society with integrity and values. At the event, senior madrasa teachers praised Munir’s record as Hathazari’s former vice-chairman, noting his corruption-free tenure and contributions to local development. Mufti Jasim Uddin, presiding over the conference, expressed confidence that an honest and experienced scholar like Munir could open a new chapter in the region’s progress. Munir, describing himself as a trusted friend of Hathazari’s people, pledged to transform the constituency into a model township if elected in the upcoming 13th national election. The event saw participation from numerous madrasa heads and Islamic scholars across the region, reflecting growing clerical engagement in local politics.

Nineteen fishermen from Bhola, Bangladesh, returned home on Wednesday after spending 95 days in Indian custody. They were detained by the Indian Coast Guard in September when their fishing trawler drifted into Indian waters during a storm. The release took place under a bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and India, with both countries exchanging detained fishermen through their respective coast guards at the maritime boundary. According to Bangladesh Coast Guard officials, India handed over 32 Bangladeshi fishermen, including the 19 from Bhola, while Bangladesh released 47 Indian fishermen. Local authorities confirmed that the Bhola fishermen were received at Mongla Port and later reunited with their families. Officials said the process was expedited through diplomatic coordination and administrative support. The incident had left the fishermen’s families in severe hardship, as many relied solely on the detained men’s income. Local administration and fisheries officials provided food aid during their absence. The exchange underscores ongoing cooperation between Dhaka and New Delhi on maritime issues and humanitarian repatriation.

At a discussion marking International Human Rights Day, prominent activist Sultana Kamal said that human rights are inherent and inalienable, and the state’s duty is to protect them, not to grant them. She expressed concern that fear and lack of accountability have eroded respect for fundamental rights in Bangladesh. The event, held at the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka, also featured remarks from trustee Dr. Sarwar Ali, who described a prevailing 'culture of fear' as the main obstacle to realizing human rights. Speakers at the event emphasized that justice, freedom, and peace are essential conditions for ensuring human rights. Kamal drew historical parallels to the Magna Carta, noting that even after centuries, societies still struggle to uphold basic freedoms such as protection from arbitrary arrest and the right to free movement. She urged the creation of a culture of accountability at every level of society, warning that deviation from constitutional values of equality and justice inevitably leads to rights violations. The discussion reflected growing civil society concern over shrinking civic space and the need for renewed commitment to human rights principles in Bangladesh.

A coalition of 29 allied political parties met in Dhaka on December 10 to express frustration over the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) unilateral seat announcements ahead of the upcoming national election. The meeting, held at the Nagorik Oikya office, included leaders from the Ganatantra Mancha, 12-Party Alliance, Gana Odhikar Parishad, Nationalist Likeminded Alliance, Nizam-e-Islami Party, and Gano Forum. Participants criticized the BNP for announcing candidates in 272 constituencies without prior consultation, calling the move a breach of trust. Leaders such as Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Saiful Haque warned that BNP’s “go-it-alone” approach risks alienating long-time allies who had joined its anti-government movement. Several coalition leaders demanded an immediate dialogue with BNP to resolve the dispute, emphasizing respect and fairness in seat allocation. BNP sources, however, indicated that the party intends to preserve unity and will allocate remaining seats to partners. The dispute underscores growing tension within the opposition alliance as the election nears, raising concerns about coordination and the opposition’s collective strength against the ruling Awami League.

Bangladesh’s Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed was released from the Secretariat late Wednesday night after being confined for over six hours by non-cadre officials and employees demanding a 20% 'Secretariat allowance'. The standoff began around 2 p.m. and ended at 8:12 p.m. when police escorted the adviser out under tight security. Protesters gathered outside the adviser's office, chanting slogans and rejecting assurances that a government notification would be issued next Monday to meet their demands. They insisted on immediate action, maintaining their blockade throughout the afternoon. As tensions escalated, a specialized police unit entered the Finance Ministry to restore order, leading to brief scuffles between officers and demonstrators. The incident underscores rising discontent among government staff over pay disparities and delayed policy implementation. Authorities have yet to confirm whether the promised notification will be issued as scheduled, while unions warn of further protests if demands remain unmet.