A new political and electoral alliance is being formed in Bangladesh, comprising the National Citizen Party (NCP), Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, and the Bangladesh State Reform Movement. The coalition will be officially launched on Sunday, December 7, at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in Segunbagicha. The alliance aims to promote political reform and uphold the spirit of the July uprising, according to organizers. Discussions initially involved four parties, including the Gano Adhikar Parishad, but the final coalition excludes that group. NCP’s chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari confirmed that the alliance will operate under NCP’s leadership. AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Bhuiyan Monju and State Reform Movement Joint General Secretary Didarul Bhuiyan also confirmed their participation. Political analysts view the move as an attempt to consolidate smaller reformist parties ahead of the next general election. The alliance’s success will depend on its ability to present a unified platform and attract broader public support in a competitive political environment.

Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara has accused Israel of deliberately escalating regional tensions through military operations justified under the guise of security. Speaking at the Doha Forum, Al-Shara reiterated his government’s commitment to national unity, peace, women’s empowerment, and democratic reforms, including plans to hold parliamentary elections within five years of the constitutional declaration. In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Al-Shara claimed Israel is using the October 7 attacks as a pretext to expand military actions across the region, describing it as a state “fighting ghosts.” He urged Israel to return to pre-conflict positions and respect the 1974 disengagement agreement over the Golan Heights, warning that altering the long-standing accord could destabilize the region. Al-Shara also addressed Syria’s internal reconciliation efforts, announcing amnesty measures and rejecting sectarian politics. He emphasized that Syria is governed by law and that women’s rights are protected, signaling a shift toward inclusive governance after years of conflict.

Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has begun exhuming 114 bodies from Dhaka’s Rayerbazar graveyard to identify victims of the July popular uprising. The operation, launched Sunday morning, aims to conduct autopsies and collect DNA samples before reburial with full religious respect, CID chief Additional IGP Md. Shibgat Ullah confirmed. The initiative follows a Dhaka court order responding to petitions from families of unidentified martyrs. Argentine forensic expert Luis Fondebrider, invited through the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), is leading the forensic process. CID officials said at least 10 families have already applied for identification, though the actual number of victims may exceed 114. Authorities emphasized that the process adheres to international forensic standards. Once DNA profiles are matched, families may reclaim remains if desired. The CID plans to release hotline numbers for relatives seeking information. The exhumation marks a major step toward documenting the human cost of the 2024 July uprising and ensuring accountability through scientific verification.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh convened a crucial meeting on Sunday, December 7, to finalize the schedule for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and a national referendum. The meeting, held at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, was attended by the Chief Election Commissioner, four election commissioners, the EC secretary, and senior officials. Discussions focused on finalizing the timetable for the election announcement, reviewing overall preparations, and setting postal ballot logistics. According to EC sources, the agenda included ten key issues, such as coordination with field administration, appointment of returning and assistant returning officers, and progress on referendum preparations. Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar stated that after the meeting, the EC would meet the President to finalize the schedule before its public announcement. The EC has already completed inter-ministerial and law-and-order meetings ahead of the schedule declaration. Administrative reshuffles among deputy commissioners, police officials, and election officers have been implemented to ensure neutrality. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to strict adherence to election laws and sought cooperation from all political parties and voters.

Pakistan’s Election Commission (ECP) has declined to recognize Barrister Gohar Ali Khan as chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), citing ongoing legal proceedings over the party’s internal elections. The ECP also rejected his request to formally include independent senators into the PTI ranks, stating that the party currently lacks the legal authority to make such incorporations. The decision comes as PTI’s intra-party election case remains under judicial review, with the Lahore High Court having suspended aspects of the party’s internal processes. In its official response, the ECP clarified that no certification or recognition could be issued to Gohar at this stage. Barrister Gohar has expressed disappointment and announced plans to challenge the ruling in court, arguing that the ECP’s stance undermines the party’s democratic rights. The dispute adds to PTI’s ongoing legal and political challenges following the 2024 general elections. Analysts suggest the outcome could influence PTI’s parliamentary standing and its ability to contest future elections under its current leadership structure.

Students from Dhaka’s seven government colleges staged demonstrations on Sunday, blocking the Shikkhabhaban and Shahbagh intersections to protest delays in establishing the proposed ‘Dhaka Central University’. The protest began around 11:30 a.m. with a march that disrupted traffic on one of the capital’s busiest roads. Students demanded immediate issuance of the university ordinance, which they say has been pending for months without visible progress. According to organizers, the draft ordinance’s proposed ‘schooling model’ could jeopardize the autonomy of higher secondary education and create identity and academic uncertainties for nearly 150,000 students. Despite the Education Ministry’s earlier statement confirming a policy decision to merge the seven colleges under a new public university, students claim no concrete steps have followed. The ministry urged students to avoid misinformation and act responsibly. Observers note that the prolonged delay risks deepening student frustration and disrupting academic schedules. Further negotiations between student representatives and the ministry are expected in the coming days to resolve the impasse.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul clarified on Thursday that incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani does not have the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city. Her statement came after Mamdani reiterated his pledge to detain Netanyahu, citing an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant as justification. Mamdani, known for his vocal criticism of Israel, is set to assume office on January 1. His remarks have sparked concern among Jewish communities in New York, many of whom view his stance as extreme. Hochul, who supports Israel, emphasized that the mayor’s office has no jurisdiction over international or federal legal matters. Legal experts also noted that U.S. federal law prohibits local authorities from cooperating with the ICC and protects foreign leaders from detention. Despite the controversy, Netanyahu confirmed he will proceed with his planned visit to New York, where he traditionally attends the United Nations General Assembly each year.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer, ATM Azharul Islam, stated that if his party secures a majority in the upcoming national election, it would govern the country based on Islamic principles. Speaking on Sunday, December 7, in Kishoreganj, Nilphamari, during a relief distribution event for 90 families affected by a recent cyclone, he said the current laws and constitution are man-made and not fully aligned with Islam. The event was organized by the Kishoreganj Upazila unit of Jamaat-e-Islami and chaired by local party leader Abdur Rashid Shah. Several regional and district-level Jamaat leaders, including Muhammad Abdur Rashid, Maulana Abdus Sattar, Dr. Khairul Anam, Maulana Antajul Islam, and Hafiz Abdul Muntakim, were also present. Azharul Islam’s remarks come at a time when Jamaat is seeking to reassert its political relevance ahead of national polls. His statement underscores the party’s long-standing ideological stance on establishing governance rooted in Islamic law, a position that has historically drawn both support and criticism within Bangladesh’s political landscape.

Bangladesh’s Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud has cautioned that democracy by itself cannot guarantee economic development unless politics becomes genuinely welfare-oriented. Speaking at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) annual research conference in Dhaka, he argued that when politics turns into a pursuit of privileges rather than public service, it attracts youth seeking livelihood opportunities rather than civic engagement. He also warned that vested business interests can form powerful circles that obstruct welfare-driven policymaking. Dr. Mahmud emphasized that the country’s education system is producing unemployed graduates, and that behavioral norms and values must be studied to understand development barriers. He noted that limited reforms cannot solve deep-rooted issues such as collusion between bureaucracy and business or tax evasion, calling for broader structural reforms. The adviser stressed that effective democracy should aim to build an equitable, poverty-free society, but lamented that Bangladesh still struggles to establish even a functional democratic system. BIDS Director General Prof. A.K.M. Enamul Haque added that the two-day conference would present around fifty research papers addressing unemployment, poverty, and health sector challenges.

Students from several government colleges in Dhaka blocked the Shahbagh intersection on Sunday to protest the proposed schooling model in the draft Dhaka Central University Ordinance. The demonstration began around 11:30 a.m., halting traffic at one of the capital’s busiest junctions. After about 45 minutes, the students withdrew their blockade, and traffic flow returned to normal by 12:30 p.m. Protesters argued that if the ordinance is enacted, it could jeopardize higher secondary education at the seven affiliated government colleges and undermine their longstanding academic traditions. Students from Dhaka College, Government Bangla College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Shaheed Suhrawardy Government College, and Begum Badrunnesa Government Women’s College joined the protest march. The brief but disruptive demonstration highlights growing student concern over education governance and institutional restructuring. Authorities have yet to issue an official response, but further dialogue between the education ministry and student representatives is expected in the coming days.

Pakistan’s federal authorities have imposed foreign travel bans on 132 senior leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, citing their alleged involvement in the violent protests and vandalism that erupted on May 9, 2023. The decision, confirmed on Saturday, adds the names of several prominent figures to the Exit Control List (ECL), effectively preventing them from leaving the country. Among those restricted are PTI founder Imran Khan, senior leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Omar Ayub, Fawad Chaudhry, and Shibli Faraz. Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Shehryar Afridi, Usman Dar, and female leaders Shireen Mazari, Zartaj Gul, Musarrat Cheema, and Kanwal Shauzab are also included. Officials said the Punjab Home Department had recommended the inclusion of 132 names. The move reflects the government’s intensified scrutiny of PTI members accused of inciting political instability. Analysts suggest the bans could further strain relations between the ruling coalition and PTI supporters, potentially complicating efforts toward political reconciliation ahead of future elections.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, has clarified his personal stance on the long-debated Phulbari coal mine issue following public discussion over his recent social media post. In a Facebook statement on December 7, Alam emphasized the importance of constructive criticism and democratic debate, distancing his personal views from any official government position. He reiterated his condemnation of the 2006 Phulbari killings, recalling his role as an AFP correspondent who first reported the incident internationally. Alam explained that his recent reflections stemmed from 16 months of experience within the interim government, noting Bangladesh’s energy security challenges and dependence on costly LNG imports after the Ukraine war. He argued that not developing major coal reserves such as Phulbari, Dighipara, and Jamalganj was a strategic mistake, though he acknowledged flaws in past agreements. While welcoming thoughtful criticism from academics and analysts, he reaffirmed that his comments were personal and not indicative of any government initiative to revive the project. His remarks have reignited debate over Bangladesh’s energy policy, balancing environmental concerns, economic realities, and the country’s development priorities.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has cautioned that certain groups are attempting to create divisions in Bangladesh under the guise of religion. Speaking at the inauguration of the party’s ‘Nation-Building Plan’ program at the Krishibid Institution auditorium on Sunday, he emphasized that while Bangladeshis are religious, they do not believe in dividing the state along religious lines. Fakhrul said the country now has an opportunity to restore democracy after 15 years, but obstacles and misinformation campaigns persist. He accused the ruling Awami League of destroying national institutions and called for their reconstruction. Fakhrul urged party members to remain alert against cyberwarfare and propaganda, asserting that only the BNP can lead the nation forward. He also highlighted the changing mindset of youth and the need to modernize the party’s vision to align with a new Bangladesh. Addressing Khaleda Zia’s health, he said her treatment is being closely supervised by Tarique Rahman and a team of national and international specialists. The remarks come as BNP seeks to reframe its political agenda ahead of potential national elections, focusing on unity, reform, and democratic revival.

More than 223,000 expatriate Bangladeshis have registered to vote in the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ mobile application, according to the Election Commission’s update on December 7. Among the registrants, 203,578 are men and 20,121 are women. Saudi Arabia leads with over 51,000 registered voters, followed by the United States, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The Election Commission (EC) has urged expatriates to provide accurate local addresses while registering, emphasizing that workplace or acquaintances’ addresses may be used if necessary. The registration deadline has been extended until midnight on December 25, allowing global access to the app. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed that in-country postal voting will also be introduced for government officials, detainees, and those working away from home. The ‘Postal Vote BD’ app, launched on November 18, enables registration from 148 countries. The initiative marks Bangladesh’s first large-scale digital system for overseas postal voting, aiming to expand participation and transparency in the electoral process.

Bangladesh’s interim government has announced that individuals holding recognized Qawmi Madrasa degrees will now be eligible to serve as Nikah Registrars (Kazi). The decision was confirmed by Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, through a verified social media post on Sunday, December 7. Previously, only individuals with Alim-level certificates were permitted to apply for the registrar position. Dr. Nazrul stated that the law ministry has amended the relevant legal provisions to expand eligibility, allowing those with Dawra-e-Hadith certificates from recognized Qawmi boards to apply. The move aims to create broader inclusion for religious scholars within the country’s official marriage registration process. Legal experts and religious leaders have welcomed the change as a recognition of Qawmi education’s equivalence to mainstream Islamic studies. However, some observers note that the implementation process will require careful oversight to ensure uniform standards across different educational boards.