The BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman is returning to the country on December 25. He will land at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal Airport at 11:55am that day on a commercial flight of Biman Bangladesh. To mark his much-anticipated return after more than 17 years in exile, the BNP is organising a special event, according to various members of the party, including Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the party's Standing Committee who is serving as the convener of the BNP's reception committee for Tarique's return.

Tarique Rahman's mother and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since November 23. Upon returning to the country, Tarique Rahman may visit his mother directly at the hospital. Therefore, a suitable location near the airport and Evercare Hospital is being arranged for the welcoming event, Salahuddin said. After arriving in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman will stay at 196 Gulshan Avenue, next to where Khaleda Zia has been living for several years.

The government of Bangladesh on Thursday (Dec. 18) assured diplomats stationed in Dhaka that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure the safety and security of diplomatic missions in the country as per the international norms. Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam briefed the diplomats at State Guest House Padma this afternoon over the election preparedness and security measures. It was a short briefing, a diplomatic source told UNB.

The first half of the briefing focused on preparations for the upcoming 13th national election and the second providing reassurance regarding the security of diplomatic missions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the briefing was organised to inform Diplomatic Missions in Dhaka about the updated preparations and security measures taken for the upcoming 13th national elections and referendum. They were also informed that the law enforcement forces of the country including the armed forces are on high alert and are working hard to maintain law and order.

The interim government has so far seized assets worth Tk 66,146 crore allegedly owned by 10 major business groups and members of the family of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The groups named are S Alam Group, Beximco Group, Summit Group, Bashundhara Group, Gemcon Group, Orion Group, Nabil Group, Nassa Group, Sikder Group, and Aramit Group. The disclosure was made at the 30th meeting of the National Coordination Committee on the prevention of money laundering and recovery of laundered funds.

Chaired by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, it focused on formulating and implementing guidelines to curb money laundering and terrorism financing. The Finance Ministry said authorities have attached and frozen movable and immovable assets worth Tk 55,638 crore within the country and Tk 10,508 crore abroad under 11 priority portfolios. According to a ministry statement, 104 lawsuits have so far been filed against these entities, with charge sheets submitted in 14. Courts have delivered verdicts in four cases.

The European Union formally announced the deployment of an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Bangladesh for the February 2026 parliamentary polls, appointing Member of the European Parliament Ivars Ijabs as Chief Observer. This will be the EU's first such mission to Bangladesh since 2008. The decision was taken in response to a formal invitation from the Bangladeshi authorities. Representatives of the EU Delegation, Bangladesh Election Commission, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed a formal agreement for the EU to observe the elections.

The Bangladesh election will be the largest democratic exercise anywhere in the world in 2026, said the EU Embassy in Dhaka. In response to the targeting last Friday of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, the Head of EU Delegation to Bangladesh Ambassador Michael Miller welcomed the meeting of the Chief Adviser with the three most prominent political parties, which passed a message of unity and determination to stand up to electoral violence.