A total of Tk 1,261.05 crore was spent by various ministries, government departments, and agencies over six fiscal years to commemorate Mujib Year, marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The financial details were disclosed at the 13th meeting of the Advisory Council, chaired by Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus, held at the Secretariat on Wednesday. As detailed in a press release issued by the Cabinet Division, the expenditures were incurred over six fiscal years, from 2018-19 to 2023-24. The funds were allocated to various ministries, departments, and prominent government entities, including the Election Commission Secretariat, the Ministry of Defence, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the National Parliament, the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, and the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. The report also confirmed that the budget allocation for Mujib Year celebrations for the 2024-25 fiscal year has been cancelled, signalling the conclusion of the extensive commemorative program. The Cabinet Division's release provided no additional details about the specific projects or activities financed during the celebrations, but the expenditure underscores the government’s significant investment in honouring the legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Budget allocation for Mujib year celebrations cancelled The interim government has decided to cancel the budget allocation for the celebrations of Mujib Year for the fiscal year 2024-2025. The Advisory Council meeting chaired by the Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus took this decision on Wednesday. This was the first meeting of the advisory council held at the Secretariat. After the formation of the interim government, the Advisory Council has held regular meetings at Jamuna, the residence of the Chief Adviser, and at the Office of the Chief Adviser, but this first meeting was held in the Advisory Council Conference Room at the Bangladesh Secretariat, the center of the administration. Besides, the meeting approved the proposal to celebrate 'International Migrants Day' and 'National Migrants Day' together on December 18 every year. In the meeting, the draft of the Bangladesh Law Officers (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024, which strengthens the existing Attorney Service by appointing experienced, skilled, and qualified Additional and Deputy Attorneys General, was given final approval.    

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is set to attend the Armed Forces Day event after a 12-year hiatus, marking a significant moment in her political journey. The former prime minister, once one of the country's most popular leaders, has been a key figure in Bangladeshi politics for decades. Khaleda Zia, the widow of Bangladesh's founder Ziaur Rahman, has long been a powerful voice in the opposition, particularly against the ruling Awami League (AL) government. Her return to the Armed Forces Day commemoration, a highly significant national event, comes after years of legal and political battles, most notably her imprisonment under what many, including her supporters, claim were politically motivated charges. Political Turmoil and Imprisonment Khaleda Zia’s time in jail has been a point of contention, with her supporters asserting that the Awami League government fabricated cases against her to silence a leading opposition voice. In 2018, she was sentenced to prison on corruption charges related to the Zia Orphanage Trust case, a ruling widely criticized by her party and international observers as politically motivated. Her conviction barred her from participating in the 2019 general elections. Her imprisonment sparked nationwide protests, with critics arguing that it was part of a broader effort to undermine the BNP and stifle political dissent. The government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, insisted that the cases were based on legitimate legal grounds and were necessary to combat corruption. Khaleda Zia was granted bail in 2020 due to health reasons, and her legal team continues to fight the cases against her, while her political influence remains strong among her supporters. Implications for BNP and National Politics Her attendance at the event is expected to energize her party’s supporters and may signal a renewed effort to challenge the current government. The BNP, under her leadership, has been vocal in its criticism of the AL government’s policies and alleged authoritarian practices. The Armed Forces Day event, a key occasion for showcasing the nation's military strength and unity, will now likely have an added political dimension, as it brings together a former prime minister and one of the country’s most influential political figures after years of absence from such high-profile state events. This development marks another chapter in the long-standing political rivalry between the BNP and the AL, which has shaped Bangladesh's political landscape for over three decades. Khaleda Zia's Political Legacy As a popular leader, Khaleda Zia’s political career is marked by her leadership of the BNP, a party she took to power in 1991. Her tenure as prime minister from 1991 to 1996, and again from 2001 to 2006, saw significant political and economic developments in Bangladesh. Known for her strong stance on nationalism, she built a reputation for being a defender of Bangladesh's sovereignty. Khaleda Zia's return to the Armed Forces Day event is seen as a significant moment in the political climate of Bangladesh, highlighting her ongoing relevance in national politics despite years of legal and personal challenges.    

The United States shut its embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday due to the heightened risk of airstrikes, following Ukraine's use of US-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike a target inside Russia the previous day. This marked an escalation in the ongoing war as Moscow condemned the missile strike as a significant provocation. Later in the day, an air raid siren went off in Kyiv, and Ukraine's military intelligence agency, the GUR, accused Russia of attempting to create panic by circulating fake online alerts about a massive missile and drone assault. The GUR warned that Russia, unable to defeat Ukraine by force, was resorting to psychological tactics to destabilize the population. "The enemy seeks to intimidate us, but we must remain vigilant and resolute," the GUR said in a statement. A US government source confirmed that the embassy's closure was due to ongoing threats of airstrikes. Other foreign embassies, including those of Italy and Greece, also closed their Kyiv missions, while France kept its embassy open but advised caution. The US Embassy instructed American citizens to be prepared to shelter at short notice in the event of an air raid. The missile strike, which targeted an arms depot in Russia, was made possible by a recent decision from the Biden administration allowing Ukraine to use the long-range missiles. Moscow had warned that permitting such strikes would be seen as an escalation of the conflict, with potential consequences for NATO countries providing military support. In response to the situation, the US State Department stated, "Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place." The US also advised its citizens in Ukraine to be ready to shelter in the event of air alerts. Meanwhile, Russian intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin warned that Moscow would retaliate against any NATO countries facilitating Ukrainian missile attacks on Russian soil. Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian Air Force issued a warning for civilians to seek shelter due to a missile threat. This was followed by a warning from the GUR about a Russian psychological operation involving fake messages about an impending large-scale missile attack. These messages, which spread through social media and messaging apps, claimed that Russia would launch a barrage of over 300 drones and use warships, aircraft, and ground-based missile systems. As the war intensified, Ukraine's military continued to carry out deep strikes into Russian territory. A recent attack targeted a Russian military command post in Gubkin, Belgorod, just 168 km from the Ukrainian border, although the details of the operation remain unclear. According to some reports, Ukraine may have used UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles for the strike. The US embassy in Kyiv also issued an advisory to American citizens in Ukraine, urging them to keep supplies of water, food, and medications, anticipating potential disruptions to essential services like electricity and water due to Russian attacks on infrastructure. Persistent Russian strikes have already caused power outages and heating disruptions across Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia has been amassing missile stockpiles in preparation for more strikes, including long-range Kh-101 missiles and Kalibrs, according to Ukrainian security officials. These developments come after Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for nuclear use in response to conventional military actions. While the war continues to evolve, fears of further escalation and broader regional instability persist, particularly as Ukraine receives continued Western support in the form of advanced weaponry.