United News of Bangladesh

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday described the recent mob attacks on The Daily Star and Prothom Alo offices as a direct assault on democracy, urging all to unite to resist the evil forces. “The time has now come to stand up and resist… all of you who love Bangladesh must come together. We have to resist this evil force,” he said. Fakhrul made the remarks while speaking at a joint protest meeting organised by the Editors’ Council and Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) at a city hotel. Fakhrul bemoaned that the country is now facing a defining moment for democracy and freedom of expression, and said symbolic protest programmes are no longer enough as democracy and freedom of speech are under threat. “Those who want to see Bangladesh as a truly independent and sovereign democratic country must do more than be aware. We must stand and resist now. Only forming human chains or expressing solidarity will not be enough. Everyone who loves Bangladesh must unite with full strength to stop this evil force,” he said. The BNP leader said he has spent his whole life struggling for an independent and democratic Bangladesh, but the present situation does not match the dream he and the freedom fighters fought for. Editors’ Council, NOAB condemn arson attacks on Prothom Alo, Daily Star. “It is very clear and there is not much left to explain. It is not just The Daily Star or Prothom Alo that has come under attack – it is democracy itself. My right to think freely and my right to speak have come under attack,” he said. The BNP leader also alleged that the spirit of the July movement, which aimed at establishing people’s rights, has also come under attack. Calling for unity beyond political boundaries, Fakhrul said it is time for every democracy-loving person to come together, and those who want to move from darkness to light must unite to make Bangladesh a truly independent, sovereign and democratic nation. Leaders from different political parties, editors, newspaper owners, journalists and civil society members attended the meeting, demanding justice and a proper investigation into the recent mob violence targeting the two media houses.

A labour leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP) was injured in a gun attack in Khulna city on Monday, just days after the shooting of Inquilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi in Dhaka, which resulted in his death. The injured, identified as Motaleb Shikder, 42, organiser and divisional chief of Jatiya Sramik Shakti, is the son of Muslim Shikder, and a resident of Sheikh Para area in Khulna city. Police said miscreants shot him in the head around 11:45am. Journalist shot dead, another injured in Khulna Locals rescued him and took him to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where his condition remains critical, according to Sonadanga Police Station officer-in-charge Animesh Mondol. The attack comes 10 days after Osman Hadi was shot in the capital. He later died from his injuries at a Singapore hospital, triggering widespread outrage and demands for quick arrests. BNP leader shot dead in Pabna

A Russian general was killed Monday morning when a bomb exploded beneath his vehicle in southern Moscow, authorities said. Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, who led the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff, succumbed to his injuries, according to Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee. “Investigators are exploring multiple leads concerning the assassination. One possibility is involvement by Ukrainian intelligence services,” Petrenko added. Russian media reported that the explosion occurred around 7 a.m. in a parking area on Yaseneva Street, with Sarvarov inside the car. Ukraine’s security service had previously claimed responsibility for a similar attack in December 2024 targeting a senior Russian officer. Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of the military’s nuclear, biological, and chemical protection forces, was killed when a bomb concealed on an electric scooter exploded near his apartment. His aide, Ilya Polikarpov, also died in the attack. The investigation into Sarvarov’s death is ongoing. Source: AP 

Bangladesh Ambassador to Mexico Mushfiqul Fazal Ansery has condemned the recent attacks on media outlets in Bangladesh over differences of opinion or other reasons. In a verified Facebook post on Sunday, the envoy said they have never devoted themselves to long-term struggles at home or abroad, nor to building global public opinion, for such purposes. Referring to his experience at UN and White House briefings, he emphasised that attempts to destroy media institutions cannot be justified. “No such act can be justified. Period,” he added. Following the death of Inquilab Moncho spokesman Sharif Osman Hadi, mobs went on a rampage at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star on Thursday night, triggering widespread criticism at home and abroad. Meanwhile, law enforcers have identified 31 people directly involved in the attacks on media outlets after scrutinising video footage and have arrested nine of the accused.

Offline Indian visa services at the Assistant High Commissioner’s office in Khulna have remained suspended since Wednesday, while online processing resumed on Sunday. Security has been tightened in and around the office following the killing of Inquilab Monch spokesman Sharif Osman Hadi. On Sunday afternoon, police, navy and army personnel were deployed at Shamsur Rahman Road and in adjacent areas. Several surrounding roads were also closed, causing traffic diversions. Visa brokers said offline visa applications were halted from Wednesday afternoon due to security concerns. Online applications, which had continued initially, were temporarily suspended on Thursday afternoon following a protest programme titled “March to Indian Consulate Office”. Sadhan Sarkar, a visa broker, said applications submitted until Thursday noon began processing on Sunday. Deputy Commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police Md Tajul Islam said police, detectives, navy and army personnel have been deployed to maintain security.  Patrols across the city have been increased and authorities remain on high alert, he added.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Monday visited the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) at Jamuna Future Park to take stock of the functioning of visa services. He also interacted with visa applicants, many of whom were applying for medical visas to travel to India for treatment. Given the ‘serious threats’ reported last week at the Indian High Commission and its installations in Bangladesh, the Indian High Commission had shut down IVAC operations for a day. The centre was later reopened, and all applicants whose appointment slots fell on that day were provided with early alternative slots. Several visa applicants are travelling to India for treatment of serious medical conditions. Keeping these humanitarian needs in mind, and despite the evolving security situation, the High Commission said it continues to operate visa centres in Dhaka, Khulna, Sylhet and Rajshahi. However, the IVAC in Chittagong remains temporarily shut following a mob attack at the entrance of the Assistant High Commission of India (AHCI) in Chittagong on the night of December 18–19. Indian visa centre in Dhaka now operational During the incident, stone-pelting and threats to break the entrance created serious security concerns for AHCI officials and others residing within the same premises. During his visit to the IVAC, officials flagged problems related to the submission of a large number of fake documents, as well as disruptions caused by middlemen and touts who attempt to hack visa servers and create artificial traffic, depriving genuine applicants of appointment slots. The High Commissioner assured that these concerns would be raised with the relevant authorities in Bangladesh.

Law enforcement agencies have arrested at least nine people in connection with recent attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo, The Daily Star and two cultural organisations in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country. Seven of the arrestees were identified as Md Kashem Faruk, Md Saidur Rahman, Rakib Hossain, Md Naim, Faisal Ahmed Pranto, Md Sohel Rana and Md Shafiqul Islam, according to a Facebook post by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Monday morning. Kashem, a former student of Al-Jamia Al-Islamia Kasemul Uloom Madrasa in Bogura, currently lives in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area. Saidur hails from Noakanda village in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district. Rakib Hossain, from Sherpur district, was identified in video footage taking part in vandalism and arson at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. He also posted images of the wreckage along with provocative messages on Facebook. Md Naim, a resident of Kunipara in Tejgaon, was arrested in Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla with Tk 50,000 looted during the attacks. During primary interrogation, he admitted to looting Tk 123,000, part of which he used to purchase a television and a refrigerator from Mohammadpur. The items were later recovered. Sohel Rana, arrested from the Karwan Bazar rail-line area, has 13 cases filed against him, including drug-related charges, at different police stations in Dhaka. Shafiqul Islam, arrested from the same area, has two previous cases related to arson and grenade attacks. Meanwhile, the Counter-Terrorism Unit of the police, along with intelligence agencies, has detained two more individuals whose identities are currently being verified. At a meeting on Sunday, police informed Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus that primary video analysis had identified 31 suspects involved in the incidents. In Chattogram, three people who attempted to create unrest near the residence of the Indian Assistant High Commissioner were also identified from video footage. Efforts are underway to arrest the remaining accused.

Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Grigoryevich Khozin on Monday called for reducing tensions in Bangladesh to create a conducive environment before the next national election scheduled for February 12 next year. The Ambassador also highlighted the importance of reducing Bangladesh’s tensions with its neighbour India - the sooner the better. He said they are not interfering two countries bilateral relations but they think it will be wise to find a way so that the tension does not escalate further from the current level. Prof Yunus calls upcoming election a historic chance to shape ‘new Bangladesh’ The Ambassador said the relations should be based on mutual trust and confidence. He welcomed the election date announced by the Election Commission and said they are expecting that the election will be held on time - February 12. Regarding sending election observers, the Ambassador said they are in touch with the Election Commission and they are waiting for the official invitation from the EC. The interactive session was held at the Embassy of the Russian Federation.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the law and order situation must be maintained at any cost before the upcoming national election.  The meeting, held on Sunday afternoon (December 21, 2025), discussed in detail various issues, including the return of BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to the country, security measures taken on the occasion of the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations. Prof Yunus ordered the prompt arrest of those involved in the murder of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi and other illegal activities. The issues were discussed at a meeting held at state guest house Jamuna on Sunday afternoon with Prof Yunus in the chair. The meeting reviewed the overall law and order situation in the country. Home Affairs Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, National Security Advisor Dr Khalilur Rahman and top officials of various security and law enforcement agencies were present at the meeting, said Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Monday. Editors’ Council, NOAB condemn arson attacks on Prothom Alo, Daily Star. Besides, the arrest of those involved in the murder of Inqilab Mancho spokesperson and July fighter Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi and the progress of the investigation were discussed in detail. The police informed the Chief Adviser that 31 people have already been identified through video footage on suspicion of being involved in the recent attacks on the offices of two national dailies and two cultural organizations. At least six people have been arrested in various parts of the country, including Dhaka, in these incidents till Monday morning. The arrestees are Md Kashem Farooqui, Md Saidur Rahman, Rakib Hossain, Md Naeem, Md Sohel Rana and Md Shafiqul Islam. Mob incited by Elias Hossain sets fire to Daily Star office in Dhaka The operation to arrest the remaining identified suspects is underway. In addition, three of those who tried to create chaos near the residence of the Assistant High Commissioner of India in Chattogram have been identified through video footage.

Southeast Asian foreign ministers convened Monday in Kuala Lumpur for a special meeting aimed at resolving the ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, which escalated into deadly clashes two weeks ago. The session marked the second time this year that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has provided a platform to promote de-escalation between the two member states. The recent fighting disrupted a ceasefire brokered in July under U.S. pressure, with Malaysia mediating and President Donald Trump threatening to withhold trade benefits if both sides did not agree. The truce was further detailed at an October regional summit in Malaysia attended by Trump. The conflict has drawn international concern. On Sunday, the U.S. Department of State called on Thailand and Cambodia to “end hostilities, withdraw heavy weapons, cease emplacement of landmines, and fully implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords,” including steps for humanitarian demining and border management. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said he discussed the situation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reaffirming Thailand’s commitment to a ceasefire and promising constructive engagement at the Kuala Lumpur meeting. Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn is also attending, emphasizing resolution “through all peaceful means, dialogue and diplomacy.” The dispute centers on contested territory along the shared border. The latest fighting began Dec. 8, a day after a skirmish left two Thai soldiers wounded, and has since included Thai F-16 airstrikes and Cambodian BM-21 rocket attacks. Officials report more than two dozen fatalities and over half a million displaced. MI6 chief warns of Russia’s global security challenge Under the October truce, Thailand was to release 18 Cambodian soldiers and both sides to begin removing heavy weapons and landmines. Despite this, minor cross-border violence and a propaganda war have continued. Landmine incidents remain particularly contentious, with Thailand alleging Cambodia laid new mines while Phnom Penh says they are remnants from its civil war. The Thai navy reported a marine seriously injured by a landmine and discovered abandoned weapons in a Cambodian stronghold, alleging deliberate use of anti-personnel mines. Thailand plans to send formal protests to Cambodia and Zambia, the current chair of the Ottawa Convention, for further action. Cambodia has not yet responded. Source: AP

German engineer Michaela Benthaus made history Saturday as the first wheelchair user to travel to space, leaving her wheelchair behind while orbiting Earth on a 10-minute Blue Origin flight. Benthaus, who became paraplegic following a mountain biking accident seven years ago, launched from West Texas alongside five other passengers, including retired SpaceX executive Hans Koenigsmann, who helped organize and sponsor her journey. “I laughed all the way up,” said Benthaus, describing the flight that soared more than 65 miles (105 kilometers). She even attempted to turn upside down while in microgravity. The New Shepard capsule required only minor adjustments to accommodate Benthaus, with accessibility features designed to welcome a wider range of passengers than traditional spacecraft, according to Blue Origin engineer Jake Mills. A transfer board allowed her to move between the hatch and her seat, and a carpet was laid on the desert landing site to provide immediate access to her wheelchair. Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS nears Earth, NASA answers key questions Benthaus, 33, a graduate trainee with the European Space Agency in the Netherlands, previously experienced brief weightlessness on a parabolic flight in 2022 and participated in a two-week simulated mission in Poland. Despite initial doubts about flying with a disability, she embraced the opportunity when approached by Koenigsmann last year. The private mission did not involve ESA, although the agency recently cleared John McFall, an amputee, for a future International Space Station flight. Unlike McFall, Benthaus requires assistance to evacuate, with Koenigsmann designated as her in-flight helper. “Never give up on your dreams,” Benthaus said after landing. She emphasized her mission to promote accessibility in space and on Earth, hoping her flight paves the way for others with disabilities.

Melanin Bee arches her back like a stretching cat and lets out a series of forced, exaggerated laughs that soon turn into genuine giggles as she kicks her feet with delight. She is practicing “Laughasté,” a comedic yoga routine she created that traces its roots to laughter clubs first established in India in the 1990s. “It’s about being comfortable with awkwardness,” said Bee, a Los Angeles comedian and speaker. “Once you do that, you find a silliness within that leads to involuntary laughter.” Medical experts say laughter offers more than stress relief. Dr. Michael Miller, a cardiologist at the University of Pennsylvania, compared it to exercise. “Like we recommend physical activity at least three to five days a week, you should belly laugh at least two to five days weekly,” he said. Laughter promotes heart health, boosts immunity, and triggers endorphins, natural painkillers that also improve mood. The modern study of laughter, or gelotology, began in the 1960s. Research has shown that even simulated laughter provides health benefits, including lowering stress hormones, blood sugar levels, and chronic pain, according to Jenny Rosendhal, a medical psychology researcher at Germany’s Jena University. Laughter yoga, which combines intentional laughter with deep breathing and gentle stretches, has proven especially effective for people experiencing depression or illness. Laughing yoga founder Dr. Madan Kataria in Mumbai created structured exercises that encourage participants to laugh for no reason, using movements and sounds to engage the diaphragm. “It’s about activating your laughter muscles and removing mental inhibitions,” Kataria said. “The real, childlike laughter follows naturally.” Source: AP 

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked third on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 250 at 9:50 am this morning (December 22, 2025). Today Dhaka’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’ referring to an alarming healthy threat, according to the AQI index. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. India’s Delhi, Egypt’s Cairo and again India’s Kolkata cities respectively occupied the first, second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 284, 261, and 205 respectively. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. Dhaka’s air quality 6th worst in the world this morning The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Bangladesh has rejected the attempt of the Indian authorities to depict an "isolated attack" on a Bangladeshi citizen, who happens to belong to the Hindu community, as attacks on minorities. "The government of Bangladesh has promptly apprehended the suspects in this incident," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Sunday. The intercommunal situation in Bangladesh is better than in many other parts in South Asia, said the MoFA. Bangladesh believes that it is the duty of all governments in the region to ensure protection of minorities in their respective countries. Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Sunday said the fact is that about 20-25 youth gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 20 and raised slogans in protest against the "horrendous killing" of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, while also calling for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh. Jaiswal said they have also urged that the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of Das be brought to justice. Bangladesh rejects India’s advice; vows free, fair polls The unjustifiable incident at the Bangladesh High Commission residence in New Delhi on 20th December 2025 is highly regrettable and cannot be accepted as “misleading propaganda”, Bangladesh said in its reaction. Dhaka thinks the miscreants were allowed to carry out their activities right outside the perimeters of the High Commission, creating panic among the personnel inside the complex. The High Commission was not given information in advance about this organised event. "We have, however, noted the commitment of the government of India to ensure the safety and security of all Bangladesh diplomatic posts in India," MoFA said in its media release.

France will construct a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier capable of carrying 30 fighter jets and accommodating about 2,000 sailors, President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday, citing the need to strengthen the country’s maritime power in an increasingly unstable global environment. Speaking to French troops in Abu Dhabi, Macron said the decision to proceed with the large-scale project was taken this week following detailed assessments and in line with France’s recent military planning laws. He stressed that strong naval capabilities are essential “in an age of predators.” The new carrier, expected to enter service in 2038, will replace the Charles de Gaulle, which has been operational since 2001. The vessel will have a displacement of around 78,000 tons and measure 310 meters in length, significantly larger than the current carrier but still smaller than the U.S. Navy’s USS Gerald Ford, the world’s largest warship. Like its predecessor, the new carrier will be powered by nuclear energy and equipped with Rafale M fighter aircraft. According to the French defense ministry, it will be designed for rapid, long-range and heavily armed deployments over extended periods. Macron said the project would support hundreds of suppliers, mainly small and medium-sized enterprises, and pledged personal oversight, including a planned visit to the shipyard early next year. The cost of the carrier was estimated at around 10 billion euros ($11.7 billion) in 2023. Macron has also announced an additional 6.5 billion euros in defense spending over the next two years, with total military expenditure projected to reach 64 billion euros by 2027—double the level when he took office in 2017. France currently has about 200,000 active military personnel and more than 40,000 reservists, making it the European Union’s second-largest armed force. The government aims to increase the number of reservists to 80,000 by 2030. Source: AP 

At least 15 people were killed when a passenger bus crashed on Indonesia’s main island of Java early Monday, according to officials. The bus, which was carrying 34 passengers, lost control on a toll road shortly after midnight, slammed into a concrete barrier and overturned, said Budiono, a chief of the country’s search and rescue agency. The inter-provincial bus was en route from the capital Jakarta to the historic city of Yogyakarta at the time of the accident. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. Source: AP 

New Zealand seized control of the third Test against the West Indies on the final day, claiming five wickets in the opening session on Monday to edge closer to victory and a 2-0 series triumph. West Indies openers Brandon King and John Campbell initially resisted the hosts, batting out the first hour of play. However, New Zealand turned the match decisively in their favor as four wickets fell within six overs, followed by another just before lunch. At the interval, West Indies were 99-5, still needing 363 runs after being set a daunting target of 462. New Zealand required five more wickets in the remaining two sessions. Shai Hope was unbeaten on 2, while captain Roston Chase was on 1. Fast bowler Kemar Roach remained doubtful to bat due to a hamstring injury. Resuming on 43 without loss, King and Campbell extended their stand by another 16 overs before both were dismissed within five deliveries. Jacob Duffy broke through by removing King, who resumed on 37 and went on to score 67, including a fluent half-century off 63 balls. King was caught at gully by Glenn Phillips after a short ball climbed sharply. Campbell followed soon after, scoring 16 from 105 balls, when he attempted to attack Ajaz Patel but was caught by Phillips at mid-on. Kavem Hodge fell for a duck, brilliantly caught by Rachin Ravindra at short leg off Patel, triggering a collapse that saw three wickets fall for just one run. Duffy then dismissed Alick Athanaze for 2, drawing an edge to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell after softening him up with short-pitched bowling. New Zealand openers set Test records against West Indies The sudden burst of wickets halted a run of record-setting opening partnerships. When the stand ended at 87, the teams were just three runs short of the record for the highest combined opening partnerships in a first-class match. The contest had also been close to becoming the first since 1960 in which all four opening partnerships passed 100. Source: AP

Goals from Raphinha and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal powered La Liga leaders Barcelona to a 2-0 victory over 10-man Villarreal on Sunday, extending their lead at the top of the table to four points over Real Madrid. Raphinha opened the scoring in the 12th minute after earning a penalty while cutting inside the box. The Brazilian forward calmly converted with a slow run-up, sending goalkeeper Luiz Junior the wrong way for his seventh league goal of the season and Barcelona’s 50th in La Liga. Yamal doubled the advantage in the 63rd minute, finishing from close range following a goalmouth scramble set up by Frenkie de Jong. It was also the 16-year-old’s seventh league goal this campaign. The win marked Barcelona’s seventh consecutive victory in all competitions under coach Hansi Flick. The Catalan club, however, was without defender Andreas Christensen, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during training on Saturday. Villarreal’s hopes faded late in the first half when defender Renato Veiga received a straight red card for a forceful challenge from behind on Yamal, who required brief treatment before continuing. The result allowed Atletico Madrid to climb into third place after a convincing 3-0 win away to Girona, having played two more matches than Villarreal. Thiago Silva parts ways with Fluminense, targets European return Atletico took the lead in the 13th minute through Koke, who struck a superb half-volley from outside the area. Jan Oblak later produced a brilliant one-handed save to deny Axel Witsel. Conor Gallagher doubled the lead in the 38th minute with a long-range effort that deflected past goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, while Antoine Griezmann wrapped up the win in stoppage time with a composed finish. Girona remain in the relegation zone. Elsewhere, Elche thrashed Rayo Vallecano 4-0 and Real Betis defeated Getafe by the same margin. On Saturday, Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé marked his 27th birthday by scoring his 59th goal of 2025, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo’s club record for most goals in a calendar year. Source: AP 

Host nation Morocco began the 35th Africa Cup of Nations in style on Sunday, defeating Comoros 2-0 as fans and members of the royal family watched from the stands. Ayoub El Kaabi produced the standout moment of the night with a stunning overhead kick in the 74th minute to secure the win, drawing loud applause from Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, who attended the opening match and greeted both teams before kickoff. Despite being heavy favorites, Morocco faced stiff resistance from Comoros, ranked 108th globally. The visitors frustrated the home side for much of the match, with goalkeeper Yannick Pandor denying Soufiane Rahimi from the penalty spot early on. The breakthrough finally came in the 55th minute when Brahim Díaz found the net, easing the tension inside the stadium. El Kaabi later sealed the result with his acrobatic finish. Morocco suffered an early setback when captain Romain Saïss was forced off with an injury, leaving the pitch in tears. Coach Walid Regragui said the extent of the injury was still unclear. Regular captain Achraf Hakimi remained on the bench as a precaution after recovering from an ankle problem but appeared before kickoff to present his African Footballer of the Year award to supporters. Mbappé equals Ronaldo’s Real Madrid record with 59 goals in a year The opening ceremony featured performances by Angélique Kidjo, Jaylann and Lartiste amid a vibrant light show, with rain failing to dampen the festive atmosphere. Morocco, ranked 11th in the world and Africa’s top-ranked team, is chasing its second AFCON title since 1976. The final is scheduled for Jan 18. The tournament is being staged across nine venues in six cities, including the nearly 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Egypt begin their campaign against Zimbabwe on Monday, while defending champions Ivory Coast face Mozambique on Wednesday. The Confederation of African Football has also confirmed the tournament will shift to a four-year cycle in line with the FIFA calendar. Source: AP 

Journalists, media professionals, cultural activists, and members of the British Bangladeshi community protested the recent attacks on The Daily Star and Prothom Alo and growing threats against journalists, after gathering at the historic Altab Ali Park in East London on Sunday. The demonstration, organised by Bangla-speaking journalists working in London, strongly condemned the vandalism, arson, looting, and alleged attempts to kill journalists during coordinated attacks on the two media houses in Bangladesh. Calling the attacks ‘unprecedented’ and ‘unacceptable,’ they termed it a “black day” in the country’s media history. Speakers at the rally said the attacked-media have long stood for independent, objective, and responsible journalism—principles that have increasingly made them targets of intimidation and violence. They demanded an immediate and transparent investigation into the attacks and accountability for those responsible. Addressing the protest, former BBC Bangla journalist Uday Shankar Das said that while media outlets in Bangladesh have faced attacks in the past, the recent violence marked a dangerous escalation. “Differences of opinion are natural in a democratic society, but resorting to organised violence is never acceptable,” he said. Syed Nahas Pasha, vice president of the Commonwealth Journalists Association, warned that the attacks went beyond institutional damage and directly endangered journalists’ lives. “This reflects a serious failure of governance,” he said, adding that ensuring the safety of citizens and journalists is a fundamental responsibility of the state. Former General Secretary of the London Bangla Press Club, Muhammad Abdus Sattar, said journalists are not intimidated by the attacks. Tough times ahead, everyone must remain united: Tarique Rahman “Bangladeshis in the diaspora stand united. We do not want forces that oppose the spirit of the Liberation War to gain ground in Bangladesh,” he said. The protest, moderated by broadcast journalist and writer Bulbul Hasan, was attended by senior journalists, freedom fighters, writers, and community leaders, including Prothom Alo UK correspondent Saidul Islam, Nilufar Hasan, Urmee Mazher, Abu Musa Hasan, freedom fighter Luqueman Hussain, Hamid Mohammad, Ansar Ahmed Ullah, Sarwar E Alam, A S M Masum, Rupi Amin, and S M Tanvir Ahmed. Holding banners and chanting slogans in defence of press freedom, participants said the gathering was an expression of solidarity with journalists in Bangladesh and a call to protect independent media as a cornerstone of democracy. Meanwhile, the London Bangla Press Club issued a statement condemning the attacks on Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, and other media outlets, editors, and journalists in Bangladesh. Expressing deep concern, the Press Club said the arson, vandalism, and assaults constituted a direct attack on press freedom, freedom of expression, and the people’s right to information, posing a serious threat to the country’s democratic progress.

Vast stretches of mustard fields across Sirajganj have burst into radiant shades of yellow, turning the district into a rolling sea of gold and offering a visual feast that is delighting visitors and farmers alike. From late afternoon until dusk, the flowering fields have become a magnet for people of all ages. Youths, women and men are seen wandering through the blossoms, pausing to admire the view, capturing selfies against the glowing backdrop of nature’s seasonal spectacle. The golden transformation is most striking in Tarash, Raiganj, Ullapara and the char areas—long known as the district’s ‘granary’—where mustard flowers sway gently in the winter breeze, painting the countryside with warmth and colour. Read more: Golden Harvest: Sirajganj farmers reap bumper mustard crop According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), a cultivation target of 87,125 hectares was set for mustard farming across Sirajganj’s nine upazilas this season. Farmers, however, have gone beyond expectations, bringing even more land under cultivation and raising hopes of a bumper harvest. Mustard farming has expanded notably in the Chalan Beel areas, particularly in Tarash, Raiganj, Ullapara and Shahjadpur upazilas. Significant cultivation has also been recorded in Kamarkhanda, Kazipur, Belkuchi and Sirajganj Sadar upazilas, reflecting a district-wide surge in production. Among the commonly cultivated varieties are Tori-7, BARI-14, Beena-9 and Beena-14. In the char areas, farmers have opted for the uric acid-free Kalania variety, well-suited to the region’s soil and conditions. Read more: Chapainawabganj farmer sparks local excitement with amazing Chinese orange harvest Local farmers said government incentives have played a crucial role in encouraging cultivation. Seeds and fertilisers were distributed at fixed rates, while agricultural officers provided regular guidance and technical advice to ensure better yields. With favourable weather prevailing, farmers remain optimistic about achieving a bumper output this season. Adding to the vibrancy of the fields, honey collectors from different areas have already installed bee boxes among the mustard crops. Harvesting of mustard flower honey has begun, and collectors expect production to surpass last year’s levels due to the increased acreage under cultivation. Deputy Director of the DAE, AKM Manjur-e-Maula, said farmers had brought more land under mustard cultivation this year compared to the previous season. “We distributed free seeds and fertilisers among small and marginal farmers and provided necessary advice. If the weather remains favourable, there is a strong possibility of a bumper mustard harvest this season,” he said. As Sirajganj’s fields glow under winter skies, the mustard bloom stands not only as a scenic delight but also as a symbol of agricultural promise and rural resilience. Read more: Khulna farmers reap rewards from mustard cultivation, honey production

A 57-year-old man was killed when a passenger boat collided with a sand-laden bulkhead on the Padma River in Chapainawabganj’s Sadar Upazila on Sunday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Md Bhikhu, son of late Abdus Salam of Rashiya Rustum Morler Para in Narayanpur Union under the upazila. According to eyewitnesses and family members, the passenger boat left Alimnagar Ghat for Narayanpur in the afternoon. As the vessel approached the ghat area at Charbaghdanga, it struck a bulkhead standing in the river, leaving Bhikhu critically injured. He was rescued and taken to the 250-bed Chapainawabganj District Hospital, where he died around 7:45pm while undergoing treatment. On-duty physician Umme Habiba said Bhikhu suffered injuries to his hands and chest in the accident and also had existing heart complications. Noor Alam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station, said an investigation is underway. “No complaint has yet been filed by the victim’s family. If a complaint is received, legal action will be taken following investigation,” he added.

The holy Shab-e-Meraj will be observed in the country on the night of January 16 (Friday). The National Moon Sighting Committee took the decision at a meeting held at the Islamic Foundation office at Baitul Mukarram on Sunday evening. Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain chaired the meeting. On the night of 26th Rajab every year, Muslims observe Shab-e-Meraj when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) embarked on a special journey to meet Allah. In the journey, the Prophet travelled on the “Buraq” to Heaven where Allah gave him some instructions to take back to the faithful regarding the details of prayers.

Inqilab Moncho has announced a protest rally demanding the immediate arrest of those involved in the murder of its spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. In a Facebook post on Sunday night, the platform said the rally will be held on Monday at 3:00pm, marching from Shaheed Hadi Chattar in Shahbagh to Shaheed Minar. In a separate post, Inqilab Moncho claimed that none of its two-point demands has been accepted so far. The platform also expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of the Home Affairs Adviser and Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Interim Government with the status of State Minister, at a press conference. “Those who were "Hasina's agents" within the civil and military intelligence agencies have not been arrested yet,” the post further alleged. Inqilab Moncho also criticized authorities for what it termed as attempts to downplay the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi by holding a press conference led by an Additional Inspector General of Police. Against this backdrop, the platform announced it will hold a press conference outlining its future programmes and demands on Monday at 12:00 noon at Shaheed Hadi Chattar, Shahbagh. Osman Hadi, also a prospective candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan. For advanced treatment, he was airlifted to Singapore, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18. Later, he was laid to rest beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the Dhaka University Central Mosque at around 3:30 pm on Saturday.

The Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) on Sunday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Insaf Barakah Kidney and General Hospital to ensure discounted medical services for its members and their family members. Insaf Barakah Foundation Vice Chairman Professor Dr Ruhul Amin spoke at the event prior to the formal signing of the MoU. He said the relationship between the hospital and DCAB would grow stronger through increased cooperation and exchanges beyond the scope of the MoU. DCAB President AKM Moinuddin, General Secretary Md Arifuzzaman Mamun, General Manager of Insaf Barakah Kidney and General Hospital Mozzaffar Hasan Khan Majlis, Assistant Manager Abdul Quddus, and Business Development Executive Mohammad Saad Abdullah were present at the signing ceremony held at the Foreign Service Academy. On behalf of DCAB, the MoU was signed by AKM Moinuddin and Md Arifuzzaman Mamun, while Mozzaffar Hasan Khan Majlis and Abdul Quddus signed on behalf of Insaf Barakah Kidney and General Hospital.

Awami League leader Wasikur Rahman Babu died on Sunday after suddenly falling ill at the gate of Kashimpur Central Jail-2, jail authorities said. Confirming the incident, Superintendent of Kashimpur Jail-2 Al Mamun said Wasikur collapsed while being handed over to police custody. Wasikur, a former president of Badda Thana Chhatra League, was serving as the youth and sports affairs secretary of Badda Thana Awami League. He was arrested on September 24 from Dhaka’s Panthapath area while participating in a sudden procession. Following his arrest, he was transferred to Kashimpur Jail-2 on September 27. Superintendent Al Mamun said a police team arrived at the jail on Sunday afternoon after securing remand in a case to interrogate Wasikur. “While he was being handed over to police custody at the jail gate, he suddenly lost consciousness,” he said. Wasikur was immediately taken to Gazipur Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Further details regarding the cause of death were not immediately available.

The Bangladesh High Commission in Sri Lanka has urged Bangladeshi tourists to remain vigilant and follow safety instructions after the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) of Sri Lanka issued a Level 03 (Red) Landslide Early Warning—the highest alert—for parts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours.  A Level 02 (Amber) warning, the second-highest alert, has also been issued for areas in Badulla, Kurunegala, and Matale. The High Commission advised tourists to stay calm, remain in safe shelters, and strictly adhere to the guidance of local authorities and the DMC. “Your (Bangladeshi citizens) safety is our highest priority,” said the High Commission.

Gold prices in Bangladesh climbed to an all-time high on Sunday, with the price of 22-carat gold rising to Tk 218,117 per bhori following a fresh hike announced by the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS). BAJUS raised the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 1,050 per bhori, setting the new rate at Tk 218,117, which will come into effect from Monday morning. This marks the highest gold price ever recorded in the country. According to BAJUS, the latest adjustment was made considering the overall market situation, particularly the rise in the price of tejabi (pure) gold in the local market. Under the revised rates, the price of 21-carat gold has been fixed at Tk 208,202 per bhori, 18-carat gold at Tk 178,459 per bhori, while traditional method gold has been priced at Tk 148,599 per bhori. In addition to the selling price, buyers will have to pay a mandatory 5 percent government VAT and a minimum 6 percent making charge set by BAJUS. However, the making charge may vary depending on the design and quality of the jewellery, the association said. BAJUS last adjusted gold prices on December 15, when it raised the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 1,470 per bhori to Tk 217,067. So far this year, gold prices in the local market have been adjusted 87 times—raised on 60 occasions and reduced 27 times.

India on Sunday suspended operations at the Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Chattogram, the commercial capital of Bangladesh, until further notice. “Due to the recent security incident at AHCI Chittagong, Indian visa operations at IVAC Chittagong will remain suspended from 21/12/2025 until further notice,” said a notification shared by the IVAC Bangladesh. The announcement for reopening the visa center will be made after reviewing the situation in Chattogram. The decision came in the wake of a fresh wave of unrest witnessed in the country following the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi.

Ticket sales for the Sylhet phase of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will begin on Sunday, December 21. Fans are now able to purchase seats exclusively through an online platform, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced. The tickets, which go on sale from 4:00 pm, will be available only via the official website, www.gobcbticket.com.bd. No physical tickets will be sold at stadium booths, marking a fully digital approach to ticketing for the Sylhet leg of the tournament. Prices for matches at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium range from BDT 200 to BDT 2,000, depending on seating category. All grandstand seats—Upper East, Upper West, Lower East and Lower West—are priced at BDT 2,000. Tickets for the Club House (Upper) cost BDT 500, while the Shaheed Abu Sayed Stand is priced at BDT 250. The Shaheed Turab Stand and Green Gallery or Green Hill areas are set at BDT 200 each. A separate Club House “Zero Waste Zone” has been priced at BDT 600. The release of tickets comes as the BCB confirmed that the tournament’s opening ceremony will be held on a smaller scale in Sylhet, rather than in Dhaka as initially planned. The board revised its original plan due to security concerns. The 12th edition of the BPL will be played across three venues—Sylhet, Chattogram and Dhaka.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday called for unity in the face of challenging times, asserting that the party has historically saved the country from the brink of destruction and will do so again. Speaking virtually at the inauguration of a digital memorial honouring the martyrs of the July Uprising at Shaheed Titu Auditorium in Bogura, Tarique remembered Sharif Osman Bin Hadi as a fearless soldier of democracy.  Tarique said Hadi believed in the politics of votes and became a candidate to serve the people. Rizvi demands probe, visible punishment over killings, arson “We must work together to build the country and preserve the honour of the martyrs of the July Movement and the Liberation War of 1971,” he said. Tarique emphasised that the country is now free from tyranny, but to make independence meaningful, it must be rebuilt from the rubble. The event drew a large crowd of current and former district BNP leaders. As part of the digital memorial, free Wi-Fi has been introduced in 20 key locations across Bogura, including Satmatha and Government Azizul Haque College, with plans to expand to 40 more locations in phases. District BNP leaders said the initiative aims to keep the sacrifices of martyrs alive for younger generations, allowing citizens to learn about them while contributing to the vision of a digital Bangladesh. Attack on two media outlets is a shame for nation: Salahuddin District BNP President Rezaul Karim Badsha, Chairperson’s advisors Advocate AKM Mahabubur Rahman and Helaluzzaman Talukder Lalu, former district president VP Saiful Islam, former convener Golam Md. Siraj, acting general secretary Mosharraf Hossain, and other senior BNP leaders, also present.

Editors and senior journalists on Sunday urged BNP to guarantee full press freedom and critical journalism if the party returns to power, stressing that independent media must be protected as a pillar of democracy. Speaking at a views-exchange meeting, they also said the press is facing one of the toughest periods in Bangladesh’s history following arson attacks on the offices of two leading dailies, calling for unity and long-term commitment beyond political divisions. They also asked BNP to remain tolerant of criticisms in the future and ensure accountability if it forms the next government. The programme, organised by BNP, was held at a city hotel ahead of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s homecoming on 25 December, after nearly 18 years in exile in London. The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam said no media outlet in Bangladesh’s 53-year history had ever faced arson attacks like the recent ones. “Bangladesh is currently in a deeply devastated state as its institutions are being challenged and destroyed. Please remember that in 53 years, no media office had ever been set on fire. For the first time, the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star have been attacked with arson. Why did this happen? What crime did we commit?” he asked. Mahfuz Anam urged political parties to accept critical journalism as essential for good governance and press freedom. While freedom of expression exists in the country, there is little space for expressing critical opinions, he said.  “What we need is the freedom to criticise. One major lesson from our 53 years of politics is that no government has fully accepted critical journalism. I hope that in a new Bangladesh, you will embrace it,” Mahfuz Anam said. The noted editor said critical journalism is not only about press freedom but also an opportunity for good governance. He expressed the hope that the new Bangladesh, to be built under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, will encourage independent media. “Building a new Bangladesh will require creating a new media environment and this presents a unique opportunity for Tarique Rahman,” he said. Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman called the 16 years of Awami League rule a “difficult period for the media,” citing false cases, arrests, ownership changes and pressure on newsrooms. He said BNP’s previous period in power had been comparatively more comfortable for the media. “BNP is the biggest political force now and carries the responsibility to protect press freedom,” the editor said, urging leaders and activists to remain humble if they return to power. “I think there is a political vacuum in the country at the moment. This is a dangerous situation and it is somewhat difficult for BNP as well,” he said. The editor also expressed gratitude to all political parties and people from different professions who stood by them after the arson attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. Manabzamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury said the country is going through an unstable and difficult time. “The country is divided, and it’s very challenging to have dialogue amid such division. But attending today’s event has been very encouraging for me.” “If BNP comes to power in the future, it is now clear from the statements of Salahuddin Ahmed and Rizvi Ahmed what the media policy will be. I want to be very hopeful that if these steps are implemented, the media in Bangladesh will move forward,” he added. Chowdhury said Tarique Rahman is returning at a time when security is the biggest concern in Bangladesh. “Many challenges lie ahead. People want to feel safe, but currently, they do not.” He said with road blockades, attacks on the Indian High Commissioner’s residence in Delhi, assaults on security guards, and the recent attacks on The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, the situation is uncertain. “What will happen next, we do not know. In this situation, the public has very high expectations from BNP. People expect BNP to stand by them”  “To face the challenges ahead, we must work together in unity. The existence of the state could be at risk. If we are not united, the state could be endangered, and if the state falls, none of us will be safe,” Chowdhury added. Jaijaidin Editor Shafik Rehman said journalists have a duty to criticise, which is important, but they must also acknowledge and praise the government’s good work. The veteran editor said journalists have a duty to do both—praise and criticism. “Becoming a journalist does not give you a free licence to criticise the government or Mr Yunus. The government can make mistakes, and journalists can make mistakes too. But the most important thing is to have the courage to admit those mistakes.”

The second day of interrogation of investigation officer Jane Alam Khan was held on Sunday in a crime against humanity case over the killing of seven people, including the burning of six bodies, during the July mass uprising in Ashulia. The case involves 16 accused, including former Awami League lawmaker from Savar Saiful Islam. The cross-examination began on Sunday before a three-member judicial panel of International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by its Chairman Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. The other members of the panel are retired District and Sessions Judge Md Manjurul Bashid and District and Sessions Judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir. Jane Alam Khan was cross-examined by Advocate Syed Mizanur Rahman, representing former additional superintendent of police of Dhaka district Abdullahil Kafi. The questioning was initiated earlier by state defence lawyer Md Amir Hossain. Prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Faruk Ahmad, Saimum Reza Talukder and others represented the prosecution. The cross-examination of the investigation officer began on December 14 after completion of witness testimonies. Jane Alam Khan earlier testified as the 24th witness on December 2. Once his cross-examination is completed, the case will move to the argument stage. A total of 24 witnesses testified over 22 working days. Among them, SI Sheikh Abzalul Haque appeared as a state witness, while SI Anisur Rahman gave a supplementary statement. Eight accused are currently in custody, including former additional superintendents of police and several police officials. Former MP Saiful Islam and seven others remain absconding. On August 21 this year, the tribunal framed charges against all 16 accused, formally commencing the trial. Sheikh Abzalul Haque pleaded guilty and was granted state witness status. According to the case, six youths were shot dead by police in Ashulia on August 5 last year, after which their bodies were burned in a police van. One victim was alive during the burning. Another person was killed the previous day. The case was filed with the tribunal on September 11 last year.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has detected suspicious financial transactions worth more than Tk 127 crore in several bank accounts belonging to the main accused, Faisal Karim Masud, and his associates in the murder of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. Based on information received from various law enforcement and intelligence agencies, the CID has initiated a money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012, according to a press release issued on Sunday. Following the fatal shooting of Inqilab Moncho Spokesperson Osman Hadi in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, on December 12, the CID launched a shadow investigation covering multiple aspects of the case. These include immediate crime scene management, collection and analysis of CCTV footage, recovery of bullet casings, and forensic examination of evidence. As part of the continuing probe, the CID has now expanded its investigation to financial transactions after obtaining bank account details from multiple sources. Although the prime accused Faisal Karim Masud—also known as Daud Khan and Rahul—has not yet been arrested, several of his family members and associates have been detained on charges of concealing evidence and assisting his escape. During arrest operations, investigators seized several checkbooks linked to the accused and related individuals and organizations. Preliminary scrutiny of these records indicates financial dealings amounting to approximately Tk 218 crore, though the figures are yet to be finalized. Initial analysis has revealed unusual transactions exceeding Tk 127 crore across multiple accounts, which investigators suspect may be linked to money laundering, organized crime, and the financing of terrorist activities. In response, the CID has launched a separate money laundering case and is taking steps to confiscate around Tk 65 lakh from various bank accounts of the accused and his associated individuals and entities in favor of the state. Meanwhile, multiple CID teams are working to trace the original sources of the funds and to determine whether an organized and influential network was involved in planning, financing, and supplying weapons for the murder.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday demanded proper investigations and visible punishment for those involved in recent killings and arson and violent attacks at different parts of the country. “A series of secret attacks and killings have created fear and serious questions in people’s minds, which is alarming for the state,” he said while talking to reporters after visiting a burn patient from Lakshmipur at the Burn Institute in the capital this afternoon. Referring to the killing of Osman Hadi and other targeted attacks nationwide, he said, “People want to see visible punishment for such crimes. They want justice.” The BNP leader said it is the responsibility of the government to identify the real offenders through proper investigations. “If there is a lack in this process, people will think differently and become afraid.” The BNP leader said people were also questioning whether there was a bigger conspiracy behind the attacks. “This conspiracy could be linked to the election, or intended to create confusion in many ways. There are even concerns whether any foreign power or their followers at home are trying to destabilise the country,” he pointed out. About the government’s role, Rizvi said, “This government is supported by the people. As a democratically supported government, people expect them to judge the situation carefully and take strong action against the criminals. This is what the nation wants.” BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, its Health Affairs Secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam and other senior BNP leaders were present at the hospital.  

Amjanatar Dal on Sunday received the registration certificate with election symbol of ‘butterfly’ from the Election Commission The registration certificate, signed by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, was handed over to the party’s General Secretary Tarique Rahman. Earlier, the Election Commission held a hearing on December 15 to review two objections submitted against the registration of Amjanatar Dal. Following the hearing, the EC said the party had fulfilled all the required conditions for registration under Chapter VI(A) of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, and expressed its satisfaction in registering the party as a political organisation. With the inclusion of Amjanatar Dal, the total number of registered political parties in the country has now risen to 57, while the registration of the Awami League remains suspended, according to the EC website.

National River Conservation Commission Chairman Maksumul Hakim Chowdhury has been promoted to the rank of Senior Secretary. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification regarding the promotion on Sunday (December 21). Prior to the promotion, Maksumul Hakim Chowdhury had been serving as Chairman of the National River Protection Commission on a contractual basis with the rank of Secretary. Following his elevation to Senior Secretary, he has been reappointed as Chairman of the River Protection Commission, retaining his previous position.

Celebrating excellence, creativity and impact, Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) on Sunday presented the ‘DCAB Media Award-2025’ to three of its members in recognition of their contributions to diplomatic reporting and to inspire further professional development. Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, along with Jury Board Chief and Dhaka Tribune Editor Reaz Ahmad, conferred the awards in three categories - print, television and online. They expressed optimism that DCAB members would continue to play a constructive role in foreign policy discourse through analytical and objective reporting. The Foreign Secretary also honoured four DCAB writers: Masud Karim (former president), Views Bangladesh Editor Rased Mehedi, Israt Zahan Urmi of DBC News, and Nahid Hossain of Alap for their recent books.

Police on Sunday said they have no specific information about the whereabouts of Faisal, the prime suspect in the killing of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. Speaking at an emergency press conference at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Additional Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said law enforcement agencies are actively trying to locate Faisal. “We do not have specific information about Faisal’s last location. Our forces and intelligence agencies are working to obtain it,” he said. “However, we have not received any reliable information indicating that he has left the country.” He also cautioned that suspects often spread misinformation. “Sometimes criminals spread false rumours about their location,” he added. Regarding possible political involvement, Rafiqul Islam said no concrete evidence has yet emerged. “We have not received any specific information about the involvement of any political party in this murder. However, efforts are underway to gather accurate data,” he said. Detective Branch (DB) chief Shafiqul Islam said investigators are looking into the case with utmost seriousness. “Initially, the murder appears to be politically motivated, as there does not seem to be any personal motive,” he said. He mentioned that the law enforcers have been on the ground since the beginning of the incident, and all agencies are working in coordination. “We are examining all possible angles.” Osman Hadi, also a prospective candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan. For advanced treatment, he was airlifted to Singapore, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18. Later, he was laid to rest beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the Dhaka University Central Mosque at around 3:30 pm on Saturday.

Leaders of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), along with students, seized the Vice-Chancellor’s Office on Sunday, demanding the renaming of two residential halls of Dhaka University (DU) and immediate administrative action against teachers, officials and employees accused of supporting the massacre by government agencies during the The protesters demanded that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall be renamed “Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall” and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall be renamed “Bir Protik Sitara Begum Hall.” In this regard, they submitted a memorandum to the university’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Admin), Professor Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha. DUCSU Vice-President Shadik Kayem and other leaders along with students and hall union leaders, participated in the demonstration. Speaking at the programme, Shadik Kayem said, “The first demand we have brought today is that all name on the university campus that stand as icons of fascism must be changed immediately. We have already received students’ opinions.” He added that students have proposed renaming Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall after July fighter Sharif Osman Hadi, and that signatures are being collected from students to submit this demand formally to the administration. Similarly, students have expressed their support for renaming Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall as ‘Bir Protik Sitara Begum Hall.’ He alleged that collaborators of fascism are still conspiring while sitting in the registrar’s building, adding, “We will not make any more compromises.” Earlier, students of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall reportedly removed the hall’s nameplate last night and wrote ‘Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi Hall’ in its place.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed solidarity with the 24-hour ultimatum issued by Inqilab Moncho, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, urged the government to clarify its position and swiftly apprehend and prosecute Hadi’s killers. He made the remarks while addressing a prayer gathering at Al-Falah Hall in Mogbazar on Sunday, organised by Jamaat-e-Islami to commemorate the martyrdom of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson and July Movement activist Sharif Osman Hadi. Parwar described Hadi as a courageous revolutionary who sacrificed his life with dignity. He said Hadi’s clean and honest life had inspired the nation and the overwhelming public response to his funeral, including the participation of political leaders and millions of citizens, was unprecedented. Highlighting the government’s inaction, Parwar demanded answers on how the killers managed to flee the country within six hours of the attack and urged an investigation into potential collusion by intelligence agencies. He called for immediate legal action against those involved in Hadi’s murder and stressed the need to honour Hadi’s vision of a just, sovereign, and oppression-free Bangladesh. Hadi’s elder brother, Omar bin Hadi, also addressed the gathering, calling on citizens to continue his brother’s unfinished revolutionary mission and uphold the struggle for justice and equality. The prayer session was led by Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar and included speeches by Assistant Secretaries Maulana Abdul Halim and ATM Mashum, Central Executive Council member Saiful Alam Khan Milan, Dhaka Metropolitan South Amir Nurul Islam Bulbul, North Amir Selim Uddin, former Vice President of Chaksu Ad. Jasim Uddin, and Hadi’s elder brother Omar bin Hadi. Other party officials and senior members were also present.

Speakers at a human chain on Sunday demanded strict enforcement of existing laws to stop salt, shrimp and crab farming on agricultural land and called for alternative livelihoods and rehabilitation for affected farmers to ensure food security and sustainable livelihoods. They said the practice of introducing saline water into cropland is destroying fertile agricultural land, reducing soil productivity, threatening biodiversity and creating long-term livelihood risks for agriculture-dependent communities. As a result, local food production is declining and salinity is making vast areas uncultivable for years, they added. The demands were raised at a human chain held at Nawabenki Bazar in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira district, jointly organised by COAST Foundation and Udayan Bangladesh. The programme was presided over by Sheikh Asad, Executive Director of Udayan Bangladesh, while M A Hasan, Head of Climate Change of COAST Foundation, moderated the event, says a press release. Speaking at the programme, M A Hasan said that besides climate change-induced natural disasters, shrimp and crab enclosures are artificially increasing salinity in the area and intensifying environmental risks. He noted that although saline shrimp and crab farming may be profitable for a few, it is destroying land, food systems and livelihoods of many people, pushing their future into uncertainty. He referred to the Agricultural Land Preservation Act (ALPA) 2000, which requires approval from the Land ministry for converting agricultural land to non-agricultural use, and called for strict implementation of the law. Sheikh Asad said shrimp and crab farming in Shyamnagar in Satkhira is posing serious threats to agriculture due to salinity intrusion, forcing many farmers to abandon farming and migrate elsewhere in search of livelihoods. He stressed the need for monthly allowances, short-term loans and support for alternative income-generating activities for affected farmers. Shyamnagar Press Club President Samiul Islam Monir said illegally granted canal leases must be cancelled and illegal sand extraction stopped, as river erosion is worsening. He emphasised the need to return to agriculture, transform single-crop land into triple-crop land and increase rice and vegetable production to achieve food self-sufficiency. Ganachetna Foundation Executive Director Shibu Prasad Vaidya said the coastal region is already facing a severe drinking water crisis, which is more acute in areas dominated by shrimp and crab farming. He warned that without strict regulation, the environment, nature and economy of the southwestern region would face further disruption. Jharna Khatun, a representative of affected women, said women are facing increasing health risks due to salinity and food insecurity. She also said that declining agricultural production has increased dependence on markets, leading to malnutrition among women and children amid poverty and rising prices. She urged the government to take effective and sustainable measures. Development activist Imran Parvez said the government must take urgent initiatives to address the drinking water crisis, promote climate-adapted agricultural management, train farmers and increase incentives to protect agriculture and livelihoods in the coastal region.

Speakers at a citizens’ dialogue on Sunday raised serious concerns over the government’s role and responsibility amid a surge in political violence, targeted killings, and growing uncertainty surrounding the upcoming national election. The discussion was organised by Nagorik Coalition at CIRDAP auditorium in the city, in association with Voice for Reform and BRAIN bringing together civil society members, political leaders, and rights activists. Renowned photographer and human rights activist Shahidul Alam said ensuring public security remains the most critical challenge ahead of the election. “Security must be guaranteed not only for candidates and voters, but also for ordinary citizens—before, during, and after the polls,” he said, adding that people deserve clarity on what kind of environment the country is heading towards. He noted inconsistencies in statements from different arms of the government and state institutions, which, he said, are fueling public mistrust. Referring to recent attacks on media outlets such as The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, Shahidul Alam said these incidents did not occur in isolation and had been anticipated for some time. “If the government fails to protect journalists, media institutions, or young political leaders, how can ordinary citizens feel safe?” he questioned. Shahidul Alam also referred to the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, saying justice for such crimes remains elusive. He questioned how perpetrators managed to flee and why adequate protection was not provided despite repeated warnings. “We will not get Hadi back, but we must protect those he inspired,” he said, also citing similar incidents, including a killing in Mymensingh, as evidence of systemic failure. Summarising the discussion, Ganosamhati Andolon Chief Coordinator Junaid Saki said Bangladesh is experiencing a period of severe political instability marked by systematic violence aimed at derailing the election. He alleged that fallen authoritarian forces, with alleged external backing, are deliberately creating chaos to portray the country as ungovernable. He further criticised the interim government’s slow response, noting that delayed police action mirrors the failures of previous regimes. “Without securing the electoral process, neither political reform nor constitutional progress is possible,” he said. Speaking at the event, Shah Iftekhar Tariq of Islami Andolon Bangladesh sharply criticised the government, describing it as ineffective despite possessing sufficient authority. “This is perhaps the most powerless government we have seen, not because it lacks power, but because it refuses to use it,” he said. He warned that the country is heading towards what he termed an “administration-controlled election” due to a deteriorating law and order situation. According to him, armed groups and networks that previously served authoritarian interests remain active and have shifted allegiance, posing a severe threat to reform-minded candidates. “In such an environment, candidates demanding reform risk intimidation or even assassination,” he said. Saying that the conspiracy against the election has started, Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan said the home advisor and the current election commission should be replaced if they fail to present a proper electoral environment. The speakers also expressed concern over the lack of seriousness shown by key state officials in addressing violence and security threats, saying such attitudes undermine public confidence and democratic processes. The speakers unanimously called for immediate political accountability, strengthened security measures, and protection of citizens, journalists, and political actors to safeguard democratic gains achieved after the July uprising and to move the country towards a safer, more inclusive future. Fahim Mashroor, CEO of bdjobs.com and co-coordinator of Nagorik Coalition, conducted the event.

The Election Commission has instructed law enforcement agencies to treat courteously only those who act humanely with fairness, while taking strict action against individuals who disrupt the electoral process through vandalism and violence. “We have clearly instructed all forces and agencies that we will be humane towards those who are humane. But there is no need to be humane towards those who want to carry out banditry, vandalism, destroy the election environment or kill our brothers. The message is very clear,” Election Commissioner Brig Gen Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah on Sunday. He was briefing reporters after a two-hour security meeting at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city on the occasion of the upcoming national election and the referendum scheduled for February 12, 2026. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin chaired the meeting with participation of chiefs of law enforcement and intelligence agencies to review the overall law and order situation ahead of the upcoming elections. Sanaullah said that since August 5, 2024, all forces had been instructed to operate in a more humane manner upholding human rights, but the Election Commission believes some quarters have taken undue advantage of that good initiative. Raising other directives issued for the law enforcing agencies, he said any activities that disrupt the election environment would not be tolerated. “Strict instructions have been given to the forces to discourage and prevent any activities that harm the electoral environment, taking whatever steps are required,” Sanaullah said. The Election Commissioner said those trying to undermine the election process are mainly targeting urban areas. “Those who want to disrupt the festive atmosphere of the election will fail,” he said replying to a question. Noting that the security for the aspirants was discussed in the meeting, Sanaullah said the security agencies assured the Election Commission to ensure security for those who want to contest the election. “The police have already put a protocol in place, and security is being ensured according to that protocol for those who have sought it. Even beyond this, if anyone feels a lack of security, they can approach the police and appropriate measures will be taken,” he said. Sanaullah also said the issue of electoral code of conduct was discussed in the meeting. “The Election Commission generally expressed satisfaction about it (maintaining of polls code),” he said adding that political parties and candidates are, on the whole, playing a cooperative role, for which the Commission has appreciated them. He said intelligence agencies have been instructed to assess why prior information could not be adequately gathered in the case of the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi and to take necessary measures so that such incidents can be prevented in future. Sanaullah said the EC has directed that joint forces operations at the field level will be resumed. The objectives of these operations include recovery of illegal arms and ammunition, arresting terrorists and bringing them under the law, and creating an atmosphere of confidence among voters, candidates and political parties. Area-based checkpoints will be set up and checkpoint operations will be strengthened, he said, adding that special drives have also been ordered, particularly in remote and sensitive areas where the presence of arms has been reported. Noting that several acts of sabotage have taken place recently in different areas, the commissioner said such incidents undoubtedly influence the election environment to some extent. He, however, said based on preliminary assessments received from the relevant agencies, no involvement of any mainstream political party has yet been found in these incidents. Rather, all parties have condemned such activities and highlighted their negative impact. “Nevertheless, regardless of whether the perpetrators are small or large entities, the Election Commission has strictly instructed that appropriate legal action must be taken against anyone involved,” the EC said. At the beginning of the meeting, prayers were offered seeking salvation for departed souls of several persons, including Sharif Osman Hadi, Air Vice Marshal AK Khandker, and six members of the Bangladesh Army who were killed recently in a terrorist attack in Sudan. He said discussions were also held to examine whether recent incidents had any direct link to the elections and whether they were affecting the electoral atmosphere. Based on this, several specific directives were issued by the Election Commission. Regarding the investigation into the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, Sanaullah said the Commission was informed that six people have been arrested so far, all of whom are linked to the incident in some way. The EC has instructed the agencies to pursue the investigation thoroughly and with sincerity, he said. On postal voting, he said there are only four days left for eligible voters to register and urged them to complete the process within the stipulated time. He added that the Commission may consider extending the deadline for election officials, as their appointment process has been slightly delayed. Replying to a question about recent attacks on the offices of two leading national dailies—Prothom Alo and The Daily Star—Sanaullah said the EC shares the same concerns as journalists, noting that such incidents definitely have implications for the election environment. The Election Commissioner said when all were mourning during a national mourning and people had naturally gathered to express their anger and sorrow, some vested quarters exploited the situation and carried out these incidents by overpowering the law enforcement agencies. “This opportunity will not be given again. The message is very clear,” Sanaullah said. In reply to another question, Sanaullah said that since the launch of the ongoing ‘drive against crime’, one force alone has recovered 56 firearms, while on average around 2,000 criminals are being arrested every day. Three other election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmed and Anwarul Islam Sarker were present at the meeting, which began at 2:50pm. The Home Affairs Secretary, the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, the Inspector General of Police, Directors general of Border Guard Bangladesh, the Coast Guard, Ansar and VDP, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI), National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), along with additional IGPs of Special Branch (SB) and Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the Inspector General of Prisons joined the meeting. Earlier, the chiefs of three services met the CEC at 12pm at Nirbachan Bhaban and informed him about the overall preparations of their respective forces for the elections.

The international Crime Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) on Sunday fixed December 23 for hearing the charge framing against seventeen people including Sheikh Hasina and ten former army officers in a case filed over enforced disappearances and torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC) during the Awami League regime. A three-member panel, headed by ICT-1 Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, passed the order as a defense counsel filed a petition seeking time. Earlier in the day, ten army officers were produced before the court amid tight security from Dhaka Cantonment Special Jail. They are--former Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Additional Director General Brig Gen Md Jahangir Alam, Brig Gen Tofayel Mostafa Sarwar, Brig Gen Md Kamrul Hasan, Brig Gen Md Mahbub Alam, Brig Gen K.M. Azad, Col Abdullah Al Momen and Col Anwar Latif Khan, ex-Rab intelligence wing officials Lt Col Md Mashiur Rahman, Lt Col Saiful Islam Sumon, Lt Col Sarwar Bin Kashem. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former defence and security adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and three other accused went into hiding. According to the prosecution, 30 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, have been named as accused in the two cases. One case names 17 accused, another 13. Hasina has been named in two of the cases. Among the 25 army officers charged, 15 are currently in custody. The first case involves allegations that opposition figures were abducted and secretly detained and tortured inside the Task Force Interrogation (TFI) cell operated by Rab during the Awami League’s tenure. In the case, the formal charges naming Hasina and 16 others were submitted on October 8. The second case was filed against Hasina, and 12 others over enforced disappearances allegedly carried out at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC), also known as the “Aynaghar.” Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam presented the charges before the tribunal and requested that they be accepted for trial. After a preliminary hearing, the tribunal issued arrest warrants and ordered the accused to appear before the court by October 22.  

At least nine people were killed and 10 others wounded early Sunday when a group of gunmen opened fire at a pub in Bekkersdal, a township 46 kilometers west of Johannesburg, authorities said. The attack marks the second mass shooting in South Africa within three weeks. Police said around 12 unidentified suspects arrived in a white mini-bus and a silver sedan, targeting patrons at KwaNoxolo tavern in the Tambo area before firing indiscriminately as they fled. Some victims were shot outside the pub on nearby streets. Maj. Gen. Fred Kekana, acting provincial commissioner of Gauteng, told the AP that the assailants, some wearing balaclavas, were armed with one AK-47 rifle and multiple nine-millimeter pistols. Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed that an e-hailing driver was among those killed after dropping off a client. Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigations, together with the Crime Detection Tracing Unit, launched a manhunt for the suspects. Mass shootings at bars, or shebeens, have occurred repeatedly across South Africa in recent years. Earlier this month, multiple suspects attacked an unlicensed bar near the capital, leaving at least 12 dead and 13 injured. In 2022, a similar attack in Soweto killed 16 people, while another left four dead in a separate province. South Africa recorded nearly 26,000 homicides in 2024, averaging more than 70 deaths per day, making it one of the countries with the highest murder rates globally. Firearms remain the leading cause of homicide, and while the country enforces strict gun control laws, illegal weapons are frequently used in violent crimes. Authorities continue to investigate the latest attack as the community reels from the deadly incident.

Iraq’s political landscape remains in flux more than a month after the November parliamentary elections, with parties maneuvering to form alliances that will shape the next government. No bloc won a decisive majority, setting the stage for prolonged negotiations. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s party secured the largest number of seats, but his path to a second term is uncertain. Observers say the Iran-backed Coordination Framework — the largest Shiite parliamentary coalition — is unlikely to support al-Sudani, whom they now see as a political rival. Historically, only Nouri al-Maliki has served a second term as prime minister, highlighting the coalition’s caution against consolidating too much power in one leader. Shiite alliances won 187 seats, Sunni groups 77, Kurdish parties 56, and minorities nine. Al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition won 46 seats, forcing him to seek coalition support. Earlier this month, his government withdrew a terror designation on Iran-aligned groups, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis, reflecting the influence of armed factions within the Coordination Framework. The absence of Muqtada Sadr’s Sadrist movement, which boycotted the election, created a vacuum exploited by parties with armed wings. More than 100 parliamentary seats are now held by parties affiliated with militias, the largest such presence since 2003. Sunni forces are reorganizing under the National Political Council, while Kurdish parties negotiate over the presidency, which by convention goes to a Kurd, with the Shiite prime minister and Sunni parliamentary speaker completing the leadership trio. The incoming government faces daunting challenges, including a national debt exceeding $69 billion, heavy reliance on oil revenues, entrenched corruption, and the future of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). These militias, formed to fight ISIS, remain largely autonomous despite formal integration under the military in 2016. After attacks on U.S. bases in retaliation for the 2023 Gaza war, Washington has warned against appointing leaders with militia ties or granting them control of security ministries. Iraqi analysts say Iran-backed armed groups, including U.S.-designated terrorist organization Kataib Hezbollah, are unlikely to relinquish weapons, insisting that foreign forces leave before any disarmament discussions. As Iraq’s political factions negotiate, the next government must balance internal power struggles, armed groups’ influence, and pressures from Washington and Tehran — all while managing a fragile economy and fragile stability across the country.

Israel’s Cabinet has approved the construction of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, far-right Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich announced Sunday. The plan includes two settlements previously evacuated under the 2005 disengagement plan and brings the total number of new settlements over the past two years to 69, Smotrich wrote on X. According to the anti-settlement group Peace Now, the approval will raise the total number of West Bank settlements by nearly 50% under the current government, from 141 in 2022 to 210. The decision also retroactively legalizes certain outposts and neighborhoods on lands where Palestinians were previously evacuated. Settlements are widely considered illegal under international law. The announcement comes as the U.S. urges Israel and Hamas to advance a new phase of the Gaza ceasefire, effective Oct. 10, which envisions a potential pathway to a Palestinian state — a goal critics say the settlements undermine. Israel seized the West Bank, east Jerusalem, and Gaza in the 1967 war. Currently, more than 500,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements, with over 200,000 in contested east Jerusalem. The government, dominated by far-right officials including Smotrich and Cabinet Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who oversees the police, has prioritized settlement expansion. Settlement growth has coincided with a surge in attacks against Palestinians. During October’s olive harvest, settlers carried out an average of eight attacks daily, the highest since 2006, according to the U.N. humanitarian office. By Nov. 24, at least 136 additional attacks were recorded, including arson, mosque desecration, ransacking of industrial facilities, and crop destruction. Israeli authorities have largely limited their response to occasional condemnations.

M Manjurul Karim Rony, general secretary of Gazipur Metropolitan unit BNP, on Sunday collected his nomination paper to contest the parliamentary election from Gazipur-2 constituency. Rony along with his party leaders collected the nomination paper from the office of District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alam Hossain in the afternoon. After collecting the nomination papers, Rony said people have not been able to vote for 18 years and now they hope for a free and fair election on February 12. “We are optimistic that in this election, the BNP and the 'Sheaf of Paddy' symbol will win by a huge margin across Bangladesh.” He said a vested quarter has engaged in conspiracies against polls, assuming they cannot win the election.  

Stating that no media outlet in Bangladesh’s 53-year history had ever faced arson attacks like the recent ones, The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam on Sunday said the country is currently in a deeply devastated state, with its institutions being challenged and destroyed. Speaking at a views-exchange meeting with editors and senior journalists at a city hotel ahead of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s homecoming, he also urged political parties to accept ‘critical journalism’ as essential for good governance and press freedom. “Bangladesh is currently in a deeply devastated state as its institutions are being challenged and destroyed. Please remember that in the country’s 53-year history, no media office had ever been set on fire. For the first time, the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star have been attacked with arson. Why did this happen? What crime did we commit?” Mahfuz Anam said. He called upon media outlets to sincerely and responsibly ask why the offices of the two leading newspapers came under attack. “At the same time, I want to look to the future. We aim to build a constructive and respectful relationship with the media. In this regard, my message is clear: freedom of expression must be step one. But for any political party, the most important principle is to ensure the freedom to express critical opinions,” the Daily Star Editor said. He noted that while freedom of expression exists in the country, there is little space for expressing critical opinions. “What we need is the freedom to criticise. One major experience from our 53 years of politics is that no government has ever fully accepted critical journalism. I hope that in a new Bangladesh, you will embrace critical journalism,” Mahfuz said. He also said critical journalism is not only about freedom of the press but also an opportunity for good governance. “You must nurture independent journalism. Of course, we have an interest in that. But you must also understand that if you do not want to hear the truth, you will make mistakes—and repeat them. Because you have never taken critical journalism seriously before,” the veteran editor said. He warned political leaders that party members, intelligence agencies, and bureaucrats will not tell them the truth. “It is the independent media that will tell you the truth about the country. If you do not want to hear that truth, you will make mistakes.” The editor expressed the hope that the new Bangladesh, to be built under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, will encourage critical journalism and independent media. “Yes, I also admit that we do make mistakes. When that happens, what will you do? Will you condemn us? Will you try to destroy us? My request is that you always come to us and say, ‘Mahfuz Anam, this report of yours is not fact-based and incorrect.’ I promise that when you point out that my report is incorrect or not fact-based, I will apologise,” the Daily Star editor said. Pointing to BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, Mahfuz Anam said that although he appears media-friendly now, the real test will come once his party assumes power.  “You are media-friendly now because your party is not in power. How media-friendly you will remain after coming to power will show how much you truly support independent journalism,” he added. Criticising ethical lapses within the media, Mahfuz Anam said many editors have become public relations officers for owners. “Ethics, ethics and ethics—there is no alternative to ethical journalism in the future,” he said. The Daily Star editor said building a new Bangladesh will require creating a new media environment, and this presents a unique opportunity for Tarique Rahman to do so.

New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway made history by becoming the first opening pair in Test cricket to score centuries in both innings, putting the Kiwis in a commanding position against the West Indies in the third and final Test. Latham scored 137 and 101, while Conway added a second-innings 100 to his first-innings 227. Their partnership of 323 runs in the first innings contributed to a record 515-run total for an opening pair in a single Test match. Conway also joined an elite group of just 10 batters in Test history to score a double hundred and a hundred in the same match. Previous achievers include Greg Chappell, Sunil Gavaskar, Graham Gooch, Brian Lara, and Kumar Sangakkara. Earlier, the West Indies were bowled out for 420, giving New Zealand a first-innings lead of 155 runs. Latham, Conway, Kane Williamson (40) and Rachin Ravindra (46) then guided the hosts to 306-2 before declaring, setting the visitors a daunting target of 462 for victory to level the series. At stumps, West Indies had reached 43 without loss, with John Campbell scoring two off 50 balls and Brandon King contributing 37.

The country’s stock markets closed lower on the first working day of the week on Sunday, with key indices declining on both bourses, trading fell on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) but increased on the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE). On the DSE, the benchmark DSEX index shed 4 points, while the Shariah-based DSES fell 1 point and the blue-chip DS30 index dropped 6 points. Despite the index decline, most listed companies ended higher, with prices rising for 161 firms against declines for 157, while shares of 70 companies remained unchanged. In the block market, shares worth nearly Tk 19 crore were traded across 20 companies, with BRAC Bank PLC topping the list at Tk 7.6 crore. The turnover on the DSE stood at Tk 293 crore, down from Tk 303 crore in the previous session. Rahim Textile Mills PLC topped the DSE gainers’ chart with a 10 percent rise, while Familytex (BD) Limited lost more than 8 percent to become the day’s worst performer. Meanwhile, the CSE’s broad-based CASPI index dropped 63 points. Prices declined for most companies, with 94 issues losing value against gains for 45, while 14 issues remained unchanged. The trading volume on the CSE jumped to Tk 12 crore, compared to Tk 4.5 crore in the previous trading session. Reliance One Mutual Fund topped the CSE gainers with a rise of over 9.5 percent, while Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) ended at the bottom of the losers’ list.

Kylian Mbappé scored his 59th goal for Real Madrid in 2025, matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s club record for most goals in a single year. The milestone came in the 86th minute via a penalty in a 2-0 victory over 10-man Sevilla in Madrid’s final match of the year. The France striker, celebrating his 27th birthday, marked the achievement with a subdued version of Ronaldo’s iconic celebration, before blowing a kiss to the cameras. Since joining Real Madrid in summer 2024, Mbappé has scored 29 goals this season, including 18 in La Liga. “It’s incredible, in my first full year to do what Cristiano did. He’s my idol and the best player in Real Madrid’s history,” Mbappé said. Sevilla struggled after defender Marcao was sent off for a second yellow, and coach Matías Almeyda was expelled during halftime for protesting. Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois denied multiple scoring chances, keeping the clean sheet intact until Mbappé converted the penalty awarded after Juanlu Sánchez fouled Rodrygo. Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, under pressure following a string of poor results, avoided further criticism with the win. Club president Florentino Pérez now has two weeks to assess the team’s performance before facing Real Betis on Jan. 4. Alonso acknowledged that while the team could have played better, the victory was crucial. Elsewhere in La Liga, Levante and Real Sociedad drew 1-1 before announcing new coaches — Luís Castro for Levante and American Pellegrino Matarazzo for Sociedad. Osasuna beat Alaves 3-0, with Ante Budimir scoring twice, while Real Oviedo and Celta Vigo played a 0-0 draw, featuring a flock of pigeons on the pitch. With the win, Madrid remains second in the league, just one point behind leaders Barcelona.

Severe foreign aid cuts imposed this year by U.S. President Donald Trump, along with reductions from other countries, have devastated child protection, education, and youth programs in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh home to 1.2 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. Thousands of schools and training centers were forced to close, leaving children vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking, child marriage, and forced labor. Hasina, 17, recalls the school that had once shielded her from forced marriage and abuse. When funding for her school was cut in June, her education ended abruptly, and she was married off. Her husband began beating and sexually abusing her, extinguishing her childhood and dreams of becoming a teacher. “If the school hadn’t closed, I wouldn’t be trapped in this life,” she said. UNICEF reports a sharp rise in child abuse and exploitation this year: abductions and kidnappings quadrupled to 560 cases, and 817 children were recruited or used by armed groups operating in the camps. Verified child marriages rose 21% and child labor 17% compared to the previous year, though the real numbers are likely higher. The closures have left children with no safe spaces to learn or play, making them easy targets for traffickers who exploit their desperation. Ten-year-old Mohammed Arfan now spends his days selling snacks instead of attending school, while 13-year-old Rahamot Ullah collects plastic from sewage canals to pay for private lessons he cannot afford. Both boys dream of education and a better life but are trapped by circumstances caused by the aid cuts. Aid agencies warn that the situation will worsen next year. Save the Children has secured only a third of its funding target for 2026, putting 20,000 children at risk of losing access to education. UNICEF has reopened some learning centers using remaining funds, but many schools remain closed. The cuts also exacerbated starvation, health risks, and unsafe conditions in the camps. Families desperate to survive have sent children on perilous journeys abroad, often with traffickers. In one case, Mohammed Ullah’s 13-year-old son was taken by traffickers to Malaysia; his father scrambled to raise a ransom for the boy’s release. Experts and aid workers say the aid reductions have destroyed lives and futures. Children once shielded by schools now face child labor, trafficking, and forced marriage, with little hope of returning to the education and protection they lost.

At least 16 files, including a photograph showing former President Donald Trump, have disappeared from the U.S. Justice Department’s public webpage for documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, less than a day after they were posted. The Justice Department offered no explanation for the removals and gave no prior notice to the public. The missing files, previously available on Friday but inaccessible by Saturday, included images of paintings depicting nude women and a photograph showing Trump alongside Epstein, Melania Trump, and Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. In a statement on X, the department said materials “will continue being reviewed and redacted consistent with the law in an abundance of caution as we receive additional information.” The unexplained disappearance has fueled speculation about possible cover-ups and intensified concerns over transparency, particularly given Epstein’s ties to powerful figures. House Oversight Committee Democrats questioned why the photo featuring Trump was removed, calling for full public disclosure. The Justice Department’s initial release, spanning tens of thousands of pages, has so far offered little new insight into Epstein’s criminal activities or prosecutorial decisions, with critical records — including FBI interviews with survivors and internal memos on charging decisions — still missing. Many documents were heavily redacted, lacked context, or consisted solely of images of Epstein’s homes and associates. Some of the released records include grand jury transcripts detailing sexual abuse of minors, including girls as young as 14, and interviews with U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta regarding his 2008 decision not to pursue federal charges against Epstein. Survivors’ attorneys described the release as both “a triumph and a tragedy,” criticizing the government’s inaction despite ample warning signs. The Justice Department has indicated it will continue releasing records on a rolling basis, citing the need to obscure victims’ identities, but no timeline has been provided for when the public can expect a complete set of documents.

The Election Commission has extended the deadline until December 31 for local election observer organisations to apply for deploying their observers in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election and referendum. According to the Election Observation Policy 2025, observer organisations were earlier asked to submit written applications within 10 days of the announcement of the election schedule by December 21, said an EC press release. Following requests from observer organisations, the Commission has now decided to extend the deadline for submitting applications. The Election Commission said that once permission is granted identity cards and vehicle stickers for central observers will be issued by the Election Commission Secretariat. For local observers, identity cards and vehicle stickers will be provided by the offices of the respective returning or assistant returning officers.

Bangladesh on Sunday rejected remarks made by India’s Ministry of External Affairs regarding demonstrations outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, stating that the protests left the Bangladesh High Commissioner and his family feeling threatened. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain outlined Bangladesh’s position while responding to questions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “We completely reject what has been said in the Indian press note. We completely reject it because the matter is not as simple as it has been presented. Our mission is located deep inside the diplomatic zone. It is not that it is outside or at the beginning of the diplomatic zone,” said the Foreign Adviser. “The High Commissioner and his family live there. They felt threatened and frightened due to inadequate security,” he said, adding that only two guards were present and stood silently during the protest. “So we believe it is the responsibility of the host country to strengthen security further.” Hossain said Bangladesh is still relying on the host country to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of its diplomatic mission. He, however, warned that Dhaka may reduce its diplomatic presence in India, if required. Hossain said Bangladesh had heard reports that the High Commissioner was threatened with death, though no concrete evidence is currently available. “It was not a matter of a few slogans. A family lives inside the mission. The security situation was clearly inadequate.” When asked whether Bangladesh would summon the Indian envoy over the issue, Hossain responded, “No, what we will do, leave it to us. We are taking our own measures.” Referring to claims that the protest involved only 20–25 people, Hossain said the number was irrelevant. “The question is how such a group - believed to be linked to a Hindu extremist organization - was able to reach so deep inside the diplomatic zone. They should not have been allowed to come there at all.” The Adviser said they are still relying on the host country, hoping that the host country will take necessary steps on the security front but if necessary, Dhaka will shrink its diplomatic presence in India. Regarding the killing of Bangladeshi citizen Dipu Chandra Das, Hossain said the incident should not be conflated with the security of minorities. “He was a Bangladeshi citizen who was killed, and Bangladesh took immediate action. Several arrests have already been made,” he said, pointing out that such incidents occur across the region and that every country has a responsibility to respond appropriately. “Bangladesh is taking the necessary measures, just as other countries should,” he added. Official spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal on Sunday said there was no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time. India is committed to ensuring the safety of foreign missions/posts in its territory in accordance with the Vienna Convention, Jaiswal said in response to media queries in New Delhi regarding the demonstration. He said the police stationed at the spot dispersed the group after a few minutes. Jaiswal said visual evidence of these events is available for all to see. No Breach Attempt: India "India continues to keep a close watch on the evolving situation in Bangladesh," he said, adding that their officials remain in touch with Bangladesh authorities and have conveyed to them their strong concerns over the attacks on the minorities. Jaiswal said they have noted misleading propaganda in sections of Bangladesh media on the incident. "The fact is that about 20-25 youth gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 20 and raised slogans in protest against the horrendous killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, while also calling for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh," he said. Jaiswal said they have also urged that the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of Das be brought to justice.

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain on Sunday said taking the law into one's own hands is a major obstacle to good governance. “This is an extremely condemnable and heinous act. We will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands. Mob justice is a major obstacle to good governance,” he said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat. The adviser said he had sent a message and had requested the Home Affairs Adviser to take action against those involved in the killing of a man in Mymensingh and in setting the body on fire. Dipu Chandra Das, a local garment worker, was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh district on Thursday night.  His body was later set on fire. Replying to another question, the adviser claimed that the law and order is now fully under control. He said violent incidents were still occurring, but considering the current situation, they remained hopeful that elections would be held on time in a free, fair, inclusive and festive manner and that such an environment still existed. Asked about recent arson attacks on two newspapers—The Daily Prothom Alo and The Daily Star—the adviser said “Efforts are on to prevent such incidents.To ensure police control at all establishments in advance is very difficult. Often, we do not know in which direction an attack may occur. That is why we always discourage such acts.” Based on intelligence reports, several individuals involved in setting fire to Prothom Alo and The Daily Star have been identified, he said, adding, “We have already taken measures to arrest them and bring them under book.” Regarding the attack on Chhayanaut, the adviser said that who said what was not within their jurisdiction, but as a government they could never accept arson attacks on government-approved institutions or the killing of people by burning them, adding that they considered such acts heinous crimes and were determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. When asked whether there was any intelligence failure as attacks took place on Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, Chhayanaut and other locations across the country on the same night, Khalid Hossain said it would not be appropriate for him to label it directly as an intelligence failure. Drawing attention to allegations of incitement from abroad, the adviser said comments made from outside the country are beyond the direct control of the Bangladesh government. He pointed out that those were open platforms such as Meta and YouTube, which they could not directly control, and that even from within Bangladesh many people posted abusive comments every day.

The European Union (EU) has said it is supporting seven Bangladeshi citizen election observer organisations as part of its efforts to promote free, fair and participatory elections and strengthen public trust in the electoral process ahead of the country’s upcoming polls and referendum on February 12. With the support of the European Union, the European Partnership for Democracy is helping these organisations develop observation checklists and templates, monitor online gender-based violence, and much more, said the Embassy on Sunday. The EU said an independent and strong Election Commission is the key to any successful election in all democratic countries. The Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) has built its human capacity and is acting now to ensure transparency and efficiency before, during and after the elections. With support from the European Union, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is providing technical assistance to the BEC to run smooth, fair, and credible elections.  

Three people were killed and one remained missing after a truck and four other vehicles fell into the Dhaleshwari River from a ferry in Baktaboli area of Narayanganj early Sunday. The deceased were identified as Masud Rana, 30, a Bangladeshi expatriate in Singapore, van puller Shadhin, 25, and Rafique, 35. Md Rakibuzzaman, in-charge of Baktaboli River Police, said the ferry left Narsinghpur in Fatullah for Baktaboli around 9 pm on Saturday. When the ferry reached the middle of the river, a truck suddenly started rolling and plunged into the water dragging along a motorcycle, two auto-rickshaws and a van. Eight to ten people managed to swim to safety while four others went missing, police said. On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies of three victims around 3 am. Md Hasanuzzaman, additional superintendent of police in Narayanganj, said police are investigating the incident.  

Dhaka University has announced that the postponed admission test of the Science Unit (Ka unit) for the 2025–26 academic year will be held on December 27. The information was disclosed in a press release issued by the university’s Public Relations Office on Sunday. The release said Science Unit applicants from outside Dhaka who have admission tests at other universities in the capital on December 26 and 27 and therefore require a change of exam centre may apply online for a centre change within Dhaka. Applications can be submitted through the website admission.eis.du.ac.bd from 5:00pm on December 21 until 12:00 midnight on December 23. Applicants must upload copies of their HSC registration card and the admit card of the concerned university’s admission test while submitting the online application. The admission test was originally scheduled for December 20 but was postponed as state mourning was observed that day over the death of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi after an assassination attempt.

Two siblings died of suspected food poisoning at Wireless Mor in  the capital’s Hatirjheel area on Sunday. The deceased were identified as Afrida Chowdhury, 10, a class III student of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College and her one-year-old brother Ilham Chowdhury, children of Mosleh Uddin Chowdhury. Golam Mortuza, Officer-in-Charge of Hatirjheel police station, said the bodies were handed over to the family on Sunday following post-mortem examinations. Police said children’s father Mosleh Uddin Chowdhury, mother Saida Jakawat Ara, and their two children had dinner together on Friday night before going to sleep. On Saturday morning, Afrida fell sick and was taken to a local hospital where doctors declared her dead around 7am. Her body was later brought home. Shortly afterwards, Ilham began vomiting and became critically ill. He was rushed to another hospital where he died in the afternoon while undergoing treatment. Both parents also became sick but recovered after receiving medical treatment. “Initially, it appears the children may have died from food poisoning, but the exact cause of death will be confirmed after receiving the post-mortem reports,” the OC said.

A suspected thief was killed in a lynch-mob attack at Konaur village in Nabinagar upazila of Brahmanbaria district early Sunday. The deceased was identified as Shahed Ali, 60, son of Millat Ali of Semantaghar village in the upazila. Local people said as the house inmates raised a hue and cry for help sensing presence of a thief neighbours rushed in. They caught Shahed and beat him up mercilessly, leaving him dead on the spot. On information, police recovered the body and sent it to Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy, said Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Nabinagar Police Station. Police arrested four people in connection with their suspected involvement in the killing.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has sat with top representatives of law enforcement and intelligence agencies to review the overall law and order situation ahead of the upcoming national election and referendum scheduled to be held on February 12, 2026. The meeting began around 2:50 pm at Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka on Sunday. Home Affairs Secretary, the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, the Inspector General of Police, Directors general of Border Guard Bangladesh, the Coast Guard, Ansar and VDP, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI), National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), along with additional IGPs of Special Branch (SB) and Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the Inspector General of Prisons have joined the meeting. Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmed, Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar  Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah and EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed have also joined .

South African authorities have launched a manhunt following a deadly shooting at a licensed tavern in a township near Johannesburg that claimed nine lives and wounded at least 10 others. Police said around a dozen unidentified assailants arrived at the scene in two vehicles in Bekkersdal and opened fire on people inside the tavern. The attackers continued firing indiscriminately while escaping, leaving multiple casualties behind. The incident occurred at approximately 1:00am local time on Sunday, equivalent to 11:00pm GMT on Saturday, according to police officials. South Africa remains among the countries with the highest homicide rates globally. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime data for 2023–24 show the country records about 45 murders per 100,000 people. Source: BBC

The National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways on Sunday protested the recent increase in fares of  trains and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the revised fares. The demand was made in a joint statement by Mohammad Shahid Mia, president of the organisation and its general secretary Ashish Kumar Dey. According to the statement, the railway authority has increased train fares on six routes under the Eastern Railway, including the Dhaka–Cox’s Bazar route. The revised fares came into effect on Saturday. Referring to the decision to raise passenger fares by increasing tolls on various railway bridges, the civic body said train fares on these six routes have been increased five times over the last 13 years. The leaders of the National Committee said the lives of ordinary people have already become difficult due to rising prices daily necessities. In such a situation, the sudden hike in train fares will further aggravate the hardship of passengers.

A case has been filed against 300-350 people in connection with the vandalism and arson attack on the building of cultural organisation Chhayanaut in Dhanmondi area of the capital. Dulal Ghosh, manager of Chhayanaut,  filed the case with Dhanmondi police station on Saturday, said Md Saiful Islam, Officer-in-Charge of the police station. A group of unruly people set fire to the building of Chhayanaut in the early hours of Friday after the death of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi at a Singapore hospital . The assailants wearing helmets and face coverings entered the building, carried out vandalism and set fire to valuables.  

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday described the recent arson attacks on two leading newspapers as a shame for the nation, questioning the government’s role over the incidents. “The unfortunate incidents that occurred a few days ago, where several leading newspapers in Bangladesh — including The Daily Star and Prothom Alo — were burned and set on fire, have been witnessed by the whole world,” he said. Speaking at a views-exchange meeting with editors and senior journalists at a city hotel ahead of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s homecoming, Salahuddin said, “As a nation, this is a matter of shame for us. We cannot simply end it with an apology and an expression of regret." The BNP leader said newspapers and the media reflect the conscience and opinion of a nation, shaping public thought and holding power to account. “That mirror has now been shattered,” he said, adding that journalists must not be allowed to lose that vital pride of being that mirror. Salahuddin, a , alleged that the government failed to act despite intelligence warnings following Hadi’s death that such attacks might take place. “There should have been predictions, intelligence reports and preparations to prevent it. We also came to know about those reports. But why was that report not taken into account?” he asked. The BNP leader said they heard that after informing the law-enforcement agencies, the response came one to two hours later. “The role of those who are responsible for running the state and for holding a neutral election — their role in this matter is now questionable.” He also said targeted attacks on the media were not new, and several outlets had faced similar pressure in recent months. “It should have been predicted and assumed. The way mobocracy has been allowed at certain establishments shows that though we wanted democracy, somehow it has turned into mobocracy,” Salahuddin said. He questioned why such a culture was allowed to grow. “I am pointing to the weakness of the government. Such mobocracy must be suppressed more strictly.” After the mass uprising, Salahuddin said that the public’s expectations for the country are very high. “Everyone in Bangladesh wants full democracy, and democracy must be established in all institutions. To achieve this, these institutions need to be strong. Constitutional institutions must be set up to act as guardians of democracy.” He said that many people consider the media the Fourth Estate. “If the people give BNP the responsibility of running the country, our party will fully cooperate with the media. We want to move on from past mistakes, but we must remember what fascist forces have done.” Referring to Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh, Salahuddin said the public hopes it will strengthen democracy in the country. “We want to use his return to strengthen democracy. We are not trying to empower any individual.” He also said BNP will not support autocracy, whether personal or party-based. The BNP leader emphasised that while the media can provide constructive criticism and understanding, it is vital to prioritise national unity and the country’s interest. He warned about the rise of harmful forces, especially after 5 August, and said that both print and electronic media play a crucial role in keeping the nation informed and united. The meeting was attended by editors, senior journalists, media personalities, and senior BNP leaders.

Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram has suspended its visa services for an indefinite period, citing security concerns. A notice was posted on the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) website on Saturday in this regard. The Indian visa services at Chattogram centre will remain suspended from Sunday until further notice, the notice reads. It also said that the decision to reopen the visa centre would be taken considering the situation. The move followed chaos on December 18 when a group of people staged a demonstration near the Assistant High Commission at Khulshi in the city after news of the death of Inquilab Monhco leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. During the protests, the protesters pelted bricks at the office, prompting police intervention. Indian visa centre in Dhaka now operational A chase and counter-chase took place between the protestors and police while 12 people were detained from the spot. Since then, additional police and Army members have been deployed to secure the office. Earlier, on December 17, the Indian visa centre at Jamuna Future Park of Dhaka was briefly closed for security reasons but resumed normal operations the following day.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin held an hour long meeting with the chiefs of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force at Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka on Sunday. The meeting began around 12pm and ended at 1pm. However, the outcomes of the meeting are yet to be made public. The CEC is scheduled to sit with top representatives of law enforcement and intelligence agencies on Sunday afternoon to review the overall law and order situation ahead of the upcoming national election and referendum scheduled to be held on February 12, 2026. Top representatives of the armed forces, Home Affairs Secretary, the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, the Inspector General of Police, Directors general of Border Guard Bangladesh, the Coast Guard, Ansar and VDP, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI), National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), along with additional IGPs of Special Branch (SB) and Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the Inspector General of Prisons are supposed to attend the meeting.

Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has become the first person ever to surpass a net worth of $700 billion, following a Delaware Supreme Court decision that restored a huge stock options award previously scrapped by a lower court. According to Forbes’ billionaires index, Musk’s fortune stood at an estimated $749 billion on Friday after the court reinstated Tesla stock options now valued at $139 billion. The latest surge came just four days after Musk broke through the $600 billion threshold. The stock options originate from Musk’s 2018 compensation plan, which at one point was valued at $56 billion. In 2024, the Delaware Court of Chancery invalidated the package, describing the approval process as “unfathomable” and pointing to Musk’s dominance over Tesla’s board. On Friday, the Delaware Supreme Court reversed that ruling, stating that cancelling the pay package had been improper and unfair. In response, Forbes lifted the 50 percent haircut it had imposed on the options since January 2024, boosting Musk’s estimated wealth by almost $70 billion. With the options restored, Tesla has once again become the cornerstone of Musk’s wealth. He holds roughly 12 percent of the electric vehicle maker’s common shares, worth about $199 billion. Together with the reinstated options, Musk’s total Tesla-related holdings are estimated at $338 billion. This calculation excludes a separate performance-based compensation plan approved by Tesla shareholders in November, which has been described as the largest corporate pay package ever. If long-term growth and valuation targets are achieved, that plan could eventually award Musk Tesla stock valued at up to $1 trillion. Musk’s second-largest holding is his estimated 42 percent stake in SpaceX, valued at around $336 billion following a recent private tender offer that pegged the company’s worth at about $800 billion. Media reports have indicated that SpaceX may consider an initial public offering as early as 2026. Forbes data show Musk’s wealth now exceeds that of Google co-founder Larry Page, currently the world’s second-richest individual, by nearly $500 billion, highlighting the unprecedented scale of Musk’s lead atop the global rich list. Source: With inputs from Indian media  

Trading at both the Dhaka and Chattogram stock exchanges began on a negative note on Sunday, with key indices falling in the first hour amid widespread price declines. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX index shed 21 points in early trading. The Shariah-based DSES index fell by 4 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index dropped 8 points. Most listed companies witnessed price erosion. Of the issues traded, prices declined for 206 companies, while 65 advanced and 76 remained unchanged. Share and unit turnover at the DSE crossed Tk 60 crore in the first hour of trading. The downward trend also continued at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), where the overall index slipped by 5 points. Prices rose for 11 companies, declined for 13, and remained unchanged for 3. During the first half of the session, shares and units worth Tk 1.20 crore were traded at the CSE.

U.S. forces on Saturday intercepted an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela for the second time in less than two weeks, as President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The operation, conducted in the early hours, follows Trump’s recent announcement of a “blockade” on all sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers and comes after the December 10 seizure of another tanker, the Skipper. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the U.S. Coast Guard, assisted by the Defense Department, stopped the Panama-flagged vessel Centuries, which had recently been docked in Venezuela. An unclassified video showed U.S. personnel boarding the tanker via helicopter. Officials described the boarding as “consented,” with the vessel stopping voluntarily. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said Centuries was part of Venezuela’s shadow fleet, transporting stolen, sanctioned oil. However, maritime expert Dr. Salvatore Mercogliano noted that shipping databases suggest the tanker is properly registered, though it likely carried sanctioned oil. Venezuela condemned the action, calling it “criminal” and vowing legal action, including complaints to the UN Security Council. Trump has linked the blockade to U.S. oil investments seized by Venezuela in past decades and accused Maduro of drug trafficking, while U.S. forces have also targeted vessels alleged to smuggle fentanyl into the Americas. At least 104 people have been killed in 28 such strikes since September. The Trump administration has deployed a significant naval presence to the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, warning of potential further actions to pressure Maduro, who has dismissed U.S. operations as an attempt to force him from power. Source: AP 

The namaz-e-Janaza of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers, who were killed in a drone attack on a UN peacekeeping base in Sudan’s Abyei region, were held on Sunday morning at the central mosque of Dhaka Cantonment. Representatives from the Chief Adviser, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Md Nazmul Hassan, and Chief of Air Staff Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, among others, attended the Janaza held at 9:15am. After the janaza, tributes were paid to the slain soldiers on behalf of the President and the Chief Adviser. Representatives from the three forces also paid their respects at the coffins. Later, the bodies were flown by helicopter to their respective home districts. Before the janaza, brief biographies of the soldiers were read aloud and prayers were offered for the departed souls. The slain peacekeepers are Corporal Md. Masud Rana from Natore, Soldier Md. Mominul Islam and Soldier Shanto Mondal from Kurigram, Soldier Shamim Reza from Rajbari, Mess Waiter Md. Jahangir Alam from Kishoreganj, and Laundry Worker Md. Shobuj Mia from Gaibandha. Bodies of 6 Bangladeshi peacekeepers arrive in Dhaka Their bodies were brought back to Dhaka on a special Emirates Airlines flight at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday morning. On December 13, a drone attack by a rebel armed group at Kadugli Logistics Base in Abei of South Sudan under the UN peacekeeping mission killed the peacekeepers and injured nine others. The injured are Lt.Col Khondakar Khalekuzzaman, Sergeant Md. Mostakim Hossain, Corporal Afroza Parvin Iti, Lance Corporal Mohibul Islam, Soldier Md. Mezboul Kabir, Soldier Md. Umme Hani Akhtar, Soldier Chumki Akhtar, and Soldier Md. Manazir Ahsan.

Radhika Apte, currently celebrating the success of her recently released OTT film Saali Mohabbat, recently shared a memorable encounter with Shah Rukh Khan. She recalled missing a call from the superstar, initially thinking it was a prank, before realizing it was genuine and returning the call. The actress revealed to Mashable India that Shah Rukh had called her to appreciate her performance in the 2018 film Andhadhun. “We were having a meal when I noticed a missed call. I thought, let’s check it. Then a message came from the same number: ‘Radhika, this is Shah Rukh Khan. Please call me back,’” she said. “Truly Honoured”: Janhvi Kapoor after winning Female Actor of the Year After confirming with her agent that the number was indeed SRK’s, she called him back. “He said, ‘I just wanted to tell you that I saw Andhadhun. I really loved your performance. I called only to say that,’” Radhika added. She also recalled meeting Shah Rukh at a party, describing the interaction as warm and genuine. “He came up to me because I usually don’t go and express, ‘I like you.’ He put his arm around me, and we talked for half an hour. He was so sweet—it was really lovely,” she said. About Saali MohabbatSaali Mohabbat is a drama-thriller set in a small-town backdrop, exploring how the life of a seemingly ordinary housewife turns chaotic as betrayal, secrets, and tension emerge following two unsettling deaths. The film features Radhika Apte alongside Sauraseni Maitra, Divyendu Sharma, Anshumaan Pushkar, and Anurag Kashyap, and is produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Dinesh Malhotra, Vipin Agnihotri, and Manish Malhotra. Source: NDTV

A trader was stabbed to death allegedly by muggers in the capital’s Jatrabari area early Saturday. The deceased was identified as Ashish Joaddar, 32, a cloth trader and son of Amal Joyaddar of Paturia village in Magura Sadar. Al Amin, a witness, said when Ashish was walking past a warehouse under the Jatrabari flyover two to three muggers blocked his way and stabbed him with a knife. Hearing his screams, locals rushed to the spot, prompting the attackers to flee without managing to snatch anything, he said. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition around 1:30am where doctors on duty at the emergency department declared him dead. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the police camp at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, the body has been kept at the hospital morgue and the matter has been reported to Jatrabari Police Station.

The Southern Ocean, one of Earth’s most remote regions, is far from tranquil. Towering waves that can engulf ships produce a constant roar along the Antarctic Peninsula, where expansive blue waters meet brilliant white ice. Tourists in bright red jackets navigate the Lemaire Channel, nicknamed the “Kodak Gap” for its striking cliffs and ice formations. Armed with binoculars, they watch for orcas, seals, and penguins, witnessing firsthand a fragile ecosystem increasingly affected by climate change. The Antarctic Peninsula is among the fastest-warming areas on the planet. Its surrounding waters act as a major carbon sink, absorbing about 40% of human-generated CO₂, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Rising temperatures, driven by fossil fuel emissions, threaten to reshape the region’s wildlife and landscapes. Gentoo penguins, recognized by their slender orange beaks and white eye patches, appear to be thriving. They are shifting farther south, nesting on exposed rocks and hunting in open water, allowing populations to grow. Adelie penguins, by contrast, face mounting challenges. These ice-dependent birds could lose 60% of their colonies by 2100 as warming waters reduce their food supply and safe resting areas, studies show. Between 2002 and 2020, Antarctica lost an estimated 149 billion metric tons of ice annually, according to NASA. Loon population rebounds in Maine, bringing more haunting calls to lakes For visitors, Antarctica remains a vast glacial wilderness. In the Drake Passage, a treacherous stretch of ocean, tourists marvel at orcas swimming in narrow channels and Pintado petrels gliding overhead. Yet the scene may change dramatically in coming decades. Expanding Gentoo colonies, shrinking ice sheets, and increasing patches of exposed rock highlight the profound impact of climate change on this remote and fragile ecosystem. Source: AP 

Visiting a doctor can be stressful at any age, with patients often forgetting symptoms, medications, or questions until after leaving the office. Preparing ahead is key to making the most of the time with a healthcare provider. Dr. Sarah Nosal, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, said even doctors struggle to remember everything they want to discuss with their own physicians. She advises patients to bring a written list of symptoms and questions, prioritizing the most urgent concerns at the top. “Once you leave the office, you can lose that time,” Nosal said. Primary care doctors play a central role in overall health. They not only provide preventive care such as vaccinations and screenings, but also monitor chronic conditions, detect emerging health problems, and coordinate referrals to specialists. “Knowing a patient over time helps me recognize what’s normal and what’s changed,” Nosal explained. Preparation should start at home. Young adults may need help recalling medical history, including past surgeries, hospitalizations, and vaccinations. Updating family health history — such as incidences of diabetes, stroke, or early-onset cancer — can guide preventive care. Indonesia’s first giant panda cub squeals and squirms in new park footage Patients should also document all medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements, as these can interact. Checking whether recent lab results or records from other providers have been sent to the doctor is also important. Nosal recommends keeping a running list of questions before the appointment. Specific details about symptoms or health concerns, including mental and sexual health, should be included and presented early during the visit. Patients can share these lists via patient portals or check-in forms. Asking questions repeatedly is encouraged. Patients should understand the rationale behind a diagnosis and next steps, and it is often helpful to bring a friend or relative to take notes. “Whether you are 20 or 85, you will not remember everything from your medical visit,” Nosal said. Source: AP 

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Saturday he is optimistic that the long-delayed free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union could be signed in January, despite mounting opposition from some European countries and protests by farmers across the continent. European Union leaders had initially planned to finalize the agreement during a visit to Brazil this weekend. However, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Friday that the signing would be postponed by several weeks following a tense EU summit, citing the need to resolve outstanding concerns raised by member states. Speaking to fellow South American leaders at a Mercosur summit in Foz do Iguacu — near Brazil’s border with Argentina and Paraguay — Lula said European negotiators had previously indicated the deal would be signed, prompting the meeting. He said the delay came after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni requested additional time. Von der Leyen must secure the support of at least two-thirds of EU member states to move forward. Italy’s opposition could give France enough backing to block the agreement. Lula said he spoke with Meloni by phone on Friday and received a letter from EU leaders expressing their intention to conclude the deal in January. He stressed that political determination is essential to complete negotiations that have stretched on for more than 26 years. “Without leadership and courage, it’s impossible to finalize a negotiation that has lasted so long,” Lula told the summit, adding that Mercosur would continue pursuing partnerships elsewhere if delays persist. If completed, the agreement would create a free trade zone covering about 780 million people and roughly one-quarter of global GDP, gradually eliminating tariffs on most goods exchanged between the two blocs. Canada, U.S. to Begin Formal Review of Free Trade Agreement in Mid-January France has been at the forefront of resistance to the deal involving Mercosur members Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia. French President Emmanuel Macron said this week he could not yet commit to supporting the agreement and noted ongoing talks with leaders from Italy, Poland, Belgium, Austria and Ireland to address farmers’ concerns. Lula countered that no single leader can derail the pact and expressed hope that the deal would move forward in the interest of Mercosur, multilateral cooperation and economic development. Source: AP 

Seven wild Asian elephants, including calves, were killed after a speeding passenger train struck a herd as it crossed railway tracks in north eastern India, officials said. The collision occurred early Saturday in Hojai district of Assam, where another calf was also injured in the incident. According to the Northeast Frontier Railway, the train driver noticed dozens of elephants on the tracks and applied emergency brakes, but several animals were still struck by the Delhi bound express. Five coaches derailed following the impact, though railway authorities said no passengers or crew members were hurt. The accident led to multiple train cancellations and diversions in the area throughout the day. Veterinary teams later examined the dead elephants, which were subsequently buried, officials said. Assam is home to one of India’s largest elephant populations, with nearly 6,000 animals recorded across the state. Elephant herds frequently cross railway lines in the region. However, the Northeast Frontier Railway said Saturday’s accident did not occur at a designated elephant corridor.  

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked second on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 230 at 10:15 am this morning (December 21, 2025). Today Dhaka’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’ referring to an alarming healthy threat, according to the AQI index. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. India’s Delhi, Egypt’s Cairo and Pakistan’s Karachi cities respectively occupied the first, second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 250, 218, and 215 respectively. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. Dhaka’s air quality still ‘unhealthy’ The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

After burying beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, agitated students replaced ‘Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall’ with ‘Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall’ at Dhaka University (DU) on Saturday night. On Saturday night around 9pm, leaders of the hall union brought a crane to the site and removed the existing name and wrote ‘Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi Hall’ in its place. At the same time, the portrait of Sheikh Mujib on the upper wall of the old building at the hall’s entrance was disfigured. Earlier on Thursday night, students of the dormitory pasted posters reading ‘Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi Hall’ over the hall’s nameplate.  Earlier on Saturday, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) announced a programme to besiege the Vice-Chancellor’s office at 2:30pm on Sunday, demanding the renaming of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall and Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall. According to a media release signed by the DUCSU Literary and Cultural Affairs Secretary, the central student union announced to enforce the programme to press their three demands, renaming Mujib Hall as Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall, Fazilatunnesa Hall as Felani Hall, and taking administrative action against teachers, officers, and staff who took position against the July uprising. Speaking about the removal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall’s name, the hall’s Vice President Muslimur Rahman said those responsible for Hadi’s killing are linked to the fallen fascist forces, and Sheikh Mujib is the ideological father of those fascists. “By removing Sheikh Mujib’s name and renaming the hall after Osman Hadi, we are showing respect for Hadi,” he said. Despite identifying the killers, the government has failed to arrest the killers, he alleged, saying that “From our position, this is what we can do renaming the hall after Hadi.” Muslimur claimed that they conducted an opinion poll where the majority of students supported the renaming of the hall. Earlier on 3 September, the university administration partially changed name of the hall by removing ‘Jatir Janak’ and ‘Bangabandhu’ and set Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall.  

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman visited the grave of martyred Sharif Osman Hadi at Dhaka University (DU) early Sunday. After offering Fajr prayers at the Central Mosque of the DU, the Jamaat chief, accompanied by party leaders and activists, paid homage at the grave and offered prayers seeking forgiveness for the departed soul and acceptance of his martyrdom. Hadi laid to rest beside National Poet’s grave at DU Jamaat Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar, Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim, Islami Chhatra Shibir Central President Zahidul Islam, Jamaat Central Executive Council Member Md Mobarak Hossain, Central Working Committee Member and Dhaka Metropolitan South Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Advocate Helal Uddin, Central Working Committee Member and Dhaka Metropolitan South Secretary Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud, Islami Chhatra Shibir Central Office Secretary Sibgatullah Sibga, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union Vice President Shadik Kayem, GS SM Farhad, among other central and metropolitan leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir, were present at the prayer session. Hadi was laid to rest beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on the DU campus on Saturday following a Namaz-e-Janaza at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban area with a huge turnout. 

The government has taken an ambitious project to transform Narayanganj into a modern, climate-resilient and liveable city addressing long-standing urban challenges while preparing the industrial hub for the pressures of rapid urbanisation and climate change. The Tk 1,694.75 crore project titled the Narayanganj Green and Resilient Urban Development Project (NGRUDP), aims to overhaul the city’s water supply and drainage systems, revitalise public spaces and strengthen the institutional capacity of the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC). Initiated by the Local Government Division and to be implemented by the NCC, the project will run from April 2026 to March 2031 in the entire city corporation area. Of the total cost, Tk 269.16 crore will come from the government, Tk 1,419.10 crore from project assistance and Tk 6.48 crore from NCC’s own funds. Officials say the project has been designed as a comprehensive response to Narayanganj’s chronic problems—unsafe and inadequate water supply, severe waterlogging, environmental degradation and a lack of quality public spaces. At the heart of the project is the goal of ensuring a round-the-clock supply of safe drinking water to residents by maintaining adequate pressure throughout the transmission and distribution network. Equally significant is the plan to reduce Non-Revenue Water (NRW)—currently estimated at a staggering 65 percent—to just 15 percent through modern network management, infrastructure rehabilitation and improved monitoring. Urban waterlogging, a persistent menace caused by unplanned urbanisation and the encroachment of natural canals and wetlands, is another key focus. The project includes construction of new drains, rehabilitation of existing ones and restoration of canals to improve stormwater management and reduce water-borne diseases. Beyond infrastructure, the initiative seeks to enhance the city’s liveability. Parks, playgrounds and open spaces will be developed or renovated, while community centres and public places will be created to promote recreation, social interaction and youth engagement. Officials said these plans will significantly improve the quality of urban life and foster community cohesion. Chinese investors can help transform Bangladesh into manufacturing hub: Prof Yunus Strengthening the institutional capacity of the NCC is another major pillar of the project. Plans are in place to prepare master plans for urban development, sewerage and solid waste management to guide Narayanganj’s long-term growth in an environmentally responsible and socially inclusive manner. Under the water supply component, new transmission pipelines and distribution networks will be installed, alongside rehabilitation of the Godnail Water Treatment Plant and existing production tube wells. In specific zones, including DMZ-3 under DMA-5, 6 and 7, advanced infrastructure such as induced bank filtration wellfields, collector pipelines and transmission lines crossing the Shitalakkhya River will be developed. Drainage works will include the construction and renovation of drains, installation of siltation chambers and canal lining, as well as extensive cleaning and rehabilitation of waterways. To ensure regular maintenance, specialised equipment such as high-pressure jetting machines, dump trucks and power rodders will be procured. The project also proposes setting up water ATM sheds across the city to improve access to safe drinking water along with the installation of modern IT systems to enhance service delivery and urban governance. Formed as a city corporation in May 2011 through the merger of Narayanganj, Siddhirganj and Kadam Rasul municipalities, Narayanganj is one of the country’s most important industrial and commercial centres. Its water supply system was managed by Dhaka WASA from 1991 to 2019 after which the NCC assumed responsibility. Currently, water is sourced from both groundwater and surface water from the Shitalakkhya River, treated at the Godnail plant. The new project builds on earlier groundwork laid in 2020, when the NCC, with support from the Asian Development Bank and the government, conducted a feasibility study to develop a long-term water supply plan. Silt-borne fertility transforms northern Bangladesh Planning ministry officials say the NGRUDP integrates water supply, drainage, environmental management and public space development into a single, holistic urban transformation effort. Once implemented, they believe it will improve public health, environmental sustainability and social inclusion, while boosting economic vitality.

The Ashes balance remained delicately poised at lunch on the final day of the third Test, with Australia needing just three more wickets to retain the urn, while England required 126 runs to keep the five-match series alive. Australia began Day 5 requiring four wickets, with England resuming on 207-6 and still facing an imposing target of 435 — a total that would demand a record-breaking fourth-innings chase. By lunch, England had battled to 309-7, adding 102 runs during the session but losing Jamie Smith for 60. Two sessions remained. Will Jacks led England’s resistance through a disrupted morning marked by rain delays and an injury to Australian spinner Nathan Lyon. Despite rolling his ankle early in the day and visibly struggling to run, Jacks remained unbeaten on 38 from 120 balls, sharing the crease with Brydon Carse, who was on 13 not out. Tension grew inside the ground as England supporters sang and chanted while their team edged closer to an unlikely escape. Rain briefly halted play when England was 241-6 and still needed 194 runs, but the match resumed and the session was extended by 30 minutes to compensate for lost time. Jacks and Smith added 91 for the seventh wicket, cutting the target to 150 before Smith attempted an aggressive shot and was caught off Mitchell Starc. Smith had earlier struck boundaries off consecutive deliveries from Starc and Pat Cummins to register his seventh Test fifty, finishing with 60 off 83 balls. Carse joined Jacks with the score at 285-7. Starc claimed his first wicket of the innings — his 20th of the series — continuing a strong Ashes campaign following standout performances in Perth and Brisbane. Australia suffered a setback when Lyon injured his right hamstring while fielding and was ruled out for the remainder of the match. The veteran spinner pulled up while chasing a ball to the boundary and left the field with assistance. England, having lost the first two Tests, must win in Adelaide to stay in contention. Australia needs only a draw to retain the Ashes. England has not won a Test in Australia since January 2011 — a drought spanning 5,462 days. Since then, Australia has dominated home Ashes series, and now stands on the brink of another triumph. The highest successful fourth-innings chase in Test history remains West Indies’ 418 against Australia in 2003, though England has chased targets above 370 twice against India in recent years. Source: AP 

At least eight people were killed and 27 others injured after Russian ballistic missiles struck port facilities in Odesa, southern Ukraine, late Friday, according to the country’s emergency services. The attack came as a Kremlin representative prepared to travel to the United States for discussions on a Washington-backed proposal aimed at ending the nearly four-year conflict. Ukrainian officials said some of the injured were passengers on a bus caught near the blast site. Several trucks were set ablaze and nearby vehicles were damaged. Odesa regional governor Oleh Kiper confirmed the port infrastructure was hit. The talks are part of the Trump administration’s sustained diplomatic effort to broker peace, following meetings earlier this week in Berlin with Ukrainian and European officials. Ukraine’s chief negotiator said Friday that Kyiv had also concluded separate consultations in the United States with American and European partners. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the outcome would largely depend on Washington’s response after engaging with Moscow. Speaking alongside Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said it remained unclear how the U.S. would proceed following discussions with Russian officials. Ukraine and Portugal also signed an agreement to jointly produce maritime drones, which Zelenskyy described as a key area of defense cooperation. EU approves €90bn loan for Ukraine as Putin calls West 'enemy' Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military said its drones struck a Russian oil and gas platform at the Filanovsky field, a patrol ship in the Caspian Sea, and a radar system in Crimea. Russia has not confirmed the claims, while its Defense Ministry said it targeted Ukrainian military-linked transport, storage, and energy facilities. As diplomatic efforts continue, Russia has maintained firm conditions for peace, while the European Union has pledged €90 billion in financial and military assistance to Ukraine over the next two years. Talks between U.S. envoys and Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev were expected to take place in Miami on Saturday, according to U.S. officials. Source: AP 

The solution to the Rohingya crisis lies in Myanmar and among the three classical solutions, only the repatriation remains a sustainable solution. Repatriation of the Rohingya must take place today or tomorrow, although it appears difficult now. Abu Saleh Mohammed Obaidullah, Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (Joint Secretary), Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), Cox’s Bazar, made the comments at the inaugural session at the international conference titled “Sustainable Solutions to the Rohingya Crisis: Policies and Practices” was held at the SIMEC Institute of Technology, Uttara, Dhaka. SIMEC Research Centre, Singapore, and SIMEC Institute of Technology, Bangladesh, jointly organised the conference. The inaugural session was chaired by Dr Ratan Kumar Roy, Director, SIMEC Research Centre, Singapore. Dr Sariful Islam, Research Coordinator, SIMEC Institute of Technology, delivered the opening remarks of the conference. Obaidullah also notes that “Bangladesh is not in a position to integrate the Rohingya, locally, and the resettlement is not viable as a small number of Rohingya get repatriated. The resettlement number of the Rohingya stands now at just 5500. The change in the international political landscape, with the rise of anti-migrant and refugee sentiment, makes the resettlement option for the Rohingya bleak.” Rohingya representatives, joined virtually from the camps, expressed their strong sentiment to go back to their homeland, Arakan of Myanmar. The Rohingya speakers highlighted the importance of getting recognition for their identity and citizenship rights back in Myanmar. Astrid Castelein, Assistant Representative for Protection, UNHCR Bangladesh, said that digital intervention, i.e., digital data registration, is not only critical for providing humanitarian assistance to refugees but also for a sustainable solution to the refugee crisis. The UNHCR in Bangladesh began biometric registration for Rohingya refugees in 2018, following a joint Memorandum of Understanding. Castelein has made this comment in the plenary session on Digital Intervention for Sustainable Solutions: Biometrics, Data Protection and Legal Concerns for Rohingyas in Bangladesh. The conference was curated with an inaugural session, two plenary sessions, seven parallel thematic sessions, a special session on academic publishing, and a valedictory session. The conference concluded with a valedictory address by Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, who highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, international responsibility-sharing, and justice-oriented approaches to inspire confidence in collective efforts. Dr Imtiaz has stressed the need to view the Rohingya crisis comprehensively. Recognising the complex actors involved, including states, military forces of Myanmar, intergovernmental organisations, business communities, and civil society, is essential for fostering respect and a shared sense of responsibility. Engr. Sardar Md. Shaheen, Founder Chairman of the SIMEC Foundation, which sponsored the conference, was the chief guest at the closing session. He pointed out that Bangladeshi academicians, scholars and institutes should continuously produce scholarship as well as make policy deliberations to have a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis, which has put extreme stress in many ways on Bangladesh. The conference has brought together scholars, policymakers, humanitarian practitioners, Rohingya representatives, media professionals, and government officials from Bangladesh, United States, Singapore, Germany and India to critically examine long-term responses to the Rohingya crisis. Discussions throughout the conference underscored the limitations of short-term humanitarian approaches and emphasised the urgent need for sustainable, rights-based, and politically informed solutions.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey on Saturday expressed deep concern over the situation in Bangladesh following recent violence in Dhaka and other parts of the country. In a statement, she said she joined the people of Bangladesh in mourning the loss of Sharif Osman Hadi and conveyed her sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. “I am deeply concerned about the situation in Bangladesh following the recent violence in Dhaka and other areas of the country,” she said. The Commonwealth Secretary-General urged respect for the rule of law and called on the authorities to ensure the safety of all, including members of the media. She welcomed the interim government’s statement pledging to hold those responsible for the violence to account and calling for restraint, responsibility and a firm commitment to rejecting hatred. She also appealed for calm and urged all concerned to exercise the highest degree of prudence and forbearance at this critical time.

Christmas is a Christian holiday that observes the birth of Jesus. But did you know that the earliest followers of Jesus did not annually commemorate his birth? Or that Santa Claus is inspired by the acts of kindness of a fourth-century Christian saint? And have you heard about the modern-day Japanese tradition of eating Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas? Since the early 20th century, Christmas has evolved from a religious holiday to a hugely popular cultural holiday observed by Christian and secular people across the globe who gather with families, exchange gifts and cards and decorate Christmas trees. Here’s a look at the history, beliefs and the evolution of Christmas: Origins and early history of Christmas Early followers of Jesus did not annually commemorate his birth but instead focused on commemorating their belief in his resurrection at Easter. The story of the birth of Jesus appears only in two of the four Gospels of the New Testament: Matthew and Luke. They provide different details, though both say Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The exact day, month and even year of Jesus’s birth are unknown, said Christine Shepardson, a professor at the University of Tennessee who studies early Christianity. The tradition of celebrating Jesus’ birth on Dec. 25, she said, only emerged in the fourth century. “It’s hard to overemphasize how important the fourth century is for constructing Christianity as we experience it in our world today,” Shepardson said. It was then, under Emperor Constantine, that Christians began the practice of gathering at churches instead of meeting at homes. Some theories say the date coincides with existing pagan winter solstice festivals, including the Roman celebration of Sol Invictus, or the “Unconquered Sun,” on Dec 25. While most Christians celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25, some Eastern Orthodox traditions celebrate the holy day on Jan. 7. That’s because they follow the ancient Julian calendar, which runs 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar, used by Catholic and Protestant churches as well as by much of the secular world. Rowdy medieval celebrations For centuries, especially during the Middle Ages, Christmas was associated with rowdy street celebrations of feasting and drinking, and for many Christians, it “was not in good standing as a holiday,” said Thomas Ruys Smith, a professor of American literature and culture at the University of East Anglia in England. “Puritans,” he said, “were not fond of Christmas.” But in the 19th century, he said, Christmas became “respectable” with “the domestic celebration that we understand today — one centered around the home, the family, children, gift-giving.” The roots of modern-day Christmas can be traced back to Germany. In the late 19th century, there are accounts of Christmas trees and gift-giving that, according to Smith, later spread to Britain and America, helping to revitalize Christmas on both sides of the Atlantic. Christmas became further popularized with the publication of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens in 1843, and the writings of Washington Irving, who was a fan of St. Nicholas and helped popularize the celebration of Christmas in America. The first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was put up by workers in 1931 to raise spirits during the Great Depression. The tradition stuck as the first tree-lighting ceremony was held in 1933 and remains one of New York City’s most popular holiday attractions. America’s secular Santa is inspired by a Christian saint St. Nicholas was a fourth-century Christian bishop from the Mediterranean port city of Myra (in modern-day Turkey). His acts of generosity inspired the secular Santa Claus legend. The legends surrounding jolly old St. Nicholas — celebrated annually on Dec. 6 — go way beyond delivering candy and toys to children. He is believed to have interceded on behalf of wrongly condemned prisoners and miraculously saved sailors from storms. Devotion to St. Nicholas spread during the Middle Ages across Europe and he became a favorite subject for medieval artists and liturgical plays. He is the patron saint of sailors and children, as well as of Greece, Russia and New York. Devotion to St. Nicholas seems to have faded after the 16th century Protestant Reformation, except in the Netherlands, where his legend remained as Sinterklaas. In the 17th century, Dutch Protestants who settled in New York brought the Sinterklaas tradition with them. Eventually, St. Nicholas morphed into the secular Santa Claus. It’s not just Santa who delivers the gifts In the U.K., it’s Father Christmas; in Greece and Cyprus, St. Basil (who arrives on New Year’s Eve). In some parts of Italy, it’s St. Lucy (earlier in December) and in other Italian regions, Befana, a witch-like figure, who brings presents on the Epiphany on Jan. 6. Instead of a friendly Santa Claus, children in Iceland enjoy favors from 13 mischievous troll brothers, called the Yule Lads. They come down from their mountain cave 13 days before Christmas, according to folklore. Christian traditions of Christmas One of the oldest traditions around Christmas is bringing greenery — holly, ivy or evergreen trees — into homes. But determining whether it’s a Christian tradition is harder. “For many people, the evergreen can symbolize Christ’s promise of eternal life and his return from death,” Smith said. “So, you can interpret that evergreen tradition within the Christian concept.” The decorating of evergreen trees is a German custom that began in the 16th century, said Maria Kennedy, a professor at Rutgers University—New Brunswick’s Department of American Studies. It was later popularized in England and America. “Mistletoe, an evergreen shrub, was used in celebrations dating back to the ancient Druids — Celtic religious leaders — some 2,000 years ago,” Kennedy writes in The Surprising History of Christmas Traditions. “Mistletoe represented immortality because it continued to grow in the darkest time of the year and bore white berries when everything else had died.” Other traditions include Christmas services and Nativity scenes at homes and churches. More recently, Nativity scenes — when erected on public property in the U.S. — have triggered legal battles over the question of the separation of church and state. Christmas caroling, Kennedy writes, can also be traced back to European traditions, where people would go from home to home during the darkest time of the year to renew relationships within their communities and give wishes for good luck, health and wealth for the forthcoming year. “They would recite poetry, sing and sometimes perform a skit. The idea was that these acts would bring about good fortune to influence a future harvest,” Kennedy writes. Kentucky Fried Chicken for Christmas in Japan Among the many Christmas traditions that have been adopted and localized globally, there’s one that involves KFC. In 1974, KFC launched a Christmas campaign where they began to sell fried chicken with a bottle of wine so it could be used for a Christmas party. KFC says the idea for the campaign came from an employee who overheard a foreign customer at one of its Tokyo restaurants saying that since he couldn’t get turkey in Japan, he’d have to celebrate Christmas with Kentucky Fried Chicken. “That really stuck,” Smith said. “And still today, you have to order your KFC months in advance to make sure that you’re going to get it at Christmas Day.”  

A Pakistani court convicted and sentenced imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi on Saturday to 17 years in prison after finding them guilty of retaining and selling state gifts, officials and his party said. The couple pleaded not guilty when they were indicted last year. They were accused of selling the gifts, including jewelry from Saudi Arabia’s government, at prices far below their market value while he was in office. Prosecutors said Khan and his wife declared the value of the gifts at a little over $10,000, far below their actual market value of $285,521, allowing them to purchase the items at a reduced price. Khan's lawyer, Salman Safdar, said he would appeal the ruling on behalf of the former premier and his wife. Under Pakistani law, for government officials and politicians to keep gifts received from foreign dignitaries, they must buy them at the assessed market value and declare any proceeds earned from selling them. Khan’s spokesperson, Zulfiquar Bukhari, said Saturday's sentencing ignored basic principles of justice. In a statement, he said that the “criminal liability was imposed without proof of intent, gain, or loss, relying instead on a retrospective reinterpretation of rules. Bukhari said the court ruling “raised serious questions about the fairness and impartiality of the process, turning justice into a tool for selective prosecution.” Khan’s opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, denounced the ruling in a statement, calling it “a black chapter in history,” and said Khan was present in the court when the judge announced the verdict in the Adiala prison in the city of Rawalpindi. On its official X account, the party wrote Khan's family was not allowed access to the court when the verdict was announced. “A closed-door jail trial is neither free nor fair. It is, in fact, a military Trial.” Omar Ayub, a PTI senior leader, said on X that there was “no rule of law in Pakistan.” Meanwhile, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Khan and his wife were convicted and sentenced after the court examined solid evidence. He said the couple indulged in corruption, and “the court delivered a fair decision”. Khan, 73, was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022 and his party is in opposition in the parliament. However, he remains popular in Pakistan. His party made a strong showing in the Feb. 8, 2024, parliamentary election but did not win a majority of the seats in the National Assembly, or lower house of the parliament. The party claimed the vote was rigged. The government denies such claims. Khan's main political rival, Shehbaz Sharif, is the country's current prime minister. Since his ouster, Khan has repeatedly alleged that his removal was the result of a U.S.-backed conspiracy carried out with the support of Pakistan’s powerful military — claims denied by Washington, the military and his opponents. The former prime minister has been serving multiple prison terms since 2023 on corruption convictions and other charges that the former cricket star and his supporters have alleged are aimed at blocking his political career.

Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur on Saturday alleged that a section within the interim government had patronised an attack on him earlier in the year and said the failure to ensure justice at that time emboldened criminals to kill Sharif Osman Hadi. “If there had been justice for what happened to us, Sharif Osman Hadi would not have been killed. Because this government failed, the killers dared to murder Hadi,”  Nur said, while addressing a pre-rally gathering at Bijoynagar in the capital. The party organised the programme demanding the arrest of the accused and justice for Hadi’s killing. Party Secretary General Rashed Khan and other leaders and activists were present. Nur said the nation has been left stunned by Hadi’s death. “Leftists once said they did not want to take the country from a boiling pan to a burning one. That is exactly what has happened now,” he said, accusing the government of fostering political hooliganism and patronising fascism. “It has pushed revolutionaries towards death.” The former DUCSU vice-president also blamed the government’s failure for mob attacks on media houses, including The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, and for the harassment of New Age Editor Nurul Kabir. Nur further warned of a “deep conspiracy” behind mob violence aimed at destabilising Bangladesh and spreading negative narratives globally.  “The conspirators want to eliminate those who are revolutionary today, just as intellectuals were killed before independence,” he said. Speaking at the programme, Rashed Khan questioned how Hadi’s killers managed to flee. “What are the country’s intelligence agencies doing?” he asked, adding that a culture of impunity had prevailed in the past and continues now because the government is “completely failed.”

The deadline for applying for admission to Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) for the 2025-26 academic year has been extended till December 25. The matter was confirmed in a notification signed by the Admission Committee President, Professor Md Ahmed Kabir Chowdhury, on Saturday. The notification said that in view of the current situation in the country and the requests of students and guardians, the application period for the 2025-26 academic year has been extended until 11:59 pm on December 25. The admission test for the 2025-26 academic year will be held on January 13 and 14 next year.

Law enforcement agencies have arrested ten people in connection with the killing of a Hindu youth who was beaten to death in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh district. Of them, seven were arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and three by the police, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing said on Saturday. Those arrested by RAB are Md Limon Sarkar, 19; Md Tarek Hossain, 19; Md Manik Mia, 20; Ershad Ali, 39; Nizum Uddin, 20; Alamgir Hossain, 38; and Md Miraj Hossain Akon, 46. The police arrested Md Ajmal Hasan Sagir, 26; Md Shahin Mia, 19; and Md Nazmul. RAB-14 and the police conducted operations at different locations to detain the suspects, the press wing added. The victim, Dipu Chandra Das, a local garment worker, was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy in Bhaluka Upazila. His body was later set on fire.

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman has announced that he will resign from his post and contest the parliamentary election from Jhenaidah-1 (Shailkupa) constituency on the paddy sheaf symbol. “I will submit my nomination papers for the parliamentary elections along with everyone. I want to become an MP for the development of the area and for building a terror-free Shailkupa,” he said. He made the remarks at a prayer meeting on Saturday organised by Shailkupa Upazila BNP to pray for the forgiveness of the soul of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi and for the recovery of former Prime Minister and BNP’s chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Md Asaduzzaman said, “We will contest the election on the paddy sheaf. Alhamdulillah, we have been informed about this by the top leadership of BNP. From December 28, I will work with you in the polling field for 24 hours.” Addressing the leaders and activists, he said, “Women activists of a party are going door to door selling tickets to heaven. But we believe that Allah is one and unique. On the Day of Judgment, it will be decided who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. Yet a particular party is selling tickets to heaven in the hope of votes, which is blasphemy. All of you go door to door and dispel this idea among the people.” Upazila BNP General Secretary Humayun Babar Firoz, Organizing Secretary Mustafizur Rahman Turki, Co-General Secretary Bablu Mollah and other leaders and activists attended the prayer meeting.

Police have arrested 16 more people in Naogaon in the last 24 hours as part of the ongoing ‘Devil Hunt Phase-2’ operation, police said on Saturday. All the arrestees are leaders and activists of different organs and affiliated bodies of the Awami League, whose activities have been banned, Naogaon Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tariqul Islam said in a press release. The arrestees are Arman Khan Palin, 34, of Bangabaria area in Naogaon Sadar upazila; Mostafizur Rahman Firoz, 55, of Chakdev Masterpara; Rezaul Haque, 72, of Krittipur; Mehedi Hasan Nirob, 28, of Bacharigram; Md Hasan, 45; Abdul Kader, 60, of Kachua (Gahelapur) area of Raninagar upazila; Rafi Hasan, 25, of Meerut area in Jalalabad; Jahangir Alam, 63, of Gana (Dighi Purbapara) area; Ayet Ali, 56, of Sonaidanga area of Atrai upazila; Motibul Islam, 54, of Harirampur area of Patnitala upazila; Mizanur Rahman, 40, of Battali area; Momtaz Uddin, 55, of Sherpur area of Mahadevpur upazila; Rafiqul Islam, 42, of Haripur area; Moslem Prodhan, 41, of Kusmail area of Niamatpur upazila; Chaiful Islam, 42, of Kharapa area of Porsha upazila; and Jotiranjan Adhikari, 46, of Mainam area of Manda upazila. SP Mohammad Tariqul Islam said the operation is being conducted as part of regular police activities to curb crime and maintain law and order in the district. “A total of 55 people have been arrested in recent days, including accused persons in various cases and those with outstanding warrants,” he added. The police official said the operation would continue to ensure overall law and order in the district.  

A doctor of Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar has been temporarily dismissed for allegedly making objectionable comments about Shaheed Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and a prospective candidate for Dhaka-8. Dr Tajin Afroz Shah, was relieved from her duties through a notice signed by the Principal of Enam Medical College, Professor Dr Md Motahar Hossain Bhuiyan, on Friday (December 19). According to the notice, Dr Tajin Afroz Shah has been temporarily dismissed from the Department of Medicine for making objectionable comments about Shaheed Sharif Osman bin Hadi on Facebook. The order came into effect from December 19, 2024. She has also been asked to show cause within seven working days as to why she should not be permanently dismissed from her position. In addition, Dr Tajin Afroz Shah has been removed from the post of secretary general of Bangladesh Doctors Foundation (BDF). Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, died on December 18 while undergoing treatment in Singapore. He was shot in Dhaka on December 12. Following his death, a screenshot of an alleged Facebook comment from Dr Tajin Afroz Shah’s account, criticising Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage. However, Dr Tajin Afroz Shah claimed that her Facebook account had been hacked. Later, she posted on the same account stating that unknown individuals had hacked her ID and demanded money. She described the circulated comments as “disgusting” and expressed her regret over the incident.

The chiefs of three services – Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Air Force– will meet Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday. “The meeting will be held at 12:00pm at Nirbachan Bhaban,” said EC Director (PR) Ruhul Amin Mollik on Saturday. Due to the meeting, the Election Commission shifted its pre-scheduled meeting over law and order from 10am to 2:30pm. In the afternoon, the EC will sit with top representatives of law enforcing agencies and intelligences to review the overall law and order situation ahead of the upcoming national election and referendum scheduled to be held on February 12, 2026. CEC Nasir will chair the meeting on law and order at the Conference Room of the Election Commission in the city. Top representatives of the armed forces, the Principal Secretary, the Home Affairs Secretary, the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, the Inspector General of Police, Directors general of Border Guard Bangladesh, the Coast Guard, Ansar and VDP, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI), National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), along with additional IGPs of Special Branch (SB) and Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the Inspector General of Prisons are supposed to attend the meeting. The major agendas of the meeting are to review pre-election law and order situation, the activities of joint forces to recover illegal arms and prevent terror acts, and the compliance with electoral code by candidates and political parties as well as the issues related to maintaining an election-friendly environment.  Four election commissioners will be present in the law and order meeting. Meanwhile, the Election Commission on Saturday amended the election schedule gazette bringing change in the timeframe to file appeals challenging the decisions of the returning officers against the acceptance and rejection of nomination papers during the scrutiny. According to the amended gazette, the appeals against the decisions of the returning officers can be filed from January 5 to 9, while the appeals will be disposed of on January 10-18. In the original schedule, the time for submission of appeals was January 5-11 and the time for disposal of the appeals was January 12-18. CEC takes attack on Hadi seriously, orders immediate action: EC Earlier on December 11, the Chief Election Commissioner announced the schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12 next. According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination papers is December 29, while the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10).  

BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Saturday alleged that a few political parties are trying to fish in troubled waters by holding people hostage to serve their narrow political interests. “The people of this country earned independence in ’71 and secured their right to speak freely in ’24 through immense blood and sacrifice,” he said. Speaking at a workers’ meeting in the capital, the BNP leader also said attempts are now being made to snatch away those rights achieved in 1971 and 2024. “A few political parties are trying to hold the people of Bangladesh hostage to gain political advantage. They want to muddy the waters and fish in them,” he said. Abbas, a BNP Standing Committee member, called upon party leaders, activists and the general public to remain alert to tackle the plots against the country. He warned that any attempt to create unrest in Dhaka city will not be allowed, saying the BNP will resist all such efforts. “Our leader Tarique Rahman announced that he would be coming to Bangladesh… After that announcement, a murder took place, followed by a series of incidents one after another. This means it is a planned design,” Abbas observed. He said such activities were aimed at “snatching away the democratic rights of the people” that were achieved in 1971. “We will not allow those rights to be taken away. We will restore our right to vote at any cost.” The BNP leader also warned against any attempts to disrupt the next election. “Those who try to foil the polls will receive their answer through the election process itself. The election will be held in this country, and it must take place.” The meeting was organised at the Sadeque Hossain Khoka Community Centre in Gopibagh by the Dhaka South City unit of the BNP as part of preparations to welcome Tarique Rahman on his return home on Thursday, ending his nearly 18 years in exile in London. Abbas told the meeting that the return of the BNP Acting Chairman symbolises the return of democracy to Bangladesh. “He is coming to restore democracy. Do not be misled by what others say.” Mirza Abbas calls attack on Hadi part of wider conspiracy In an oblique reference to Jamaat-e-Islami, he said the party does not want Bangladesh to remain peaceful as it had opposed the country’s birth. “Those who do not wish well for the country and do not love it may look like human beings, but they are devils in human form. They opposed Pakistan in 1947 and opposed Bangladesh in 1971. They do not want peace in the country. Even if they remain silent for some time, their claws and poisonous fangs grow again. Their activities are systematic and continuous,” the BNP leader said. He said undemocratic forces will not be able to survive in the face of democracy and warned those engaged in conspiracy to be cautious as the people of the country knew them well. “Several newspaper offices and a number of institutions were torched and burned down. Who are these people? Do they love the country? They are enemies of the nation and enemies of the country. They must be stopped,” Abbas said. He also criticised the government and law enforcement agencies for failing to prevent arson attacks and mob violence. “When we went to meet the head of this government, we repeatedly said that we had extended a hand of cooperation to you. But you did not accept that hand of cooperation,” the BNP leader said. He also alleged that the interim government was siding with anti-Bangladesh forces working to destroy the country. “So many incidents are happening—where are the arrests? Where are the law enforcement agencies? They are nowhere to be seen on the ground.” The meeting was chaired by Dhaka South BNP Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin. Candidates and leaders from several Dhaka constituencies, including Nabi Ullah Nabi, Ishraque Hossain, Hamidur Rahman Hamid, Habibur Rashid Habib and Sheikh Robiul Alam, also addressed the programme.    

The undergraduate (Honours) first-year admission test of Jahangirnagar University (JU) for the 2025–26 academic session will begin on Sunday with the examination of ‘C’ unit. The university authorities have issued nine important instructions for candidates appearing in the admission test, Syed Mohammad Ali Reza, member secretary of the university’s Admission Management Committee and deputy registrar (education), said on Saturday evening. 1.      Candidates must fill in the OMR answer sheet properly using a black ballpoint pen. Any incorrectly filled OMR sheet will be considered invalid. The form must not be folded, torn, stained, stapled or pinned. 2.      Candidates are required to write their roll number, shift and question set code in English. Both the OMR sheet and question paper must be submitted to the invigilator at the end of the examination. 3.      Information regarding exam centre and seat can be found on the downloaded admit card. 4.      Candidates must reach the centre at least 10 minutes before the examination begins. 5.      No bags, books, mobile phones, watches, calculators or any electronic devices will be allowed inside the examination hall. A wall clock will be available in the hall for time management. 6.      Only candidates and concerned officials will be permitted to enter the examination centre. 7.      The results of the admission test will be published within seven days after the completion of the examination on the website: ju-admission.org. Jahangirnagar University suspends 16 students over ragging of freshmen 8.      Candidates must bring the original Secondary School Certificate (SSC) registration card along with the admission test admit card. 9.      As the JU campus is located about 30 kilometres away from Dhaka city, candidates have been advised to arrive at the centre well in advance, considering possible traffic congestion. According to university sources, a total of 219,399 applications have been submitted this year against 1,844 seats in seven units, meaning an average of 119 applicants are competing for each seat.    

The two-day Hason Raja Folk Festival–2025 will begin in Sylhet on Sunday, marking the birth anniversary of renowned Sufi poet Hason Raja. Organised by the Hason Raja Folk Literature and Culture Council, the festival will be held at the Central Shaheed Minar premises in Chowhatta area of the city. Programmes will run daily from 3:30pm to 10:00pm. The festival will showcase various aspects of Hason Raja’s life, philosophy and folk heritage through discussions, cultural performances, recitations and renditions of his songs. Dr Jahirul Islam Achinpuri, president of the central committee of the Hasan Raja Folk Literature and Culture Council, said Hasan Raja’s birthday falls on December 21. He said the council has been working to revive Bengal’s traditional Sufi culture with the aim of promoting a non-violent, intellectual, creator-centred and afterlife-centred society. Researchers, artists, litterateurs and cultural activists from different parts of the country are expected to participate in the festival, he added, noting that enthusiasm has already been created in Sylhet’s cultural arena surrounding the event. 56 migratory birds freed from poachers and released in Sylhet Dr Achinpuri also said the festival was originally scheduled to begin on Saturday, December 20, but was deferred by a day in observance of the National Mourning Day announced by the government for the demise of Shaheed Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. The organisers urged people from all walks of life to attend the festival with their families.