A police constable named Robiul Islam was killed in a road accident on Monday morning in the Bhanga Pol area of the Dhaka–Khulna highway under Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj. According to the report, an unidentified bus ran over him and fled the scene. Locals rescued Robiul and took him to Muksudpur Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. He was returning home to Muksudpur on his motorcycle after completing his night duty at Narail Sadar Police Station.

Robiul Islam was the son of Hiru Mia from Nowhata village in Muksudpur upazila. Muksudpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun stated that the body would be handed over to the family after completing legal procedures.

The report did not mention whether the bus or its driver had been identified or apprehended following the incident.

Six people, including a two-year-old girl, were killed and three others injured when multiple gunmen opened fire on a crowded boardwalk near a popular beach in Puerto López, a tourist town on Ecuador’s southwestern coast. Police confirmed the incident on Sunday, saying the attackers arrived in a van and on two motorcycles before fleeing the scene.

Local media reported that this was the third deadly attack in Puerto López over the weekend, bringing the total number of deaths to nine. Police have not yet identified or arrested the shooters, but initial investigations suggest the violence may have stemmed from internal disputes among criminal groups.

Ecuador, located between Colombia and Peru—two of the world’s top cocaine exporters—has seen escalating gang violence linked to Mexican and Colombian cartels. Despite President Daniel Noboa’s strict security policies, killings in public areas have become frequent. The Geneva-based Organized Crime Observatory reported a record homicide rate of 52 per 100,000 people by the end of the year.

A group of miscreants attacked a human chain organized by traders in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar on Monday around 11:30 a.m. The traders had gathered to protest extortion in the area. The incident led to repeated chases and counter-chases between the attackers and participants, leaving several traders injured, according to reports.

The traders alleged that expelled Tejgaon Thana Jubo Dal general secretary Abdur Rahman and his followers had been extorting money from businesses in Karwan Bazar for a long time. They organized the human chain to demand an end to the extortion and the arrest of Abdur Rahman. During the peaceful demonstration, the attackers reportedly assaulted the participants.

The report did not specify the number of injured or whether any arrests were made following the attack.

The 30th Dhaka International Trade Fair will begin on January 1 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal. Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to inaugurate the event. The announcement was made by Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman during a press conference held at the exhibition center on Monday afternoon.

According to the Commerce Secretary, this year’s fair has introduced online allocation for various categories of stalls and pavilions. Visitors will be able to purchase tickets both on-site and online, with entry facilitated through QR code scanning. The press conference was attended by Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice Chairman Hasan Arif, Additional Secretary (Export) of the Ministry of Commerce Abdur Rahim Khan, and EPB Director General Baby Rani Karmakar.

The fair marks a continuation of Bangladesh’s annual trade promotion efforts, with the new digital ticketing and stall allocation systems aimed at improving accessibility and management for participants and visitors.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Bin Harun stated that the return of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman to the country serves as a confidence booster for investors. He made the comment in a post on his verified Facebook page on Sunday night, noting that the development signals progress toward a free and fair election, which he said is vital for an investment-friendly environment.

In the same post, Harun highlighted the recent completion of negotiations on the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), describing it as a major step for the country’s economic future. The agreement will provide duty-free access for 7,379 Bangladeshi products to Japan and 1,039 Japanese products to Bangladesh. It is expected to attract Japanese investment in sectors such as ICT, logistics, electronics, renewable energy, and agro-processing, while also enhancing employment and skills among Bangladeshi youth.

Harun added that the government is forming a specialized negotiation team to handle future trade agreements with countries like the United States, South Korea, and Turkey, aiming to strengthen Bangladesh’s trade capacity after LDC graduation.

The 8 Armed Police Battalion (APBn) conducted extensive operations across 11 Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, over the past six months to maintain law and order. During nearly 200 special raids, 108 individuals were arrested in connection with 52 cases involving weapons, drugs, and other crimes. Authorities recovered a large cache of arms, ammunition, and narcotics, including submachine guns, pistols, one-shooter guns, and 175,068 yaba tablets, along with cash and other contraband.

According to APBn sources, the operations were carried out in camps under several police zones, including Panbazar, Moynarghona, and Hakimpara. Local representatives praised the continuous drives, noting improved security and reduced criminal activity in and around the camps. They emphasized the importance of sustaining such efforts to ensure community safety.

APBn commander Riaz Uddin Ahmed stated that the battalion is operating under a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, illegal arms, and drug trafficking. He pledged to continue coordinated operations with local authorities to prevent criminal networks from re-emerging in the camps.

The US-based organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has announced a reward of 5.5 million taka for information leading to the identification and arrest of those responsible for the killing of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Manch. The announcement was made on Monday in a statement following reports from Dhaka Metropolitan Police that the suspects had fled Bangladesh and taken refuge in India.

According to the SFJ statement, the killers escaped to India after the incident. SFJ General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun alleged that the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi was involved in the murder, describing it as part of cross-border terrorism extending from Bangladesh to the United States. He also claimed similarities between Hadi’s killing and the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

SFJ said the reward aims to gather credible public information to help law enforcement locate, arrest, and extradite the suspects. The organization further alleged that India’s intelligence agency RAW was involved and called for international accountability for the killing.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that temperatures in Dhaka and surrounding areas will remain nearly unchanged. The six-hour forecast issued from 7 a.m. on Monday indicates that the sky may remain partly cloudy and the weather mostly dry. Moderate to dense fog is expected to occur during this period.

According to the department, winds from the north-northwest may blow at speeds of 8 to 12 kilometers per hour. The temperature recorded in Dhaka at 6 a.m. was 14 degrees Celsius, with the day’s minimum temperature measured at 13.8 degrees Celsius. The forecast suggests that daytime temperatures will remain almost steady.

The weather office’s message comes amid reports of cold conditions across the country, with cold waves sweeping through various regions and intensifying winter chill in Dhaka and beyond.

A Dhaka-bound Agnibina Express train derailed early Monday morning near Gafargaon Railway Station in Mymensingh after rail plates were reportedly removed from the track. The incident occurred around 5:15 a.m. as the train was approaching the station, causing the engine and two coaches to leave the tracks. Following the derailment, rail communication between Dhaka and Mymensingh was suspended.

Gafargaon Railway Station Master Md. Hanif confirmed the derailment, stating that he had not yet reached the site but received information from the railway security forces that the removal of rail plates led to the incident. He also confirmed that no casualties had been reported so far.

Authorities have not yet provided details on when train services will resume or who might be responsible for the removal of the rail plates.

Mojibur Rahman Shamim, former chairman of Chitalmari Upazila in Bagerhat and owner of Joy Group, received an exit facility from Bangladesh Bank despite his company being declared a willful defaulter by Trust Bank. Joy Group had taken loans from multiple banks but failed to repay them despite having the capacity. The central bank extended the facility under a policy meant for businesses affected by political changes or currency fluctuations, raising questions about the decision.

According to bank data, Joy Group’s eight entities owe a total of Tk 517 crore to four banks, all classified as defaulted. Trust Bank, Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, and Padma Bank hold the loans. The central bank’s policy allows affected businesses to regularize loans with a two percent down payment and up to ten years for repayment, but willful defaulters are not eligible. Bank officials said they were reluctant to extend new facilities but were compelled by Bangladesh Bank’s directive.

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan stated that willful defaulters are not entitled to such benefits and any irregularities would be investigated. Deputy Governor Zakir Hossain Chowdhury denied allegations of exerting pressure to approve the facility.

On Sunday, December 28, protesters blocked the Rajshahi–Dhaka highway at Talaimari intersection in Rajshahi, demanding justice for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. The blockade was organized by residents opposing Indian dominance under the banner of Inquilab Mancha as part of a previously announced divisional city blockade program. The demonstration caused long traffic congestion on both sides of the road.

During the blockade, the protesters allowed ambulances and other emergency vehicles to pass, ensuring that essential services remained operational. When asked how long the protest would continue, participants said it would depend on the situation and could last through the night if necessary.

Sharif Osman Hadi, described as a leader of the July uprising, a vocal critic of Indian aggression, and convener of Inquilab Mancha, was shot on December 12 and died on December 18 while under treatment. Protesters alleged that his killing was premeditated and demanded a fair trial and maximum punishment for those responsible.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has suspended all passenger vessel operations between Barishal and the rest of the country due to dense fog. The decision, announced around 7 p.m. on Sunday, affects both the Barishal–Dhaka route and all internal waterways in the region. Thousands of passengers were forced to leave terminals after the sudden suspension, which authorities said was necessary to prevent accidents and ensure safety.

According to BIWTA officials in Barishal, the abrupt increase in fog has heightened the risk of river accidents, prompting the emergency measure. Launch owners confirmed that several scheduled departures, including MV Aman Khan-7, MV Parabat-10, MV Parabat-12, Suravi-7, and Bhaira, were canceled, and cabin passengers received ticket refunds. Many travelers expressed frustration over the disruption, noting that alternative bus tickets were unavailable at the start of the workweek.

BIWTA stated that the suspension will remain in effect until further notice, emphasizing that passenger safety remains the top priority.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) suspended all passenger vessel operations across the country on Sunday evening, citing dense fog as the reason. The suspension began after sunset from Dhaka’s Sadarghat terminal, halting launches bound for Chandpur and the southern regions. A special navigation notice confirmed the shutdown and instructed vessels already en route to follow the Inland Water Transport Ordinance of 1976.

According to BIWTA officials stationed at Sadarghat, launches to Barishal and other southern destinations usually depart after evening, but they had not received prior warnings from the Meteorological Department about the heavy fog. The sudden suspension left many passengers stranded and facing difficulties at the terminal.

The BIWTA also extended the suspension directive to other regions, indicating that all passenger launches nationwide would remain halted until visibility improves.

Meghalaya Police and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) have denied Bangladesh Police’s claim that two suspects in the killing of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Shahid Osman Hadi crossed into India’s Meghalaya state through the Haluaghat border. Senior officials from both agencies told the Hindustan Times on Sunday that the allegations were misleading and lacked evidence. They stated that no suspects had been identified or arrested in the Garo Hills region and that there had been no formal or informal communication with Bangladeshi authorities.

Earlier, Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Additional Commissioner S. N. Md. Nazrul Islam said the suspects, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh, fled through Haluaghat after the shooting, assisted by intermediaries. However, Meghalaya Police dismissed this account, saying there was no intelligence or field verification supporting such claims. BSF Inspector General O. P. Upadhyay also rejected the report, saying no evidence existed of any border crossing.

Both agencies said surveillance along the border had been strengthened and intelligence operations intensified to prevent misuse of the frontier by criminal networks.

Bangladesh recorded its lowest temperature of the season in Nikli upazila of Kishoreganj on Sunday morning. According to the first-class weather observatory in Nikli, the temperature was measured at 9.8 degrees Celsius at 9 a.m., marking the lowest in the country. The cold wave has significantly disrupted daily life in the haor region.

Local residents described the cold as unusually severe. Pedestrian Md. Imam Hossain, 65, said he had never experienced such intense cold before and that movement had become difficult. Freedom fighter Idris Ali, 72, noted that public life in Nikli had nearly come to a standstill, with the poor, children, and elderly suffering the most from the biting cold.

Senior observer Akhtaruzzaman Faruk reported that temperatures in Kishoreganj had been dropping for several days due to dense fog and cold winds. He added that the temperature might continue to fall in the coming days as the cold wave persists.