A van driver named Dipon Chandra Nath, 42, was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Saturday morning in the Kamaldah area of the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway, Mirsarai, Chattogram. Police said an unidentified speeding vehicle struck his van around 8 a.m., throwing him off the vehicle and causing fatal head injuries. A pedestrian was also injured and later taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

Dipon, a resident of Madhyam Wahedpur in Wahedpur Union, was delivering goods from a local warehouse to Barodarogahat when the collision occurred. According to Kumira Highway Police officer Zakir Rabbani, the van and the body were recovered and brought to the police station. After legal formalities, the body was handed over to the family.

Authorities are investigating to identify the vehicle and driver responsible. The incident highlights ongoing road safety concerns on the busy Dhaka–Chattogram route, where reckless driving and hit-and-run cases remain frequent.

The autopsy of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of the Inqilab Manch and a key figure in the July Revolution movement, has been completed at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital. Following the procedure, his body was transferred back to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) morgue in Dhaka for preservation, according to Dr. Abdul Ahad of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Hadi had been under treatment in Singapore after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head on December 12 during a public outreach event in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. Despite multiple surgeries in Bangladesh and abroad, he succumbed to his injuries on December 18. His body was flown back to Dhaka the following evening.

Authorities have not yet released details of the autopsy findings. Political activists and supporters have expressed grief, while calls for a thorough investigation into the shooting continue. Funeral arrangements are expected to follow pending official procedures.

A group of unidentified assailants attacked the residence of Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, chairman of a faction of the Jatiya Party and former Member of Parliament, in Hathazari upazila of Chattogram late Friday night. The attackers reportedly arrived by car around 11:45 p.m., broke through the main gate, and set fire to the house, destroying furniture, valuables, and a private vehicle belonging to Mahmud’s uncle, Akbar Haydar Chowdhury.

Chowdhury, who was at the house at the time, said he called the national emergency number 999 but received no response before the fire consumed the property. Police and fire service units arrived later but found most of the house already burned. Hathazari Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zahidul Islam confirmed the incident and stated that efforts are underway to identify and apprehend those responsible.

Authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the attack. The incident has raised security concerns in the area, with local residents urging stronger law enforcement presence and faster emergency response mechanisms.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard conducted a special midnight operation near Dhalghata in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, seizing 450 bags of cement allegedly being smuggled to Myanmar. The operation, carried out by the Matarbari station team based on confidential intelligence, led to the arrest of eight suspected traffickers and the confiscation of a fishing boat used in the illegal trade.

Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haque, the Coast Guard’s media officer, confirmed the seizure on Saturday morning, stating that the cement—worth approximately 225,000 Bangladeshi taka—was being transported to evade customs duties. Legal proceedings against the detainees are underway, and the seized materials have been taken into custody for further investigation.

Authorities emphasized that the Coast Guard will continue intensified operations to curb cross-border smuggling in the Bay of Bengal region, a persistent challenge for coastal law enforcement agencies.

A new study published in the journal *Mobile DNA* reveals that polar bears are undergoing genetic changes that may help them adapt to global warming. Researchers from the University of East Anglia analyzed blood samples from 17 polar bears in northeast and southeast Greenland and found increased activity of so-called 'jumping genes'—mobile DNA elements that influence other genes’ functions.

The study found that rising temperatures have dramatically boosted the activity of these genes in southeastern Greenland bears, altering genetic pathways linked to metabolism, thermal stress, and food processing. Lead researcher Dr. Alice Godden said the findings suggest a potential genetic blueprint for adaptation to warmer environments, though she cautioned that this does not eliminate extinction risks.

Scientists see the discovery as a sign of evolutionary resilience but stress that reducing carbon emissions remains crucial. Without slowing global warming, genetic adaptation alone may not be enough to secure the species’ survival through the century.

Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested seven individuals suspected of involvement in the fatal beating of a Hindu youth in Bhaluka, Mymensingh. RAB-14 confirmed the arrests on Saturday, stating that the suspects were detained during coordinated raids conducted across multiple locations in the district.

The detainees were identified as Md. Limon Sarkar (19), Md. Tarek Hossain (19), Md. Manik Mia (20), Ershad Ali (39), Nijum Uddin (20), Alomgir Hossain (38), and Md. Miraj Hossain Akon (46). Authorities said legal proceedings are underway against the accused, though details of the motive or the victim’s identity have not yet been disclosed.

The incident has sparked local concern over communal harmony and law enforcement’s ability to prevent mob violence. Human rights groups have urged a transparent investigation and swift justice to prevent further tensions. Police and RAB officials said additional suspects may be identified as the investigation continues.

The body of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of the Inqilab Manch, was transferred to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital morgue in Dhaka on Saturday morning for autopsy. Hadi had died in Singapore on December 18 while undergoing treatment after being shot in the head during a public outreach event in the capital’s Bijoynagar area on December 12.

His remains arrived in Dhaka on Friday evening aboard a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight and were kept at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases mortuary before being moved for post-mortem examination. The attack on Hadi, carried out by an unidentified assailant on a moving motorcycle, sparked widespread condemnation and calls for a thorough investigation.

Authorities have yet to announce any arrests or progress in the case. The autopsy results are expected to provide key forensic evidence as police continue their inquiry into the politically sensitive shooting that has drawn national attention.

The Surma and Kushiyara rivers flowing through Jakiganj in Sylhet are facing an alarming navigability crisis, with water levels dropping drastically during the dry season. Once vibrant waterways supporting transport and fisheries, the rivers have now turned into nearly dry beds, disrupting navigation and local water use. Residents report that once-thriving aquatic life and river-based livelihoods are disappearing as the rivers lose their natural flow.

Experts attribute the deterioration to upstream water flow disruptions, excessive siltation, unplanned encroachments, and the impacts of climate change. The resulting water scarcity has intensified pressure on groundwater, threatening long-term water security and agricultural productivity. Fish breeding has declined sharply, endangering local biodiversity and the income of fishing communities. Pollution has worsened as reduced water volume concentrates industrial and urban waste.

Officials from the Water Development Board say dredging and integrated river management plans are being prepared to restore flow and navigability. Environmentalists warn that without urgent, coordinated action, the Surma–Kushiyara system could face irreversible ecological and socio-economic damage.

Residents of Gobindaganj in Gaibandha district held protest marches and prayer gatherings on Friday demanding justice for the killing of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Shahid Osman Hadi. Following the Friday prayers, special doa and prayers for his soul were offered at the Upazila Model Mosque and several other mosques, led by Maulana Sirajul Islam.

The demonstrations began in the afternoon from Gobindaganj Government High School field and concluded at the Shaheed Minar square, drawing participation from local political and student leaders, including Dr. Jahangir Alam Dablue, Mufti Touhidul Islam Tuhin, and Omar Faruk. Similar rallies were also held in Mahimaganj Bazar within the same upazila.

Participants called for swift investigation and punishment of those responsible for Hadi’s death, emphasizing the need for accountability. The incident has sparked growing local and regional attention, with community leaders urging authorities to ensure justice and maintain peace.

Bangladesh’s joint security forces have arrested 51 individuals in coordinated nationwide operations conducted between December 11 and 18, 2025. The operations involved multiple army infantry divisions, independent brigades, and other law enforcement agencies, focusing on curbing terrorism, drug trafficking, robbery, and organized youth crime. The arrests took place in Dhaka and several other districts.

Authorities reported seizing nine illegal firearms, 27 rounds of ammunition, explosives, narcotics, and sharp weapons during the raids. The detainees include suspected terrorists, drug dealers, addicts, robbers, and members of juvenile gangs. Officials stated that all suspects have been handed over to local police stations for interrogation and legal proceedings.

Security analysts view the coordinated effort as part of a broader government initiative to strengthen internal security and suppress rising urban crime networks. Law enforcement agencies are expected to continue similar joint drives in the coming weeks to maintain stability and public safety.

Maulana Ahmad Abdul Kaiyum, chairman of the National Tafsir Council, alleged that the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi was part of a broader conspiracy to destabilize Bangladesh. Speaking at a prayer gathering in Dhaka’s Merajnagar area on Friday, he described the murder as a grave threat to national unity and sovereignty.

Kaiyum accused external actors, particularly India, of attempting to create unrest through covert operations. He further claimed that a list of 50 patriotic figures, including prominent Islamic scholars such as Pir Saheb Charmonai and Maulana Mamunul Haque, had been marked for assassination. Other council leaders, including Maulana Bakibillah and Maulana Jalal Hossain, were also present at the event.

The cleric urged authorities to act decisively, calling for the immediate arrest and strict punishment of those responsible. His remarks come amid heightened tensions following Hadi’s death and growing calls from civil society and international organizations for a transparent investigation.

The Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) has strongly condemned the violent attacks on the offices of Bangladeshi newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star following the killing of July fighter and Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The attacks occurred around midnight on December 18, when unruly groups vandalized and set fire to both newspaper offices, trapping several journalists inside. Security forces and firefighters later rescued the trapped staff and brought the situation under control.

In a joint statement, DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel denounced the assaults as direct threats to press freedom and democratic values. They demanded a swift, impartial investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible. Veteran journalist Nurul Kabir was reportedly harassed while attempting to assist colleagues during the incident.

The DRU warned that targeting media institutions undermines constitutional rights and the rule of law. It urged the government to ensure exemplary punishment for the perpetrators to prevent further intimidation of journalists and safeguard the independence of the press.

Bangladesh’s Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki announced that all individuals involved in the recent attack and looting at the Chhayanaut building in Dhanmondi are being identified through CCTV footage and will be brought under legal action. Farooki visited the damaged cultural center on Friday afternoon, inspecting the affected areas and meeting with Chhayanaut officials, including organizer Partha Tanvir Noved.

He stated that the government will provide financial and logistical support to restore the building and ensure its quick reopening. Security around the site has been reinforced with police and Border Guard Bangladesh personnel. Farooki described the incident as part of a broader conspiracy to disrupt the upcoming national election and destabilize the country, emphasizing that attacks on cultural institutions contradict the spirit of Bangladesh’s democratic and cultural movements.

Authorities are expected to complete damage assessments soon, while investigations continue to identify and prosecute those responsible for the violence.

Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested fugitive suspect Sukanta Dutta in connection with the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, who was killed during a violent protest at the Chattogram court premises in November 2024. The arrest was made on Friday afternoon from the Nilachal Joint Farm area under Bandarban Sadar Police Station through a joint operation by RAB-7 Chattogram and RAB-15 Cox’s Bazar units. Dutta, aged 30, is a resident of Anwara upazila in Chattogram.

According to RAB, Alif was attacked and killed with sharp weapons by a group of followers of expelled ISKCON leader Chinmoy Das after Das’s bail was denied in a sedition case. The murder sparked nationwide outrage, leading to protests, human chains, and a two-day work stoppage by the Chattogram District Bar Association. Alif’s father filed a murder case naming 31 individuals and several unidentified suspects.

Authorities say the arrest marks a major breakthrough in the investigation, with further legal proceedings underway. Security agencies continue to monitor other fugitives linked to the case.

European Union leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with an interest-free loan worth $105 billion over the next two years. The decision, announced by European Council President António Costa, aims to support Ukraine’s defense and budget needs without relying on frozen Russian assets. The financing will instead be raised from capital markets and secured against the EU budget, according to reports from Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to the EU, noting that the funds will help cover Kyiv’s budget deficit and strengthen its defense capabilities amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. The agreement was reached after lengthy late-night negotiations on December 18, marking a significant show of unity among EU leaders.

By opting for market-based financing, the EU temporarily steps away from the contentious plan to use seized Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s war effort. Analysts say the move could ease internal divisions within the bloc while ensuring continued financial backing for Ukraine through 2027.