Bangladesh Bank’s latest report reveals that as of September 2025, nearly 91% of all defaulted loans in the banking sector have become unrecoverable, posing a severe threat to the country’s financial stability. The total volume of defaulted loans reached BDT 6.44 trillion, with BDT 5.85 trillion classified as bad or loss category. This marks a sharp rise from the previous year, when unrecoverable loans accounted for about 82% of total defaults.

Sector insiders attribute the surge to large business groups that borrowed heavily during the previous Awami League government and allegedly siphoned funds abroad. Following political changes, many borrowers fled the country, further reducing recovery prospects. State-owned banks hold the largest share of bad loans, with Janata Bank alone reporting BDT 695.86 billion in unrecoverable debt. Private banks, including Islami Bank Bangladesh and First Security Islami Bank, also face mounting pressure.

Experts warn that the growing volume of bad loans will erode banks’ lending capacity and profitability, as they must maintain full provisioning against such debts. Bangladesh Bank has identified 24 commercial banks failing to meet required provisions, signaling deep structural stress in the sector.

Indian police have confirmed that one of the two attackers killed in the deadly Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney was an Indian citizen named Sajid Akram, aged 50. Akram, originally from Hyderabad, had moved to Australia in 1998 for work and participated in the attack alongside his son, Navid Akram. The incident, which left at least 16 people dead, is being described as Australia’s deadliest shooting in nearly three decades.

According to Telangana state police, Sajid Akram had no prior criminal record or known extremist affiliations. His family reported no signs of radicalization, and Indian authorities stated there was no evidence linking the attack to any Indian group or network. Australian police revealed that Sajid and his son had traveled to the Philippines last month, but the purpose of that trip remains under investigation.

Authorities in both countries are examining possible extremist motives and international connections, including whether the attackers targeted specific communities. The Bondi Beach tragedy has sparked widespread concern in Australia and abroad, prompting heightened security and a joint investigation into the attackers’ backgrounds and motives.

Bangladeshi intelligence sources have revealed that a secret meeting took place at a resort in Savar to plan the killing of Inqilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The three-and-a-half-hour meeting reportedly occurred early Friday morning at the Green Zone Resort in Madhumati Model Town. Surveillance footage shows four individuals entering and leaving the room during the specified time frame.

Investigators identified the participants as alleged shooter Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Dawood Khan, his partner Maria, and two others including Alomgir Hossain. Authorities claim the group discussed details of the planned attack, with an audio recording of their conversation now in the possession of law enforcement. Maria was arrested on December 13, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Security forces have seized CCTV footage and conducted searches at the resort. The resort’s staff, including a service worker who booked the room, have been questioned by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Officials say the evidence is being analyzed to determine the full scope of the conspiracy.

After nearly eight months of inactivity, the dry fish hubs of Asharchar and Nidrarchar in Barguna’s Taltali upazila have regained vitality as thousands of fishermen, traders, and workers return for the new season. Using natural, chemical-free drying methods, the communities are producing and supplying dried fish across Bangladesh, with some exports abroad. However, poor roads, inadequate sanitation, and lack of permanent facilities continue to hinder progress.

Local traders and union leaders warn that without government intervention, the once-thriving industry could decline further. They cite pollution from the nearby Payra thermal power plant as a major threat to marine life and fish yields. Despite these challenges, officials from the Department of Fisheries and local administration have promised to take steps to improve infrastructure and ensure sustainable livelihoods.

The dry fish sector, employing thousands and supporting coastal economies, remains a vital yet vulnerable part of Bangladesh’s fisheries industry. Stakeholders urge coordinated planning and investment to preserve this traditional trade and protect the environment.

Four days after the shooting of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, police have yet to arrest the main suspects, Faisal Karim and his associate Alamgir. Law enforcement agencies have launched extensive operations across multiple districts, including Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Mymensingh, after the suspects reportedly fled toward the Haluaghat border area. Authorities say the fugitives turned off all electronic devices to evade tracking, forcing investigators to rely on manual intelligence sources.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested Kabir, a close aide of Faisal, who has been placed on a seven-day remand by a Dhaka court for interrogation. Kabir is accused of involvement in a plot to disrupt the upcoming national election by targeting Hadi. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified surveillance and set up checkpoints to prevent the suspects from crossing into India. Investigators are also questioning two suspected human traffickers believed to have assisted in the escape.

Officials suggest that identifying Faisal and Alamgir’s financiers could reveal the broader motive behind the attack, which is currently suspected to be politically motivated.

Iraq’s iconic Tigris River, once the lifeline of Mesopotamian civilization, is now drying up due to severe pollution, upstream dam construction, and climate change. Stretching nearly 2,000 kilometers, the river’s flow has drastically declined, endangering the livelihoods of about 18 million people who rely on it for irrigation, drinking water, and power generation. Environmental groups warn that without urgent intervention, the river could face near extinction.

Experts attribute the crisis to multiple factors: untreated sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff have severely degraded water quality, while Turkey and Iran’s dams have reduced water flow into Iraq by over 30%. Local activists, such as Humat Dijlah’s founder Salman Khairallah, emphasize that the river’s decline is both an ecological and spiritual loss. In response, Baghdad and Ankara signed a recent “oil-for-water” deal to fund water management and pollution control projects.

If current trends persist, Iraq could face its worst drought in a century by 2035, with water demand far exceeding supply, posing grave risks to regional stability and heritage preservation.

A 19-year-old tile worker named Faruk was stabbed to death by a group of teenagers in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area on Tuesday evening, December 16. The attack occurred near the Al Falah Mosque alley in Kajla Nayanagar, where witnesses reported seeing 10 to 15 youths assaulting the victim before fleeing the scene. Faruk, originally from Bancharampur in Brahmanbaria, was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

According to local youths, the attackers may be from the same neighborhood, though none could identify them or explain the motive behind the assault. Police confirmed the death and sent the body for autopsy. The Jatrabari police have begun an investigation to determine the cause and identify those responsible.

Authorities are examining possible links to local disputes or youth gang activity, which have been rising in parts of Dhaka. Investigators are collecting CCTV footage and witness statements to trace the suspects and prevent further violence in the area.

Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-2) has arrested the parents of Faisal Karim Masud, the prime suspect in the attempted murder of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The arrests followed a raid in Dhaka’s Agargaon area, where officers recovered 11 rounds of ammunition, two magazines, and a knife. Faisal’s father, Humayun Kabir, was detained in Narsingdi, while his mother was taken in for questioning. Authorities also seized multiple passports, checkbooks, and electronic devices from Faisal’s sister’s residence.

RAB officials said CCTV footage showed Faisal and his accomplice leaving his sister’s home on December 12, the day of the attack, and later returning to retrieve hidden items. The footage guided investigators to recover the weapons. Hadi, who was shot while campaigning as a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8 in the upcoming parliamentary election, remains in critical condition and has been transferred to Singapore for advanced treatment.

Police have intensified efforts to capture Faisal and his associates, amid reports that the attackers may have fled across the border into India.

Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested Humayun, the father of Faisal Karim Masud, the prime suspect in the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho and an independent aspirant for Dhaka-8 constituency. The arrest took place in Narsingdi at Faisal’s in-laws’ residence, according to a RAB press release issued late Tuesday night.

Authorities reported that three firearms believed to have been used in the attempted murder were recovered from a pond near the location. The arrest follows an ongoing investigation into the December attack on Hadi, which sparked public concern over political violence ahead of the upcoming national elections. RAB officials stated that efforts are continuing to locate Faisal Karim Masud, who remains at large.

The incident has drawn attention to rising tensions among independent and party-affiliated candidates in Dhaka. Security agencies have increased surveillance in politically sensitive areas, while election observers have urged restraint and impartial investigation into all politically motivated attacks.

Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has recovered two magazines, 11 bullets, and several documents from the house of Faisal Karim Masud’s sister in Agargaon, Dhaka. Faisal is the prime suspect in the attempted murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8. The raid, conducted Tuesday night, followed analysis of CCTV footage and intelligence inputs.

According to RAB, the operation also led to the seizure of a knife, multiple passports, checkbooks, and electronic devices. CCTV footage reportedly showed Faisal, his associate Alamgir, and family members handling items near the building shortly after the shooting incident. The case, initially filed at Paltan Police Station, has since been transferred to the Detective Branch (DB) for further investigation.

Hadi was shot last Friday while campaigning in Purana Paltan and later flown to Singapore for advanced treatment. The recovery of ammunition near Faisal’s family home has intensified scrutiny of the suspect’s network and raised questions about political violence ahead of the upcoming election.

Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies have launched a manhunt for Philip Snal, suspected of helping two men accused in the shooting of Osman Hadi to cross into India. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) confirmed the arrest of two of Snal’s associates, Sanjay Chisim and Sibiron Dio, from the Haluaghat border area in Mymensingh. Both detainees are alleged members of a human trafficking network operating along the Bangladesh-India frontier.

Officials said the suspects may have assisted Hadi’s attackers, Faisal and Alamgir, in fleeing through underground tunnels beneath the border fence. CCTV footage from nearby areas failed to capture their movements, complicating the investigation. Local residents reported that Snal, who frequently traveled between Bangladesh and India, has been missing since last week.

Authorities continue joint operations by police and BGB to locate Snal and verify whether the attackers have entered India. The case underscores persistent challenges in securing porous border zones and combating illegal cross-border networks.

Bangladesh Bank has directed all scheduled banks to maintain uninterrupted services for replacing torn, damaged, or soiled banknotes. The central bank issued a circular through its Department of Currency Management, warning that any negligence in complying with the directive will lead to action against the concerned banks. The move aims to ensure that citizens can easily exchange unfit notes without disruption across all bank branches.

According to the circular, if more than 90% of a note remains intact and its security features are identifiable, banks must provide full value even if the note is unfit for circulation. Notes torn into two pieces must be attached to thin white paper for identification before submission. Notes deemed claimable will be sent to the nearest Bangladesh Bank office for verification, with payment decisions made within eight weeks. Customers must bear postal or courier costs, while burnt notes must be submitted directly to the central bank’s claim desk.

The circular also requires branches to display visible notices about this service and to report monthly data on note exchanges to Bangladesh Bank to enhance transparency and accountability in cash transactions.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) conducted a special operation across Pallabi and Uttara areas, arresting 31 individuals allegedly involved in various criminal activities. According to a DMP press release issued on Tuesday, 17 suspects were detained from Pallabi, 16 from Uttara East, and 14 from Uttara West police station areas. The arrests targeted individuals accused in regular cases, drug-related crimes, and those with outstanding warrants.

Police officials stated that the operation was part of an ongoing effort to maintain law and order in the capital. The arrested individuals include known offenders with prior criminal records, and investigations are underway to determine their involvement in recent incidents. Authorities emphasized that such drives will continue to curb rising urban crime and ensure public safety.

The DMP reiterated its commitment to sustaining these operations as part of a broader strategy to strengthen community security and deter organized criminal networks in Dhaka’s densely populated neighborhoods.

A Dhaka court has granted a seven-day remand for Md. Kabir, an associate of fugitive suspect Faisal Karim Masud, in connection with the attempted murder of Osman Hadi. The order was issued by Metropolitan Magistrate Hasibuzzaman after a hearing on Tuesday. Kabir was arrested in Narayanganj’s Fatullah area and brought before the court, where the police sought a ten-day remand. Investigators allege Kabir owned the motorcycle used in the attack and assisted in the murder attempt.

During the hearing, Kabir claimed the motorcycle was purchased by his friend Mainuddin Islam Shuvo, using Kabir’s ID card only for registration. He also stated he had previously worked as an Uber driver and had been contacted several times by Faisal Karim Masud for errands. Meanwhile, Faisal’s wife, friend, and brother-in-law are already on five-day remand, and another suspect, Abdul Hannan, is on three-day remand under Section 54.

Police continue to investigate the motive and network behind the attack, which has drawn public attention due to the involvement of multiple associates and the use of false ownership documents.

Australian authorities are investigating conflicting reports about the nationality of the gunman involved in the deadly Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney. The attacker, identified as Sajid Akram, was killed at the scene, while his 24-year-old son, Navid Akram, remains hospitalized. Initial social media claims described the suspect as Pakistani, but no official documentation has confirmed that nationality.

Philippine immigration officials revealed that Sajid and Navid Akram spent most of November 2025 in the Philippines, entering the country from Sydney on November 1. Sajid reportedly declared himself as an Indian citizen upon entry, while his son held Australian citizenship. They departed the Philippines on November 28 for Sydney, days before the attack.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that investigations are ongoing into the pair’s background, motives, and citizenship status. Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation until the inquiry concludes, noting that no verified evidence yet supports claims of Pakistani citizenship.