A 16-year-old school student named Siam was killed and another person injured when a truck struck a battery-run rickshaw in Dhaka’s Shyampur Shmashan Ghat area late Monday night. The accident occurred around 11:45 p.m. as Siam and three friends were out riding to celebrate Victory Day. Siam, a sixth-grade student and son of Jahangir Hossain from Cumilla, lived with his family in Gendaria.

Police confirmed that the truck involved in the collision was seized and its driver, Abdul Kader, was detained shortly after the incident. A case has been filed at Shyampur Police Station, and Siam’s body was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for autopsy around 2:30 a.m. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.

The fatal accident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in Dhaka, where reckless driving and poor enforcement frequently lead to casualties. Officials said further legal action will follow once the investigation report is complete.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) investigators are facing difficulties in uncovering the motive behind the attempted murder of Inqilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. Despite several arrests, authorities have yet to identify the mastermind or clear motive behind the shooting, which took place after Friday prayers in Dhaka. Shooter Faisal Karim, previously seen in Hadi’s election campaign, remains a key suspect.

Investigators revealed that Faisal and his associate Alamgir stayed at a resort in Savar’s Ashulia area the night before the attack, accompanied by two women. The next morning, they left for Dhaka, where Hadi was later shot. Police have arrested four individuals so far, including Faisal’s wife, brother-in-law, and a female companion from the resort, all placed on five-day remand by a Dhaka court. Another suspect, the motorcycle owner used in the attack, was earlier remanded for three days.

Hadi has been flown to Singapore General Hospital for advanced treatment. Authorities continue to probe the planned nature of the attack and possible political motivations.

A 50-year-old motorcyclist named Ibrahim was killed and his relative Salauddin was seriously injured when their motorcycle collided with a mini-truck on the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway near Mirshwani in Chauddagram, Cumilla, on Tuesday morning. Police confirmed that the mini-truck, reportedly coming from the wrong direction, struck the moving motorcycle with force, killing Ibrahim on the spot.

According to police and eyewitness accounts, Ibrahim and seven others had departed from Demra, Dhaka, on six motorcycles late Monday night, intending to travel to Bandarban and later Cox’s Bazar. Their journey was cut short by the fatal crash. Local residents helped rescue the injured and transported them to the Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared Ibrahim dead. Salauddin was later transferred to Dhaka’s National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation for advanced treatment.

Police have recovered the body and initiated legal procedures before handing it over to the family. The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns on major highways, where wrong-way driving and reckless overtaking remain persistent causes of fatal accidents.

The European Union is preparing to withdraw its landmark 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales, a move expected to be part of a broader reform package aimed at supporting Europe’s struggling automotive sector. The European Commission may instead propose a 90% reduction in carbon emissions from new vehicles, replacing the full ban initially adopted under the EU’s Green Deal.

The shift follows intense lobbying from car manufacturers and member states such as Germany and Italy, who argue that slow electric vehicle (EV) adoption and competition from China make the original target unrealistic. According to industry data, only about 16% of new cars sold in Europe during the first nine months of 2025 were battery-powered. Environmental groups warn that relaxing the ban could undermine climate goals and discourage EV investment.

The Commission is also considering new incentives for small and affordable EVs and measures to green corporate fleets. The final proposal is expected to test the EU’s balance between industrial competitiveness and environmental commitments.

Digital investigative outlet The Descent has identified a third suspect in the attempted murder of Inqilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The suspect, Zakir Hossain, also known as 'Jinn Zakir', was reportedly active in Hadi’s election campaign and maintained contact with the two primary suspects, Faisal Karim Masud and his motorcycle driver, Alamgir Hossain.

According to The Descent, Zakir was previously arrested in October 2024 in connection with two robbery cases in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur and Gabtoli areas. Police records and a prior Facebook post by Dhaka Metropolitan Police confirm his involvement in a high-profile robbery case. Daksu’s Liberation Affairs Secretary Fatima Tasnim Juma publicly urged citizens to help locate the three suspects, sharing a campaign photo marking them.

Zakir was released on bail in July 2025 following a High Court order. The identification of his alleged role in the shooting raises questions about background checks within political campaign teams and the coordination between law enforcement and political organizations in tracking violent offenders.

Two crude bomb explosions occurred within ten minutes in separate areas of Manikganj town on Monday evening, causing widespread panic though no casualties were reported. The first blast took place near the District Council area around 7 p.m., followed shortly by another in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Witnesses described loud explosions that sent residents fleeing and prompted shop closures across the city.

Police quickly arrived at both sites, collected evidence, and launched an investigation into the incidents. According to the Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) of Manikganj Sadar Police Station, preliminary findings suggest the blasts were caused by homemade explosive devices known locally as “cocktails.” No arrests have been made so far, but additional forces have been deployed and CCTV footage is under review.

Authorities have heightened security in key areas of the town as residents demand swift identification and arrest of those responsible. The motives behind the explosions remain unclear, and investigators are exploring whether the attacks were politically or criminally motivated.

Investigators from Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB) are facing difficulties in solving the attempted murder of Inqilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. Despite multiple interrogations and field operations, police have yet to identify a clear motive or mastermind behind the December 12 shooting in Purana Paltan. The main suspect, Faisal Karim Masud, who was seen in Hadi’s election campaign, remains at large, prompting heightened border surveillance amid rumors he fled to India.

Authorities have arrested Faisal’s wife, brother-in-law, and a female friend, each placed on five-day remand for questioning. Police sources say key leads are being verified, while RAB has conducted a parallel shadow investigation. Hadi, critically injured in the attack, has been transferred to Singapore for advanced treatment. Officials admit there has been no significant progress, though they believe Faisal’s arrest could unlock the case.

The incident has sparked nationwide attention, with law enforcement under pressure to explain how a campaign associate became an alleged shooter.

Farmers in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj, are celebrating a bumper yield of off-season Katimon mangoes, which have already reached markets across Bangladesh. Favorable weather conditions contributed to strong production, while high demand from Dhaka traders has driven prices upward. Wholesale buyers are crowding the Kansat mango market, purchasing the premium fruit at record prices.

According to local traders, top-grade Katimon mangoes are selling for Tk 15,000–16,000 per maund, up from Tk 13,000–14,000 just a week earlier. Agricultural officials report that around 2,150 hectares in the upazila are now dedicated to Katimon cultivation, reflecting its growing popularity. Farmers say advance bookings from urban buyers have further boosted local prices.

While growers and wholesalers benefit from the strong market, retail consumers complain that the fruit has become unaffordable. The Department of Agricultural Extension expects production to expand next year with proper management, as more farmers shift toward cultivating this profitable off-season variety.

Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested Cynthia Beethi, daughter of jailed top criminal Subrata Bain, from Cumilla. Beethi, widely known in the underworld as the ‘Gang Mother’, allegedly controlled her father’s crime network during his imprisonment. Authorities say her arrest could expose deeper ties between organized crime, political unrest, and cross-border terrorism.

Investigators believe Beethi maintained contact with Indian criminal groups and oversaw arms trafficking, extortion, and illegal financial operations. RAB is analyzing her digital devices and call records to trace her international connections and identify accomplices. Officials also suspect her involvement in recent attacks on July revolution activists and possible links with fugitive political figures.

Security analysts view the arrest as a potential breakthrough in dismantling a modern, tech-driven criminal network operating across borders. Law enforcement agencies are now focusing on uncovering her arms caches, financial backers, and trained hitmen, with more arrests expected in the coming weeks.

Digital investigative outlet The Descent has identified a third suspect linked to the attempted murder of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The suspect, Zakir Hossain alias 'Jin Zakir', was reportedly active in Hadi’s election campaign and maintained contact with two previously known suspects, Faisal Karim Masud and his motorcycle driver, Alamgir Hossain.

According to The Descent, Zakir had a prior criminal record, including robbery cases filed in Mohammadpur and Gabtoli in October 2024. Police had arrested him and two others, recovering cash, gold, and mobile phones. He was later released on bail in July following a High Court order. Daksu Liberation War Affairs Secretary Fatima Tasnim Juma publicly urged citizens to help capture the three suspects, posting a campaign photo marking them.

The identification raises questions about security lapses in political campaigns and the infiltration of criminal elements. Law enforcement agencies have yet to issue an official statement, while citizens and activists continue to demand swift action and transparency in the ongoing investigation.

Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has approved charge sheets against seven individuals, including three former customs officials, for allegedly embezzling approximately Tk176 crore in government revenue through misuse of duty benefits and forged import documents. The ACC’s public relations officer, Md Akhtarul Islam, confirmed the approval on Monday.

The first charge sheet accuses four people—including importers, a C&F agent, and a former customs officer—of misappropriating Tk80.92 crore by using falsified documents and low-duty goods. The second case involves three others accused of evading Tk94.61 crore in revenue through fake import declarations from China, misuse of HS codes, and forged shipping papers. The accused face charges under multiple sections of the Penal Code and the 1947 Prevention of Corruption Act.

Investigators allege the defendants colluded to defraud the state by fabricating shipping documents and falsifying customs declarations. The cases highlight persistent challenges in customs oversight and corruption prevention within Bangladesh’s import sector.

Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) intelligence unit has arrested Kabir, a close associate of prime suspect Faisal, in connection with the attempted murder of Osman Hadi. Acting on a tip-off, RAB detained Kabir from a hideout late Monday night, according to a message from RAB headquarters.

Investigators said Kabir is linked not only to the Hadi case but also to other criminal activities led by Faisal’s network. During preliminary questioning, Kabir reportedly provided information about his role and the group’s operations. Authorities believe his arrest could significantly advance the investigation by helping identify other suspects and related branches of the criminal network.

Kabir will soon be handed over to the Detective Branch (DB) police, which is leading the case. Meanwhile, Hadi remains in critical condition after being shot in the head last Friday in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. He was transferred to Singapore for advanced treatment on Monday.

Russia’s central bank has filed a lawsuit against Belgium-based financial clearing house Euroclear, seeking $230 billion in compensation for frozen sovereign assets. The case, accepted by a Moscow commercial court on December 12, follows the European Union’s plan to use part of the seized Russian reserves to fund loans for Ukraine’s military and civilian needs in 2026 and 2027. The Kremlin described the move as the beginning of a “legal nightmare” for Europe.

After Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, EU states froze roughly €210 billion of Russian central bank assets. EU leaders recently agreed to keep these assets frozen indefinitely, arguing that supporting Ukraine is essential to deter future Russian aggression. Moscow, however, calls the EU’s plan “theft” and warns it will erode global trust in the euro and European financial institutions. Legal experts suggest Russian courts may rule quickly in Moscow’s favor.

If successful, Russia could seek to seize Euroclear’s assets in friendly jurisdictions such as China, the UAE, and Kazakhstan. The dispute underscores deep divisions within Europe and raises concerns about the precedent of confiscating sovereign assets during wartime.

The Government of Bangladesh has approved the purchase of 50,000 metric tons of non-basmati parboiled rice from India for the 2025–26 fiscal year. The procurement, valued at BDT 2.147 billion (USD 17.55 million), was sanctioned at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase chaired by Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. The rice will be sourced from India’s M/S Bagadia Brothers Pvt Ltd at USD 351.11 per ton, equivalent to BDT 42.98 per kilogram.

According to officials, the decision follows a proposal from the Ministry of Food aimed at strengthening national food reserves and ensuring stability in government distribution channels. The Economic Affairs Committee also approved the import of up to 900,000 tons of rice from international sources to meet emergency and public demand.

Analysts note that the move reflects the government’s precautionary approach amid concerns over domestic production and price volatility. The imports are expected to bolster food security and maintain supply continuity ahead of the next fiscal year.

A new joint survey by RTL Info, Ipsos, and Le Soir reveals that 67% of Belgians oppose the European Union’s proposal to use frozen Russian assets to finance loans for Ukraine. The poll, released Monday, shows strong public backing for Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s stance that Belgium should not consent to releasing the seized funds.

Analysts attribute this opposition to concerns over potential financial and institutional risks for Belgium, as a significant portion of the frozen assets are held in Brussels-based Euroclear, a key financial clearinghouse. Only 22% of respondents supported the EU plan, while 11% expressed no opinion. Russia’s central bank has denounced the proposal as illegal and vowed to defend its interests through all available means.

The EU recently decided to keep Russian assets frozen indefinitely. Leaders are expected to debate the allocation of these funds to Ukraine during a two-day Brussels summit starting Thursday, amid growing legal and political divisions among member states.