The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is grappling with uncertainty over player selection for an alternative cricket tournament after eight teams withdrew from the Dhaka First Division Cricket League, reducing it from 20 to 12 teams. Many players who had registered or were waiting to be signed are now unable to participate, prompting them to submit a memorandum to the BCB seeking opportunities to play.

The confusion stems from the ‘token’ system, which serves as a transfer permit for players switching clubs. This season, players from lower divisions also collected tokens hoping to play in the First Division, complicating the selection process. The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) plans to present the tournament proposal at the BCB board meeting on December 24 and will consult the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) for guidelines.

BCB will cover all expenses for the new tournament but is exploring sponsorships to offset costs. However, officials indicated that player remuneration will likely be lower than in the regular First Division League.

Police have converted the attempted murder case of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of the July Revolution’s Inquilab Manch, into a homicide investigation following his death from gunshot wounds sustained on December 12. The application for conversion was submitted to a Dhaka court on Saturday, which subsequently directed that the case be investigated as a murder. Detective Branch Inspector Faisal Ahmed of the Motijheel zonal team has been assigned to lead the probe.

The original case was filed on December 14 by Inquilab Manch’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, naming Faisal Karim Masud and several unidentified suspects. The case was later transferred from Paltan Police Station to the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch. Law enforcement agencies have so far arrested 14 individuals in connection with the incident.

Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive, but investigators are focusing on possible political links and internal disputes. The case’s progression to a murder investigation is expected to intensify scrutiny of political violence and law enforcement accountability in the capital.

Large numbers of people continued to gather late into Saturday night at the grave of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi, located beside the Dhaka University Central Mosque and adjacent to the mausoleum of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. Visitors were seen praying and waiting to view the grave, even after security barriers around the area were lifted earlier in the evening.

Police officials confirmed that night-time security would remain in place for safety reasons, restricting public entry inside the cemetery. Only prayers from outside the main gates were being allowed. Earlier in the day, Hadi was buried near the mosque following a funeral prayer at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, attended by thousands, including political leaders, university officials, and family members.

Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the site amid ongoing public interest. The heavy turnout reflects widespread mourning and public solidarity following Hadi’s death, while law enforcement remains alert to ensure order around the high-profile burial site.

A funeral-in-absentia (gayebana janaza) for Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha and a key figure in the July Revolution movement, was held in Noakhali on Saturday afternoon. The prayer took place beside the district model mosque near the Deputy Commissioner’s office and drew participants from various political and social groups, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon, NCP, and Gana Adhikar Parishad.

Speakers at the event described Hadi as a selfless and courageous young man committed to non-communal ideals. They demanded a transparent investigation into his death and the immediate arrest of those responsible. Local leaders such as former Noakhali mayor Harunur Rashid Azad and student leaders from Shibir and JCD were present.

Following the prayer, members of the July All-Party Alliance declared the Bangabandhu Square in front of the DC office as “Osman Hadi Square,” symbolizing their respect and commitment to his ideals.

A memorial prayer and discussion meeting was held in Nawabganj, Dinajpur, on Saturday evening to honor the memory of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi. The event took place at the local office of Jamaat-e-Islami and was attended by party leaders, local dignitaries, and community members. Professor Rezaul Islam attended as the chief guest, while Akram Hossain, a member of the Thana Working Committee, presided over the session.

Speakers at the gathering reflected on Osman Hadi’s contributions to the Islamic movement and his dedication to social and religious causes. The program concluded with a prayer session led by Maulana Rahmatullah Azadi, seeking blessings for the nation and forgiveness for the departed soul. Attendees later participated in the distribution of food offerings (tobarak).

The event underscored Jamaat-e-Islami’s continued efforts to commemorate its historical figures and reinforce its ideological roots within local communities in northern Bangladesh.

Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered on Saturday at Dhaka’s Manik Mia Avenue for the funeral of revolutionary leader Sharif Osman Hadi, whose death has sparked widespread emotion across Bangladesh. The massive crowd, stretching around the National Parliament complex, was described by witnesses as one of the largest public gatherings in the country’s recent history. Many attendees traveled from distant districts to pay their final respects to the slain activist, known for his fiery speeches and commitment to justice.

Participants described Hadi as a symbol of honesty and courage, with many calling him the voice of the working class. The funeral was marked by chants, tears, and expressions of frustration over the lack of arrests in connection with his killing. Security forces struggled to manage the overwhelming turnout, as some mourners scaled barriers to enter the area. Observers compared the scale of the event to the funeral of former President Ziaur Rahman, underscoring Hadi’s enduring influence.

The unprecedented turnout reflects deep public sentiment and may signal growing political mobilization around Hadi’s ideals of justice and equality.

A thick blanket of fog has spread across Bangladesh, causing delayed sunlight and an increased feeling of cold, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). The agency said the condition is expected to persist for the next two to three days, with fog stretching from Delhi to Cumilla. Although temperatures have not dropped significantly, the combination of limited sunlight and cold winds from the north has made conditions feel colder.

Meteorologist A.K.M. Nazmul Haque explained that the fog is part of a regional weather pattern influenced by a subcontinental high-pressure ridge extending over West Bengal and adjoining areas. The BMD forecast indicates that Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Khulna divisions may experience moderate to dense fog from midnight to morning, while other regions may see lighter fog. On Saturday, the lowest temperature was recorded at 13°C in Srimangal, and 19.2°C in Dhaka.

The department expects dry weather nationwide with partly cloudy skies until Sunday morning. Daytime temperatures may drop slightly in the northern divisions, though no cold wave has been declared yet.

A commemorative discussion on Hazrat Fatima (RA), daughter of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was held in Dhaka on Saturday night at the Kabi Nazrul Islam Institute auditorium. The event was jointly organized by the Bangladesh office of Al-Mustafa International University and the Bangladesh Imamia Ulama Society. Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Jalil Rahmani Jahanabadi attended as chief guest, alongside cultural and academic representatives from Iran and Dhaka University.

Speakers reflected on Hazrat Fatima’s exemplary character, describing her as a symbol of piety, wisdom, and devotion. They emphasized her balanced role as both a family figure and a contributor to society, portraying her as a timeless model for women worldwide. Islamic scholar Dr. Anwarul Kabir presented the keynote paper, stressing that her life demonstrates how faith and moral integrity can empower women to make meaningful social contributions.

Participants noted that Hazrat Fatima’s teachings remain relevant for modern women seeking harmony between family duties and public engagement, offering guidance for ethical and spiritual empowerment in contemporary society.

The National Sports Council (NSC) of Bangladesh has sparked widespread criticism after reinstating 95-year-old Khorshed Alam to the ad-hoc committee of the Bangladesh Rowing Federation. Alam, who previously served as general secretary for 46 years, had been removed earlier under a government reform directive barring long-serving officials from new committees. His sudden reappointment on December 7, without consultation with federation members, has raised questions about transparency and motives behind the decision.

Federation officials formally protested the move on December 11, citing Alam’s alleged involvement in financial irregularities and prolonged mismanagement that hindered the sport’s development. Former NSC executive director Kazi Nazrul Islam stated that he acted on higher directives, while others within the sports community suspect political influence and possible financial dealings behind the inclusion. Alam, however, denied all allegations, claiming his long service and prior NSC recognition justified his return.

The controversy underscores persistent governance issues in Bangladesh’s sports federations, where entrenched leadership and lack of accountability continue to impede progress in traditional sports like rowing and boat racing.

Police in Sylhet’s Zakiganj upazila have arrested a 28-year-old man, Dulal Ahmed, for possession of a large quantity of yaba tablets. Acting on a tip-off, law enforcement officers conducted a raid on Saturday evening, December 20, in the West Madarkhal area of Khalachhara Union, where they detained Dulal from his residence.

During the search, police discovered two plastic jars containing 21,000 yaba pills concealed inside a rice drum in his home. Authorities have filed a case under the Narcotics Control Act at Zakiganj Police Station. The suspect is scheduled to be presented before the court on Sunday, December 21.

Police officials stated that the operation was part of an ongoing anti-narcotics drive in the Sylhet region, which has seen a rise in yaba trafficking cases in recent months. The arrest underscores law enforcement’s continued efforts to curb the spread of synthetic drugs across border areas.

Law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh have arrested ten individuals in connection with the fatal beating of 27-year-old Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu youth from Valuka in Mymensingh district. The arrests were confirmed in a statement released Saturday night by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, following coordinated operations by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and local police.

According to the statement, RAB detained seven suspects, while police apprehended three others from different locations. The suspects range in age from 19 to 46. Officials said the arrests followed a series of raids conducted after the killing sparked public outrage and demands for swift justice. No motive has yet been officially disclosed.

Authorities have stated that investigations are ongoing and that further arrests may follow. Human rights groups and community leaders have urged transparency in the inquiry and called for measures to prevent communal tensions in the area.

Police in Faridpur’s Saltha upazila have arrested Shawon Kazi, a local leader of the banned Chhatra League, in connection with the 2018 case involving the vandalism of BNP central organizing secretary Shama Obaid Islam’s car. Kazi, aged 30, was detained from Phulbaria area on Saturday afternoon following a tip-off. He had been wanted under the Speedy Trial Act and was sent to the Faridpur court after his arrest.

According to police inspector Maruf Hasan Russell, Kazi had been absconding for a long time in case CR 112/24. The case stems from a violent attack on a BNP rally held in December 2018 at Saltha College field, organized in support of Obaid ahead of the national election. Following the fall of the Awami League government in August, a fresh case was filed naming 82 Awami League leaders and 200–300 unidentified individuals.

The arrest marks a renewed push in politically sensitive cases reopened after the change in government, potentially signaling further legal actions against those accused of past election-related violence.

Detective Branch (DB) police have arrested Zahid Hossain Milon, widely known as ‘Tak Milon,’ a former councilor and influential Awami Youth League figure from Jessore. The arrest took place on Friday night in Dhaka’s Rampura area, and Milon was brought to Jessore the following day. Law enforcement officials describe him as one of the district’s top criminal suspects, with at least 14 cases filed against him under murder, explosives, and other criminal laws.

DB Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Ali confirmed the arrest, noting that Milon had long faced allegations of abuse of power during the Awami League government. Police records link him to the 2018 murder of a local Youth League activist and a 2019 bomb attack on MP Kazi Nabil Ahmed’s residence. He was also accused of running illegal gambling operations in Jessore.

Authorities say Milon had previously been detained in 2020 and 2024 but continued his activities after release. His latest arrest is expected to revive several pending investigations and may expose broader political-criminal networks in the region.

Former BNP lawmaker and freedom fighter Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman Ranjan publicly announced his allegiance to Jamaat-e-Islami during a gathering in Kishoreganj’s Katiadi upazila on Saturday evening. Speaking at a ‘clarification meeting’ at Gachihata College field, Ranjan said Jamaat had given him shelter at a difficult time in his life and that he would remain forever grateful. He stated that he would no longer contest elections but hoped Jamaat would assign him a meaningful role if it came to power.

Ranjan, who previously represented Kishoreganj-2 constituency as a BNP MP, criticized his former party for neglecting him over the past three years. He claimed BNP members had distanced themselves, even excluding him from social events. Addressing the audience, he outlined three appeals to Jamaat: building a corruption-free Bangladesh, ensuring peace through truth, and establishing social justice and human dignity. He also demanded justice for the killing of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

Local Jamaat leaders, including candidate Maulana Shafiqul Islam Morol, attended the event, which drew thousands of supporters and ended with special prayers for Hadi’s soul.

Bangladesh’s Education Adviser, Professor Dr. C. R. Abrar, has strongly condemned recent attacks on cultural and media institutions that occurred while the nation mourns the death of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi. In a statement issued Saturday, Abrar said extremist groups exploited the grief to incite chaos and anarchy across several locations in the country.

He detailed that the long-standing cultural organization Chhayanaut’s building was attacked and set on fire, destroying musical and educational materials, and that its affiliated school, Nalanda, was also damaged. Abrar further denounced assaults on the offices of cultural group Udichi, as well as on the newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, and the reported mistreatment of veteran journalist Nurul Kabir.

Calling these actions an attempt to tarnish the spirit of the July Movement, Abrar warned that such violence could advance the agenda of anti-Bangladesh fascist forces. Authorities have yet to confirm who is behind the attacks, but concerns are rising over escalating political and ideological tensions.