Bangladeshi activist and Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi remains in critical condition while receiving medical treatment in Singapore, according to an official government statement released Wednesday night. Singapore’s Foreign Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan visited Hadi at the hospital and later informed Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus about his deteriorating health. Dr. Balakrishnan conveyed that Hadi’s condition was extremely critical.

The Chief Adviser urged citizens to remain calm and pray for Hadi’s recovery. Sources close to the medical team reported that Hadi suffered a massive heart attack and that his condition has been complicated by a spreading infection. Hadi had been a leading figure in the July mass uprising, known for his fearless activism and leadership in the Inquilab Mancha movement.

Officials have not disclosed further medical details, but the situation has drawn widespread concern across Bangladesh. Observers note that Hadi’s health crisis could have emotional and political reverberations among his supporters and within the broader reform movement.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) announced that registration for voters in legal custody wishing to vote by postal ballot in the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum will begin on December 21 and continue until December 24. Officials and election staff on duty may register from December 18 to 25, while general postal ballot registration, launched on November 19, will remain open until December 25.

According to the EC, 466,691 voters had registered as of Wednesday evening, with numbers rising steadily. Postal ballots will be mailed to registered voters’ addresses via the EC’s app, and completed ballots must be returned to returning officers by mail. The EC also instructed district election officers to submit final polling center lists by December 24, emphasizing accuracy in constituency names, voter counts, and polling station details.

The election schedule sets nomination submission until December 29, scrutiny from December 30 to January 4, and voting on February 12, 2026. The EC’s preparations underscore efforts to ensure inclusivity and transparency in the upcoming national vote.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman departed Dhaka on Wednesday morning for London to attend a pre-scheduled meeting with a delegation of the United Kingdom government. He boarded a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, accompanied by his personal secretary Nazrul Islam. Party leaders, including Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar and Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, were present at the airport to see him off.

According to party sources, Dr. Rahman’s visit is part of an official engagement with British officials, after which he is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. Zubair confirmed that the Jamaat chief is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on December 21, provided all goes as planned. When asked about a possible meeting with BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman in London, Zubair said he had no information on such an arrangement.

The visit comes amid heightened political attention on Jamaat’s international outreach and its evolving relations with Western governments.

The bodies of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed in a terrorist drone attack on a United Nations base in Sudan’s Abyei region will return to Dhaka on December 20, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The attack, which occurred on December 13, also left nine Bangladeshi soldiers injured. They are currently receiving treatment at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, and are reported to be out of danger.

The ISPR identified the fallen soldiers as Corporal Masud Rana, Soldier Mominul Islam, Soldier Shamim Reza, Soldier Shanto Mondal, Mess Waiter Jahangir Alam, and Laundryman Sabuj Mia. The Bangladesh Army confirmed that funeral rites will be held with full military honors upon the bodies’ arrival in Dhaka. The government has expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families.

Bangladesh is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions. The incident highlights the growing security risks faced by peacekeepers in conflict zones like Sudan, where drone warfare has become an increasing threat to international forces.

Hasanath Abdullah, chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (South), alleged that India is harboring around 30,000 Awami League-linked militants without passports or visas. Speaking at a roadside rally in Fultali village of Debidwar, Cumilla, on December 17, he claimed that India provides training and protection to these individuals before sending them back to Bangladesh to commit crimes. Hasanath criticized what he described as an unequal friendship between Dhaka and New Delhi.

He further argued that India’s cultural influence through films and television has made Bangladesh overly dependent, calling instead for national self-reliance. Hasanath accused India of labeling Bangladeshi Muslims as extremists and blamed the Awami League for fostering a submissive relationship with India. His remarks come amid heightened political rhetoric ahead of national elections, though Indian or Awami League officials have not responded to the allegations.

Analysts suggest such statements reflect growing nationalist sentiment among smaller political groups seeking to challenge the ruling party’s foreign policy stance.

The parents of Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Daud Khan or 'Shooter Faisal', the prime suspect in the attempted murder of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, have confessed their involvement before a Dhaka court. On Wednesday afternoon, Humayun Kabir and his wife Hasina Begum were presented before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court, where their statements were recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Following the confession, the court ordered their transfer to jail custody.

According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police officials, the couple was arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion from Hasnabad in South Keraniganj on December 16. The case stems from a December 12 shooting in Purana Paltan, where Hadi was critically injured by assailants on a motorcycle. He remains in critical condition, currently receiving treatment in Singapore. Several other suspects, including Faisal’s wife and associates, have been remanded for interrogation.

Authorities continue to investigate the motive and network behind the attack, which has drawn public concern over rising political violence in Dhaka.

The Chamber Judge Court of Bangladesh has suspended all bail orders previously granted by the High Court to Chattogram’s alleged top criminal Sajjad Hossain, known as ‘Chhoto Sajjad,’ and his wife Sharmin Akter Tamanna. The decision, issued by Justice Rezaul Haque, means the couple will no longer benefit from bail in any of their pending cases.

According to Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik R Haque, Sajjad faces 19 cases, including 10 for murder, while Tamanna is accused in eight separate cases. Earlier, a High Court bench led by Justices Mostafa Zaman Islam and Yusuf Abdullah Suman had granted them bail until the disposal of related rulings. The state later appealed, prompting the Chamber Judge to halt the bail orders.

Legal observers note that the suspension underscores the judiciary’s cautious stance in high-profile criminal cases. The matter is expected to return to the Appellate Division for further hearing, potentially setting a precedent for similar bail disputes involving serious criminal allegations.

A Dhaka court has granted a three-day remand for Md. Nuruzzaman Noman alias Ujjal, accused of assisting the prime suspect in the attempted murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the political and cultural platform Inqilab Mancha. The order was issued by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam on Wednesday, following a police request for custodial interrogation.

According to the police remand petition, digital evidence and intelligence sources indicate that Nuruzzaman was directly involved in helping main accused Faisal Karim Masud flee using a rented vehicle. Investigators claim he advised the driver and coordinated the escape. Police argue that his interrogation is essential to identify other conspirators, recover the weapon used, and uncover the full motive behind the attack.

The case stems from the December 12 shooting of Hadi in Dhaka’s Paltan area, where unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire, leaving him critically injured. The incident has drawn public attention, with authorities emphasizing a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure justice.

Newly appointed Youth and Sports Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has unveiled a two-month action plan aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s sports infrastructure and inclusivity. Speaking at the National Sports Council, he announced his intention to launch a 16-team district-level Super League and directed the Bangladesh Football Federation to submit a proposal promptly.

Nazrul emphasized the need to eliminate elitism in sports management, noting that some federations have historically received disproportionate attention while others were neglected despite their popularity. He pledged to expand opportunities across all disciplines and to enhance the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) facilities to elite standards. Additionally, he highlighted plans to improve infrastructure for athletes from ethnic minority communities.

The adviser’s short-term roadmap signals a push toward decentralization and inclusivity in national sports policy. Stakeholders expect the proposed Super League to boost local engagement and talent development, potentially reshaping the country’s grassroots sports ecosystem.

Bangladesh Under-19 cricket team secured a 39-run victory over Sri Lanka in their final group-stage match of the 2025 U-19 Asia Cup, held at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai. With this win, Bangladesh finished unbeaten in Group B, collecting six points from three matches and advancing to the semifinals as group champions. Sri Lanka also qualified for the semifinals despite the loss.

Batting first, Bangladesh posted 225 runs in 46.3 overs, with Jawad Abrar scoring 49 and Rifat Beg adding 36. Sri Lanka’s Kavija Gamage took four wickets. In reply, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 186 in 49.1 overs, as pacers Iqbal Hossain and Shahriar Ahmed each claimed three wickets. Iqbal was named Player of the Match for his performance.

Bangladesh will face Pakistan, the Group A runners-up, in the first semifinal on December 19, while India will meet Sri Lanka in the second semifinal. The results set the stage for two high-stakes encounters in Dubai.

Toyota has officially launched direct operations in Bangladesh under the new entity Toyota Bangladesh Limited, marking a significant milestone in the country’s automotive sector. The company inaugurated its first exclusive showroom in Tejgaon, Dhaka, signaling the start of a new distribution and service model aimed at enhancing customer experience and product accessibility.

Managing Director Premmit Singh stated that Toyota Bangladesh Limited will operate in line with the global vision 'Be the Right One,' focusing on meeting the evolving demands of Bangladeshi car enthusiasts. The company plans to introduce advanced features and modern facilities while maintaining sustainable growth across changing market conditions. Singh emphasized teamwork and long-term commitment to customer satisfaction as key priorities.

Industry observers view Toyota’s direct entry as a strategic move to strengthen brand presence and streamline after-sales service in Bangladesh. The company hinted at further announcements soon, suggesting expanded investments and product offerings in the near future.

The Bangla Academy has announced that the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 will start on February 20 and continue until March 15, marking a 24-day event instead of the usual month-long schedule. The decision was made due to the timing of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election, which led to a delay from the traditional February 1 opening.

The revised dates were finalized during an emergency meeting held at the academy’s Shaheed Munir Chowdhury auditorium. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Bangla Academy, Dhaka University, publishers’ representatives, and law enforcement agencies. The fair’s inauguration will take place at 11 a.m. on February 20.

Organizers said the adjustment aims to ensure smooth coordination with national events and maintain visitor safety. The Amar Ekushey Book Fair remains Bangladesh’s largest literary gathering, celebrating the country’s language movement and cultural heritage. Preparations are underway to accommodate publishers and readers despite the shortened schedule.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain has clarified that the government will not provide shelter to any separatist groups, following controversial remarks by National Citizens Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah. During a press briefing in Dhaka, Hossain stated that no Bangladeshi government, present or future, would allow its territory to be used for such purposes, emphasizing that Abdullah’s comments reflected personal opinion, not official policy.

The clarification came after Abdullah, speaking at a rally in Dhaka, warned that Bangladesh could support Indian separatists if India continued to harbor groups critical of Bangladesh’s sovereignty. His statement drew attention amid sensitive cross-border relations between the two neighbors. Hossain’s response sought to reaffirm Bangladesh’s commitment to regional stability and non-interference.

Observers note that Dhaka’s prompt response aims to prevent diplomatic friction with New Delhi. The government’s stance underscores its broader foreign policy principle of mutual respect and non-alignment in internal affairs of neighboring countries.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has directed the Ministry of Information to ensure that all political parties and candidates receive equal opportunities in televised election dialogues, interviews, and talk shows ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The directive also prohibits any form of derogatory or defamatory remarks against any party or candidate in both public and private media outlets.

In a letter signed by EC’s Director of Public Relations, Md. Ruhul Amin Mallik, the commission emphasized adherence to the Political Parties and Candidates’ Code of Conduct 2025, which forbids personal attacks during election-related media events. The EC instructed the ministry to take necessary precautions and implement measures to uphold fairness and neutrality in election coverage.

This move comes as part of broader efforts to maintain a level playing field in the electoral process and to prevent media bias. Observers note that strict enforcement will be critical to sustaining public trust in the upcoming election and referendum.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Towhid Hossain stated that the country does not require advice from any neighboring state regarding its upcoming national elections. Speaking at a press briefing in Dhaka, he emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring a high-standard election where citizens can freely cast their votes, a situation he claimed had been absent for the past 15 years.

Hossain criticized India’s recent comments on Bangladesh’s electoral process, calling them unacceptable. He argued that India remained silent during previous administrations, despite what he described as farcical elections under governments with which India maintained close ties. The adviser reiterated that Bangladesh knows its responsibilities and will conduct credible elections without external guidance.

He also clarified that Bangladesh will not provide shelter to separatist groups from other countries. The remarks come amid heightened regional attention on Bangladesh’s political climate ahead of the polls, signaling Dhaka’s intent to assert its sovereignty in managing internal democratic processes.