Leaders and activists of the Shibganj Upazila and Municipal units of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) organized a protest march and rally condemning the recent attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, in Dhaka. The demonstration paraded through the municipal area before concluding with a protest gathering at Shaheed Mir Mugdho Square.

The rally, presided over by Municipal BNP President Bulbul Islam, featured speeches from Upazila BNP General Secretary Advocate Abdul Wahab and several local leaders, including former secretary S.M. Tajul Islam and youth and student wing representatives. Speakers strongly condemned the attack, urging authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and bring those responsible to justice.

Local BNP leaders emphasized that such incidents reflect a deteriorating political environment and called for ensuring safety for opposition activists. They warned that continued attacks on political figures could further heighten tensions ahead of national political activities.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has established inquiry and judicial committees across all 300 parliamentary constituencies ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and a concurrent referendum. The announcement, issued on Sunday, December 14, by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Didar Hossain of the EC’s legal wing, outlines that the committees will investigate and adjudicate any irregularities during the electoral process.

According to the EC’s official schedule, nomination papers must be submitted by December 29, with scrutiny taking place from December 30 to January 4. The withdrawal deadline is January 20, followed by the final candidate list and symbol allocation on January 21. Campaigning will run from January 22 until the morning of February 10, and voting is set for February 12. The EC stated that these committees were formed in consultation with the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs.

Officials say the move aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the election process, as the country prepares for a competitive and closely watched national vote.

The Bangladesh government has announced it will bear all medical expenses for Inquilab Mancha convener and Dhaka-8 parliamentary candidate Sharif Osman Hadi, who remains in critical condition following brain surgery. Hadi is set to be transferred abroad for advanced treatment, with his family preparing to move him either to Singapore or Thailand, depending on medical approval. An air ambulance has already been arranged at a reported cost of 5.2 million taka.

Medical sources at Dhaka Medical College and Evercare Hospital confirmed that Hadi’s condition remains unstable due to increased cerebral edema and brainstem injury. Interim government chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus assured that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure Hadi receives the best possible care overseas. The medical board continues to monitor his vital signs closely, maintaining blood pressure and respiratory stability.

The final decision on whether Hadi will be taken to Bangkok or Singapore is expected soon, as doctors evaluate the most suitable facility for his neurological condition. His case has drawn national attention, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting political figures in medical emergencies.

BIRDEM General Hospital, one of Bangladesh’s leading medical institutions, has inaugurated its first outpatient medicine pharmacy under its own management. The initiative, launched on December 14 by Director General Professor Dr. Mirza Mahbubul Hasan, aims to provide patients with reliable and affordable medicines directly within the hospital premises. The hospital views this as a major step toward patient-friendly healthcare delivery.

According to hospital officials, more than 4,000 patients visit BIRDEM daily. Previously, the absence of an in-house pharmacy forced patients to purchase medicines from external vendors, often at higher prices and with uncertain quality. The new pharmacy is expected to reduce such difficulties by ensuring transparency, accountability, and strict quality control in medicine distribution.

Hospital authorities believe this initiative will enhance trust in BIRDEM’s healthcare services and strengthen its leadership in the national health sector. The move is also seen as a model for other hospitals seeking to improve patient access to safe and affordable medication.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with Bangladesh following the deaths of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers in a drone attack in Sudan. He conveyed his condolences during a phone call with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Sunday evening, Bangladesh time.

According to the Chief Adviser’s press wing, the two leaders also discussed Bangladesh’s upcoming general election. Dr. Yunus assured Guterres that the interim government is committed to holding a free, fair, and peaceful election on February 12. Guterres expressed hope that Bangladesh would successfully complete the electoral process. During the call, he requested Yunus to convey his sympathy to the victims’ families and confirmed that injured peacekeepers were receiving medical care, with arrangements underway for their transfer to advanced facilities.

Dr. Yunus thanked the UN for its support and urged swift repatriation of the deceased. The conversation also recalled Guterres’s visit to Bangladesh during the last Ramadan, underscoring the ongoing cooperation between Dhaka and the UN.

Bangladesh Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazl Md. Sanaullah has confirmed that the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum will be held on time, dismissing any concerns about disruptions. Following a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin in Dhaka, he stated that law enforcement agencies have assured full readiness to prevent any attempts to derail the electoral process.

The meeting, attended by senior officials from the Home Ministry, Armed Forces Division, Police, BGB, Ansar, and DMP, reviewed the national security situation ahead of the polls. Sanaullah said recent covert attacks, including one targeting Sharif Osman Hadi, are under investigation. He warned political parties to remain vigilant against infiltrators and misinformation on social media that could incite unrest.

Authorities have intensified operations to recover illegal weapons, restrict militant movement, and strengthen intelligence coordination, particularly in border and Rohingya-populated areas. The Election Commission expressed satisfaction with current measures but emphasized the need for continued vigilance to ensure a peaceful election environment.

A Dhaka court has accepted a case against the online news portal ‘Dainik Ajker Kantho’ for allegedly publishing false information implicating BNP leader Mirza Abbas in the shooting of independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi. The case was filed by Advocate Mohammad Sadiqur Rahman Bhuiyan, a member of the Dhaka Bar Association, before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam’s court. The court recorded the plaintiff’s statement and directed the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police to investigate and submit a report.

According to the complaint, the portal knowingly spread false news on December 12, claiming that Hadi was shot by Abbas’s associates, allegedly to mislead the public and influence election outcomes in Dhaka-8 constituency. The plaintiff argued that the report aimed to damage Abbas’s electoral prospects and extract illegal benefits. Law enforcement agencies are reportedly close to identifying the actual perpetrators of the shooting.

The case highlights growing concerns over misinformation during Bangladesh’s election season, with authorities emphasizing the need for responsible reporting and fact-based political coverage.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has described the 1971 killings of Bangladesh’s intellectuals as part of a deliberate blueprint orchestrated by anti-liberation forces. Speaking at a discussion marking Martyred Intellectuals Day in Dhaka’s Engineers Institution auditorium, he said the massacre, carried out just two days before Victory Day, aimed to cripple the nation intellectually. He accused local collaborators of aiding the Pakistani army in abducting and killing the country’s brightest minds.

Fakhrul further alleged that conspiracies against the nation’s progress continue in different forms, including under the current Awami League government. He criticized what he called the weakening of education, health, and economic systems, claiming these were part of a broader effort to suppress national potential. Referring to a recent attack on Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, he said attempts are being made to instill fear and silence democratic voices.

He reaffirmed BNP’s commitment to democracy and vowed to realize the visions of Tarique Rahman, Khaleda Zia, and Ziaur Rahman for a prosperous and democratic Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar has alleged that the 1971 killing of intellectuals was part of a planned conspiracy by the Indian Army and intelligence agencies. Speaking at a discussion organized by Dhaka North Jamaat on the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day, he claimed that historical evidence shows the killings occurred when Indian forces had already entered Dhaka.

Porwar argued that left-leaning and pro-India intellectuals have long blamed Jamaat for the massacre, but he said new information indicates Indian involvement. He stated that by early December 1971, Indian troops were effectively controlling Dhaka, making it implausible for Pakistani forces or their collaborators to organize such killings. Citing accounts from Rao Farman Ali and others, he claimed Pakistan’s military had planned to surrender on December 14, but the date was postponed at India’s request.

His remarks have drawn criticism from historians and liberation war researchers who maintain that pro-Pakistani militias were responsible for the targeted killings of Bangladesh’s leading intellectuals.

A powerful syndicate within Bangladesh’s Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) has allegedly taken control of the expatriates’ welfare sector, undermining the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. Reports suggest that senior BMET official Abdul Hai, along with foreign labor counselors and a recruiting agency owner, has built an extensive network manipulating labor export approvals and engaging in illicit financial transactions.

Documents reviewed by investigative reporters indicate that despite official transfer orders, Abdul Hai continues to hold his position, allegedly using political connections and financial influence. The syndicate is accused of favoring specific agencies, particularly TM Overseas, in securing lucrative labor export contracts to Iraq and Cambodia, while sidelining others. Allegations also link the group to passport fraud and the trafficking of female workers to Saudi Arabia.

Officials fear retaliation and claim investigations by the ministry and the Anti-Corruption Commission have stalled. The scandal raises serious concerns about governance, transparency, and the protection of migrant workers in one of Bangladesh’s largest foreign exchange-earning sectors.

Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies have launched an investigation after an audio recording from a Telegram group named 'Awami League Online Community' went viral, allegedly exposing plans for coordinated violence in Dhaka and Chattogram ahead of the upcoming 13th national election. The leaked audio, reportedly shared by an Al Jazeera investigative journalist, features discussions about a multi-phase operation and references to external support and weapon licenses.

The incident follows recent attacks on independent and opposition candidates, including an assassination attempt on Sharif Osman Hadi and a deadly assault on BNP candidate Ershad in Chattogram. Political leaders across parties have expressed fear of renewed 'target killings' and urged authorities to ensure safety. Police and intelligence units are intensifying patrols, weapon recovery drives, and surveillance of suspected militant networks.

Officials have identified 15 potential cross-border arms routes from India and Myanmar, raising concerns about external involvement. Security agencies have been instructed to prioritize disarmament operations and candidate protection to prevent election-related unrest.

Law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh are investigating large and unusual financial transactions linked to Faisal Karim Masud, the prime suspect in the shooting of independent candidate and Inquilab Monch spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. Faisal, a former leader of the now-banned Chhatra League, reportedly maintained close ties with exiled political figures and was seen with Hadi days before the attack. Authorities have announced a reward of 5 million taka for information leading to his arrest.

Investigators found that Faisal’s bank accounts received significant deposits from both domestic and foreign sources shortly after the July political upheaval. Intelligence officials are examining whether these funds were transferred through legal channels and if they were connected to any political patronage. Faisal, who owns an IT firm and holds membership in the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), is also under scrutiny for his rapid political rise and alleged links to banned political networks.

The case has raised concerns about political violence ahead of the 13th parliamentary elections and renewed debate over the integrity of the justice system following Faisal’s earlier bail in an arms case.

Fifteen army officers accused in two enforced disappearance cases and one murder case linked to the July uprising were brought before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka on Sunday morning. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder with two other members, is hearing three separate cases involving alleged crimes against humanity committed under the previous Awami League government.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam earlier presented charges against 17 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her security adviser Major General (Retd.) Tariq Ahmed Siddiq, in the Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) cell disappearance case. Seven accused remain fugitives, while ten are in custody. In a separate case concerning disappearances at the JIC cell, Hasina and 12 military officers face five formal charges. Another case involves the killing of 28 people in Rampura during the July uprising, with two Border Guard officers detained.

The tribunal has set today for defense arguments in all three cases. Legal analysts note that these proceedings mark a significant phase in Bangladesh’s ongoing accountability process for alleged human rights violations.

A parked passenger bus caught fire late Saturday night at Genda Bus Stand on the Dhaka–Aricha Highway in Savar. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. on the Aricha-bound lane, according to local fire officials. No casualties were reported, and firefighters from the Savar Fire Service quickly brought the blaze under control.

Warehouse Inspector Meherul Islam of the Savar Fire Service said the cause of the fire remains unknown, though initial assessments suggest possible arson. The extent of property damage has not yet been determined. Savar Model Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Arman Ali confirmed that police visited the scene but have not located the bus driver or owner.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine who was responsible for the fire and how it started. Officials have urged witnesses to come forward as they examine security footage and other evidence to establish whether the incident was deliberate.

Bangladeshi law enforcement has arrested Abdul Hannan, the owner of the motorcycle allegedly used in the shooting attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha and a key figure in the July Revolution movement. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) detained Hannan in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area on Sunday morning and later handed him over to Paltan police. The motorcycle, bearing registration number 54-6375, was identified through CCTV footage.

Police and intelligence agencies have intensified investigations, suspecting that anti-state groups may have supported the attack as part of a broader conspiracy to destabilize the upcoming February parliamentary elections. Authorities are also probing possible links to expelled political figures, including former Jubo League leader Ismail Hossain Samrat, reportedly in India. Security agencies have alerted airports and border points to prevent suspects from fleeing the country.

The attack has heightened security concerns among political leaders and activists. Dhaka Metropolitan Police has announced expanded surveillance and a review of parole-listed criminals to prevent further incidents.