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.

FIFA has announced a major revision to its 2026 World Cup ticket pricing following widespread criticism from fans and national football associations. The governing body will now offer a limited number of tickets for each match, including the final, priced at $60 under a new 'Supporter Entry Tier' category. The decision comes after public outrage over previously announced prices that reached as high as $8,680 for the final. According to the Associated Press, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the organization reversed their earlier stance amid mounting pressure. Participating nations will receive between 400 and 750 of these lower-priced tickets to distribute among their supporters. Earlier, ticket prices for group-stage matches ranged from $180 to $700, sparking global criticism over affordability. The revised pricing aims to ease tensions with fans and improve accessibility ahead of the North American-hosted tournament. Analysts suggest the move could help restore FIFA’s public image and ensure greater stadium attendance when the World Cup kicks off in 2026.

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.

A Dhaka court has granted a three-day remand for Md. Nuruzzaman Nomani, also known as Ujjal, who allegedly rented a microbus to help Faisal Karim Masud, the prime suspect in the attempted murder of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, flee the scene. The order was issued by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam after police sought a five-day remand. The hearing was conducted in the absence of the defense lawyer. The case, filed on December 14 by Inqilab Mancha’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, accuses several individuals of involvement in the December 12 shooting of Hadi in Dhaka’s Paltan area. Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency, was critically injured and later transferred to Singapore for advanced treatment. Earlier, Masud’s wife, her friend, and his brother-in-law were placed on five-day remand, while a motorcycle owner was remanded for three days under Section 54. The attack has raised concerns about election-related violence ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th national polls, with investigators probing possible political motives and organized networks behind the assault.

Bangladesh’s Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Mohammad Tajul Islam, announced that BNP leader Ilias Ali was abducted and subsequently killed, based on findings from an ongoing investigation. The statement came after formal charges were filed against retired Major General Ziaul Ahsan, accused of involvement in multiple enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. According to Islam, Ahsan faces three charges related to the abduction and killing of over 100 individuals. The prosecution alleges that victims were murdered and their bodies disposed of in rivers across the country, including the Baleshwar, Shitalakshya, and Buriganga. Ahsan, who joined the army in 1991, later served in the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and held senior intelligence positions, including Director General of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC). The case marks a rare move to hold a high-ranking former security official accountable for alleged human rights abuses. Legal analysts say the tribunal’s proceedings could test Bangladesh’s commitment to addressing enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, long criticized by rights groups.

Bangladesh’s Religious Adviser Dr. A. F. M. Khalid Hossain stated that the current government is prepared to leave office following the national election scheduled for February 12, 2025. Speaking at a seminar organized by the Arabic Department of the University of Chittagong on International Arabic Language Day, he remarked that holding onto power has historically hindered the nation’s progress. He emphasized that his team is ready for transition and expressed no regret about their departure. Dr. Hossain mentioned that he has already begun sending his belongings to Chittagong in anticipation of the government’s handover once a new administration takes oath. His comments come amid preparations for the upcoming election, which will determine the next government. The adviser’s remarks were seen as a rare public acknowledgment of the administration’s readiness to transfer power peacefully. Observers note that such statements may help ease political tensions ahead of the polls, signaling a commitment to democratic continuity and institutional stability in Bangladesh.

A new study by Educo Bangladesh and the Child Labor Elimination Platform (CLAP) reveals that 66.6% of child laborers in Bangladesh are working in industrial factories, followed by 44.4% in services and 38.8% in agriculture. The report, presented at a policy-sharing event in Dhaka, warns that most of these children face severe health risks and calls for stronger social protection measures to prevent child labor. Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem, who presented the policy proposal, noted that around 3.5 million children are engaged in various forms of work, with about 100,000 in hazardous conditions. Despite existing laws and international commitments, informal child labor remains widespread. Government officials reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and pledged to expand social safety nets for out-of-school children. Experts at the event emphasized the need for universal child benefits, increased education spending, and investment in rural livelihoods to reduce economic dependency on child labor. The recommendations aim to strengthen Bangladesh’s social protection framework and accelerate progress toward eliminating child labor by 2030.