West Bengal Sports Minister Arup Biswas has offered to resign following widespread criticism over the disarray during Lionel Messi’s visit to Kolkata. The incident occurred at the Salt Lake Stadium on December 13, where fans expressed anger after Messi spent less than ten minutes on the field. Biswas submitted a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, requesting to step down to ensure a fair investigation into the event’s mismanagement. The controversy stems from allegations that Biswas and his family occupied privileged positions near Messi during the event, while thousands of spectators were left disappointed. Trinamool Congress state secretary Kunal Ghosh confirmed that Banerjee accepted Biswas’s resignation request. The state government has already formed an inquiry committee to examine the lapses in organization and security arrangements. The resignation marks a significant political fallout from what was supposed to be a celebratory sporting occasion. The inquiry’s findings could influence future event management protocols in West Bengal, as public frustration over the incident remains high.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam declared that his party remains united against what he termed the 'traitors of 1971 and 2024'. Speaking at the National Martyrs’ Memorial on December 16, he accused 'fallen fascist forces' of attempting to destabilize Bangladesh and disrupt the upcoming parliamentary elections. Islam linked current political unrest to historical struggles for sovereignty and justice, asserting that the people’s fight for dignity continues. He criticized the government for failing to arrest those involved in the recent attack on Inquilab Mancha leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, expressing frustration over what he described as a deteriorating security environment. Islam also urged NCP candidates to campaign for reform and a 'yes' vote in the forthcoming election and referendum. Political analysts view his remarks as part of a broader effort by smaller parties to position themselves amid rising uncertainty before the polls. The NCP’s emphasis on anti-fascist unity may signal attempts to mobilize disaffected voters seeking systemic reform.

Gono Odhikar Parishad’s General Secretary Rashed Khan has accused the ruling Awami League of plotting to assassinate 50 parliamentary candidates before Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national election. Speaking to reporters after paying tribute at the National Martyrs’ Memorial on Tuesday, Khan claimed the campaign had already begun, citing the recent shooting of activist Osman Hadi as evidence. Khan criticized the government’s handling of the attack, questioning the effectiveness of law enforcement and intelligence agencies. He referenced the Home Affairs Adviser’s announcement of a 5 million taka reward for identifying the attackers, calling it a sign of institutional failure. Khan further alleged that the government’s advisory and administrative bodies lack coordination and competence, arguing that promised reforms have not materialized. The opposition leader’s remarks come amid heightened political tension ahead of the election. His call for an “Operation Devil Hunt 2” against what he termed “fascist elements” in government underscores growing distrust between opposition groups and state authorities.

Mufti Amir Hamza, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for Kushtia-3 constituency, claimed that 90% of the stories surrounding Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War are fabricated. Speaking at a Victory Day rally organized by the district Jamaat at Kushtia’s Bijoy Ullash Chattar, he argued that the party’s wartime role had been misrepresented and that Jamaat was opposed to Indian intervention, not the independence movement itself. Hamza cited historian Badruddin Umar’s writings to support his claim, asserting that the public had been denied the truth about the war’s history. He emphasized that Jamaat stood for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and sought to build a future free from foreign influence. Party leaders including Suja Uddin Joardar and Mazharul Haque were present at the event. His remarks have drawn sharp criticism from pro-liberation groups and historians, who view such statements as attempts to distort the nation’s foundational history. The comments are likely to intensify political debate ahead of upcoming national elections.

The Indian rupee fell to a record low of 90.74 against the U.S. dollar on Monday, surpassing its previous all-time low of 90.55 recorded on December 12. The decline came amid prolonged deadlock in U.S.-India trade talks and continued foreign investor withdrawals from India’s bond and equity markets. The rupee weakened by 0.3 percent as investor confidence waned following new U.S. tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian goods. Foreign investors have sold over $18 billion worth of Indian equities so far in 2025, making India one of the hardest-hit emerging markets for portfolio outflows. More than $500 million in bonds were also offloaded in December. Analysts expect India’s trade deficit to narrow to $32 billion from October’s record $41 billion, though concerns over external financing remain. Finrex Treasury Advisors’ Anil Bansali warned that the rupee may test support levels at 90.80, with risks extending toward 91–92. The Reserve Bank of India is reportedly allowing market forces to dictate pricing, intervening only to curb excessive volatility.

A newly named road in Dhaka’s Gulshan area, ‘Felani Avenue,’ was inaugurated on Bangladesh’s Victory Day to honor Felani Khatun, the teenage girl killed by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) in 2011. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Adilur Rahman Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, as chief guest, and chaired by Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) administrator Mohammad Ejaz. Officials described the naming as a symbolic act of remembrance and protest against ongoing border killings. Khan stated that the road’s name would remind citizens of the cruelty Felani endured and reflect Bangladesh’s call to end such cross-border violence. Local Government Secretary Md. Rezaul Maksud Jahedi termed the killing a clear human rights violation. DNCC administrator Ejaz noted that the initiative represents national dignity and moral protest, emphasizing that Bangladesh will uphold its humanitarian values in dialogue with neighboring countries. The move underscores continued public sensitivity to border-related human rights issues.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to attend his final party program in London on Tuesday before returning to Bangladesh. The event, marking Victory Day, will take place at the City Pavilion at 5 p.m., where Rahman is expected to deliver a directive speech to party members and formally bid farewell to the UK-based BNP community. Local BNP leaders confirmed that due to time constraints, no separate community event will be held. UK BNP Joint Secretary Khosruzzaman Khosru said enthusiasm among activists is high, with extensive preparations underway to ensure the program’s success. The meeting will be chaired by BNP Chairperson’s Adviser and UK BNP President M.A. Malik, and conducted by National Executive Committee member and UK BNP General Secretary Koysor M. Ahmed. Rahman, who has lived in the UK since 2008 following his release from detention after the 2007 political upheaval, is expected to depart for Bangladesh on December 24. His return marks a significant political moment for the BNP ahead of the next national election.

Jagannath University’s branch of Islami Chhatra Shibir organized a 100-boat rally on Dhaka’s Buriganga River on December 16 to commemorate Bangladesh’s Victory Day. Around 700 activists participated, wearing red and green shirts and carrying national flags. The rally began at Shyambazar Ghat, reached Postogola Bridge, and returned to its starting point, drawing attention from locals and media. Speakers, including Shibir’s Jagannath University president and student panel candidates, said the event aimed to honor the Liberation War’s legacy while raising awareness about river conservation. They criticized river encroachment and pollution, alleging that India’s upstream water control has harmed Bangladesh’s major rivers such as Teesta and Feni. The organizers also condemned a recent social media post by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it disrespectful to Bangladesh’s independence. The rally’s combination of patriotic celebration and environmental advocacy highlighted growing student activism around national sovereignty and ecological issues. Authorities have not commented on the event or its political undertones.

At a Victory Day event in Dhaka, Dr. Mahmudur Rahman, editor of *Amar Desh*, asserted that no foreign power, including India, could ever subjugate Bangladesh again. Speaking as chief guest at a free medical camp and scholarship ceremony organized by Insaf Baraka Kidney and General Hospital, he praised the resilience of Bangladesh’s 180 million citizens and honored the sacrifices of freedom fighters who secured independence in 1971. Rahman emphasized the importance of remembering key national milestones such as 1947, 1971, and the July Revolution, describing them as defining moments of national pride. He criticized the country’s corrupt elite for exploiting ordinary citizens and urged investment in human resources and healthcare to reduce dependence on foreign medical treatment. Highlighting the success of students from modest backgrounds, he said they represent the nation’s true strength and future. The event’s organizers echoed his call for unity and progress, stressing that the spirit of the Liberation War and July Revolution must guide Bangladesh’s development toward a self-reliant future.

Bangladesh’s main opposition party BNP did not attend an all-party protest rally at Dhaka’s Shaheed Minar on Monday, organized by Inqilab Mancha to condemn the shooting of independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi. Although BNP leaders expressed solidarity over the phone, their absence drew attention as representatives from Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, and other anti-government groups were present. Party insiders said BNP avoided the event to prevent being drawn into controversy or provocation, especially after senior leader Mirza Abbas faced hostility while visiting Hadi earlier. Analysts noted that the party’s leadership wanted to avoid any incident that could disrupt the pre-election environment or link BNP to inflammatory speeches. The rally featured strong anti-India rhetoric from former adviser Mahfuz Alam and NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah, which observers said validated BNP’s caution. Political analysts believe the party’s restraint signals a strategic effort to maintain stability and distance itself from radical narratives ahead of the upcoming national election.

Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-1) has arrested alleged top criminal Altaf, also known as 'Thotkata Altaf', along with two associates in Tongi, Gazipur. The arrests were made early Monday during a raid at the Tongi BSCIC industrial area in connection with an attempted murder case filed by Yusuf Ali Redwan, a member of the group 'July Rebels'. Altaf, 46, is the son of Nayeb Ali from Dhaka’s Dakshinkhan area and faces 16 prior criminal cases across multiple police stations. According to RAB, the arrests followed a violent attack on December 13 in Uttara, where Altaf and his group allegedly assaulted Redwan with local weapons after a protest event, leaving him critically injured. The attack also involved vandalism and intimidation near the July Rebels’ office. RAB confirmed the arrests through a press release issued by Senior Assistant Director Md Rakib Hasan. Authorities have handed the detainees over to local police for further legal action. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about organized crime and political violence in Dhaka’s suburban areas.

Several members of the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action have been hospitalized in the United Kingdom after more than 40 days of hunger strike. According to legal documents reviewed by Sky News, five of the eight detainees have been admitted to hospital, marking the country’s largest hunger strike since 1981. The protesters are facing charges related to break-ins at an Israel-linked defense firm and a Royal Air Force base attack that damaged two military jets. The deteriorating health of detainees, including Kamran Ahmed and Qaiser Zuhrah, has drawn urgent appeals from lawmakers. Labour MP John McDonnell called the situation an emergency, urging Justice Secretary David Lammy to intervene, while MP Zarah Sultana warned the government could face moral responsibility if deaths occur. In contrast, Conservative MP Rupert Lowe dismissed the strikers, saying he had “no sympathy” for them. The escalating crisis has intensified political divisions over protest rights and the UK’s handling of pro-Palestinian activism, with growing public scrutiny of the government’s response.

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed sorrow over the sentencing of Hong Kong media entrepreneur and pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai, urging Chinese President Xi Jinping to consider his release. Speaking to reporters, Trump said he had discussed the matter with Xi, citing humanitarian grounds due to Lai’s age and health condition. Lai, the 78-year-old founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, was convicted under Hong Kong’s national security law and faces a potential life sentence. Following Trump’s remarks, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the verdict, calling it evidence of China’s suppression of free speech and democratic rights. Rubio reminded that China had pledged to maintain Hong Kong’s separate judicial system after the 1997 handover. Rights groups and Christian activists, many of whom support Trump, have also demanded Lai’s immediate release, citing his deteriorating health after more than 1,800 days in detention. Analysts view Lai’s conviction as part of Beijing’s broader crackdown on dissent following the 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, deepening concerns over the erosion of the city’s autonomy and press freedom.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus declared that the defeated fascist forces will never return to the country, during a televised address to the nation on Victory Day, December 16, 2025. His speech, broadcast simultaneously on BTV, Bangladesh Betar, and private channels, urged citizens to remain united and vigilant ahead of the upcoming national elections. Yunus warned that certain groups were attempting to destabilize the country before the polls, but assured that the government had identified those involved in recent conspiracies. Referring to the critical condition of Sharif Osman Hadi, who is receiving treatment in Singapore, he said all necessary measures had been taken for his safety and care. The Chief Adviser emphasized that no one involved in violent plots would be spared. Calling for restraint and rejecting misinformation, Yunus urged the public not to fall for provocations. He reaffirmed that Bangladesh’s democratic journey would continue despite threats, and that fascist and terrorist elements would be decisively defeated.

A fatal road accident occurred on Tuesday morning in Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj district, where a truck struck a motorcycle from behind, killing the rider and injuring his wife. The deceased was identified as Akbar Hossain, son of the late Zainal Abedin from Mirpur, Dhaka. His wife was taken to Raiganj Upazila Health Complex for treatment. According to Hatikumrul Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ismail Hossain, the couple was traveling toward Bogura when the accident took place around 9:30 a.m. near Bhuyagati Palli Bidyut intersection on the Dhaka–Bogura highway. Police have initiated an investigation into the incident, and the truck involved reportedly fled the scene. The accident highlights ongoing road safety concerns on major highways in Bangladesh, where collisions involving heavy vehicles remain frequent. Authorities continue to urge stricter enforcement of traffic laws and improved driver awareness to reduce such fatalities.