A Dhaka court has issued a travel ban on Faisal Karim Masud, the prime suspect in the murder of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. The order was given by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Awlad Hossain Mohammad Junayed following a petition from the Detective Branch (DB) of police. Investigators argued that intelligence reports indicated Masud might attempt to flee the country, prompting the need for immediate legal restrictions on his departure. The petition, filed by DB Inspector Faisal Ahmed, requested that immigration authorities at land, sea, and air ports be alerted to prevent Masud’s escape. The court accepted the request and directed relevant agencies to enforce the ban. The murder case, initially filed as an attempted murder on December 14 by Inquilab Moncho’s secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, was later updated to include murder charges under Section 302. So far, nine individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. Legal analysts note that the travel ban underscores the court’s intent to ensure accountability and prevent obstruction of justice as the investigation continues.

French prosecutors have announced that three individuals will stand trial next year over the theft of valuable silverware from the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the French president. The case centers on a palace caretaker accused of stealing silver tableware and service items valued between €15,000 and €40,000. The missing pieces were first noticed by the palace’s chief steward and later traced through online auction listings. Investigators discovered that several stolen items, including pieces marked with the French Air Force and Sèvres Manufactory insignia, were being sold online. Searches of the suspect’s home, car, and locker led to the recovery of around 100 objects, such as copper pots, Sèvres porcelain, a René Lalique sculpture, and Baccarat champagne glasses. All items have since been returned to the palace. The three accused face charges of jointly stealing movable property classified as part of France’s national heritage. If convicted, they could face up to ten years in prison and fines of up to €150,000. The trial is scheduled to begin on February 26, 2026.

Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has uncovered more than Tk127 crore in suspicious financial transactions connected to Faisal Karim Masud, the prime suspect in the murder of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure of the July Revolution and spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha. The CID revealed the findings in a press release on Sunday, noting that the transactions may be linked to money laundering and organized crime financing. Following Hadi’s fatal shooting on December 12 in Dhaka’s Purana Paltan area, CID launched a shadow investigation, collecting CCTV footage and forensic evidence. Several associates and family members of Masud have been arrested for allegedly concealing evidence and aiding his escape. Investigators also found unexecuted cheque records worth about Tk218 crore. Authorities have initiated a separate money laundering probe and are taking steps to confiscate Tk65 lakh from related bank accounts. CID teams are also examining whether a broader criminal network was involved in financing or planning the killing, while efforts to arrest the main suspect continue.

Bangladeshi UN peacekeeper Sabuj Mia, who was killed in a drone attack on a UN base in Sudan’s Abyei region, was buried with full state honors in his home village of Palashbari, Gaibandha. His body arrived by helicopter on Sunday afternoon and was later taken to his family home, where hundreds of villagers gathered to pay their respects. The funeral prayer was held at the local Eidgah field, followed by burial beside his father’s grave. Army officials representing the Chief of Army Staff and local administration officers paid floral tributes during the ceremony. The attack, carried out by a separatist armed group on December 13, killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers stationed at the Kadugli logistics base. Family members, including Sabuj’s mother and young wife, were seen grieving deeply as the community mourned the loss. The government and military have condemned the attack, calling for stronger international measures to ensure the safety of peacekeepers deployed in conflict zones under UN missions.

BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman announced plans to transform Bangladesh’s youth into a skilled workforce through training and digital empowerment. Speaking virtually from London at the inauguration of a ‘Digital Memorial’ in Bogura on Sunday, he emphasized the party’s commitment to expanding freelancing opportunities and ensuring free internet access for students and young professionals. He also revealed that 20 locations in Bogura will soon have free Wi-Fi, with one college already connected. Rahman outlined a broader development vision, including the recruitment of 100,000 health workers—85% of whom will be women—and the promotion of technical and language education to meet global labor market demands. He linked these initiatives to BNP’s revised seven-point agenda derived from its original 31-point program. Urging party members to remain vigilant, he criticized past governance as destructive and called for unity in rebuilding the nation. Local BNP leaders, including Mosharaf Hossain and Rezaul Karim Badsha, attended the event, which drew participants from various professional sectors.

A school principal in Feni’s Sonagazi upazila has been served a show-cause notice after posting a Facebook status mocking BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. The head of Al-Helal Academy, Omar Faruk, reportedly deleted the post after facing backlash. The Al-Helal Society, which oversees the institution, confirmed that disciplinary action is being considered against him. The Sonagazi municipal BNP issued a press release demanding Faruk’s removal and exemplary punishment, alleging political bias and misuse of his position. Local BNP leaders claimed that Faruk, previously linked to the Awami League, used his influence to secure his current post and accumulate wealth through school-related activities. The controversy has sparked widespread criticism on social media, with BNP-affiliated groups calling for accountability. The incident underscores the growing political sensitivity surrounding social media expression in Bangladesh’s education sector. Authorities are expected to decide on disciplinary measures soon, as the case continues to draw attention from both political and community circles.

Around 9,000 expatriate voters from Feni district have been officially registered to vote in Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ mobile application. According to the Election Commission’s website, a total of 20,491 expatriates applied for registration, of whom 8,755 have been approved while 11,736 remain pending. This marks the first time the Election Commission has introduced an IT-supported postal ballot system for overseas voters. The new system allows expatriates, individuals in legal custody, and election officials on duty to cast their votes remotely. Registration began on November 19 and will continue until December 25. Once registered, voters will receive postal ballots by mail, cast their votes, and return them to the designated returning officer. Officials said the initiative aims to ensure broader participation of expatriates, though only 2.27% of Feni’s overseas population has registered so far. District officials are promoting the process through social media and direct messaging. The system’s success could influence future national elections and expand digital voting mechanisms for Bangladesh’s large diaspora community.

Leaders of Islami Chhatra Shibir have strongly denied any involvement in recent attacks on the offices of national dailies The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, which followed protests over the death of Sharif Osman Hadi. In a statement issued Sunday, Shibir’s central president Zahidul Islam and secretary general Nurul Islam Saddam condemned what they called a deliberate attempt to implicate their organization. The statement emphasized Shibir’s respect for media freedom and described any assault on journalists or cultural institutions as an attack on freedom of expression. The leaders alleged that vested groups were trying to deflect attention from the real culprits by blaming Shibir. They also clarified that controversial remarks made by some university-level Shibir members were personal opinions, not official positions. Calling for an impartial and credible investigation, Shibir urged all parties to refrain from spreading misinformation. The group reiterated its commitment to lawful activism and national unity amid ongoing political tensions.

Pakistan’s legendary fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been appointed as the new brand ambassador for Tilex, a leading homecare brand under Bangladesh’s Remark-Harlan Group. The announcement marks a strategic shift as Tilex aims to expand its international presence. Akhtar, known globally as the ‘Rawalpindi Express,’ replaces Bangladeshi cricket icon Shakib Al Hasan, who had long represented the brand domestically. Remark-Harlan officials said Akhtar’s image of speed, strength, and determination aligns with Tilex’s message of cleanliness and vitality. The company hopes his global appeal will help position Tilex as a premium, ammonia-free cleaning solution in international markets. Akhtar expressed pride in joining a brand that promotes hygiene and environmental awareness, emphasizing cleanliness as essential to health and daily life. Company executives believe this endorsement will strengthen Tilex’s credibility abroad, building on its domestic success under Shakib’s tenure. The move also reflects the group’s ambition to link sports-driven branding with sustainable, eco-friendly product innovation across South Asia.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has called for transparent investigations and visible punishment for those responsible for recent arson killings and violent incidents across Bangladesh. Speaking to journalists at the Burn Institute in Dhaka after visiting a victim from Lakshmipur, Rizvi said that a series of secret attacks has created fear and uncertainty among citizens, posing a serious concern for the state. Rizvi emphasized that people want to see justice served and that it is the government's duty to identify and prosecute the real perpetrators. He cautioned that any shortcomings in the investigation could deepen public anxiety and mistrust. The BNP leader also raised suspicions of a larger conspiracy possibly linked to the upcoming national elections or attempts to destabilize the country, hinting at potential foreign involvement. He added that as a government claiming democratic legitimacy, the authorities must act decisively against wrongdoers. Other BNP leaders, including Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie and Dr. Rafiqul Islam, were present during his remarks.

Algeria’s National People’s Assembly has begun formal debate on a draft bill seeking to classify French colonial rule from 1830 to 1962 as a crime. The bill, introduced during a plenary session, aims to legally recognize the colonial period as one of systematic oppression and dispossession. Speaker Brahim Boughali, who was authorized to present the bill, described it as more than a legal measure—calling it a defining moment in modern Algerian history that reaffirms national memory and moral responsibility toward the country’s martyrs. Boughali accused France’s colonial administration of pursuing a deliberate project of destruction and occupation, seizing land from Algerians and distributing it to settlers. He argued that the colonial regime sought to erase Algerian identity, culture, and history. The bill is scheduled for a parliamentary vote on Wednesday. The debate comes amid heightened diplomatic strain between Algeria and France, particularly over France’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan in Western Sahara, which has deepened tensions between the two nations.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has collected nomination papers on behalf of its chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman for two parliamentary constituencies in Bogura. On Sunday, local BNP leaders collected the forms from the district administration offices, signaling the party’s preparation for the upcoming national election. According to officials, district BNP president Rezaul Karim Badsha led the team collecting Tarique Rahman’s nomination papers for Bogura-6 from the district returning officer. Meanwhile, BNP chairperson’s adviser Helaluzzaman Talukder Lalu collected Khaleda Zia’s nomination papers for Bogura-7. Party leaders expressed optimism about their leaders’ participation, citing Khaleda Zia’s previous electoral victories in the area. The move marks a symbolic step for the BNP, as both leaders have faced legal and political challenges in recent years. Party sources said final submission of the nomination papers will follow internal consultations with Tarique Rahman. The developments in Bogura are being closely watched as indicators of BNP’s broader electoral strategy and its stance against the ruling government.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has extended the application deadline for domestic observer organizations wishing to monitor the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to an official notice signed by Assistant Director (Public Relations) Ashadul Haque, observer groups now have until December 29 to submit their applications. The election and a national referendum are scheduled for February 12, 2025. Under the Election Observation Policy 2025, organizations were initially required to apply within ten days of the election schedule announcement, which expired on December 21. The EC extended the deadline following requests from several observer groups. The commission also clarified that central observers will receive ID cards and vehicle stickers from the EC Secretariat, while local observers will collect theirs from respective returning officers. Observers must submit attested copies of their educational certificates, national ID cards, and completed undertaking forms when collecting credentials. The extension aims to ensure broader participation and transparency in the electoral monitoring process.

A Mymensingh court has ordered the imprisonment of former BNP lawmaker Shah Shahid Sarwar, 65, in connection with an attack and shooting during an anti-discrimination student protest. The Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court rejected his bail plea on Sunday after he surrendered, citing specific allegations against him. The order was issued by Judge Md Sifat Ullah of the 6th Magistrate Court, and police confirmed Sarwar’s transfer to jail following the hearing. According to the case filed by Amir Hossain on April 15, Sarwar allegedly led an armed group that attacked protesters in Phulpur municipality, injuring the complainant with a gunshot to the head. The case was later recorded as an FIR on June 23 under court directive. Sarwar, who served as MP for Mymensingh-2 after winning the 2001 election, was expelled from the BNP in 2024 after contesting under an independent symbol. The case underscores continuing political tensions in Bangladesh, with opposition figures facing legal scrutiny amid protests and allegations of violence. Further hearings are expected in the coming weeks.

Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central president Zahidul Islam stated that the assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi, described as a fearless fighter against dominance and corruption, cannot change the ideological foundation upon which Bangladesh stands. Speaking at a memorial discussion and prayer event organized by the Thakurgaon Development Forum in Dhaka, he said those responsible for Hadi’s death made a grave mistake and that his martyrdom has only strengthened the resolve of young revolutionaries. The event, attended by political figures and student leaders, highlighted Hadi’s commitment to justice and sovereignty. Speakers including parliamentary candidates from Thakurgaon constituencies praised Hadi’s struggle against oppression, corruption, and authoritarianism. They asserted that his ideals would inspire future generations to continue resisting dominance and injustice. Participants emphasized that Hadi’s death symbolizes a broader struggle for a corruption-free and equitable society. The gathering concluded with prayers seeking the highest honor for the slain activist, underscoring his enduring influence among Bangladesh’s youth movements.