FIFA has announced a record-breaking $50 million prize for the champion of the 2026 World Cup, nearly doubling the reward compared to previous tournaments. The decision, approved at a FIFA Council meeting in Doha, marks a significant increase from the $42 million awarded to the 2022 Qatar winner and $38 million in 2018 Russia. The total prize pool for the 2026 tournament, to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will reach $655 million—about 50% higher than in Qatar. The runner-up will receive $33 million, while the third and fourth-placed teams will earn $29 million and $27 million respectively. Each of the 48 participating nations will also receive $1.5 million for preparation expenses. FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the expanded rewards as a financial milestone for global football, emphasizing that part of the revenue will be reinvested in football development worldwide. The move underscores FIFA’s effort to enhance competitiveness and financial sustainability across the sport.

Cricket fans are set for a busy viewing day on December 18, 2025, as multiple international tournaments air live across major sports networks. The highlight is the third Ashes Test between Australia and England, with the second day’s play starting at 5:30 a.m. on Star Sports. Simultaneously, New Zealand face West Indies in the second Test from 4:00 a.m. on Sony Sports. Later in the day, the Big Bash League features Melbourne Stars against Hobart Hurricanes, followed by ILT20 action between Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and Gulf Giants. Football enthusiasts will also have late-night action as Napoli take on AC Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana, streamed via Bet365 and Fancode. The day’s lineup underscores the global reach of cricket and football, with broadcasters catering to diverse time zones and audiences. Sports analysts note that December’s packed calendar reflects the growing overlap of domestic and international leagues, offering fans continuous live coverage across continents.

Bangladesh’s Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has emphasized that the effective implementation of the ‘One Health’ approach requires coordinated commitment from the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Fisheries and Livestock. Speaking at a seminar in Dhaka, she said the initiative must move beyond rhetoric to practical collaboration under a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation framework. Environmental Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan highlighted that environmental protection and biodiversity must remain central to development planning, warning that ecological destruction ultimately harms society. She identified bureaucratic delays and weak inter-ministerial coordination as major obstacles to the One Health initiative. Health Ministry representative Dr. Sayedur Rahman stressed that human health should remain at the core of the program, as food contamination, antibiotic misuse, and environmental degradation directly affect people’s wellbeing. The proposed One Health project will operate under a joint Development Project Proposal (DPP) with three project directors from the respective ministries. Officials expressed optimism that Bangladesh could set a regional example by integrating human, animal, and environmental health into a unified national strategy.

Students at Dhaka University held a late-night ‘Azadi’ rally on December 17, protesting what they described as interference by India’s High Commissioner in Bangladesh’s domestic politics. Organized under the banner of ‘Anti-Hegemony Students,’ the march began at Madhur Canteen and concluded with a brief gathering at the Raju Memorial sculpture, where participants chanted slogans rejecting foreign influence. During the rally, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) cultural secretary Mosaddeq Ali Ibn Mohammad cited an investigative report alleging that Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma had engaged with Bangladeshi authorities during the July uprising to shape state repression strategies. He called Verma’s actions a violation of diplomatic norms and urged the government to declare him persona non grata. The protestors demanded stronger protection of national sovereignty and urged the Foreign Ministry to take diplomatic steps regarding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s return from India. The demonstration highlights growing student sensitivity toward perceived external involvement in Bangladesh’s political processes.

Bangladesh Bank has reported that the country's foreign exchange reserves increased to $32.48 billion as of December 17, 2025. The figure, however, stands at $27.82 billion when calculated under the International Monetary Fund’s BPM6 (Balance of Payments Manual 6) methodology. The announcement was made by Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank. The reserves had been $32.12 billion a week earlier, or $27.45 billion under the IMF standard. The difference between the two accounting methods reflects the exclusion of certain funds, such as export development and other non-liquid assets, under the BPM6 framework. The rise in reserves follows recent remittance inflows and moderate import payments, helping stabilize the country’s external balance. Economists note that while the increase is positive, Bangladesh continues to face pressure from global commodity prices and a strong U.S. dollar. The central bank is expected to continue cautious management of reserves to maintain import coverage and meet IMF program conditions in the coming months.

The High Court of Bangladesh has suspended the government primary school scholarship examination process for one month after a writ petition questioned its legality. The bench, comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Asif Hasan, issued the order following a preliminary hearing on December 14, 2025. The Directorate of Primary Education had earlier announced the exam schedule on November 11, with tests set to begin on December 21. The writ was filed by Md. Faruk Hossain, director of Keraniganj Public Laboratory School, along with two parents, arguing that the exam violated a previous High Court ruling from November 3. Petitioners’ lawyer Niaz Morshed alleged that the government changed the exam’s name to exclude private school students, effectively breaching the earlier judgment. Ministry sources confirmed that the exams will remain suspended while the writ is under judicial review. The suspension affects thousands of government primary students who were preparing for subject-wise tests in Bangla, English, Mathematics, and Science. The court’s decision is expected to prompt a review of the exam’s structure and inclusivity before any rescheduling.

French forward Ousmane Dembélé has been named the 2025 FIFA Best Men’s Player, capping a remarkable season with Paris Saint-Germain. Dembélé’s leadership in PSG’s attack guided the club to its first-ever UEFA Champions League title, a domestic treble, and a FIFA Club World Cup final appearance. His consistent performances placed him ahead of finalists Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal. Accepting the award, the 28-year-old expressed gratitude to his teammates, family, and PSG staff, calling the honor a reward for collective hard work. Dembélé also thanked club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director Luis Campos, pledging to return to the FIFA stage next year. The recognition follows his earlier Ballon d’Or win, marking a double triumph in 2025. In the women’s category, Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí claimed her third consecutive FIFA Best Women’s Player award, while England coach Sarina Wiegman and PSG’s Luis Enrique were named the best women’s and men’s coaches respectively.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a new initiative titled 'People’s Manifesto' aimed at drafting a citizen-driven, accountable, and realistic election manifesto for the next national polls. Party Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said the program will run from December 18 to 24, collecting public opinions through a dedicated website and mobile app. Citizens can submit written, audio, or video suggestions on national and local issues. Porwar explained that the initiative is built on three pillars: direct citizen participation, data-driven online analysis of collected opinions, and a digital 'Promise Tracker' to monitor future implementation of manifesto commitments. The party plans to create both a national and constituency-level manifesto based on measurable and time-bound criteria. He expressed hope that this participatory model will set a new precedent for transparency and accountability in Bangladesh’s political culture. The digital platform (www.janatarishtehar.org) will serve as the main hub for public engagement and information sharing throughout the process.

Bangladesh’s legal adviser Asif Nazrul has alleged that influential lawyers, many of whom are senior figures in major political parties, played a decisive role in securing bail for Faisal Karim Masud, accused of attempting to murder Osman Hadi. In a Facebook post on Wednesday night, Nazrul stated that such influence made bail in serious cases, including Masud’s earlier arms case, unusually easy to obtain. Nazrul emphasized that the High Court operates independently of the Ministry of Law, but questioned whether judicial discretion was being properly exercised in certain bail decisions. He cited previous instances where hundreds of bail orders were issued within hours, prompting public concern. Nazrul also warned against what he termed a “bail trade,” urging lawyers to uphold judicial integrity. The comments have reignited debate over the transparency of Bangladesh’s bail system and the role of political influence in judicial outcomes. Legal observers expect the issue to draw further scrutiny from the judiciary and civil society in the coming weeks.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus announced that the interim government has undertaken continuous reforms to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), resolving a long-standing issue at the Korean Export Processing Zone in Chattogram. He expressed optimism that this move would encourage major South Korean companies to expand their investments in Bangladesh. During a farewell meeting with South Korean Ambassador Park Young-sik at the state guesthouse Jamuna, both sides discussed deepening bilateral relations. Topics included boosting Korean investment, advancing the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and expanding cultural and human resource cooperation. Ambassador Park conveyed condolences over the deaths of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Sudan and wished success for Bangladesh’s democratic transition and upcoming February 12 elections. Park noted that Samsung plans to expand operations in Bangladesh, including mobile phone production. The next CEPA negotiation round is scheduled for February, which could grant Bangladeshi apparel duty-free access to the Korean market, currently dominated by Vietnam and Indonesia.

India has summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in New Delhi, M. Riaz Hamidullah, to express concern over the security of its diplomatic mission in Dhaka. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that certain ‘extremist groups’ in Bangladesh have created a security threat around the Indian High Commission, prompting the formal meeting on Wednesday. Officials in New Delhi indicated that the summons was also linked to recent anti-India remarks made by some Bangladeshi political figures, which India described as provocative. In its official statement, India rejected what it called a ‘false narrative’ being spread by radical elements in Bangladesh and expressed hope that the interim government would ensure the safety of all foreign missions in accordance with diplomatic norms. The development comes amid heightened political tensions in Bangladesh and growing sensitivity in India over regional security. Observers suggest that both sides may need to engage in quiet diplomacy to prevent further strain in bilateral relations.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah in New Delhi on Wednesday, citing security threats to its embassy in Dhaka and recent anti-India remarks by Bangladeshi politicians. The move came less than 12 hours after a high-profile Victory Day reception at the Bangladesh High Commission, where both nations celebrated their shared history and wartime alliance. Officials in Delhi expressed concern over what they described as extremist groups in Bangladesh creating a ‘false narrative’ against India and warned of deteriorating security conditions. The summons followed a series of reciprocal diplomatic protests between the two neighbors, including Dhaka’s earlier summoning of India’s envoy over alleged interference in Bangladesh’s upcoming elections. Analysts note that the exchange underscores growing mistrust between the interim government in Dhaka and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration. The episode highlights the fragility of bilateral ties despite deep historical links. Observers expect further diplomatic caution as both sides navigate sensitive political transitions and regional security anxieties ahead of Bangladesh’s national polls.

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.