A Dhaka court has granted a fresh four-day remand for three accused — the wife, sister-in-law, and friend of fugitive prime suspect Faisal Karim Masud — in connection with the murder of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. Metropolitan Magistrate Md Siddiq Azad issued the order on Saturday, while another accused, rent-a-car businessman Nuruzzaman Nomani alias Uzzal, was sent to jail after his earlier remand.

The investigation officer from the Detective Branch sought seven days’ remand for further interrogation, citing the need to uncover the motive, identify financiers, and trace other suspects involved in the killing. Previously, the same three accused had been placed on a five-day remand on December 15. Faisal’s parents, who are also accused, have already confessed before the court.

Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot on December 12 while campaigning and later died in Singapore. The case, filed on December 14, alleges a wider conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the country and obstructing the upcoming 13th National Election.

Australia are poised to secure the Ashes series in Adelaide after dominating England across four days of play. Pat Cummins’ side set England a daunting 435-run target following strong batting displays from Travis Head, who scored 170, and Alex Carey, who added 72. By stumps on the fourth day, England were 207 for six, still needing 228 runs with only four wickets in hand.

Cummins led from the front, dismissing Ben Duckett early and reaching 150 Test wickets as captain, joining an elite list topped by Pakistan’s Imran Khan. Nathan Lyon also played a crucial role, removing Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley in quick succession to tighten Australia’s grip. England’s top order faltered again, with only Crawley showing resistance through his 85-run knock.

If Australia complete victory on the final day, it will mark one of their fastest Ashes series wins on home soil since 2002–03. The result would also deepen England’s ongoing struggles under captain Ben Stokes, raising questions about their batting consistency and tactical approach.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has rescheduled its crucial law and order coordination meeting with security agencies, originally planned for Sunday morning, to 2:30 p.m. at the EC Secretariat in Agargaon. The session will be chaired by Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin and attended by four election commissioners and the EC secretary. Chiefs of the army, navy, and air force are also expected to participate.

According to an official circular signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain, the agenda includes reviewing pre-election security conditions, recovering illegal arms, preventing militant activities, and ensuring compliance with the 2025 electoral code of conduct. EC’s Public Relations Officer Ruhul Amin Mallik confirmed that top law enforcement officials will attend the meeting.

In a first, the chiefs of the three armed forces, along with the Inspector General of Police and senior security officials, will brief the media after the main meeting. The discussions are expected to shape joint force deployment strategies and reinforce public confidence in the upcoming election’s security arrangements.

A funeral in absentia and prayer gathering were held in Lakshmipur on Saturday for Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Manch. The event took place after Asr prayers in front of Lillah Jame Mosque, attended by local political and student leaders. Religious scholar Maulana Md. Alamgir Kabir led the prayers for the deceased.

Before the funeral, a brief rally was organized where speakers paid tribute to Osman Hadi, describing him as a martyr for justice and equality. Representatives from various student and political organizations, including the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Islami Chhatra Andolon, and Student Rights Council, participated in the gathering. They vowed to continue his struggle for a just and fair Bangladesh.

The event reflected ongoing political sentiments in the region, with participants voicing opposition to perceived foreign dominance and pledging unity for national justice. Local observers noted that such gatherings highlight the growing activism among youth-led movements in Bangladesh’s districts.

The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has called an emergency meeting of its central committee to be held on Sunday afternoon at the Vashani Bhaban in Naya Paltan, Dhaka. According to an official statement issued by central office secretary Md. Jahangir Alam, the meeting will begin at 2:30 p.m. and all central leaders have been instructed to attend on time by JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir.

A subsequent notice announced that at 4:30 p.m. the same day, a joint organizational meeting will take place at the same venue with representatives from Dhaka University, Jagannath University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Jahangirnagar University, and several major colleges and district units. The gathering is expected to address internal coordination and upcoming political activities.

The emergency session comes at a time of heightened political mobilization across student fronts, signaling possible strategic planning ahead of national-level movements or campus-based programs.

India has announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, leaving out ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill. The team will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, with all-rounder Axar Patel named as vice-captain. Left-handed wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan returns to the side after a strong domestic season, while finisher Rinku Singh earns a call-up. The tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7, 2025.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Gill’s omission was based on team balance and recent form. Gill has averaged only 24.25 across his last 15 T20 internationals, while Kishan topped the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 517 runs. Agarkar noted that having a wicketkeeper-opener strengthens the team’s flexibility. The squad also includes Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Washington Sundar as all-rounders, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the pace attack.

The selection signals India’s focus on form and versatility ahead of the World Cup, as the team seeks to end its decade-long wait for a T20 title.

Dhaka’s Gallery Chitrak is hosting artist Azwad Ahmed’s first solo exhibition, titled ‘Radiant Shadows of Solitude,’ curated by art critic and curator Nisar Hossain. The exhibition, inaugurated on Thursday, features a thoughtful collection of Ahmed’s selected works exploring themes of silence, solitude, and introspection. The event was inaugurated by eminent artist Professor Emeritus Rafiqun Nabi, with art critic Professor Moinuddin Khaled presiding and Professor Mohammad Yunus and Javed Jalil attending as special guests.

During the opening, Professor Rafiqun Nabi praised Ahmed’s quiet dedication and urged him to share his art more widely, emphasizing that art should engage the public. Professor Mohammad Yunus commended the emotional depth and narrative richness of Ahmed’s paintings, noting their dynamic and contemplative qualities. Critics described the exhibition as a subtle yet powerful reflection on human emotion and perception.

Open daily from December 18 to 24, 2025, the exhibition invites viewers to interpret meaning through attentive observation rather than direct representation, marking a significant step in Ahmed’s artistic journey.

Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha and a key figure in the July Revolution, was laid to rest beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at Dhaka University’s central mosque complex on Saturday, December 20, 2025. The burial followed funeral prayers held earlier at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. Thousands of mourners, including political leaders, university officials, and fellow activists, attended the emotional farewell.

The epitaph on his tombstone reads that he was martyred in the anti-hegemonic movement, marking his life span from 1993 to 2025. Among those present were journalist Mahmudur Rahman, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Niaz Ahmad Khan, and student leaders Sadiq Kayem and SM Farhad. Hadi’s brother, Abu Bakar Siddiq, led the final prayer as the crowd wept in grief.

Hadi’s death at age 34 has sparked widespread mourning and renewed discussions about the July Revolution’s legacy. Authorities have yet to release detailed findings on his killing, while supporters continue to demand justice and recognition of his political ideals.

At a public gathering in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi city Jamaat-e-Islami chief and former upazila chairman Maulana Dr. Keramat Ali praised the courage of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, calling his stance against Indian dominance and fascist forces exemplary. The remarks came during a brief address before a funeral prayer organized by local students on Saturday afternoon.

Keramat Ali emphasized that Hadi’s sacrifice would not be in vain, urging citizens to remain vigilant against what he described as fascist conspiracies. He called for continued resistance to protect Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty, encouraging followers to uphold Hadi’s ideals in future struggles. Several local Jamaat and Shibir leaders, along with student activists, attended the event, which concluded with prayers for Hadi’s soul.

The gathering reflected ongoing political sentiment in parts of northern Bangladesh, where Jamaat leaders often invoke nationalist and anti-hegemonic rhetoric. Observers note that such statements underscore persistent ideological divides within the country’s political landscape.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has called on citizens to transform the grief over the killing of July revolutionary and Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi into a unifying national force. Speaking at Hadi’s funeral prayer on Saturday at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka, he emphasized that Hadi’s lifelong struggle for democracy, human rights, and national sovereignty should inspire peaceful political activism.

Ahmed stated that honoring Hadi’s sacrifice requires channeling public sorrow into constructive democratic energy. He urged all political groups to maintain non-violent programs and to resist both domestic and foreign conspiracies that aim to obstruct Bangladesh’s democratic progress or disrupt upcoming elections. His remarks come amid heightened political tension and calls for accountability over Hadi’s killing.

Observers note that the BNP leadership is using Hadi’s death to rally supporters around democratic reform and national unity. The party has also demanded a transparent investigation into the murder and government assurances of electoral security in the coming months.

A large crowd gathered in Sylhet on Saturday, December 20, 2025, to attend the absentee funeral prayer (gayebana janaza) for Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a veteran of the July Movement and spokesperson of Inquilab Manch. The prayer took place after noon at the Collectorate Mosque, drawing people from all walks of life, regardless of political affiliation.

Among the attendees were Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Md. Sarowar Alam, BNP leaders Rezaul Hasan Qayes Lodi and Imdad Hossain Chowdhury, Red Crescent official VP Mahbubul Haque Chowdhury, and representatives from Jamaat, NCP, and July Joddha Sangshad. Imam Hafiz Nurul Islam Kamal led the prayer and supplication.

Before the prayer, Deputy Commissioner Alam stated that killing one Hadi would not end the July Movement, asserting that many more would rise in his place. He called for unity among anti-fascist forces and demanded justice for the killing, reflecting the broader sentiment of resistance and solidarity in Sylhet’s civic and political circles.

A Jamaat-e-Islami activist named Shah Alam from Bhurungamari, Kurigram, has reported receiving a death threat after an anonymous note was found at his rented home. The note, written in red ink and containing a threatening message, was discovered by his wife on Friday evening. Alarmed by the incident, Shah Alam filed a General Diary (GD) at Bhurungamari Police Station the same night.

According to police sources, Shah Alam, who also runs a private madrasa and a small business, resides in a rented house near the Government College Road area. Officer-in-Charge (OC) Azim Uddin confirmed the report and said that an investigation is underway to identify those responsible. Shah Alam stated that he canceled his travel plans to attend a local religious gathering after learning about the threat.

Authorities have assured that the matter is being treated seriously, with local law enforcement increasing vigilance in the area. The incident has raised concerns about political intimidation and personal safety in the region.

Thousands of people, mostly young men and women, gathered at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka on Saturday to attend the funeral prayer of political leader Osman Hadi. The crowd began assembling hours before the scheduled prayer, with many participants wearing or carrying the national flag as a symbol of unity and patriotism. The southern gate of the National Parliament was opened to accommodate the large turnout.

Attendees came from across Dhaka and nearby districts, chanting slogans honoring Hadi’s legacy and demanding justice for his killing. Many described him as a fearless voice against inequality and domination. Mominur Islam from Uttara said Hadi stood for justice throughout his life, while Motakabbir Hossain from Khilgaon called his words a lifelong lesson for the youth.

The massive turnout reflected Hadi’s influence among younger generations and his reputation as a nationalist figure. Authorities have yet to release detailed information about the investigation into his death, while public mourning continues nationwide.

The burial of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson for the July Fighters and Inquilab Mancha, drew hundreds of mourners to Dhaka University’s central mosque on Saturday. Following funeral prayers, Hadi was laid to rest beside the mausoleum of poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, where the atmosphere turned deeply emotional as colleagues and supporters broke down in tears during the final prayers.

The special prayer, led by Hadi’s elder brother Abu Bakar Siddiq, sought forgiveness for the deceased and strength for his grieving family. Political associates, volunteers, and law enforcement officers joined the gathering, reflecting Hadi’s wide network of influence and respect. Witnesses described the area falling into silence as many wept openly and recited verses from the Qur’an.

Hadi’s death has sparked widespread mourning across activist circles. His burial marks the end of a turbulent chapter for the Inquilab Mancha movement, with supporters pledging to continue his work amid calls for justice regarding his killing.

Supporters of Sharif Osman Hadi, a revolutionary leader and spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha, took an oath of lifelong resistance against aggression and dominance during his funeral in Dhaka’s Manik Mia Avenue on Saturday. The emotional gathering took place before Hadi’s funeral prayers, where followers expressed their grief and pledged to continue his ideological and cultural struggle.

Participants declared their commitment to uphold Bangladesh’s sovereignty and democratic values, emphasizing independence from foreign influence, particularly regional dominance. They described Hadi as a martyr for national dignity and vowed to complete the cultural movement he had initiated. Many attendees were seen chanting slogans and expressing hope that his sacrifice would inspire future generations.

The event highlighted growing nationalist sentiment among Hadi’s supporters and renewed calls for self-determination and cultural revival. Authorities have yet to release detailed information about the circumstances of Hadi’s death, while investigations reportedly continue.