The bodies of six Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers killed in a terrorist drone attack in Sudan’s Abyei region have arrived in Dhaka. Their funeral prayers are scheduled for Sunday at the Dhaka Cantonment Central Mosque, followed by burial with full military honors in their respective hometowns. The remains arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday afternoon aboard an Emirates Airlines flight.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attack occurred on December 13 at a UNISFA base in Abyei, killing six and injuring nine Bangladeshi peacekeepers. Senior officials, including the Bangladesh Army’s Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Mizanur Rahman Shamim, received the bodies at the airport alongside representatives from the UN and civil aviation authorities.

Eight of the injured peacekeepers are being treated at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi and are reported to be out of danger. The incident has drawn condolences from military and diplomatic circles, underscoring the risks faced by Bangladeshi troops serving in global peacekeeping missions.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has begun online ticket sales for its 12th edition, with prices starting at Tk 200. Fans can purchase tickets exclusively through the official website www.gobcbticket.com.bd, as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided not to sell tickets at physical booths this year. The Sylhet phase of the franchise-based T20 tournament will begin soon, with ticket sales opening at 4 p.m. today.

Ticket prices vary by stand: Tk 200 for the Shahid Turab Stand and Green Gallery/Green Hill areas, Tk 250 for Shahid Abu Sayeed Stand, Tk 500 for Club House (Upper), Tk 600 for Club House (Zero Waste Zone), and Tk 2,000 for the Grand Stand. The BCB expects the online-only system to streamline access and reduce crowding at stadium gates.

The move reflects a broader digital shift in Bangladesh’s sports ticketing, aligning with global trends toward online sales. Fans are encouraged to purchase early due to high demand for the Sylhet matches, which traditionally draw strong local support.

Rajshahi Warriors have become the first team to begin training for the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025 season, marking a shift toward greater professionalism in the franchise tournament. Led by coach Hannan Sarkar, the team unveiled its new jersey—dedicated to July revolutionary Sharif Osman Hadi—on the opening day of practice. All local players, including Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim, attended the session, while six foreign recruits are expected to join the squad in Dhaka.

The Warriors’ overseas lineup includes four Pakistanis, one Nepali, and one Sri Lankan player. However, the team may lose some Pakistani players midway through the season due to national commitments. Sarkar confirmed that all foreign players currently hold full NOCs until the BPL final. The franchise is yet to announce its captain, though Shanto is the leading candidate, and young wicketkeeper Akbar Ali is likely to start ahead of Mushfiqur Rahim.

With a balanced mix of youth and experience, Rajshahi Warriors are being viewed as strong title contenders, aiming to set new standards of discipline and preparation in the BPL.

Cricket and football fans are set for a busy weekend of live sports broadcasts, led by the Ashes third Test between Australia and England in Adelaide. The decisive fifth day of the match will air from 5:30 a.m. on Star Sports, while New Zealand face West Indies in the second Test on Sony Sports. Domestic T20 action continues with the Big Bash League clash between Melbourne Renegades and Hobart Hurricanes, and ILT20 fixtures featuring Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, Desert Vipers, and MI Emirates.

Football coverage remains equally intense, with Aston Villa hosting Manchester United in the English Premier League, Villarreal facing Barcelona in La Liga, Heidenheim meeting Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, and Al Nassr taking on Al Najma in the Saudi Pro League. Broadcasters including Star Sports, FanCode, and Bet365 will carry these matches live.

The packed schedule underscores the global appetite for year-end sports, offering fans a mix of international Tests, franchise cricket, and top-tier football across continents.

Three people have died after five vehicles, including a truck, fell into the Dhaleshwari River from a ferry in Fatullah, Narayanganj, on Saturday night. The accident occurred around 10 p.m. at the Baktabali ferry terminal when a truck reportedly lost control mid-river, striking several smaller vehicles before plunging into the water. The truck driver and his assistant managed to swim ashore, but others were missing.

According to witnesses, the ferry had departed from Narsinghpur and was halfway across the river when the truck suddenly accelerated. The impact sent a motorcycle, two battery-run rickshaws, and a van into the river. Naval police later recovered the bodies of three victims — identified as motorcyclist Rafik, van driver Swadhin, and expatriate Masud. Authorities have temporarily halted the search operation for the night.

Police officials stated that recovery efforts for the submerged vehicles will resume Sunday morning. The incident has raised renewed concerns over ferry safety and vehicle management practices on river crossings in Bangladesh.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has charged a Bangladeshi national for allegedly running an online marketplace selling digital templates of forged US passports and Social Security cards. The FBI confirmed the operation on social media platform X on December 21, noting that the accused had been distributing highly sensitive document replicas that could be used to create fake identities.

The operation was conducted in collaboration with the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Acting on a warrant from the US District Court in Montana, authorities seized several domains linked to the illegal activities. Visitors to the seized websites now see a notice displaying the logos of the FBI, US Department of Justice, and CTTC, stating that the domains were taken over under Title 18 of the US Code.

Officials have not yet disclosed the suspect’s identity or location, citing ongoing investigations. The case underscores growing cross-border cooperation on cybercrime and document fraud prevention between the United States and Bangladesh.

The Bauphal Press Club in Patuakhali has elected a new executive committee, with Md. Jalilur Rahman of the daily *Amar Desh* chosen as president and Md. Jasim Uddin of *Manabkantha* as general secretary. The election took place on Saturday, December 20, 2025, under the supervision of local administrative officials. Rahman secured 19 votes to win the presidency, while Jasim Uddin received 35 votes for the general secretary post.

ABM Mizanur Rahman from *Prothom Alo* was elected vice president with 36 votes. The election was overseen by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Sohag Milu as the returning officer, with other local officials serving as presiding and assistant presiding officers. The newly elected committee includes representatives from several national and regional media outlets.

The committee will serve for a two-year term, aiming to strengthen professional collaboration among journalists in Bauphal. Members expressed optimism that the new leadership will enhance press freedom, ethical reporting, and community engagement in the region.

At least three people went missing after a truck lost control on a moving ferry and pushed an auto-rickshaw and two motorcycles into the Dhaleshwari River in Fatullah, Narayanganj, on Saturday night. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. near the Boktabali ferry terminal. The truck driver and his helper managed to swim ashore immediately after the accident.

Local authorities, including the Narayanganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer, police, and fire service units, rushed to the site. However, due to cold weather and darkness, a full-scale rescue operation could not be launched overnight. Witnesses reported that the truck suddenly started its engine mid-river, lost control, and struck the vehicles ahead, sending them into the water. Among the missing are a couple traveling in the auto-rickshaw and a recently returned expatriate.

Officials said a diving team from Dhaka was on its way to assist in the rescue. The administration has instructed all relevant agencies to take maximum measures as the search continues Sunday morning.

A violent clash erupted in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali on Saturday night when members of a banned Awami League faction allegedly attacked a local BNP office, injuring at least five opposition activists. The assault took place around 7:30 p.m. at the Bhairab Bazar area of Char King Union, reportedly led by local union council member and Awami League leader Abu Taher. Attackers vandalized the BNP office and beat several BNP and affiliate organization members.

According to BNP activists, the attack was linked to a previous dispute over local dominance and a recent case filed against Abu Taher’s associates. Police confirmed that a confrontation occurred between two groups but downplayed the political aspect, describing it as a continuation of an existing local feud. Law enforcement officials said they had deployed forces to the area and made one related arrest later that night.

The incident underscores ongoing political tension in Bangladesh’s coastal regions, where rival party factions frequently clash over territorial and organizational control. Authorities are investigating the matter amid calls for stronger political oversight in the area.

Bangladesh’s joint law enforcement forces have arrested 5,949 individuals over the past seven days under the nationwide ‘Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2’. The Home Ministry’s public relations officer, Faisal Hasan, confirmed the figures on Saturday night, noting that several firearms were also recovered during the raids. In the last 24 hours alone, 783 people were detained, while over 20,000 motorcycles and 17,000 vehicles were searched, leading to the seizure of 356 illegal motorcycles.

The intensified operation was launched following the shooting of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi on December 13. At a core committee meeting that day, Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the campaign aimed to recover looted and illegal weapons and suppress violent extremist groups. The first phase of the operation began in February 2025 after attacks in Gazipur prompted a coordinated law enforcement response.

Authorities say the current phase will continue until stability is restored, though human rights groups have urged transparency and due process in the ongoing arrests.

Bangladesh’s elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-7) has arrested Shahidul Islam, known locally as Buissha and described as a key lieutenant of notorious Chattogram gangster Boro Sajjad. The arrest took place on Saturday night near Finlay Square in the city’s 2 No. Gate area, where Buissha was intercepted while riding a motorcycle. RAB officials said he attempted to draw a pistol before being subdued.

According to RAB sources, Buissha had long been involved in extortion, intimidation, and armed operations across Chattogram. He allegedly managed field operations for Sajjad’s network, which has been linked to violent incidents targeting construction sites and business owners. Multiple criminal cases under the Arms Act and extortion laws are pending against him.

Authorities described the arrest as a major breakthrough amid rising public concern over recent shootings and open weapon displays in the city. Investigators are now questioning Buissha to trace the group’s arms supply chain and identify other members. RAB said he will be handed over to local police following legal procedures.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is grappling with uncertainty over player selection for an alternative cricket tournament after eight teams withdrew from the Dhaka First Division Cricket League, reducing it from 20 to 12 teams. Many players who had registered or were waiting to be signed are now unable to participate, prompting them to submit a memorandum to the BCB seeking opportunities to play.

The confusion stems from the ‘token’ system, which serves as a transfer permit for players switching clubs. This season, players from lower divisions also collected tokens hoping to play in the First Division, complicating the selection process. The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) plans to present the tournament proposal at the BCB board meeting on December 24 and will consult the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) for guidelines.

BCB will cover all expenses for the new tournament but is exploring sponsorships to offset costs. However, officials indicated that player remuneration will likely be lower than in the regular First Division League.

A group of Hindu extremists under the banner of Akhand Hindu Rashtrasena staged a violent protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Saturday night, issuing death threats against High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah. Witnesses said around 20 to 25 protesters breached multiple security layers in the diplomatic Chanakyapuri area before chanting anti-Bangladesh slogans and threatening to shoot the envoy. Security personnel reportedly did not intervene, leaving the High Commissioner and his family in a vulnerable position.

Diplomatic sources in both capitals described the incident as unprecedented, questioning how protesters could access such a heavily guarded zone without authorization. The Bangladesh interim government has taken the matter seriously, considering temporary suspension of visa services in Delhi and Agartala as a possible response. The attack follows the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, a Bangladeshi activist, which has already strained bilateral relations.

The episode adds to escalating tensions between the two neighbors, marked by reciprocal diplomatic summons and increased border friction. Analysts warn that the incident could further complicate India-Bangladesh relations, already under pressure from political and security disputes.

Manchester City reclaimed the top spot in the Premier League with a commanding 3–0 victory over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium. Erling Haaland scored twice, in the 5th and 69th minutes, while Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders added another to seal the win. City controlled 66% of possession, registering 17 shots with eight on target, reflecting their attacking dominance under Pep Guardiola.

The match marked another milestone for Haaland, who surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo’s Premier League goal tally, reaching 104 goals—one more than Ronaldo’s 103—despite playing 122 fewer matches. The Norwegian striker also reached 200 goal contributions across Europe’s top five leagues, combining 166 goals and 35 assists. His season total now stands at 19 goals.

With this win, City moved to 37 points from 17 matches, one ahead of Arsenal, who have a game in hand. West Ham’s struggles continued under Nuno Espírito Santo, losing 10 of their 17 league fixtures so far.

Police have converted the attempted murder case of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of the July Revolution’s Inquilab Manch, into a homicide investigation following his death from gunshot wounds sustained on December 12. The application for conversion was submitted to a Dhaka court on Saturday, which subsequently directed that the case be investigated as a murder. Detective Branch Inspector Faisal Ahmed of the Motijheel zonal team has been assigned to lead the probe.

The original case was filed on December 14 by Inquilab Manch’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, naming Faisal Karim Masud and several unidentified suspects. The case was later transferred from Paltan Police Station to the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch. Law enforcement agencies have so far arrested 14 individuals in connection with the incident.

Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive, but investigators are focusing on possible political links and internal disputes. The case’s progression to a murder investigation is expected to intensify scrutiny of political violence and law enforcement accountability in the capital.