Thousands of people gathered at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka on Saturday morning to attend the funeral prayer of Sharif Osman Hadi, the convener of Inqilab Mancha. The South Plaza of the National Parliament Building turned into a sea of mourners as people arrived from the capital and surrounding districts to pay their last respects.

Law enforcement agencies, including police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), maintained strict security and crowd control measures. Attendees were allowed entry through multiple gates after security checks. Many mourners wore black badges to express grief, while others carried national flags to honor Hadi’s patriotism. Families, including women and children, were seen joining the gathering.

Authorities reported that the event remained peaceful despite the massive turnout. Hadi’s colleagues and supporters expressed deep sorrow, describing his death as a significant loss for the movement he led. Following the funeral, emotional prayers were held before his burial.

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Matvei Safonov suffered a broken hand during his heroic performance in the Intercontinental Cup final against Brazil’s Flamengo. Despite the injury, Safonov saved four penalties in the shootout, leading PSG to a 2–1 victory and securing the club’s first-ever global title. The match ended in a draw during regular time before the dramatic penalty decider.

PSG coach Luis Enrique confirmed on Friday that the injury likely occurred during the third penalty save, though Safonov continued playing without realizing the severity due to adrenaline. “It’s unbelievable — he stopped the last two shots with a fractured hand,” Enrique said, praising the goalkeeper’s commitment and mental strength. Medical staff will reassess Safonov’s condition in three to four weeks.

The injury casts uncertainty over PSG’s upcoming fixtures, with the club expected to rely on backup options in goal. Safonov’s resilience, however, has been widely lauded as a symbol of PSG’s determination during their historic triumph.

The funeral prayer for Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha and a key figure in the July Revolution, will be led by his elder brother Abu Bakar Siddiq. Following the prayer, Hadi will be laid to rest beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam in Dhaka. The arrangements were confirmed by Dr. Abdul Ahad, resident physician at Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s neurosurgery department and member secretary of the National Health Alliance.

Hadi’s body was taken to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital for autopsy before being returned to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases. He died in Singapore last Thursday while undergoing treatment for a gunshot wound sustained on December 12 in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area, when he was shot in the head from a moving motorcycle. Despite surgeries and airlifting to Singapore for advanced care, he succumbed to his injuries.

His death has sparked widespread mourning among supporters and political activists, with many attending the funeral draped in national flags. Authorities have yet to release updates on the investigation into the shooting.

India’s Ministry of Defence is finalizing a proposal to acquire 850 kamikaze drones for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and special forces at an estimated cost of ₹2,000 crore. The Defense Acquisition Council is expected to approve the purchase in its upcoming meeting later this December, after which procurement will begin.

According to reports from the Economic Times citing ministry sources, the move follows India’s successful use of combat drones during ‘Operation Sindoor’ against Pakistan in May. Senior defense officials told ANI that drones proved highly effective during that operation, prompting the armed forces to expand their drone arsenal across all branches. Kamikaze drones, also known as loitering munitions, are designed to strike targets and self-destruct upon impact.

Analysts view this procurement as part of India’s broader modernization strategy to strengthen precision strike capabilities and reduce battlefield risks. The integration of autonomous navigation and target recognition technologies in these drones could significantly enhance India’s tactical flexibility in future conflicts.

Thousands of people converged on Dhaka’s Manik Mia Avenue on Saturday to attend the funeral prayer of Hadi, whose death has sparked widespread mourning and political emotion. From early morning, streams of mourners arrived from the capital and surrounding districts, filling the avenue with chants honoring Hadi and demanding justice for his killing. Participants carried national flags and wore black badges as symbols of grief and solidarity.

Security forces maintained strict order, checking entrants at multiple gates to ensure safety. Witnesses reported a diverse turnout, including women, children, and elderly citizens, reflecting the broad public resonance of Hadi’s death. Many attendees described the event as both a religious and patriotic gathering.

The massive turnout underscores the depth of public sentiment surrounding Hadi’s legacy and the political implications of his death. Authorities have not yet released further details on the investigation, but observers expect heightened public attention and possible demonstrations in the coming days.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called on people across Bangladesh to attend the funeral of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inqilab Moncho, setting aside political and ideological differences. Returning from London early on Saturday, Dr. Rahman visited the hospital to view Hadi’s body and later shared his appeal on his verified Facebook page, describing Hadi as a symbol of the nation’s sovereignty.

In his message, Dr. Rahman expressed deep sorrow and prayed for strength for Hadi’s family and the nation. He emphasized that Hadi belonged to no particular party or ideology but represented the collective spirit of Bangladesh. His call for unity resonated with many social media users and political observers, who viewed it as a rare gesture of inclusivity amid a polarized political climate.

The funeral, expected to draw large crowds, may serve as a moment of national reflection. Analysts suggest that such appeals for unity could influence future political discourse, especially as Bangladesh navigates ongoing social and ideological divisions.

Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent activist and spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha, died in a Singapore hospital after being shot during an election campaign in Dhaka on December 12. Hadi, who was also a potential candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency, succumbed to his injuries after six days of critical care. His death has sparked nationwide grief and protests, with many in the arts and entertainment community expressing sorrow and outrage.

Actors and filmmakers including Nusrat Imrose Tisha, Siam Ahmed, Rukaiya Jahan Chamak, Nasir Uddin Khan, and Ashfaque Nipun shared emotional tributes on social media, describing Hadi as a symbol of courage and freedom. Several posts questioned the state of free speech and political violence in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, protests and arson incidents have erupted across the country, prompting concerns over escalating unrest.

Cultural figures have urged restraint and unity, warning against destructive demonstrations. Calls for justice and accountability continue to grow as the nation grapples with the political and social implications of Hadi’s death.

The autopsy of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of the Inqilab Manch and a key figure in the July Revolution movement, has been completed at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital. Following the procedure, his body was transferred back to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) morgue in Dhaka for preservation, according to Dr. Abdul Ahad of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Hadi had been under treatment in Singapore after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head on December 12 during a public outreach event in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. Despite multiple surgeries in Bangladesh and abroad, he succumbed to his injuries on December 18. His body was flown back to Dhaka the following evening.

Authorities have not yet released details of the autopsy findings. Political activists and supporters have expressed grief, while calls for a thorough investigation into the shooting continue. Funeral arrangements are expected to follow pending official procedures.

The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned a drone attack on a UN peacekeeping base in Sudan’s South Kordofan region that killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injured nine others. The attack, which occurred on December 13 at the Kadugli logistics base of the UN mission, was reportedly carried out by a separatist armed group.

In a statement issued Friday, the Council expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Bangladesh. It emphasized that attacks on UN personnel and facilities pose a serious threat to international peace and security and may constitute war crimes under international law. The Council urged that those responsible be held accountable without delay.

The statement also called for enhanced cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan to ensure the safety of peacekeepers and the stability of the region. Bangladesh, one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, has lost several personnel in similar attacks in recent years.

The United States has imposed sanctions on 29 ships and their management companies allegedly involved in transporting Iranian crude oil and petroleum products. The US Treasury Department stated that these vessels, described as part of Iran’s 'ghost fleet,' used deceptive practices to move hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of oil in violation of existing sanctions. The ships are reportedly old, with opaque ownership structures and documentation that fails to meet international port standards.

Washington said the move aims to curb Tehran’s funding sources for its nuclear program and regional militant groups. Iran, however, insists its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes. The new sanctions come amid heightened tensions following five rounds of failed indirect nuclear talks and a 12-day air conflict in June, during which US and Israeli forces targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.

Analysts say the sanctions could further strain global energy markets and complicate diplomatic efforts to revive nuclear negotiations. The Iranian mission to the United Nations has not commented on the latest measures.

Bangladesh is observing a day of national mourning following the death of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha, who succumbed to gunshot injuries sustained in an attack earlier this month. National flags are being flown at half-mast across all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private institutions, as well as at Bangladeshi missions abroad. The interim government’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, announced the mourning in a televised address, calling Hadi’s death an irreparable loss to the nation’s political and democratic landscape.

Hadi was shot in the head by two assailants on a motorcycle in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on December 12, a day after the announcement of the 13th National Election and referendum schedule. He was initially treated in Dhaka before being transferred to Singapore General Hospital, where he died on Thursday night. His body was flown back to Dhaka on Friday evening. The funeral prayer is scheduled for Saturday at Manik Mia Avenue, followed by burial beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. Nationwide protests have erupted demanding justice for his killing.

A group of unidentified assailants attacked the residence of Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, chairman of a faction of the Jatiya Party and former Member of Parliament, in Hathazari upazila of Chattogram late Friday night. The attackers reportedly arrived by car around 11:45 p.m., broke through the main gate, and set fire to the house, destroying furniture, valuables, and a private vehicle belonging to Mahmud’s uncle, Akbar Haydar Chowdhury.

Chowdhury, who was at the house at the time, said he called the national emergency number 999 but received no response before the fire consumed the property. Police and fire service units arrived later but found most of the house already burned. Hathazari Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zahidul Islam confirmed the incident and stated that efforts are underway to identify and apprehend those responsible.

Authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the attack. The incident has raised security concerns in the area, with local residents urging stronger law enforcement presence and faster emergency response mechanisms.

The bodies of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed in a terrorist drone strike in Sudan’s Abyei region have arrived in Dhaka. The aircraft carrying the remains landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday morning, where military officials received them with full honors. The soldiers were serving under the United Nations peacekeeping mission when their base at Kadugli Logistics was attacked on December 13 by an armed separatist group.

According to the Bangladesh Army, nine other peacekeepers were injured in the incident, though all are now out of danger and receiving medical care. One has already been discharged from hospital. The fallen soldiers include Corporal Masud Rana and five others from various districts across Bangladesh. The army expressed deep condolences to their families and reaffirmed its commitment to global peacekeeping efforts.

The attack highlights growing security risks for UN missions in conflict zones such as Sudan, where drone warfare has become increasingly common. Bangladesh, one of the largest troop contributors to UN peacekeeping, is expected to review safety protocols for its deployed personnel.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard conducted a special midnight operation near Dhalghata in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, seizing 450 bags of cement allegedly being smuggled to Myanmar. The operation, carried out by the Matarbari station team based on confidential intelligence, led to the arrest of eight suspected traffickers and the confiscation of a fishing boat used in the illegal trade.

Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haque, the Coast Guard’s media officer, confirmed the seizure on Saturday morning, stating that the cement—worth approximately 225,000 Bangladeshi taka—was being transported to evade customs duties. Legal proceedings against the detainees are underway, and the seized materials have been taken into custody for further investigation.

Authorities emphasized that the Coast Guard will continue intensified operations to curb cross-border smuggling in the Bay of Bengal region, a persistent challenge for coastal law enforcement agencies.

A new study published in the journal *Mobile DNA* reveals that polar bears are undergoing genetic changes that may help them adapt to global warming. Researchers from the University of East Anglia analyzed blood samples from 17 polar bears in northeast and southeast Greenland and found increased activity of so-called 'jumping genes'—mobile DNA elements that influence other genes’ functions.

The study found that rising temperatures have dramatically boosted the activity of these genes in southeastern Greenland bears, altering genetic pathways linked to metabolism, thermal stress, and food processing. Lead researcher Dr. Alice Godden said the findings suggest a potential genetic blueprint for adaptation to warmer environments, though she cautioned that this does not eliminate extinction risks.

Scientists see the discovery as a sign of evolutionary resilience but stress that reducing carbon emissions remains crucial. Without slowing global warming, genetic adaptation alone may not be enough to secure the species’ survival through the century.