Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested Humayun, the father of Faisal Karim Masud, the prime suspect in the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho and an independent aspirant for Dhaka-8 constituency. The arrest took place in Narsingdi at Faisal’s in-laws’ residence, according to a RAB press release issued late Tuesday night.

Authorities reported that three firearms believed to have been used in the attempted murder were recovered from a pond near the location. The arrest follows an ongoing investigation into the December attack on Hadi, which sparked public concern over political violence ahead of the upcoming national elections. RAB officials stated that efforts are continuing to locate Faisal Karim Masud, who remains at large.

The incident has drawn attention to rising tensions among independent and party-affiliated candidates in Dhaka. Security agencies have increased surveillance in politically sensitive areas, while election observers have urged restraint and impartial investigation into all politically motivated attacks.

Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has recovered two magazines, 11 bullets, and several documents from the house of Faisal Karim Masud’s sister in Agargaon, Dhaka. Faisal is the prime suspect in the attempted murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8. The raid, conducted Tuesday night, followed analysis of CCTV footage and intelligence inputs.

According to RAB, the operation also led to the seizure of a knife, multiple passports, checkbooks, and electronic devices. CCTV footage reportedly showed Faisal, his associate Alamgir, and family members handling items near the building shortly after the shooting incident. The case, initially filed at Paltan Police Station, has since been transferred to the Detective Branch (DB) for further investigation.

Hadi was shot last Friday while campaigning in Purana Paltan and later flown to Singapore for advanced treatment. The recovery of ammunition near Faisal’s family home has intensified scrutiny of the suspect’s network and raised questions about political violence ahead of the upcoming election.

Bangladesh has witnessed widespread outrage following the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha and an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 in the upcoming parliamentary election. Hadi was shot last Friday while campaigning in Paltan and later transferred to Singapore General Hospital after his condition worsened. The attack has sparked protests, prayer gatherings, and social media campaigns demanding justice and accountability.

Political and civic groups have condemned the daylight attack as a threat to democratic participation. University leaders, activists, and cultural figures expressed solidarity, calling Hadi a symbol of anti-fascist resistance. Dhaka University’s student leaders warned that the incident raises serious concerns about candidate safety and election credibility. Despite public pressure, no suspects have been arrested yet.

Observers say the shooting underscores growing political tension ahead of the national polls. Calls are mounting for the interim government to ensure security for all candidates and to investigate the political motives behind the attack. The nation continues to follow Hadi’s recovery closely, with prayers and vigils ongoing across the country.

Bangladesh’s joint security forces have arrested 2,433 people across the country in four days under a special drive titled “Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2.” The operation, launched Saturday evening, aims to recover illegal firearms and curb political violence ahead of the upcoming national elections. According to police headquarters, 12 firearms and various ammunition were seized during the raids.

Officials said the decision to launch the operation followed the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency. The Home Ministry’s core committee on law and order approved the campaign to ensure a peaceful electoral environment. Police and army units are jointly conducting the raids.

Authorities claim the operation is essential to maintain stability before the polls, though human rights groups have previously expressed concerns about mass arrests. The drive is expected to continue in the coming days as law enforcement intensifies surveillance and weapons recovery efforts nationwide.

A 110-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty collapsed in Guaíba, southern Brazil, during a powerful storm on Monday afternoon. The statue, located in the parking lot of a Havan retail store near a fast-food restaurant, was severely damaged as strong winds caused it to sway and eventually break apart. Authorities confirmed that no injuries or fatalities occurred.

According to NDTV, the replica was one of several similar installations across Brazil, symbolizing the retail chain’s brand identity. The upper 24 meters of the structure were destroyed, while the 11-meter base remained intact. Havan stated that the statue, installed in 2020, had all required technical certifications. Following the collapse, the area was cordoned off to ensure public safety, and cleanup operations began within hours.

Local officials are assessing the extent of the damage and reviewing safety standards for similar structures nationwide. The incident highlights growing concerns about infrastructure resilience amid increasingly severe weather patterns in southern Brazil.

The Vice-Chancellor of Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), Professor Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam, came under sharp criticism after organizing the university’s Victory Day celebration with participation from teachers and students allegedly aligned with Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir. The event, held on December 16, was boycotted by BNP-leaning teachers and students, who staged protests and later held a separate celebration.

Led by Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. S.M. Hemayet Jahan, the protesting group accused the Vice-Chancellor of dishonoring the spirit of the Liberation War by involving individuals linked to anti-liberation forces. Demonstrators chanted slogans near the campus health center, calling for the removal of those they labeled as collaborators. In response, Dr. Rafiqul Islam defended his actions, stating that the event was a national program open to all members of the university community.

The incident underscores persistent political divisions within public universities in Bangladesh, where ideological affiliations often influence campus activities. University authorities have yet to announce any formal inquiry into the dispute.

The Government of Bangladesh has successfully completed the printing and distribution of 100 percent of pre-primary and primary-level textbooks for the current academic year ahead of Victory Day. The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) led the massive operation, marking one of the fastest and most comprehensive textbook deliveries in recent years.

According to a press release signed by Education Ministry spokesperson Khalid Mahmud, the achievement was made possible through coordinated efforts among printing houses, transport agencies, and NCTB officials. Over 850 million textbooks were printed and prepared before the academic year began, ensuring that all students from grades one to five will receive new books on time.

Officials described the completion as a milestone in Bangladesh’s education sector, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving primary education quality. The Education Ministry expressed hope that this timely delivery will enhance classroom readiness and strengthen the country’s education-friendly image globally.

Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies have launched a manhunt for Philip Snal, suspected of helping two men accused in the shooting of Osman Hadi to cross into India. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) confirmed the arrest of two of Snal’s associates, Sanjay Chisim and Sibiron Dio, from the Haluaghat border area in Mymensingh. Both detainees are alleged members of a human trafficking network operating along the Bangladesh-India frontier.

Officials said the suspects may have assisted Hadi’s attackers, Faisal and Alamgir, in fleeing through underground tunnels beneath the border fence. CCTV footage from nearby areas failed to capture their movements, complicating the investigation. Local residents reported that Snal, who frequently traveled between Bangladesh and India, has been missing since last week.

Authorities continue joint operations by police and BGB to locate Snal and verify whether the attackers have entered India. The case underscores persistent challenges in securing porous border zones and combating illegal cross-border networks.

Bangladesh Bank has directed all scheduled banks to maintain uninterrupted services for replacing torn, damaged, or soiled banknotes. The central bank issued a circular through its Department of Currency Management, warning that any negligence in complying with the directive will lead to action against the concerned banks. The move aims to ensure that citizens can easily exchange unfit notes without disruption across all bank branches.

According to the circular, if more than 90% of a note remains intact and its security features are identifiable, banks must provide full value even if the note is unfit for circulation. Notes torn into two pieces must be attached to thin white paper for identification before submission. Notes deemed claimable will be sent to the nearest Bangladesh Bank office for verification, with payment decisions made within eight weeks. Customers must bear postal or courier costs, while burnt notes must be submitted directly to the central bank’s claim desk.

The circular also requires branches to display visible notices about this service and to report monthly data on note exchanges to Bangladesh Bank to enhance transparency and accountability in cash transactions.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has issued an urgent directive instructing all educational institutions across Bangladesh to organize sports, co-curricular, and cultural competitions throughout the year. The notice, signed by Deputy Director Professor Md. Shahidul Islam, outlines events such as football, volleyball, chess, cricket, and running under sports categories, while debate, quiz, and speech contests fall under co-curricular activities.

Cultural competitions will include Quran recitation, Nazrul and Rabindra songs, folk music, solo acting, dance, and graffiti drawing. The DSHE emphasized that such activities complement academic learning and play a vital role in students’ holistic development. Institutions have been asked to arrange these events on a house-based system, integrating them with regular class schedules.

The initiative aims to make school and college environments more dynamic and engaging, fostering teamwork, creativity, and leadership among students. Activities are set to begin in January and continue throughout the academic year.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised Ahmed Al Ahmed, a Muslim man injured while stopping a gunman during the Bondi Beach shooting, calling him a “national hero.” Visiting Al Ahmed at St. George Hospital in Sydney, the prime minister thanked the 43-year-old father of two for his bravery and self-sacrifice, saying his actions symbolized national unity in the face of terror.

Police said Al Ahmed tackled one of the attackers, disarmed him, and forced his surrender despite being shot multiple times. The assault, carried out by a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son, left 15 people dead and 42 injured. Authorities have declared the incident a terrorist attack and are investigating possible motives and links.

Albanese urged Australians to reject fear and division, emphasizing solidarity against extremism. Vigils and candlelight gatherings were held across Sydney to honor the victims, as the nation mourns one of its deadliest public attacks in recent years.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) conducted a special operation across Pallabi and Uttara areas, arresting 31 individuals allegedly involved in various criminal activities. According to a DMP press release issued on Tuesday, 17 suspects were detained from Pallabi, 16 from Uttara East, and 14 from Uttara West police station areas. The arrests targeted individuals accused in regular cases, drug-related crimes, and those with outstanding warrants.

Police officials stated that the operation was part of an ongoing effort to maintain law and order in the capital. The arrested individuals include known offenders with prior criminal records, and investigations are underway to determine their involvement in recent incidents. Authorities emphasized that such drives will continue to curb rising urban crime and ensure public safety.

The DMP reiterated its commitment to sustaining these operations as part of a broader strategy to strengthen community security and deter organized criminal networks in Dhaka’s densely populated neighborhoods.

At least 20 activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami were reportedly injured in an attack by local BNP members during a Victory Day celebration in Daulatkhan upazila of Bhola on Wednesday, December 16, 2025. The clash broke out at the Amirjang Ghaznavi Stadium over seating arrangements reserved for Jamaat leaders, with witnesses claiming that BNP activists objected to their presence and initiated the violence. Four of the injured were said to be in critical condition.

Jamaat’s upazila amir Hasan Tarek Hawlader alleged that BNP activists tore off nameplates from designated seats and launched an unprovoked assault, chanting offensive slogans. BNP leaders, however, described the incident as a misunderstanding that had since been resolved. Police confirmed that both groups sustained injuries but said no formal complaints had been filed. The upazila executive officer stated he was not present at the time and held both parties responsible.

The incident highlights persistent political tensions between BNP and Jamaat at the local level, even during national commemorations meant to foster unity.

A Dhaka court has granted a seven-day remand for Md. Kabir, an associate of fugitive suspect Faisal Karim Masud, in connection with the attempted murder of Osman Hadi. The order was issued by Metropolitan Magistrate Hasibuzzaman after a hearing on Tuesday. Kabir was arrested in Narayanganj’s Fatullah area and brought before the court, where the police sought a ten-day remand. Investigators allege Kabir owned the motorcycle used in the attack and assisted in the murder attempt.

During the hearing, Kabir claimed the motorcycle was purchased by his friend Mainuddin Islam Shuvo, using Kabir’s ID card only for registration. He also stated he had previously worked as an Uber driver and had been contacted several times by Faisal Karim Masud for errands. Meanwhile, Faisal’s wife, friend, and brother-in-law are already on five-day remand, and another suspect, Abdul Hannan, is on three-day remand under Section 54.

Police continue to investigate the motive and network behind the attack, which has drawn public attention due to the involvement of multiple associates and the use of false ownership documents.

Australian authorities are investigating conflicting reports about the nationality of the gunman involved in the deadly Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney. The attacker, identified as Sajid Akram, was killed at the scene, while his 24-year-old son, Navid Akram, remains hospitalized. Initial social media claims described the suspect as Pakistani, but no official documentation has confirmed that nationality.

Philippine immigration officials revealed that Sajid and Navid Akram spent most of November 2025 in the Philippines, entering the country from Sydney on November 1. Sajid reportedly declared himself as an Indian citizen upon entry, while his son held Australian citizenship. They departed the Philippines on November 28 for Sydney, days before the attack.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that investigations are ongoing into the pair’s background, motives, and citizenship status. Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation until the inquiry concludes, noting that no verified evidence yet supports claims of Pakistani citizenship.