Bangladeshi cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, who previously contested the 12th National Parliamentary Election as an Awami League candidate, has expressed deep sorrow over the suffering of children affected by recent violence. On Thursday, December 25, he posted on his official Facebook page, mourning the deaths of several children and urging collective responsibility to ensure a better future for them. He also extended Christmas greetings at the end of his message.

The post follows a period of public criticism directed at Shakib for his silence during last year’s student and public movements and other violent incidents across the country. Critics argue that his sudden humanitarian message may be an attempt to mask a perceived lack of political neutrality.

The statement marks a rare public reflection from Shakib on social issues, contrasting with his earlier avoidance of political commentary.

Police detained a Jubo League leader named Russel Pathan at the Benapole International Checkpost immigration point on Thursday afternoon while he was allegedly attempting to flee to India. The arrest took place around 12:30 p.m. after immigration officials found his name on the stop list during passport verification. Pathan identified himself as the joint convener of the Mymensingh Metropolitan Jubo League.

According to police, Russel Pathan is accused in two sabotage cases filed with Mymensingh Kotwali Police Station. He is the son of Abdur Razzak Pathan from Sankipara village in Mymensingh Sadar upazila. The Benapole Checkpost Immigration Officer-in-Charge, Sakhawat Hossain, confirmed that Pathan was detained due to his name appearing on the stop list.

After initial questioning, police handed him over to Benapole Port Police Station, from where he was later sent to the Jashore court for further legal proceedings.

Indian Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has defended India’s decision to allow former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to remain in the country following her ouster in the July revolution. Speaking to the Indian news agency ANI on Wednesday, Tharoor said India acted in the spirit of humanity by not forcing Hasina’s return, describing her as a long-time friend of India. He emphasized that India could not send back someone who had maintained a close friendship with the country for many years.

Tharoor noted that extradition matters involve complex legal provisions and treaties understood by only a few experts. He added that while the government should make the final decision, India should continue to provide Hasina with safety and hospitality until the legal and diplomatic issues are fully examined.

His remarks came amid renewed tensions between India and Bangladesh following the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Dhaka’s Inquilab Mancha, an incident that has strained bilateral relations.

The political platform Inqilab Manch has announced nationwide prayers and protest rallies on Friday, December 26, seeking justice for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi, a key organizer of the July uprising and spokesperson for the group, was shot on December 12 while campaigning in Dhaka’s Paltan area. He later died on December 18 in Singapore General Hospital after being transferred from Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

The organization made the call Thursday night via its official Facebook page, urging supporters to join prayers for Hadi’s soul and to demand the arrest and trial of his killers. Hadi’s funeral on December 20 drew an estimated one million mourners at the National Parliament’s South Plaza, reflecting widespread public grief.

Despite the passage of two weeks since the shooting and a week since Hadi’s death, authorities have yet to report significant progress in identifying or arresting the perpetrators, raising concerns about accountability and political violence in Bangladesh.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Abu Sadiq Kayem alleged that groups aligned with the ruling Awami League and foreign interests have resorted to planned assassinations. He made the claim in a verified Facebook post on Thursday night, citing the recent killing of Sharif Osman Hadi as an example. Kayem’s post came on the eve of the Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central members’ conference, scheduled to take place at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center.

In his statement, Kayem said that under previous administrations, Shibir had been denied permission to hold public conferences, forcing the organization to conduct leadership elections online. He described the upcoming 2025 conference as a continuation of the group’s struggle and a symbolic step toward fulfilling the aspirations of its fallen members. He also asserted that Shibir activists had faced severe repression, including killings, disappearances, and assaults, throughout Bangladesh’s political history.

Kayem called on supporters to remain committed to the movement’s goals and expressed hope that participants traveling to Dhaka for the conference would arrive safely.

Bangladesh’s joint security forces conducted a series of coordinated operations across the country from December 18 to 25, recovering 13 illegal firearms and arresting 21 individuals. The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) announced the results in a statement released on Thursday, noting that the raids were carried out under various army infantry divisions and independent brigades in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies in Dhaka and other regions.

According to the ISPR, those detained include suspected terrorists, drug dealers, addicts, robbers, members of juvenile gangs, and smugglers. In addition to the firearms, authorities seized 114 rounds of ammunition, explosives, narcotics, and sharp weapons. The arrested individuals were handed over to local police stations for interrogation and legal proceedings.

The coordinated crackdown reflects ongoing efforts by Bangladesh’s security agencies to curb illegal arms possession and organized criminal activity across the country.

After 17 years abroad, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh and addressed a massive reception at Purbachal’s ‘36 July Expressway’ on Thursday, December 25, 2025. In his 16‑minute speech, he outlined his vision for a secure and discrimination‑free Bangladesh, promising equal rights and safety for all citizens regardless of religion or background. He called for national unity and collective effort to rebuild the country on democratic and economic foundations.

Rahman recalled key moments in Bangladesh’s political history, including the 1971 Liberation War, the 1975 and 1990 movements, and recent struggles in 2024. He honored those who lost their lives for democracy and sovereignty, mentioning slain activist Osman Hadi. He urged the youth to take leadership in shaping the nation’s future and emphasized patience and peace in the face of provocation.

Concluding his address, Rahman asked for prayers for his mother, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, and appealed to all citizens to maintain peace and discipline while working together toward a just and safe Bangladesh.

A shocking incident in Eidgaon, Cox’s Bazar, has raised serious allegations against local police officers who allegedly framed an innocent autorickshaw driver, Jafar Alam, in a false weapons case. The event, which occurred on October 13, was captured on nearby CCTV cameras showing police officers planting a firearm in Jafar’s vehicle while he was sent to buy water. Moments later, he was arrested and forced to pose with the weapon for photographs. The operation was reportedly led by Sub-Inspector Badiul Alam, known for previous controversies, along with two constables.

According to Jafar’s family, the incident was an act of revenge after they filed an eve-teasing case against local miscreants. His wife claimed police took money to frame him, while his daughter described ongoing harassment by the same group. Locals alleged that influential youths have long manipulated police actions in the area. Additional Superintendent of Police Alok Biswas confirmed after reviewing the footage that Jafar was indeed framed and promised strict action.

Badiul Alam has faced multiple prior accusations, including extortion and wrongful arrests, but had avoided punishment due to lack of evidence. Authorities now say the CCTV proof leaves little room for impunity.

The National Citizens Party (NCP), known as the July fighters’ group, has formally decided to form an electoral alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, according to party sources. Discussions on seat-sharing between the two parties are already underway, and a formal announcement of the alliance could come soon. Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad confirmed that talks with NCP are in progress and that several other parties have also reached out to Jamaat.

An NCP joint convener, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the party passed a resolution approving the alliance and assigned its president and secretary to handle communications. The move has sparked discussions among eight other parties already engaged in seat-sharing talks with Jamaat, as NCP’s inclusion may require adjustments in seat allocations.

Former student leader Abdul Kader criticized the decision on social media, calling it a betrayal of youth politics. He claimed NCP initially sought 50 seats but settled for 30, agreeing not to field candidates in the remaining 270 constituencies where it would support Jamaat candidates.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami convened a preparatory meeting of its Grand Rally Implementation Committee at the party’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka, ahead of a major rally scheduled for January 3. The meeting, chaired by Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, focused on ensuring the successful organization of the event, which aims to promote social awareness amid the country’s evolving political situation.

During the session, committee members reviewed logistical and organizational aspects of the rally and formed several subcommittees to oversee specific responsibilities. Senior leaders including Maulana ATM Masum, Maulana Abdul Halim, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, and Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud were among those present. The participants emphasized coordination and community engagement to maximize turnout and impact.

The upcoming rally is expected to serve as a key platform for Jamaat-e-Islami to demonstrate its organizational strength and political relevance. Party officials expressed optimism about broad participation and concluded the meeting with prayers for the event’s success.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief coordinator for the southern region of the National Citizen Party (NCP), described the return of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman as a significant achievement in Bangladesh’s continuous democratic movement. He made the statement on Thursday through a verified Facebook post, emphasizing that Rahman’s homecoming after nearly fifteen years of exile should not be viewed as a personal or organizational success but as a collective democratic victory.

In his post, Abdullah argued that Rahman’s return demonstrates that a Bangladeshi citizen’s right to return home cannot be permanently suppressed by state power. He linked the event to the sacrifices of countless martyrs and the emergence of a new political reality shaped by public movements. Abdullah also expressed hope for a Bangladesh where differing political opinions are treated as rights, not crimes, and where democracy ensures freedom of expression and fair political competition.

He concluded that Rahman’s return would strengthen multiparty democracy and called for mutual respect and coexistence among political forces in the evolving national landscape.

The Indian Army has introduced a new social media policy restricting its personnel from posting, liking, or commenting on Instagram. Soldiers will now be allowed to use the platform solely for viewing and monitoring content. According to Indian media reports, the directive has been circulated across all army units and departments to enhance awareness of online trends and identify misleading or harmful content.

Officials said the move aims to prevent security breaches and protect sensitive information after several past incidents where personnel were targeted through online 'honey traps' by foreign entities. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, speaking at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue, emphasized the importance of smartphones for communication but urged caution in digital engagement. He distinguished between reacting impulsively and responding thoughtfully, underscoring that soldiers should avoid hasty online interactions.

The new policy reflects the Army’s ongoing efforts to balance operational security with the realities of modern communication, as it seeks to maintain discipline while adapting to the digital habits of younger recruits.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has returned to Bangladesh after nearly sixteen years abroad, receiving a large public reception upon arrival. Following his return, he visited his ailing mother, former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka’s Bashundhara area.

According to party sources, after taking rest from his long journey from London, Rahman will begin his official programs on Friday. His schedule includes visiting the grave of his father, former President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, followed by paying tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar. On Saturday, he is expected to go to the Election Commission in Agargaon to register as a voter and potential candidate for the upcoming elections.

Later, Rahman will visit the Dhaka University campus to pay respects at the graves of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and martyr Osman Hadi, before visiting the National Orthopedic Hospital to meet those injured in the July uprising. His return marks a significant political moment for the BNP ahead of the national polls.

India has successfully test-fired a medium-range K-4 ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads from the INS Arighat submarine in the Bay of Bengal. The launch took place off the coast of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on Tuesday, according to NDTV. The K-4 missile can strike targets up to 3,500 kilometers away, marking a significant step in India’s strategic deterrence capabilities.

Commissioned into the Indian Navy on August 29, 2024, the K-4 missile makes India one of the few nations able to launch nuclear weapons from land, air, and sea. The missile, designed to carry a 2.5-ton nuclear payload, is India’s second-longest-range system after the land-based Agni-III. The test comes amid heightened diplomatic tension between India and Bangladesh, drawing regional attention to India’s expanding naval strength.

Defense analysts suggest the test underscores India’s commitment to maintaining a credible nuclear triad. However, observers warn that such demonstrations could further strain relations with neighboring countries and intensify regional security concerns in South Asia.

A 19-year-old Muslim construction worker from West Bengal, Jewel Rana, was beaten to death in Odisha’s Sambalpur district on Wednesday night after being accused of being Bangladeshi. Two of his coworkers were also assaulted and hospitalized. Police have arrested six suspects and launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred in the Danipali area under Ainthapalli police station.

Witnesses said the attackers demanded identification before assaulting the workers, forcing them to chant religious slogans. Migrant worker organizations and human rights advocates have linked the killing to a broader pattern of mob violence targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims, allegedly fueled by recent government directives to identify and deport undocumented Bangladeshis and Rohingyas.

The case has reignited debate over communal tensions and migrant safety in India. Activists have urged both state and central authorities to address the growing trend of vigilante attacks, warning that political rhetoric and administrative inaction are emboldening extremist groups. The Odisha government has promised a thorough investigation.