DHAKA, Dec 21, 2025 (BSS) – Bangladesh team won a total of 11 medals, including one gold, six bronzes, and four technical awards at the 27th International Robot Olympiad held from December 17 to 20 at the Mantra Southport Sharks Convention Centre in Gold Coast, Australia. Abu Sayed congratulated the Bangladesh team on their success. Overall sponsorship for the participation of the Bangladesh team in this international competition was provided by the ICT Division and the Department of ICT. Over the past 8 years, the Bangladesh team has won a total of 94 medals at the International Robot Olympiad, including 15 gold medals. This time, a 10-member team from Bangladesh took part in this international robotics festival.

File PhotoDHAKA, Dec 21, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Bank (BB) today purchased US$60 million from four commercial banks through multiple auction methods as part of its ongoing strategy to curb the depreciation of the US dollar against the taka and revitalise the remittance and export sectors. According to central bank data, it bought dollars today at the rate of Tk 122.30. Accordingly, total purchases stood at $805 million in December 2025 and $2,931.50 million in FY 2025–26 to date.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday called upon all political parties that believe in democracy, including the BNP, to remain united in the interest of safeguarding the country’s democratic future. Tarique Rahman was virtually addressing a programme organised in Bogura to inaugurate a digital memorial in remembrance of the martyrs of the July movement at Shaheed Titu Auditorium in the city, with Bogura district BNP President Rezaul Karim Badsha in the chair. Tarique Rahman said that after 1975, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman rescued the country from the brink of destruction, while BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia later led the country out of autocratic rule and towards development. “Once again, the soldiers of these two leaders have been given the opportunity to rebuild the country from the brink of destruction,” he said. Referring to Inqilab Mancha Spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, Tarique Rahman said the July martyr stood firmly in favour of democracy and believed in electoral politics.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed solidarity with the 24-hour ultimatum issued by Inqilab Mancha, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, urged the government to clarify its position and swiftly apprehend and prosecute Hadi’s killers. He made the remarks while addressing a prayer gathering at Al-Falah Hall in Mogbazar on Sunday, organised by Jamaat-e-Islami to commemorate the martyrdom of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson and July Movement activist Sharif Osman Hadi. Parwar described Hadi as a courageous revolutionary who sacrificed his life with dignity. Hadi’s elder brother, Omar bin Hadi, also addressed the gathering, calling on citizens to continue his brother’s unfinished revolutionary mission and uphold the struggle for justice and equality.

Two close aide of prime suspects in Hadi shooting on 5-day remand againFile PhotoDHAKA, Dec 21, 2025 (BSS) - A court here today further put two youths - Sibion Dew, 32, and Sanjay Chisim, 22, who allegedly aided Hadi’s murderers to flee to India through illegal routes- were put on fresh five-day remand for more quizzing in connection with the Sharif Osman Hadi shooting case. Earlier on December 18, Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam granted them a three-day remand in a case filed over the attempted murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of Inqilab Mancha. The two remanded accused have directly assisted the alleged prime suspects, Faisal Karim Masud Rahul Dawood, 37, and his accomplice, in fleeing to India illegally, according to evidence and technical assistance, the IO mentioned. According to the case statement, on December 12 at around 2:20 pm, Osman Hadi came under attack while returning from Motijheel Mosque after offering Jumma prayers and concluding an election campaign. Assailants riding a motorbike allegedly opened fire at him on Box Culvert Road under Paltan Police Station and fled the scene.

Police have received permission to take Sibyoun Diu and Sanjay Chisim back into custody for another five days of questioning in connection to the shooting of Inqilab Moncho Convenor Sharif Osman bin Hadi. Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sefatullah passed the order after hearing the application from the investigating officer on Sunday. The suspects were produced in court during the hearing following their initial three-day grilling. Inspector Faysal Ahmed of the Detective Branch's Motijheel zonal team, the investigating officer, requested a fresh seven days to interrogate them.

"That decision was political rather than economic," he said, pointing out that production costs remain stubbornly high.During the previous government's 16-year tenure, repeated hikes in power and energy prices failed to curb losses. "It was more or less following in the footsteps of the past Awami League government," said Hasan Mehedi, member secretary of the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development. The law allowed contracts to be awarded without tender and shielded those involved from accountability.Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina oversaw the process as power, energy and mineral resources minister. Many economists blame today's economic crisis and foreign exchange depletion on these "predatory" power sector expenses.Since January 2024 alone, fossil fuel-based plants totalling more than 2,500MW have come online, further inflating capacity charge payments. Over its tenure, the Awami League paid about Tk 1 trillion in capacity charges.Capacity charges vary by fuel type: Tk 3 per megawatt for gas-based plants, Tk 3.30 for coal-fired plants, and Tk 2.5 for oil-based facilities.

DHAKA, Dec 21, 2025 (BSS) - Joint force operations will soon be resumed at the field level to boost confidence among the general public, voters, candidates and political parties ahead of the upcoming election scheduled for February 12 next year, Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal M Sanaullah said today. "We have instructed that joint force operations will resume at the field level from now on. He added that special importance has been given to area-based checkpoint operations. Instructions have also been issued to conduct special drives in areas where there are reports of a higher presence of illegal arms. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin presided over the meeting.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Taking action when the time is right is a boss move, better odds are better odds. The stars in the coming week are ramping up into the last great opportunity days of 2025. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Efforts to build community are never wasted, don’t hesitate to roll up your sleeves and pitch in. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): As a multi-talented person, you have a variety of cards you could play. IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: Your birthday month has more gifts to offer before it’s over.

The cultural organisation Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi has said it will rely on public donations to renovate its central office hit by an arson attack, ruling out any assistance from the government or corporate organisations.In a statement issued on Sunday, Udichi Central Sangsad Acting President Mahmud Selim and General Secretary Amit Ranjan Dey said the organisation would undertake the renovation on its own initiative.They said Udichi has never relied on government grants or assistance since its establishment on Oct 29, 1968, and has no intention of doing so now. "The main strength of Udichi is the common people," the statement said. "Most of Udichi's activities are carried out through public donations collected door to door. "It said the organisation does not collect funds from private institutions except during special festivals or major events.Thousands of Udichi artists and activists at home and abroad contribute from their own earnings to sustain the organisation's regular activities, the statement added.The announcement came following a series of attacks on media and cultural institutions last week amid protests over the death of Inqilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman bin Hadi. �"bdnews24.com

"We must follow the path that martyred [political activist Sharif Osman bin] Hadi showed us against hegemony," said Akil.However, RU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Prof Farid Uddin Khan said that the deans have not resigned. On Sunday morning, RUCSU General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar went to the chambers of some "pro-Awami League" deans and teachers. However, none of the deans were at the university. "We have compiled a list of teachers who stood against the students during [the July Uprising], along with documentary evidence. " �"bdnews24.com

The Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) has blocked the main gate of the vice-chancellor's office demanding the renaming of five university buildings named after members of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's family.The buildings are the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, Sheikh Russell Tower, Bangabandhu Tower and Sultana Kamal Hostel.The protesters said students have reached a consensus to rename Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall as "Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall" and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall as "Bir Protik Sitara Begum Hall".They said an earlier proposal to rename Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall as "Felani Khatun Hall" was rejected by students of the hall.Alongside the renaming demand, the protesters also called for action against teachers and officials accused of opposing the July Uprising.On Sunday around 2:45pm, leaders and activists of the DUCSU were seen surrounding the vice-chancellor's office of Dhaka University, chanting slogans.Following the protest, the leaders submitted a memorandum to Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Sayema Haque Bidisha.Earlier on Saturday night, a crane was brought to remove the nameplate of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall and replace it with "Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall".Two graffiti of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were also removed and replaced with graffiti of Sharif Osman bin Hadi. �"bdnews24.com

About demonstration in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 20, official spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal on Sunday said there was no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time. "India continues to keep a close watch on the evolving situation in Bangladesh," he said, adding that their officials remain in touch with Bangladesh authorities and have conveyed to them their strong concerns over the attacks on the minorities. Jaiswal said they have noted misleading propaganda in sections of Bangladesh media on the incident. "The fact is that about 20-25 youth gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 20 and raised slogans in protest against the horrendous killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, while also calling for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh," he said. Jiswal said they have also urged that the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of Das be brought to justice.

Symbolic PhotoDHAKA, Dec 21, 2025 - A voter awareness campaign titled 'Vote'r Gari' (Vehicle of Vote) will begin tomorrow to encourage and motivate voters ahead of the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and the 2026 referendum. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will inaugurate the campaign through a video message at 4:30 pm tomorrow at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, according to an official handout issued today. Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed will be present at the inauguration ceremony.

The circular states that residential consumers applying for single-phase connections may install rooftop solar systems if they are interested. Consumers with an allocated load below 10 kilowatts may install rooftop solar systems as per Article 3.3 of the guidelines. Educational institutions, hospitals and charitable organizations using single-phase connections may also install rooftop solar systems if they wish. In such cases, the National Rooftop Solar Programme Policy may apply. The circular further states that consumers seeking to increase their existing electricity load must install rooftop solar systems in accordance with the Net Metering Guidelines-2025, based on the additional load approved.