Sharif Osman Hadi. File PhotoDHAKA, Dec 20, 2025 (BSS) – The nation is observing a one-day state mourning today following the death of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, the fearless frontline fighter of the July Uprising and spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus declared the state mourning on Thursday night. Hadi, also an aspiring independent candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot on December 12 while he was on a battery-run auto-rickshaw in the city's Paltan area. Hadi is regarded as “an immortal soldier of the struggle against fascism and hegemony”.

According to the Upazila Livestock Office, more than 5,620 cows and buffaloes are currently being reared in Dashmina. The char environment, with its wetlands and natural grasslands, is particularly suitable for buffalo rearing. Chhakina Begum of Char Banshbaria said buffalo rearing is profitable as feed costs are low in the char areas. During these periods, livestock rearing has emerged as a vital alternative source of income. Dashmina Upazila Livestock Officer Shuvendu Sarkar said the area has "huge potential" for cow and buffalo rearing due to its natural pastures and wetlands.

DHAKA, Dec 20, 2025 (BSS) - Coast Guard has arrested eight smugglers along with a large quantity of cement while it was being illegally smuggled to Myanmar. Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq disclosed the information this morning through a press release. During the operation, Coast Guard personnel searched a suspicious fishing boat and arrested eight individuals. They also seized 450 bags of cement, valued at approximately Taka 2.25 lakh, and the fishing boat used for smuggling goods. Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq said the process of further legal action against the seized boat, recovered goods and the arrested smugglers is currently underway.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus spoke at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka, prior to the Namaz-e-Janaza held for Sharif Osman Hadi. Photo credit: CA's Press WingSANGSAD BHABAN, Dec 20, 2025 (BSS) - In an emotionally charged address before the namaj-e-janaza of Sharif Osman Hadi here today, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said the entire nation will remember Hadi forever and work to fulfill his dream. "O dear Osman Hadi, we have not come here to bid you farewell. You are within our hearts, and as long as Bangladesh exists, you will remain in the hearts of all Bangladeshis. The Chief Adviser explained that this message would accompany every Bangladeshi from birth throughout life, reminding them that "our heads will never bowdown."

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Photo: UNDHAKA, Dec 20, 2025 (BSS): United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ant¢nio Guterres has condemned the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi and urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure accountability through a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation in line with international human rights standards. Guterres appealed to all sides to "refrain from violence, reduce tensions and exercise maximum restraint in order to preserve a peaceful electoral environment." The killing also drew concern from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Trk, who said he was "deeply troubled" by Hadi's death after he was shot on December 12. In a statement issued in Geneva, Trk warned that "retaliation and revenge will only deepen divisions and undermine the rights of all," echoing calls for accountability for those responsible.

Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi laid to eternal rest beside the National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the Dhaka University Central Mosque. He was buried around 3:50pm after his namaz-e-janaza attended by hundreds of thousands at the South Plaza of the Sangsad Bhaban. Based on the family's request, Hadi was buried beside Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on the Dhaka University campus. Earlier, his namaz-e-janaza was held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building after Zuhr prayers. Sharif Osman Hadi was shot on December 12 while travelling in a battery-run auto-rickshaw in the city's Purana Paltan area.

Inqilab Mancha leader Sharif Osman Hadi was laid to rest beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the Dhaka University Central Mosque. Hadi was buried beside the mosque beside Kazi Nazrul Islam’s grave at around 3:30pm. A state mourning is being observed today over the death of Osman Hadi. Osman Hadi, also a prospective candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan. Osman Hadi was shot a day after the Election Commission announced that the next national election would take place on February 12.

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Two more matches of Handball League held on 3rd dayPhoto: BSSDHAKA, Dec 20, 2025 (BSS)- Two more matches of Cute Jashore District Men'sand Women's Handball League, organised by Bangladesh Handball Federation(BHF), were decided on the third day held at Shams-Ul Huda Stadium in Jashoretoday (Saturday). In the day's women's section matches, Moh Sena Oli Ahmed Smrity Sangsadthrashed Tosbir Mahal Ekadash by 25-0 goals while Afsar Ali Smrity Sanghadefeated Bir Muktijoddha Nou Commander Arun Bhattacharya Smrity Sangsad by 4-1 goals.

BAGERHAT, Dec 20, 2025 (BSS) - A pedestrian was killed and another injured in a road accident in Lakurtala Bus Stand area under Sharankhola upazila of the district Friday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Badal Munshi, 55, son of Majid Munshi of Lakurtala-Chalitabunia village under Rayenda union of the upazila. The accident took place when a speedy motorcycle hit Badal while he was crossing the road. Critically injured Badal and bike rider were taken to Sharankhola Hospital where the doctor on duty declared Badal dead. Later bike rider was shifted to Khulna Medical College Hospital.

Syria monitor says US strikes killed at least five IS membersBEIRUT, Lebanon, Dec 20, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Saturday that at least five Islamic State group members including a cell leader were killed in US strikes overnight in eastern Syria's Deir Ezzor province. Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP that the IS suspects were killed in the province's west and that the cell was responsible for operating drones in the area. Earlier, the US military's Central Command had said it struck more than 70 targets in Syria.

Photo: CollectedMUMBAI, India, Dec 20, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Indian selectors dropped Test and ODIcaptain Shubman Gill on Saturday from the T20 squad for the World Cup inFebruary after a prolonged form slump. However, batter Suryakumar Yadav was retained as captain despite similarconcerns over his form. A T20 specialist, Suryakumar has managed just 244 runs across his last 22innings in the format, without a single fifty. All-rounder Axar Patel was named as Suryakumar's deputy. World T20 squad:Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Axar Patel (vice-capt) Abhishek Sharma, SanjuSamson, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah,Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, WashingtonSundar, Ishan Kishan.

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Seven elephants killed by train accident in IndiaNEW DELHI, Dec 20, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - A passenger train smashed into a herd of elephants in India's northeast, killing seven animals on the spot, officials said Saturday. No travellers were injured in the accident in Assam state, home to more than 4,000 of the roughly 22,000 wild elephants in India. Rakesh Reddy told AFP that seven jumbos were killed, and one elephant sustained an injury. Five coaches of the train, which was headed to New Delhi from remote Mizoram state, were derailed. According to parliamentary figures, 629 people were killed by elephants across India in 2023-2024.

Trump says will ask health insurers to cut pricesWASHINGTON, United States, Dec 20, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Donald Trump on Friday said he will urge US health insurance executives to voluntarily lower costs, as millions of Americans brace for a surge in premiums that could prove politically damaging for Republicans. The Republican posited that the approach could work to bring health costs down, too. The announcement reflects growing concern within Trump's own party over how soaring health care costs could haunt Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections. Cash-strapped families will no longer receive health care financial assistance and could see their premiums soar -- or be priced out of medical care entirely. Companies have been making these voluntary deals after Trump sent a letter to 17 major companies over the summer demanding lower drug prices.