They bravely fought in the Liberation War and one of them laid down his life to free the motherland from the clutches of the Pakistan army. They have been honoured by all as heroes since then.

The national flag was fluttering atop almost all buildings. People in red and green flooded many streets. Patriotic songs, played over loudspeakers, reverberated through narrow alleys and beside thoroughfares.

At least 10 workers were killed and two others suffered burns after a fire broke out at an electric fan and light bulb factory in Gazipur yesterday evening.

It was a cold winter night. Some 75 freedom fighters were deftly making their way in a quiet village called Betiara; only the whooshing sound of breeze blowing through bamboo bushes and trees and the chirping of insects were disturbing the eerie silence.

“…Then after dark, a tentative ‘Joy Bangla’ in the back streets. Older men came out and persuaded the lads back into their homes; ‘there is still a curfew’. Then a more determined ‘Joy Bangla’. The Mukti Bahini had taken over the streets.

The government has published the names of 10,789 Razakars who collaborated with the Pakistan occupation army in carrying out mass killings and atrocities against freedom fighters during the 1971 Liberation War.

According to the order of General AAK Niazi, Pakistan troops start surrendering weapons from 5:00am.

Chattogram Challengers returned to winning ways with a six-wicket win over Rangpur Rangers in yesterday’s first Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League game while Dhaka Platoon got a second win of their own as they beat Sylhet Thunder by 24 runs in the second match.

Protests against a divisive new citizenship law raged in India for the fourth day yesterday as Washington and London issued travel warnings for northeast states following days of violent clashes.

Considering General Niazi’s ceasefire proposal, the allied force declare to stop air attacks on Dhaka from 5:00am. Besides, the allied force also tell the Pakistan army that no truce would take place before the military surrenders. “If the Pakistan army does not surrender within 9:00am on December 16, then the air attack will resume,” they say.

Shaheda Begum does not seek justice for her son any more. Actually she does not dare.

Tamim Iqbal finally returned to the groove with a fifty that, coupled with Thisara Perera’s all-round performance, helped Dhaka Platoon register their first win of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League as they beat Cumilla Warriors by 20 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

Myanmar’s admission before the top UN court that its army could have committed crimes against humanity in Rakhine State comes as a primary victory for the Rohingyas, say analysts.

Three Bangladesh-origin female politicians known as Tin Kanya (three daughters) achieved victory in Thursday’s UK general elections.

The United Nations human rights office yesterday voiced concern that India’s new citizenship law is “fundamentally discriminatory in nature” and called for it to be reviewed.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday vowed to “get Brexit done” after his thumping election victory cleared the way for Britain to leave the EU after years of political paralysis.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been ranked 29th in this year’s Forbes list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.

It was around 8:00pm. A sudden knock at the door of house F-1237 in Ghoramara area of Rajshahi broke the eerie silence of the wintry night in 1971. The knocking sent chills down the spines of Mir Abdul Quayum and his wife.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the government officials to remain alert to bribery and corruption as these social diseases spoil the development of the country.

With burns all over his body, 20-year-old Mehedi Hasan kept asking his sister whether he would be able to attend yesterday’s college entrance exams.