United News of Bangladesh

Saudi Arabia has refunded 3,091,243 riyals, equivalent to approximately Tk 10.23 crore, withheld from Bangladesh over the medical expenses of 340 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims during the 2026 Hajj season. The full amount was deposited into the Nusuk system of the Bangladesh Hajj Office in Jeddah on October 29, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) said on Sunday at a press briefing at the Secretariat. The Saudi authorities had withheld the money citing medical expenses incurred by the pilgrims that were not covered by insurance, he said. Of the total amount, 2,976,151 Saudi riyals had been withheld against 310 pilgrims who performed Hajj under the private management system through Hajj agencies, while 115,092 riyals were deducted against 30 pilgrims under the government management system, said the minister. He also described the recovery as a significant achievement in protecting the financial interests of Bangladeshi pilgrims and saving the country's foreign currency reserves. The Bangladesh Hajj Office in Jeddah, under the guidance of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, took the initiative after learning about the deductions. The office held several rounds of discussions with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and other relevant authorities, verified information and submitted necessary documents to secure the refund. Kaikobad noted that there had been no precedent for such deductions during previous Hajj seasons. The issue was therefore raised with the relevant Saudi authorities with supporting information and arguments. The minister also said that, as part of efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in Hajj management, a total of Tk 4,87,23,014 was refunded to 4,341 pilgrims from the surplus funds of the 2026 Hajj operations. Religious Affairs State Minister Mohammad Shamim Kaiser, Ministry Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad and HAAB Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumder were also present at Sunday's press conference.

Yahia Mirza, Head of PR and Media at City Bank PLC, has been elected President of the Public Relations Association of Banks (PRAB), an organization representing public relations officers of banks. Nazrul Islam, Head of Public Affairs and Brand Communication at Dutch-Bangla Bank, has been elected General Secretary of the association. The new leadership of PRAB was announced on Friday at a ceremony in a hotel in Gulshan in the capital. Moniruzzaman Tipu, the founding general secretary of the organization, officially announced the names of the new leaders. PRAB founding president Ataur Rahman, outgoing president Shamsuddoha Shimu, outgoing general secretary Jalal Ahmed Swapan, and other senior members of the association were present on the stage during the announcement. Over 200 public relations and brand communication professionals representing all scheduled banks and financial institutions across the country attended the fellowship conference. PRAB was launched in 2011 to bring together officials working in the brand and communication departments of banks in Bangladesh. The organization is typically managed by a 33-member executive committee formed every two years, comprising PR and branding heads of leading commercial banks as well as high-ranking public relations officials of Bangladesh Bank. Speaking on the formation of the full committee, Moniruzzaman Tipu stated that the complete 33-member executive committee will be constituted next November through the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

A 27-year-old footpath shoe vendor was killed after being hit by an unidentified vehicle in the capital's Jatrabari area early Friday. The deceased was identified as Aryan, son of Kader Bhuiyan of Ramgarh village in Bauphal upazila of Patuakhali. He lived in the Nabinagar Mir Hazirbagh area of Jatrabari. According to his relative Sohag Mia, the accident occurred around 3:30am in front of Malancha Community Centre at Janapad Mor while Aryan was returning home after finishing his day's business. A speeding unidentified vehicle hit him and fled, leaving him seriously injured. Sohag said pedestrians alerted him using Aryan's mobile phone. “I rushed there and took Aryan to a nearby hospital before transferring him to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 5:40am,” he said, adding that doctors at the hospital declared him dead after examination. Aryan got married to Mim about a year ago, and she is now four months pregnant, Sohag said. Inspector Md Habibur Rahman, in-charge of the DMCH Police Camp, said the body was kept at the hospital morgue for an autopsy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rivals faced weeks of negotiations after preliminary election results showed no clear winner, with Arab-led parties potentially holding the key to forming a parliamentary majority. With 85 percent of votes counted, Netanyahu’s Likud party secured 20.8 percent, while centrist challenger Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party received 16.1 percent. Arab-led parties won 14.9 percent of the votes. Neither bloc appeared likely to secure the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset. Local media projected 53 seats for Likud and its allies, 48 for Yashar and allied parties, and 19 for Arab-led parties. Eisenkot has left open the possibility of cooperating with Arab-led parties under certain conditions, including their recognition of Israel as a Jewish state and Hamas as an extremist group. Netanyahu has rejected such an alliance, describing a government involving Arab parties as dangerous. The election dealt a setback to Netanyahu but did not decisively end his chances of remaining in power. Nearly 78 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, the highest turnout since 1999. Final results were expected after the counting of absentee ballots on Thursday. If rival parties fail to form a majority coalition, Israel could face another election early next year. President Isaac Herzog has urged political leaders to avoid another vote. Arab-led parties made a historic showing, reigniting debate over their role in Israeli politics. Their strong performance could prove decisive in determining whether Netanyahu remains prime minister or his opponents manage to form a government.

A youth was shot dead by miscreants near City Goli in the Dhalpur area of Jatrabari in the capital on Tuesday evening. The deceased was identified as Maruf Hossain Dukhu, 17, son of late Abdur Rashid of Dhalpur. The incident took place around 7pm. He was rescued in a bullet-hit condition and taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where doctors declared him dead. Maruf’s wife Mim said her husband worked at a pot factory in a lane beside Malancha Centre in Sayedabad. He was shot by miscreants at a field in City Palli near their home after returning from work in the evening. “We cannot understand who shot and killed my husband or why. He was a good person and never had disputes or trouble with anyone,” she said, breaking down in tears. Md Habibur Rahman, in charge of the DMCH police camp, said the body was kept in the hospital’s emergency department morgue and Jatrabari Police Station had been informed.

Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) on Monday strongly condemned and protested against what it described as objectionable remarks made by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir about journalists, demanding that he withdraw his sweeping comments on their professional integrity and responsibility within 24 hours. The organisation warned that it would launch a strong, united programme with other journalist organisations if the remarks were not withdrawn within the stipulated time. At an event in Old Dhaka’s Chawkbazar on Monday, the IGP said, “Journalists write that the police are ineffective when they do not receive money from drug dealers. Such reports are published in various national media outlets.” In a joint statement on Monday evening, CRAB President Mirza Mehedi Tamal and General Secretary M M Badshah said such comments from a senior official holding the highest position in the police force were undesirable and concerning. They said ensuring an effective police role in eliminating drugs was essential, while independent journalism also played a crucial role in ensuring accountability for police activities. If any journalist is accused of taking money from drug dealers, the allegation can be investigated on the basis of specific evidence and legal action can be taken accordingly, the CRAB leaders said. However, making such allegations against journalists as a whole without any specific evidence does not reflect responsible conduct, they added. The leaders said journalists were responsible for monitoring the activities of the police and other state institutions, exposing irregularities and corruption, and bringing issues of public interest to the attention of the people. Portraying journalistic reports or criticism of police effectiveness as a reaction to not receiving money from drug dealers raises questions about the environment for independent journalism, they said. Such remarks could create negative perceptions of journalists among the public and put them in an embarrassing position while carrying out their professional duties, the statement added. The CRAB leaders called on the IGP to withdraw the remarks immediately and take a responsible position on the issue. Otherwise, they warned, the organisation would join hands with other journalist bodies to launch a united programme to protect journalists’ dignity, freedom and professional rights.

Bangladeshi workers whose iqamas (residence permits) expired after they failed to reach Saudi Arabia on time due to flight disruptions will be allowed to enter the kingdom, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury said on Monday. “Those wishing to go to Saudi Arabia will have their entry formalities completed automatically through the electronic system, and they will be permitted to enter,” he said at a discussion at the BIAM Foundation auditorium on Eskaton Road. The minister said the target for overseas employment can be achieved if the government and recruiting agencies work together, stressing the need to cut migration costs for workers. Taking a swipe at recruiting agencies, he said: "Where it is possible to go to Saudi Arabia for Tk 3 lakh, charging Tk 7-8 lakh is unacceptable. Run your business in a halal way and refrain from extracting excess money from workers, so that they do not spend their entire working time just recovering that cost." Ariful said modern technology is being introduced at the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) to simplify the overseas-going process and speed up verification of visa authenticity. A dedicated email service is also being introduced to resolve complaints, he added. The minister also underscored the need to strictly follow the laws of destination countries and urged recruiting agencies to join the government in conducting necessary awareness campaigns. Speaking as a special guest, State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Hoque drew the Saudi government's attention to granting special amnesty to Bangladeshis who currently in jail in the kingdom during the upcoming Ramadan. He expressed hope that any bilateral issues will be resolved through mutual discussions and called on agencies to lower migration costs. Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah ibn Dhafer ibn Ubayya said Bangladeshi workers constitute the largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia after the country's own nationals. He said the existing warm ties between the two countries will be further strengthened in the labour sector in the future. At the meeting, representatives of recruiting agencies demanded simplification of the Takamul test process, a reduction in fees, resolution of BMET's manpower-related complications, and measures to make recruiting agencies stronger and more effective.

Organizers of the 2027 Asian Cup have announced the kickoff times and finalized schedule for the tournament in Saudi Arabia, seeking to reassure Asian football federations that preparations remain on track despite recent deadly attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The monthlong tournament will begin on Jan 7, with hosts Saudi Arabia facing Palestine in Group A at 8 pm local time in Riyadh. Muhammed Q. Alghamdi, a spokesman for the organizing committee, told an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) meeting in Tokyo last week that daily life in Saudi Arabia was continuing despite regional tensions. He said organizers remained committed to ensuring the tournament proceeded as planned. The competition will feature 24 teams playing across eight venues in three cities — Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar. Iran, drawn in Group C alongside Syria, China and Kyrgyzstan, will begin its campaign against China at 4:30 pm local time on Jan 9 at Riyadh's 26,000-seat Kingdom Arena. Australia will open its Group D campaign against Singapore in Khobar earlier that day. The final is scheduled for Feb 5 at the 72,000-seat King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh. The AFC said the finalized schedule considered commercial and broadcasting requirements, local arrangements, spectator attendance and efforts to improve the fan experience. However, security concerns have disrupted several sporting events in the region. An AFC Champions League match between Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and Uzbekistan's Neftchi Fergana was delayed on Oct 12 following a security alert issued by Saudi Arabia's Civil Defense. Al-Nassr's scheduled home match against the United Arab Emirates' Al-Wasl on Monday was also postponed. Other events have been relocated or cancelled. The WTA Finals, women's tennis's season-ending tournament, was moved from Riyadh to Indian Wells, California. Meanwhile, the International Cycling Union cancelled a BMX qualifying event in Saudi Arabia for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Buddhists in Bangladesh are celebrating Prabarana Purnima, one of their major religious festivals, on Sunday with prayers, religious rituals and colourful festivities, seeking peace, harmony and universal friendship among all living beings. The festival marks the end of the three-month-long Buddhist Lent, known as Vassa, observed by Buddhist monks. On the occasion, Buddhists fly lighted balloons made of thin paper, also called Phanus Baji, in the evening. When the Buddha renounced the world, he cut his hair and threw it into the air, saying: "If my aim and mission of renunciation are fruitful, this tress of hair will go upwards, and if my object and ambition become fruitless, it will fall on the ground." Buddhists believe that the tress of hair went flying into the sky according to the will of Gautama Buddha. Launching the sky lanterns is a symbol and commemoration of Gautama's emphatic prediction. Also known as Ashwini Purnima, the festival marks the end of the three-month seclusion of the monks inside their monasteries for self-edification and atonement of their defilement. The festival follows a month-long preaching of sermons by the Buddhist monks for the welfare of every being and whole humankind. UNB Rangamati correspondent reports: The Buddhist community in Rangamati is celebrating Prabarana Purnima with religious fervour. From the morning, thousands of devotees of all ages gathered at the historic Rajban Bihar and other Buddhist monasteries across the district to offer prayers and participate in religious rituals, expressing hope for a society free from evil, injustice and communal discord. On the occasion, devotees took part in various religious activities on the Bihar premises, including Buddha statue offerings, Sangha Dana, Ashta Pariskara Dana, the offering of a thousand lamps and Chimitong Puja. Many Buddhist devotees also observed the Five Precepts and the Eight Precepts. The festival drew thousands of devotees, many of whom expressed enthusiasm and joy at being able to participate in the celebrations. The local administration and law enforcement agencies took coordinated security measures to ensure peaceful celebrations. Additional police personnel were deployed at important Buddhist monasteries across the district to maintain law and order and allow devotees to perform religious rituals without disruption, a local law enforcement official said. The day's celebrations will conclude in the afternoon with the spectacular release of colourful sky lanterns. Following Prabarana Purnima, the month-long religious festival of Kathin Chibar Dan, involving the offering of robes to Buddhist monks, is set to begin at Buddhist monasteries across the Chittagong Hill Tracts from Monday.

Saudi Arabia has reopened its main international airport more than two weeks after deadly strikes by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels forced the facility to suspend operations. The kingdom's military said it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile and a drone launched by the Houthis early Sunday. Meanwhile, a large-scale Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank over the weekend has displaced hundreds of Palestinians and imposed severe restrictions on their movement. The operation followed an attack in Hebron on Friday that killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others. The developments come days before Israel's election on Tuesday, widely viewed as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of regional wars and his government's right-wing policies at home and abroad. Riyadh airport resumes international flights King Khalid International Airport announced that terminals 1 and 2 reopened for domestic and international flights on Sunday as Houthi rebels continued launching missiles and drones towards the Saudi capital. Saudi military spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki said the military intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile and a drone fired by the Houthis early Sunday. Houthi strikes in early October hit a complex housing two other airport terminals, killing 17 people and injuring more than 330. The airport resumed limited domestic operations last week. Israeli military expands West Bank operation The Israeli military launched a major operation in the occupied West Bank over the weekend, displacing hundreds of Palestinians and significantly restricting movement in the area. The operation followed Friday's attack in Hebron, which killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others. Israel is approaching its first election since the Hamas-led attacks in 2023 and the subsequent regional wars. The vote is widely regarded as a test of Netanyahu's leadership and security policies during three years of conflict. The military announced early Sunday that most Palestinian workers holding permits would be barred from entering Israeli communities in the occupied West Bank for work on Sunday and Monday. Several crossings will also remain closed until after Tuesday's election. Israelis living abroad prepare to return for election The AID Coalition, a US-based nonprofit working to strengthen Israeli democracy, said tens of thousands of Israelis living overseas were expected to return home to vote. Israeli law generally requires citizens to cast their ballots in person inside the country, with limited exceptions for diplomats and certain official representatives serving abroad. Israel has more than 7.3 million registered voters, but opinion polls indicate a closely contested election. Previous elections have also been decided by narrow margins. The potential impact of voters returning from abroad remains uncertain. However, many liberal Israelis who oppose Netanyahu have left the country in recent years, raising the possibility that some returning voters could favour his opponents.