United News of Bangladesh

Police and members of Rab have arrested a suspect in connection with the killing of Shahadat Islam Rocky, 25, a grocery shop employee who was stabbed to death in the capital’s Kamrangirchar area early Tuesday. According to police, the planned armed attack took place around 3:45am on early Tuesday in East Islamnagar. Unidentified assailants stabbed Rocky multiple times on both thighs with a sharp weapon and fled the scene. Locals rescued him after hearing his screams and took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Family members said Rocky left home around 4pm on the previous Monday to join his work at a grocery shop. The next day (Tuesday) morning, relatives were informed that he had been found critically injured. Initial findings from the investigation suggest that Rocky, reportedly involved in local grouping and known for drug addiction, may have been targeted due to disputes arising from his identifying himself as a police source to intimidate rivals. Following a complaint filed by the victim’s father, Kamrangirchar Police Station registered a case. The investigating officer then sought assistance from RAB-10 to arrest the fugitives. Acting on intelligence and with police support, a RAB-10 team from CPSCS Lalbagh Camp conducted a raid in Chamta area under Naria Police Station in Shariatpur around 12:30am on early Wednesday and arrested Md Arman, 22, identified during the investigation as a suspect in the murder. RAB said Arman has four previous cases related to robbery and dacoity. He has since been handed over to the concerned police station.

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested two suspects on Tuesday in connection with the killing of CNG auto-rickshaw driver Pappu Sheikh, who was shot dead in a reported planned attack in the capital’s Jurain area on Monday evening. The arrestees were identified as Md Yusuf Sardar, 45, and Md Uzzal alias Kanchi, 30. Yusuf was arrested from the Alambagh area of Jurain under Kadamtali Police Station and Kanchi was arrested from the Jurain Railway Gate area under Shyampur Police Station. Police quoting witnesses said the incident took place around 6:30pm on Monday at Kana Jobbar’s Goli on Kabi Nazrul Lane under Kadamtali Police Station. Pappu Sheikh, 26, was allegedly targeted by members of a local criminal group known as the Bapparaj alias Bappa group, reportedly following a dispute over drug-related activities. Police said Pappu had left his rented home in East Jurain to visit his in-laws when the attackers intercepted him. The group allegedly held him by force before Bapparaj alias Bappa fired three shots at him with a firearm. One bullet struck Pappu in the left side of his groin, causing him to collapse at the scene. Local residents rushed the critically injured victim to local Ad-Din Hospital, from where he was referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Doctors at DMCH declared him dead upon arrival. Following a complaint filed by the victim’s father, police registered a case with Kadamtali Police Station. The investigation officer subsequently sought cooperation from RAB-10 to track down the suspects. Acting on intelligence, a team from CPC-1, Jatrabari Camp of RAB-10, conducted operations in different parts of Jurain. The elite force arrested one of the named suspects, Md Yusuf Sardar, 45, from the Alambagh area of Jurain under Kadamtali Police Station around 11:15am on Tuesday. About an hour later, around12:15pm, RAB members detained the second suspect, Md Uzzal alias Kanchi, 30, from the Jurain Railway Gate area under Shyampur Police Station, said Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (Media) of RAB-10, Taposh Karmakar. He also said that Yusuf Sardar has three previous cases, including under the Narcotics Control Act, while Uzzal alias Kanchi faces two narcotics-related cases. Legal procedures against the arrested individuals are underway, the RAB media officer said.

Sylhet district administration has decided to demolish 23 buildings identified as highly vulnerable to earthquakes, beginning next week. The decision came at a meeting on earthquake preparedness and response held at Nagar Bhaban on Monday afternoon. Divisional Commissioner and Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Khan Md Reza-un-Nabi chaired the meeting. Senior officials including Deputy Commissioner Md Sarwar Alam and SCC Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Rezai Rafin Sarker and experts attended the meeting. Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Sarwar Alam said many people are still living and doing business in these risky buildings. “For the safety of residents we have decided to demolish these buildings quickly,” he added. He also said that narrow roads in many parts of the city could hinder rescue efforts during disasters and stressed the need for special attention to this issue. Professor Dr Jajir Bin Alam of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology’s Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, who led the building assessment, said they surveyed 6,000 buildings and found 23 to be extremely vulnerable. But the actual number of risky buildings is likely much higher, h said. “There are around 44,000 buildings in the city. Without surveying each of them it is not possible to accurately determine the level of risk,” he said.

Bangladesh Bank has set a target to establish a fully interoperable digital transaction system by July 2027, linking banks, Mobile Financial Services (MFS), insurance firms and other financial institutions, said Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur. The Governor made the announcement at a programme titled ‘Instant Payment in Bangladesh: Unveiling Inclusion Opportunities’ held at a hotel in Dhaka on Monday. Addressing the current state of digital payments, the governor admitted that Bangladesh Bank's existing interoperable payment system, launched on November 1, has not been successful so far. "Although the interoperable system has been launched, it has not been successful because many institutions are not conducting transactions through it," said Dr Mansur. To overcome this hurdle and accelerate the shift toward a cashless economy, the central bank has signed an agreement with the ‘Gates Foundation’s Mojaloop’ to establish a new Instant Payment Platform. The agreement was virtually signed for security reasons. Introducing IIPS The new Mojaloop-based platform will be named the Inclusive Instant Payment System (IIPS). Governor Mansur highlighted the key feature of the new system: it will eliminate the need for cash-out transactions, facilitating seamless digital transfers across the entire financial ecosystem. The Governor emphasised the mandatory nature and benefits of this digital transformation, saying, “We must transform our entire transaction ecosystem into a cashless one. Banks, MFS operators, agent banking and financial institutions everyone must be brought under a single channel. The plan is to launch it by July 2027.” He pointed out that this shift to the IIPS is vital for macroeconomic stability. “In the future, there will be no alternative but to move towards this system. It will increase transparency, reduce corruption, and boost revenue collection.”

Global climate negotiators in Brazil reached a muted agreement Saturday that promises increased financial support for countries suffering the impacts of extreme weather, but stops short of committing the world to phasing out fossil fuels or tightening weak emissions-cutting pledges — omissions that many nations had urgently sought. The host country, Brazil, said it would work alongside Colombia to eventually outline a pathway away from fossil fuels, though such a plan will not carry the authority of a formal COP30 decision. Colombia sharply criticized the final package for failing to include any mention of fossil fuels. The compromise deal — finalized after negotiators worked well past Friday’s deadline — was approved early Saturday. COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago acknowledged the document fell short but said the intense discussions would continue under Brazil’s presidency until the next conference. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the fact that countries were still able to unite, while warning that the agreement does not meet the scale of action demanded by climate science. Reactions ranged from restrained approval to deep frustration. Small island nations said the imperfect deal was preferable to no agreement at all. Climate advocates, including former Irish President Mary Robinson, lamented the lack of ambition but noted the importance of multilateral cooperation during an era of geopolitical strain. The absence of the United States, following President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, cast a shadow over the talks. Still, 194 countries pressed ahead with negotiations. African and European officials said the package offered progress but not nearly enough. Delegates later criticized the rapid final approval process, arguing that concerns — particularly over diluted adaptation indicators — were ignored. Do Lago apologized for the confusion. Key issues at the summit centered on charting a path away from fossil fuels, acknowledging that current national climate plans are insufficient, expanding adaptation finance, and easing trade-related climate barriers. Fire forces evacuation at COP30 climate summit in Brazil While the deal triples adaptation funding to a target of $120 billion annually, the deadline was postponed by five years, angering vulnerable nations who say they face intensifying climate disasters now. Environmental groups called the final text weak and lacking scientific grounding. Several negotiators blasted the omission of fossil fuel language as a troubling concession to major emitters. A heated closing plenary exposed the deep divisions, with Latin American delegates clashing verbally with Russia over the tone of their objections. Despite the tensions, the agreement keeps global climate diplomacy moving — though many left Belem warning that incremental steps are not enough to keep the world on track to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Source: AP 

The Credit Rating Agency of Bangladesh Limited (CRAB) has expressed profound sorrow over the death of its founding director, Md. Matiul Islam. In a statement on Thursday, CRAB described Matiul Islam as a visionary leader who played a pivotal role in shaping Bangladesh’s financial landscape. His guidance was instrumental in establishing CRAB as a high-standard credit rating agency in the country. “The CRAB board, management team, and staff extend their heartfelt condolences to the family and well-wishers of Md. Matiul Islam,” the statement said. Matiul Islam, who was also the first Finance Secretary of independent Bangladesh, passed away at his residence in Dhaka on Thursday morning. He was 95.

Rabih Alameddine’s novel blending family humor with wartime tragedy, The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother), has won the National Book Award for fiction. The nonfiction prize went to Omar El Akkad for One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, while poet Patricia Smith received the award for her collection The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems. In other categories, Daniel Nayeri’s The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story was recognized in young people’s literature, and Gabriela Cabezón Cámara’s We Are Green and Trembling, translated from Spanish by Robin Myers, won in translated literature. Hundreds of writers, editors, publishers, and industry professionals gathered at Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattan for the 76th annual awards ceremony, which also honored fiction writer George Saunders and author-publisher-mentor Roxane Gay with special recognition. Reconnecting with old friends: Why it matters The evening featured music from Corinne Rae Bailey, who performed a relaxed rendition of “Put Your Records On,” and Emmy-winning actor Jeff Heller served as host, humorously acknowledging the “glitterati of the literati.” Heller poked fun at a typo in his recent book A Certain Actress, joking that readers had mistakenly seen it as A Cetain Actress. “Imagine if Madeleine L’Engle discovered her book was printed as A Wrinkle in Tim,” he quipped. The National Book Awards are presented by the nonprofit National Book Foundation and are widely regarded as the “Oscars of book publishing.” Winners in each category are chosen by panels composed of writers, booksellers, and critics, who select top works from hundreds of submissions provided by publishers. Source: AP

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-4) has arrested two top suspects in the murder of Golam Kibria (50), member secretary of the Jubo Dal’s Pallabi unit. The arrestees are the alleged mastermind and planner of the killing, Md Monir Hossain alias Sohel alias Pata Sohel (30), and Md Sujon alias Bukpora Sujon (35). Briefing reporters at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar on Wednesday afternoon, Lt Col Md Mahbub Alam, commanding officer of RAB-4, said the murder stemmed from political conflict and turf war in Pallabi. The killing was premeditated and involved a large financial transaction, according to initial findings. Both arrestees are active members of the Mirpur-based criminal group known as the ‘Four Star Group’. He said on November 17, six armed assailants shot Kibria dead inside the Bikrampur Sanitary and Hardware shop in Pallabi. While fleeing, the attackers fired at locals, leaving a rickshaw-puller injured. Locals later chased and caught one attacker, Jony Bhuiyan, and handed him over to police. Following the incident, RAB-4 analysed CCTV footage and other evidence and launched a shadow investigation. As part of the drive, Pata Sohel was arrested from Savar’s Birolia area on November 18, while Bukpora Sujon was detained from the Mazar slum area under Tongi West Police Station. Sujon is an accused in 18 cases and had been on the run. Lt Col Mahbub Alam said the motive behind the killing revolved around political dominance, extortion, drug activities, and other criminal operations. Kibria was politically active and opposed extortion and drug trade in the area, which may have triggered the conflict. Jubo Dal leader gunned down in Pallabi He added that although Pata Sohel financed the operation, the source of the funds is still unclear. Replying to a question, he also said, investigations are ongoing to determine whether others, including Mamun, were involved. Possible links to the underworld are also being examined.      

President Donald Trump has approved the sale of the U.S.’s most advanced fighter jet, the F-35, to Saudi Arabia, despite concerns that sensitive American technology could be accessed by China. The sale was reaffirmed during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington. Some in the administration have also expressed worry that supplying the F-35 to Saudi Arabia could affect Israel’s qualitative military edge, particularly as Trump seeks Israeli backing for his Gaza peace plan. Israel, which deployed the jet during a June conflict with Iran, is among 19 nations that either have the plane or are set to acquire it. Background and capabilitiesThe F-35 Lightning II first rolled off the assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas, nearly 20 years ago. It was designed to serve multiple branches of the U.S. military: the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, each requiring different capabilities such as carrier launches and vertical takeoffs. Over 1,200 jets have been produced, supporting roughly 300,000 jobs across 49 states and Puerto Rico. The jet is a fifth-generation fighter, equipped with stealth technology, advanced radar, sensors, and networking capabilities to detect enemies and communicate with allied forces. It allows pilots to switch between bombing and air combat missions in a single sortie. Trump plans to sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia ahead of Crown Prince’s visit Costs and controversiesThe program is the Pentagon’s most expensive, with jets costing up to $77 million each in 2023. Maintaining and modernizing the planned fleet of 2,470 aircraft over 77 years is projected to exceed $2 trillion. Production delays, maintenance challenges, and low mission-readiness rates—about 55% in 2023—have fueled criticism. Experts argue that while the F-35 can perform many roles, it is costly and sometimes less reliable than older planes. Lockheed Martin defended the program, stating that the F-35 is “combat proven,” essential to allied defense, and a critical contributor to global security, with over 1 million flight hours logged and more than 1,255 aircraft in service. Strategic significanceThe jet’s stealth and sensor technologies make it highly coveted internationally, with Saudi Arabia among nations seeking advanced airpower. While there are lingering concerns about cybersecurity and technology leakage to China, analysts note that continual upgrades and allied use mitigate some of these risks. Source: AP

President Donald Trump announced Monday that he intends to move forward with selling F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, despite internal administration worries that the deal could allow China to gain access to sensitive U.S. military technology. The announcement comes just before Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s much-anticipated visit to Washington — his first in over seven years. When asked about the potential sale, Trump confirmed, “We’ll be selling F-35s.” The jet purchase is one of several major agreements expected to be unveiled during the crown prince’s trip. Saudi Arabia is also set to roll out a large investment in U.S. artificial intelligence infrastructure and announce new civil nuclear cooperation with Washington, according to a senior administration official who was not authorized to speak publicly. The crown prince is arriving with key priorities, including formal U.S. security guarantees for the kingdom and approval to buy the advanced F-35 aircraft. However, the administration has been cautious about jeopardizing Israel’s military advantage in the region, especially as Trump leans on Israeli support for his Gaza peace initiative. Another concern — the same one that halted a similar proposed F-35 sale to the United Arab Emirates — is the risk that the aircraft’s technology could be compromised or passed to China, given Beijing’s strong ties with both Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Recent joint Saudi-Chinese naval exercises and China’s role in mediating Saudi-Iranian rapprochement have heightened these worries. China also overtook the U.S. last year as Saudi Arabia’s top trading partner, though the U.S. remains Riyadh’s preferred arms supplier. Bradley Bowman of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said Congress will likely seek assurances that Riyadh is limiting sensitive cooperation with Beijing, and that Israel’s qualitative military edge is protected. Broader diplomatic contextTrump’s announcement comes as he attempts to broker normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. He has promoted the expansion of his Abraham Accords — which established ties between Israel and several Arab states — as central to securing long-term Middle East stability amid a delicate Gaza ceasefire. “I hope that Saudi Arabia will be going into the Abraham Accords very shortly,” Trump said Friday aboard Air Force One. But U.S. officials acknowledge privately that progress is slow. Saudi Arabia insists that a clear path to Palestinian statehood must be part of any normalization deal — a position Israel strongly opposes. The U.N. Security Council on Monday approved a U.S. plan for Gaza that authorizes an international stabilization force and outlines a possible route toward Palestinian statehood. While Saudi leaders are unlikely to join the accords immediately, officials say an agreement later in Trump’s second term remains possible. Bowman argued that Trump should condition F-35 delivery on Saudi-Israeli normalization to preserve leverage. The Trump administration had previously notified Congress in late 2020 of a plan to sell F-35 jets to the UAE as part of a $23 billion package following the signing of the Abraham Accords. But President Biden paused the sale shortly after taking office. Human rights concernsTrump’s new arms deal is expected to draw criticism from human rights advocates. Prince Mohammed’s visit is his first since 2018, when he embarked on a lengthy U.S. tour seeking to soften Saudi Arabia’s image amid concerns about conservative laws, women’s rights issues, and lingering stigma tied to the fact that most 9/11 hijackers were Saudi citizens. Saudi Arabia’s global reputation suffered further after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul later that year, an operation U.S. intelligence agencies concluded the crown prince likely authorized — a claim he denies. But seven years later, Trump has restored close ties with the 40-year-old crown prince, whom he sees as central to shaping the region’s future. “They have been a great ally,” Trump said.