United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission (EC) on Monday said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has taken the terrorist attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and an independent aspirant from Dhaka-8 constituency, seriously and instructed relevant agencies to take firm and immediate measures to bring the perpetrators under the law. The EC made the statement in response to a ‘news’ circulating in various media outlets and social media, citing the CEC’s remarks he made while inaugurating a Youth Voter Festival in the city’s Gulshan area this morning. According to the EC, the Chief Election Commissioner has taken the attack on Hadi into consideration with utmost importance. As part of it, an emergency meeting was held on Sunday at 4:00 pm with top officials of law enforcement agencies, during which the CEC directed strict measures to ensure the attacker is brought to justice swiftly and instructed steps to prevent such incidents in the future. No uncertainty over national election, reaffirms CEC The CEC also emphasized that the terrorist attack on Hadi will not affect the upcoming elections. The Election Commission hoped the clarification would end any misunderstanding regarding the CEC’s earlier statement. It wished Sharif Osman Hadi a speedy recovery and expressed its deepest condolences to his family.    

Saimon Overseas Limited, a leading corporate travel service provider, has been officially cleared of allegations of money laundering following a thorough investigation conducted by the Financial Crime Investigation Unit and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. Following a show-cause notice issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Saimon Overseas Limited submitted a comprehensive response, supported by bank statements, IATA BSP reports, ticket copies, and all relevant documentation. After careful review and verification, the authorities found no evidence to substantiate the allegations. As a result, the ministry confirmed that, after examining all aspects of the case, the accusations were formally declared false and Saimon Overseas Limited was granted full clearance (Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism letter no. 30.00.0000.000.025.27.0006.25-877, dated December 14, 2025). In a statement on Monday, Saimon Overseas Limited stated, “These false and defamatory allegations were intended solely to damage our long-standing reputation.” “We have already initiated legal proceedings against those responsible for spreading such misinformation,” said Afsia Jannat Saleh, Managing Director of Saimon Overseas Limited and Secretary General of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) for the tenure 2024–2025. She also said that this was a planned smear campaign orchestrated by a vested interest group. This group allegedly targeted Saimon Overseas Limited after the company took a strong stance against pervasive irregularities in the air ticketing market, including practices widely blamed for artificially inflating airfares.    

The upward trend in remittances sent by expatriate Bangladeshis has continued in December, with US $1.71 billion in the first 14 days of the month. Bangladesh received $14.74 billion inward remittance so far in the current fiscal year FY 2025-26. According to the latest update from Bangladesh Bank (BB), the $1.71 billion remittance figure for December 14 is an increase by 23.6 percent compared to the same period last year. In December of the previous year (2024), the country received around $1.38 billion in the first 14 days. The growth is attributed to several factors, including incentives offered for sending money through legal banking channels, increased encouragement for using the formal system, and the active role of exchange houses, Remittance inflow has shown robust growth throughout the current fiscal year (FY 2025-26). From July 1 to December 14, 2025, the total remittance inflow reached $14.74 billion. This represents an increase of $2.22 billion compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year (FY 2024-25), when the total stood at $ 12.51 billion. The year-on-year growth rate for the fiscal year to date is 17.8 percent.  

Bangladesh’s economy is currently in a 'deeply depressed' state, and fixing it will be the country’s biggest challenge in the days ahead, said Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) Chairman Abu Ahmed on Monday. “Right now, the economy is in a very depressed condition--this is not a sustainable way to run an economy. The biggest challenge for Bangladesh going forward will be to pull the economy out of depression,” he said. Speaking at the 12th ICSB National Award ceremony at a city hotel, Abu Ahmed said when he took charge of the state-owned ICB, the institution was in a fragile condition and still has to rely on government financial support to operate. “This is not just the picture of ICB. The entire economy of Bangladesh has slipped into depression,” he said. He alleged that for years, loss-making institutions were portrayed as profitable ones, budgets were inflated and revenue collection was shown as satisfactory through exaggerated and misleading data. “We are now paying the price for providing wrong information about the economy. The main task of future governments will be to revive the economy and steer it in the right direction. Any attempt to hide the current economic reality will push the country towards even greater danger,” he warned. Bangladesh Bank approves Tk 3,000 crore low-interest loan for ICB Referring to Bangladesh’s growing debt burden, the ICB chairman said the country has fallen into a debt trap, with external debt nearing $110 billion, compared to less than $50 billion a decade ago. “This can no longer be allowed to increase,” he added. Abu Ahmed expressed optimism that if transparency is restored in economic management, all sectors of the country will gradually recover.      

WaterAid Bangladesh, in collaboration with the World Resources Institute (WRI), the Centre for Participatory Research & Development (CPRD), and ACME AI, disseminated new evidence on climate-resilient WASH finance and formally launched a digital Green Accountability Monitor designed to track and analyse climate finance flows for the WASH sector. The national dissemination event, held in a hotel in Dhaka, was moderated by Zakia Naznin, Programme Lead – Climate Resilience at WaterAid Bangladesh. Dr Shah Abdul Saadi, Deputy Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), attended as Chief Guest. Md Shamsuddoha, Chief Executive of CPRD, was present as Special Guest, while Partha Hefaz Shaikh, Director – Programme and Policy Advocacy, WaterAid Bangladesh, joined as Guest of Honour, says a press release on Monday evening. Two thematic presentations were delivered by Sumaiya Binte Anwar, Programme Manager, CPRD, and Sadhli Roomy, CEO and Co-founder, ACME AI, highlighting Bangladesh’s climate finance landscape and proving the functionalities of the newly launched digital platform. In his opening remarks, Partha Hefaz Shaikh underlined the significance of grounding climate action within the realities of WASH service delivery, particularly for communities facing recurrent climate shocks. He noted that data-driven climate finance governance is critical to strengthening resilience and ensuring fair resource allocation. Chief Guest Dr Shah Abdul Saadi emphasised the need to integrate climate-resilient WASH within national policy frameworks and future development planning. He highlighted how floods, droughts, and salinity intrusion—often driven or intensified by climate change—directly threaten WASH services and public health. He underscored the importance of improving the quality, transparency, and accountability of climate finance flows to the sector. Special Guest Md Shamsuddoha pointed out that while Bangladesh has a robust climate finance architecture, WASH continues to receive inadequate visibility in adaptation financing. He stressed that local realities, community engagement, and gender-responsive indicators must be placed at the centre of climate budgeting. He added that reliable and accessible data is essential to strengthen monitoring, enhance transparency, and ensure that investments benefit the most climate-vulnerable populations. During the interactive discussion, participants explored policy gaps, opportunities for improved coordination, and the role of the digital platform in supporting government agencies, researchers, and development partners with real-time insights. Strengthening Climate-Resilient WASH in Bangladesh Bangladesh faces some of the world’s most severe climate stresses, sea-level rise, salinity intrusion, floods, and droughts, each of which undermines water supply, sanitation systems, and hygiene practices. These challenges disproportionately affect rural and coastal communities, where damage to WASH infrastructure and contamination of water sources often lead to outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Against this backdrop, WaterAid Bangladesh undertook the study “Mapping Climate Finance Flows for WASH in Bangladesh: Architecture, Gaps, and Opportunities”, conducted with CPRD and supported by WRI. The research examines how climate finance is currently structured, where gaps persist, and what reforms are required to prioritise climate-resilient WASH investments. Complementing the study, WaterAid and ACME AI jointly developed the Climate-Resilient Green Accountability Platform, a digital resource designed to map, track, and analyse WASH-related climate finance. By improving transparency and accessibility of data, the platform aims to support stronger climate governance, facilitate evidence-based decision-making, and guide targeted resource allocation to frontline communities.

Rabbi, the husband of housemaid Ayesha Akhter, who was arrested in connection with the gruesome murders of a mother and daughter in Mohammadpur, gave a confessional statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) before a magistrate in Dhaka on Monday (December 15, 2025). Metropolitan Magistrate Ripon Hossain recorded the statement. Investigation Officer Sub-Inspector Shahidul Osman Masum of Mohammadpur Police Station produced Rabbi before the court after he was remanded for three days and sought permission to record the statement. Following the recording of his statement, the court sent Rabbi to jail. Read more: Mohammadpur Murders: Domestic help finally arrested after days on the run Ayesha Akhter was remanded for six days in the same case, which continues.  Police on Wednesday (December 10) arrested Ayesha, a young domestic worker who had been employed at the flat for only four days, during a drive in Nalchiti upazila of Jhalakathi. The victims—Layla Afroz, 48, and her daughter Nafisa Binte Aziz, 15—were found dead earlier by Layla’s husband, AZM Azizul Islam, after he rushed home from the school he teaches at. Later that night, Azizul Islam filed a case with Mohammadpur Police Station in connection with the incident. Ayesha had started working at the flat just four days earlier, and her suspicious movements recorded on the apartment block's CCTV cameras, showing her leaving the house dressed in Nafisa's school uniform and wearing a mask, made her the prime suspect.  Read more: Mohammadpur Murders: Three days of work, a deadly climax She was traced down and arrested along with her husband from his grandmother's home in Jhalakathi, where they went into hiding. 

Apparently ruling out the possibility of the Awami League’s participation in the upcoming national election, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Monday (December 15, 2025) said that no democratic country in the world would allow an organisation led by such a ‘terrible criminal’ to engage in any form of activity, let alone taking part in elections. “This (AL) party leader (Sheikh Hasina), is a fugitive from justice, sentenced to death for crimes against humanity, and is calling for terrorist attacks against Bangladesh,” he told UNB when asked whether the Awami League would be permitted to participate in the next general election. The much-sought national election and a referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025 will simultaneously be held on February 12 (Thursday) under a non-political government after 18 years as the Election Commission announced the schedule on Thursday evening. Read more: No uncertainty over national election, reaffirms CEC Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced the schedule in his pre-recorded speech telecast by state-owned Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar recently. According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination paper is December 29, while the scrutiny of nomination paper is on December 30-January 4 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10). Read more: Jamaat Ameer warns against return to ‘fascist past’

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday released a commemorative postage stamp, inaugural envelope and seal on the occasion of the Great Victory Day. CA’s Special Assistant Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Information and Communication Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury, Posts & Telecommunications Division Secretary Abdun Naser Khan and Director General of the Directorate of Posts SM Shahab Uddin joined the ceremony held at the State Guest House Jamuna. The nation is set to celebrate the Victory Day, the most joyous occasion marking the birth of the country, on Tuesday with elaborate programmes in remembrance of the supreme sacrifices of the martyrs. Bangladesh set to celebrate Victory Day on Tuesday On this glorious day in 1971, Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation after the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered, bringing to an end a bloody nine-month-long war.    

A Dhaka court on Monday placed journalist Anis Alamgir on a five-day remand in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam passed the order after police produced him before the court with a seven-day remand prayer, according to a source at the prosecution division of Uttara West police station. A team of the Detective Branch (DB) detained Anis Alamgir from the capital on Sunday. On Monday, Aryan Ahmed, a member of an organisation named ‘July Revolutionary Alliance’, filed the case with Uttara West Police Station, accusing Anis Alamgir and four others of conspiring to destabilise the state and inciting activities of the organisation, whose activities are currently restricted. Editors’ Council condemns case against Anis Alamgir Later, Anis Alamgir was shown arrested in the case. The other accused in the case are actress Meher Afroz Shaon, Maria Kispotta and Imtu Ratish. Meanwhile, the Editors’ Council strongly condemned the filing of the case against the journalist without any specific complaint.    

The nation is set to celebrate Victory Day, the most joyous occasion marking the birth of the country, on Tuesday with elaborate programmes in remembrance of the supreme sacrifice of the martyrs. On this glorious day in 1971, Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation after the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered, bringing to an end a bloody nine-month-long war. The government has taken extensive programmes to celebrate the day which will begin with a 31-gun salute in Dhaka. The programmes include placing wreaths at the monuments to pay homage to martyrs, hoisting of the national flags, parachuting with the highest number of national flags, cultural events, arrangement of recitation, essay writing and painting competitions on the Liberation War for children and acrobatic show. The President and the Chief Adviser are expected to pay tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the Savar National Martyrs' Memorial on the outskirts of the capital. Besides, 54 paratroopers will perform a flag-bearing skydive to mark 54 years of the country's independence which is expected to set a Guinness World Record, according to a PID handout. On Victory Day, the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force will conduct separate fly-past exercises at the Old Airport in Tejgaon, Dhaka from 11 am. Along with the government, different socio-political, educational and cultural institutions and organisations have chalked out a series of programmes to celebrate the day. Bangladeshis will celebrate the day at home and abroad. Families of the war heroes, wounded freedom fighters and other distinguished freedom fighters will also pay their tributes. Foreign diplomats,  political and social organisations as well as the general people will also lay wreaths in honour of the martyrs. On this day, the national flag will be hoisted at all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private buildings, and important buildings. The main streets and roundabouts in Dhaka and other cities will be adorned with national flags. Newspapers will publish special supplements highlighting the significance of the day. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, and Bangladesh Sishu Academy, will organise discussions, cultural programmes, drawing competitions, essay writing contests, sports events, and screenings of Liberation War-related documentaries. Victory fairs showcasing local and indigenous crafts will be organised in all districts and upazilas throughout the country. Bangladesh embassies abroad will also organise programmes to highlight the significance of the day. The Bangladesh Postal Service will issue a commemorative postage stamp on this occasion. Religious institutions will arrange special prayers and services for the peace and progress of the country. Special meals will be served at orphanages, old age homes, hospitals, jails, government children's homes, and similar institutions. All children's parks and museums in the country will be open to public without entry fees and Liberation War-based films will be screened at cinemas cost free. On the eve of Victory Day, the President and the Chief Adviser have issued separate messages highlighting the significance of the day.  President Mohammed Shahabuddin said, “On this very day in 1971, we attained our long-cherished freedom and sovereignty through a nine-month-long, bloodied Liberation War.” President Shahabuddin also paid his deepest respect to the valiant martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the war, the wounded freedom fighters, the mothers and sisters who lost their dignity, the families of the martyrs and all the courageous people who dedicated their efforts to the cause of independence. “The aim of the Liberation War was not confined merely to political independence; one of its fundamental objectives was to establish economic emancipation and social justice. Yet even after five decades, our people have not achieved complete political and socio-economic freedom. In this context, the student-led mass uprising of 2024 has rekindled hope for building a just Bangladesh, free from discrimination and corruption,” President Shahabuddin said. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said, “Through immense sacrifice and the bloodshed of countless martyrs, we secured our independent national identity and our red-and-green flag.” He paid deepest respect to the brave martyrs who laid down their lives during the Liberation War and throughout the long struggle for independence.  “Through the July Uprising, we have once again gained the opportunity to establish a democratic system free from discrimination, corruption, and tyranny. The extensive reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government to build a well-governed and progressive Bangladesh are now advancing towards successful completion, with the collective participation of our citizens,” he added. The Chief Adviser urged the people of the country to work together to build a safe, happy, and beautiful Bangladesh for the new generation, fulfilling the promise of the hard-earned independence. On this occasion, he extended his warmest greetings to all Bangladeshis living at home and abroad.