United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has successfully vaccinated over 42.5 million children in the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) Campaign 2025, achieving more than 97% coverage nationwide, UNICEF notified on Thursday. Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh, called the achievement a national breakthrough and said it makes Bangladesh the eighth country in the world to launch this life-saving campaign. “This remarkable success shows the government’s strong commitment to protecting children from preventable illness and families from emotional and financial burdens,” she said. The campaign is crucial as a recent Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics survey found only 39.3% of people have access to safely managed drinking water. Nearly half of water sources and over 80% of household water samples are contaminated with E. coli, putting millions of children at daily risk of typhoid. UNICEF supported the government with planning, vaccine supply, cold chain strengthening, digital tools, and training of frontline health workers. The agency also worked on community engagement through TV, radio, social media, and partnerships with organizations like the Islamic Foundation, reaching over 120 million people. Bangladesh launches nationwide typhoid vaccine campaign, aiming to cover 50 million children Flowers highlighted that the campaign reached all children, including those in remote areas, children with disabilities, underprivileged communities, ethnic minorities, and over 424,000 children in Rohingya camps. She thanked the government, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Expanded Programme on Immunization, Gavi, WHO, other partners, parents, and the media for their support in making the campaign a success. “Vaccinating children is a promise of health, protection, and hope. This campaign brings Bangladesh closer to a typhoid-free future for every child,” she added.  

The Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) and the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday to jointly accelerate initiatives in education, research, and training. The signing ceremony took place at the Petrobangla Board Room at Karwan Bazar in the capital. This five-year agreement, which is automatically renewable for another five years, is expected to significantly strengthen the collaboration and foster a deeper, long-term partnership between the industry leader and the top-tier engineering university The core aims of the MoU are- Enhancing information exchange between Petrobangla and BUET faculty and students to accelerate research activities. BUET will be granted access to relevant information for research, excluding confidential data pertinent to national security. Facilitating the mutual exchange of knowledge, technology, and experience Supporting the professional skill development of personnel and promoting knowledge enhancement through meetings, seminars, and workshops. Allowing practical application of academic research through access to industry laboratories, software, and opportunities to visit operational sites, including drilling sites, seismic survey operations, process plants, and mines. The collaboration is also expected to use real-world industrial experience to strengthen BUET's academic curriculum, playing a significant role in meeting future industry needs. The signing ceremony was graced by Professor Abu Borhan Mohammad Badruzzaman, the Vice-Chancellor of BUET, and Md. Rezanur Rahman, the Chairman of Petrobangla. The MoU was signed by Md. Amzad Hossain, Secretary (Senior General Manager) on behalf of Petrobangla, and Professor Dr. Mohammad Shariful Islam, Director of the Research and Innovation Centre for Science and Engineering (RISE), on behalf of BUET. Directors and senior officials of Petrobangla, as well as BUET's Deputy Director of RISE, were also in attendance.

Speakers at a dialogue in Dhaka have highlighted the importance of ensuring sustained, inclusive and accountable approaches to security sector reform in Bangladesh. They reaffirmed that effective police reform, democratic oversight, constructive media engagement and the integration of gender and human rights are essential pillars for building a transparent, accountable and people-centered security sector. Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS), in strategic partnership with the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), hosted the high-level conference recently as part of a dialogue on strengthening democratic security governance. BIPSS President Maj Gen ANM Muniruzzaman (retd) has described Bangladesh as navigating a crucial period of institutional evolution and reform, which requires a fundamental re-evaluation of key governance pillars. He emphasised that this transition necessitates a fundamental re-evaluation of all key governance pillars and the security sector, given its expansive mandate, requires urgent attention to enhance its effectiveness, ensure professional standards and rebuild public trust. The BIPSS President made the remarks while addressing a conference titled ‘Security Sector Reform (SSR): Challenges, Opportunities, and Pathways Forward’ held recently. The BIPSS and DCAF expressed commitment to continuing dialogue and cooperation to advance meaningful security sector governance reforms in Bangladesh. The conference brought together retired senior police and military officers, diplomats, academics, journalists, civil society representatives, political leaders, private security professionals and young researchers to critically assess the future of policing and security governance in Bangladesh, said the BIPPS on Thursday. The session one examined the Police Reform Commission’s recommendations across several thematic pillars, including human rights and accountability, legal and operational modernization, anti-corruption measures, human resources and welfare, gender equity, and the use of technology to rebuild public trust. Participants recognized the technical strength of these proposals but stressed that implementation remains the greatest challenge. Bangladesh, other CSC members discuss regional security, counterterrorism Highlighting the broader strategic gaps in the reform process, the President of BIPSS said there is a critical need to establish a unified and comprehensive strategic security framework, such as a National Security Policy (NSP) and a central coordination mechanism (NSC), to provide consistent strategic direction and improve inter-agency alignment. This was followed by the second session on Democratic Control, Oversight, and Accountability, moderated by DCAF. The discussion emphasised strengthening governance, oversight, and professional accountability across the security sector by utilizing institutional mechanisms such as legislative oversight, judicial review and independent commissions. Participants emphasised the importance of parliamentary oversight, judicial review, independent commissions, and civil society engagement in preventing abuse of power and ensuring responsible security governance. The discussion also highlighted the relevance of gender-sensitive oversight and alignment with constitutional and legal safeguards. The second day of the event centered on the Security Sector, Gender, and the Role of Media. The session on Security Sector and Media Relations, moderated by Raheed Ejaz, Diplomatic Correspondent, Prothom Alo, examined ways to enhance transparency and communication between the security sector and the media. Discussions addressed the media’s role in shaping public perception, supporting accountability, and acting as a democratic watchdog, while also emphasizing the need for responsible reporting and access to verified information to improve public trust. The final session on Security Sector, Gender, and Human Rights, moderated by Dr Marufa Akhter, Associate Professor and Chairman, Department of Global Studies and Governance, Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB), focused on integrating gender perspectives into security operations, upholding human rights standards, and addressing gender-based violence within the security context. Participants stressed the importance of institutional gender mainstreaming, survivor-centered approaches, and accountability mechanisms to ensure inclusive and rights-based security services. The discussion also underscored the need for gender-responsive training, leadership representation and protection of vulnerable populations. Shafqat Munir, Senior Fellow at BIPSS, highlighted the need for revamping the entire national security architecture in Bangladesh and the urgent need to create a national security task force once a new government takes over. The conference was attended by senior national officials, representive or paramilitary forces, Bangladesh police, private security industry, former ambassadors, members of media and civil society, academics among others.  

The Council of Advisers on Thursday (December 04) approved the draft Police Commission Ordinance-2025, aiming to make the police more people-friendly one. Once the ordinance is promulgated, there will be a five-member commission under it, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge and the commission will make recommendations to the government on issues such as investigating and resolving citizen complaints, resolving grievances of police members. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus chaired the meeting the Chief Adviser’s Office. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy after the meeting. Read more: Prof Yunus urges police to ensure ‘festive, peaceful historic election’ Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder also spoke at the briefing. Adviser Rizwana said the commission members will be a retired district judge, a retired officer not below the rank of Additional Inspector General of Police, a professor of a university who can be working or retired and a person with at least 15 years of experience in human rights and good governance. Responding to a question, she said the names of the commission members will come through a selection committee and the government will make appointments based on that. Regarding the purpose of the formation of the commission, the Adviser said the police will be made people-friendly and people-oriented and this commission will work in collaboration with the government. Read more: 64 districts get SPs through lottery: Home Adviser   The commission will recommend to the government what needs to be done to ensure that the police can work free from influence. Besides, the commission will also identify where the police need to be modernized and what kind of training is needed to make the police human rights sensitive. The meeting of the Council of Advisers also approved the proposal to amend the Representation of the People Order (RPO). The meeting also approved the draft of the National Regulatory Authority Ordinance on building construction. Read more: Bangladesh sees crime spike ahead of polls; police stress preparedness The meeting gave in-principle approval to the Hi-Tech Park Authority Amendment Ordinance.

Gas supply to the national grid has begun from Well No. 5 of the Habiganj gas field following completion of its workover operations. Petrobangla Chairman Reza Noor Rahman inaugurated the supply to the grid on Wednesday afternoon. The well, located in the Raghu­nandan area of Habiganj, was drilled in 1988. It is currently supplying 14 million cubic feet of gas per day to the national grid. After the workover, production is expected to rise to 26 million cubic feet per day. Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Ltd. undertook the workover due to complications in the well, including water intrusion. The operation began on October 24 and was completed on November 27, at a cost of Tk 75 crore.

A special operation by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has revealed evidence of almost Tk 9 crore in potential revenue evasion by United Tobacco Industries Ltd, a cigarette manufacturer based in Ishwardi. The drive was carried out by a team from the VAT Intelligence and Investigation Directorate following information obtained from confidential sources, according to a NBR press release. Although the company possessed a valid VAT registration, investigators found that it had long been concealing its formal production activities while secretly manufacturing and marketing cigarettes—thereby evading a substantial amount of revenue. During the raid, the VAT intelligence team seized 634,590 sticks of cigarettes bearing counterfeit banderols, with a market value of more than Tk 38 lakh. Against these products, the government was deprived of approximately Tk 29 lakh in revenue, officials said. Investigators also recovered 1,029,000 pieces of unused counterfeit banderols/stamps, which—had they been used—could have facilitated additional revenue evasion amounting to over Tk 8.5 crore, according to NBR estimates. Although the company had legally collected 322,500 pieces of authentic banderols, it reportedly chose not to use them. Instead, it continued producing and selling cigarettes using counterfeit banderols to avoid paying due taxes. All seized cigarettes and materials have been taken into custody following legal procedures, and formal action against the company is already under way. Officials said a full investigation report will be submitted soon based on documents recovered during the raid. The relevant VAT Commissionerate has also been instructed to intensify monitoring of the company’s production and sales activities.

A Pakistani national, who had been in prison  since September 29, 1999 in a narcotics case, was released from Kashimpur central jail in Gazipur on Thursday. The Pakistani national, Rois Khan, 55, son of Dean Mohammad of Karachi, was freed from  Kashimpur Central Jail-2 in the afternoon, said Senior Jail Super Md AL Mamun. He was handed over to representatives of Pakistan High Commission in the presence of officials from the Special Branch. He had been serving the jail term in a case filed under the Narcotics Control Act with Ramna Police Station. On July 7, 2005, a court sentenced him to jail. Although his jail term expired on September 24 this year, he remained in custody as a released prisoner awaiting repatriation.  

Police on Thursday dispersed activists of several left-leaning political parties as they attempted to proceed toward the Chief Adviser’s Jamuna residence demanding cancellation of lease agreements for Laldia and Pangaon terminals and lease process of profitable port facilities including New Mooring and Patenga terminals. The protest was jointly organised by the Left Democratic Alliance, Anti-Fascist Left Front, Bangladesh JASAD and the National Ganafront. The left-leaning political parties gathered in front of the Jatiya Press Club around 11:30am and began marching towards Kakrail via Paltan, Bijoynagar, and Nightingale intersection. Around 12:30pm, police blocked the road with barricades at Kakrail. When protesters tried to move towards CA’s residence police obstructed them, triggering a scuffle, leaving 15-20 participants injured. The protesters later held a brief rally at Kakrail intersection. They also demanded disclosure and cancellation of all ‘secret and unequal agreements’ signed with the United States and India. Leftist student fronts accused of instigating protest after DU eviction drives Bazlur Rashid Firoz, coordinator of the Left Democratic Alliance and general secretary of BSD, announced a protest rally at 4 pm on Saturday in front of the Jatiya Press Club, describing Thursday’s incident as an ‘unprovoked police attack’ on their peaceful march. Among others, CPB general secretary Abdullah Kafi Ratan; JASAD (Ambia) president Sharif Nurul Ambia; Samajtantrik Sramik Front president Rajebuzzaman Ratan and Ganotantrik Biplobi Party general secretary Mosharrafa Mishu spoke.  

Three  more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Thursday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 394 this year. During the same period, 565 new patients were admitted to hospitals, raising the total number of dengue cases this year to 96,627, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The new fatalities were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). Last year, dengue claimed 575 lives, with 101,214 cases and 100,040 recoveries recorded during the same period.  

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Thursday said only former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, as of now, is entitled to receive the prescribed facilities designated for a ‘very, very important person’ (VVIP) of the State. The government has declared Khaleda Zia a VVIP and deployed members of the Special Security Force to ensure her safety. “A gazette notification in this regard has already been issued…as of now the facilities are being provided to Begum Khaleda Zia,” said Adviser Rizwana while responding to a question during a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy. There had been speculations over whether these facilities were also being extended to her family members. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder also spoke at the briefing, which highlighted the outcomes of the Council of Advisers’ meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. Responding to a question, DPS Azad said, “You are aware that assurance has been given from the government regarding all kinds of cooperation (for Khaleda) and the government will do that if any assistance is sought on behalf of the BNP.” Prof Yunus visited the Evercare Hospital in the city Wednesday evening (December 03, 2025) to see three-time former Prime Minister, former President’s wife and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. He spent around 30 minutes at the hospital after 7pm and enquired about her health condition. Prof Yunus urged Khaleda Zia's family and party leaders and activists to be patient, and reiterated the government's assurance of all kinds of cooperation. The Chief Adviser called on the people of the country to pray for Khaleda Zia's speedy recovery. Khaleda Zia will be flown to London for advanced medical treatment, either at midnight on Thursday or Friday morning, her personal physician and party standing committee member AZM Zahid Hossain said on Thursday. The decision was made unanimously by a medical board comprising local and foreign specialists, he told reporters at a press briefing in front of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. “She will be taken to London by a Qatar Royal air ambulance. We have selected a hospital in London for her treatment and, InshAllah, we will take her there,” he said. He said several specialist doctors and two foreign physicians will accompany Khaleda Zia during her trip to the UK. Regarding her current health condition, Zahid said every step has been taken strictly following the recommendations of the medical board. “They advised that sending her to London at this stage is the most appropriate. We hope she will recover and return to us,” he added. Dr Zahid sought prayers from the nation for her quick recovery. BNP sources said the Emir of Qatar has assured full cooperation in facilitating her transfer abroad. All arrangements have been completed to bring an air ambulance from Qatar to take Khaleda Zia to London for better treatment, said BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Amanul Haq Chowdhury. On January 8, Khaleda Zia travelled to London in a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar for advanced medical treatment and returned home on May 6by the air special ambulance. Khaleda Zia to be flown to UK for advanced treatment: Fakhrul The former prime minister has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 after being admitted with multiple health complications. As her condition worsened, she was moved to the Coronary Care Unit on November 27, where she is still under close monitoring. Doctors said Khaleda Zia is receiving intensive care for several complications related to her liver, kidneys and heart. A medical board, led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, is supervising her treatment with support from specialist physicians.