United News of Bangladesh

Police on Thursday detained a man for tying a young man to a tree and beating him with a hammer on suspicion of theft. The detainee, Qurban Ali, is a motor mechanic from Biswanathpur in Dinajpur’s Sadar upazila. He works at a garage in the Kaliakoir area and had been living in a rented house owned by Alamgir Master. Khandaker Nasir Uddin, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kaliakoir Police Station, said the identity of the injured youth could not yet be confirmed. However, Qurban has been taken into custody over the incident. A video of the assault went viral on social media on Thursday morning, sparking widespread outrage.  Police later identified Qurban from the footage and detained him in the evening, the OC added.

The DORP Youth Forum has called for the swift passage of the proposed amendment to the Tobacco Control Law formulated by the Ministry of Health, emphasizing that this amendment is essential to protect public health. They stated that urgent action is needed to save the next generation from the devastating grip of tobacco. During a human chain organized by the DORP Youth Forum in Mirpur-10, Dhaka, the youth participants reiterated their demand for the immediate adoption of the amendment. Addressing the Chief Adviser, the youth advocates urged that the draft amendment should be given top priority and approved without further delay. Citing data from the Tobacco Atlas 2025, they noted that tobacco-related diseases claim approximately 130,000 lives annually in Bangladesh—an average of 357 deaths per day—while millions more suffer from various illnesses. The youth advocates also observed that, despite some recent initiatives by the government, Bangladesh still has the highest rate of tobacco use in South Asia. Adib, a student of Dhaka University, said that Bangladesh was the first country to sign the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). However, the latest WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic shows that Bangladesh has yet to achieve best-practice standards in ensuring smoke-free environments and banning tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. He emphasized that the proposed amendment by the Ministry of Health would close existing loopholes in the current law, align national legislation with FCTC recommendations, and bring Bangladesh closer to global best practices in tobacco control. Saikat, a student of Jahangirnagar University, stated that tobacco companies primarily target young people, knowing that early addiction will secure long-term consumers. He explained that the industry constantly devises new tactics—after cigarettes and e-cigarettes, they are now aggressively pushing nicotine pouches through misleading messages and enticing promotions. During the human chain, youth advocates presented six key recommendations for strengthening the existing law. These include: eliminating designated smoking areas in all public places and transport; banning the display of tobacco products at points of sale; prohibiting corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities by tobacco companies; taking strong measures to protect children and youth from e-cigarettes; banning the sale of loose or single-stick tobacco products; and expanding graphic health warnings from 50 percent to 90 percent of packaging. Following the human chain, youth participants attended a workshop organized by DORP at UCEP Bangladesh.

The final list of candidates for the Shahjalal University Central Students’ Union (SUCSU) and hall union elections were published on Thursday. Chief Returning Officer Professor Dr. Abul Mukit Mohammad Moqaddes released the list on the SUCSU website. For the central union, 4 candidates are finalized for Vice President (VP): Delowar Hasan (Shishir), Muhyi Sharad, Mominur Rashid Shuvo, and Md. Mostakim Billah. 7 candidates are confirmed for General Secretary (GS): Md. Mujahidul Islam, Faisal Hossain, Maruf Billah, Junaid Ahmed, Md. Saifur Rahman, Md. Palash Bakhtiar, and Md. Junaid Hasan. The Election Commission also finalized candidates for other central posts, including 4 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS), 2 for Sports Secretary, 4 for Assistant Sports Secretary, 2 for Literature & Annual Secretary, 3 for Cultural Secretary, 2 for Liberation & Democratic Movement Secretary, 3 for Religion & Harmony Secretary, 3 for Social Welfare Secretary, 4 for Female Affairs Secretary, 4 for Health & Environment Secretary, 5 for Education, Research & Career Development Secretary, 5 for Information & Technology Secretary, 4 for International Affairs Secretary, 4 for Transport Secretary, 4 for Cafeteria & Canteen Secretary, and 5 for Law & Human Rights Secretary. A total of 28 candidates were finalized for general member positions. For the five residential halls, 11 candidates are confirmed for VP, 9 for GS, and 9 for AGS in each hall. After almost 28 years, elections will be held for 23 central union posts and nine posts in each of the six hall unions. Voting is scheduled for 20 January 2026.

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has honoured three exceptional leaders and their initiatives with the Dr Andreas Schild Memorial Mountain Prize, recognising their innovation, impact, and dedication to the mountain cause. This annual award commemorates the legacy of former ICIMOD Director General Dr Andreas Schild, a tireless champion for the world’s mountains and the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. His commitment continues to inspire those whose lives he touched during his long and distinguished career. The winners were selected by a fair and rigorous jury representing ICIMOD’s seven regional member countries, ensuring a transparent and inclusive selection process, officials said. Their groundbreaking initiatives are helping shape a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable future for the people and ecosystems of the Hindu Kush Himalaya. ICIMOD Director General Pema Gyamtsho presented the prizes at a ceremony held on Wednesday evening. Vice-Chancellor of Kathmandu University Prof Achyut Wagle, Programme Advisory Committee Chair Teresa Fogelberg, former ICIMOD DDG Dr Eklabya Sharma, and diplomats based in Kathmandu were also present. Bhutan’s glaciologist and Head of the Cryosphere Services Division at the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), Karma Toeb, was honoured for his pioneering work in reducing the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). His leadership in the siphoning of Thorthormi Lake—one of Bhutan’s most dangerous glacial lakes—has significantly reduced the threat to downstream communities and critical infrastructure. Geley Norbu, Director General of the National Land Commission Secretariat, received the award for his leadership in advancing Bhutan’s rangeland reforms. His initiatives—particularly in digital mapping, securing land rights for marginalised herders, and building climate-resilient rangeland systems—have been recognised as transformative for highland communities. Xinquan Zhao, a conservation leader from China, was also awarded for exemplary work in rangeland reform, contributing to improved land stewardship and resilience in the region’s fragile mountain ecosystems. This recognition celebrates Zhao’s outstanding initiative, “Transformative changes in pastoralism: Solutions for promoting grassland restoration and livelihood improvement in the Sanjiangyuan region,” which stands as a model of systemic, transformative innovation in alpine sustainability. In 2022, the Mountain Prize was renamed the Dr Andreas Schild Memorial Mountain Prize in honour of the former ICIMOD Director General, a champion of the mountains of the world and the HKH region, whose lasting impact continues to be felt across the region.

A two-year-old boy, Sajid, who fell into an abandoned deep well in Tanore upazila, Rajshahi, has not survived the 32-hour ordeal, as the Fire Service mounted a painstaking operation to hopefully rescue him. He was retrieved in a lifeless state around 9pm on Thursday (December 11, 2025), and the hope was that doctors at the nearest hospital could revive him. Although Sajid was immediately taken to the Tanore Upazila Health Complex for medical examination, doctors there declared him dead. Lt. Colonel Tajul Islam Chowdhury, Director of Operations at the Fire Service and Civil Defence, said that Sajid was found unconscious upon rescue, prompting his transfer to the hospital for urgent medical care. Despite efforts to revive him, doctors confirmed his death after thorough examination. Read more: Rajshahi rescue teams race to save toddler Sajid from deep tube-well It all started around 1:00 pm on Wednesday when Sajid fell approximately 30–35 feet into the open mouth of a well in Koelhat village while walking behind his mother, Runa Khatun, who was holding his elder sibling. Rescue operations began at 1:45 pm after locals alerted the Fire Service. Sajid’s mother described the frightening moment: “Suddenly, Sajid called out ‘Ma, Ma.’ When I turned, I saw him fall into a hole covered with straw. He slipped further down before anyone could reach him.” Rescue teams worked tirelessly through the night and following day, carefully excavating the well and supplying oxygen to keep the child alive. Authorities and locals monitored the operation, which concluded successfully late Thursday evening. Read more: Two-year-old child trapped in deep well in Rajshahi not rescued after 10 hours The boy is now receiving medical care, and officials said his condition will be closely observed.

The High Court on Thursday dismissed a rule challenging the legality of the rule that parties forming an alliance cannot share the electoral symbol in the upcoming national elections. The HC bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Fatema Anwar handed down the judgement. As a result, all parties will have to contest elections under their own symbols, even if they form alliances, experts said. The writ petitioners, including Advocate Ahsanul Karim, Barrister Rashna Imam, Barrister Reshad Imam, and Barrister Shahedul Azam, had challenged the provision. Meanwhile, Advocate Mohammad Hossain Lipu, Advocate Zahirul Islam Musa, Advocate Ajmal Hossain, and Advocate Nazmus Shakib represented the NCP in opposition to the writ. Advocate Yarul Islam appeared on behalf of the Bangladesh Congress. Earlier, on December 1, the High Court issued the rule questioning why the Representation of the People Order (RPO) amendment, which mandates voting under respective party symbols even in alliances, should not be declared illegal. The Election Commission was asked to respond within ten days, and the final hearing was held on Thursday. The RPO amendment ordinance, issued by the government on November 3, stipulates that if multiple parties contest in an alliance, candidates must use their own party symbols. Previously, a candidate from a smaller party in an alliance could adopt the symbol of a larger allied party. The provision faced objections from the BNP and some smaller parties, while Jamaat-e-Islami had also expressed concerns about the government’s initial approach. The writ, filed on November 27 by Mominul Amin, Secretary General of the National Democratic Movement (NDM) led by Bobby Hajjaj, sought the cancellation of the provision. The Chief Election Commissioner and other relevant authorities were made respondents in the writ.

A group of Dhaka University students forced Awami League-leaning teacher A K M Jamal Uddin to leave the campus after chasing him as he stepped out of the Faculty of Social Sciences’ teachers’ lounge. Around 1 pm on Thursday, as he and others came out of the building, a group of students led by DUCSU Social Welfare Secretary A B Zubayer began chasing Jamal. A video circulating on social media shows Zubayer grabbing Jamal’s clothes on the staircase of the Social Sciences Building in an attempt to stop him. In an effort to free himself, Jamal pulled off his hoodie. When he ran down the stairs and tried to escape, Zubayer continued to chase him. Eventually, Jamal got into a car, while Zubayer kept pulling at the car door, attempting to drag him out. DU student Abdur Rahman said that students had gathered after hearing that several Awami-leaning teachers, including Sociology Department teachers A K M Jamal and Zeenat Huda, were holding a secret meeting in the Faculty of Social Sciences’ teachers’ lounge around noon. He said, “In July, A K M Jamal Uddin talked about giving students brushfire treatment. He wanted to keep Sheikh Hasina in power for five more years without elections. “These Awami-leaning teachers even formed a human chain against the students. Zeenat Huda and others were present at a meeting with Hasina at Ganabhaban as representatives of teachers. Students have boycotted them. Students of the department have even locked their office doors,” Abdur Rahman added. DUCSU Social Welfare Secretary A B Zubayer wrote in a Facebook post, “Awami League’s wicked teacher A K M Jamal, who said the children of so-called self-proclaimed Razakars should be caught and given brushfire, along with Nil Dal leader Zeenat Huda and three other collaborators of fascists, came to campus today and joined a secret meeting. Upon receiving the news, we tried to detain them and hand them over to the police. But unfortunately, the scoundrels escaped in a vehicle they had prepared beforehand!”

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed on Thursday emphasized the need to ensure the continuity and effective functioning of the Supreme Court secretariat, describing it as a crucial step for maintaining judicial efficiency and the smooth operation of the judiciary. Speaking after formally unveiling the Supreme Court secretariat at the Supreme Court Administrative Building-4 this afternoon, the Chief Justice said, “Today, we are standing at a truly historic institutional moment. Everyone you see here has, in one way or another, contributed and partnered with this interim government, and collectively we have achieved this milestone.” “Our journey does not end here. The most important step ahead is to ensure the continuity and effective functioning of this secretariat. The coming months and years will show how successfully we can achieve this,” the Chief Justice said. He added that the Supreme Court’s constitutional authority to conduct judicial functions and oversee the justice system has now been consolidated within the institution. “While the success of this initiative will be credited to us, we must also acknowledge our responsibility for any shortcomings,” he noted. Calling on all stakeholders, including future elected governments, to uphold the rule of law and strengthen democracy, Syed Refaat Ahmed also addressed the media, saying, “I always say that you are the Fourth State (fourth pillar). I am personally very grateful to you for the cooperation you have given us in the last 16 months. We could not have done this without you, and I hope you will continue to be by our side in the journey ahead.” Chief Justice to deliver farewell address on Dec 14 Highlighting ongoing efforts, the Chief Justice said two committees – the Planning and Development Committee and the Post Creation Committee – have already been formed, and daily activities related to the secretariat are now underway. Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, Supreme Court Bar Council President Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Bangladesh Bar Council Vice-Chairman Senior Advocate Zainul Abedin, Ambassadors of various countries to Bangladesh, Senior Secretary of the Supreme Court Secretariat, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Law, officials of the Supreme Court Secretariat and Supreme Court administration were also present at the event.    

Vehicular movement will remain stop on the Dhaka–Aminbazar–Savar Road from early Monday (December 16) as the nation prepares to pay homage at the National Memorial in Savar on the occasion of Victory Day. The movement of buses, trucks, covered vans, microbuses, cars, CNG-run autorickshaws and other vehicles will be restricted on the Gabtoli–Aminbazar Bridge–Savar Road, from 3:00am to 9:30am, according to a public notice signed by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Sajjad Ali. The President, Chief Adviser, Chief Justice, advisers of various ministries, foreign diplomats, senior government officials, and representatives of different organisations will travel to the National Memorial to offer floral tributes at daybreak during the period on the day, the public notice says. DMP requested drivers and passengers to use the following alternative routes instead of Dhaka-Aminbazar- Savar routes as follows: Vehicles heading to various destinations via Savar from Gabtoli will have to use Dhaka Airport Road, then Abdullahpur Crossing, and proceed through Ashulia. Vehicles leaving Dhaka from Kalyanpur and Technical crossings have to turn right at Technical Crossing and travel through Mirpur-1 and Diabari Crossing. Dhaka-bound vehicles from Aricha via Aminbazar have to turn left at Nabinagar Bazar and travel through Ashulia. Dhaka-bound vehicles from Tangail have to use the Kaliakair–Gazipur Chourasta–Tongi route. DMP urged citizens to follow police instructions and cooperate during the Victory Day programmes.

The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Youth and Sports on Thursday jointly hosted a farewell reception for outgoing Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain at the Local Government Division’s conference room at the Secretariat. The event was arranged to express appreciation for his leadership, efficiency and contributions to strengthening service delivery, ensuring dynamism and improving project implementation across both ministries. Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Md Mahbub-ul-Alam presided over the programme. Local Government Division Secretary Md Rezaul Maksud Zahedi, senior officials of both ministries, heads of affiliated departments and organisations, and other concerned officials were present. Speaking at the programme, the Local Government Division Secretary said the gathering was “not a farewell, but an expression of gratitude.” He mentioned that the guidance and supervision of Adviser Asif Mahmud had helped make the local government system more effective and people-friendly, bringing greater transparency and momentum to the ministries’ activities. He added that project implementation, service expansion and overall local-level development advanced significantly under the adviser’s leadership. The Youth and Sports Secretary described Asif Mahmud—also known for his role in the Mass Uprising of ’24—as “an exemplary personality,” noting his charismatic leadership and strong memory. He expressed hope that the adviser would serve in an even more prominent role in the future, and wished him success, good health and prosperity. In his remarks, Adviser Asif Mahmud thanked officials and employees of both ministries for their dedication, sincerity and cooperation, saying it had enabled him to carry out his responsibilities effectively. “The efforts we have made together to enhance institutional capacity and contribute to the country’s overall development will continue—that is my expectation,” he said. He told officials that your one decision can determine the fate of countless people. He also urged them to continue working with honesty and commitment. He also wished everyone good health and well-being.