United News of Bangladesh

The Supreme Court has restricted access to its courtrooms for trial candidates and anyone other than lawyers in both its divisions from Monday, citing security concerns. The notification said the Supreme Court, being the highest judicial institution of the country, requires strict security to ensure the safety of the Chief Justice, judges of both divisions, lawyers conducting cases, and all concerned, said a notification issued on the order of the Chief Justice and signed by Supreme Court Registrar General Muhammad Habibur Rahman Siddiqui. It noted that recently trial candidates, litigants and other unauthorised persons have been entering the courtrooms, creating obstacles to security, a peaceful environment and the smooth conduct of judicial proceedings. Such activities, the notification said, have disrupted the security of judges, lawyers, officials and employees. Govt clears draft law to establish separate secretariat for Supreme Court “For the sake of security, access of trial candidates or any persons other than lawyers to the courtrooms of both divisions of the Supreme Court has been limited and restricted,” it said. The notification also said that any kind of gathering, procession, and carrying of legal or illegal weapons, including deadly weapons, explosives and narcotics, has been completely banned on the Supreme Court premises. The order will remain effective from December 15 to December 31. Legal action will be taken against anyone violating the order, it warned. Lawyers, their assistants, court officials and employees, and trial seekers have been asked to remain vigilant and comply with the directive.    

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’

Students of Chittagong University (CU) on Monday locked the university’s administrative building demanding the removal of Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan for his alleged controversial remarks over the killings of intellectuals in 1971. Under the banner of Sarbadaliya Chhatra Oikya (All-Party Students’ Unity), the students padlocked all gates of the administrative building around noon protesting his remarks denying the role of Pakistani occupation forces in the killing of intellectuals during the Liberation War. Acting Registrar Prof Mohammad Saiful Islam, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Md Kamal Uddin and Controller of Examinations Prof Momtaz Uddin Ahmed were inside the building at that time. The building remained locked as of filing this report in the afternoon. The students demanded an unconditional apology and resignation of Prof Shamim Uddin Khan. CU unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Joint General Secretary Jalal Uddin said they locked the administrative building in protest against Prof Shamim Uddin’s remarks on the martyred intellectuals. “If he does not apologise unconditionally, we will continue to press for his resignation,” he said. Sumaiya Sikder, a representative of Nari Angan, condemned the remarks, saying such comments were unacceptable from an academic. “His statement has demeaned the Liberation War and the martyred intellectuals. We demand his resignation so that no one dares to make such remarks in future.”   Biplobi Chharta Moitri President Joshod Zakir said the comments attempted to create a narrative in favour of collaborators which is ‘disgraceful and shameful.’ After locking the building, CU Chhatra Dal General Secretary Abdullah Al Noman said the university runs on public funds, not on funds of any particular group. He alleged that during a discussion meeting marking Martyred Intellectuals Day on Sunday, the pro-VC referred to Pakistani soldiers as ‘warriors’ which sparked outrage among students. “He must apologise and resign. We will not remove the locks otherwise,” he said. Earlier, speaking at a discussion organised by the CU administration on December 14, Prof Shamim Uddin Khan reportedly said that December 16 was fixed as the day of surrender and they (the Pakistani army) were preparing to return and in such a situation, the idea that the Pakistani army would kill Bangladesh’s intellectuals is completely baseless. This was part of an international conspiracy and the intellectuals were killed with the aim of turning this country into a tributary state of another country, he added.

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.

The US Embassy in Dhaka on Monday issued a security alert for US citizens in Bangladesh, saying they should practice vigilance and remember that demonstrations intended to be peaceful in this period leading up to elections can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. “You should avoid demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings,” said the Embassy in the security alert shared from its verified Facebook page. Bangladesh’s Election Commission announced that the next parliamentary election and a national referendum will occur simultaneously on February 12, 2026.  Political rallies and demonstrations may become more frequent and intense as the election date approaches, said the Embassy. Talking about actions to take, the Embassy said, “Be aware of your surroundings. Monitor local media for updates. Avoid crowds. Avoid demonstrations.”   

The Editors’ Council on Monday strongly condemned the filing of a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act against journalist Anis Alamgir, alleging that he was summoned to the Detective Branch (DB) office without any specific allegation. In a statement, Editors’ Council President Nurul Kabir and General Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud said Anis Alamgir was called to the DB office on Sunday without any allegation, detained there, and shown arrested the following day after a case was filed against him under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Such actions, the statement said, revive the memories of state repression against journalists during past authoritarian regimes. The Editors’ Council mentioned that similar practices were seen during the tenure of the Awami League government, when false cases, harassment and arbitrary arrests of journalists were common, adding that the current incident appears to be a repetition of that regrettable reality. Strongly condemning the incident, the council said that if there are specific allegations against any journalist, those must be dealt with strictly under the existing laws and due legal process. “Summoning a journalist to the DB office without allegations, detaining him and later filing a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act to justify the arrest is unacceptable,” the statement said. The Editors’ Council also said that since the fall of Hasina following the mass uprising on August 5, 2024, many journalists have been named in false murder cases, with several still in jail. It recalled that the council had earlier demanded the withdrawal of such false cases. Although the government’s law adviser had promised action against false cases and harassment, no steps have yet been taken, the statement added. Journalist Anis Alamgir shown arrested in anti-terrorism case The Editors’ Council demanded the immediate withdrawal of all baseless cases. Meanwhile, a Dhaka court placed journalist Anis Alamgir on a five-day remand in the case. Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam passed the order after police produced him before the court with a seven-day remand prayer.