United News of Bangladesh

The Advisory Council Committee on Economic Affairs on Monday approved in principle a proposal to procure consultancy services for the ongoing Dhaka Environmentally Sustainable Water Supply (DESWS) project being implemented by Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA). The approval was given at a meeting of the comittee held at the Cabinet Division Conference Room of the Secretariat. Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed presided over the meeting. The proposal was placed by the Local Government Division. Under the approved proposal, German firm Fichtner GmbH & Co. KG will be appointed as the Management, Design and Supervision Consultant (MDSC) for the project. The consultancy services will be secured through the Single Source Selection (SSS) method in accordance with the Public Procurement Rules (PPR) 2025. The proposed consultancy period will run for 24 months from September 2025 to August 2027. The DESWS project aims to strengthen Dhaka’s sustainable water supply infrastructure while ensuring environmental protection and long-term resilience.    

The Advisory Council Committee on Government Purchase on Monday recommended the procurement of one cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the international spot market to meet the country’s growing energy demand. The decision was taken at a meeting of the comittee held with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair at the Secretariat. The proposal was placed by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division following the Public Procurement Rules 2025. Govt decides to buy 1 spot cargo of LNG from UK Under the proposal, one LNG cargo will be procured for delivery during January 9–10, 2026 at a total cost of about Tk 420.09 crore. The unit price has been fixed at US$9.99 per MMBTU. South Korea-based Posco International Corporation has been recommended as the supplier. Officials said the LNG import would help ensure uninterrupted gas supply for power generation and industrial use amid rising demand during the winter season.

Two days after the shooting of Inquilab Moncho spokesman Sharif Osman Hadi, a case has been filed naming prime suspect Faisal Karim Masud and several unidentified others. One Javed, a member of Inquilab Moncho formed during last year’s July Uprising, lodged the case with Paltan Police Station, its officer-in-charge Mustafa Kamal Khan told UNB on Monday. Among the accused, the prime suspect is on the run, while law enforcement agencies, including the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), have so far arrested six people. On Monday, RAB arrested three more people, including Faisal Karim’s wife and brother-in-law. The arrestees are Faisal’s wife Begum Samia, his brother-in-law Shipu, and Begum Maria. RAB also recovered several bank cheques signed by Faisal Karim Masud and seized electronic devices from the arrestees. Meanwhile, an air ambulance equipped with all emergency facilities for critical patients arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday morning to take Hadi to Singapore for advanced treatment.

  Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Monday said the government has no hesitation in allocating funds for the treatment of Sharif Osman Hadi. He said the government responded immediately after receiving information about Hadi’s condition and the recommendation to send him abroad for specialised treatment. Dr Salehuddin said this while talking to reporters fter meetings of the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs and the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase at the Secretariat. “When we were informed yesterday that he would need to be sent abroad we made it clear that money would not be an issue. We said we would provide the necessary allocation,” the Finance Adviser said. He noted that sending a patient abroad for treatment inevitably involves substantial expenses including specialised arrangements such as an air ambulance. “Obviously, when someone is sent abroad for treatment funds are involved. We informed the Ministry of Finance that whatever is required including hiring an air ambulance if necessary, should be arranged,” he said. The Finance Adviser added that the Ministry of Finance is currently meeting the expenses from its own budget.    

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) leaders marched towards the Office of the Home Affairs Adviser on Monday afternoon, demanding the arrest of those involved in the gun attack on Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho and an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency. They started the march around 1 pm from in front of the DUCSU building. After breaking through police barricades at Doel Chattar and the High Court intersection, the procession reached Shikkha Bhaban intersection, where it was stopped by another police barricade. The protesters’ three demands are- the immediate arrest of the attackers, a nationwide drive to recover illegal firearms and the arrest of militants belonging to banned organisations. During the march, protesters chanted various slogans . Later a-10-member delegation, led by the DUCSU vice president, proceeded to the Office of the Home Affairs Adviser.

The air ambulance, equipped with all emergency facilities for a critical patient, departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport carrying bullet-hit Dhaka-8 aspiring independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi to Singapore for advanced treatment on Monday (December 15, 2025). The ambulance, operated by Aspro Aviation, took off from the airport at 1:55pm, said SM Ragib Samad, executive director of the airport.  Earlier, the ambulance landed at 11:22am. Read more: Govt to bear all costs for Hadi’s overseas treatment: Salehuddin Meanwhile, an ambulance carrying Hadi arrived at the airport from the Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara area.    The decision to send Hadi abroad for treatment was taken on Sunday. The press wing of the Chief Adviser’s office said that necessary preparations, including the medical air ambulance, a team of doctors, and travel arrangements, had been completed. Arrangements for his treatment at the Accident and Emergency Department of Singapore General Hospital have also been made. It was also stated that the government will bear all medical expenses for Hadi’s treatment. Hadi to be flown to Singapore on Monday: CA’s Press Wing The Chief Adviser has instructed authorities concerned to monitor his treatment process around the clock, seeking prayers from the nation for Hadi’s speedy recovery. Over the past two days, the government contacted several hospitals in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia to arrange for Hadi’s advanced treatment. According to Dr Md Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the Chief Adviser on health matters, Hadi’s current condition remains stable and unchanged. Hadi, spokesman of the Inquilab Mancho, was attacked on Friday in Bijoynagar Box Culvert area of Dhaka while traveling in a rickshaw. The assailants on a motorcycle shot at his head with intent to kill and fled. He is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Read more: Hadi shooting: DUCSU leaders march to Home Adviser’s office

Bangladesh national cricket team ODI captain Mehedi Hasan Miraz will continue as a brand ambassador for the 2026-2027 term following the renewal of his association with a leading ceramic and sanitaryware manufacturer. The renewal was announced on Monday at a signing ceremony and press conference held at Dhaka Reporters Unity. Speaking at the event, Sadhan Kumar Dey, Chief Executive Officer of RAK Ceramics Bangladesh, said, “Mehedi Hasan Miraz reflects the core values of our brand resilience, integrity and sustained performance. Just as Miraz consistently performs at the highest level, RAK Ceramics continues to set benchmarks in quality and design. We are proud to extend this successful partnership.” Expressing his enthusiasm, Mehedi Hasan Miraz said, “RAK Ceramics stands for quality, innovation and trust, values that align closely with my own journey. I am honored to continue representing a brand that inspires people to imagine better living spaces.”

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Monday said the Election Commission (EC) is fully prepared to hold the next national election in February 2026, expressing confidence that a conducive environment prevails in the country for the election.  “You will see that the Election Commission has done its preparatory work very well. The voter list has been prepared and updated on time, and the schedule has been announced. Now the focus is on proper implementation,” he said. The adviser was talking to reporters after meetings of the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs and the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase at the Secretariat. He said implementation of the election schedule will be carried out based on ground-level assessments with additional measures taken in sensitive areas if required. “In more sensitive areas, arrangements will be strengthened. In less sensitive areas, the Commission already knows what preparations are needed and is taking them accordingly,” he said. “Political parties have said they will take part in the election. No one has raised objections to the schedule. In fact, everyone has unanimously said the schedule is appropriate. That itself is proof that there is no controversy over the timing,” he added. On the law and order situation, he said the overall condition remains satisfactory and will be further strengthened as the election approaches. No uncertainty over national election, reaffirms CEC Responding to questions on government borrowing, Dr Salehuddin said the current administration has taken loans of more than Tk 50,000 crore, mainly to continue ongoing development projects inherited from previous governments. He said many of these projects are already 50 to 60 percent complete and abandoning them would lead to major losses. “If we were to close these projects midway, it would amount to what economists call a ‘deadweight loss’, meaning the money already spent would be completely wasted. Considering this, we decided to implement several projects,” he said. The current government has taken very few new projects, he added. He also said the government has repaid several billion dollars in external debt. On election-related spending, Dr Salehuddin said the Election Commission has not yet formally submitted a detailed fund requirement after announcing the schedule. “Once their requisition comes to us, we will be able to take a decision and process it quickly,” he said. He stressed that election logistics fall under the Election Commission’s authority and that the government will not impose restrictions on its financial needs. “The Election Commission knows what it needs — logistics, manpower and other support for polling day and related activities. When they place their demand, we will verify it and ensure timely allocation,” he said. Referring to recent examples, he said the government is ready to respond promptly to EC requirements.

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, the student wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP), blocked the Shahbagh intersection on Monday, demanding the immediate arrest of those involved in the shooting of Inquilab Moncho spokesman and Dhaka-8 independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi. The protesters also demanded the resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser for 'failing to maintain law and order and arrest the accused’. The leaders and activists of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti began gathering in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh around 11 am. Later, they moved to Shahbagh intersection and staged a blockade. The blockade brought vehicular movement in the surrounding areas to a standstill. Additional police personnel were deployed to prevent any untoward incident. Abu Bakar Majumdar, convenor of the NCP’s student wing, said, “We demand the immediate arrest of the attackers who assaulted Hadi. We also demand the resignation of the Home Adviser as the law and order has deteriorated in the country.” The blockade by the protesters was continuing as of filing this report at 1:30pm. Sharif Osman Hadi was attacked on Friday in Bijoynagar Box Culvert area of the capital while travelling in a rickshaw. Assailants riding a motorbike shot him in the head and fled the scene.

All 19 members of Feni Reporters’ Unity, including the key posts of president and general secretary, have been elected uncontested for 2026. Election Commission head Advocate Mezbaha Uddin Khan announced the results on Sunday evening, as no candidates contested against each other following the publication of the final candidate list on December 14. Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, chief of Daily Naya Diganta’s Feni office, BSS Feni correspondent and editor of Daily Feni Somoy, and Didarul Alam, ATN News Feni correspondent, were elected president and general secretary respectively. Other office-bearers include Vice President Mohammad Main Uddin (Daily Starline); Joint General Secretaries Tofafel Ahmed Niloy (Desh TV) and Jasim Uddin Forayzi (Gazi TV); Treasurer Mohammad Md Shafi Ullah Repon (Daily Desh Rupantar and UNB); Office Secretary Mohammad Rafiqul Islam (Weekly Niharika); and Publicity Secretary Aziz Al Faisal (Daily Starline and Daily Rupali Bangladesh). The other secretaries are Sports Secretary Tanzid Uddin Shuvo (Feni Protyoy), Literary Secretary Mohammad Mizanur Rahman (Daily Amar Sangbad), Training Secretary Habib Ullah Miyaji (Daily Ittefaq), and Cultural Secretary Alauddin (Daily Amar Kagoj). Executive members include Shukdeb Nath Tapon (Weekly Feni Alo), Ariful Amin Rizvi (Daily Feni), Enamul Haque Patowary (Daily Noyapoygam), Jatan Majumder (Daily Jugantor), Ali Haider Manik (Daily Feni Somoy and Naya Shatabdi), Mohammad Omar Faruk (Daily Inquilab), and Nur Ullah Kaiser (Daily Bonik Barta and Daily Starline). Established in 2010, the Feni Reporters’ Unity was formed to work for the welfare of journalists in the region.