United News of Bangladesh

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested Kabir, a close associate of the prime accused Faisal, in connection with the attempted murder of Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, according to information received from the RAB headquarters on Monday night. RAB said Kabir was a key accomplice of Faisal, who has been identified as the principal suspect in the gun attack on Osman Hadi. Further details about the arrest will be disclosed later, the elite force added. Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and an independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot by assailants on Friday after Jummah prayer at Bijoynagar Boxculvert road in the capital. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital with bullet injuries from he was shifted to Evercare hospital. Finally, he was sent to Singapore by an air ambulance on Monday afternoon for better treatment. CEC takes attack on Hadi seriously, orders immediate action: EC Following the incident, law enforcement agencies launched a series of operations to identify and arrest those involved. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police earlier said Faisal Karim Masud, alias Daud Khan, and another suspect were identified in connection with the attack, while RAB and police have already earlier arrested seven suspects for their alleged roles in aiding the shooter.  

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka, Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan, on Monday jointly inspected the China-Bangladesh Friendship Residential Hall at the University of Dhaka, accompanied by the Chinese feasibility study expert team. Ambassador Yao said educational cooperation is one of the most fundamental areas of Bangladesh-China relations. He said China stands ready to work with Bangladesh to advance this student-centered, women-focused livelihood project. "It will play the role of a model project for China-Bangladesh educational cooperation," he said. Continued to expand support for Rohingyas: Ambassador Yao Prof.  Niaz Ahmed Khan expressed gratitude for China’s support and assistance in the field of Bangladeshi education. He hoped that this project would serve as a new starting point for further deepening practical cooperation with China in talent cultivation, scientific research collaboration, and youth exchanges, ensuring that the friendship between Bangladesh and China is passed on from generation to generation.  

The Bengali nation proudly celebrates December 16 as Victory Day.  The date marks the surrender of the Pakistani army in 1971, bringing to an end the Liberation War.  A new country, Bangladesh, was born after a long and bloody nine-month war. However, even after 54 years of independence, questions remain about issues such as democracy, secularism, the objective history of the war and reform of the education system. In a special interview with UNB, Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, Vice-Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, shared his views on the importance of Victory Day, the university’s programmes, research on the Liberation War, the political reality of the 2024 Uprising, challenges in education, and the role of the younger generation. UNB: How do you see the importance of Victory Day on its 54th anniversary? VC: The greatest significance of this day is that Bangladesh emerged as a democratic state. Our main resistance against the Pakistani rulers was because they denied the people’s electoral mandate. The core spirit of the Liberation War lies in freedom, democracy and sovereignty. Our main goal was to establish the people’s rights and democracy in this country. UNB: What programmes has the university taken for Victory Day? VC: Like last year, the university administration has arranged various programmes. These include placing wreaths at the National Memorial, illuminating different offices such as the administrative building and residential halls, and providing improved food for students. There is also a plan to organise a victory rally if the situation allows. UNB: How much participation do you expect from teachers and students? VC: 1971 is our birth identity, and 2024 continues that journey—'24 has completed the unfinished work of '71. Due to long-term fascist rule, confusion was created, but after '24, history has been revived. I believe teachers and students will participate spontaneously. UNB: Does the university have any initiative to research and document the Liberation War? VC: We have established an art gallery to capture the spirit of 2024. We are also preserving the events of 2024 through an oral archive. 2024 was born from 1971 and emerged due to the unfinished promises after independence. It is important to document and remember this. If we fail to fulfil the promise of '71, '24 will return again and again. UNB: Are there any new steps to strengthen Liberation War history in the curriculum? VC: Every department will review its course content. Departments such as history, archaeology, government and politics should give greater importance to this topic. Many people are confused because they do not know objective history. We have both horizontal and vertical histories. The deprivation of Muslims in colonial Bengal and the contributions of Muslim thinkers of the subcontinent have not been properly highlighted. I urge the concerned departments to take immediate action. UNB: Is there any new project on campus to honour the martyrs? VC: There are several memorial structures on campus, including Amar Ekushey, Shaheed Minar, Sansaptak, and monuments for 1952, 1971 and 2024. Recently, we inaugurated ‘Adamya-24’ in memory of 2024. However, these are not enough. More visible initiatives are needed to commemorate 1971 and 2024. Failure to remember history has led to long dictatorships. UNB: Do students know the correct history of the Liberation War? VC: Except for a small number, most students do not know the correct history. Different governments have presented history based on their own ideologies. We want to ensure this does not happen again. Everyone’s contribution must be evaluated fairly. Otherwise, situations like 2024 may occur again. UNB: Is the new generation learning enough from history? VC: I have serious doubts. The main problem is the lack of objectivity. Awareness will grow if students learn history through interviews with families of martyrs, use of technology, oral archives and smartphones. UNB: How much of the spirit of independence has been realised today? VC: We are still trapped in divisive politics. Even a year and a half after 24, hatred has not stopped on the path to restoring democracy. This puts both 1971 and 2024 at risk. Despite many reasons for division, if there is even one reason for unity, we must accept it. Like '71 and '24, we must unite beyond race, religion, caste and gender. Jahangirnagar University suspends 16 students over ragging of freshmen UNB: What is the biggest challenge in the education system after 54 years? VC: There is a division based on education mediums—Bangla, English, Madrasa and technical. These must be unified. The education budget is very low. Internationally, 4–6 percent of GDP is recommended, but we allocate only 1–2 percent. Due to lack of respect and financial security, talented people are not choosing teaching as a profession. An education commission and major reforms are urgently needed. UNB: What are the future plans for academic development and research at the university? VC: Since taking office, we have increased research funding and supported quality researchers. Our international research standing has improved, and we have ranked top nationally several times. We also plan to allocate funds for student research. UNB: What is your message to students and youth on Victory Day? VC: History shows that young people have always led movements for democracy and rights. The experience of elders and the energy of youth together will move the country forward. Students should spend more time in classrooms and libraries to prepare themselves to lead the nation in the future.    

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.    

Students residing in accommodation under the “Medhabi Project” run by the As-Sunnah Foundation have implemented a blockade program at the main gate of the administrative building of Jagannath University (JnU) for nine consecutive hours, demanding inclusion in a special scholarship scheme.  As of 7pm on Monday, when this report was filed, the Vice-Chancellor, the Treasurer, and other administration officials remained confined inside. The blockade commenced Monday at 10am in front of the university’s administrative building. The protesting students stated that the blockade would continue until their demands are met. Hasnat Hossain, one of the protesting students, said: “We are standing here with our legitimate demands. Many students stay in halls by paying subsidies of Tk 5,000–6,000. Some even pay Tk 9,000–10,000. So why should we be excluded from the scholarship?” Bakhtiar Islam, a student of the Department of Islamic History and Culture, said, “The As-Sunnah Hall authorities have told us that the Medhabi Hall has no affiliation with Jagannath University. They have instructed that As-Sunnah Hall should not be considered a university hall. We will not leave this place until our three demands are fulfilled. If the demands are not met, the movement will become more intense.” The students’ three-point demands are: inclusion of students residing under the As-Sunnah Foundation-run ‘Medhabi Project’ within the housing scholarship policy, like general students; removal of the imposed conditions of 70 percent attendance and CGPA-based criteria in order to keep the housing scholarship need-based rather than merit-based; and complete withdrawal of the re-admission-related conditions. Meanwhile, the As-Sunnah Foundation has requested that its ‘Medhabi Project’, meant for regular students of Jagannath University, not be considered as an administrative or residential hall of the university.  

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.      

Like every year, the armies of Bangladesh and India have invited each other’s war veterans and serving officers to participate in the Victory Day celebrations on December 16, marking the end of Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971 with the surrender of the Pakistani forces. Eight Indian war veterans and two serving officers of the Indian Armed Forces reached Dhaka on Monday to participate in Bangladesh’s Victory Day celebrations. Similarly, eight valiant freedom fighters and two serving officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces went to India on Sunday to participate in the celebrations at Kolkata, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Monday.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed his deepest and heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Bangladesh, to the families of the fallen peacekeepers, and wished a swift recovery to the injured. “Support is being provided to the wounded peacekeepers ahead of their evacuation,” he said in a statement. The UN chief strongly condemned the horrific drone attacks that targeted the United Nations peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, on December 13, 2025, resulting in six fatalities and eight injuries – all members of the Bangladeshi peacekeeping contingent serving in the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). He said attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law and he reminded all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect UN personnel and civilians. Read more: Int’l community mourns six Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed in Sudan “Attacks as the one today in South Kordofan against peacekeepers are unjustifiable. There will need to be accountability,” said the UN chief.  He expressed his solidarity with the thousands of peacekeepers who continue to serve under the blue flag in the most dangerous of environments. The UN chief reiterated his call on the warring parties to agree on an immediate cessation of hostilities and to resume talks to reach a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process. Meanwhile, the German Embassy in Dhaka extended its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers who lost their lives in Sudan. “We wish the injured a swift and full recovery.” Read more: Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed, injured in Sudan identified The Embassy said Germany is committed to standing up for international peace and security and continues to be a steadfast supporter of UN peacekeeping, through significant financial contributions, personnel, and training. “We deeply value Bangladesh’s vital and courageous contribution to peace and security worldwide,” reads a message from the Embassy. Canada also extended its deepest condolences to the families of the Bangladeshi peacekeepers who recently lost their lives in Sudan, and wished a quick recovery to the injured. “We honour their courage and sacrifice in the service of peace and express our solidarity with the people and the Government of Bangladesh, as well as with the UN peacekeeping community, during this difficult time,” said the Canadian High Commission in Dhaka. Pakistan also condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the heinous attack against UN peacekeepers in Kadugli, Sudan. Read more: Guterres condemns drone attack in Sudan that killed Bangladeshi peacekeepers Pakistan expressed its deepest condolences to the government and people of Bangladesh on the loss of these precious lives, and stands in solidarity with the bereaved families in this tragic hour. The Pakistan government said UN peacekeepers remain at the forefront of international efforts to prevent conflict, protect civilians, and support peace under the UN flag. “We pay homage to the ultimate sacrifice made by these Blue Helmets in the line of duty for peace and stability in the region,” said the South Asian country. Pakistan called for a swift investigation to identify the perpetrators of this cowardly attack and to hold those responsible accountable. “We will also continue to work closely with members of the UN Security Council and the international community to ensure the safety and security of all UN peacekeepers.” Earlier on Sunday, the international community, including the European Union (EU), the United States, the United Kingdom and France, stood beside Bangladeshi peacekeepers and extended their condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the six Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers killed in Sudan. Read more: Bangladeshi peacekeepers' deaths: UN chief calls CA Yunus to offer condolences