United News of Bangladesh

Six Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers were killed and eight others injured when terrorists attacked a United Nations base in Sudan's Abyei,  Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday (December 13, 2025). ISPR said the attack took place amid ongoing fighting in the area, adding that the war is still continuing. Read more: Dhaka requests UN to ensure best possible treatment for injured peacekeepers The military’s media wing did not provide further details about the circumstances of the attack or the condition of the injured peacekeepers.

Speakers at a programme on Saturday expressed concern over rising unemployment and an increasing number of people living below the poverty line in Bangladesh, warning that the trends signal deepening socio-economic challenges. They also identified mob behaviour and entrenched political culture as major obstacles to democratic reconstruction and employment generation. The observations came at an open forum discussion titled “Democratic Reconstruction on Youth Employment” held at the CIRDAP (Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific) Auditorium. The event was organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) and moderated by its President Zillur Rahman. BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said Bangladesh’s current situation is multidimensional and complex. Drawing from his experience, he noted that unemployment in Bangladesh cannot be fully understood through textbook definitions alone.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has imposed maximum alert along all borders of Chuadanga and Meherpur districts following the attempted assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha and a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8. Security has been stepped up to prevent the attackers from fleeing the country via the Indian border, with intensified patrolling and searches across all border points. Lieutenant Colonel Nazmul Hasan, Director of the 6th Battalion (Chuadanga BGB), confirmed that strict security measures have been implemented along the Chuadanga–Meherpur border under the battalion’s jurisdiction. Patrols have been increased at sensitive and strategic locations, and suspected individuals and vehicles are being thoroughly searched. Additional BGB personnel have been deployed, and both day and night operations are ongoing to ensure that the assailants cannot escape the country. Local residents in border areas have been urged to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity immediately to law enforcement, avoid unnecessary movement near the border, and follow all security guidelines. Hadi was shot on Friday, Dec 12, around 2:15 pm in front of the water tank in Bijoynagar, Dhaka. He was admitted to the hospital, where a medical board stated he is currently under conservative management. Meanwhile, the government has announced a reward of 5 million taka for information leading to the arrest of those involved in the attack. The announcement was made on Saturday, Dec 13, by Senior Secretary and Law Enforcement Advisor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury after a core committee meeting on law and order at the Secretariat. The advisor urged citizens to assist authorities in apprehending the suspects and expressed optimism that the perpetrators would be caught quickly with public cooperation. He also called upon the nation to pray for Sharif Osman Hadi’s speedy recovery.

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman on Saturday warned that the roots of those responsible for attacking Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi would be uprooted, no matter how strong they are. He said Sharif Osman Hadi is a hero of the July mass uprising and is currently undergoing treatment after being shot by terrorists. “We are praying wholeheartedly for his recovery,” the Attorney General said. He made the remarks while responding to journalists’ queries following a special prayer meeting at Malithia village under Shailkupa upazila around 5:30 pm. The Attorney General said a conspiracy has begun to sabotage the upcoming elections, alleging that terrorist elements of the fallen dictatorship have targeted the leadership of the July mass uprising in an attempt to destroy it. “But they will not succeed,” he added. Stressing that the upcoming national elections will be fair and peaceful, he said both the government and the Election Commission are committed to ensuring a credible electoral process. “People will be able to cast their votes for candidates of their choice, and the hopes and aspirations of the people will be reflected in the election,” he said. At the same time, he sought prayers from all for the health of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Sharif Osman Hadi, also an independent candidate from Dhaka-8 constituency.

Advisor to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Farida Akhter on Saturday said that an extensive awareness program will be launched in January to reduce the use of antibiotics and increase public consciousness regarding its bad effects, including antimicrobial resistance. The Advisor stated that various initiatives are planned to prevent unnecessary antibiotic usage and build awareness among the public, which will play an effective role in protecting public health. Adviser Farida made the remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Veterinary Vaccine Conference 2025’ held this morning at the Livestock Research Institute (LRI) in Mohakhali, Dhaka. Regarding the role of vaccines in health security, the Fisheries and Livestock Advisor emphasized the critical importance of veterinary vaccines for animal health, public health, food security, and overall economic development. She commended the ‘Veterinary Vaccine Conference’ as a timely and significant initiative that enables the vital exchange of knowledge and experience. Farida warned that neglecting disease prevention leads to the unnecessary use of antibiotics, thereby increasing the risk of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). This risk is escalating not only among humans but also in animals. She stressed the need to strengthen vaccination programs to reduce the requirement for antibiotics and underscored the necessity of effective measures to stop the incorrect application of antibiotics. “It is not enough just to rear livestock; animals, like humans, require care, treatment, and disease prevention,” he added. "The health of the animals that humans consume as food significantly depends on human health,” he opined. Focus on self-sufficiency in vaccine production while immunization programs are ongoing to control infectious diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Lumpy Skin Disease, PPR, and Anthrax, the Advisor highlighted the importance of building the country's own capacity for vaccine production.   The conference featured a keynote address by Professor Dr. Robyn Alders of the Australian National University, who presented a paper titled ‘Preventing pandemics, improving food security: sustainable control of vaccine preventable animal disease in resource-limited settings.’ The opening session was chaired by Dr. Md. Abu Sufian, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services. Dr. Md. Mostofa Kamal, Director of LRI, delivered the welcome speech and provided an overview of the context at the beginning of the conference. Dr. Shakila Faruk spoke as a special guest. The event was attended by experts, researchers, and policymakers from the livestock sector.

A man was stabbed to death in broad daylight at Pagladah village under Nawapara Union in Jashore Sadar upazila on Saturday. The deceased was identified as Shahid, 35, son of Bashir and a resident of the village. According to local sources and police, Shahid got into an altercation with several youths from the same village around 4:30 pm at the intersection near Rahman’s shop in front of his house over a previous enmity. At one stage, the argument escalated and the youths stabbed him, leaving him critically injured. Shahid was rushed to Jashore Sadar Hospital by his father, where the on-duty doctor at the emergency department declared him dead upon arrival. The body was later kept at the hospital morgue. The victim’s family alleged that Piyas, 22, Alif, 20, Iran, 24, and Riyaz, 25, all residents of the same village, were involved in the killing. They have been absconding since the incident. Faruq Ahmed, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotwali Police Station, said police have launched an investigation and intensified operations to arrest the accused.

The nation is set to observe the Martyred Intellectuals Day on Sunday to commemorate the intellectuals killed systematically by Pakistan occupation forces and their local collaborators at the fag-end of the Liberation War in 1971. On this day in 1971, the country’s renowned academicians, doctors, engineers, journalists, artists, teachers and other eminent personalities were dragged out of their homes, blindfolded and taken to unknown places and then brutally tortured and murdered. Their bodies were later dumped at Rayerbazar, Mirpur and some other killing fields in the capital. Sensing an imminent defeat, the Pakistani forces and their local collaborators like Al-Badr, Al-Shams and Razakar committed the cold-blooded mass murders aiming to annihilate the country's intelligentsia and cripple emerging Bangladesh intellectually. Among the martyred intellectuals are Prof Munier Chowdhury, Dr Alim Chowdhury, Prof Muniruzzaman, Dr Fazle Rabbi, Sirajuddin Hossain, Shahidullah Kaiser, Prof GC Dev, JC Guha Thakurta, Prof Santosh Bhattacharya, Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury, journalists Khandaker Abu Taleb, Nizamuddin Ahmed, SA Mannan (Ladu Bhai), ANM Golam Mustafa, Syed Nazmul Haq and Selina Parvin. The interim government has chalked out elaborate programmes to commemorate the December 14 tragedy. Besides, the family members of the martyred intellectuals and freedom fighters will pay homage to the martyred intellectuals marking the day. On the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus issued separate messages marking the day. Leaders and activists of different political and social organisations will also pay homage to the martyred intellectuals at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard. Special doa and munajat will be offered at mosques, temples and churches marking the day. Bangladesh Television and private television channels will broadcast special programmes highlighting the significance of the day. National dailies will also publish special supplements marking the day.

There was a burglary on Friday night at the village home of Sharif Osman Hadi, a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha who rose to prominence during the July 2024 Uprising against the Awami League regime, in Nalchiti, Jhalokathi. The incident took place Friday night in the Khasmahal area of the town, confirmed by Hadi’s cousin, Sirajul Islam. He said that taking advantage of the house being empty, intruders broke a window to enter. The total value of the stolen items is yet to be determined. Nalchiti police officer-in-charge Ariful Alam confirmed the incident, stating, “We have visited the scene, and those responsible will be brought under the law swiftly.” Earlier on Friday, around 2:15 pm, Osman Hadi was shot by assailants while traveling in a rickshaw in front of the water tank in Bijoynagar, Dhaka. Two individuals on a motorcycle fired at him from close range before fleeing the scene. Hadi was rushed to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition and later transferred to Evercare Hospital in the capital, where he is currently receiving intensive care (ICU) treatment. Hadi’s family members, upon learning of the attack, left for Dhaka on the same afternoon.

Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Michael Miller on Friday visited the outdoor photo exhibition “From Shadows to Leadership” at Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park, highlighting the critical role of women workers in Bangladesh’s informal economy and the power of collective action in advancing rights, dignity, and leadership. Organised by Oxfam in Bangladesh, the three-day exhibition brought women’s voices into a public space through photographs and stories that document journeys from invisibility to leadership. During his visit, Ambassador Miller was given a guided tour of the exhibition, along with representatives from development partners, NGOs, civil society organisations, and other relevant stakeholders. Reflecting on the exhibition, Ambassador Miller said the exhibition demonstrates how storytelling and civic engagement can strengthen democratic spaces. "It brings the stories of women, determination, and change into a public, accessible space," Miller said. He emphasised that the exhibition went beyond visual documentation. “What we see here are not just photographs, but visible proof that when advocacy, skills training, leadership development, and strong civil society partnerships come together, women working in an informal and invisible economy can change their realities.” From Shadows to Leadership features ten stories of women from across Bangladesh’s informal economy, including domestic workers, tea-garden workers, home-based garment workers, and women from the floating Manta fishing community. Captured across rivers, tea estates, coastal belts, and urban settlements, the photographs trace how women organise, negotiate wages, secure identification documents, form collectives, and engage with policy processes to claim recognition and rights. For Panna, a domestic worker from Narayanganj whose story is featured in the exhibition, the change has been transformative. “Before, we did not even know what our entitlements were,” she said. "Now we understand our rights—our wages, our leave, and our dignity—and we can speak directly with employers and communities." Ashish Damle, Country Director of Oxfam in Bangladesh, said, “Every smile we see here is not just a moment of joy—it is a smile of empowerment, confidence, and hope, reflecting a transformative change that goes beyond individuals and begins to reshape society itself.” Women workers demand rights and recognition as inequalities laid bare at EU-Oxfam event He stressed the need for long-term commitment. “This partnership is only the beginning. Real empowerment requires time, sustained support, and collective strength so that, in the years ahead, these women emerge as leaders in their own right,” Damle added. Sumaiya Islam, Executive Director of BNSK, said, “This work is exceptional because it is built by workers identifying their challenges, supporting one another, and proving that collective effort can create real and meaningful change.” Laila Jesmin Banu, Programme Manager, Governance and Human Rights, European Union to Bangladesh, Md Sariful Islam, Head of Influencing, Communications, Advocacy and Media, Oxfam in Bangladesh and Shahajadi Begum, Programme Coordinator, Oxfam in Bangladesh also joined the occasion. The exhibition is part of the Empowering Women through Civil Society Actors (EWCSA) project, funded by the European Union and implemented by Oxfam Bangladesh with 33 civil society organisations across 19 districts. The initiative has directly supported more than 45,000 women who work in some of the most insecure segments of the labour market.  

An elderly woman was killed after being hit by a bus while crossing the road in the Jatrabari Thana area of the capital on Saturday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Anwara Begum, 65, daughter of late Nazim Uddin of the Ali area under Bandar Thana in Narayanganj district. She had been living as a tenant at a house in Rasulpur Dhania Alam Saheb area, holding No. 299. The accident occurred around 1:30 pm in the Jhatrabari Jhatra College area when a speeding bus struck her as she was crossing the road. She was rescued and rushed to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where the on-duty doctor declared her dead around 2pm. Two held with foreign pistols in Jatrabari: DB Swapan Ahmed, a pedestrian who brought her to the hospital, said the woman sustained severe injuries after being hit by the bus. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said the body has been kept at the hospital morgue and the matter has been reported to the concerned police station.