United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission on Monday (January 12, 2026) allowed 41 previously rejected aspirants to contest the February-12 national election after hearings, while a Jamaat candidate for Chattogram-9 was declared invalid and a BNP aspirant for Sherpur-2 was kept pending. But the EC as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal turned down the appeal petitions of 24 other aspirants, including Jamaat-e-Islami aspirant Dr AKM Fazlul Haque (Chattogram-9), while the petition of BNP aspirant Mohammad Fahim Chowdhury (Sherpur-2) was kept pending to be settled later. The Election Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, heard the appeal petitions at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city on Monday. “The Commission granted 41 petitions, rejected 24 others, kept four petitions pending to be settled later, " said EC Director (PR) Ruhul Amin Mollik. Bangladesh Election: EU Chief Observer clarifies ‘inclusive, participatory’ meaning Besides, one petition filed by aspirant of Pabna-2 was postponed as the election to the constituency remains suspended and another petition filed by independent aspirant Shakila Farzana (Chattogram-5) was not pressed for hearing, while the petition of independent aspirant Shakila Farzana (Chattogram-5) was not pressed for hearing. With the 41 aspirants who got green lights on Monday, a total of 150 aspirants returned to the electoral race since the EC on Saturday started hearing the appeal petitions filed by aggrieved aspirants against the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance and cancellation of nomination papers during the scrutiny. During the appeal hearing, one independent candidate SAK Ekramuzzaman lost his candidacy following an appeal filed by his rival in Brahmanbaria-1 constituency. Besides, 46 other invalid aspirants failed to return to the race as the EC rejected their appeal petitions in the three days. On Monday, the EC rejected the petition of Jamaat’s aspirant Dr AKM Fazlul Haque (Chattogram-9) on dual citizenship. With the decision, there is no Jamaat nominated candidate to run in the election from Chattogram-9 constituency. The Commission kept the petition of BNP aspirant Mohammad Fahim Chowdhury (Sherpur-2) pending to be settled on January 16. Saturday’s EC hearing brings 51 candidates back into election race In the constituency, two BNP aspirants – Mohammad Fahim Chowdhury and Md Elius Khan—submitted nomination papers, but both nomination papers were declared invalid by the returning officer during the scrutiny. In Sherpur-2, there are now two valid candidates – Jamaat’s Golam Kibria and Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Abdullah Al Kayes. The 41 aspirants who returned to the race on Monday include three Jatiya Party aspirants Mohammad Mamunur Rashid (Tangail-6), AKM Fazlul Haque (Jamalpur-1) and Abdur Rashid (Satkhira-4), four AB Party aspirants Abdul Baset (Rangpur-5), Kefayet Hossain (Lakshmipur-2), Abdur Rahman (Chattogram-7) and Muhammad Rafiqul Islam (Manikganj-3), NCP aspirant Sohel Rana (Meherpur-1). The rejected 24 aspirants include Jatiya Party nominated Mohammad Jahangir Alam (Sunamganj-5) and SM Abdul Mannan (Manikganj-2). The EC will hear and dispose of a total of 645 petitions by January 18, which were filed by aggrieved aspirants, challenging the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance or cancellation of nomination papers. This time a majority of aspirants who challenged the rejection of their nomination papers have regained eligibility to contest the 13th parliamentary election, as the EC adopted a lenient approach towards minor errors and unintentional mistakes found in nomination documents and affidavits. A total of 2,568 aspirants submitted nomination papers to run the upcoming national election from the country’s 300 constituencies within the December-29 deadline. EC suspends Pabna-1, Pabna-2 elections until further court order The 69 returning officers- – two divisional commissioners (Dhaka and Chattogram), 64 district deputy commissioners and three regional election officers (Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna)— declared 1,842 nomination papers valid, while 723 others invalid during the scrutiny from December 30 to January 04. Since BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia passed away, her three nomination papers submitted for three constituencies were not scrutinized. The Election Commission on December 11 announced the polls schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026. According to the schedule, the late date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till (7:30am on February 10) 48 hours before the balloting period.  

A Dhaka court has fixed January 15 for a hearing on the acceptance of charges submitted in the murder case of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman bin Hadi. Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam set the date on Monday (January 12, 2026) after the plaintiff, Inqilab Moncho member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, sought additional time to review the chargesheet submitted by the Detective Branch (DB) of police. Read more: Hadi murder: Court orders freezing of 53 bank accounts of Faisal Earlier on Sunday, three lawyers were appointed on behalf of the plaintiff. They are Abdus Sobhan Tarafdar, Barrister SM Mainul Karim, and Assistant Attorney General Mustafizur Rahman Mukul. On January 6, DB Inspector Faisal Ahmed, the investigating officer of the case, submitted charges against 17 accused. Among the main accused named in the chargesheet are Faisal Karim Masud alias Daud, his associate Alamgir Hossain, Dhaka Metropolitan North Jubo League organising secretary and former ward councillor Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi, Philip Snal Philips, Mukti Akter, and Faisal’s sister Jasmine Akter. They are currently absconding. The remaining 11 accused are now in custody. They include Faisal Karim Masud’s father Md Humayun Kabir, mother Mst Hasi Begum, wife Saheda Parvin Samia, friend Maria Akter Lima, brother-in-law Wahid Ahmed Shipu, rent-a-car businessman Mufti Md Nuruzzaman Nomani alias Ujjwal, close associate Md Kabir, Sibion Dew, Sanjoy Chisim, Md Aminul Islam alias Raju, and Md Faisal, who was arrested with weapons in Narsingdi. The investigating officer has also sought arrest warrants against the six absconding accused. Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, who was also running for the Dhaka-8 constituency in the coming election, was shot by assailants on a motorcycle around 2:30pm on December 12 in the Box Culvert Road area of Paltan, sustaining bullet wounds to the head and below his right ear. Read more: DU Syndicate recommends renaming Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall after Shaheed Osman Hadi He was first taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later shifted to Evercare Hospital. As his condition worsened, he was flown to Singapore by air ambulance on December 15 for advanced treatment, where he died on December 18.

Speakers at a press conference on Monday said women’s participation in the upcoming election is extremely disappointing, despite some independent female candidates joining the race at the last moment. Forum leaders made the remarks at a press conference titled “Nomination Crisis of Women Candidates: Gap between Parties’ Commitments and Implementation and the Accountability of the Election Commission”, held at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity. Representatives from Gonoshasthaya Abhijan, Durbaar Network Foundation, Nagorik Coalition, Nari Udyog Kendra (NUK), Narigrantha Probortona, Nari Sanghati, Nari Pokkho, Narir Dake Rajniti, Feminist Alliance of Bangladesh (FAB), Bangladesh Nari Mukti Kendra, and Voice for Reform were present at the event. They alleged that although the Election Commission frequently talks about a “gender-inclusive election,” there is little reflection of that commitment in reality. The forum leaders reiterated their opposition to reserved seats for women, saying they do not want women to enter parliament through special quotas. Instead, they want women to contest elections directly and secure representation based on merit. They noted that after 54 years, the country is witnessing an election with the lowest participation of women candidates, calling it a matter of shame not only for women but for the entire political system. “If political parties fail to uphold their own manifestos and commitments, why should women trust them in the future?” the speakers questioned. Forum leader Samina Yasmin said women voters make up nearly 50 percent, or possibly more, of the electorate. “I do not have the exact figure at this moment, but if women constitute 51 percent of voters, then our next and most important task should be to raise awareness about women’s rights, organise them and make them politically active,” she said. “Is it really possible to come to power by excluding 51 percent of the population and relying on the remaining 49 percent? This is a fundamental question,” she added. Samina said the forum is trying to work directly and indirectly with women leaders who are contesting the election and actively campaigning. “We are observing what kinds of challenges they are facing, how they are addressing them and what effective pathways could be developed to tackle these challenges in the future,” she said. She further said that despite widespread discussions on women’s rights, the number of female candidates in this election remains alarmingly low, forcing a serious reassessment of the situation. “We will sit with the Election Commission and discuss what needs to be done in this context,” she said, adding that the forum will also examine whether any legal or institutional measures can be taken if political parties fail to achieve the stipulated target of 33 percent women’s representation. “Although there may be no scope for immediate punitive measures this time, the issue cannot be ignored,” Samina added.

A team of researchers from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) has developed a low-cost, environment-friendly stove named the “BAU Biochar Stove,” which can be used simultaneously for cooking and biochar (organic charcoal) production. The innovation has been developed with funding from the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCT) under the leadership of Prof. Md. Shahiduzzaman of the Department of Parasitology, BAU. The research team also includes Dr. Mohammad Mofizur Rahman Jahangir of the Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences student Md. Ashikuzzaman, also UNB's campus correspondent, Mohammad Sohan, PhD student Sumon Chandro Mohanto, and Netrokona Government College student Md. Al Nur Tarak. The project is currently being implemented at the field level in Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur district. According to the researchers, the stove allows high-temperature cooking at 300 to 600°C while simultaneously producing biochar for climate-smart crop and livestock production. It is particularly suitable for households that regularly use firewood, coal, or similar fuels for cooking. While conventional biochar production is relatively expensive, the newly developed stove enables biochar production at a very low cost and is farmer-friendly. Explaining the scientific aspect, Project Director Dr. Md. Shahiduzzaman told UNB that biochar is a special form of charcoal produced at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. He said the stove was developed following scientific principles, and quality analysis of the produced biochar showed a high inorganic carbon content, making it high-quality biochar with strong carbon sequestration potential. He added that the use of this biochar would help reduce methane emissions from agricultural land, livestock, and manure, thereby contributing to climate-friendly crop and livestock production. Dr. Jahangir said laboratory analysis revealed that the biochar produced from the stove contains high inorganic carbon along with other essential components. Farmers can use the stove for daily cooking and simultaneously produce biochar to apply to their fields along with fertilizers. He further noted that biochar is globally recognized as an effective method for improving soil quality. Although its use has only recently begun in Bangladesh, high production costs have been a major barrier. The newly developed cost-effective stove automatically produces biochar during cooking, addressing this challenge. Md. Ashikuzzaman said the stove was initially designed using software, its feasibility was tested, and it was developed using locally available materials at a very low cost. Observations showed that cooking with the stove requires less time and fuel compared to conventional methods. Feedback from farmers also confirmed these benefits, as they are producing quality biochar free of cost through their daily cooking. Abdul Hamid, a trial user from Bhabakhali in Mymensingh, said the stove is particularly suitable for char areas as well as urban and rural regions due to its fuel efficiency and reduced cooking time. He expressed confidence that the stove would gain popularity across Bangladesh. Another user, Parvin Begum from Mithapukur in Rangpur, said she cooks daily meals for a family of seven to eight members using the stove. “Now I am using this stove instead of my traditional one,” she said, adding that cooking now takes much less time and requires a significantly smaller amount of firewood than before.

Police recovered the bodies of two unidentified young men from the Atrai River in Chirirbandar upazila of Dinajpur district on Monday. Being informed by locals, police recovered the bodies, aged between 24 and 25 years, from the Atrai River near the Lakkhitala Bridge in Baniakhari Dolla village of the upazila, said Inspector (Investigation) Ahsan Habib of Chirirbandar Police Station. Police suspect that the two were killed five to seven days ago before their bodies were dumped into the river. A Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team has been requested to conduct fingerprint scanning to identify the bodies, he said. Police said victims might have been killed elsewhere and their bodies were later thrown into the river.

A Dhaka court on Monday (January 12, 2026) placed three accused on a seven-day remand in connection with the murder of Swechchhasebak Dal leader Azizur Rahman Musabbir on January 7. Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam passed the order when DB inspector Aminul, produced the trio -- Md Billal, Md Abdul Kadir and Md Riaz-- before the court with a seven-day remand prayer. Read more: Swechchhasebak Dal gives 24-hour ultimatum to arrest Musabbir’s killers Another accused in the case identified as Jinnah, who was involved in shooting Musabbir, gave a confessional statement before the court under section 164. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque recorded the statement. According to the case statement, Azizur Rahman Musabbir, former member secretary of BNP’s Dhaka North unit, was shot by assailants on January 7. He was rushed to hospital where doctors declared him dead. Suraiya Begum, wife of Musabbir, later filed a murder case with Tejgaon Police Station. Read more: Sunamganj witnesses protest, rally over killing of Musabbir

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Monday (January 12, 2026) said they recognise the significance of the UN Security Council decision to establish the International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza and understand that some Muslim countries are interested in participating in the force.  “We are also carefully considering the matter,” he said while responding to a question, noting that as one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping forces and an ardent supporter of the Palestinian cause, their interest in participating in the ISF is contingent on the fulfillment of a number of principles. Read more: Gaza reports 14 dead after Israel says it killed two top Hamas figures These include, among others, that the ISF should be temporary and operate under a clear UN Security Council mandate, he said, adding that there must be permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza; and the responsibilities for Gaza will be transferred to the Palestinians. The Press Secretary said they remain steadfast in their support for the right of the Palestinians to self-determination and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian State based on 1967 borders with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital. "As the third largest Muslim nation in the world, Bangladesh has consistently condemned Israeli genocide in Gaza, and called for its immediate end and the complete withdrawal of all Israeli forces from the territory,” Alam said. Bangladesh noted that the United Nations Security Council, on 17th November 2025, adopted resolution 2803 which provided for, among other things, the establishment of an ISF for Gaza. Alam said all Muslim countries members of the Security Council voted for the resolution. He also said a number of other Arab and Muslim countries jointly recommended the adoption of the resolution by the Security Council.   Read more: Fourth Palestinian baby freezes to death in Gaza amid winter crisis

The government has directed four press officers posted at Bangladesh missions abroad to be relieved of their duties immediately and return home. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a notification in this regard on Monday. The officers are: First Secretary (Press) Sufi Abdullahil Maruf at the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; First Secretary (Press) Md Arifur Rahman at the Bangladesh Consulate General in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Second Secretary (Press) Asaduzzaman Khan at the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and Second Secretary (Press) Md Imranul Hasan at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. According to the notification, the four officials were initially withdrawn from their respective posts on March 17, 2025, and instructed to return to Bangladesh within 15 working days for subsequent posting. A later notification issued on April 13 revoked that decision, allowing them to continue their duties until new officers were appointed to the missions. The notification said that new officers have since been appointed to those missions and the necessary government orders have been issued in their favour. In view of this, the four officials have now been instructed to be mandatorily relieved from their duties with immediate effect and return to Bangladesh.

A Chattogram court on Monday sentenced ten people to life imprisonment for killing a police constable in 2013. Judge Mizanur Rahman of the Chattogram Divisional Special Judges Court passed the order. The lifers are—MD Jabed, Nurul Alam, Sumon Molla, Harun or Rashid, Tapan Chandra Sarkar, Mintu Das, Arsal alias Russel, Faruk alias Bullet Faruk, Md Sohel and Md Babul. Among them, five were tried in absentia. The court also fined Tk 25,000 each to the convicts and ordered to provide the money to the family members of the deceased police. According to the prosecution, police constable Abdul Quaiyum, 22 was stabbed to death when a group of muggers carried out an attack on some policemen in front of Tigerpass Ambagan road in Khulshi area of the Chattogram port city on November 3, 2013. Three policemen were injured in the attack. A case was filed in this connection.  

The condition of the 12-year-old girl, who suffered bullet injuries by a ‘stray bullet’ allegedly fired from Myanmar along the Teknaf border in Cox’s Bazar on Sunday, was stated to be critical, said physicians on Monday. The victim, Afnan Ara is now currently undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Chattogram Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) and she has been kept on life support, said director of the hospital Brig General Taslim Uddin. Speaking to the reporters, Taslim said, “The child underwent surgery on Sunday night. However, the bullet pierced on her head could not be removed as it is stuck in a very sensitive area. Any attempt to extract it could cause severe bleeding and may result in death.” He said the patient has been put on ventilation support at the ICU. The positive sign is that her physical condition has shown slight improvement since yesterday, he added. Afnan Ara, daughter of Jashim Uddin, suffered bullet injuries around 10:30am on Sunday when a bullet hit her on the head at Whykong in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar district. The bullet round is believed to have crossed into Bangladesh during a gunfight in neighbouring Myanmar’s Rakhine State, where clashes were taking place between the Arakan Army and a separatist group. Later, she was taken to the CMCH.