United News of Bangladesh

The authorities of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Sust) have expelled one student and suspended 24 others for several terms for ragging freshers. Fahim Muntasir, a 2nd year student of Economics Department of the university was expelled. The authorities took the decision at its syndicate meeting following an investigation, said Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Md Sajedul Karim on Monday.    

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Monday said the process of bringing back laundered money is advancing gradually through legal and institutional mechanisms  though it requires time and cannot be done overnight.  “Bringing the money back is not like calling up the Swiss Bank and asking them to hand it over. It has to go through international legal and financial procedures,” he said while talking to reporters after the meeting of the Advisers Committee on Government Purchase at the Secretariat. Some progress has been made in this regard and discussions are ongoing with several reputed law firms, he said. “We hope some results might come by February.” The adviser said those who siphon off money abroad are usually very shrewd and technically skilled which makes the task of recovering assets a lengthy and complex process. He informed that the government has already identified 11–12 high-priority cases of money laundering while investigations are ongoing into assets worth over Tk 200 crore. Bangladesh Bank has frozen assets abroad, identified foreign bank accounts and collected information on passports and residencies of the persons involved, the adviser added. Responding to a question about continuity if a new government takes over after the national election, Dr Salehuddin said, “They will be compelled to continue these processes, because without them money cannot be brought back. This is an international practice. If anyone sits idle, nothing will come back. The procedures we have set in motion must be maintained.” On food security, the adviser said the government has approved imports of rice as a precautionary measure despite having stocks. Import approvals have been given in principle, mainly from Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, so that there is no sudden shortage in case of unexpected disruptions, he explained. He said fertiliser imports, particularly DAP and urea, remain the top priority. “Fortunately, the global prices of fertiliser have eased somewhat. We are ensuring supply of essential items like fertiliser and rice to maintain market stability,” said Salehuddin. The adviser also referred to the latest Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) report which shows that 3 out of every 10 households are facing malnutrition and food insecurity. “We are particularly concerned about children and mothers. That’s why programmes like VGF and special allocations for marginal communities in coastal and haor regions are being strengthened. Fishermen, for example, will receive 20 kilograms of rice per household during the upcoming fishing ban,” he said. On the current market situation, Dr Salehuddin said rice prices have declined recently due to improved stock while vegetables and other perishables fluctuate seasonally. There are still issues in wholesale and retail markets because of manipulation by a section of traders, he said. “That’s why we cannot claim full success yet.” He refrained from making any comment when asked about allegations of extortion and its impact on the economy.  

Hindus across the country celebrated Kumari Puja on the Maha Ashtami on Tuesday as part of the five-day Durga Puja. The main attraction of Maha Ashtami is Kumari Puja where a pre-pubescent girl is worshipped as “Mother Goddess”. In the capital city, hundreds of Hindu devotees offered Anjali (prayers) before the virgin Goddess at Ramkrishna temple seeking blessings for peace, prosperity, welfare, fraternity and changing of their lot. The worshipped girl symbolises the power that regulates creation, stability and destruction on earth.  

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Tuesday accused former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of mass murder, citing overwhelming evidence, and defended the ban on Awami League activities while warning that her defenders bear blood on their hands. "Sooner or later, this public veneration of one of the world’s most ruthless autocrats will ruin your reputation, if not your entire career. And like Ezra Pound — who ended up in a mental institution for supporting fascism — you, too, may one day find yourself seeking treatment for what we can only call Apa Syndrome," he said. In a post from his verified Facebook account, Alam said one can always debate whether the ban on the activities of Bangladesh Awami League was necessary. "We firmly believe it was," he said, mentioning that there is indisputable evidence that the AL activists were involved in the killing of July revolutionaries. Seeing ‘well-orchestrated move’ to foil polls, make it questionable: Shafiqul Alam Still, Alam said, one may argue that the ban was unnecessary or even counterproductive to their transition toward a truly democratic nation. "What is not up for debate, however, is the public glorification of Hasina, a mass murderer. This is non-negotiable. The evidence against her is overwhelming," the Press Secretary said. He said publicly praising someone responsible for such atrocities makes "you complicit in the brutality and carnage inflicted on our people." Alam said modern civilization, particularly the post–World War II order, is built on the principle that they must not legitimize mass murderers.

The indefinite road blockade enforced by Jumma students and local residents entered its fourth day on Tuesday, severely disrupting normal life in the hill district. Although the blockade has been relaxed on the Chattogram-Khagrachhari and Dhaka-Khagrachhari highways, long-distance bus services are yet to resume. Movement on internal roads also remains limited, with only a few auto-rickshaws and easy bikes seen operating. The announcement of the relaxation was made through a Facebook post by the Jumma students and residents on Monday morning. Meanwhile, Section 144 imposed by the local administration remains in effect in Sadar and Guimara upazilas. Khagrachhari BGB Sector Commander Colonel Md Abdul Moktakim on Monday urged all communities to maintain peace and harmony during this sensitive time. Army issues statement on communal violence in Khagrachhari He also assured that the BGB would continue to stand by the local population until the situation stabilises. To prevent further unrest, nine BGB platoons have been deployed, with two additional platoons kept on standby. Earlier on Sunday, three people were shot dead and several others injured in an armed attack by miscreants in Guimara upazila. The Jumma students, under the banner of Jumma Chatra-Janata (Jumma student-masses), called the blockade protesting the rape of a 12-year-old Marma schoolgirl on September 23. Since Sunday morning, the movement of all modes of transport has been suspended, leaving daily life in disarray. The demonstrators have also demanded the arrest of all perpetrators involved in rapes against women in the hills. Streets in Khagrachhari town and its outskirts remain deserted, with residents largely confined to their homes except for urgent needs. Army personnel, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and police forces continue to patrol different areas. The term Jumma refers collectively to the indigenous peoples of the three districts in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Police on Monday disclosed the identities of those killed in Sunday’s attack. They were Akhrau Marma, 22, Teiching Marma, 20, Athuiprue Marma, 21, all residents of Guimara.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted light to moderate rains across the country including Dhaka division in the next 24 hours commencing 9 am on Tuesday. “Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Mymensingh, Dhaka and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions with moderately heavy falls at places over the country,” said a Met office bulletin. Day temperature may remain nearly unchanged and night temperature may fall by 1-2°C over the country. Besides, a trough of low runs through East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across northern part of Bangladesh. Monsoon is less active over Bangladesh and moderate over North Bay. A low pressure area is likely to form over North Bay & adjoining Central Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours.

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus has described the cut in donor funding as a serious challenge, saying that it has already caused school closures and the loss of thousands of jobs for Rohingya teachers. "This is a disaster. Education in the camps provided a glimmer of hope for hundreds of thousands of Rohingya children. Our concern is for these children, who are growing up as angry young people and that anger could erupt in unpredictable ways," Prof Yunus told Unicef Executive Director Catherine Russell. She met with the Chief Adviser on Monday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly at a hotel in New York. Prof Yunus, UNHCR chief push for justice, new resources for Rohingya Their discussion focused on the ongoing Rohingya crisis, particularly the severe funding shortfall affecting humanitarian operations for the over one million refugees currently sheltered in Bangladesh. A key concern was the impact of these funding cuts on education services for Rohingya children in the camps, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Tuesday. Unicef Executive Director Russell painted a grim picture of the global funding climate, noting that even traditionally generous European nations are reducing their humanitarian contributions to agencies such as Unicef.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said they are witnessing a ‘very well-orchestrated move’ by the fallen autocrat, their associates and allied international forces to destabilise the country and foil the upcoming national election, scheduled for early February. "We remain vigilant, as we see such moves unfolding," Alam told reporters at a hotel in New York on Monday evening (US time). He said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has been raising these issues with international partners during his meetings on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly. 'Next few months crucial, need your support for election':  Prof Yunus tells UN SG Alam said their foremost responsibility is to ensure a smooth democratic transition and hold the next election in a "free, fair, and festive" manner. "The interim government is committed to that," he added. Asked about involvement of the international community with the well-orchestrated move, the Press Secretary said they are not seeing anyone by name, but what they see is a well-orchestrated move. About the upcoming polls, Prof Yunus said they want the February election to be free and peaceful -something Bangladesh has never truly had. For years, he said, voter rolls were filled with people who never actually voted. "This time, we want to welcome them, especially women, and celebrate their participation. We will launch a major campaign to show people how to vote. Our goal is the highest voter turnout in Bangladesh’s history," Prof Yunus said during his meeting with a delegation of top human rights activists at his hotel in New York. UN to support assessment on Bangladesh's LDC graduation readiness: Rabab Fatima Prof Yunus, however, cautioned that certain international quarters were trying to obstruct the electoral process. “Some forces are determined to make sure the election never happens. We don’t know who is working for whom. A lot of money is being poured in, with beneficiaries both inside and outside Bangladesh. They are well-prepared—that’s the dangerous part. The next few months are critical,” he said. Briefing reporters, Press Secretary Alam said those who fled abroad stealing billions of dollars are now spreading disinformation and fake news. They are trying how the next polls can be foiled and how the election can be made questionable, he said. Prof Yunus, who is visiting New York to attend the UNGA, is scheduled to leave John F Kennedy International Airport for Dhaka on Tuesday night (US time). He is scheduled to return home on October 2.  

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday and agreed that mobilising fresh resources and ensuring just, safe solutions in Myanmar for all Rohingya remain urgent priorities. "As always it was an honour to meet Chief Adviser Prof Yunus ahead of UN conference on the Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar. We agreed that mobilising new resources and seeking just, safe solutions in Myanmar for all Rohingya people are urgent priorities," he said after the meeting. The meeting was held on Monday ahead of the high-level international conference on the Rohingya crisis at the United Nations headquarters which will begin at 8pm (Bangladesh time) on Tuesday. The two leaders held in-depth discussions on key aspects of the crisis, including the worsening humanitarian conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, recent cuts in international aid affecting over one million refugees in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar, and ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of Rohingya to their homeland, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Tuesday. Chief Adviser Prof Yunus noted that approximately 150,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh over the past 18 months, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation and raising regional tensions. He expressed strong optimism that Tuesday’s landmark international conference—the first of its kind focused solely on the Rohingya—would produce a clear roadmap for resolving the crisis. Prof Yunus said the event is expected to galvanize international support, particularly in mobilising much-needed funding for the over 1.3 million Rohingya refugees currently living in Bangladesh. Grandi praised last month’s regional conference in Cox’s Bazar, where Rohingya community leaders actively participated in the four-day deliberations for the first time. He encouraged Bangladesh to intensify its diplomatic outreach, particularly with major global powers, to help achieve a durable solution to the crisis. Also attending the meeting was Dr Khalilur Rahman, National Security Adviser, who briefed the UNHCR chief on the ongoing verification process of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. "To date, approximately 250,000 Rohingya have been verified," he said. UN Special Envoy on Myanmar Meets CA Meanwhile, Julie Bishop, former acting Prime Minister of Australia and currently the UN Special Envoy on Myanmar, also called on Chief Adviser Yunus at a hotel in New York on Monday.  

Bangladesh’s economy is estimated to grow by 4.0% in fiscal year (FY) 2025, rising to 5.0% in FY2026, according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2025, released today by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Although garment exports remain resilient, the slower growth estimate reflects subdued domestic demand amid ongoing political transitions, recurrent flooding, industrial labor disputes and persistently high inflation.  The economy expanded by 4.2% in FY2024. ADB Country Director for Bangladesh Hoe Yun Jeong Future growth will depend on improving the business environment to boost competitiveness and attract investment, and on ensuring reliable energy supplies. “The impact of US tariffs on Bangladesh’s trade remains to be seen, and vulnerabilities in the banking sector persist. Addressing these challenges is essential to achieving higher economic performance.” He said that some downside risks to the FY2026 outlook persist. Trade uncertainty, banking sector weaknesses, and potential policy slippages could impede progress. Maintaining prudent macroeconomic policies and accelerating structural reforms are critical to strengthening resilience.” Inflation is estimated to rise from 9.7% in FY2024 to 10.0% in FY2025, driven by limited competition in wholesale markets, inadequate market information, supply chain constraints, and the weakening of the taka. The current account is expected to post a small surplus of 0.03% of GDP in FY2025, up from a deficit of 1.5% of GDP in FY2024, supported by a narrowing trade gap and robust remittance inflows. Looking ahead, the ADO September 2025 forecasts that consumption will remain the primary driver of growth in FY2026, spurred by robust remittance inflows and election-related spending. However, contractionary monetary and fiscal policies, along with heightened investor caution, are expected to dampen investment. Global tariff hikes, including a 20% tariff on Bangladesh exports to the US, and stiffer competition in the EU are expected to weigh on exports and growth. Exporters may be compelled to reduce unit prices in response to this heightened competition. On the supply side, services are expected to expand, driven by improved household purchasing power. Agricultural growth is likely to normalise, contingent on favorable weather and effective government policy support. In contrast, industrial growth may slow as US tariffs constrain economic activity.