United News of Bangladesh

A severe gas crisis triggered by low pressure in Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC’s network has disrupted daily life across much of the capital, forcing residents to seek costly and inconvenient alternatives. Most areas of Dhaka fall under Titas’ gas distribution network, officials said. For nearly a week, they said, widespread pipeline faults have resulted in extremely low pressure—or no supply at all—in many neighbourhoods, making cooking and other household activities nearly impossible. Residents say that what Titas describes as ‘low pressure’ is, in reality, an almost complete absence of gas. As a result, they said, daily routines have been severely hampered. Many households are buying LPG cylinders at inflated prices, while others have resorted to electric stoves. In some areas, residents are even cooking with firewood on rooftops. Uttara resident Riyad Hossain said gas supply in Uttara and surrounding areas remained shut for most of Thursday. “Although gas resumed on Friday morning, the pressure is so low that normal cooking is extremely difficult.” Jahidur Rahman from Abdullahpur reported that his area has been suffering from gas shortages for several consecutive days. “There is practically no gas during the daytime. With the little gas that comes, it takes nearly an hour just to boil a pot of water. We are being forced to buy LPG cylinders. Some people are even cooking with wood,” he said. In a statement, Titas said repeated faults in service lines have required frequent repairs, disrupting supply. The company also cited damage to a major pipeline beneath the Turag River in the Aminbazar area after it was struck by the anchor of a cargo trawler. Although the line was repaired once, water seeped into the pipeline, necessitating further repairs. Due to these issues, low gas pressure has persisted for several days in Uttara, Dakshinkhan, Uttarkhan, Abdullahpur, Tongi and Gazipur, according to Titas. Meanwhile, the residents of Bashabo and Khilgaon said they have received no gas at all for the past three days, despite Titas describing the situation as ‘low pressure’. Farida Akhter, a resident of Madertek in Bashabo, said she has to wake up before dawn to cook. “There is no gas during the day. Even when a little comes in the afternoon, it’s not enough to cook.” Tabassum Shimu from Khilgaon questioned the fairness of the situation. “The gas line has been problematic for a week. Even after paying our monthly bills, why should we sit without gas? Titas must answer this.” Similar complaints have emerged from Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, Shyamoli and Adabar, where residents say gas supply has been completely cut off for nearly 20 hours. Tahsin Jeba, a resident of Mohammadpur, said, “There has been no gas at all since last night. Even after noon today, it hasn’t returned. LPG cylinders are being sold at higher prices.” In Dhanmondi’s Jigatola area, Lipi Akhter highlighted the impact on working women. “We are in serious trouble. There’s no gas before leaving for office, and none after returning. We are forced to buy food from outside for our families.” Titas later said a burst gas valve on Mirpur Road near Ganabhaban caused the disruption in several areas. Although a new valve has been installed, the company said it may take a few more hours for supply to normalise. A Titas official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said multiple gas leakages across the city have worsened the crisis. “Back-to-back incidents, combined with already low pipeline pressure, have effectively halted gas supply in many areas.” Consumer rights group Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has sharply criticised Titas for continuing to charge full monthly bills despite prolonged supply disruptions. Calling the practice ‘reckless’, CAB Energy Adviser Shamsul Alam told UNB, “Taking monthly bills without supplying gas is tantamount to stealing from citizens. This would not be acceptable in a civilised country. Titas earns an extra Tk 2,000 crore from consumers every year, yet its service standard remains poor.” He also blamed the Energy Division for Titas’ failure, noting that prepaid gas meters were supposed to be installed in 2015. “If prepaid meters were in place, consumers would only pay for what they actually use, and leakages could be detected easily.” Shamsul questioned why prepaid meters have not been implemented even after a decade, saying the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) must answer. “The commission and the Energy Division cannot evade responsibility for the suffering caused by the gas crisis. Mere acknowledgment is not enough—consumers deserve compensation,” he added.

Bangladesh has achieved an 'important step forward' towards strengthening its mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States, opening the door to greater market access and new opportunities for its vital textile and apparel sector. In response to a request from National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman who is currently visiting Washington DC, US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer has agreed to raise with US President Donald Trump the possibility of reducing Bangladesh’s current 20% reciprocal tariff rate, bringing it more in line with regional competitors, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Saturday. Even more significantly, he said, both sides have developed an innovative and forward-looking solution to support Bangladesh’s export priorities. Under a proposed preferential scheme discussed yesterday by Dr. Rahman and Ambassador Greer, Bangladesh would receive tariff-free access to the US market for textile and apparel exports equivalent to its imports of US-produced cotton and man-made fiber textile inputs, measured on a square-meter basis. This creative, win-win approach strengthens bilateral trade, supports Bangladeshi manufacturers and workers, and deepens supply-chain ties with US producers, said the interim government. It reflects ‘growing momentum and goodwill’ in Bangladesh-US economic relations and marks a promising new chapter for Bangladesh’s global trade prospects.

Bangladesh’s government aims to build a strong and sustainable economy through patience and collective effort, rather than attempting to replicate Singapore’s model, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said on Saturday. Speaking at the launch of the 7th edition of the Banking Almanac at CIRDAP in Dhaka, Salehuddin described the country’s economy as stable and stressed that policy decisions should prioritise national interest over popularity. “It is not always possible to satisfy everyone while formulating policies, and there is always a possibility of errors. Often there are populist demands to reduce interest or tax rates. Everyone says ‘I’, but no one says ‘we’. Policy is not for an individual; it is for the entire nation,” he said. On current economic challenges, Salehuddin noted that they cannot be attributed to any single individual or government, but reflect a long-term development trajectory. “Bangladesh has not failed in 54 years. We have experienced ups and downs, but we continue to move forward.” He also highlighted the importance of reliable data, citing the Banking Almanac as a critical resource for banking professionals. The launch event featured several senior officials, including Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Majumder; Nazma Mobarek, Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division; Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Nurun Nahar; and Abdul Hai Sarkar, Chairman of the Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) and Dhaka Bank. HSBC Bank CEO Mahbubur Rahman also spoke. The event was presided over by economist Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, former caretaker government adviser and Acting Chairman of the Banking Almanac’s Board of Editors. Finance Secretary Dr Khairuzzaman Majumder said economic stability has returned, with the Taka strengthening and Bangladesh Bank actively purchasing dollars to maintain balance. Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman advocated for ‘Economic Democracy’ to ensure sustainable financing and equal opportunities, while BAB Chairman Abdul Hai Sarker noted that, despite government funding, the exact reasons behind the sector’s high interest rates remain unclear. Published since 2016 with Bangladesh Bank’s support, the Banking Almanac provides comprehensive data on scheduled banks and financial institutions, offering researchers, investors, and professionals detailed insights into performance and corporate governance. The 7th edition is available in both print and digital formats ([www.bankingalmanac.com](https://www.bankingalmanac.com) and can be purchased via Amazon and Rokomari.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Saturday urged the political parties, religious leaders, community organisations and international entities to reject efforts to stir fear or exploit tensions. "Bangladesh’s strength has always been its diversity and the shared belief of its people that this country must be safe and dignified for everyone," he said. Responding to the recent reports by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, Press Secretary Alam said he wants to thank the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (Oikya Parishad) and other NGOs and rights groups for staying alert and for bringing attention to violence affecting minority communities. Like many Bangladeshis, Alam said, he is deeply concerned about the safety and dignity of every citizen. "I understand the fear and trauma these incidents create, especially among religious minorities who are an inseparable part of our society," said the Press Secretary. "Protecting all communities, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim alike, is something I take personally. Every reported case is being investigated, and in most cases, arrests have already been made," Alam said. The Home Ministry is working with local authorities to respond quickly, protect victims and witnesses, and ensure the law is applied fairly, said the Press Secretary. At the same time, he said, they need to speak honestly with one another. "Not every crime involving a minority citizen is a hate crime, and saying so clearly matters. When everything is labelled the same way, it weakens attention to real hate crimes, such as the brutal lynching of Dipu Chandra Das." He said many of the recent incidents they are seeing are also the result of years of politicising the security forces. "Since the fall of the Hasina government, criminal groups and local rivalries have taken advantage of uncertainty, and people from all communities have suffered," Alam said, adding, "This is a time for responsibility, not division."

Prices of winter vegetables are still relatively high despite adequate supply at kitchen markets in Lalmonirhat, adding to the woes of people with fixed income already overburdened with soaring prices of daily essentials. During the peak winter season, kitchen markets in  five upazilas of the district including—Patgram, Hatibandha, Kaliganj, Aditmari and Lalmonirhat Sadar—are brimming with winter vegetables. Cauliflower, cabbage, beans, carrots, radish, tomatoes, spinach and other winter produce are available in abundance, yet their prices remain sharp. Prices of winter vegetables drop in Khulna, essentials continue to rise During a recent visit to the market on Saturday (Jan 10) this UNB Correspondent found that potatoes are being sold at Tk 30–40 per kg, eggplant at Tk 50–60 per kg, tomatoes at Tk 70 per kg, carrots at Tk 40 per kg, beans at Tk 60 per kg, pumpkin at Tk 50 per piece, raw bananas at Tk 30 per dozen, ladies finger beans at Tk 60 per kg, pointed gourd Tk 60 per kg, bottle gourd Tk 40–60 per piece depending on size, cauliflower at Tk 40 per piece, cabbage at Tk 50 per piece, papaya at Tk 30 per kg, radish Tk 40 per kg, sponge gourd at Tk 50 per piece, bitter gourd at Tk 50 per kg, red spinach at Tk 20 per bunch and mustard leaves at Tk 20 per bunch. Customers are negotiating prices with vendors, often moving from one stall to another in search of better deals. Consumers said the high prices of vegetables throughout the year put pressure on household budgets and while winter usually brings some relief, the relief is minimal this year. Salma Begum, a housewife from Shialkhowa, said that earlier they used to buy a few vegetables for 200–300 taka. Now, with the same amount of money, one can't even fill a bag with vegetables and even the variety in the family's meals is decreasing. Another buyer, Samad Mia, an office employee at an organisation, said that because vegetable prices are high, they no longer have the opportunity to eat vegetables regularly. Winter was supposed to be truly comfortable for middle-class people like us, but now it is not. Saiful Islam, a vegetable seller, said, “Production usually rises in winter, but this year cold weather has affected supply, keeping prices relatively high.” Mohammad Helal Mia, a seller from Namuri market, added, farmers should have brought more vegetables to the market, but the sudden cold has disrupted supply. Another seller said that although higher prices increase profit per unit, fewer buyers mean overall sales remain unsatisfactory. “If the price is lower, people buy more. This way, our products don't remain unsold either,” he said. Early variety winter vegetables raise hope among Jessore farmers According to the stakeholders, if weather conditions are not favorable, vegetable prices may remain high throughout the winter season.

Two policemen of Nabinagar Police Station in Brahmanbaria district have been suspended over bribery charges. The punitive action was taken against Sub-Inspector Zahid Ahsan and Constable Abu Kawsar on Friday night, said Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Obaidur Rahman. An allegation has been brought against the two policemen that they intercepted a hemp-laden pickup on Nabinagar-Salimganj road at Kanabari in the upazila and released it after taking money from the vehicle. Read More: Three injured in Brahmanbaria clash over local dominance The video footage of the incident went viral on social media. Based on information, the Superintendent of Police, instructed the Officer-in-Charge of Nabinagar Police Station to conduct an investigation and submit a report to the police superintendent’s office. Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Nabinagar Police Station, said that after the preliminary investigation they found evidence supporting the allegations brought against the two policemen. The report was submitted on Friday.

A mild cold wave is sweeping over parts of the country and it may continue in some places, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said on Saturday. According to the regular Met office bulletin, “A mild cold wave is sweeping over Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions and the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga and Kushtia and it may continue at places.” Moderate to thick fog may occur over the riverbasins of the country and light to moderate fog may occur elsewhere over the country during mid-night to morning. Chuadanga and Panchagarh’s Tetulia recorded the country’s lowest temperature at 8.3 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning, BMD said. Night temperature may rise slightly and day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country. Gopalganj records season’s lowest temperature at 7.5°C as cold wave grips Bangladesh Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country.  

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen has laid emphasis on enhancing the relations between Bangladesh and the United States. “I am thrilled to return to Bangladesh, a country I know so well," said Ambassador Christensen who is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on January 12. The US Ambassador said he is excited to lead a great team at Embassy Dhaka, Americans and locally employed staff alike, to "enhance U.S.-Bangladesh relations, advance President Trump's agenda, and work hard every day to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”  The US Embassy Dhaka welcomed Brent Christensen as the newly sworn-in Ambassador to Bangladesh. As a special invitee, Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Khalilur Rahman also attended the swearing-in ceremony of Brent Christensen held in the US State Department. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Michael J. Rigas administered the oath.  The ceremony was attended by Bangladesh Ambassador to US, Embassy officials, senior State Department and Military officials, former US ambassadors to Bangladesh and US business leaders. In his  remarks, Deputy Secretary of State reiterated US commitment to continue to support Bangladesh in its journey to democratic transition. Read More: Dhaka, Washington discuss upcoming elections, economic, Rohingya issues Ambassador Christensen said, “The U.S supports Bangladesh in its journey towards a bright democratic future. I am excited to see the results and look forward to what the new elected government and I can do together to advance the U.S. -Bangladesh relations.” “I am honored to be confirmed by the United States Senate and deeply grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to serve as the next United States Ambassador to Bangladesh,” said the US Ambassador in a message from his Linkedin account recently. 

Bangladesh and the United States have discussed upcoming elections in Bangladesh, economic and trade relations, Rohingya issue and regional matters. National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman met Allison Hooker, Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs and Paul Kapur, Assistant Secretary of State at the State Department in Washington DC and discussed the issues. In the meeting with Under-Secretary, Dr. Rahman briefed Ms. Hooker about the preparations and arrangements for the upcoming general elections and expressed appreciation for the support of the US to the interim government during its tenure, including for the elections, said Chief Adviser’s press wing on Saturday. Russia deploys new ballistic missile in massive strike on Ukraine, signaling the west Hooker responded that the US continues its strong support for the democratic transition in Bangladesh and looks forward to a free and fair elections in February. Dr. Rahman underscored the prospects of increased trade between the two countries following substantially enhanced Bangladeshi import of American farm products. He requested Hooker to ease travel of Bangladeshi businesspeople to the US in the context the of the recent visa bond, and if possible, to exempt B1 short term business visa for Bangladeshi businessmen from the visa bond. Hooker recognised the matter and assured that the US government will positively consider the step. She also indicated that if the overstay by the tourists declines substantially in future, the US might review the bond requirements that have been put in place. She also expressed deep appreciation for the cooperation of Bangladesh to the return of undocumented Bangladeshis.

Members of joint forces in a drive arrested a man along with arms and ammunition while taking preparation for committing robbery at Kamarpotti in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur district on Friday night. The arrestee was identified as Akash Mia, 27 of the district. Tipped off, a joint forces team of Rab-1 and army personnel conducted a drive in the area at night and arrested Akash along with one foreign made pistol, one magazine, one bullet and one mobile phone set.