United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Christian Association (BCA) has strongly condemned the cocktail attack on the historic St. Mary’s Cathedral Church in Ramna, calling the incident “deeply alarming and reprehensible.” In a joint statement issued on Saturday, BCA President Nirmol Rozario and General Secretary Hemanto I. Corraya expressed grave concern over the attack, describing it as “a direct assault on the spirit of religious harmony.” According to sources, the attack took place around 10:45 pm on Friday, when one crude bomb exploded in front of the church and another was thrown inside. The second explosive, which did not detonate, was later recovered from inside the church by police. The statement recalled a similar attack last month, on October 8, targeting the Holy Rosary Church in Tejgaon, and said that two consecutive incidents of violence against major churches within a short time have created fear and anxiety among the Christian community. “The attack on Ramna Cathedral cannot be taken lightly. It is an assault on religious coexistence and peace,” the BCA leaders said. They urged the law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, identify and arrest the perpetrators swiftly, and ensure exemplary punishment. The association also called on the government to take effective measures to ensure the security of all churches, missionary institutions, schools, colleges, universities, and members of the Christian community across the country.

Local entrepreneurs have alleged that the four new guidelines formulated under the Telecommunications Ordinance favour foreign investors and telecom operators, sidelining domestic businesses. They made the allegations at a meeting organised by the Telecom and Technology Reporters Network Bangladesh (TRNB) at a hotel in the capital on Saturday. Speakers at the meeting claimed that the guidelines provide cross-cutting licensing benefits primarily to foreign entities. Senior journalist and political analyst Masud Kamal said foreign interests were being prioritised over local investment. “Foreigners are being protected, while domestic entrepreneurs are being ignored. There is no expectation from the interim government,” he said. Aminul Hakim, president of the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB), said they would take legal action if necessary to secure the rights of local investors. He added that the government’s restriction on private submarine cable connections was holding back internet affordability. “If private submarine cables were allowed, we could offer customers double the current internet packages at the same price,” he said. Entrepreneurs urged the government to address the issue immediately. Masud Kamal noted, “The problems raised at the meeting can only be solved by an elected government.” Speakers questioned why the interim government chose to reform the telecommunications sector urgently, instead of prioritising vital sectors such as education and health. While welcoming the government’s reform initiative, local entrepreneurs expressed concern about several provisions in the guidelines. They highlighted that the licence fee for foreign companies like Starlink has been set at Tk 12 lakh, whereas local ISP firms must pay Tk 25 lakh — a discrepancy they claim favours foreign players. Sumon Ahmed Sabir, Deputy Managing Director of Fiber@Home, said reforms were needed after the July changes in governance, but the new policy appears to have been drafted to benefit foreign companies. “The government must address these concerns,” he added. Technology policy analyst Abu Najam Muhammad Tanvir Hossain criticised the government’s statement that the internet would “never be shut down” under the new policy, calling it a “public relations stunt.” He said, “If the internet is ever shut down, accountability must be ensured in the policy itself. The reform should not have been rushed.” ISPAB General Secretary Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan said, “We believe the internet should remain unified — not divided into mobile, satellite, or other segments. Unequal competition will only grow.” However, he praised the Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for indicating in a Facebook post that revisions to the draft policy were being considered. M. Nurul Alam of ICX said the policy should prioritise domestic entrepreneurship, GDP growth, and employment. “Our concerns were ignored during the reform process. We are facing discrimination. While the government talks about open competition, small local firms cannot survive against large foreign investments,” he warned. Summit Communications CTO KM Tarikuzzaman added that the new policy mainly protects mobile operators. “The barriers that were previously removed are now being reinstated — taking us back to the pre-2008 era,” he said. Former TRNB President Rashed Mehedi presented a keynote speech titled 'How much role will the new policy of the telecommunications sector play in protecting the interests of domestic entrepreneurs'. TRNB General Secretary Masuduzzaman Robin delivered the welcome speech.

Secretary General of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Kader Gani Chowdhury on Saturday said that subculture is strangling national values and driving the youth towards destruction. “Young people are being drawn to subculture because it offers glamour, excitement, and momentary pleasure — it has an allure,” he said. “But we must remember, the future of any nation lies in its youth.” He added, “Subculture alienates people from love for their mother, their land, and their country. Its glitter is like a mirage — dazzling but hollow — turning people into beings devoid of conscience.” Kader Gani made these remarks while inaugurating the 30th anniversary celebration of the Bangladesh Cultural Reporters Association (BCURA) at the National Art Gallery Auditorium of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The event was presided over by BCURA President Abhi Chowdhury with Hasan Hafiz, President of the National Press Club and Editor of Kaler Kantho, as the chief guest. Among others who spoke were  Poet Rezauddin Stalin, Director General of the Shilpakala Academy; world-renowned magician Jewel Aich; Tashik Ahmed, Ziaul Kabir Suman, Erfanul Haque Nahid, Raju Alim,  Kamrul Hasan Darpan, and Rimon Mahfuz. The programme was conducted by secretary generalbof the AssociationnDulal Khan. Kader Gani warned that the country’s youth, if trapped by the venom of subculture, will push the nation’s future into darkness. “Culture shows the path of beauty, while subculture leads to ugliness and darkness. Subculture strangles national values and knocks at the door of conscience,” he said. He blamed flashy Western influencesbfor eroding the roots of Bangladesh’s age-old cultural heritage: “We are losing our cultural uniqueness and drifting toward spiritual poverty. In this era of globalization, cultural aggression is inevitable — consumerism turns every cultural element into a commodity. Foreign films and songs will appear on social media, but that doesn’t mean we should close our eyes and ears.” To protect native culture, he emphasized strengthening rural traditions while ensuring modern amenities for villages. “We must not confine villagers to the digital cages of city living. Let’s restore open green fields, rivers, canals, and boat races. Folk dance, jari, sari, baul, murshidi, bhatiali, bhawaiya, and songs of Lalon, Nazrul, Tagore, and Hasan Raja must not be allowed to disappear.” He urged turning children away from the blinding rays of mobile screens and helping them rediscover the moonlit nights, autumn skies, and the magic of rural art and music. On the link between education and culture, he said, “Education and culture go hand in hand. They complement each other. To build an enlightened generation, we must nurture a healthy cultural environment. Remember, one of the best ways to resist evil forces is through cultural practice.” Kader Gani further stated, “If the education we receive doesn’t teach us to love our country, to make life more humane and compassionate, then it is miseducation. And from miseducation, subculture takes root.” He recalled how Bangladesh’s cultural backbone has faced attacks time and again — from attempts to impose Urdu as a national language by Jinnah to efforts by past governments to suppress free speech — but the people have always resisted.  “Language and freedom of expression can never be taken from us. Culture has its own strength — we saw that in 1952, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1990, and even in 2024. Why are we forgetting that heritage?” He lamented that many young people today are forgetting the Bengali language and culture. “Through this contradictory cultural practice, can we really progress far? One day we must seek our roots — because culture is the mirror of life. It must be lived, practiced, and nurtured constantly. Words alone won’t sustain it — we must embody it in our actions.”

BRAC Bank PLC and Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) have jointly financed a landmark renewable energy initiative — a 64.55 MW solar power plant operated by Bangladesh China Renewable Energy Company Limited (BCRECL). A ceremony celebrating the financial closure of the USD 67 million Syndicated Term Loan Facility for the project was held on Thursday at the InterContinental Dhaka, said a press release on Saturday. BRAC Bank PLC and IDCOL contributed USD 22 million and USD 45 million respectively, reaffirming their commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s clean energy transition. The large-scale solar power plant, located in Pabna, has already begun supplying electricity to the national grid, marking a significant step forward in the country’s journey towards renewable energy and sustainable growth. BCRECL is a joint venture between North-West Power Generation Company Limited (NWPGCL) — a subsidiary of the Bangladesh government — and China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation (CMC). The company currently operates several solar power plants across Bangladesh. Governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr Ahsan H. Mansur attended the event as the chief guest. Special guests included Gayle Martin, Operations Manager for Bangladesh and Bhutan at the World Bank, and Dr Rüdiger Lotz, German Ambassador to Bangladesh. The event was chaired by Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division and Chairman of IDCOL. Among others, IDCOL Executive Director and CEO Alamgir Morshed, BRAC Bank Managing Director and CEO Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, and BCRECL Managing Director Qi Yue, along with senior officials from the participating organisations, were also present. BRAC Bank Managing Director and CEO Tareq Refat Ullah Khan said that together with IDCOL it has mobilised long-term financing for a project that delivers clean energy to the national grid, reduces carbon emissions, and supports Bangladesh’s renewable energy transformation. “The commissioning of this solar plant stands as a testament to effective public-private collaboration in driving large-scale sustainable infrastructure. As a values-based institution, BRAC Bank remains committed to accelerating the clean energy transition in Bangladesh.” IDCOL Executive Director and CEO Alamgir Morshed said that IDCOL is committed to driving Bangladesh’s clean energy transition through innovative financing. “This 64.55 MW solar park, financed jointly with BRAC Bank PLC, is a key milestone in boosting the renewable energy sector and cutting carbon emissions. We thank BCRECL for leading the way towards a greener future.” The collaboration highlights the shared vision of BRAC Bank and IDCOL to advance renewable energy, foster environmental sustainability, and enhance energy security through innovative financing solutions in Bangladesh.

In the quiet of BRAC Bank’s conference room, four-year-old Nabil sat resting against his mother, Nazmun Nahar, seemingly unaware of the weight of the moment. His father, Ariful Islam, a freelance graphic designer from Nabinagar in Brahmanbaria, passed away only a month earlier, leaving behind his young family. On Thursday, Nazmun Nahar came to BRAC Bank to receive her late husband’s life insurance claim cheque, an amount of Tk12.28 lakh provided through Pragati Life Insurance under the bank’s Bancassurance programme, according to a press release. Nazmun recalled that she and Ariful were married five years ago in an arranged match. They welcomed their son Nabil a year later, and life was steady and content. Ariful, who had moved from a traditional office job to a freelance career, was the family’s mainstay. But earlier this year, he suddenly fell ill with what was first diagnosed as jaundice. After 23 days of hospitalisation, and despite signs of improvement, he suffered a fatal heart attack at just 30 years old. For Nazmun, the tragedy felt like being swept away by the violent ‘Afal’, the haor region’s term for a sudden storm. Yet, she said, one prudent decision by her husband spared her family from complete despair: only months before his death, Ariful had opted for life insurance through BRAC Bank’s bancassurance services. “I received the cheque for the insurance claim within two days of submitting the documents,” Nazmun said. “Now I plan to open a Fixed Deposit account with BRAC Bank. The interest will help cover my father-in-law’s medical costs and ensure my son’s education continues. My dream is to raise Nabil to be an ideal person.” Syed Abdul Momen, Additional Managing Director & Head of SME Banking at BRAC Bank, said Ariful had been a loyal customer who managed all his financial transactions, including his freelance dollar income, through the bank.  “When he visited one of our branches in April this year, our staff advised him to take life insurance through bancassurance for his family’s security,” Momen said. “He paid only two instalments before his untimely passing, yet his family received the full claim swiftly because of the bancassurance arrangement.” The insurance cheque was formally handed over to Nazmun Nahar by Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, Managing Director & CEO of BRAC Bank; Md. Jalalul Azim, Managing Director & CEO of Pragati Life Insurance; Syed Abdul Momen, Additional Managing Director & Head of SME Banking; Mahbubur Rahman, Chief Bancassurance Officer of BRAC Bank; and Jahurul Islam, Head and Senior Vice President, Bancassurance Department of Pragati Life Insurance. BRAC Bank launched its Bancassurance services in 2024, introducing a convenient platform that integrates banking and insurance under one roof. Through partnerships with leading insurers such as MetLife Bangladesh, Pragati Life, Green Delta, and Pioneer Insurance, customers can now access a wide range of coverage, including life, health, automobile and travel insurance, directly from bank branches. BRAC Microfinance earns ‘CPC Gold’ certification global recognition A recent innovation, the Credit Shield insurance facility, offers protection for personal and SME loans as well as credit card customers. Dedicated bancassurance officers are also available to help customers choose suitable policies. By offering these services, BRAC Bank aims to bring insurance closer to the people and promote financial inclusion and security across Bangladesh — ensuring that stories like Ariful’s end not in despair, but in protection and hope for the future.    

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has justified the action taken to disperse a gathering of government primary school assistant teachers at Shahbagh, saying it was necessary to ensure public safety and protect key state establishments. In a statement issued on Saturday afternoon, the DMP said the teachers, who had initially assembled at the Central Shaheed Minar to press home various demands, later gathered near Shahbagh Police Station around 3:00 pm. According to the statement, around 4:00 pm, some protesters broke through police barricades and attempted to march towards the state guesthouse Jamuna, an area where all kinds of assemblies, rallies and gatherings are strictly prohibited. As police intervened, the protesters allegedly hurled brick chips, leaving several law enforcers injured. In response, police used sound grenades and water cannons to disperse the crowd and restore order. The DMP reiterated that the area surrounding the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, is under a strict ban on public gatherings. The protesters’ attempt to advance toward the restricted zone prompted what it termed as ‘necessary police measures’. Urging citizens to cooperate with law enforcement, the DMP called on everyone to abide by existing restrictions to maintain public safety, law and order, and protect vital state installations.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Saturday (8th November 2025) said good governance and reforms cannot be achieved overnight, noting that in some countries such reforms took more than a decade of discussions. Addressing a programme organised by the Citizen Platform at a city hotel on Saturday afternoon, he said the national election would be held in the first half of February as the Chief Adviser and other advisers are actively working to ensure it. “There’s no uncertainty about the election. Discussions on reforms may take place afterward,” he said. Regarding the voting system, Shafiqul Alam said if political parties fail to take a decision, the interim government will make one. Responding to criticism that farmers, women and workers were not consulted on the July Charter, he questioned, “Don’t political parties represent these people?” Misinformation big threat to democracy: Shafiqul Alam Shafiqul also urged political parties to take a clear stance regarding ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “Everyone must make their position clear. Sheikh Hasina again said today that those who took part in the July movement are terrorists. Awami League wants to return to power by branding 180 million people as terrorists and committing killings in the name of fighting terrorism,” he said. The Press Secretary said creating jobs in the country will be a major challenge for the next government as artificial intelligence is reshaping the job market everywhere. Mentioning that revamping development projects will also be a challenge, Shafiqul said, “Five billion dollars have been invested in railway projects — all of which somehow connect to Gopalganj. These were done under Sheikh Hasina’s corrupt system.” Read more: Govt watching Hasina’s actions; she’s Bengal's ‘butcher’: Press Secretary

A fire broke that brought out at a cotton warehouse of a factory in Tongi Milgate area in Gazipur has been brought under control. The fire broke out at the cotton warehouse around 11:45 pm and seven firefighting units brought it  under control around 1:30 pm, said Shahin Alam, Senior Station Officer of Tongi Fire Service and Civil Defence. The extent of the damage caused by the fire could be known after investigation, said Station officer Shahin.    

Economist Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya on Saturday (8th November 2025) urged political parties to make a firm commitment in their election manifestos to eradicate all forms of discrimination from the country’s legal and social frameworks. “Political parties have to pledge to eradicate discrimination from the legal context in their election manifestos,” said Dr Debapriya, Convener of the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh. He emphasised that the Citizen’s Platform is dedicated to eliminating discrimination in every form within legal and societal structures, and that the inclusion of such commitments in election manifestos would represent a strong step towards implementation in the future. Interim govt pursuing reforms without engaging stakeholders: Debapriya Dr Debapriya made the remarks while addressing the opening session of a dialogue titled “Elimination of Discrimination in Bangladesh: Legal Context, Current Reality, and Way Forward.” He highlighted the gap between constitutional promises and the lived realities of marginalised and vulnerable communities across the country. Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh organised the event in collaboration with the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), Manusher Jonno Foundation, and Nagorik Uddyog (Citizen’s Initiative), with support from Switzerland and UNDP. Read more: Bangladesh Election: EC to begin political dialogues this week  

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Md Mahmudul Hasan on Saturday made a surprise field visit to inspect the ongoing larviciding and cleanliness drives aimed at controlling dengue at Green Road Staff Quarters and Dhanmondi areas. During the visit, the Administrator issued necessary directives to the officials concerned.He said that since the government staff quarters fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (PWD), effective dengue control requires joint efforts from both the Public Works Department (PWD) authorities and the residents’ committees. The Administrator assured full cooperation from DSCC in ensuring sustained mosquito control efforts. “Effective dengue control demands collective effort from all stakeholders. Dhaka South City Corporation will continue to monitor and strengthen mosquito control activities,” he said. The Administrator was accompanied by DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md Zohirul Islam, Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Nishat Parveen, Regional Executive Officer (Region-1) Kazi Saleh Mustanjir, and other officials.