United News of Bangladesh

With the national election approaching, Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB), Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim has called on voters to test the party's ruling process in the upcoming election by casting their vote for its symbol, the hand-fan. He made the appeal during a mass gathering held on Tuesday at Polash Upazila Bus Stand in Narsingdi, demanding justice for the July genocide, necessary state reforms, and elections under the proportional representation (PR) system. Addressing the rally as the chief guest, he recalled his personal involvement in the July struggle, saying, “I was on the field myself. I saw no other leader there. I risked my life fighting in front of guns and cannons to stop oppression, rape, killings, and plunder in the country. But after July, these atrocities have returned in an even more heinous form. We cannot accept this.” Abbas fears interim govt may use illegal means to secure win for Jamaat, NCP He urged voters to elect his party through the hand-fan symbol, asserting, “A victory for the hand-fan means a victory for the poor and hardworking, for the helpless. If Islam comes to power, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians alike will live in peace. The destitute will receive relief. If we are entrusted with responsibility, no money will be sent abroad.” He also said, challenging voters, “You have seen many symbols like the boat, sheaf of paddy, and plough. This time, test us. If we fail to keep our promises, we will never come before you again.” Chaired by Alhaj Engineer Mohsin Ahmed, candidate for Narsingdi-2 seat, Maulana Syed Mosaddeq Al Madani, Prof Hafiz Maulana Yunus Ahmed, Prof Ashraf Ali Akon, and Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, among others, were present at the event.

The Election Commission on Tuesday issued separate notifications over awarding registration to three political parties, including the National Citizen Party (NCP). According to the notifications, the Commission decided to award registration to NCP with the electoral symbol of ‘Water Lily Bud’, while Bangladesh Aam Janagan Party with ‘Handshake’ symbol and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist) with ‘Sewing Scissor’ symbol. The notifications will be published in newspapers on Wednesday, inviting objections, if any, against the registration of the parties. If anyone has an objection against the registration of the parties, the person must inform the Election Commission by November 12. Later, the Commission will finally recognise them as the registered parties following settling objections if any against them. As per the notification, Nahid Islam and Akhtar Hossain are respectively the convener and the member secretary of NCP formed by the youths who led the 2024 mass uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s regime. Mohammad Rafiqul Ameen and Fatima Tasnim are respectively the convener and the member secretary of Bangladesh Aam Janagan Party, while Masud Rana and Dr Joydeep Bhattacharya are respectively the coordinator and the member of Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist). The three parties were registered under Article 90B of the Representation of the People Order 1972. Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the Commission considered that these three parties are eligible for registration by showing ‘leniency’ over the fulfillment of registration conditions. “We’ve verified the authenticity of their documents submitted with the registration applications. The Commission considered that these three parties are eligible for registration,” he told reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. Noting that there is a court order to show leniency to some extent here (over fulfillment of registration conditions), he said the Election Commission has shown leniency during consideration of awarding registration to them. The EC Secretary said a little shortfall was ignored in one of the two conditions -- having their district-level offices in at least one third of 64 districts and having Upazila-level offices in at least 100 upazilas— to consider them eligible for registration. Aam Janatar Dal member secretary Tarique Rahman alone sat on a hunger strike to death in demanding the registration of his party. Talking to the media, Tarique said he started the hunger strike as his party had not been registered. “We tried to fulfill the conditions, but our application was rejected. They (EC) are inhumane,” he said. Earlier on September 30 last, the EC Secretary said the two parties – National Citizen Party-NCP and Bangladesh Jatiya League – preliminarily met the registration conditions. The applications of 12 other parties are under further review. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jatiya League was dropped from the list of eligible parties. Abbas fears interim govt may use illegal means to secure win for Jamaat, NCP On March 10, 2025 the Commission invited applications from the new political parties by April 20 next to get registered ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. The EC received applications from 143 parties seeking registration within the extended deadline of June 22 last. After scrutiny, 22 parties were shortlisted for field-level inquiries to verify the authenticity of their claims of fulfillment of registration conditions. A total of 57 parties have so far obtained registration, but five of them—Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Freedom Party, Oikyabodha Nagorik Andolan, PDP and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa)—later lost their status due to different grounds and court orders. But Jamaat and Jagpa got back their registration following the court orders. Besides, the registration of Awami League remains suspended.    

A joint International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank technical assistance mission has recommended the establishment of a unified Debt Management Office (DMO) in Bangladesh to strengthen the country’s public debt management framework and reduce fiscal and operational risks. The proposal was presented at a workshop titled “Establishing a Debt Management Office”, held on Monday at the Finance Division in Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka, said a media release issued on Tuesday. The Scheme on Strengthening the Capacity of Treasury and Debt Management Wing of the Finance Division under Strengthening Public Financial Management to Enable Service Delivery (SPFMS) organized the workshop. The mission observed that Bangladesh’s current debt management functions are fragmented across multiple government agencies, resulting in coordination gaps, inconsistent debt data, and challenges in formulating and executing a comprehensive debt management strategy. It also highlighted the absence of a centralized and audited debt database and the lack of a formal cash flow forecasting mechanism—both considered essential for guiding an informed and cost-effective government borrowing. Md. Hasanul Matin, Additional Secretary (Administration, Planning & TDM), Finance Division, attended the workshop as the Chief Guest. Special guests included Dr. Ziaul Abedin, Additional Secretary (Budget-1) and National Program Director of SPFMS, and Hasan Khaled Foisal, Additional Secretary (Macroeconomics-1), Finance Division. The session was presided over by Mohd Rashedul Amin, Joint Secretary of the Treasury and Debt Management Wing. The IMF–World Bank mission was led by Arindam Roy, Senior Financial Sector Expert, accompanied by Dr. Jens Clausen, Philip R. D. Anderson, and Per Jonsson. Expert opinion was also made by Md. Monzorul Haque, Joint Secretary (Expenditure Management), Finance Division, and Abu Daiyan Mohammad Ahsanuallah, Joint Secretary, Economic Relations Division. In its presentation, the mission proposed consolidating all government and government-guaranteed debt functions under the Finance Division, beginning with the restructuring of the Treasury and Debt Management Wing. In the initial phase, the proposed DMO would oversee domestic debt issuance, develop annual borrowing plans, coordinate auction calendars, undertake portfolio risk assessments, and build a unified debt database by integrating existing systems and data repositories. The mission emphasized the need for a clear legal framework to define borrowing authority, accountability, reporting responsibilities, and transparency standards, reads the release. To ensure professional execution, the mission recommended specialized staffing for the DMO, particularly personnel experienced in capital markets, pricing, settlement operations, and risk management. It noted that such expertise could be sourced from Bangladesh Bank, commercial banks, and the capital market. However, to retain skilled professionals, the government would need to introduce competitive compensation and career development pathways. The experts stated that, over the medium term, the DMO could evolve into a more autonomous entity with expanded functions, including contingent liability oversight and investor relations management. International experience, presented during the workshop, showed that many countries shifted to centralized DMOs since the 1980s to reduce borrowing costs and risks, strengthen fiscal transparency, and improve the separation between debt management and monetary policy operations. The mission highlighted that successful DMOs generally operate through three core units—front office (borrowings and market transactions), middle office (risk and strategy), and back office (settlements data administration, accounting and reporting), according to the release. The mission concluded that establishing a DMO will require strong political commitment, phased restructuring, investment in modern IT systems, and sustained coordination across government institutions. Once operational, the unified DMO is expected to enhance market confidence, lower financing costs and risks, and reinforce Bangladesh’s long-term fiscal stability.

At least three people were killed and 32 others injured when two passenger buses of Ena Paribahan and Royal Coach collided head-on on the Dhaka–Sylhet Highway in Habiganj on Tuesday afternoon. The deceased were identified as Raju Mia, 45, son of Mukit Mia of Barachar village under Nabiganj upazila, and Hanif, 60, son of Abul Khayer from Shahibagh area in Sreemangal. The identity of another victim, aged around 40, could not be confirmed immediately. The accident occurred around noon in the Kadamtoli area of Shayestaganj upazila when a Sylhet-bound Ena Paribahan bus lost control and collided head-on with a Royal Coach bus coming from the opposite direction, police and witnesses said. Two people died on the spot, while at least 32 others from both vehicles were injured. On information, police and fire service personnel rushed to the scene, rescued the injured, and sent them to local hospitals. The collision caused a temporary traffic jam on the busy highway. Shayestaganj Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abu Taher Dewan said the injured were rescued, and both damaged buses were removed from the road, restoring normal traffic movement. Efforts are underway to identify one of the deceased, he added. According to Habiganj Sadar Hospital authorities, 32 injured passengers were admitted, and 11 of them, who were in critical condition, were transferred to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. The critically injured include Ful Mia (59), Sudhanshu (27), Habibur (30), Mahmud (30), Monir (17), Mridha, Kausar (18), Shamim (40), Azizul (40), Saiful (29), and Saikat (28). As of filing this report, Raju Mia’s body remained at Habiganj Sadar Hospital, while the other two were kept at Shayestaganj Highway Police Station. The bodies will be handed over to their families after postmortem examinations.

The Bangladesh Bank is preparing to issue the 7th 'Bangladesh Government Investment Sukuk' (Islamic bond) valued at Tk 2,500 crore. The Sukuk is aimed at funding the Important Rural Infrastructure Development Project for Noakhali, Feni, and Lakshmipur (IRIDPNFL) districts. This Islamic Shariah-compliant bond is expected to inject a major economic boost into the rural infrastructure of the country's south-eastern region. The information was confirmed in a press release issued today (Tuesday), by Saida Khanam, Director (Ex-Cadre-Publication) of the Department of Communications and Publications and Assistant Spokesperson for the Bangladesh Bank. The decision was finalized during the first meeting of the Shariah Advisory Committee, formed under the Deputy Governor and Debt Management Department, held at the central bank's head office on November 3. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Md. Kabir Ahammed, President of the Committee. Type:The Sukuk will be issued under the Ijara (Leasing) method.Value and Term: It will be valued at Tk2,500 crore with a maturity term of 7 years.Name: The Sukuk has been named ‘IRIDPNFL Socio-Economic Development Sukuk’.Timeline: The issuance is planned for December 2025. The funds generated from this Sukuk will be utilized for the rural development of 20 upazilas across Noakhali, Feni, and Lakshmipur districts. The scope of work includes-Road development, widening, and rehabilitation. Slope protection work.Infrastructure development for local markets (Haat-Bazaars) and tourism areas. Bangladesh Bank directs MFS providers to halt online gambling transactions The Bangladesh Bank noted that the successful implementation of the IRIDPNFL project is anticipated to: Increase the flow of agricultural and non-agricultural economic activity. Improve the standard of living for the rural population. Generate new employment opportunities. Significantly reduce both transportation costs and time. Prior to this, the Bangladesh Bank, acting as the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), had successfully issued a total of six Sukuks amounting to Tk 24,000 crore.  

Ambassador-designate of France to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet on Tuesday said Airbus would be an important partner for Bangladesh’s aviation sector, which is today entering a decisive phase. "With increasing connectivity needs, and a strategic geographic position, Bangladesh has all the ingredients to become a regional aviation hub," he said. In this context, the envoy said Airbus has presented a comprehensive and competitive solution to Biman Bangladesh in order to accompany this transformation. German Ambassador Rüdiger Lotz, British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke and European Union Ambassador Michael Miller- and aviation journalists engaged in a European Dialogue on Bangladesh’s Aviation Growth at the Franco-German Embassy, highlighting the positive role that Airbus intends to play in the development of the sector. Airbus’ proposal aims to contribute to Bangladesh’s rapidly expanding aviation industry and to further strengthen the long-standing ties of friendship and cooperation between the European Union and Bangladesh. Introducing Airbus aircraft as part of a diversified fleet alongside existing models would certainly bring greater flexibility, resilience, and competitiveness to Biman, an advantage already demonstrated by airlines around the world, said the French Ambassador. He said the Airbus offer is strongly backed by all four European countries that are part of the multinational company.  "Our respective Export Credit Agencies already expressed their interest in supporting this deal." France and Europe are also committed to play a role in establishing a long-term partnership for supporting the Bangladeshi aviation ecosystem as a whole, said the French envoy. "Meaning pilot and engineer training, maintenance operations, and the transfer of industrial expertise, all aimed at strengthening Biman’s operational capabilities and human capital," he said. The envoy underlined a key message: "We want to work together: As Bangladesh emerges as a key aviation player in the region, Europe is willing to accompany this journey through Airbus." He recently arrived as the new Ambassador of France and is preparing to present his letters of credence, marking the beginning of his official mission in Bangladesh. The envoy said France enjoys a long-standing partnership with Bangladesh, built over decades on mutual respect. He said Bangladesh’s rapid growth and strategic location in the Indo-Pacific region, at a pivotal location between South Asia and Southeast-Asia, present tremendous opportunities for collaboration with France and Europe. "It is precisely within this context of shared ambition and partnership that Airbus stands out, and that France and Europe fully support its engagement in the country," he said. With its heritage in Europe, the envoy said its vision and solutions for Bangladesh’s aviation sector, Airbus represents a credible, sustainable, and forward-looking choice to help realize the country’s aviation ambitions. "Airbus stands at the very heart of the French and European aeronautics industry," he said, noting that the combination of technical mastery and innovation is what makes Airbus not only a symbol of European industrial excellence, but also a trusted partner to airlines worldwide.

Four more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 292 this year. During the period, 1, 101 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, raising the total infected-case to 73, 923 this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). According to the DGHS, new cases were reported as follows: 151 in Barishal Division (Out of CC), 125 in Chattogram Division (Out of CC), 208 in Dhaka Division (Out of CC), 241 in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), 175 in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), 59 in Khulna Division (Out of CC), 75 in Mymensingh Division (Out of CC), 45 in Rajshahi Division (Out of CC), 19 in Rangpur Division (Out of CC), and three in Sylhet Division (Out of CC) Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. Dengue crisis deepens: 5 dead, 1,147 hospitalised in 24hrs In 2023, 1,705 people lost their lives due to dengue, making it the deadliest year on record. The DGHS recorded 321,179 dengue cases and 3, 18,749 recoveries in the same year.

Preparations for the upcoming COP-30 climate summit in Brazil on Tuesday revealed significant coordination gaps among Bangladesh’s ministries and stakeholders, even as the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock prepares to participate in the global conference for the first time. “For the first time, the ministry will attend alongside the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. However, the absence of inter-ministerial coordination could weaken Bangladesh’s ability to present a unified position on climate impacts,” said Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter. Speaking at a preparatory workshop titled ‘World Climate Conference COP-30: Preparatory Workshop’, she said, “Everyone assumes COP is only the responsibility of the Environment Ministry. But ministries like Fisheries, Education, Agriculture, Disaster Management, and Women and Children Affairs are also intrinsically linked. One ministry alone cannot ensure proper representation at COP.” This year, at the initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock will attend the COP summit for the first time. “We will highlight how the climate crisis is adversely affecting the country’s fisheries and livestock sectors,” Farida Akhter said. Govt committed to stable electricity prices, says Farida Akhter Pointing to the lack of coordination not only among ministries but also between government and non-government entities, Farida Akhter said, “At this COP, we must forget who represents the government and who represents NGOs — we all represent Bangladesh.” Environmentalists and NGO representatives at the event alleged that unlike Bhutan or Indonesia, Bangladesh has made little effort in creatively presenting its pavilion at past COP summits. “This year, Bangladesh’s pavilion will feature exhibits and visuals on local species such as Hilsa and Black Bengal Goat to showcase how climate change is impacting fisheries and livestock resources,” the adviser said. She emphasised the need for closer coordination between government delegates and civil society representatives at this year’s summit. Bangladesh wastes 21 million tonnes of food annually: Adviser Farida Expressing concern, the adviser said as Bangladesh approaches graduation from the LDC category, the country’s access to the Loss and Damage Fund remains uncertain. “We can no longer play the victim. We must demand compensation as our rightful claim.” Highlighting the regional gap, she observed that Asian countries, especially those in South Asia, still lack collective coordination at COP compared to African nations, which present united positions on climate issues. Due to climate impacts, Bangladesh’s capture fisheries sector has suffered significant losses, she said, adding, “While 60 percent of fish demand once came from capture fisheries, that share has now dropped by more than 20 percent.” “Major countries still think they are immune to the effects of climate change. But even the U.S. is now facing floods — this is the consequence of the climate crisis. Everyone must act to confront it,” she said. Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber presided over the session.

The Election Commission has decided to award registration to three political parties, including the National Citizen Party (NCP), said EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Tuesday (4th November 2025). The two other parties are Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist) and Bangladesh Aamjanagan Party. “We’ve verified the authenticity of their documents submitted with the registration applications. The Commission considered that these three parties are eligible for registration,” he told reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. A public notification will be published in newspapers regarding the registration of these parties on Wednesday, the EC Secretary added. A public notification will be published in newspapers on Wednesday inviting objections, if any, against the registration of the parties, the EC Secretary added. Earlier on September 30 last, the EC Secretary said the two parties – National Citizen Party-NCP and Bangladesh Jatiya League – preliminarily met the registration conditions. The applications of 12 other parties are under further review. Read more: NCP forms 10-member Election Steering Committee led by Nasiruddin Patwary Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jatiya League was dropped from the list of eligible parties. On March 10, 2025 the Commission invited applications from the new political parties by April 20 next to get registered ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. The EC received applications from 143 parties seeking registration within the extended deadline of June 22 last. After scrutiny, 22 parties were shortlisted for field-level inquiries to verify the authenticity of their claims of fulfillment of registration conditions. A total of 57 parties have so far obtained registration, but five of them—Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Freedom Party, Oikyabodha Nagorik Andolan, PDP and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa)—later lost their status due to different grounds and court orders. But Jamaat and Jagpa got back their registration following the court orders. Besides, the registration of Awami League remains suspended. Read more: Abbas fears interim govt may use illegal means to secure win for Jamaat, NCP 

A 21-year-old woman was found dead at a house in Shahjahanpur area of the capital on Monday night. The deceased was identified as Survi Akter Mahfuza, wife of Azizur Rahman and daughter of Nurul Haque of Jajira upazila in Shariatpur district. NGO worker's body found hanging in Cumilla’s Homna Md Mahsin Talukdar, sub-inspector of Shahjahanpur Police Station, said on information, police recovered the body of Mahfuza from the house around 9 pm and sent it to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital morgue for autopsy. Azizur went into hiding, he said.