United News of Bangladesh

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Sunday said to build sustainable and livable cities it is essential to make ‘green building’ policy mandatory in government infrastructures. “Once the government ensures compliance in its projects, the private sector will follow,” she said at a workshop on “Green Building” organised by the Department of Environment (DoE) in the capital.. Green buildings are not defined merely by their color or certification but by the integration of eco-friendly ideas and technologies in every stage of design, construction, management, and maintenance, said the adviser The adviser emphasised that sustainable buildings are vital for protecting Dhaka’s canals and rivers, reducing waste and noise pollution, and controlling temperature to improve the city’s environment. She called for incorporating policies such as rooftop solar power, rainwater harvesting, and the use of natural light and ventilation. Rizwana also proposed forming a “Green Building Council” comprising representatives from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Department of Environment, Housing and Building Research Institute (HBRI), Local Government Division, and other relevant agencies. The council would be responsible for setting standards, updating laws, and monitoring implementation. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed; RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md Riazul Islam; Chief Engineer of Public Works Department Md Khalekuzzaman Chowdhury; Additional Director General of DoE Md Ziaul Haque, among others, attended the event alongside engineers, architects, researchers, and policymakers.  

Multiple protests and simultaneous road blockades in front of the Jatiya Press Club and adjoining areas of the capital on Sunday morning caused severe traffic congestion on several key routes, leaving officegoers and commuters stranded for hours and bringing parts of Dhaka to a standstill. Several groups, including the Ibtedayi Madrasa Teachers’ Unity Council, teachers of schools for students with disabilities demanding MPO enlistment and recognition, and representatives of recognised but non-MPO institutions, staged sit-in demonstrations near the Press Club. At the same time, unemployed disabled graduates and non-cadre candidates from the 43rd BCS blocked adjacent roads demanding government jobs, worsening the situation further. Traffic congestion escalates in Narayanganj city due to rules violation As a result, traffic movement slowed to a crawl in major areas such as Shahbagh, Press Club, Paltan, and Motijheel. Commuters and officegoers faced extreme difficulties amid the prolonged gridlock. Despite the disruptions, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said it has been making continuous efforts to keep traffic moving under the challenging circumstances. In a press release, the DMP expressed deep regret for the unexpected congestion and the suffering caused to the public.  “Temporary traffic jams have occurred in some parts of the city due to ongoing protest activities. Our traffic police are working tirelessly to restore normalcy, and we seek the cooperation of the public in this regard,” the release added. Read more: How to Get Traffic Updates in Dhaka: Useful Apps and Sources

National unity is crucial to defeat fascism and save the country, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said on Saturday. “We face a great challenge in shaping the future of this country. This challenge cannot be met by a single person, organisation, agency, or government alone. Unity among all political parties and factions is essential, and it must be maintained despite any adversity,” he said in a statement Saturday night. He also thanked the members of the National Consensus Commission for engaging with all active political parties and reaching an agreement to formulate and implement the July National Charter. Chief Adviser directs armed forces to prepare for election security Describing the charter as a historic achievement, the Chief Adviser said, “This document is invaluable for our nation. It will not only guide the upcoming national elections but also serve as a roadmap for future politics and strengthen our democracy.” Prof Yunus added that people expect reforms that will foster a democratic culture in Bangladesh, prevent any future dictatorship, ensure overall national development, and protect the civil rights and dignity of every citizen. “The most encouraging aspect is that these reforms have been agreed upon by us, not imposed from outside. In the past, foreign mediators, including representatives of the UN and friendly countries, have often intervened in Bangladesh’s political dialogue. But after the July mass uprising, the political parties decided to solve our own crisis internally. All parties have come together, engaged in political debate, and paved the way for a solution. Instead of relying on the world, we have presented our national unity as an example to the world,” he said. CA’s office asks officials to avoid foreign travels until election On behalf of the nation, he thanked all political leaders who worked tirelessly to make the charter possible, calling it a historic achievement. Claiming the July charter is a unique global example, the Chief Adviser said, “Nothing like this has happened anywhere else in the world. It will be a shining moment in political history. Other nations may consider forming a ‘Consensus Commission’ during times of crisis as a model for nation-building.” He also acknowledged the contributions of the Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission, Professor Ali Riaz, members Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr. Mohammad Ayub Mia, Special Assistant Monir Haider, and media representatives who covered the commission’s work for months.  “We must preserve the unprecedented unity we have achieved in state reforms. Fascist forces have devoted all their strength to divide the nation. For the past 15 months, we have unitedly confronted their various conspiracies. To defeat fascism and safeguard this country, there is no other option but to maintain national unity,” he added. Read more: BNP not to take responsibility for unsigned parts of July Charter: Fakhrul

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has instructed the chiefs of the three armed services to take all necessary measures to ensure flawless security ahead of the 13th National Parliament election, scheduled for the first half of February. He gave the directives during a meeting with Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hasan, and Air Chief Marshal Hassan Mahmud Khan at the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday evening. CA’s office asks officials to avoid foreign travels until election National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman was also present. During the meeting, Professor Yunus commended the armed forces for their contributions in maintaining national security and law and order over the past 15 months. He reiterated that the interim government is determined to hold the elections in February in a free, fair, impartial, peaceful and festive manner. Forces from inside-outside country may work to thwart election: Prof Yunus    The chiefs of the three services briefed the Chief Adviser on the military’s preparations for the elections. A total of 90,000 army personnel, 2,500 navy personnel, and a number of air force personnel will be deployed to maintain law and order. One company of soldiers will be stationed in each upazila. The military chiefs also invited the Chief Adviser to attend the Armed Forces Day celebrations on 21 November. Cooperatives can help build an equal and self-reliant Bangladesh: Prof Yunus  

Saint Martin’s Island, the country’s only coral island, reopened to tourists on Saturday (November 1) following a government decision. However, ship owners have said they have no plans to operate tourist vessels until December, as visitors are not permitted to stay overnight this month. Hossain Islam Bahadur, General Secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh (SCOAB), said it takes at least seven to eight hours to reach Saint Martin’s if a ship departs from Nuniarchhara Ghat in Cox’s Bazar city. “As a result, tourists won’t be able to see anything. Travelling to and from the island within a single day is not only difficult but also unprofitable for business. That is why many tourists are reluctant to visit Saint Martin’s,” he said. “So we are not operating ships until overnight stays are permitted for tourists,” added the SCOAB secretary. After a nine-month closure, the government allowed tourist ships to resume sailing to Saint Martin’s Island from November 1. According to Cox’s Bazar District Administration sources, there are no government restrictions on operating tourist ships from November 1. However, vessels must make round trips in a single day, as overnight stays are still prohibited. As a result, most tourists are showing little interest in visiting the island, given the long journey and lack of accommodation options. Ship owners have also expressed reluctance to operate under these conditions, calling the day-trip-only rule “unrealistic.” Cox’s Bazar Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Md Shahidul Alam said ship operations were a business decision for the owners. “The district administration will strictly enforce the 12 government directives issued to protect the biodiversity of Saint Martin’s Island,” he said. Previously, tourist ships operated from Teknaf, but due to safety concerns, vessels will now depart from Cox’s Bazar city, crossing the Bay of Bengal to reach the island.

With the aim of strengthening ideology-based dialogue and democratic practices among young politicians, the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), in collaboration with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), hosted a public dialogue bringing together political leaders. CGS President Zillur Rahman moderated the event, held at a city hotel on Saturday. Advisor to the Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Zahir Uddin Swapan, Chairman of Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) Mujibur Rahman Manju, Resident Representative of FES Bangladesh Felix Gradés, President of Gono Adhikar Parishad Nurul Haque Nur, President of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Kazi Sajjad Zahir Chandan, Senior Joint Member Secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Tasnim Jara, and Executive Director of the Centre for Governance Studies Parvez Karim Abbasi took part as discussants. The public dialogue was also attended by representatives from various student organisations across the country. Zillur Rahman expressed hope that the young participants would use the knowledge and experience gained through the ‘Politics Lab’ to help build a healthy political culture in the future. He noted that although Bangladesh follows the Commonwealth parliamentary system, there is no architectural structure in the world comparable to the country’s National Parliament Building. Felix Gradés said FES has a long history of sharing political knowledge. “Across the world, we are witnessing movements led by Generation Z — from Sri Lanka to Madagascar — following the overthrow of governments. “This reflects deep-rooted issues that must be addressed through dialogue with political forces and by advancing democratically. Elections alone cannot uphold democracy. Strengthening civil society, empowering youth, and supporting research can pave the way towards good governance. Hopefully, the young politicians have learned from the Politics Lab and will contribute positively to society,” he added. Zahir Uddin Swapan said the distinction between reform, revolution and anarchy is still unclear to many. “Reform means repair — but how far should it go? And where lies the line between revolution and anarchy? It is understandable when young politicians are confused about these concepts, but when experienced leaders consciously ignore this ambiguity, it becomes a matter of serious concern.” He added that even if the work of the National Consensus Commission is completed quickly, the process of reaching consensus does not end there.

Fisheries and Livestock Affairs Adviser Farida Akhter has said the government is committed to keeping electricity prices stable for citizens, even if it requires providing subsidies. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the ‘CAB Youth Parliament 2025’ organised by the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) at Dhaka University on Saturday, the adviser said the government spends around Tk 400 crore annually in subsidies to maintain reasonable electricity prices. “Sometimes we don’t even realise how easily Tk 400 crore gets spent. But when it comes to public welfare, the amount of money shouldn’t be the main concern,” she said. Farida added that discussions are already underway with the finance ministry and other relevant ministries on the issue and once the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) gives its approval, the process will move forward smoothly. Highlighting inequality in the power sector, she pointed out that despite having a 220-megawatt hydropower plant in Rangamati, local residents hardly benefit from it. “During summer, Rangamati needs about 40 MW of power and 30 MW in winter, but even that is not ensured. The area faces 5–6 power cuts a day. In Dhaka, lower-income areas face frequent load-shedding, while affluent neighbourhoods remain unaffected. This is a clear example of injustice in the power sector,” she added. Criticising corporate dominance, Farida said, “The power sector has turned into a space of limitless corporate oligarchy.” On the topic of renewable energy and carbon emissions, she said the global commitment to achieving ‘net zero carbon emission’ made at COP summits is a form of deception by wealthy nations. “The word ‘net’ before zero is a clever trick. Countries like Bangladesh contribute negligibly to global emissions, yet the big nations have no real intention to reduce their own,” she said. CAB President AHM Shafiquzzaman, also speaking at the event, termed the power sector’s indemnity law a ‘dark law’, saying it has legitimised widespread corruption. “If political parties promising to repeal this law fail to do so after coming to power, CAB will hold them accountable,” he warned. He also stressed the need for ensuring that special government loans and facilities reach genuine fishermen and farmers to stabilise the market.

Four consecutive high-level meetings of the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) have been held as part of a major initiative to position the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector as a core driver of the national economy. Key reforms and decisions are underway, with several significant policy changes already implemented, the Chief Adviser’s press wing reported on Saturday. The meetings were attended by senior officials, including ICC Chair and Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur, National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan and representatives from both government and private sectors. The discussions primarily focused on ensuring entrepreneurs’ direct participation in policy-making to fully integrate the SME sector into the economic mainstream. Key decisions and initiatives include: ·         Foreign Currency Retention: Measures are being introduced to remove the mandatory deposit of 10 percent of funds received from foreign orders in banks. ·         Foreign Currency Quota: The SME Foundation has proposed allocating a separate foreign currency quota of at least US $3,000 per year per business, now submitted to the Bangladesh Bank Governor. ·         HS Code Simplification: Following an August 28 meeting, the NBR decided that customs assessments will now be completed if the first four digits of the eight-digit Harmonised System (HS) code match, easing a long-standing complexity for traders. ·         Export Documentation: Open account export transactions, including coverage by local insurance companies, have been authorised. ·         Advance Payment Limits: The limit for advance payments without a bank guarantee has been increased from $10,000 to $20,000, while the payment limit from Export Retention Quota (ERQ) accounts has been raised from $25,000 to $50,000. Decisions from the October 9 Bangladesh Bank meeting include: ·         Financial Product Design: The SME Foundation and the SME & Special Programs Department will jointly conduct a workshop to develop entrepreneur-friendly financial products and working capital solutions. ·         Policy Evaluation: The effectiveness of the SME Master Circular will be assessed through performance evaluations. ·         Loan Feasibility: The department will study the feasibility of providing loans up to Tk 5.0 lakh without requiring a trade license. ·         Interest Rate Review: The department will explore whether customer-level interest rates can be adjusted to make the bank’s refinancing program more attractive. Earlier meetings, including an August 28 session at the Chief Adviser’s Office, focused on challenges such as delayed payments, duties, licensing, and credit access. A September 21 session devoted two hours to entrepreneurs’ experiences and proposals, resulting in specific recommendations submitted to relevant ministries and agencies. Other key implementation initiatives include: Strengthening NBR oversight to fast-track and simplify the sample release process. Bangladesh Bank’s policy adjustments to provide benefits similar to those for the IT sector for entrepreneurs receiving payments via digital wallets. Directives to SSL Commerce and relevant banks to ensure swift deposit of online sales revenue into entrepreneurs’ accounts. Commenting on the reform efforts, Lutfey Siddiqi said, “A core objective of the reform is to increase the dynamism in the economy. Collectively, the SME sector makes a vast contribution to our economy, though its voice is not heard as strongly as some large businesses. We must help these entrepreneurs increase their momentum and make every stage of their business easier—from financing to payment and supply chain. The government must be an enabler, not an obstacle.”    

Gono Forum’s acting president Advocate Subrata Chowdhury on Saturday said there is no possibility of conflict between BNP and Jamaat over their differing positions on the referendum issue. The national election and referendum will be held on the same day in February, he said at a shadow parliament debate at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC) in the capital. The event, titled “Legal Framework or Political Will: Which Is More Crucial for Implementing the July Charter,” was organised by Debate for Democracy. “Those who talk about a participatory election should note that if voter turnout reaches 70 percent, it will be participatory enough,” he said. Calling on political parties to refrain from nomination and post trading, Subrata stressed that internal reforms and democratisation within parties are crucial. “A truly effective parliament should be formed with talented and competent people.” Criticising those who have not yet signed the July Charter, he said, “Those who fought in July but did not sign the charter are being hypocritical. The NCP should stop bargaining and sign it without delay.” CA’s office asks officials to avoid foreign travels until election He alleged that the interim government has misguided some young people by offering them undue privileges. “These youths are now exercising authority in DC and UNO offices. A parallel government seems to have emerged within the administration,” he said. This has obstructed reforms and the rule of law, Subrata added. “The trial of Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity will continue. Her claim that the July uprising was a violent movement is childish and absurd. She fled after committing genocide. India should not give her space to spread such provocative remarks. Do not allow her to damage bilateral relations,” he said. Presiding over the event, Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiran said through blood and sacrifice students and people toppled fascism in the July uprising and current Bangladesh stands on the blood of the July martyrs. “But now, cracks have appeared in that unity over the implementation of the July Charter.” He described the July Charter as a historic national document and a political settlement. Election schedule to be announced in early Dec: Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam “The future of Bangladesh depends on its implementation. If the spirit of July fails, the state will fail, and so will the interim government. None—BNP, Jamaat, or NCP—can escape that responsibility,” he said. Bangladesh University of Business and Technology (BUBT) defeated Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College to become the champion in the debate. Trophies, crests, and certificates were handed over to the winning and participating teams at the end of the event.  

A man and his daughter were killed and four others injured in a head-on collision between a bus and a private car in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet on Saturday morning. The deceased were identified Harun Mia and his 10-year-old daughter Anisha Begum, residents of Khadimpur village in Osmani Nagar. The injured include Mukit Mia, (35), Rahima Khatun (30), wife of Azizul Islam), Panna Begum (23), wife of Belal Ahmed and Munni Akter (23), daughter of Safik Mia), all from the same village. Monayem Mia, officer-in-charge (OC) of Osmaninagar police station said the accident occurred around 9:30 am when the private car, heading towards Sylhet, collided head-on with the  Habiganj-bound bus, leaving Harun Mia dead on the spot. Harun’s daughter Anisha Begum succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment, the police officer added. Police rescued the injure and sent them to Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital for treatment. Police seized the vehicles involved in the accident, he added.