United News of Bangladesh

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has launched a bus tracking system on Thursday to make student transportation easier. The ‘SUST Bus Tracking System’ app was officially inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A M Sarwaruddin Chowdhury at 11 am on a trial basis. The app was developed by Saifur Rahman and his team from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (2020-21 session) of the university. Nomination collection for SUSTCSU polls begins Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md Sajedul Karim, Treasurer Prof. Dr. Md Ismail Hossain, Transport Administrator Prof. A F M Zakaria, Additional Director of ICT Cell Prof. Dr. Pabel Shahriar, Registrar Syed Shalim Mohammad Abdul Qadir, College Inspector (Acting) Md Yunus Ali, Additional Accounts Director Md Murshed Ahmed, Superintending Engineer of the Transport Department Emran Ahmed Chowdhury, VC Secretary and Additional Registrar Dr. A F M Salauddin, Additional Accounts Director Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem Talukdar also graced the ceremony. Through the app, students can track the live location of buses and also check bus stops and route information.    

A total of 251 candidates collected nomination papers in three days for the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Central Students’ Union (SUCSU) and hall union elections, the election commission said on Thursday. Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, spokesperson for the election commission, said the distribution of nomination papers concluded today. On the first day, December 2, 26 papers were collected for the central union and 20 for the hall unions. On December 3, 58 papers were taken for the central union and 45 for hall unions. On the final day, December 4, 61 candidates collected papers for the central union and 41 for hall unions. In total, 145 papers were distributed for the central union and 106 for the hall unions. Of these, 72 were male and 34 were female candidates. Participation of female candidates was also seen in the central union election, with 15 women collecting nomination papers. Professor Dr. Nazrul Islam said, “The nomination process was completed peacefully and orderly. The number of candidates this year is encouraging, and female participation is also noteworthy.” After nearly 28 years, elections will be held for 23 central union posts and nine hall union posts. The voting is scheduled for January 20.

Bangladesh has successfully vaccinated over 42.5 million children in the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) Campaign 2025, achieving more than 97% coverage nationwide, UNICEF notified on Thursday. Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh, called the achievement a national breakthrough and said it makes Bangladesh the eighth country in the world to launch this life-saving campaign. “This remarkable success shows the government’s strong commitment to protecting children from preventable illness and families from emotional and financial burdens,” she said. The campaign is crucial as a recent Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics survey found only 39.3% of people have access to safely managed drinking water. Nearly half of water sources and over 80% of household water samples are contaminated with E. coli, putting millions of children at daily risk of typhoid. UNICEF supported the government with planning, vaccine supply, cold chain strengthening, digital tools, and training of frontline health workers. The agency also worked on community engagement through TV, radio, social media, and partnerships with organizations like the Islamic Foundation, reaching over 120 million people. Bangladesh launches nationwide typhoid vaccine campaign, aiming to cover 50 million children Flowers highlighted that the campaign reached all children, including those in remote areas, children with disabilities, underprivileged communities, ethnic minorities, and over 424,000 children in Rohingya camps. She thanked the government, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Expanded Programme on Immunization, Gavi, WHO, other partners, parents, and the media for their support in making the campaign a success. “Vaccinating children is a promise of health, protection, and hope. This campaign brings Bangladesh closer to a typhoid-free future for every child,” she added.  

A college teacher in Jhenaidah on Wednesday has been temporarily suspended following allegations of sexual harassment and abuse brought by multiple female students. The accused, Nazrul Islam, 49, is a lecturer in the Bangla department of MA Khalek Degree College in Sadar upazila. The college authorities suspended him after receiving written complaints from at least 16 students, confirmed College Principal Md Oliar Rahman. According to the complaints, Nazrul Islam had been harassing several female students for a long time by sending inappropriate messages to their mobile phones and making offensive remarks during in-person encounters. As his behaviour became widely known among students, multiple victims came forward, sparking widespread anger on campus. One of the victims, requesting anonymity, told UNB, “I respected Nazrul Sir as a teacher, but he repeatedly sent adult messages on my phone. If I didn’t reply, he would make inappropriate remarks in person. He has done worse to several students. We want justice.” Principal Oliar Rahman said the college took the matter seriously. “We have suspended him temporarily. As the allegations are grave, we have informed the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), who has assured us of appropriate action,” he said. Nazrul Islam, however, denied the allegations, claiming his mobile phone was “hacked,” which allegedly caused the messages to be sent. When asked how a phone could remain hacked for four to five months, he abruptly ended the call. Sadar UNO Hosne Ara said the college authorities had verbally informed her. “The allegations are serious. We have asked the college to submit the written complaints to the UNO office. Once received, we will take necessary legal steps. The district Secondary and Higher Education Office will also be notified.”

A case was filed Thursday over a violent attack on two Customs officials in Chattogram, who were allegedly targeted by criminals for preventing the illegal release of imported goods, according to the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The incident occurred around 10:20am in the CDA Residential Area under Double Mooring Police Station, when three unidentified assailants on a motorcycle intercepted a vehicle carrying Md Asaduzzaman Khan, Revenue Officer of the AIR section at Chattogram Customs House, and Assistant Revenue Officer Md Badrul Arefin Bhuiyan. Asaduzzaman Khan lodged the case at Double Mooring Police Station. The attackers reportedly attempted to kill them, striking the car with a machete and kicking in the left-side window while shouting “shoot, shoot.” The officials escaped unharmed by quickly driving toward their office. Authorities believe the attack is linked to several recent enforcement drives by Chattogram Customs House aimed at preventing revenue evasion. Recent seizures include illegally imported poppy seeds and banned sodium cyclamate worth nearly Tk 10 crore, and a consignment of restricted cigarettes valued at around Tk 30 crore back in May. Customs officials also intercepted multiple consignments of cosmetics brought through false declarations, prompting threats from fraud syndicates. On October 5, an anonymous caller threatened one of the two attacked officials over WhatsApp, following the seizure of misdeclared cosmetics, leading to a general diary being filed at Bandar Police Station the next day. The NBR strongly condemned the assault, describing it as a heinous act against officers performing their lawful duties to curb smuggling, preventing tax evasion, and preventing imports through false declarations. It reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of honest and dedicated officials and urged law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice without delay.

Several UK universities have suspended or restricted applications from Bangladesh and Pakistan, citing concerns over visa abuses and new Home Office rules. At least nine institutions have altered their recruitment policies, following a rise in international student asylum claims that prompted warnings from Border Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle about misuse of the student visa system as a backdoor to UK residency, reports Financial Times. The University of Chester, for example, has halted recruitment from Pakistan until autumn 2026 due to “a recent and unexpected rise in visa refusals.” The University of Wolverhampton is not accepting undergraduate applications from Bangladesh and Pakistan, while the University of East London has suspended recruitment from Pakistan. Sunderland and Coventry universities have also paused applications from both countries. Sunderland defended its approach, stating it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the student visa system. The recruitment restrictions come after the Home Office tightened Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) thresholds in September 2025. Universities must now keep visa refusal rates below 5 percent, down from 10 percent previously. Bangladesh and Pakistan had average refusal rates of 18 and 22 percent, respectively, in the year to September 2025. Combined, these two countries accounted for nearly half of the 23,036 student visa rejections. Other universities affected include Hertfordshire, Glasgow Caledonian, Oxford Brookes, BPP University, and London Metropolitan University, all citing visa processing delays, compliance pressures, or risk mitigation as reasons for suspending recruitment. Many lower-fee universities, heavily reliant on international students, face a dilemma as even a few non-compliant cases could jeopardize their sponsor licences. Education agents and advocates have criticized the move for harming genuine students. Maryem Abbas, founder of Edvance Advisors, said the suspensions leave legitimate applicants stranded and highlight the profit-driven nature of some overseas recruitment agencies. Universities UK International has urged institutions to diversify intakes, improve application scrutiny, and adjust deposit policies to comply with the stricter rules. The Home Office emphasized that the reforms aim to ensure only genuine students enter the UK while holding education providers accountable. The crackdown is part of a broader effort to curb net migration, which is at a four-year low, while preserving the credibility of the UK’s student visa system.

The Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) and the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday to jointly accelerate initiatives in education, research, and training. The signing ceremony took place at the Petrobangla Board Room at Karwan Bazar in the capital. This five-year agreement, which is automatically renewable for another five years, is expected to significantly strengthen the collaboration and foster a deeper, long-term partnership between the industry leader and the top-tier engineering university The core aims of the MoU are- Enhancing information exchange between Petrobangla and BUET faculty and students to accelerate research activities. BUET will be granted access to relevant information for research, excluding confidential data pertinent to national security. Facilitating the mutual exchange of knowledge, technology, and experience Supporting the professional skill development of personnel and promoting knowledge enhancement through meetings, seminars, and workshops. Allowing practical application of academic research through access to industry laboratories, software, and opportunities to visit operational sites, including drilling sites, seismic survey operations, process plants, and mines. The collaboration is also expected to use real-world industrial experience to strengthen BUET's academic curriculum, playing a significant role in meeting future industry needs. The signing ceremony was graced by Professor Abu Borhan Mohammad Badruzzaman, the Vice-Chancellor of BUET, and Md. Rezanur Rahman, the Chairman of Petrobangla. The MoU was signed by Md. Amzad Hossain, Secretary (Senior General Manager) on behalf of Petrobangla, and Professor Dr. Mohammad Shariful Islam, Director of the Research and Innovation Centre for Science and Engineering (RISE), on behalf of BUET. Directors and senior officials of Petrobangla, as well as BUET's Deputy Director of RISE, were also in attendance.

The OCs (officers-in-charge) of 50 police stations under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have been transferred and given new postings, in the latest round of reshuffles. Dhaka Metropolitan Police headquarters issued three separate notifications in this regard on Thursday. Read More: Reshuffle in Police Admin: Additional IGP among 82 officers made OSD    

A farmer was shot dead and two others injured in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia on Thursday evening. The victim, Rofiqul Islam Rofi, 40, son of Mot Ali Molla, was killed around 6:30 pm in Pochavita village, Pirpur Union. Quoting locals, police said that after finishing his work, Rofiqul was having tea near a tea stall by the house of local member Soket. Suddenly, three attackers riding an Apache RTR motorcycle arrived and shot Rofiqul, killing him on the spot. When locals tried to chase the attackers, they fired a few rounds and then fled, injuring Rabzel and Yusuf. Both injured were sent to Kushtia General Hospital. Body of unidentified man with burnt face recovered in Kushtia Rofiqul was also a local BNP activist, but he reportedly had no personal disputes. Solaiman Sheikh, officer-in-charge of Daulatpur Police Station, said police arrived after receiving information. “We could not identify the attackers immediately. The investigation is ongoing. The culprits will be brought to justice soon,” he added.  

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya on Thursday phoned Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and thanked him ‘for the support and expressions of solidarity’ following the devastating cyclone and floods that have killed hundreds and ravaged large parts of Sri Lanka over the past week. They had the telephone conversation at 6:45 pm (BST), said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. Prof Yunus conveyed his condolences and deep sympathy for the victims. He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to dispatch additional emergency aid and disaster-response experts to help Sri Lanka cope with the crisis. “We will be happy to do whatever is needed,” Prof Yunus said. Prime Minister Amarasuriya, who met the Chief Adviser on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC meeting in Bangkok earlier this year, said her government was currently assessing the damage caused by the heavy rains and widespread flooding. During the phone call, the Chief Adviser invited the Sri Lankan Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh in the coming months, saying Dhaka hoped to learn from Colombo’s political experience. Senior Secretary and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed and Foreign Ministry's concerned Director General were present during the conversation.