United News of Bangladesh

Brent Christensen, confirmed by the US Senate as the next Ambassador to Bangladesh, is likely to arrive in Dhaka next month to take up his responsibility and lead the Embassy team to build strong ties with both the current interim government and its democratically elected successor to advance the Bangladesh-US relationship. “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,” he said on Friday in a message from his Linkedin account. During his nomination hearing at the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Ambassador Christensen said the United States supports Bangladesh in its journey toward a bright and democratic future. He said the people of Bangladesh will go to the polls early next year – the country’s most consequential election in decades – to choose a new government and a new path forward. Ambassador Christensen also referred to his “over twenty years of experience working on US policy towards Bangladesh” across his Foreign Service career, including a prior tour in Dhaka. He served as Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs at the US Embassy here from 2019-2021, according to his official profile on the State Department’s website. Early on in his career, he also served as Bangladesh Country Officer in the Office of Pakistan and Bangladesh Affairs, which no longer exists under that name, at the State Department. His other appointments include Deputy Director, Office of Regional Security and Arms Transfers, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs at the Department of State (2016-2019), and as a Pearson Fellow on detail to the majority staff of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific (2015-2016). He has also been Special Assistant to the Special Representative for North Korea Policy, Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs Cyber Coordinator, Deputy Counselor for Economic Affairs at the US Embassy in Manila, Deputy Economic Counselor at the US Embassy in San Salvador, Economic Officer at the US Embassy in Riyadh, and Vice Consul at the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The US Embassy in Dhaka has been running without an ambassador since Peter Haas wrapped up his tenure in the summer of 2024. Since then, a series of charge de affaires or CDAs have filled the role.

Two teens met a tragic end as their motorcycle crashed into a truck from behind after being chased by police in Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila on Friday afternoon.  The deceased were identified as Rifat Ali, 18, son of Shah Alam, and Sohag Ahmed, 19, son of Ashraful Islam, of Azaipur-Pochapukur and Chandlai-Jorbagan areas respectively of the district town. According to witnesses, patrolling police signalled the motorcycle to stop at the Mor on the Chapainawabganj-Shibganj road on Friday afternoon. Ignoring the signal, they tried to speed away but the bike lost control and hit the truck from the behind, leaving Rifat dead on the spot and Sohag critically injured. Locals initially took Sohag to Chapainawabganj General Hospital but he succumbed to his injuries on way to Rajshahi. Sohag’s father Ashraful Islam alleged that the duo was hit by the truck and thrown onto the road when police chased them, leading to the fatality. Enraged by this, locals blockaded the road at the Mor with one of the bodies, disrupting the traffic movement. The agitators carried out vandalism at a police box at Bishwaroad Mor and damaged furniture by setting fire on those after dragging out. Besides, the angry people vandalised a police outpost in the nearby Shantibagh area and set fire to a motorcycle there. Though police tried to bring the situation under control, the mob chased them, triggering tension in the area. Youth stabbed to death in Chapainawabganj The road blockade continued until 7:30 pm while normalcy returned after Army personnel had arrived at the scene. Additional Superintendent of Police NM Wasim Firoz said, “Situation is under control now. The bodies of the deceased have been handed over to the families.” He said action will be taken if police members are found guilty of performing duty.    

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday urged the authorities to conduct a ‘prompt, impartial, thorough, and transparent’ investigation into the attack that led to Sharif Osman Bin Hadi’s death, and to ensure due process and accountability for those responsible. Türk said he was deeply troubled by the killing of Hadi, a prominent leader of last year’s protests in Bangladesh, who died of his injuries after being shot last week. Türk called for calm and for everyone to refrain from violence. “Retaliation and revenge will only deepen divisions and undermine the rights of all,” he said. Several protests erupted at various locations around the country after Hadi’s death was announced on Thursday, six days after he was shot. Some buildings were torched and vandalised, and a number of journalists have reportedly been assaulted. Udichi central office set on fire With the parliamentary elections scheduled for February, Türk said it was vital to ensure an environment in which all individuals can participate safely and peacefully in public life, and freely express different views. “I urge the authorities to uphold the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and security of journalists at this critical time, and prevent further escalation of unrest,” Türk said. The High Commissioner said his Office stands ready to work with the authorities and all stakeholders to support efforts that uphold human rights and prevent further violence.  

Jagannath University Journalists’ Association (JnUJA) has strongly condemned and protested the attack, vandalism, arson, and looting at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. At the same time, the association has demanded the swift identification of those involved in these heinous acts and that they be brought under the law. In a statement issued today, Friday, JnUJA President Imran Hossain and General Secretary Mahtab Limon expressed this protest in a joint statement. Condemning the incident, they said that a planned attack on media offices is a direct assault on independent journalism. Such violence is unacceptable under any circumstances in a democratic state. They further stated that the journalistic community is currently living under extreme insecurity. Alongside journalists, their families are also spending their days in deep concern and anxiety. An attack on media institutions is essentially an attempt to suppress truth and freedom of expression. The harassment of Editor’s Council President and New Age Editor Nurul Kabir while he was on duty in front of The Daily Star building during the attack is extremely alarming. Harassing a senior editor in this manner sets an insulting and frightening precedent for the journalistic community. Additionally, expressing deep sorrow and anger over the killing of journalist Imdadul Haque Milon in Khulna, JnUJA leaders said that if impunity for the murder of journalists continues, professional security will face even greater threats. They called for those involved in this killing to be brought to justice without delay. The Jagannath University Journalists’ Association expects the state to take effective measures immediately to ensure the safety of media workers and to play a responsible role in protecting freedom of expression. JnUJA President Imran Hossain said, “We had hoped that in the present time the media would become more independent, but the reality is different. Attacking the media means plundering freedom of speech. We urge that fascist behavior not be directed toward the media.”  

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Friday welcomed former Iraqi president Barham Salih for being elected as the head of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). Salih was elected by the UN General Assembly in New York through a competitive selection process involving candidates from several countries. He will assume office on January 1, 2026, with Geneva as his duty station. Grandi said Salih has been engaged in high-level public service for more than three decades and possesses resolute leadership qualities and thoughtful diplomatic judgment. “He comes from a country that has experienced conflict, persecution and displacement in recent years, which gives him a direct understanding of the challenges facing refugees today,” Grandi said. He added that Salih’s experience and background make him well suited to lead UNHCR at a time when global displacement has reached unprecedented levels. Grandi’s 10-year tenure as UN High Commissioner for Refugees will end on December 31. He took office in January 2016 and has since led the agency through major global displacement crises, including those in Syria, Ukraine and Sudan. Despite significant cuts to humanitarian funding this year, UNHCR continues to operate in 128 countries worldwide. Earlier this month, UNHCR marked 75 years of service dedicated to the protection of forcibly displaced people across the globe.

Udichi Shilpigosthi’s central office has been set on fire on Topkhana Road in the capital on Friday evening. The blaze originated around 7:42pm on the first floor of the building adjacent to the BMA Building. Four units of Fire Service and Civil Defence rushed to the spot to douse the fire. Rozina Khanom, duty officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters Control Room, said the cause of the fire could not be confirmed immediately. Suraiya Parvin, Music and Dance Affairs Secretary of the central committee of Udichi Shilpigosthi alleged that miscreants set fire to the office and fled the scene immediately. Witnesses said the incident occurred inside the lane opposite to the Jatiya Press Club where additional police, BGB and Army members have been deployed due to huge crowd. Due to the congestion, traffic movement from Kadam Foara crossing toward Paltan has been suspended on one side of the road, police said.

An unruly mob, incited by ex-journalist Elias Hossain, attacked and set fire to the office building of The Daily Star, Bangladesh’s leading English-language daily, early Friday, creating panic in the area following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a frontliner of the July Uprising. Soon after news broke that Hadi, spokesman of Inquilab Moncho, had died from gunshot wounds sustained on December 12, Elias Hossain — who commands a large following on social media — posted on Facebook instructing his followers to set fire to the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. Prothom Alo was attacked first, and Hossain later posted again urging supporters to target The Daily Star, after which the mob moved to its office and carried out the arson. According to the Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters, duty officer Md Shahjahan said they received information about the fire at around 12:40am, following which a fire service unit was dispatched to the scene. Members of law-enforcement agencies, particularly personnel of the Bangladesh Army, reached the spot soon after the attack and took position to restore order. Firefighters began operations to douse the flames upon arrival. During the incident, the disorderly crowd also set fire to the adjacent road, further worsening the situation. Army personnel later assisted the fire service in bringing the fires under control.

Overseas Correspondents Association Bangladesh (OCAB), a platform representing international media based in Dhaka, on Friday strongly condemned the violent attacks against journalists, editors, and media outlets carried out on Thursday night. Such brazen violence is intolerable and a direct threat to journalism as it strikes at the pillars of a free press and an informed citizenry, OCAB said in a statement. The platform demanded that authorities take concrete steps to ensure the safety of media professionals and launch a credible investigation without any delay to bring the culprits to justice. "The ability of journalists to work without fear and intimidation by both state and non-state elements is non-negotiable. Their protection is a prerequisite for upholding democratic values and the rule of law in the country," the statement reads. OCAB President Nazrul Islam and General Secretary Julhas Alam issued the statement.

Violent protests broke out in Habiganj on Friday over the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of Inquilab Moncho, with demonstrators blocking roads, staging rallies and attacking an Awami League office and a local newspaper office. The protesters demanded the arrest of those involved in the killing and the resignation of the home adviser.Panic spread across the town as the protests escalated. After Jumma prayers, the Anti Discrimination students group announced a blockade and effigy burning programme at the Court Mosque area.Protesters blocked the main road in front of the mosque and burned an effigy of the home adviser. They later brought out a large protest march. When the march reached the Chiriakandi area, protesters attacked and vandalised the office of the local daily Amar Habiganj, owned by Awami League leader and blogger Sushanta Das Gupta. Some locally made weapons were found at the office and later handed over to police.The newspaper has remained closed for the past month on the order of the district magistrate, as its editor Sushanta Das Gupta has been staying in London for a long time without following due procedures.Protesters alleged that from the time Hadi was shot until his death, Sushanta Das Gupta had been posting obscene and abusive comments about Hadi on Facebook. On the way back, the protesters attacked the already damaged Habiganj district Awami League office. and set fire to a mural of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The protesters then gathered in front of the residence of the Habiganj superintendent of police and continued their demonstration. They demanded quick arrests and security for protest leaders and July fighters. nThe programme was withdrawn after the police superintendent assured action and security. Hadi’s namaz-e-janaza at 2:30pm Saturday Student leader Ashraful Islam Sujon said, “Hadi was shot dead in a most brutal manner. Even seven days after the incident, no accused has been arrested. We are giving the administration a 24 hour ultimatum. If the suspects are not arrested within this time, we will shut down the country.” Another student leader Mahdi Hasan said, “If the accused are not brought back from India quickly and given the highest punishment, we will demand the severing of diplomatic relations with them.” Regarding the matter, Dolowar Hossain, Officer in Charge of Habiganj Sadar Model Police Station said, “The situation is currently calm.”    

Following the death of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, journalists of the country’s leading vernacular daily Prothom Alo have demanded the identification, arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the attack on the newspaper’s office at Karwan Bazar in the capital late Thursday night. The demand was made from a human chain formed in front of the organisation’s office on Friday afternoon in protest against the attack carried out on Thursday night. Speaking on behalf of the institution, poet and writer Sajjad Sharif,  who is also the paper's executive editor, said: “We demand justice for this incident and we protest against it. There must be a proper investigation. Those involved must be identified and given exemplary punishment.” He further said that an attack was carried out on the Prothom Alo office late Thursday night, at a time when the newspaper’s journalists were working at night to prepare the next day’s edition. Sazzad Sharif further said, “A vested interest group carried out the attack in a planned manner, centring on the death of Sharif Osman Hadi. Our journalists were at risk of their lives. They were forced to leave their work and go away without publishing the newspaper.” Prof Yunus talks to Prothom Alo, Daily Star editors He also said that for the first time in 27 years, the newspaper could not be published, and its online platform has also remained shut since last night. “This is a severe attack on freedom of speech, freedom of expression and the freedom of the media in Bangladesh,” he added. At the same time, not only Prothom Alo but also The Daily Star has been attacked, he said. “We want to state clearly that this is a black day for the media and for freedom of speech.”