United News of Bangladesh

The government has begun the new year with another cut in interest rates on National Savings Certificates, dealing a fresh blow to middle-income families and retirees who rely on these instruments for regular income. The Internal Resources Division (IRD) announced that the revised rates took effect from Thursday, marking the second reduction in profit rates on savings tools in the past six months. As 2026 begins, many savers are finding their financial cushion shrinking. National Savings Certificates, commonly known as Sanchaypatra, are widely used to meet daily household expenses, medical costs and education fees, particularly by pensioners and small investors. Under the new rates, the popular five-year Family Savings Certificate now offers a return of 10.54 percent for investments up to Tk7.5 lakh, down sharply from the previous 11.93 percent. For investments above Tk7.5 lakh, the rate has been fixed at 10.41 percent. Pensioners have also been affected, with the Pensioner Savings Certificate rate reduced from 11.98 percent to 10.59 percent for investments under Tk7.5 lakh while returns for larger investments have been set at 10.41 percent. Similarly, the five-year Bangladesh Savings Certificate rate has been lowered from 11.83 percent to 10.44 percent for smaller investments, and to 10.41 percent for amounts exceeding Tk7.5 lakh. The three-month profit-based savings certificate now yields 10.48 percent for investments up to Tk7.5 lakh, compared to the earlier 11.82 percent while returns for higher investments stand at 10.43 percent. The revised structure effectively creates two categories of savers with those investing more than Tk7.5 lakh facing steeper reductions in monthly returns. Officials say the rates are reviewed every six months as part of broader fiscal management. By cutting savings tool rates, the government aims to reduce pressure on public borrowing and encourage depositors to keep more money in banks, strengthening liquidity and lending capacity in the banking sector. However, certificates purchased before July 1, 2025, will continue to earn returns at the previously fixed rates until maturity. The new rates will apply only to fresh investments or reinvestments after existing certificates expire.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Thursday said it was a 'positive gesture' from the South Asian countries towards former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia who earned a kind of accessibility, respect and dignity among people at home and in South Asia. "I think it's a very good gesture from all. All (South Asian countries) realise and recognise this (positive image set by Begum Zia)," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday. Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Speaker of the Pakistan National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma, Bhutan’s Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka Vijitha Herath and Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development of the Maldives Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed were among the foreign dignitaries who attended the funeral programme of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and paid respects to her. Asked about his conversation with Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, Adviser Hossain said, "I tell you, we didn't have such a one-to-one meeting. That scope was not there. Other dignitaries were there. I would say it's a courtesy that all maintain. No bilateral issues were discussed," he said. Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman met the dignitaries on Wednesday. The dignitaries arrived in Dhaka to pay last respects to former Prime Minister and national leader Khaleda Zia, who passed away on Tuesday. The advisers expressed their gratitude to the visiting dignitaries for their presence and showing solidarity with the people of Bangladesh during this time of national mourning, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her husband and late President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on Wednesday afternoon. She was buried around 4:30 pm with state honour following her namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Members of her family, high-ranking state officials, government authorities, foreign guests, diplomats and BNP-nominated politicians were present. Khaleda Zia was given a guard of honour under the supervision of the President Guard Regiment (PGR) before her burial. On behalf of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, his Military Secretary, Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq, placed a wreath at the grave of Khaleda Zia.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has entered a new phase of digital service delivery by making the issuance of Utilisation Permission (UP) under the Customs Bond Management System (CBMS) completely online. The use of CBMS software was made mandatory from Thursday (January1 )for receiving and issuing all UP-related services following an earlier circular issued by the NBR. All UPs are now being issued online through the three customs bond commissionerates under the NBR, ending the long-standing practice of manual submission and approval. The NBR had launched the automated CBMS software on January 1, 2025, with the aim of delivering all services to bonded warehouse licence-holding entities through an online platform. Through the system, bonded warehouse operators can obtain UP online from the respective customs bond commissionerates in line with the approved policies of the Duty Exemption and Drawback Office for duty-free import of raw materials. With the introduction of online UP issuance, beneficiary industrial units under the bonded warehouse system no longer need to submit paper-based applications or remain physically present at customs bond commissionerates. The CBMS is a modern, technology-driven system that allows end-to-end online processing of UP applications, including submission, scrutiny and approval. According to the NBR, the system will ensure faster service delivery, greater transparency and improved accountability, while eliminating the complexities of manual documentation and reducing person-dependent interventions.  

Four policemen were injured in an attack by a group of drug peddlers during an anti-narcotics drive in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur district early Thursday. Two of the injured were identified as sub-inspectors- Arup Kumar Biswas and Mohammad Masud Rana. Tipped off, a team from Sreepur Police Station conducted a drive at the house of Piar Ali College in Mawna area under Sreepur municipality and arrested Lucky Akter, Jahangir Hossain and Md Rajib for their alleged involvement in drug trading. After news of the arrests spread, local drug peddlers and their associates equipped with locally-made weapons attacked  the police team and hurled brick chips and stones, leaving four policemen injured. At one stage, the attackers vandalised two police pickup vans and a CNG-run auto-rickshaw. They also managed to snatch two detainees including Jahangir Hossain from police custody. The injured were taken to a local hospital. Police have so far arrested 10 people in this connection. SI Arup Kumar also filed a case with Sreepur Police Station against 24 identified people and 80-90 unidentified people. Police also seized three motorbike from the spot. A drive is on to arrest the other accused.    

A total of 24.30 lakh students under the Mosque-based Children and Mass Education project received their textbooks for the new academic year on Thursday. Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain inaugurated the textbook distribution programme for 2026 as the chief guest at the Islamic Foundation auditorium in the capital. Under the project titled “Mosque-based Children and Mass Education Activities for Development of Moral and Religious Values (8th phase)”, some 34,36,704 textbooks are being distributed among students of 73,768 centres across the country. Director General of the Islamic Foundation Abdur Salam Khan chaired the programme. AFM Khalid said officials of the Ministry of Religious Affairs worked tirelessly day and night to get the project approved completing various bureaucratic processes. He said initiatives would be taken to bring the project under the revenue budget. Highlighting various initiatives taken for the welfare of Islamic scholars, Dr Khalid Hossain said PhD scholarships would be provided to alems through the Islamic Foundation. Imams and alems holding postgraduate degrees in Islamic studies would be eligible for the scholarships which will support PhD studies in Islamic disciplines at renowned universities around the world, he added. Necessary funds are being arranged for this purpose, he  said. The adviser also said that Islamic scholars who have made significant contributions to the service of Islam across the country would be honoured centrally within this month. He further said letters have been sent to four ministries to take necessary steps for the implementation of the Dawrae Hadith certificate of Qawmi madrasas. He said the Law Ministry has already amended law to allow Dawrae Hadith certificate holders to obtain marriage registrar (Nikah Registrar) licences. Productive discussions have also been held with the Chief Adviser regarding the appointment of these certificate holders as khatibs, imams and religious teachers in various offices and organisations under the Ministry of Defence. Under the current tenure of the project, a total of 1.45 crore students will gradually receive religious and moral education including pre-primary education and instruction in the Holy Quran, he added.    

E-cigarettes, vapes and other emerging tobacco products have been completely banned in Bangladesh as the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use Control (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 has come into effect with provisions for jail terms and hefty fines for violations. The ordinance, proposed by the Health Services Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to strengthen the existing Smoking and Tobacco Products Use Control Act, 2005, came into effect on December 30 following approval by the President, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing on Thursday. Under the new law, the production, import, export, storage, sale and use of e-cigarettes and emerging tobacco products have been declared punishable offences. Violators may face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to Tk 5 lakh. Foreign cigarettes imported under false declaration seized at Ctg Port The other objectives of the ordinance are to protect people from the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine products and repeal separate laws related to bidi production by introducing a unified legal framework. Penalties have been significantly increased under the amended ordinance with provisions for cancellation of licences and seizure of goods in the case of companies. The ordinance also includes provisions for filing and conducting cases under the Code of Criminal Procedure One of the key changes is the expansion of the definition of ‘tobacco products’ to include e-cigarettes, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, Heated Tobacco Products and nicotine pouches. The government has also been empowered to declare any similar product as a tobacco product through gazette notification. Separate definitions for ‘nicotine’ and ‘nicotine products’ have been added, while the scope of ‘public place’ has been significantly broadened. The government also banned the use of tobacco products in all public places and public transport. The fine for violating this provision has been increased from Tk 300 to Tk 2,000. All forms of tobacco advertising and promotion have been prohibited in print, electronic and online media, including social media and OTT platforms. The sale of tobacco products has also been banned within 100 metres of educational institutions, hospitals, clinics, playgrounds and children’s parks. Display and promotion of tobacco packs at points of sale have been banned,along with the use of tobacco company names or logos in corporate social responsibility activities and financial sponsorship of events or programmes by tobacco companies. The ordinance has imposed a complete ban on the production, marketing and use of bidis made from kumbi leaves and tendu leaves. Tk 5,000 fine for selling cigarettes near schools, hospitals Mixing any harmful or addictive substances with tobacco or tobacco products has been declared a punishable offence. The law has further strengthened provisions on health warnings and standard packaging, making it mandatory for tobacco packs to carry graphic health warnings covering 75 percent of the package. The sale of tobacco products without standard packaging has been prohibited.

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and expressed his condolences over the death of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah received Singh during the visit. Khaleda Zia, a three-time former prime minister and mother of BNP’s acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, passed away on Tuesday morning while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. She was 80. Jaishankar in Dhaka to represent India to pay last respect to ex-PM Khaleda On the same day, the interim government, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, declared three days of national mourning that concluded on Thursday. Her namaz-e-janaza was held at Manik Mia Avenue near the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, drawing lakhs of mourners. She was later laid to rest beside her husband, Ziaur Rahman, the founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The 123rd birth anniversary of famous poet and litterateur Jasimuddin, widely revered as the ‘Polli Kobi’, is being observed on Thursday. The poet was born on this day in 1903 at his maternal uncle’s house in Tambulkhana village in Faridpur district. UNB Faridpur correspondent reports: On the occasion of the day, floral tributes were paid at the poet’s grave around 10:30 am by the district administration, Jasim Foundation, Press Club and several cultural and social organisations. Later, a milad and doa mahfil was held at the venue. Among those present were Deputy Commissioner Kamrul Hasan Mollah, Superintendent of Police Nazrul Islam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Sohrab Hossain, Ramananda Pal, Press Club President Kabirul Islam Siddiqui, Professor MA Samad and Mafiz Imam Milon. Later, people from all walks of life and members of different cultural and social organisations paid their respect to the poet. Two of his legendary works, ‘Nakshi Kanthar Math’ (Field of the Embroidered Quilt) and ‘Sojan Badiar Ghat’ (Gypsy Wharf) are considered two masterpieces in Bengali literature and has been globally translated. Being a versatile writer, Jasimuddin is also respectfully remembered for his numerous other creative works including poems, ballads, songs, dramas, novels, stories, memoirs, travelogues and more. As an esteemed lyricist, Jasimuddin penned many popular Bengali songs including “Amar sonar moyna pakhi,” “Prano shokhi re,” “Amay eto raate,” “Nishithe jaiyo fulobone,” “Amar haar kala korlam re,” “Amay bhaisaili re,” and others. For his remarkable literary works, Jasimuddin was awarded the President's Award for Pride of Performance in 1958, DLitt. by Rabindra Bharati University, India in 1969, Ekushey Padak in 1976 and Independence Day Award (posthumously) in 1978. In January 2018, Bangla Academy announced Jasimuddin Literary Award, a biennial award to be given for lifetime contribution to Bangla literature. Jasim Uddin was born on January 1, 1903, at his maternal grandfather’s house in Tambulkhana village under Kaijuri Union on the outskirts of Faridpur. His father, Ansar Uddin Mollah, was a schoolteacher and his mother was Amina Khatun. He studied at Faridpur Welfare School and later at Faridpur District School now Faridpur Zilla School and passed the entrance examination in 1921. He completed his BA and MA in Bangla from the University of Calcutta in 1929 and 1931 respectively. Jasim Uddin died on March 14, 1976.

A mild cold wave is sweeping over parts of the country and it may abate in some places, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said on Thursday. According to the Met office bulletin, “A mild cold wave is sweeping over the districts of Madaripur, Gopalganj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Cumilla, Khulna, Satkhira, Jashore, Chuadanga, Kushtia, Barishal and Bhola and it may abate from some places.” Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country. Moderate to thick fog may occur at many places over the country from midnight to morning and it may continue at places till noon. Air navigation, inland river transport and road communication may disrupt temporarily due to thick fog. Night temperature may rise slightly and day temperature may rise by 1-2° C over the country. Ridge of Sub-continental high extends up to West Bengal and adjoining area. Seasonal low lies over South Bay, extending its trough to northeast Bay.  

Bangladesh cut retail fuel prices by Tk 2 a litre from January 1, reversing an increase imposed a month earlier as part of its automatic fuel pricing mechanism. The Energy and Mineral Resources Division said in a notification issued late Wednesday that the prices of diesel, octane, petrol and kerosene have been reduced to Tk 102, Tk 122, Tk 118 and Tk 114 per litre respectively. Previously, the fuels were priced at Tk 104 for diesel, Tk 124 for octane, Tk 120 for petrol and Tk 116 for kerosene. Domestic fuel prices in Bangladesh are adjusted monthly in line with global market movements under the “Revised Fuel Automatic Pricing Guidelines,” the notification said, adding that the latest revision aims to keep fuel comparatively affordable for consumers. Bangladesh hikes fuel prices by Tk 2 per litre from December The cut follows a Tk 2-per-litre increase across all fuel types that took effect on Dec. 1.