United News of Bangladesh

Jagannath University (JnU) authorities have arranged transportation for students, teachers, and all concerned to attend the funeral of martyred Sharif Osman Hadi. In a message sent by the university’s Public Relations, Information and Publication Office, it was stated that buses will depart from the Jagannath University campus to Manik Mia Avenue at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 20. Those wishing to attend the funeral have been requested to be present on campus on time. Earlier, on December 12 in the afternoon, Sharif Osman bin Hadi,an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency and spokesperson of the ‘Inqilab Mancha’ was seriously injured after being shot by assailants while returning from election campaigning. He was initially admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Evercare Hospital for advanced treatment. As his condition deteriorated, he was flown by air ambulance to Singapore General Hospital on December 15. He passed away while undergoing treatment there yesterday, Thursday. His funeral will be held tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. at Manik Mia Avenue.

The Editors’ Council and the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) on Friday expressed deep concern and strong condemnation over attacks, vandalism, and arson at the offices of leading dailies Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. In a joint statement, Editors’ Council President Nurul Kabir and NOAB President A.K. Azad said the attacks are not just assaults on the media but on society and democratic values. They noted that significant infrastructure was damaged and journalists’ lives were put at risk. The statement said the incidents are part of a disturbing trend of mob violence, reflecting the interim government’s failure to maintain law and order. Law enforcement agencies failed to act effectively to prevent the crime. Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus called Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman and The Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam, assuring them of their safety. The Editors’ Council and NOAB, however, held the government responsible for failing to control the situation. The bodies demanded the perpetrators be swiftly identified, arrested, and punished as an example. They also called on professionals, business leaders, civil society, political parties, and journalists’ organizations to stand in solidarity.

Former organizational secretary of Mymensingh Metropolitan Awami League, Kazi Manzur Morshed Raju, died Friday afternoon after sustaining critical injuries while trying to evade arrest by jumping from the second floor of his house. The incident occurred Thursday around 8:00 pm when a team from Kotwali Police Station visited Raju’s residence looking for him. Sensing the police presence, he attempted to escape by jumping from the balcony but struck an adjoining boundary wall, suffering severe head and body injuries. Locals later found him unconscious and bleeding and informed his family. He was admitted to a private hospital in Charpara, where he underwent brain surgery but was pronounced dead at 3:30 pm on Friday. Following the killing of Osman Hadi, Mymensingh police launched an operation targeting Awami League leaders and activists, including Raju. Police said he was not involved in any recent criminal cases and had not been active in politics for the past 8–10 years. Kotwali Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nazmus Sakib said police regularly conduct arrest operations. He added that the police team left the scene after Raju did not open the gate, and they are unaware of what occurred afterward. Raju’s wife, Sathi, confirmed that he had been living a normal life since August 5 and had no pending legal cases.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) recovered 422 stolen mobile phones during raids at Karimullah Market and other locations in the city, arresting four individuals allegedly involved in mobile phone theft. The operations were conducted throughout Thursday, Dec 18, by the SMP Detective Branch (DB), said Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Quddus Chowdhury at a press conference on Friday afternoon. He identified the four arrested as key figures in the city’s mobile phone theft network. During the raids, police recovered 38 phones from Tanvir’s residence in Mominkhala, South Surma. Tanvir and several others fled, but one suspect, Md. Sujjad, was later apprehended. Another major operation at Abdus Shahid’s house in Jainpur, South Surma, yielded 204 stolen phones, while 154 more phones were recovered from a smartphone gallery on the third floor of Karimullah Market. The Commissioner said the recovered phones included various smartphone brands, many of which had their IMEI numbers altered for illegal resale. Preliminary interrogations revealed the suspects had been collecting stolen phones from different areas of Sylhet for resale, supplying them to other districts. Along with the phones, police seized accessories, technical equipment, pen drives, and DSLR cameras. Abdus Shahid, the mastermind of the network, faces eight cases, including murder. The other three arrested are Md. Ayub Ali (Shahid’s father-in-law), Akram Ali (his nephew), and Md. Sujjad from Mominkhala. Authorities are verifying IMEI numbers to identify the phones’ rightful owners. Legal actions have been taken against the suspects, and further operations are ongoing to apprehend others involved in the theft ring.

A protest meeting was held at Chuadanga Press Club on Friday evening condemning attacks on the offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, as well as harassment, torture, and killings of journalists. The meeting strongly denounced similar attacks on media offices across divisional and district levels. Participants demanded the arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the killing of Inqilab Moncho convenor Sharif Osman Hadi, as well as justice for the assault on New Age editor Nurul Kabir. The event, presided over by Press Club president Rajib Hasan Kochi, described Hadi’s killing as a premeditated and brutal act, targeting a courageous activist of the July Movement. Speakers emphasized that such attacks undermine democratic movements and freedom of expression. The protest also condemned vandalism at Prothom Alo and The Daily Star offices, calling for swift identification and legal action against the perpetrators. Participants urged the formation of an impartial investigation committee, immediate arrest of the real culprits, and strict measures to ensure media personnel safety. They warned of tougher programs if demands are not met. Speakers at the meeting included Nazmul Haque Swapan, editor of Shomoy, NTV district correspondent Rafiqul Islam, Bangladesh Pratidin reporter Jaman Akhtar, Shomoy TV reporter Mahfuz Mamun, Naya Diganta district reporter Husain Malik, Star News district correspondent Zahir Raihan Shohag, and Jonbani district reporter Samsujjoha Rana. The session concluded with prayers for Hadi’s departed soul and condolences to his bereaved family.

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.