United News of Bangladesh

For the very first time in the history of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed ‘Oikyoboddho Shikkharthi Jote’ (United Students’ Alliance), has won the polls securing a record number of posts. Out of total 28 posts in DUCSU, the panel secured 23. On the other hand, the panels of Chhatra Dal and Ganatantrik Chhatrasangsad did not secure even a single post. Shibir-backed VP candidate Shadik Kayem was elected VP securing 14,042 votes while his nearest rival Chhatra Dal’s Abidul Islam Khan got 5,708 votes. In the General Secretary post, Shibir candidate S M Farhad was elected with 10,794 vote while his closest rival Tanvir Bari Hamim of Chhatra Dal got 5,283 votes; Abu Bakar Majumdar of “Boishommobirodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad” got 2,131 votes; Meghmallar Basu of the Left Alliance-supported panel “Protirodh Parishad” got 4,949 votes; and independent candidate Arafat Chowdhury got 4,044 votes. DUCSU: Shadik enjoys commanding lead in race for VP as Shibir set to sweep top three posts In the Assistant General Secretary post, Shibir-backed candidate Md. Mohiuddin Khan was elected with 11,772 votes while his nearest rival Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed of Chhatra Dal, got 5,064 votes; Ashrefa Khatun of “Boishommobirodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad” secured 900 votes; independent candidate Tahmid Al Mudassir bagged 3,008 votes and Jabir Ahmed Jubel of “Protirodh Parishad” got 1,511 votes. In the Liberation War and Democratic Movement Affairs Secretary post, Shibir-backed candidate Fatema Tasnim Jhuma won with 10,631 votes, Ariful Islam from the Chhatra Dal panel received 2,470 votes, Numan Ahmed Chowdhury from “Independent Students’ Unity” got 1,776 votes; Mojammel Haque of “Protirodh Porshad” got 1,336 votes and B. M. Fahmida Alam from “Aparajeyo 71 Odommo 24” panel got 1,057 votes. In Social Services Secretary post Independent candidate A. B. Zubair was elected with 7,608 votes as Social Services Secretary of DUCSU. Mohir Alam of “Boishommobirodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad” got 2,099 votes; and Syed Imam Hasan Anik from the Chhatra Dal panel received 3,903 votes.

Bangladesh has been elected unanimously to serve as a Vice President of the Human Rights Council, the prime intergovernmental body of the United Nations responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe. The decision was made on December 9 afternoon, when the Human Rights Council met for an organizational session pertinent to the Council’s work for the year 2025. As an elected Vice-President, the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva will join the bureau of the Human Rights Council from 01 January to 31 December 2025. It is noteworthy that the bureau of the Human Rights Council consists of one President and four Vice Presidents representing each of the five UN regional groups. EU Mission in Dhaka launches publication capturing protests, aspirations for a ‘New Bangladesh’ The election process for Vice-Presidency started in October 2024, when Bangladesh expressed its interest in serving in the Bureau as the Vice President representing the Asia-Pacific Group (APG). The APG unanimously supported the candidature of Bangladesh for the Vice-Presidency and forwarded the nomination for the consideration of the wider memberships of the Council. Finally, the process culminated successfully when Bangladesh earned unanimous support of the entire Council membership to serve as Vice President. Bangladesh-US defence dialogue starts Wednesday in Hawaii This marks the first time that Bangladesh is going to serve as the Vice President of this prestigious UN human rights body since the Human Rights Council was established by the UN General Assembly in 2006. This is yet another example of the trust and confidence that the international community reposes on Bangladesh under the prudent leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus as well as recognition of the active role and growing influence of Bangladesh in multilateralism.  

Bangladesh has been elected vice president of International Association of Police Academies (INTERPA), an international organization of police training institutions of different countries. Under the management of Police Staff College Bangladesh, Bangladesh was elected as the Vice President of the Executive Council at the general meeting of the 11th Interpa Annual Conference on Tuesday. It is mentionable that the three-day 11th Interpa annual conference started yesterday (Monday) in Dhaka.  Read: “Coordinated approach needed among UN Police, agencies and national authorities” Apart from Bangladesh, Qatar has also been elected vice president in this election. At present 63 countries of the world are members of INTERPA. Its headquarters is located in Turkey. Meanwhile, on the second day of the INTERPA conference, the representatives of various countries participating in the conference visited Jatiya Sangsad, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum at 32 Dhanmondi and Bangladesh Police Liberation War Museum at Rajarbagh today (Tuesday) as part of a social visit. During the visit, the delegates paid deep respect to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths on his portrait at Dhanmondi No. 32.  

The World Bank has appointed Martin Raiser as its new Vice President for the South Asia Region. He is an economist and development expert with almost two decades of experience at the World Bank Group. As the regional Vice President for South Asia, Raiser will manage Bank relations with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and oversee a portfolio of projects, technical assistance and financial resources worth almost US$55 billion, said the global lending agency on Friday. Read: Over $500m WB loan to modernise grids in Dhaka & Mymensingh “The World Bank has been a steadfast partner in South Asia as the region faces multiple crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Raiser.  “I look forward to working together with countries in the region to help address these challenges while laying the foundations and capitalizing on the opportunities for green, resilient and inclusive growth.” Under Raiser’s leadership, the World Bank will continue to support the South Asia region to address different macro, health and humanitarian crises, while advancing human capital development, supporting climate resilience and facilitating regional integration and cooperation. Raiser has held several leadership positions in the organization.  Prior to his current role, he served as the World Bank’s Country Director for China and Mongolia, and Director for Korea.  Read: WB okays $1.03 billion to help improve regional trade in Bangladesh, Nepal Raiser has also held positions as the Country Director for Brazil, Türkiye, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova as well as Country Manager in Uzbekistan. Before joining the World Bank, Raiser worked for the Kiel Institute of World Economics and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, where he was Director of Country Strategy and Editor of the Transition Report. A German national, Raiser holds a doctorate degree in Economics from the University of Kiel, Germany, and degrees in Economics and Economic History from the London School of Economics and Political Sciences. His appointment is effective from July 1, 2022.

Sheikh Mohammad Maruf Hasan of Bangldesh Police purchased nomination paper for the post of vice president in the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Election- 20 scheduled for October 3.