United News of Bangladesh

The country’s stock markets closed lower on the first working day of the week on Sunday, with key indices declining on both bourses, trading fell on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) but increased on the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE). On the DSE, the benchmark DSEX index shed 4 points, while the Shariah-based DSES fell 1 point and the blue-chip DS30 index dropped 6 points. Despite the index decline, most listed companies ended higher, with prices rising for 161 firms against declines for 157, while shares of 70 companies remained unchanged. In the block market, shares worth nearly Tk 19 crore were traded across 20 companies, with BRAC Bank PLC topping the list at Tk 7.6 crore. The turnover on the DSE stood at Tk 293 crore, down from Tk 303 crore in the previous session. Rahim Textile Mills PLC topped the DSE gainers’ chart with a 10 percent rise, while Familytex (BD) Limited lost more than 8 percent to become the day’s worst performer. Meanwhile, the CSE’s broad-based CASPI index dropped 63 points. Prices declined for most companies, with 94 issues losing value against gains for 45, while 14 issues remained unchanged. The trading volume on the CSE jumped to Tk 12 crore, compared to Tk 4.5 crore in the previous trading session. Reliance One Mutual Fund topped the CSE gainers with a rise of over 9.5 percent, while Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) ended at the bottom of the losers’ list.

Kylian Mbappé scored his 59th goal for Real Madrid in 2025, matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s club record for most goals in a single year. The milestone came in the 86th minute via a penalty in a 2-0 victory over 10-man Sevilla in Madrid’s final match of the year. The France striker, celebrating his 27th birthday, marked the achievement with a subdued version of Ronaldo’s iconic celebration, before blowing a kiss to the cameras. Since joining Real Madrid in summer 2024, Mbappé has scored 29 goals this season, including 18 in La Liga. “It’s incredible, in my first full year to do what Cristiano did. He’s my idol and the best player in Real Madrid’s history,” Mbappé said. Sevilla struggled after defender Marcao was sent off for a second yellow, and coach Matías Almeyda was expelled during halftime for protesting. Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois denied multiple scoring chances, keeping the clean sheet intact until Mbappé converted the penalty awarded after Juanlu Sánchez fouled Rodrygo. Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, under pressure following a string of poor results, avoided further criticism with the win. Club president Florentino Pérez now has two weeks to assess the team’s performance before facing Real Betis on Jan. 4. Alonso acknowledged that while the team could have played better, the victory was crucial. Elsewhere in La Liga, Levante and Real Sociedad drew 1-1 before announcing new coaches — Luís Castro for Levante and American Pellegrino Matarazzo for Sociedad. Osasuna beat Alaves 3-0, with Ante Budimir scoring twice, while Real Oviedo and Celta Vigo played a 0-0 draw, featuring a flock of pigeons on the pitch. With the win, Madrid remains second in the league, just one point behind leaders Barcelona.

Severe foreign aid cuts imposed this year by U.S. President Donald Trump, along with reductions from other countries, have devastated child protection, education, and youth programs in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh home to 1.2 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. Thousands of schools and training centers were forced to close, leaving children vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking, child marriage, and forced labor. Hasina, 17, recalls the school that had once shielded her from forced marriage and abuse. When funding for her school was cut in June, her education ended abruptly, and she was married off. Her husband began beating and sexually abusing her, extinguishing her childhood and dreams of becoming a teacher. “If the school hadn’t closed, I wouldn’t be trapped in this life,” she said. UNICEF reports a sharp rise in child abuse and exploitation this year: abductions and kidnappings quadrupled to 560 cases, and 817 children were recruited or used by armed groups operating in the camps. Verified child marriages rose 21% and child labor 17% compared to the previous year, though the real numbers are likely higher. The closures have left children with no safe spaces to learn or play, making them easy targets for traffickers who exploit their desperation. Ten-year-old Mohammed Arfan now spends his days selling snacks instead of attending school, while 13-year-old Rahamot Ullah collects plastic from sewage canals to pay for private lessons he cannot afford. Both boys dream of education and a better life but are trapped by circumstances caused by the aid cuts. Aid agencies warn that the situation will worsen next year. Save the Children has secured only a third of its funding target for 2026, putting 20,000 children at risk of losing access to education. UNICEF has reopened some learning centers using remaining funds, but many schools remain closed. The cuts also exacerbated starvation, health risks, and unsafe conditions in the camps. Families desperate to survive have sent children on perilous journeys abroad, often with traffickers. In one case, Mohammed Ullah’s 13-year-old son was taken by traffickers to Malaysia; his father scrambled to raise a ransom for the boy’s release. Experts and aid workers say the aid reductions have destroyed lives and futures. Children once shielded by schools now face child labor, trafficking, and forced marriage, with little hope of returning to the education and protection they lost.

At least 16 files, including a photograph showing former President Donald Trump, have disappeared from the U.S. Justice Department’s public webpage for documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, less than a day after they were posted. The Justice Department offered no explanation for the removals and gave no prior notice to the public. The missing files, previously available on Friday but inaccessible by Saturday, included images of paintings depicting nude women and a photograph showing Trump alongside Epstein, Melania Trump, and Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. In a statement on X, the department said materials “will continue being reviewed and redacted consistent with the law in an abundance of caution as we receive additional information.” The unexplained disappearance has fueled speculation about possible cover-ups and intensified concerns over transparency, particularly given Epstein’s ties to powerful figures. House Oversight Committee Democrats questioned why the photo featuring Trump was removed, calling for full public disclosure. The Justice Department’s initial release, spanning tens of thousands of pages, has so far offered little new insight into Epstein’s criminal activities or prosecutorial decisions, with critical records — including FBI interviews with survivors and internal memos on charging decisions — still missing. Many documents were heavily redacted, lacked context, or consisted solely of images of Epstein’s homes and associates. Some of the released records include grand jury transcripts detailing sexual abuse of minors, including girls as young as 14, and interviews with U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta regarding his 2008 decision not to pursue federal charges against Epstein. Survivors’ attorneys described the release as both “a triumph and a tragedy,” criticizing the government’s inaction despite ample warning signs. The Justice Department has indicated it will continue releasing records on a rolling basis, citing the need to obscure victims’ identities, but no timeline has been provided for when the public can expect a complete set of documents.

The Election Commission has extended the deadline until December 31 for local election observer organisations to apply for deploying their observers in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election and referendum. According to the Election Observation Policy 2025, observer organisations were earlier asked to submit written applications within 10 days of the announcement of the election schedule by December 21, said an EC press release. Following requests from observer organisations, the Commission has now decided to extend the deadline for submitting applications. The Election Commission said that once permission is granted identity cards and vehicle stickers for central observers will be issued by the Election Commission Secretariat. For local observers, identity cards and vehicle stickers will be provided by the offices of the respective returning or assistant returning officers.

Bangladesh on Sunday rejected remarks by India’s Ministry of External Affairs over demonstrations outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, saying the protests left the High Commissioner and his family feeling threatened. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain came up with Bangladesh’s position responding to questions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We completely reject the press note. Why can they come this far? They have said many things. We have heard that he (HC) has been threatened to kill, but we don't have evidence," he said. The Adviser said they are still relying on the host country, hoping that the host country will take necessary steps on the security front but if necessary, Dhaka will shrink its diplomatic presence in India. Official spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal on Sunday said there was no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time. India is committed to ensuring the safety of foreign missions/posts in its territory in accordance with the Vienna Convention, Jaiswal said in response to media queries in New Delhi regarding the demonstration. He said the police stationed at the spot dispersed the group after a few minutes. Jaiswal said visual evidence of these events is available for all to see. No breach attempt at Bangladesh High Commission during protest: India "India continues to keep a close watch on the evolving situation in Bangladesh," he said, adding that their officials remain in touch with Bangladesh authorities and have conveyed to them their strong concerns over the attacks on the minorities. Jaiswal said they have noted misleading propaganda in sections of Bangladesh media on the incident. "The fact is that about 20-25 youth gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 20 and raised slogans in protest against the horrendous killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, while also calling for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh," he said. Jaiswal said they have also urged that the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of Das be brought to justice.  

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain on Sunday said taking the law into one's own hands is a major obstacle to good governance. “This is an extremely condemnable and heinous act. We will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands. Mob justice is a major obstacle to good governance,” he said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat. The adviser said he had sent a message and had requested the Home Affairs Adviser to take action against those involved in the killing of a man in Mymensingh and in setting the body on fire. Dipu Chandra Das, a local garment worker, was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh district on Thursday night.  His body was later set on fire. Replying to another question, the adviser claimed that the law and order is now fully under control. He said violent incidents were still occurring, but considering the current situation, they remained hopeful that elections would be held on time in a free, fair, inclusive and festive manner and that such an environment still existed. Asked about recent arson attacks on two newspapers—The Daily Prothom Alo and The Daily Star—the adviser said “Efforts are on to prevent such incidents.To ensure police control at all establishments in advance is very difficult. Often, we do not know in which direction an attack may occur. That is why we always discourage such acts.” Based on intelligence reports, several individuals involved in setting fire to Prothom Alo and The Daily Star have been identified, he said, adding, “We have already taken measures to arrest them and bring them under book.” Regarding the attack on Chhayanaut, the adviser said that who said what was not within their jurisdiction, but as a government they could never accept arson attacks on government-approved institutions or the killing of people by burning them, adding that they considered such acts heinous crimes and were determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. When asked whether there was any intelligence failure as attacks took place on Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, Chhayanaut and other locations across the country on the same night, Khalid Hossain said it would not be appropriate for him to label it directly as an intelligence failure. Drawing attention to allegations of incitement from abroad, the adviser said comments made from outside the country are beyond the direct control of the Bangladesh government. He pointed out that those were open platforms such as Meta and YouTube, which they could not directly control, and that even from within Bangladesh many people posted abusive comments every day.

The European Union (EU) has said it is supporting seven Bangladeshi citizen election observer organisations as part of its efforts to promote free, fair and participatory elections and strengthen public trust in the electoral process ahead of the country’s upcoming polls and referendum on February 12. With the support of the European Union, the European Partnership for Democracy is helping these organisations develop observation checklists and templates, monitor online gender-based violence, and much more, said the Embassy on Sunday. The EU said an independent and strong Election Commission is the key to any successful election in all democratic countries. The Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) has built its human capacity and is acting now to ensure transparency and efficiency before, during and after the elections. With support from the European Union, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is providing technical assistance to the BEC to run smooth, fair, and credible elections.  

Three people were killed and one remained missing after a truck and four other vehicles fell into the Dhaleshwari River from a ferry in Baktaboli area of Narayanganj early Sunday. The deceased were identified as Masud Rana, 30, a Bangladeshi expatriate in Singapore, van puller Shadhin, 25, and Rafique, 35. Md Rakibuzzaman, in-charge of Baktaboli River Police, said the ferry left Narsinghpur in Fatullah for Baktaboli around 9 pm on Saturday. When the ferry reached the middle of the river, a truck suddenly started rolling and plunged into the water dragging along a motorcycle, two auto-rickshaws and a van. Eight to ten people managed to swim to safety while four others went missing, police said. On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies of three victims around 3 am. Md Hasanuzzaman, additional superintendent of police in Narayanganj, said police are investigating the incident.  

Dhaka University has announced that the postponed admission test of the Science Unit (Ka unit) for the 2025–26 academic year will be held on December 27. The information was disclosed in a press release issued by the university’s Public Relations Office on Sunday. The release said Science Unit applicants from outside Dhaka who have admission tests at other universities in the capital on December 26 and 27 and therefore require a change of exam centre may apply online for a centre change within Dhaka. Applications can be submitted through the website admission.eis.du.ac.bd from 5:00pm on December 21 until 12:00 midnight on December 23. Applicants must upload copies of their HSC registration card and the admit card of the concerned university’s admission test while submitting the online application. The admission test was originally scheduled for December 20 but was postponed as state mourning was observed that day over the death of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi after an assassination attempt.