United News of Bangladesh

A college student was killed after being run over by a bus while waiting for a CNG-run auto-rickshaw in Chandpur Sadar upazila on Wednesday. The victim was identified as Rahela Akter Shanta, daughter of Samsul Huda of Shahtoli Munshibari. She was a student of class XII at Jilani Chisty High School & College. Relatives said Shanta was waiting on the side of the road to go to her sister’s house in the morning when she was hit by a Chandpur-bound bus of Aidi Enterprise around 11:00 am, leaving her seriously injured. Locals rushed her to Chandpur Sadar Hospital, where duty doctors provided emergency treatment. As her condition worsened, she was referred to Dhaka for better treatment. She succumbed to her injuries near Jatrabari around 4:00 pm. Following the accident, Sadar Model Police Station OC Faiz Ahmed visited the scene, and SI Awlad Hosne was directed to investigate. The OC said a case will be filed and efforts are underway to arrest the bus driver.

Two motorcyclists were killed when a bus rammed into a motorcycle on Chattogram-Kaptai road at Taktarpool in Rangunia upazila of Chattogram district on Tuesday night. The deceased were identified as Abu Sufiyan Arman, 18, son of Kamal Bhandari and Akib, 16, son of Osman Goni of South Rajanagar area. Arman Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Rangunia Model Police Station, said the accident occurred around 10:45 pm when the bus of ‘Shyamoli Paribahan’ crashed into a motorcycle, carrying two people, leaving one dead on the spot and the other injured. The injured was taken to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital where the doctors declared him dead around 11:45 pm. Police seized the bus but could not arrest anyone as the driver managed to flee the scene.  

Bangladesh’s stock markets posted gains in the first half of trading on Wednesday, with key indices of both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) moving upward. On the fourth trading day of the week, the benchmark DSE index, DSEX, climbed 45 points. The Shariah-based DSES index rose by 5 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index advanced 17 points. Stocks advance in early trade at DSE, CSE Out of the traded issues at the DSE, prices of 246 companies increased, while 65 companies saw a decline and 70 remained unchanged. The turnover at the premier bourse crossed Tk 198 crore during the first half of the session. The CSE also witnessed a positive trend, with its overall index, CASPI, gaining 55 points. At the port city bourse, share prices of 44 companies rose against declines in 21 companies, while 10 issues remained unchanged. The trading volume at the CSE stood at over Tk 55 lakh in the first half of the day. DSEX index gains 28.4 points as 294 stocks advance in early trading

The sudden surge of intense cold in the southwestern border district of Chuadanga has disrupted normal life, with heavy fog and freezing temperatures emptying streets early in the morning. People are avoiding outdoor activities unless necessary, leaving daily wage earners and marginalised communities most affected. At 9 a.m. Wednesday, Chuadanga Meteorological Observatory recorded a season-low temperature of 6.9°C, with humidity around 95 percent. The Meteorological Department said a moderate cold wave is currently sweeping the district. Since early morning, the city’s streets, bus stops, and sidewalks have been crowded with workers seeking warmth, often by lighting small fires with straw or wood. Labourers report extreme difficulty performing routine work, and many return home frustrated or fall ill due to prolonged exposure. Farmers and day laborers said working in the early hours is exhausting, and health risks rise in the cold. Hospitals in Chuadanga, including the district hospital, are seeing higher patient numbers, with children and the elderly most affected by pneumonia, respiratory issues, colds, and diarrhea. Biting cold wave freezes Naogaon as mercury plunges to season’s lowest Students commuting for private lessons face difficulties as fog and icy winds make travel risky, impacting their studies. The cold has also reduced school attendance and caused stagnation in markets, shops, banks, and financial institutions, with fewer customers and lower activity compared to normal days. Jaminur Rahman, in charge of Chuadanga First-Class Meteorological Observatory, said the moderate cold wave is expected to continue until January 11–12, with potential for further temperature drops.

A biting cold wave has tightened its grip on Naogaon, plunging the district into an icy spell as temperatures dropped to a bone-chilling 6.7°C, the lowest recorded in the country this season. The sudden dip, recorded at 8:00am on Wednesday at the Badalgachhi Agricultural Meteorological Observation Centre, has brought life in the northern district to a near standstill. With humidity touching 100 per cent, dense fog and piercing winds have become a daily ordeal for residents. Just a day earlier, the temperature stood at 11°C, meaning the mercury fell by 4.3°C within 24 hours — a sharp decline that signals the onset of a prolonged cold wave, according to weather officials. As the sun sets, the cold intensifies. Streets disappear under thick fog through the night, easing only slightly after sunrise. Even then, the brief warmth offers little relief from the frosty conditions that continue to disrupt daily routines. “During the day the sunlight makes it somewhat bearable, but once evening comes, we have to bundle up,” said Ahsan Habib, a resident of Doktar’s Mor. At night, he said, sleeping without two or three layers of blankets is impossible. For those who earn their living outdoors, the cold has hit especially hard. Abdus Salam, a van driver from Barunkandi, said the evening chill and dense fog have made transport difficult. “Fog lasts until sunrise. It becomes nearly impossible to carry passengers safely at night,” he said. Hospitals are already feeling the pressure. Dr Abu Jar Gaffar, Resident Medical Officer at the 250-bed Naogaon Hospital, said hundreds of patients, including children, adults and the elderly, are seeking treatment for cold-related illnesses. “We are treating patients suffering from pneumonia, diarrhoea, asthma, respiratory complications and TB,” he said, adding that around 200 patients are currently admitted and receiving continuous care. Confirming the temperature drop, Mizanur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of the Badalgachhi Weather Station, said the 6.7°C reading marks the beginning of a cold wave in the region. “Temperatures may fall further in the coming week,” he warned. In response to the worsening situation, the district administration has stepped up relief efforts. Warm clothing is being distributed among the poor and daily wage earners to help them cope with the extreme cold. Naogaon District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Md Ashekur Rahman said Tk six lakh has been allocated for each upazila, amounting to a total of Tk 66 lakh for all 11 upazilas, to ensure timely assistance. In addition, 30,600 blankets have been supplied from the Prime Minister’s relief fund, the Ministry of Disaster Management, and the district council, with distribution currently underway. As Naogaon braces for colder days ahead, residents hope the relief reaches the most vulnerable before the mercury dips any further.

Ehtesham Haque, the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) nominee for the Sylhet-1 constituency, on Tuesday accused the Sylhet district returning officer and Deputy Commissioner Md Sarwar Alam of discrimination and biased conduct. He made the allegation at a press conference held at the Sylhet District Press Club at around 2:00 pm. Ehtesham Haque, also the NCP’s central organising secretary for the Sylhet division, said he was treated unfairly at the returning officer’s office compared to candidates from other political parties during the nomination scrutiny process. He alleged that his nomination paper was declared invalid on certain grounds, while a BNP candidate in the Sylhet-3 constituency was declared valid despite having the same shortcomings. The NCP leader said that as a conscious citizen and political activist, he had expected a fair and just decision from the returning officer, but the decision taken in his case has raised questions about the neutrality of the Election Commission and administrative transparency. He further said similar allegations have emerged from different parts of the country, but no effective action has been seen from the Election Commission, which he claimed is eroding public trust in the electoral system and state institutions. Ehtesham warned that if elections are conducted by favouring a particular political party or group, it would be impossible to establish genuine democracy and fair elections in the country. Five NCP leaders resign in Feni Calling for the attention of the Election Commission and the concerned authorities, he said they would continue their movement on the streets as well as through all constitutional means to ensure justice and equal rights. The press conference was attended by NCP Sylhet metropolitan convener Advocate Md Abdur Rahman Afzal, Sylhet district convener Md Juned Ahmed, metropolitan member secretary Golam Kibria, district member secretary Engineer Kamrul Arif, metropolitan joint convener Nizam Uddin, joint member secretary Tasnia Akhter Lubna, among others.

Five leaders of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) in Feni district have resigned from the party. They announced their decision at a press conference at Feni Press Club on Tuesday evening. The leaders who resigned are Omar Faruk Shuvo, co-organizing secretary of the Feni district branch; co-organizing secretary Abdur Rahim Babu; and members Azimul Haq, Jonayed Hossain, and Nure Azim. At the conference, they said they are not joining any other party at present and will remain active in movements for the rights of ordinary citizens. Omar Faruk Shuvo said, “After the July uprising, the NCP promised to pursue centrist politics, but the party has deviated from that principle. We have worked together for a long time. Now we have voluntarily stepped down.” Abdur Rahim Babu added in his resignation letter, “I have served as a responsible member of the party for a long time. Despite the party’s earlier commitment to centrist politics, it has strayed from its original ideology. Considering this, I have voluntarily resigned from the NCP.” The other four leaders also signed the letter to show unity. Jamaat candidate fined Tk 20,000 for violating election code in Feni Feni district NCP member-secretary Shah Wali Ullah Manik said they are aware of the resignations but have not yet received the formal letters. Further details will be provided later. The resignations follow the arrest of Omar Faruk Shuvo on December 31 for fraud and extortion, after a controversial 15-minute, 12-second audio call surfaced online showing him allegedly demanding donations while assuring the continuation of Maulana Mahmudul Hasan as principal of Feni Alia Kamil Madrasa.

More than 300 leaders of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Sherpur on Tuesday. The student leaders completed the formalities in the afternoon at the district BNP office in Raghunath Bazar under the leadership of the district SAD chief coordinator and spokesperson. Farhan Fuad Tuhin, chief coordinator and spokesperson of the Sherpur district SAD; coordinators and senior organizers Arafat Rahman Talukdar and Nahid Ahmed Niloy; senior joint secretary Monibul Islam; and coordinator Ashiqur Rahman Ashiq were among them. AL leader gets bail in Sherpur: Locals besiege DC office protesting court order The newly joined leaders were welcomed with flower garlands by Sunsila Jabrin Priyanka, joint convener of Sherpur district BNP and the party’s nominated candidate for the “paddy sheaf” symbol. The event was also attended by Sherpur Sadar Thana BNP convener Md. Hazrat Ali, member secretary Saiful Islam, district Swecchasebak Dal member secretary Niyamul Hasan Ananda, district Chhatra Dal president Hasem Siddiqui Babu, and general secretary Naeem Hasan Ujjal.

A BNP leader in Badarganj, Rangpur, resigned from the party in an unusual public act, bathing in milk before announcing his decision on Tuesday. The incident took place in the afternoon at Mondolhat Bazar in Lohanipara Union. The leader, Golam Rabbani, was serving as the president of BNP’s Ward No. 2 in Badarganj Upazila. He said he decided to resign due to frustration over corruption and other issues among some union-level BNP leaders. He had previously submitted his resignation formally to the union BNP president. Rabbani told reporters, “I joined BNP politics inspired by the ideals of the late President Ziaur Rahman. But due to the corruption of some union BNP leaders, I became a target of criticism in the community and even faced pressure from my family. That forced me to resign from the party.” Asked whether he would join another party, he said, “I have only resigned from BNP. If I like another party’s ideals, I may join them in the future.” Locals at the scene witnessed the unusual resignation, which has sparked discussions and reactions across political circles. It is reported that on April 30 last year, Golam Rabbani was elected president of Ward No. 2 in Lohanipara Union through a direct vote by party members, with Ashraful Islam as general secretary, forming a 51-member committee. Union BNP President Abdul Majid commented, “The leader joined the party seeking personal benefits, but the party could not grant him unethical advantages. That’s why he staged this act.” Union BNP General Secretary Ilias Hossain added, “Golam Rabbani was primarily associated with Jamaat politics and was never active in BNP activities. We believe he joined BNP hoping for personal gain. Since he did not get that, he resigned.”  

A grocery owner was stabbed to death by some unidentified assailants in Palash upazila of Narsingdi on Monday night. The deceased was identified as Moni Chakraborty, 40, a resident of Sultanpur village in Char Sindur Union and son of late Madan Thakur of nighboring Shibpur Upazila’s Sadharchar Union. He had been running a grocery shop in Char Sindur market for several years. Police and locals said when Moni was returning home on his motorbike the attackers stabbed him near his house with a sharp weapon around 9 pm, leaving him injured. Locals rushed him to Palash Upazila Health Complex where a doctor declared him dead. Moni’s brother Rony Chakraborty, said, “We left the shop together. On the way, my brother came under attack. He had no enemies and was a good person. We demand exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.” Officer-in-Charge of Palash Police Station Shahed Al Mamun said police visited the scene. His motorcycle, mobile phone, and money were left untouched. Police are investigating and have sent the body to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy, he said.