United News of Bangladesh

Appreciating the Armed Forces for their continuous efforts during national crises, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday called for joint effort during the upcoming national election to make the process festive and peaceful. “We have to play a very historical role in our national election and referendum in February next to make it both a historical landmark; and peaceful and festive,” he said. Prof Yunus made the remarks while addressing the graduation ceremony of the National Defence Course (NDC) and Armed Forces War Course (AFWC) 2025 at the National Defence College at Mirpur Cantonment in the city. The Chief Adviser said the nation will remember with pride that they really had a historical occasion to turn this country around. “As we look ahead, I am confident that the National Defence College will continue to uphold its motto - Security through Knowledge," he said .These efforts, the Chief Adviser said, will guide them as they step into their new roles equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of national and international security. The Chief Adviser urged the nation to pray for speedy recovery of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. “On this happy occasion of graduation, let us pray to Allah, along with all the people of Bangladesh, for the speedy recovery of former Prime Minister and national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, who is struggling for her life,” he added. He appreciated the Armed Forces for their continuous efforts during national crises like natural disasters, political unrest, and pandemics. Prof Yunus said through such efforts they demonstrated their readiness to respond and unwavering dedication to the well-being of the people. “Your contributions to global peace through participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions have enhanced Bangladesh's global image,” Prof Yunus said. CA Prof Yunus visits Evercare Hospital to see Khaleda Zia He also appreciated the enduring contributions of the Bangladesh Armed Forces to national security, development, and nation-building activities. “I am proud to witness the progress of the armed forces and their lasting contributions to our national security, development, and nation-building activities. Your commitment to safeguarding our nation has been exemplary,” Prof Yunus said. The Chief Adviser paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War of 1971. “This is a very special month, the month of our historic victory in the War of Liberation." Prof Yunus recalled with great pride all the heroes who laid down their lives during the War of Liberation. "We also honour the sacrifices made by people from all walks of life during the struggle.” He also paid homage to those who made the July Revolution possible.   “My deepest respect to all the students and citizens who sacrificed their lives or were wounded in their effort to make the July Revolution possible driven by the dream of creating a new Bangladesh.” "Today, your graduation marks a remarkable milestone in your lives. Successfully completing the National Defence Course and the Armed Forces War Course is a significant achievement," Prof Yunus said congratulating the graduating officers of the NDC and AFWC 2025. “It is a moment you will cherish for the rest of your lives. Your accomplishment reflects a year of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. You are now prepared to undertake higher responsibilities, equipped with an enhanced understanding of national security, statecraft, policymaking, strategy formulation, and the intricacies of national development,” he said. In an era when the global economic center of gravity is shifting toward Asia, he said Bangladesh occupies a strategic position that offers immense opportunities. “As future leaders, you are tasked with leveraging this unique geostrategic advantage to foster sustainable growth and development for our nation,” Prof Yunus said. “I have learned that the National Defence Course is a strategic-level program that prepares participants to understand and analyze national security, engage in strategic decision-making, and enhance their leadership skills.” Prof Yunus said it was encouraging to see that the Armed Forces War Course deals with military strategic and operational matters, aiming to bridge the gap between strategic and tactical levels. “Throughout these courses, you have engaged in rigorous discussions and analyses of current global challenges, including terrorism, climate change, and cyber threats,” he said. IRI poll reveals strong support among Bangladeshis for Yunus govt, optimism about future Addressing international graduates, the Chief Adviser extended his special felicitations and hoped that during their time here, they have forged friendships that transcend borders and developed a deeper understanding of our rich cultural heritage. “Your presence enriches our institution, and I trust that you will serve as goodwill ambassadors for Bangladesh in your respective countries, fostering bonds of friendship and cooperation. I wish you every success in the days ahead,” he added. Highlighting NDC’s role, Prof Yunus said the National Defence College has achieved the goals for which it was established. "It is essential to recognise its role in shaping future leaders beyond the military. It gives me immense pleasure to see that a significant number of senior officials from the civil administration, Foreign Service, Police, Ansar, and VDP participate in the national defence courses every year.” Prof Yunus expressed his sincere appreciation to the Commandant, faculty, and staff for their dedication and commitment in conducting the National Defence Course and Armed Forces War Course 2025 with excellence.    

A two-year-old girl, Faiza Akter, was killed after being run over by a government vehicle belonging to the Assistant Commissioner (Land) in Homna Upazila, Cumilla on Wednesday. The incident occurred around 9:30am in front of the Tulip Administration Institute, inside the Upazila Parishad premises. Faiza’s father, Faizul Haque, works at SKAF Pharmaceuticals. Their family home is in Putia village, Uzirpur Upazila, Barisal. According to family members and eyewitnesses, Faiza had accompanied her mother to the Upazila premises in the morning when the AC Land’s government car entered at high speed and ran over the child, killing her instantly. Faiza’s mother said, “The vehicle came so fast… in an instant, my heart was shattered as my little Faiza was gone.” The family has demanded that the driver be given the maximum punishment. Following the accident, attempts to contact the driver, Taibur Hossain, were unsuccessful as his mobile phone was switched off. Upon receiving the news, Homna Assistant Commissioner (Land) Ahmed Mofasser and newly appointed UNO Shahidul Islam rushed to Homna Government Hospital.

Bangladesh Secretariat employees on Wednesday threatened to go for tougher movement from January 10 if the government would not issue a gazette notification over pay commission by December. The employees came up with the warning in a memorandum sent on Wednesday (December 3) to the Financial Adviser by the organisation’s Secretary General, Nizam Uddin Ahmed. According to the memorandum, government employees had high expectations regarding the National Pay Commission-2025 formed by the current interim government. However, an atmosphere of uncertainty has emerged at the final recommendation stage, which the organisation said is unfavourable for fulfilling their legitimate demands. The council demanded restructuring the existing 20-grade pay scale into 10 phases with 1:4 ratios, claiming that such a system would eliminate longstanding disparities in salaries. The memorandum further stated that soaring commodity prices and the rising cost of living have pushed lower-grade employees into hardship. Delays in implementing the pay commission report are intensifying frustration and resentment among government staff. The council demanded restructuring the existing 20-grade pay scale into 10 tiers with a 1:4 ratio, claiming that such a system would eliminate longstanding disparities in salaries. Urging direct intervention from the adviser to the Finance Ministry, the organisation said swift decisions are necessary to calm discontent and meet just expectations. The three key demands of the organisations include-- introduction of Secretariat allowance, implementation of the 9th pay scale and introduction of Secretariat ration allowance.  

A case has been filed at Ishwardi Police Station in Pabna over the killing of eight puppies, who were tied in a sack and drowned in a pond at the Ishwardi Upazila Parishad premises. Upazila Livestock Officer Aklima Khatun filed the case on Tuesday night. Abdun Noor, Officer-in-Charge of Ishwardi Police Station, confirmed the filing. Aklima Khatun said the case was filed at 9pm on behalf of the Director General of the Department of Livestock under Section 7 of the Animal Welfare Act, 2019. The Director General also instructed that the case be filed on his behalf. Nishi Begum, wife of Hasanur Rahman Noyon, an officer of the Small Farmers Foundation, has been named as the accused. Aklima added that the incident was widely shared on social media. Farida Akter, adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, described the act as inhumane and said it harmed the country’s image. The family of the Small Farmers Foundation officer has already been evicted from the government quarters. On Tuesday afternoon, an investigation team from the Animal Activist Committee arrived in Ishwardi from Dhaka to look into the case. Photos of the dead puppies were first posted on social media on Monday morning and quickly went viral. The incident sparked public outrage, with people demanding legal action against those responsible. Upazila Executive Officer Md. Moniruzzaman said written instructions were given for Hasanur Rahman Noyon to vacate the gazetted quarters. “The family has already left the residence,” he added. Attempts to contact Hasanur Rahman Noyon by phone were unsuccessful. On Sunday evening, eight puppies drowned due to the deliberate actions of Nishi Akter. When the puppies went missing, the mother dog ran around the residential area, Officers’ Club, and various houses throughout the night, crying loudly. 4 killed in Pabna, Chuadanga road crashes She refused to eat, and nobody knew the fate of the puppies at that time. The puppies were usually found under the stairs of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s residence. Jahangir Alam, caretaker of the residence, said, “On Monday morning, Noyon Sir was leaving on his motorcycle. When I asked about the puppies, he said he did not know. Then his son said, his mother put the puppies in a sack and threw them into the pond. We then went to the pond and saw a floating sack. When we opened it, we found all eight puppies dead.” After seeing the dead puppies, the mother dog became extremely distressed and fell ill. Later, staff from the Upazila Livestock Department treated her and administered a sedative injection.  

A worker was killed after being hit by a stone-laden truck in Tetulia upazila of Panchagarh on Tuesday night. The deceased, Zahidul Islam, 45, was the son of the late Amer Ali of Dorgasing village. He worked as a stone and sand loading laborer. The accident took place on the highway in the Khoykhatpara area of Tirnaihat Union. According to a police source, Zahidul was loading sand and stones onto a truck near the site. After finishing, he stood on the road to signal as an assistant while the truck moved onto the highway. At that point another fast-moving stone-laden truck from Banglabandha hit him, leaving him seriously injured. He was taken to the Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. 2 killed in Panchagarh road crash Debashish Roy, officer-in-charge of Tetulia Highway Police Station, said that locals caught the truck but the driver fled. “Legal action regarding the accident is ongoing,” he added.  

An army officer was killed in a road accident in Baraigram, Natore on Tuesday evening. The deceased, Sergeant Mamunur Rashid, was posted at Ramu Cantonment. Inspector Suman Chandra Das, in charge of the Bonpara Police Investigation Center, said that Sergeant Rashid, serving in the First Bir Battalion, was returning to his unit after leave around 6:30pm. He was traveling from Moya village to the Bonpara bus stand in Baraigram Upazila on an electric bike when he was seriously injured after being struck by a dump truck in the Bahimali area. Local residents rushed him to a nearby clinic, where doctors pronounced him dead, the Inspector added.

A fired gutted a jhut (garment waste) warehouse in Konabari area of Gazipur on Monday morning. According to the Fire Service and local sources, the fire broke out around 5:30 am at the jhut warehouse owned by Palash Mia in Amragh Purbapara area of Konabari. Locals initially tried to extinguish the flames but failed and then informed the Fire Service. Four units rushed to the spot and managed to douse the fire 5 madrasha students stabbed by ‘fellow student’ in Gazipur Gazipur Fire Service Deputy Director Mohammad Mamun said the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage could not be confirmed immediately. Details will be known after an investigation, he added. No casualties were reported in the incident.  

A teenager was hacked to death by neighbours over a money dispute in Ratachhara village of Lakshmi Prasad Purba Union in Kanaighat upazila on Sunday evening. The victim was identified as Saiful, 18, son of Solu Mia of the village. According to local UP member Nazim Uddin, Shakil Ahmed, 25, forcibly picked up Saiful from in front of his house around 6:30pm and tied him to a pole on the balcony of his home. Shakil later called his associate Sumon Ahmed, 27, and during an argument over money, both allegedly attacked Saiful with knives. Locals rescued the critically injured teen after hearing his screams and took him to Kanaighat Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead around 9pm. Md Abdu Awal, officer in-charge (OC) of Kanaighat Police Station, said police visited the spot and launched an operation to arrest the suspects.  The body has been taken into police custody.  

Ekushey Television District Correspondent Makhon Das and UNB District Correspondent Asadul Haque Palash have been elected as President and General Secretary, respectively, in the biennial Narsingdi Press Club election for the 2025–27 term. The election was held on Saturday at the Narsingdi Press Club auditorium, with 56 out of 61 votes cast. Other elected office-bearers include Vice Presidents Kazi Anwar Kamal of Bangladesh Betar and Daily Grameen Darpan, and Haladhar Das of Evening News and Bangladesher Alo. Md. Sohel S. Hossain of Weekly Sonali Bangladesh and Daily Prabhat was elected Deputy General Secretary, while Md. Faruk Mia of Daily Narsingdir Bani was chosen Treasurer. Abul Bashar Bashir of Daily Somoyer Alo became the Literature, Culture, and Sports Secretary, and Tofail Ahmed Swapan of DBC News was elected Office Secretary. Executive Members elected include Amjad Hossain of Daily Jaijaidin, ATM Mostafa “Babor” of Daily Narsingdi Saradin, and Md. Zakir Hossain Bhuiyan of Daily Amar Barta. The election was overseen by Adv. Kazi Nazrul Islam, assisted by Election Commissioner M.A. Momen Mia and Adv. Khandaker Mehedi Hasan.

Local residents blocked several points of Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar highway on Sunday morning (November 30) to press their demand for expanding the highway to six lanes. They put barricades on the highway around 9:30 am, halting traffic for about one and a half hours. People from Kerani Hat in Satkania, and parts of Chandanaish, Lohagara and Chakaria took part in the protest. Read more: Garment factory closure notice sparks protests in Gazipur Police and local administration officials spoke with the protesters and assured them that their demand would be sent to the higher authorities. After the assurance, the protesters withdrew the blockade around 11 am.