United News of Bangladesh

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has named a road in the capital's diplomatic quarter after Felani Khatun, the minor girl who was shot dead by India'a border security force in 2011, as a 'symbolic gesture of protest.' It would also serve as a reminder to uphold Bangladesh’s dignity as a sovereign nation, DNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz said on Tuesday. “This road, stretching from Gulshan-2 to Pragati Sarani, has been named after Felani as a symbol and protest to maintain our national dignity. We believe that while interacting with any country in the world, including our neighbours, we must uphold human dignity and respect. The Liberation War teaches us the importance of human dignity,” he said. Azaz made the remarks during the unveiling of the nameplate of Felani Avenue in Gulshan to mark Victory Day. Chief Guest Adilur Rahman Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, said: “Eighteen crore people of Bangladesh want an end to border killings. Our sister Felani gave her life hanging from a barbed wire. This road is named to remind us of the cruelty committed against her and to appeal to the conscience of the world that heinous crimes like border killings are still happening along our borders. This is why the government inaugurated this road in her name on Victory Day, demanding an end to all types of border killings.” Local Government Department Secretary Md. Rezaul Maksud Zahedi, added that Felani's killing was not just a killing, but a clear violation of human rights as well. Public Works Secretary Md. Nazrul Islam, RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam, DNCC Chief Engineer Brig. J. Moin Uddin, DNCC Secretary Mohammad Asaduzzaman, Chief Urban Planner SM Shafiqur Rahman, and other senior DNCC officials, also attended the event. Felan­i Khatun was shot dead by BSF on January 7, 2011, at the Anantapur border point in Kurigram’s Fulbari upazila while returning to Bangladesh with her father. Her body was left hanging on the barbed-wire fence for hours, sparking widespread outrage in national and international media. Felani’s brother joins BGB Since then, various groups have repeatedly demanded that the road in front of the Indian High Commission in Gulshan be named after Felan­i. On September 13, 2024, the Peoples’ Activist Coalition (PAC) symbolically named the road ‘Shaheed Felan­i Sarak’ and installed an unofficial signboard in protest against border killings. Now, the interim government has officially renamed the stretch as Felan­i Avenue.  

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday called upon everyone to play a responsible role from their respective positions to uphold the country’s independence, sovereignty, and the continuity of its development journey. This was conveyed by Sabir Ahmed Akunji, Private Secretary to the Public Division Secretary at the President’s Office, Bangabhaban after a state reception held at Bangabhaban. On this glorious day, the President also extended his heartfelt greetings and felicitations to the people of the country on the occasion of the Great Victory Day. The reception was attended by the Chief Justice; Advisers; Judges of the Appellate Division and the High Court Division; diplomats; valiant freedom fighters; senior civil and military officials; political leaders; and distinguished guests from various professions. The President exchanged greetings with the War Veterans’ delegation, members of the families of the Bir Sreshtho, and other invited guests, conveying his sincere congratulations and best wishes on the Great Victory Day. On the occasion, he paid deep respect to the heroic martyrs and freedom fighters of the Liberation war remembering their unparalleled sacrifices with profound reverence.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday said no one can stop the country’s march towards democracy by intimidation, terror acts or bloodshed, categorically noting that such an attempt by the 'defeated fascist terrorists' will be completely thwarted. 'I appeal to you—maintain restraint. Do not listen to propaganda or rumours. We will definitely confront the fascist terrorists who want to create unrest together. We will not fall into their trap," he said while addressing the nation in the evening on the occasion of the Great Victory Day. State-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV), BTV News, and Bangladesh Betar simultaneously broadcast the speech. Earlier, the Chief Adviser enjoyed Victory Day Fly Past, Parajump, and Band Display at the National Parade Ground in Dhaka. Prof Yunus said the defeated fascist forces will never return to the sacred soil of this country. "Dear people of the country, protect our youth. Then we all and our beloved motherland will be saved. Those who have fled the country have understood that the young fighters are a huge obstacle to their resurrection," Prof Yunus said. He said those who fled the country are terrified of these unarmed, fearless, completely indifferent to personal interests—these everyday-looking children. Anti-independence forces trying to resurface on Victory Day: Fakhrul "Their goal is to remove these obstacles before the elections and re-establish their rule. They will dream of this as long as their friends are with them," Prof Yunus said. Once the elections are over, he said  their friends will have trouble getting support. "That is why there is such a rush. They want to ensure their return before the elections. They will do it in various ways. This secret assassination attempt is one form of it. They are preparing for a more difficult plan," Prof Yunus said. Everyone in the country must say loudly that they will protect the youth, he said "Those who are here following the slavery of the old days must come out of slavery. By holding festive, peaceful elections, we will all establish our complete control over the country," he said. There are only two months left until the elections, scheduled to take place in February. "We will keep an eye on them and make every day of the remaining days festive. Since there is no fear in the minds of our young people, they will make every moment of the two months before the elections festive," Prof Yunus said. The country will be saved from all kinds of violence and conflicts, he said. Victory Day: Nation honours Liberation War martyrs Today, the Chief Adviser said they are standing on the threshold of a new history. "This country is ours. This state is ours, its future is also in our hands. Now is our turn to move forward unitedly. We want to take this Victory Day as a golden opportunity to unite anew in national life," he said. "It is our collective responsibility to move forward with the goal of empowering the people, taking the historical inspiration of the Great Liberation War and the July Uprising, and to advance the new journey that has begun on the path of democratic transition," Prof Yunus said. He called for joint efforts to build a safe, happy, and beautiful Bangladesh for the new generation to fulfil the century-old struggle and freedom achieved through much hardship. Regardless of religion, caste, group, and gender identity,  he said, "Let us all join hands and move forward on the path of peace, prosperity and democracy. Let us move forward together on the path of justice, democracy, humanity, and development." Prof Yunus once again extended his heartfelt greetings to everyone on the Great Victory Day.

Mufti Amir Hamza, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami–nominated candidate for the Kushtia-3 constituency, on Tuesday claimed that his party was not opposed to the Liberation War of 1971 but was instead against India, saying the real truth had long been suppressed. “The role of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in 1971 has been misrepresented until now,” Amir Hamza said. “You should read the history book written by Badruddin Umar. From that book, we learned that nearly 90 percent of the narratives written about the Liberation War are false.” He made the remarks while addressing a victory rally organised by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Kushtia on the occasion of Victory Day. Amir Hamza said the rally reflected the party’s commitment to the country’s independence. “We were against India’s aggression, which is why we were portrayed as opponents. Our aim today is to free the future Bangladesh from India’s dominance and run the country as a truly independent nation,” he said.  “The country will remain united in the future, InshaAllah”. Injustice, discriminations led people to revolt in 1971: Jamaat Ameer He also said all people born in Bangladesh are respected citizens. “We want to move the country forward together. I do not think it is right to drag the past backward. Forgetting past divisions, we will create a new history. It is better not to emphasise party affiliations here—we are all one,” he said. Kushtia District Jamaat Secretary Shuja Uddin Joardar, Assistant Secretary Mazharul Haque, City Jamaat Amir Enamul Haque, and leaders from various levels of the party were present at the rally.      

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to address the nation at 6pm today (Tuesday). Prof Yunus will address the nation on the occasion of the Great Victory Day. State-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV), BTV News, and Bangladesh Betar will simultaneously broadcast the speech, said the Chief Adviser's press wing. Earlier, the Chief Adviser enjoyed Victory Day Fly Past, Parajump, and Band Display at the National Parade Ground in Dhaka.

The Bangladesh Army marked Victory Day 2025 with a ceremonial 31-gun salute at sunrise to honour the nation’s martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the Liberation War. At the Old Airport area in Tejgaon, an artillery regiment of the Bangladesh Army fired 31 rounds from six guns to pay tribute to the heroic martyrs who laid down their lives in the War of Liberation, ISPR said in a press release on Tuesday. As in previous years, Victory Day is being observed this year as well with due respect and solemnity.    

The Election Commission (EC) on Monday said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has taken the terrorist attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and an independent aspirant from Dhaka-8 constituency, seriously and instructed relevant agencies to take firm and immediate measures to bring the perpetrators under the law. The EC made the statement in response to a ‘news’ circulating in various media outlets and social media, citing the CEC’s remarks he made while inaugurating a Youth Voter Festival in the city’s Gulshan area this morning. According to the EC, the Chief Election Commissioner has taken the attack on Hadi into consideration with utmost importance. As part of it, an emergency meeting was held on Sunday at 4:00 pm with top officials of law enforcement agencies, during which the CEC directed strict measures to ensure the attacker is brought to justice swiftly and instructed steps to prevent such incidents in the future. No uncertainty over national election, reaffirms CEC The CEC also emphasized that the terrorist attack on Hadi will not affect the upcoming elections. The Election Commission hoped the clarification would end any misunderstanding regarding the CEC’s earlier statement. It wished Sharif Osman Hadi a speedy recovery and expressed its deepest condolences to his family.    

Saimon Overseas Limited, a leading corporate travel service provider, has been officially cleared of allegations of money laundering following a thorough investigation conducted by the Financial Crime Investigation Unit and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. Following a show-cause notice issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Saimon Overseas Limited submitted a comprehensive response, supported by bank statements, IATA BSP reports, ticket copies, and all relevant documentation. After careful review and verification, the authorities found no evidence to substantiate the allegations. As a result, the ministry confirmed that, after examining all aspects of the case, the accusations were formally declared false and Saimon Overseas Limited was granted full clearance (Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism letter no. 30.00.0000.000.025.27.0006.25-877, dated December 14, 2025). In a statement on Monday, Saimon Overseas Limited stated, “These false and defamatory allegations were intended solely to damage our long-standing reputation.” “We have already initiated legal proceedings against those responsible for spreading such misinformation,” said Afsia Jannat Saleh, Managing Director of Saimon Overseas Limited and Secretary General of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) for the tenure 2024–2025. She also said that this was a planned smear campaign orchestrated by a vested interest group. This group allegedly targeted Saimon Overseas Limited after the company took a strong stance against pervasive irregularities in the air ticketing market, including practices widely blamed for artificially inflating airfares.    

The upward trend in remittances sent by expatriate Bangladeshis has continued in December, with US $1.71 billion in the first 14 days of the month. Bangladesh received $14.74 billion inward remittance so far in the current fiscal year FY 2025-26. According to the latest update from Bangladesh Bank (BB), the $1.71 billion remittance figure for December 14 is an increase by 23.6 percent compared to the same period last year. In December of the previous year (2024), the country received around $1.38 billion in the first 14 days. The growth is attributed to several factors, including incentives offered for sending money through legal banking channels, increased encouragement for using the formal system, and the active role of exchange houses, Remittance inflow has shown robust growth throughout the current fiscal year (FY 2025-26). From July 1 to December 14, 2025, the total remittance inflow reached $14.74 billion. This represents an increase of $2.22 billion compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year (FY 2024-25), when the total stood at $ 12.51 billion. The year-on-year growth rate for the fiscal year to date is 17.8 percent.  

Bangladesh’s economy is currently in a 'deeply depressed' state, and fixing it will be the country’s biggest challenge in the days ahead, said Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) Chairman Abu Ahmed on Monday. “Right now, the economy is in a very depressed condition--this is not a sustainable way to run an economy. The biggest challenge for Bangladesh going forward will be to pull the economy out of depression,” he said. Speaking at the 12th ICSB National Award ceremony at a city hotel, Abu Ahmed said when he took charge of the state-owned ICB, the institution was in a fragile condition and still has to rely on government financial support to operate. “This is not just the picture of ICB. The entire economy of Bangladesh has slipped into depression,” he said. He alleged that for years, loss-making institutions were portrayed as profitable ones, budgets were inflated and revenue collection was shown as satisfactory through exaggerated and misleading data. “We are now paying the price for providing wrong information about the economy. The main task of future governments will be to revive the economy and steer it in the right direction. Any attempt to hide the current economic reality will push the country towards even greater danger,” he warned. Bangladesh Bank approves Tk 3,000 crore low-interest loan for ICB Referring to Bangladesh’s growing debt burden, the ICB chairman said the country has fallen into a debt trap, with external debt nearing $110 billion, compared to less than $50 billion a decade ago. “This can no longer be allowed to increase,” he added. Abu Ahmed expressed optimism that if transparency is restored in economic management, all sectors of the country will gradually recover.