United News of Bangladesh

For nearly 20 long hours, the people of Koelhat village in Tanore upazila have been living in fear, worry and helplessness.  Two-year-old Sajid, who slipped into an abandoned deep tube well pipe on Wednesday afternoon, is still missing underground, and rescue teams have yet to reach him. By 9:30am on Thursday, firefighters said there was still no sign of movement inside the pipe.  The long night that passed brought no relief. Sajid’s family and villagers stayed awake, their faces stiff with hope and anxiety. The Fire Service said the little boy fell into an 8-inch-wide pipe, too narrow for anyone to enter.  Rescuers dug a larger hole beside it, using three excavators to create a tunnel that could lead to the child. But even after hours of work, they have not been able to find him, said Didarul Alam, Assistant Director of the Rajshahi Fire Service. “We are trying every possible method,” he told UNB on Thursday morning from the site, his voice carrying the weight of the tense rescue effort. A special camera was lowered into the pipe to look for Sajid, but it got stuck around 40 feet deep. It showed no trace of the child.  Fire Service officials believe he may be somewhere around that depth, and they are continuously supplying oxygen into the pipe in an effort to keep him alive. Witnesses had earlier reported hearing faint sounds from inside the pipe soon after the accident.  But by nightfall, the cries fell silent, leaving rescuers and villagers deeply worried about whether the child is still alive. The tragedy began around 1pm on Wednesday, when Sajid was walking behind his mother on their way home.     

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed left the Secretariat around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday after being held for nearly six hours by non-cadre service staff. He was escorted out with police assistance. The mostly non-cadre service employees had confined Dr. Ahmed in his office on the fourth floor of Building 11 from 2:30 p.m., insisting on a 20 percent “Secretariat Allowance” for all staff employed there. Before releasing him, a specialized police unit entered the office and attempted to disperse the staff using bamboo sticks, leading to scuffles between the protesters and police. Staff members raised slogans against the authorities during the confrontation. Ministry of Finance sources said a government notification regarding the Secretariat allowance for employees will be issued on Thursday. One of the protesters confirmed that they left the office after receiving assurance that the notification would be issued by 3pm on Thursday. The protest began around 2:30 pm, led by Badiul Kabir, president of a section of the Secretariat Employees’ Association. Protesters remained outside the adviser’s office, chanting slogans and demanding the allowance, insisting they would not leave until the Gazette notification was issued. Additional law enforcement personnel were deployed around the adviser’s office and on the lower floors of Building 11 during the standoff, with some officers moving to the fourth floor after evening.

The hanging body of a police sub-inspector was recovered from the CID Training Centre (DTS) in the capital's Paltan on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Aftab Uddin Regan, a resident of Moulvibazar district.  He was serving in the Cyber and Special branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB). Shamim Hasan, Sub-Inspector of Paltan Police Station, said they received information about the incident and went to the scene. The door was broken open, and Regan’s body was recovered. His body was later sent to Dhaka Medical College morgue for autopsy. Regan joined the 35th Outside Cadet Sub-Inspector batch after completing training in 2017. He was staying at the CID Training Centre dormitory for ongoing training.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has waived excise duty on air tickets for Bangladeshi pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj in 2026. The move is aimed at reducing overall pilgrimage expenses and making the holy journey more accessible for ordinary worshippers. According to an official notification issued on December 7, 2025, the NBR granted full exemption from excise duty applicable for air tickets for all outbound and inbound Hajj flights in 2026. The exemption mirrors a similar measure taken for the 2025 Hajj season. Officials said the government’s decision is part of its broader initiative to reduce Hajj-related costs and support devout Muslims who aspire to perform the pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia to allow 78,500 Bangladeshis for 2026 Hajj By lifting the duty, each pilgrim is expected to save around Tk 5,000 on their air travel. The NBR noted that the waiver reflects the government’s commitment to facilitating a smoother, more affordable Hajj experience, while upholding the welfare of citizens undertaking one of the most significant religious obligations in Islam.    

Mobile phone traders blocked the Sonargaon crossing in the capital’s Karwan Bazar area on Wednesday evening demanding the reform of the proposed National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) policy, triggering severe traffic congestion that spread to other parts of Dhaka. Tejgaon Traffic Police ADC Tania Sultana said the traders took position at Sonargaon crossing around 6pm and obstructed vehicular movement, causing gridlock on major connecting roads. The blockade brought traffic to a standstill at the busy intersection, with the impact spilling over into several adjoining areas.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that Bangladesh is carrying out administrative and legal reforms, but meaningful transformation will require time, sustained effort, and political continuity. “We are working to reform both the administration and the legal system. But when a country ranks 179 out of 180 in environmental performance, it does not rise to 50th place in a single year. That does not happen overnight,” she said while speaking at the Biennial General Meeting of Friends of the Earth International held at BRAC CDM in Savar on Wednesday. “If Bangladesh remains persistent for five to seven years and moves even to around 73rd position, it would then be easier for an elected government to take the process further,” she added. She mentioned that the present administration inherited a near-collapsed system—one that was neither responsive nor functioning. “Our first challenge was to make it minimally functional, and then initiate change. We have only begun that journey and are far from completion. But crucial steps have been taken, and these must continue beyond this interim period,” she said. Speaking on accountability, she stressed that ensuring justice for victims of political violence is an immediate priority.

Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan and Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam have submitted their resignation letters. Chief Adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters about their resignation at the state guest house Jamuna on Wednesday evening. The Chief Adviser accepted the resignation letters, which will take effect once the Election Commission announces the election schedule. Election schedule to be announced Thursday evening After accepting the resignations of the two former student leaders, who played a leading role in the July uprising, the Chief Adviser wished them well in their future endeavours. “The way you led the uprising and contributed to freeing the nation from fascist rule will be remembered. I believe you will continue to play an active role in the democratic transition and its development in the future,” said Prof Yunus. Prof Yunus  said, “Today is a historic day. The interim government will always remember your contributions. I wish you a bright and prosperous future. The nation will never forget what you have given in such a short time. This is only a transition. I hope you will make even greater contributions on a broader stage in the future.”

A two-day defence dialogue between Bangladesh and the United States began on Wednesday at the Bangladesh Armed Forces Division. Military delegations from Bangladesh and the United States are participating in the 12th defence dialogue, said an ISPR press release. The dialogue is considered highly significant for strengthening military cooperation between the two nations, it said. The talks will also cover a range of issues including global and regional security, defense technology, military equipment, disaster response, peacekeeping operations, training, inspections, joint exercises, and workshops. Brigadier General Muhammad Ali Haider Siddiqui, Director General of Operations and Plans at the Armed Forces Division is leading the Bangladesh delegation while Brigadier General Sarah Helen Russ is heading the US delegation. Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Border Guard Bangladesh, Bangladesh Coast Guard, and other agencies are also attending the discussions on behalf of Bangladesh. The dialogue will contribute to advancing military cooperation and further consolidating the friendship between Bangladesh and the United States, it added.    

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Wednesday expressed optimism that the country’s caretaker government system and the independence of the judiciary will remain protected even after the change of government. “Hopefully, these two fundamental pillars of governance will stay secure and remain unchangeable,” he said while speaking at a programme marking Human Rights Day 2025 at Hotel Intercontinental in the capital. He said the caretaker government system is already safeguarded by the Supreme Court’s verdict, while the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance now has the Supreme Court itself as its guardian. “These two issues form the fundamental guarantees for advancing human rights,” he said, adding that recent legal measures—such as the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance and the Prevention of Disappearances Ordinance—will further strengthen accountability and state institutions. He also pledged to stand with civil society in defending these laws after he leaves office. Referring to the Police Commission Ordinance, he said that although a fully strong commission could not be established, its formation is expected to create positive pressure on the government as an independent body. Nazrul highlighted several achievements, including the speedy trial process, expanded legal aid, and service-delivery reforms at the local level. He urged all stakeholders to safeguard the reforms already achieved and work collectively to build a more developed Bangladesh. Adviser to the Ministry of Housing and Industries Adilur Rahman Khan, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Secretary Dr Hafiz Ahmed Chowdhury, UNDP Bangladesh Representative Stefan Liller, and Swiss Embassy Representative Alberto Giovanetti also spoke at the event.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said although Bangladesh has designed many strong and promising poverty-reduction plans over the years, their implementation has remained ‘very poor’ due to inefficiency, corruption and procedural bottlenecks. “Our plans are well-designed, but implementation is terribly weak. Because of inefficiency, corruption and legal complexities, many good initiatives never see the light of day,” he said on Wednesday at a workshop titled Rural Livelihood Transformation and Inclusive Resilience Initiatives organised by the Social Development Foundation (SDF) at a city hotel. “The country’s poverty rate continued to decline until 2010 but started rising again after 2022. Alongside managing existing poverty, the government must now prepare strategies for those falling into poverty every day,” he added. Praising SDF’s initiatives, Salehuddin said, “SDF’s activities began under my watch. Over the years, their work has become visible and rural women are benefiting.” About addressing rising urban poverty, he said the pressure on cities would ease if the rural sector could be made more attractive and urbanisation more decentralised. “This will make decentralised development easier,” he observed. The adviser also pointed to the weaknesses in beneficiary selection for social protection programmes. “Although selection has improved, coverage must expand. Stakeholder participation is crucial here,” he said. Calling for a stronger role from NGOs, the adviser criticised their lending practices. “NGOs provide loans of Tk 4-5 lakh to middle-income groups because they can recover the money with interest. As a result, the ultra-poor remain excluded. NGOs must bring the poorest under their lending programmes,” he said. Finance Division Secretary Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder admitted that poverty has increased. “There is no denying that poverty has risen. While it cannot be eradicated entirely, efforts to reduce it continue.” He said the government plans to continue working with the SDF as it used its Covid-era grants effectively and that the government plans to continue working with the organisation. Nazma Mobarek, Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division (FID), described Bangladesh as being in a ‘critical phase’ of poverty alleviation, saying many poor families still cannot access social safety services due to planning gaps and failures in targeted implementation. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), stressed the need for incorporating climate vulnerability into SDF’s programmes. “If a beneficiary is affected by climate-induced disasters, there must be an insurance mechanism for future support,” he said. Chairman of the  Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, in his keynote presentation, said only 37 percent of the country’s poor receive government assistance, leaving the majority — 63 percent — outside support systems. Similarly, he said, only 27 percent of the poor receive assistance from NGOs. SDF Chairman Muhammad Abdul Mazid, in his remarks, said Bangladesh is undergoing a major transition and expressed the hope that the SDF will move forward in step with this transformation.