United News of Bangladesh

Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan has announced plans to revive sugar mills that were closed during the previous fascist government. He made the remarks on Friday during the inauguration of the 88th sugarcane crushing season (2025–26) at Carew & Co (Bangladesh) Ltd in Darshana upazila of Chuadanga. “During the previous fascist administration, many industrial units across the country, especially sugar mills, were shut down one after another. We have now taken the initiative to reopen them and some mills are already operational,” the adviser said. The official opening of the crushing season was marked by the ceremonial cane toss at the mill’s Can Carrier (Donga) facility in the afternoon. Prior to the ceremony, an inaugural function, discussion session, and prayer gathering were held on the mill premises. Chaired by Rashidul Hasan, chairman of Bangladesh Sugar & Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC), Khulna Range DIG Md. Rezaul Haque, Deputy Commissioner of the district Mohammad Kamal Hossain, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Monirul Islam, and the mill’s Managing Director Md. Rabbik Hasan, among others, were present at the events. He said the mill’s modernisation and replacement of sugarcane crushing and sugar production machinery under the BMRI project will begin soon. “I had expected BMRI to be operational today (Friday) but a few tasks remain. Authorities have assured me it will be activated shortly, and we aim to launch it very soon,” Adilur said. He added that the government has already adopted a practical five-year roadmap to address the issues of sugarcane farmers, laborers, and temporary workers, while also boosting production. The adviser said their commitment is not only to keep the mills running but also to increase production, modernize facilities, protect workers’ rights and safeguard farmers’ interests.  

A 60-year-old man was killed after being hit by a pickup van on his way to attend Juma prayers in Alamdanga upazila of Chuadanga on Friday. The deceased was identified as Abul Kalam Azad, son of late Daud Pramanik of Nagarboalia village. The accident occurred in front of Nagarboalia graveyard on the Hatboalia–Bhalaipur road, shortly before Juma prayers. Family members and locals said he was heading to the village mosque by bicycle when the pickup van struck him from behind, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to Alamdanga Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead upon arrival. The pickup van fled the scene after the crash while police visited the spot shortly after the incident. Officer-in-charge of Alamdanga Police Station Masudur Rahman said CCTV footage from the road was being reviewed to identify the vehicle and legal action would be taken accordingly.

A man was killed and five others were injured when a truck and a microbus collided in Farhadabad area of Hathazari upazila in Chattogram on Friday morning. The deceased was identified as Md Kawser. Details about him could not be known. Sub-inspector Md Shahed of Nazirhat Highway Police Station said both vehicles collided in front of Farhadabad High School on Hathazari–Nazirhat regional road, leaving one dead on the spot and five others injured. Later, locals rescued the injured and rushed them to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH), he said, adding that the vehicles were seized in this connection. Alauddin, sub-inspector posted at the hospital police outpost, said the injured are undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Three people, including two women, were killed and four others injured when a speeding bus rammed into a battery-run easybike in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district on Friday. The accident occurred around 12pm at Kaidubi-Sadardi rail crossing on Faridpur–Bhanga–Barishal highway, said highway police. The deceased were identified as three-year-old Raihan, his mother Rimu Akter, and his grandmother Nurjahan, 50, of Purbosadardi village in Gharua union of Bhanga upazila. Sub-Inspector Sohel Mia of Bhanga Highway Police Station said the three-wheeler was heading towards Chumurdi union from Bhanga Sadar when the speeding bus of New Modern Paribahan coming from the opposite direction hit it, leaving three people dead on the spot and injuring four others. Three-year-old girl dies in road accident in Sherpur The injured were taken to Bhanga Upazila Health Complex but their identities are yet to be ascertained, he said. Police seized the bus and efforts were underway to detain the accused, the police official added.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast a slight fall in night temperatures across the country, with readings expected to drop by 1–2°C. “Night temperatures may fall by 1–2°C, while day temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged over the country,” the Met office said in its regular bulletin on Friday morning. The department also warned of light fog in some areas during the early morning. Otherwise, the weather is expected to remain dry with temporarily partly cloudy skies. A ridge of sub-continental high pressure extends up to West Bengal and adjoining areas, while a seasonal low over the South Bay, extending its trough to the northeast Bay, read the bulletin.

Bangladesh has successfully vaccinated over 42.5 million children in the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) Campaign 2025, achieving more than 97% coverage nationwide, UNICEF notified on Thursday. Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh, called the achievement a national breakthrough and said it makes Bangladesh the eighth country in the world to launch this life-saving campaign. “This remarkable success shows the government’s strong commitment to protecting children from preventable illness and families from emotional and financial burdens,” she said. The campaign is crucial as a recent Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics survey found only 39.3% of people have access to safely managed drinking water. Nearly half of water sources and over 80% of household water samples are contaminated with E. coli, putting millions of children at daily risk of typhoid. UNICEF supported the government with planning, vaccine supply, cold chain strengthening, digital tools, and training of frontline health workers. The agency also worked on community engagement through TV, radio, social media, and partnerships with organizations like the Islamic Foundation, reaching over 120 million people. Bangladesh launches nationwide typhoid vaccine campaign, aiming to cover 50 million children Flowers highlighted that the campaign reached all children, including those in remote areas, children with disabilities, underprivileged communities, ethnic minorities, and over 424,000 children in Rohingya camps. She thanked the government, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Expanded Programme on Immunization, Gavi, WHO, other partners, parents, and the media for their support in making the campaign a success. “Vaccinating children is a promise of health, protection, and hope. This campaign brings Bangladesh closer to a typhoid-free future for every child,” she added.  

The Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) and the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday to jointly accelerate initiatives in education, research, and training. The signing ceremony took place at the Petrobangla Board Room at Karwan Bazar in the capital. This five-year agreement, which is automatically renewable for another five years, is expected to significantly strengthen the collaboration and foster a deeper, long-term partnership between the industry leader and the top-tier engineering university The core aims of the MoU are- Enhancing information exchange between Petrobangla and BUET faculty and students to accelerate research activities. BUET will be granted access to relevant information for research, excluding confidential data pertinent to national security. Facilitating the mutual exchange of knowledge, technology, and experience Supporting the professional skill development of personnel and promoting knowledge enhancement through meetings, seminars, and workshops. Allowing practical application of academic research through access to industry laboratories, software, and opportunities to visit operational sites, including drilling sites, seismic survey operations, process plants, and mines. The collaboration is also expected to use real-world industrial experience to strengthen BUET's academic curriculum, playing a significant role in meeting future industry needs. The signing ceremony was graced by Professor Abu Borhan Mohammad Badruzzaman, the Vice-Chancellor of BUET, and Md. Rezanur Rahman, the Chairman of Petrobangla. The MoU was signed by Md. Amzad Hossain, Secretary (Senior General Manager) on behalf of Petrobangla, and Professor Dr. Mohammad Shariful Islam, Director of the Research and Innovation Centre for Science and Engineering (RISE), on behalf of BUET. Directors and senior officials of Petrobangla, as well as BUET's Deputy Director of RISE, were also in attendance.

Speakers at a dialogue in Dhaka have highlighted the importance of ensuring sustained, inclusive and accountable approaches to security sector reform in Bangladesh. They reaffirmed that effective police reform, democratic oversight, constructive media engagement and the integration of gender and human rights are essential pillars for building a transparent, accountable and people-centered security sector. Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS), in strategic partnership with the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), hosted the high-level conference recently as part of a dialogue on strengthening democratic security governance. BIPSS President Maj Gen ANM Muniruzzaman (retd) has described Bangladesh as navigating a crucial period of institutional evolution and reform, which requires a fundamental re-evaluation of key governance pillars. He emphasised that this transition necessitates a fundamental re-evaluation of all key governance pillars and the security sector, given its expansive mandate, requires urgent attention to enhance its effectiveness, ensure professional standards and rebuild public trust. The BIPSS President made the remarks while addressing a conference titled ‘Security Sector Reform (SSR): Challenges, Opportunities, and Pathways Forward’ held recently. The BIPSS and DCAF expressed commitment to continuing dialogue and cooperation to advance meaningful security sector governance reforms in Bangladesh. The conference brought together retired senior police and military officers, diplomats, academics, journalists, civil society representatives, political leaders, private security professionals and young researchers to critically assess the future of policing and security governance in Bangladesh, said the BIPPS on Thursday. The session one examined the Police Reform Commission’s recommendations across several thematic pillars, including human rights and accountability, legal and operational modernization, anti-corruption measures, human resources and welfare, gender equity, and the use of technology to rebuild public trust. Participants recognized the technical strength of these proposals but stressed that implementation remains the greatest challenge. Bangladesh, other CSC members discuss regional security, counterterrorism Highlighting the broader strategic gaps in the reform process, the President of BIPSS said there is a critical need to establish a unified and comprehensive strategic security framework, such as a National Security Policy (NSP) and a central coordination mechanism (NSC), to provide consistent strategic direction and improve inter-agency alignment. This was followed by the second session on Democratic Control, Oversight, and Accountability, moderated by DCAF. The discussion emphasised strengthening governance, oversight, and professional accountability across the security sector by utilizing institutional mechanisms such as legislative oversight, judicial review and independent commissions. Participants emphasised the importance of parliamentary oversight, judicial review, independent commissions, and civil society engagement in preventing abuse of power and ensuring responsible security governance. The discussion also highlighted the relevance of gender-sensitive oversight and alignment with constitutional and legal safeguards. The second day of the event centered on the Security Sector, Gender, and the Role of Media. The session on Security Sector and Media Relations, moderated by Raheed Ejaz, Diplomatic Correspondent, Prothom Alo, examined ways to enhance transparency and communication between the security sector and the media. Discussions addressed the media’s role in shaping public perception, supporting accountability, and acting as a democratic watchdog, while also emphasizing the need for responsible reporting and access to verified information to improve public trust. The final session on Security Sector, Gender, and Human Rights, moderated by Dr Marufa Akhter, Associate Professor and Chairman, Department of Global Studies and Governance, Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB), focused on integrating gender perspectives into security operations, upholding human rights standards, and addressing gender-based violence within the security context. Participants stressed the importance of institutional gender mainstreaming, survivor-centered approaches, and accountability mechanisms to ensure inclusive and rights-based security services. The discussion also underscored the need for gender-responsive training, leadership representation and protection of vulnerable populations. Shafqat Munir, Senior Fellow at BIPSS, highlighted the need for revamping the entire national security architecture in Bangladesh and the urgent need to create a national security task force once a new government takes over. The conference was attended by senior national officials, representive or paramilitary forces, Bangladesh police, private security industry, former ambassadors, members of media and civil society, academics among others.  

The Council of Advisers on Thursday (December 04) approved the draft Police Commission Ordinance-2025, aiming to make the police more people-friendly one. Once the ordinance is promulgated, there will be a five-member commission under it, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge and the commission will make recommendations to the government on issues such as investigating and resolving citizen complaints, resolving grievances of police members. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus chaired the meeting the Chief Adviser’s Office. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy after the meeting. Read more: Prof Yunus urges police to ensure ‘festive, peaceful historic election’ Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder also spoke at the briefing. Adviser Rizwana said the commission members will be a retired district judge, a retired officer not below the rank of Additional Inspector General of Police, a professor of a university who can be working or retired and a person with at least 15 years of experience in human rights and good governance. Responding to a question, she said the names of the commission members will come through a selection committee and the government will make appointments based on that. Regarding the purpose of the formation of the commission, the Adviser said the police will be made people-friendly and people-oriented and this commission will work in collaboration with the government. Read more: 64 districts get SPs through lottery: Home Adviser   The commission will recommend to the government what needs to be done to ensure that the police can work free from influence. Besides, the commission will also identify where the police need to be modernized and what kind of training is needed to make the police human rights sensitive. The meeting of the Council of Advisers also approved the proposal to amend the Representation of the People Order (RPO). The meeting also approved the draft of the National Regulatory Authority Ordinance on building construction. Read more: Bangladesh sees crime spike ahead of polls; police stress preparedness The meeting gave in-principle approval to the Hi-Tech Park Authority Amendment Ordinance.

Gas supply to the national grid has begun from Well No. 5 of the Habiganj gas field following completion of its workover operations. Petrobangla Chairman Reza Noor Rahman inaugurated the supply to the grid on Wednesday afternoon. The well, located in the Raghu­nandan area of Habiganj, was drilled in 1988. It is currently supplying 14 million cubic feet of gas per day to the national grid. After the workover, production is expected to rise to 26 million cubic feet per day. Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Ltd. undertook the workover due to complications in the well, including water intrusion. The operation began on October 24 and was completed on November 27, at a cost of Tk 75 crore.