United News of Bangladesh

A special operation by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has revealed evidence of almost Tk 9 crore in potential revenue evasion by United Tobacco Industries Ltd, a cigarette manufacturer based in Ishwardi. The drive was carried out by a team from the VAT Intelligence and Investigation Directorate following information obtained from confidential sources, according to a NBR press release. Although the company possessed a valid VAT registration, investigators found that it had long been concealing its formal production activities while secretly manufacturing and marketing cigarettes—thereby evading a substantial amount of revenue. During the raid, the VAT intelligence team seized 634,590 sticks of cigarettes bearing counterfeit banderols, with a market value of more than Tk 38 lakh. Against these products, the government was deprived of approximately Tk 29 lakh in revenue, officials said. Investigators also recovered 1,029,000 pieces of unused counterfeit banderols/stamps, which—had they been used—could have facilitated additional revenue evasion amounting to over Tk 8.5 crore, according to NBR estimates. Although the company had legally collected 322,500 pieces of authentic banderols, it reportedly chose not to use them. Instead, it continued producing and selling cigarettes using counterfeit banderols to avoid paying due taxes. All seized cigarettes and materials have been taken into custody following legal procedures, and formal action against the company is already under way. Officials said a full investigation report will be submitted soon based on documents recovered during the raid. The relevant VAT Commissionerate has also been instructed to intensify monitoring of the company’s production and sales activities.

A Pakistani national, who had been in prison  since September 29, 1999 in a narcotics case, was released from Kashimpur central jail in Gazipur on Thursday. The Pakistani national, Rois Khan, 55, son of Dean Mohammad of Karachi, was freed from  Kashimpur Central Jail-2 in the afternoon, said Senior Jail Super Md AL Mamun. He was handed over to representatives of Pakistan High Commission in the presence of officials from the Special Branch. He had been serving the jail term in a case filed under the Narcotics Control Act with Ramna Police Station. On July 7, 2005, a court sentenced him to jail. Although his jail term expired on September 24 this year, he remained in custody as a released prisoner awaiting repatriation.  

Police on Thursday dispersed activists of several left-leaning political parties as they attempted to proceed toward the Chief Adviser’s Jamuna residence demanding cancellation of lease agreements for Laldia and Pangaon terminals and lease process of profitable port facilities including New Mooring and Patenga terminals. The protest was jointly organised by the Left Democratic Alliance, Anti-Fascist Left Front, Bangladesh JASAD and the National Ganafront. The left-leaning political parties gathered in front of the Jatiya Press Club around 11:30am and began marching towards Kakrail via Paltan, Bijoynagar, and Nightingale intersection. Around 12:30pm, police blocked the road with barricades at Kakrail. When protesters tried to move towards CA’s residence police obstructed them, triggering a scuffle, leaving 15-20 participants injured. The protesters later held a brief rally at Kakrail intersection. They also demanded disclosure and cancellation of all ‘secret and unequal agreements’ signed with the United States and India. Leftist student fronts accused of instigating protest after DU eviction drives Bazlur Rashid Firoz, coordinator of the Left Democratic Alliance and general secretary of BSD, announced a protest rally at 4 pm on Saturday in front of the Jatiya Press Club, describing Thursday’s incident as an ‘unprovoked police attack’ on their peaceful march. Among others, CPB general secretary Abdullah Kafi Ratan; JASAD (Ambia) president Sharif Nurul Ambia; Samajtantrik Sramik Front president Rajebuzzaman Ratan and Ganotantrik Biplobi Party general secretary Mosharrafa Mishu spoke.  

Three  more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Thursday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 394 this year. During the same period, 565 new patients were admitted to hospitals, raising the total number of dengue cases this year to 96,627, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The new fatalities were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). Last year, dengue claimed 575 lives, with 101,214 cases and 100,040 recoveries recorded during the same period.  

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Thursday said only former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, as of now, is entitled to receive the prescribed facilities designated for a ‘very, very important person’ (VVIP) of the State. The government has declared Khaleda Zia a VVIP and deployed members of the Special Security Force to ensure her safety. “A gazette notification in this regard has already been issued…as of now the facilities are being provided to Begum Khaleda Zia,” said Adviser Rizwana while responding to a question during a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy. There had been speculations over whether these facilities were also being extended to her family members. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder also spoke at the briefing, which highlighted the outcomes of the Council of Advisers’ meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. Responding to a question, DPS Azad said, “You are aware that assurance has been given from the government regarding all kinds of cooperation (for Khaleda) and the government will do that if any assistance is sought on behalf of the BNP.” Prof Yunus visited the Evercare Hospital in the city Wednesday evening (December 03, 2025) to see three-time former Prime Minister, former President’s wife and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. He spent around 30 minutes at the hospital after 7pm and enquired about her health condition. Prof Yunus urged Khaleda Zia's family and party leaders and activists to be patient, and reiterated the government's assurance of all kinds of cooperation. The Chief Adviser called on the people of the country to pray for Khaleda Zia's speedy recovery. Khaleda Zia will be flown to London for advanced medical treatment, either at midnight on Thursday or Friday morning, her personal physician and party standing committee member AZM Zahid Hossain said on Thursday. The decision was made unanimously by a medical board comprising local and foreign specialists, he told reporters at a press briefing in front of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. “She will be taken to London by a Qatar Royal air ambulance. We have selected a hospital in London for her treatment and, InshAllah, we will take her there,” he said. He said several specialist doctors and two foreign physicians will accompany Khaleda Zia during her trip to the UK. Regarding her current health condition, Zahid said every step has been taken strictly following the recommendations of the medical board. “They advised that sending her to London at this stage is the most appropriate. We hope she will recover and return to us,” he added. Dr Zahid sought prayers from the nation for her quick recovery. BNP sources said the Emir of Qatar has assured full cooperation in facilitating her transfer abroad. All arrangements have been completed to bring an air ambulance from Qatar to take Khaleda Zia to London for better treatment, said BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Amanul Haq Chowdhury. On January 8, Khaleda Zia travelled to London in a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar for advanced medical treatment and returned home on May 6by the air special ambulance. Khaleda Zia to be flown to UK for advanced treatment: Fakhrul The former prime minister has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 after being admitted with multiple health complications. As her condition worsened, she was moved to the Coronary Care Unit on November 27, where she is still under close monitoring. Doctors said Khaleda Zia is receiving intensive care for several complications related to her liver, kidneys and heart. A medical board, led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, is supervising her treatment with support from specialist physicians.    

Three buses were burnt as a fire broke out at the BRTC bus depot in Sonapur of Noakhali district town early Thursday. Md Arifur Rahman tushar, manager of BRTC Sonapur, said the fire broke out at the bus depot around 2:30 am. He also suspected the incident as an act of sabotage. On information, two firefighting units rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze, said assistant director of Noakhali Fire Service and civil Defense, Farid Uddin. The fire burnt down a double decker bus of Noakhali Science and Technology University fully and the upper portion of two buses—Gulbahar and Maloti—at the depot, he said. What caused the fire could not be known immediately,said the fire service official.    

A man was shot and wounded in a reported gun attack by miscreants at Palashbari in Ashulia of Savar on Wednesday night. The victim was identified as Simanto Hossain, a worker of Gildan Garment in Baipail area of Ashulia. Jalal Uddin, Officer-in-Charge of Dhaka DB (Uttar), said the miscreants opened fire on Shimanto over a trifling matter on Wednesday night, leaving him injured. Later, he was taken to the local hospital. Police also arrested four people- Abdul Mannan Patowari, Monowar Hossain Titu, Al Amin Swapan and Julhas Mia- over  their suspected involvement in the attack from the area on Wednesday night. Police also recovered arms and ammunition from their possession. A case was filed in this connection on Thursday.  

Three women were killed as a speeding truck overturned and fell on them along Karikandi–Rajapur road in Titas upazila of Cumilla district on Thursday noon. The deceased were identified as Rina Akter, 35, wife of Shukkur Ali; Rozina Akter, 30, wife of Imon Miah; and Samshun Nahar, 40, wife of Faruk Miah. Of them, Rozina and Nahar were sisters-in-law while Rina was their nephew’s wife. According to locals, when the three women were bathing in the Titas River the empty truck heading from Rajapur to Korikandi Bazar overturned in front of Imon Mia’s house and fell on them. Rina and Rozina died on the spot while locals rescued Shamsun Nahar in critical condition and took her to the Titas Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared her dead, said Khaled Saifullah, Officer-in-Charge of Titas Police Station.  

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will be flown to London for advanced medical treatment, either at midnight on Thursday or Friday morning, her personal physician and party standing committee member AZM Zahid Hossain said on Thursday. The decision was made unanimously by a medical board comprising local and foreign specialists, he told reporters at a press briefing in front of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. “She will be taken to London by a Qatar Royal air ambulance. We have selected a hospital in London for her treatment and, InshAllah, we will take her there,” he said. He said several specialist doctors and two foreign physicians will accompany Khaleda Zia during her trip to the UK. Qatar air ambulance set to fly Khaleda to London: BNP Adviser Regarding her current health condition, Zahid said every step has been taken strictly following the recommendations of the medical board. “They advised that sending her to London at this stage is the most appropriate. We hope she will recover and return to us,” he added. Dr Zahid sought prayers from the nation for her quick recovery. BNP sources said the Emir of Qatar has assured full cooperation in facilitating her transfer abroad. All arrangements have been completed to bring an air ambulance from Qatar to take Khaleda Zia to London for better treatment, said BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Amanul Haq Chowdhury. On January 8, Khaleda Zia travelled to London in a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar for advanced medical treatment and returned home on May 6by the air special ambulance. The former prime minister has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 after being admitted with multiple health complications. As her condition worsened, she was moved to the Coronary Care Unit on November 27, where she is still under close monitoring. Doctors said Khaleda Zia is receiving intensive care for several complications related to her liver, kidneys and heart. Prayers nationwide on Friday for Khaleda Zia’s recovery: Rizvi A medical board, led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, is supervising her treatment with support from specialist physicians. The government has declared Khaleda Zia a ‘Very Very Important Person’ and deployed members of the Special Security Force to ensure her safety.

All arrangements have been completed to bring an air ambulance from Qatar to take Khaleda Zia to London for better treatment, said BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Amanul Haq Chowdhury on Thursday. The air ambulance may arrive tonight (Thursday night) and the medical board will decide when she will be flown to London, he told UNB. “We hope she will be taken to London tomorrow,” he said. Prayers nationwide on Friday for Khaleda Zia’s recovery: Rizvi On January 8, Khaleda Zia travelled to London in a special air ambulance sent by the Amir of Qatar for advanced medical treatment and returned home on May 6by the air special ambulance.