United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad 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, a senior official at the Chief Adviser’s Office told UNB. Read more: Army, BAF helicopters to conduct trial landing, takeoff near Evercare Hospital 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. National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman accompanied the Chief Adviser during the visit.

The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB) has launched a major digital transformation initiative to deliver high-quality CMA professional education across the country. The initiative aims to provide modern, affordable and easily accessible learning opportunities for students in both urban centres and remote areas, according to a media statement. The newly established digital classroom was inaugurated on Tuesday at the ICMAB Bhaban in the capital’s Nilkhet. The ICMAB said that the digitalization of CMA education will significantly expand learning accessibility across Bangladesh, allowing students to access live and recorded classes, high-quality academic resources, and a uniform learning experience regardless of location. This transformation is expected to play a vital role in developing skilled professionals for the financial, industrial, and corporate sectors, thereby contributing to the country’s long-term economic growth. Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunication and Information Technology attended the ceremony as Chief Guest. Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Secretary, Finance Division, Ministry of Finance, and Md. Abdur Rahman Khan, Secretary, Internal Resources Division (IRD) & Chairman, National Board of Revenue (NBR), Ministry of Finance attended as Special Guests. ICMAB President Mahtab Uddin Ahmed FCMA was also present at the event. Council members, faculty, trainers, students, and media representatives participated in the ceremony. ICMAB President Mahtab Uddin Ahmed FCMA said that By introducing modern, technology-enabled learning, ICMAB is ensuring that students from every corner of Bangladesh can access the same high-quality CMA education. “The CMA qualification can be a strong and cost-effective alternative to a traditional MBA degree, offering practical, industry-relevant skills for the financial and corporate sectors. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors who continue to stand beside us and invest in education. Their support is enabling us to build an inclusive, future-ready professional community.” The initiative is supported by several leading corporate partners, including United Group, BSRM, Ispahani Group, and TK Group.

Bangladesh has dispatched emergency humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah which triggered sudden floods and landslides. As per the directive of the Chief Adviser and with coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overall supervision of the Armed Forces Division, a Bangladesh Air Force C-130J transport aircraft departed for Colombo on Wednesday carrying emergency relief materials, said an ISPR release on Wednesday. The mission included 15 BAF crew members, one representative from the Armed Forces Division and one official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Air Commodore Mohammad Shahidul Islam of the Bangladesh Air Force is leading the mission as the Mission Commander. A total of around 10 tonnes of relief materials including tents, dry food, mosquito nets, torchlights, gumboots, vests, hand gloves, rescue helmets and a large quantity of essential medicines were sent.  

An  international exhibition, 'Leathertech Bangladesh 2025,' showcasing the leather industry, footwear manufacturing machinery, various shoe components, chemicals, and ancillary products, will begin in Dhaka on Thursday. The three day expo will run from December 4 to 6 operating daily from 11am to 7pm at the Expo Village of the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital. This year's event will feature approximately 200 domestic and foreign companies displaying their products, said organisers. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmood bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), will attended the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest, they said. Syed Nasim Manzur, President of the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association (LFMEAB), will be present as a Special Guest.  Representatives from industry associations in Bangladesh, China, India, and Pakistan are also expected to attend the event. The exhibition will feature separate pavilions for several major industry bodies, including the Council for Leather Exports India (CLE), the Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA), the India Footwear Components Manufacturers Association (IFCOMA), and the Guangdong Shoe-making Machinery Association (GSMA) of China. Leading local industry associations, including the LFMEAB, are providing support for various aspects of the exhibition.  

Senior lawyer ZI Khan Panna sought an unconditional apology for his inability to represent as defence lawyer of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in two separate cases filed for crimes against humanity including enforced disappearances. Replacing ZI Khan, the International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder appointed Md Amir Hossain as the state-appointed defence lawyer. On November 23, the tribunal appointed ZI Panna as state defence counsel for Hasina in the two cases. However, he later sent a letter to the tribunal registrar stating that he would not be able to represent her. After learning this, the tribunal summoned him on Wednesday. Arriving in a wheelchair with several lawyers, Panna told the tribunal that he wished to withdraw from representing Hasina due to physical illness. Chief Prosecutor of ICT Mohammad Tajul Islam began hearing in the enforced disappearance case on Wednesday. Later, the tribunal made a phone call to Panna and asked him to appear and explain his inability. After appearing before the court, Panna said, “I am physically unwell. I have already sent a letter to the registrar stating that I will not stand in this case.” Court denies bail to Latif Siddique, Panna On October 8, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 issued arrest warrants against Sheikh Hasina, her security adviser retired Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique, five former DGFI directors general and 30 others in two cases filed over crimes against humanity and enforced disappearance. On October 11, Bangladesh Army said 15 serving officers had been taken into custody. Among the 30 accused, 25 were former or current army officers—nine retired, one on LPR, and 15 serving. Later, on October 12, the Home Ministry issued a notification temporarily declaring a building inside Dhaka Cantonment as a jail.  

Five more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Wednesday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 391 this year. The recent fatalities occurred in the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Mymensingh Division, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). During the period, 490 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, raising the number of confirmed cases to 96, 067 this year. Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. According to the DGHS, there were 101,214 dengue cases and 100,040 recoveries in the same year.    

The Traffic Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has filed 1,853 cases for violating traffic rules in different parts of the capital on Tuesday. During the drives, DMP filed 272 cases under Motijheel zone, 197 cases in Wari zone, 224 cases in Tejgaon zone, 351 in Gulshan zone, 232 in Uttara zone, 92 in Ramna zone, 149 in Lalbagh zone  and 336  in Mirpur zone, said deputy commissioner (media) of DMP, Talebur Rahman. Besides, a total of 426 vehicles were impounded and 211 others were towed during the drives. The DMP’s Traffic Division has vowed to continue drives to maintain discipline on Dhaka’s roads.      

Metro rail services remained suspended for about 15 minutes on Wednesday after a piece of cloth fell on an overhead electric cable between Uttara North and Uttara South stations. The train movement was stopped at 12:22 pm to remove the cloth from the overhead catenary cable and the services resumed at 12:37 pm after the obstruction was cleared, said Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) in a post on its official Facebook page. Metro service suspended after youth climbs on train roof DMTCL expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to passengers. Earlier on Sunday night, metro rail operations were also stopped after a teenager climbed between two coaches of a train.

The Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) will conduct trial landing and takeoff of helicopters on two open fields near Evercare Hospital in the capital on Thursday (December 4). The flight landing and takeoff will take place following the security protocol of the Special Security Force (SSF), according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Read more: Govt declares Khaleda Zia a ‘very very important person’ Authorities have requested all to avoid spreading any rumour or confusion regarding the operation. Special Security Force (SSF) protection has been deployed for former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, now undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital, after she was declared a ‘very very important person’ (VVIP). Khaleda Zia was admitted to the hospital on the night of November 23 on the advice of the medical board after being diagnosed with infections in her heart and lungs. Read more: Army, Navy, Air chiefs visit Khaleda at Evercare

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah on Wednesday (December 03) said each voter would take an average of three minutes and 52 seconds to cast their vote but rejected increasing polling centres for the next election. Sanaullah made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of a daylong journalist training programme at Agargaon, Dhaka ahead of the national election. Highlighting the importance of the election, he said, “The upcoming election is going to set the tone for what kind of country and democratic journey we want in the future.”   Read more: EU preparing large observer mission for Bangladesh election: Miller Seeking cooperation from all in holding an acceptable election, Sanaullah said the election system has been heavily damaged and they are trying to repair it. For the nation’s sake, he said, all must ensure a good election and everyone must responsibly play their part. To prevent fake journalists from entering polling areas with bogus cards, the election commission is going to initiate a QR‑code system, Sanaullah added.   Read more: Over 156,000 Bangladeshi expats registered so far to vote