United News of Bangladesh

Two people were shot dead when unidentified gunmen opened fire outside the Khulna District and Sessions Judge Court on Sunday (November 30).  The deceased were identified as Rajon and Hasib of Bagmara in Rupsha upazila of the district.  Shafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, said the attackers intercepted a motorbike carrying the duo when they were leaving the court premises after attending a hearing around 12:30 pm. Ex-JCD leader killing in B’baria; family files complaint against Swechchhasebak Dal leader At one stage, the attackers opened fire on them and stabbed them indiscriminately, leaving them injured. The gunmen fled the scene immediately after the gun attack, he said.  Later, they were taken to Khulna Medical College and Hospital where the doctors declared them dead. Police have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation.  A tense situation has been prevailing in and around the court premises over the incident. Read more: Dhaka, Khulna among 15 districts that get new DCs

Rail communication between Sylhet and the rest of the country resumed four hours after a wagon of an oil-laden freight train derailed in Mallikpur area of Fenchuganj upazila on Saturday night (November 29). According to railway officials, a wagon of freight train No. 952 went off the tracks around 9:30pm, snapping Sylhet’s rail links with Dhaka and Chattogram. A relief train from Kulaura reached the spot and managed to salvage the derailed oil wagon. Read more: Sylhet Osmani Int’l Airport expansion project rises by Tk 470 crore  Following the rescue operation, two Dhaka- and Chattogram-bound trains departed the station around 12:30am, Railway Police Station Sylhet Officer-in-Charge Md Abdul Quddus said. Railway sources said the special tank train had arrived in Sylhet from Chattogram early Saturday to unload oil and was returning to Chattogram when the incident occurred. As it reached Mallikpur around 9:30pm, the wheels of one of its wagons slipped off the tracks, leading to the disruption. Read more: Dream project derails; Khulna-Mongla railway struggles without freight flow

Educator, litterateur, and founder of the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (BSK) Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed on Saturday said nothing can be achieved without being obsessed with one’s work, but added that obsession for awards is not necessary. Quoting Kazi Nazrul Islam’s famous line, “I am mad, I am mad,” he urged everyone to be passionately devoted to their work. He also remarked that forgiveness and autopilot behavior can diminish a person. He made these comments while speaking as the chief guest at the day-long event “Carnival of Change 2025” held at the BRAC CDMA auditorium in Birulia, Savar. Professor Sayeed emphasized that people should not restrict their joy. “We must consider what our soul desires, what our life wants, and what our dreams are saying. One must read and write about what one truly wishes for. Let the heart follow its own desires, only then will a person excel. Forcing someone is never right,” he said. He encouraged self-reflection, urging everyone to pursue their dreams and listen to their inner calling as a path to success. Carnival of Change 2025 event brought together 250 young participants from across the country to inspire leadership, creativity, and positive change. BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh also addressed the event as a special guest.    

Light of Hope Ventures held a landmark startup pitch event on Saturday at the Interactive Learning Centre in Dhanmondi, drawing more than 100 investors and five emerging entrepreneurs. The participating companies — Bangladesh Supply Chain Solutions (BSCS), TYLO, Green Grocery, Protein Market and ICE — pitched their ideas, responded to investor questions and shared details of their growth strategies, the organisers said in a statement. Waliullah Bhuiyan, Founder of Light of Hope Ventures, said the turnout for their first event “exceeded expectations,” noting that individual investors are increasingly interested in startup opportunities. The event offered entrepreneurs a valuable platform to connect with investors, receive feedback and explore potential partnerships. Beginning this month, Light of Hope Ventures will hold similar pitch sessions on the last Saturday of every month, each featuring five to seven startups. “Our mission is to build a platform where entrepreneurs can share ideas, collaborate and achieve real results,” Bhuiyan said. Positioning itself as a “Y Combinator for Bangladeshi SMEs,” Light of Hope Ventures supports startups across agriculture, education, manufacturing, services and technology by offering mentorship, investment and market access. Its community now includes more than 1,000 startups and SME entrepreneurs across eight sectors. Supported by Grofin, the event not only showcased innovative ideas but also injected fresh energy into Bangladesh’s growing startup ecosystem.

The interim government on Saturday (November 29) said there is no restriction or objection regarding BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s return to the country. Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam made it clear when he was asked whether there is any restriction or objection from the government regarding Tarique's return to Bangladesh. Read more: Khaleda may be taken to London for treatment, says Mahdi Amin He said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has already expressed deep concern about the physical condition of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and has sought doa for her from the people of the country. Earlier, at the weekly meeting of Council of Advisers, prayers and doa were offered for the speedy recovery of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Religious Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain conducted the munajat. Read more: 'Political realities prevent my return', says Tarique as he seeks prayers for Khaleda

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury visited Evercare Hospital in the capital on Saturday to enquire about the health condition of critically ill BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. He reached the hospital shortly after 1:15pm and talked to the doctors overseeing her treatment to learn about her latest condition. Security at the hospital was tightened following the Home Adviser’s arrival. Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on the night of November 23 on the recommendation of the medical board, after she was found to have infections in her heart and lungs. She is also suffering from pneumonia and remains under intensive observation in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU), where specialist doctors from both home and abroad are supervising her care. Leaders of BNP and various other political parties have been visiting the hospital to check on her condition. President Shahabuddin seeks prayers for Khaleda’s speedy recovery Earlier in the day, BNP Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon told reporters that Begum Zia’s condition remains unchanged. He said any decisions regarding her treatment, including the possibility of taking her abroad, will be made by the medical board.    

Preparedness, public awareness and the use of modern technology can significantly reduce casualties and destruction even during a major earthquake, said experts. At a seminar in the capital on Saturday they warned that Bangladesh faces a high earthquake risk and delaying action could lead to a severe humanitarian disaster in the future. The views came at a seminar titled “Earthquake Awareness, Safety Protocols and Emergency Preparedness,” organised by JCX Developments Ltd. Two Japanese experts on earthquake-resilient architecture — Keiichiro Sako, Founder of SAKO Architects, and Hisaya Sugiyama, Principal of VERITAS Japan LLC shared insights based on Japan’s post-earthquake experiences, safe infrastructure design and modern sustainable construction standards. Speakers stressed the need for constructing earthquake-resistant buildings, conducting structural audits of existing structures, ensuring strict monitoring of construction quality, strengthening emergency response capacity and establishing an effective early warning system. They also highlighted the importance of regular drills, community awareness and family-level emergency planning. Participants included local and international earthquake specialists, architects, engineers, real estate entrepreneurs, policymakers and representatives from public and private organisations. They said coordinated initiatives across all levels are essential to build an earthquake-resilient Bangladesh. Speakers outlined key actions to reduce destruction and casualties including strict enforcement of the building code, digitalising approval systems, retrofitting old buildings, establishing at least 50 modern seismic stations, GIS and AI-based risk modelling, equipping rescue forces with modern tools, mandatory earthquake drills in schools, colleges and offices, soil testing requirements, quality construction materials and ensuring transparency in the real estate sector. They said Japan was able to reduce earthquake losses significantly by strictly adhering to regulations and Bangladesh can lower potential damage by up to 50 percent if similar practices are adopted. Renowned engineers Professor Dr M Shamim Z Bosunia and Professor Dr Syed Fakrul Amin of BUET, REHAB President Wahiduzzaman, Senior Vice President Liaquat Ali, Rajuk Chief Urban Planner Ashraful Islam, engineer Abdullah Al Hossain Chowdhury Rizvi, Professor Dr Rakib Ahsan of BUET, Bajus President Enamul Haque Khan, BMID Director Mominul Islam, architect Ariful Islam, architect Rafiq Azam and Vistara Managing Director Mustafa Khalid Palash spoke at the seminar.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam returned home on Saturday after attending the 93rd General Assembly of Interpol held in Morocco. Police chiefs and delegates from Interpol’s 196 member countries participated in the global gathering. The high-level meeting discussed a series of major issues related to international security challenges. Key topics include cybercrime and data-driven investigations, combating transnational organised crime, eliminating global scam centers, enhancing Interpol’s innovative policing capabilities and promoting women’s leadership in policing. On the final day of the assembly, elections were held for the positions of Interpol President, Vice President and Executive Committee delegates. During the session, the IGP addressed the assembly highlighting the country’s commitment, capabilities and efforts in tackling global cyber fraud, human trafficking, financial crimes and cross-border crimes. The IGP left Dhaka for Morocco to attend the 93rd General Assembly of Interpol on November 23.

More than two million taxpayers have filed their income tax returns online so far in 2025–26 fiscal year, marking a major increase in the use of Bangladesh’s electronic tax filing system, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) said on Saturday. Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed launched the e-return facility on August 4 through the NBR portal, www.etaxnbr.gov.bd. This year, the NBR made online filing mandatory for all individual taxpayers, except several specific categories. Those exempted include senior citizens aged 65 and above, persons with disabilities, Bangladeshis living abroad, legal representatives of deceased taxpayers and foreign nationals working in the country. Although exempt, they may still file electronically if they prefer. Taxpayers unable to submit returns online due to registration-related complications may apply to their respective Deputy Commissioner of Taxes by December 15, providing valid reasons. With approval from the Additional or Joint Commissioner, they will be permitted to file paper returns. For the first time, authorised representatives appointed by taxpayers can also submit e-returns on their behalf, expanding access to the system. Bangladeshi citizens living abroad, while not under mandatory filing, can request online registration by emailing their relevant details, including passport number and NID, to [email protected]. In response, the NBR generates an OTP and a registration link, allowing expatriates to complete the process entirely online. The platform enables taxpayers to securely enter information on income, expenditure, assets and liabilities without uploading documents. Payments can be made from home using debit or credit cards, internet banking or mobile financial services such as bKash and Nagad. Once completed, the system instantly provides an acknowledgement slip and a tax certificate. A dedicated call centre is operating to assist with e-return queries. Taxpayers can call 09643 71 71 71 for immediate assistance, while the eTax Service option on the NBR website allows users to submit issues in writing. Help desks at all tax zones are also providing in-person and telephone support during office hours. The NBR has urged all taxpayers to use the electronic system and submit their returns for the 2025–26 tax year by December 31.  

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Saturday expressed deep concern over the deteriorating physical condition of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and urged the nation to pray for her quick recovery The President  sought prayers from the people of the country for Khaleda Zia’s early recovery, said President’s Assistant Private Secretary Mohammad Sagar Hossain. Earlier on Friday, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus also voiced profound concern over Khaleda Zia’s current health condition and sought prayers from the nation for her quick recovery.