United News of Bangladesh

Even in the chilling cold and wind, followers of the Inquilab Moncho on Friday night continued their sit-in programme at Shahbagh intersection to press home the demand to arrest all killers of Sharif Osman bin Hadi. Besides, the Moncho, a platform formed centring the last year’s student-led uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, announced to continue their protest programme until all the killers are brought to justice. Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of the platform, made the announcement while addressing the protesters at Shahbag at night. He said, “We will stay here throughout the night. We have sent people to bring blankets. Hadi Bhai had purchased these blankets during his lifetime for those without clothing, but he did not get the chance to distribute them. We must remain healthy. After the programme ends, we will distribute those to the destitute.” As an admission test of Dhaka University is scheduled for Saturday, he told the crowd, “From 9am, we will position ourselves around the area to ensure that students can sit for their exams. However, we will not withdraw the blockade.” The Moncho has been staging a protest by blocking the Shahbag intersection since 2pm Friday, demanding justice for the murder of its spokesperson Hadi. Inquilab Moncho shares image of ‘Hadi's coffin’ Alongside the leaders of the platform, people from various professions and walks of life were seen participating in the programme. Hadi, who played an active role in the July uprising, formed Inquilab Moncho in August last year and became a well-known figure nationwide for his outspoken opposition to the ousted Awami League and to India. He had also been campaigning to woo voters as he wished for contesting the upcoming national election from the Dhaka-8 seat. The Moncho has been carrying out a series of programmes demanding the arrest and trial of Hadi’s killers. As part of a previously announced programme, they blocked the Shahbag intersection Friday. During the protest, along with chanting slogans, participants intermittently recited poetry. The Moncho member Mohammad Shahin recited a poem during the demonstration. Earlier in the afternoon, the Moncho, through a Facebook post, called upon the people of Bangladesh to come to Shahbag and join the sit-in demanding trial for the killing of Hadi. Inquilab Mancha stages sit-in outside CA’s residence Speaking at Shahbag, Al Jaber said that they would remain on the streets until justice was served. “This blockade is ongoing, and it will continue. We will not leave until justice is ensured. Until everyone involved in the murder of Hadi-those who planned it and those who carried it out-is arrested, we will not leave the streets. We have no option left to return home, ” he threatened.

Fourteen-member executive body of the Urban Development Journalist Forum, Bangladesh (UDJFB) has been elected for the next two-year term (2026–27). Motin Abdullah, special correspondent of Daily Jugantor and Hasan Emon, staff reporter of Dainik Bangladesh Pratidin were elected president and general secretary respectively of the organisation. The election and committee formation took place on Friday during the biennial general meeting held at a restaurant in Banglamotor of Dhaka. Election commission head Amitosh Pal announced the names of the elected committee members. Other election commissioners were Khalid Saifullah, senior reporter of Daily Naya Diganta, and Mizanur Rahman, senior reporter of Daily Observer. Other key office-bearers of the committee include Faisal Khan of Desh Rupantor as vice-president, Yeasin Rana of ATN Bangla as joint general secretary, Rashedul Hasan of Daily Sun as finance secretary, Zahidul Islam of The Business Standard as organising secretary, Md. Billal Hossain (Sagar) of RTV as publicity and publication secretary, Latiful Islam of Samakal as office secretary, Rahat Hossain of Protidiner Bangladesh as training and research secretary, and Delawar Hossain Dolon of Channel 24 as hospitality and welfare secretary. Executive members include Mahmuda Dolly of Amar Desh, Moinul Islam (Rajib) of Jamuna TV, Niaz Morshed of Desh TV, and Abdul Kaiyum of Naya Diganta. The meeting was chaired by Motin Abdullah and conducted by Faisal Khan, with all forum members and leaders in attendance.

The Election Commission (EC) has redefined the boundaries of four parliamentary constituencies in Pabna and Faridpur districts following the announcement of the election schedule, in compliance with an order of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court. The constituencies affected by the latest delimitation are Pabna-1, Pabna-2, Faridpur-2 and Faridpur-4, said EC Director (Public Relations) Md Ruhul Amin Mallik on Friday. The EC issued a gazette on Wednesday finalising the revised boundaries of the four seats. According to the gazette, Pabna-1 (Constituency No. 68) now comprises Santhia Upazila and parts of Bera Upazila, including Bera Municipality and the unions of Haturia Nakalia, Natun Varenga, Chakla and Kaitola. Pabna-2 (Constituency No. 69) includes Sujanagar Upazila and the remaining areas of Bera Upazila, excluding Bera Municipality and the four unions—Haturia Nakalia, Natun Varenga, Chakla and Kaitola. Faridpur-2 (Constituency No. 212) now consists of Nagarkanda Upazila and Saltha Upazila. Faridpur-4 (Constituency No. 214) has now included Bhanga Upazila, Charbhadrasan Upazila and Sadarpur Upazila. Before the latest revision, Pabna-1 comprises only Santhia Upazila, while Pabna-2 included Sujanagar and Bera upazilas. Faridpur-2 previously covered Nagarkanda, Saltha and two unions—Algi and Hamirdi—of Bhanga Upazila, while Faridpur-4 consisted of Bhanga Upazila (excluding Algi and Hamirdi unions), Charbhadrasan and Sadarpur upazilas. Earlier, on September 4, 2025, the Election Commission finalised the delimitation of all 300 parliamentary constituencies, changing the boundaries of 46 seats across 16 districts. That move reduced the number of seats in Bagerhat from four to three, while increasing Gazipur’s representation from five to six seats. Just before the announcement of the election schedule, the EC had also revised constituency boundaries under court orders by reducing one seat in Gazipur and restoring one seat in Bagerhat. Bangladesh Election: 740,000 registered for postal voting However, the latest changes—made after the schedule announcement—mark a rare precedent, as such post-schedule boundary revisions have not been seen in the recent elections. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on December 11 last announced the schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12 next. According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination papers is December 29, while the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10).  

A fire broke out at a godown on the rooftop of an eight storey shopping complex at busy Gulistan of Dhaka on Friday evening.   The fire erupted from the warehouse houses on ‘Khaddar Bazar Shopping Complex’ around 5:28pm and engulfed fast surrounding, Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarter media cell, said.   On information, firefighters from different stations, including Siddique Bazar, rushed to the scene and were working to bring the flames under control, he said. Further details will be shared later, the fire service official said.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Friday said Bangladesh bears deep wounds—an ever-widening fracture that only a truly credible election can heal. In a post from his verified Facebook account, he said the general election and the referendum are now just seven weeks away—49 days. "I never doubted that the elections could be held on time, though there were moments when I had to temper my enthusiasm. Yesterday’s events, however, erased whatever lingering doubts critics had about whether the February 12 elections would take place as scheduled," the Press Secretary said. He said s record breaking crowd defied season's worst cold spell and gathered at the 300 Feet to greet BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. Press Secretary sees no possibility of AL’s participation in election Alam said it was a clear testament to the country’s readiness for an election. "Within a day or two, nominations for the parliamentary polls will be submitted. Thousands of candidates will then return to their villages," he said. Printing presses will roar into action, Alam said, noting that television stations will begin election debates that reach all the way down to the village level.  

Inqilab Moncho on Friday staged demonstration demanding justice for its slain spokespman Sharif Osman bin Hadi, with a huge number of protestors in attendance.  They brought out a procession from the central mosque premises of Dhaka University after Jumma prayers, led by Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber. During the demonstrations, the protesters chanted slogans such as “We want justice,” “Delhi na Dhaka, Dhaka, Dhaka,” and “Golami na Azadi, Azadi, Azadi.” Similar protest rallies were held in different parts of the country, including Chhata Masjid in Cumilla Police Lines and Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque in Chattogram. Osman Hadi, also a prospective candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan. Later, he was airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18.

Security has been tightened at key points along the Dhaka-Aricha highway, including Zia Udyan and the Savar National Memorial, ahead of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s scheduled visit to the area. A sufficient number of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order, said Shariful Islam, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of BGB headquarters. According to the programme, following Jumma prayers, Tarique Rahman will visit the grave of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman. 

A mild cold wave is sweeping across several parts of the country and may continue, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said on Friday morning. According to BMD’s regular bulletin, a mild cold wave is affecting the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, Gopalganj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj and Nilphamari, and it may persist in some areas. Jashore recorded the country’s lowest temperature at 9 degrees Celsius on Friday morning, BMD said. Night and day temperatures may rise slightly across the country. However, due to foggy conditions, cold weather may continue to be felt in many areas, the bulletin added. Moderate to thick fog may occur in places across the country from midnight to morning and may persist until noon in some areas. As a result, air navigation, inland river transport and road communication may be temporarily disrupted. The weather is expected to remain dry with a temporarily partly cloudy sky over the country. Meanwhile, a ridge of the sub-continental high extends up to West Bengal and adjoining areas, while a seasonal low lies over the South Bay, extending its trough to the northeast Bay.

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, recorded the season’s lowest temperature on Friday, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). The Dhaka Meteorological Office reported a temperature of 13.5°C on Friday morning — the lowest recorded so far this season, said Shahnaj Sultana, a meteorologist. Earlier, the temperature was 14°C on Thursday. Meanwhile, the lowest temperature in the country was recorded at 10.2°C in Rajshahi over the 24 hours until 6 pm on Thursday, while the highest temperature was 29°C in Teknaf.  

Moderate to thick fog may temporarily disrupt air navigation, inland river transport and road communication in different parts of the country, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). In its regular bulletin, BMD said moderate to thick fog may occur at places across the country from midnight to morning starting at 6:00pm on Thursday and may continue until noon on Friday in some areas. The bulletin also said that night temperatures may fall slightly, while day temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country. Due to the foggy conditions, cold sensations may intensify in many places. Weather conditions are likely to remain dry with a temporarily partly cloudy sky, the bulletin added. The lowest temperature in the country was recorded at 10.2 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi in 24 hours till 6pm on Thursday, while the highest temperature was 29 degrees Celsius in Teknaf.