United News of Bangladesh

Six members of a family including a child suffered burn injuries in an explosion apparently from gas line leak at a house in Agargaon area of the capital early Saturday (December 06, 2025). The victims were identified as Jalil Mia, 50, Aneza Begum, 40, Asif Mia, 19, Sakib Mia, 16, Monira, 17 and Eva, 6. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital police camp, said the explosion occurred at the house of Jalil Mia around 4:30 am, leaving six members of the family injured. Later, they were taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery around 7:45 am and received treatment there. Read more: Fire Safety in Apartments: Causes and Prevention

A 36-year-old man was stabbed to death and two others were injured in an attack allegedly by his neighbour during a meeting over marriage in Farhadabad in Hathazari upazila of Chattogram on Friday night. The deceased was identified as Rabiul Islam alias Babu, son of Zahur of Musa of the village. Manjur Quader Bhuiya, officer-in-charge of Hathazari Police Station, said a meeting was arranged at the house of Musa Sawdagor, adjacent to Nazirhat Train Station around 9 pm over marriage purpose. During the meeting, Babu had a verbal argument with one Jasim, son of Ibrahim, from the same area over a trifling matter. At one stage, Jashim hit Babu with a knife, leaving him dead on the spot. Later, Emrul Hossain Bachhu, 35, brother of Babu and his cousin Emon, 21—were injured during the attack when they tried to rescue Babu. They were taken to Nazirhat Hospital.

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked the third on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 254 at 9:06 am this morning (December 06, 2025). Today’s air was classified as 'very unhealthy’ and such air quality continued for the past few days, according to the AQI index. Iraq’s Bagdad and India’s Delhi, occupied the first and second spots in the list, with AQI scores of 285 and 264, respectively. Read more: How Can One Person Reduce Environmental Pollution? When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. Read more: How to Reduce Air Pollution in Bangladesh?

The lioness that escaped from its enclosure at the National Zoo in Mirpur on Friday  afternoon has been brought back to its cage safely. Immediately after its escape, the zoo authorities strengthened its security measures and moved visitors to safe areas as a precaution, said a PID handout. A specially trained animal-management team managed to tranquillise the lioness and guide it back into its enclosure after nearly an hour of effort without any damage or injuries, it said. The animal is now in stable condition and a veterinary team is closely monitoring its health. To determine how the lioness  managed to leave its enclosure, the Department of Livestock Services has formed a two-member probe committee headed by Dr Md Boyjar Rahman, Director (Administration). The other member is Md Shariful Haque, Deputy Director (Farms) of the department. The committee has been asked to submit its report to the department’s Director General Dr Md Abu Sufian within three days. The zoo authorities thanked visitors and the media for their cooperation and concern, and said stricter measures will be taken to strengthen visitor safety in the future. They also reassured people  that the zoo remains fully safe for visitors and regular activities will continue as usual.  

Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, went to Evercare Hospital again on Friday night to stay beside her critically ill mother-in-law, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is undergoing treatment in the CCU. Earlier in the day, Zubaida arrived in Dhaka from London and went straight to Evercare Hospital to see Khaleda. She spent more than two hours there before heading to her father’s home in Dhanmondi. But later at night, she rushed back to the hospital to monitor Khaleda’s treatment and speak with the medical team, said a member of the medical board. “Dr Zubaida Rahman came to the hospital again at around 8:20pm,” he added. The medical board member said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Chattogram City Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain also came to the hospital at night to enquire about Khaleda’s health. Zubaida was scheduled to accompany Khaleda back to London today on a special air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar. However, the plan has been delayed as the Qatar air ambulance is unlikely to arrive in Dhaka before Saturday due to technical issues. Besides, Khaleda Zia’s physical condition deteriorated slightly on Thursday night, further pushing back her travel plan. As a result, she is now unlikely to fly before Sunday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told UNB. “Because of a technical fault, the air ambulance is not arriving today. If everything goes well, it may reach Dhaka on Saturday. If Madam’s condition allows and the medical board agrees, she will fly on December 7 (Sunday), Insha’Allah,” Fakhrul said Khaleda’s London medical trip 'depends on her health condition' Dr Zubaida, who is also a member of the medical board overseeing Khaleda’s treatment, had been monitoring her condition from London via virtual consultations. Khaleda was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 with multiple critical complications. She was shifted to the CCU on November 27 as her condition deteriorated. As of Friday evening, her health remains unchanged and she is under close observations, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.  

The Election Commission (EC) has urged all concerned not to spread confusion regarding the announcement of the election schedule and polling date for the upcoming national election.EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told the media on Friday evening that no decision has yet been taken on the schedule. “Many are mentioning different dates on their own,” he said, requesting caution and responsibility in disseminating information. He said the EC expects responsible behaviour from the media, especially in the current national context. Reports in various media outlets have speculated that the election schedule might be announced on December 11, while some have suggested that the polling day could be in February. Meanwhile, the EC will sit for a formal meeting on Sunday to discuss the poll schedule. UN briefs Bangladesh’s political parties on election commission support The Commission has also sent a letter seeking an appointment with the President. The meeting with President Mohammed Shahabuddin is scheduled for December 10 at 12 pm. EC sources, however, indicate that December 11 is a highly likely date for announcing the election schedule.    

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.