United News of Bangladesh

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.  

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday urged senior police officers to uphold their highest level of responsibility and sincerity as the country moves toward what he described as a ‘historic, festive and peaceful’ national election, one that will go beyond the ‘traditional’ election. “This is not an ordinary election. It will be a post-uprising election, different from all traditional elections. Through this election, a new Bangladesh will emerge,” he said, underscoring the importance of the next three months. Prof Yunus made the remarks while addressing the Superintendents of Police (SPs) from all 64 districts, along with other senior police officials, at the Chief Adviser’s Office. The national election is scheduled to be held in the first half of February next year.Speaking about the role of SPs in ensuring a festive and peaceful election environment, Prof Yunus stressed the need for carrying out duties with utmost precision and without mistakes. He said the government is committed to building a stronger institutional structure, one that will never falter. Prof Yunus also briefly reflected on previous controversial elections, mentioning that the police have the opportunity to help bring about positive change by acting without bias.“It is a historic responsibility,” the Chief Adviser added. Prof Yunus called on the SPs to play a role in holding an acceptable election, pointing out that the next election is a historic responsibility for everyone and encouraged them to take the responsibility as a challenge. He said through the uprising they dreamt of a new Bangladesh, and through the upcoming election, they aim to carry that dream forward. Prof Yunus said a referendum will also be held simultaneously during the upcoming general election, which will serve as the basis for building the Bangladesh of the future. Prof Yunus said many delegations and election observers from abroad will come in the upcoming elections. The Superintendents of Police should work towards this so that they can present this election as a wonderful example to the whole world, he said. The Chief Adviser said they have all seen the past elections - some call it a farce election, some call it a fraud. "We have to rise above that and create a new standard."Prof Yunus mentioned that bringing about that change is the major responsibility of the police force. Chinese investors can help transform Bangladesh into manufacturing hub: Prof Yunus He emphasised the initiative and creativity of the officers in making the upcoming elections fair, saying, "Not everything can be written on paper. While performing your duties, you should think about how to do the job more efficiently." Home Affairs Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, among others, was present.

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga and Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda on Thursday announced the first two Pacific projects to be delivered under the Full Mutual Reliance Framework, an innovative cofinancing model that will boost development impact. The framework will allow countries to work with a single lead lender, either ADB or the World Bank, guiding all aspects of project design, preparation, supervision, and evaluation. It will streamline processes and reduce duplication between the two institutions. Countries will benefit from faster project implementation, lower transaction costs, and continued adherence to high policy standards. The first two projects under the framework are a major health modernization initiative in Fiji and an integrated transport, urban, and water infrastructure investment in Tonga. “Our goal is to make development finance simpler, faster, and more effective,” said ADB President Masato Kanda. “With this approach, we respond to client needs to solve complex challenges together, from disaster resilience to better connectivity, while supporting their long-term vision for prosperity.” “We pursued this framework for one core reason: our clients asked us to make their lives easier. To work faster. To be better partners,” said World Bank Group President Ajay Banga. “This is an important step forward — for our institutions, yes, but far more importantly, for the countries and communities who count on us to deliver real results.” The operationalization of the framework in the Pacific reflects the already close partnership between ADB and the World Bank Group in the region, and responds to the needs of client countries for more rapid, streamlined, and effective development financing. The $236.5 million Pacific Healthy Islands Transformation (PHIT) project, led by the World Bank, aims to tackle noncommunicable diseases, which are among the leading causes of death across Pacific island countries. The project will mark the largest single operation of the World Bank Group in the Pacific. In Fiji, the project will modernize primary health-care networks and support a new, state-of-the-art regional hospital, giving people across the Pacific greater access to treatment for cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other major health conditions. The World Bank Board has approved its financing for this project. ADB’s proposed cofinancing will be presented to its Board for consideration in early 2026. The second, ADB-led project, the Tonga Sustainable Economic Corridors and Urban Resilience (SECURE) project, was approved by its Board of Directors on 20 November 2025. With ADB and the World Bank expected to provide a combined total of $120 million in grant financing, SECURE will be the largest development partner–financed project undertaken in Tonga’s history. The project will make transformational infrastructure upgrades to Greater Nuku’alofa’s transport network and urban drainage systems, including the 720-meter-long Fanga’uta lagoon bridge. These investments will reduce traffic congestion, improving market access for rural residents and enhancing connectivity to essential infrastructure including the airport and the port. They will also provide secure evacuation routes during disaster events, including tsunamis. World Bank cofinancing will be presented to its Board in early 2026.  

Fifteen volumes of historical ethnographic data on 1971 have been handed over to the Liberation War Research Center of North South University (NSU). Professor Afsan Chowdhury, Editor-at-Large of UNB and Dhaka Courier and an adjunct faculty member of BRAC University, handed the documents at an event at the office of NSU’s Liberation War Research Center on Wednesday. Prof Abdur Rob Khan, Pro-VC of NSU, received the documents on behalf of Vice Chancellor Prof Abdul Hannan Chowdhury. Prof Mahbubur Rahman, Director of the center and Chair of the Department of History and Philosophy, moderated the event. The 15-volume collection is based on a census of 2,300 villages in Naogaon district in northern Bangladesh. The survey was completed in 2018. Prof Afsan Chowdhury thanked the NSU authorities for taking the initiative to preserve the documents for researchers and anyone interested in the history of 1971 Liberation War.

The interim government on Thursday (December 04, 2025) called for special prayers across the country seeking the speedy recovery of the former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. Muslims have been requested to offer dua after Juma prayers on Friday (December 05, 2025) at all mosques while temples, churches and pagodas have been asked to hold prayers following respective religious traditions, according to a Facebook post shared by Chief Adviser's press wing. Read more: Govt declares Khaleda Zia a ‘very very important person’ People of all walks of life have also been urged to pray individually for her recovery. Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday night visited her at the hospital. Severe medical teams from the UK and China have arrived in Bangladesh to join the BNP’s chairperson treatment. Read more: Prof Yunus visits Evercare Hospital to enquire about Khaleda’s health