United News of Bangladesh

A mild earthquake jolted Dhaka and nearby areas early Thursday (December 04), according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). BMD reported that the 4.1-magnitude quake struck at around 6:14am, with its epicentre in Shibpur upazila of Narsingdi, about 38 kilometres northeast of the BMD Seismic Observatory and Research Centre in Agargaon.  No casualties have been reported so far. Mild earthquake jolts Dhaka, adjacent areas again The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre placed the epicentre 33 kilometres east-northeast of Tongi and three kilometres north of Narsingdi, at a depth of 30 kilometres. A stronger earthquake, measuring 5.7 in magnitude, had earlier shaken Dhaka and several regions on November 21, also originating from Narsingdi.  Since then, several minor tremors have been recorded across the country, most with epicentres in Narsingdi. Read more: Ceiling And Wall Cracks After An Earthquake: When To Worry

A mobile court operation was conducted in Ashulia and Gorat areas of Savar to protect national resources by removing illegal gas connections, the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources said on Wednesday. During the operation, approximately 3 kilometers of unauthorized gas distribution lines were dismantled. Around 700 illegal residential gas burners were disconnected, and 600 meters of unauthorized pipes were removed. The immediate disconnected gas load reached 14,700 cubic feet per hour. Authorities estimate that the crackdown will save 99,902 cubic meters of gas per month, valued at roughly Tk 1,798,236. No fines were imposed during the operation. Officials stated that such drives will continue to ensure uninterrupted gas supply to legitimate customers and prevent wastage.

The body of a three-year-old girl who went missing from Pabhati village in Jhenaidah town on Wednesday morning, was recovered from a neighbour’s house on the same night. Police suspect Saima Akhter Saba, daughter of Saidul Islam of the village, was murdered. Saba went missing around 8am while playing near her home, said SI Manoj Kumar Ghosh of Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station. Her father later filed a general diary (GD) regarding her disappearance. Following the GD, police and locals searched nearby areas, including a pond, but found no trace of the child until evening. Her body was discovered around 9:30pm inside the house of Masud, a local resident. Police believe the child may have been killed in a planned manner. Shantana Khatun, 30, wife of Masud, has been detained for questioning, said SI Manoj.  

The ‘Anti-discrimination Students’ Movement’, the student organization that led the July Uprising last year, staged a demonstration protesting the killing of two young men by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) allegedly at Shibganj border in Chapai Nawabganj. The protest was held on Wednesday at around 4:30 pm in front of the Raju Sculpture on the Dhaka University campus. Speakers at the rally urged the government to take strong measures against killings along the border. They also called for the adoption of a preventive policy between the two countries to stop border-related killings. Sinthiya Zaheen Ayesha, spokesperson of ‘Anti-discrimination Students’ Movement’, said, “The lives of Bangladeshi citizens are not cheap. We demand a preventive policy between the two countries. We want an impartial international investigation into this killing.” She added, “We reject the interim government’s submissive foreign policy. We will not tolerate anyone’s dominance.” Meanwhile, the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) has urged the government to take urgent steps to file a case with the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing India of violating international law through repeated killings of Bangladeshi citizens along the border. Condemning the killing of two youths by BSF at the Shibganj border, DUCSU stated that due to the failure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the government’s weak diplomatic stance, border killings have become a regular occurrence. In a statement issued Wednesday, DUCSU said that border killings not only violate human rights but also a serious breach of international human rights conventions and border laws. It emphasized that Bangladesh must now intensify diplomatic and legal efforts on global platforms, including the International Criminal Court, to ensure justice for such incidents. Bangladeshi man shot dead by BSF near border in Chuadanga The statement added, “Since independence, BSF has repeatedly violated international law through continuous killings of Bangladeshi citizens. Although the brutal killings of Felani or Swarna Das shook the entire world, it brought no change in the behavior of the Indian border guards.” It further said that the submissive diplomacy and repeated failures of the Bangladesh government have emboldened the BSF even more. Although India has repeatedly promised to bring border killings down to zero, the reality reflects the opposite. The statement concluded that, in addition to bilateral discussions, taking the issue to the International Criminal Court and other global forums is the only effective alternative to stopping the ongoing killings.    

The Credit Rating Agency of Bangladesh Ltd. (CRAB) held its 21st Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, chaired by CRAB Chairperson Noor A. Alam Chowdhury. Board members present included Tapan Chowdhury (Managing Director, SQUARE Pharmaceuticals), Asif Ibrahim (Vice Chairman, New Age Group), Raihan Rahman (Director, Groundstone Corporation, Canada), Tania Nusrat Zaman (former UNDP and World Bank policy expert), Asif Saad Bin Shams (IDLC Finance), Md. Nurul Huda (ICB), Sahil Humayun (Unicorn Equities), and Shahed Shams Azad (Managing Director & CEO of CRAB). Chairperson Noor A. Alam Chowdhury said that despite economic and political challenges, CRAB’s achievements in 2024–25 were possible thanks to the efforts of shareholders, board members, management, and clients. He highlighted that improving service quality, developing human resources, and expanding technology adoption will remain CRAB’s top priorities. Managing Director Shahed Shams Azad presented CRAB’s activities and progress for 2024–25, emphasizing the agency’s continued focus on technology-driven innovations in its rating services.    

A writ petition was filed on Wednesday with the High Court seeking its directives to issue a stay order on the activities related to the upcoming national election. General Secretary of the Bangladesh Congress Md. Earul Islam filed the writ petition with the HC bench concerned. The petition also sought directives to recruit district and upazila election officers instead of appointing Deputy Commissioner and UNO as returning and assistant returning officers. If the High Court issues a rule after the primary hearing, the petition sought suspension of all activities for the 13th national election until the rule is settled.The petition said running the Election Commission Secretariat and conducting elections with officials of the executive branch is inconsistent with the Constitution. It said the Election Commission, like the judiciary, must have its own independent manpower. For this reason, the petitioner sought a directive to form an ‘Electoral Service Commission’. Writ petition filed challenging provision of party symbols in the alliance's vote It said Constitution assigns election management to the Election Commission while the executive branch is meant to provide assistance. But in practice, responsibility for conducting elections has repeatedly been given to the executive branch, the petition said. As a result, elections have become controversial, it added.    

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.