United News of Bangladesh

The fire that broke out on the 9th floor of the Secretariat has been doused, said firefighters.Shahjahan Sikder, duty assistant director (media cell) at Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters, said an exhaust fan on the 9th floor of the 20-storey building caught fire due to electric short circuit around 2 pm.On information, three firefighting units rushed to the spot but the fire was extinguished with a fire extinguisher before they arrived around 2:15 pm.

Three people were killed on Sunday in a clash between two groups over a land dispute at Hailatari village in Nageshwari upazila of Kurigram. Two victims were identified as Altaf and Manik while the identities of the deceased woman could not be confirmed immediately. Nageshwari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Rezaul Karim Reza said police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Efforts are underway to arrest those involved in the incident.  

A special prayer session will be held on Sunday afternoon on the premises of the Dhakeshwari National Temple seeking early recovery of ailing BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad and the Mahanagar Sarbojonin Puja Committee arranged the special prayers. A statement signed by Sachindranath Baroi, office secretary of the Puja Udjapon Parishad, was issued on Saturday expressing concern over the deteriorating health condition of Khaleda Zia. Parishad President Basudev Dhar and General Secretary Santosh Sharma, along with Mahanagar Sarbojonin Puja Committee President Jayanta Kumar Dev and General Secretary Dr Tapas Chandra Pal urged the authorities to ensure the highest level of medical care for Khaleda Zia. They also wished her a quick recovery.

Officers ‘deprived of promotion’ at state-owned Sonali, Agrani, Janata and Rupali banks formed a human chain in front of the Bangladesh Bank on Sunday (November 30), demanding an end to what they described as longstanding discrimination in career advancement. The aggrieved officials alleged that widespread supernumerary promotions were granted after the recent political changeover without adherence to rules, leaving many qualified officers sidelined. Speakers at the demonstration accused the Financial Institutions Division (FID) of unwarranted interference in the promotion process. They called for merit-based promotions under regular vacancies and updated organograms, alongside proper evaluation of those who were denied advancement during the previous Awami League government for political reasons. Read more: Ex-Padma Bank chairman Nafis Sarafat, 3 others sued for embezzling over Tk 1600cr   According to the protesters, the current interim government has already addressed discrimination in the civil service by granting officials — both active and retired — promotions of one to three steps since 2024. The officials alleged that despite thousands of supernumerary promotions in state-owned banks last year, the long-standing grievances of genuinely deprived staff have yet to be addressed. They further claimed that instead of addressing the issue in 2025, the FID introduced a new ‘post assimilation’ directive that has deprived many officers once again, resulting in no progress in the promotion process this year. The officials claimed a vested group within the ministry was pushing discriminatory policies to create instability in the banking sector and portray the previous government as the better alternative. Read more: Bangladesh Bank orders pay cuts for Sammilito Islami Bank’s employees To restore discipline in the sector, the protesters placed a three-point demand, including an end to what they termed illegal interference by the FID in areas such as promotions, incentives, loan approval, organogram updates and post assimilation—matters they said legally fall under the authority of bank boards as per the Vendor’s Agreement and relevant Articles of Association. They also sought cancellation of all related directives issued by the ministry. They urged the authorities to issue circulars inviting applications from officers who faced discrimination between 2009 and 4 August 2024, and to ensure at least one promotion for them by December this year. The protesters also called for a transparent and modern promotion policy modelled on the Bangladesh Bank system. Read more: Merged bank to be launched this week: BB Governor Mansur

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.