United News of Bangladesh

A new book titled Content creator, written by Mizanur Rahman Sohel, has been published, targeting aspiring content creators seeking to build sustainable careers on digital platforms. The book has been available since Monday on all major online book-selling platforms across the country. Mizanur Rahman Sohel said Content creator is designed as a comprehensive masterclass for those aiming to become influencers or digital celebrities. The book offers a scientific and practical approach to content ideation and trend analysis, helping creators identify relevant and timely topics. “One of the book’s key features is a curated collection of 250 proven hook ideas designed to capture audience attention within the first few seconds of content,” he said, adding that the storytelling section also explains techniques to keep viewers engaged until the end. The book has been published by Times PR Publications with a cover price of Tk 667.

A Dhaka court will deliver its verdict on Monday in a case filed over misuse of power in securing a 10-katha government plot in Purbachal area of the capital against Sheikh Hasina, her niece UK MP Tulip Siddiq and 16 others. Judge of Dhaka 4th Special Judge Rabiul Alam fixed the date on January 18 after hearing a petition. Meanwhile, lawyer of Khurshid Alam, an accused, sought acquittal for his client. A total of six cases were filed in connection with the Rajuk plot scam against Sheikh Hasina and her family. Her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, sister Sheikh Rehana, her daughter Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Azmina Siddiq Ruponti, son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby were among the accused. On November 27, last year, a court sentenced Sheikh Hasina to 21 years in jail in three cases over irregularities in plot allocation by Rajuk. On December 1, a Dhaka court sentenced Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and Rehana’s daughter and British MP Tulip Siddiq to different jail terms in another case filed over the misuse of power in securing a 10-katha government plot in the Purbachal area. On July 31, last year, the court framed charges against the accused. Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to 26 years in jail in four cases filed over plot scam while her son and daughter Joy and Putul get five years imprisonment. Court sets Feb 2 for verdict in Rajuk plot scam case against Hasina, Tulip Sheikh Rehana and her daughter Tulip were sentenced to different jail terms in the case. On January 13, last year, ASM Rashedul Hasan, assistant director of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case against 16 people for obtaining a 10-katha plot at Purbachal New Town through abuse of power and procedural irregularities.

The Bangladesh Navy is fully prepared to ensure that the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election and referendum on February 12, 2026, are conducted in a free, fair, peaceful, and festive environment. On Sunday (Feb 1), Rear Admiral Mohammad Musa, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Operations), visited navy contingents deployed in key areas and inspected overall security arrangements at polling centers. During the visit, he exchanged views with representatives of the local administration and other law enforcement agencies. While inspecting contingents in Teknaf, Saint Martin, and Maheshkhali, he provided special guidance to personnel on conducting the election smoothly. Home Ministry forms law and order coordination cell ahead of polls He urged all to work together to maintain normalcy and law and order, ensuring that voters can exercise their rights confidently in a safe and celebratory environment. Navy contingents have already been deployed at critical locations, with patrols intensified. Security preparations at polling centers are being completed, and in addition to land-based vehicle patrols, sufficient boats and naval vessels have been deployed in the waterways. Law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to handle any adverse situation with efficiency and firmness. Rear Admiral Musa also assured that the Navy is providing full support to the local administration and the Election Commission to make this election a model and exemplary one. Election Commission imposes vehicle restrictions ahead of polls He called on everyone to play a strong and cooperative role in ensuring smooth polling. He expressed confidence that, with the joint efforts of the government, Election Commission, local administration, law enforcement agencies, and the people, the upcoming 13th parliamentary election will be peaceful, free, fair, and credible.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has formed a Law and Order Coordination Cell in preparation for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum. A statement signed by Faisal Hasan, Public Relations Officer (Director) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, said the cell will coordinate responses to law and order issues during the election period. The emergency contact numbers of the cell are 02-47118700, 02-47118701, 02-47118702 and 02-47118703, while mobile numbers 01550-064226 (WhatsApp) and 01550-064227 have also been provided. Election Commission imposes vehicle restrictions ahead of polls The ministry urged people to contact these numbers for lodging any complaints related to law and order during the election period.

The Bangladesh Association of Librarians, Information Scientists and Documentalists (BALID) celebrated its 40th anniversary on Friday by organizing a day-long conference titled “Digital Transformation of Libraries with Artificial Intelligence” at the WVA Auditorium in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. The conference was inaugurated by BALID Chairman Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman. Conference Convenor Prof. Dr. Md. Mostafizur Rahman highlighted the significance of the event, while Dr. Nasim Iqbal, guest of honour, shared insights from his professional experience in Australia. Patriotic crystal ball to light up Times Square on New Year’s Eve as US 250th anniversary begins The event was coordinated by BALID Secretary General AKM Nurul Alam (Apu), and the open discussion session was moderated by Vice-Chairman Razina Akhtar. Five research papers were presented across three technical sessions chaired by Prof. Dr. S. M. Zabed Ahmed (DU), Prof. Dr. Md. Saiful Islam (DU), and Dr. Md. Zahid Hossain Shoeb (NSU). Presenters included Zakir Hossain, IB Teacher Librarian (Switzerland), Jahid Bin Sultan (MIST), Dr. Md. Nurul Islam Mahfuz (IIUC), Md. Mubassir Ahsan (IUB), and Md. Atikuzzaman (NSTU). The event drew over 70 participants, including library and information science professionals, academicians, and ICT experts. Senior professionals actively participated in the open discussion, urging the continuation of BALID’s initiatives amid the era of digital transformation. The celebration concluded with a ceremonial cake-cutting by BALID members. 

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has imposed restrictions on taxi-cabs, pick-ups, microbuses, and trucks from 12am on February 11 to 12am on February 12, 2026, ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum. Motorcycles will also face restrictions from 12am on February 10 to 12am on February 13, 2026. The restrictions will be relaxed for the following vehicles: law enforcement and armed forces; administration and approved observers; vehicles engaged in emergency services or carrying medicines, health-related supplies, and newspapers; vehicles transporting passengers or relatives to and from airports (with tickets or relevant proof); long-distance passenger vehicles; one vehicle per contesting candidate and one for each candidate’s election agent (with proper appointment and identity documents, and Election Commission sticker); journalists, observers, or vehicles used for election work with EC approval; motorcycles used by officials, employees, or others for election duties; and vehicles of telecom operators licensed by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). Fraudsters targeting election staff for honorariums, EC warns The EC has authorised the relevant authorities to take necessary measures to allow exceptions on national highways, ports, inter-district or metropolitan entry/exit routes, and other key roads. Additionally, district magistrates and metropolitan police commissioners have been given authority to impose or relax restrictions on other vehicles according to the schedule during the election and referendum period. The announcement was made through a government notification signed by Al-Amin Md Nurul Islam, Deputy Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division.

Activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Chhatra Union, Chhatra Front and Chhatra Shakti on Sunday brought out a broom procession on the premises of Jahangirnagar University, protesting derogatory remarks about women allegedly posted from the X (formerly Twitter) account of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami however has alleged that Ameer Shafiqur Rahman's X account was 'hacked' by conspirators. The procession started from the university’s central Shahid Minar around 7:00pm. “We, including women from different professions such as garment workers, cannot accept this kind of insult,” said one of the protesters. Broom procession at DU over Jamaat ameer’s anti-women remarks “Our mothers and sisters have sacrificed their lives for this country. Please do not let such sacrifices go in vain,” another protester said while addressing the gathering. Earlier in the day, a group of female students of Dhaka University also brought out a broom procession on the campus, condemning the same remarks. That programme was held in the afternoon in front of the Raju Memorial Sculpture on the university campus. In a Facebook post, Jamaat Ameer, however, claimed that false and misleading content has been circulating on social media aimed at misrepresenting their position.

The Ministry of Public Administration has temporarily suspended Md. Kamal Hossain, OSD and Senior Assistant Secretary, after he was sent to jail over allegations of faking his family background to secure a university admission and a BCS administration cadre job under the freedom fighter quota. A ministry notification issued today confirmed the suspension. The notice said Kamal Hossain misused the freedom fighter quota while serving as the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Nachole upazila in Chapainawabganj, prompting the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to file a case against him. According to the notification, Kamal Hossain appeared before the Senior Special Judge Court in Dhaka on Jan 28 seeking bail in the ACC case. The court rejected his bail plea and sent him to jail. Under Section 39(2) of the Government Service Act 2018, the government deemed it necessary to suspend him temporarily. The notification also said he will be entitled to allowances during the suspension period. 14 lakh now jobless due to stalled industrialisation: A.K. Azad at economic conference   The case, filed on Dec 26, 2024, by Md. Monjurul Islam Mintu, Deputy Director of the ACC Dhaka-1 District Coordination Office, alleges that Kamal Hossain presented his uncle, Bir Muktijoddha Md. Ahsan Habib, and aunt, Sanoara Khatun, as his father and mother to claim freedom fighter quota benefits. Using this false identity, he gained admission to a university and later secured a BCS administration cadre job under the quota.

Md Rubel Ahmed, a close associate of Faisal Karim Masud alias Rahul—the prime accused in the murder of Inqilab Moncho spokesman Sharif Osman Hadi—has given a confessional statement in court. Metropolitan Magistrate Mahbubur Rahman recorded the statement after Rubel was produced before the court on Saturday by the investigation officer, CID Police Assistant Superintendent Abdul Qadir Bhuiyan, following two rounds of remand totaling nine days, Prosecution Sub-Inspector Rokonuzzaman said on Sunday. “He was sent to jail after recording the statement,” the official added. Read More: Hadi murder: Court orders freezing of 53 bank accounts of Faisal Rubel was arrested from the Ati Nayabazar area of South Keraniganj late on January 21. The following day, the court granted a six-day remand, and last Wednesday, an additional three days were approved. Sharif Osman Bin Hadi had been serving as the spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, a political and cultural platform formed in the aftermath of the uprising. On December 12, around 2:20pm, assailants riding a motorcycle shot Hadi on Box Culvert Road under Paltan Model Police Station before fleeing the scene. He sustained critical gunshot wounds to his head and below his right ear. Read More: Hadi Murder: Court sets Jan 15 for hearing charges Hadi was first taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later shifted to Evercare Hospital. As his condition worsened, he was airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment on December 15. He succumbed to his injuries on December 18 while undergoing treatment there. Following the incident, Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber filed an attempted murder case with Paltan Police Station on December 14. The case was later converted into a murder case after Hadi’s death.

A Dhaka court on Sunday approved the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) request to place former state minister for public administration Farhad Hossain under arrest in a graft case. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Faiz passed the order following the ACC’s petition, ACC lawyer Tariqul Islam said. ACC Assistant Director and case investigation officer Khorshed Alam submitted the plea after Farhad was brought to the court from prison. According to the petition, Farhad, who served as state minister from 2019 to 2024, allegedly acquired assets worth more than Tk 1.11 crore, inconsistent with his known sources of income, by abusing power. Man arrested with looted foreign pistol, ammunition in Dhaka The petition said Farhad has 12 bank accounts that recorded total deposits of over Tk 6.54 crore and withdrawals amounting to more than Tk 6.35 crore—an “unusual and suspicious transaction.” After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, Farhad Hossain was detained from the capital’s Eskaton area on September 15. He has also been shown arrested in various cases related to the anti-discrimination student movement.