United News of Bangladesh

Sarvesh Suri, who is named IFC’s Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific, said his focus will be on maximising IFC's toolkit of private sector solutions to create jobs. ‘‘Countries throughout Asia and the Pacific face complex and varied issues,’’ Suri acknowledges, noting that what unites people across the region is that they all want the dignity of a job -- livelihoods to support themselves and their families. "My focus therefore will be on maximising IFC's toolkit of private sector solutions to create jobs. We can do this by mobilising private capital and pursuing innovative financing instruments. We can strengthen local capital markets. We can make equity investments for greater impact. And we can invest in micro-, small-, and medium-enterprises as engines of job creation," he said in a statement on Monday.’ Suri brings 25 years of global investment and development expertise as well as a proven track record of fostering public-private collaborations. In making the announcement, IFC confirmed that Suri will strategically lead all investment and advisory operations in the region by mobilising the private sector to address complex development challenges and create jobs. As part of one World Bank Group, Suri will oversee IFC’s team working from India to the Pacific Islands, who are designing private sector solutions in the financial, manufacturing, agribusiness, services as well as infrastructure and natural resources sectors to deliver transformative change for communities and businesses. He will be based in Singapore. Two new Division Directors will support Suri in the region: Keiko Miwa, based in Jakarta, Indonesia, will manage South West Asia and Pacific Islands and, effective February 1, 2026, Arnaud Dupoizat, based in Hong Kong SAR, China, will oversee East Asia. ‘’It is my genuine privilege to return home to Asia for a role that will allow me to make a meaningful and lasting difference in a region that has shaped me personally and professionally,’’ shares Suri. ‘’Asia is where I grew up and first worked, and I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to bring together the capabilities of the public and private sectors to tackle the pressing development challenges of the region at scale.’’ Prior to his appointment, Suri was IFC’s Regional Industry Director for Infrastructure and Natural Resources, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, during which time he played an instrumental role in launching Mission 300. He spent six years of his World Bank Group career at the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) as Director of Operations, where he managed global risk mitigation products for cross-border investments into developing countries. Before MIGA, Suri spent 15 years at IFC in various leadership positions, including as Senior Regional Manager overseeing business operations in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Papua New Guinea, based in Jakarta. An Indian national, Suri holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Delhi University. IFC urges political parties to include water issues in election manifestos IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet.

The government has ordered the deposition of all licensed firearms at the nearest police stations by January 31, ahead of the national election scheduled for February 12. The directive was issued through a notification by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday. The notification also bans the carrying or public display of firearms until the completion of the national election and referendum. The restriction will, however, not apply to candidates whose nomination papers have been validly submitted and accepted by the Election Commission, or to armed ‘retainers’ duly authorised for them. The notification warns that any violation of the order will be dealt with in accordance with the law. All superintendents of police and the authorities concerned have been instructed to take necessary measures to ensure the implementation of the directive. The government on December 15 formulated a policy on issuing firearm licences and appointing armed retainers for politically important individuals and candidates ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election slated for February 12. Titled ‘Firearm Licence and Retainer Appointment Policy–2025 for Politically Important Persons and Candidates for the Post of Member of Parliament’, the policy was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The ministry said the policy was formulated to ensure public security, maintain law and order and prevent election-time violence. Under the policy, a ‘retainer’ is defined as an armed person appointed and authorised to protect a politically important individual or a candidate. DMP chief orders use of firearms to stop arson attacks in Dhaka  A ‘politically important person’ refers to a current or former high-ranking political figure recognised by the government. To be eligible for a firearm licence, an applicant must be a recognised politically important person or a candidate who has submitted nomination papers for the 13th Parliamentary Election, and must face a verified security threat as assessed by the relevant authorities, including intelligence agencies.

Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) M. Sakhawat Hossain has said decision has been taken to sell the assets of Nassa Group as per a court order to pay the dues and service benefits of the company’s workers. He made the remark on Sundat while presiding over the 15th meeting of the Advisers’ Council Committee on review of labour and business condition of industrial units at Beximco Industrial Park at the Secretariat, said the ministry in a statement. The adviser said that Tk 76 crore has already been paid to workers through the sale of Nassa Group shares by an administrator appointed by the court. Besides, Nassa Group has made down payments to eight banks as per the instructions of Bangladesh Bank. Interim govt formulated Bangladesh’s best labour law ever: Adviser Sakhawat The remaining down payments to 15 banks and the outstanding dues of the workers will be settled by selling some of Nassa Group’s assets through open competition, he added. Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment Dr. Md. Sanowar Zahan Bhuiyan, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Additional Inspector General of Industrial Police, senior officials from the Ministries of Home Affairs, Finance, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, Nassa Group’s administrator and other representatives, and officials from various commercial banks were present.

Security will be tightened ahead of the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) central student union (SUCSU) election scheduled for January 20. Assistant Proctor Professor Dr. Saiful Islam said this at a views-exchange meeting at the Proctor’s  Office on Sunday. To ensure maximum security during the election over 300 members of the police and the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) will be deployed, he said. Special teams will be stationed at the main gate, pocket gates, and other key areas on the campus. SUCSU Elections: Final candidate list published He also said that no vehicles will be allowed on campus except rickshaws, autos, and cars with university stickers. A medical team will remain active throughout the election.

Solaiman Chowdhury Shihab, joint convener of Islamic University's (IU) Chhatra Dal unit, has filed a penal case against Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate Mufti Amir Hamza over alleged defamatory remarks. The complaint alleges that during a Waz Mahfil, Amir Hamza mocked the late Arafat Rahman Koko, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and made offensive comments about Khaleda Zia’s imprisonment. Shihab said he saw videos of the remarks on social media on January 16. The petition requests the court to issue a summons or arrest warrant under sections 500, 501, and 502 of the Penal Code. Advocate Abdul Majid, the petitioner’s lawyer, said the court has taken the case under consideration and scheduled a hearing for February 1. Pickup–Nasimon collision in Kushtia leaves one dead When contacted regarding the case, Mufti Amir Hamza’s personal assistant Abu Bakar said they have not yet received any notice from the court. “Once a notice is served, we will take appropriate legal action,” he added. Earlier, Amir Hamza had claimed on his verified Facebook page that he had received death threats. In the post, he urged followers to care for his three daughters in his absence and pledged to continue his fight for justice in Kushtia.

Police have recovered the hanging body of a student of Jagannath University (JnU) from the Bhatikhana area of Old Dhaka. The body was recovered on Sunday (January 18) from a mess in the area. Preliminary investigation suggests that it may be a case of suicide. The deceased was identified as Akash Sarkar, a student of the Department of Theatre at Jagannath University. He belonged to the department’s 10th batch. His home district was Faridpur. Abu Laek, Sadi get UTL JnU Chapter Leadership Ishtiaq, a housemate, said, “I was studying for an exam. Later, my brother’s girlfriend called me, after which I started knocking on the room door. At one point the door opened  and I saw his body hanging. Then I called the police.” Nazmul Hasan, an investigation officer of Gandaria Police Station, said, “We arrived at the scene around 9:30pm after receiving the information. The body was recovered in a hanging condition and later sent to Mitford Hospital for an autopsy.”

Security will be heightened ahead of the Shahjalal University Central Students’ Union (SUCSU) election on January 20, with more than 300 police personnel and BNCC members to be deployed. Assistant Proctor Professor Dr. Saiful Islam said at a coordination meeting at the Proctor’s Office on Sunday evening that special teams would be deployed at the main gate, pocket gates, and other important points across the campus to maintain law and order. EC approves SUCSU elections for Jan 20, stresses compliance with code of conduct He added that only university-stickered vehicles, rickshaws, and auto-rickshaws would be allowed on campus, while other vehicles would be barred. A medical team will also be on duty during the election. SUST authorities said the arrangement is to ensure a peaceful and fair vote.

Power generation at Unit-1 of the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant in Dinajpur was suspended on Sunday (January 18, 2026) after a boiler tube burst, bringing electricity production at the plant to a complete halt. As a result, all three units of the plant, with a combined capacity of 525 megawatts (MW), are now out of operation. Read more: Child killed, 15 injured as bus overturns in Dinajpur Abu Bakar Siddique, chief engineer of the power plant, said that of the three units, Unit-1, with a capacity of 125 MW, had been generating around 60 MW of electricity at the time of the incident. “The boiler tube of Unit-1 burst around 11am due to excessive heat pressure. The water flowing inside the boiler has a temperature of around 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit,” he said. He added that it may take about a week for the boiler to cool down, after which the extent of the damage can be assessed. “If repairs are completed successfully, power generation can be resumed,” he said. Meanwhile, Unit-3, which has a capacity of 275 MW, has been shut down for overhauling work being carried out by Chinese engineers, while Unit-2 (125 MW) has remained out of operation for a long time due to technical faults. As a result, the coal-fired power plant is currently completely shut down. Read more: Big push for renewables: 220 MW Sonagazi solar plant gets green light Officials warned that the shutdown may lead to load-shedding in northern districts, potentially disrupting production at electricity-dependent industries and causing hardship across the region.

Police arrested a man suspected of being involved in a series of five killings at an abandoned community centre in Savar. The accused was arrested on Sunday evening, confirmed Savar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Arman Ali. The accused, Mashirur Rahman Khan Samrat, also known as “Psycho Samrat” or “Mental,” was arrested following the recovery of two bodies from the second floor of the abandoned community centre near Savar municipality. 2 burnt bodies recovered from abandoned community centre at Savar Police said CCTV footage from the surrounding area helped identify Samrat, who had been moving around the area disguised as a homeless person. During preliminary investigation, the suspect allegedly confessed to his involvement in Sunday’s two murders as well as three earlier killings at the same location. The OC said the case is highly sensitive and brutal, he was detained in a swift operation, further investigation is underway.

Leaflets titled ‘Yes’ for the upcoming referendum will be delivered to every household in Dhaka Metropolitan City. The information was shared at a meeting held at the office of Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Prof Ali Riaz on Sunday, attended by Local Government Secretary Md Rezaul Maksud Zahedi, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Mohammad Ejaz, and Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md Mahmudul Hasan. As part of the awareness campaign, drop-down banners, billboards on high-rise buildings, festoons on road islands, and stickers at various establishments will be displayed across the metropolis to encourage city residents to vote ‘Yes’ in the referendum. The campaign aims to inspire voters with the resolve to build a democratic, humane and prosperous Bangladesh, said a handout. Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Monir Haider (Consensus) was also present at the meeting.