United News of Bangladesh

Thousands of holidaymakers thronged the on Friday as the rare pink albino buffalo named “Donald Trump” emerged as the star attraction during Eid-ul-Azha celebrations.

Marking the International Day of Peacekeepers, the United Nations (UN) on Friday honoured over 50,000 peacekeepers worldwide, including over 4,000 from Bangladesh. The UN also paid tribute to those who gave their lives in service of peace.  "Their work underscores the urgency of investing in peace," said UN office in Bangladesh. The International Day of UN Peacekeepers, marked every year on May 29, is an opportunity to honour peacekeepers for their service and sacrifice. These women and men face real risks in the line of duty, and their safety and security remain a top priority.  The UN continues to strengthen protective measures to mitigate threats and enable them to carry out their mandates safely. In a message, Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, said, "Right now, more than 50,000 UN peacekeepers are deployed across the globe protecting civilian lives." Far from home, in some of the world’s most dangerous settings, they deescalate tensions between hostile parties, oversee aid delivery, support elections, and create space for political solutions to grow, he said. "On this International Day, we honour peacekeepers past and present, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to respect and strengthen their work. We pay tribute to the nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948, including 59 last year," Guterres said.  He said no one should die serving the cause of peace. "Attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law, and Member States must uphold their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel at all times." In an era of rising tensions, peacekeeping is a proven and cost-effective way to restore stability and hope, said the UN Chief. "But it requires steady political backing – and reliable financial support." This year’s theme, Invest in Peace, calls for decisive action to ensure peacekeepers have the resources to carry out their vital mandates. "An investment in peacekeeping is an investment in a safer future. Let us always support the people who help make peace possible," Guterres said. To mark the International Day at UN Headquarters, the UN Secretary-General will lay a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial in honour of fallen peacekeepers on Thursday (June 5).

Former students of the Department of Statistics of University of Dhaka from the 88 batch distributed sacrificial meat among poor families in Kalir Alga Char under Jatrapur Union of Kurigram Sadar Upazila on Friday. The humanitarian programme was organised in the remote char area separated by the Brahmaputra River, where more than 100 underprivileged families received sacrificial beef. Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu, a former student of the university’s Statistics Department and Senior Joint Convener of Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s Kurigram district unit, led the distribution programme. Jatrapur Union Panel Chairman Rahimuddin Haider Ripon, UP member Hossain Ali and local dignitaries were present during the programme. The organisers said the initiative was taken to share the joy of Eid-ul-Azha with poor and helpless people living in the char area. They also expressed hope that such humanitarian activities would continue in future to support people living in remote and isolated riverine areas. Local residents appreciated the initiative, saying the assistance had made the joy of Eid more meaningful for the people of the char.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday visited different parts of the capital to personally inspect the progress of sacrificial waste removal activities following Eid-ul-Azha. Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony said Tarique Rahman came out around 4:00pm and drove himself through different routes in the city to see whether the sacrificial waste removal activities were being carried out properly. He said the Prime Minister started from his residence on Gulshan Avenue and travelled through Gulshan-1, Hatirjheel, Rampura Road and Malibagh via Abul Hotel, before heading towards Basabo through Taltala Market. Rony said Tarique Rahman’s route also included Kamalapur Stadium, Sayedabad bus terminal, Jatrabari intersection, Dholai Khal, Shaheed Faruk Road, Dayaganj Road, Narinda and Ray Saheb Bazar intersection. He also travelled through Court Road, Naya Bazar, Bangshal Road, Gulistan, Shahbagh, Elephant Road and the Dhaka University area before heading towards New Market and Science Laboratory. From there, the Prime Minister went through Kalabagan, Mirpur Road, the City College area, Shimanto Square, Jigatala bus stand and Road-27 before travelling along Manik Mia Avenue and the Mohakhali area, the deputy press secretary added.

Sada Dal of Dhaka University, a BNP-leaning teachers' alliance, has strongly condemned and protested remarks made by State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, who compared Dhaka University to a “coaching centre.” In a statement issued today, Sada Dal said the recent comments made by the state minister were “extremely derogatory and irresponsible” and unacceptable under any circumstances. The organization said Dhaka University currently ranks among the country’s leading research institutions and holds the top position among public universities in Bangladesh in terms of research and publications. According to the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia rankings, the university remains one of the country’s premier institutions for higher education and research, it added. The statement noted that nearly 56 active and specialized research bureaus and centres operate under the university’s science, arts, and social science faculties. Among them are the Centre for Advanced Research in Sciences (CARS) and the Centre for Social Science Research (CSSR). It also mentioned that teachers and students of Dhaka University publish numerous research papers every year in internationally recognized Scopus and Web of Science indexed journals. The Sada Dal alleged that while commenting on the university’s research activities, the state minister compared Dhaka University with two private universities based on “false information,” which it described as highly condemnable. The statement further said Dhaka University is not merely a higher education institution but is deeply intertwined with the history, birth, and development of independent Bangladesh. According to the statement, Dhaka University also provided historic leadership in various anti-autocracy movements in independent Bangladesh, including the anti-Ershad movement of the 1990s, resistance against the post-1/11 undemocratic government, and the 2024 anti-fascist mass uprising led by students and the public. Sada Dal also said Dhaka University has remained at the forefront of preserving Bengali culture, secular values, and the tradition of celebrating Pahela Baishakh. Despite limited budgets and what it described as state negligence, the university’s contributions to education and research continue to receive global recognition. The statement said, “Bangladesh means Dhaka University.” It termed it extremely unfortunate that a responsible state minister would make remarks such as “Dhaka University is a coaching centre” about such a historic institution closely tied to the nation’s emotions and identity. The organisation claimed that the minister’s remarks could not have come from any “sane or historically conscious individual” and instead appeared to be “ignorant ramblings.” It said such comments from a member of the government were deeply shameful and had hurt the entire university community as well as the people of the country. The statement added that the remarks had insulted current students, teachers, former teachers and alumni of the university, along with its glorious history and contributions. Demanding an immediate withdrawal of the comments, Sada Dal warned that teachers and students would be compelled to announce tougher programmes to protect the dignity of the university if the remarks were not retracted. The statement was signed by Sada Dal convener prof. Dr. Md Morshed Hasan Khan and joint conveners prof. Dr Abdus Salam and prof. Dr Md Abul Kalam Sarker.

At least 50 people were injured while slaughtering sacrificial animals in different parts of Sylhet on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. Among the injured, 20 were admitted to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, while the others returned home after receiving primary treatment. Hospital authorities said the injured people received treatment at the hospital’s emergency department between 7:30pm and 8:30pm on Thursday. Anwar Zaman, in-charge of the hospital outpost, said around 50 people from different areas of Sylhet were injured while slaughtering sacrificial animals. “Thirty people returned home after receiving primary treatment, while the remaining 20 were admitted to different wards of the hospital,” he said. According to the hospital’s Casualty Unit, most of the injuries were caused by careless use of knives and sharp tools during slaughtering. Some people were also injured after being kicked or gored by cattle. People concerned said lack of experience and poor handling were the main reasons behind the accidents, as many of the injured were not professional butchers.

Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister, and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said the newly established Thakurgaon University will be developed as a world-class institution free from political influence, nepotism and partisan considerations. Speaking at the inauguration of the university’s temporary office in the Tatipara area of Thakurgaon town, he stressed that all appointments – from faculty members to administrative staff – will be made solely on the basis of merit and qualifications. “We want to build Thakurgaon University into a truly world-class institution. There will be no room for political influence, favouritism or nepotism in recruitment. Only the most qualified and competent candidates will be appointed,” Fakhrul said. The temporary office has been set up on the western side of the Govt Boys’ High School ground in Thakurgaon town. Describing the university as a long-cherished aspiration of the people of the district, Fakhrul said the institution represents more than just an educational establishment. “Thakurgaon University is a reflection of the hopes and dreams of the people of this region. If we want to establish a modern and internationally competitive university, we cannot compromise on the quality of education,” he said. The BNP leader also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the government for taking steps to establish the university. He noted that the people of Thakurgaon had long demanded both a medical college and a university, adding that the government moved quickly to fulfil the demand by establishing the university, appointing a vice-chancellor and launching its temporary office. “The inauguration of the temporary office marks an important step towards making the university fully operational,” Fakhrul said. Among others, State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad, Thakurgaon-3 MP Zahidul Islam, Vice-Chancellor of the university Dr Md Israfil, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rafiqul Huq district BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin, among others, addressed the programme. Senior government officials, political leaders, academics, journalists and local dignitaries were also present.

Tourist destinations in the scenic hill district of Khagrachhari are gradually witnessing an increase in visitors during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, raising hopes among tourism stakeholders for a busy vacation season. Although visitor numbers remained relatively low on Eid day, popular attractions such as Alutila Tourist Centre, Khagrachhari Zila Parishad Horticulture Park and Richhang Waterfall have begun drawing larger crowds since Friday morning. So far, most of the visitors have been domestic tourists, many of whom travelled with family and friends to enjoy the district’s lush green hills, waterfalls, lakes and unique natural landscapes. Tour operators expect the number of visitors to rise further in the coming days as holidaymakers from different parts of the country continue to arrive during the extended Eid break. Many tourists expressed admiration for Khagrachhari’s natural beauty, particularly the Alutila Tourist Centre and its famous mysterious cave. They described the experience of walking through the naturally formed cave as both exciting and memorable, offering a rare adventure amid the tranquil hill environment. “Many people travel abroad to enjoy nature, but destinations like Khagrachhari show that Bangladesh itself has extraordinary beauty waiting to be explored,” said a tourist visiting Alutila with his family. The district's rolling hills, serene lakes and cascading waterfalls have long made it one of the most sought-after destinations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Despite the gradual rise in tourist arrivals, hotel and resort owners said bookings have yet to meet expectations. Rajib Dey, assistant manager of Hotel Aronnyo Bilas, however, expressed hope that occupancy rates will improve significantly over the remaining days of the holiday as more visitors make last-minute travel plans. To ensure the safety and security of tourists, the Tourist Police has taken special measures across the district. Assistant Sub-Inspector of Tourist Police Nayan Barua said police personnel have been deployed at major tourist spots, while mobile patrol teams are working to provide assistance and respond quickly to any emergencies involving visitors. Among other most popular attractions of Khagrachhari are hanging bridge, picturesque lakes, Mayabini Lake, Hatimatha Hill, Debota Pukur and Toiduchhara Waterfall. With its breathtaking landscapes, peaceful environment and growing tourism facilities, Khagrachhari is once again emerging as a favourite Eid holiday destination for nature lovers seeking a refreshing escape from city life.

The annual rush of rawhide trading has begun at Posta, the country's largest rawhide market, as thousands of sacrificial animal skins from across Bangladesh arrive in the capital following Eid-ul-Azha. Located in the Posta area of Lalbagh in Old Dhaka, the bustling market has once again transformed into a hive of activity, with the arrival of trucks, pickups and vans carrying freshly collected cattle and goat hides from different districts.

The waste removal operation of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) continued in full swing on the second day of Eid-ul-Azha on Friday to ensure the quick disposal of sacrificial animal waste and temporary cattle market waste across its jurisdiction. "Like the first day of Eid-ul-Azha, activities to remove waste from sacrificial animals and temporary cattle markets are being carried out vigorously on the second day as well. We are committed to removing all waste within the shortest possible time to ensure comfort for city residents,” DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam said. In the morning, he visited the temporary cattle market at Shahjahanpur Railway Colony and inspected the ongoing waste removal activities. During the visit, he instructed the officials and workers concerned to complete the operation as quickly as possible. Abdus Salam said the waste removal target for the second day of Eid has been fixed at 11,776 tonnes and expressed hope that the target will be achieved within the stipulated timeframe through coordinated efforts of conservancy workers, transport workers and the relevant departments. Officials and workers of DSCC’s Waste Management Department and other relevant sections have been working round the clock in the field to provide city dwellers with a clean and hygienic environment. According to the DSCC, a total of 14,814 tonnes of sacrificial waste had been dumped at the Matuail landfill site by Eid day midnight. To ensure quick waste disposal during Eid-ul-Azha, it has deployed additional manpower, vehicles, containers and cleaning equipment across its areas. A special monitoring team has also been working round the clock to oversee the entire operation.