United News of Bangladesh

A man allegedly died by suicide in Harinakunda upazila of Jhenaidah on Friday, with family members claiming that he had been distressed over his wife's alleged extramarital relationship. The deceased was identified as Zahid Hossain, 38, son of Mosiar Rahman of Ramnagar village in the upazila. Locals said Zahid became mentally distressed and humiliated after the issue of his wife’s extramarital affair came to the attention of family members and neighbours. Allegedly unable to cope with the situation, he took his own life by hanging himself at his residence on Friday afternoon while other family members were unaware, locals said. Asit Kumar, Harinakunda Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), said police rushed to the scene after receiving information and prepared an inquest report. “The victim’s family has alleged that he chose the extreme step due to his wife’s alleged extramarital affair and the social embarrassment arising from it,” the OC said. He said the body would be sent to the Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. Police are investigating whether there was any instigation or other factors behind the death, he added. Legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation and any written complaint filed by the victim’s family, the OC said.

A schoolboy died after being electrocuted while attempting to hoist a Brazil flag on a mango tree in Gafargaon upazila of Mymensingh on Friday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Mahin Sheikh, 14, son of Nayan Sheikh of South Harina village under Panchbhag Union in the upazila.  He was a student of class eight of Panchbhag Islamia High School. According to police and locals, Mahin climbed a mango tree beside his house to hang a Brazil flag marking the ongoing FIFA World Cup festivities. At one stage, the bamboo pole being used to place the flag tilted and came into contact with a rural electricity line running beside the tree, leaving him critically injured from electrocution. Locals  and family members rushed to the local health complex and later shifted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital as his condition worsened. Doctors at the hospital’s emergency department declared him dead upon arrival. Aminul Islam, Pagla Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), said police visited the scene after receiving information about the accident.

Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister of Nepal Biraj Bhakta Shrestha on Thursday recalled the historic commencement of power flow in 2024 from Nepal to Bangladesh and expressed confidence that energy collaboration would continue to expand in the near future. In his video message, he also called for greater collective efforts to build a robust and long-term energy partnership. Bangladesh seeks early conclusion of PTA with Nepal to boost economic cooperation The Minister made the remarks while speaking at a programme in the evening to mark the commencement of the new season of power flow from Nepal to Bangladesh. Speaking on the occasion, senior BNP leader and Member of Parliament of Bangladesh Abdul Moyeen Khan expressed his satisfaction over the resumption of power flow this year. He said Bangladesh looks forward to expanding cooperation with Nepal in the energy sector. He also expressed hope that energy partnership initiatives would continue to grow, paving the way for a coordinated regional energy strategy and unhindered power cooperation in the future. Additional Secretary of the Power Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of Bangladesh, KM Ali Reza, said the occasion symbolised the growing partnership between Nepal and Bangladesh and demonstrated the immense potential of regional cooperation in the energy sector. He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to working closely with Nepal and other regional partners to advance this shared vision. In his welcome remarks, Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh Ghanashyam Bhandari highlighted the multifaceted relationship between Nepal and Bangladesh. He noted that the commencement of power flow represents not only an economic opportunity but also a shared commitment to a greener and more sustainable future for the two countries. Referring to Bangladesh’s growing energy demand and Nepal’s hydropower potential, the Ambassador emphasised that the enhanced energy partnership is both natural and mutually beneficial. The programme, organised by the Embassy, was aimed at highlighting the significance of cross-border electricity trade and deliberating on the growing potential of energy cooperation between Nepal and Bangladesh. The programme brought together key stakeholders from the energy and power sectors of Bangladesh, including politicians, senior government officials, prominent business leaders, media representatives and friends of the Embassy.

A former professor of Kushtia Government College died on Friday morning after sustaining injuries in an attack over a land dispute in the district’s Sadar upazila. The deceased was identified as Moslem Mondal, 54, a former professor of the Accounting Department of Kushtia Government College. He was also serving as an officer on special duty (OSD) attached to the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE). He died around 6:30am while undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) in Dhaka. According to family members and police, Moslem Mondal was attacked around 8:30pm on Wednesday when he went to pick mangoes from an orchard located on the disputed land in Doctor Para area of Kamalapur under Kushtia Sadar. The attackers allegedly assaulted him with locally made weapons, leaving him critically injured with wounds on his left leg, right hand, ankle and other parts of his body. Locals rescued him and admitted him to Kushtia 250-bed General Hospital. Later, he was shifted to NITOR in Dhaka as his condition deteriorated, where he died on Friday. One of his family members, Bulu Khatun, said there had been a long-running land dispute between Moslem Mondal and some relatives and the latest attack took place over picking mangoes and several relatives were present at the scene during the incident. Kabir Hossain Matubbar, Kushtia Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), said police rushed to the spot after the family informed the national emergency service number 999 on the day of the incident and rescued Moslem Mondal before sending him to hospital. He said a previous case between the two sides is still under investigation and legal action will be taken after receiving a complaint over the latest incident.

The government is working relentlessly to ensure safe and pure drinking water for every citizen in urban and municipal areas as part of its ongoing development agenda, Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku said today. Various infrastructural development projects are being implemented across the country in line with the development programs announced by the Prime Minister to improve people’s living standards, the State Minister said. Tuku was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of a 680-cubic-meter capacity overhead water tank near the Eidgah field in Ward No. 6 of Tangail Municipality. The project is being implemented by the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) under the Water Supply System Expansion and Development Project. The State Minister said that the construction of the overhead water tanks in Ward No. 6 and the Ashekpur Bypass area will significantly improve public health by providing local residents with seamless access to safe drinking water. Such initiatives will further accelerate the pace of local development, he added. Prior to the event, Sultan Salauddin Tuku laid the foundation stone for another overhead water tank in the Ashekpur Bypass area to guarantee pure water supply for the town’s residents. Sanjay Kumar Mohanta, Additional District Magistrate (General) and Administrator of Tangail Municipality; Mahmudul Haque Sanu, former member secretary of district BNP; local public representatives, municipal officials, and political leaders were present at the event, among others.

Bangladesh has called for deeper cooperation with UN Women to advance women’s economic empowerment, climate resilience and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. Bangladesh made the call during a meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and Under-Secretary-General & Executive Director UN Women Sima Bahous in New York on Friday. Bangladesh urges stronger global action on humanitarian law, Rohingya repatriation The State Minister recalled former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s visionary introduction of free education for girls and highlighted the government’s continued efforts to empower women through free education up to the postgraduate level and enhanced reproductive and mental health support. USG Bahous highly commended Bangladesh’s efforts in advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality, according to Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations. She congratulated Bangladesh on the election as President of the 81st Session of the UNGA and expressed UN Women’s readiness to further strengthen cooperation with the Government of Bangladesh on women’s empowerment and the WPS agenda. She also praised the significant contributions of Bangladeshi women to peacebuilding and United Nations peacekeeping operations. On the Rohingya crisis, the State Minister expressed concern over funding shortfalls affecting Rohingya women and girls, and reiterated that the repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar remains the only sustainable solution to the crisis.

Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon on Friday said there is no alternative to developing students into skilled human resources and urged them to equip themselves with practical knowledge and professional skills to contribute to the country's development. "Education should not be confined to obtaining a degree. It must be linked to skills, productivity and employability so that students can make meaningful contributions to national development," he said while addressing the orientation programme for first-year undergraduate students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) for the 2025-26 academic session (55th batch). Teacher recruitment, promotions stalled due to pending cases: Milon The programme was held at the university's Zahir Raihan Auditorium with Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan in the chair. The minister said every citizen has responsibilities towards family, society and the country, adding that Bangladesh's future largely depends on its educated youth. "You must prepare yourselves to contribute effectively to the nation's progress," he told the freshers. Referring to global demographic trends, Milon said many developed countries are experiencing population decline, while Bangladesh's population continues to grow. "If we can transform this large population into skilled human resources, it will become one of the country's greatest strengths," he said. He also said Bangladeshi youths could play a significant role in the global workforce through quality education, practical knowledge and professional skills. Earlier, the university administration welcomed the freshers with flowers. Around 2,000 students from different faculties attended the programme. Acting Registrar Md ABM Azizur Rahman formally presented the newly admitted students to the respective deans for academic enrolment, after which the deans welcomed them. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan later administered the oath to the freshers. Director of the Student Welfare and Counselling Centre Prof Dr Jamal Uddin delivered the welcome address, while Additional Director Associate Prof Ameena Islam conducted the programme. University Proctor Prof Dr M Rashidul Alam urged students to maintain discipline on campus. Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Dr Md Shamsul Alam, Pro Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Dr Muhammad Nazrul Islam and Treasurer Prof Dr Md Abdur Rob also addressed the programme as special guests. Representatives of the JU Central Students' Union (JUCSU), student organisations, teachers, officials and students also attended the event and the programme concluded at 9:00 pm.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Ekushey Padak-winning poet and eminent journalist Al Mujahidi. In a condolence message, the Prime Minister said Al Mujahidi had been a lifelong campaigner for democracy, human rights and the country's independence and sovereignty. MP demands ‘Child FF’ recognition for PM Tarique Rahman “His death has created a deep void in our literary and cultural arena, which will not be easy to fill,” he said. Tarique Rahman conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family and prayed for the salvation of the departed soul. “I am deeply saddened by the death of Al Mujahidi,” he said, extending his sincere condolences to the members of the grieving family. Poet Al Mujahidi, also a freedom fighter and renowned student leader of the 1960s, died while undergoing treatment at United Hospital in Gulshan on Friday afternoon at the age 83.

A local BNP leader was seriously injured after being attacked with sharp weapons by unidentified assailants outside his residence in the capital’s Mohammadpur area on Friday noon. The injured was identified as Md Nurul Islam, 55, senior joint general secretary of BNP’s Ward No. 33 unit in Mohammadpur. The attack took place around 2:30pm near Satmasjid Housing in Mohammadpur. According to police, six attackers arrived on two motorcycles and indiscriminately hacked Nurul Islam beneath his residence before fleeing the scene. He sustained severe injuries to the left side of his face, shoulder and left hand. Family members rescued him and first took him to a nearby hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was later shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for advanced treatment. He is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital’s emergency department. Yasin, a nephew of the injured BNP leader, said the family was not yet aware of the identities of the attackers or the motive behind the assault. Jewel Rana, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of DMP’s Mohammadpur Division, said preliminary findings suggest that the attack may have stemmed from political rivalry. Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police are jointly working to identify and arrest those involved in the incident he added.

A girl of Class IX who was allegedly abducted from Sylhet’s Moglabazar area three years ago has been rescued from Brahmanbaria. She was rescued and the sole accused, her private tutor at the time, arrested during a joint operation conducted by RAB-9 and CPC-1 in the Char Islampur area under Bijoynagar Police Station in Brahmanbaria on Thursday night. Elderly man detained for 'attempted rape' of 6-year-old in ‍Sylhet According to RAB and the case statement, the victim was a Class IX student of Nabarun High School under Moglabazar Police Station in Sylhet. She went to school as usual on the morning of May 21, 2023, but did not return home. After searching in all possible places without success, her family filed a general diary (GD) with Moglabazar Police Station. Later, the family learned from local sources that the girl's private tutor, Antar Khan, had allegedly lured her into a romantic relationship and forcibly abducted her, keeping her confined at an undisclosed location. Fearing that their daughter might have been raped, trafficked or murdered, the victim’s mother filed a regular case with Moglabazar Police Station. Following the filing of the case, RAB-9 launched a shadow investigation and intensified intelligence activities. Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of RAB-9 (Headquarters Company, Sylhet) and CPC-1 (Brahmanbaria) conducted a raid in the Char Islampur area around 10:30pm on Thursday. During the operation, they arrested the lone accused, Antar Khan, 25, in connection with a case filed under Section 7 of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000 (as amended in 2025), and rescued the abducted schoolgirl unharmed. Antar Khan is the son of Azad Khan of Eralia Para village in Baniachang upazila of Habiganj district. RAB-9 Additional Superintendent of Police and Media Officer KM Shahidul Islam Sohag said the accused and the victim were handed over to Moglabazar Police Station for further legal proceedings.