United News of Bangladesh

A fire broke out under a carriage of the Panchagarh-bound intercity Banglabandha Express train at Madhnagar Railway Station in Natore on Thursday, leaving the train stranded for three hours and causing immense suffering to passengers. Railway staff tried until 7 p.m. to repair the malfunction but failed to get the wheel working. The train eventually left for Rajshahi, leaving the faulty carriage behind. Assistant Station Master Azizul Islam said the incident occurred around 4 p.m. when the train entered Madhnagar station. Flames and thick smoke were seen near the wheel of a coach, prompting immediate efforts to control the situation.

A 16-year-old boy went missing after falling into the Atrai River during an idol immersion ceremony in Mohadevpur  upazila of Naogaon on Thursday evening. The missing boy was identified as Roni Howlader, son of Ranjit Howlader from Bandubi village in Manda upazila. According to locals and police, the idol immersion festival was being celebrated as usual. Many people, including family members and friends, took a boat to the river to enjoy the event. The boat reached the Shivganj area of Mohadevpur r when it suddenly went out of control, causing Roni to fall into the river. 2 children drown in Naogaon village pond People on the boat immediately informed the police and with their support, a diver team from the local Fire Service, along with villagers, started a rescue operation. However, four hours have passed, and Roni is yet to be found. Shahin Reza , officer-in-charge of Mohadevpur  Police Station, confirmed the incident, saying, “We hope to find the missing boy soon.”

Ganosamhati Andolon has strongly condemned the Israeli interception and detention of activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was en route to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid, calling it a blatant act of aggression and part of the ongoing genocide against Palestinians. In a statement issued on Thursday, Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki and Executive Coordinator Abul Hasan said the flotilla, a peaceful civil initiative aimed at breaking the siege on Gaza, was unjustly targeted. "Attacking efforts to deliver humanitarian aid is part of a broader attempt to suppress the Palestinian liberation struggle," the statement read. "On one hand, Israel is carrying out a genocide, and on the other, it is silencing voices of international solidarity with the Palestinian people." The leaders mentioned that people are being killed every day in Gaza, while homes, hospitals, and essential infrastructure are being systematically destroyed. In this context, the detention of flotilla participants represents, they said, a “naked form of Israeli aggression.” They also condemned the “two-faced role of international powers,” which they said continues to embolden Israeli actions by failing to take a principled stand. The statement highlighted that Shahidul Alam, an eminent Bangladeshi photographer and activist, and Ruhi Loren, a Bangladeshi-origin international activist, were among the flotilla participants, symbolizing the solidarity of the people of Bangladesh—and the global community—with Palestine. Ganosamhati Andolon extended its gratitude to all the activists involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla, recognizing their courage and commitment to justice. Protests erupt in major cities after interception of Global Sumud Flotilla The party reiterated its demand for the immediate release of all detained flotilla activists, the lifting of the blockade on Gaza, an end to Israeli aggression and genocide, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. They further called on the Bangladeshi interim government to officially protest the detention of the Sumud Flotilla participants and take a clear stance in support of Palestine.

Two children went missing after a motorized boat capsized in the Turag River in Kaliakoir upazila of Gazipur on Thursday evening, during the immersion of idols at the end of Bijoya Dashami celebrations. The missing children have been identified as Tanmoy and Ankita, both residents of Dakshin Hijabatoli village in Kaliakoir. Eyewitnesses said two boats collided in the river, causing one—carrying around 18 to 20 people, including several children—to overturn. While most passengers managed to swim ashore, the two children remain unaccounted for. On information, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Kawsar Ahmed, along with Fire Service personnel and local police, rushed to the scene and launched search and rescue operations.    

The Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sansad (BAGCHAS) held a rally at Dhaka University on Thursday afternoon to express solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was mostly intercepted by Israel. Titled ‘Sumud: Steadfast,’ the program emphasized Palestinians’ right to self-determination. A procession, which started from the Raju Sculpture at the University of Dhaka and concluded at Projonmo Chattar in Shahbagh, preceded the rally. Protests erupt in major cities after interception of Global Sumud Flotilla

The prices of green chilli increased suddenly by Tk100 per kg in the kitchen market of Dhaka amid holiday mood in the city. Talking with the correspondent, Abdul Hai, a street vendor of vegetables in the Segun Bagicha areas of the capital, stated on Thursday that the prices of green chillies have increased by Tk100 per kg in the wholesale market. As a result, they are selling green chilli by Tk300 to 320 per kg, which was Tk 200 per kg yesterday (Wednesday). Not only green chilli but also the prices of almost all vegetables increased by Tk10 to 20 per kg on Thursday. The traders have blamed rainy weather and the short supply of vegetables in the wholesale market. Alauddin Hawlader told UNB that the prices of almost all vegetables increased as the farmers are not picking/collecting vegetables from the field during the rains. Besides, vegetable fields of low-lying areas are remaining underwater, and the vegetables of the surrounding Dhaka were damaged by waterlogging. This adverse weather in late autumn has affected the vegetable field and early cultivated winter vegetables fields, he said. The consecutive days of rain have resulted in damaged harvests, pushing the prices of most vegetables above the Tk 80 per kg mark, with most seeing an increase of Tk 10 to Tk 20 from the previous week. The rising trend was observed during a market visit conducted by UNB reporters on Thursday across major city markets, including Karwan Bazar, Mohakhali, Hatirpool, Fakirapool, and Gopibag.

A man was killed and his wife seriously injured after being struck by lightning in Nabinagar upazila of Brahmanbaria on Thursday afternoon. The incident took place at their home in Moktarampur Kandapara village while they were working outside. The deceased was identified as Nazr Ali Mia, 50. Locals rushed them to Salimganj Oliur Rahman General Hospital, where doctors declared Nazr Ali dead. His wife received initial treatment and was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced care. Doctors said her condition is critical. Brahmanbaria youth dies following alleged mob beating, police torture Witnesses said the couple fell to the ground immediately after the lightning struck. The sudden tragedy has left the local community in mourning.

Durga Puja, the biggest festival of Bengali Hindu community, ended on Thursday with the immersion of the idols of Goddess Durga and her children in water bodies across the country amid festivity. According to Hindu belief, the goddess Durga has returned to her husband's house at Kailash in Devaloy (heaven) through immersion. In the capital, thousands of people thronged the Buriganga River on Thursday to observe the final phase of the festival -- immersion of the goddess. Hindu devotees from different parts of the city came to the ghat in trucks carrying idols while singing hymns to Durga with the sounds of musical instruments such as 'Shankha', 'Khol', 'Dhak'. Devotees were seen bidding farewell to the mother deity and her children - Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik and Ganesh - through the immersion of their idols, wishing Durga's return next year.  

A 50-year-old woman and her daughter were killed and two others injured when a train hit a CNG-run auto-rickshaw at Moulvipara level crossing in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram district on Thursday. The deceased were identified as Masuda Akter, wife of Badiul Alam and her daughter Sanjida Akter Chumki, 28 of Moulvipara area. Quoting witnesses, Ashraf Siddique, in-charge of Railway Police, said the accident occurred in the afternoon when the Dhaka-bound ‘Mahanagar Express’ train hit the CNG-run auto-rickshaw while passing the level crossing, leaving two killed on the spot and two others injured. The CNG-run auto-rickshaw got twisted after being hit by the train and rolled over nearly 100 feet away from the rail track. The injured Badiul and his grandson Safwan were taken to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital.

The ongoing construction of the cancer unit at the Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital is set to be completed in three months, assured Sylhet’s deputy commissioner, Md. Sarwar Alam, on Thursday. The announcement came after a delegation from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works assessed the progress of the construction. “We are hopeful that the cancer unit will begin operation within the next three months. Once launched, this facility will significantly ease the suffering of cancer patients in Sylhet and surrounding districts,” said Sarwar Alam. He promised steps to get rid of the prevalence of brokers at the Osmani Medical College Hospital.“Doctors and nurses are working sincerely, but services are strained under the pressure of excess patients,” he said. Although the hospital is equipped with a 500-bed capacity, it is currently serving nearly 3,000 patients. The DC noted that the additional crowd of patients’ relatives is further complicating hospital management. “We are working relentlessly to improve the situation,” he said. Nazrul Islam, secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, along with officials from Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, was also present during the visit.