United News of Bangladesh

Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who currently serves as the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, on Friday commended Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus for his leadership in steering Bangladesh through economic challenges. He praised Prof Yunus' initiatives aimed at stabilising the economy and promoting inclusive growth. The Chief Adviser held a telephone conversation with former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the discussion centered on Bangladesh's ongoing economic recovery efforts and the urgent need to enhance educational opportunities for Rohingya refugee children, said CA's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad. The two leaders expressed deep concerns  over the educational plight of Rohingya children residing in Bangladesh's refugee camps. BB Governor seeks stronger UK ties on asset recovery With over half a million children lacking access to formal education, both emphasised the critical importance of providing learning opportunities to prevent a "lost generation". "We must ensure that Rohingya children grow up with a hope and the tools to build a better future," Prof Yunus said, highlighting his government's commitment to mobilising support for the Rohingya community. Gordon Brown indicated his willingness to collaborate with Bangladesh to expand educational programmes within the camps, drawing on his global advocacy for education. Prof Yunus honoured with prestigious Harmony Award by King Charles III He also expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh in the coming months to assess the situation firsthand and explore avenues for support. The conversation also touched upon broader issues of mutual interest, including the reform agenda of the Interim Government and its role in facilitating a peaceful transition to democracy.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur hoped there would be a deeper collaboration with the UK National Crimes Agency (NCA) and International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre (IACCC) in the future. He also hoped that the UK's decision to take the lead with an aggregate £ 250mn of asset freezes would inspire other key money laundering destination country governments to also follow with similar actions to support Bangladesh's asset recovery.   The central bank Governor visited London from June 10 to June 13 as part of an entourage of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. The BB Governor held a number of important meetings separately in support of key policy issues. The Govornor, along with Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Dr Mohammad Abdul Momen, on June 11 visited the UK National Crimes Agency (NCA) and met a number of senior officials, including Daniel Murphy, head of the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre (IACCC). The Governor expressed his appreciation for the ongoing support and close collaboration IACCC had with Bangladesh's Asset Recovery Taskforce and technical assistance for the 11 Joint Investigations Teams (JITs) formed to investigate the 11 Priority Asset Recovery Cases. The Governor also extended thanks for the NCA asset freeze of £ 170mn of the former land minister Sifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed's property assets in the UK that followed on from £ 90 mn asset freeze of Shayan Rahman and Shariar Rahman of Beximco group's assets last month. Following the NCA visit, the Governor was the Chief Guest at an Asset Recovery Roundtable hosted by leading global law firm DLA Piper. This was also attended by a number of major Litigation funders such as Omni Bridgeway and Benchwalk Capital, as well as investigations firms such as Alvarez and Marsal and Sovereign Advisory/Strat Comms firm Unitas Global. They discussed the roadmap to achieve the Governor's goal to mobilize $ 100mn of Litigation funding to finance 30 cases before the end of 2025. A number of participants emphasised the need to quickly sign NDAs with Bangladesh Bank and individual banks to share data on their Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) and start the process of asset tracing and legal actions for recovery. Mansur also expressed his support for the suggestion from the roundtable attendees  of establishing a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to pursue legal claims in key target countries like the UK and Singapore  to institutionalise the asset recovery process and make it more resistant to political change. The Governor also met the world's largest Asset Manager, Blackrock, to update them on the improving Bangladesh macro outlook and persuade them to invest more in the banking sector as well as the capital markets. He met the Lord Mayor of London and leading fintech companies to discuss greater investment and collaboration from the City of  London with Bangladesh's financial sector. The Governor invited the Lord Mayor to visit Bangladesh at his earliest convenience. He met a number of money exchange houses in London to understand how to make the remittance process smoother and encourage the strong momentum of remittance growth to continue.

Border Guard Bangladesh on Friday detained 13 people who were reportedly pushed in by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) through the Barlekha border in Moulvibazar. They were detained near the New Pallathal border outpost (BOP). The detainees include four men, three women, and six children. Lt Col Arifjan, commanding officer of BGB Battalion-52, said that the BSF pushed the 13 Bangladeshi nationals across the border into Bangladesh territory. Locals assisted the BGB in detaining them once they entered the country, he added. The identities of the individuals are being verified. Rafiquddin Ahmed, chairman of Uttar Shahbajpur Union Parishad, said on Friday afternoon that the detainees were being kept at a local school under BGB custody. Their identities remain unknown as of yet. BGB detains 15 people after being pushed into Dinajpur by BSF Earlier, on the night of May 24, the BSF reportedly pushed 121 people into Bangladesh through the same Pallathal border in Barlekha. BGB later detained them, verified their identities, and handed them over to the police. The police subsequently released them to their family members. With the latest incident, a total of 285 individuals have been detained while being pushed in through the Barlekha border to date, according to BGB sources.

Lesley Craig, Head of the South Asia Regional Department, FCDO, UK, accompanied by Commodore Whalley, met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday to brief him on the naval, oceanographic and survey vessel HMS Enterprise that is being procured for the Bangladesh Navy. The HMS Enterprise is a versatile hydrographic survey vessel designed to carry out advanced hydrographic and oceanographic data collection. The UK team briefed the Chief Adviser on the various capabilities and roles that the ship had and was capable of. The Chief Adviser was keen to know how the platform would enhance Bangladesh’s abilities to scope, survey and collect data from its waters for the benefit of science, knowledge and research. 'It'll inspire youths to build Bangladesh they dream of': Prof Yunus on receiving Harmony Award He also requested the UK team to assist by providing what equipment might further be needed to enhance its capabilities and knowledge in the maritime domain, find ways for new resource exploration, study effects of climate change, help preserve mangrove forests, conduct fisheries studies, research biodiversity and a host of other issues. The Chief Adviser also stressed bilateral research collaboration between the two nations by using the capabilities of this vessel in the near future. He especially stressed the maritime education collaboration of young students to extract maximum benefit from this vessel exchange. Prof Yunus firmly believed that such a vessel would enable Bangladesh to know its oceans and resources better for the benefit of its people.

Five deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hour till Friday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh 28 this year. In recent fatalities, four were reported in Barishal division (outside of city corporation area) and one in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 159 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever during the period, raising the number of confirmed cases to 5,570 since the beginning of this year. Of them, Barishal division (out of city corporation area) alone reported 124 new cases; Chattogram Division (outside city corporations) recorded nine cases, Dhaka Division (outside city corporations) reported nine, while 12 cases were detected in DSCC, one in Dhaka North City Corporation and another one in Sylhet Division (outside of city corporation), and three in Khulna Division (out of city corporation). COVID: 2 deaths, 15 more cases reported in 24hrs Currently, 531 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. According to the DGHS, there were 101,214 dengue cases and 100,040 recoveries in the same year.

Bangladesh reported two deaths and 15 new COVID cases in 24 hours till Friday morning, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). With the latest figures, the death toll has risen to 29,502 and total number of confirmed cases in the country has reached 20,51,800. A total of 174 samples were tested during the latest reporting period of 24 hours [between 8am Thursday and 8am Friday], resulting in a daily positivity rate of 8.62 per cent. Govt issues 11-point directives to prevent spread of Covid-19 The overall positivity rate stands at 13.05 per cent till now, while the fatality rate based on detected cases remains at 1.44 per cent, said the DGHS press release. Meanwhile, the number of people who have recovered from COVID-19 in the country now stands at 20,19,401.

A BNP supporter has been hacked to death over past enmity in Naria, Shariatpur. He died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday morning after he was attacked in front of Chandani Chhayal on his way back home on Thursday night. Chhatra Dal activists allegedly attack Shariatpur police station over seized motorbikes The deceased Abu Siddique Dhali (55) was the son of Safijaddir Dhali of Chandani area of Bhojeshwar. According to family and local sources Siddique was involved in BNP politics for a long time. Locals rescued him after he was attacked and took him to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital. From there doctors sent him to Dhaka Medical College. He died while undergoing treatment. Naria Upazila Swecchasebok Dal convener Sharif Wahiduzzaman Ujjal said, “This attack was pre-planned. This murder was committed to take political revenge .” The deceased’s brother, Jubo Dal leader Julhas Dhali, said, “My brother is not involved with any crime, we want justice for this murder.” Naria Circle Additional Superintendent of Police Ashiq Mahmud said, “After receiving the information, we visited the scene. Currently, additional police are deployed in the area. Legal action will be taken after the investigation.

A sweltering heatwave has thrown daily life into disarray in Kurigram, with residents struggling to cope amid soaring temperatures over the past several days. The oppressive heat has kept most people indoors, as only those with urgent needs or work obligations dare to venture outside. Those who must be out, particularly day labourers, are finding it increasingly difficult to bear the extreme weather. Hospitals and health centres across the district, including Kurigram Sadar Hospital and various upazila health complexes, have reported a noticeable surge in patients suffering from heat-related illnesses. According to the Kurigram Rajarhat Weather and Agricultural Research Centre, the district recorded a temperature of 35.7 degrees Celsius at noon on Friday, with humidity levels hovering around 50 per cent. Meteorologists have predicted that the heatwave is likely to persist for at least two more days. Md Abu Darda Helal, a resident of Ghoshpara in Kurigram municipality, said, “Since Eid day, the heat has been unbearable. Though clouds occasionally appear in the sky, there’s no sign of rain. It’s getting harder to work. Even the fan isn’t helping.” Mahbub Rahman, who is attending to his daughter at Kurigram Sadar Hospital, said, “It’s extremely hot. My daughter suddenly developed diarrhoea and we had to rush her to hospital. She’s recovering now, but it’s been difficult.” Eid holidaymakers returning to Dhaka on packed ferries Local pharmacy shop owner, Sayeed Babu noted a significant spike in the sales of saline and medicine for fever, cold, and cough. “People are coming in droves to buy rehydration solutions and other over-the-counter remedies,” he said. Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Nusrat Sultana urged the public to take precautionary measures during the heatwave. “We have issued urgent instructions to the health department to remain on alert. Extra care is especially needed for the elderly, adolescents, and children,” she said.

After a “satisfactory” meeting between Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman on Friday expressed the hope that the Election Commission will soon announce a date for the next national election. “There is no problem over the election time. We don’t see any problem…  We both sides in the joint statement talked about (our position on) the election, and we hope the Election Commission will soon announce a date for the election,” he told a joint press conference at Dorchester Hotel in London after the meeting. Both Dr Khalilur Rahman and BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said they were happy with the outcome of the meeting. “We’re surely satisfied. We also said that not only before the election, but also after the election, we all will work together for building the country,” said Khosru. Echoing the BNP leader, Dr Khalilur said, “The joint statement would not have been issued if both sides were not satisfied.” Earlier, a joint statement from the Chief Adviser and Acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman was issued following their meeting in London. Reading out the joint statement, Dr Khalilur Rahman said the meeting between Tarique and Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus was held in a very cordial atmosphere. The statement said Tarique Rahman proposed to the Chief Adviser that the national election be held before Ramadan next year. “Party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia also believes that holding the election during that time would be appropriate.” Election in mid-February as Chief Adviser agrees: Fakhrul “The Chief Adviser said he has already announced that the election will be held in early April next year. If all preparations are completed, it may even be possible to hold the election in the week before the start of Ramadan in 2026. But, in that case, sufficient progress would need to be made by then regarding reforms and the trial,” the joint statement reads. It said Tarique welcomed the Chief Adviser’s position and thanked him on behalf of the party. “The Chief Adviser also thanked Mr Tarique Rahman for the fruitful discussion.” July charter, reforms to be based on consensus: Amir Khosru Replying to a question over July charter and reform, Amir Khosru said there is already a decision that the July Charter would be framed based on consensus. “We will make both the July Charter and reforms following consensus. I’m confident we can reach a decision soon in this regard,” he said. The BNP leader said all important issues normally came up for discussion in the meeting as there is a determination to build a new Bangladesh. “We move ahead with a determination to build a new Bangladesh. We all want to work together to fulfill the determination we have taken to build the country. We will take forward the determination we have agreed on to build Bangladesh not only before the election, but also after the election," he said. Amir Khosru said the Chief Adviser, Tarique Rahman and all others said the same thing - whatever issues are agreed upon will be implemented as reforms.  Election possible before Ramadan: Prof Yunus tells Tarique Noting that reform is an ongoing process, he said, “Some reforms will be implemented even before the election and reforms will also continue after the election. Because we all feel the need for reforms as we are committed to building a country.” Asked about Tarique Rahman’s possible return to Bangladesh, Khosru said, “We don’t think it’s necessary to discuss here in the meeting. Mr Tarique Rahman can return to the country whenever he wants. So, he will take this decision in due time.” Responding to a question, Dr Khalilur said the joint statement mentioned sufficient progress regarding two issues -- reforms and trial. “We’re reasonably confident that sufficient progress will be achieved before the election,” he said. In reply to a question about the newly formed Nationalist Citizen Party’s (NCP) announcement that it would not participate in the election without reforming the Election Commission, Dr Khalilur said, “You should ask them (NCP). Every party has its own opinion, but we want to hold the election with participation of all.” When asked whether the government is shifting from its April election timeline, Dr Khalilur said, “If all preparations are completed on time and there is sufficient progress in reforms and justice, it can certainly be done (the election may be held earlier).” Answering a question whether there was any discussion on formation of a government based on national unity, Amir Khosru replied, “No, this is a post-election decision. It is the decision of those who will be elected. So there is nothing to discuss here,” he said. The BNP leader said the meeting started with the two delegations and later moved to a one-on-one discussion between the duo (Prof Yunus and Tarique Rahman). The discussion between them (the two persons) lasted for a long time, he added. Fakhrul urges interim govt to rethink about April election timing In response to the question of whether both sides are satisfied, Amir Khasru said, “Certainly satisfied. We are saying that we all have to work together not only before the election but also after it to build the country, to create a new Bangladesh.” Dr Khalilur echoed, “Had there been no satisfaction, there would have been no joint statement.” CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was present during the joint briefing. The high-stake meeting between Professor Yunus and Tarique ended after nearly two hours of discussion on various crucial issues ahead of the general election. The meeting began at the Dorchester Hotel in London at 2pm Bangladesh time on Friday and continued until 3:30pm (BST), said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. The meeting was scheduled to end at 4pm but concluded half an hour earlier than planned. Earlier, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and the CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam received Tarique Rahman upon his arrival at the hotel around 1:50pm.

Energy Adviser Mohammad Fouzul Kabir Khan on Friday ruled out any possibility of providing new gas connections to households in the country. “Even if you wait till doomsday [Qiyamat], there’s no chance of getting residential gas connections,” he said while speaking to journalists after visiting two gas wells in Golapganj upazila of Sylhet. Mentioning that pipeline gas is being wasted in households, the adviser remarked, “If I had the authority, I would disconnect gas supply to every house in Dhaka.” In response to a question as residents of Sylhet, where gas is extracted, have long demanded domestic gas connections, the adviser said that when industries are struggling to get gas, “providing it to homes is simply a waste.” Action being taken against those behind illegal gas connections: Energy Adviser He mentioned that the government will supply cylinder gas at a price of Tk 800 in areas like Sylhet where gas is being extracted. Fouzul noted that gas production is declining by around 200 million cubic feet annually, while imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) are increasing. "We are trying to ramp up local gas production to reduce dependence on imports," he said. Regarding Friday's inspection, he said Kailashtila-7 and Sylhet-10 wells are currently supplying a combined 16 million cubic feet of gas per day to the national grid. The adviser was accompanied by Md Khalid Ahmed, additional secretary (operations) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources; Md Soheb Ahmed, engineer and managing director of BAPEX/SGFL and other officials and employees involved in the operation of the wells.