United News of Bangladesh

The two-day ‘5th World Fair & Fest Tampa Bay 2025’ is going to start on April 26 with the aim of exchanging global cultures, developing business relations, and expanding the travel and tourism sector. The fair is going to be held at the Tampa Heights Youth Development and Community Center in Florida, United States, under the initiative of the Association of World Fair & Fest USA INC. A formal announcement in this regard was made at a press conference at the National Press Club in the capital on Thursday. Representatives from different countries participating in this international event will open the door to new possibilities by establishing business and cultural contacts. The organizers expect that the event will play an important role in strengthening relations between the Bangladeshi diaspora and the global community. FBCCI seeks information on people making artificial crisis of chickens, eggs Florida State Representative Susan L. Valdas will be present as the chief guest at this event. Former State Representative Daisy Moral will be present as a special guest. Representatives from about 30 countries and important figures from local administration will participate in it. It was also informed in the press conference that a delegation of FBCCI from Bangladesh will participate in the fair and highlight the trade and investment potential of Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Consulate General of Miami will provide visa and visa-related services at the event. In addition to cultural performances, a spectacular dinner cruise will be organized for the participants in the event. RTV and Bayanna TV will be the media partners. In addition, Haven Tours and Resorts Limited will be the tour partner. Atiqur Rahman, Director of Association of World Fair and Fest USA INC, FBCCI General Council Member and prominent businessman Zakir Hossain Nayan, and prominent businessman Abul Hossain spoke at the press conference.

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in separate drives arrested 26 muggers from different parts of the capital. The drives were conducted in Mohammadpur, Dhanmondi, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, and Tejgaon Industrial areas of the capital, said a press release of Rab-2. RAB conducted the drives in the city following growing incidents of mugging in Dhaka. After primary interrogation, the muggers said they used to snatch belongings from the people at night and refrain from going out during the day time. Police arrest notorious mugger in city’s Khilgaon Rab also recovered some local arms from their possession.  

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam on Thursday asked the newly appointed police officers to earn the public's trust by carrying out their duties impartially. He emphasised that when the police earn the trust of the people, the public will be more inclined to cooperate in maintaining law and order. The IGP made the comments during the concluding ceremony of the 43rd BCS (Police) batch Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Orientation Course at the Police Headquarters on Thursday. "You are the future leadership of the police force. The dignity of the police department depends on you. Therefore, you must carry out your responsibilities with honesty and set an example for others to follow," said the police chief. DMP to introduce a new hotline for real-time information exchange: Commissioner He further pointed out that recent movements against discrimination have provided the police with an opportunity to reconsider the expectations the public has of them. "As guardians of law and order, the police must be in tune with the emotions and sentiments of the people while carrying out their duties professionally," he added. The IGP also highlighted the challenging nature of the policing profession, urging the new officers to acquire the necessary skills through training to face various challenges. He stressed the importance of gaining knowledge in constitutional rights, human rights, and new laws. In addition, IGP Baharul Alam pointed out the significance of modern technology in policing. "In today's technological age, it is crucial to acquire skills and knowledge in advanced technologies to effectively control crime," he said. The ceremony was also attended by Additional IGP (HRM) Abu Nasir Mohammad Khaled, DIG (HR) Kazi Zia Uddin, and other relevant officials. A total of 84 officers from the 43rd BCS (Police) batch have joined as Assistant Superintendents of Police, including 78 men and six women.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud has said the parliamentary polls are expected to be held by late 2025 or early 2026.  "We are fully concentrating on the national election now. Local elections are not our priority at this moment," he said at a discussion meeting at the district election office in Patuakhali town on Thursday. The Election Commission wants to give the nation a fair and impartial election, he said. Prioritising national election is EC’s main task: Commissioner Masud “There is no scope of any interference. The election will be held within the timeframe announced by the Chief Adviser and a smooth voting environment will be created," he said.  The discussion meeting was held on voter list update with Senior Election Officer Abi Shahanur Khan in chair. ACC to investigate officials involved in 2018 Nat’l Election ‘manipulation’

Federal Councillor and head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) Ignazio Cassis has reaffirmed Switzerland's support to Bangladesh during this "important phase of transition" with an interim government headed by Prof Muhammad Yunus. The FDFA head met Chief Adviser Dr Yunus on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting on Wednesday. "I was pleased to meet with the Chief Adviser and reaffirmed Switzerland's support to Bangladesh during this important phase of transition," he said after his meeting with Nobel Laureate Dr Yunus. Cassis said Switzerland remains committed to fostering peace, stability and development in the region. Cassis took advantage of his presence at the World Economic Forum to hold talks with Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay and administrator of the United Nations Development Programme Achim Steiner. Bangladesh urges global investors to grab opportunities it offers At the 2025 edition of the World Economic Forum, Cassis placed particular emphasis on European policy and the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East. He also raised matters relating to security and cooperation, particularly as Switzerland prepares to chair the OSCE in 2026. During his time in Davos, the head of the FDFA held a series of bilateral talks on the main topics currently of interest to Swiss foreign policy. Cassis' programme included talks with EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, during which the two men welcomed the substantive conclusion of the negotiations between Switzerland and the EU. Dr Yunus urges global leaders to harness sports for social transformation They also discussed the timetable and the respective next steps in the process up to the entry into force of the negotiating package. Bilateral relations were also on the agenda during talks with Czech foreign minister Jan Lipavský and Belgian foreign minister Bernard Quintin.

A combined effort of public-private partnership is needed in food production, inspection, and supply to the consumer level through trusted and committed entrepreneurs, a seminar on safe food was told on Thursday. Speakers at the seminar said even when food is in a safe method, it is contaminated by use of harmful chemicals and preservatives during the process to supply to the consumers. Sometimes it is produced using unsafe chemicals and fertilizers, they said. The seminar titled ‘'Strengthening smallholder farms and rural enterprises to better cope with climate change in the vulnerable haor regions of Bangladesh’ was held at the conference hall of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BSFA), in the capital on Thursday. Bangladesh, Kuwait explore trade and food security ties Dr. Md. Nazim Uddin, senior scientific officer of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute who is in charge of Bangladesh Organic Agriculture Network, in a keynote presentation highlighted different steps of safe food production, supply, and farm management. Chairman of BFSA Zakaria noting some limitations said, “Mymensingh is home to 60 lakh people. There is only one food safety officer there. Now it is difficult to ensure food safety for so many people with just one person. And such a situation prevails everywhere.” He said it is important for those involved in food production to have appropriate knowledge and training. To provide this training, BFSA is arranging online training. Those who need it can take training from here. However, it is necessary to establish a training centre at the initiative of hotel owners to train hotel staff. He said, “Education is needed for health safety. And a coordinated effort is needed to achieve this education. Our journey has started to ensure safe food, and this journey will continue.” Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension Md. Shawkat Osman said, there is no alternative to organic fertilizers for safe food production. Food Adviser calls for action against illegal food hoarding However, it is not possible to produce sufficient agricultural products with organic fertilizers alone. Chemical fertilizers are needed. However, organic fertilizers can play a supporting role in this regard, he pointed out. BSTI Director Md. Saiful Islam said that there is no alternative to social movements to increase food awareness. And political will is required for this social movement. Because, “We are government employees, we have no power of our own. We have to do what is in the law,” he said mentioning limitation. Fakir Muhammad Munawar Hossain, director of the National Consumer Rights Protection Department, said that to ensure safe food for consumers, it is necessary to ensure proper implementation of the law and increase social awareness. “A social movement should be developed for social awareness to take safe food for the safety of health,” he pointed out. CAB General Secretary Advocate Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan presided over the programme. The event was organized jointly by CAB and Friend In Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB) with support of Welt Hunger Life.

Detectives have arrested two people for their suspected involvement in selling free textbooks which were intended for distribution among primary and secondary school students. The arrestees were identified as Sirajul Islam Ujjal, 55 and Md. Delwar Hossain,56. They were arrested  in a drive at 5:30 pm on Wednesday at Ispahani Lane warehouses in Banglabazar of Sutrapur, said DC (media) of DMP Talebur Rahman.  . About 10,000 textbooks worth Tk 8 lakh were seized during the drive. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the arrestees and their accomplices had been hoarding and selling the books to undermine the government's efforts to provide free textbooks to students at the start of the academic year, police said. Tamabil police seize 90 bottles of Phensedyl Legal action will be taken against Sirajul and Delwar, he said.

The Government of Bangladesh and the World Bank have signed an agreement as additional financing on 'Enhancement and Strengthening of Power Transmission Network in Eastern Region Project' amounting to $ 30 million. The Power Grid Bangladesh PLC is implementing the project to ensure reliable power supply and meet the growing demand for electricity in greater Cumilla, Chattogram, and Noakhali districts. Secretary, Economic Relations Division Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky and Acting Country Director, World Bank  Gayle Martin  signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides. South Asia’s growth to reach 6.4 pc outpacing expectations: World Bank The initial financing agreement of this project, amounting to US$ 450.64 million was signed on 10 April 2018 under Scale- Up Facility (SUF) of World Bank: US$ 50.00 million was cancelled from the original amount to repurposing for the Covid-19 related projects during the Covid period. The loan repayment period is 30 years with a grace period of 5 years. The interest rate for this loan agreement is 1.25% and the service charge is 0.75%. The maximum commitment charge is 0.5%. Government seeks World Bank, IFC support for ongoing, future programmes: Finance Adviser However the World Bank Board decided to waive the commitment charge for this year.

The tourism sector businesses of Saint Martin Island have demanded extension of permission for tourists' travel and night spending on the island until February. They under the banner of ‘Saint Martin's Island Environment and Tourism Protection-Development Alliance' made the demand at a press conference organised at the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) auditorium at Paltan on Thursday. They said although tourists have been able to visit the island since December, many are facing various obstacles with travel passes. The month of Ramadan will begin in March and so February is the best time to travel before that. If tourists are barred this time, the businesses will suffer huge losses, they said. 26 rooms of 3 Eco resorts gutted in Saint Martin's fire Chairman of the Saint Martin Island Environment and Tourism Protection Development Alliance, Shiblul Azam Qureshi, said, "Despite strong objections from students, local people, daily wage earners, fishermen, young entrepreneurs, tourism businessmen, transport businessmen, hotel and resort owners, the government has taken the suicidal decision to ban travel to Saint Martin and limit overnight stays and tourist travel.” As a result, thousands of people have already become unemployed, he said.. “Residents are worried about their lives and livelihoods. There is financial crisis and job shortage on the island in other seasons.” Measures taken to conserve biodiversity on St. Martin's Habibur Rahman, General Secretary of the Saint Martin's Island Environment and Tourism Protection Alliance, said that tourists used to visit the island every year from October 1 to March 31.  “But no tourists could go to Saint Martin last November due to not getting permission to stay at the right time. Although ships were allowed to sail from December 1, a sufficient number of tourists could not go to St. Martin due to the hassle of collecting travel passes. Due to this, the residents of the island, who are 100 percent dependent on tourism, and the tourism businesses are on the verge of end, the residents of St. Martin can't live for 12 months with 2 months' income,” he claimed. St. Martin cruise ship owners, Atlantic Ship Managing Director Nazrul Islam, owner of Tilottama Eco Resort and local environmentalist Javed Rahman, representative of Carey Sindabad Ship Sarwar Hossain, among others, spoke in the press conference.

Students for Sovereignty, a student platform, has demanded the immediate withdrawal of ‘false cases’ filed against them and unconditional release of all their activists. They held a protest rally titled 'Protest Against the Unprovoked Attacks by Separatist Tribes and Red Terrorists’ in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Thursday.   We need to move forward beyond ‘ism: Nasiruddin Patwary The students demanded the arrest of those who are advocating for 'Indigenous’ status, calling the term 'anti-constitutional' and 'anti-national.' They said there have never been indigenous people in thecountry and there will be none in the future. The rally also highlighted the issue of the recent inclusion of the term 'Indigenous’ in textbooks by members of a revision committee under the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), which they claim violates the country's constitution and promotes separatism. Demonstration of stranded workers halts traffic for 3 hrs at Karwan Bazar Muhammad Shamsuddin, a student of Shaheed Suhrawardy College and coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, said people claiming to be indigenous are mostly migrants from other countries who have been allowed to stay in Bangladesh. He said tribes and indigenous people are distinct, and the term 'Indigenous' does not apply to Bangladesh. They expressed concerns over the activities of ‘separatist’ tribes in the Chittagong Hill Tracts who have been accused of using the 'Indigenous' label as a cover for their separatist agenda. They claimed that these groups are plotting to separate the region from the rest of the country.