United News of Bangladesh

A total of 288 new dengue cases were reported across the country in 24 hours till Wednesday morning, raising the number of confirmed cases to 5,303 since the beginning of this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Barishal Division (outside city corporation areas) reported the highest number of new infections, with 261 fresh cases. The latest data shows that Chattogram Division (outside city corporations) recorded 11 cases, Dhaka Division (outside city corporations) reported one, while 12 cases were detected in Dhaka South City Corporation. Besides, Mymensingh Division (outside city corporations) logged two new cases; Rajshahi Division (outside city corporations) recorded one. Dengue: 120 more dengue cases reported in 24hrs However, no new fatalities were reported during this period. Currently, 448 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.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said there is no way that he would be interested to be part of the next elected government, stressing that their job is to ensure a well-managed transition to hand over power to an elected government through an election. "No way, no way. I think no one of our cabinet members (Council of Advisers) would like to do that," he said when a journalist wanted to know whether Prof Yunus is in a position and has any desire to become part of the next democratically elected government which will take over after the election. Prof Yunus categorically said their job is to make sure that the transition is managed well and people are happy when they hand over power to the elected government. "We want to make sure that the election is right. This is a very critical factor for us," said the Chief Adviser. The question and answer session was followed by his conversation at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in Chatham House, London. In response to a question about the Bangladesh Awami League, Prof Yunus said there is a debate over whether the Awami League can truly be called a political party when it is accused of killing young people, making citizens disappear and stealing public money. UK’s National Security Adviser meets Prof Yunus  "Would you still call it a political party? So, that's a debate, not a judgement," he said. Prof Yunus said they thought that the chapter was closed when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5 but those who fled the country (AL men) – not one of them expressed sorry but are exciting people. He said the nation has decided, for the time being, to ban activities of the Awami League for the safety of the country and safety of the politicians. "Activities of the Awami League will be suspended for the time being....until the trial is done. That's all we have done," Prof Yunus said. Asked about the media freedom, the Chief Adviser said the media had never enjoyed such freedom in the past. Another journalist raised the issue of demolishing the historic Bangabandhu Memorial Museum by "City Corporation bulldozers, administration's silence and the question of unity excluding particular parties or persons." In reply, Prof Yunus said a lot of issues and questions came at the same time and they cannot handle everything right away. "It's kind of a period we have gone through and things have come down and come to an order...bringing order to the nation was a big task for us." Dhaka-Delhi Ties Responding to a question, the Chief Adviser said Bangladesh wants to build the best of relationship with India but "somehow things go wrong every time" because of fake news coming from Indian media and many people say it has connections with policymakers. "So, this is what makes Bangladesh very jittery and very, very angry. We tried to get over this anger," he said during his conversation at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in Chatham House, London. Prof Yunus said the anger comes back as things are happening on cyberspace. Regarding the extradition request for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Prof Yunus said the trial has started and they want to be very legal in dealing with the issue. When he got the chance, Prof Yunus said, he told Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "You want to host her. I can't force you to abandon that policy. But please help us make sure that she (Hasina) does not speak to Bangladeshis people the way she is doing." Aviation giants Airbus, Menzies seek long-time partnership with Bangladesh "I simply said this," Dr Yunus said referring to his past conversation with Modi. "This is still going on," he added. In April, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, during his talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, enquired about the status of Bangladesh’s request for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina which remains pending with the Indian government.

Fishermen are set to resume fishing as the 58-day ban on catching, selling and transporting of fish in the Bay of Bengal will end at midnight Wednesday   The fishermen are now busy preparing nets and boats to go to the sea to catch Hilsa fish in different parts of the country.   The government had imposed ban on all types of fishing in the country's marine waters for 58 days from April 15, which will end at midnight on Wednesday.   This year the restriction on fishing in the Bay of Bengal was set for 58 days instead of the previous 65 days, said Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter while speaking at a press briefing, held at the Secretariat in February. Bangladesh imposes seasonal fishing ban to protect marine stocks   She said that the ban on fishing all types of fish, shrimp, crab, lobster and other crustaceans was initially imposed to increase the production of Hilsa and other fish species in the Bay of Bengal.   The 65-day ban which had been in place for many years resulted in a record increase of 12.78% in marine fishery resources, she said.   Due to a lack of coordination with neighboring countries during the ban period fishermen from those countries have been taking advantage of Bangladesh’s fish harvest, said the adviser.   Fishing organisations and fishermen demanded a more coordinated approach to the ban period, she added.   “Following their demand, a technical committee was formed, consisting of experts from the Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, and other stakeholders.   The committee decided to impose a 58-day fishing ban from April 15 to June 11, as this is the breeding period for most commercially important fish in the Bay of Bengal.”  

A 32-year-old man was shot to death allegedly in a clash between two factions of BNP centering the arrest of a leader of banned Chhatra League at Majhipara in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj district on Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Mamun Bhuiya, son of Abdul Mannaf of Majhipara area. Quoting witnesses, Mehedi Islam, senior assistant superintendent of Narayanganj Police, said two factions of BNP—one led by Badal Bhuiya, organising secretary of Bhulta union unit Jubo Dal and another led by Zayedul Islam alias Babu, former publicity secretary of district unit Chhatra Dal—had been at loggerheads over establishing supremacy in the area. On Tuesday, Sabbir Hossain alias Khoka, former organising secretary of Bhulta union unit of banned Chhatra League was arrested. When Sabbir was being taken to the police station past the house of Badal Bhuiya, the supporters of Babu carried out an attack on them, triggering a clash. At one stage, Babu along with his supporters opened fire on his rival group, leaving Mamun injured with bullets. Later, he was taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries at around 8:30 pm. Meanwhile, local people beat Sabbir mercilessly and handed him over to police. He is now undergoing treatment at National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR). Additional police have been deployed in the area following the incident. ASP Mehedi said Sabbir was the friend of Babu. Police are investigating the incident, he said.    

Sohanur Rahman, a youth advocate from Bangladesh and Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, has recently completed the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the U.S. Department of State’s flagship professional exchange initiative. Organised under the inter-regional theme ‘Youth and Community Engagement for the Indo-Pacific’, the programme convened rising leaders from across the Indo-Pacific region for a comprehensive three-week exchange in the United States. The IVLP, launched in 1940, fosters mutual understanding and long-term cooperation between the United States and emerging international leaders. More than 230,000 participants, including heads of state, Nobel laureates, and cabinet ministers have taken part in the programme since its inception. Participants are selected exclusively through nominations by US embassies around the world. The three-week professional exchange programme, which took place from May 17 to June 7 this year, began in Washington, D.C. Participants took part in high-level dialogues, site visits, and collaborative learning sessions with U.S. policymakers, civic institutions, local governments and nonprofit leaders. During the IVLP programme, Sohanur shared insights from Bangladesh’s recent youth-led civic initiatives, including the climate emergency campaign that prompted parliamentary action, the EcoMen initiative that redefines men’s roles in environmental stewardship, and the Y-Just campaign advocating for a fair and inclusive green transition. New Budget: Govt sets plan in motion for youth development He also discussed youth engagement in movements for democratic reform and accountability. In exchange, he learned about American models of youth leadership in public policy, climate justice efforts for marginalized communities and innovative public-private partnerships that uplift underserved youths.    

In light of the recent surge in COVID-19 infections in various countries and the emergence of new sub-variant of the virus, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Wednesday issued 11-point directives to contain spread of the virus across the country. According to the notice, the risk of international transmission through travelers has prompted the DGHS to intensify surveillance at all land, sea and air entry points through IHR (International Health Regulations) desks, with strict enforcement of public health guidelines. Covid-19: DGHS DG urges all to avoid public gatherings To raise public awareness and prevent further transmission, health officials have urged media outlets to disseminate the following health advisories and preventive measures: General Public Guidelines to Prevent Infection: ·         Avoid crowded places as much as possible; if necessary, wear a mask. ·         Use a mask to protect yourself from respiratory illnesses. ·         Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your arm while sneezing or coughing. ·         Dispose of used tissues immediately in a covered trash bin. ·         Frequently wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds. ·         Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. ·         Maintain at least a 3-feet distance from anyone showing symptoms of illness. What to Do in Case of Suspected Infection: ·         If experiencing fever, cough or difficulty breathing, stay home until fully recovered. ·         Encourage the patient to wear a mask to cover their mouth and nose. ·         Caregivers should also wear masks as a precaution. ·         Seek medical help if needed by contacting the nearest hospital or calling IEDCR at 01401-196293 or the health hotline at 16263. Government Preparedness and Coordination: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in coordination with other relevant ministries and agencies, has taken comprehensive measures to tackle a potential resurgence of COVID-19. This includes, availability of testing services (RT-PCR, Rapid Antigen Test), vaccination efforts, updated clinical management guidelines, ensuring supply of essential medicines and medical-grade oxygen, preparedness of medical equipment including high-flow nasal cannula and ventilators, functionality of dedicated COVID-19 hospitals equipped with ICU and HDU facilities, provision of protective gear for healthcare workers (KN95 masks, PPE, face shields, etc.)    

The government has allocated 40.05 percent of total social assistance to be distributed  through digital cash transfers in the proposed national budget for FY 2025-26, aiming to enhance transparency and efficiency in the sector. Social assistance remains the largest functional category within the broader social security framework, according to the budget papers. The government, according to a budget document, has made significant progress in modernising this segment through digital means, reflecting its commitment to poverty alleviation and human rights. According to the proposed budget, direct Government-to-Person (G2P) payments now account for 40.05 percent of all social protection interventions, up from 35.70 percent in FY 2023-24 and 34.48 percent in the ongoing FY 2024-25. Of the 30 cash-based programmes under social protection, 29 are currently covered by G2P systems. In total, Tk 47,597 crore has been allocated to 36 different programmes under social assistance, which constitutes 40.78 percent of the total social security budget of Tk 1,16,731 crore for FY 2025-26. Social security programmes get bigger allocations in national budget for FY26 The transition to digitised cash transfers—utilising Mobile Financial Services (MFS), Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT), and the National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB)—has improved service delivery, minimized leakages, and reduced administrative costs. These reforms align with the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS), which advocates for robust delivery systems and better targeting. Digital initiatives such as the Dynamic Social Registry, part of the Social Protection Digital Transformation Project, are also supporting this transformation. The expansion of one-off cash grants and stipends further reflects Bangladesh’s efforts to build a responsive and adaptive social protection system. In FY 2025-26, one-off cash grants are set to increase to 19.24 percent from 17.96 percent in the current fiscal, while stipends will slightly decline to 10.64 percent from 11.92 percent. These cash-based programmes provide recipients with greater flexibility and dignity, allowing them to meet urgent needs such as healthcare, education, and nutrition. Although food assistance continues to play a critical role—rising to 11.01 percent of social assistance in FY 2025-26 from 6.40 percent in the current fiscal—the government’s gradual shift to cash transfers aligns with global best practices and the NSSS direction to phase out costly in-kind support. Meanwhile, the budget reflects a reduced emphasis on public workfare programmes, with allocations falling to 6.85 percent from 18.46 percent. This shift signals a focus on direct income support for vulnerable populations, including women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Bangladesh’s investments in digital infrastructure, fintech innovation, and partnerships with financial institutions are positioning the country as a regional leader in inclusive, technology-driven social protection. ICAB welcomes budget, but suggests lowering tax on online trading The continued growth of digital cash-based assistance highlights the government’s resolve to promote financial inclusion, empower women economically, and foster sustainable development. On June 2, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed placed a Taka 7,90,000 crore national budget for the fiscal year 2025–26, which is 12.7 percent of the GDP, through a pre-recorded televised video. This is the country's 54th budget and the first of Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.  Out of the total budget size, the operating cost and other expenditure have been estimated at Taka 5,60,000 crore while the Annual Development Programme (ADP) has been estimated at Taka 2,30,000 crore.  

Over 100 villagers besieged Kumarkhali Police Station in Kushtia for nearly an hour on Wednesday, protesting the arrest of three women in connection with an attack on another woman accused of theft. A chase and counter-chase ensued between police and locals as the latter tried to snatch the arrestees from police custody. Despite the chaos, police eventually sent the accused to court under tight security. According to statements from villagers gathered at the police station premises, the woman who filed the case had allegedly stolen beef from a refrigerator and cash from a neighbour’s house on Monday afternoon. The family members reportedly caught her red-handed, beat her severely and shaved her head. Later that night, village level arbitration took place, during which she was fined after being found guilty. Bullet-hit body recovered in Kushtia:Police Rejecting the arbitration's decision, the woman filed a case the following day, accusing seven women from the village. Police arrested three of them on Wednesday morning. The news of the arrests quickly spread, prompting villagers to rush to the police station around 11am and stage a protest demanding the release of the detainees. Officer-in-charge of Kumarkhali Police Station Md Solaiman Sheikh said the accused were sent to court in line with legal procedure, despite obstruction from the villagers. He added that the situation was now under control.

Voicing deep concerns over the emergence of a new sub-variant of COVID-19 sub-variant, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr Abu Jafor of Wednesday urged all to avoid all forms of public gatherings. The DGHS DG came up with the call while speaking at a press briefing at the DGHS Headquarters in Mohakhali. He also called on nationals to reintroduce health-conscious practices, including the use of face masks and frequent hand washing. Speaking on the ongoing vaccination campaign, Dr Jafor said booster doses should be administered again to people over the age of 18, pregnant women, individuals above 60 and those who are immune compromised, depending on the evolving situation. Those eligible can receive their booster shots by visiting the nearest vaccination center, he added. The DGHS DG also requested political parties to refrain from organising rallies or public gatherings in the current situation. Regarding the upcoming Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, he said that a decision would be made in coordination with the Ministry of Education. Tourist surge raises fresh COVID-19 concerns in Rangamati Besides, COVID-19 tests will be limited to patients exhibiting symptoms or suffering from serious health complications, said the DG. Despite a recent surge in COVID-19 infections across the country, there is no need to test all hospital patients, he said.  “There is no requirement to test every patient. Only those with fever, cough, breathing difficulties or other clear symptoms — and those in critical conditions — should be tested. Physicians will advise accordingly,” he added. The DGHS chief also said hospitals have been asked to submit their demand for RT-PCR testing kits, which will be distributed by Thursday. Mentioning the evolving COVID-19 situation, the DGHS chief recommended additional vaccine doses for high-risk individuals, including pregnant women, those over the age of 60, and people with underlying health conditions. “There is an adequate supply of vaccines in government stock for these groups,” he said. While acknowledging the rising number of cases, Dr. Jafor urged the public not to be panic. “We’ve dealt with COVID-19 before and can do it again — all we need is vigilance,” he said, adding that the media should play a responsible role in raising awareness. He further mentioned that new COVID-19 units are being reopened in several hospitals, and all healthcare facilities have been asked to stay prepared. The DGHS chief also announced that both RT-PCR and rapid antigen testing are being reintroduced. Tourist surge raises fresh COVID-19 concerns in Rangamati Instructions have been given to ensure that hospitals remain prepared with necessary medical supplies including vaccines, essential medicines, oxygen, high-flow nasal cannulas, ventilators, and ICU and HDU facilities. He also emphasised ensuring protective gear for frontline healthcare workers, including KN95 masks, PPEs and face masks. These preparations are underway in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and other relevant government agencies, he added. Besides, surveillance at airports, land ports and seaports has been strengthened under the International Health Regulations (IHR) framework, he said Officials at all entry points have been directed to strictly enforce health guidelines, he added. According to the DGHS report, 13 fresh COVID-19 cases were reported in Bangladesh in the last 24 hours till Tuesday morning. With the latest figure, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country has risen to 20,51,760. The death toll from the virus remains unchanged at 29,500.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus began the second day of his official visit to the United Kingdom on Wednesday with a meeting with UK’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell. UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell called on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at his hotel, said CA's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed and Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam were, among others, present at the meeting. Later in the day, the Chief Adviser is scheduled to meet Ben Bland, Director of the Asia-Pacific Programme and Dr Chietigj Bajpaee, Senior Research Fellow for South Asia at Chatham House. He will also deliver an address at the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), Azad told UNB. In the afternoon, Prof Yunus will attend a reception to be hosted by Chatham House in his honour. UK PM-CA meeting being scheduled as Prof Yunus begins UK visit He is also expected to join a dinner hosted by His Majesty King Charles III on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of The King’s Foundation. Prof Yunus arrived in London on Tuesday, beginning a four-day official visit aimed at renewing bilateral ties with the UK, with a particular focus on strengthening economic cooperation, trade, and investment. Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Abida Islam received the Chief Adviser upon his arrival. “This is a very important visit,” said acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique, noting that Professor Yunus will meet His Majesty King Charles III and hold bilateral talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alongside other high-level engagements.