United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) predicted rains in parts of the country including in Dhaka in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Monday. Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by lightning flashes and temporary gusty wind are likely at a few places over Chattogram division and at one or two places over Barishal, Dhaka and Sylhet divisions, according to a regular weather bulletin . Monsoon sets in early in Bangladesh; rains likely across country The weather may remain mainly dry with temporarily partly cloudy sky elsewhere across the country. A mild heat wave is sweeping over Rajshahi, Rangpur and Khulna divisions, as well as Feni and Mymensingh districts and it may persist, said the Met Office. Day and night temperatures may rise slightly over the country.    

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday said that former President Abdul Hamid has not been arrested as there is no warrant issued against him. He made the remarks while replying to a question from journalists at the end of his visit to Jatrabari Police Station in the capital. “There is no warrant against him. That’s why he was not arrested,” said the adviser, adding, “No innocent person will be punished—that’s why no action has been taken so far. If allegations against Abdul Hamid are proven, he will also be brought under the law.” Addressing journalists, he said, “You have emphasised that no innocent person should be punished or arrested without reason. We are working in that direction.” He said legal measures are being taken after proper verification to ensure no one is harassed.  This verification process is applicable to all citizens. A three-member committee of the ministry is handling the matter, he added. Referring to the actions taken earlier on May 8 against the Superintendent of Police in Kishoreganj and the investigating officer regarding the former president’s departure abroad, the adviser said the investigation into those issues is still going on. Former President Abdul Hamid returned to Dhaka on a Thai Airways flight around 1:30 am on Sunday.  

In a significant step towards bolstering food security and supporting millions of smallholder farmers, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in partnership with the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) and with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has launched a major initiative aimed at transforming rice production across Asia and the Pacific. Rice, the staple diet for over half of the region’s population, is also a vital source of income for rural communities.  But, the sector faces serious threats from declining productivity, water scarcity, and its considerable carbon footprint.  Experts have warned that, without swift intervention, these issues could jeopardise food security and rural livelihoods. “Rice is essential to food security in Asia, supplying over a quarter of the region’s calorie intake—and as much as half in Southeast Asia,” said ADB Vice-President for Sectors and Themes, Fatima Yasmin.  “For hundreds of millions of smallholder farmers, rice is not just food—it is their livelihood. That livelihood is increasingly at risk due to climate change and environmental degradation," she said.  The newly launched initiative, anchored by the ADB–CGIAR Clearinghouse Facility and co-financed by the Gates Foundation, will promote the adoption of resilient, high-yield, and low-emission rice farming practices.  It will also support sustainable water use, inclusive value chains, and improved nutrition outcomes, particularly targeting vulnerable communities. ADB has committed to investing up to $1.5 billion from 2025 to 2030 under this programme. This investment forms part of ADB’s broader pledge of $40 billion to transform food systems across the region by 2030, as announced earlier in May. This joint initiative will reinforce CGIAR’s strategic collaboration with ADB and scale up CGIAR’s innovations in rice   with partners like ADB and the Gates Foundation, we aim to drive sustainable and resilient transformation of Asia’s rice sector and positively impact millions of smallholder farmers. Bangladesh has been included among the countries selected for initial project development, alongside Cambodia, the People’s Republic of China, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Founded in 1966, ADB is one of the leading multilateral development banks, comprising 69 member countries, including 50 from the Asia-Pacific region.  The bank continues to drive inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth through strategic partnerships and innovative financial solutions.  

A fire broke out at a jhut (garment waste) warehouse in  Ambag area under Konabari Police Station in Gazipur on Monday. According to the Fire Service, the fire broke out at around 1:15 pm.  Three units, including two from the Konabari Fire Station, rushed to the spot upon receiving the information and began working to bring the blaze under control. Mohammad Mamun, Deputy Assistant Director of Gazipur Fire Service, said the fire originated in a jhut warehouse and quickly spread around the area. But, no casualties have been reported in connection with the incident so far. The cause of the fire and the extent of damage are yet to be known, he added.  

Police have arrested two people in connection with the murder of a BNP activist in a bomb attack in Benapole.  The arrests were made in two separate operations conducted on Sunday night. The arrestees were  identified as Ahsan Kabir, 31, son of Atiar Rahman from Chhoto Meghla (Chanchra) village under Jessore Kotwali Police Station, and Ripon Hossain, 30, son of Mominur Rahman from Dubpara village under Benapole Port Police Station. According to the police, the incident occurred on Eid night last Saturday following a dispute centring around Eid prayers in Dubpara village of Bahadurpur Union in Benapole.  BNP activist Abdul Hai, 50, was killed in a bomb attack allegedly carried out by miscreants.  A murder case was subsequently filed with Benapole Port Police Station. Russel Mia, officer-in-charge of Benapole Port Police Station, said police conducted drives in Jessore Kotwali and Benapole areas, leading to the arrests of Ahsan Kabir and Ripon Hossain respectively. The accused were later produced before a Jashore court, he added.  

Former President Abdul Hamid returned home from Bangkok early Monday on a Thai Airways flight. He landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 1:25am, following medical treatment in Bangkok. According to a reliable source at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Abdul Hamid completed his immigration formalities and was later seen resting in the VIP lounge. He left the airport premises at around 3:10am under strict security measures, an officer of a leading intelligence agency posted at the airport told UNB. Earlier, on the night of 8 May last month, the former President had departed for Bangkok on another Thai Airways flight for medical purposes. His return comes amid ongoing discussions surrounding a case filed against him on January 14 this year at Kishoreganj Sadar Police Station.  The same case also names several high-profile figures, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader. The departure of Abdul Hamid following the filing of the case sparked widespread controversy and debate across the country.  

The three-storey building of Bharanga Government Primary School in Manikganj has collapsed into the Jamuna River due to severe erosion caused by strong river currents. Md Khorshed Alam, Executive Engineer at the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Manikganj, said the school disappeared into the mighty river on Saturday afternoon.  Locals said the water level of the Jamuna had risen significantly in recent days, resulting in a powerful flow that led to erosion along the riverbank. Wazed Ali Sarkar, member of Ward No. 5 under Bachamara Union, said while some furniture, including chairs and table, was saved, heavier items such as steel furniture could not be salvaged. Nahiyan Nuren, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Daulatpur, said after being alerted about the erosion on Friday, a local engineer was sent to inspect the school. 

With the advent of the monsoon, riverbank erosion along the Surma has intensified alarmingly, posing a grave threat to the Chatak-Andhariganj-Sunamganj road, a vital communication lifeline for thousands in the region. Local residents have voiced growing concerns that large sections of the road may collapse into the river at any time, severing a crucial transport route that links several communities. The road, already weakened by the devastating floods of 2022, had shown some signs of recovery after repair works commenced in late 2024 under the supervision of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED).  But, a fresh erosion is now rapidly undoing those efforts. A recent visit by the UNB correspondent revealed that the erosion has reached an alarming stage near the mazar (shrine) adjacent to Mallikpur Government Primary School. Surma River to be dredged to save Sylhet city from flood: State Minister for Water Resources Over the past three to four days, the river has edged perilously close to the paved sections of the road. The situation has worsened with the partial collapse of the western approach to the Machukhali Bridge, heightening fears of a major accident if immediate protective interventions are not made. Locals have reported visible cracks in the newly repaired stretches of the road, with some parts already beginning to subside. “The road is at high risk of being washed away, which would leave the surrounding communities completely cut off,” said a resident of Mallikpur. People from Mallikpur and Machukhali have appealed to the authorities to act without delay. They are calling for strong, lasting measures to curb the erosion and protect the road from further degradation. When contacted, Md Rafiqul Islam, Upazila Engineer of Chhatak, said he has visited the erosion-affected areas and acknowledged the severity of the situation. Surma River flowing over danger level in Sunamganj “Necessary steps will be taken promptly to prevent further damage,” he assured. As the river continues to encroach, residents remain on edge, hoping that urgent action will save the road that connects their lives, livelihoods and essential services.

Two people were killed and four others injured in a head-on collision between a truck and an easy-bike in the Darogar Bhita area near Rupsha Bridge in Khulna early Monday. The accident occurred around 6:00 am. Md Abdur Rahim, a sub-inspector and in-charge of Lobonchora Police Station, said a group of people from Chandpur was travelling to Khulna to visit relatives.  They were riding an easy-bike that was reportedly on the wrong side of the road when it was hit by a truck coming from Bagerhat. Rafiqul Islam, 56, the easy-bike driver, and Tanzil, 12, one of the passengers, died on the spot.  The four other passengers sustained injuries and were taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital for treatment. The bodies of the deceased have been kept at the hospital morgue.

Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin has said  sacrificial animal rawhides  are being sold at the prices fixed by the government.  A special team from the Ministry of Commerce is working to ensure the  enforcement of the set prices, he said while speaking to reporters on Sunday after inspecting the activities related to proper management of sacrificial animal hides in Posta, Lalbagh. Responding to queries from journalists, the adviser said “The prices we fixed were inclusive of salt. The ones being sold for Tk 700 to Tk 800 are without salt. Compared to the prices of many previous years, this year’s prices are higher.” When asked about allegations that seasonal traders are not getting fair prices, Sk Bashir said, “That is true in some cases, but mostly untrue. It’s untrue because some seasonal traders with no experience in hide preservation are ending up with half-rotten hides. If half-rotten hides are selling for Tk 700 or 800, that is actually a high price. Good quality hides are selling for Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,300.” The adviser added, “Under the direction of the Chief Adviser, we took steps to promote local storage and salting to make the hides suitable for preservation and storage. This has helped stabilise the market and balance supply and demand.” He mentioned that district and upazila administrations are working on the ground to manage the hides.  “At the national level, we have established a control room. Rawhide management is being monitored 24 hours a day. In most cases, salted hides are fetching appropriate prices as fixed by the government,” he said. About misinformation, the adviser said some social media platforms and even parts of the mainstream media are spreading incorrect information.  “I saw a report from Rangunia in Chattogram claiming hides had rotted. A seasonal trader brought in around 620 hides but did not preserve them properly. They became half-rotten. This is now being used to run a smear campaign. Unscrupulous traders are trying to destabilise the market again,” he said.  “The government has generously supplied salt only to make hides suitable for preservation. It is not acceptable to shift all responsibility onto the government if individuals fail to perform their own duties,” Sk Bashir added.  He said the government has initiated efforts to build capacity and everyone must come forward to support this work. “Apply salt and preserve the hides properly. If you demand fair prices, you must ensure quality. I hope you will get fair prices, even more than expected,” he said. To stimulate demand, the government has lifted the export ban on raw and wet blue leather. It has also disbursed Tk 220 crore in incentives.  “Salt has been delivered to every district, upazila, and village mosque across the country. Now everyone needs to get involved. It is unacceptable and reprehensible to solely blame the government and circulate false or misleading information that harms the leather market,” he added. Sk Bashir said rawhide prices have increased compared to the previous day and expressed hope that salted hides would fetch even higher prices tomorrow.  “We have built the capacity to preserve hides for two to three months. I urge you not to sell until fair prices are available,” said the adviser. “We have done as much as possible to make the process viable for fair prices and to secure the rights of orphans. I believe the political government will do even more next year based on what we’ve learned this year,” he mentioned. Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, Additional Secretary (Export) Md Abdur Rahim Khan, and President of the Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA) Md Shahin Ahmed were also present.