United News of Bangladesh

Licensed Legal Firearms Owners on Tuesday demanded the immediate withdrawal of a proposed advance income tax (AIT) on legally held weapons, calling it irrational, internationally unprecedented and a threat to public safety. Licensed Legal Firearms Owners Association of Bangladesh came up with the demand at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club. Under the proposed budget measure, pistol and revolver owners would be required to pay Tk 1 lakh annually as advance income tax, while shotgun and rifle holders would face a Tk 50,000 annual levy, on top of already steep renewal fees. “No country in the developed or developing world imposes advance income tax on licensed firearms. This is without precedent,” said association spokesperson and organiser Mahbub A Khuda Jewel, presenting a comparative breakdown of licensing fees across countries. He noted that while most Asian nations charge under Tk 5,000 for firearm licence renewal, Bangladesh already levies Tk 20,000 for pistols and revolvers and Tk 10,000 for shotguns and rifles. Adding a tax of Tk 1 lakh or Tk 50,000 on top of these fees, he said, would be a gross violation of international norms and an unbearable burden on ordinary citizens. Speakers also raised national security concerns, noting that a large number of firearms looted from police stations during the unrest following August 5 last year remain unrecovered. They argued that the visible presence of legal gun owners currently deters criminals from openly using those weapons, an invisible security shield that would dissolve if licensed holders are financially compelled to surrender their arms. Association organiser of the event Md Kamruddin Rashed warned that imposing such a tax during an already difficult period for the country would be deeply harmful, while others cautioned that the move could drive talented competitive shooters away from the sport, dealing an irreversible blow to Bangladesh's athletics sector. The association placed three formal demands before the government: Immediate cancellation of the proposed AIT of Tk 1 lakh on pistols and revolvers, and Tk 50,000 on shotguns and rifles, along with all additional fee hikes, simplification of the firearm licensing and renewal process for eligible citizens in the interest of national security and formulation of a realistic, modern and security-friendly fee structure in consultation with licence holders.

Police have arrested a man for allegedly strangling his wife to death in Narail’s Lohagara upazila following a dispute reportedly linked to her TikTok activities. The deceased was identified as Sumona Ferdousi, 38. Her husband, Limon Mallik, 27, was arrested from Dighalia area on Monday night. During preliminary interrogation, he confessed to killing his wife, said Lohagara Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Ajit Kumar Roy on Tuesday. Sumona, originally from Narayanganj, was the second wife of Limon, son of Idris Mallik of Char Dighalia village in Lohagara upazila. During questioning, Limon told police that his wife regularly posted videos on TikTok in his absence and allegedly developed relationships with unknown men through social media, exchanging what he described as objectionable photos and videos. These issues frequently led to arguments between the couple, despite Sumona’s assurances that she would refrain from such activities in the future. Police said another altercation broke out around 8am on Monday over a TikTok video. At one stage, Limon assaulted Sumona, leaving her bleeding and collapsed on the floor. He then allegedly strangled her to death and later hung the body from a beam inside their house in an attempt to make the death appear as a suicide, said police. After the killing, Limon reportedly left for work around 10am as usual. He returned home at about 5pm and began shouting and crying after opening the door, drawing the attention of neighbours. Limon was subsequently taken to the police station for questioning later that night. “The body was hung to create the impression of a suicide and conceal the murder. We have informed the victim’s family, and legal proceedings are underway,” said Inspector Ajit Kumar Roy.

A young man was killed in a road accident in the capital’s Jatrabari area on Monday night. The deceased was identified as Binod Biswas, 23, son of Narayan Biswas. Binod used to live with his family in Shantinagar area. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in a critical condition around 10:45 pm, where the doctor on duty at the emergency department declared him dead, hospital sources said. Woman killed as truck hits her at Jatrabari His younger brother, Bidhan Biswas, said the accident occurred around 8:45 pm when Binod was riding a motorcycle in Shonir Akhra area of Jatrabari. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said the body has been kept at the hospital morgue .

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote Bangladeshi culture, tourism and trade relations in Nigeria, the Bangladesh High Commission in Abuja participated in the first-ever Diplomatic Cultural Festival, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria on June 13, 2026, in Abuja. The event brought together more than 41 diplomatic missions. The High Commission established a dedicated exhibition booth featuring Bangladeshi export products and photographs highlighting the country's major tourist attractions. Visitors were also treated to a variety of traditional Bangladeshi delicacies, while a cultural performance presented by the Mission drew significant attention and appreciation from the audience. A colorful national parade, organized by the High Commission, marched around the festival grounds and main stage, proudly displaying the national flag of Bangladesh. The parade was also joined by members of the Bangladeshi expatriate community in Nigeria, adding vibrancy and enthusiasm to the celebration. The High Commission’s participation and cultural presentations were highly appreciated by Nigerian government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, local visitors and the Bangladeshi diaspora. The event served as an important platform for enhancing cultural understanding, strengthening people-to-people connections and further deepening the friendly relations between Bangladesh, Nigeria and other participating countries. 

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has rejected what it described as misleading and speculative reports regarding the recently concluded 57th Director General-level conference between BGB and India's Border Security Force (BSF), saying the discussions and outcomes were properly documented through established diplomatic procedures. In a statement issued on Monday, BGB said certain individuals and a small number of media outlets had been spreading confusion by presenting assumptions, incomplete analyses and comments that do not reflect the actual proceedings of the conference. BGB said the Bangladesh delegation, led by the BGB Director General, included senior officials from the Home Ministry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Shipping, Department of Land Records and Surveys, Joint Rivers Commission and other relevant agencies. According to the statement, Bangladesh placed 31 agenda items before the conference, while India raised 21 issues. The decisions and understandings reached during the discussions were formally recorded in the Joint Record of Discussions (JRD), the official document signed by the Director Generals of both BGB and BSF. The force said Bangladesh gave the highest priority to border killings and alleged push-ins during the conference. It said the country's firm position on stopping the deaths of unarmed and innocent Bangladeshi citizens along the border and reducing border killings to zero was clearly reflected in the JRD. BGB also said concerns regarding push-ins, border killings, illegal infrastructure construction within 150 yards of the international border, drug smuggling, border security and the activities of armed groups in the hill regions were not only discussed but formally documented in the joint record. According to the statement, a review of the JRD would show that all concerns and positions raised by Bangladesh were included clearly and firmly without compromise. BGB added that its press release issued on June 12 was prepared based on the contents of the Joint Record of Discussions. The force also dismissed reports describing the BGB Director General's meeting with India's Home Minister as a "secret meeting." It said courtesy meetings between the head of a visiting border force and the host country's home minister or relevant adviser are an established practice in every border conference. BGB noted that during the 56th border conference held in Dhaka in 2025, the BSF Director General similarly met the Home Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government. According to the statement, the meeting between the BGB Director General, other senior BGB officials and Indian Home Minister Amit Shah had been pre-scheduled and approved before the delegation travelled to India. During the meeting, Bangladesh's concerns over border killings and push-ins were strongly conveyed, it said. Calling attempts to portray such diplomatic interactions as secretive "baseless and misleading," BGB said courtesy meetings with senior officials of the host country are a normal diplomatic practice. The border force further said that since August 5, 2024, it has taken a firm stance under the leadership of its Director General against border killings, push-ins, illegal fencing, drug and human trafficking, instability along the Myanmar border and armed groups operating in remote areas of the Chattogram Hill Tracts. BGB said efforts to spread misinformation and launch personal attacks against its top leadership without evidence amounted to attempts to undermine the morale of the force. The organisation stressed that responsible and fact-based journalism is essential in matters involving border killings, push-ins, transnational crimes, drug trafficking and border security. While opinions and analyses are welcome, they should be based on verified information, authentic documents and the complete views of all relevant parties, the statement added. BGB reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, transparency and responsibility in carrying out its duties in the future. 

Barrister Zaima Rahman, the daughter of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, visited the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP) in Savar on Monday, where she interacted with trainees and took part in a football session with women footballers, drawing attention on social media. A video of Zaima Rahman playing football at the country's premier sports training institute has since gone viral on social media, attracting widespread attention and praise from football enthusiasts. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said Zaima Rahman visited BKSP at the invitation of the authorities. “She visited the institution to encourage young athletes. During the visit, she toured various facilities and exchanged views with coaches and students,” he said. The widely shared video shows Zaima Rahman participating in a football drill with women players at the BKSP ground. Social media users have praised her enthusiasm for sports, with many describing the footage as a reflection of Bangladesh's deep-rooted passion for football. She arrived at the BKSP in Shimulia, Savar, around 10:00am to gain firsthand knowledge of the institute’s sports infrastructure and training activities. She remained there until the afternoon. During the visit, the Prime Minister's daughter toured different sports venues and facilities, met BKSP officials, coaches and students, and attended a sports demonstration at the gymnasium. She also visited the mini-conference room and exchanged views with athletes undergoing training at the institute. Her tour included the indoor cricket facilities, cricket ground, artificial turf football venue, Balmain Hanger and shooting range. She also visited student hostels and interacted with resident trainees. Member of Parliament Farida Yasmin, BKSP Director General Brig Gen Mohammad Saif Ullah, Director (Training) Colonel Golam Mabud Hasan, Principal Lt Col Mohammad Imran Hasan, Professor Nasrin Sultana of the Institute of Health Economics at the University of Dhaka, former national table tennis player Jobera Rahman Linu and officials of the institution, among others, were present during the visit.

Dr. Sheikh Mohiuddin, Executive Director of the Ad-din Foundation, on Monday strongly denied allegations made by the Health Minister that the hospital authority chased him with "crores of taka" in bribes to save its operating registration. Speaking at an emergency press conference held at Ad-din Medical College Hospital in the capital’s Moghbazar area, Dr. Mohiuddin challenged Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain is to provide evidence to back his claims. "I didn't chase after the minister with money. If he has made such a statement, he has to prove it. Let him show the evidence," Dr. Mohiuddin told reporters when questioned about the bribery claims. The sharp rebuttal follows a statement made by the Health Minister on Saturday (June 13) during an event in Narsingdi, where he claimed that the Ad-din Hospital authority pursued him with crores of taka, but he refused to give in to corruption and proceeded with cancelling the hospital's license following the tragic deaths of six newborns on May 27. During Monday's briefing, Dr. Mohiuddin formally apologized to the public for the sudden and tragic loss of the six infants, noting that the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) subsequently revoked their operational license on June 11. However, he expressed severe emotional distress over the regulatory shutdown, comparing it to a death sentence. "The cancellation of our license is tantamount to my execution, an execution of my hospital. Yet we respect the state's directive," he said. He further commented on the minister's statement that the shutdown would serve as a lesson for other medical institutions, saying, "If other medical colleges can reform and improve because of this, I have no grievances." Uncertainty Over the Cause of Death Dr. Mohiuddin highlighted that despite the severe regulatory actions, the precise medical cause behind the tragic deaths of the six newborns has not yet been definitively established. "The investigation report from the Ministry of Health did not pinpoint a specific, singular reason for the deaths, and post-mortem examinations were not conducted on the deceased infants," he stated. The Health Minister had previously noted that a closed-room environment with inadequate ventilation and a low oxygen supply inside the neonatal unit was suspected to be the underlying factor, compounded by administrative negligence. In response to the deficiencies highlighted in the health ministry's investigation report, the Ad-din authority announced they have already initiated a thorough renovation program overseen by an expert committee, which includes structural, civil, and chemical engineers from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). The expert observation focused heavily on ventilation systems and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. Dr. Mohiuddin noted that the hospital has already procured advanced monitoring equipment to measure levels of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and oxygen. "While our tests did not find hazardous levels in any room, newborns have highly sensitive tolerance levels compared to adults, meaning even minor atmospheric changes can affect them. We expect all structural and technological overhauls to be completed within a week once we receive the keys to the sealed ward," he added. Addressing a pending writ petition filed with the High Court challenging the government's shutdown notice, the Ad-din Executive Director explicitly clarified that the hospital management has no involvement with the legal move. The writ was filed independently by a lawyer in his personal capacity, he maintained.

Lt General Mohammad Asadullah Minhazul Alam of Bangladesh on Monday assumed his duties as Force Commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). He was welcomed by top United Nations official in Cyprus, Khassim Diagne, and Force Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick Allen. UNFICYP looks forward to Major General Alam's leadership in supporting peace and stability on the island. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment on Monday agreed to form a joint committee to strengthen coordination and improve the implementation of programmes related to migrant welfare and overseas employment. The decision was taken at a coordination meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting discussed in detail ways to ensure the welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates in line with the government's electoral commitments, explore new overseas labour markets for Bangladesh, and increase the deployment of skilled and semi-skilled workers in response to the demands of the international job market. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, MP, State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque, MP, and Prime Minister's Adviser on the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment and the Ministry of Labour and Employment Mahdi Amin attended the meeting. Senior officials from both ministries also participated in the discussion. Participants stressed the need for closer collaboration between the two ministries to enhance services for migrant workers and strengthen Bangladesh's position in overseas labour markets. To facilitate more effective implementation of migrant welfare and overseas employment initiatives and ensure better inter-ministerial coordination, the meeting decided to establish a joint committee.

Leaders and activists of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League staged a protest march and briefly blocked the Dhaka-Khulna Highway in Gopalganj’s Kashiani upazila on Monday. The programme was held around noon in the Ratail Horticulture Centre area of the upazila, where protesters blocked the highway for a short period and chanted various slogans. According to locals, the demonstration was organized in protest against the vandalisation of a mural of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Kashiani Upazila Parishad premises and to demand the return of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to the country. An estimated 40 to 50 people participated in the programme, occupying a section of the highway for a brief period before leaving the area. Local sources said unidentified individuals smeared black paint on the mural of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Kashiani Upazila Parishad premises on the night of June 9. The following night, several Chhatra League leaders and activists were seen cleaning the mural and removing the paint. A video of the incident later circulated on Facebook, triggering widespread discussion and reactions on social media. Mahfuzur Rahman, Kashiani Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), said a brief procession had taken place and we are investigating the matter. Since the organization has been declared banned, legal action will be taken against those involved.