United News of Bangladesh

Khulna University (KU) authorities have issued a notice to a student journalist, seeking an explanation and supporting materials over a published news report, a move that has drawn criticism from journalists and press freedom advocates. The notice was served to Md Mirajul Islam, a student of the History and Civilization Discipline who is the university correspondent of the Daily Kaler Kantho, alleging that he had distorted and misrepresented remarks made by the university's Vice-Chancellor in a news report. According to university sources, the notice, signed by Director of Student Affairs Prof Dr Md Nazmus Sadath on June 10, reached the journalist on Sunday. The office order referred to a report titled "Tree plantation at KU to implement Prime Minister's directive," published in Kaler Kantho on June 9. The report quoted the Vice-Chancellor as saying that Khulna University had been established as a recreational destination attracting many visitors because of the lack of entertainment facilities in the city. The university administration claimed that the Vice-Chancellor's remarks were not presented accurately and that the essence of his statement had been distorted. The notice asked Mirajul to submit the sources of information, relevant audio-video recordings and a written explanation within three working days. It also warned that failure to provide a satisfactory explanation and supporting evidence within the stipulated time could lead to action under university regulations. Mirajul Islam said he had published the report objectively as part of his professional duties and possessed the necessary evidence to support it. "As a journalist, being directly asked to disclose my sources or submit audio recordings through a disciplinary notice amounts to interference in independent journalism and misuse of administrative authority," he said. "If there are objections to the report, they should be communicated to my employer or the newspaper authority. Attempting to influence my academic life through a disciplinary notice is unjustified," he added. Director of Student Affairs Prof Nazmus Sadath said the university authorities had instructed him to seek an explanation from the journalist regarding the report. "We believe the report has somewhat harmed the image of the university. That is why we have also sent a letter to Kaler Kantho," he said. Bangladesh Press Council Secretary Md Abdus Sabur said that under the council's regulations, responsibility for a published report does not rest solely with a correspondent, as editors and sub-editors are also involved in the publication process. "If clarification regarding a report is required, the letter should be addressed to the newspaper concerned," he said. Referring to the Press Council's Code of Conduct for Newspapers, News Agencies and Journalists (1993), Sabur said journalists are protected when information obtained from credible sources is published in good faith and in the public interest. "If a report is objective, accurate and supported by sufficient evidence, such actions may be viewed as interference with media freedom," he added. Meanwhile, the Khulna University Journalists' Association expressed deep concern and resentment over the notice. In a statement, the organisation said journalists are not obligated to disclose their sources or submit audio recordings to administrative authorities and described the move as an attempt to create psychological pressure on campus reporters by exploiting their status as students. The association demanded immediate withdrawal of the notice.

An elderly farmer was killed after being struck by a brick during a clash between two relatives in Magura’s Sadar upazila on Monday noon. The deceased was identified as Arab Ali, 70, son of late Yakub Ali of Kodalia Shrirampur village under Haji Pur Union in Magura Sadar upazila. The incident occurred at Uttorpara of Kodalia Shrirampur village around noon during a clash between two relatives over a family dispute. Abdullah Al Mamun, Magura Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), said the clash erupted between Sakhawat and Hasan following an altercation over a family issue. At one stage, both sides engaged in brick throwing. During the clash, Arab Ali went to the spot to witness the incident. Suddenly, a brick struck him on the head, leaving him seriously injured. Locals rescued him and took him to Magura 250-bed Hospital, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead. OC Abdullah Al Mamun said he visited the hospital after receiving the information and a case has been filed in connection with the incident.

Diplomatic Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) based in Lisbon, Portugal, Farouk S. Adatia, KC, on Monday, conveyed AKDN’s strong interest in further strengthening its partnership with the Government of Bangladesh, building on the longstanding goodwill and friendship between the two sides. He highlighted AKDN’s interest in exploring opportunities for private-sector investment in line with the priorities set by the new government in the areas of education, healthcare, infrastructure, and renewable energy. The diplomat met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, MP, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed issues of mutual interest. The two sides also discussed the possibility of a future visit by Rahim Aga Khan V to Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Bangladesh’s National Emergency Service 999 has received a total of 72,362,402 calls since its launch on December 12, 2017, reflecting public confidence in the emergency response system. Police Headquarters on Monday evening said the nationwide service has continued to play a vital role in providing emergency assistance and facilitating rapid coordination among law enforcement and other emergency agencies. Introduced as a centralized emergency helpline, 999 enables citizens to seek immediate assistance related to police services, fire incidents, and ambulance support from anywhere in the country. Officials said the volume of calls received over the years demonstrates the increasing reliance of people on the service for emergency support and public safety needs. The National Emergency Service was launched with the aim of ensuring quick access to emergency assistance through a single hotline and has since become one of the key public service platforms in the country. Police Headquarters shared the latest call statistics on June 15 evening, highlighting the service’s continued outreach and public engagement across the country.

A Bangladeshi pilgrim who spent more than three years in hospitals in Saudi Arabia after falling seriously ill while performing Umrah has died just over a month after being brought back home through the efforts of the Bangladesh government. Hedayetul Islam, also known as Manik Huzur, 65, a resident of Maheshpushkarani village in Mirzanagar Union of Parshuram upazila in Feni, died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital at around 10am on Monday while undergoing treatment. According to family members, Hedayetul travelled to Saudi Arabia on February 1, 2023, along with his wife and several others to perform Umrah. After staying in Makkah for a few days, he suddenly fell ill in Madinah on February 12 and was later admitted to King Fahad Hospital in Madinah. Following four to five months of treatment in the CCU and ICU, he was transferred to another hospital. He remained under treatment at different hospitals in Saudi Arabia for nearly three years and three months. Family members said he remained unconscious throughout most of that period. The family had been trying for a long time to bring him back to Bangladesh. His second son, Al Shahadat Mohammad Hossain, later submitted an application to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which took up the matter. With the support of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Bangladesh Hajj Mission and the Saudi authorities, Hedayetul was finally brought back to Bangladesh on May 13 under a special arrangement. After returning home, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he remained under treatment for more than a month before passing away. His son Al Shahadat Mohammad Hossain said the family had hoped Hedayetul would recover after being brought home. "We were able to bring our father back after more than three years. We hoped he would return to us in good health, but that was not Allah's will. We seek prayers for the forgiveness of his soul," he said. The funeral prayers were scheduled to be held at around 9:30pm on Monday before his burial.

A local leader of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal has died allegedly after consuming excessive liquor with friends in South Keraniganj. The deceased was identified as Asaduzzaman Roni, secretary of ward No. 6 unit of Jubo Dal under Suvadda union in South Keraniganj upazila. Police said Roni fell seriously ill after reportedly consuming excessive liquor with friends in the Khajurbagh Bastehara area in the early hours of Monday. He was taken to Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment in the morning, said Officer-in-Charge of South Keraniganj Police Station Saiful Alam. Family members, however, claimed that Roni was called out by friends after midnight and forced to consume excessive liquor, leaving him seriously injured. They said he was rushed to hospital around 1:00am after his condition deteriorated, where he died in the morning. Following a complaint lodged by the family in the afternoon, police recovered the body and sent it to hospital morgue for autopsy.

Police recovered the body of an autorickshaw driver stashed inside a gunny sack from a river in Barishal on Monday, two days after he went missing. The deceased was identified as Nazmul Hossain, 25, son of Abdul Rashid Molla of Makorkathi area under Raipasha-Karapur Union in Barishal Sadar upazila. According to family members, Nazmul left home with his autorickshaw on Saturday morning but did not return. As he remained missing, his father filed a general diary (GD) with Barishal Airport Police Station on Sunday. Locals said they spotted a body floating near the eastern bank of the Kalijira River in the morning, partially wrapped inside a sack. They immediately informed police. A team from Kotwali Model Police Station rushed to the spot and recovered the body. Alok Kanti Sharma, Assistant Commissioner of Barishal Kotwali Model Police Station, said the body was sent to the morgue for an autopsy after completion of the inquest. Police have launched an investigation into the incident and suspect it to be a premeditated murder. “Efforts are underway to determine the motive behind the killing and to arrest those involved as quickly as possible,” he added.

A young man was killed after being struck by lightning while playing football in Chapainawabganj’s Shibganj upazila on Monday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Antar Ali, 26, son of Abdul Mannan of Chakdoulotpur-Mondoltola area under Shibganj municipality. The incident took place at a mango forest adjacent to the Bhanga Bridge area of Shibganj municipality during a spell of storm and rain. Mizanur Rahman, Shibganj Upazila Project Implementation Officer, said Antar Ali was playing football at a mango forest adjacent to the Bhanga Bridge area of Shibganj municipality during a spell of inclement weather when lightning struck, killing him on the spot. Following the incident, the Department of Disaster Management provided Tk 25,000 in cash assistance to the victim’s family, he added. Matiur Rahman, Shibganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), said legal procedures were completed and the body was handed over to the family.

A teenage boy was critically injured after being electrocuted while attempting to hang a Portugal flag in South Surma upazila in Sylhet on Monday noon. The injured identified as Hamid Ahmod, 15, son of Akhter Mia, an SSC candidate of this year. He was rushed to Ibn Sina Hospital in critical condition and is currently undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Doctors said his condition remains critical. Locals said Hamid, along with his friends, was hanging a long Portugal flag when he climbed an electric pole during the process and suddenly came into contact with live electricity, leaving him severely injured. The teenager is currently receiving treatment to the hospital and remains in critical condition, according to doctors.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday told Parliament that a search committee will be formed anytime to recommend names for reconstituting the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), expressing optimism that a stronger anti-graft body will be established. "Maybe you think the government is not sincere. However, the government is truly sincere. A search committee will be formed to constitute the Anti-Corruption Commission,” he said. The home minister said this while speaking during the discussion on the cut-motions over additional demands for the ACC in the supplementary budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year in the House. He said the Chief Justice on Sunday sent the name of his representative for the search committee, clearing the way for its formation. “Now, the search committee will be formed," he said. Salahuddin said a strong ACC will be established with a chairman and commissioners through the search committee. He said though an ordinance related to the ACC, which was promulgated during the interim government, was not ratified by current Parliament, the earlier law had been revived, which also includes provisions for a search committee. The minister further said the current arrangement is an interim step and that a more powerful ACC will be formed once the proposed ACC Bill is passed in Parliament. Responding to the remarks made by independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana, he said corruption is widespread across society, but the politicians are blamed for all faults. In most cases, politicians have to sign off on the final stage of files, so they are blamed for all irregularities, Salahuddin said. Earlier in her speech, Rumeen Farhana criticised the ACC’s effectiveness, alleging that corruption remains deeply entrenched in the country and questioning the political will to strengthen the commission. Noting that bureaucracy and politics are top most corrupt professions in Bangladesh, she said, “Politics generates money, which is probably only possible in a country like Bangladesh.” Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Md Shafiqul Islam also expressed concern over the independence of the ACC, saying political and administrative influence continues to affect its functioning.