United News of Bangladesh

Two people were killed and two others injured in a head-on collision between a truck and a pickup van on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway in the Muljan area of Manikganj on Thursday evening. The deceased were identified as pickup driver Rasel Mia, son of Md Alam of Brahmanbaria village in Savar, and his helper Arafat, son of Md Kawsar of the same village. Md Selim Matbar, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Golra Highway Police Station, said the accident occurred around 7pm when an empty pickup carrying chicken cages was heading towards Aricha. The vehicle collided head-on with a truck coming from the opposite direction, leaving the pickup driver and his helper dead on the spot. Two other workers travelling in the pickup were injured and admitted to Manikganj District Sadar Hospital. Their identities could not be known immediately. The OC said the truck and the pickup have been seized, while the truck driver and his helper managed to flee the scene. A case has been filed with Sadar Police Station in connection with the incident, he added.  

Two young men were killed and another was seriously injured after a train hit their motorcycle at an unguarded level crossing in the Dudhpatila area of Damurhuda upazila in Chuadanga on Thursday evening. The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately, said Damurhuda Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sheikh Mesbah Uddin. The injured was identified as Abdul Kader, 25, son of Rahidul Islam of Dugdugi village in the upazila. According to police and local sources, three people were riding a motorcycle and attempting to cross the rail track through the unmanned level crossing when a speeding train struck the vehicle. The train dragged the motorcycle for a considerable distance, killing two riders on the spot. Locals rescued Abdul Kader and first took him to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital. As his condition worsened, he was later referred to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), commonly known as Pangu Hospital, in Dhaka for advanced treatment.

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman has urged newly commissioned officers to remain prepared to make the utmost sacrifice to safeguard Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty while serving the nation with integrity, professionalism and commitment. He made the call while addressing the President’s Parade of the 90th Long Course at the Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) in Bhatiari, Chattogram, on Thursday. The Army Chief advised the newly commissioned officers to develop themselves into skilled, competent and agile military leaders capable of meeting future challenges. He stressed the importance of discipline, dedication and patriotism, urging them to uphold the highest ideals of military service and remain ready to make any sacrifice required to protect the country's independence and sovereignty. Earlier in the day, General Waker-Uz-Zaman arrived at the parade ground and formally reviewed the parade after receiving a guard of honour. Hundreds of cadets took part in the colourful ceremony. Both local and foreign cadets participated in the event. This year, 191 cadets, including seven foreign nationals, were commissioned into the army. The foreign cadets came from four countries, including Palestine and Tanzania. Of the 184 Bangladeshi cadets commissioned, 166 were men and 18 were women. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman congratulated the newly commissioned officers on their achievement. Senior military officials, representatives of various countries' armed forces, public representatives and family members of the cadets attended the ceremony. Later, the Army Chief inaugurated the second battalion at Bhatiari and opened several facilities and development projects, including BM Park and a Combined Military Hospital (CMH).

Rail communication between Kurigram and the rest of the country resumed on Thursday evening after remaining suspended for around 12 hours when a sand-laden truck overturned on a railway track in Rajarhat upazila. Train services returned to normal around 6:30pm after the truck was removed from the tracks, said Konika Akther, Officer-in-Charge of Kurigram Railway Station. At 6:30 am, the truck overturned on the railway line, blocking train movement and causing significant inconvenience to passengers. Hundreds of passengers were stranded during the suspension, with many forced to use alternative transport to reach Teesta Railway Station and continue their journeys. Following the incident, railway authorities, local administration officials and rescue personnel rushed to the spot and launched operations to clear the track and restore train services.

Dhaka-19 lawmaker Dewan Mohammod Salahuddin on Thursday alleged that drug trafficking has become deeply entrenched across Savar, with entire families, including women, actively involved in the illicit trade. He alleged that between 200,000 and 300,000 people in the area are directly or indirectly linked to drug abuse and trafficking. “I have found through investigation that in many places entire families are involved in drug trading – fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, even sons-in-law,” Dewan Salahuddin said, adding that it will not be an exaggeration to say that drug trading is taking place in almost every household in Savar. Dewan Salahuddin, also BNP’s family welfare affairs assistant secretary, made the remarks while addressing a programme, marking the assumption of office by the newly elected committee of the Savar Deed Writers Welfare Association in front of the Savar Sub-Registrar Office. Referring to recent anti-drug operations, he said drug trader Shamim Reza had already been arrested and his house demolished. The MP also noted that the limited number of police personnel stationed at Savar and Ashulia police stations is insufficient to effectively manage law and order across such a large area and population. Describing the Bede Palli area under Savar municipality as a major drug trafficking hub, he alleged that a significant portion of its residents are involved in the trade. “We are trying to establish a police camp there soon,” Dewan Salahuddin said, warning that drug traffickers will not be allowed to live in Savar under any circumstances. The event was presided over by Akhtar Hossain Bepari, president of the newly elected committee of the Deed Writers Welfare Association.

A construction worker died after falling from the 7th floor of an under-construction building in the Shanir Akhra area of Jatrabari in the capital on Thursday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Md Fahim, 28, hailing from Shariatpur district. Co-worker Md Farid Mia, who took him to hospital, said Fahim fell from the building around 3:30pm while working at the site near Molla Kadam Ali Jame Masjid at Matuail. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 5:45pm, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Farid Mia also said Fahim lived in the Shanir Akhra Club Goli area and was the father of two sons. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said the body has been kept at the hospital morgue.

Two fishermen were killed and another went missing after lightning struck their boat while they were fishing in a haor in Fenchuganj upazila of Sylhet on Thursday. The deceased were identified as Sabir Ali, 40, and Hamid Mia, 45, both residents of Kamalpur village in Kalarbazar area of Rajnagar upazila in Moulvibazar district. Locals said three fishermen went fishing by a boat in a haor in the Baghmara East Katutila area of the Fenchuganj. A sudden thunderstorm hit the boat around 12:00pm, leaving Sabir and Hamid dead on the spot. The third fisherman, who was travelling with them, fell into water and has since remained missing. Officer-in-Charge of Fenchuganj Police Station Abu Zafar Mahfuzul Karim said police and Fire Service personnel rushed to the scene after being informed of the incident. A search operation was underway in the haor to locate the missing fisherman, he said.

Members of police have seized over 5.2 million Yaba tablets along with large quantities of other drugs during the ongoing nationwide special operation launched on May 1, according to Police Headquarters. In a short SMS sent from its media wing on Thursday evening, the Police Headquarters said a total of 5,205,334 Yaba tablets were recovered during the ongoing special drive and search operations conducted across the country. The operation also led to the seizure of 5,689.87 grams of heroin, 2,036 bottles of Phensedyl, 4,744 bottles of foreign liquor, 15,109.52 litres of locally produced liquor, and 7,725.79 kgs of hemp in the last 49 days. Sources at the Police Headquarters said the special operation is being carried out nationwide as part of efforts to maintain law and order, curb criminal activities, and crack down on drug trafficking networks. The campaign, which began on May 1, continues across the country with law enforcement agencies conducting raids, searches and intelligence-based operations against drug dealers and other criminal elements. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to continuing the drive to prevent the spread of narcotics and strengthen public safety.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday firmly rejected claims that the current Jatiya Sangsad is a "Parliament of loan defaulters," saying no sitting lawmaker can be classified as a loan defaulter as all MPs contested the 13th parliamentary election after meeting the legal eligibility requirements. “Those who are here, none of them is a loan defaulter,” he said while participating in a heated debate over whether remarks made by an independent lawmaker describing Parliament as a "Parliament of loan defaulters" should be expunged from the official record. The minister said everyone should show due respect to all members of this august House. According to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) and other relevant rules, anyone declared as a loan defaulter by a court becomes disqualified to be a candidate in the election. Salahuddin said some lawmakers might have debts, but that should not be confused with being a loan defaulter. "Someone may be indebted, not loan defaulters,” he said. He said some lawmakers, who faced allegations of loan default, were elected after being cleared from such allegations by the court. When the High Court or the Supreme Court disposes of a case and declares a person a legitimate candidate, that person is no longer a loan defaulter, the minister added. "Someone may be loanee while going to do business. But they are being defined as loan defaulters. It is a defamatory statement. It should be expunged.” Earlier, BNP lawmaker AKM Fazlul Haque Milan raised a point of order, objecting to the use of the phrase "Parliament of loan defaulters." He said the current Parliament was formed through a credible and acceptable election following years of political struggle and sacrifice, and lawmakers should avoid making remarks that undermine the dignity of the House. "Loan defaulters cannot contest parliamentary elections. So, how can this be called a Parliament of loan defaulters?" Milan asked, urging the chair to expunge the expression from the official record. Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal, who was presiding over the session, said the matter will be examined before any decision is taken. "We will examine the statement. If it is found in the record and deemed appropriate for expunction, it will be expunged," he said. Then Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam took the floor and said it was not really a statement that should be expunged. He said such concerns over loan defaulters had been raised both before and after the election. Nahid said he had previously mentioned in Parliament the amount of defaulted loans linked to several lawmakers, although he did not disclose their names. "If a political party nominates loan defaults and brings them to Parliament, that responsibility lies with the party. People may naturally describe it as a Parliament of loan defaulters," he said. Independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana also joined the discussion, referring to recent data from Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) that showed members of the current Parliament collectively owe Tk 11,356 crore to banks. The lawyer-turned-lawmaker also alleged that some candidates manage to reschedule loans or obtain court orders to temporarily suspend their status as loan defaulters in Credit Information Bureau (CIB) list before the election. Rumeen further said the total amount of bad loans stands at around Tk 11 lakh crore in the country.

Bangladesh and Argentina have expressed keen interest in deepening cultural cooperation through literature, music, sports diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges. The keenness came when Argentine Ambassador in Dhaka Marcelo Carlos Cesa met Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury at the Secretariate on Thursday. During the courtesy call, both sides highlighted the long-standing cultural bond between the two nations, recalling the historic relationship between Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and renowned Argentine writer Victoria Ocampo. The Argentine envoy said while Tagore remains widely known in Argentina, there is growing interest in discovering contemporary and classical Bangladeshi writers. He urged initiatives to translate more Bangladeshi literary works into Spanish and encouraged Bangladesh's active participation in the upcoming Buenos Aires International Book Fair. The ambassador also highly praised the spiritual Lalon songs of Bangladesh and suggested translating Lalon Geeti into Spanish to present them to the global audience. The minister said the government is fully committed to enhancing bilateral cooperation based on mutual equality, respect, and the core principle of “Bangladesh First.” He also called for swiftly finalising an agreement on cultural cooperation proposed by Bangladesh to blend Bangladesh’s Baul traditions with Argentina's Tango and Chamamé. To permanently institutionalise bilateral friendship, formal proposals were placed on behalf of Bangladesh to name a road after Bangladesh in Argentine capital Buenos Aires. Furthermore, recognising the climate compatibility between the two nations, a proposal was also extended on behalf of Bangladesh to relocate and plant native Bangladeshi flora and trees in Argentina. To foster deeper people-to-people connections, the ambassador announced that four prominent Argentine social media influencers and vloggers will visit Bangladesh during the ongoing FIFA World Cup. This vlogging team will create extensive content showcasing the profound passion of Bangladeshi fans for Argentine football, which will be broadcasted widely in Argentina, paving the way for advanced sports and cultural diplomacy. State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom, who was also present at the meeting, proposed organising a joint “Cultural Evening” featuring leading performing artists from both Bangladesh and Argentina.