United News of Bangladesh

A Naogaon court on Wednesday sentenced three people to life imprisonment and eight others to different terms of jail for killing three people over land dispute in Porsha upazila of Naogaon district 22 years ago.  Judge of the Naogaon Additional District and Sessions Judge Court-1, Mohammad Ferdous Wahid handed down the punishment, said additional public prosecutor Sabbir Ahmed. The convicts were Abu Bakar Siddique, son of Fazlur Rahman, Amir Ali, son of Sajeman Ali and Abdul Kadir alias Kader, son of Hossain Ali of Kalaibari village in Porsha upazila. They were fined Tk 50,000 each, in default, to suffer one year more rigorous imprisonment. The court also sentenced eight other accused to different terms jail while acquitted four others as allegations brought against them could not be proved. Among them Durul Huda, Aliam alias Alam, Abul Kashem, Wazed Ali were sentenced to five years jail and fined Tk 10,000, in default, to suffer six months in jail. Besides, the court also sentenced Tariqul Islam, Rezaul Karim and Abul Kalam to one year jail. According to the prosecution, the convicts attacked their rivals in the mango orchard of Abdus Samad of Kalaibari village in Prosha upazila on August 30, 2003 and hit them with sharp weapons over land dispute, leaving eight people injured. The injured were taken to Porsha Upazila Health Complex from there they were taken to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital. Shafiqul Islam, brother of Abdus Samad, his sister Selina and daughter Nargis succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. A case was filed against 26 people in this connection.  

Members of Coast Guard arrested two members of  forest robber gang ‘Asabur Bahini’ along with firearms and ammunition from the Sundarbans on Tuesday. The arrestees were identified as Badsha Gazi, 45 and Mehedi Hasan, 27 of Paikgachha upazila of Khulna district. 12-foot python rescued from poultry coop in Bagerhat, released into Sundarbans Tipped off, a team of Coast Guard conducted a drive in SharbatKhali area along the Sibsha River of the Sundarbans on Tuesday and arrested the robbers. Sensing the presence of the coast guard members, the robbers tried to flee the scene, said Lieutenant commander Siamul-Haque of Coast Guard (media). They also seized three guns, 10  rounds of bullet, five empty cartridges and arms making equipment from the spot.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said that the details of Bangladesh’s recent negotiations with the United States on tariff issues do not need to be made public. “There are some matters that cannot be made public, I won’t say more than this now,” he said while reporters asked him to disclose the conditions during the recent negotiations of Bangladesh and USA governments on tariff issues. The adviser made the remarks after holding meetings of Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs and Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase held at the Secretariat. Dr Salehuddin wants young economists to see things with ‘inner eyes’ “This is not multilateral negotiation, this is not WTO, this is not UN where there will be resolution and everyone will know it ,” he said. When asked whether he was satisfied with the 20 percent additional tariff on Bangladeshi exports to the US, he said, “I would have been happier if the rate was brought down a bit further. Though it’s not perfect it is still comfortable.” The former Bangladesh Bank governor said the rate has come down from 35 percent to 20 percent. “This is not bad, if you compare with other countries then we can say Bangladesh is not in a bad position,” he added. He also said that knitwear factories of the country will be able to adjust the matter quickly while the woven factories have to face some challenges due to lacking of backward linkage system. “The agreement hasn’t been signed yet. We will review where we can further reduce duties,” he added. Regarding the much-talked-about reforms by the interim government, the Finance Adviser said that this government has inducted some short-term reforms in the financial sectors while it will take time for mid-term and long-term reforms. He said that Bangladesh Bank has prepared a roadmap for the banking sector which needs time. “Capital market is also trying to bring some reforms, some progress is expected there,” he added. He also said that the government will make some amendments in the NBR Ordinance that will divide the NBR in to Revenue Policy Division and Revenue Management Division. Dr Salehuddin also said that the government is taking projects which are very much relevant and which can be implemented quickly as this interim government has less time. Replying to a question regarding the success of the government in the last one year, he said the economy of the country has made a turnaround from the verge of falling in to a ditch. He said that there were precarious situation in the economic sector which was a challenge, but now it has come to a more comfortable position. Regarding inflation, he said it has been brought to a relatively manageable level. “It will take more time to fully stabilise. Non-food inflation still poses a challenge.”  

Three more deaths were reported from dengue in the  past 24 hours till Wednesday morning, raising the total fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 92 this year. The deaths have been reported in Chattogram division (Out of CC), Rajshahi division (Out of CC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). During this period, 428  more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, raising the number of confirmed cases to 22,812 this year. Dengue: 138 more dengue cases reported in 24hrs According to the DGHS, new cases were reported as follows: 104 in Barishal Division (Out of CC), 39 in Chattogram Division (Out of CC), 74 in Dhaka Division (Out of CC), 51 in Dhaka North City Corporation, 62 in Dhaka South City Corporation, 30 in Khulna Division (Out of CC), 14 in Mymensingh Division, 50 in Rajshahi Division and 4 in Rangpur (Out of CC). Currently, 1,259 patients are receiving treatment in various hospitals across the country. Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people.  

National Citizens Party (NCP) has served show-cause notices to five of its top leaders, including Hasnat Abdullah, Sarjis Alam and Tasnim Jara. The notices were issued on Wednesday in five separate statements signed by Saleh Uddin Sifat, Joint Member Secretary (Office) of the party. According to the notices, the five senior leaders went on a personal trip to Cox’s Bazar on August 5, the first anniversary of the July Uprising, which the party observed as a nationally significant day, without informing or seeking approval from the party’s ‘Political Council’. Five NCP leaders' visit to Cox's Bazar triggers speculation The five leaders who have been served the notices are Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam, Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah, Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara, and Joint Convener Khaled Saifullah. They have been asked to appear in person before the party’s Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain within the next 24 hours and submit written explanations justifying their absence on the important national day and the reasons behind their Cox’s Bazar trip. Nahid unveils NCP's 24-point manifesto envisioning 'new Bangladesh'

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Wednesday expressed the hope that the Election Commission would soon receive a letter from the interim government about the timeframe to hold the next general election in ‘early’ February, 2026. “The Chief Adviser said he would send us a letter to hold the election in early February, ahead of Ramadan. I hope we will get the letter very soon,” he told a press conference at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. Earlier, on Tuesday, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, in a televised address to the nation, marking the first anniversary of July Uprising Day, announced that he would formally notify the Election Commission, on behalf of the interim government, to arrange the national election before Ramadan in February 2026. The CEC said the Commission has already been preparing for the election well in advance. “Despite having various challenges to hold the election in February, we are moving ahead with our preparations. There will be no lack of preparation—InshaAllah as we are taking all necessary preparations to conduct a fair election,” he added. The CEC said the election environment is steadily improving and he currently sees no major problems. “Things have improved much. The election is still a few months away. By then, you’ll see, InshAllah, everything will be in place. I believe the law-and-order situation will not be a problem,” he said. “People have lost trust [in elections]. The number one challenge is now to restore that public confidence. The voters have lost faith in the Election Commission, they’ve lost faith in the electoral system,” said the CEC. The CEC said the Commission would engage in dialogues with stakeholders after political parties complete their discussions with the Consensus Commission. “We’ve planned about a month for this,” he said. He said the EC will begin providing training to 8 to 9 lakh personnel to be involved in election duties and preparations for postal ballots for law enforcement and polling officers. “This time, we’ll try to bring nearly 10 lakh people under the postal balloting,” the CEC said, adding, “Once we receive the letter from the Chief Adviser regarding the election, we’ll hold discussions and fix the polling date. The schedule will be announced two months before that.” The CEC also urged political parties to cooperate in ensuring a level-playing field along with the Commission’s own efforts. He said the EC is committed to arranging a transparent election. “We want to make the election as transparent as possible—like a mirror. We want the people and the world to witness our sincerity and efforts. We want nothing to hide.” About the progress of the pre-election preparatory work, the CEC said an updated voter list would be finalised by August 31 next, and the electoral rolls would be updated further incorporating others who turn voters within a specific time before the election. The CEC also expressed the hope that all necessary procurement for the polls will be completed by September next.

A youth was hacked to death by some miscreants in Purbadhala upazila of Netrakona district early Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Md Kakan Ahmed, 28, son of Abdur Rahman of Dapunia Paschim Para under Narandia union of the upazila. According to locals and police, the miscreants equipped with lethal weapons attacked Kakan while he was returning home froma local market around 1am. Love’s last breath: A couple’s tragic end in Netrakona Hearing his screams, locals rushed to the spot but the attackers managed to flee the scene. He was rushed to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, said Mohammad Nurul Alam, officer-in-charge of Purbadhala Police Station. Police visited the spot and efforts are on to arrest those involved in the murder, he added.

Outgoing Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands André Carstens has commended Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus for his leadership over the past year, particularly in steering Bangladesh through a transitional period following the ouster of the previous regime. ‘July Charter’ a historic achievement; it's now at final stage: Prof Yunus Carstens, who has been Charge D’Affaires of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bangladesh since 2025, paid a farewell visit to the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna on Wednesday. He highlighted Yunus' efforts in fostering democratic reforms and national unity. "People will remember you," Carstens said. Carstens also praised the recently unveiled ‘July Declaration’, describing it as a pivotal step in ‘bridging’ the nation's historical context with the aspirations of the July mass uprising, , said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. The envoy referred to the Chief Adviser's announcement of the election timeline as ‘perfect’, indicating it sets the country on a path toward general elections. They discussed the ongoing Rohingya crisis and the forthcoming international conference on the issue, scheduled to be held in September. The conference aims to address the humanitarian and political challenges faced by the Rohingya refugees. In a gesture of solidarity, Carstens presented Prof Yunus with lyrics that he wrote celebrating the spirit of the July uprising led by Bangladesh's Gen-Z. The lyrics, which Carstens put to music originally written by George Harrison for the song ‘Bangladesh’, recorded and accompanied by a video, was shared during the meeting. "Bangladesh, Bangladesh Full of friendly people, doing fine Revolution paved the way For to say they want to say Not just a fairy tale, a holy grail For all the people of Bangladesh," he writes. "Bangladesh, Bangladesh Such a resurrection- the Gulf of Bengal Revolution paved the way After many years astray Gen Z showed the way Turned a nightmare into a day," he writes. Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser Lutfey Siddiqi and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed were also present during the meeting.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 on Wednesday ordered the start of trial proceedings against 30 accused in the murder case of Abu Sayed, the first martyr of the July Mass Uprising. A three-member tribunal led by ICT-Chairman Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury passed the order. The tribunal set August 27 and 28 to record testimonies from the witnesses in the case. All six arrested accused were produced before the tribunal in the morning. Those produced are Shariful Islam, former proctor of Begum Rokeya University, Sujan Chandra Roy, a former police constable, Imran Chowdhury Akash, a banned Chhatra League leader, Amir Hossain, a former assistant sub-inspector, Rafiul Hasan Russell and Anwar Parvez Apil, activists of the banned Chhatra League. Mother of Abu Sayed wishes to see her martyred son's dream for Bangladesh fulfilled Earlier, on July 30, the tribunal heard the state defence’s petition seeking exemption for 24 absconding accused. The prosecution formally filed charges on June 30 which were accepted by the tribunal the same day. Abu Sayed, an English department student of Begum Rokeya University, was shot dead by police on July 16 last year near Park Mor in front of the university, triggering severe outrage across the country.

The low-lying areas adjacent to rivers in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Sherpur, Netrokona, and Mymensingh districts will be inundated due to swelling of rivers in the region caused by heavy rains. Water levels of many rivers including Sarigowain, Jadukata, Jhalukhali, Someshwari and Bhugai rivers may rise in the next three days till August 9, according to Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC). The water levels of the Manu, Dhalai, Khwai, Surma, Kushiyara, Lubachhara, Jinjiram, and Kangsha rivers in Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions have increased in the past 24 hours, it added. Struggle for survival begins anew in flood-hit Feni as waters recede The Muhuri, Selonia, and Noakhali Khal rivers may flow at the warning level during the period, which could inundate the low-lying areas adjacent to these rivers in Feni and Noakhali districts. In the past 24 hours, heavy to very heavy rainfall were observed  Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions and moderate to heavy rainfall over Dhaka and Chattogram divisions. Besides, heavy to very heavy rainfall has been recorded upstream in West Bengal (India). Heavy rainfall is likely over Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions and the adjoining upstream regions of Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura (India) during the next 3 days till August 9. Heavy rainfall is also likely over Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions and the adjoining upstream region of West Bengal (India) on Saturday. Tk 7,340 cr flood control embankment to be built in Feni: Adviser Meanwhile, the water levels of the Gomti, Feni, Selonia and Halda rivers in  Chattogram division have risen over the past 24 hours, while the water levels of the Muhuri, Rahmatkhali Khal and Noakhali Khal rivers remain steady and the water levels of the Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers are falling. Over the next 3 days, the water levels of these rivers may continue rise. The water levels of the Ganges and Padma rivers have risen in the past 24 hours and are expected to continue rising over the next 5 days.