United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus met Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons in Westminster on Thursday. They discussed issues of mutual interest. Prof Yunus honoured with prestigious Harmony Award by King Charles III Meanwhile, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds, who met Prof Yunus earlier, said the Bangladesh-UK relationship goes from strength to strength. They discussed deepening the UK–Bangladesh trade and investment partnership, and the shared ambitions for economic growth, job creation, and prosperity.

Police  on Thursday morning recovered the dismembered body of a scrap metal trader, who had been missing for over a week,  from  Sabujbagh in the capital.  The deceased was identified as Zakir Hossain, 55, a resident of the Baikdia area under Sabujbagh police station. Police have arrested one suspect in connection with the killing.  Sub-Inspector Shamsul Amin of Sabujbagh Police Station told the media that  Zakir had been missing since June 4. His family had filed a kidnapping case with the police station following his disappearance.  “During investigation, we found that Zakir was last contacted by a man named Azahar, who was known to him,” the SI said.  “Using technology and conducting drives in several areas, we detained Azahar from the capital’s Mohanagar area. During primary interrogation, he confessed to the murder,” he added.  According to police, Zakir was first hit on the head with an iron rod. After he fell to the ground, he was hacked to death with a sharp weapon and then his body was dismembered. His body was later buried in a jungle near his residence.  Zakir’s mutilated body was recovered around 12:30pm on Thursday and sent to Dhaka Medical College hospital morgue for autopsy following legal procedures, SI Shamsul Alimsaid.  Police said the motive behind the killing is still under investigation and further interrogation of the accused is underway.  Zakir ran a scrap business in the Nandipara area. His younger brother, Masud Hossain, claimed there had been a longstanding land dispute involving local residents, including Faruk and Meher Ali, over ancestral property.  Masud alleged that the murder was preplanned and carried out by hired goons. “On the night of June 4, Azahar called my brother and took him out of the house. He never returned,” Masud said, adding that Zakir had lent a large sum of money to Azahar. The family filed a case accusing several people, including Azahar, Sapan, Imon, Rajib, and Shukkur, of abduction.

King Charles III on Thursday conferred the prestigious ‘Harmony Award 2025’ on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, recognising his lifelong efforts to promote peace, sustainability and harmony between people and the environment. In June 2024, King Charles launched a new set of awards celebrating living in harmony with nature. Before the award ceremony, King Charles III welcomed Chief Adviser Prof Yunus for a private audience at the Buckingham Palace. The British monarch is an admirer of Prof Yunus' work including his pioneering microcredit bank, his championing social businesses to combat poverty and his campaign for Three Zeroes to save civilisation from self-destruction, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told UNB. King Charles even wrote a foreword for one of Prof Yunus' books, he said. In the meeting that lasted for 30 minutes, they discussed the massive transition in Bangladesh and the Chief Adviser informed King Charles of the reform initiatives taken by his government in Bangladesh.  Describing meeting a cordial one, Alam said since King Charles knows Prof Yunus for a long, they discussed many issues. “In this whole tour, I would say it was the most important event,” said the Press Secretary. By meeting people privately, or 'granting an Audience', the King acknowledges the importance of certain individuals and their work, and creates an opportunity to learn more about them and give them a memorable Royal experience. An ‘Audience’ is simply a one-to-one meeting with The King. The inaugural winner of the King Charles III Harmony Award was former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon. The awards from the King's Foundation are a cause close to the King's heart. He's spoken about the almost spiritual concept of humanity living in harmony with the natural world. It is based on the King's principle: "We should work with nature, not against it." British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke has already extended her congratulations to Prof Yunus on his forthcoming receipt of the prestigious King Charles Harmony Award. "It is a great honour," the Chief Adviser said, referring to the award when the High Commissioner met him in Dhaka recently. Meanwhile, Sarah Cooke, currently in London, on Thursday said she was pleased with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’ visit to the UK. "Fantastic to welcome Hon. Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus to the UK this week," she wrote from her verified X handle. The High Commissioner said his (Prof Yunus) wide ranging programme of meetings underscore their "shared commitment to democracy, trade and investment, climate action, regional security and support to the Rohingya." Chief Adviser Prof Yunus arrived here on Tuesday, beginning his four-day official visit to renew their bilateral ties with the United Kingdom, with an increased focus on economic cooperation, trade and investment. “This is a very important visit,” said acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique, noting that the relationship between Bangladesh and the UK is very deep and diverse. He emphasised that the visit will play a significant role in strengthening bilateral relations.

Labour and Employment Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain has attended a meeting of labour ministers of Asia-Pacific Group (ASPAG) countries on the sidelines of the 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. Joining the meeting on Wednesday, the adviser said Asia-Pacific accounts for 60 per cent of the global labour force and contributes 40 per cent to the world GDP. But this region is grappling with numerous challenges including informality, lack of social protection and the adverse impacts of climate change, he said. Anti-graft campaigners urge UK to act on suspected Bangladeshi dirty money Focusing on Bangladesh’s progress, the adviser said Bangladesh has been working to amend the Labour Act 2006, simplify trade union registration, and improve workplace conditions for workers under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. Besides, skill development and employment generation for the youth remain top priorities of the Bangladesh government, he added. ILO Director General Gilbert F. Houngbo, Labour Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman, BEPZA Executive Chairman Maj Gen Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman and Additional IGP Gazi Mozammel Hoque, among others, were also present, said a PID handout on Thursday.

The Second International Conference on Mother Tongue Journalism will begin on Friday in Kathmandu, bringing together over 100 journalists, including more than 50 from SAARC countries. The two-day event, organised by the National Forum for Newar Journalists (NFNJ) in collaboration with the SAARC Journalist Forum (SJF) and FONIJ, marks the celebration of 101 years of mother tongue journalism. Nepal’s Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire will inaugurate the conference as chief guest at the National Nature Conservation Trust in Lalitpur, while Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh will attend the closing ceremony at Thimi Banquet in Bhaktapur on Saturday. “All preparations have been completed, and we are fully ready to host the conference on June 13 and 14 in Kathmandu,” said Nripendra Lal Shrestha, president of NFNJ, at a press briefing. SJF President Raju Lama confirmed that over 50 journalists from South Asian countries will participate. FONIJ Secretary General Sameer Balami and organising committee president Sunil Maharjan also stated that all necessary arrangements are in place for the successful hosting of the event. US-Bangladesh joint medical workshop concludes at Chittagong Port The conference will feature panel discussions on a range of topics, focusing on the challenges, opportunities, and future prospects of mother tongue journalism in Nepal, across South Asia, and globally. As part of the event, five journalists from Nepal, India, and Bangladesh will be honoured for their outstanding contributions to journalism in native languages. Two senior journalists from Bangladesh — Md Abdur Rahman, central secretary general of SJF, and Rafiqul Islam Azad, former president of Dhaka Reporters Unity — have already arrived in Nepal to attend the event. This year’s gathering follows the first International Mother Tongue Journalism Conference, successfully held in 2024 by the same organisers.

Fishermen in the coastal areas of Taltali upazila of Barguna are rejoicing as silver hilsa began appearing in their nets following the end of a 58-day fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday night. Fishermen said they caught between 10 and 20 kgs of hilsa each after casting nets near the shore. “God has fulfilled our wishes.We hope this blessing continues for the entire season,” said fisherman Zakir Sikder. The government had imposed the ban from April 15 to June 11 to ensure proper breeding, growth, and conservation of marine fish resources and to promote sustainable fishing. With the restriction lifted at midnight on Wednesday, most of the 8,799 registered fishermen in Taltali returned to sea to resume fishing. Hilsa returns to Chandpur markets after ban; prices fall, buyers rejoice Local trader Tuku Sikder said those who cast nets near the coast returned with a good catch, while deep-sea fishermen are expected to return in two to three days. The return of fishers with fresh hilsa has brought activity back to the Fakirhat fish landing center in Taltali. Talking to local people, they said, the fish landing center in Taltali saw heavy traffic as trawlers carrying hilsa returned to port. Fisherman Kabir said he sold 15 kg of medium-sized hilsa for Tk 26,250, earning Tk 70,000 per maund. “The price is good,” he added. Fishermen Nanna and Kamal said they had caught 20 kg of hilsa. “If this continues, our struggles will ease,” they said. Tuku Sikder, a member of the Fakirhat Fisheries Association and owner of the Bismillah trawler, said 600 trawlers set out from the landing center on Wednesday night. Hilsa trade in Chuadanga remarkably bleak during Pahela Baishakh “Those who fished near the coast returned with good catches. The 58-day ban seems to have paid off. Hopefully, hilsa will continue to appear in abundance throughout the season,” he said. Jewel Hossain, an official of Fakirhat fish landing center confirmed that hilsa is being caught in significant quantities following the end of the ban. Deep-sea trawlers are yet to return, but once they do, hilsa supply is expected to increase further. He added that the current market price of hilsa varies between Tk 35,000 and Tk 120,000 per maund, depending on size and quality.  

One person was killed and 20 people, including 11 policemen, injured after hundreds of rival villagers clashed over dispute arising from a football match in Belabo upazila of Narsingdi, police and a hospital doctor said on Thursday. The disputed match was played between teams from Char Belabo and Belabo villages on Wednesday afternoon. The deceased Saiful Islam (26) was from Char Belabo village. According to police and locals, a football match was held between Belabo and Char Belabo villages on Wednesday afternoon at Hossain Ali College ground. During the match, there was an altercation between the two teams. Army personnel injured in worker attack at Gopalganj toll bridge According to some witnesses the fighting today was a sequel of Wednesday’s incident between players. During the clash the villagers used country-made weapons. Police fired tear gas and blank shots to bring the situation under control. When the situation escalated, additional policemen from Narsingdi rushed to the spot and finally tamed the fighting. Officer-in-charge of Belabo Police Station Mir Mahabubur Rahman said that two groups of villagers clashed over a football match. 11 policemen were injured in the incident. Narsingdi Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Sujan Chandra Sarkar said that additional police have been deployed in the incident. Currently, the situation is calm. “We have received reports that several people, including policemen, were injured in the incident and one person was killed. Legal action is under process in this regard. Dr. Manjur Mushfika Ferdous, on-duty doctor at Belabo Hospital, said that a person named Saiful Islam was brought dead to the hospital. He said there are bullet marks on his body, but it can be confirmed after the autopsy.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday expressed condolences at the tragic crash of Air India flight carrying 242 passengers in Ahmedabad and expressed solidarity with people and the government of India at this trying time. "Shocked at the tragic crash of an Air India flight carrying 242 passengers in Ahmedabad," he said in a message to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "We join all in prayers for the bereaved ones and their families," said the Chief Adviser, now on a visit to the United Kingdom. Air India’s London-bound flight crashes near Ahmedabad Airport, with 242 on board He said Bangladesh stands in solidarity with people and the government of India at this trying time. ​"We extend our deepest condolences to all the families who lost their dear ones at this tragic incident." “At this trying hour, our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with the people and Government of India, and offer our full support in any form," he added.

While a new report shows a sharp decline in child labour in the Asia-Pacific region, the situation in Bangladesh is not the same. The broader child labor rate (detrimental forms of work) remained relatively stable at 4.4% in 2022, up marginally from 4.3% in 2013, indicating that despite significant progress over the past two decades driven by increased school enrollment, Bangladesh is not on track to eliminate child labor by the 2025, according to new estimates released on Thursday by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Unicef. Most working children remain in informal employment, often facing long hours and poor working conditions. This highlights the urgent need for sustained efforts to protect children across the nation, said the report titled ‘Child Labour: Global estimates 2024, trends and the road forward’. Child labour compromises children’s education, limiting their rights and their future opportunities, and putting them at risk of physical and mental harm. “The findings of this global report, alongside our own data in Bangladesh, offer both encouragement and a call to action,” said Rana Flowers, Unicef Representative in Bangladesh. While they acknowledge the progress in reducing hazardous child labour in Bangladesh, Rana Flowers said, the stagnant overall child labour prevalence tells us we have much more to do. "Strengthening support to families, through a strengthened social protection system, ensuring universal access to quality education, and investing in social services including child protection services are critical. Children belong in schools and at play, not in the workforce, and we must collectively recommit to ensuring their rights are upheld.” While global efforts have led to a significant reduction in child labour, nearly 138 million children were engaged in child labour in 2024, including around 54 million in hazardous work likely to jeopardize their health, safety, or development, according to new estimates. The report, released one day ahead of the World Day Against Child Labour and on International Day of Play, underscores a stark reality that while gains have been made, millions of children are still being denied their right to learn, play, and simply be children. While there has been a commendable decline in hazardous child labor, from 3.2% in 2013 to 2.7% in 2022 (representing about 1.07 million children), the overall proportion of working children (ages 5-17) slightly increased from 8.7% to 8.9% during the same period. Child labour compromises children’s education, limiting their rights and their future opportunities, and putting them at risk of physical and mental harm. It is also a consequence of poverty and lack of access to quality education, pushing families to send their children to work and perpetuating inter-generational cycles of deprivation. ADB, partners unveil plan to overhaul rice sector in Asia-Pacific, including Bangladesh According to the global data, agriculture remains the largest sector for child labour, accounting for 61 per cent of all cases, followed by services (27 per cent), like domestic work and selling goods in markets, and industry (13 per cent), including mining and manufacturing. On the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labour, Gunjan Dallakoti, Officer-in-Charge of ILO Bangladesh, highlighted the importance of effectively implementing ILO Conventions, which Bangladesh has ratified, alongside national legal frameworks to eliminate child labour. Expressing concern over the stagnation of progress in eradicating child labour, he emphasized the urgent need for renewed commitment through a whole-of-society approach. He stressed that meaningful progress requires coordinated efforts from communities, employers, trade unions, civil society, NGOs, and the media. Reaffirming the ILO’s continued support, he underscored that decent work cannot exist where child labour persists and called for collective action to ensure every child enjoys a safe, education-filled childhood.  To accelerate progress, UNICEF and ILO are calling for governments and stakeholders to: Invest in adaptive social protection following life-cycle based approach to cover vulnerable households, including through social safety nets such as universal child benefits, so families do not resort to child labour. Strengthen child protection systems to identify, prevent, and respond to children at risk, especially those facing the worst forms of child labour. Provide universal access to quality education, especially in rural and crisis-affected areas, so every child can learn.  Ensure decent work and productive economic opportunities for adults and youth, including rights at work and access to resources. Impose stringent punishment and enforce laws and business accountability to end exploitation and protect children across supply chains. Since 2000, child labour has almost halved globally, from 246 million to 138 million, yet current rates remain too slow, and the world has fallen short of reaching the 2025 global elimination target. To end it within the next five years, the current rates of progress would need to be 11 times faster.

A total of 108 new dengue cases were reported across the country in 24 hours till Thursday morning, raising the number of confirmed cases to 5,411 since the beginning of this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Barishal Division again (outside city corporation areas) reported the highest number of new infections, with 89 fresh cases. The latest data shows that Chattogram Division (outside city corporations) recorded four cases, Dhaka Division (outside city corporations) reported three, while 10 cases were detected in Dhaka South City Corporation, one in Dhaka North City Corporation and another one in Rajshahi Division (outside of city corporation). However, no new fatalities were reported during this period. Dengue: 288 fresh cases in 24hrs mark this year’s highest single-day spike Currently, 481 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. According to the DGHS, there were 101,214 dengue cases and 100,040 recoveries in the same year.