United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday called upon the Department of Social Services to urgently reform outdated systems, enhance digital transparency and prioritise services for senior citizens and girls. The Chief Adviser made the remarks during a meeting with senior officials of the Department of Social Services at the State Guest House Jamuna. The meeting focused on key challenges facing the ministry, including scams involving senior citizen allowances, outdated administrative models and limited access to services. “This ministry still operates based on a backdated model from 2013. It needs to be revised urgently,” said Professor Yunus. “There’s a lot of misinformation and people get stressed and confused. It’s essential to ensure accurate listing and come up with real solutions,” Prof Yunus said. He expressed concern over the past misuse of the system, pointing out that political interference had led to unfair distribution of benefits. “Many individuals received allowances illegally because of political influence. This kind of favouritism must come to an end,” the Chief Adviser said. Referring to scams related to senior citizen allowances, he recommended aligning disbursements with data from the National ID (NID) system. “Allowances should be provided according to the age on the NID – this is the only way to prevent fraud,” he said. Prof Yunus also emphasised the importance of empowering girls through the ministry’s programmes. “If there are any skill-building opportunities, girls should be prioritised. We must focus on them specifically.” The Chief Adviser stressed the need for digital transformation to make services more accessible and transparent. “This ministry should build a mobile app that includes all available services and information in one place. People shouldn’t have to struggle to find out what help they can get,” Prof Yunus said. The meeting was attended by social service adviser Sharmeen S Murshid and officials from the Ministry of Social Welfare along with Senior Secretary SDG coordinator Lamiya Morshed and Principal Secretary Siraj Uddin Mia.    

The Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) has declared Tuesday (August 5) a holiday for newspaper offices marking 'July Mass Uprising Day.' However, NOAB members may publish newspapers under special arrangements during the holiday, according to a notice issued on Monday, signed by NOAB President AK Azad. The decision was made by NOAB’s Executive Committee, the notice added.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Monday said Bangladesh is yet to receive any positive response from India regarding its request for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s extradition to face trial at home. "There is no new information on this. Bangladesh has asked India to return Sheikh Hasina to face trial. There has been no positive response from India yet," he told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy. Hasina fled from Bangladesh on August 5 last year in the face of massive student-led protests. Touhid Hossain said Bangladesh is waiting for a response from New Delhi. He said Hasina's trial has already begun and whether someone comes or not, the trial does not stop. Responding to a question on whether the government will seek international assistance to bring Sheikh Hasina back to the country, the Foreign Affairs Adviser said the government can seek assistance if it deems it necessary. "However, I do not see any need at the moment." Last month, the Foreign Adviser said the government would continue to pursue her extradition of former Prime Minister Hasina, currently reported to be in India since August 5 last year. Bangladesh sent a diplomatic note (note verbale) to India in December last year, along with a set of supporting documents, formally requesting Hasina's extradition.

A series of graffiti portraying last year's July Uprising has transformed the pillars of Dhaka Metro Rail from Karwan Bazar to Agargaon into visual timelines of resistance. Initiated by LGRD, Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, the graffiti campaign traces key moments of the anti-discrimination students movement leading up to the fall of the government last July. The art project was formally inaugurated on Saturday, August 2, at a ceremony organized by Dhaka North City Corporation at the Bijoy Sarani Metro Rail Station premises. LGRD, Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan joined as the chief guest at the event. “These graffiti pieces will constantly remind us of the dark days of the Awami regime and the people's courageous resistance. They will play a crucial role in ensuring that no autocracy can ever rise again in this country,” he stated.

The High Court on Monday issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the posts of Assistant Thana Education Officers (ATEO) in Bangladesh should not be upgraded to 9th grade from the 10th grade of the government job. The HC bench of Justice Md. Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Foyej Ahmed issued the rule after hearing a writ petition. The court also asked the secretary of the Primary and Mass Education Ministry and other authorities concerned to respond to the rule within four weeks. Senior Advocate Barrister Salah Uddin Dolon stood for the petitioner. On July 17, this year, Advocate Tofayel Ahmed, on behalf of 852 ATEOs filed a writ petition with the HC bench concerned. Source said there are 2607 posts of ATEO across the country and the AETO’s have been demanding to elevate the post from 10th grade to 9th grade for the past two years. They also submited a memorandum before the Chief Adviser of the Interim government and to the Education Adviser in this regard. They also held human chains and called a number of movements to press home their demand. Despite getting no response, Muhammad Milon Mia and Gong, on behalf of the writ petitioners, on June 29 sent a legal notice to the authorities concerned.  

Kashfika Alam  and  Monsur Ahmed, Owners of BOHO – Thai Select Restaurant won Thai Select Certificate Award.  Suphawadee Wongsawasdi, charge d'Affaires, Royal Thai Embassy Dhaka handed over the Thai Select Certificate to them as the chief guest. The Office of Commercial Affairs - Royal Thai Embassy, Dhaka and BOHO have jointly organised the Thai SELECT Certificate awarding ceremony on Monday in Dhaka, says a press release. Khemathat Archawathamrong, Director of Thai Trade Center Dhaka and other diplomats from Royal Thai Embassy, Dhaka also attended the event among others. Thai SELECT is a mark of certification awarded by the Ministry of Commerce, the Royal Thai Government to guarantee the authentic Thai taste of Thai food products and Thai restaurants in Thailand and overseas. This initiative helps people discover Thailand’s traditional flavours and encourages chefs and restaurants to strive for the highest quality in food, ingredients, and service. “Awarded restaurants focus on upholding traditional Thai methods of cooking and aim to include authentic Thai ingredients throughout their menus. “Where ingredients from Thailand cannot be sourced, Thai SELECT restaurants substitute with local options that allow the flavours of Thailand to be honoured.” The award is divided in 2 categories; Thai ready-to-eat/ready-to-cook products and Thai restaurants. The “THAI SELECT PRODUCTS” symbol is given to Thai food products that have been prepared in the traditional way. Samples of few THAI SELECT PRODUCTS are also showcased at BOHO. Currently, 582 Thai SELECT certified restaurants are available across the world. There are around 1,000 restaurants that are awaiting renewal. At present, Laughing Buddha, Thai Emerald Gulshan and Ruen Busaba are operating their business as Thai Select Certified Restaurants. The Thai Select website (https://www.thaiselect.com/restaurants) has a full listing of accrehd restaurants across the world as well as places to purchase imported products, information about ingredients, and a link to a cookbook that’s available for free download.

In a significant move to advance fiscal transparency and accountability, the Finance Division showcased the key features of the SABRE+ system—State-owned Enterprises and Autonomous Bodies Budget, Reporting, and Evaluation System—at a workshop held in Dhaka on Monday. Over 148 officials from the Finance Division participated in the workshop, where technical sessions showcased the platform’s functionality. “SABRE+ is more than just a digital tool; it represents a pivotal shift toward data-driven, transparent, and accountable governance across state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and autonomous bodies,” said Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Adviser to the Ministry of Finance and Science & Technology, who graced the event as chief guest. Highlighting the importance of reliable data and internal controls, Dr. Ahmed added, “Good governance requires timely evaluation and strong oversight. SABRE+ gives us the tools to achieve that.” The workshop was organized under the Strengthening SOE Governance Scheme of the Strengthening Public Financial Management Program to Enable Service Delivery (SPFMS) and held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Finance Division. Presiding over the event, Finance Division Secretary Dr. Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder underlined the significance of integrated financial oversight. “This system will help eliminate discrepancies in budget planning and liquidity management. It's time we transition to a performance- and compliance-based framework,” he said. Additional Secretaries Dr. Mohammad Abu Yusuf (Admin, Planning & TDM) and Nasrin Sultana (Regulation, Implementation, Law & SOE) spoke as Guests of Honour, emphasizing the institutional and legal groundwork necessary for effective adoption of the platform. Bilquis Jahan Rimi, Additional Secretary (Budget-1) and National Program Director of SPFMS, in her felicitation speech, described SABRE+ as “a unified digital interface that simplifies budgeting, debt management, and evaluation while aligning with global standards.” In her opening remarks, Rahima Begum, Additional Secretary and Director General of the Monitoring Cell, noted that SABRE+ builds on the 1985 accounting framework but is now modernized to comply with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and International Accounting Standards (IAS). She shared that the system has already been rolled out in 84 organizations, representing a significant advancement in the digital transformation of public financial management. Firoz Ahmed, Additional Director General-2 of the Monitoring Cell, presented the core components of SABRE+, which integrates with the national iBAS++ system to collect both financial and non-financial data. The system’s modules cover budgeting, debt, contingent liabilities, securities, and organizational structures—providing end-to-end oversight from FY 2023–24 to 2025–26. In a critical analysis presented during the session, Md. Amirul Islam, Additional Director General-1, disclosed that total liabilities of 101 SOEs and autonomous bodies now stand at Tk 6,39,782.58 crore, with 26% tied to subsidiary loan agreements. He warned that 14 entities categorized as "very high risk" are holding liabilities of Tk 1,72,016.94 crore against liquid assets of only Tk 2,837.23 crore. “This imbalance poses serious fiscal risks and requires immediate policy attention,” he said. He also reported that contingent liabilities, including government guarantees, legal claims, and statutory dues, now total Tk 18,590.74 crore.              

In a move to uplift educational standards for lower-income students, the government is prioritising both improved amenities and the quality of learning in primary schools, Primary and Mass Education Adviser Prof Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar has said. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters before a view-exchange meeting at the Rangpur District Shilpakala Academy on Monday afternoon. Dr Poddar said the School Feeding Programme (SFP) will begin in government primary schools across the country from next month. He noted that the procurement process is already underway, and training for implementation teams is in progress. "All preparations will be completed by August, and the programme will be launched in September," he said. Students urged to work hard for success The adviser explained that the initiative will be carried out nationwide through two separate projects. Of these, the larger project will cover all government primary schools in 150 upazilas, while the other will be implemented specifically in Cox's Bazar and Bandarban. Abu Taher Md Masud Rana, secretary to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education; Md Shahidul Islam, Rangpur divisional commissioner; Abu Nur Md Shamsuzzaman, director general of the Directorate of Primary Education; and Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, director (Policy and Operation) of the same directorate, were also present. Dr Roy further said that the recruitment process for around 14,000 teachers is underway. This includes elevating head teachers to the 10th grade and hiring 3,000 head teachers through the Public Service Commission (PSC). "In addition to enhancing facilities in government primary schools for lower-income communities, the government is placing strong emphasis on quality improvement," he said. While private kindergarten students are not eligible for the current scholarship exams, a separate system is being arranged for them, he added. Around 50,000 students apply for SSC re-evaluation in Jashore; results on Aug 10 Addressing the issue of limited teaching hours, the adviser mentioned that there are only 180 school days in a year. “If there is no strong teacher-student connection, learning remains restricted,” he said. To address this, schools are being transformed into joyful learning spaces through co-curricular activities and child-friendly environments.

A local leader of Awami League, who has been accused in nine murder cases, escaped from police custody with handcuffs on Monday in Baniachong upazila of Habiganj district. The AL leader was identified as Abdul Majid, vice-president of No 6 Kagapasha union unit Awami League of the upazila and a resident of Baghata village. Prabas Kumar Singha, additional superintendent of Baniachong Police, said police arrested Majid from his residence on Monday. When he was taken to the local police station by a boat, Majid jumped off the boat and escaped around 12:30 pm. However, police are trying to re-arrest the AL leader. Nine people were killed during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Baniachang upazila. Majid was one of the accused in the case.    

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Monday issued a traffic advisory for city residents ahead of ‘July Uprising Day’. According to a public notice sent from Police Headquarters, a cultural programme and drone show will be held at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban and Manik Mia Avenue areas centering the day. A huge crowd is expected to gather in the area, forcing the authorities to suspend movement of all vehicles from Khejur Bagan Crossing in Manik Mia Avenue to the western side of Manik Mia Avenue. The DMP's Traffic Division has urged all vehicle drivers and commuters to avoid these roads Aarong Crossing (Western end of Manik Mia Avenue), the vehicles from Mirpur Road or Mohammadpur via Asad Gate heading toward Khejurbagan/Farmgate should not turn left at Aarong Crossing. Instead, they should proceed south via Dhanmondi-27 (eastern end) and rejoin Mirpur Road. Besides, vehicles heading towards southern parts of the area from Science Lab heading toward Khejurbagan/Farmgate should continue north past Aarong Crossing, turn right at Ganabhaban Crossing and proceed via Lake Road–Urojahaj Crossing–Bijoy Sarani Crossing. Meanwhile, for Khejurbagan Crossing (Eastern end of Manik Mia Avenue)--vehicles from the Elevated Expressway via Indira Road heading toward Dhanmondi must avoid entering Manik Mia Avenue. Instead, they should turn right at Khejurbagan, then left at Urojahaj Crossing, proceed via Lake Road, turn left at Ganabhaban Crossing and continue toward Dhanmondi to Mirpur Road. To avoid traffic congestion, DMP requests vehicles from the Elevated Expressway headed toward Dhanmondi/Mohammadpur to use the FDC (Hatirjheel) ramp instead of the Farmgate exit. For Farmgate Crossing users--vehicles from Farmgate heading toward Khejurbagan/Manik Mia Avenue/Mirpur would not turn left. Instead, they should proceed to Bijoy Sarani, then turn left at Urojahaj Crossing and use Lake Road for travel. For Ganabhaban Crossing users- vehicles on Mirpur Road heading toward Farmgate/Sonargaon should turn left at Ganabhaban Crossing, proceed via Lake Road–Urojahaj Crossing–Bijoy Sarani Crossing, then head toward Farmgate. Besides, vehicles from Mohammadpur via Asad Gate heading toward Khejurbagan/Farmgate should not turn right at Asad Gate Crossing. Instead, they should turn left, proceed to Ganabhaban Crossing, then follow Lake Road–Urojahaj Crossing–Bijoy Sarani route. For Syed Mahbub Morshed Road (Agargaon to Shishu Mela) users--vehicles that would typically use Manik Mia Avenue are requested to use Syed Mahbub Morshed Road from Agargaon to Shishu Mela.