United News of Bangladesh

With the emergence of a new sub-variant of COVID-19 in neighbouring countries, Bangladesh’s health authorities have issued a fresh nationwide alert, prompting the Rangamati district health department to swing into action. The picturesque hill district of Rangamati, a magnet for tourists year-round, is currently teeming with holidaymakers taking advantage of the Eid-ul-Azha vacation. The hilly district of Rangamati is a tourist area surrounded by hills, forests and the Kaptai Lake and the influx of tourists and the movement of boats on the Kaptai Lake is causing new concerns in the health department. During this Eid-ul-Adha holiday, a large gathering of travel enthusiasts has occurred, which raises concerns about the risk of coronavirus transmission in Rangamati. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) recently issued an emergency directive urging all regional health offices to strengthen COVID-19 preparedness. Rizvi questions govt preparedness over new COVID variant spread

Parts of the country are currently experiencing a mild heat wave, which is expected to persist for the next two days starting from Wednesday morning, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). “Moderate heat wave is sweeping over the district of Niphamari and mild heat wave is sweeping over the rest parts of Rangpur division, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna and Sylhet divisions and the districts of Brahmanbaria and Feni and it may abate from some places,” says the BMD. During the period, day temperature may fall slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country. The BMD forecast that people will get relief of the heat wave from Saturday as the temperature will decrease somewhat when the monsoon winds become active.  Mild heat wave sweeps parts of country: BMD But, light to moderate rain or thunder showers with temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at a few places over Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna and Barishal divisions with moderately heavy falls at places over Chattogram division over the next 24 hours starting at 9am on Wednesday. The highest temperature was recorded 38 degrees Celsius in Dimla of Nilphamari in the last 24 hours till 6pm on Tuesday. The monsoon is less active over Bangladesh and weak to moderate over North Bay. 

A pall of gloom and grief hangs over Dhanachapur village in Netrakona’s Kendua upazila, where a dispute over eve-teasing spiralled into deadly violence on Tuesday, leaving one man dead and five others injured. The deceased, Anisur Rahman, 43, was a resident of the village and the son of Chan Mia Fakir. His life was cut short in a brutal clash that began with a disturbing incident of sexual harassment. According to locals, the unrest unfolded around 5:30pm when several women from the family of Saidul Islam were standing outside their home. A group of local youths, identified as Amin, Siddik Mia, Monir, Sajib, Kalam and Salam, reportedly approached them and began making lewd remarks and harassing them by singing suggestive songs. As the women protested, nearby villagers stepped in, managing to disperse the group and restore temporary calm. But what followed was an eruption of violence that has left the community reeling. Later that evening, a group of 10 to 15 men, allegedly led by Siddik Mia, stormed the house of Saidul Islam in retaliation. They physically assaulted family members, vandalised household items and sparked a violent clash. Amid the chaos, six individuals sustained injuries. DU student assaulted for protesting eve-teasing at Chandni Chowk Anisur Rahman, who was among the injured, was rushed to the local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds at around 8:15pm. Upon receiving information, police arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. But, a tense atmosphere continues to prevail in the area, with residents gripped by fear and anxiety over further escalation. Talking to UNB, Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Kendua Police Station, said legal steps are underway. According to locals, this tragedy underscores a grim reality that casual harassment, when left unchecked, can erupt into deadly confrontation, especially in rural communities where social norms and justice often clash with entrenched impunity. Tenth-grader attacked for protesting eve-teasing; three arrested in Chandpur As Dhanachapur mourns one of its own, the village is left confronting the lingering trauma of violence, a stark reminder of how deeply rooted social issues like eve-teasing can fracture lives and communities.  

A BNP activist was hacked to death allegedly by Awami League (AL) supporters in Sharsha upazila of Jashore district on Tuesday night. The victim was identified as Liton Hossain, 30, son of Asgar Ali of Durgapur village under Laxmanpur union of the upazila and activist of the union unit of the party. Locals said a group of miscreants, equipped with lethal weapons, attacked and hacked him when he was having tea at a local market around 10pm. Hearing his screams, people rushed to the scene while the attackers fled, they said. He was rushed to Sharsha Upazila Health Complex, where physicians declared him dead. Victim’s father Asgar claimed that there had been a rivalry between his son and local Awami League leaders Abdul Momin, Selim Hossain and Ramzan Ali over political issues. BNP man killed while saving street hawker in Benapole The AL leaders had earlier also tried to attack him but failed, he alleged. The day before the Eid, an argument and altercation occurred between them, leading to the killing on Tuesday night, Asgar claimed. Claiming Liton a BNP man, General Secretary of the upazila unit Nuruzzaman alleged that “criminals Selim and Ramzan killed him” over the previous enmity. Officer-in-charge of Sharsha Police Station Rabiul Islam said they were conducting a drive to arrest those involved in the murder.

Three people, including a mother and her daughter, were killed and another injured after a speeding covered van crashed into them in Ishurdi upazila of Pabna district on Wednesday morning. The deceased were identified as Suborna Khatun and her daughter Purnota of Natore Sadar upazila, and litchi vendor Anisur Rahman of Salimpur union in Ishurdi. The injured, Mofizul Islam, husband of Suborna and a former member of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), is undergoing treatment at Ishurdi Upazila Health Complex. 2 killed, 4 injured in Khulna road accident Quoting locals, police said Mofizul was returning home to Natore from his father-in-law’s house in Kushtia, along with his wife and daughter on a motorbike he was driving. He had stopped by the roadside in the Mirkamari Munnar Morr area to buy litchis from vendor Anisur when a speeding covered van rammed into them from behind around 7:30am, killing Suborna, Purnota and Anisur on the spot. Mofizul was rushed to the nearby upazila health complex, where he is receiving treatment. Probe body formed over Kalurghat rail bridge accident; 4 Railway staff suspended Officer-in-charge of Ishurdi Police Station, Abdur Nur, said the bodies were sent to the health complex for post-mortem and that legal action will be taken in connection with the incident.

European aircraft- manufacturing company Airbus and British aviation giant Menzies Aviation on Tuesday expressed their eagerness to build a long-term partnership with Bangladesh. The two companies placed their offers as Airbus Executive Vice President Wouter van Wersch and Menzies Aviation Executive Vice President Charles Wyley called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus successively at his hotel in London, CA's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. “We have identified Bangladesh as a key priority country,” van Wersch told the Chief Adviser, adding that the company was keen to build a partnership with Bangladesh’s national carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and make it profitable. Van Wersch said Airbus, which supplies 800 aircraft annually, also has expertise in manufacturing helicopters and fighter jets. Airbus, Menzies Aviation executives meet Prof Yunus in London The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh was willing to listen to all offers to modernise the Biman fleet but could not rush a decision. “I am very eager to understand what can be done, what should be done. So, we will listen to you. But don’t expect any decision soon. We have to look at everything in a very fresh way,” said the Chief Adviser. Van Wersch said if Bangladesh decides to add Airbus to the Biman fleet, 85 per cent of the funding could be arranged through Export Credit Agency (ECA) financing. London-based Menzies Aviation said it was willing to join the competition with others to provide ground handling and air cargo services to the third terminal of Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, using its experience of providing similar services to more than 300 airports in at least 65 countries. “We would like to support Bangladeshi airports besides your national carrier,” Menzies Executive Vice President Wyley told the Chief Adviser. Considering Airbus’s offer of passenger planes seriously, Biman’s outgoing MD says  

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Tuesday said they are still working to finalise a meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as the UK PM is currently visiting Canada. "What we came to know is that he is probably in Canada..... visiting Canada. A British parliamentarian came today and told us that he (Keir Starmer) is in Canada," Alam told reporters while responding to a question. He said the meeting will be held if the schedule is matched. "It's being worked out." Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Minister (Press) at Bangladesh High Commission in London Akbar Hossain were also present at the media briefing. Responding to a question on reported letter by Tulip Siddiq, the Press Secretary said they have received the letter. He said it is a legal issue and it will be addressed legally. Prof Yunus-Tarique meeting in London seen as turning point in Bangladesh politics Earlier, a group of UK parliamentarians under the banner of All Party Parliamentary Group called on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at his hotel here on Tuesday and discussed issues of mutual interests. Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Md Nazrul Islam and Bangladesh Ambassador to the UK Abida Islam, among others, were present. Earlier in the day, the Chief Adviser held separate meetings with Wouter van Wersch, Executive Vice President of Airbus, and Charles Wyley, Executive Vice President of Menzies Aviation, and discussed issues of mutual interest. The meetings were held at his (Prof Yunus) place at residence (hotel) in London separately, Azad told UNB. The Commonwealth Secretary General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey also met Prof Yunus separately. The Chief Adviser 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. A flight of Emirates Airlines carrying the Chief Adviser and his small entourage arrived at Heathrow Airport, London at 7:05am (London time), Azad told UNB. High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the United Kingdom Abida Islam received the Chief Adviser. “This is a very important visit,” said acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique, noting that Professor Yunus will meet His Majesty King Charles III and hold bilateral talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alongside other high-level engagements. “The relationship between Bangladesh and the UK is very deep and diverse,” he added, emphasising that the visit will play a significant role in strengthening bilateral relations. During the visit, King Charles III will formally confer the prestigious ‘Harmony Award 2025’ on Professor Yunus, recognising his lifelong efforts to promote peace, sustainability and harmony between people and the environment. The award ceremony will take place at St James’s Palace in London on June 12. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was the recipient in 2024.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and acting BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman may discuss various issues during their meeting on Friday (June 13), but it is up to them to decide what topics they will talk about, said CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. Briefing the media, Alam said Tarique Rahman is a leader of the biggest political party in Bangladesh and Prof Yunus is the head of interim government. "They will sit and discuss issues in their own way. They will decide what they will discuss," said the Press Secretary while responding to a question. He said there is no specific format for the meeting but anything, including the current political situation, election timeline announced by the Chief Adviser, reform and July Charter can be discussed. Commonwealth offers support in Bangladesh's reforms ahead of election Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Minister (Press) Bangladesh High Commission in London Akbar Hossain were present at the media briefing. Prof Yunus arrived in London on Tuesday on a four-day official visit but all eyes are on a scheduled meeting with BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on June 13 which is seen as a significant political development. "We hope this meeting will play a positive role in overcoming Bangladesh's political crisis. Personally, I believe that in the current political context, this could be a turning point," BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters. Describing it as a "major political event", Fakhrul said many issues could be resolved, a new dimension will emerge and possibilities will be created. “Our acting Chairman has been formally invited to a meeting on June 13 from 9am to 11am London time,” said Fakhrul while talking to reporters at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. The meeting will take place at the hotel where the Chief Adviser is currently staying in London. Tarique convened a meeting on Monday evening with the party’s Standing Committee members to discuss the upcoming meeting. “Our standing committee meeting welcomed the initiative. We hope this meeting will play a positive role in resolving the challenges facing the political landscape of Bangladesh,” the BNP leader said.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said on Tuesday the organisation is keen to support Bangladesh in political reforms ahead of the planned general election next year. “We will be happy to provide the support if Bangladesh requires it, especially the support for constitutional reforms,” Botchwey said as she called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at his hotel in London. Botchwey said supporting member states in harnessing democracy and good governance is one of the key priorities for the organisation in the next five years, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. The other priorities are boosting trade and investment and supporting members fighting climate change, she said. Noting that the Commonwealth is a platform of 2.7 billion people, the Ghanaian national said the annual trade among the member states currently stood around 850 billion USD and that they had a plan to raise it to at least 1 trillion dollars in the coming years. Airbus, Menzies Aviation executives meet Prof Yunus in London She said many of the Commonwealth members are affected by climate change, and many of these member countries are small in size. “We will be trying to help them get access to climate finance,” she said.

Prof Muhammad Sahid Ullah of Chittagong University’s Communication and Journalism Department has been named one of the winners of the 2025 FAO/IAMCR Rural Communication Services Award. The prestigious award, jointly announced by the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), recognises outstanding research that deepens understanding of Rural Communication Services (RCS) in areas such as agriculture, family farming, climate change adaptation, food security, and disaster risk reduction. Prof Sahid’s study critically examines Bangladesh’s Union Digital Centres (UDCs), highlighting that these centres—meant to bridge the digital divide in rural areas—are often dominated by local power elites, thereby excluding marginalized groups, said a press release. The award-winning papers will be presented at a special panel during the IAMCR 2025 conference in Singapore and published in a joint FAO/IAMCR volume to contribute to global discussions on rural communication and sustainable development. With over 60 academic publications to his name, Prof Sahid Ullah is widely recognised for his expertise in journalism and communication studies.