United News of Bangladesh

Thirty-eight more people were hospitalised with dengue in 24 hours till Tuesday morning. Of the new patients, 13 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside it. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 428 dengue patients are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country. Dengue: 28 more dengue cases reported in 24hrs The number of deaths remained at 23, with no new fatalities reported during this period, the DGHS added. 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.    

With hours to go until kick-off, the National Stadium is already a vibrant spectacle, crowd eagerly awaiting the evening football clash between Bangladesh and Singapore. The area around Paltan and Gulistan has been transformed into a carnival of football, hours before the match. Gates opened at 2:30 PM, unleashing a steady stream of fans, predominantly young men and women, forming long queues at the entrances. Inside the stadium complex, the atmosphere is electric. Fans are lining up to take photos with cutouts of their favorite players, particularly Hamza Chowdhury and Fahamidul Islam. Many are waving placards proclaiming "Hamza, We Love You!" and displaying national flags while clad in Bangladesh jerseys. Ban vs Singapore: Shamit's debut, Jamal on the bench This match is  a significant moment, with optimism fueled by the inclusion of expatriate stars Hamza, Fahamidul, and Shamit Somra. Although the 21,000-capacity stadium is sold out, the pre-match crowd indicates an extraordinary level of public interest. The match also showcases a blend of traditional fan fervor with modern, corporate-level digital management.  

A group of angry men vandalised the auditorium of Rabindra Kacharibari in Shahzadpur municipality area of Sirajganj district on Tuesday protesting alleged attack on a visitor over parking a motorcycle. Aslam Ali, officer-in-charge of Shahzadpur Police Station, said a visitor identified as Shahnewaz along with his family went to the Rabindra Kacharibari to visit the spot on Sunday. He also bought a ticket from the counter but did not get the token for parking his motorcycle after paying money. After visiting the spot, a staff member standing at the main gate of the Rabindra Kacharibari, asked for the token for his motorcycle. As Shahnewaz failed to do so, a scuffle took place between them. Later, the staff of the Rabindra Kacharibari along with the custodian took him to the office room where they allegedly beat up Shahnewaz over the issue. Later, local BNP leaders with Shahnewaz’s guardian rescued him. A written complaint was lodged with Shahzadpur Police Station that day. Protesting the issue, local people formed a human chain in front of Press Club premises in Sirajganj demanding punishment of those involved in the assault of the visitor. Later, a group of miscreants swopped on the auditorium of Rabindra Kacharibari and vandalised the window panes, door and furniture of the auditorium. On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Additional police have been deployed in the Rabindra Kacharibari to avert further trouble, said the OC.    

Executive Vice President of Airbus Wouter van Wersch and Executive Vice President of Menzies Aviation Charles Wyley met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus separately on Tuesday and discussed issues of mutual interests. The meetings were held at his (Prof Yunus) place of residence (hotel) in London, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. All Party Parliamentary Group and Commonwealth Secretary General are also scheduled to meet Prof Yunus separately later in the day. Prof Yunus congratulates new South Korean President 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 Prof 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. Prof Yunus seeks global backing to tackle Rohingya aid crisis 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.    

Police arrested Gopalganj District Awami League General Secretary while attempting to leave for India through Benapole land port on Tuesday. The arrestee was identified as GM Sahabuddin Azam, son of Moinuddin of Sadar upazila in Gopalganj. Ilias Hossain Munshi, officer-in-charge of Benapole Immigration Police, said the AL leader Azam, along with his wife, was intercepted at the Benapole Immigration Police check-post as he was preparing to leave the country. Later, police detained him and handed over to Benapole Port Police Station. Azam was wanted in separate cases filed with Gopalganj and Jatrabari Police Stations.  

Two people were killed and two others were injured in a collision between a microbus and a battery-run auto-rickshaw at Tarabo in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj district on Monday night. One of the deceased was identified as Shahrier Hasan Akash, 29, son of Abul Hasan while the identity of the other could not be known immediately. 10 students of school in Narayanganj fall sick with breathing problems Quoting witnesses, Liakat Ali, officer-in-charge of Tarabo Police Station, said the accident occurred in front of Saifing Factory in Tarabo Biswa Road area when the microbus hit the battery-run auto-rickshaw, leaving the driver of the auto-rickshaw and Akash dead on the spot and two more passengers of the vehicle injured. The injured were taken to a local hospital from where they were taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital for better treatment. Police could not arrest anyone as the microbus driver managed to flee the scene after the accident.    

The government has allocated Tk 1,16,731 crore for social security programmes in the proposed national budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, marking a significant increase and reaffirming its commitment to poverty alleviation and human rights. This allocation represents a 3.27-fold increase from the Tk 35,975 crore earmarked in FY 2015-16, and now accounts for 14.78 percent of the total national budget and 1.87 percent of GDP. According to the budget document, the government views social protection not only as a vital development priority but also as a tool for addressing poverty and vulnerability across the country. The social security allocation is distributed among 95 programmes, a sharp reduction from 140 in the previous fiscal year, due to efforts to streamline and consolidate initiatives for better efficiency. Among the various components, social assistance comprises the largest share—40.78 percent—spanning 36 different programmes accumulated Tk 47,597 crore. Budget 2025–26 market-friendly, say CPD, DSE and DBA   This is followed by: Social Insurance programmes of Tk 35,434 crore and three General Subsidies programmes with Tk 24,965 crore, with the 19 Labor Market Programmes of Tk 4171 crore, 15 social care service programmes with Tk 2327 crore, 17 Community Development programmes with Tk 2013 crore and three Technical Assistance programmes with Tk 223 crore. The budget document highlights that the increased allocation and restructuring reflect the government’s strategic shift toward a more integrated and policy-aligned social protection system. This year, the Finance Division has introduced key reforms, including the use of a unified Operational Code system under the Integrated Budget and Accounting System (iBAS++), enabling better expenditure tracking and reporting. For instance, previously fragmented programmes such as those for the welfare of Hijra, Bede, disadvantaged communities, and tea labourers—once spread across four Operational Codes—have now been merged into a single code. These reforms align with the recommendations of the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS), which calls for concentrating resources on a smaller number of priority schemes that address lifecycle risks more effectively. To further improve transparency and coordination, each ministry and division has been tasked with identifying and classifying their social security programmes using seven functional and nine lifecycle categories. Programmes are now categorized based on the type of intervention—cash, kind, food, or others. The comprehensive classification exercise is expected to enhance consistency, allow more accurate monitoring, and ensure policy coherence across ministries. It also distinguishes between core social security interventions and broader development projects, facilitating better planning and resource allocation. The government believes this consolidated approach will enable a more robust and responsive social protection system capable of delivering benefits more efficiently to those most in need.  

Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin on Tuesday said rawhides this year have fetched the highest prices in the past decade, thanks to effective government steps, despite some spoilage by seasonal traders. "Some misinformation is being circulated. While it is true that a few hides were spoiled, this was due to errors made by temporary, seasonal traders. Even those damaged hides are being sold at relatively good prices," he told reporters after visiting the Chakbaidyanath Leather Market in Natore town. The adviser said the enhanced capacity in the leather sector, brought about by government initiatives, has contributed to improved pricing. “To stimulate the demand, the government has lifted the ban on the export of wet-blue leather,” he added. No mercy for corruption, says Home Adviser Bashir Uddin also called on the relevant authorities to ensure a more inclusive business environment. “We no longer wish to limit our trade to dependence on one or two countries. Our goal is to expand trade relations with India, Pakistan, China, Europe, and other global markets,” said the adviser. He urged the media to provide comprehensive coverage of the situation rather than focusing on isolated incidents or presenting partial narratives.

At least 50 people were injured in a clash between two groups of villagers over a trifling matter at Dakkhin Srighar in Nasirnagar upazila of Brahmanbaria district on Tuesday. Khairul Alam, officer-in-charge of Nasirnagar Police Station, said an altercation was ensued among the supporters of Sarkar Bari and Boro Bari around 6:30 am over eating a cucumber. At one stage, the supporters of both groups, equipped with lethal weapons, attacked each other, leaving at least 50 people injured. One killed, 15 injured in clash between two groups in Brahmanbaria Among the injured, Jalal Mia, 45, Dulal Mia, 32, Shah Alam, 35, Rabbi Mia, 11, Amir Ali, 35, Mashuk Mia, 45 and Sahar Ali, 18, were taken to Sadar upazila while the others were given first aid at home. On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

The body of Abdullah Hil Rakib, Managing Director of Team Group and former Senior Vice President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA),  who died in Canada on Sunday, will arrive in Dhaka on Friday. According to family sources, the body of Rakib will depart from Canada on Thursday (June 12) and is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 9:30 pm on Friday (June 13), said former BGMEA director and additional managing director of Denim Expert Limited, Mohiuddin Rubel. Later, the body will then be taken directly to his residence in Banani. Rakib’s first Namaz-e-Janaza will be held on Wednesday at Sunnat Jamaat Mosque in the Danforth area of Toronto, Canada, at 7 pm local time. Besides, the second Namaz-e-Janaza of Rakib will be held at BGMEA Bhaban on June 14 (Saturday). He will be buried at Banani Graveyard following 3rd namaz-e-janaza at Banani Mosque on Saturday (June 14). BGMEA Election: Sammilito Parishad vows to restore professionalism Abdullah Hil Rakib and Captain Saifuz Zaman Guddu, a senior pilot of Biman Bangladesh Airlines died in an accident in Canada while boating in a lake on Sunday (June 8). Leaders of BGMEA and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) expressed profound shock over the demise of Rakib. In a condolence message BGMEA Administrator Anwar Hossain and newly elected President Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu and BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem said, Abdullah Hil Rakib was a dynamic entrepreneur and dedicated leader who made outstanding contributions to the development of the ready-made garment industry in Bangladesh.