United News of Bangladesh

A fish enclosure owner was hacked to death by miscreants in Moheshwarpasha Bonikpara area of Khulna sadar on Sunday night. The deceased was identified as Al Amin, son of Sahed Ali. According to the police and local sources, some unidentified attackers intercepted Amin while he was passing the area and hacked him with a sharp weapon around at 10 pm, leaving him dead. Youth stabbed to death in Khulna Zahidul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) of Daulatpur Police Station, said they found the body with throat silted and a motorbike beside it. Police collected CCTV footages near the crime scene.

Two people were electrocuted and 13 others injured during the inauguration of a shop in Kaunia upazila of Rangpur district on Sunday night. The deceased were identified as Shahabuddin, 45, of Pirgachha upazila, and Shariful Islam, 38, of Mithapukur upazila. According to locals, a doa mahfil (prayer ceremony) was arranged for the opening of the fertilizer shop owned by one Nazar Ali in in Sahabaz (Amtola) area under Balapara Union. During the event, a bamboo pole used in the decorative canopy got electrified due to a faulty connection, causing several guests to suffer electric shock. Van puller dies from electrocution in Bogura Locals rushed the injured to Upazila Health Complex where physicians declared the duo dead upon arrival. Three out of the injured victims were later shifted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital. Officer-in-charge of Kaunia Police Station Md Abdul Latif Shah said an investigation is underway and legal action will be taken in this regard.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Sunday said the July Uprising served as a revealing moment for the media landscape, showcasing both commendable and questionable journalism across the country.He said this while addressing a program arranged to honour the families of the martyred journalists and injured media personnel in the July Uprising at the Information Building in the capital. Shafiqul Alam said that many journalists risked their lives during the uprising—some even made the ultimate sacrifice. In contrast, a section of the media reportedly encouraged the head of government to take violent action against the protesters, a stance described as unprecedented in global history.Throughout the uprising, both field and district-level journalists demonstrated remarkable courage, often reporting without any personal security.  Their dedication, under such dangerous circumstances, elevated the standard of journalism in Bangladesh to a new height, he added.The Press Secretary urged media organisations to ensure dignified salaries and provide essential safety equipment to protect journalists on the frontlines.The event was chaired by Muhammad Abdullah, managing director of the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust (BJWT).Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Md Kawser Ahmed, Director General of the Press Institute Bangladesh Faruk Wasif, Editor of The Financial Express Shamsul Huq Zahid, Shamsi Ara Zaman—mother of martyred journalist Tahir Zaman Priyo—journalist Tawhidul Haque Siam, who recorded the killing of Abu Sayeed, and The Daily Star photojournalist Imran Hossain, also spoke at the event.During the ceremony, the families of five journalists martyred in the July Uprising, along with 192 injured and courageous journalists, were honoured.A total of Tk 5.6 million was disbursed as financial honorariums in recognition of their sacrifice and bravery. 

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam has said that the implementation of the wage board for journalists involves multiple ministries but would be completed during the tenure of the interim government in coordination with all relevant authorities. The Information and Broadcasting Ministry is actively working on 12 reform projects recommended by the Media Reform Commission and expects to complete them by this month, he said. Mahfuj made the remarks on Sunday while addressing a ceremony held at the Information Building in the capital to honour the families of journalists martyred in the July Uprising, as well as injured and courageous journalists. On the formulation of the Journalists’ Protection Ordinance, the adviser mentioned that the process requires careful adherence to legal procedures and consultation with relevant stakeholders. “There is ongoing debate about the scope of journalism within the ordinance, but overall, we are hopeful it will be finalised through stakeholder engagement,” he said. The government, he added, is also providing training to journalists to enhance their professional skills. Mahfuj underscored the importance of capacity-building initiatives and reiterated the government's commitment to supporting journalists' development. No discrimination based on religion in Bangladesh today: Mahfuj tells US delegation Addressing the issue of abrupt journalist dismissals, he said the government is considering appropriate measures to resolve the problem. He also urged media owners to ensure fair and respectable salaries for their employees. The adviser further revealed that the government is reviewing the possibility of granting ownership shares in media houses to working journalists. “If feasible, this would empower journalists and create a more balanced relationship between media owners and staff,” he added. Regarding regulatory initiatives, Mahfuj said that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is working on policies to bring television and online media under a structured framework. In addition, policy guidelines for OTT platforms and digital media are being developed in collaboration with the Information and Communication Technology Division. Reflecting on the July Uprising, he highlighted the crucial role played by mobile journalism. “Many individuals reported events using their mobile phones, often while directly participating in the movement,” he said. Refrain from shaping public opinion in favour of fascists: Adviser Mahfuj He also praised the bravery of photojournalists who captured pivotal moments of the uprising, often at great personal risk. The adviser mentioned that while some media outlets maintained neutrality during the uprising, others displayed bias—particularly certain television stations during the curfew period. He commended individual journalists who defied editorial bans and reported out of a sense of conscience, stating that their role often surpassed that of the institutions they represented. Criticising media houses that had allegedly shown bias during the previous government's tenure, Mahfuj, “The public holds resentment toward outlets that acted in a partisan and corrupt manner. These organisations must now clarify their position before the nation.” Govt mulls making law to ensure journalists’ safety: Info Adviser Mahfuj He clarified that the current government is not pressuring or influencing any media outlet through backdoor communication. “The media must be more accountable to the people than to the government,” he emphasised. The Adviser called on stakeholders to work collectively to strengthen and reform the media sector for a free, fair, and accountable press.  

The Bangladesh Navy has detained 14 Indian fishermen along with a fishing trawler for illegally entering and fishing in Bangladeshi waters in the Bay of Bengal. The arrest was made on Saturday night by the Navy’s warship BNS Bishkhali from the deep-sea area near the fairway buoy off Mongla Port. Mohammad Zahidul Islam, senior fisheries officer of Mongla Upazila, said that a significant quantity of marine fish, including hilsa, was found on board the Indian trawler. The recoveries will be auctioned, while the trawler and the fishermen have been handed over to Mongla Police Station for legal proceedings, he said. “All of the detained fishermen are residents of various parts of the South 24 Parganas district in India,” he added. Mongla Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Anisur Rahman said a case will be filed under the maritime boundary law for illegal entry and fishing. The detainees are expected to be produced before the Bagerhat court on Monday. Earlier on July 14, Navy detained 34 Indian fishermen along with two trawlers, FB Jhar and FB Mangal Chandi, for illegally fishing in Bangladesh's territorial waters.

Police have arrested Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Mohammad Ali in connection with the killing of Shaikh Ashabul Yamin, a student of the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), during last year’s July Uprising. The arrest was made during a raid in the Murapara area under Rupganj upazila in Narayanganj in the early hours of Sunday, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Rupganj Police Station Md Tariqul Islam confirmed Sunday night. ASI Mohammad Ali, who had been on the run, was later handed over to the investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). According to police sources, an arrest warrant had been issued against Mohammad Ali in connection with a case filed with the ICT. On July 18, 2024, Yamin, a third-year student at MIST, was fatally shot near the Savar bus stand in a police firing incident involving an armored personnel carrier (APC). Eyewitnesses and video footage circulating on social media alleged that police dragged his body from the scene and dumped it near Pakijar More, sparking nationwide outrage. Although at first the body looks lifeless, it was later established that Yamin was still alive at that point. That made it a shocking abdication of responsibility on the part of police, who completely neglected their duty to get him medical assistance. Amnesty International came in possession of three separate videos showing different phases of the incident, where none of the 12 officers seen in them attempted to provide medical aid to Yamin.  Amnesty said this was a violation of Section 5(c) of the United Nations Basic Principle on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, that requires law enforcement officials to ensure that assistance and medical aid are rendered to any injured or affected persons at the earliest possible moment. Derrick Pounder, an independent forensic pathologist who examined photographic evidence of the wounds to Yamin’s chest, told Amnesty that the cause of his death could reasonably be presumed to have been due to the birdshot pellet injuries to the left front chest visible on his body.

The British Council has recently organised its annual Young Learner Art Competition 2025 at its English Teaching Centre on Dhaka University’s Fuller Road premises, engaging young learners aged 7 to 17 in a vibrant celebration of creativity and cultural diversity. Held under the theme 'Colours of the World', the competition encouraged participants to express their perspectives on diversity, culture, and the beauty of differences through art. The event featured four age-based categories—Lower Primary (8 and under), Upper Primary (9-11), Secondary (12-15), and Upper Secondary (16 and above). Young participants submitted a wide range of imaginative artworks, which were showcased in a week-long exhibition at the centre. The initiative aimed to inspire young learners beyond the classroom by promoting creativity as part of their English language development. Teachers at the British Council played a key role in guiding students through lessons that helped them communicate their ideas through various artistic mediums. The winners and runners-up from each level were selected by a panel of judges, and their works will advance to the British Council’s regional competition in October. All participating students received certificates of appreciation. Stephen Forbes, Country Director of the British Council in Bangladesh, attended the award-giving ceremony on August 1 and commended the children's creativity. “We are delighted to host this art competition for children who have displayed a wonderful spark of imagination and creativity through their artwork themed ‘Colours of the World’. At the British Council, we provide a fun learning environment to help young learners become confident, happy, and skilled global leaders of the future,” he said. During his visit, Forbes also toured classrooms and interacted with students, parents, and guardians, sharing words of encouragement with the budding artists. The competition forms part of the British Council’s wider efforts to make English learning engaging and impactful for children and teenagers. With Cambridge-certified expert teachers, the organisation ensures personalised learning through interactive classroom sessions, online activities, and continuous progress tracking. The British Council, which has been working globally for over 90 years, supports peace and prosperity by fostering connections and trust through education, arts, and culture. Its English courses for young learners are designed to enhance creativity, communication, and confidence at every developmental stage. Interested parents or learners can avail of free phone consultations by calling +88 09666 773377 or visiting the British Council Bangladesh website: https://www.britishcouncil.org.bd/en/english-courses/kids-teens.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Md Shafiqur Rahman on Sunday urged the Nepalese physicians to act as the catalyst for boosting bilateral engagement between the two countries. The Ambassador underlined the need to building a strong bond of network and fellow-feeling among the alumni to forge greater collaboration among them; and assured them full support and cooperation from the Embassy. Nepal wants deeper ties with Bangladesh: Envoy He made the call when a group of senior Nepali doctors and specialists, who received medical education in Bangladesh, met him at the Embassy premises. The doctors, including the President of the Nepalese Society of Gastroenterologists and General Secretary of the Society of Internal Medicine, congratulated and extended warm welcome to the Ambassador. They expressed their keen willingness to work together to enhance the Bangladesh-Nepal relationship, citing Bangladesh as their second home. The Ambassador commended the doctors for their valuable contribution to the society calling them the bridge between Bangladesh and Nepal.

The Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) have expressed deep concern over the recent mass dismissal of journalists at the Daily Janakantha, calling the move arbitrary and unjust. In a joint statement issued on Sunday, BFUJ Acting President Obaidur Rahman Shahin, Secretary General Quader Gani Chowdhury, DUJ President Md Shahidul Islam, and General Secretary Khurshid Alam strongly condemned the actions of the newspaper's management. According to the statement, Janakantha authorities have been using various tactics to avoid paying around Tk 5 crore in outstanding salaries and allowances owed to long-serving journalists. "Whenever journalists demand their rightful dues, they are issued termination letters and forcibly removed from the office," the leaders said. In the past two days alone, 20 journalists and staff members have reportedly been dismissed without any stated reason. The journalist leaders demanded the immediate withdrawal of all dismissal notices and the full payment of outstanding salaries and benefits. They also urged that the newspaper be run in line with professional standards and public expectations. "If the management fails to meet these demands, they will be held solely responsible for any ensuing situation," the statement warned.

The High Court on Tuesday ordered the eviction of 508 illegal establishments along Gumti River within six months. The HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Bashir Ullah passed the order after disposing of a rule issued in this regard 14 years ago. Advocate Manzil Murshid stood for the petitioner. The HC also asked the Water Development Board to take decision over the proposal of dredging within three months and settle the issue of allocating money needed for the eviction drive within this period. The Superintendent of Cumilla Police and Upazila Nirbahi Officer have been asked to monitor as none can occupy the river illegally. During the hearing Manzil Murshid said a list had been prepared with names and addresses but none was evicted yet. In 2011, a human rights organisation Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh filed a writ petition. On March 2, 2011, the High Court asked to submit a list of those involved in occupying the lands of Gomti River and fixed the demarcation boundary of the river through survey. During the survey, the local administration identified 623 illegal establishments and informed the court to take steps to evict the 265 illegal establishments.