United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday inaugurated the four-day annual conference of deputy commissioners (DCs), issuing directives on his government's policies and priorities, and guidance on making the administration more dynamic and people-friendly. He opened the DC Conference-2026 at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium for the first time since assuming office as Prime Minister after winning the 13th parliamentary election. The conference will conclude on May 6 after a series of sessions, including working sessions and discussions on various proposals submitted by the DCs. Deputy commissioners from across the country are taking part in the conference, where administrative activities, development plans and ways to improve public services are expected to be discussed.

A nine-month-old child has died of symptoms consistent with measles in Cumilla, raising the number of similar child deaths in the district to six. The deceased was identified as Arosh, son of Abul Kalam of Tharapur village in Sadar South upazila. He died around 8:30pm on Saturday at the measles isolation ward of Cumilla Medical College Hospital, said Prof Dr Meah Monjur Ahmed, head of the hospital’s paediatrics department. MSF responds to measles outbreak in Cox’s Bazar He said the child was also suffering from pneumonia, but his condition turned critical as family members brought him to the hospital late, allowing the infection to worsen. “With his physical condition deteriorating rapidly, the child died around 8:30pm on Saturday,” the physician said. With the latest fatality, six children with measles-like symptoms have died in Cumilla so far. Of them, three died in Dhaka while the remaining three died in Cumilla, hospital sources said.

A man and his brother-in-law were killed as a truck crashed into their motorcycle in Nachole upazila of Chapainawabganj early Sunday. The deceased were identified as Rabiul Islam Jisan, 27, son of Mozzammel of Balutungi village in Shibganj, and his brother-in-law (wife’s brother) Sohagh Hossain, 17, son of Abdus Salam of Azipur village in Nachole. The accident occurred around 5:45am in the Benipur area of the upazila. Officer-in-Charge Sukomal Debnath of Nachole Police Station said Rabiul and Sohagh were travelling on a motorcycle from Nachole toward Dhansura in the early morning. When they reached Benipur, a truck coming from the opposite direction hit their bike, leaving both critically injured, he said. They were rescued and taken to Nachole Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared them dead, the OC said, adding that they seized the truck involved in the accident. The bodies were later handed over to their families, he added.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday joined the opening ceremony of the Deputy Commissioners' Conference-2026 at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. At around 10:20am, he walked from his office at the Secretariat to the auditorium to join the programme, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. People standing on both sides of the road greeted the Prime Minister, and he responded by waving at them. PM tells youngsters to prepare for future responsibilities through education and sports Deputy commissioners from across the country are participating in the four-day conference, where administrative activities, development plans, and ways to improve public services are expected to be discussed.

Zamil Ahamed Limon, one of the two Bangladeshi doctoral students at the University of South Florida who were murdered in the United States, has started his final journey for home in coffin. An Emirates flight carrying the mortal remains of Limon departed from Orlando International Airport at 8:50pm local time on Saturday. The flight is scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 8:40am on Monday. Killings of two Bangladeshi students in US: Limon’s body to arrive on May 4 Seheli Sabrin, Consul General of the Consulate General of Bangladesh in Miami, and Consul Tuing Aye were present at the airport and personally oversaw the repatriation process, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.

The death toll from a head-on collision between a truck and a pickup van in South Surma upazila of Sylhet has risen to nine, as another victim succumbed to his injuries. The deceased was identified as Ramim Mia, 50, son of Alimuddin of Bhatipara in Dirai upazila of Sunamganj. He died around 10:30pm while undergoing treatment at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. Earlier, at least eight construction workers, including two women, were killed and 10–12 others injured in the collision in South Surma upazila on Sunday morning. The victims were Suruj Ali, 60, son of Fakhrul Ali, Munni, 26, daughter of Basir Mia, Faridul, 35, son of Nur Salam of Dirai upazila, Nargis, 45, wife of Idris Mia of Dharmapasha upazila, Azir Uddin, 40 of Bishwambharpur upazila in Sunamganj district, and Amiruddin, 35, Badrul Zaman, 40, son of Surut Ali, and Pandab Biswas, 20, son of Kutir Biswas of Companyganj upazila in Sylhet. The accident occurred around 6:15am on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway in the Telibazar area. According to locals, a pickup carrying 20-22 construction workers was heading towards Sunamganj from Sylhet when it collided with a truck loaded with jackfruits coming from the opposite direction. Md Monjurul Alam, additional deputy commissioner (Media) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, said the deceased include two women. Four people died on the spot following the crash, while three others succumbed to their injuries at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital (SOMCH), he said, adding that another victim died while undergoing treatment at Sylhet Women's Medical College Hospital. The injured were admitted to different hospitals. Khadija, wife of deceased Badrul, who was travelling with him, survived with serious injuries. The couple, both construction workers, had set out together for work as usual. Family members said Badrul died on the spot after a construction mixer machine fell on him when the pickup overturned during the crash. Brig Gen Umar Rashed Munir, director of SOMCH, said the injured are being provided with necessary medical care. Police seized both vehicles involved in the accident. They also arrested the assistant of the truck driver while the trucker managed to flee. Deputy Director of Sylhet Fire Service Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan said preliminary findings suggest the accident occurred as the bus driver fell asleep at the steering. Ashraful Islam, Officer-in-Charge of South Surma Police Station, said all the victims were construction workers and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident. Thirteen construction workers were killed and 13 others injured in a truck-pickup collision near Nazirbazar in South Surma upazila of the district on June 7, 2023.  

As Bangladesh grapples with a fuel shortage affecting irrigation and farm operations, a man from Kushtia’s Daulatpur upazila has drawn attention with a claim of producing alternative diesel from burnt Mobil oil. Monirul Islam, who has been researching diesel engines for over a decade, says he has developed a process he calls the “Method of Alternative Diesel” (MAD). According to him, the fuel is made by mixing burnt mobil oil with a small amount —just 100 milligrams—of a special booster ingredient. Crude oil crisis: Bangladesh’s only refinery faces imminent shutdown after April 10 He claims the mixture can be used in diesel-powered engines as a substitute fuel. Monirul said his journey began in 2007 when he was working as a teacher. He later left his job to pursue research full-time. Drawing on his experience, including work in China, he said he was able to achieve a practical application of his method only a few months ago. Local farmer Akram Hossain said he has already used the fuel and found it helpful during the diesel shortage. He said mixing 100 milligrams of the booster with five litres of burnt Mobil oil produces the equivalent of about seven litres of diesel, allowing him to continue irrigation. Despite the interest, experts have urged caution. Zahidul Haque, head of the Farm Machinery Department at Hossainabad Technical School and College, said that while the initiative appears cost-effective, there could be risks of engine damage. He noted that its reliability cannot be confirmed without proper testing. Upazila Agriculture Officer Rehana Parvin said the effectiveness of the fuel is being verified at the field level under the supervision of the Agriculture Office. If proven successful, she believes it could help reduce farmers’ production costs. Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Anindya Guha described the initiative as promising in the context of the current diesel crisis. He said the matter would be reported to higher authorities for further steps. While questions remain over its long-term viability, the innovation has sparked local interest. Many hope it could offer some relief to farmers if further testing validates it.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury has said that unhealthy cultural practices must be countered through the promotion of healthy culture. He warned that drug abuse has spread across the country, affecting young people, including school and college students. He described it as a planned conspiracy and said the situation requires urgent attention. “In such a situation, no one can remain indifferent. If a locality catches fire, even a temple cannot be saved,” he said. The minister made the remarks while speaking at an event organised by music institution Sur Saptak at the theatre hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Saturday. He said that just as a weapon is needed to resist an attack, the country’s rich and long-standing cultural heritage is the strongest tool to counter negative influences, according to a PID handout. He added that the Ministry of Cultural Affairs will work to further strengthen cultural activities across the country to address these challenges. The minister also announced that Rabindra Jayanti will be celebrated nationwide on May 8, including at Shilaidaha in Kushtia, while Nazrul Jayanti will be observed across the country on May 25, including in Trishal, Mymensingh. The programme was chaired by Sur Saptak founder and noted musician Ferdous Ara. Among others, State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khayyam, Agriculture Secretary Rafiqul E Mohamed, UCB Managing Director and CEO Mohammad Mamdudur Rashid, and SMC Managing Director Taslim Uddin Khan were present.

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has said that the government wants children to remain engaged in both sports and studies throughout the year. “This will help develop their talent and intelligence,” he said, while inaugurating Notun Kuri Sports-2026, organised by the district administration at Chandpur Stadium on Saturday afternoon. He also expressed hope that the future generation will help place Bangladesh on the global map as a new nation. He added that Chandpur's children will do well in sports in the coming days. The minister said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman launched the Notun Kuri programme across the country, through which many talented individuals emerged. He added that BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is now continuing efforts to find talented people across the country through ‘Notun Kuri Sports’. He said Bangladesh has not yet received its fair share in global sports. The programme has been introduced to help children prepare for the future and participate in international-level sports. He also said the younger generation had become socially affected in the past and many had fallen into drug addiction. He alleged that the previous government did not take effective steps in this regard. He said the government now wants “education through joy” and has started initiatives like Notun Kuri to improve children’s lives through sports. The minister mentioned that the Ministry of Education has already introduced sports activities at primary, secondary, college and university levels, and this trend will continue. Chandpur-3 MP Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik, Chandpur-4 MP MA Hannan and Chandpur-5 MP Engineer Mominul Haque spoke as special guests at the programme.   END/UNB/Corr/SIS/ssk

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Mymensingh, Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions till Sunday evening. “Light to moderate rain or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds and lightning, are also likely at many places in Mymensingh, Dhaka, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, and at a few places in Rangpur, Rajshahi and Khulna divisions,” according to a Met Office bulletin. Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged across the country. The highest rainfall in the last 24 hours till 6pm on Saturday was recorded in Srimangal of Sylhet at 162mm.