United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has said martial arts are being included as compulsory sports education for fourth and fifth grade students at primary schools in a bid to promote children's physical and mental development. “Martial arts along with sports education are very important for children's physical and mental development, confidence, discipline and self-control. So, the government is strengthening sports activities in primary education and is giving importance to martial arts as part of compulsory sports education in grades-IV and V,” he said. The state minister came up with the disclosure while addressing the Black Belt Award Ceremony 2026, organised by the Bangladesh Kyokushin Karate Association (BKKA) at Rangs Bhaban in the capital's Bijoy Sarani are on Friday night, said a PID handout on Saturday. Bobby Hajjaj said, "Martial arts is not just a self-defense technique, it helps a person gain discipline, confidence, patience and a positive mindset. When a student gains confidence in him, he learns to avoid violence and conflict and can play a positive role in society." He stressed that spreading sports and martial arts is essential to raising a healthy, confident and patriotic young generation in Bangladesh. The state minister called upon karate organisations to formulate a practical plan to expand training programmes in primary schools across the country, assuring that the government would extend the necessary support to implement such initiatives. Bobby Hajjaj presented black belts to the successful karate practitioners.

Dhaka University (DU) launched a three-day programme to restore and repaint the 'July graffiti' - art painted on walls during the July Uprising of 2024 - displayed on walls across the campus in an effort to preserve an important historical record. DU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam inaugurated the restoration campaign at the main gate of the Vice-Chancellor's residence today. ‘July Women’s Day’ celebrated at Dhaka University Among others present at the inauguration were Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Prof. Dr. Abdus Salam, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Dr. Mohammed Almujaddede Alfasane, Treasurer Prof. Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts Prof. Dr. Md. Azharul Islam Sheikh, Proctor Md. Israfil Prang, Director of the Arbory Culture Centre Prof. Dr. Mohammad Jasim Uddin, along with teachers and students.

The Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat on Saturday organised an essay competition to mark July Uprising Day 2026, with students highlighting the role of youth in shaping the country's future. With the theme of “the power of youth, the July Mass Uprising and the future of Bangladesh, the competition was held at the conference room of the North Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad complex with the participation of students  from Class IX to Class XI of several renowned schools and colleges in the capital. Secretary of the Parliament Secretariat Barrister Md Golam Sorwar Bhuiyan inaugurated the event and urged students to practise correct language, proper grammar and appropriate word choice.

Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) officials have detained an Indian passenger at Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport after recovering capsule-like objects containing gold. Acting on a tip-off, a team from the CIID regional office in Chattogram intercepted the passenger after he crossed the green channel at the airport on Saturday morning. The passenger, identified as Thamim Ansari, arrived from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on Air Arabia flight G9-526, which landed at 6:58 am. CIID seizes contraband worth Tk 2.04cr at Dhaka airport During a body search, officials recovered capsule-shaped packets containing gold concealed inside his underwear. Authorities said the exact quantity and purity of the gold are being determined with the assistance of a certified goldsmith after removing the packing materials. The recovered gold is estimated to be worth around Tk 1 crore, officials said. CIID said legal action is being taken against the passenger under the Customs Act, while steps are also underway to file a criminal case in connection with the smuggling attempt. The agency said it would continue intelligence surveillance and enforcement drives to prevent the smuggling of gold and other contraband through the country’s international airports.

The Deputy Director General for Operations (DDG-O) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ugochi Daniels, arrived in Dhaka on Saturday on a four-day official visit to Bangladesh. She was received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Iori Kato, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Carol Flore-Smereczniak, and IOM Chief of Mission in Bangladesh, Dr Laura Tomm Bonde. During her visit, Daniels will meet senior leadership of the Government of Bangladesh, United Nations partners, donors, and communities supported by IOM. Her programme includes the launch of Bangladesh's National Action Plan 2026-2030 for the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), visits to Cox's Bazar and Madaripur, and engagements on migration governance, climate mobility, labour migration, protection, and humanitarian response, said the UN agency.

Reports of two abandoned bomb-like objects found beneath the Mirpur-10 and Farmgate metro rail stations in the capital on Saturday morning triggered panic among people. Upon receiving the information, the respective police stations under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), senior police officials and the Bomb Disposal Unit of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Division rushed to the scenes and strengthened security measures, said a DMP press release. The CTTC Bomb Disposal Unit responded immediately after receiving information about a bomb-like object at the Mirpur-10 metro rail station. An X-ray examination of the suspicious bag revealed the image of a canister-like object inside. Following the standard operating procedure (SOP), members of the Bomb Disposal Unit used a frangible disruptor to safely neutralise the suspected object. A subsequent inspection of the bag found that it contained a tin of chewing tobacco (zarda) and betel leaf. No explosives or other hazardous materials were recovered. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Mirpur Division) of DMP Farzina Nasrin said the Bomb Disposal Unit responded immediately after being informed about the suspected explosive. "After examination, it was found that the object was not an explosive. It was an empty zarda container," she said. Normal movement at the station resumed after the area was declared safe. Besides, suspicion arose over an abandoned sack in  Tejgaon Police Station area, prompting authorities to alert the Bomb Disposal Unit. The team quickly arrived at the scene, assessed the situation and ensured necessary security before conducting a manual inspection of the sack. The examination confirmed that the sack contained no explosives or any dangerous materials. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of city residents and urged the public not to panic over unverified reports of suspicious objects. Earlier, a crude improvised explosive device, locally known as a "chhata bomb," was recovered beneath the Motijheel Metro Rail Station on July 24. The bomb was later defused by the DMP Bomb Disposal Unit, and one passer-by was injured in the incident.

Bangladesh has decided to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) initially as an observer, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.  Headquartered in Shanghai, WAICO is an inter-governmental organization which was formed on July 16, 2026. Its stated goals include, among other things, deepening international cooperation on innovation, promoting inclusive development by reducing global digital divide, supporting open, fair, and non-discriminatory environment for global AI development, and advancing AI regulations aiming to ensure that this new and evolving technology is beneficial and safe for humans. On July 16, twenty-nine countries signed an agreement in Shanghai on establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO). Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, signed the agreement on behalf of the Chinese government. Representatives from the 29 countries, including Kazakhstan, Laos, Pakistan, Russia and Indonesia, signed the agreement, making their countries the WAICO's founding members. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was among representatives from countries and international organizations present at the signing ceremony, reports Xinhua. The organization will uphold the purposes of the UN Charter, be committed to extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit and adhere to a people-centered approach, according to the agreement. It aims to promote international cooperation and global governance on AI, ensuring that AI is beneficial, safe and fair, thereby promoting its healthy and orderly development to benefit all humanity.

Four people were killed when a truck collided head-on with a pick-up van on Bogura-Naogaon highway at Kazipara in Kahalu upazila of Bogura district on Saturday. One of the deceased was identified as Lutfur Rahman, 50, a fish trader and son of Taiab Ali of Mymensingh district while the identities of others could not be known immediately. The accident occurred around 10 am when the Naogaon-bound goods-laden truck hit the pick-up van while overtaking a human hauler, leaving four people dead on the spot, said Shafiqul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Kahalu Police Station. On information, police and fire service men rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies. The bodies were sent to Bogura Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital. Police could not arrest anyone as the truck driver and helper of the driver were amanged to flee the scene.  

What began as a desperate attempt to escape crushing debt has left a poor day labourer with one kidney, little money and a long legal battle. For Montu Mia, a resident of Gobindaganj upazila in Gaibandha, the promise of Tk 10 lakh  seemed like a lifeline. He was lured into donating a kidney under the assurance that a wealthy woman in Dhaka urgently needed the organ and would pay him the agreed amount, according to a case filed in Number 5 Congnisance court. Instead, Montu claims he received only Tk 50,000 after undergoing surgery in Nepal. According to the case statement, Montu had accumulated debts from NGOs and local lenders while struggling to support his family through daily wage work. It was during this difficult period that several brokers approached him with what they described as an opportunity to eliminate his debts forever. Driven by financial desperation, Montu agreed. The accused arranged his passport, gave him Tk 50,000 in advance in early January this year and then transported him through India to Nepal, where surgery was performed to remove one of his kidneys, it said. After remaining in Nepal for several days for post-operative care, he was sent back to Bangladesh without receiving the remaining Tk 950,000 promised under the agreement. When he demanded the rest of the money, the accused denied owing him anything, according to the case statement. After failing to secure justice through local mediation, Montu filed the case. The court directed Kalai Police Station to treat the complaint as a formal First Information Report (FIR), leading police to register the case. The case was filed against eight identified and four unidentified people. The accused include residents of Bogura, Joypurhat and Noakhali several of whom have been identified in the complaint as brokers involved in arranging kidney transactions. Kalai Police Station Officer-in-Charge Rafiqul Islam said the case has been registered following the court’s directive. “The matter is being investigated seriously, and legal action will be taken against those found responsible,” he said. Although Bangladesh has laws regulating organ transplantation illegal organ trafficking networks continue to exploit economically vulnerable people through false promises and coercion. These networks often operate across borders, taking advantage of weaker oversight and complex international routes. Legal experts say such cases expose not only criminal exploitation but also the harsh realities faced by impoverished families burdened by debt. Advocate Uzzal Hossain, a lawyer at the district judge’s court, said those involved in illegal organ trading should face exemplary punishment. “People who exploit poor and helpless individuals through the illegal trade of human organs are committing a heinous crime. Strict enforcement of the law is essential to dismantle such networks,” he said.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 431 people in its regular anti-crime drives across the capital over the past 24 hours until Saturday morning. Of them, 33 were arrested by the Ramna Division, 21 by Lalbagh Division, 48 by Wari Division, 34 by Motijheel Division, 48 by Tejgaon Division, 135 by Mirpur Division, 51 by Gulshan Division, 53 by Uttara Division, and eight by the Detective Branch (DB). Twenty-three cases were filed during the same period, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Niaz Mehedi said on Saturday morning. Police also recovered 82.500 kg of cannabis, 3256 Yaba pills, 175 bottles of Phensidyl, 494.12 grams of gold ornaments, one motorbike, one pick-up, one bus and five mobile phones. One victim was also rescued during this period. Further legal proceedings against the arrested people are underway, he said.