United News of Bangladesh

Police on Monday arrested two suspects in a case filed over the alleged gang rape of a schoolgirl at Charmarjal village in Raipura upazila of Narsingdi district. The arrestees were identified as Rakib Hasan Rubel, 26, son of Rafiqul Islam, and Dipu Mia, 22, son of Joj Mia, both residents of the village. According to the statement of the case filed against four individuals, the Class-VIII student went to Charmarjal village on Saturday night to meet an acquaintance named Riam. Before reaching her destination, four young men allegedly intercepted her, took her to a secluded spot near a pond and raped her. The accused also allegedly recorded videos of the assault and demanded Tk 10,000 from the victim, threatening to upload the footage on Facebook if she failed to pay. The girl narrated the ordeal o her family around 2:00am on Sunday. On the same day, the victim’s mother filed a case at Raipura Police Station against the suspects, said its Officer-in-Charge Mujibur Rahman. The two other accused are Jashim, 24, son of Afa Mia of Fuldi village, and Akka, 22. The OC said police were conducting drives to arrest other accused.  

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) on Monday provided livelihood grants to the first group of 26 injured survivors of the July uprising under the Pathways to Healing (P2H) Project. At a ceremony held at its National Headquarters, BDRCS Chairman Barrister Abdus Salam handed over the first instalment of Tk 35,000 in livelihood assistance to each of the 26 beneficiaries. A total of 688 injured survivors will receive this support in phases. The primary objective of this support is to help them regain self-reliance and rebuild their livelihoods. Subject to satisfactory progress and monitoring of their approved business plans, each beneficiary will receive an additional Tk 25,000 in the second phase. As a result, each eligible beneficiary will receive a total conditional cash grant of Tk 60,000 to restore their livelihoods and support income-generating activities.

Bangladesh is planning a major overhaul of its healthcare system by shifting its focus from treatment to prevention, with a proposal to establish a primary healthcare unit in every union and urban ward and recruit 100,000 new community health workers, Dr S.M. Ziauddin Hyder, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Affairs, said on Monday. The remark came at a national roundtable titled "Integration of Nutrition Actions in Primary Healthcare Systems through Public-Private Platforms in Bangladesh," organised by Max Foundation Bangladesh in Dhaka. He said Bangladesh's nutrition policies had historically lacked strong government ownership and had largely been driven by development partners and donors. "We have made progress in reducing malnutrition and stunting, but the pace has not been sufficient. We need a stronger, government-led and coordinated approach," he said. Dr Hyder said the government aims to ensure that every citizen has access to preventive healthcare services at their doorstep through a nationwide primary healthcare network. Under the proposed plan, each union and every ward in city corporations and municipalities will have a Primary Healthcare Unit staffed by nine community health workers. Currently, around 43,000 frontline health workers are serving under different government health programmes. The government plans to recruit another 100,000 workers, creating a workforce of around 143,000, while estimates suggest that about 152,000 workers will ultimately be required nationwide. The community health workers will visit households every two to three months to provide preventive healthcare services, including blood pressure and blood sugar screening, mental health assessments, child growth monitoring, pregnancy detection and referrals to healthcare facilities when necessary. The programme will also introduce digital health cards and an electronic referral system to connect citizens with integrated health information and healthcare facilities. Dr Hyder said the initiative would help detect diseases at an early stage, reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure and ease the pressure on overcrowded secondary and tertiary hospitals. He stressed that nutrition should not be treated as a standalone health intervention but integrated across agriculture, education, social welfare and other sectors through a coordinated national approach. To strengthen coordination, the government is considering establishing a high-powered National Food and Nutrition Authority or National Food and Nutrition Commission to oversee nutrition-related policies and ensure effective inter-ministerial collaboration. The proposed body would coordinate nutrition-sensitive interventions across ministries, monitor implementation, generate evidence and strengthen institutional capacity. Calling for collective action, Dr Hyder said achieving better nutrition outcomes would require close collaboration among the government, academia, civil society, development partners, NGOs and the media. "We want to build a healthier Bangladesh where no child suffers from stunting and no girl is forced into early marriage and early motherhood," he said. The discussion brought together senior government officials, representatives of UN agencies and development partners, researchers, academics, civil society members and private sector stakeholders to explore ways to integrate nutrition services into routine primary healthcare. Experts said Bangladesh is currently facing a triple burden of malnutrition—undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and a growing prevalence of overweight and obesity. Although the country has made notable progress in reducing child stunting and improving maternal and child health, nutrition services remain fragmented and are often delivered through vertical programmes rather than as an integral part of primary healthcare. The discussants underscored the need for stronger public-private partnerships to improve service delivery, strengthen referral systems, enhance supply chains, promote behaviour change and generate evidence to support policy formulation. They also emphasised the importance of institutionalising community-based nutrition interventions within government systems to improve the quality, accessibility and sustainability of primary healthcare services. The roundtable called for stronger coordination among government agencies, development partners, research institutions, civil society organisations and the private sector to ensure nutrition is recognised as a core component of primary healthcare and national health planning. Prof Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), attended the programme as the special guest. The keynote paper was presented by Saiqa Siraj, Public Health and Nutrition Specialist, while the session was chaired by Dr ATM Tariqul Islam, Country Director of Max Foundation Bangladesh. Senior officials from the Health Services Division, the Institute of Public Health Nutrition (IPHN), DGHS, Dhaka University, icddr,b, BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, GAIN, WHO, UNICEF, Social Marketing Company and other organisations also participated in the discussion.

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Monday said they have not yet received any clear instructions from the government regarding the local government elections. He also said the schedule for the presidential election has not been finalised as the EC is still waiting for the voter list from the Parliament Secretariat. "The date or schedule for the presidential election has not been fixed yet. We have requested the Parliament Secretariat to send the voter list. After receiving the voter list, we will discuss the election date and schedule," the EC secretary said, while talking to reporters at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. On July 24 last, Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned as President and Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad took charge as the acting head of state. The EC, led by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, held a meeting with acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal on July 28 in line with the Presidential Election Act, 1991, which obliges the Commission to consult with the Speaker before the announcement of the schedule for the presidential election. According to Article 123(2) of the Constitution, an election to fill the vacant office of the President must be held within 90 days of the post becoming vacant due to resignation. Talking about the local government elections, Akhtar said the EC has not yet received any clear instructions from the government in this regard. He said the Commission had earlier kept July 31 last as the deadline for new voter registration ahead of the local government elections. "As we have yet to get any clear instruction regarding the local government elections, the July 31 deadline for voter registration may be changed, or it may remain unchanged," the EC secretary said. He said the Commission has prepared a set of proposals for amending the local government election laws and the proposals will be sent to the Local Government Division for consideration. Asked whether local government elections could be held from October, Akhtar said the Commission normally requires around 45 days between the announcement of the election schedule and polling day. Besides, it takes another one and a half months to finalise and print the voter list, meaning that the EC generally needs around three months of preparations before holding an election, he explained. "Different timelines have been discussed, including September, October and even December (for starting to hold the local government elections). As there is no clear information yet, it will not be appropriate for me to comment," the EC secretary said. Responding to another question, he said, to his knowledge, there has been no formal communication with the government regarding the local government elections so far. "However, our preparations are continuing without any slowdown," he added. 38 political parties submit audit reports Akhtar said 38 registered political parties, including the BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, have submitted their audited financial statements for the 2025 calendar year to the EC. He said 13 parties have sought an extension of the submission deadline, while eight parties have not responded. According to the Representation of the People Order, political parties must submit their audit reports by July 31 for the previous year. As the deadline fell on a Friday, the EC extended it until August 2, said Akhtar Ahmed. There are now 59 registered political parties, while the registration of one party – Awami League – remains suspended.

A 45-year-old man was burned to death and two others sustained burn injuries in a fire that broke out at a house in Bhaina area of Magura district town on Monday. The deceased was identified as Kamrul Hasan Shiblu, son of Akbar Munshi of the area. Jahangir Ahmed, deputy assistant director of Magura Fire Service and Civil Defence, said the fire, which originated from a gas oven, broke out at Shiblu's house around 9:45 am and soon spread. Magura family feud turns deadly, leaving elderly bystander killed On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the spot and doused the blaze around 10:15 am. They also recovered Shiblu’s charred body from the house. Shiblu’s wife Shahnaz Parvin, 38, and son Mehrab Hasan Pratik, 20, sustained burn injuries in the fire. The fire gutted valuables worth around Tk 10 lakh, including a television, refrigerator and furniture. Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Police Station, said legal procedures are underway to ascertain the exact cause of death.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday said Bangladesh is pursuing a forward-looking approach in its engagement with New Delhi and that the Indian government will have to clear whether it supports the planned online meeting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “We are moving forward with India with a forward-looking approach. We don't want it to be damaged, and I firmly believe that India doesn't want it either. So, India has to clear whether it is supporting it or not,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when a reporter wanted to know about Hasina’s planned virtual programme in New Delhi, scheduled for August 5. Hasina will be arrested whenever she comes to Bangladesh: Shama Obaed The State Minister referred to the recent meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi and said they want the Bangladesh-India relationship to improve. “You saw that we had a very cordial meeting with the new High Commissioner who came here. We had a lot of good discussions.” Indian media reported that Hasina is set to make her first public appearance in India exactly two years after she fled the country following a massive student-led protest. According to multiple media reports, Hasina will attend a virtual event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia) in New Delhi. “We want relations with India to improve. I believe India also wants that," said the State Minister. Responding to a separate question, she said Bangladesh could communicate with the Indian government if it considers it necessary over the reported event in India on August 5 involving Hasina, while stressing that Dhaka does not want the issue to undermine bilateral relations. The State Minister, however, said the reported programme is not being organised by the Indian government and Dhaka would decide on any diplomatic communication if circumstances required. "If we think it is necessary, the government will contact the relevant foreign ministry," she said. Asked whether Bangladesh would formally protest or seek an explanation from New Delhi before the reported event, Shama Obaed said the Indian government is not organising the programme. Referring to Hasina and other Awami League leaders staying abroad, the State Minister said Bangladesh has repeatedly conveyed its position to India that fugitives or convicted individuals should not use Indian soil for political activities aimed at destabilising Bangladesh. She said the issue has been raised both verbally and in writing during bilateral engagements. Shama Obaed also referred to recent remarks by the Indian government, saying New Delhi had indicated it did not expect a fugitive accused to make political statements from Indian territory. She said political activities by fugitives from India that sought to create instability in Bangladesh could negatively affect bilateral relations. "It can. But we don't want that," she said when asked whether such programmes could damage ties between the two neighbours. On Bangladesh's broader foreign policy, Shama Obaed said the country would maintain balanced relations with all partners based on its national interests. "Bangladesh is an independent and sovereign country," she said. "We will maintain relations with everyone while protecting Bangladesh's interests." Shama Obaed said Dhaka would continue to engage with India, China and other countries in areas including trade, investment and bilateral cooperation. Asked about an invitation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the BRICS Summit in September, she indicated that no decision had yet been made. "Time will tell.... I can’t tell you now," she said, adding that the Prime Minister would decide on overseas visits at an appropriate time. The State Minister mentioned two separate invitations extended to the Prime Minister in February and the recent one, and said the Prime Minister is spending 24 hours a day on Bangladesh's affairs. “So, time will tell when, how and in which country he will take a decision.” India, which is going to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, last month invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the important event, which will focus on global cooperation, trade and sustainable development. Inviting his Bangladesh counterpart and his family to visit India, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February said Bangladesh and India can truly become catalysts for each other's sustainable growth, work for each other's security, and enable mutual prosperity as two fast-growing economies and aspiring societies. “I look forward to working closely with you to strengthen our multifaceted bilateral relations, enhance regional cooperation, and advance our common goals in wide-ranging areas of connectivity, trade, technology, education, skill development, energy, healthcare, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges,” he said in a letter that was handed over to Prime Minister Tarique in February this year.

Three people died of dengue and 580 new patients were hospitalised across the country in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Monday. With the latest fatalities, the dengue death toll has risen to 59 in the country this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). 3 more die of dengue, 467 hospitalised The new deaths were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation, and Khulna and Sylhet divisions, it said. Since January 1 this year, a total of 16,684 dengue patients have been admitted to hospitals across the country. Of them, 15,344 have recovered and been discharged, while 1,281 patients are currently undergoing treatment, according to the DGHS.

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) has foiled an attempt to smuggle around 1.5 kg of gold through Chattogram's Shah Amanat International Airport, seizing the consignment worth an estimated Tk 3 crore, officials said on Monday. Acting on intelligence inputs, officials of the CIID regional office in Chattogram kept a close watch on a Bangladeshi passenger, identified as Mohammad Tusar, 33, who arrived from Dubai on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight (BG148). Following his arrival, a joint surveillance operation was conducted by officials from the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI), Customs House and CIID. During a body search at the customs hall, officials recovered around 1,400 grams of 24-carat gold paste, including packing materials, concealed inside the passenger’s underwear using a specially designed method. They also seized five gold bangles weighing about 100 grams. In total, approximately 1,500 grams of gold were recovered. The seized gold has an estimated market value of around Tk 3 crore. According to the CIID, preliminary investigation suggests that the suspect attempted to evade airport security and customs checks by converting the gold into paste and concealing it inside his underwear. However, the smuggling attempt was thwarted through intelligence-based surveillance and coordinated action by the law enforcement and customs agencies. Legal proceedings are underway against the passenger under the Customs Act, 2023, the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947, the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950, the Import Policy Order 2021-2024, Bangladesh Bank’s FE Circular No. 06 and the Special Powers Act, 1974. The CIID said intelligence surveillance at international airports has been further strengthened to prevent the smuggling of gold and other contraband and that such operations will continue.

Traffic Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) in separate drives filed 1,592 cases against motorists for violating traffic rules in different parts of the capital on Sunday. DMP filed 114 cases in the Ramna zone, 136 in the Lalbagh zone, 268 in the Motijheel zone, 128 in the Wari zone, 222 in the Tejgaon zone, 259 in the Mirpur zone, 261 in the Uttara zone and 204 in the Gulshan zone, Deputy Commissioner (Media) of DMP Niaz Mehedi said on Monday. Besides, a total of 451 vehicles were impounded and 348 others were towed away during the drives. The DMP Traffic Division will continue such drives to maintain discipline on Dhaka's roads, he said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday invited the South Korean President to visit Bangladesh as the two countries moved closer to signing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at boosting trade, investment and economic cooperation. The invitation came when South Korea’s Minister for Trade Han-Koo YEO paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at his office in the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. At the meeting, the South Korean minister briefed the Prime Minister on the proposed CEPA, saying the agreement will significantly expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation while encouraging greater South Korean investment in Bangladesh. He said many South Korean companies are already operating successfully in Bangladesh and many more are interested in investing in the country.