United News of Bangladesh

A spirited exchange unfolded in Parliament on Thursday after Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman and lawmaker Andaleeve Rahman criticised a Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami MP for demanding washing machines, microwave ovens and curtains for lawmakers residing in government flats, prompting intervention from Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman. Standing on the point of order, before the ongoing budget discussion, Andaleeve Rahman said Parliament was restored after a difficult struggle and stressed the need to uphold its dignity and standards. He lamented what he described as the decline in parliamentary standards during previous Awami League legislatures, saying the institution’s democratic character had been undermined and its prestige diminished. Referring to media reports about Jamaat MP Md Mizanur Rahman’s demand for washing machines, microwave ovens and curtains for lawmakers’ flats, Andaleeve Rahman said the issue caused embarrassment for both him and Parliament as an institution. “We are not only Members of Parliament; we are ambassadors of Parliament. Whenever we go outside, we represent this House,” he said. The BJP chief argued that Parliament should primarily be a platform for raising public concerns rather than discussing household facilities for MPs. According to him, it appeared contradictory for lawmakers to publicly reject privileges such as plots and vehicles while later seeking appliances and furnishings for their residences. In a sarcastic remark that drew attention in the House, he said if the Jamaat MP still needs a microwave oven or curtains, he will personally provide them. Continuing the jibe, Andaleeve added that he will request the government to arrange a washing machine and curtains so that the MP’s household could be “properly settled.” His remarks prompted a response from Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, who sought to defuse the matter and prevent it from escalating into a prolonged debate. The Speaker noted that budget discussions traditionally allow members to speak on a wide range of issues and observed that the Jamaat lawmaker merely highlighted certain difficulties faced by MPs living in government flats. “I think it would have been better had he not raised the matter in the House,” he said. “But he did not commit any serious offence.” Hafiz Uddin pointed out that Parliament has a House Committee responsible for addressing accommodation-related matters and said such concerns could have been raised there instead. At the same time, he emphasised that the Jamaat MP did not seek the facilities for himself alone but for all lawmakers residing in government flats. “It may create a different perception among the public, but these items could be considered legitimate requirements. They are not major things,” the Speaker said. He urged members not to prolong the controversy, warning that further debate could send an unfavourable message outside Parliament. “We should all be careful in future when making speeches,” he added. The Speaker also took issue with Andaleeve’s offer to personally provide the appliances and furnishings, saying such comments could be viewed as disrespectful. “I do not think that was necessary,” he said, reiterating that the request was made on behalf of all MPs living in government flats rather than for any individual member. Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman later joined the discussion and broadly agreed with the Speaker’s observation that the issue should have been raised through the House Committee rather than on the floor of Parliament. However, he also questioned the appropriateness of Andaleeve’s remarks. “He is an experienced parliamentarian. He went further and offered to provide everything himself. Did anyone ask him to do that?” Shafiqur Rahman stressed that lawmakers should avoid making comments that could undermine one another’s dignity and called for greater restraint in parliamentary discourse. Responding once more, Speaker Hafiz Uddin said he understood that Andaleeve’s remarks were intended as an offer of assistance rather than an attempt to belittle anyone, but maintained that such comments were unnecessary and urged members to move on from the issue.

River ports in some regions have been asked to hoist cautionary signal 1 as a temporary east or southeasterly gusty or squally wind is likely to occur in many parts of the country, according to the special bulletin Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). “Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary east or southeasterly gusty or squally wind speed 45-60 kph is likely to occur over the regions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Mymensingh, Faridpur, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and Sylhet wherein river ports shall hoist cautionary signal No 1,” it said. The warning for Inland River ports to remain valid till 1 am on Friday according to a bulletin.

Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation to Bangladesh Michael Miller on Thursday said the European Union (EU) is committed to supporting Rohingyas and the communities hosting them in Bangladesh. "As needs remain protracted, we need to transform the response," he said as the European Union (EU) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, announced a renewal of their partnership with a futher EUR 14 million development grant. The grant will help sustain lifesaving assistance and strengthen protection for the 1.2 million Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and support the livelihoods of the host community. UNHCR works alongside the Government of Bangladesh, humanitarian partners and donors to strengthen refugee protection as part of the 2025–2026 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis. The Plan calls for USD 710 million this year to meet the most critical needs of 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, including new arrivals, and to ensure they can live in dignity until they can return home voluntarily, in safety and with full rights, said the UN Refugee Agency. The new funding, which complements EU humanitarian funding and an earlier multi-year development policy contribution from the EU, will provide Rohingya refugees and nearly 70,000 members of the Bangladeshi host community with essential support to enhance resilience and self-reliance, including skills development initiatives and access to clean cooking gas. With a focus on space for more education, skills development and to generate income, the European Union will help Bangladeshi host communities in Cox’s Bazar and, for the Rohingya, will expand options for education, lead to the learning of practical, portable skills and improve living conditions, said Ambassador Miller. "This is about preserving dignity, strengthening resilience and giving refugees the tools to rebuild their lives – preparing them for voluntary, safe and dignified return to Myanmar when conditions allow," he said. “Reliable, steadfast support is fundamental to the well-being of families who have experienced immense hardship for the past nine years,” said Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh. “We are grateful to the European Union for standing with the Rohingya in Bangladesh, ensuring that refugees can access vital protection services, meet their basic needs, and maintain hope for a safer and more dignified future.” Overcrowded living conditions, limited resources, and prolonged displacement leave refugees highly vulnerable. Comprehensive protection services within the camps, including safe shelters, welllit camp environments, effective community based protection mechanisms, and accessible reporting channels, are critical to safeguarding refugees’ rights and dignity. This is particularly important for women and children, who face heightened risks of gender-based violence, trafficking, and exploitation, said UNHCR. Provision of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) protects women and children from the risks of foraging for firewood, while also reducing the household smoke that damages refugee health, and eases pressure on the surrounding forests. At the same time, expanding livelihood opportunities and skills development is crucial to reduce dependency on aid and help restore a sense of agency and purpose among refugees. The contribution comes on the eve of World Refugee Day, observed annually on 20 June, which is an opportunity to honour the resilience and strength of people forced to flee their homes because of violence and persecution, reiterate support for those living in displacement and also recognise the contribution of host communities. The European Union is a key global supporter of humanitarian and development programmes, with a focus on resilience-building and sustainable solutions. Generous international support remains vital to ensuring access to essential services.

Rail communication between Kurigram and the rest of the country remained suspended since Thursday morning after a sand-laden truck overturned on a railway track in Rajarhat upazila, causing immense suffering to passengers. A sand-laden truck overturned on the railway tracks around 6:30 am, blocking the line, said Konika Akther, Officer-in-Charge of Kurigram Railway Station. “Work is underway to remove the truck. However, it is not possible at this moment to say exactly when the train services will resume,” she said. Dhaka-bound Kurigram Express could not reach Kurigram Railway Station on schedule, while the operation of the Ramna Commuter train was also disrupted. Hundreds of passengers were left stranded, with many forced to seek alternative transportation to Teesta Railway Station to continue their journeys. Railway officials said the Kurigram Express was scheduled to depart for Dhaka from Kurigram Station at 7:10 am, but the train could not reach the station because the track remained blocked. After being informed, railway authorities, local administration officials and rescue teams rushed to the scene and began efforts to remove the truck and restore train operations.

Police recovered the body of the five-year-old boy, who was kidnapped on Tuesday, at South Gobindarkhil village in Patiya municipality area of Chattogram district on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Zaihan, son of Md Shahjahan of the village. Police also arrested five people- Md Saiful, Shahanur, Niha, Nihan and Wasifa- for suspected involvement in the killing. Ariful Islam Siddique, Additional Superintendent of (Satkania Circle) police, said Zaihan went missing while playing on road near his house on Tuesday noon. Police said the child's mother found a letter threatening to kill the child if Tk 3 lakh in ransom is not paid. A written complaint was lodged with the local police station. During investigation, police, DB police and local people spotted the body of Zaihan, kept in a sack, from a water body in Purba Para, behind the house of the arrestees, in the morning. The body was sent to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital morgue for autopsy. Later, local people staged demonstration in front of Patiya Police Station protesting the murder.

Five more children have died from measles-like symptoms in 24 hours until 8:00 am on Thursday, raising Bangladesh’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 666. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the latest five deaths have been classified as suspected measles fatalities. With the latest update, the number of suspected measles deaths has risen to 573, while the number of laboratory-confirmed measles deaths remained unchanged at 93. A total of 1009 new suspected measles cases were reported during the 24-hour period, taking the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 89,904. Meanwhile, 139 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 10,773. Since March 15, a total of 74,184 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 70,503 have recovered, according to DGHS data.  

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid on Thursday told the Parliament that Bangladesh has around 2.18 crore acres of arable land, accounting for nearly 60 percent of the country's total area. “The total arable land area of Bangladesh is about 88,29,000 hectares (2.18 crore acres), which is about 59.7 percent of the total area of the country,” he said, while replying to a question from MP Khairul Kabir Khokan (Narsingdi-1). Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad tabled the question-and-answer session for Thursday, immediately after the day’s business started at 3:00pm. The agriculture minister said a huge amount of cultivable land is being lost every year due to unplanned urbanisation, housing and industrialisation in Bangladesh. To address this situation and ensure the country's food security, the government has recently taken several tough and significant steps, including the enactment of the Land Use Control and Agricultural Land Protection Act, 2026. Amin Ur Rashid said the government is providing quality seeds, irrigation facilities, and agricultural loans on easy terms to farmers to convert one-crop or two-crop lands into three-crop lands, so that farmers are motivated to cultivate their land instead of leasing or selling it for non-agricultural purposes.

Pakistan is interested in further advancing bilateral relations with Bangladesh through a positive and constructive approach, Pakistani High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider said on Thursday. The remarks came during a courtesy meeting with Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr Shafiqur Rahman at his office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Political Counsellor of the Pakistani High Commission Kamran Dangal was also present at the meeting, which was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. During the meeting, the envoy said relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan have been progressing positively in recent times, noting an increase in bilateral trade and a number of visits by military and civilian officials from both countries. He also informed the opposition leader that a delegation of Bangladeshi academics recently visited Pakistan and expressed satisfaction with the country’s education system. Imran Haider highlighted the success of a Pakistani education fair held in Dhaka last month and said Pakistan plans to provide scholarships to 500 Bangladeshi students over the next five years in phases. According to him, 74 Bangladeshi students have already travelled to Pakistan under the programme. The high commissioner said efforts are underway to expand academic exchanges between universities of the two countries and further consolidate the ongoing “Knowledge Corridor” initiative. He also proposed the formation of a parliamentary friendship group and called for stronger engagement between the legislatures of Bangladesh and Pakistan. During the meeting, Shafiqur Rahman conveyed his appreciation to the Pakistani government through the high commissioner for what he described as Pakistan’s historic role in facilitating a peace deal between the United States and Iran. The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and expressed optimism about further strengthening bilateral cooperation in the coming years.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Thursday clarified that MPs are not required to bow to the Chair when entering, leaving, taking or vacating their seats in the House, as the relevant provision was removed from the Rules of Procedure two decades ago. Delivering a ruling from the Chair, the Speaker said the issue was raised through points of order by lawmaker Mohammad Mujibur Rahman of Rajshahi-1 on June 16 and lawmaker Joynal Abdin Faruk of Noakhali-2 on June 17 regarding the practice of showing respect to the presiding officer by bowing. The Speaker said he had earlier informed the House that the matter would be examined and a decision communicated after reviewing the relevant rules and records. Referring to Rule 267(1) of the Rules of Procedure, he noted that the current provision states: “During a sitting of Parliament, a member shall show respect to the Chair when entering or leaving the House and when taking or vacating his or her seat.” He said the word “bowing” was removed from the rule through an amendment adopted in 2006. The Speaker explained that the Standing Committee on the Rules of Procedure of the Eighth Parliament submitted a report to the House on September 20, 2006. The report was considered and adopted by Parliament on September 26, 2006, and included the amendment to Rule 267(1). “Therefore, the word ‘bowing’ no longer exists in Rule 267(1) of our Rules of Procedure,” he said. The Speaker said the existing rule only requires members to show respect to the Chair and does not prescribe any specific form of salutation or gesture. “In accordance with their respective religious customs and practices, honourable members may show respect to the Speaker’s Chair or to the presiding officer,” he said.

A Dhaka court on Thursday sent television actor Zaher Alvi to jail when he surrendered before the court in connection with the death of his wife Afra Ivnath Khan Ikra. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Kamal Uddin passed the order when he surrendered before the court around 1:30 pm, said Alvi’s lawyer Harun-or-Rashid. The court also rejected the bail petition of Alvi when his lawyer filed a petition seeking his bail. Earlier on February 28, this year, Afra Ivnath Khan Ikra, wife of television actor Zaher Alvi reportedly committed suicide in the capital’s Mirpur DOHS. Alvi confirmed the matter through a post on his verified Facebook page but did not mention any reason behind it. In the post, the actor wrote, “This noon, my wife Ikra committed suicide at our Mirpur DOHS residence. Now, I am in Nepal for a shooting project. Since hearing the news, I have not been in a state to speak. I do not understand why she chose to leave this way without thinking about our child and me.” He further wrote, “I request my well-wishers and journalist brothers to please give me some time. I am trying to return to Dhaka as soon as possible and will speak to everyone after I get back. Until then, during this moment of grief, please allow me and my family some mental peace. For the sake of our child’s future, please do not spread any misleading information. Please pray for my Ikra.” Alvi and Ikra were married in 2010 and they have a son.