United News of Bangladesh

The third consignment of nuclear fuel, or uranium, for the second unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant arrived at the project site in Pabna on Tuesday morning amid tight security. The convoy, carrying the fuel on three trucks escorted by the Bangladesh Army, entered the plant premises through Dashuria traffic intersection at 7:48am after travelling along the Natore-Kushtia-Pabna highway. Security was tightened along the highway as army personnel and other law enforcement agencies escorted the uranium-laden vehicles. Traffic on Pabna-Natore-Kushtia highway was suspended for half an hour, from 7:30am to 8am, to ensure the safe and uninterrupted movement of the convoy. The consignment arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka from Russia via Delhi, India, on Monday morning aboard by a flight operated by Aviacon Zitotrans. The aircraft carried 41 tonnes of nuclear fuel in 12 transport packages. Officials of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) subsequently received the consignment. The convoy left Dhaka for Rooppur in Ishwardi at around 2:30am. Ashadur Rahman Asad, Officer-in-Charge of Ishwardi Police Station, said police and other law enforcement agencies provided special security to ensure the convoy reached the project site without traffic congestion. According to the plan, nine more flights are expected to transport an additional 48 uranium fuel assemblies for the first unit and 163 for the second unit between November and December. The consignments will travel from Russia to Bangladesh via Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. Meanwhile, the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant successfully began its nuclear reaction on October 11, following final approval from BAERA on October 8 to proceed with the next phase of operations. A high-level team from Russia's state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom also visited the project from October 20 to 23 to review construction progress and the plant's overall development. This week, the first unit entered the critical Stage-C, or power startup, phase after successfully completing the B-2 physics tests and other required examinations and activities. Dr Md Zahedul Hasan, managing director of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Ltd (NPCBL), said electricity generation would initially begin on a limited scale. “Generation will gradually increase as the subsequent activities are successfully completed,” he said. Once the plant reaches 30 to 35 percent of its capacity, it will be able to supply electricity to the national grid. The authorities expect the first unit to begin supplying at least 300 megawatts of electricity to the national grid by the end of this year.

A former Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader was seriously injured after being shot by unidentified assailants in Batiaghata upazila of Khulna early Tuesday. The injured is Sohel Sheikh, 36, the former president of the Amirpur union unit of JCD and currently a Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal activist. The incident occurred around 12:30am in front of Baro Karia Government Primary School. According to locals, the assailants arrived on two motorcycles and opened fire at Sohel, who was sitting on his motorcycle. Sohel sustained gunshot wounds to his right hand and the right side of his abdomen. Locals rescued him and took him to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where the attending physicians referred him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment. Officer-in-Charge of Batiaghata Police Station Rahman Sharif said police visited the scene and recovered a spent pistol cartridge. Police were trying to identify and arrest those involved in the incident, he said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday visited the onshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and power plant of JERA, a major Japanese energy company, in Futtsu city in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture as part of his official visit to the country. He visited the facilities at 2:30pm local time, accompanied by a delegation of senior government officials. The delegation included Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications, ICT and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad. Invest Bangladesh Authority Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Overseas Employment in the Asia-Pacific Region Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan, Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostaqur Rahman and Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon were also part of the delegation. Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Economic Relations Division Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky and other senior officials concerned were present.  

Online applications for participation in the 54th convocation of Dhaka University (DU) will begin at 8:00am on November 1. Applications must be submitted through the university’s website at https://convocation.du.ac.bd. The application process will continue until November 30. Applicants must complete the first step of the four-step process by that date, while online payments must be completed by December 2. The information was disclosed in a press release issued by the university’s Public Relations Office on Tuesday. The 54th DU convocation is scheduled to be held on January 26, 2027. President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will preside over the convocation, while Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has consented to attend as the guest of honour. Prof Dr Atsushi Sunami, president of Japan’s Sasakawa Peace Foundation, will deliver the convocation address and receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Prof Dr Muhammad Harunur Rashid, a donor to a DU trust fund, will also receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree at the convocation. Graduates whose examination results were published between November 20, 2022, and November 30, 2026, as well as medal recipients, will be eligible to participate in the 54th convocation. Results published between October 14 and November 18, 2022, that could not be included in the 53rd convocation will also be incorporated into the 54th convocation. Graduates covered by these results will also be eligible to participate, according to the university authorities.

A teenage boy was killed in a head-on collision between a CNG-run auto-rickshaw and a motorcycle in Atrai upazila of Naogaon on Monday night. The deceased was identified as Gourab Kumar Pramanik, 15, son of Gautam Pramanik of Dighalgram village in Singra upazila of Natore district. Officer-in-Charge of Atrai Police Station Mahbub Alam said the accident occurred around 8pm when Gourab was travelling by motorcycle from Santahar in Bogura towards Natore via Atrai. When he reached the Mahadighi area on the Naogaon-Natore highway, his motorcycle collided head-on with a CNG-run auto-rickshaw heading towards Santahar from Atrai, leaving him dead on the spot. Mahbub said they handed over the body to the family without an autopsy as there was no complaint.

A total of 174 undocumented Bangladeshi nationals voluntarily returned home from Libya early Tuesday. They arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 5:40am on a Buraq Airlines flight from Tripoli. The return was facilitated by the Libyan government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in coordination with Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya. Most of the returnees reportedly entered Libya after being lured by human traffickers, intending to travel to Europe illegally by sea. Many of them allegedly experienced kidnapping and torture at different times while in Libya. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries, along with representatives of IOM, welcomed the returnees at the airport. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested the returnees to share their harrowing experiences with others to raise public awareness about the risks of irregular migration. IOM provided each returnee with travel expenses, some food items, primary healthcare and temporary accommodation, if necessary. The ministries, the Bangladesh mission in Tripoli and the IOM are working together to ensure the safe repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals detained at various detention centres in Libya.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday called for stronger cooperation with Japan in energy, technology, infrastructure and investment, proposing a Bangladesh-Japan tech park and seeking Japanese support for major transport projects to accelerate the country’s economic transformation. At a bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at her office, known as the Kantei, in Tokyo, Tarique urged the Japanese government and private sector to become more actively involved in Bangladesh’s economic development, technological advancement and industrialisation. The meeting also discussed plans to attract 1 trillion Japanese yen (US$6.3 billion) in private investment in Bangladesh’s energy, infrastructure and ICT sectors, with an emphasis on sending a Japanese team to Bangladesh soon to help implement the plan. Tarique said Bangladesh is working to become a regional hub for the economy, technology and manufacturing, expressing optimism that the country can become the world’s ninth-largest consumer economy by 2030 and surpass a $1 trillion gross domestic product by 2034, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. The two leaders discussed strengthening the long-standing friendship between Bangladesh and Japan, expanding trade and investment, ensuring energy security, advancing technology and space research, developing infrastructure, and enhancing cooperation on regional and international issues. The Prime Minister said Japan holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh and recalled its early recognition of Bangladesh after independence in 1971 and its long-standing contribution to the country’s socioeconomic progress. He also recalled the visits to Japan by his father, late President Ziaur Rahman, and the contributions of his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, to strengthening bilateral relations. He pledged to take the relationship to new heights. On energy security, Tarique Rahman stressed the need for reliable and affordable energy supplies to sustain economic growth. He thanked Japan for its long-standing support and referred to a recent 50 billion Japanese yen emergency support loan under the Partnership for Power Asia initiative. The Prime Minister called for greater Japanese investment and participation in liquefied natural gas infrastructure, efficient power generation and renewable energy in Bangladesh. Technology and infrastructure To develop a technology-driven economy, Tarique proposed establishing a Bangladesh-Japan Tech Park to connect Japanese companies, universities and investors with young Bangladeshi talent, entrepreneurs and skilled professionals. He identified artificial intelligence, cloud computing, robotics and electronics manufacturing as priority sectors for the proposed park. He also expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Japan in space science, satellite engineering and related technologies. On infrastructure, the Prime Minister outlined plans to develop a modern, integrated transport network, including high-speed rail linking the country’s six major divisional cities and a nationwide network of elevated roads. He sought Japanese assistance in planning, technical support, investment and financing for these major infrastructure projects, saying Japan’s experience in infrastructure development and modern transport systems can help Bangladesh realise its ambitions. Trade and investment Welcoming new Japanese investment, Tarique said his government is committed to improving the investment climate by making regulations, tax policies, customs clearance and fund-transfer procedures more transparent, predictable and efficient. He also expressed hope for the early implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), stressing that both sides need to work together to ensure its benefits reach their people. Regional and international issues On international affairs, the Prime Minister highlighted the two countries’ shared commitment to multilateralism, international peace and respect for international law. He thanked Japan for supporting the election of Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman as president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and expressed hope for close cooperation in strengthening multilateralism and addressing global challenges. Reaffirming their shared vision of a free, open, peaceful and inclusive Indo-Pacific, Tarique Rahman called for greater cooperation in regional connectivity, the free flow of trade and economic growth. He also expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Myanmar and the resulting Rohingya displacement crisis. He called for an end to all forms of violence, unhindered humanitarian assistance and dialogue among the parties concerned. Appreciating Japan’s support for Bangladesh’s humanitarian efforts to shelter forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, the Prime Minister urged Tokyo to remain actively engaged with all parties to help restore peace and stability in Rakhine. He said a lasting solution to the crisis lies in Myanmar and stressed the need to ensure the Rohingyas’ early, safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation. Proposal for joint commission In his concluding remarks, Tarique said the summit will open a new chapter in Bangladesh-Japan relations, built on deeper trust, broader economic cooperation, stronger investment ties and a shared commitment to peace, stability and prosperity. He proposed establishing a ministerial-level joint commission to identify priority areas, accelerate implementation and turn cooperation opportunities into practical initiatives. The Prime Minister also called for closer engagement between the business communities of the two countries. He invited Takaichi to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time, expressing hope that the longstanding friendship between the two countries would continue to deepen through mutual trust, cooperation and shared prosperity. The bilateral summit between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi began at 11:45am local time at the Kantei. The meeting followed a formal welcome at 11:30am, a guard of honour and the introduction of the two leaders’ respective delegations.

Japan is eying private investment of up to 1 trillion yen (about US$6.34 billion) in Bangladesh over the next five years, with the potential to create 200,000 jobs, as the two countries agreed to deepen economic cooperation, strengthen supply chains and upgrade their flagship development initiative to “BIG-B for Shared Prosperity”. The projection was announced in a joint statement following a bilateral summit between Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Tuesday. According to the statement, Sanae Takaichi welcomed the projection of Japanese private investment in Bangladesh, which can generate 200,000 jobs over the next five years, and praised the efforts of Tarique’s administration to promote foreign direct investment. The two leaders welcomed major investments expected to be announced during the visit and agreed on the importance of developing complementary and resilient supply chains in manufacturing, food and agriculture, information and communication technology (ICT), and pharmaceuticals. Building upon past bilateral cooperation in the ICT sector, including IT & Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES), human resource development and digital collaboration, they underscored the importance of exploring further possibilities for cooperation to promote digital transformation, develop highly skilled ICT professionals, and secure and reliable digital connectivity. The two sides also welcomed the signing of the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), reaffirming their commitment to bringing it into force at an early date to boost bilateral trade and investment and support Bangladesh’s smooth and sustainable graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category. Recalling progress under the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B), the two leaders agreed to upgrade the initiative to “BIG-B for Shared Prosperity” in response to changing global conditions, supply chain risks, rapid technological innovation and mounting social challenges.They noted that the "BIG-B for Shared Prosperity" aims to integrate the development of power, energy, deep-sea port, industrial and ICT infrastructure, build a major nexus for industrial value chains, develop into a trade and supply gateway and generate growth and prosperity, by enhancing connectivity, enhancing resilience against risks including natural disasters and geopolitical uncertainties, public-private partnership in co-creating opportunities for economic growth and rulemaking, and stepping up cooperation for peace and stability. The two leaders concurred on working together to develop the Matarbari-Maheshkhali area as a major hub for logistics, energy and industry, centred at the Matarbari Deep Sea Port. They also agreed to advance preparations for the early operationalisation of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and pursue the early construction of Dhaka's mass rapid transit (MRT) lines. They also agreed to discuss future cooperation on the operation and management of Matarbari Deep Sea Port. On energy security, the two leaders welcomed Japan’s 50 billion yen emergency support loan to strengthen Bangladesh’s economic resilience and ensure a stable energy supply. Tarique Rahman appreciated the loan, the first yen-loan project under Japan’s Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia (POWERR Asia), while Takaichi reaffirmed Japan’s continued support for Bangladesh’s energy infrastructure to help bridge the gap between supply and demand. As part of combating climate change, the two Prime Ministers underlined the deepening of cooperation between the two countries in the development of a long-term low-emission development strategy, increasing energy efficiency and energy capacity, and promoting renewable energy.They welcomed the signing of a letter of intent on climate change cooperation between their respective environment ministries. To improve the investment environment, Tarique Rahman highlighted his government’s initiatives and committed to facilitating it, including by enhancing rulemaking, transparency and predictability of the operational procedures related to taxation, customs clearance, remittances, and licensing. The leaders welcomed a memorandum of cooperation between Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Bangladesh’s Economic Relations Division on economic relations and the improvement of the business environment. They also welcomed two memorandums of cooperation to strengthen and expand mutual cooperation to enhance business and attract investment in the areas of food, agriculture, fisheries, and livestock, as well as a proposed yen-loan project to improve the investment environment. The two leaders reiterated the importance of upholding a free, fair and rules-based international economic order. In this context, they welcomed the signing of the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and reaffirmed their commitment to the early entry into force of the agreement with the aim of bringing its mutual benefits to the peoples of both countries. They once again expressed their commitment to promoting trade and investment between the two countries, as well as industrial diversification through the EPA, thereby supporting Bangladesh's smooth, sustainable, and resilient transition from LDC status. Prime Minister Takaichi stated that Japan looks forward to the furtherance of discussions on Bangladesh's request for accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement. The two leaders expressed concerns over the worsening crisis in Myanmar and its impact on regional security, the displacement of all people, including the Rohingyas, and the increase in transnational crimes. The two leaders called for an immediate cessation of violence, the release of detainees, humanitarian access and dialogue among all parties and affected groups. In this context, Prime Minister Rahman underlined that the Rohingya problem originated in Myanmar and its solution lies in Myanmar. The two Prime Ministers shared the view that an ultimate solution to the Rohingya crisis is to realise a voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of the displaced persons, including the Rohingyas, to Myanmar. The leaders further agreed to strengthen cooperation in education, public health, disaster management, local governance and human resource development. Prime Minister Takaichi highly appreciated vibrant democracy in Bangladesh and welcomed the successful general election in February 2026, held in a credible and peaceful manner as witnessed by an election observer mission dispatched by the Government of Japan. She congratulated Prime Minister Rahman on assuming office. Tarique Rahman thanked the Japanese government and people for their warm welcome and gracious hospitality and invited Takaichi to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman attended a state luncheon hosted in honour of Bangladesh's head of government in Tokyo on Tuesday. The luncheon followed the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office, known as the Kantei, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. “The official luncheon was hosted in honour of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. His wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and members of the delegation also attended it,” he said. Sanae Takaichi greeted Zubaida Rahman as she arrived at the luncheon and exchanged pleasantries with her. Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Prime Minister's Finance and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, Prime Minister's Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad, Invest Bangladesh Authority Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman, Prime Minister's Special Assistant for Overseas Employment in the Asia-Pacific Region Dr Shakirul Islam Khan, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Secretary Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Shahriar Kader Siddiky and Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, among others, attended the luncheon.

Five people including a woman and a child were killed and four others injured when a lorry rammed into some bus passengers standing on Dhaka-Chattogram highway at Chhoto Kumira in Sitakunda upazila early Tuesday. Two of the deceased were identified as Ibrahim, 6, from Netrokona, and a woman named Swapna. Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, an officer at the Fire Service's Kumira station, said the passengers were travelling from Chattogram to Netrokona. When the bus faced a mechanical problem, the passengers got off and stood beside the highway, he said. At that time, the speeding lorry ran crashed into the waiting passengers and then hit the stationary bus, leaving three dead on the spot. Six injured people were taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital where two of them later died.