United News of Bangladesh

Road Transport and Bridges, Shipping and Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Thursday said four major inter-district bus terminals in the capital will be relocated within the next two to two-and-a-half years as part of efforts to ease congestion and bring discipline to the city's transport system. “We cannot allow bus terminals to function as workshops. We have taken plans to establish separate depots,” he said at a dialogue organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at Secretariat. The existing terminals have effectively turned into bus depots and workshops, with vehicles remaining parked for days for repairs, painting and maintenance, he said. The terminals slated for relocation are Gabtoli, Mohakhali, Sayedabad and Fulbaria bus terminals. According to the plan, Sayedabad Bus Terminal will gradually be shifted to Kanchpur while Fulbaria Bus Terminal will be relocated to Keraniganj. Gabtoli Bus Terminal will move to Hemayetpur and Mohakhali Bus Terminal will eventually be shifted near Abdullahpur in Uttara, where around 50 bighas of land are being acquired, he added. Until the relocation process is completed, the new sites will initially operate as depots, while buses will continue to depart from the existing terminals according to scheduled timings, said the minister. The terminals will continue to function as passenger terminals but will no longer serve as depots once the new facilities become operational, he said adding “We expect to complete the relocation of all bus terminals within two to two-and-a-half years.” Highlighting broader transport reforms, the minister said buses operating on the same route under multiple individual owners would gradually be brought under company-based operations to improve discipline and service quality. Under the proposed system, buses on a particular route will operate under a single company with uniform standards, colour schemes, fitness requirements and passenger facilities. The government is also encouraging the use of electric vehicles, he said. He also noted that efforts are underway to improve facilities at bus terminals, including waiting rooms, toilets, lighting and security measures, to encourage passengers to use designated terminals. The bus counters operating along roadsides were temporarily allowed to continue ahead of Eid to avoid inconvenience for passengers, but stakeholders including transport owners, labour organisations, city corporations, metropolitan police and relevant government agencies have agreed on a phased transition, he said. “The city corporations will improve terminal facilities, while the metropolitan police will ensure security, adequate street lighting and CCTV coverage,” he added.= Expressing optimism about the reform process, the minister said visible improvements in Dhaka’s bus terminal management and operations would begin to emerge within the next four to six months. The dialogue was chaired by BSRF President Masudul Haque and moderated by its General Secretary Ubaidullah Badal.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday urged the Special Security Force (SSF) to ensure that security arrangements do not isolate him from ordinary citizens, saying public trust and love remain his greatest source of strength. “As the head of government, my greatest reliance is on the trust and love of the people. Therefore, I urge you, as a sophisticated force, to ensure that the security cordon does not push the head of government away from the people,” he said, while speaking at a programme marking the 40th anniversary of the SSF at Shapla Hall of the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon. The Prime Minister said the security environment has changed significantly since the force was established four decades ago, with socio-economic, political and geopolitical developments, along with rapid technological advancement, creating multidimensional security challenges. He stressed the need for SSF personnel to remain prepared through modern and up-to-date training, saying there is no room for a specialised force to lag behind in courage, skills, strategy or technology. Referring to the BNP government's assumption of office following the February 12 general election, Tarique Rahman said the SSF has been providing comprehensive security for the head of government since the new administration took office on February 17. He noted that he reduced the size of his motorcade to lessen public inconvenience and ensure smoother traffic movement, which has required the SSF to place greater emphasis on efficiency and security strategies rather than expanding manpower. “As the head of a democratic government, I frequently attend public rallies and state programmes both in Dhaka and remote areas of the country. Ensuring security amid large public gatherings is a difficult task,” the Prime Minister said. He said the SSF must maintain a delicate balance between protecting the head of government and ensuring the comfort and convenience of citizens, adding that the force's professionalism is reflected in how effectively it manages such situations. Tarique Rahman also inaugurated a newly built state-of-the-art firing range for the SSF and observed a demonstration exercise. He expressed hope that the facility will contribute to enhancing the force's professional capabilities and help members further improve their operational skills. Highlighting institutional reforms, he said the SSF's "Red Book" has been revised and modernised for the first time since 2002 to meet contemporary requirements. The updated manual not only provides operational guidelines but also strengthens the legal framework governing the force's activities. The Prime Minister said SSF members must strictly adhere to the principles, including maintaining the “chain of command”, while also being capable of making prompt decisions based on changing circumstances. He underscored the importance of professionalism, integrity, loyalty, discipline and adherence to the chain of command. Tarique Rahman also stressed that ensuring the security of the head of state, head of government and other state-designated important persons is closely linked to national security, requiring close coordination among security forces, intelligence agencies and relevant government institutions. He assured the force that the government will continue taking all necessary measures to further strengthen its professional capabilities in line with evolving global standards. The Prime Minister also urged SSF members to treat citizens with respect while performing their duties. “While giving the highest priority to the security of important personalities, you must ensure that ordinary people are not subjected to any form of misconduct,” he said. Expressing confidence in the force, Tarique Rahman called on its members to remain committed to patriotism, democratic values and the highest standards of professionalism in carrying out their responsibilities. He thanked the SSF for carrying out its duties with utmost sincerity and professionalism to ensure the security of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia while she was in office and most recently while she was undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital during the final days of her life. “Following Begum Khaleda Zia’s passing, the SSF also played a significant role as the principal coordinating body in organising one of the largest funeral prayers (Janaza) in the history of not only Bangladesh but also the world. On behalf of myself and my family, I once again express my heartfelt thanks to the SSF,” the Prime Minister said. He also extended his greetings to all those who have been associated with the SSF, as well as those who are currently serving with dedication, on the occasion of the founding anniversary. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister Defence Adviser AKM Shamsul Islam, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Quartermaster General (QMG) of Bangladesh Army Lieutenant General Md Shaheenul Haque, Chief of General Staff (CGS) of the Bangladesh Army Lieutenant General Md Mainur Rahman, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani and Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, among others, were present.

Customs House Dhaka on Thursday issued a special e-auction notice inviting bids for the sale of various goods stored at the Airfreight Unit, Express Service Unit and state warehouses under Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The initiative has been undertaken to enhance the operational efficiency and capacity of the airport’s cargo handling facilities, address emerging security risks, ensure physical and financial security, safeguard lives and property, and prevent wastage of state assets, according to a press release issued on Thursday. Under the programme, assorted goods currently lying at the Airfreight Unit and Express Service Unit will be sold through an online auction platform on an “as is, where is” basis. In line with Special Order issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the highest bid received against a lot in the first auction round will be accepted for sale, subject to meeting the reserved price of the respective lot. Interested bidders will be able to participate in the auction from 9:00am on June 18 until 1:00pm on July 2 through the e-auction platform available via the websites of Customs House Dhaka, the National Board of Revenue and Bangladesh Customs. Officials said the auction process would be conducted entirely through a digital system to ensure transparency and accountability. To make the process more competitive, bidders will be allowed to inspect the goods physically before submitting bids online. However, bidders will also be required to submit pay orders for security deposits and other supporting documents in designated tender boxes in addition to the online bidding process. Successful bidders must clear the purchased goods in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Import Policy Order 2021-2024, the release added. Information relating to participating bidders will be disclosed at 3:00pm on July 2 at the conference room of Customs House Dhaka through the e-auction software system. Customs authorities said such auction activities would continue in future as part of efforts to improve the operational efficiency and capacity of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast rains in parts of the country in 24 hours commencing 9am on Thursday. “Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind and lightning flashes is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi division with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country,” it said. A mild heat wave is sweeping over Khulna division and the districts of Gopalgonj, Rajshahi and Pabna and it may abate. Day and night temperature may fall slightly over the country. The Trough persists from Gangetic West Bengal to Northwest Bay. Monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and weak to moderate elsewhere over North Bay.    

Alumni of RAJUK Uttara Model College have strongly condemned a recent incident of ‘teacher harassment’ on the campus, saying that the institution's governing board will be deemed ‘weak and toothless’ if it fails to restore discipline. In a written statement issued on Thursday, the alumni body said a pattern of politically motivated labelling and partisan language has been increasingly used to create unrest within the college premises, with students subjecting teachers and administrative officials to public humiliation. “Such behaviour is utterly unacceptable, and as alumni, these incidents are putting us in a deeply embarrassing position before society and in our professional lives,” the statement reads. The alumni noted that videos circulating on social media from June 14 showed students using contemptuous gestures and language toward teachers during an incident involving administrative official Azaharul Islam, with some students even removing chairs from under teachers, conduct the alumni described as an extreme expression of lawlessness. The statement also alleged that a college official had earlier been forcibly expelled after being branded as an associate of a specific political party, and that the president of RAJUK College Ex-Students Association (RESA) was similarly subjected to humiliation. Describing RAJUK Uttara Model College as an autonomous institution led since its founding by senior Bangladesh Army officials, the alumni said the college has maintained a proud tradition of zero political activity within its walls since its establishment in 1994. The alumni body put forward a five-point demand to college authorities: banning unauthorised use of video recording devices or live streaming on campus; ensuring internal faculty disputes never reach the student level; prohibiting all political activity and provocative sloganeering on campus; guaranting a respectful and dignified coexistence between teachers and students and fully restoring the institution's historically strict disciplinary culture.

Leading cultural figures from South Asia and the United Kingdom have observed that the concept of a single cultural capital is becoming increasingly outdated as creativity, cultural exchange and artistic innovation increasingly flourish across networks of cities, communities, and cultures. Speaking at a panel discussion titled “Building the Next Art Capitals” hosted at the Kobi Nazrul Centre in London on June 4, 2026, curators, art fair directors, and cultural entrepreneurs highlighted how collaboration and regional connectivity are reshaping the cultural landscape across South Asia and beyond. The discussion brought together Fahd Sattar, founder and CEO of Aloki and co-founder of Art Dhaka; Jaya Asokan, Fair Director of India Art Fair; Meneesha Kellay, Senior Curator at V&A East; and Nour Aslam, founder and Executive Director of the Art South Asia Project. Nahar Khan, who works across media, culture, and is the founder of Solis, a multi-platform initiative spanning strategic insights and intelligence, convening and culture, curated and moderated the panel discussion. Opening the session, the panel questioned whether the idea of fixed cultural capitals still holds relevance in a rapidly interconnected world, noting that cultural influence is increasingly emerging from distributed networks of cities, communities, and creatives. Panelists noted that South Asian artists and cultural voices are playing an increasingly visible role in global conversations, reflecting the growing interconnectedness of cultures through migration, diaspora networks, and cross-border collaboration, making the contemporary cultural landscape more diverse and interconnected than ever before. Rethinking Cultural Capitals Beyond Single Cities The panel emphasized that cultural influence is no longer anchored in a single geographic centre, but shaped through interconnected creative networks. They highlighted how South Asia exemplifies this shift, with artists and creatives contributing to global conversations while remaining grounded in local cultural contexts.

Bangladesh has called for strengthened humanitarian assistance, greater protection of civilians and enhanced women’s participation in peacebuilding as global crises continue to deepen. Addressing the 2026 ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to humanitarian principles, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday. She also highlighted Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to expand social protection, strengthen disaster preparedness, empower women and support vulnerable communities under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. At the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), the State Minister underscored the important role played by women in peacebuilding and praised the contributions of Bangladeshi women peacekeepers serving in UN missions. The State Minister expressed concern over the plight of women and children in the conflict situations and called for closing the financial gaps. She also urged for sustained international support for the Rohingya refugees’ repatriation to their own country. The State Minister will also participate in High-Level Panel Discussion 2 of the 2026 ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment and lead the Bangladesh delegation in a bilateral meeting with Sima Bahous, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

A police couple has been shown arrested in connection with the torture of a domestic worker in Sonadanga of Khulna. The accused are Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Sanjoy Mitra, who is posted at Sonadanga Police Station, and his wife ASI Popy Mitra. A case was filed on Thursday morning by the victim’s mother at Sonadanga Model Police Station, police said. Officer-in-Charge of Sonadanga Model Police Station Md. Rafiqul Islam said the victim’s mother arrived in Khulna from Narsingdi early in the morning and filed the case. The domestic worker has been admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital. Locals said they witnessed through a window that the girl was being tortured with a hot pan, causing burns on her face and different parts of her body. Old injury marks were also visible on her body, they added. Locals later informed police who rescued the girl and took her to a victim support centre. Locals have demanded exemplary punishment for those involved.

Ambassador Nahida Sobhan, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, has assumed the role of the Chair of the Bureau of the Executive Committee (ExCom) of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for the first time.  Since the operationalisation of UNHCR’s Executive Committee in 1959, Bangladesh has never before served in the ExCom Bureau, the four-member leadership body that guides the work of the Committee and facilitates consensus on global refugee and displacement issues.  Bangladesh’s inclusion in the Bureau of the Executive Committee and its assumption of the leadership role there for the first time mark a significant milestone for the country in the international arena, said the Bangladesh Mission in Geneva. It carries particular significance given Bangladesh’s continued hosting of approximately 1.3 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar and its sustained advocacy for their safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return. Bangladesh has assumed the role of the Chair at a critical time for the global refugee protection system, as record levels of displacement, growing humanitarian needs, and severe funding shortfalls place increasing pressure on host countries and international response efforts.  Bangladesh brings to the role the perspective of a country that has shouldered a significant humanitarian responsibility while consistently advocating for greater international solidarity and burden-sharing. During consultations within the Asia-Pacific Group, Bangladesh emerged as the unanimous regional candidate and was formally seconded by Algeria and Austria, each representing a different regional group, which underscores the wide cross-regional support for Bangladesh’s leadership.  Ambassador Sobhan’s nomination was subsequently endorsed by all 110 ExCom member states.  The election of Bangladesh as the Chair reflects the confidence placed in the newly elected leadership of Bangladesh and its growing influence within the multilateral system, said the Bangladesh Mission. A career diplomat Ambassador Sobhan has served in Bangladesh missions in Rome, Kolkata and Geneva, and as Ambassador to Jordan and High Commissioner to Canada.  Previously, she served as Director General of the United Nations Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she worked closely with UN agencies, including UNHCR, on the Rohingya response.  She also served as Member Secretary of the National Task Force on Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs), which oversees the coordination of national policies, humanitarian responses, and related activities concerning Rohingyas living in Bangladesh. The assumption reflects the international community’s recognition of Bangladesh’s constructive leadership on humanitarian and forced displacement issues. 

Police detained five people after a group of activists of the banned Awami League staged a brief procession in Feni town on Wednesday. According to police and local sources, around 15 to 20 young men wearing face masks took part in the procession under the banner of Feni Sadar Upazila Awami League in the Station Road area around noon. A video clip of the procession later spread on Facebook, showing participants carrying a banner of Feni Sadar Upazila Awami League and chanting slogans in support of the Awami League and its leader Sheikh Hasina. The procession reportedly started from Station Road and ended at the railway station platform. Feni Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Gazi Muhammad Fawzul Azim said police launched an operation after learning about the incident and detained five individuals in the afternoon. “We are identifying those who participated in the procession. Five people have been detained and their identities are being verified,” he said. The OC added that legal action would be taken following the verification process.