United News of Bangladesh

Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and state-controlled enterprises reported combined profits of more than 1.37 trillion yuan (about 202 billion U.S. dollars) in the first four months of 2026, representing year-on-year growth of 1.9 percent, latest government data showed Friday. During this period, Chinese SOEs' total operating revenue came in at roughly 26.27 trillion yuan, down 0.5 percent, according to data released by the Ministry of Finance. The SOEs' debt-to-asset ratio stood at 65.5 percent at the end of April, the data revealed. This year's government work report released in March states that the country will formulate and implement plans for further deepening SOE and state-capital reform to refine the layout of the state-owned sector and adjust its structure. During an inspection tour last month to Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing underscored the need to unswervingly deepen the reform of SOEs to ensure that SOEs strengthen, optimize and expand their businesses. He urged SOEs to enhance their role as major innovators and focus on tackling scientific and technological challenges in line with national strategic needs, in order to better support the development of the innovation ecosystem in the country.

A Russian drone involved in an overnight attack on Ukraine went off course and crashed into an apartment building in eastern Romania, injuring two people and heightening concerns about the war spreading beyond Ukraine’s borders into NATO territory. Romania’s Defense Ministry said the drone was detected and tracked by radar after entering Romanian airspace before crashing onto the roof of a residential building in the city of Galati, located on the Danube River near the borders with Ukraine and Moldova. The impact sparked a fire, leaving two people with minor injuries and forcing the evacuation of several residents. The Romanian military scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a helicopter authorized to engage aerial threats, while emergency alerts were issued to residents in affected areas. However, the aircraft did not engage or shoot down the drone. Romania’s Foreign Ministry described the drone’s flight as a serious violation of international law and called on NATO to speed up the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to the country’s military. Gen. Gheorghe Maxim, acting commander of Romania’s joint military staff, said the incident was not a deliberate Russian attack on Romania but warned that Russia remains a threat to regional security. The incident was the latest in a series of drone incursions involving both Russia and Ukraine that have unsettled NATO member states. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 232 drones and one ballistic missile overnight, with 217 drones intercepted and strikes recorded in 14 areas.

Thousands of holidaymakers thronged the on Friday as the rare pink albino buffalo named “Donald Trump” emerged as the star attraction during Eid-ul-Azha celebrations.

Marking the International Day of Peacekeepers, the United Nations (UN) on Friday honoured over 50,000 peacekeepers worldwide, including over 4,000 from Bangladesh. The UN also paid tribute to those who gave their lives in service of peace.  "Their work underscores the urgency of investing in peace," said UN office in Bangladesh. The International Day of UN Peacekeepers, marked every year on May 29, is an opportunity to honour peacekeepers for their service and sacrifice. These women and men face real risks in the line of duty, and their safety and security remain a top priority.  The UN continues to strengthen protective measures to mitigate threats and enable them to carry out their mandates safely. In a message, Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, said, "Right now, more than 50,000 UN peacekeepers are deployed across the globe protecting civilian lives." Far from home, in some of the world’s most dangerous settings, they deescalate tensions between hostile parties, oversee aid delivery, support elections, and create space for political solutions to grow, he said. "On this International Day, we honour peacekeepers past and present, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to respect and strengthen their work. We pay tribute to the nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948, including 59 last year," Guterres said.  He said no one should die serving the cause of peace. "Attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law, and Member States must uphold their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel at all times." In an era of rising tensions, peacekeeping is a proven and cost-effective way to restore stability and hope, said the UN Chief. "But it requires steady political backing – and reliable financial support." This year’s theme, Invest in Peace, calls for decisive action to ensure peacekeepers have the resources to carry out their vital mandates. "An investment in peacekeeping is an investment in a safer future. Let us always support the people who help make peace possible," Guterres said. To mark the International Day at UN Headquarters, the UN Secretary-General will lay a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial in honour of fallen peacekeepers on Thursday (June 5).

Former students of the Department of Statistics of University of Dhaka from the 88 batch distributed sacrificial meat among poor families in Kalir Alga Char under Jatrapur Union of Kurigram Sadar Upazila on Friday. The humanitarian programme was organised in the remote char area separated by the Brahmaputra River, where more than 100 underprivileged families received sacrificial beef. Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu, a former student of the university’s Statistics Department and Senior Joint Convener of Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s Kurigram district unit, led the distribution programme. Jatrapur Union Panel Chairman Rahimuddin Haider Ripon, UP member Hossain Ali and local dignitaries were present during the programme. The organisers said the initiative was taken to share the joy of Eid-ul-Azha with poor and helpless people living in the char area. They also expressed hope that such humanitarian activities would continue in future to support people living in remote and isolated riverine areas. Local residents appreciated the initiative, saying the assistance had made the joy of Eid more meaningful for the people of the char.

Joint Secretary General and spokesperson of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, has said that after the BJP came to power in West Bengal, it has spread extreme religious hatred.  In a statement on Friday, he alleged that the new WB government is using the state and federal administration against Muslims, that social hostility toward Muslims has been incited. the whole of West Bengal into a hostile environment for them.  As a result, he claimed, the number of persecuted people gathering at the Bangladesh border in West Bengal has increased, as many want to leave India. He expressed strong condemnation and concern over what he described as ethnic hatred and displacement in this era of modern civilization. He said that until 1947, West Bengal and present-day Bangladesh were part of the same country. Even after the partition, there are many people on both sides whose roots and histories remain connected across the border.  He said this is an unavoidable reality of partition.  He added that displacing people on the excuse that they once had an address in Bangladesh is neither lawful nor humane. He further alleged that the BJP government in West Bengal is carrying out such actions. He urged the Bangladesh government to raise the issue in the international arena, saying Bangladesh cannot become a victim of anyone’s political ambitions.  Referring to the ongoing Rohingya crisis, he said Bangladesh is already burdened with endless challenges and does not have the capacity to take in new refugees. He called for the matter to be discussed internationally and for resistance to be built against what he termed the inhuman act of displacing people.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday visited different parts of the capital to personally inspect the progress of sacrificial waste removal activities following Eid-ul-Azha. Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony said Tarique Rahman came out around 4:00pm and drove himself through different routes in the city to see whether the sacrificial waste removal activities were being carried out properly. He said the Prime Minister started from his residence on Gulshan Avenue and travelled through Gulshan-1, Hatirjheel, Rampura Road and Malibagh via Abul Hotel, before heading towards Basabo through Taltala Market. Rony said Tarique Rahman’s route also included Kamalapur Stadium, Sayedabad bus terminal, Jatrabari intersection, Dholai Khal, Shaheed Faruk Road, Dayaganj Road, Narinda and Ray Saheb Bazar intersection. He also travelled through Court Road, Naya Bazar, Bangshal Road, Gulistan, Shahbagh, Elephant Road and the Dhaka University area before heading towards New Market and Science Laboratory. From there, the Prime Minister went through Kalabagan, Mirpur Road, the City College area, Shimanto Square, Jigatala bus stand and Road-27 before travelling along Manik Mia Avenue and the Mohakhali area, the deputy press secretary added.

Sada Dal of Dhaka University, a BNP-leaning teachers' alliance, has strongly condemned and protested remarks made by State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, who compared Dhaka University to a “coaching centre.” In a statement issued today, Sada Dal said the recent comments made by the state minister were “extremely derogatory and irresponsible” and unacceptable under any circumstances. The organization said Dhaka University currently ranks among the country’s leading research institutions and holds the top position among public universities in Bangladesh in terms of research and publications. According to the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia rankings, the university remains one of the country’s premier institutions for higher education and research, it added. The statement noted that nearly 56 active and specialized research bureaus and centres operate under the university’s science, arts, and social science faculties. Among them are the Centre for Advanced Research in Sciences (CARS) and the Centre for Social Science Research (CSSR). It also mentioned that teachers and students of Dhaka University publish numerous research papers every year in internationally recognized Scopus and Web of Science indexed journals. The Sada Dal alleged that while commenting on the university’s research activities, the state minister compared Dhaka University with two private universities based on “false information,” which it described as highly condemnable. The statement further said Dhaka University is not merely a higher education institution but is deeply intertwined with the history, birth, and development of independent Bangladesh. According to the statement, Dhaka University also provided historic leadership in various anti-autocracy movements in independent Bangladesh, including the anti-Ershad movement of the 1990s, resistance against the post-1/11 undemocratic government, and the 2024 anti-fascist mass uprising led by students and the public. Sada Dal also said Dhaka University has remained at the forefront of preserving Bengali culture, secular values, and the tradition of celebrating Pahela Baishakh. Despite limited budgets and what it described as state negligence, the university’s contributions to education and research continue to receive global recognition. The statement said, “Bangladesh means Dhaka University.” It termed it extremely unfortunate that a responsible state minister would make remarks such as “Dhaka University is a coaching centre” about such a historic institution closely tied to the nation’s emotions and identity. The organisation claimed that the minister’s remarks could not have come from any “sane or historically conscious individual” and instead appeared to be “ignorant ramblings.” It said such comments from a member of the government were deeply shameful and had hurt the entire university community as well as the people of the country. The statement added that the remarks had insulted current students, teachers, former teachers and alumni of the university, along with its glorious history and contributions. Demanding an immediate withdrawal of the comments, Sada Dal warned that teachers and students would be compelled to announce tougher programmes to protect the dignity of the university if the remarks were not retracted. The statement was signed by Sada Dal convener prof. Dr. Md Morshed Hasan Khan and joint conveners prof. Dr Abdus Salam and prof. Dr Md Abul Kalam Sarker.

Speakers at a tree plantation programme said there is no alternative to extensive afforestation to protect the environment and tackle the adverse impacts of climate change. They said everyone must become involved in a tree-planting movement from now on to build a habitable and greener planet for future generations. The speakers made the remarks at the inauguration ceremony of an upazila-wide programme to plant 5,000 trees, organised by the Climate Action and Justice Foundation at the Kalaroa Government Primary School premises on Friday morning. The inauguration ceremony was chaired by Arifuzzaman Mamun, founder and chairman of the Climate Action and Justice Foundation.  The programme was moderated by Alamgir Kabir, assistant director of the Open University and trustee of the foundation. Vice Chancellor of Northern University Bangladesh Dr. Mizanur Rahman attended the event as the chief guest. Special guests included former mayor of Kalaroa municipality and joint convener of Satkhira district BNP Akhtarul Islam, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University registrar Sheikh Rezaul Karim, Vice President and CGM of Al-Arafah Islami Bank Asaduzzaman Milon, government primary school head teacher Mujibur Rahman, Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services Sheikh Faruk Hossain, former student leader Atikuzzaman Ripon, media personality Tanzid Ahmed Shawon, Reporters Club president Mostak Ahmed, BRDB official Jahangir Hossain, and Deputy Registrar of Jashore University of Science and Technology. In his speech, chief guest Dr. Mizanur Rahman said the benefits of the tree plantation programme inaugurated today would be far-reaching. “To save the planet from the devastating impacts of climate change, more and more trees must be planted. Not only the government, but every member of society must come forward to protect the environment. Rising temperatures, natural disasters and air pollution have become major threats for us. There is no alternative to tree plantation to build a habitable world for future generations. A tree not only provides oxygen, it also maintains ecological balance and ensures human safety,” he said. Former Kalaroa mayor and Satkhira district BNP joint convener Akhtarul Islam said Bangladesh is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. “Therefore, a social movement must be built to protect the environment. The initiative taken by the Climate Action and Justice Foundation is highly commendable. It is not enough to plant trees ceremonially; responsibility for their care must also be taken. If every family plants at least a few trees each year, major environmental changes are possible. Young people must be involved in the environmental protection movement. Effective initiatives must begin today for a healthy future for our children,” he said. Founder and chairman of the Climate Action and Justice Foundation Arifuzzaman Mamun said the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly severe day by day. “The risk of environmental disasters is increasing in various parts of the country, including coastal areas. In this situation, public awareness and social initiatives for environmental protection are very important. Our organisation not only plants trees, but also works on climate justice and environmental awareness. Through today’s programme, 5,000 saplings will be planted across different areas of the upazila. We want the new generation to grow up with environmentally friendly values and come forward to protect nature,” he said. Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University registrar Sheikh Rezaul Karim said agriculture and the environment are deeply interconnected. “Environmental balance is being disrupted due to the reduction of trees, and agricultural production is also being affected. More fruit-bearing, forest and medicinal trees should be planted. In particular, tree plantation programmes in educational institutions will help create awareness among students,” he said. He added that alongside government initiatives, private and social organisations must also come forward to protect the environment. Vice President and CGM of Al-Arafah Islami Bank Asaduzzaman Milon said environmental protection is no longer just a social responsibility, but an essential duty for humanity. “The world is facing multiple crises due to climate change. Therefore, positive initiatives like tree plantation must be expanded further. Corporate institutions should also participate in environmental conservation activities as part of their social responsibility. If environmental awareness can be created among the youth, it will be possible to build a greener and safer Bangladesh in the future,” he said.

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi is testifying before House lawmakers investigating Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse cases, a long-awaited appearance that brings fresh scrutiny of the administration’s botched release of the Epstein case files. Bondi was defiant in previous public testimony when she was confronted by lawmakers about the Epstein investigation. It’s unclear whether she’ll bring the same approach Friday, now that she is no longer in charge of the Justice Department. The session will be held behind closed doors. The transcribed interview will give lawmakers a chance to dig for information on the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files and other related matters, including the prison sentence of his former girlfriend and confidant, Ghislaine Maxwell. The Justice Department moved Maxwell to a prison camp in Texas last August. “I think she absolutely could clear up many missing pieces if she wanted to,” said Rep. Yassamin Ansari, an Arizona Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. “Now it’s a question of whether or not she is willing to be transparent.” Lawmakers are trying to find out what decisions prosecutors have made about investigating Epstein associates, how the Justice Department handled the congressional mandate to release the Epstein case files and whether President Donald Trump was involved in the process. Bondi, who revealed this week that she is being treated for thyroid cancer, has stayed within Trump’s orbit even after being ousted from her job in early April. Trump appointed her to a White House panel on artificial intelligence this week, and Bondi will be accompanied Friday by Justice Department officials, including Harmeet Dhillon, who heads the department’s Civil Rights Division, acting as her counsel. Democrats say that arrangement is a conflict of interest. A spokesperson for the Justice Department said the officials were there to help lawmakers understand the department’s process for releasing the case files. Bondi was central to the Epstein sagaBondi has been central to the political firestorm over Epstein, initially raising expectations for the full release of what’s known as the Epstein files, only to later backtrack. That reversal prompted Congress to step in and pass a law requiring the release. Bondi faced even more backlash when the Justice Department’s release of the files was delayed and then included personal information of several potential victims. She has insisted in congressional hearings that she was trying to follow the law. The House Oversight Committee, meanwhile, has been conducting a wide-ranging investigation into Epstein that spans multiple presidential administrations. The interview format is already contentiousBondi was subpoenaed by the committee in March in a bipartisan vote, but she tried to head off that demand by holding a closed-door meeting with lawmakers that same month. The maneuver only added to the enmity between Bondi and Democrats on the committee. Bondi’s departure from the Justice Department also raised doubts about the enforcement of the congressional subpoena. After the committee’s Democrats maneuvered to press for a civil contempt of Congress resolution against Bondi, she agreed to sit for a transcribed interview rather than a sworn deposition. Democrats on the Oversight panel have criticized that arrangement, saying that it allows Bondi to decline to answer questions. They have also pressed the Republican chair of the committee, Rep. James Comer, to record the interview on video. “A failure to film and release a video of Ms. Bondi’s testimony would present a grave injustice to the American people and survivors of Epstein’s crimes,” the committee’s top Democrat, Rep. Robert Garcia, wrote to Comer. Comer has said he is allowing Bondi to sit for a transcribed interview rather than a deposition as an incentive to cooperate. Previously, he had enforced a subpoena on former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after they resisted the demand. Both of their depositions were video-recorded. Still, Comer said Bondi could face prosecution if she lies to Congress. He said the committee would also release a transcript of the interview. “Hopefully that will be good enough,” he said.