United News of Bangladesh

Three college students were killed after a speeding bus hit them in front of Abalpur petrol pump on the Magura-Jhenaidah highway. The accident occurred around 5 pm on Saturday (June 1) near a place called Haor, according to Ayub Ali, officer-in-charge of Magura Police Station. The deceased were identified as Robin, 23, son of Lal Mia of Hajipur village; Joy, 24, son of Pratas of Borichara village; and Sajim, 23, son of Bakul Mia of Kashiadanga village. Separate road accidents claim 3 lives in Magura All three were Class XI students of Magura Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy College and residents of the same union. Police said the victims died on the spot.  The bodies were sent to hospital morgue for autopsy, and a case was filed with Magura Police Station.

Amid fears of landslides triggered by heavy rain the local administration has opened 124 shelters in Khagrachhari district to facilitate relocation of the residents of the hill area and ensure their safety. 155 people have taken  refuge so far, according to officials. Food is being supplied to those taking shelter by the district administration. 2 go missing amid inclement weather in Khagrachari rivers Nazmun Ara Sultana, Deputy Director of the Local Government Department and Administrator  of Khagrachhari Municipality, said the local administration is fully prepared to tackle potential landslides and flooding. “In some areas, landslides have already occurred and the debris has been cleared. Residents of high-risk zones have been urged to move to safer locations,” she added.  

At Taminagar Government Primary School in Shailkupa upazila, Jhenaidah district, the arrival of gathering clouds does not herald the promise of rain alone; it signals an abrupt end to lessons. Here, classes are dismissed—not because of holidays or official announcements—but because the very roof above the students’ heads trembles with danger. The school’s weary walls and fragile ceilings tell a grim tale of neglect and decay. Cracks trace their way across the single-story structure, exposing rusted iron rods and crumbling plaster that hangs perilously from beams. Heavy rain turns Sylhet region risky for tourists; Sada Pathor site closed Every overcast sky casts a shadow of fear over teachers and pupils alike, prompting them to scatter before the heavens open and the fragile building succumbs to collapse. The roof, once a shelter of learning, has become a menace. Frequent incidents of falling plaster and weakening structural elements have turned classrooms into scenes of trepidation. Students and teachers live with the constant dread that each passing storm might bring destruction, forcing hurried dismissals and disrupting education. Local guardians, their faces etched with worry, recount a series of avoidable mishaps that have marred the school’s history. Despite repeated pleas and warnings about the building’s unsafe condition, the authorities have remained silent, their inaction evident in every cracked beam and peeling ceiling. Abdur Razzak Molla, Laily Khatun, Chhabiran Nesha, and Jharna Khatun—parents and community members—rushed to the school, voicing their deep concern for the children’s safety. Their fears are not unfounded; several students have already suffered injuries from falling debris, some requiring stitches after plaster rained down upon them. Ahad Ali, the dedicated headmaster, paints a sobering picture. “The school was founded in 1978 by the education enthusiast Siraj Uddin Molla on a 33-decimal plot of land. In 1994, the government built a three-room structure, but since then, it has steadily deteriorated.” Today, the fragile building teeters on the edge of ruin. “A collapse could happen at any moment,” Ali warns, as some guardians linger near the teachers’ common room or within the school grounds during class hours, desperate to protect their children from harm. Despite these daunting challenges, the school continues to shine in academics and sports, a testament to the resilience and spirit of its students and faculty. Yet, this triumph is overshadowed by the routine emergency dismissals triggered by even the slightest change in weather. Parents now rush to fetch their children whenever dark clouds loom, turning a day of learning into a hurried scramble for safety. Repeated verbal and written appeals to local and higher authorities have fallen on deaf ears. The pleas for renovation or a new building remain unanswered, leaving the school community trapped in a cycle of fear and uncertainty. Adding to the adversity, the school’s only playground floods with even a light drizzle, rendering it unusable during the monsoon season. “If a new building isn’t constructed soon, classes may have to be permanently halted due to safety concerns,” warns the headmaster. 3 held in Jhenidah while entering Bangladesh from India When approached for comment, Shailakupa Upazila Primary Education Officer Biswajit Saha assured, “The matter will be raised in the upcoming monthly coordination meeting, and necessary actions will be taken accordingly.” For now, at Taminagar Government Primary School, every darkening sky is not just a weather forecast — it is a stark reminder of the urgent need for shelter, safety, and hope.  

The Sylhet region has witnessed record amou rainfall in the last 24 hours, making the area increasingly dangerous for visitors. Due to the heavy rains and the associated risks, the local authorities have temporarily closed the Sada Pathor area, one of the tourist attractions in the region, until further notice. Heavy rains raise flood risk in parts of Bangladesh: FFWC The closure was officially announced on Friday by Ajijunnahar, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Companiganj, who signed the order. However, the news of the closure was made public on Sunday. Explaining the delay, Ajijunnahar said, “The flooding was very severe last Friday. I signed the closure notice urgently due to safety concerns. However, due to Friday and Saturday, the formal issuance was delayed.” Bridge collapse amid heavy rains snaps road link in Munshiganj; locals suffer She added that the Sada Pathor tourist site will remain closed until the weather conditions improve and it is safe for visitors again. The authorities will reopen the site once the situation stabilizes, she added.

Locals in Senarhuda village of Jibannagar upazila of Chuadanga, district formed a human chain on Sunday demanding justice for the killing of Gaffar Ali Akash, an employee of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB). Hundreds of people formed the human chain around 8:30 am at Uthli Railway Station in the morning which was continues till 10 am, halting the Rajshahi-bound intercity train ‘Kapotakkha’ for about 30 minutes as the protesters blocked the railway tracks. However, the train resumed its journey following the intervention of police, army personnel and local authorities. They also alleged that Akash was deliberately pushed off a moving train and murdered, though efforts are being made to portray it as an accident. “We demand a fair and transparent investigation and justice,” they said. A written complaint was later submitted to the Kapotakkha train supervisor, Md Mahbubur Rahman. Earlier, on May 21, Akash’s body was found beside the railway near the Joyrampur sugarcane center. The 26-year-old had been working as an office assistant at the BWDB in Chuadanga. His family alleges that Akash was murdered by railway police, a TTE (Traveling Ticket Examiner) and attendants during a dispute over tickets and fare. Akash’s father filed a murder case with a Chuadanga court against five people. The accused are TTE Lalon Chakraborty, railway SI Parvez, constable Kader and attendants Milon and Sohag Mia. Four passengers have testified in the case, and the family has also preserved a recorded phone call with an eyewitness, who claimed Akash was dragged toward the train door and pushed off while the train was moving. Locals have demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the killing of Akash. They also threatened to go for tougher movement if their demand goes unheeded.  

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed to establish a monorail system in Chattogram, the country’s first, aimed at easing traffic congestion and modernising the city’s public transport network. The MoU was officially signed on Sunday between CCC and the implementing firms-- a German-Egyptian joint venture, Orascom Group and Arab Contractors Group--- held at the World Trade Center in Chattogram, to move forward with the monorail project. The Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has taken the initiative to implement the project. Two international companies—a German-Egyptian joint venture, Orascom Group and Arab Contractors Group—have expressed interest in executing the monorail construction. The project, expected to cost around Tk 25,000 crore, will be fully funded by the implementing agencies. When completed, the project is expected to bring a transformative change to the city’s transportation system, city dwellers hope. Bogies, other equipment for Padma Bridge Rail Project unloaded at Ctg port According to CCC sources, the idea of developing a mass rapid transit system was first floated in 2019 when a feasibility study was launched for a 54.5 km metro rail network. However, that project was later shelved due to geographical challenges and other factors. Besides, in June 2021, Chinese company WETech first proposed a monorail alternative to CCC. After evaluating various options, CCC eventually agreed to move forward with the proposal from Orascom and Arab Contractors Group. Following government approval from ECNEC, a feasibility study will be conducted and the project is expected to take around five years to complete. Experts say monorail is a modern, space-efficient rail technology that requires 40% less cost compared to metro rail and can be installed even within existing infrastructure. Padma Bridge Rail Project: Trial run of train begins The system operates on a single rail. Shahadat Hossain, mayor of the Chattogram City Corporation said, “Chattogram has turned into a city of traffic jams. We urgently need a fast, efficient solution like the monorail to save time and improve mobility.” He further noted that as the gateway to South Asia, Chattogram must be transformed into a smart, modern city. “The implementation of this project will restore discipline in the traffic system and enable residents to travel swiftly to their destinations,” he added. Top officials from the funding and implementing companies, along with business leaders and representatives of civil society, were present at the MoU signing ceremony.    

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will hold the next phase of talks with political parties on Monday afternoon. The talks are scheduled to be held at the Foreign Service Academy at 4:30pm, Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told a media briefing on Sunday. Azad said all political parties engaged in the ongoing reform discussions have been invited to attend it. He said the Chief Adviser will inaugurate the talks on Monday, and the discussions will continue thereafter. More talks are likely to be held both before and after Eid-ul-Azha, Azad added. Prof Yunus returns home ending Japan tour The National Consensus Commission has initiated its second round of discussions with political parties. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Ahmmad Foyez were also present.  

A Manikganj court on Sunday sent former Awami League MP and noted singer Momtaz Begum to jail in two separate cases after expiry of a 6-day remand. Manikganj Chief Judicial Magistrate Ivy Akhter passed the order when she was produced before the court. Earlier in the day, Momtaz was produced before the court amid tight security, said Md Abul Khayer, inspector of Manikganj court. Momtaz faces public outrage at Manikganj court as eggs hurled at her She will be taken to Kashimpur Jail. Two cases were filed against Momtaz with Singair and Harirampur Police Stations. On May 22, the court put her on a four-day remand in a murder case filed with Singair Police Station. Later, in connection with another case filed with Harirampur Police Station, Judge Ivy Akter of the Manikganj Senior Judicial Magistrate Court placed her on a two-day remand on the same day. According to court sources, the murder case relates to a procession in support of a hartal in Gobindal, Singair upazila, back in 2013 when four people were killed. Md Majnu Molla, a resident of Gobindal village, filed the case against her on October 25, 2024. Besides, Delwar Hossain, Organising Secretary of the BNP’s Harirampur upazila unit, filed another case on October 30 last year accusing Momtaz of involvement in attack and vandalism at Harirampur Police Station   

At least four inbound flights to Dhaka were diverted to Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram on Friday afternoon due to adverse weather conditions in the capital. According to the airport security division, the affected flights included both international and domestic routes. Turkish Airlines flight makes emergency landing at Dhaka airport Air Arabia flight 514, an Airbus A321 operating on the Sharjah–Dhaka route, was diverted and landed in Chattogram at 4:33 pm. Air Astra flight 446 from Cox’s Bazar to Dhaka also landed in Chattogram at 4:32 pm.US-Bangla Airlines flight BS164, an ATR-72 aircraft on the Rajshahi–Dhaka route, was diverted and landed at 4:47 pm. Another US-Bangla flight, BS188, also an ATR-72 operating on the Saidpur–Dhaka route, landed in Chattogram at 5:15 pm after diversion.

A man died, and eight others are still remain missing after a passenger trawler carrying 39 people capsized in the Meghna River near Dubarchar area, adjacent to Karim Bazar in Hatiya, on Saturday afternoon, due to strong winds and waves. The identity of the victim could not be ascertained immediately, said Noakhali Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime Operations), Mohammad Ibrahim. "As of 9 pm, eight people, including Saiful Islam (28), a district council member working at Bhasanchar police station, are still missing," he added. A total of 31 people have been rescued. Along with local fishermen and police, the Coast Guard has joined the rescue operation, ASP Ibrahim added. Earlier, the trawler left Bhasanchar Ghat around 2pm for Alibazar Ghat in Hatiya with 39 passengers on board. “After covering nearly eight kilometres, the trawler sank in a short time amid rough weather and strong waves near Dubarchar in the Meghna River,” said  Bhasanchar Police Station OC Md Kutub Uddin. When the vessel began to sink, passengers jumped into the river in a last ditch attempt to survive. OC Kutub Uddin added that the trawler was transporting several patients from the Rohingya camp in Bhasan Char to Noakhali 250-bed General Hospital for advanced treatment, accompanied by four police personnel.