United News of Bangladesh

Officer-in-Charge of Gurudaspur Police Station in Natore Abdul Hannan has been withdrawn two days after the killing of Chhatra Dal leader Shakil Islam. Additional Superintendent of Natore Police Iftekhar Alam on Wednesday said OC Abdul Hanna was withdrawn and attached to the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police of Rajshahi Range. The central committee of Jubo Dal expelled Nuruzzaman Mintu, son of Natore-4 MP Abdul Aziz on Tuesday following his arrest in connection with the murder. Earlier, On Tuesday night, the namaz-e-janaza of Shakil, member secretary of Gurudaspur municipality unit Chhatra Dal, was held at Shahid Shamsuzzoha Government College ground around 10:00 pm. Tension erupted over the presence of MP Abdul Aziz at the namaz-e-janaza as attendees obstructed the MP from speaking. After the janaza, some unruly people vandalised and looted a supermarket owned by businessman Russel Hossain, a friend of the MP’s son Nuruzzaman Mintu, who is suspected of involvement in Shakil’s murder. The local unit JCD announced a protest programme in Natore district town at noon demanding justice for Shakil’s killing. On October 14, a group of miscreants stabbed JCD leader Shakil, leaving him injured. Later, he died at a hospital in Dhaka on October 26. Police arrested Mintu over his alleged involvement in the killing on Monday. Later, he was placed on a three-day remand for interrogation on Tuesday night.  

Two more children died with measles-like symptoms in 24 hours until 8:00am on Wednesday, bringing the country’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 1,242 this year. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified all the latest fatalities as suspected measles deaths. With these, the total number of suspected measles deaths has reached 1,137, while confirmed deaths from measles have remained the same at 105. A total of 1,322 new suspected measles cases were reported during the 24-hour period, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 225,106. Meanwhile, 90 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 23,631. Since March 15 this year, a total of 200,319 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 192,178 have recovered, according to DGHS data.

The Local Government Division has withdrawn its earlier directive suspending all government tendering and procurement activities, except those involving urgent state matters, pending the formulation of new rules and publication of a revised rate schedule under the Public Procurement (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026. It issued an order in this regard on Monday. It has also directed that all tender and procurement processes related to works, services and the supply of goods continue in accordance with existing rules. On October 15, the division instructed authorities to suspend all tender and procurement activities concerning works, services and goods, except those involving urgent state matters, until the new rules were framed and the rate schedule published. The directive was sent to the chief executive officers of all city corporations, managing directors of WASA, chief engineers of the Local Government Engineering Department and the Department of Public Health Engineering, deputy commissioners, chief executive officers of district councils, administrators of upazila parishads and administrators of municipalities.  

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain found five doctors absent during a surprise visit to Muradnagar Upazila Health Complex in Cumilla on Wednesday morning and ordered departmental action against them. The minister expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of the doctors. He also announced plans to upgrade the health complex to a 151-bed facility. Under the plan, the hospital will have 10 dialysis machines, a 20-bed maternity ward, a 20-bed facility for newborns, separate physiotherapy services for men and women, and a breastfeeding centre. The minister said the tender process for the project was expected to be completed within the next 15 to 16 days. He also said doctors would be appointed to Muradnagar hospital from among the 48 physicians scheduled to join on November 1. Although the minister observed improvements in the hospital's overall management compared with the past, he expressed dissatisfaction with its waste and garbage management. He said doctors posted on deputation have been instructed to remain present at the hospital. He also emphasised the government's focus on healthcare for women and said separate treatment facilities were being arranged for children.

A mild heat wave is sweeping over Dhaka, Khulna, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and several districts across the country, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). “A mild heat wave is sweeping over Dhaka, Khulna, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and the districts of Pabna, Sirajgonj, Cumilla, Chandpur, Feni, Laxmipir, Bhola and Barishal and it may abate,” said a regular bulletin of Met office. Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions. Day and night temperatures may fall slightly over the country. Country’s highest temperature 37.5 degrees Celsius was recorded in Faridpur district on Tuesday.  

Medical tests for workers aspiring to go to Malaysia for employment will begin at authorised medical centres from October 31, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment has said. No medical tests can be conducted before the date, and any tests carried out before October 31 will not be accepted or processed for immigration clearance, according to a press release signed by public relations officer of the ministry Shariful Islam. The list of authorised medical centres will be published on the ministry’s website soon. Workers have been advised to keep track of the list, which may be revised based on compliance with official instructions and the centres’ capacity. No medical centre or recruiting agency will be allowed to conduct or arrange medical tests without official instructions and approval from the ministry. The ministry said it has received reports that some brokers and unscrupulous agencies are trying to collect passports and money from workers by offering to arrange medical tests without authorisation. Workers have been urged not to respond to such offers or hand over their passports or money to anyone without verifying the relevant authorisation. Until further notice, recruiting agencies applying for clearance from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) must submit the relevant documents, along with VDR visa papers, for medical tests at authorised centres. The ministry warned that medical centres and recruiting agencies violating the instructions would face action under existing laws and regulations. The authorities may suspend the operations of non-compliant medical centres, halt overseas recruitment activities by the agencies concerned and cancel their ministry approval. Workers have also been requested to report any unauthorised medical tests or related activities to the ministry, providing the date and place of the incident, the names of the individuals or organisations involved, and supporting evidence. Complaints can be sent to [email protected]. The ministry said it would continue monitoring the situation to protect workers’ safety and interests and urged all concerned workers, recruiting agencies and medical centres to comply with the government’s instructions.

The very severe cyclonic storm “Arnab” crossed India’s Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday morning and is likely to weaken gradually as it moves northwestwards, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. It is now lies over Andhra Pradesh and adjoining coastal area. It is likely to move northwestwards and weaken gradually, said a special bulletin of Met office. Under the influence of the cyclone, deep convection is taking places over North Bay. Gusty or squally weather may affect the maritime ports, North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh. Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal No. three. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast proceed with caution till further notice.  

Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Irene Zubaida Khan has called for placing human rights at the centre of economic policymaking and governance. She made the call during a high-level dialogue titled “The Political Economy of Human Rights” at the UN Headquarters on Tuesday. Ambassador Khan stressed that economic progress should be measured not merely by growth but also by its contribution to equality, human dignity and the realisation of fundamental rights. She also underscored the need for equitable taxation, affordable development financing, debt sustainability and reforms to the international financial architecture. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk highlighted growing concentrations of economic and political power, rising military expenditure, mounting debt burdens and widening inequalities that are undermining human rights. Speakers at the dialogue stressed the need for a fairer international tax system, equitable debt restructuring, accountable economic governance and meaningful civil society participation to address structural inequalities and protect vulnerable communities. The event brought together Ambassadors Omar Hilale of Morocco, Laura Dupuy Lasserre of Uruguay, Mxolisi Nkosi of South Africa and Stavros Lambrinidis of the European Union, alongside human rights expert Ignacio Saiz, Professor Sakiko Fukuda-Parr and UN Independent Expert Attiya Waris. The Permanent Missions of Bangladesh, Morocco, South Africa and Uruguay jointly organised the dialogue, which emphasised the need to embed human rights principles in international economic governance and future global development frameworks beyond 2030.

The five-day 21st National Furniture Fair 2026 on Tuesday officially began at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka.  Organized by the Bangladesh Furniture Shilpa Malik Samity (BFSMS), the fair is managed overall by Design and Technology Centre (DTC). This year, 44 leading furniture companies are showcasing their products and designs across 323 stalls. Participating brands include Akhtar, Hatil, Brothers, Nadia, Ayoto, Omega, JMG, Navana, Athenus, Partex, Regal and Legasis. The fair exclusively features furniture manufactured in Bangladesh, with discounts of up to 15 percent for customers. A children’s art competition is also being held as part of the opening-day activities. Mohammad Hasan Arif, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), attended as Chief Guest. Special Guests included Md. Fazlul Haque, Administrator of FBCCI, and Dr. K. M. Akhtaruzzaman, President of the Bangladesh Furniture Exporters Association. Selim H. Rahman, Chairman of BFSMS, presided over the ceremony. Chief Guest Mohammad Hasan Arif said, “Our furniture industry has significant potential. By focusing on quality and design and reaching new export markets, the sector can make an even greater contribution to the national economy.” BFSMS Chairman Selim H. Rahman said, “To move the industry forward, we need to invest in quality, design and technology while improving access to finance and developing a skilled workforce.” Alhaj Sheikh Abdul Awal, Vice Chairman of BFSMS and Convener of the Fair Committee, said, “The fair gives our manufacturers a valuable opportunity to showcase their latest designs directly to consumers, while helping buyers compare brands and find furniture that suits their needs.” The fair will remain open from 27 to 31 October, daily from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, across Hall 2 (Pushpoguchcho), Hall 3 (Rajdarshan) and Hall 4 (Nabaratri) at ICCB. Entry is free for all visitors. Design and Technology Centre (DTC) is responsible for the overall management of the fair. The media partners are ATN Bangla, Kalbela and Access Infotech.

Patients and their families have been left in distress at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) as private ambulance operators launched an indefinite strike demanding designated parking facilities. The strike left many people struggling to transport critically ill patients to other hospitals or take the bodies of deceased relatives’ home. Md Shahadat Hossain, general secretary of the DMCH Private Ambulance Owners’ Association, said on Tuesday evening that all private ambulances had been removed from the hospital premises after the new director, Brigadier General AKM Farhad Hossain, took office. He said the operators were later asked to clear an area beneath the hospital’s new building for use as a parking space. They installed CCTV cameras, lights and a gate there, but were subsequently told to remove their vehicles from the area as well.