United News of Bangladesh

More than 6,000 members of the Special Response Battalion (SRB) have been deployed across the country to ensure security during Durga Puja, with 2,457 personnel assigned to special security duties every day. SRB Director General Additional Inspector General of Police Md Ahsan Habib Palash disclosed the information while talking to journalists after inspecting security arrangements at Mirpur Central Temple in Dhaka on Thursday. He said special security measures had been taken this year to ensure the safety of the Hindu community during the festival, reaffirming Bangladesh’s tradition of communal harmony. Over 31,000 puja mandaps have been set up across the country for Durga Puja. Palash said SRB personnel have been deployed at the puja mandaps to deal with any untoward situation. The force has been implementing a special nationwide security plan from October 13 to October 22, with more than 6,000 members from 15 battalions deployed round the clock. Security patrols are being conducted daily with 549 pickups and 447 motorcycles across important areas and roads. Although no threat of sabotage has been reported so far, the SRB’s dog squads and bomb disposal teams remain ready to respond to any untoward incident, sabotage attempt or suspicious activity, the director general said. He said the force is making extensive use of technology to monitor the overall security situation, including the “Sharadiya Surokkha App”. The functioning of CCTV cameras installed at puja mandaps is also being monitored regularly. The SRB cyber monitoring team is conducting round-the-clock surveillance and fact-checking on social media to prevent the spread of misinformation and rumours that could disrupt the festive atmosphere. Measures have also been taken to ensure the safety of female visitors to puja mandaps and prevent sexual harassment, Palash said. Special patrols will be conducted along designated routes for transporting idols and conducting immersion on Bijoya Dashami on October 21, he said. The formalities of Durga Puja will begin nationwide with Maha Shashthi on Friday and conclude with idol immersion on Bijoya Dashami on October 21. The SRB is working jointly with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that people can celebrate the festival with religious devotion, joy and peace, the director general said.

Fifty members of the advance team of five contingents of Bangladesh Army left the country for Haiti today (October 15, 2026) to participate in Gang Suppression Force (GSF) authorized by the United Nations Security Council. Before leaving for Haiti, Chief of General Staff of Bangladesh Army, Lieutenant General Md Mainur Rahman, OSP, SUP, awc, psc, met the departing army personnel at the Army Headquarters this morning. During the meeting, he provided necessary guidance on various important issues including maintaining professionalism, discipline, vigilance and security in discharging duties in the mission area. This deployment is another important step in Bangladesh's continued contribution to establishing international peace and security and its strong commitment to world peace, according to Facebook page of Bangladesh army. With the conviction of peace, professionalism, and indomitable courage, Bangladesh Army is committed to represent Bangladesh proudly on the world stage.

Coral Future, a climate change and sustainability consulting firm with 20 years of experience in sustainability and carbon credit solutions, has launched its operations in Bangladesh in partnership with Eelaia and Kayventures to help industries reduce carbon emissions, remain competitive and generate revenue from climate action through carbon finance The firm helps companies measure their greenhouse gas emissions, develop strategies to reduce them, and implement projects that convert emission reductions into carbon credits and renewable energy certificates. Its team of engineers, analysts, subject and safeguarding experts works with a global network of project developers, investors, MDBs, governments, end buyers and brokers. Coral Future operates globally, with a focus on South and Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal and India.

The Local Government Division has suspended all government work-related tenders and procurement processes until the rules are formulated and a new rate schedule is published under the Public Procurement (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026. The directive was issued in a circular from the Local Government Division under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives on Thursday. Signed by Senior Assistant Secretary ABM Ariful Islam, the circular said all new and ongoing tenders and procurement processes involving works, services and goods would remain suspended until the new rules are finalised and the revised rate schedule is published. However, the suspension will not apply to matters of urgent national importance, it said. The suspension will remain in force until further instructions, and all concerned agencies have been asked to take necessary measures accordingly.  

Bangladesh has ranked 84th in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2026, with a score of 19.2, placing the country in the “moderate” hunger category. The index assesses hunger and undernutrition using four indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting and under-five mortality. Bangladesh ranked ahead of India and Pakistan but behind Nepal in the index, which assesses hunger and undernutrition across countries. India ranked 100th with a score of 24.1  while Pakistan stood at 106th with a score of 25.5. Both countries fell into the “serious” hunger category, according to the report. Nepal ranked 72nd with a score of 14.5, placing it in the “moderate” category. A lower GHI score indicates a lower level of hunger, while rankings reflect countries’ relative positions among those included in the assessment. The Global Hunger Index is published annually by Concern Worldwide, Welthungerhilfe and the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV) to track hunger and undernutrition worldwide. The 2026 report warns that global hunger is rising again, with conflicts, climate shocks and economic crises threatening food security. In Bangladesh, 8.2 percent of the population is undernourished, while 24 percent of children under five suffer from stunting, or low height for their age. The report also shows that 12.9 percent of children under five suffer from wasting, or low weight for their height, while 3 percent of children die before reaching their fifth birthday. Bangladesh has made progress in reducing child stunting over the past two decades. The proportion of children under five affected by stunting fell from 54.9 percent in 2000 to 24 percent in the latest assessment, a reduction of 30.9 percentage points. Under the GHI classification, scores below 10 indicate low hunger, scores from 10 to 19.9 indicate moderate hunger, scores from 20 to 34.9 indicate serious hunger, scores from 35 to 49.9 indicate alarming hunger, and scores of 50 or above indicate extremely alarming hunger. The Global Hunger Index is published annually by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe to measure and track hunger and undernutrition worldwide. According to the index, a lower score indicates a lower level of hunger, while a country’s ranking depends on its position relative to other countries included in the assessment.

A total of 212,118 members of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party have been deployed across the country to ensure security during Durga Puja, with eight members assigned to each high-risk puja mandap and six to each of the other mandaps. Besides, 104 striking teams will remain on standby to respond quickly to any untoward incident, said its Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud at a press conference at its headquarters on Thursday. He said they received information on 33,165 puja mandaps across the country, of which 6,914 have been identified as “important” requiring special security attention. The striking teams will help coordinate security among puja mandaps and respond swiftly to incidents to prevent opportunistic groups from escalating minor incidents into major disturbances, the Ansar chief said. The force will use the “Sharadiya Surokkha App” this year, as it did last year, to strengthen security coordination, he said, adding that around 66,000 members will be registered on the app, enabling authorities to receive information quickly and coordinate with police and other law enforcement agencies in the event of an incident. Sazzad said a similar technology-based system was used successfully during the last parliamentary election, adding that the app will again serve as an important tool for coordination. He said the force has its own monitoring system to oversee the activities of members deployed for security duties. “Action will be taken promptly if any irregularities or incidents are reported,” he said, adding that any member found engaging in partisan conduct will also face action. Acknowledging that the allowance for Ansar members assigned to Durga Puja security is low, the director general said each member receives around Tk 450 to Tk 500 per day. “A proposal has been submitted to increase their salaries and allowances,” he added. He said members often have to remain on duty until late at night, making logistical support essential. “Discussions have been held with the ministry concerned, and assurances of necessary support have been received.” Asked about the challenges of ensuring security during the largest festival of the Hindu community, Sazzad said keeping members present at their assigned locations despite their relatively limited numbers is crucial. “Logistical support, including food and other essential facilities at puja mandaps, remains a major challenge.” The force will work in coordination with puja celebration committees to ensure the necessary facilities for members on duty, he said. The director general added that members have been instructed to remain patient and perform their duties responsibly if crowds or tensions arise. “They have also been directed to maintain control of the situation and continue their duties even if attacked.” On preventing rumours and ensuring security coordination, he said the force has coordinated with police and other law enforcement agencies. “Briefings have been held at the district level, along with coordination meetings involving different agencies.” Durga Puja will be celebrated from October 16 to 21 this year.

Postal, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam on Thursday said efforts are underway to supply around 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to the national grid by November. "We are making all-out efforts to supply nearly 300MW of electricity from the first reactor of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to the national grid by this coming November. In addition, we plan to load nuclear fuel into the second reactor around June next year," said the minister. Underlining the priority attached to the project, Minister Anam noted that as the 1,200MW capacity mega project is a flagship initiative of Russia's state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, the Russian side is giving it top priority. Teams of experts sent three months ago are working round the clock to meet the project targets. During his interaction, the minister also addressed recent queries regarding the mobile financial service provider 'Nagad'. Clarifying the government’s stance, he stated that the government has no plan or intention to sell Nagad. He highlighted that Nagad is currently operating in a profitable state and assured that steps will be taken to make the platform even more modern and profitable in the future.  

Speakers at a webinar on Wednesday called for the swift finalisation of the draft food labelling regulation, stressing that mandatory warning labels on packaged foods are essential to protect public health and curb diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). They also urged the government to ensure that the proposed regulation remain free from food industry interference, said a press release issued on Thursday. The recommendations were made at a webinar titled “Front-of-Pack Warning Labels on Ultra-Processed Foods: Progress, Barriers, and the Way Forward”, organised by research and advocacy organisation PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress), with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), marking World Food Day 2026. World Food Day will be observed on Friday with the theme “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow”. The consumption of ultra-processed packaged food is surging rapidly in Bangladesh, increasing the risk of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs), it said. Introducing a simple, clear, and mandatory warning-based Front-of-Package Labeling (FOPL) on the front of food packets can play a vital role in helping consumers make informed, healthier food choices and controlling diet-related NCDs. However, amid pressure from the food industry, the draft “Safe Food (Packaged Food Labelling) Regulations, 2026” has yet to be finalised. Urgent finalisation of this regulation is essential to safeguard public health. Speakers at the webinar highlighted that the consumption of ultra-processed foods containing excess salt, sugar, and saturated fats is escalating alarmingly among people of all ages, including children and adolescents. Research reveals that 97% of people in the country consume such foods at least once a week. Currently, nutrition tables placed on the back of food packages are complex, making it difficult for consumers to comprehend and select healthy options. To address this crisis, the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) drafted regulation related to FOPL, which is currently pending at the Ministry of Food. It was reported that domestic and foreign food industry stakeholders continue to push irrational demands, such as converting mandatory system into voluntary labeling, citing international trade agreements, extending implementation timelines, exempting small packages, and adopting misleading or less visible FOPL designs instead of clear warning labels. Professor Dr. Mohammad Shoeb, Member, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, said, “The draft regulation is currently with the Ministry of Food. We have already responded to various queries from the World Trade Organization (WTO) through the Ministry of Commerce and are also discussing with business associations on the matter. We hope the regulation will be gazette soon.” Dr. Mohammad Mushtuq Husain, Public Health Expert and former Chief Scientific Officer, Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), said, “NCDs account for nearly 71% of total deaths in the country, with unhealthy diets being a major contributor. Mandatory FOPL will significantly help tackle diet-related NCDs. The proposed regulations must therefore be finalized without delay and free from food industry interference.” Abu Ahmed Shamim, Associate Scientist, BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, noted, “Warning-based FOPL is the most effective approach to give consumers a clear understanding of the nutritional quality and potential health risks of ultra-processed packaged foods.” Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead, Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), said, “Implementing FOPL will reduce healthcare expenditure and accelerate progress toward achieving SDG 3.4.” M. Shamsuddin Ahmed, Chief Reporter, Daily Ittefaq, said, “FOPL is an effective public health measure. The media can play a vital role in expediting the finalisation of the draft regulations.” The webinar was also attended by Samina Israt, Program Officer (Diet-Related Risk Factors), World Health Organization and Aminul Islam Sujon, Consultant, Vital Strategies. Chaired by ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA, and moderated by Coordinator Mashiat Abedin, the keynote presentation was delivered by Program Officer Shabnam Mostofa. Representatives from civil society organizations, NGOs, youth groups, journalists, and professionals from various sectors participated in the webinar.

Ten people died of dengue in Bangladesh in the 24 hours to Thursday morning, matching the highest single-day death toll from the mosquito-borne disease this year, while 1,943 new cases were reported. The latest fatalities have raised the country’s dengue death toll to 331 this year, while the new cases have taken the total number of infections to 107,259, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

The government has formed an eight-member committee to make recommendations for improving security at the country's airports. The committee has been asked to submit the recommendations within the next two months. The Cabinet Division  has ssued a notification in this regard recently. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has been made the convener of the committee, while the civil aviation and tourism minister, chief of air staff, home secretary, principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division, civil aviation and tourism secretary, and inspector general of police have been named as members. The cabinet secretary will serve as the member-secretary of the committee. According to the notification, the committee may co-opt new members if necessary, and its meetings will be held as required. The ministry of civil aviation and tourism will provide secretarial support to the committee.