United News of Bangladesh

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, who was recently granted conditional bail in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), may hold passports from multiple countries, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday. “We have instructed our law firm to file a petition seeking cancellation of his bail because we suspect he may have passports from other countries as well,” he told reporters at the Secretariat. Salahuddin said the government has already contacted the law firm representing Bangladesh in the UAE, while the Home Secretary has also discussed the matter with the UAE Ambassador. “We are yet to know the details of the bail conditions. We are trying to obtain a certified copy of the bail order,” he said. The minister said the government has also requested its legal representatives to submit Bangladesh's extradition-related documents to the UAE court and seek cancellation of Benazir's bail. Asked why Benazir was granted bail despite Bangladesh's efforts to bring him back, Salahuddin said he would not comment on the court's decision without knowing the details of the order. On the recovery of bomb-like objects at Kamalapur and Ashulia, the home minister said people have no reason to be overly concerned. “A vested quarter attempted to disrupt communal harmony. However, our law enforcement agencies with the support of the Bomb Disposal Unit handled the situation successfully,” he said. He added that authorities are closely monitoring the situation and investigating to identify those responsible.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions in the next 24 hours from 9:00am on Monday. Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions, it said in a bulletin. Chattogram’s Kutubdia recorded the highest rainfall in the country, with 81mm in the 24 hours until 6:00am on Monday. Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country. The axis of monsoon troughs runs through Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across northern part of Bangladesh. The BMD said the monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and moderate over the North Bay.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized a large consignment of smuggled Indian sarees and mobile phone displays worth an estimated Tk 11.5 million in separate drives in Cumilla and Feni early Sunday. According to a press release issued by Cumilla Battalion (10 BGB), the seizures were made during separate anti-smuggling operations conducted by special patrol teams of the Shiber Bazar Border Outpost (BOP) in Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla and the Gitabaria BOP in Feni Sadar upazila. The operations were carried out around 4:30 am and 5:30 am as part of BGB's regular campaign to prevent smuggling and curb cross-border crimes. During the drives, BGB personnel recovered a large quantity of ownerless Indian sarees from Chouara Bazar, about five kilometres inside Bangladesh from the border, and mobile phone displays from the Uttar Betiyara area, around 300 yards inside the border. The total estimated market value of the seized goods is about Tk 11.5 million, the release said. The confiscated items will be handed over to the customs authorities in accordance with the law. BGB said its operations against smuggling and cross-border crimes along the frontier will continue.

Tensions flared at Dhaka University's Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Hall on Sunday as activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Islami Chhatra Shibir engaged in a scuffle over the administration's handling of an alleged same-sex incident involving in the room of the hall's Assistant General Secretary (AGS), Ibrahim Khalil, also a Shibir activist. The confrontation took place outside the provost's office during a meeting of an investigation committee formed after videos circulated on social media allegedly showing two outsiders in what was described as a "compromising situation" inside the AGS's room. Both student organizations traded accusations over the incident, while Shibir later staged a protest procession on the campus. According to eyewitnesses, Ibrahim Khalil was summoned by the hall administration on Sunday afternoon in connection with the ongoing inquiry. At the same time, JCD leaders and activists, led by Shahidullah Hall unit Member Secretary Md. Junayed Abrar, gathered outside the provost's office, demanding the cancellation of Khalil's residential seat in the hall. As Shibir activists present at the scene responded with counter-slogans, the situation quickly escalated, leading to a physical altercation between members of the two organizations. Both sides claimed that several of their activists sustained injuries. Shahidullah Hall Students' Union General Secretary Towkir Hasan alleged that although the videos involving the visitors had been recorded five days earlier, no action was initially taken against those concerned. Instead, he claimed, the provost cancelled the AGS's hall seat without issuing any formal notice, allegedly under pressure from JCD. Towkir further alleged that JCD activists entered the provost's office and attacked Shibir members who had attended the investigation committee meeting. He also criticized a reported remark by an assistant proctor describing the incident as an act committed "in the heat of the moment," saying such comments were inconsistent with the responsibilities of the university administration. Rejecting the allegations, Shahidullah Hall JCD Convener Mosaddiq Al Haque Shanto claimed that Shibir was attempting to shield the accused AGS by spreading misinformation. He further alleged that CCTV footage from the day before the incident had been deleted, making it impossible to verify whether the AGS had been present at the scene. Hall JCD Member Secretary Junayed Abrar also alleged that Shibir activists launched a sudden attack on JCD members when they went to the provost's office to demand cancellation of Ibrahim Khalil's seat for allegedly providing shelter to individuals involved in the incident. Later in the evening, Shibir brought out a protest procession on the DU campus, accusing JCD activists of attacking members of the hall students' union. Addressing the rally, DU Shibir President Mohiuddin Khan alleged that JCD had repeatedly attacked the hall union leaders and urged the university administration to act more responsibly. Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan, a house tutor of Shahidullah Hall, said the scuffle occurred outside the provost's office while the investigation committee was in session. He said hall authorities later intervened and brought the situation under control. Repeated attempts to contact the hall provost for comment were unsuccessful. University Proctor Associate Professor Israfil Ratan said a temporary tension had arisen surrounding the hall administration's investigation meeting but that the situation was now under control. He said the university's proctorial team responded promptly and an investigation into the clash was underway. The latest unrest follows the circulation of several videos on social media on Saturday evening showing two outsiders allegedly detained in a "compromising situation" inside the Shahidullah Hall AGS's room, triggering widespread debate on campus.

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) has foiled an attempt to evade nearly Tk 60 lakh in customs duties and penalties by detecting a large quantity of undeclared garments in an imported consignment at Dhaka Custom House. According to the CIID, a special team from its headquarters intercepted the consignment imported by M/S S.B Traders after receiving confidential information about possible misdeclaration. The shipment, imported under Bill of Entry No. C-765485 dated July 30, 2026, was stopped just before clearance and subjected to a physical inspection. During the inspection, officials found that the importer had declared 2,699 pieces of garments, while the actual quantity stood at 4,319 pieces, revealing an excess of 1,620 pieces, or 60.02 percent more than declared. The inspection uncovered significant discrepancies across several product categories. Officials found 48 pieces of ordinary lehenga against the declared 29, 50 pieces of gorgeous lehenga instead of 13, 120 premium sarees against 112 declared, 803 super sarees instead of 112, and 900 medium sarees against the declared 179. The CIID team also recovered 140 girls’ wear sets against 128 declared, 120 sherwanis instead of 18, and 124 T-shirts against the declared 94. In another discrepancy, the importer declared 187 gowns, but inspectors found only 100 gowns along with an additional 87 ordinary lehengas, indicating that part of the consignment had been deliberately misdeclared. The CIID said the operation prevented an attempt to evade customs duties and taxes amounting to Tk 31.71 lakh. Including an equivalent redemption fine, the total recoverable amount is estimated at nearly Tk 60 lakh. A detailed report has been sent to Dhaka Custom House for necessary legal action. The intelligence agency said it would continue surveillance and special operations against undeclared imports and customs duty evasion to safeguard government revenue and ensure transparency in import and export activities.

Police arrested two people with fake currency notes worth Tk 28 lakh in a raid in the capital’s Gulshan area on Sunday. The arrestees are Al-Amin, 27, and Md Sohan Hossain, 26. Niaz Mehdi, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Media and Public Relations Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said that acting on a tip-off, a team of Gulshan Police learned that a group of people were staying in front of a house on Road No. 34 in Gulshan-1 area with a large amount of fake currency notes. Later, police conducted a raid there around 4:10 pm and arrested Al-Amin and Sohan Hossain. Fake notes worth Tk 28 lakh were recovered from their possession, he added. Legal action is being taken against them, the police official said.

Newly appointed Secretary of the Anti-Corruption Commission Md Saidur Rahman Khan on Sunday said corruption must be "sent into exile" to ensure sustainable development, while pledging to restore public confidence in the anti-graft body through integrity, professionalism and dedication. "The ACC has long faced criticism and suffered from a negative image. We want to change that perception. By overcoming the image crisis, we will work with honesty, professionalism and commitment to make the institution more people-friendly and a trusted public body," he told journalists after assuming office. He made the remarks during a media briefing at the ACC headquarters around 3:30pm. ACC Director General Mir Md Zainul Abedin Shibly, Deputy Director Akhtarul Islam and Assistant Director Tanzir Ahmed were also present. Saidur Rahman said preventing corruption is one of the most important prerequisites for ensuring good governance and that the ACC must become a capable, impartial and citizen-oriented institution to play an effective role against corruption. He said initiatives would be undertaken to ensure that people receive effective services from the ACC and that state resources are properly protected and utilised. The newly appointed secretary said his immediate priority would be to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Commission's activities. He said discussions would be held with officials and employees and, if necessary, a priority-based "crash programme" would be launched. He also said recommendations on institutional reforms would be reviewed and feasible measures implemented without delay. Regarding the formation of a new Commission, Saidur Rahman said the search committee had almost completed its work and that the Commission would be finalised once the government's required procedures were completed. He expressed hope that a full Commission would assume office very soon. Responding to allegations that the ACC operates under the influence of the government or the ruling party, he said the Commission is an independent constitutional institution. "The ACC will function in accordance with the law and in the interest of the people, not for any individual, government or political party," he said. He acknowledged that people may have different assessments of the Commission's past performance, but said the new leadership's objective is to transform the ACC into an impartial, professional and credible institution. "We have been saying from the outset that we are committed to bringing about a positive transformation in the ACC. That change will be visible, and people will see it," he added.

Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin on Sunday said the government is committed to implementing the July Charter and ensuring justice for the killings committed during the July mass uprising. He made the remarks while addressing the first conference on the July Revolution, organised by the July Revolutionary Alliance (JRA) at the BIAM Foundation auditorium in the capital. "I respect your emotions and demands. I assure you that the present government will implement the July Charter and ensure justice for the July massacre," he said. Mahdi Amin said one of the government's key objectives is to fulfil the aspirations of the July uprising martyrs, who envisioned a Bangladesh based on equality, human dignity and social justice. He said the martyrs had dreamed of building a truly sovereign Bangladesh where merit would be properly recognised and discrimination would have no place. "We all have to work together to realise that ideal," he said. The adviser said many people injured during the July uprising have yet to return to normal life. "Some have lost their eyesight, while others have become permanently disabled. Many are still undergoing treatment," he said. Mahdi Amin said the BNP government wants to stand beside the injured and the families of the martyrs with the highest level of sincerity, responsibility and compassion, while ensuring they continue to receive necessary long-term support. He said after assuming office, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been leading efforts to build a discrimination-free, humane and democratic Bangladesh by upholding the aspirations, ideals and values of the July mass uprising. At the same time, he acknowledged that the impact of 17 years of what he described as authoritarian rule cannot be completely eliminated within a short period. "Even so, the government remains committed to building a just state in line with the sacrifices of the martyrs and the expectations of their families," he added.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Sunday described misinformation as the biggest challenge facing journalism in the digital age, saying the government has already taken several initiatives to tackle the growing problem. Speaking at a seminar titled "Politics, Power and Interconnections: Theory, Reality and the Future" organized by the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at the Dhaka University to mark its 64th founding anniversary, Swapon said misinformation has expanded significantly with the rise of digital platforms. "Earlier, information flowed in one direction, and there was still scope for misinformation. But in the digital era, the spread of misinformation has increased many times over. We have taken several measures to combat it, and the government is working on the issue with great importance," he said. Quoting political theorists, the minister stressed the indispensable role of journalism in a democratic society. "Where there is no journalism, one may even question whether a state truly exists. If one had to choose between a state without journalism and journalism without a state, any civilized person would choose journalism without a state. Journalism is an essential component of civilization and the fourth pillar of the state," he said. Swapon said journalism carries the dual responsibility of uncovering the truth and maintaining objectivity, while acknowledging that public welfare or activism can also be an important part of the profession. "However, when a journalist is driven by a predetermined objective, whether good or bad, objectivity risks being distorted. If information is presented only to achieve a particular goal and the discovered truth does not support that goal, truth and aspiration come into conflict, and objectivity is often sacrificed," he said. Speaking on governance, the minister warned that a state could become an instrument of oppression if those in power lack vision or are motivated only by the pursuit of authority. Commenting on history and political narratives, he said every historic event has an established narrative, but the crucial question is who constructs that narrative. Unless the process of uncovering the truth becomes universal, historical debates will remain unresolved, he added. Earlier in the seminar, New Age Editor Nurul Kabir criticized the concept of "neutral journalism", arguing that journalists should stand in favour of public interest and people's rights rather than remaining detached from political and social realities. Responding to Kabir's call for repealing colonial-era media laws, Swapon said the government is working on amending the Printing Presses and Publications Act, 1973. "The Prime Minister has instructed that the provision should be amended so that it refers to writing against the state instead of writing against the government. We will work on the reform," he said.

Bangladesh witnessed a sharp decline in foreign assistance commitments in the 2025-26 fiscal year, while debt servicing on external loans increased significantly, according to provisional data released by the Economic Relations Division (ERD). The latest Foreign Assistance Monthly Report showed that total foreign aid commitments stood at USD 5.24 billion during FY2025-26, down from USD 8.32 billion in the previous fiscal year, marking a decline of nearly 37 per cent.  The drop was driven entirely by lower project assistance commitments, which fell to USD 5.01 billion in loans and USD 233.78 million in grants, compared with USD 7.94 billion in loans and USD 381.65 million in grants in FY2024-25. No food assistance commitments were recorded in either fiscal year. Despite the decline in new commitments, foreign aid disbursement remained relatively strong. According to the report, total disbursement amounted to USD 8.07 billion in FY2025-26, compared with USD 8.57 billion in the previous fiscal year. Project assistance disbursement reached USD 8.02 billion, including USD 7.52 billion in loans and USD 503.95 million in grants. Food assistance remained unchanged at USD 50 million. The report also highlighted a continued rise in Bangladesh’s external debt servicing obligations. During FY2025-26, the country paid USD 4.49 billion in principal and interest on foreign loans, up from USD 4.09 billion in FY2024-25. Of the total debt servicing, USD 2.95 billion was principal repayment and USD 1.54 billion was interest payment in the last 2025-26 fiscal. It was USD 2.59 billion of principal repayment and USD 1.49 billion interest payment in the last 2024-25 fiscal. In local currency, total external debt servicing amounted to Tk 54,957.23 crore, compared with Tk 49,390.68 crore in the previous fiscal year.  The provisional report, prepared by the Foreign Aid Budget and Accounts (FABA) Wing of the ERD, covers the period from July 2025 to June 2026.