United News of Bangladesh

Customs House Dhaka on Thursday issued a special e-auction notice inviting bids for the sale of various goods stored at the Airfreight Unit, Express Service Unit and state warehouses under Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The initiative has been undertaken to enhance the operational efficiency and capacity of the airport’s cargo handling facilities, address emerging security risks, ensure physical and financial security, safeguard lives and property, and prevent wastage of state assets, according to a press release issued on Thursday. Under the programme, assorted goods currently lying at the Airfreight Unit and Express Service Unit will be sold through an online auction platform on an “as is, where is” basis. In line with Special Order issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the highest bid received against a lot in the first auction round will be accepted for sale, subject to meeting the reserved price of the respective lot. Interested bidders will be able to participate in the auction from 9:00am on June 18 until 1:00pm on July 2 through the e-auction platform available via the websites of Customs House Dhaka, the National Board of Revenue and Bangladesh Customs. Officials said the auction process would be conducted entirely through a digital system to ensure transparency and accountability. To make the process more competitive, bidders will be allowed to inspect the goods physically before submitting bids online. However, bidders will also be required to submit pay orders for security deposits and other supporting documents in designated tender boxes in addition to the online bidding process. Successful bidders must clear the purchased goods in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Import Policy Order 2021-2024, the release added. Information relating to participating bidders will be disclosed at 3:00pm on July 2 at the conference room of Customs House Dhaka through the e-auction software system. Customs authorities said such auction activities would continue in future as part of efforts to improve the operational efficiency and capacity of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast rains in parts of the country in 24 hours commencing 9am on Thursday. “Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind and lightning flashes is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi division with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country,” it said. A mild heat wave is sweeping over Khulna division and the districts of Gopalgonj, Rajshahi and Pabna and it may abate. Day and night temperature may fall slightly over the country. The Trough persists from Gangetic West Bengal to Northwest Bay. Monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and weak to moderate elsewhere over North Bay.    

Alumni of RAJUK Uttara Model College have strongly condemned a recent incident of ‘teacher harassment’ on the campus, saying that the institution's governing board will be deemed ‘weak and toothless’ if it fails to restore discipline. In a written statement issued on Thursday, the alumni body said a pattern of politically motivated labelling and partisan language has been increasingly used to create unrest within the college premises, with students subjecting teachers and administrative officials to public humiliation. “Such behaviour is utterly unacceptable, and as alumni, these incidents are putting us in a deeply embarrassing position before society and in our professional lives,” the statement reads. The alumni noted that videos circulating on social media from June 14 showed students using contemptuous gestures and language toward teachers during an incident involving administrative official Azaharul Islam, with some students even removing chairs from under teachers, conduct the alumni described as an extreme expression of lawlessness. The statement also alleged that a college official had earlier been forcibly expelled after being branded as an associate of a specific political party, and that the president of RAJUK College Ex-Students Association (RESA) was similarly subjected to humiliation. Describing RAJUK Uttara Model College as an autonomous institution led since its founding by senior Bangladesh Army officials, the alumni said the college has maintained a proud tradition of zero political activity within its walls since its establishment in 1994. The alumni body put forward a five-point demand to college authorities: banning unauthorised use of video recording devices or live streaming on campus; ensuring internal faculty disputes never reach the student level; prohibiting all political activity and provocative sloganeering on campus; guaranting a respectful and dignified coexistence between teachers and students and fully restoring the institution's historically strict disciplinary culture.

Leading cultural figures from South Asia and the United Kingdom have observed that the concept of a single cultural capital is becoming increasingly outdated as creativity, cultural exchange and artistic innovation increasingly flourish across networks of cities, communities, and cultures. Speaking at a panel discussion titled “Building the Next Art Capitals” hosted at the Kobi Nazrul Centre in London on June 4, 2026, curators, art fair directors, and cultural entrepreneurs highlighted how collaboration and regional connectivity are reshaping the cultural landscape across South Asia and beyond. The discussion brought together Fahd Sattar, founder and CEO of Aloki and co-founder of Art Dhaka; Jaya Asokan, Fair Director of India Art Fair; Meneesha Kellay, Senior Curator at V&A East; and Nour Aslam, founder and Executive Director of the Art South Asia Project. Nahar Khan, who works across media, culture, and is the founder of Solis, a multi-platform initiative spanning strategic insights and intelligence, convening and culture, curated and moderated the panel discussion. Opening the session, the panel questioned whether the idea of fixed cultural capitals still holds relevance in a rapidly interconnected world, noting that cultural influence is increasingly emerging from distributed networks of cities, communities, and creatives. Panelists noted that South Asian artists and cultural voices are playing an increasingly visible role in global conversations, reflecting the growing interconnectedness of cultures through migration, diaspora networks, and cross-border collaboration, making the contemporary cultural landscape more diverse and interconnected than ever before. Rethinking Cultural Capitals Beyond Single Cities The panel emphasized that cultural influence is no longer anchored in a single geographic centre, but shaped through interconnected creative networks. They highlighted how South Asia exemplifies this shift, with artists and creatives contributing to global conversations while remaining grounded in local cultural contexts.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting grassroots folk artists who preserve the rich heritage of Bengali folk music. In recognition of her exceptional talent and to support her artistic journey, the Minister for Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury has stepped forward to assist ‘Laily Baul’, whose soulful voice recently captivated audiences across social media. On Wednesday, during a brief ceremony held at the Minister’s office in the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the Minister personally handed over a financial assistance check of Tk 3 lakh to Laily Baul. Following the presentation, the Minister enjoyed a performance of traditional Baul and folk songs by the artist in his office. Captivated by the authentic melodies and her powerful rendition, the Minister highly praised her talent, stating: "True talents are resilient; they manifest themselves by overcoming all adversities, much like our National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam." He further added, “Our indigenous culture and Baul songs are the soul of this nation. It is our core responsibility to recognize such hidden talents from marginal communities and stand by them.” Secretary of the Ministry Kaniz Moula along with senior officials from the Ministry and media representatives, were present at the event. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs continues to dedicatedly work towards the welfare of the nation’s art, culture, and artists.

Experts at a round-table discussion on Wednesday observed that although the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2026-27 has increased allocations for the agriculture sector, farmers continue to face mounting challenges, including rising costs of agricultural inputs, post-harvest losses, climate-related risks, inadequate market access, and weak implementation of development programmes. They said Bangladesh’s crop agriculture sector remains vital for ensuring food security, supporting rural livelihoods, promoting agro-industrial growth, and generating export earnings. LightCastle Partners and the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation (SAF) Bangladesh organised the event titled “National Budget FY2026-27: Strategic Discussion on Crop Agriculture” at a city hotel, according to a press release. Speakers said between 1999 and 2019, the value of agricultural production grew at an average annual rate of 3.54 percent. However, the sector continues to face significant constraints, including climate vulnerability, growing dependence on agricultural inputs, and inefficiencies in post-harvest management, they said. Speakers said that agriculture’s contribution to Bangladesh’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has declined from nearly 38 percent in the 1970s to 11.2 percent at present. While public investment and policy attention to the sector have increased over the years, they stressed that the benefits of budgetary allocations have yet to adequately reach smallholder and marginal farmers. The discussion focused on how proposed budget allocations, policy priorities, and strategic interventions for FY27 can be translated into tangible outcomes for farmers and contribute to the long-term transformation of Bangladesh’s agriculture sector. Speakers called for stronger implementation of agricultural programmes, enhanced climate resilience, improved market systems, enhanced post-harvest management, and greater support for farmers to boost productivity and ensure sustainable growth of the sector. The round-table discussion was attended by more than 30 policymakers, agricultural scientists, economists, entrepreneurs, development practitioners, and other stakeholders.      

The Bangladesh Elevator, Escalator and Lift Importers Association (BEELIA) on Wednesday called upon the government to reclassify elevators and escalators as Capital Machinery and rationalize the existing duty structure to ensure sustainable growth of the country’s housing, industrial, and infrastructure sectors. Speaking at a press conference held in the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), BEELIA President Md. Shafiul Alam Uzzwal stated that elevators are no longer luxury items in the context of modern urbanization, high-rise construction, industrialization, and inclusive infrastructure development. Rather, they are essential capital equipment that support economic growth and public accessibility. He noted that elevators were removed from the Capital Machinery category in 2023 and subsequently classified as commercial products. Since then, import duties have increased consecutively in the fiscal years 2024 and 2025. As a result, the total duty burden on elevator imports has risen from approximately 11% in FY2023 to nearly 46% in FY2025. This significant increase has raised construction costs across various sectors, particularly the housing industry, forcing many elevator companies to scale down operations and resulting in substantial job losses. The recommendations were also presented during a press conference organized by the association, where industry leaders highlighted a number of challenges facing elevator importers, manufacturers, and consumers. Among its key proposals, BEELIA urged the government to reclassify elevators and escalators as capital machinery, arguing that such a move would facilitate investment and help modernize the country's infrastructure. The association also called for reducing the load factor value used in customs assessment from USD 3.00 per kilogram to USD 1.50 per kilogram, saying the current rate significantly increases import costs. To protect legitimate businesses and ensure fair competition, BEELIA recommended stronger monitoring mechanisms to prevent the misuse of imported raw materials under the guise of local manufacturing. The association further sought simplification and faster processing of port-level scaling, valuation, and customs clearance procedures, which it said would reduce delays and lower business costs. Highlighting public safety concerns, BEELIA stressed the need for reforms to the existing duty and tax structure to facilitate the import of internationally certified and safety-compliant elevators. The organization also called for a rationalization of duties and taxes to discourage the growing use of low-quality and reconditioned elevators, warning that such equipment poses significant risks to public safety. REHAB Senior Vice President Abdur Razzaq highlighted the importance of government support for the elevator sector in the interest of planned urbanization, smart city development, and safe infrastructure growth. Other speakers at the press conference included BEELIA general secretary Eadul Haque, BEELIA Advisor Emdad Ur Rahman, vice president of BEELIA Asim Sarkar, director of BEELIA Mohammad Zakirul Haque, and BEELIA Chattogram Representative Yusuf Nobi.  

Security and financial experts at a seminar today emphasized that budgetary allocations for the country's defense and agricultural sectors must be increased substantially to ensure national sovereignty and long-term economic resilience. They expressed deep concern that despite an overall 17 to 18 percent increase in the proposed national budget, the core farming sector saw an increase of only 6 percent, which they termed highly insufficient for the country’s food security. The remarks were made during a seminar organized by the Organization for International Relations and Development (OIRD). The session was presided over by OIRD Chairman and Vice-Chancellor of Manarat International University, Professor Dr. Mohammad Abdur Rob. Speaking at the event as a key discussant, security analyst Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman criticized the country's current foreign policy and defense framework, describing them as structurally weak.  He strongly urged the government to significantly expand its military and defensive capabilities to navigate escalating regional and global geopolitical shifts. Turning to the farming economy, Dr. Rahman alleged that a major portion of the Tk 17,000 to Tk 18,000 crore subsidy allocated for the agricultural sector is routinely siphoned off by middlemen. "The ordinary grassroots farmers receive only a negligible fraction of the state subsidy. A radical structural overhaul is needed to ensure that state assistance directly reaches the actual producers," he pointed out. Presenting the keynote paper at the seminar, prominent economist and Associate Professor of the Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (BIGM), Dr. Zubayer Ahmed, raised serious questions regarding the feasibility of the fiscal milestones set in the proposed budget. Dr. Ahmed argued that the targets are heavily detached from the country's real macroeconomic ground realities. "While the country's actual GDP growth rate currently stands at 4.14 percent, the government has set an overly ambitious GDP growth target of 6.5 percent for the upcoming fiscal year," he stated. The economist further noted that the revenue collection target for the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has been elevated by nearly 47 percent compared to the previous year. He cautioned that the historic gap between target setting and actual revenue realization has been steadily widening every year due to limited structural enforcement capacity. Other speakers at the seminar urged the government to review the allocations for both defense equipment modernization and grassroots agricultural development before passing the Finance Bill in Parliament, describing them as the twin pillars of national security and survival.

The NGO Affairs Bureau has officially declared its office premises a completely smoke and tobacco-free zone in accordance with national guidelines to safeguard public health and protect non-smokers from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. The declaration was made on Wednesday (17 June) by Dr. Mohammed Jakaria, Director General of the NGO Affairs Bureau, during an event titled “Sustainable Tobacco Control Initiative: Declaration of Premise of NGO Affairs Bureau Tobacco-Free” held at the Bureau’s meeting room.  Under the declaration, the sale, purchase, and use of all tobacco products within the NGO Affairs Bureau premises are strictly prohibited. This measure aims to ensure that employees and visitors are protected from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.  The Director General further stated that all activities within the office will be conducted in compliance with national tobacco control guidelines, maintaining a completely smoke and tobacco-free environment. During the event, it was highlighted that Bangladesh remains one of the largest consumers of tobacco in the world. Among South Asian countries, Bangladesh has the highest tobacco use prevalence at 35.3 percent, compared to 28.6 percent in India and 19.1 percent in Pakistan.  According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2017, approximately 37.8 million adults in Bangladesh currently use tobacco. Data from the Tobacco Atlas 2025 indicate that nearly 200,000 people die each year in Bangladesh from tobacco-related diseases, while several hundred thousand more suffer from disability and illness. Recent research conducted by the Health Economics Institute of the University of Dhaka found that tobacco tax revenue amounted to approximately BDT 41,000 crore during the 2024–25 fiscal year. In contrast, the economic cost of tobacco-related deaths, health damage, and environmental degradation reached nearly BDT 87,000 crore—more than double the revenue generated. Overall, tobacco use continues to pose a growing threat to public health, the economy, and the environment in Bangladesh. Bangladesh became a signatory to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2003. Building upon this commitment, the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026 was enacted. Key provisions of the law include the prohibition of smoking and tobacco use in all public places and both motorized and non-motorized public transport; the prohibition of designated smoking areas (DSAs) in public places and public transport. In this context, the NGO Affairs Bureau office has been declared a completely smoke and tobacco-free zone to protect public health and shield non-smokers from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. As Chief Guest, Dr. Mohammed Jakaria stated: “Smoking harms not only smokers but also non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke. Ensuring a tobacco-free environment is essential for protecting public health." Speaking as special guest, Shivani Bhattacharya, Convener of the Anti-Tobacco Mothers’ Forum, said: “it is undoubtedly a far-sighted and public health-friendly initiative. Through this declaration, the Bureau has not only taken an administrative decision but has also demonstrated its strong commitment to health protection and tobacco control.” Co-Convener of the Anti-Tobacco Teachers’ Forum Tanushree Haldar said the NGO Affairs Bureau will serve as a model and inspiration for other public and private institutions across the country."Declaring workplaces smoke and tobacco-free will not only ensure a healthier and safer environment but will also strengthen the government’s ongoing tobacco control efforts," he said Expressing gratitude to the NGO Affairs Bureau authorities,  Executive Director of Nari Maitree and Chair of the event Shaheen Akter Dolly that the initiative by the NGO Affairs Bureau is a highly positive and significant step toward tobacco control. "However, it should not remain merely a declaration. Its effective implementation requires the collective efforts of all officers and staff of the Bureau. I believe that commitment already exists among everyone in this office,” she said. The event was also attended by Barrister Md. Khalilur Rahman Khan, NDC, Director (Joint Secretary) of the NGO Affairs Bureau, officials from various departments of the Bureau, and members of the Anti-Tobacco Mothers’, Teachers’, and Youth Forums. All participants emphasized the importance of maintaining a tobacco-free workplace and welcomed the initiative.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday told Parliament that among 2,369 people, pushed into Bangladesh by Indian BSF since August 5, 2024, 2,175 were handed over to respective police stations, 11 were returned to the BSF and 183 were pushed back through border. Replying to a starred question from lawmaker Mohammad Abdul Malik (Sylhet-3), he also said the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has thwarted 36 attempted push-ins by the BSF following the West Bengal Assembly elections in India. Responding to a question from MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas (Pabna-5), the Minister said initiatives have been taken to construct barbed-wire fencing along the Myanmar border to strengthen security and curb border killings, illegal infiltration, drug trafficking, arms smuggling and other transnational crimes. He said fencing at sensitive points along the Bangladesh-India border is currently under consideration. Answering a question from reserved-seat MP Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Salahuddin said smuggled goods worth Tk 19.79 billion have been seized from June 2025 to May 2026. During the period, the BGB conducted 375,519  drives along border areas and recovered 18.38 million Yaba pills, 55,908 bottles of Phensidyl, 18,463 kilograms of cannabis and 106,709 bottles of foreign liquor. The force also seized 15.577 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice, 2.08 kilograms of cocaine and 62 bottles of LSD. A total of 2,189 suspects were arrested during the drives, he added. In response to a question from MP Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal (Kishoreganj-5), the Minister said the Department of Narcotics Control conducted 30,744 anti-drug operations nationwide between February 17 and May 31, filed 9,251 cases and arrested 9,685 drug traffickers. He said a nationwide special operation against drugs and terrorism has been underway since May 1 following the government directives. Up to June 8, law enforcement agencies have arrested 10,865 people in 7,688 drug-related cases and recovered large quantities of narcotics. The operation also led to the recovery of 125 illegal firearms and the arrest of 269 people in connection with arms-related offences, he added. Replying to a question from MP A E Sultan Mahmud (Jamalpur-2), Salahuddin said Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has taken various measures to curb juvenile gang activities and ensure public safety in the capital. He said the DMP's cyber unit has been monitoring Facebook pages, secret groups and TikTok accounts operated by juvenile gangs. The Minister also informed Parliament that Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-2 has conducted 119 anti-mugging drives in Mohammadpur since August 5, 2024 and arrested 252 suspected muggers. Responding to a question from MP Abul Hasnat (Cumilla-4), Salahuddin said the country's 75 prisons have an approved capacity of 45,136 inmates, including 43,107 men and 2,029 women. However, the current prison population stands at 77,040, comprising 74,963 men and 2,077 women, which is about 1.7 times more than the authorised capacity. In reply to a question from reserved-seat MP Selina Sultana, he said prisoners receive 50 per cent of the profits generated from the sale of goods produced inside prisons. Answering a question from reserved-seat MP Arifa Sultana, the Minister said the government, along with the Bangladesh Police, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, intelligence agencies and other relevant organisations, is working to block online gambling and betting platforms and protect the public, particularly young people, from their harmful effects. He said the government has initiated the process of enacting a new law titled the Gambling Prevention Act 2026, replacing the century-old Public Gambling Act of 1867, to curb the spread of online gambling, betting apps and websites across the country.