United News of Bangladesh

Speakers on Sunday said although 80 percent of heart diseases and strokes are preventable, nearly 34 percent of all deaths in Bangladesh occur due to heart diseases. Speakers highlighted such information and recommendations at a webinar titled “Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease Risk” in observance of World Heart Day 2025. The webinar was organised by research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). This year's theme for the day is “Don’t Miss a Beat.” Heart diseases account for one in every five premature deaths worldwide, with hypertension being a leading cause, they said ensuring access to anti-hypertensive medicine can significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. They informed at the webinar that one in every four adults in Bangladesh is suffering from hypertension. According to the second Global Report on Hypertension 2025 by the World Health Organization (WHO), 283,000 people die of cardiovascular diseases every year in Bangladesh and 52 percent of these fatalities are attributable to hypertension. The report identifies access to medicines as the greatest opportunity to get hypertension under control and save millions of lives. WHO has also recently said that every hour, over 1000 lives are lost to strokes and heart attacks from hypertension, and most of these deaths are preventable. Professor Dr. Abdullah Al Shafi Majumder, former director of National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD), said, “Hypertension weakens the heart by narrowing blood vessels, reduces its efficiency, and increases the risk of heart attack. Early diagnosis and control of hypertension through medicine are vital to curb cardiovascular diseases.” Dr. Geeta Rani Devi, program manager, Community Based Health Care (CBHC), said, “Despite some supply shortage, we are working to make anti-hypertensive medicines available at all Community Clinics under the Community Clinic Health Support Trust” Professor Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury, head of Department of Epidemiology & Research, National Heart Foundation informed at the webinar, “The central theme for this year’s World Heart Day is reducing the risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases. Strengthening hypertension control at the grassroots level can reduce the overall burden of heart disease.” Dr. Abu Jamil Faisel, president-elect, Public Health Association of Bangladesh, said, “Reducing the risks of hypertension and heart disease requires the adoption and implementation of a comprehensive program involving active participation of the general public as well as professionals across different sectors.” Dr. Malay Kanti Mridha, Professor of BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health of BRAC University, said, “Research shows that a 5 mmHg reduction in average systolic blood pressure at the population level could reduce stroke-related deaths by 14% and cardiovascular deaths by 9% in Bangladesh. We must act to achieve this target.” Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI also attended the webinar as discussant. The webinar was chaired by PROGGA’s Executive Director ABM Zubair and moderated by PROGGA’s Coordinator Sadia Galiba Prova. People of different professions from different regions of the country participated in the webinar.

Four more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Sunday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 192 this year. During the period, 845 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, raising the total infected-case to 46, 051 this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). According to the DGHS, new cases were reported as follows:166 in Barishal Division (Out of CC), 91 in Chattogram Division (Out of CC), 164 in Dhaka Division (Out of CC), 97 in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), 112 in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), 101 in Khulna Division (Out of CC), 37 in Mymensingh Division (Out of CC), 54 in Rajshahi Division (Out of CC), 17 in Rangpur Division (Out of CC) , and six in Sylhet Division (Out of CC). Dengue: 514 new cases in 24 hours Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. In 2023, 1,705 people lost their lives due to dengue, making it the deadliest year on record. The DGHS recorded 321,179 dengue cases and 3, 18,749 recoveries in the same year.

Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam has said the government will enact the ‘Journalist Protection Act’ within the next two to three months ‘at any cost’. He made the announcement at a discussion titled ‘Self-regulation and Grievance in Media: Political and Policy Perspective’, organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) in Dhaka on Sunday. On the proposed media commission, the adviser said the government is taking steps in a positive direction. Speaking about the ‘Notun Kuri’ competition, Alam expressed doubts over whether the programme could be completed. Although he did not specify the reason, he hinted that political parties might be behind it. Expressing insecurity over his job, Mahfuj Alam said he does not know whether he will remain in his (government) position tomorrow or not. As part of media reform, he proposed merging BTV and Bangladesh Betar into an autonomous entity, but complications have arisen due to staff coordination and stakeholder influence. “Visible and invisible stakeholders in the ministry influence decision-making,” he said. Although media house owners have benefited from increased advertising rates, the actual benefits for journalists remain questionable. “What are journalists really getting? The owners don’t have an answer,” the adviser added. Acknowledging the harassment of journalists, he said that no media house was shut down during his tenure, and his ministry is working to resolve these issues. Regarding new media houses, he clarified that no new media licences have been issued.Addressing administrative challenges, he said, “You need a secretary to run the Secretariat; a ministry can’t be run by ordinary people.” He also spoke about the powerful nexus between the civil-military bureaucracy and corporate society, which is difficult to dismantle. Kamal Ahmed, head of Media Reform Comission, expressed concern over media protection, legal reform and professionalism. He recommended gathering public opinion and publishing drafts of the Journalist Protection Act 2025 and the Media Commission Act on a website. Despite submitting the report six months ago, he regretted the delay in implementing the Journalist Protection Ordinance. He proposed recognising journalists as workers under labour law, reforming the wage board, and bringing Bangladesh Betar, BTV and news agencies under a single board. He urged the formation of an independent Media Commission to review or revoke outdated licences. Criticising the Awami League government, he emphasised the importance of media licence quality and demanded the release of arrested journalists. He clarified that self-regulation should not be confused with self-censorship and called for the protection of objective reporting and freedom of opinion. SM Shameem Reza, Professor at Dhaka University, recommended that political parties include provisions in their election manifestos to ensure job security, legal and financial protection for journalists, especially the safety of female journalists and access to maternity leave. Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, Executive President of Gonoforum, strongly condemned the recent injustices and harassment faced by media professionals. He said that the way journalists were mistreated in the higher courts was unimaginable. He pointed out that many lawyers were reluctant to take on journalists’ cases. He believes that media reform does not require dialogue with political parties. Addressing Adviser Mahfuj Alam, he emphatically said, “Go ahead and do it—we, 180 million people, are with you.” CGS President Zillur Rahman emphasised the importance of discussing reforms. He mentioned that although much has been said about reform, the promises made by political parties during the 2007–08 “One-Eleven” period were never implemented. He pointed out that reform narratives often remain confined to promises, with little effort made to turn the page and act on them. Among others, Dr. Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, Convener of BNP Media Cell; Dr. Shakhawat Hossain Sayantha, General Secretary of G-9; Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, Assistant Secretary General and Chief of Media and Publicity Team, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami; and Md. Rashed Khan, General Secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad, were also present.

CNG-run autorickshaw drivers in Gazipur blocked Dhaka-Tangail highway on Sunday demanding free movement of their vehicles and protesting ‘police harassment, extortion and other irregularities’. The protest began around 11:45am near Naojor area, causing severe traffic gridlock on the highway and suffering of commuters. Police cleared the highway after about one and a half hours, allowing traffic movement, Officer-in-charge of Bashan Police Station Md Shaheen Khan. Protesting drivers alleged that they frequently face harassment while operating on the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways. “Police stop vehicles illegally and file cases while some officers demand bribes. We have come out on the streets to protest these injustices,” said a driver. RMG workers block highway as 16 factories shut in Ashulia Upon receiving the news of the blockade, police and transport leaders visited the site and held discussions with the protesters. The drivers agreed to lift the blockade after authorities assured them that their demands would be addressed. The protesters claimed that police often impose fines of around Tk 2,500 per vehicle and many drivers who are unable to pay are forced to give bribes. They also said even vehicles registered in Gazipur face harassment when operating locally. OC Md Shaheen Khan said transport leaders and administration officials would hold a meeting to review the drivers’ demands.

Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community, has begun across the country amid due religious fervour and festivity. The 5-day celebration began with invocation of Goddess Durga on the day of Maha Shasthi. This year Durga Puja is being celebrated at 31566 mandaps across the country. Draped in new dresses, a large number of devotees irrespective of ages thronged the city puja mandaps including the Dhakeshwari National Temple and Ram Krishna Mission and offered prayers before Goddess Durga, seeking divine blessings for peace, prosperity and welfare of the country and its people. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Saturday extended heartfelt greetings to the Hindu community across the country on the occasion of Durga Puja, the biggest and most significant religious festival of the community. "On this auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, I warmly greet all Hindu citizens of Bangladesh," Prof. Yunus said in a message on the eve of the festival. He highlighted that the destruction of evil forces and the celebration of truth and beauty are the core themes of the Sharadiya Durgotsab. Ahead of Durga Puja, security has been significantly ramped up nationwide. Home Affairs adviser Lt Gen (retired) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said there is no security threat over the Durga Puja celebrations. Adequate security measures have been taken at 33,000 puja mandaps across the country and members of Ansar, Police, RAB, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and army personnel will be deployed to ensure security, he said. No security threat during Durga Puja: Home Adviser He highlighted that the destruction of evil forces and the celebration of truth and beauty are the core themes of the Sharadiya Durgotsab. Ahead of Durga Puja, security has been significantly ramped up nationwide. Home Affairs adviser Lt Gen (retired) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said there is no security threat over the Durga Puja celebrations.

Two people were killed and another was injured in separate road accidents in Lalpur upazila of Natore district on Sunday. The deceased were identified as van driver Ershad Ali, 45, and pedestrian Bablu, 60, hailed from Maheshpur and Mohorkoya villages respectively in the upazila. The injured was  motorcyclist Nur Alam, 22. Officer-in-Charge of Lalpur Police Station Rafiqul Islam said a Rajshahi-bound microbus from Ishwardi hit a rickshaw-van at Chinir Bottola area, leaving Ershad dead on the spot as he fell under the vehicle’s wheels around 12:30am. Student killed in train accident in Khulna Earlier in Koilardahar area, pedestrian Bablu was critically injured after being hit by a motorcycle on local Bilmaria road. He succumbed to his injuries on the way to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Police detained the microbus driver and legal action will be taken, said the OC.

Passenger movement through Benapole international checkpost has seen a sharp rise as many Bangladeshis are travelling to India to spend the Durga Puja holiday. Many are crossing the border to celebrate the festival with relatives while others are travelling for medical treatment or to spend the vacation with loved ones. Officer-in-Charge of Benapole Immigration Police Elias Hossain Munshi said 9,427 Bangladeshi passport holders travelled to India in six days till Saturday which is almost double the figure recorded 10 days ago. Most of the outbound passengers came from Khulna, Bagerhat, Narail and Dhaka districts, he added. Trade with India via Benapole, Sonamasjid to remain suspended for Puja Sunil Ghosh, a passenger, said he rarely gets time to travel due to work and so he planned a trip to Kolkata during the long Puja holiday to be with his family. Another traveller Sudhir Mondal said he would celebrate the festival with relatives in Kolkata. Benapole port’s Assistant Director Faisal Ahsan Sajib said if India resumes its previous visa facilities for Bangladeshi travellers, cross-border passenger flow will increase further that will boost government revenue. India suspended regular visas for Bangladeshis on August 5, 2024 and later allowed only limited medical and emergency visas. At that time, only 70 to 80 Bangladeshi passengers crossed daily. India has slightly relaxed visa issuance for Bangladeshi passport holders due to Durgra Puja and currently around 2,000–2,500 Bangladeshis are crossing into India every day through Benapole, said Faisal Ahsan.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said on Sunday that the Election Commission is making strong progress to ensure a free, fair and credible national election. “We have already moved far ahead in making the necessary preparations for holding this election in a fair and proper manner,” he said while addressing a dialogue with civil society representatives at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area in the morning. With the talks started at 10:40am, the Election Commission opened a series of dialogues with different stakeholders ahead of the next general election planned to be held in early February 2026. “We are committed to delivering a free, fair and credible election. Our honourable Chief Adviser has also expressed the same,” said the CEC. Focusing on the progress of electoral preparations, Nasir Uddin said since assuming office on November 24, 2024, the current Commission has completed a number of tasks keeping eye on the upcoming 13th parliamentary polls. The Commission has updated the voter list, amended the RPO (Representation of the People Order) and revised the electoral code of conduct. The EC worked on amendments on a total of nine laws. “Our procurement process has also advanced,” he added. Turning to the EC’s dialogue, the CEC said, “We sincerely believe that today’s discussion will play an important role in making the upcoming election fair, beautiful and acceptable.” No illegal orders or favouritism to be there in Feb polls: CEC On the postal balloting system for expatriate Bangladeshis, he said there has been a postal balloting system in the law. “It has been in the book, but not in practice,” he said. Although the rights of expatriates were recognised in the past, no effective mechanism existed for them to exercise their franchise, said the CEC. “We are now working vigorously to introduce IT-supported postal ballots for expatriates. After extensive studies and research, the Commission has developed the IT-supported postal ballot system,” he said. Nasir Uddin added that the Commission is working on arrangements for out-of-country voting as well as ensuring the franchise of those engaged in election duty on polling day. “Almost a million people are involved in the electoral process. They cannot vote. Returning officers and presiding officers cannot vote. We will address it, Inshallah, and ensure the voting rights of all,” he assured. He said arrangements will also be made for prisoners, government officials away from their constituencies during polling. These initiatives will become milestones for the Election Commission, he added. Preparations going on in full swing for February polls: CEC Election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Md Anwarul Islam Sarker and Brig Gen (retd) Abdul Fazal Md Sanaullah were present at the discussion moderated by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. Among the representatives of the civil society, former caretaker government adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury, former ambassador M Humayun Kabir, Dhaka University’s Mass Communication and Journalism Professor Robaet Ferdous, Vice Chancellor of Chittagong University Dr Muhammad Yeahia Akhter, Osmani Centre for Peace and Security Studies Lt Gen (Retd) Md Mahfuzur Rahman and Police Reform Commission member (Student representative) Zarif Rahman attended the dialogue. Later in the afternoon, the Commission will hold talks with eminent educationists and professors at the same venue. PR system possible if only law is amended: CEC Nasir In the electoral roadmap unveiled last month, the Commission said the dialogues with stakeholders—including political parties, civil society members, media persons, observers, election experts and July movement activists—would begin in the last week of September and be completed within one and a half months.

First Senior Joint Member Secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Dr Tasnim Jara has said that women’s ‘active and safe’ participation is essential in rebuilding Bangladesh, warning that progress will be stalled if women's participation is sidelined. “If women’s participation is not ensured in Bangladesh’s march forward, the country’s progress will ultimately be sidelined,” she said, while sharing her vision of a future Bangladesh. Despite women’s crucial role during the July Uprising, Dr Tasnim said many continue to face cyber-bullying and harassment. “However, we have not stopped,” she said. Dr Tasnim was speaking at an event titled ‘NRB Connect Day: Empowering Global Bangladeshis’ which was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus attended the event as chief guest. Prof Yunus urges NRBs to help reshape nation’s future Prominent political figures, including BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, Jamaat US spokesperson Mohammad Nakibur Rahman, and NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen also spoke at the event. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun delivered remarks. Dr Tasnim said they envision building a country where differences of opinion are respected, but without a return to the old politics of violence. Expressing satisfaction with the institutional efforts to engage non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs), she said, “Today, I believe, marks a very key moment. Together, we hope to build a Bangladesh where everyone has a voice and dignity.” Dr Tasnim acknowledged the challenges ahead but remained optimistic. “The path is long and full of challenges. But when people rise, history changes. Together, we will change history.” Highlighting the role of the youth, she urged that their political interest be nurtured. “I visited almost every district in July this year and witnessed firsthand the youth’s determination to build a better Bangladesh. Steps must be taken to help them realide their dreams,” she said, warning that neglecting these aspirations could lead to another crisis which they do not want to see.

The Election Commission on Sunday opened a series of dialogues with different stakeholders amid the talks with civil society members ahead of the next general election planned to be held in early February 2026. The talks with the civil society members started at around 10:40am at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city's Agargaon area with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the chair. Election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Md Anwarul Islam Sarker and Brig Gen (retd) Abdul Fazal Md Sanaullah and EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, are present. EC to bar officials involved in past election irregularities: Commissioner Anwarul Later in the afternoon, the Commission will hold talks with eminent educationists and professors at 2:30pm at the same venue. The sessions are being broadcast live on the EC’s official YouTube channel @BangladeshECS and its official Facebook page ‘Bangladesh Election Commission Secretariat’. In the electoral roadmap unveiled last month, the Commission said the dialogues with stakeholders, including political parties, civil society members, media persons, observers, election experts and July movement activists, would begin in the last week of September and be completed within one and a half months.