United News of Bangladesh

The Chief Adviser’s office has instructed government officials to avoid foreign travels unless absolutely necessary until the next national election. A circular on compliance with foreign travel guidelines has been issued and circulated to all ministry and division secretaries, the cabinet secretary and the personal secretaries to all advisers. Cooperatives can help build an equal and self-reliant Bangladesh: Prof Yunus The circular says that previous directives from the Chief Adviser’s office and a letter issued by the Finance Division on July 8 have already provided various instructions, including limiting foreign travel. It states that instances of non-compliance have been observed with responsible advisers and secretaries traveling abroad simultaneously and several officials from the same ministry undertaking foreign trips together. Such proposals have frequently been submitted to the CA’s office, contrary to earlier instructions. Bangladesh election: EC starts meeting with top government officials

An eight-month nationwide ban on catching juvenile Hilsa (Jatka) began on Saturday, and it will remain in effect until June 30, 2026, aiming to boost Hilsa production and ensure sustainable conservation. Supervised by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and implemented by the Department of Fisheries, the ban strictly prohibits the catching, transportation, marketing, buying, selling and storage of Hilsa smaller than 25 centimetres. Earlier, from October 4 to 25, the government conducted the ‘Hilsa Conservation Campaign 2025’ to protect brood Hilsa during their peak breeding season. Hilsa fishing ban ends: Fishermen in Chandpur set to return to rivers Officials said the eggs laid by brood fish during that period have now hatched, and the young Hilsa are currently roaming coastal rivers and estuaries. If these fry are allowed to grow safely, the country’s Hilsa production is expected to rise significantly in the coming years. According to the amended Fish Protection and Conservation Ordinance 2025 and the Fish Protection and Conservation Rules 1985, violators of the ban may face up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 5 lakh, or both. The Department of Fisheries, in coordination with district and upazila administrations, the Navy, Coast Guard, River Police, RAB, and other law enforcement agencies, will strictly enforce the ban across the country. Read more: Fishermen, coastal communities must be at the heart of climate negotiations: Speakers at COAST event

October 2025 emerged as the deadliest month for dengue fever in Bangladesh this year, claiming 80 lives and recording the highest number of cases, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The DGHS data shows that the country logged 2,250 dengue cases in October alone , the highest monthly total of the year, reflecting a worrying surge of the mosquito-borne disease that has become a recurring public health threat. The health authorities logged 76 Dengue deaths in September, 41 in July and 39 in August. The death toll reached 278 in 10 months till October. No death from dengue reported for second consecutive day Meanwhile, 506 new dengue cases were reported in 24 hours on Friday, raising the number of confirmed cases to 69,862 this year. DGHS Director General Prof Dr Md. Abu Jafor said the number of dengue infections is higher than last year but the death rate is lower. He came up with this information at a press briefing held on October 9. Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. Dengue: Two more die; 762 hospitalised Of the total fatalities this year, 134 were reported under Dhaka South City Corporation, 41 under Dhaka North City Corporation, 40 in Barishal division, 25 in Chattogram division, 12 in Mymensingh division, eight in Khulna, three in Dhaka division (outside city corporation areas), and one in Sylhet division. Over the first ten months of 2025, Barishal City Corporation recorded the highest 17,224 dengue cases, followed by Dhaka division (outside city areas) with 11,548, Chattogram division 10,092, Dhaka South City Corporation 10,192, Dhaka North City Corporation 9,112, Khulna 3,543, Mymensingh 2,203, Rajshahi 4,298, Rangpur 794, and Sylhet 239. Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, has turned into an endemic disease in Bangladesh in recent years. Health experts attribute this growing menace to the impacts of climate change, which have made the country’s environment increasingly favourable for the breeding and survival of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Read more: How to Protect Babies and Children from Dengue Fever Erratic rainfall, prolonged monsoon seasons, waterlogging, and rising temperatures have expanded mosquito habitats, leading to more frequent and intense outbreaks. Experts also warn that traditional control measures such as fogging and larvicide use may no longer be sufficient as mosquito behaviour and breeding patterns are evolving. They stress the need for rigorous scientific research to understand how climate change is influencing the life cycle and reproductive behaviour of Aedes mosquitoes. This, they say, is essential to develop effective strategies for prevention and containment, especially as dengue continues to strain public health resources each year. Bangladesh saw its worst dengue outbreak in 2023, when the disease claimed over 1,700 lives — the highest toll since record-keeping began. Public health authorities fear the disease could become a year-round threat if urgent, coordinated action is not taken. Read more: Best Foods to Increase Platelets in Dengue Fever

A low pressure area is likely to form over eastcentral Bay and adjoining area during next 48 hours, commencing 9 am on Saturday, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). “Light to moderate rain or thunder showers is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka and Sylhet divisions,” said a regular bulletin of Met office. Day and night temperatures may fall slightly over the country. Besides, the well-marked low over south Chhattisgarh and adjoining area moved northnortheastwards, weakened into a Low and now lies over West Bengal and adjoining area. It is likely to move northnortheastwards further and weaken gradually.    

Mobile  operators will begin from Saturday deactivating additional SIM cards registered under a single national ID (NID) if the number exceeds 10, as per a directive from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). In a recent notice, the regulator said that any excess SIMs will be automatically deactivated from November.  Users who fail to deactivate extra SIMs themselves risk losing access to randomly selected, possibly important numbers. Earlier, on July 30, BTRC announced that no individual will be allowed to hold more than 10 active SIMs under one NID, reducing the previous limit of 15. Subscribers can deregister extra SIMs through their respective mobile operators’ customer care services. SIM registration limit to be reduced before election: Home Adviser BTRC Chairman Major General (retd) Md Emdad Ul Bari said operators will start the deactivation process from Saturday, adding that by December, no NID will have more than 10 active SIMs. According to the regulator, as of March 2025, there were 186.2 million active SIMs in Bangladesh, while the actual number of users stood at around 67.5 million.  Over 80% of subscribers use fewer than five SIMs, 16% use between six and 10, and only 3% have more than 10. The move aims to restore order in SIM management and prevent fraud, BTRC officials said. Subscribers can check how many SIMs are registered under their NID either online or by dialing *16002#. Officials also noted that SIM deactivation will follow a random selection process, meaning even an important number may be deactivated if it exceeds the limit. Read more: International Roaming: How to use a Bangladeshi SIM card abroad

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked 20th on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 81 at 09:09 am this morning. Dhaka’s air was classified as ‘moderate,’ on Saturday referring to a light healthy threat, according to the AQI index. Pakistan’s Lahore, India’s Delhi and China’s Shanghai occupied the first, second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 384, 232, and 208, respectively. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.  

Kids Time, a leading after-school programme promoting play-based learning, celebrated its 8th anniversary on Thursday reaffirming its commitment to making education fun, creative, and confidence-building for children across Bangladesh. Around 500 students from both online and offline programmes joined the celebrations held at the Dhanmondi branch, said a media release. Participants included children from Kids Time centres in Dhanmondi, Khilgaon, Savar, Rajshahi, Kishoreganj, and several partner preschools. The anniversary event featured interactive activities, performances. The celebration was supported by Goofi as gift partner, Aaram as beverage partner, and Teachers Time as learning partner.    

Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarker has said that the election schedule will be announced in the first part of December. Talking to reporters on Friday at Patuakhali Circuit House auditorium, he said the question of whether the referendum will be held before or after the elections has not yet come under the commission’s consideration. He said the election will be held before Ramadan next February and that an action plan has already been published. Replying to a query about the PR system, he said the matter is entirely political and depends on the decisions of political parties. “With everyone’s cooperation, we aim to present a free and fair election in February.” Crisis created by govt, consensus commission will end soon, hopes Fakhrul The commissioner informed that rules have been formulated, overseas voter registration will start from November and arrangements have been made to allow convicted prisoners to vote. Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed and Deputy Commissioner of Patuakhali Dr. Mohammad Shahid Hossain Chowdhury, among others, were present there.

A 50-year-old woman allegedly took her own life in Demra, Dhaka, after facing pressure and humiliation from lenders, on Friday. The incident occurred around noon on Friday at a rented house in Demra. She was taken unconscious to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where the duty doctor at the emergency department declared her dead at around 2:45 pm. The deceased was identified as Azimunnesa, daughter of the late Khayem Uddin Bepari of Naya Nagar area near Demra Post Box. She lived with her husband in a rented house. Her daughter, Mim Akter, said, “The family consists of four daughters and one son. All the daughters are married. The only son stays abroad, but his wife lives separately in a rented house. Their father works as a mason, and her mother often stays alone at home.” Youth commits suicide in Demra after family dispute Mim also said that both parents had taken loans to manage the household, and her mother had been worried and anxious about repaying the money.  On Thursday, a lender reportedly came to the house and insulted her mother. Md. Faruk, officer-in-charge of the police camp at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, said, “The body was kept at the hospital morgue. The matter has been reported to Demra Police Station for further investigation.”  

Chief Adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam has firmly said that the election will be held before February 15, regardless of any decision on the referendum issue. “The Chief Adviser will decide on the referendum. Whatever the decision, there is no power to delay the election,” he said. Shafiqul made the remarks while talking to reporters after the closing ceremony and prize distribution of a programme organized by the July Kanya Foundation at Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU). He said that political parties are expressing their views, but the government does not see it as a threat. “The Chief Adviser will take the best possible decision." On November 13, the court will announce the date for the verdict on Sheikh Hasina, he also said. Referring to the role of women in the 2024 uprising, he said men and women worked shoulder to shoulder in bringing down authoritarian rule. Now women are not behind anyone. No scope for referendum before national election: Fakhrul The programme, ‘Mind-Bridge and Knowledge Competition 2025’, was held at the NSTU to encourage youth to acquire knowledge and flourish talent. Chaired by July Kanya Foundation president Jannatul Naeem Promi, NSTU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. Mohammad Ismail attended as chief patron and additional deputy commissioner of the district Ismail Hossain as special guest, among others.