United News of Bangladesh

A 38-year-old man who sustained burn injuries in air-conditioner explosion at Dhalpur in Jatrabari area of the capital died at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Tuhin Hossain. Shaon Bin Rahman, resident surgeon of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, said Tuhin, wife Eva Akhter and their two sons—Tanvir, 9 and Tawhid, 7—suffered burn injuries when an air-conditioner exploded at his house on Friday. They taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) and Tuhin was shifted to HDU of the hospital as he received 47 percent burn injuries. Tuhin succumbed to his injuries around 12:30 pm on Wednesday, said Dr Shaon.    

Another firefighter who had sustained burn injuries in an explosion at a chemical warehouse in Tongi died at National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in the capital on Wednesday. With this, two firefighters died from burn injuries in the fire incident. The deceased was identified as Nurul Huda of Gafargaon upazila in Mymensingh district. Talha Bin Jasim, station officer of the FSCD headquarters media cell, said Nurul Huda succumbed to his injuries around 2:40 pm. CA Yunus expresses sorrow over death of firefighter in Tongi Another firefighter Shamim died at the hospital around 3 pm on Tuesday. Both of them received 100 burn injuries. Nurul Huda joined the service in 2007 and was posted at Tongi Fire Station. A fire broke out at a chemical warehouse in Tongi on Friday, leaving four people including three firefighters injured.  

A survey released on Wednesday shows that 41.3 percent of voters intend to vote for BNP, 30.3 percent for Jamaat-e-Islami and 18.8 percent for Awami League in the next general election. Besides, 4.10 percent voters will vote for National Citizen Party (NCP), 3.10 percent for Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) and 0.90 percent for Jatiya Party. A research firm, ‘Innovision’ in collaboration with a policy think tank ‘Voice for Reform’ and a research think tank ‘BRAIN’ conducted the study titled the 2nd part of ‘People’s Election Pulse Survey (PEPS). The survey was conducted on September 2-15 in the country’s eight divisions with a sample of 10,413 voting aged population which is representative by age groups, gender, religion and division. Among them, 5,673 people have already taken decisions over their voting choice in the next election, but 4,354 (41.70pc) people revealed their decisions. Innovision Managing Director Md Rubaiyath Sarwar presented the report of the survey at the National Achieve Auditorium in the city’s Agargaon area. In case of the election without the participation of Awami League, 45.6 percent of the voters who disclosed their decision, want to vote for BNP, 33.5 percent for Jamaat, 4.7 percent for NCP, 3.8 percent for IAB and 2.1 percent for Jatiya Party. Bangladesh fully prepared for fair, peaceful election in February: Prof Yunus tells US According to the survey report, Awami League faces the highest level of dissatisfaction (33.4 percent) for its local politics, while having the lowest combined high satisfaction rating of 15.52 percent. Conversely, Jamaat-e-Islami received the highest combined high satisfaction rating at 30.34 percent with a high dissatisfaction rate (19.7 percent) as well BNP gets only a 21.53 percent high-satisfaction rating against the second highest (27.64 percent) dissatisfaction rating. If AL in Election The voters are almost evenly divided over participation of Awami League in the next national election as 45.79 percent of respondents believe that all parties should have the opportunity to participate in the election, while 45.58 percent viewed that AL should not be allowed to participate before a trial. Candidate’s Qualifications For voters, a candidate's qualifications are the most important factor in their voting decisions as 65.5 percent of the general voters said they will consider a candidate's qualifications as more important rather than the party's electoral symbol, manifesto or candidate’s previous works. Only 14.7 percent said they would consider the party's electoral symbol, while 14.8 percent would see the previous works of a candidate. BNP yet to approve candidates for national election: Rizvi Bangladesh’s Ties with India and Pakistan A large majority of respondents want a good relationship with both India and Pakistan as 72.2 percent of respondents viewed having a good tie with India, while 69 percent with Pakistan. Expectations from Future Government Among the respondents, 57.5 percent expect an improved law and order situation from a future government, 54.6 percent want the control of commodity prices and 42.4 percent for higher employment generation, 36.9 percent checking corruption. Regional Support In terms of larger percentage of voters who revealed their voting choice, BNP is leading in 6 divisions, while Jamaat is in Rangpur and Awami League in Barishal division. Among them, 43.4 percent want to vote for Jamaat, 36.7 percent for BNP and 12.5 percent for AL in Rangpur Division; 41.9 percent to voter for BNP, 27.6 percent for Jamaat and 17.1 percent for AL in Chattogram Division; 31.9 percent for AL, 29.1 percent for Jamaat and 28.7 percent for BNP in Barishal Division; 40.8 percent for BNP, 25.8 percent for AL and 24.3 percent for Jamaat in Dhaka Division; 43.3 percent for BNP, 30.1 for Jamaat and 18.3 percent for AL in Khulna Division; 45.7 percent for BNP, 25.8 for Jamaat and 17.3 percent for AL in Mymensingh Division; 44.4 percent for BNP, 40.9 percent for Jamaat and 9.2 percent for AL in Rajshahi Division; 44.7 percent for BNP, 29.6 percent for Jamaat and 14 percent for AL in Sylhet Division.

Police have recovered the body of a teenage boy at Chanderkandi  in Raipura upazila of Narsingdi district. The deceased was identified as Shuvo Ahmed, 14, son of Al-Amin of Saudagar Para in Uttar Bakharnagar union. He was an orphan and used to live with his uncle. Jahurul Islam, sub-inspector of Narsingdi railway police said locals spotted the body near the rail tracks on Tuesday morning and informed police. On information police recovered body at around 1 pm. Shuvo’s family claimed that he was murdered and his body was dumped near the rail tracks. His uncle Zillur Rahman alleged that on the night of September 22, two men named Tuhin and Harun from Jahangirnagar village of Alipura Union dragged out Shuvo accusing him of theft. He said, “We tried to contact them but they did not release him. We came to know about his murder the following night seeing his photo on social media,” Zillur said. Shuvo’s family demanded justice for his alleged murder. Raipura Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Adil Mahmud said no complaint has been filed so far. Based on the autopsy report and the family’s allegations, a murder case may be registered. SI Jahurul Islam said following an autopsy Shuvo was buried as an unclaimed body at the Narsingdi Railway Station graveyard on Tuesday night. The family will be allowed to exhume the body upon request, he added.  

With Durga Puja just around the corner, Lalmonirhat is brimming with festive excitement as final preparations take shape across 467 mandaps in the district. The five-day festival, the biggest religious celebration for the Hindu community, will begin on September 28 with Mahasashthi and conclude on October 2 with Vijaya Dashami. From city centers to remote villages, artisans and organisers are working tirelessly to finish building idols and decorating mandaps. Skilled hands are shaping stunning idols of Goddess Durga and her entourage — Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh, Kartik, and the demon Mahishasur — using clay, straw, bamboo, and vibrant paints. According to the district administration, this year’s Puja celebrations will be held at 161 mandaps in Sadar upazila, 114 in Aditmari, 92 in Kaliganj, 71 in Hatibandha, and 29 in Patgram. No security threat during Durga Puja: Home Adviser During visits to several temples and pandals, it was observed that idol-making has reached its final stages, with clay work completed and painting underway. Major temples like Shri Gourishankar Goshala Society Durga Temple, Kalibari Sarvajanin Durga Temple, and Kacharibari Sarbojanin Durga Temple are nearly ready, while rural mandaps in Burr Dighi, Karjitari, Barabari Bazar, Sakoa, and other areas are also nearing completion.  

Gold began selling at a record high in the country’s market on Wednesday, following a sharp increase announced by the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) the night before. With the latest adjustment, the price of 22-carat gold has reached Tk 1,94,859 per bhori (11.664 grams), the highest ever in Bangladesh’s history. BAJUS raised the rate by Tk 3,663 within just a day, according to its press release. As per the revised chart, 21-carat gold is now being sold at Tk 1,86,006 per bhori, 18-carat at Tk 1,59,424, and traditional gold at Tk 1,32,351. Gold price hits new record at Tk 191,196 per bhori The rates include 5 percent VAT fixed by the government and a minimum 6 percent making charge set by BAJUS, though jewellers may impose higher charges depending on the design and quality of jewellery. The surge comes immediately after another hike on Tuesday, when BAJUS raised the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 1,574, setting it at Tk 1,91,196 per bhori. With this back-to-back adjustment, the local gold market has now entered uncharted territory, as prices touch unprecedented levels.

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr A F M Khalid Hossain has said that the government is working with international organisations to send Rohingyas back to their homeland with full citizenship rights. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters on Tuesday evening after a harmony rally at Khagrachari Sadar Upazila Parishad auditorium. The adviser said that the government has allocated Tk 6 crore for the upcoming Durga Puja to ensure a festive atmosphere, mentioning that the preparations are almost complete, and the administration is fully ready to provide security during the celebrations. Talking about the economy, he said that the foreign currency reserve was $20 billion when the interim government took charge, and it has now increased to $31 billion. He added that Bangladesh, born through the Liberation War, has made strong progress in both currency stability and development, and is now a role model in communal harmony compared to neighboring countries. On patriotism, the adviser said that some people earn in Bangladesh but keep a second home abroad, which shows a lack of love for the country. Religious Affairs adviser meets Nawaz Sharif in Lahore “We, who live here, sacrifice, work hard, and stay united in harmony - that is why Bangladesh is our safe home,” he said. The harmony rally was attended by Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner ABM Iftekharul Islam Khandakar, Superintendent of Police Md Arefin Jewel, local representatives, political leaders, teachers and religious figures.

The government has extended the tenure of the probe commission formed to investigate the Uttara Milestone School and College plane crash. A Cabinet Division circular issued Tuesday night said the commission’s term has been extended by 23 more days — from September 24 to October 16. The commission, headed by former secretary AKM Jafar Ullah Khan, was earlier asked to submit its report within four weeks. Its term was later extended once, and now again. The nine-member commission includes former Air Vice Marshal (retd) M Sayeed Hossain, additional secretaries from the Defence, Civil Aviation and Tourism, and Disaster Management ministries, the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner, urban planner Prof Adil Muhammad Khan, BUET professor of Mechanical Engineering Md Ashiqur Rahman, and lawyer Barrister Ashraf Ali. The Dhaka Divisional Commissioner’s office is giving secretarial support. The commission is tasked with identifying the causes, responsibility and damages of the July 21 crash, which killed 34 people — including 27 students of Milestone School — and injured many others. Among the dead was Flight Lieutenant Md Toukir Islam, the pilot of the Bangladesh Air Force training jet. Amended Public Procurement Act a milestone: Planning adviser The probe will also review legal and administrative issues of allowing buildings near airports, safety of the flying zone, and construction of Milestone School in the area. It will recommend ways to prevent such accidents in the future, improve training flights, and ensure emergency measures during disasters.  

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday called upon the country’s business people to prepare for the LDC graduation challenges by making themselves very competitive in the current global and local markets. “There are some discussions going on about the graduation. I am not saying anything about it. But I urge the business people to prepare yourselves…. But you have to be very competitive. You have to look at the global situation and of course the local situation,” he said at an event in the evening. The finance adviser was addressing as the chief guest at the 23rd edition of the DHL-The Daily Star Bangladesh Business Awards held at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka. Salehuddin said the government will definitely facilitate the business people with all kinds of support through policy reforms, through process simplifications and through other support instruments. He also urged the private sector to take a leading role in job creation and global expansion, warning that government resources alone cannot sustain growth.  “Performance (of the business sector) is really good. And it is Bangladesh business not only local — it’s global also because our products are going to different countries, our services are being given to different countries,” he said. The finance adviser said the private companies — rather than the state ones— would be the main driver of employment. “The government cannot create employment except in some areas. Private sector development will really fuel employment,” he said. Global logistics service provider DHL and English newspaper, The Daily Star, have been honouring the best in the business community every year since 2000 to recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions of business icons. The theme of this year's award is "Powering the Private Sector." Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin attended the event as the special guest. This year, the ceremony honoured extraordinary achievements in the business community for the calendar year 2024 across four award categories, along with a special “Lifetime Achievement” recognition. City Bank has been recognised as the category of Financial Institution of the Year 2024, while Walton Group as Enterprise of the Year 2024, Ahsan Khan Chowdhury as Business Person of the Year 2024 and Sadia Haque as Outstanding Woman in Business 2024. Besides, Anis Ud Daula has been honoured with a special ‘Lifetime Achievement Award.’ Editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam said, “For more than two decades, the Bangladesh Business Awards have stood as a platform to inspire and recognize the achievements of our business leaders. Each year, we showcase individuals and organizations who embody resilience, vision, excellence, and ethical business. Their success stories encourage us to aim higher and highlight Bangladesh’s potential to thrive in the global marketplace.”\ Adviser Salehuddin defends central bank’s $2 bln dollar market mop-up  Managing Director of DHL Express Bangladesh Md. Miarul Haque said, “Bangladesh is on a transformation journey, and its private sector continues to be the engine of growth. At DHL, we are proud to celebrate the leadership that drives this progress. Tonight’s awardees are not only shaping industries but also contributing to the nation’s economic advancement and global competitiveness.”

Youth from across Cox’s Bazar presented practical, community-driven solutions to local challenges at the “Innovation Challenge 2025,” where five projects were shortlisted from nearly 500 submissions. The final pitching and award ceremony, held Monday at a local hotel under the theme “My Cox’s Bazar, My Initiative”, was organised as part of the Improving Skills and Economic Opportunities for Women and Youth in Cox’s Bazar (ISEC) Project. Swapno Chowa Delights won the first prize for their project of making pickles with dried fish to reduce seasonal unemployment. Shomudro Ogrojatri and Doria secured second and third place respectively. Other shortlisted projects included Elevating Cox’s Bazar and Shohojatra, which addressed issues ranging from women’s economic hardship and struggles of fishing communities to improved tourism experiences and sustainable farming. Speaking at the event, BRAC Senior Director KAM Morshed said talent exists everywhere but opportunities differ, describing the initiative as a valuable platform for Bangladeshi youth to move forward. BRAC Director Safi Rahman Khan noted that while young people generate many entrepreneurial ideas, they often face barriers such as limited financial resources and lack of mentorship. In his closing remarks, BRAC Director Hossain Ishrath Adib stressed the need to connect young innovators with future technical and financial opportunities. UNDP Bangladesh’s International Project Manager Maha Abu Emier said local challenges are best addressed through local solutions, while Cox’s Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Abu Murshed Chowdhury emphasised collective responsibility in preparing youth for the future. Ruchika Bahl, Head of the ILO Bangladesh Cox’s Bazar Project Office, underscored that entrepreneurship should be seen as a tool for societal change, not only personal growth. Khandaker Fokhrul Alam, Project Lead of ISEC at BRAC, shared the journey of the initiative, while Rezaul Karim, Associate Director and Office-in-Charge of BRAC’s Humanitarian Crisis Management Programme, was also present.   A panel discussion, moderated by Morshed, featured insights from development practitioners, academics and business leaders. The winners were selected by a jury panel that included Nixon Chandra Pal of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Muhammad Salahuddin Khan of UNDP, Sara Afreen of BRAC Communications, Abu Murshed Chowdhury, and Sheuly Sharma of Jago Nari Limited. The ISEC project is a joint initiative of the Department of Youth Development (DYD), BRAC, ILO and UNDP, supported by Global Affairs Canada, aimed at empowering youth, women and vulnerable groups through skills and entrepreneurship training to improve livelihoods and foster sustainable economic opportunities.