United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday dropped a strong hint that he supports England in the ongoing FIFA World Cup, though he stopped short of naming his favourite team. He gave the hint while responding to a question from senior journalist Sumon Mahmud while exchanging views with reporters covering the BNP beat after having lunch with them at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre at Agargaon. As the journalist asked which team he supports in the World Cup, Tarique Rahman offered a light-hearted and diplomatic reply. Without naming any team directly, he smiled and said, “I spent a long time in one country. You can understand.” He then turned to the journalist and asked, “You got your answer, didn't you?” The remark was widely interpreted as a reference to England, where Tarique Rahman lived for nearly 17 years. Tarique Rahman left Bangladesh in September 2008 for medical treatment after securing bail from the Supreme Court. He later settled in London with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman. After spending 17 years abroad, he returned to Bangladesh with his family on December 25, 2025. Football fever has gripped Bangladesh following the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament officially kicked off on June 11 with an opening ceremony and the first match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. A record 48 teams are taking part in the 39-day tournament, which will conclude with the final in New York on July 19. England will begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia in the early hours of June 18 (Bangladesh time), a match that is expected to draw much interest among local football fans.

LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the government is working to transform Union Digital Centres (UDCs) into modern and more effective service hubs to ensure easier access to public services through digital platforms. Replying to a scripted question from ruling party lawmaker Anisur Rahman in the Jatiya Sangsad, the minister said the Local Government Division and a2i under the ICT Division are jointly working to modernise Union Digital Centres across the country. He said citizens are already receiving a wide range of government services digitally through these centres. The minister informed the House that a2i and the United Nations Development Programme are conducting a baseline assessment as part of the implementation of the Digital Centre 2.0 initiative nationwide. Fakhrul said regular capacity-building training programmes are being organised to keep entrepreneurs engaged and motivated. He said agent banking and mobile financial services have been introduced at digital centres nationwide to expand financial inclusion.  A Probashi Help Desk is being established at every centre to facilitate remittance withdrawal and provide reintegration services for expatriates, he said.  Mirza Fakhrul also said initiatives have been taken to establish Skills Fusion Centres to improve youth employability, while training programmes on freelancing and e-commerce are being introduced. Regarding Madaripur district, the minister told Parliament that 59 Union Parishads currently have 77 entrepreneurs providing citizen services through digital centres. He said the government's ongoing digitalisation efforts are aimed at expanding technology-based public service delivery and strengthening grassroots access to government services across the country.  

A total of 562 people were arrested in a weeklong special anti-crime drive conducted by police across Dhaka District South, targeting dacoity, narcotics, snatching, theft and terrorism-related offences. The operation was carried out from June 8 to June 15 under the leadership of Dhaka District Superintendent of Police (SP) Shamima Parveen. Members of the district Detective Branch (DB), Keraniganj Model Police Station, South Keraniganj Police Station, Nawabganj Police Station and Dohar Police Station took part in the drive. Speaking at a press briefing held at Keraniganj Model Police Station on Tuesday, SP Shamima Parveen said police arrested 79 suspects, including 25 alleged robbers and 35 thieves. Among those detained were notorious robber leaders known as Briefcase Hannan and Soni, both accused in 102 cases. During the operation, police recovered 82 grams of heroin, 3,578 yaba tablets, 56 litres of liquor and 25 kilograms of cannabis. Law enforcers also seized one microbus, two trucks, two CNG-run auto-rickshaws, three battery-operated auto-rickshaws, five kg of copper wire and 216 vehicle batteries. Police also arrested 135 accused wanted in GR and CR warrant cases. In addition, 296 people were detained in connection with various crimes, while 146 alleged drug traders and 85 individuals under the Anti-Terrorism Act were arrested. All 562 detainees were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka. SP Shamima Parveen said Prime Minister and Inspector General of Police (IGP) have instructed law enforcers to take action against criminals regardless of political affiliation.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam on Tuesday claimed that the supply of daily essential commodities remains stable across markets, while prices of ginger, garlic and onion have come down. He made the claim while talking to reporters after visiting Mohakhali Kitchen Market and Mohammadpur Town Hall Kitchen Market. The state minister said he talked to both wholesale and retail traders on supply and marketing conditions, and to shoppers on the overall price situation. He said prices of most daily necessities are currently stable. Vendors informed him that stocks are adequate and that ginger, garlic and onion prices have eased in recent weeks. "We are monitoring the market on the orders of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman," he told reporters after the visits. "Yesterday (Monday) I inspected Karwan Bazar, today two more markets, and in both cases, I found consumers largely satisfied. This government was elected by the people and will always remain attentive to their well-being," Shariful said. Striking a balance on profit margins, he said businesses must earn a return to survive but must not pass excessive price hikes onto consumers. "Government oversight will continue to protect consumer interests." To ensure transparency in market management, the state minister directed every shop to display an up-to-date price list in a clearly visible location. Assistant Director of the Dhaka divisional office of the Directorate of National Consumers’ Right Protection Abdul Jabbar Mondol was present during the inspections.

Road Transport and Bridges, Shipping and Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Tuesday said the government has taken initiative to expand rail connectivity to 10 more districts. The minister said this at a press briefing held at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room at Secretariat following a review meeting on railway development and connectivity chaired by the Prime Minister. The minister said the meeting reviewed the current state of railway services, overall connectivity, ongoing development projects and future expansion plans.“The Prime Minister reviewed the latest activities of the Railways Ministry, assessed the quality of services and connectivity, and provided his observations. Following the review, several important decisions were taken to improve connectivity and railway services across the country,” he said. He said several major railway projects including Akhaura-Sylhet and Sirajganj-Bogura rail links are already progressing. The government has also approved a project to establish an Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Dhirashram while steps are being taken to improve railway infrastructure on Dhaka-Chattogram route, he said. The existing metre-gauge sections between Tongi and Akhaura and between Laksham and Sylhet will be upgraded to dual-gauge double-track lines to remove existing connectivity gaps, he added. Currently, 49 districts of the country are connected to the railway network, he said, adding that the government’s election manifesto pledged to bring all 64 districts under rail connectivity. “To achieve that goal, we have presented possible routes and expansion plans to extend rail services to 10 more districts that currently lack adequate railway connectivity,” he said. The minister said discussions also focused on introducing and expanding commuter train services in areas surrounding Dhaka to ease travel for workers and businesspeople. Citing Manikganj as an example, he noted that the district, despite being located close to the capital, still lacks rail connectivity. “We have plans to establish commuter rail services linking Dhaka with nearby districts, including Manikganj and Narsingdi, similar to existing services on the Dhaka-Narayanganj and Dhaka-Tongi-Joydebpur routes,” he said. The proposed expansion would enable residents of surrounding districts to travel to and from Dhaka more quickly for work, business and other daily activities, he added.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque on Tuesday told Parliament that the government has undertaken a range of awareness and skills development initiatives to protect young people from mobile phone addiction, drug abuse and other social challenges. Replying to a question from ruling party MP Sk. Md. Rejaul Islam elected from Naogaon-6, the state minister said the Department of Youth Development regularly organises public awareness workshops in every district to educate young people about the harmful effects of excessive mobile phone use, drug addiction and other social issues. He said awareness campaigns are also conducted through youth organisations registered with the department to promote responsible behaviour among young men and women. To keep youths engaged in productive activities and away from addiction, the Department of Youth Development provides one-to six-month vocational training courses through its district offices across the country. The courses include garment manufacturing, block and batik, fish farming, modern office management and computer applications, electrical and house wiring, electronics, refrigeration and air conditioning, and mobile phone servicing. Besides, residential youth training centres offer courses on livestock rearing, poultry farming, fish cultivation, primary veterinary care and agriculture. Freelancing training programmes are also being implemented in all districts, he said. The state minister said unemployed youths and young women at the upazila level are receiving regular training in various non-formal trades through local youth development offices based on local market demand to enhance their employability and self-employment opportunities. He further said the government has planned several new programmes to be developed within 180 days to create employment opportunities while discouraging mobile addiction and drug abuse among young people. The planned initiatives include freelancing training for unemployed youths in all metropolitan cities, mobile phone servicing and language training programmes to facilitate employment at home and abroad, and caregiver and foreign language training to support overseas job placement. He also said the National Youth Development Institute is currently offering training courses in ICT, freelancing, agriculture, tourism, ready-made garments, food and beverage services, and foreign languages for unemployed youths aged between 18 and 35 from all districts. The institute is also planning to introduce Japanese and Korean language courses as well as postgraduate diploma programmes in ICT and Fashion Designing.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested alleged notorious criminal Md Akash alias “Tan Akash” in connection with the shooting that took place in the Pallabi area of the capital on June 10. According to the elite force, infighting erupted among members of the “Langra Rubel” group on Avenue-5 of Mirpur-11 under Pallabi Police Station on the day over establishing dominance in the locality. During the clash, Akash, “Gal Kata” Rabbi, Al-Amin, Rapper Parvez and several others allegedly displayed foreign firearms and opened fire, injuring Hridoy, also known as “Gondar," according to a press release issued by the RAB headquarters on Tuesday afternoon.  The suspects also allegedly abducted a man named Abdullah during the incident, spreading widespread panic in the area. Following the incident, RAB-4 launched an investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those involved. Based on intelligence inputs and information technology-based surveillance, it tracked down Akash and arrested him from Hemayetpur in Savar in the early hours of Tuesday. During preliminary interrogation, the elite force came to know that Akash has allegedly been involved in various criminal activities, including murder, extortion, robbery and drug-related offences, in Pallabi and surrounding areas of Dhaka. RAB said around 13 cases, including ones filed on murder charges, extortion, robbery and drugs, are currently pending against Akash at different police stations in the capital. The arrested accused was handed over to police for legal action, the release added.

A 20-year-old man was shot dead and 10 others were injured in a clash between two groups of villagers over establishing supremacy at Nilakhya in Raipura upazila of Narsingdi district early Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Anik, son of Osman Member, a resident of Dariga area under Nilakhya union and a supporter of Nazim Uddin. Police said Nazim Uddin of Haripur area and Alal Munshi of Dariga area under Nilakhya union had long been at loggerheads over establishing supremacy in the area. On Tuesday morning, both groups, equipped with lethal weapons and firearms, attacked each other. During the clash, supporters of both groups were seen carrying firearms and wearing bulletproof jackets and helmets. Several rounds of bullets were exchanged during the clash, leaving 11 people, including Anik, Raju, Sumon, Kashem and Mobarak, injured with bullets. The injured were taken to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital. Later, three of them, including Anik, were referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where Anik succumbed to his injuries, said Mojibur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Raipura Police Station. On information, police, RAB and local administration officials rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.    

One more child has died from measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Tuesday, raising Bangladesh’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 657. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified the latest death as suspected measles fatality, saying no confirmed measles deaths were recorded during the period. With the latest update, the number of suspected measles deaths has risen to 564, while the number of laboratory-confirmed measles deaths remains unchanged at 93. During the 24-hour period, 1,006 suspected measles cases were reported, taking the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 87,929. Meanwhile, 136 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 10,523. Since March 15, a total of 72,405 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 68,782 have recovered, according to DGHS data.    

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast moderately heavy to heavy rainfall in Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna and Barishal divisions in the next 24 hours starting from 9:00am on Tuesday. “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, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna and Barishal divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country,” it said. Besides, a mild heat wave is sweeping over the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Jashore, Chuadanga, Kushtia and Khulna and it may continue. Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged 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.