United News of Bangladesh

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said that the trajectory of Bangladesh’s history, politics and statecraft is shaped by the opinions of its people. He said the country’s future will be built on the experiences, struggles, history and aspirations of the people. According to him, the voice of the people will break all artificial narratives and strengthen democracy, national unity and the state’s forward march. The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled “Implementation of the July Charter for rebuilding the country,” organised by Amar Bangladesh at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh in the capital on Saturday. He said the people of Bangladesh have built a distinct national identity based on their own history, language, culture and values. The country’s uniqueness and Bangladeshi nationalism are rooted in its historical and social reality. Referring to late President Ziaur Rahman, he said Zia gave political shape to the distinct identity of the people through Bangladeshi nationalism, which blends linguistic, cultural, ethnic and religious heritage and remains a key foundation of the country’s political thought. On regional and international relations, the minister said all policymaking must prioritise Bangladesh’s national interest. He stressed strengthening regional cooperation through SAARC and enhancing the country’s position within the United Nations framework. He also noted the importance of making SAARC more effective to harness the potential of more than 2.2 billion people in South Asia. The discussion was chaired by Syed Ehsanul Huda. Economist Professor Mahbubullah attended as the chief discussant. Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment State Minister Nurul Haque Nur, MP Shahadat Hossain Salim, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, and BNP leader Rashed Khan were present as special guests. Speakers at the event emphasised the spirit of the July mass uprising, democratic values and collective efforts to build a state system based on national interest.

The Government’s initiative to establish an independent Media Commission is an encouraging step toward building a stronger, more independent and responsible news media landscape in Bangladesh. However, its effective implementation and broader acceptance depend on inclusive consultation and meaningful participation of all relevant stakeholders. Industry stakeholders came up with this observation while addressing an inclusive stakeholder consultation on "Media Commission: Expectations from the Government" jointly organised by Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) and Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) on Saturday to gather stakeholders’ opinion on how the Independent Media Commission should be looked like and where the stakeholders could contribute to make it an effective one. Participants shared concrete recommendations on strengthening news media freedom, ensuring journalists’ rights, and promoting effective self-regulation and newsroom accountability through a more uniform and structured accountability framework. Key discussions also focused on how a future Media Commission can balance independence with responsibility while restoring public trust in news media. Former members of the Media Reform Commission, news media owners, editors from Dhaka and outside Dhaka, legal experts, journalism teachers, leaders of journalists’ organizations, and representatives of media development organizations took part in the consultation. The programme was organized under the project “Supporting Media During Transition Period in Bangladesh” in partnership with International Media Support (IMS), Denmark. 

Speakers at a workshop on Saturday stressed the importance of addressing structural inequalities to build an inclusive and democratic society. They made the remarks at the programme titled “Social Justice in Contemporary Bangladesh: Power, Marginality, Citizenship and the Politics of Inclusion” held in Dhaka, aimed at fostering critical discussion, conceptual engagement and participatory dialogue among young women politicians and activists. The event was organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) in collaboration with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Bangladesh. It was the second installment of CGS’s ongoing series of capacity-building programmes for young women in politics. The event sought to promote a deeper understanding of social justice beyond conventional development narratives. Through discussions on power, marginality, citizenship, gender, inclusion and inequality, participants engaged with contemporary debates on the challenges of building a more equitable and inclusive society in Bangladesh. Speakers underscored the need for greater awareness of structural barriers that contribute to social exclusion and inequality, emphasizing that meaningful democratic participation requires ensuring equal opportunities and representation for all citizens. Executive Director of CGS Parvez Karim Abbasi said that social justice is a multidimensional and evolving concept built upon four key pillars: human rights, access, equity, and participation. Referring to various historical struggles for justice, including anti-colonial resistance, peasant movements, and broader economic struggles in South Asia, he argued that changes in political authority do not automatically ensure economic and social justice. He highlighted the continued barriers faced by women in public life and politics despite their active participation in social and political movements. According to him, meaningful social transformation requires a broader understanding of social justice among all stakeholders in society. CGS President Zillur Rahman stressed the importance of identifying and addressing different dimensions of injustice before discussing social justice as a broader goal. He argued that democracy, rule of law, and accountable governance remain essential foundations for achieving a more just society. He further emphasized that meaningful empowerment, particularly for women, requires awareness and engagement with the diverse realities and challenges that exist across society.

Dhaka District North Detective Branch (DB) of Police arrested three drug traders and seized 40 kg of cannabis during a special drive in the Aminbazar area of Savar. Police also recovered a microbus used for transporting the illegal drugs during the operation. According to police, acting on a tip-off, a DB team set up a checkpoint in the Aminbazar area around midnight on Wednesday. A microbus was intercepted as it attempted to smuggle drugs using a concealed method. After stopping the vehicle, officers searched it and recovered 40kg of cannabis. The arrests and seizure were confirmed at a press briefing held on Saturday afternoon at the Dhaka District North DB office by Superintendent of Police Shamima Parveen. She said the arrested individuals had long been involved in supplying drugs across different parts of the country. A case has been filed against them under the Narcotics Control Act, and efforts are underway to identify other members of the drug network.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Saturday praised Lions International for its outstanding contribution to humanitarian services, saying the organisation’s voluntary activities for disadvantaged people are exemplary. “Lions International’s voluntary efforts in standing beside underprivileged people are unique in the field of human service,” he said while addressing the 39th Annual Convention 2026 of Lions International Multiple District 315 Bangladesh at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka as the chief guest. He said Lions International is one of the world’s largest voluntary service organisations and has been carrying out its humanitarian activities in Bangladesh in a highly organised manner. The event was presided over by Council Chairperson of Multiple District 315 Bangladesh, Lion Md Ashraf Hossain Khan Hira, while Convention Chairperson Lion Sabina Siddika delivered the welcome address. International Director of Lions International Lion Nazmul Haque spoke as a special guest. Prominent Lions leaders from home and abroad also addressed the gathering. The Speaker said voluntary organisations such as Lions International play a vital role alongside the government in promoting social and national development. He noted that the contributions of Lions members have opened new horizons in humanitarian welfare and nation-building. He also said the mutual respect, goodwill and discipline demonstrated by Lions members are worthy of emulation in society.  

The Traffic Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has filed 2,880 cases for traffic rule violations in different parts of the capital over the past two days. During the drives, DMP filed 120 cases in the Ramna zone, 215 in the Lalbagh zone, 483 in the Motijheel zone, 414 in the Wari zone, 246 in the Tejgaon zone, 621 in the Mirpur zone, 318 in the Uttara zone and 263 in the Gulshan zone, Deputy Commissioner (Media) of DMP NM Nasir Uddin said on Saturday. The drives were conducted on Thursday and Friday, he said. Besides, a total of 598 vehicles were impounded and 400 others were towed away during the drives. The DMP Traffic Division will continue such drives to maintain discipline on Dhaka's roads, the official said.    

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday drove himself from Cox’s Bazar airport to a canal re-excavation site soon after arriving on a daylong visit to the coastal district. The Prime Minister had Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed seated beside him in the vehicle, while PM’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and Home Minister’s wife Hasina Ahmed were also in the car. He inaugurated the re-excavation of historic Patali Canal in Pmkhali Union of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila, a canal closely associated with the memory of former President Ziaur Rahman and addressed a gathering there. Later, the Prime Minister again drove himself to Dulahazara Safari Park from the site of the canal excavation programme. He also visited the Safari Park. Thousands of local people and party activists lined the roads, welcoming the Prime Minister by showering flowers and waving flags throughout his journey. Earlier in the morning, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived by air in the tourism city of Cox’s Bazar on a daylong official visit.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday alleged that the Opposition is opposing the proposed national budget for FY2026-27 not to protect public interests but to create instability in the country and mislead people. “I saw in the newspapers, Alhamdulillah that so far no commodity prices have increased following the budget unlike in the past,” he said while addressing a brief gathering after inaugurating the re-excavation work of the historic Patali Canal in Pmkhali Union under Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila. Tarique said taxes on around 60 essential products including rice, lentils, edible oil and salt have been withdrawn in the budget announced two days ago so that prices of daily necessities do not rise. “The objective is simple – to ensure that people can live well,” he said. Criticising the Opposition’s rejection of the budget, Tarique questioned its position on measures intended to ease the burden on consumers. “The Opposition says it does not accept this budget and calls it anti-people. I want to ask you a question. They do not accept a budget that reduces taxes. They do not like a budget that increases the prices of alcohol and cigarettes. Then have you understood what their real intention is?” the Prime Minister said. “Their objective is not to stand beside the people of the country. Their only goal is to create instability and unrest in the country and mislead people,” he added. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury presented the proposed budget for FY2026-27 in Parliament on Thursday. Highlighting the budget’s emphasis on production and employment, Tarique said Bangladesh must strengthen industry and commerce alongside agriculture. “Bangladesh is an agriculture-based country. But at the same time we must build industries and expand trade. If industries and businesses grow, employment opportunities will be created for our young people. They will be able to find jobs and engage in business activities,” he said. The Prime Minister said the government has increased taxes on imported products that compete with locally manufactured goods in order to protect domestic industries. “We have raised taxes on imported products that are also produced locally so that our domestic industries and manufacturers can receive support. We have included such measures in this budget. Yet even this is not acceptable to the Opposition,” he said.  

At least 622 people were killed and 1,652 others injured in road accidents across Bangladesh in May, according to a report released on Saturday by Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity (BJKS). The passenger welfare organisation’s Accident Monitoring Cell compiled the figures through media monitoring, noting that actual casualties could be significantly higher as many incidents go unreported. Factoring in rail and waterway accidents, the combined toll for May stood at 671 deaths and 1,696 injuries across 676 incidents. Rail accidents numbered 42, leaving 34 dead and 29 hurt, while 21 waterway incidents claimed 15 lives, injured 15 and left seven missing. Motorbikes emerged as the most dangerous vehicle category, with 221 accidents killing 231 and injuring 219, accounting for 36.05 percent of all road accidents and 37.13 percent of fatalities. The report was made public through a statement signed by BJKS Secretary General Md Mozammel Haq Chowdhury. Dhaka Division recorded the highest number of road accidents in May, 180 crashes killing 185 and injuring 558. Mymensingh Division reported the fewest, with 27 accidents, 38 deaths and 67 injuries. Among those killed were 136 drivers, 110 pedestrians, 73 students, 69 women, 59 children, 49 transport workers, eight teachers, two police personnel, two BGB members, one physician, one freedom fighter and one lawyer. Analysis of accident types showed head-on collisions accounted for 42.08 percent of all incidents, followed by vehicles running over or hitting others (32.30 percent), loss of control leading to falls into ditches (18.92 percent), and train-vehicle collisions (0.81 percent). Of 975 vehicles identified in accidents, motorcycles made up 28.69 percent, followed by trucks, pickups and covered vans (23.10 percent), buses (14.45 percent), battery-powered rickshaws and easy bikes (12.97 percent), and cars, jeeps and microbuses (6.75 percent). In terms of location, 44.69 percent of accidents occurred on national highways, 30.66 percent on regional highways and 18.10 percent on feeder roads. BJKS identified several major factors behind the May carnage, including unrestricted movement of motorcycles, battery rickshaws and auto-rickshaws on national highways; absence of road signs, markings and lighting; lack of median dividers; vehicles travelling in the wrong direction; reckless and fatigue-driven driving; and road damage worsened by rain. The organisation also flagged that excessive fares are forcing low-income commuters to ride atop buses and cargo trucks, sharply elevating accident risk. BJKS called for short-, medium- and long-term road safety plans; the development of a modern national bus network; technology-driven traffic management; rigorous driver training and licensing reforms; and regular road safety audits. It also demanded service lanes and footpaths on major highways, an end to extortion on roads, guaranteed wages and regulated working hours for drivers, phasing out of unfit vehicles, strengthened BRTA capacity, and the establishment of a dedicated traffic training academy.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted that rainfall is likely to increase across the country over the next five days commencing 9 am on Saturday as monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh. “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, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi, Dhaka and Khulna divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country. Day temperature may remain nearly unchanged and night temperature may fall slightly over the country. The highest rainfall in the last 24 hours until 6am on Saturday was recorded in Netrakona at 178 mm. The trough persists from Gangetic West Bengal to Northwest Bay. Monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and weak to moderate elsewhere over North Bay.