United News of Bangladesh

Cancer experts have called for making cancer screening mandatory in certain cases to ensure early detection and reduce mortality rates. They made the call on Friday, the closing day of the two-day Bangladesh International Cancer Congress 2025, held at the Radisson Blu Dhaka, organized by the Oncology Club Bangladesh. During a media briefing on the last day, cancer specialist Dr. A.F.M. Kamal Uddin presented his research paper, highlighting both global and local cancer scenarios and warning of the alarming rise of cancer in Bangladesh if preventive measures are not taken immediately, said a press release issued on Friday. Dr. Kamal noted that Bangladesh currently faces a severe shortage of radiotherapy machines compared to the number of cancer patients. “For 184,000 cancer patients nationwide, at least 209 radiotherapy machines are needed.” “However, the country has only 29 machines, which is insufficient to provide treatment to the growing number of patients. This scarcity contributes to the higher cancer mortality rate. To reduce this, radiotherapy machines must be installed in major divisional cities such as Chattogram and Sylhet as a priority,” he said. Another specialist Dr. M. Saiful Haque emphasized the need for a well-planned national cancer policy. “To reduce cancer mortality, the government must adopt a long-term strategy rather than focusing only on initial investment. Cancer treatment is expensive, but with proper policy and planning, it can be made more accessible.” He also stressed the importance of public awareness as the first line of defense against cancer. Member Secretary of the organizing committee Dr. Mostafa Aziz Sumon called for collective effort in the fight against cancer. “Everyone must come forward in this battle, especially journalists who can play a leading role in spreading awareness.” President of the Oncology Club Bangladesh and the Bangladesh International Cancer Congress Professor Dr. M.A. Hai described the growing number of cancer patients in Bangladesh and other developing countries as alarming. Doctors urge timely treatment as breast cancer rises sharply in Rangpur “A large portion of patients remain outside the scope of proper treatment. Developing skilled professionals and ensuring quality cancer care is one of the club’s core missions,” he said. “To conquer cancer and bring smiles back to patients and their families, we must all work together,” the expert said. This year’s congress partnered academically with the University of Bologna (Italy), SingHealth (Singapore), and the Global Health Catalyst. Distinguished experts and researchers also joined from leading institutions including Royal Modern Hospital, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, KHCC Education and Training Academy, Whipps Cross University Hospital (UK), UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and the University of Pennsylvania (USA), among others. Led by Professor Dr. M.A. Hai (President) and Dr. A.M.M. Shariful Alam (General Secretary), renowned Bangladeshi oncologists, scientists, and researchers participated in a series of academic sessions. This year’s conference brought together over 1,200 participants, including 31 internationally acclaimed cancer experts from 16 countries, along with oncologists, healthcare professionals, and researchers.

A 35 year-old man was stabbed to death allegedly by his rival over a trivial matter in Dhobaura upazila of Mymensingh district early Friday. The victim was identified as Ershad Ali, son of late Hossen Ali of Paschim Sohagipara village under Dakshin Maizpara union of the upazila. Police, however, have arrested three people, including prime accused, in this connection. According to police and locals, the victim went to a local shop to buy cigarette on Thursday evening. An argument broke out between Ershad and prime accused Sakib, a resident of the same village, when he allegedly disturbed Ershad by shining torchlight in his eyes. Later, both returned home. But early Friday, Sakib and his associates, including Shahjahan, locally known as drug dealer, organized and called Ershad. Both parties again got locked into argument while Sakib and his cohorts allegedly stabbed Ershad with sharp weapons, leaving him critically injured. Hearing his screams, locals came out and took him to Dhobaura Upazila Health Complex where physicians declared him dead. Officer-in-charge Al Mamun Sarkar of Dhobaura Police Station said they have already arrested three people and efforts are on to detain rest others. The arrestees are shop owner Manik, prime accused Sakib, and another Ashraf, he said, adding that a case was filed in this connection.

A man working as an electrician for the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) was reportedly beaten to death in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area on suspicion of theft. The deceased, Anwar Hossain Babu, 43, was taken to and attacked at a garage where bus repairs are conducted in the Council Uttar Sharifpara neighborhood on Friday morning. His body was later recovered by police and sent to Dhaka Medical College morgue for postmortem examination. Babu’s elder brother, Delwar Hossain, said, “My younger brother had gone out to offer prayers when he was taken to the garage on suspicion of theft, tied up, and beaten to death.” Jatrabari police Officer-in-Charge Kamruzzaman confirmed the incident, saying, “We recovered the body of a man whose hands and legs were tied. He worked as an electrician for BIWTA. He had a history of drug addiction and was previously admitted to a rehab center. It appears he may have entered somewhere for theft this morning, prompting locals to beat him. Five people have been detained for questioning, and the investigation is ongoing. "Full details will be known after completion of the investigation,” OC added.

The authorities of Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia have decided to suspend its 19 teachers, 11 officials, and expel 33 students for their involvement in the last year’s anti-uprising movement that ousted Sheikh Hasina-government.   Those faced music are suspected to be followers of Awami League and its student wing Chhatra League. The decision to take punitive action was taken from the 271st Syndicate meeting, with Vice-Chancellor Professor Nakib Muhammad Nasrullah chairing. Those students have completed their academic programmes will get their degrees revoked, while running students will face action accordingly. Meanwhile,  a five-member probe body, headed by Professor M Aktar Hossain, Chairman of the Al-Hadith and Islamic Studies Department, conducted a thorough inquiry, reviewing witness accounts, complaints, video evidence, and media reports. Earlier, the accused had been served show-cause notices before the syndicate meeting took the action. Islamic University forms committee to draft Iucsu constitution The suspended teachers are M Mahbubar Rahman of electrical and electronic engineering department, M Baki Billah Bikul and Rabiul Islam of Bangla department, Akterul Islam, Miah M Rashiduzzaman and Afroza Banu of English department, M Mahbubul Arfin of management department, Kazi Akhtar Hossain and Shelina Nasrin of accounting and information systems department, Debashish Sharma of economics department, Tapon Kumar Joddar and Paresh Chandra Barman of information and communication technology department, Reba Mondol and Shahjahan Mondol of law department, Joyshree Sen of computer science and engineering department, Amjad Hossain of al-fiqh and law department, Shahidul Islam of human resource management department, Mazedul Islam of marketing department and Mehedi Hasan of law and land management department of the university. Suspended officials include Alamgir Hossain Khan, Abdul Hannan, Walid Hasan Mukut, Abdus Salam Selim, Ibrahim Hossain Sona, Ukil Uddin, Jahangir Alam Shimul, J.M. Elias, Tofazzel Hossain, Sheikh Abu Siddique Rokon, and Masudur Rahman. Some of the expelled students are General Secretary of IU unit BCL Nasim Ahmed Joy, Vice-President Munshi Kamrul Hasan Anik, Joint General Secretary Hussain Majumder, Law Affairs Secretary Shakil Ahmed, Organising Secretary Liafat Hossain Rakib, Deputy Cultural Affairs Secretary Anik Kumar, Literary Secretary Abdul Alim, Sports Secretary Bijon Roy, and others. IU acting registrar Professor M Manjurul Haque said that a disciplinary committee led by the Vice-Chancellor will determine final penalties for the suspended teachers and officials.

At least 20 policemen, including female members of the force, were injured when a bus carrying the law enforcers lost control inside Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) headquarters in the Dampara area on Friday afternoon. The police team was on its way to Bir Sreshtho Shaheed Flight Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium to provide security during the Bangladesh–West Indies cricket match. Deputy Commissioner (CMP-Headquarters) Mohammad Faisal Ahmed said the accident took place shortly after the bus had started its journey from the headquarters as its brake failed, leaving 20 cops injured. 2 school students among 3 killed in Pabna road accident The injured were taken to the Police Lines Hospital and Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) for treatment. The damaged bus was kept inside the police lines, he said.

Bangladesh reported no death from the dengue in 24 hours till Friday morning (October 31, 2025). Meanwhile, five hundred and six more new dengue cases were reported during the same period, bringing the total number of cases to 69, 862 this year. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), new cases were reported as follows: 53 in Barishal Division (Out of CC), 91 in Chattogram Division (Out of CC), 213 in Dhaka Division (Out of CC), 108 in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), 16 in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), and 25 in Mymensingh Division (Out of CC). 3 more die of dengue; 928 hospitalised The number of deaths remained at 278, as no new fatalities were reported during this period, the DGHS added. Currently, 2, 782 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. According to the DGHS, there were 101,214 dengue cases and 100,040 recoveries in the same year.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called for strengthening the cooperative movement to build an inclusive, equitable and self-reliant Bangladesh. He made the call marking the ‘54th National Co-operative Day’ to be observed on November 1. In a message issued on Friday, Prof Yunus extended his warm greetings and best wishes to all members of cooperatives and citizens across the country. “I am delighted that the 54th National Co-operative Day is being celebrated nationwide with due dignity under the theme ‘Cooperatives build the nation through equality and equity,” he said. The Chief Adviser said social engagement is essential for the successful implementation of any development initiative. “By harnessing the immense potential of cooperatives, this can be achieved effectively. Co-operatives are not just financial institutions but also platforms addressing various social issues,” he said. Prof Yunus highlighted the crucial role of cooperatives in improving the lives of disadvantaged people, developing skilled manpower and accelerating economic progress. He also said the interim government has taken various steps to modernise and revitalize the cooperative sector. “Through cooperative-based initiatives in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, savings, credit, and cottage industries, we can build a self-reliant and equitable new Bangladesh,” he said, wishing success of all the programmes taken marking the day.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Friday published in two newspapers a notice declaring former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 260 others as fugitives in a sedition case related to the ‘Joy Bangla Brigade’ platform. According to the notice, published in English and Bengali, signed by CID’s Special Superintendent (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan, the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court ordered its publication. The notice was published in The Daily Star and Amar Desh. According to the notice, with the approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs under Section 196 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), the CID launched the sedition investigation, which uncovered evidence of conspiratorial activities conducted from home and abroad through the online platform ‘Joy Bangla Brigade’ with the intent to overthrow the legitimate government. The CID submitted a chargesheet against 286 people, including Sheikh Hasina, after completing an investigation involving forensic analysis of data collected from digital platforms, servers and social media. On Thursday, Judge Ariful Islam of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court-17 declared Sheikh Hasina and 260 others absconding and ordered the publication of the notice.  

Rail services between Dhaka and the country’s northern regions have remained partially suspended since 2:30pm on Friday after a Netrokona-bound train derailed in the Purbo Chandana area of Gazipur city. Abdul Kaium, in-charge of Joydebpur Railway Junction Police Outpost, said the power car bogie of the ‘Mohanganj Express Train’ derailed in the Purbo Chandana area. Padma Express derailed near Joydebpur station, disrupting rail communication The train communication on the alternative track remained normal, he said, adding that rescue trains from Dhaka are on the way to remove the derailed train. There were no reports of casualties from the derailment, the person in-charge added.

Dhaka, Oct 31 (UNB) — The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast rain or thunder showers with lightning across all divisions, including Dhaka, over the next 24 hours starting 6 pm on Friday. According to a BMD bulletin, “Light to moderate rain or thunder showers is likely at most places over Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions; at a few places over Mymensingh and Khulna divisions; and at one or two places over Dhaka, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Moderately heavy to heavy rainfall may occur at some locations in Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions.” “Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country,” the BMD said. Meanwhile, the Deep Depression over Andhra Pradesh and adjoining area moved north-northwestwards and weakened into a Depression first; then into a well-marked low and now lies over north Chhattisgarh and adjoining area. It is likely to move northwards and weaken into a low-pressure area.