United News of Bangladesh

Breast cancer cases in Rangpur are increasing at an alarming rate, with 102 out of 267 cancer patients who underwent surgery in the last five months diagnosed with the disease, doctors at Rangpur Medical College (RMC) said Thursday. “Many women are dying because they do not receive timely treatment,” doctors said at a seminar titled “Awareness on Breast Cancer” organized by RMC’s Surgery Department at Lecture Gallery-1. Dr. Samiha Tasnim Munmun, consultant of the Surgery Department, presented hospital data showing that from April to September this year, 1,137 patients visited RMC’s Breast Clinic with breast problems. Among them, 54 were diagnosed with breast cancer where 42 in advanced stages (stage 3 or 4). “Among 267 cancer patients who underwent surgery, 37.74% had breast cancer, 24.42% had stomach cancer, 21.9% had colon cancer, and 15.54% had rectal cancer,” Dr. Munmun said. She urged the public to increase awareness at the grassroots level about early screening and timely treatment to prevent breast cancer deaths. Principal of RMC Professor Dr. Nazrul Islam attended the seminar as chief guest while Vice Principal Professor Dr. Anwar Hossain presided over the seminar. Movement intensifies as Teesta activists announce ‘Silent Rangpur’ campaign in 5 districts The seminar highlighted that RMC has been awarded by the government for ranking third in the country in electronic data tracking and population-based cervical and breast cancer screening programs. Earlier in the day, a rally was held around the college campus to raise public awareness.  

The government has abolished the Public Administration Committee, which was formed to advise on the appointment, transfer, and disciplinary matters of senior officials. The Cabinet Division issued a notification on Wednesday announcing the abolition of the committee, days after former Senior Secretary Shamsul Alam publicly criticized its role in a Facebook post on October 27. The six-member committee was chaired by Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, with Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan serving as member secretary. The other members included Advisers Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan and Md. Mahfuj Alam, the Cabinet Secretary, and the Senior Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration. Formed on January 8, the Public Administration Committee was tasked with advising on the appointment, transfer, and disciplinary matters of Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Joint Secretaries, and higher-ranking officers. Initially, former Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md. Nahid Islam served as member secretary. Following his resignation, Adviser Mahfuj Alam was appointed to the role on March 20. Later, on August 25, Syeda Rizwana Hasan was made member secretary, while the Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser was also added to the committee. The last restructuring of the committee took place on September 21, when the Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser was removed from its membership. In a Facebook post on October 27, former Senior Secretary Shamsul Alam questioned the effectiveness of the Superior Selection Board (SSB) and the Public Administration Committee, accusing them of enabling irregular promotions. He wrote, “What do they do there? Is it just to block qualified officers? This unfair committee, which goes beyond the rules of business, has legitimized the misdeeds of the ‘Mokhles’—secretaries sold for crores of taka have passed through their hands.” He further alleged that “even after the approval of Chief Adviser Professor Yunus, qualified senior officers were denied rightful positions,” calling it “an unprecedented injustice in the history of Bengal.”    

Md. Shahjahan Mia, Administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), has been removed from his post. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Wednesday transferring him as Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. However, no reason for his removal was mentioned in the order. Shahjahan Mia had been serving as Administrator of DSCC while holding the position of Additional Secretary of the Local Government Department. He was also serving as the Managing Director (MD) of Dhaka WASA. Earlier, while attached to the Ministry of Commerce as an additional secretary, he was transferred to the Local Government Department on February 12 this year. The following day, he was appointed as the Administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation. Later, on May 18, Shahjahan Mia was given the additional responsibility of Managing Director of Dhaka WASA.    

More than one million individual taxpayers have submitted their income tax returns online so far in the current tax year, marking a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s ongoing digital transformation of tax administration, according to the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The online e-return submission system for the 2025–26 tax year was inaugurated on 4 August 2025 by Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, the Adviser on Finance to the Chief Adviser. Through the dedicated portal www.etaxnbr.gov.bd, taxpayers can now fill in and submit their income tax returns within minutes, said the NBR in a press release issued on Thursday. This year, the NBR has made online filing of income tax returns mandatory for all categories of individual taxpayers except for senior citizens aged 65 or above, physically challenged or special-needs taxpayers, Bangladeshi citizens living abroad, legal representatives of deceased taxpayers, and foreign nationals working in Bangladesh. However, those exempted may still file online voluntarily. Taxpayers who face technical difficulties in e-return registration may apply to their respective Deputy Commissioners of Taxes with valid reasons by 15 November 2025 to obtain permission for manual submission, upon approval from the concerned Additional or Joint Commissioner. In a further step to make filing easier, authorised representatives can now submit e-returns on behalf of taxpayers. Non-resident Bangladeshis can also register and file online by emailing their passport number, NID, and contact details to [email protected], upon which they receive a registration link and OTP for secure access. The NBR noted that the e-return process requires no document uploads—taxpayers simply input accurate income, expenditure, asset and liability information to instantly generate an acknowledgement slip and tax certificate. The simplified system has become increasingly popular among both domestic and overseas taxpayers. NBR extends deadline for taxpayers facing technical issues in e-return filing To help users, NBR has provided extensive training to taxpayers as well as authorised representatives, including income tax lawyers, chartered accountants, cost and management accountants, and chartered secretaries. It has also established a dedicated call centre (09643 71 71 71) for instant support, along with an online help option on its website and e-return help desks across all tax zones. The NBR has urged all eligible individual taxpayers to submit their 2025–26 income tax returns online by 30 November 2025 through the e-return system.    

Secretary General of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Quader Gani Chowdhury on Thursday said toad accidents have become a chronic menace for Bangladesh. “Every day, newspapers report people dying or being injured in road accidents somewhere in the country. These tragedies harm not only individuals and families but also society and the economy,” he said. He made the remarks while speaking at a discussion titled “Goodwill of politicians of all parties is essential to restore order on the roads”, organized by the Safe Roads Initiative (NISCHA) at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Auditorium of the National Press Club. The event was presided over by NISCHA founding member Liton Ershad, with speeches from National Press Club General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan, former DRU president Morsalin Nomani, senior journalist Shahabuddin Sikder, Safe Roads Chai Acting Chairman Mirajul Moin Joy (virtually), Secretary General SM Azad Hossain, Organizing Secretary Abdur Rahman, and member Mannan Firoz. Quader Gani cited BRTA data showing that 5,380 people lost their lives in road accidents in Bangladesh in 2024, while private estimates suggest the real number is higher. In September alone, 417 people were killed and 682 injured in 446 accidents. According to the World Safety Foundation, financial losses from road accidents in 2024 were estimated at Tk 21,880 crore, roughly 1.5 percent of the country’s GDP. He also highlighted government compensation laws for accident victims, noting that many families fail to apply because of lack of awareness. The law provides Tk 5 lakh for the deceased, Tk 3 lakh for limb loss, and up to Tk 3 lakh for serious injuries. He urged the government to extend the application period from 30 to 90 days to allow grieving families more time. The journalist leader criticized the continued operation of unfit vehicles, including battery-powered rickshaws and other unsafe vehicles, despite a 2017 High Court order. He said sudden appearances of such vehicles on highways are a major cause of accidents. He mentioned that BRTA reports six lakh unfit vehicles, but the actual number is likely higher. During festivals, old vehicles are brought out, and drivers often work non-stop, leading to accidents. Quader Gani stressed that the transport sector has yet to be recognized as an industry, resulting in irregular employment terms for drivers. Overwork and fatigue contribute to accidents. He called for collective action by the government, transport owners, drivers, political leaders, and civil society. Urgent measures include banning unfit vehicles, installing road dividers, repairing roads, enforcing traffic laws, and increasing public awareness. He added that personal responsibility is crucial: “We know the risks of riding rickshaws or battery-powered vehicles on highways, yet we do it. Until this mindset changes, no law will be fully effective.” Speakers emphasized that hundreds of deaths occur monthly due to road accidents and urged political parties to prioritize road safety in election manifestos and public awareness campaigns.

A fire broke out at a Meena Bazar outlet in the capital’s Mohammadpur Mohammadia Housing Society on Thursday night. The blaze started around 9:04 pm, confirmed a duty officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters Control Room. On information, two fire service units rushed to the spot and managed to bring the fire under control by 9:45 pm, the officer said. No casualties were reported, and the cause of the fire could not be determined immediately.

The Election Commission on Thursday instructed senior officials of relevant ministries and departments to make necessary preparations for a referendum on the July National Charter 2025, to be held at a date announced by the government. The instruction was given when the EC sat in a views-exchange with top government officials, including secretaries of key ministries, directors general of important agencies on Thursday afternoon. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin presided over the two-hour views-exchange and pre-preparatory meeting held at the Conference Room of the Election Commission Secretariat, aiming to conduct the upcoming national election in a free, participatory and fair manner. Four election commissioners were present in the meeting. The senior officials were told that the list of polling stations for the 13th national parliamentary election has already been prepared.  If the referendum and the national parliamentary election are held on the same day, the number of polling stations and polling officers will increase. And in that case, the preparations of the ministries and agencies will have to be made keeping that in mind. And if the referendum and the national parliamentary election are held on separate days, it’ll need a bigger fund to be spent on the two elections. The ministries and agencies must keep their necessary preparations keeping both matters (two elections in a single day or separate days) in mind. Briefing the reporters, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the meeting discussed preparation of election official panels, installation and renovation of polling stations, ensuring access roads to the polling stations, helicopter services and helipads to carry election materials to remote areas, using  Bangladesh Television and Sangsad Television to air election related awareness programmes, providing information about loan defaulters by Bangladesh Bank, budget for election, uninterrupted electricity supply to polling stations during the balloting and the vote count, not keeping public examinations during the election, keeping polling station cluster-based medical teams. In reply to a question, the EC said the government will decide the time of the referendum. At least 31 senior officials -- senior secretaries, secretaries and directors general -- from different ministries and agencies including the cabinet division, the ministries of Home Affairs, Public Administration, Shipping and Expatriates’ Welfare and Foreign Affairs, Finance Division, Law and Justice Division, Health Education and Family Welfare Division, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Local Government Division, Financial Institutions Division, Power Division, Agriculture Ministry, Secondary and Higher Education, Technical and Madrasa Education, Primary and Mass Education Ministry, Posts and Telecommunications Division, ICT Division, Road Transport and Highways Division, Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, the Directorate of Posts, the Department of Film and Publication; the Civil Aviation Authority; Local Government Engineering Department (LGED),  the Department of Educational Engineering; and Credit Information Bureau of Bangladesh Bank were present. ‘Water Lily’, newly added symbol ‘Water Lily Bud’ not same: EC Secretary Earlier, on October 20 last, the EC sat in a views-exchange with different law enforcement agencies and intelligences in a bid to conduct the next election in free, participatory and fair manners. In late September 2025, the Commission opened a series of electoral dialogues with different stakeholders amid talks with civil society representatives on September 28 last ahead of the next general election to be held in early February 2026. Then the EC sat in another discussion with the representatives of teachers on the same day. On October 06, the Commission held two separate dialogues with senior journalists from different media outlets. The EC also has a plan to sit with other stakeholders, including political parties ahead of the national election.    

The first municipal plastic recycling plant in Cox’s Bazar was officially inaugurated recently, aiming to transform single-use plastic waste into valuable resources. The initiative, established in Mithaichori of Ramu Upazila, was hailed by guests as a milestone for sustainable waste management in the district. Mohammad Navid Shafiullah, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, inaugurated the plant. Cox’s Bazar, a leading tourist destination that also supports a large displaced Rohingya population, faces mounting pressure from plastic waste every day. Surveys have found that around 34 tonnes of plastic waste are discarded across the city daily. A significant portion of this comprises single-use plastic or polythene, packaging materials, polypropylene, and thin polythene film — items that are particularly difficult to recycle and generally have no market value. This recycling plant in Cox’s Bazar converts such waste into recycled plastic lumber, sheets, and pellets. These materials are then used to produce a variety of items, including eco-friendly, durable, and aesthetically designed sofas, benches, and sturdy pillars. Additional Secretary Mohammad Navid Shafiullah said that the initiative represents a unique example of sustainable waste management. He noted that, while it plays a significant role in environmental protection, it is also creating employment opportunities for women and local communities. He expressed optimism that similar initiatives would be adopted across the country in the near future. Maysson Sallam, Technical Advisor - Medical Waste, UNOPS commented that it stands as a model for how public and private partnerships can turn environmental challenges into opportunities for innovation and impact. She added that UNOPS remains committed to advancing sustainable waste management solutions that support women and communities, build resilience and move Bangladesh closer to a plastic-pollution-free future. Tourist dies due to excessive alcohol consumption in Cox’s Bazar, five held Md Liakath Ali, Director of the Climate Change Programme, Urban Development Programme and Disaster Risk Management Programme at BRAC said that under the Plastic-Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) project, BRAC has long been working towards making Cox’s Bazar free from plastic pollution. Covering an area of 5,280 square feet, the facility is capable of processing up to 200 kilograms of plastic waste per hour. To ensure environmentally friendly, safe, and uninterrupted operations, it is equipped with an Effluent Treatment Plant (2,000 litres/day), a solar power generation system, a fire safety system, an electric substation, and 24-hour CCTV surveillance. The plant is expected to create employment opportunities while supporting women waste recyclers. It will contribute to reducing plastic pollution in canals, wetlands, and coastal areas, helping to protect and restore environmental balance. Among others, Bushra Nishat, Environmental Specialist, World Bank; United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS); Nizam Uddin Ahmed, Administrator, Cox’s Bazar Municipality; Ibne Mayaz Pramanik, Executive Engineer, Department of Public Health Engineering; Jamir Uddin, Director of the Department of Environment, were also present.    

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Thursday clarified that there is a difference between the ‘Water Lily’ symbol sought by the National Citizen Party (NCP) and the newly incorporated ‘Water Lily Bud’ (Shapla Koli) in the revised list of 119 electoral symbols. “There is a difference between Water Lily and Water Lily Bud. I think there is no need to explain it further,” he said during a press briefing at Nirbachan Bhaban following an EC meeting with top government officials. Earlier in the day, the EC released a revised list of 119 electoral symbols, incorporating ‘Water Lily Bud’ (Shapla Koli). According to the revised schedule, 20 new symbols have been added to the list, while 16 old ones have been dropped. “We have excluded 16 symbols and included new ones, bringing the total to 119 symbols in the schedule,” the EC Secretary said. Responding to a question on whether the Water Lily Bud inclusion has a link to any party demand, he said the commission considered the matter independently. “It is not related to any demand. For your information, the political party NCP requested the Water Lily symbol,” he added. When asked why the EC revised the symbol list for the second time now, Akhtar Ahmed said, “Some negative opinions about certain symbols have come to our notice. The commission felt it was necessary to revise the list. Since some adverse criticisms arose, we removed certain symbols and added new ones. The list is not fixed; the commission can take decisions when controversies arise.” Replying to a question if the EC is independent in taking its decisions, he reaffirmed, “It is certainly an independent institution.” Regarding new party registration, he said election commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker is now reviewing the information collected from the field. We will finalize it (complete the new political party registration process) within a day next week.” NCP insists on ‘Shapla’ symbol, rejects ‘Shapla Kali’ NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, in an instant reaction on his facebook post, said it is unfortunate that there is an attempt to allocate ‘Water Lily Bud’ for NCP instead of their first choice, the ‘Water Lily’ symbol. NCP Joint Convener Khaled Saifullah in a facebook post blasted the EC for inclusion of Water Lily Bud instead of their desired Water Lily symbol in the list, but said they will inform their party about the symbol issue.“Water Lily is our desire. We’ll inform you by thinking about Water Lily Bud,” he said. Answering a question about the demand placed by eight political parties for a referendum in November, he said the commission has listened to their demands but the government will decide the timing of the referendum. The 20 newly included symbols are: Camel, Comb, Torchlight, Table Lamp, Tractor, Dressing Table, Lock, Double-decker Bus, Turban, Water Tap, Palanquin, Fruit Basket, Baby Taxi, Electric Bulb, Motorcycle, Staircase, Sunflower, Railway Engine, and Handshake. The 16 dropped symbols are: Banana, Cot, Ostrich, Charger Light, Tiffin Carrier, Drum, Watermelon, Refrigerator, Flute, Bench, Brinjal, Balloon, Bottle Gourd, Conch Shell, Suitcase, and Flower Pot. Earlier, the EC had published a list of 115 symbols that did not include ‘Water Lily Bud’, despite repeated demands from NCP to allocate the ‘Water Lily’ symbol since the new party applied for registration. The NCP has long been demanding for allocating one symbol from three ones --Water Lily, White Water Lily and Red Water Lily.    

Bangladesh lost $24 billion as extreme heat cut its labour productivity in 2024, revealed The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change report published earlier this week. The change in weather pattern also increased by 90 per cent over the period from 1951-1960 to 2015-2024 the transmission potential for dengue, said a press release issued on the occasion of the publication of the report. Each person in Bangladesh experienced an average of 28.8 heatwave days. Of these, 13.2 would not have been expected to occur without climate change, the press release said, quoting the report. The national launch of the report took place at BRAC Centre on Thursday, jointly organized by the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) at BRAC University and The Lancet Countdown, with support from the Climate Change and Health Promotion Unit under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The keynote paper was presented by Dr. Shouro Dasgupta, an environmental economist and senior fellow at the Greentham Research Institute under the London School of Economics. The annual global report analyzes over 50 indicators worldwide, tracking heat exposure, air pollution, drought, disease outbreaks, and economic losses across sectors such as agriculture and labor. In his welcome speech, Professor Ainun Nishat, Emeritus Professor at BRAC University, called for more action to tackle the impacts of the changing climate. Heat intensity and duration have sharply increased since the 1990s, the report said. Heat exposure led to the loss of 29 billion potential work hours in 2024—92% higher than in the 1990s. Agricultural workers bore the brunt of this, with 64% of hours lost. Total losses resulted in $24 billion in income lost, equivalent to 5% of Bangladesh’s GDP. About 55% of income losses occurred in the agricultural sector, the report revealed. Air pollution remains a leading cause of premature death. Rising sea levels place millions at risk, the press release said, adding that in 2024, nearly 14 million people lived less than one meter above sea level, increasing vulnerability to flooding and salinity intrusion. The 2025 Report of the Lancet Countdown underscores that climate change is no longer a future threat for Bangladesh—it is a present public health and economic emergency. Experts at the launch emphasized that, with millions of lives at risk from heat, air pollution, malnutrition, vector-borne diseases, and rising sea levels, urgent national action is critical. Speakers also stressed the urgent need for enhanced national policies and coordinated investment in renewable energy, climate-resilient agriculture, and air quality improvements. The Lancet Countdown report calls for international support and dedicated climate finance, particularly from COP30, to enable countries like. Bangladesh to implement effective health adaptation measures, safeguard communities, and protect overall health and well-being. Senior officials, climate researchers, and public health experts warned that without decisive national action and global support, Bangladesh risks reversing decades of development gains while facing escalating health and livelihood challenges.