United News of Bangladesh

Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashiruddin on Thursday said that the investigation into the recent fire at the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) is still underway and the government will make the findings public once the probe is completed. The adviser came up with the information while talking to reporters after inaugurating the 6th National Women’s Baseball Championship 2025 at the Ria Ghosh Women’s Sports Complex ground in Dhanmondi. Responding to a question, the commerce adviser said that an eight-member expert team from Turkey visited Bangladesh to assist in the investigation. “They returned home today. We expect to receive their report within the next two to three days. However, their report will not be considered the main one — the final report will come from our own investigation team,” he said. In response to another question, Bashiruddin said that the imported goods are currently being released through alternative way following the fire incident and the process will return to normal shortly.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul on Thursday voiced disappointment over the widening rift among political parties regarding the proposed national referendum, terming the lack of consensus after prolonged dialogue ‘deeply frustrating’. Speaking at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the city, Asif Nazrul said the issue of escalating tensions and disagreements among political parties was discussed at the Council of Advisers meeting. “The Consensus Commission has proposed two options-- one is to implement the July Charter first and then hold the referendum, if not done within 270 days the constitutional amendment would take effect automatically. Another is to leave the matter to the elected parliament. Parties remain sharply divided over which of the two options they find more acceptable. Disagreements over the timing of the referendum have reached their peak,” he said. The adviser warned that any attempt by a political party to impose its own position on the government would contradict the spirit of July. Fakhrul slams ‘one-sided’ July Charter recommendations “If any political party tries to unilaterally impose its decision on the government, where does that leave the spirit of July? Whatever anyone says, the election will be held in the first half of February. But ensuring a proper electoral environment is not only the government’s responsibility — the parties share that responsibility, too,” he added. Asked who will make the final decision on the timing of the referendum, Asif said the Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will make the ultimate call, with advisers serving as his associates in the process. “This decision will be taken by the Chief Adviser himself. He will consult us if necessary, and once a decision is made, we will stand firmly by it. The decision will come very soon,” he said. Responding to questions about political ultimatum, Asif said, “If any party sets a deadline or attempts to enforce its stance that only shows there is no consensus among them. It also means they want the government to uphold their partisan position.” Memo to CEC: Jamaat among 8 parties demand referendum in Nov “They have been given enough time for discussions. The disunity they are showing now — they should reflect on where that leaves the spirit of July,” he added with visible frustration. Asif also discussed the timeframe for implementing the July Charter, noting that the feasibility of automatic implementation within the stipulated 270 days is being reviewed. He said the Council of Advisers held preliminary discussions on issuing an order to implement the July Charter and that a decision on the matter will be made soon.

  The High Court on Thursday ordered the authorities concerned to implement its nine-point directive issued five years ago within 3 weeks to curb air pollution in Dhaka. The HC bench of Justice Md Rezaul Hasan and Justice Urmee Rahman passed the order after hearing a petition in this regard. On January 13, 2020, the High Court issued the nine directives following a petition by filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh. .   ·        Covering trucks and other vehicles transporting soil/sand/waste in Dhaka city. ·        Covering soil/sand/cement/stones/construction materials in construction areas.  ·         Spraying water on roads by the City Corporations. ·         Ensuring compliance with tender conditions for road/culvert/carpeting/excavation work ·         Confiscating vehicles emitting black smoke. ·          Determining vehicle operation time according to the Road Transport Act and stop vehicles from running after the permitted time. ·          Shutting down illegal brick kilns.  ·         Closing all tire factories operating without an environmental license  ·         Taking steps to ensure that daily waste bags in markets/shops are filled and removed with the City Corporations ensuring this process. Advocate Manzill Murshid, a lawyer of the human rights organisaiton summited a supplementary petition before the court on Wednesday. Advocate Manzill Murshid, said air quality in Dhaka had improved due to the adoption of certain measures following the court's directives. At present, the air quality in Dhaka has become so polluted that various harmful substances in the air are entering people's lungs and increasing health risks in many ways as the defendants are not taking effective steps as per the High Court's instructions, he said. Referring to information published by a research institution in the media, he said urgent instructions are needed for the defendants to implement nine directives to protect the lives of millions of people in Dhaka.    

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Thursday extended the time until November 15 for individual taxpayers who are unable to file their income tax returns online due to technical issues in the e-return system. According to the special order, individual taxpayers—except those specifically mentioned under Serial No. 1 of Special Order No. 01/2025—must submit their returns online through the NBR’s e-tax portal (www.etaxnbr.gov.bd). They are senior citizens aged 65 years or above, physically-challenged or especially abled taxpayers (upon submission of valid certification), Bangladeshi taxpayers residing abroad; and legal representatives filing returns on behalf of deceased taxpayers. However, those who are unable to do so because of registration or other system-related problems may now apply to their respective Deputy Commissioners of Taxes by November 15, 2025, explaining their specific difficulties. Upon approval from the concerned Additional or Joint Commissioner of Taxes, they will be allowed to submit paper-based returns. The deadline for such applications was earlier set for October 31, 2025. The order, signed by NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan, aims to facilitate compliance and ensure that genuine taxpayers facing online filing difficulties are not penalized. NBR launches online tax filing facility for Bangladeshis living abroad The NBR has been gradually implementing a fully digital return submission system under the Income Tax Act, 2023, to enhance transparency and ease of tax compliance. The government has made the submission of income tax returns through online mandatory for all individual taxpayers for the running 2025–2026 assessment year. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) in August issued a special order stating that the order will be applicable from August 4. According to a new order four specific categories of people will be exempted from this compulsion. The NBR, however, clarified that these exempted individuals may still opt to file returns online if they wish. The order earlier stated that, in the case of technical difficulties with registration in the e-return system, any individual taxpayer (except those exempted) may apply to the concerned Deputy Tax Commissioner by October 31, 2025, stating valid reasons. Upon approval by the relevant Additional or Joint Tax Commissioner, such taxpayers will be allowed to submit their returns in paper form, it said.   

A Press Accreditation Appeal Committee has been formed to allow journalists to appeal if they are aggrieved by the decisions of the Press Accreditation Committee. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the formation of the committee through a notification, said a Press Information Department release on Thursday. Under the Press Accreditation Policy, 2025, a seven-member committee has been constituted with Mahbuba Farzana, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, as President and Md. Nizamul Kabir, Chief Information Officer, as Member Secretary. The other members of the committee are Mohammad Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser; Md. Abdus Sabur, Secretary of the Bangladesh Press Council; Salahuddin Muhammad Babar, Editor of Daily Nayadiganta; FM Moazzem Hossain, News Editor of NTV and Quader Gani Chowdhury, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ). According to the committee’s terms of reference, the appeal body must dispose of any appeal within 30 days of its receipt.  

The 13th Biman Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair (BTTF) 2025, the country’s largest tourism expo, began on Thursday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center (BCFCC) in Dhaka. The three-day international tourism fair was organised by the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh. Lutfe Siddiqi, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser on International Affairs was the chief guest at the opening ceremony. In his inaugural speech, the Lutfe Siddiqi emphasised the need for collective efforts from all stakeholders to advance the tourism sector, noting that the government continues to work toward developing the industry. According to the organisers, more than 120 local and international organizations are participating, showcasing their products and services through around 220 stalls and 20 pavilions. Exhibitors include national tourism boards, airlines, tour operators, hotels, resorts, travel agencies, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and other tourism-related entities. National tourism organisations and associations from Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan are taking part in this year’s fair, alongside participants from Maldives, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Turkey, and host country Bangladesh. Throughout the fair, participating companies are offering special discounts on various services including air tickets, hotel bookings, and travel packages for both domestic and international destinations. The fair also features a series of sideline events, such as B2B sessions, seminars, an award ceremony, and country presentations. Additionally, cultural performances and documentary screenings on Bangladesh’s tourist attractions will be held daily, along with attractive raffle draws. Visitors paying through bKash will enjoy cashback offers on entry tickets. Entry fee for the fair is set at Tk 50 per person while students, freedom fighters, and July war heroes will enjoy free entry. The fair will remain open to visitors from 10 AM to 8 PM daily.    

Health experts have expressed deep concern over the rising incidence of cancer in Bangladesh and other developing countries, attributing the alarming increase to unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, food adulteration, and air pollution. Without changes in diet and lifestyle, cancer prevention will remain difficult, they said. The health experts came up with the observation at the two-day Bangladesh International Cancer Congress 2025 organised by Oncology Club Bangladesh at a city hotel on Thursday, said a press release. Speakers said around 250,000 new cancer cases are reported in Bangladesh each year, and both food adulteration and air pollution have emerged as major contributors to the country’s growing cancer burden. This year’s congress has drawn participation from over 1,200 oncologists, cancer professionals, and researchers, including 31 renowned experts from 16 countries. Professor Dr. MA Hai, President of the Oncology Club Bangladesh and the Bangladesh International Cancer Congress, said that the growing number of cancer patients in developing nations like Bangladesh is deeply alarming. “A large portion of our population remains outside the reach of proper cancer treatment. The Club’s mission is to build skilled professionals and ensure quality healthcare to modernize cancer treatment in Bangladesh,” he said. Dr. Hai said,  “To win the fight against cancer and bring smiles back to patients and their families, we must work together,” he said. He also praised the government’s initiative to establish cancer units in every district and urged young physicians to step forward in cancer care. The academic partners of this year’s congress include University of Bologna (Italy), SingHealth (Singapore), and the Global Health Catalyst. Participants also include experts and researchers from Royal Modern Hospital (UK), St. Bartholomew’s Hospital (UK), KHCC Education and Training Academy, Whipps Cross University Hospital, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center (USA), University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and University of Pennsylvania, among others. Under the leadership of Professor Dr. MA Hai, President and Dr. AMM Shariful Alam, General Secretary of Oncology Club Bangladesh, the country’s leading oncologists, scientists, and researchers are contributing to various academic sessions throughout the congress.  

A Faridpur court on Thursday sentenced four people to imprisonment unto death for killing a woman after rape in 2012. Faridpur Woman and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Shamima Parvin handed down the punishment. The lifers are Jahangir Bepari, 38, Kamrul Mridha, 38, Ali Bepari, 43 and Bakkar Bepari, 38 of Krishnapur village in Sadarpur upazila of Faridpur district. Among them, Jahangir was tried in absentia. The court also fined Tk one lakh each. Besides, the court sentenced Mamtaz Begum, 63 and Abul Kalam, 68, father of Ali Bepari to five years in jail for destroying evidence. They were also fined Tk 20,000 each. According to the prosecution, Jahangir, victim’s brother-in-law, went to her house on October 1, 2012 along with his associates and when she opened the door they violated her in turns. Later, they strangled the woman to death. A case was filed with Faridpur Senior Judicial Magistrate court against seven people. Police submitted chargesheet against six people on November 28, 2017.  

Four Superintendents of Police (SPs)  have been promoted to Deputy Inspector General (DIG). The Public Security Division under the Home Ministry issued a notification in this regard on Thursday. They are-Md. Shahrier, superintendent of Anti-Terrorism unit, Mohammad Abdul Kader, superintendent of SB police, Masum Billah Talukdar, special superintendent of CID and Md Jannatul Hasan.  

The Election Commission on Thursday afternoon sat in a views-exchange with top government officials, including secretaries of key ministries, directors general of important agencies and Inspector General of Prisons (IG Prisons) on October 30 next, aiming to conduct the upcoming national election in a free, participatory and fair manner. The views-exchange and pre-preparatory meeting began at 3:00 pm in the Conference Room of the Election Commission Secretariat, with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin presiding and the Election Commissioners in attendance. At least 31 senior officials, including the Cabinet Secretary, Senior Secretaries of the Ministries of Home, Public Administration, Shipping and Expatriates’ Welfare and the Foreign Secretary, were invited for the meeting by the Election Commission. Other invitees include the secretary (Coordination and Reforms) Cabinet Division, secretaries of 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 and Technical and Madrasa Education. No key officials from past three polls to join next election: Govt The Secretaries of the Primary and Mass Education Ministry, Posts and Telecommunications Division, ICT Division and Road Transport and Highways Division also invited along with the Secretary of the National Parliament Secretariat. Heads of several key departments and agencies, including the Director Generals of Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, the Directorate of Posts and the Department of Film and Publication; the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority; and the chief engineers of Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and the Department of Educational Engineering; and the Inspector General of Prisons, are among the invitees. Besides, the Governor of Bangladesh Bank was asked to send the Executive Director of Credit Information Bureau or appropriate officer to attend the meeting. 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. Concerns grow over ‘administrative preparations’ for Bangladesh election 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.