United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh chapter of SAARC Journalist Forum (SJF) has decided to organise the Dhaka Conference of the forum later this year. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Bangladesh chapter held at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka on Thursday with its President Nasir Al Mamoon in the chair. The proposed conference aims to bring together journalists and media professionals from across South Asia to deliberate on key issues – strengthening professional collaboration, revitalising the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and promoting people-to-people connectivity, according to a press release. Members of the Executive Committee expressed their commitment to making the Dhaka conference a significant platform for dialogue on media, democracy, and regional cooperation. The meeting also congratulated Khondoker Kaosar Hossain, a senior journalist and Executive Committee member of the forum, on his recent appointment as Media Coordinator to the Information and Broadcasting Minister. The meeting was attended by Central Secretary General Md Abdur Rahman, Bangladesh Chapter Vice Presidents Asif Hasan Nabi & Md Shariful Islam, General Secretary Shiabur Rahman, Joint General Secretary Shahed Motiur Rahman, Treasure Reza Mahmud, Executive Members Rafiqul Islam Azad & Md Mostafa Khan, Ayon Ahmed and MM Gias Uddin. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing the objectives of the SAARC Journalist Forum and strengthening cooperation among journalists in the region.

Media leaders from across Asia and beyond have gathered in the Philippine capital to examine how journalism is evolving amid shifting audience behaviour, platform dynamics and revenue pressures. Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Vice Mayor Chi Atienza opened the Digital Media Asia 2026, organised by World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) on Thursday. Opening remarks were delivered by Kah Whye Lee, Director, Asia at WAN-IFRA, who underscored the need for news organisations to innovate across both editorial and business fronts as the industry undergoes rapid digital transformation. The conference brought together leading regional and international media organisations, including Channel NewsAsia, SPH Media, Agence France-Presse and South China Morning Post, among others. A key session moderated by OneNews Anchor Regina Hing (Lay), featured speakers including Nahar Khan of Marana Media and United News of Bangladesh (UNB) and Cania Citta of Malaka Indonesia, focusing on how changing audience behaviour is reshaping the use of platforms, crafting messages, addressing target audiences, and asks what traditional media can learn from it. Drawing on her presentation, Nahar Khan highlighted a fundamental shift in how audiences consume news, noting that social media has become a top source of news for most of Generation Z.  “The hook must land in three seconds — or they scroll,” she said. She emphasised that the transformation goes beyond platforms to a deeper change in communication itself. “It’s not just that they use different platforms. It’s that they think in a different language - visual language,” she said. “The headline is now an image. The argument is a meme. The news is a 30-second video.” Khan said visual storytelling is increasingly central to how information is processed and shared. She also highlighted that different platforms now play distinct roles in the news ecosystem, requiring newsrooms to tailor content and strategy accordingly.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited has finalized a landmark agreement with The Boeing Company to acquire 14 aircraft, including eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and four Boeing 737-8 MAX jets. The agreement was signed by Biman Managing Director and CEO Kaizer Sohel Ahmed on behalf of the airline, while a Boeing representative signed for the manufacturer in the presence of senior government officials, diplomats and aviation executives at a city hotel in Dhaka. The estimated list value of the aircraft package is around $3.7 billion (Tk 37,000 crore). Under the delivery schedule, the first aircraft is expected to arrive in November 2031, while the remaining jets are scheduled for delivery by October 2035. At the ceremony, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam attended as chief guest, while Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman was present as guest of honour. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir attended as special guests. Other dignitaries present included Biman Board Chairman Rumee A Hossain, US Ambassador Brent T Christensen, Boeing Vice President Sales and Marketing Paul Righi, along with senior officials from the government of Bangladesh and Boeing. The deal aligns with the government’s “Bangladesh First” vision, which prioritises economic growth, stronger global connectivity and improved passenger experience, according to a Biman press release. State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said Bangladesh is moving towards becoming a regional aviation hub and the addition of new aircraft will support that goal. US donates 600,000 TB testing kits, 11,000 pediatric drugs to Bangladesh “The new fuel-efficient and technologically advanced aircraft will modernise Biman’s fleet, enhance operational efficiency and expand its international route network, strengthening Bangladesh’s position in the global aviation market,” said Kaizer Sohel Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. He said the agreement is expected to contribute beyond aviation by supporting tourism growth, boosting economic activity and creating skilled employment opportunities through technology transfer and workforce development. Biman said it remains a key lifeline for Bangladeshi expatriate workers worldwide, and the new aircraft will ensure safer, more reliable and more comfortable travel for passengers. Boeing Vice President Paul Righi said Biman will become one of the few carriers globally to operate the full Boeing 787 Dreamliner family, the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10. He said the 787-10 will offer higher capacity and efficiency on high-demand routes including the Middle East, while the 787-9 will serve long-haul destinations such as Europe and North America. He added that the 787 and 737 families together deliver up to 20 percent better fuel efficiency compared to the aircraft they replace, while also improving passenger comfort through advanced cabin features and smoother travel experience. He further said the agreement supports Biman’s strategy to expand its network, modernise its fleet and enhance passenger experience, while positioning Bangladesh as an emerging aviation hub in South Asia.

The US government has donated 600,000 US-manufactured GeneXpert tuberculosis testing kits and 11,000 courses of pediatric TB drugs to the government of Bangladesh. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen handed over the donation during a ceremony at a leading tuberculosis hospital, said US Mission Spokesperson Poornima Rai on Thursday. Health Minister Sardar Mohammad Shakhawat Hossain Bokul and Directorate General of Health Services Prof Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas were present. The donation addresses critical supply shortages and underscores the United States' commitment to global health security under the US government's new five-year framework to expand bilateral health partnerships, Rai said.

Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Erik Kurzweil on Thursday acknowledged the strategic importance of the partnership between Bangladesh and the European Union (EU) and conveyed EU’s interest in working to unlock the full potential of the partnership. Both sides recognised that the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) would provide a framework for enhanced collaboration in numerous priority areas for shared prosperity. Kurzweil paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and followed the successful holding of the 5th Bangladesh-EU Diplomatic Consultations in Dhaka. The State Minister underscored Bangladesh’s commitment to advancing a multifaceted and forward-looking partnership with the EU, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides discussed recent political and economic developments, trade and investment, facilitating business visits, LDC graduation, migration cooperation, democracy and human rights, women empowerment and gender equality, cultural cooperation, climate and renewable energy collaboration, multilateralism, as well as regional and multilateral issues, including the Rohingya issue. The State Minister emphasised the need for opening up more legal pathways for migration, including by expanding the Talent Partnership initiative, for creating effective deterrent to irregular migration to Europe. She also stressed on the important of FTA with the EU for mutually beneficial trade relations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday summoned acting Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pawan Badhe, and lodged a formal protest over remarks made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, stressing that such comments undermine the spirit of friendly relations between the two countries. Director General (South Asia) Ishrat Jahan conveyed Dhaka’s position to the acting Indian High Commissioner in the afternoon, an official told UNB. Bangladesh described the remarks as disparaging to Bangladesh-India relations and expressed its displeasure to India. Assam Chief Minister Sarma on April 26 said 20 foreign nationals were apprehended in Assam and pushed back to Bangladesh. "Rude people don't understand soft language. We continuously remind ourselves of this prophetic line when we expel infiltrators from Assam who don't leave themselves. For instance, these 20 illegal Bangladeshis who were PUSHED BACK last night," Sarma said in a post on X, according to Indian media reports. Bangladesh stressed that public statements capable of straining ties between the two neighbours are counterproductive, and highlighted the importance of exercising restraint when addressing sensitive bilateral issues.

Bangladesh and Pakistan have explored new opportunities of cooperation, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider called on Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Wednesday and discussed matters of mutual interest and explored various avenues to further enhance bilateral cooperation. The High Commissioner also briefed the Adviser on ongoing collaborations across multiple sectors including the second phase of the Bangladesh-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor, as well as efforts to promote business to business linkages, people to people contacts and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Bangladesh has expressed its willingness to work closely with Belarus to further strengthen the existing friendly relations. Non-resident Ambassador of Belarus to Bangladesh Mikhail Kasko paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently and discussed issues of mutual interest. Both sides held productive discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation in key areas, including agriculture, defence, textiles and RMGs, skilled and semi-skilled labour migration, IT sector, pharmaceuticals, and jute, the Ministry said. They also emphasised the importance of strengthening people-to-people contacts to further solidify the foundation of bilateral relations. Ambassador Kasko congratulated the State Minister on assuming office and conveyed the readiness of Belarus government to work with the new government of Bangladesh. Both sides agreed that different bilateral mechanisms, including Foreign Office Consultations, should be held more frequently to expedite discussions and advance cooperation in identified priority areas. The meeting concluded with both sides expressing appreciation for the warm and friendly exchanges and reaffirming their shared commitment to further deepen and broaden Bangladesh-Belarus relations in the coming years.

The body of Zamil Ahamed Limon, one of the two Bangladeshi students at the University of South Florida of the US who were murdered there, will arrive in Dhaka on May 4. Golam Mortoza, Minister (Press) at the Bangladesh Embassy in US, in a WhatsApp message on Thursday said the mortal remains will reach Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on an Emirates flight at 8:40am on the day. He said the body of Limon have been received by the funeral home and it will be transported from Orlando (MCO) via the Emirates flight, which will depart at 08:50pm on May 2. Limon’s first namaz-e-janaza is scheduled to be held after Johr prayers today at Islamic Society of Tampa Bay Area, Tampa in Florida, Golam Mortoza said. However, no information has so far been available about the other victim – Nahida Sultana Bristy, he said. Limon and Bristy, both 27-year-old doctoral students from Bangladesh, disappeared on April 16. Limon was last seen at the off-campus complex where he shared an apartment with murder suspect Hisham Abugharbieh, 26 and another roommate. Detectives used cellphone location and licence plate reader data to track Abugharbieh’s car and Limon’s phone to the bridge where Limon’s body was found on April 24. Limon had numerous stab wounds and appeared to be bound, according to a report filed by prosecutors. Authorities continued searching for Bristy, and on April 26 a body was recovered from a nearby waterway. The identity has not yet been confirmed, and autopsy reports are pending, officials said. Meanwhile, the murder suspect will remain in custody without bond, a judge ordered on Tuesday, days after a SWAT team arrested him at his parents’ home. Hisham Abugharbieh has also been barred from contacting witnesses or the victims’ family members, Hillsborough County Judge Logan Murphy said during a brief hearing in Tampa. According to court records, Abugharbieh faces two counts of first-degree murder with a weapon along with other charges. He could face the death penalty if convicted, though prosecutors have not yet said whether they will pursue capital punishment. When questioned days after the couple disappeared, Abugharbieh denied involvement, though detectives noted that his pinky finger was bandaged, according to a pretrial detention report. Investigators later gained access to the apartment with the help of the building manager. A third roommate told police that Abugharbieh had used a cart overnight on April 16 to move cardboard boxes from his room to a trash compactor.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir on Wednesday. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in the afternoon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. During the meeting, the two sides discussed issues of mutual interest, including trade and investment between the two countries. Tanvir Ghani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Investment and Capital Markets, and Song Yang, Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, were also present.