United News of Bangladesh

Md Asaduz Zaman, a staff reporter at The Daily Star, has been selected for the 2026 Reporting Fellowship on Climate Change and the Private Sector in Bangladesh, organised by the Earth Journalism Network (EJN). The fellowship will support Zaman in producing an investigative report examining the intersection of climate change and Bangladesh’s private sector, building on his experience in economic affairs, public policy and climate finance. EJN, an initiative of the international nonprofit organisation Internews, is one of the leading global networks supporting environmental and climate journalism. Through fellowships, grants and other programmes, it helps journalists in developing countries produce in-depth and evidence-based reporting on climate and environmental issues. As part of the fellowship, Zaman will investigate how climate change is affecting Bangladesh’s private sector and explore related economic, policy and financial dimensions. Zaman was previously awarded the National Press Foundation Fellowship 2026 in the United States and completed the CPRD–The Climate Watch Reporting Fellowship. Earlier in his career, he received the Conservation Media Award in 2018 and the Investigative Journalism Award in 2019 for his reporting on financial corruption. He has also participated in professional training programmes organised by the Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) and the EMK Center–Bangladesh Journalists in International Media (BJIM). In 2020, Zaman was selected as one of 100 journalists worldwide for the British Council’s Future News Worldwide programme. Zaman holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Economics from Jahangirnagar University. His academic background has contributed to his reporting on the economy, climate finance, public policy and taxation.

Border residents in Panchagarh detained an Indian national on Saturday in what they said was a retaliatory act following the alleged abduction of a 78-year-old Bangladeshi man by members of India’s Border Security Force (BSF). The Indian national was identified as Dipankar Gop, 35, of the Rajganj area in India's Jalpaiguri district. A flag meeting between company commanders of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and BSF was held over the spike in tensions, but no resolution was reached. According to locals, Gop was detained Saturday morning after he entered a sugarcane field on the Bangladeshi side near Sub-Pillar No. 12 of Main Pillar No. 742 at the Birajot border in Satmara Union of Sadar Upazila.  Locals alleged that Bangladeshi farmer Tamiz Uddin had gone to the Birajot border area on Wednesday morning (Aug. 5) to search for his missing cow. He was later allegedly picked up by members of BSF from the Chaulhati camp. In retaliation, locals detained Gop after he allegedly entered Bangladesh from the Indian side while working at a tea garden near the border. The border residents claimed that Gop was caught after attempting to enter a Bangladeshi village and crossing an embankment. They also said Gop would be handed over to the Indian authorities if reciprocated byTamiz Uddin's return to Bangladesh.

A student of Kushtia Polytechnic Institute died after slipping and coming into contact with an electrified gate while washing his hands at a wedding reception in the district on Saturday. The deceased was identified as Gopi Biswas, 21, younger son of Gautam Biswas of Islampur village under Janipur Union. He was a seventh-semester student of the Mechanical Department of Kushtia Polytechnic Institute. The incident occurred at a wedding reception in Islampur village around 4:30pm. According to family members, Gopi had returned home from his hostel during an exam break to attend the wedding reception of his childhood friend Nishit. After eating at the reception, he went to wash his hands when he slipped and fell against an electric gate, receiving an electric shock. Locals rescued him and took him to the emergency department of the Upazila Health Complex, where the doctor on duty declared him dead. Dr Anwar, the duty doctor, said Gopi was brought to the hospital dead.

Engineers have started repair work on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines aircraft grounded at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in Italy due to a technical problem. Embassy officials are also maintaining close contact with airport authorities in this regard, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat said while talking to journalists after the award ceremony of the Executive Cup Golf Tournament at a hotel in the capital on Saturday night. He said 100 passengers of the flight from Toronto to Dhaka have already been shifted to hotels, while the rest are staying at the airport lounge. Special care and medicines have been arranged for sick passengers, elderly people and children, he added. “Round-the-clock communication is being maintained from Dhaka,” the state minister said. Earlier, in his speech as the chief guest at the Golf Award ceremony, Millat said there is a great opportunity to increase tourism and international friendship in the country through golf.

The district administration has formed a five-member committee to investigate Friday’s head-on collision between two buses on the Sylhet-Dhaka highway in Osmaninagar that left nine people dead. Additional District Magistrate Pinki Saha has been made head of the committee, the Sylhet district administration confirmed on Saturday. The committee has been asked to identify the actual cause of the accident and submit a detailed report within five working days. Representatives from the Highway Police, Fire Service and Civil Defence, Roads and Highways Department and the Osmaninagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s (UNO) office are among the committee members. Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Al Mamun said the accident occurred between buses of Unique and Bengal Paribahan in the Kashikapur area of Osmaninagar upazila on Friday morning. Seven people died on the spot, while two others, including a child, died while undergoing treatment at hospital. Sixteen people were injured in the accident and are receiving treatment, he said. Soon after the accident, the deputy commissioner and other senior officials visited Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital to see the injured. The district administration provided Tk 10,000 as immediate assistance to each injured person and Tk 20,000 to each family of the deceased for burial expenses. It also provided Tk 15,000 to an ICU patient. The deputy commissioner said the highway was relatively empty when the accident occurred. Although reckless driving or driver fatigue was initially suspected as a possible cause, the actual cause will be known after the investigation report is submitted, he said. Meanwhile, Expatriates’ Welfare and Foreign Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury visited the injured at the hospital on Saturday morning and announced financial assistance for the victims. He announced that Tk 5 lakh would be provided to each family of the deceased, Tk 3 lakh to each person who became disabled and Tk 1 lakh to each injured person. Separately, the registration of the two buses involved in the accident has been cancelled, said Engineer Abdur Rashid, assistant director of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) in Sylhet, on Saturday evening. The concerned drivers and owners of the two buses have also been asked to appear before the BRTA within five days to explain their positions. “For now, the registration of the two buses involved in the accident has been cancelled. An explanation has also been sought from the drivers and owners. Further action will be taken after receiving their explanations,” he said.  

A devastating fire in the busy Borobazar commercial area of Netrokona town destroyed five business establishments and three houses on Friday night, before 8 Fire Service units brought the flames under control after a 90-minute struggle. The blaze broke out on Friday around 9.27 pm in the town's most densely populated commercial hub, prompting affected families and business owners to demand immediate rehabilitation. While preliminary reports suggest significant damage, victims asserted that the total financial loss could range between Tk 4 crore and Tk 5 crore. Khandaker Mushfiqur Rahman, Netrokona Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Magistrate, visited the scene to inspect the damage and speak with the victims on Saturday. According to the DC's media cell, he instructed relevant authorities to ensure a fair assessment of the losses and to provide necessary assistance to those affected. Later, the DC visited Netrokona Sadar Hospital to check on those injured in the fire, including firefighters from the Fire Service and Civil Defence who were hurt during the rescue operation. He discussed their treatment progress with doctors and directed that all necessary medical care be ensured. Md. Tariqul Islam, Netrokona Superintendent of Police (SP), also visited the scene multiple times to oversee the situation. Local authorities, including the district administration, police, and municipality, remain on alert as the removal of damaged goods continues.

A pedestrian and a teenager were killed, and a motorcyclist critically injured in a road accident in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila on Saturday. The accident occurred around noon in the Nengrihat area on the Baliadangi-Thakurgaon road in Rahimanpur union. The deceased were identified as Abul Hossain, 60, son of the late Debaru Mohammad of Rahimanpur union, and Arnab Islam, 13, son of Delawar Hossain of Jiyabari area in Baliadangi upazila. According to locals, a motorcycle was heading towards Thakurgaon from Baliadangi when it hit Abul Hossain as he was crossing the road. He died on the spot. The two people riding the motorcycle were also seriously injured. Locals rescued them and took them to Thakurgaon 250-bed General Hospital, where Arnab died while undergoing treatment. Shahjahan Ali, Thakurgaon Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), said a case has been filed over the accident.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) to work with the highest sense of responsibility and humanity for the development of the country and welfare of its people, saying public service is a major trust and blessing for those entrusted with state responsibilities. “Today we are here, tomorrow we will not be. Let us all try to leave a safe Bangladesh for the next generation, where everyone can live a little better,” he said. The Prime Minister is speaking at a meeting with UNOs from different upazilas at his office in Tejgaon, said a release issued by the PM’s Press Wing. Describing field-level officials as a bridge between the government and the people, he said an upazila where an UNO is posted may not be his or her own, but it is still a part of Bangladesh and its people should be treated like their own. “If we want to put this small country in order, we all have to work together,” he said. Tarique Rahman also urged the UNOs to play a more active role in raising public awareness, saying every social problem cannot be solved simply by making or enforcing laws. He stressed the need for stronger local initiatives to protect the environment. The Prime Minister noted that Dhaka has long remained among the world’s most polluted cities, but said recent improvements are a positive sign that should be built upon. He urged UNOs to encourage people and local authorities to plant more trees. “If officials motivate people who already want to plant trees, an individual who plants 10 trees could be encouraged to plant 50.” Tarique Rahman also asked the field administrators to promote sports at the local level, saying sports help young people develop discipline and positive habits. He said sports events need not be limited to national occasions such as Victory Day or Independence Day and could be organised around any meaningful local occasion. The Prime Minister expressed concern over what he described as a decline in compassion and humanitarian values in society. “People are gradually losing their sense of kindness and becoming crueller,” he said, adding that various forms of mental and social pressure could be contributing to the trend. Tarique Rahman called for initiatives at the local level to strengthen empathy and compassion among people. “If we are the best of creation, then we have to think not only about ourselves but also about others,” he said, urging people to care for animals, birds and nature as well. The Prime Minister suggested that UNOs visit schools and help raise children’s awareness about humanity, compassion and care for animals and nature. He said such values, once taught through family, society and religious practices, have weakened over time. Tarique Rahman said efforts are being made to bring them back, including by incorporating lessons on humanity and compassion for animals at the primary level. At the meeting, he praised and thanked UNOs from 83 upazilas for completing canal re-excavation projects and returning surplus funds to the government treasury. The Prime Minister said their actions have set a positive example for both the government and the people. “You have set a positive example for the government and the people. I believe you can do many good things for the people,” he said. He told the officials that they have reached their positions through their own merit and have been given an opportunity to serve the people and the state. “Realising the importance of this opportunity, you have to use it for the welfare of the people,” Tarique Rahman said. During the meeting, UNOs shared the impact of canal re-excavation projects in their respective upazilas, particularly on agriculture, water management and people's daily lives. They said areas that previously produced two crops a year are now producing three crops following the re-excavation of canals. Improved drainage and irrigation have also brought positive changes to farming and local water management, the UNOs said. They also conveyed messages of thanks and gratitude from beneficiaries to the Prime Minister. Receiving the messages, he said the main objective of re-excavating canals is to restore the traditional riverine character of Bangladesh. Tarique Rahman warned that the country’s groundwater level is gradually falling, which could create a serious crisis in the future. “We have to prepare from now to face that situation,” he said. He said the government plans to re-excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country in phases. The Prime Minister expects the programme to bring long-term benefits by conserving water, increasing agricultural production, reducing waterlogging and maintaining environmental balance. He said national development is not limited to infrastructure or economic growth; building humanity, compassion, and a sense of responsibility among people is also an important part of development. “Our main issue is one. Our goal and objective are also one,” he said. Tarique Rahman again urged field-level officials to remain responsible and humane in dealing with people and called for an end to cruelty towards wildlife and animals. “Let Bangladesh be a safe place for all living beings,” he said. The meeting was attended by 83 UNOs who returned surplus funds from canal re-excavation projects. Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Administration Ismail Zabiullah, State Minister for Public Administration Abdul Bari, Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Ghani, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Press Secretary Saleh Shibli and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, among other senior officials, were present.

The government has taken an initiative to formulate a draft policy on the import, storage, transportation, distribution and marketing of refined fuel oil by the private sector to ensure uninterrupted and secure fuel supplies in the country. The Energy Division said the proposed “Policy on Import, Storage, Transportation, Distribution and Marketing of Refined Fuel by the Private Sector, 2026” aims to strengthen the country’s energy security and maintain an uninterrupted fuel supply system. The policy also seeks to establish a transparent and competitive system under which the infrastructure and investment capacity of the private sector could be utilised in the national interest, particularly during emergencies or crises, alongside the existing government mechanisms. The Energy Division said the draft policy would be finalised after taking opinions and recommendations from all stakeholders concerned. It said any decision to formulate such a policy would be considered only if it ensures public interest, energy security, a competitive market, transparency and accountability. “Therefore, there is no scope under this policy to provide any special benefit to any particular individual, organisation or group,” the Energy Division said in a statement on Saturday. The clarification came amid reports and discussions on some media outlets and social media platforms regarding the proposed policy. The Energy Division said some speculative and inaccurate information had recently been published about the proposed policy, describing such reports as undesirable. It urged all concerned to act responsibly while reporting or commenting on the proposed policy.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan has said fines will be imposed through mobile courts if dengue larva is found at any residential building or establishment within the DNCC area. He also said 10 magistrates have already joined the DNCC for implementing the measure and will begin operations soon. The administrator made the remarks while responding to a question from journalists after inaugurating a special cleanliness drive and rally at Nawab Habibullah Model School and College in the city's Uttara on Saturday. He said legal action would also be taken against those who deliberately dump waste in front of their houses or establishments. Highlighting the DNCC's ongoing efforts to control dengue and mosquitoes, Shafiqul Islam Khan said such activities are being conducted every week through schools and colleges and will continue. He sought cooperation from citizens, alongside DNCC cleaning workers, to keep Dhaka clean and green. The DNCC Administrator urged every neighbourhood and educational institution to extend support to the cleanliness campaign. He also called on city residents to dispose of tissues and small water containers they carry while on the move at designated places. “With the cooperation of city residents, there will be no tissues or scattered waste along roadsides, and it will be possible to build a beautiful city,” he said. The administrator said a seminar on waste management was organised at the DNCC on July 15 last month, attended by various DNCC stakeholders, owners’ associations of different societies, the minister and state minister of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, secretaries of different departments, the police commissioner and other concerned officials. He said the seminar was organised as part of an initiative to raise awareness among all concerned. He also said a programme was held at a school on July 28 last month, and today’s special cleanliness drive and rally was formally inaugurated as a continuation of that initiative. Speaking as a special guest, Dhaka-18 constituency MP SM Jahangir Hossain urged everyone to cooperate with the DNCC’s cleanliness campaign. Senior DNCC officials  were present at the programme.