United News of Bangladesh

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Monday urged the people to remain cautious and not be misled by misinformation circulating on social media, clarifying that recently shared photocards attributed to State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam are entirely false. The MoFA noticed fabricated photocards that were circulated online falsely quoting the State Minister. One such card claims, “We must approach India with submission, just as we now rely on them even for oil. Shouting slogans like ‘Delhi or Dhaka’ is meaningless. We need to understand that if we antagonise India, our very existence could be at risk." The Ministry firmly said these claims are baseless, misleading, and deliberately fabricated. It emphasised that the State Minister has never made such remarks. “Therefore, everyone is requested not to be confused by this misinformation and rumor,” the MoFA said. In fact, the State Minister said Bangladesh’s foreign policy is guided by a “Bangladesh first” principle. “We will maintain relations with all countries and governments while safeguarding the interests of the people of Bangladesh. Bangladesh will stand firm and continue to engage, communicate, and foster friendly relations with all nations," the MoFA quoted her as saying.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Sunday said that human trafficking must be stopped and those involved in such inhumane activities must face exemplary punishment. “The long-term solution is how human trafficking can be prevented. We must find a way. It cannot be allowed. This does not fall under any definition of civilisation,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The State Minister said traffickers must be punished under both domestic and international laws. Govt prioritises safety of Bangladeshis abroad amid Middle East tensions: State Minister At least 18 Bangladeshis died while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea through a risky and illegal route, trying to reach Greece via Libya. International media, quoting the Greek coastguard, reported that 22 migrants died off the coast of Greece while attempting to reach Europe. Another 26 survived the ordeal and were rescued by a European border agency vessel near the island of Crete. Officials said the survivors included a woman and a minor, adding that those in need of medical care were transferred to hospitals. Among the survivors, 21 were Bangladeshi citizens, four were from South Sudan, and one was a Chadian national. The boat had been at sea for six days after departing from Tobruk, a port city in eastern Libya, on March 21. The city is widely seen by migrants as a gateway to seeking asylum in the European Union. “We are yet to receive details. Our missions are in constant communication with the authorities there (Greece). The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment is also aware of the situation. We are working together to ensure proper support for those who were rescued,” the State Minister said. She described the incident as extremely unfortunate, noting that people are engaging in such inhumane acts for financial gain. Those rescued have been taken either to hospitals or camps, she added. Need to Complete Certain Procedures Responding to a question about repatriating the bodies and survivors, the State Minister said it would take some time. “We need to complete certain procedures. In such incidents, governments become particularly sensitive,” she said. The State Minister said the priority is to assess the condition of the survivors, confirm their identities, and complete proper verification before taking further steps, including assistance and repatriation. She said Bangladesh embassies in Athens and Libya remain active in dealing with the situation and are continuing investigations. “We have received preliminary information from our missions,” the State Minister said, adding that they suspect that trafficking networks are operating both in Bangladesh and Libya. She said these groups lure people with false promises and put their lives at risk. The State Minister said citizens from a number of countries were on board, calling it particularly tragic that a woman and a child were among them. “Our missions are working to gather more details,” she added. The State Minister said she has instructed the relevant missions to investigate and identify those responsible. “We are facing a harsh global reality. People in many countries feel insecure for various reasons. In such circumstances, exploiting vulnerable individuals for profit through inhumane means is deeply unfortunate,” she said. The number of migrants who have died trying to reach EU soil more than doubled in the first two months of 2026, compared with last year, the EU border agency Frontex said earlier this month.

The High Commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh, Ajit Singh, on Monday met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and discussed issues of mutual interest. During the meeting, the two sides emphasised the importance of sustained partnerships and continued collaboration on various aspects of bilateral relations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bangladesh. Rapists have no political identity, offenders will face law: Shama Obaed

The Ministry of Finance on Tuesday dismissed as baseless a Facebook event created in the name of State Minister for Finance Md Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, urging the public not to be misled by rumours circulating on social media. According to an official press release, the event was created on Facebook using the state minister’s name under the title: “Torch procession led by Jonaed Saki demanding the resignation of the Home Minister over the alleged harassment of a University of Dhaka student by Ramna Zone Police DC Masud at Suhrawardy Udyan.” Finance Minister Khosru pledges ‘revolutionary’ shift in economy, stock market The ministry clarified that the state minister has no involvement whatsoever with the event and described it as entirely fabricated and misleading. Officials said the event falsely claimed that Saki would lead a torch procession at Suhrawardy Udyan in protest against an alleged incident involving a student of the University of Dhaka. The ministry stressed that the event was created without his knowledge, consent, or authorisation. In the statement, State Minister Saki urged citizens not to believe or spread such false and unverified information. Economic policy to be inclusive and fair, says new finance minister He also called on social media users to remain cautious and responsible while engaging with online content. “The public is requested to stay alert and not to be misled by rumours and baseless posts using my name,” he said through the press release.

Former national football team captain Aminul Haque has been appointed as the State Minister for the Ministry of Youth and Sports under the technocrat quota. Aminul, a leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been active in politics following his retirement from professional sports. His appointment comes after a period of political struggle; during the previous Awami League government, he faced imprisonment and harassment. In the recently concluded 13th National Parliamentary Election, Haque contested from the Dhaka-16 constituency but lost by a narrow margin. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officially welcomed the appointment on Tuesday. In a media statement, BCB President Aminul Islam congratulated the new State Minister, noting that his background would be an asset to the administration. "The appointment of a distinguished sports figure like Aminul Haque as State Minister for Youth & Sports is a significant step for Bangladesh," the BCB President said. "Having led the national football team with pride, he understands the realities, challenges, and aspirations of athletes firsthand". While his playing career is highlighted by leading Bangladesh to the 2003 SAFF Championship title, he is now tasked with steering the nation's sports administration as its top guardian.

A festive mood swept across Sirajganj as two BNP lawmakers—an uncle and his nephew—were inducted into the new cabinet as minister and state minister. Party leaders and activists began distributing sweets and exchanging greetings from Tuesday afternoon after reports emerged that the two would be included in the council of ministers. Sources said the duo received phone calls from the Cabinet Division on Tuesday morning to join the new cabinet formed by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Child born at polling station in Sirajganj named after Khaleda Zia The two leaders are Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, a standing committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and MP from Sirajganj-2 (Sadar-Kamarkhanda), and his nephew MA Muhit, MP from Sirajganj-6 (Shahjadpur). They were sworn in as Members of Parliament at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the afternoon. Iqbal Hasan took oath as Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources while Muhit was sworn in as State Minister for Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and Ministry of Science and Technology. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath. Iqbal Hasan earlier served as State Minister for Power during the 2001 four-party alliance government led by Khaleda Zia. He has been elected MP for the third time, including the latest polls. BNP-Jamaat clash in Sirajganj leaves 9 injured Muhit was elected MP for the first time from Sirajganj-6. He is the son of eye specialist Dr. MA Matin, who served as deputy prime minister and health minister during the rule of former president Hussain Muhammad Ershad. General Secretary of Sirajganj district unit BNP, Saidur Rahman Bachchu expressed pride and joy over the appointment of two ministers from the district and extended congratulations on behalf of the residents of Sirajganj.

Police filed a case against former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak  in Natore's Singra upazila under the Arms Act for failing to deposit his licensed firearms as per a government directive. Sub-Inspector Abul Kalam Azad of Singra Police Station filed the case on Wednesday, accusing the former minister of violating official orders. Zunaid Ahmed Palak hospitalized while on remand According to the case statement, the government had suspended all firearm licenses issued up to August 5, last year, instructing license holders to submit their weapons to the respective police stations. Despite the deadline passing, Palak failed to surrender a pistol and a shotgun that remained in his possession.  

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that Bangladesh requires $170 billion dollars investment in the power and energy sector by 2041. He said while addressing a session on "Strengthening the Future of Economic Growth of Bangladesh" at the high-level discussion meeting titled "U.S.-Bangladesh Economic Partnership: Shared Vision for Smart Growth" organized by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC on Tuesday. “There are profitable investment opportunities in different sectors and sub-sectors like LNG, renewable energy, smart grid, smart distribution, electric vehicle infrastructure, onshore and offshore hydrocarbon exploration,” said the state minister. Read More: Investment in Bangladesh will bring huge success: PM Hasina to Japanese businesses He also said that upgrading gas infrastructure, setting up petrochemical industries, reducing GHG emissions, smart gas distribution are among the sectors where US companies can invest and the government will provide special incentives to foreign investors. He said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given the vision of building a smart Bangladesh to build the golden Bangladesh as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “It needs financial investment as well as technical and knowledge-based cooperation to realise the vision,” he said adding that investment should come not only from multilateral development agencies, but also from the public and private sectors. Read More: Momen due to leave for US Friday with trade and investment high on agenda Eric Walker, president of Chevron's Bangladesh office and Dr. John Ardil, vice president of Exxon Mobil also addressed the event.

The operation of Matarbari deep sea port will start in 2026, said State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday. The Matarbari deep sea port is visible now and the construction work of the jetty and container yard will start in July next, he said while talking to reporters after visiting the Matarbari port development activities. Once the sea port starts operation, large feeder vessels will be anchored at the port which will save time and money, he said adding, the Matarbari sea port will be turned into a commercial hub. The state minister the government took the Matarbari Port Development Project involving Tk 17,777.20 crore and the tenure of the project was set till December 31, 2026. Currently, the authorities have completed the drawing design of the project. Read more: Govt positive about Singapore company's 400MW Matarbari solar power plant proposal: Nasrul Already the construction work of a 350 metre wide, 16 metre deep and 14.30 kilometre long approach channel has been completed while the construction work of a 2,150 metre long break water ( one kind of dam) on the northern side of the port and 670 metre long break water on the southern side of the port also finished, said Khalid. Asheq Ullah Rafiq MP, chairman of Chattogram port Rear Admiral M Shahjahan and coordinator of Matarbari port project Md Yusuf were present there.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Zakir Hossain on Tuesday said the government will start feeding programme at all primary schools across the country from June this year. The school feeding programme was launched in 104 upazilas of the country in 2010 in the poverty-stricken areas and ended in June, 2022, he said while speaking at a programme at the Ministry. The school feeding programme played an effective role in fulfilling the nutritional need in children, cent enrollment in schools, regular attendance of students, reducing dropout rate and timely completion of education cycle, he said. Read more: Primary scholarship exam results to be published by Feb 28 So, the government has taken steps to launch feeding programme at primary schools across the country, said the minister. The government has taken an initiative to change 200 government primary schools’ names which are inappropriate, said Zakir. “A policy regarding this was issued on 23 January 2022.  We have decided to publish gazette within six months,” he said.