Bangladesh has expressed extreme disappointment over US State Department’s unsubstantiated claim of deaths of at least two persons, and said such “baseless claim” can fuel the violence and undermine Bangladesh government’s efforts. “Use of unverified information to make such baseless claims can fuel violence and undermine Bangladesh government’s efforts to maintain a peaceful environment to allow non-violent protests or movement,” Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seheli Sabrin said today. Student violence: Is US State Department being misled by rumours over claim of two deaths? She said the foreign ministry is “extremely disappointed” by the response of Mathew Miller, Spokesperson of the US State Department, to a question during a regular press briefing on July 15, 2024 (Washington time), where he made unsubstantiated claims of at least two deaths in the ongoing student protests in Bangladesh. The foreign ministry spokesperson said freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are cornerstones of democracy, and the government remains steadfast to uphold those rights of the citizens while also safeguarding public property and order. She said violence does not have any place in democracy and politics. “We have recently witnessed with horror an attempt on the life of former US President Donald Trump during a peaceful rally in Pennsylvania, USA,” Sabrin said. She said they are “deeply concerned” by the incident and such violence runs against the core values of democracy. “The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh have separately condemned the attack and sighed relief learning that Trump was safe and recovering,” she said. To uphold democracy and democratic values, the foreign ministry spokesperson said they are committed to working together with the US. Quota reform protests: Students block several points of Dhaka-Barishal Highway When specific information on the State Department’s claim was sought from the US Embassy in Dhaka, its acting spokesperson Leonard Hill told UNB this morning that the statement was “monitoring reports” that included the injuries and deaths. “We are always looking for the most accurate information and welcome journalists’ work to uncover the truth,” he said.

Though there is no report in Bangladesh media or from law enforcement agencies regarding any death during the current student protests, the US Department of State says otherwise raising a question whether it fell prey to rumours seen on social media platforms. "So we are aware of and are monitoring reports of widespread student protests in Dhaka and around Bangladesh that have killed two and attacked and injured hundreds," US Department of State Spokesperson Mathew Miller said at a regular media briefing in Washington on Monday, July 15. How a night of utter mayhem unfolded at JU When specific information was sought from the US Embassy in Dhaka, its acting Spokesperson Leonard Hill told UNB on Tuesday morning that the statement was “monitoring reports” that included the injuries and deaths. "We are always looking for the most accurate information and welcome journalists’ work to uncover the truth," he said. Quota reform: Protesters announce their Tuesday programme Spokesperson Miller said the "freedom of expression and peaceful assembly" are essential building blocks of any thriving democracy. "We condemn any violence against peaceful protesters. Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by this violence," he said during the briefing. Despite BCL cranking up violence to intimidate students, quota reformists not cowering Foreign Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday said the government would not allow anyone to cause instability in the country, noting that there is an effort to turn the anti-quota movement into an anti-state and anti-government movement by exploiting the sentiments of young students. “The government will not allow this. This government is a very strong government. No political evil force will be allowed to destabilise the country by playing with the sentiments of young students,” he told reporters while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hasan said anti-state slogans were chanted from the quota movement on Sunday night. “Through the Liberation War in 1971, this country gained independence, sacrificing the blood of 30 lakh martyrs. Here, chanting slogans in favour of razakars are anti-state.” “It is clear that political evil forces have entered the quota movement, including BNP and Jamaat, who want to destabilise the country, and some of their planted people are leading it,” Hasan said.

Following worldwide speculation regarding his sudden passing, Zimbabwean cricket legend Heath Streak has quashed the reports, asserting that he is indeed "very much alive." Streak conveyed this confirmation in a text exchange with his former teammate, Henry Olonga. In May of this year, it was revealed that the former allrounder had been diagnosed with cancer. Read: Ebadot out of Asia Cup 2023; Tanzim Sakib named as replacement Olonga, who played alongside Streak as a fast bowler for Zimbabwe, was among the initial sources to disseminate the news of Streak's purported demise from his social media account. Olonga, later, emerged as the bearer of the truth, clarifying that Streak is, in fact, alive. The message Olonga conveyed, accompanied by a screenshot from a messaging application on his X (formerly Twitter) handle was both poignant and symbolic: "The third umpire has called him back." Read: Injury casts uncertainty on Ebadot's participation in Asia Cup Elaborating further, Olonga added, "I can confirm that rumours of the demise of Heath Streak have been greatly exaggerated. I just heard from him. He is very much alive folks." Sources from Zimbabwe Cricket have also confirmed that the former captain is alive, though he continues to battle the cancer he has been striving to recover from. Streak had served as a bowling coach for the Bangladesh team, playing a pivotal role in shaping Bangladesh's current formidable pace attack. Read: Tamim Iqbal Resumes Batting Practice as Comeback Journey Progresses A former captain of Zimbabwe's cricket team, Streak boasts an impressive record of 254 international matches. His contribution to the sport is underscored by amassing over 15,000 runs in competitive cricket, in addition to clinching more than 13,00 wickets. He was one of the best allrounders of his time.

A Rajshahi court on Tuesday sentenced man to five-year imprisonment in a case over spreading rumour about using human head to construct Padma Bridge in 2011 through Facebook. Rajshahi divisional Cyber Crime Tribunal Judge Ziaur Rahman pronounced the judgment. The convict is Razib Hossain,30, son of Abdur Razzaq of Durgapur upazila in Rajshahi. In October, 2011,  Razib posted a status from his Facebook profile that said, ”The Padma Bridge construction in Bangladesh has been obstructed as it will need more than 1 lakh human heads. As per the directive of the Prime Minister, 41 teams are out on the streets, playgrounds, markets with sharp weapons and gas spray to collect those heads,” said Public Prosecutor Ismat Ara. Also read: Woman gets 5-yr jail term for possessing drugs in Chattogram Woman gets 5-yr jail term for possessing drugs in Chattogram He also said the main target of these teams are women and children and they are doing this heinous crime even entering people’s houses so he posted it to create awareness, she said. Razib was sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment under section 25(2) of the Digital Security Act, 2018, with fine of Tk two lakh. In case of failure to pay the fine, he will have to serve another six months’ imprisonment. Also read: Attack on Ghoraghat UNO: One gets 13 years jail Under section 31(2) of the same act, he was sentenced to three years imprisonment with Tk 3 lakh in fine. In case of failure to pay the fine  he will have to serve six months more imprisonment. 

Just like any other day, Rupam Rifat, a private firm staff, was busy at his desk in the office. Things were going well until he received a phone call.

Bogura, Aug 5 (UNB) – Two people, including a college teacher, were arrested here on Monday on charge of spreading rumours through social media about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and construction of the Padma Bridge.

Dhaka, Aug 1 (UNB) - Prime Minister's Adviser on Political Affairs HT Imam on Thursday warned that stern actions will be taken against those involved in spreading rumours against the country and its people.

Dhaka, July 27 (UNB)— The government has opened a media cell to raise awareness about dengue and rumours. 

Narail, July 13 (UNB)- A youth was arrested from Lohagara uapzila early Saturday for spreading rumour on YouTube over Padma Bridge construction.