United News of Bangladesh

A humanoid robot named “Flash”, developed by Shenzhen Honor Smart Technology Development Co., Ltd., won the 2026 Beijing E-Town Half-Marathon on Sunday, completing the race in 50 minutes and 26 seconds using fully autonomous navigation. Its performance surpassed the human half-marathon world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds. The current human record was set last month by Uganda’s long-distance runner Jacob Kiplimo at the Lisbon Half Marathon in Portugal. This year’s race marked a significant advancement from the inaugural 2025 edition, when the robot Tiangong Ultra finished in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds, and only six of 20 teams completed the full 21.0975-kilometer course. In the 2026 edition, more than 100 teams participated, including entries from Germany, France, and Brazil. The event showcased major improvements in humanoid robotics, with robots demonstrating greater speed, balance, and stability. To ensure safety, robots and human runners followed the same course but ran in separate lanes. The robot category had a cutoff time of 3 hours and 40 minutes. Participants could compete either through remote control or autonomous navigation, with around 40 percent choosing full autonomy. Results for remotely controlled robots were adjusted using a 1.2 coefficient to encourage the development of independent navigation technology. According to Liang Liang, deputy secretary-general of the Chinese Institute of Electronics, the scoring system is designed to promote autonomous navigation capabilities, which are seen as essential for future real-world applications of humanoid robots. In the human category, China’s Zhao Haijie won the men’s race in 1 hour, 7 minutes, and 47 seconds, while compatriot Wang Qiaoxia took the women’s title in 1 hour, 18 minutes, and 6 seconds.  

Pakistani authorities have begun tightening security in the capital, Islamabad, ahead of a possible second round of ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran. Authorities on Sunday deployed troops at roadside checkpoints, closed tourist sites and ordered major hotels to cancel bookings and keep facilities available. Islamabad’s streets are largely deserted, as residents stayed home to avoid road closures seen earlier this month during the first round of talks. While there were no formal announcements, Pakistani officials said arrangements are in place for talks in the coming days. A regional official involved in the mediation efforts said mediators were finalizing the preparations. He said U.S. advance security teams are already on the ground. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the preparations. Pakistan has led mediation efforts to end the war. Its military chief visited Tehran last week, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with regional leaders in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Sunday told the Parliament that a plan has been taken to set educational qualifications for journalists and create an online database aiming to ensuring the dignity of genuine journalists. “In the era of free flow of information, to improve the quality of journalism, ensure the dignity of genuine journalists and prevent fake journalism, the Bangladesh Press Council has taken a plan to determine the educational qualifications of journalists and create an online database,” he said, while replying to a scripted question from Jamaat lawmaker Md. Abdul Aleem (Bagerhat-4). To combat misinformation and propaganda, the minister said his ministry has already adopted several action plans. Through the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB), training will be provided on artificial intelligence, narrative building, information policy support, and multimedia journalism, he added. He said communication and cooperation have been strengthened with international media operating in the country. “Preparations are underway to organise discussions and seminars involving fact-checking organisations, mainstream media, and other stakeholders to address fake news and misinformation,” he added. Swapon said 22 photocards and 10 information bulletins on rumor prevention have been distributed by the Press Information Department (PID) to national dailies and online news portals for publication. The minister said any aggrieved person or organisation can file complaints with the Press Council against journalists or editors for publishing content that violates journalistic ethics or decency. “Currently, eight complaints are pending with the Press Council,” he added. In reply to a tabled question from ruling party lawmaker Md Jalal Uddin (Chadpur-2), the minister said the number of approved private television channels is 55 in the country and of which 37 channels are in full telecast operation. He also said four other television channels are owned by the government. The four channels are Bangladesh Television, BTV News (former name – BTV World), Sangsad Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Television, Chattogram Centre. The minister said the approval of any new TV channel is not pending now. In case of settlement of application to approve any new TV channel, necessary steps would be taken as per rules, he added.

Consumers will pay more for cooking gas as Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) raised Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) price again on Sunday, the second increase in just 18 days. The new rates took effect at 6 pm Sunday. The price of a 12-kg cylinder, the most common household size, has been raised by Tk 212 to Tk 1,940. Combined with the previous revision, consumers have absorbed a cumulative increase of Tk 599 on the standard cylinder within less than three weeks. The last adjustment was made on April 2 when the 12-kg cylinder was priced at Tk 1,728. BERC cited rising LPG import freight charges, trader premium costs and higher diesel prices as the reasons behind the revision. The revised LPG prices for different cylinder sizes are as follows-5.5 kg at Tk 889; 12.5 kg at Tk 2,021; 15 kg at Tk 2,425; 16 kg at Tk 2,587; 18 kg at Tk 2,910; 20 kg at Tk 3,233; 22 kg at Tk 3,557; 25 kg at Tk 4,042; 30 kg at Tk 4,850; 33 kg at Tk 5,335; 35 kg at Tk 5,658; and 45 kg at Tk 7,275. The revised rates apply to both private-sector LPG and auto-gas (vehicular CNG alternative) at the consumer level.  

In a new push to restore order to Bangladesh’s often chaotic transport sector, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) is moving to introduce Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking in public vehicles that could transform enforcement and accountability on the country’s roads. The proposed system will enable authorities to monitor vehicle movements and speeds in real time, offering a technology-driven solution to long-standing problems such as reckless driving, unauthorised stoppages, passenger overloading and fare irregularities. “If GPS is introduced, violations can be tracked instantly. Over-speeding or traffic rule breaches will be automatically recorded, allowing legal action against both drivers and owners,” a senior official at the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges told UNB. The initiative comes as part of a broader, multi-pronged strategy led by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) to tackle the country’s worsening road safety situation, according to an official document. The authorities has  already rolled out a mix of engineering, enforcement and management measures, including redesigning accident-prone “black spots,” improving road geometry, and expanding the installation of traffic signs, signals and road markings. Infrastructure upgrades are also underway, with guardrails, speed breakers, delineators and signboards being installed on key highways. To protect pedestrians, overpasses, footbridges, zebra crossings and service roads are being constructed in busy commercial areas, while provisions for slow-moving and non-motorised vehicles are gradually being introduced. Officials said the integration of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)—such as CCTV surveillance, Vehicle Detection Systems (VDS) and Variable Message Signs (VMS)—is already reshaping traffic monitoring. A speed enforcement system currently operational on the Dhaka–Mawa Expressway is expected to be expanded nationwide. To strengthen institutional capacity, a dedicated Road Design and Safety Circle has been established to analyse accident trends and coordinate safety interventions. Meanwhile, four rest houses for long-distance drivers in Cumilla, Sirajganj, Magura and Habiganj have been set up to reduce fatigue-related accidents. Despite these measures, road safety indicators continue to deteriorate. Data from the Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association (BPWA) paints a grim picture: at least 9,111 people were killed and 14,812 injured in 6,729 road accidents in 2025. Compared to the previous year, accidents rose by nearly 7 percent, while fatalities and injuries also recorded significant increases. The economic toll is equally alarming. Experts estimate that road crashes cost the country over Tk 600 billion annually, straining both the economy and healthcare system. Motorcycles remain the single biggest contributor to accidents, accounting for around 37 percent of total incidents. Pedestrians are the most vulnerable group, making up nearly half of all fatalities, while national highways account for over a third of accidents. Safety analysts attribute the rising death toll to a combination of reckless driving, unskilled operators, unregulated battery-run vehicles, poor infrastructure and weak law enforcement. The risks were particularly evident during the recent Eid-ul-Fitr travel rush. Between March 14 and March 28, at least 351 people were killed and over 1,000 injured in road crashes, according to BPWA. Including rail and waterway incidents, total fatalities climbed to 394. Separate data from the Road Safety Foundation reported 298 deaths in 373 road accidents over the same period—an average of about 20 deaths per day. Motorcycles again featured prominently, accounting for nearly 38 percent of fatalities. Experts say head-on collisions and run-over incidents dominate crash patterns, with more than 40 percent occurring on national highways. Chattogram division recorded the highest number of deaths during the period. While the planned GPS tracking system is being welcomed as a step toward modernising traffic enforcement, experts caution that technology alone cannot resolve the crisis. As Bangladesh grapples with mounting casualties on its roads, the success of the GPS initiative may ultimately depend on how effectively it is implemented—and whether it can bring about the behavioural change that has long eluded the sector.    

Poultry farmers in Bangladesh are currently incurring losses of at least Tk 2 on each egg sold due to falling market prices, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said on Sunday.  “We must prioritise marginal farmers. If small-scale producers are affected, the entire sector will be at risk,” he said at a stakeholder dialogue with poultry trade bodies held at a city hotel. He said the small-scale producers—the backbone of the sector—could face collapse if the situation is not addressed urgently. The state minister said large businesses also have a responsibility to support smaller operators who are under pressure from selling below production cost while facing reduced access to credit for purchasing chicks. He urged major industry players to restore credit facilities for small farmers and stressed the need for integrity in vaccine supply chains. “Companies importing vaccines must ensure quality. Substandard vaccines should never be supplied to marginal farmers,” he said. Addressing concerns over loan complications and rising taxes, Tuku said poultry farmers would be brought under the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s newly introduced Farmer Card scheme, which he said would help ease access to credit and resolve tax-related issues. Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Delwar Hossain assured stakeholders of possible tax relief for the sector and said policy concerns including regulatory and operational challenges would be resolved through continued dialogue. On vaccine production, he said Bangladesh currently manufactures about 12 percent of its required animal vaccines domestically but this capacity could be doubled with modest infrastructure improvements. “The government is working towards expanding local production,” he said. Director General of the Department of Livestock Shahzaman Khan said steps would be taken to gradually reduce small farmers’ dependence on moneylenders and middlemen. “Around 90 percent of poultry farmers are small operators who rely heavily on intermediaries for feed, chicks and finance. That dependency will be reduced,” he said. Industry representatives at the event said with the right policy support, Bangladesh could meet domestic poultry demand fully and potentially begin exporting poultry products by 2030.  

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood and State Minister Aninda Islam Amit met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Sunday and briefed him on the country’s fuel situation. “They met the Prime Minister at his office at the Secretariat and informed him of the latest fuel situation,” said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. After the meeting, the Energy Minister told waiting journalists that the government had no alternative but to hike the prices as fuel imports require foreign currency, and the adjustment was necessary to keep the situation at a tolerable level. He said the country is going through a “wartime situation” amid global volatility in fuel prices. “Countries around the world have adjusted fuel prices. Even the United States has increased prices,” he said. The minister, however, said Bangladesh has fixed prices at a level that is still below the actual import cost. He said war always brings adverse impacts. “Not only Bangladesh, but the entire world has been affected, and we are also feeling that impact,” he said. Replying to a question, Iqbal Hassan said the government will need to provide subsidies even after raising fuel prices. Earlier, a meeting on water resources management was held at the Secretariat with the Prime Minister in the chair. Tarique Rahman arrived at his office at the Secretariat at 12:05pm. The first programme of the day was a meeting of the water management committee. Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad, water expert Ainun Nishat, and senior officials of the ministry attended the meeting. Later, Annie said discussions were held on preparations to face the monsoon, including possible floods and waterlogging. “We informed the Prime Minister of our plans and the measures needed in advance,” he said, adding that canal excavation programmes are ongoing, and the Prime Minister is expected to inaugurate such programmes in Jashore on April 27 and in Sylhet on May 2.  

The Indian government has reportedly decided to send 75-year-old veteran politician and former Union Minister Dinesh Trivedi as next India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh. As a first political appointee in the neighbourhood after a long time, BJP leader Trivedi will replace career diplomat Pranay Verma, who will move to Brussels as the Indian Ambassador to the European Union (EU), reports Hindustan Times on Sunday, describing the move as a significant development. However, a diplomatic source in New Delhi told UNB that there has been no official announcement yet. Meanwhile, Amit Malviya, in-charge of BJP’s National Information and Technology Department and co-incharge West Bengal congratulated Dinesh Trivedi for being appointed as India's envoy to High Commissioner to Bangladesh. “Congratulations to Sri Dinesh Trivedi, senior BJP leader, former Union Minister and Barrackpore MP, for being appointed as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh,” Amit Malviya said in a post on X. Trivedi was a Union Minister for Railways and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare during the UPA regime, as a member of the Trinamool Congress. He resigned from the TMC on February 12, 2021 and joined the BJP on March 6, 2021. Pranay Verma, current Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, has recently been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union. On April 10, the Ministry of External Affairs of India announced his appointment, noting that he will be accredited as Ambassador of India to the European Union. Pranay Verma is expected to take up the assignment shortly. Diplomatic sources told UNB that High Commissioner Verma is likely to continue here for one or two months as the new Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh has yet to be announced. Pranay Verma, who served as Ambassador of India to Vietnam, arrived in Dhaka on September 21, 2022.  

Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Sunday told Parliament that the allegations of corruption and money laundering against S Alam Group have not affected any project under his ministry. Responding to a tabled question from opposition MP Shahjahan Chowdhury, he said since the ministry is not linked to S Alam Group, it has no role in securing the arrears of salaries or the employment of the group's workers. The minister clarified that there are no plans to manage the group's seized assets or factories by appointing receivers. Regarding fertiliser production, he explained that the global crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict has made it impossible to supply gas to all urea factories. Currently, Muktadir said, only Ghorashal-Palash Fertilizer Public Limited Company is in production. To address the shortage, the government is importing an additional 7 lakh metric tons of urea – 2 lakh from Saudi Arabia’s SABIC, 1 lakh from the UAE’s Fertiglobe, and 4 lakh through international quotations – he said. The minister noted that if the gas supply is ensured, Shahjalal Fertiliser Company Limited is expected to resume production on May 1. Efforts are also underway to secure raw materials like rock phosphate and phosphoric acid for TSP and DAP factories through G2G agreements with countries, including Morocco, Jordan, Oman, China and Malaysia, he said.  

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood on Sunday told Parliament that the total outstanding bills of government and private power plants stand at around Tk 52,300 crore. “The outstanding bills of the country's government and private power plants including electricity imports stood at Tk 52,300 crore as of April 9, 2026,” he said while replying to a tabled question from BNP lawmaker SM Jahangir Hossain (Dhaka-18) in the House. Jahangir Hossain asked whether there are any outstanding bills of the government or private power plants in the country now. The Minister said of the total outstanding amount, Tk 11,634.06 crore is owed to Petrobangla for gas bill arrears from government and private companies while Tk 3,891.55 crore remains unpaid for electricity imports from India. He further said Tk 17,357.68 crore is due as capacity payments and fuel payments to gas- and fuel oil-based Independent Power Producer (IPP) plants and another Tk 15,452.91 crore remains outstanding for coal prices and capacity payments for joint venture and IPP coal-based power plants. Besides, Tk 5,623.03 crore is owed to government-owned power companies as capacity payments and fuel payment arrears while Tk 198.94 crore is pending as hauling charges. The power and energy minister also informed Parliament that the total amount of bank loans taken by power plants stands at Tk 1,49,311.26 crore.