United News of Bangladesh

Police have arrested three people in connection with the murder of a 73-year-old woman who was hacked to death while offering prayers at her home in Madhabdi upazila of Narsingdi district. The details were disclosed during a press conference at Madhabdi Police Station on Thursday noon. The arrestees were identified as Hridoy Miah, 27, son of late Harun Miah; Kadir Miah, 27, son of Sayed; and Abu Miah, 29, son of Akman Miah. All three are residents of Swarpanigor village in Meherpara union under Madhabdi area. According to Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Md. Ashikur Rahman, the victim, Jahanara Begum,73, was attacked on the verandah of her house on the evening of July 30. Following the incident, the victim's son, Mohammad Ismail Miah, filed a murder case with Madhabdi Police Station. District Detective Police (DB) conducted an investigation using information technology and intelligence, identifying the suspects. Police subsequently arrested Hriday on August 9, Kadir on August 30, and Abu on September 16. They have been sent to jail through a court order. Referencing confessional statements made by the arrestees, police said the suspects had planned the theft seven to eight months prior at a local madrasa to steal the victim's gold chain. On July 30, taking advantage of a power outage, they entered the house while Jahanara was praying. When she recognized them and attempted to resist, they struck her on the head and back with sharp weapons before fleeing with the gold chain. Police added that operations are ongoing to recover the looted gold chain and that Hriday and Kadir have prior criminal records.

Dhaka University Quiz Society (DUQS) organized the “Amber Presents 8th Dhaka University Quiz Fest and Freshers’ Reception” on Thursday bringing together more than 1,100 participants from across the university. DU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Admin) Professor Dr. Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane attended the event as the chief guest, while Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Prof Mohammad Kazi Mahbubur Rahman was present as a special guest. The event featured five segments—Inter-Department, Inter-Hall, Inter-Club, Solo Quiz and Novice Quiz. The Inter-Department segment saw 79 teams, while 67 teams participated in the Inter-Hall written round. A total of 436 contestants took part in the Solo Quiz, which offered free registration as part of the society’s freshers’ reception initiative. The Inter-Club segment featured 36 teams, while 74 teams participated in the first round of the Novice Quiz. The final stage of the Novice Quiz featured six teams selected through zonal and semifinal rounds. DUQS President Rodaba Zaman Adrita said the society introduced the Inter-Club segment this year alongside its annual freshers’ reception. The event concluded with an award ceremony, cultural performances and a reception for newly admitted students.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested a man with a foreign-made pistol, four rounds of ammunition and two magazines during an anti-smuggling operation in Shibganj upazila on Thursday. The arrestee was identified as Md Mashiur Rahman. Two motorcycles were also seized. Acting on a tip-off, a special patrol team of Sonamasjid Border Outpost under Mahananda Battalion (59 BGB) conducted a vehicle search in Baliadighi Dhanipara area of Shahbazpur Union around 5:30pm, about one kilometre inside Bangladesh from Border Pillar 185/13-S. Sensing the BGB presence, Mashiur tried to flee. After firing a blank shot, BGB members chased and arrested him. A body search led to the recovery of the arms and ammunition, while another motorcycle was later seized based on information provided by him. Legal proceedings are underway against the arrested man and over the seized items. Mahananda Battalion Commander Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury said BGB maintains a zero-tolerance policy against smuggling of arms, ammunition, drugs and other contraband along the border.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday greeted his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on his 76th birthday, wishing him good health and high spirit in serving the people of India. In a message posted on his verified X handle at night, Tarique wrote: "Warmest birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Wishing you many happy returns of the day. May your dedicated service to the people of India always be accompanied by good health and high spirit."  

A German parliamentary delegation led by Bundestag member Niklas Kappes paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram at his office on Thursday. The delegation included Bundestag members Gerold Otten, Johann Saathoff and Uhle Schaus, while German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Rüdiger Lotz also attended the meeting. The Speaker said Bangladesh and Germany have maintained longstanding friendly relations, noting that the German government had extended support to Bangladesh since the country’s independence. He said Germany is the second-largest destination for Bangladesh’s exports in the European market. Hafiz Uddin said elections had been held in Bangladesh since 1937, but the country had lagged behind in terms of democracy. He said Bangladesh achieved victory in the 1971 Liberation War in its struggle to establish democratic rights, but the people’s aspirations for democracy remained unfulfilled. The Speaker alleged that the Awami League government had undermined democracy and people’s voting rights through three consecutive “farcical” elections. He said a mass uprising led by students and people took place against enforced disappearances, killings, extrajudicial killings and “farcical” elections during the authoritarian rule. Against this backdrop, he said, democracy had been restored through an acceptable and neutral election.