United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) on Monday fined two fish and poultry feed manufacturers a total of Tk 800,000 for producing and marketing feed without obtaining mandatory BSTI licences and package registration certificates in Gazipur. During a mobile court drive conducted Kaliakair upazila, the court inspected Japfa Comfeed Bangladesh Pvt Ltd at Telirchala and found that the company had been selling and distributing poultry feed without a BSTI Certification Mark (CM) licence and packaged goods registration certificate. The mobile court fined the company Tk 500,000 under the BSTI Act, 2018 and the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 2018. In a separate raid at Krishiponno Feeds Ltd in the Bhannara area, inspectors found that the company had been producing and marketing poultry and fish feed without the required BSTI licence and packaged goods registration certificate. The court also found evidence that the company was marketing its products using sacks bearing the names of different companies. The establishment was fined Tk 300,000 under the same laws. Both companies were instructed to immediately apply for BSTI CM licences and packaged goods registration certificates. They were also warned that stricter legal action would be taken if they failed to comply. The mobile court was led by BSTI Executive Magistrate Lutfunnesa Khanam with assistance from the Gazipur District Police. BSTI Field Officer Md Khaled Hossain served as the prosecuting officer, while Engineer Arnab Chakraborty and Inspector Engineer Mohiuddin Warechi participated in the drive. BSTI Gazipur Regional Office Deputy Director and Office Head S M Talat Mahmud and Assistant Director Md Saidur Rahman also provided overall support during the operation. BSTI said such enforcement drives will continue regularly to ensure the supply of safe and quality products in the market and protect consumers' interests.

Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested seven people in separate raids in the capital, recovering contraband Indian Escaf syrup, firearms, yaba tablets and vehicles allegedly used for transporting narcotics. According to DB, the suspects used motorcycles and armed escorts to provide security to private cars carrying drugs in an attempt to evade law enforcement. Briefing reporters at at the DMP Media Centre on Monday afternoon, DMP's Additional Commissioner (DB) Shafiqul Islam said the group had long been smuggling Indian Escaf syrup from the Chapainawabganj border area into Dhaka for distribution among drug dealers. He said the gang used armed escort vehicles to avoid detection by law enforcement agencies. Efforts are underway to arrest absconding suspects and identify other members of the network. According to the DB official, a checkpoint was set up on Gabtoli Bridge on Sunday night, where police arrested Zainal Abedin after searching his vehicle. During preliminary interrogation, he allegedly provided information about the group's activities. The Detectives recovered two foreign-made firearms, one foreign-made LG, 15 rounds of lead ball cartridges and 100 bottles of Indian Escaf syrup from the vehicle. Another 450 bottles of Escaf syrup were seized from a separate private car. Two private cars allegedly used to transport drugs and firearms were also impounded. Following Zainal's arrest, DB conducted another drives one in Uttara area on Monday morning and anmd another Kafrul thana area on Sunday night. During the two drives, the DB police arrested six more suspects and seized seized 1200 bottles of Indian Escaf syrup, 2,000 yaba tablets and several vehicles allegedly used for transporting narcotics. The arrested are identified as Samiul Haque (43), Nur Islam Suruj (44), Hafizur Rahman alias Lalmia (45), Sohan Chowdhury (30), Robiul Islam Munna (24) and Kashem (35). Shafiqul Islam claimed that the two firearms had been brought from Belgium and Myanmar by Zainal and a foreign associate. He said police are verifying whether the firearms have valid documents. According to the DB, the firearms were mainly used to escort private cars transporting drugs. The DB chief said the suspects used parcel consignments carrying various goods from Cox's Bazar to transport yaba to Dhaka for distribution in different parts of the capital. According to DB, Sohan Chowdhury has multiple narcotics cases pending with Kafrul and Khilkhet police stations.

Footsteps Bangladesh, a next-generation development organization, successfully hosted the Britto Scholarship 2026 Award Ceremony at Ascott Palace Dhaka celebrating the achievements of talented students from underprivileged backgrounds.  The event which was held yesterday was organized in partnership with Prestige Magazine, bringing together educators, development professionals, and supporters committed to expanding access to higher education in Bangladesh. Results published: 79,246 students awarded Primary Scholarship The ceremony was honored by the presence of Special Guest Sayeed Ibrahim Ahmed, Assistant Professor at AIUB; Special Guest Nayoka Martinez Backstrom; Fatema Tuz Zohora, Trustee of Footsteps Bangladesh; and Sumaiya Sudha, Youth & Gender Program Manager and Researcher, ICCCAD; who served as a judge for the Britto Scholarship selection process.  This year's Britto Scholarship was awarded to 48 outstanding students representing 21 public universities across Bangladesh. The scholarship recognizes academically promising students from financially disadvantaged families, many of whom come from farming, fishing, day laboring. and other low-income households.  By reducing the financial barriers to higher education, the program aims to ensure that talented young people can pursue their academic aspirations and contribute meaningfully to the country's future. The Britto Scholarship provides comprehensive support, including financial assistance for educational expenses and opportunities for professional development through internship placements at Footsteps Bangladesh or other suitable placements that match their interests. By combining financial aid with practical experience, the programme equips students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed both academically and professionally. Speaking at the ceremony, the guests emphasized the importance of investing in young people through accessible education and meaningful opportunities, highlighting that empowering students today is an investment in Bangladesh's future leadership and sustainable development. Through Project Britto, Footsteps Bangladesh continues to strengthen its commitment to educational equity by supporting students who demonstrate exceptional potential despite financial hardship. Alongside its broader development initiatives, the organization remains dedicated to empowering communities across Bangladesh through education, youth development, climate resilience, public health, and sustainable livelihoods. Footsteps Bangladesh plans to continue expanding the Britto Scholarship Program in the coming years with the support of individuals, institutions, and development partners, enabling more deserving students to access quality higher education and become the next generation of nation builders.

At least 54 people were killed and 39 others injured in floods, hill runoff and landslides that have affected seven districts, according to the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry. The seven districts are Khagrachhari, Rangamati, Bandarban, Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Moulvibazar and Habiganj. Among the fatalities, Cox's Bazar recorded the highest number with 31 deaths, followed by Chattogram with 13, Bandarban six, Rangamati three and Moulvibazar one. Govt to continue support for flood-hit families in Chattogram, CHT: Amit Of the 39 injured, 24 were reported in Cox's Bazar, 12 in Chattogram, two in Bandarban and one in Khagrachhari. The flood-hit areas included 59 upazilas , 334 unions and 12 municipalities, said the ministry in its updated report. To accommodate displaced people, authorities have opened 1,049 shelter centres across the affected districts. A total of 38,422 people have taken refuge at these shelters as relief and emergency response operations continue in the flood-hit areas. The government is continuing relief distribution and other emergency assistance for people affected by the floods, hill runoff and landslides. The government has taken the highest level of preparedness to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services in 11 flood-hit districts in eastern Bangladesh, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain said on Monday. The minister came up with the information while speaking at a press briefing on healthcare services in flood-affected areas at the Secretariat. Besides, the leave of health workers in the vulnerable districts has been cancelled to ensure uninterrupted medical services, he said. Special healthcare services are now being provided in 11 flood-affected districts—Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Cumilla and Brahmanbaria, he said.

Nearly 33,000 posts for doctors, nurses and other health workers now remain vacant across the country’s public healthcare sector, according to the statistics placed by Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain in Parliament on Monday. He placed the statistics, while replying to a starred question from lawmaker Sabikun Nahar in the House. According to the data, 9,407 of the 41,806 approved posts for doctors and 4,577 of the 49,879 approved posts for nurses are currently vacant in the public hospitals. Besides, 18,947 posts of four types of frontline health workers (FWA, FWV, CHCP and HA) out of 65,230 approved posts are now vacant in the public hospitals across the country. The minister said the large-scale recruitment would be carried out as quickly as possible to strengthen healthcare services and fill longstanding staff shortages. As part of filling the vacant posts, the recruitment of 4,113 assistant surgeons through the four BCS examinations – 45th, 46th, 47th and 50th--are underway, he said. Of them, the government would recruit 450 assistant surgeons through the 45th Bangladesh Civil Service examination, 1,682 through the 46th BCS, 1,331 through the 47th BCS and 650 through the 50th BCS examination. In line with the government’s election manifesto, the Minister said 100,000 new health workers would be recruited as quickly as possible to expand healthcare services and fill vacant posts across the sector.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed on Monday directed police personnel to perform their duties properly and impartially to maintain law and order in the capital. “Criminals have no political affiliation, ideology or social class. Police must work impartially for the welfare of the people, not for any individual, group or party,” he said while addressing senior DMP officials at the monthly crime review meeting for June 2026 at the DMP headquarters. The DMP commissioner instructed officers to conduct regular drives against illegal firearms, snatchers, drug traders and extortionists in their respective jurisdictions. He also directed police personnel to remain highly vigilant and perform their duties with professionalism to prevent any type of crime in their respective police station areas. Mosleh Uddin said police members demonstrating good performance will be rewarded, while strict action will be taken for negligence of duty, breaches of discipline or any activities that tarnish the image of the police force. Expressing optimism, he said the DMP will move further forward in maintaining law and order in the capital through the collective efforts of all its members. At the meeting, the DMP commissioner also awarded officials of different ranks in recognition of their contributions to maintaining law and order, controlling crime and ensuring public safety in Dhaka during June.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has acknowledged the government’s financial reform efforts and respected its political responsibility towards protecting public welfare as both sides discussed the framework for a new IMF-supported programme. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with IMF Mission Chief for Bangladesh and Hong Kong, Ivo Krznar, at the Finance Ministry, the minister said the discussions focused on the foundation, sequencing and overall policy direction of a future programme rather than detailed conditions. “The basis on which the new IMF programme will be structured has been clarified, and the IMF has agreed with the proposed framework,” the finance minister said. He said the reforms would be implemented gradually, taking into account Bangladesh’s economic realities and maintaining continuity in the ongoing reform agenda. “Major changes cannot be introduced overnight. The IMF also agrees that reforms should be sequenced in line with the country’s economic situation and priorities,” he said. Both sides agreed that reforms should be carried out step by step based on national priorities instead of following a rigid timeline, he said. Amir Khosru also said the IMF has shown respect for the responsibilities of a democratically elected political government in safeguarding public welfare while pursuing economic reforms. “The country’s economic decisions will be taken by protecting the interests of the people,” he said. The finance minister said the IMF delegation expressed satisfaction over the progress made during the current government’s first four months, particularly in financial sector reforms, the development of the capital market and revenue collection. He claimed that the IMF recognised the government’s tax collection performance during the four-month period as a significant achievement and held positive discussions on proposals to further raise Bangladesh’s tax-to-GDP ratio. On the issue of subsidies, the minister said no detailed discussions has yet taken place regarding specific conditions or policy measures. “We have only discussed the basic framework of the new programme. Detailed issues, including subsidies, will be taken up during subsequent negotiations,” he said. Khosru said the negotiations would continue over the coming months, with the next round of discussions expected to take place on the sidelines of the World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings in September or October. He expressed optimism that the government’s reform-oriented performance would provide a solid foundation for finalising a new IMF programme.

A Joypurhat tribunal on Monday sentenced a man to death for violating a madrassah student in 2023. Joypurhat Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Abdur Rahman handed down the judgment. The convict is Alam Mandal of Palsha village under Akkelpur upazila of the district. The court also fined him Tk 1 lakh. According to the prosecution, Alam forcibly entered the house of the 13-year-old girl on October 9, 2023 and violated her when other members of the family were absent. Later, the girl was taken to Joypurhat Modern Hospital for treatment. On October 11, 2023, the father of the girl filed a case with Akkelpur Police Station. Police later submitted a charge sheet against the convict. After examining records and 10 witnesses, the tribunal handed down the punishment.  

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain on Monday said more than 92 per cent of people suffering from mental health conditions in Bangladesh do not receive any form of treatment. “Mental disorders are rapidly emerging as one of the leading causes of disability worldwide,” the minister said while replying to a question from ruling party MP Md Abul Kalam (Cumilla-9) in Parliament. He said the National Mental Health Survey 2018-19 found that around 16.8 per cent of adults and 12.6 per cent of children and adolescents in Bangladesh suffer from some form of mental health problem. However, more than 92 per cent of them do not receive any kind of treatment, the minister said citing the survey report. The parliamentary sitting, chaired by Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal, began with the question-answer session. The minister said mental healthcare facilities remain inadequate compared to the country's population.“Bangladesh currently has only 1.17 mental health professionals per 100,000 people, while the number of registered psychiatrists in the public sector stands at around 350.” Responding to another question from reserved seat MP Sabikun Nahar, the minister said there are 41,806 approved physician posts in government hospitals across the country, of which 9,407 remain vacant. He said the approved number of nursing posts is 49,879, while 45,302 positions are currently vacant and the approved number of health worker posts is 65,230, with 18,947 vacancies. Providing a breakdown of frontline health workers, the minister said 15,207 Family Welfare Assistants (FWAs) are currently serving against 23,500 approved posts, leaving 8,293 vacancies. Among Family Welfare Visitors (FWVs), 3,200 are in service against 6,361 approved posts, with 1,161 vacancies, while 13,902 Community Health Care Providers (CHCPs) are working against 14,460 approved posts, leaving 540 vacancies. He added that 13,956 Health Assistants are currently employed against 20,909 approved posts, leaving 6,953 positions vacant. The minister said the government plans to recruit 100,000 health workers at the earliest. Replying to a separate question from MP Mizanur Rahman (Chapainawabganj-2), Sakhawat said the government is giving the highest priority to protecting the mental health of young people, particularly in addressing stress, depression and suicide. Quoting data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and the WHO, he said an estimated 1,000 to 1,400 people die by suicide every year in Bangladesh, with a significant proportion being young people and adolescents.  

Police arrested a total of 116,725 people conducting operations across the country between May 1 and July 12 this year. Of them, 32,908 were arrested during a special operation launched across the country, while the rest, 83,817, were arrested in connection with other criminal cases and routine police operations, according to Police Headquarters. DMP arrests 425 in 24 hours, files 57 cases Police recovered 243 firearms, 2,313 bullets and cartridges, 88 magazines, 43 crude bombs, 2 kg of gunpowder, 503 locally made weapons, 18 weapon parts, 17 weapon-and-bomb-making tools, and 10,300 chocolate bombs during the drives. The recovered firearms included 76 pistols, 30 shooter guns, 33 LGs, 18 revolvers, 50 guns, 15 pipe guns, four shotguns, two rifles, two submachine guns (SMGs), 12 air guns and one pen gun. Law enforcers also seized 7,640,276 Yaba tablets, 8,284 sachets of heroin, 3,186 bottles of Phensedyl, 6,835 bottles of foreign liquor, 354 bottles of locally made liquor, 5,336 sachets of cannabis and other narcotic substances. Police filed 14,157 cases and arrested 20,439 people in connection with the drug recoveries.