United News of Bangladesh

The National Consensus Commission is set to hold talks with the National Citizen Party (NCP) on Saturday morning as part of the series of dialogues with political parties to reach a national consensus over the state reform initiatives taken by the interim government. The discussion will start at 10:30am at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital, said Public Relation Officer of the Consensus Commission Paban Chowdhury on Friday. Earlier on March 24, NCP submitted its written opinions over the reform recommendations to the National Consensus Commission. Out of the 166 reform recommendations made by the Consensus Commission, the NCP agreed to 113 recommendations and agreed partially to 29 others. On March 20 last, the National Consensus Commission opened its dialogues with political parties aiming to build a national consensus on the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. The commission has already held talks with 12 political parties. The National Consensus Commission, formed under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, aims to establish a unified stance on critical reforms. Since its inception on February 15, 2025, the commission has been working to finalise recommendations for the state reform proposals. Rizvi questions reforms over elections, suspects ‘hidden agenda’ In the initial phase, key recommendations from five reform commissions — covering constitutional, public administration, electoral system, judiciary, and anti-corruption reforms — were compiled and shared with 39 political parties for their feedback. To date, 34 parties have responded. The National Consensus Commission is working to build national consensus over reform initiatives by mid-July next, by completing the first round of talks with political parties by the first week of May next and entering the second round of talks in the second week of May.

Four people were killed and another was injured in two separate road accidents in Sirajganj and Chuadanga districts respectively early Friday. In Sirajganj, two people died and a man sustained injuries in a head-on collision between a truck and a microbus on Bogura-Nagarbari highway in Sirajganj’s Ullapara upazila in the early morning. The deceased were identified as microbus driver Mansurul Alam Babul, 40, a resident of Harinathpur village in Atghoria upazila of Pabna, and passenger Manik Chandra Shil, 42. Md. Abdur Rauf, officer-in-charge of Hatikumrul highway police station, said that the accident happened at around 1am when the cement-laden truck collided head-on with the microbus in Nayangati Graveyard area, leaving the pair dead on the spot and another injured. Over 600 killed in road accidents across Bangladesh in March Later, the injured was sent to Ullapara Upazila Health Complex. Though the truck was seized, its driver and helper managed to flee, he said, adding that a case was filed in this connection. Meanwhile, two people were killed when a speeding bus crashed into a battery-run three-wheeler, locally known as pakhi van, in Chuadanga Sadar upazila around 5am. 27 killed in road accidents across Sylhet in March The victims were van driver Abdur Razzak, 65, and rice trader Sarwar Hossain, 70, both hailed from of Kutubpur and Mahammadjoma villages respectively under Sadar upazila. Locals said the accident occurred in an area by local Noymile Bazar on the Chuadanga-Jhenaidah highway when the speeding bus hit the van carrying the duo, leaving the two dead on the spot. The bodies were sent to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy, said Khaledur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Chuadanga Sadar Police Station. Legal action will be taken in this regard, he added.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast rain or thunder showers in all divisions including Dhaka of the country in 24 hours commencing 9:00am on Thursday. “Light to moderate rain or thunder showers with lightning flashes and temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country,” said a met office update. Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country, according to the BMD. Rains likely to drench country in next 24hr: BMD The country’s highest temperature 36.2 degree Celsius was recorded in Khulna over the past 24 hours till 6pm on Thursday while the lowest temperature 19.5 degree Celsius was recorded in Sayedpur of Nilphamari till 6am on Friday. A trough of low lies over West Bengal and adjoining area. Seasonal low lies over South Bay.

A police constable reportedly died by suicide at Joynagar International Checkpost in Darshana upazila of Chuadanga district early Friday. The deceased was identified as Shamim Reza Saju, 30, son of Hossain Ali from Jutiadanga village in Mirpur upazila of Kushtia district. He had joined the immigration police at the checkpost a few months ago. 13 SSC examinee fail to sit for exam in Cox’s Bazar; threaten suicide Mohammad Shahid Titumir, officer-in-charge of Darshana police station, said that the cop might have ended his life due to mental distress related to family. His colleagues went to look for him after noticing his absence from duty on Friday morning. When they found his door locked, they peered through the window and saw him hanging from the ceiling fan, said the OC. Later, the body was recovered from his room of the barrack which is designated for the cops who are posted at the checkpost, he said, adding that the body was sent to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. Police constable commits suicide by hanging in Satkhira Chuadanga Superintendent of Police Khandaker Golam Mowla visited the scene and spoke with officials, and inquired into the details of the incident.

A cement-laden trawler capsized in the Meghna River near Chandpur Sadar upazila after being caught in a sudden nor’wester on Thursday. However, no casualties were reported. The trawler MV Riya-Yasin went down near Kanudi area under Sadar upazila after the storm hit the water transport, according to locals. Seeing this, fishermen nearby rushed to the scene and helped rescue the trawler’s master and crew members. Iqbal Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Chandpur river police station, quoting the trawler master Md Jahangir said that the vessel was transporting 4,200 bags of cement from Meghnaghat in Narayanganj to a depot at Bagara Bazar in Chandpur Sadar. Fishing trawler capsizes in Bay of Bengal: 1 dead, 19 rescued The trawler capsized when the storm coupled with thunderstorm and gusty winds hit it in the afternoon, he said. To save life, the master and his crew jumped into the river while fishermen rescued and brought them safely to shore, the police official said, quoting the master. Master Jahangir filed a general diary with Chandpur river police station in this regard, he added.

Four people, including two women, were killed and five others were also injured in a collision between a truck and a pickup van on Dhaka-Sylhet highway at Madhabpur upazila of Habiganj early Friday. The identities of the casualties could not be known yet. All the victims were passengers of the pickup van. Abdullah Al Mamun, officer-in-charge of Madhabpur police station, said the Dhaka-bound speeding truck collided with the pickup van carrying 16 to 17 people in Bakharnagar area around 2am, leaving four dead on the spot and five others injured. 2 die in Habiganj road accident The injured were sent to Habiganj Sadar hospital for treatment, he said, adding that the bodies were also transported to the hospital morgue for autopsy. He said they were trying to know the identity of the deceased and took both vehicles under their custody. The pickup van was carrying household materials.

Three people were killed in separate lightning strike incidents across Rajshahi, Chandpur, and Bagerhat districts on Thursday. In Rajshahi’s Bagha upazila, a local farmer died after being struck by lightning while working in a field. The deceased was identified as Manik Hossain Mondol, 45. He sustained critical injuries and died on the way to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, said Abdul Awal, a former councillor of Arani municipality. In Chandpur, another farmer, Md Sahab Uddin, 26, died after being hit by lightning while harvesting paddy at Laukora village in Haziganj upazila around 2 pm. He was the son of the late Ershad Hossain and a resident of Ward-8 under the same upazila, said Md Mohiuddin Faruque, officer-in-charge of Haziganj Police Station. Myanmar frees around 4,900 prisoners to mark traditional new year Meanwhile, in Bagerhat’s Mongla upazila, a local BNP leader was killed in a similar incident. The victim, Md Nasir Uddin Sheikh, 55, was a resident of Sonakhali village and former organising secretary of Mithakhali union BNP. He was struck by lightning while catching fish in a pond near his house around 12:30 pm, said Manik Chandra Gain, officer-in-charge of Mongla Police Station. Nasir was rushed to the local health complex where doctors declared him dead, the OC added.

A group of international journalists has  visited Beijing International Studies University (BISU) recently as part of a cultural and educational exchange initiative aimed at promoting global understanding and academic collaboration. The delegation, composed of media professionals from various countries, was warmly received by BISU officials and faculty members. 5 CU students, auto-driver still missing after abduction in Khagrachhari During the visit, the journalists toured the university’s state-of-the-art facilities, including China Comic Museum, cultural centres, libraries, and classrooms. They also had the opportunity to meet with students and professors, gaining first-hand insight into BISU’s diverse academic programmes and vibrant campus life. In several sessions held at the university, BISU representatives introduced the institution’s history, academic strengths, and international partnerships. Known for its focus on language studies, international relations, and cultural exchange, BISU has long played a pivotal role in training professionals to serve in global arenas. BISU is committed to fostering international understanding through education and exchange. This visit strengthens ties with the global media and promotes a more accurate, balanced view of contemporary China. Journalists expressed appreciation for the university’s academic environment and its efforts to bridge cultural gaps.   They said it is clear that BISU is preparing students to become global citizens. The visit concluded with a lively discussion between the journalists and BISU students, focusing on global journalism, intercultural dialogue, and the role of education in building a more connected world. The event was part of a wider initiative supported by Chinese authorities to enhance people-to-people exchanges and showcase the country's educational institutions. Beijing International Studies University continues to stand as a bridge between China and the world, nurturing mutual respect and shared knowledge.  

Five Chittagong University students and a battery-run auto-rickshaw driver, abducted in Khagrachhari on Wednesday, remain missing as a joint force led by the Bangladesh Army continues rescue operations. Khagrachhari Superintendent of Police Mohammad Arefin Jewel said a regional armed group operating in the hills might be involved in the abduction. "We are using mobile tracking technology to locate them and working on all possible leads to rescue the abducted individuals," he said. The six victims, including Rishan Chakma, a student of International Relations at Chittagong University and a leader of the CU unit of the Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP), were abducted at gunpoint from the Giriful area of Khagrachhari Sadar early Wednesday morning, according to Nipun Tripura, president of the PCP, a student wing of the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) backed by Santu Larma. He said the students had travelled to Baghaichhari in Rangamati to attend the traditional Baisabi festival and were returning to Chittagong University via Khagrachhari. As they failed to secure bus tickets on Tuesday, they stayed overnight at the home of a relative in the Kukichhara area of Khagrachhari Sadar upazila. PCP accuses UPDF of abducting 5 CU students in Khagrachhari "On Wednesday morning, they were on their way back to Chittagong in a battery-run auto-rickshaw when they were forcibly picked up from the vehicle in the Giriful area. The driver was also abducted," he said. He alleged that members of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) [Prasit group] were responsible for the abduction. However, Angya Marma, Khagrachhari district organiser of the UPDF (Prasit group), denied the allegation. “We have no involvement in the abduction. This kind of vindictive politics is not our way. We always advocate for an end to fratricidal conflicts. Some quarters are trying to implicate us through conspiracies,” he said.

Gas supply will remain suspended for 15 hours on Friday in some areas of the capital. According to Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC, due to the relocation of existing gas pipelines under in alignment with the underground stations (Airport and Khilkhet) of MRT Line-1 under Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited, the gas supply will remain off for 15 (fifteen) hours—from 7 am to 10 pm on Friday for all industrial, commercial, and captive consumers in the area from Balaka Bhaban in Kawla to Subastu Tower in Shahjadpur. The other areas include Grameenphone Head Office, North South University,  Unique Hotel, U.S. Embassy, Ananta Energy Resource, Pinnacle Power in the Bashundhara Residential Area The consumers in adjoining areas including Nikunja, Khilkhet, Baridhara, Bashundhara Residential Area, Kuril, Jagannathpur, Kalachandpur and Baridhara Residential Area may experience the gas supply, said Titas Gas regretting for the temporary inconvenience.