United News of Bangladesh

One more death was reported from dengue in 24 hours till Thursday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 17 this year. During the period, 16 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of them, three were hospitalised in Dhaka, while the rest were outside the capital. A total of 1,316 dengue cases have been reported since January 1, 2024. Last year, a total of 1,705 people lost their lives due to dengue, making it the deadliest year on record. The DGHS recorded 321,179 dengue cases and 3, 18,749 recoveries last year. Last year’s September was the deadliest month for the dengue outbreak, with 396 fatalities and 79,598 cases, according to DGHS data.

The Consulate General of Bangladesh in Italy's Milan observed the Language Martyrs’ Day and the International Mother Language Day on Wednesday with utmost solemnity.  The day’s events began in the morning by hoisting the national flag at half-mast on the consulate premises. Later, the consulate officials placed floral wreaths at the Shaheed Minar set up on the premises, followed by a rally led by MJH Jabed, the Consul General of Bangladesh. Bangladesh High Commission in Ottawa observes Shaheed Dibosh  One minute’s silence was observed in memory of the language martyrs, according to a media release. The messages issued by the President, the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, and the Director General of UNESCO  marking the day were read out. The first phase of the programme ended with offering of prayers for the salvation of the departed souls of the language martyrs and the continuous peace and prosperity of the country. The second phase of the programme included a discussion titled “Mother Tongue and the 4th Industrial Revolution (1710–1840)”. Conducted by the Consul General of Bangladesh, MJH Jabed, the discussion was addressed by Stephan Ribis, the Croatian Consul in Milan; Manal Abdeldaim, the Egyptian Consul in Milan; Augastina Marota, a journalist at local news media La Gazzetta di Milano; and David Rosy, a journalist at La Stampa Estera. EWU marks International Mother Language Day 2024  The speakers expressed their utmost love and respect for the Bangla language and the language martyrs and said there is no alternative to flourishing the mother tongue to improve social systems and make proper use of modern technology.

A fire broke out in a jhut (used clothing) warehouse in a residential area of Gazipur on Thursday afternoon. Five units of the Fire Service are working to control the blaze, confirmed Abdullah Al Arefin, Assistant Director of Gazipur Fire Service. Fire at Demra yarn factory doused The fire broke out around 3:00 PM in the warehouse located in the Ambag area. Upon receiving the news, five units from Gazipur, Joydebpur, and surrounding areas rushed to the scene to bring the fire under control, he said. Mirpur’s Jhilpar slum catches fire However, the immediate cause of the fire and the extent of the damage are yet to be determined. The Fire Service personnel were still working to bring the fire under control at the time of filing this report at 4:50 pm on Thursday. Fire damages foam factory on Char Patharghata

Two students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) were suspended on Wednesday for one year for painting an anti-rape graffiti erasing on an old painting of Bangabandhu from a wall of new arts building of the university. The students are Amartya Roy and Riddha Anindya Ganguly of the university's Archaeology department's 47th batch. They are president and general secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra Union’s JU unit. The decision was taken at a syndicate meeting presided by the university's Vice-Chancellor Prof Nurul Alam on Tuesday afternoon. The JU administration has also decided to file a case against them under the state law, saidthe university's Registrar and Syndicate Secretary Abu Hasan. The anti-rape graffiti includes a flag with a woman's figure and six skulls lying near the country's flag. Next to it, they wrote: "Freedom from Rape and Tyranny." JU fires Johnny following prolonged probe into allegations of sexual harassment One of the suspended leaders of BSU, Amrtya said, they painted the graffiti protesting the recent rape incident that took place in their university in which a Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader was accused. Regarding the graffiti, Amartya Roy said, "Before the painting of Bangabandhu, there was an Anti-Corruption graffiti during the time of former Vice-Chancellor Farzana Islam. That graffitti was a protest against the corruption in the university." He said, no walls of the university is particularly allocated for anyone, and as the last graffiti was almost ruined at that time, they painted the anti-rape graffiti on that wall. According to some students and teachers, a faculty of the university's Journalism andMedia Studies painted Bangabandhu's graffiti removing the Anti-Corruption graffiti, hoping his father would win Ekushey Padak. Earlier, Enamul Haque Enam, vice-president of JU BCL unit, went on hunger strike for  83 hours claiming that the anti-rape graffiti insulted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was insulted as his painting was erased. The BCL leader broke the hunger strike when the vice-chancellor came and assured to investigate and punish the students who drew the graffiti in the next syndicate meeting.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Thursday said that no one will be allowed to enter Bangladesh illegally through the borders. He said this while replying to questions from reporters over the Myanmar issue at the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Secretariat. "Some 330 Border Guard Police, military and government officials fled Myanmar and took shelter in our country.They  have been sent back to their country through our foreign ministry.” FM thanks Egypt to facilitate delivery of Bangladesh's humanitarian assistance to Gaza They have been sent back through a very good arrangement,  the minister said, "We're not going to let anybody enter the country illegally, we're not going to let anyone else infiltrate  our borders,.” Bangladesh has given shelter to many Rohingyas , said the minister urging the government of Myanmar, all the countries around the world to take step for their repatriation to their own country as soon as possible." Replying to another question, the minister said, "This time they (BNP) did not participate in the election. So they can't claim to be the opposition now. They are another political party, as there are many smaller parties.” SC upholds HC bail to GK Shamim in arms case Mentioning that the BNP leaders were in jail for various reasons, the home minister said, "The judges thought that they should be granted bail, they were granted bail, we have nothing to do here, we have nothing to say."

A CNG-run autorickshaw driver died and five were injured when a CNG-run autorickshaw collided with a private car in Ishurdi upazila of Pabna early Thursday. The deceased was identified as Sharif, 40, of Aotapara village of the upazila.  Ishurdi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) confirmed the matter. The accident happened when the autorickshaw heading to Aotapara collided with the private car coming from the opposite direction, killing the autorickshaw driver on the spot, said the OC. The injured were admitted to the Upazila Health Complex, and one of them was sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital as his condition was critical, said the police official.

A 50-year-old employee of a transport operator was killed when two buses collided in the capital's Jatrabari area on Wednesday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Mohammad Rakibul Hasan Nasir, the counter manager of Bonphool Paribahan. Read: 2 killed as tractor overturns in B’baria  The deceased’s colleague Md Sumon Mia said a bus of Setu Deluxe Transport and another of Bonful Paribaha collided in front of Jatrabari Narail counter, leaving Rakibul seriously  injured. Later, he was taken to the emergency department of DhakaMedical College Hospital (DMCH) where doctors declared him dead around 5:30 pm, said Md Bachchu Mia, in-charge of DMCH police outpost. Read: Man fatally stabbed by mugger at Mymensingh Station  The body has been kept at Dhaka Medical College Hospital(DMCH) morgue for autopsy, he said.

State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid, recently visited the Chevron Bangladesh-operated Bibiyana Gas Plant. Chevron Bangladesh’s leadership, including Managing Director and President Eric M. Walker, Director of Corporate Affairs Muhammad Imrul Kabir, and Bibiyana Gas Plant Superintendent Carl Bourque, warmly received the state minister. The highlight of the visit was the inauguration of the Bibiyana Optimization Project, marked by the unveiling of a commemorative stone plaque. 100% percent prepaid gas meters within four years: Nasrul Hamid This project introduces a Turbo Expander and a Booster Compressor to the plant, innovations aimed at maximizing gas and condensate production while extending the life of the gas reserve. The state minister lauded the Bibiyana Optimization Project as a testament to the strong partnership between the government of Bangladesh, Petrobangla, and Chevron Bangladesh. He emphasized its role in enhancing the production capacity and efficiency of the Bibiyana gas field, the country’s highest-producing gas field, which reflects a shared commitment to meeting Bangladesh’s growing energy needs. More gas likely to be found in Sylhet’s Kailashtila field: Nasrul The visit also provided an opportunity for the state minister to tour the gas plant’s process facilities, further highlighting the technological advancements and operational excellence at Bibiyana. In his remarks, he expressed his gratitude towards Chevron Bangladesh for its remarkable achievements and ongoing endeavours that leverage the energy sector’s promising potential and opportunities. Accompanying the state minister were notable figures including Amatul Kibria Keya Chowdhury MP; Zanendra Nath Sarker, Chairman of Petrobangla; Zilufa Sultana, District Commissioner of Habiganj, among other high officials from Petrobangla, Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX), and the Energy and Mineral Resources Division. Action against officials of Petrobangla companies if fail to achieve target: Nasrul Chevron, a global leader in the energy industry, plays a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s natural gas sector. Chevron Bangladesh is the largest producer of natural gas in the country, contributing to approximately 60% of the total domestic natural gas production and over 80% of domestic condensate production.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday reiterated Bangladesh's stance not to engage in war with anyone, but will boost its defence forces aiming to protect the independence and sovereignty.  “We will not engage in war with anyone. But we have to attain capability to protect our independence and sovereignty,” she said. The prime minister said this while addressing the golden jubilee of the enactment of the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act, 1974 by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Hasina said that following the footstep of Bangabandhu the government has formulated Forces Goal 2030 and is implementing it. “Side by side, as an independent country we will do whatever we need. We are working in that direction,” she said. The prime minister said that Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act, 1974 is working as an important guideline and in future it will continue to do the same. She mentioned that the vast maritime areas that Bangladesh attained will contribute a lot to the country’s economy.  The prime minister urged the foreign businesses to invest in Bangladesh utilising its geographical position.   “Please come, invest in Bangladesh. Those who will invest here will be befitted because of our geographical position. There is a vast scope for trade and commerce here,” she said. Hasina said that Bangladesh will explore marine resources from its vast maritime areas maintaining friendly relations with neighbouring countries to tap potentials of the blue economy for the country's socio-economic advancement. Read: Medium of education should be mother language with options open to learn other languages: PM  "We have to explore and utilise the marine resources from the maritime areas we have gained. I believe the declaration on blue economy will be implemented. We have to use the vast marine resources for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh" she said. She said that Bangladesh will be cautious in case of extracting marine resources and continue commerce and trade through seaways following country’s foreign policy ‘Friendship to all, malice to none’.

A fire which broke out at a yarn factory at Dharmikpara of Konapara in Dhaka’s Demra area was doused after an hour efforts of the firefighters on Thursday, said fire service authorities. The fire broke out at the tin-shed jute yarn factory around 7:20 am and spread soon, said Md Shahjahan Shikdar, Deputy assistant director (media cell) of Fire Service and Civil Defence. On information, two firefighting units rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze around 8:28 am. Mirpur’s Jhilpar slum catches fire However, there were no immediate reports of casualty and the origin of the fire could not be known immediately. Fire damages foam factory on Char Patharghata