United News of Bangladesh

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has started its first hajj flight from the port city of Chattogram carrying 398 hajj pilgrims on Tuesday. The flight left Shah Amanat International Airport at 3:45 am, said Biman’s Chattogram Manager Shahadat Hossain. Earlier, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury inaugurated the Hajj flight from Chattogram to Medinah at Shah Amanat International Airport. Saudi Ambassador pledges visa assistance for Hajj pilgrims following PM Hasina’s request He exchanged greetings with the hajj pilgrims and greeted them with flowers. This year, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate 22 hajj flights from Chattogram . Of these, 20 flights will go directly to Jeddah and two flights to Madinah. These flights will carry 8,000 pilgrims. Shahadat Hossain said that the first flight was supposed to carry 419 pilgrims, but  398 of them came. Over 11,000 Hajj aspirants face visa uncertainty as deadline expires Some passengers could not reach on time due to various reasons and they can take the next flight, he said. This time all the hajj pilgrims from Chattogram will be transported by Biman. If any hajj pilgrim wants to use other airlines, he will have to go to Jeddah or Madinah via Dhaka, he added.

An 18-year-old student died after a train hit him at the railway line in Dhaka’s Gulbagh on Monday. The deceased was identified as Md Sifat (18) of Zajira upazila of Shariatpur. He lived at Jatrabari Nobinagar’s Mirhajhirbagh area and Passed SSC from a school there. According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened around 8:00 pm while he was crossing the railway line. Later, he was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared him dead. Inspector Md Bacchu Mia, in-charge of DMCH Police Post confirmed the matter. The body has been kept in the morgue of the hospital for autopsy, he said.

Six Members of Parliament and Members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 12th National Parliament led by Chairman of the Committee Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen visited the Economic Zone - Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar, Mirsarai, Chattogram on Monday. Chairman and other Officials of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) briefed them about the facilities of this special economic zone. The delegation visited two industrial units and other facilities of the Economic zone. Later, they visited the first ever underwater expressway tunnel of Bangladesh - Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under Karnaphuli river, Chattogram. Senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Parliament joined the visit. The delegation returned Dhaka this evening after their engagements in Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram.

The Digital Media Forum (DMF) is going to organise the 'Digital Media Excellence Award 2024' in the first week of June. Md Delowar Hossain, the DMF president and the Deputy Manager of Kalbela Online, made the announcement at a press conference at the organization’s office in the capital on Sunday. In the press conference, the DMF also announced the names of three jury members of Digital Media Excellence Award 2024, including UNB Special Correspondent Muhammed Abdur Rahman Jahangir and Chief Correspondent of Daily Sobuj Nishan Mohammad Moksedur Rahman Wali. DMF president Delowar said the names of ‘Digital Media Excellence Award 2024' recipients will be announced in first week of June, and the venue will be announced later. He also said some successful individuals and organizations in journalism and various sectors will be awarded in seven categories. Delowar said they will invite the journalists to submit the links of their reports and video contents from May 14 to May 24. He said the DMF will award prizes in seven categories, including five for journalism and two special categories, this year. The DMF president said the jury board members will select the top five journalists from the submitted reports, and they will be honored. Binge original ‘Baba Someone Is Following Me’ wins best web film at BFDA Awards Journalists from television, newspapers, or any registered online media can participate in the 'Digital Media Excellence Award-2024'. The application categories include investigative journalism, technology journalism, business journalism, sports journalism, and entertainment journalism. Journalists can submit their reports and digital video content using the link https://forms.gle/aeauTTBuX7P6aWq79 from May 14 to May 24. DMF hopes that this award will further advance the country's digital media industry and help it reach international standards. DMF general secretary and assistant manager of Channel 24 Raihan Ullah Rabin, senior vice-president and head of marketing of Arthasangbad Mainuddin Sohag, vice-president and deputy manager of Barta24 Nasir Uddin, vice-president and chief reporter of crime Jagat Online News Portal Hakim Mahi and Vice- President and Deputy Manager of RTV Mohammad Arif, along with other officials and members of DMF were present. A mother can sacrifice everything for her child without hesitation: Simeen  

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in a drive arrested four suspected muggers from Dhaka’s Jatrabari area on Sunday. The arrestees were identified as Sajal, 30, Shanta Hossain, 22, Shakil Hossain, 24 and Washim, 24. Tipped off, a team of Rab-10 conducted a drive in the area around 8:30 pm and arrested for muggers, said assistant superintendent of police MJ Sohel on Monday. Hurting religious sentiment: ex-JnU student gets 5 years’ jail The elite force also seized four knives from their possession. The arrestees had long been involved in snatching valuables from pedestrians in the area. Later, they were handed over to local police

A mother can sacrifice everything for the development of her child without hesitation, said Minister of State for Women and Children Affairs Simeen Hussain (Rimi). "‘Mother’ is not just a word, it's an emotion, our last refuge," she said. The state minister was speaking at an award ceremony on the occasion of International Mother's Day in the conference room of the Directorate of Women Affairs at Eskaton Garden in the capital on Monday. BGMEA highlights Bangladesh's commitment to sustainable practices and ethical manufacturing The award “Shopnojoyi Ma” was conferred on 11 mothers in the country by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs. "The one who constantly raises us with love and affection without any exchange to keep society and civilisation alive is the mother. The main mantra of celebrating Mother's Day is to understand the sacrifices and hard work of the mother throughout her life to establish the child," said Simeen. The aim of celebrating Mother's Day is to respect and empathise with all the sacrifices and labours of the mother for the sake of establishing the children, she added.

Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury today said autism is a specialised issue, and proper campaign should be conducted to generate public awareness. “Children with special needs should be included in mainstream society,” she said. She said this while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Blue Sky School for children with special needs, run by Bangladesh Air Force. The Speaker said that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has preserved the rights of children in the constitution. “Bangabandhu enacted various laws for the welfare of children.” She said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working to build a promising Bangladesh for children and she has taken various initiatives for the welfare of children with special needs. The Speaker said that every child with special needs should be given importance and work should be done for their development. “They should be given the opportunity to develop their talents.” She said that everyone in society should stand by the children with special needs and their families. She thanked Saima Wazed for working for autistic children and the Air Force for opening Blue Sky School for children with special needs. Later, the Speaker unveiled the book covers of “Kabita-e Mujib” and “Bangamata” and enjoyed a cultural program featuring performances by the students of Blue Sky School. Senior officials of Bangladesh Air Force, teachers, students and their families, invited guests, dignitaries and media personnel were present on the occasion. Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan and Dhaka Mercantile Cooperative Bank Limited Chairman Abu Zafar Chowdhury also spoke as special guests on the occasion. President of BAFWA Central Council Tahmida Hannan was also present on the occasion.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid, has said that a roadmap that integrates artificial intelligence with modern technology to advance Bangladesh's power and energy sector is being developed. Speaking at the closing session of a seminar titled “The Engineers for Transforming Technology Driven Smart Bangladesh” at the Engineers Institution, Bangladesh (IEB) today, Hamid emphasized the pivotal role of power and energy as the main drivers of Bangladesh's economy.  The event was presided over by IEB president and Member of Parliament, Engineer Md. Abdus Sabur, with General Secretary Engineer SM Manjurul Haque Manju also in attendance. Nasrul Hamid said that artificial intelligence will make daily work easier.  “Technology will work behind the scenes to build a knowledge-based society. Engineers should make a responsible contribution to increase the use of technology at all levels of the workplace,” he said. He highlighted the digital connectivity established under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership as foundational to creating a 'Smart Bangladesh.' Families’ wait ends aa MV Abdullah anchors at Kutubdia with all 23 crews “We must build a smart country by making timely decisions,” he added, suggesting that learning from technologically advanced countries could spur innovation and a study-based approach to overcoming challenges. Hamid outlined a vision where "a resilient strategy will transform Bangladesh into 'Smart Bangladesh' through intelligent integration of infrastructure, health, education, and other sectors by leveraging innovation.” He stressed the importance of the engineering community in accelerating the country's development: “The faster our engineers can harness technology for human welfare, the quicker Bangladesh will evolve into a developed nation.” Detailing specific applications of technology in the energy sector, Hamid explained, “With smart meters, we can calculate and control the electricity load for power distribution. Artificial intelligence and SCADA systems will enable quick identification of power disruptions in any area.” BGMEA highlights Bangladesh's commitment to sustainable practices and ethical manufacturing Despite the commitment and sincerity of the engineers, Hamid noted that it is crucial for them to work with determination and loyalty to the people to realize the vision of a 'Smart Bangladesh.' The seminar saw the presentation of 10 papers, with the main article delivered by BUET Professor Dr. Engineer Munaz Ahmed Noor, at the 61st convention of the IEB.

Police in a drive arrested three members of a bicycle theft gang from different parts of the capital.The arrestees were identified as Mizan, Sohel and Tanvir Hossain Rabbi.Acting on secret information, a team of Lalbagh Police Station conducted a drive in Lalbagh area on Sunday and arrested Mizan, said assistant police commissioner of Lalbagh zone of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Imran Hossain Molla. 3 BNP men arrested over Demra bus arson that saw helper killedFollowing his statement, police arrested Sohel and Tanvir from Nazira Bazar of Bongshal area, he said.The gang used to collect bicycles and sell in the market. They were wanted in several cases.

The drive against illegal occupation of canals in Dhaka city will continue, said Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam on Monday. The drive to free the canal is being conducted with the utmost importance, and priority will be given to the development of roads and drainage systems in the new 18 wards in the next year, he said while speaking at a press conference on the occasion of his fourth anniversary of taking charge as the DNCC mayor in the city. Bangladeshi cattle trader injured in BSF firing in Benapole Replying to a question about dengue, the DNCC mayor said, “We are working throughout the year to prevent dengue. A month-long public awareness campaign is being conducted in 54 wards before the monsoon, and Tk 50,000 was allocated to the ward councillors each to raise awareness about dengue.” Referring to the DNCC service, Atiqul said the online-based smart services have expanded as the distribution of holding tax and trade licenses is being provided online. Mentioning saving the environment, the mayor said an announcement was made earlier to plant two lakh trees in the past two years, and as part of that, 90,000 trees have been planted while 47 gardeners were appointed. This year, 1.5 lakh more trees will be planted, he said.