United News of Bangladesh

Three more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Thursday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 74 this year. During the period, 228 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Some 881 patients are receiving treatment in different hospitals across the country. A total of 8,930 dengue cases have been reported since January 1, 2024. Last year, 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.

The interim government, led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, is getting expanded with new faces. The swearing-in ceremony of the new advisers will be held at 4pm on Friday at Bangabhaban. A press release of the Bangabhaban press wing was issued in this regard on Thursday. It could not be known who are going to take oath on Friday. On August 8, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took the oath of office as head of Bangladesh's interim government  after an uprising prompted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to step down and flee to India.

On-duty journalists were reportedly harassed on Thursday at Dhaka’s Dhanmondi 32 by some students and others. A section of students and some people were using hand-mikes, asking journalists not to take any photo or video. They also asked residents living around the Bangabandhu Museum not to take photos or videos. A journalist from a Bangla newspaper, who was at Dhanmondi 32 from 8 am to 4 pm, told UNB that the behavior of this section was “very rude.” “They did not physically attack us, but verbally, they used objectionable words towards the journalists,” the journalist said seeking anonymity. He also mentioned that this section was quite aggressive in the morning, especially till 11 am. They were also seen forcing journalists to delete photos and videos. Meanwhile, no one was allowed to pay tribute at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, commemorating the 49th anniversary of his assassination, as protesters occupied Dhanmondi 32 from morning to block Awami League activists’ march. Grassroots leaders and activists of the Awami League who gathered at Bangabandhu Bhaban on Dhanmondi 32 were beaten up, victims and witnesses said. They were scheduled to pay tribute at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait at Dhanmondi 32 on Thursday morning, according to Awami League sources.

Anti-discrimination student movement activists took position at the New Market intersection in Chittagong city on Thursday to prevent any kind of sabotage or 'counter-revolution' centering August 15. The students were chanting various slogans demanding the trial of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her accomplices. Students and people of all walks of life started gathering in the New Market area from 10 am and were shouting various slogans including 'Hang Hasina’, ‘Want killer Hasina to be hanged'. Traffic around the New Market intersection came to a halt due to protests. National University student Masuduzzaman said, "The autocratic Awami League and its allies planned to create unstable situation in the country on August 15. Students and people took to the streets apprehending that they might try a 'counter-revolution'. Students and people will be in the field to foil all kinds of conspiracies. If the leaders and activists of Awami League, Chhatra League and Jubo League are found anywhere, they will be resisted.” On August 13, the anti-discrimination student movement announced a week-long 'Resistance Week' programme across the country with a four-point demand. As part of the programme, they held a rally in the city's Sholoshahar station area for two consecutive days. Later the students announced sit-in programme for Thursday.

After nearly one month of suspension, intercity train services resumed across the country on Thursday. The services resumed with the departure of the Mohanganj Express from Kamalapur rail station around 1:15 pm. Other intercity trains have been departing as per schedule from various destinations for Dhaka.

President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe made a phone call to Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus late Wednesday. The Sri Lankan President greeted Professor Yunus on his assumption of the leadership of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, said the Chief Adviser's Press Wing on Thursday. President Wickremesinghe congratulated Professor Yunus on assuming the role of Chief Adviser and he advised Sri Lankan investors who have been doing business in Bangladesh for decades to remain in the country, and play a constructive role in its growth and progress. Professor Yunus invited the Sri Lankan President to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time.

Dhaka Wasa Managing Director Taqsem A Khan’s contractual appointment has been cancelled.  The Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry issued a notification in this regard on Thursday. Dhaka Wasa will start process to appoint new MD within the possible shortest time and until then the senior most deputy managing director will perform duties of the MD, said the notification. Taqsem was appointed Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) managing director in October, 2009 and his tenure was extended for seven times. His tenure was last extended on October 14,2023 for three years.

The Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO) has been temporarily granted full financial and administrative powers of the Upazila Parishad chairmen in areas where both the chairmen and panel chairmen have been absent from their posts, according to a new government directive. The move is aimed at maintaining uninterrupted public services amid a growing leadership vacuum. An office order from the Local Government Division’s Upazila-1 branch, issued on Wednesday, states that the directive is effective from August 14, 2024. The order highlights the continuous absence of many Upazila Parishad chairmen and their deputies, despite attempts to reach them, leading to a standstill in various administrative activities and public services. “In light of the current circumstances, it has become necessary to ensure that public services do not suffer due to the absence of key officials,” the order reads, underscoring the need for temporary measures to keep local governance functional. The situation comes in the wake of significant political upheaval in the country. On August 5, following the ‘Long March to Dhaka’ organized by the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country, leading to the dissolution of the cabinet. This triggered the formation of an interim government on August 8, with Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus appointed as the Chief Adviser, alongside 16 other advisers. The political fallout has driven many Awami League leaders and their affiliates into hiding, including numerous Upazila Parishad chairmen who were aligned with the party. Their absence has raised concerns about the continuity of local governance, prompting the government to take decisive action to ensure that essential services are maintained.

No one was allowed to pay tributes at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, commemorating the 49th anniversary of his assassination as protesters occupied Dhanmondi 32 from morning to block Awami League march. Grassroots leaders and activists of the Awami League who gathered at Bangabandhu Bhaban on Dhanmondi Road No 32 were beaten up, the victims and witnesses said. The programme of paying tributes was scheduled to begin with floral tributes at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait on Dhanmondi Road No. 32 on Thursday morning, according to Awami League sources. Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy on Sunday last urged Awami League leaders and activists to honour Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi 32 on the anniversary of his death.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said as a neighbouring country, they will have concerns over the situation in Bangladesh. PM Modi at Red fort Independence day speech on Thursday hoped that the situation will normalize soon. "We hope minorities, Hindus will be safe. We will be part of Bangladesh's road to progress," he mentioned. Earlier on August 8, Modi conveyed his best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities. "We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities," Modi said. He said India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfill the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security and development.