United News of Bangladesh

A 50-year-old man and his son were killed as a bus knocked them down on Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district early Saturday. The deceased were identified as Yusuf Ali, 50, a truck driver and his son Yakub Ali, 26 of Rupdia in Sadar upazila of Jashore district. Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, police sergeant of Shibchar Highway Police camp, said a wheel of the Bhanga-bound goods laden truck got punctured and Yusuf along with his son were engaged in repairing it on the highway near Bagail Toll Plaza. The accident occurred around 4:30 am when the speedy bus hit them while repairing the wheel, leaving them dead on the spot, said sergeant Shahadat. On information, police rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies. Police are trying to identify the bus involved in the accident, said officer-in-charge of Shibchar Highway Police Station, Mizanur Rahman.  

A student of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), who went missing from Bichanakandi in Gowainghat upazila of Sylhet, was found dead after about five hours on Friday. The deceased was identified as Shanto Bonik, a student of the 2023–24 session of the Department of Petroleum and Mining Engineering (PME). He hailed from Thakurgaon district. SUST Proctor Professor Md Mokhlesur Rahman said the body was recovered around 10pm. Md Faruk, in-charge of the Bichanakandi Tourist Police camp, said a group of 10 to 11 people, including Shanto, had gone to the tourist destination on Friday afternoon. At one stage, Shanto went missing around 5pm while swimming due to a strong current. Hearing the screams of the students, local people rushed to the spot and began searching for him using boats.Local divers searched for a long time but failed to locate him. On information, a team of police and fire service personnel rushed to the spot and conducted a rescue operation. The body was recovered around 10pm, said Md Faruk, in-charge of the Bichanakandi Tourist Police camp.    

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left here for Chandpur on Saturday morning on his first visit to the district as head of government. His motorcade started the journey by road from his Gulshan residence at around 8:45am, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. Tarique is visiting the district after 22 years, creating huge enthusiasm among party leaders and activists. Before entering Chandpur, Rumon said the Prime Minister is scheduled to address a roadside rally at Lakshmipur Bazar ground in Barura upazila of Cumilla at around 11:30am. As per his tour schedule, Tarique will inaugurate the re-excavation work of ‘Khorddo Khal’ canal at Uyaruk Bazar in Tamta South Union under Shahrasti upazila at 12:30pm. Later, at 1:45pm, he will open the re-excavation work of the ‘Bishwo Khal’ canal near Ghosher Hat in Kumarduli village under Shahmahmudpur Union of Chandpur Sadar upazila. The Prime Minister will then take a break for Zohr prayers and lunch at the district Circuit House. He will address a public rally at Chandpur Government College ground and distribute Family Cards around 3pm. Tarique, also the Chairman of ruling BNP, is also scheduled to attend an organisational views-exchange meeting with the party’s local leaders and activists at Chandpur Club at 5pm. The Additional Press Secretary said the Prime Minister is expected to leave for Dhaka by road at around 6:30pm. He last visited the district in 2004 when he served as Senior Joint Secretary General of BNP.  

A teenage boy was stabbed to death allegedly by his friend at Tanaghat in Beanibazar upazila of Sylhet district on Friday. The deceased was identified as Siam Ahmed, 15, son of Kayes Ahmed of South Pariabohor village in the upazila. Omar Faruk, officer-in-charge of Beanibazar Police Station, said Siam had an altercation with his friend Tamim, son of Abdus Shukkur, over eating mango. At one stage, Tamim stabbed Siam with knife, leaving him dead on the spot. Monirul Haque Khan, Beanibazar Upazila heath officer, said the impact was severe and struck very close to the heart, resulting in death on the spot. On information, police recovered the body and sent it to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College and Hospital morgue. Tamim went into hiding after the incident.  

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked 31st among the world’s most polluted cities on Saturday morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 66 at 9:00 am. The air was classified as ‘Moderate’, meaning it could pose health risks to people who are more vulnerable, according to the AQI scale. Pakistan’s Lahore, India’s Delhi, and Indonesia’s Jakarta occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 290, 210 and 167 respectively. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. The AQI measures daily air quality, showing how clean or polluted the air is and what health effects people might experience. In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five main pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone. Dhaka has long faced serious air pollution. The situation usually gets worse in winter and improves during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization says air pollution causes around seven million deaths worldwide each year, mainly due to stroke, heart disease, chronic respiratory illness, lung cancer and acute infections.  

Israeli officials said Friday that an airstrike in Gaza targeted Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the head of Hamas’ military wing, though it was not immediately known whether he was killed or wounded in the attack. Hamas did not issue any immediate response regarding the strike. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the military operation was aimed at al-Haddad, who leads Hamas’ Qassam Brigades. They described him as one of the key planners behind Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. At least two Israeli airstrikes struck Gaza City on Friday evening. According to local health officials, one attack hit a residential building while another targeted a vehicle. The strikes killed seven people and injured dozens more. Victims were taken to the Palestine Red Crescent Society’s Saraya Field Hospital and Shifa Hospital for treatment. In a joint statement, Netanyahu and Katz warned that Israel would continue pursuing everyone involved in the Oct. 7 assault, during which Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251 others. Since Israel launched its military campaign in response to the attack, more than 72,700 people have reportedly been killed in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Despite a fragile ceasefire reached in October, Israeli attacks in Gaza have continued almost daily. The Gaza Health Ministry says more than 850 people have died since the truce began. Following the strike targeting al-Haddad, residents reported additional Israeli bombardments across Gaza, though the military did not immediately specify the intended targets. Tensions between Israel and Hamas have remained high during the ceasefire period, with both sides accusing each other of violating the agreement. Israel has continued targeting Hamas figures in Gaza, including the recent killing of the son of senior Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya.   

The Police Headquarters on Friday withdrew Moulvibazar Superintendent of Police (SP) Riazul Islam, just 10 days after his posting to the district. The withdrawal order was issued in a directive signed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Hossain Fakir on Friday. According to the order, Riazul Islam has been asked to hand over his charge to a senior official of the district by Saturday (May 16) and report to the Police Headquarters. Police Week ends with pledge to make force pro-people Earlier, on May 5, a government notification appointed 12 police  SPs to different districts, including Riazul Islam as SP of Moulvibazar. Recently, a social media post alleged that Riazul Islam secured the Moulvibazar SP post by paying Tk 20 million. The post also claimed that although a financial deal had been made, he had paid only Tk 2 million and delayed payment of the remaining amount. However, officials at the Police Headquarters declined to comment on whether the withdrawal was linked to the allegations circulating on social media. Earlier, the Police Headquarters also withdrew two officials who had been appointed as SPs of Feni and Panchagarh districts. They are Mohammad Mahbub Alam Khan of Feni and Md Mizanur Rahman of Panchagarh.

Commerce, Industry, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir on Friday said there is no such thing as failure in scientific research, as every stage of research generates new knowledge and experience that contributes to future innovation. He made the remarks while inaugurating the 47th National Science and Technology Week and Science Fair at the Mohammad Ali Gymnasium of Sylhet District Stadium. The minister urged teachers, parents and all concerned to encourage students to engage more actively in scientific studies and research. Govt determined to reopen closed state-owned sugar mills: Muktadir “A country’s progress depends largely on a knowledge-based society and research,” he said, adding that innovation and scientific inquiry are essential for achieving national development.

Google is reportedly testing a change that could reduce free storage for new Gmail accounts unless users verify their mobile numbers. At present, new Google accounts receive 15GB of free storage shared across Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos. However, reports from users on Reddit and X suggest that the company is experimenting with a reduced 5GB limit for accounts created without phone number verification. Under the test, users who verify their phone numbers would continue to receive the standard 15GB of storage, while unverified accounts may be restricted to 5GB. The move has sparked mixed reactions online. Some users have raised concerns over privacy and data control, while others believe the change could help reduce spam and discourage the creation of multiple accounts to bypass storage limits. Reports indicate that the test is currently limited to select new users in some African countries, including Kenya and Nigeria, and may be part of an A/B testing phase before wider implementation. Google’s official support pages still show that new accounts receive 15GB of free storage. Users requiring additional space can upgrade to paid plans under Google One. A company spokesperson, as quoted by Android Authority, said the experiment is aimed at maintaining a “high-quality storage service” and improving account security and recovery options. Google One currently offers paid storage plans of 30GB, 100GB and 2TB at different monthly price points depending on region. #From NDTV

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Seoul, along with Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association (BSIA), has hosted a high-impact two-day roadshow in South Korea, aimed at integrating Bangladesh into the global semiconductor value chain through strategic international collaboration, talent development, and advanced packaging initiatives. The roadshow commenced on May 12 with a series of one-to-one meetings with Korean semiconductor design houses and the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association (KSIA). A 12-member delegation, led by MA Jabbar, President of BSIA, visited South Korea in this regard. The main highlight of the roadshow activities was a banquet reception held on the day in DoubleTree by Hilton Pangyo hotel in Seoul. Bangladesh's Ambassador to South Korea Toufiq Islam Shatil delivered the welcome remarks highlighting the ample scope of joint collaboration between the semiconductor industries of both countries. He discussed the Asian Development Bank-proposed $79 billion, 20-year economic corridor from Teknaf to Tetulia as a future hub for high-tech industrialisation, creating a specialised ecosystem where semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, and electronics can thrive outside the traditional urban centers.  BSIA President Jabbar emphasised the need to enter the semiconductor ecosystem through focusing strategic pathways like design verification, embedded system and advanced packaging. The technical sessions featured insights on “Silicon River” initiatives from Prof Muhammad Mustafa Hussain (Purdue University, USA) followed by capabilities overviews from seven leading BSIA member companies, namely Dynamic Solution Innovators, Test Bangladesh Limited, Ulkasemi Private Limited, Neural Semiconductor Ltd, PrimeSilicon Technology Inc, Siliconova Limited, and MARS Solutions Limited. On the concluding day on 13 May, the BSIA delegation met high officials of different semiconductor and research organisations, including Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), SK Hynix, Hana Micron, Korea Semiconductor Industry Association (KSIA), Koolmicro, Y-Tech, and Growith Associates.   A significant milestone of the roadshow was achieved with the signing of Letter of Intent (LOI) between KAIST Global Commercialization Center (GCC), Center of Research Excellence on Semiconductor Technology (CREST) and BSIA. This agreement aims to foster joint research, talent development and capacity building in the semiconductor sector. It is expected that Bangladesh’s emerging industry will highly benefit from the technological and economic cooperation from the global leaders of Korea in semiconductor manufacturing. The Embassy of Bangladesh in Seoul remains committed to supporting these initiatives to transform the nation into a global high-tech destination, according to a PID handout issued on Friday.