United News of Bangladesh

Public health and environmental experts on Tuesday called on the government to fully enforce the updated Bangladesh Standards (BDS) and introduce stronger regulatory measures to eliminate lead from industrial paints, aluminium cookware and children’s toys. They made the call at a high-level policy dialogue titled “Preventing Lead Poisoning and Updating Standards for Industrial Paints, Cookware and Toys” held in Dhaka. Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), UNICEF and the Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO) organised the programme. Experts said preventing lead poisoning must be treated as a national priority because of its irreversible impact on children’s health, cognitive development and long-term socio-economic outcomes. They called for coordinated action in agencies covering regulatory enforcement, industry accountability, public awareness and strict market monitoring to eliminate lead from consumer products and protect public health. Former secretary and ESDO Chairperson Syed Margub Murshed attended the dialogue as chief guest, while BSTI Director General SM Ferdous Alam was present as special guest. Mohammad Saidul Islam, Director of BSTI’s Standards Wing, delivered the welcome remarks. Calling lead a ‘silent killer,’ Margub Murshed warned that toxic metal poses a severe threat to public healthparticularly to children whose developing brains and nervous systems are highly susceptible. “This toxic heavy metal is destroying the future of our next generation. It must be controlled without delay,” he said. He said although Bangladesh has made significant progress in removing lead from decorative paints its continued use in industrial paints and everyday consumer goods including cookware and toys remains alarming. “Strong and immediate action is essential to stop the use of lead in these products. Today’s dialogue is vital for bringing all relevant agencies together to advance this urgent agenda,” he added. BSTI Director General SM Ferdous Alam highlighted the country’s achievement in setting a maximum limit of 90 parts per million (ppm) of lead in decorative paints, which has been recognised as a regional benchmark. He said BSTI is now finalising new BDS specifications for industrial, marine and automobile paints. “The recommendations from today’s meeting will help us update the existing standards and strengthen enforcement on the ground,” he added. The dialogue was chaired by Professor Dr Syed Md Samsuddin of Dhaka University’s Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department. Other speakers included Professor Dr Md Arju Mia of Jahangirnagar University, IEDCR Director Professor Dr Tahmina Shirin, ESDO Executive Director Siddika Sultana and UNICEF health specialist Dr Pricilla Wobi. Representatives from NIPSON, icddr,b, Asian Paints, Berger Paints and the Paints Association also participated, sharing perspectives on industry challenges and opportunities for compliance with updated standards.

Twenty-eight people, including women and children, were rescued early Monday from an attempted trafficking journey to Malaysia during a joint operation by the Coast Guard and police in Teknaf’s Baharchhara area. Coast Guard Media Officer Lt Commander Siam-ul-Hoque said on Tuesday that the operation was launched after intelligence reports indicated that a large group, comprising men, women and children, had gathered on the beach near Kacchapia Ghat in Baharchhara, preparing to embark on a perilous sea journey. Acting on the tip-off, a team from the Coast Guard’s Baharchhara Outpost and local police carried out the joint drive around 1am on Monday. The team found 28 people waiting on the beach to be ferried offshore. During initial questioning, officials learned that several organised trafficking groups had targeted both Bangladeshi and Rohingya nationals from Teknaf and other regions, luring them with promises of better opportunities abroad, high-paying jobs and low-cost travel — all part of a larger scheme to smuggle them to Malaysia via dangerous maritime routes. 260 trafficked foreigners rescued from Myanmar scam centers to be repatriated The traffickers managed to escape after sensing the presence of law enforcement personnel, leaving the victims behind. No arrests were made during the operation. Authorities say efforts are underway to identify those involved in the networks, while the rescued individuals have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further procedures. Bangladesh remains among the countries with a high prevalence of modern slavery. According to the 2023 Global Slavery Index, an estimated 1.2 million people were living in modern slavery in Bangladesh on any given day in 2021, a figure that includes internal trafficking and other forms of exploitation.

Online top-up system has been launched for Dhaka Metro Rail users to reduce suffering to recharge their Rapid or MRT passes. Besides, the cardholders can add money to their travel cards anytime and from anywhere. Sheikh Moinuddin, special assistant to the Chief Adviser on the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, inaugurated the service at Agargaon Metro Rail Station on Tuesday morning. Speaking at the event, Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) Executive Director Nilima Akhter, whose organisation implemented the system, said the initiative marks a long-awaited milestone. “Today is truly an expected and much-desired day for us.” She said that the metro rail now has 16 stations, each equipped with two validation machines, with cardholders recharging online from home or anywhere else, then simply tap the card on the machine at the station to confirm the successful top-up. Metro Rail staff's leaves cancelled until further notice Additional Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division Nikhil Kumar Das Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has brought transformative changes to Bangladesh’s transport sector. DMTCL Director (Administration) AKM Khairul Alam, Bangladesh Bank Director Md Sharafat Ullah Khan, BRTC Chairman Abdul Latif Mollah, and SSL Commerce Managing Director Saiful Islam also spoke at the ceremony.

Speakers at a webinar on Tuesday said a strong birth and death registration law is particularly important for safeguarding women’s fundamental rights including access to education, healthcare, social protection and justice. The webinar titled “Stronger Registration Laws to Protect Women’s Rights,” was organised by research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), in observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The theme of this year is “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against Women and Girls.” Although the government of Bangladesh has committed to achieving universal birth and death registration by 2030, loopholes in the existing law act as a major obstacle to progress, they said. Speakers said lack of birth registration makes it difficult to prove girls’ ages, putting them at increased risk of child marriage, which leads to higher levels of physical and emotional violence. Early marriage also exposes adolescent girls to severe maternal health risks and higher maternal mortality. Rasheda K. Choudhury, Executive Director of Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) and former Adviser to a Caretaker Government, said, “Gender disparities in birth and death registration render women invisible. To ensure every woman’s identity and rights, it is crucial to strengthen the Birth and Death Registration Act, 2004 through amendment.” Dr. Samina Luthfa, Professor of Sociology Department at the University of Dhaka, said , “We must ensure birth and death registration for all women to protect rights and dignity of women in both personal and state lives.” Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI, said, “Introducing hospital-based birth and death registration can bring every woman under the registration system. This will accelerate the achievement of SDG 16.9, which aims to provide legal identity for all.” Women and Children Ministry to launch Quick Response Strategy Currently, Bangladesh’s birth registration rate stands at only 50%, and death registration at 47%, far below regional and global averages. Journalists, civil society representatives and subject experts also joined the event. The webinar was presided over by ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA, and moderated by Coordinator Mashiat Abedin, who also delivered the keynote presentation.

Workers of a garment factory blocked a road in Konabari of Gazipur on Tuesady protesting the closure of the factory.  The authorities of Honeywell Garments hanged a closure notice on the main gate of the factory on Monday evening. When the workers of the factory saw the closure notice on Tuesday morning, they staged a demonstration in front of the factory, said Morshed Zaman, inspector of Gazipur Industrial Police-2 (Konabari zone). The workers  also blocked the road, disrupting vehicular movement. Earlier on Monday, the workers demonstrated and demanded the dismissal of the factory’s general manager and administrative officials. The notice, signed by the Assistant General Manager (Admin & Finance) of Honeywell Garments Ltd., stated that some workers raised unreasonable demands after disrupting the operation of the factory, creating extreme disorder and instability. RMG workers block highway as 16 factories shut in Ashulia The notice added that the disruption also affected scheduled export operations, causing significant financial losses for the company. The notice further stated that the factory would reopen once condition returns to normal and a conducive environment for operation is restored. However, efforts are on to solve the matter, said police.

A 24-year-old woman allegedly killed herself after killing her two children at her house at Khalisha Kandi village in Shahjahanpur upazila of Bogura district on Tuesday. The deceased were identified as Sadia Mostarim, 24, wife of Shahadat Hossain Kajol and their children--Saif, 7 and Saifa, 5. Shafiqul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Shahjahanpur Police Station, said Sadia was found hanging from a ceiling and her two children were found with their throats slit. Sadia might have committed suicide over family feud. On information, police recovered the bodies and sent those to a local hospital morgue.  

Sylhet district administration has decided to demolish 23 buildings identified as highly vulnerable to earthquakes, beginning next week. The decision came at a meeting on earthquake preparedness and response held at Nagar Bhaban on Monday afternoon. Divisional Commissioner and Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Khan Md Reza-un-Nabi chaired the meeting. Senior officials including Deputy Commissioner Md Sarwar Alam and SCC Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Rezai Rafin Sarker and experts attended the meeting. Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Sarwar Alam said many people are still living and doing business in these risky buildings. “For the safety of residents we have decided to demolish these buildings quickly,” he added. He also said that narrow roads in many parts of the city could hinder rescue efforts during disasters and stressed the need for special attention to this issue. Professor Dr Jajir Bin Alam of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology’s Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, who led the building assessment, said they surveyed 6,000 buildings and found 23 to be extremely vulnerable. But the actual number of risky buildings is likely much higher, h said. “There are around 44,000 buildings in the city. Without surveying each of them it is not possible to accurately determine the level of risk,” he said.

The United Kingdom has launched a campaign to combat visa fraud and protect visa applicants from serious exploitation by fraudulent immigration facilitators. British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said visa fraud destroys dreams and devastates families. "Criminal facilitators prey on people’s aspirations for a better life, stealing their money, and putting them at risk of serious harm. Our message is clear: use only official channels, verify all advice and report suspicious activity," she said in a statement on Tuesday. Polls to be inclusive, participatory; AL won't be able to take part: Prof Yunus tells UK The UK welcomes legitimate visa applications through proper routes, but those who attempt fraud face serious consequences, including 10-year travel bans, the High Commissioner said. Fraudulent activities perpetrated by criminals and scammers cost victims millions of pounds annually and put vulnerable people at risk of exploitation, financial ruin and legal consequences, in Bangladesh and across the world. Visa fraud and illegal immigration facilitation have reached alarming levels globally, with criminal networks using increasingly sophisticated tactics to deceive prospective visa applicants. Victims are often promised guaranteed visas, jobs without proper qualifications, or expedited processing in exchange for exorbitant fees. The reality is financial loss, visa refusals, travel bans and, in the worst cases, trafficking and exploitation. UK visa applicants, the High Commission said, should always use official government websites for visa information and apply through the official government website – www.gov.uk  

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday called on local election observation organisations not to appoint any person involved in politics or any party as they are field-level observers to ensure their neutral role in the upcoming national election. “Please make sure that your people would be totally impartial,” he said while chairing a discussion with local election observer groups at Nirbachan Bhaban. The discussion began at 10:35am as part of the Commission’s ongoing dialogue with stakeholders ahead of the next national election, expected to be held in early February 2026. Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Sarker and Brig Gen (Retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah were present. Commonwealth Secretary-General meets CEC, discusses election preparations The CEC said Bangladeshis are highly politically conscious, and therefore any observer who becomes politically involved during the election would ‘damage everything’. “Please check whether those you appoint have any political involvement or have any link and connection with any party. If they have participated in political programmes, processions or meetings, please do not appoint them,” he said. He said the Election Commission wants the observers as partners to deliver a fair and credible election to the nation. “We have promised the nation that we would deliver a fair, beautiful and credible election to the nation. The Election Commission alone cannot ensure this. We all must work together for it, he added. Pointing at the old observer organisations, the CEC said he does not want to revisit past controversies. “I don’t want to dig into the past. I always want to look ahead. Mistakes may have happened for various reasons. Let’s forget about it. Rather, we should take lessons from the past and move forward.” EC committed to neutral role for credible polls: CEC Nasir But he warned that the reputation of observer organisations would be at stake if their field-level staff fail to perform responsibly.  “Reports submitted by observers must be based on reality,” Nasir Uddin said. He said the organisations must take responsibility to monitor whether their field-level observers are reporting properly. “If any report comes that your observer is working in favour of a political party or influencing the process, this will be a great damage done to your reputation. So, please ensure they remain totally impartial,” he said. The CEC said the Commission’s sole agenda is to deliver a “credible, transparent and fair election.” Describing the observers and journalists as the CCTV cameras for the EC, he said “If they keep watch, no one will dare to commit irregularities. Your role is very important. You have a very important role to play.” He reminded organisations that observers must not engage in any election campaigning or influence the vote in any way. “Their duty is just to observe, not to intervene. If they see an irregularity, it is their duty to report it, not to intervene or stop it.” On Tuesday, the EC is holding two separate discussions—one with 40 observer organisations in the morning, and another with 41 organisations from 2:00pm. The EC is holding two discussions on Tuesday --The first discussion with 40 observer organisations, while the second one with 41 other organisations from 2:00pm. Besides, the Commission is going to sit in its second discussion with top representatives of law enforcement agencies, including the armed forces on November 27 and with the top government officials concerned on November 30 next. The meeting with the law enforcement agencies is likely to focus on the deployment of security personnel in every constituency including polling stations, their coordination among the law enforcement members and EC’s instructions to ensure security during the upcoming election. Earlier, the Election held dialogues with 47 registered political parties, including BNP, Jamaat and National Citizen Party-NCP on November 13, 16, 17 and 19 last. In late September 2025, the Commission opened a series of electoral dialogues with different stakeholders amid talks with civil society representatives on September 28. Later, the EC held separate dialogues with the representatives of teachers, senior journalists from different media outlets, election experts and election observers. The Election Commission is likely to announce the schedule in early December for holding the next general election in the first half of February 2026.  

The well-marked low over South Andaman Sea and adjoining area persisted over the same region and is likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify further, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). Besides, another low-pressure area has formed over southwest Bay and adjoining Sri Lanka coast and is likely to intensify further, it said. A Ridge of Sub-continental high extends up to West Bengal and adjoining area. The weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country. Night and day temperatures may fall slightly over the country.