United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Shadharon Nagorik Shamaj, a civil society platform, on Saturday urged all stakeholders not to create any artificial fuel shortage in the country taking advantage of the ongoing situation in the Middle East. In a statement, the organisation’s convener Mohiuddin Ahmed called on people not to spread  panic among the public over the uncertainty surrounding global fuel supply triggered by the conflict in the Middle East. The platform said a dishonest group of traders might attempt to create an artificial crisis in the domestic market by using the international situation as an excuse. At the same time, it warned that instability in the fuel supply management could also arise due to some wrong and unplanned decisions by the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) and Petrobangla. However, according to various sources, the country currently has adequate fuel reserves, the statement said. Therefore, the organisation urged all concerned to refrain from spreading rumours or creating unnecessary panic that could trigger fear among the public. Bangladesh Shadharon Nagorik Shamaj also called on the relevant government agencies to ensure transparency in fuel supply and stock management, strengthen market monitoring, and take strict action against dishonest traders to prevent any artificial crisis. The organisation urged all stakeholders to act responsibly to safeguard the country’s energy security and protect public interests.

Rumours of a possible fuel shortage amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has triggered an unusual rush of customers at petrol pumps in parts of the capital. Many motorists were seen lining up to fill their vehicle tanks in advance, fearing a disruption in fuel supply.  

Persistent complications in land acquisition and repeated alignment adjustments have pushed the implementation timeline of a project linked to Dhaka–Sylhet–Tamabil highway , forcing the government to extend the deadline for the fourth time. The project titled “Land Acquisition and Utility Relocation in Support of Dhaka (Kanchpur)–Sylhet–Tamabil Highway Four-Laning with Separate Service Lanes on Both Sides (1st Revised)” will now run until December 2027, nearly seven years beyond its original completion target. The project spans seven districts and 25 upazilas in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions. It aims to complete land acquisition and relocate utilities in advance to facilitate the eventual expansion of the Dhaka–Sylhet–Tamabil highway into a six-lane corridor with separate service lanes on both sides. Officials said the project, implemented by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) under the Road Transport and Highways Division has faced persistent delays since it was approved in September 2018 with an initial deadline of December 2020. Workers block Dhaka-Sylhet highway in Rupganj over unpaid wages According to project documents, the slow pace of land acquisition remains the main obstacle. The original acquisition plan was prepared using outdated State Acquisition (SA) maps. Since then, most corresponding Bangladesh Survey (BS) records have been published, forcing authorities to revise the acquisition proposals in line with the latest mouza maps as required under the Acquisition and Requisition of Immovable Property Act, 2017. Officials said converting the earlier SA-based plans into updated BS maps proved technically complex and time-consuming, significantly slowing implementation. The process became even more complicated after several new government and strategic installations were built along the proposed alignment following the project’s approval. These include the Shah Paran (R) Mazar Gate, parts of  Sylhet Cantonment, a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) office, and other key establishments. Road to Heaven: Gujarat’s surreal highway flanked by water and salt pans Their construction forced repeated adjustments to the highway alignment, requiring fresh land acquisition proposals and additional administrative approvals. Legal disputes over land ownership have also contributed to the delay. In several land acquisition (LA) cases, inconsistencies between ownership records from different surveys particularly RS and BS records resulted in multiple claimants for the same plots. These disputes have led to court cases that are still pending, preventing authorities from completing acquisition and handing over land in several sections of the highway. Officials involved in the project said such legal complications often take years to resolve under existing procedures, further prolonging the acquisition process. Despite these setbacks, the project has made some progress where land-related obstacles have been cleared. Hili land port highway upgrade delayed again, cost jumps to Tk 588cr As of October 2025, cumulative spending reached Tk 5,782.90 crore, accounting for 72.51 percent of the total revised cost. Financial and physical progress are reported at the same level, indicating that implementation has advanced in available sections. The project’s revised cost now stands at Tk 7,975.31 crore, up from the originally approved Tk 3,885.72 crore, with the entire funding coming from the government. In the 2025–26 fiscal year, the project received an allocation of Tk 748.22 crore under the Annual Development Programme (ADP). Dhaka-Sylhet-Tamabil road corridor forms part of the Asian Highway-1 route, designed to connect India’s Meghalaya and West Bengal with Bangladesh through the Tamabil-Sylhet-Kanchpur-Dhaka-Jashore-Benapole corridor. The initiative also includes construction of new bridges and flyovers. Implemented in phases by Chinese and local joint ventures, the project is expected to significantly reduce travel time and strengthen regional trade and economic activity. Experts say repeated deadline extensions reflect deeper structural weaknesses in project preparation, particularly inadequate initial surveys, reliance on outdated land records and insufficient anticipation of future urban and institutional developments.

Two people were killed and two others injured when a CNG-run auto-rickshaw crashed into a road divider while taking a U-turn in Tejgaon Industrial area of the capital on Friday night. The deceased were identified as Alim, 48, a CNG driver and passenger Harunur Rashid, 32, of Kishoreganj district. The accident occurred around 10 pm when the Mohakhali-bound CNG-run auto-rickshaw, carrying three passengers, hit the road divider while taking a U-turn, leaving four people injured. Father, daughter killed in Dhaka road crash Inspector Faruk, in-charge of the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital police camp, said the injured were taken to the hospital where doctors declared the CNG driver and one passenger dead. The injured female passengers—Happy Akter, 22, and Brishti Akter, 25—are undergoing treatment at the hospital, he added.

A 45-year-old man and his daughter were killed when a truck hit a motorbike in Science Lab area of the capital on Friday night. The deceased were identified as Saju Ahmed Sumon and his daughter Sumaiya Ahmed Trisha, residents of Shahjahanpur area. The accident occurred around 11 pm when the truck hit the motorcycle carrying the duo while they were heading towards their home, leaving one killed on the spot and another injured, said sub-inspector of New Market Police Station, Mahmudul. Bus–microbus collision leaves 2 dead on Dhaka–Barishal highway The injured were taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where the doctors declared her dead. Police arrested the driver and seized the truck.

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked 4th on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI index of 182 at 9:13 am on Saturday. Dhaka’s air was classified as ' unhealthy', according to the air quality and pollution city ranking. India’s Delhi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kinshasa and Pakistan’s Lahore occupied the first, second and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 237, 202 and 198 respectively. When the AQI value for particle pollution is 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, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.  

Today is the historic Seventh March, a seminal date in Bangladesh's road to independence. On this day in 1971, a crowd estimated at several lakhs gathered at the then-Racecourse Maidan in Dhaka (today's Suhrawardy Uddyan) to hear ‘Bangabandhu’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman deliver a clarion call of freedom for the Bengalis of East Pakistan. Although he stopped short of declaring independence outright, much to the discontent of some of his younger lieutenants, Mujib’s riveting delivery laid the groundwork for the freedom struggle that lay ahead, as he urged his fellow Bengalis to prepare to “fight the enemy with whatever means available” to them. Ideals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Can Inspire the Young Generation "This time the struggle is for independence. This time the struggle is for liberation," he would tell them. By then the undisputed leader of the Bengali nation, Mujib also reiterates his instructions to observe an all-out civil disobedience movement that he himself had called five days earlier on March 2, including the non-payment of taxes. The background to the day was formed by Pakistani President Yahya Khan’s unilateral postponement, on March 1, of the National Assembly based on the results of the December 1970 election. The first session of the assembly had been scheduled for March 3. What Was Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Childhood Like? Although Mujib's Awami League had won an absolute majority in the 1970 elections by dominating in East Pakistan, West Pakistani leaders, buttressed by the military establishment, refused to transfer power to him and the League. The postponement of the NA was widely seen as a continuation of this intransigence. The days leading up to March 7 saw widespread protests and the killing of Bengali civilians. This had caused tensions to soar, and it is a recurring theme in Mujib's speech, as he repeatedly exhorts the military to return to their barracks instead of killing civilians, and ultimately declares: “Having given blood already, we'll give even more blood, till we liberate the people of this land, Insh'Allah (God willing).” The speech came amid ongoing negotiations between Yahya and Mujib that would continue till the breakdown of talks, and the Pakistani military's resort to Operation Searchlight on the fateful night of March 25, triggering Bangladesh's War of Liberation. The day is no longer officially recognised as ‘historic’, following a decision of the interim government in October 2024. But in almost every household where the oral history of the birth of Bangladesh is passed down through generations, it remains a significant and unmissable waypoint. In 2017, Mujib's March 7 speech was included in UNESCO's Memory of the World International Register as a document of world heritage.

Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia will be honoured with the ‘Indomitable Woman of Democracy’ award by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026. The award recognizes her remarkable efforts and fearless leadership in restoring and strengthening democracy in Bangladesh. The award will be presented during the International Women’s Day celebration at Osmani Memorial Hall in Dhaka on March 8, according to a ministry press release. The recognition highlights her fearless leadership and unwavering efforts in establishing democratic practices in the country. Like previous years, this year five women will be honored as ‘Indomitable Women’ across five categories. Others include Nurun Nahar Akter for achievements in the economy, Mosammat Bobita Khatun in education and employment, Nur Banu Kabir as a successful mother, Mosammat Shamla Begum for overcoming adversity, and Mosammat Afroza Yasmin for her exceptional contributions to social development.

The ninth day of the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela turned lively on Friday as the holiday atmosphere brought a large number of visitors to the fairgrounds. The special “Children’s Hour,”(Shishu prohor) which began at 11 am, created a festive environment filled with the joy and footsteps of children. The vibrant presence of young readers at the venues in Suhrawardy Udyan and Bangla Academy premises added a new dimension to the fair. During the second week’s Children’s Hour, participation from children of various educational backgrounds was noticeable. Students from government and private primary schools, as well as kindergarten and English-medium institutions, joined the program. Organizers believe such participation helps foster a sense of friendship and empathy among children. A variety of colorful arrangements were made for children at the fair’s designated children’s corner. From early morning, parents began arriving with their children to enjoy the event. One of the main attractions of Children’s Hour was a puppet show, where lively conversations between puppet characters, storytelling, and amusing gestures captivated the young audience. Alongside the puppet show, the fair also hosted drawing competitions, cultural performances, games, and several competitive events for children. Through these activities, organizers aim to introduce children to the country’s culture and traditions. Beyond the entertainment, children also showed strong enthusiasm for buying books. Young readers crowded different stalls to collect their favorite titles, including ghost stories, rhymes, poetry, and illustrated books. Parents said they brought their children to the Children’s Hour to encourage reading habits and reduce excessive digital dependence.  Rubel Ahmed, who came from Mohammadpur with his son, said, “Nowadays children spend more time gaming on mobile phones rather than playing outdoor games. While technology has positive aspects, it can also negatively affect children. So it is important to introduce them to the outside home.” Meanwhile, due to the holiday, the number of readers and visitors was higher than on other days. Sellers also reported better sales compared to previous days. Ekushey Boi Mela sees low visitor-reader turnout on day 7 At 3pm, a discussion titled “Birth Centenary: Kalim Sharafi” was held at the fair’s main stage. The keynote paper was presented by Anima Roy. The discussion featured Saim Rana and was chaired by Sadhan Ghosh. In the “Meet the Author” session, writers Mridul Mahbub and Ehsan Mahmud spoke about their books. Later at 4pm, poet Shaheen Reza recited poetry during the cultural segment, while artists also performed recitations and musical pieces.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed a money laundering case against Jubo League leader and former ward councillor Md Tajul Islam Chowdhury (Bappi) over allegations of laundering about Tk 2.5 crore. According to the CID’s Financial Crime Unit, Tajul and six to seven unnamed associates have been accused in the case filed with Pallabi Police Station under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012 (amended 2015). CID officials said Tajul, an influential leader in the Pallabi-Mirpur area, allegedly amassed large amounts of money through extortion and fraud by controlling different sectors in the area, including transport, temporary footpath markets, garment scrap (jhut) trading, and dish and internet businesses. During its inquiry, the CID found discrepancies between Tajul’s declared income and his assets, said CID Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan. According to the information he submitted, Tajul claimed that he earned Tk 3,83,65,355 between 2014 and 2024 from businesses including a clothing firm named “Smart Fashion,” fish trading, and an auto brick kiln known as “Messrs Chowdhury & Khan Auto Bricks” located in Morelganj of Bagerhat. He also reported family expenditures of Tk 1,11,83,270 during the same period, which would leave possible savings of about Tk 2,71,73,085. However, the CID investigation found that the total value of his movable and immovable assets stood at around Tk 4,27,22,471, indicating that he could not show the source of about Tk 1,55,49,386. Investigators also found that the brick kiln in Morelganj had been set up in a restricted area in violation of the Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kiln Establishment (Control) Act, 2013. The Department of Environment issued a notice on Dec 15, 2024, ordering the closure of the kiln, and later a mobile court fined the establishment Tk 1 lakh on Jan 30, 2025. Despite these legal actions, Tajul reported earning about Tk 48.48 lakh from the brick kiln, which investigators said appeared to be income from an illegal source. Ex-secretary, family sued over Tk 400m money laundering The CID also found irregularities in a land purchase in North Senpara under Pallabi Police Station. While the registered deed showed the land value as Tk 5.65 lakh, investigators said the actual price was about Tk 53.65 lakh, suggesting that the source of nearly Tk 48 lakh had been concealed. The investigation found evidence that about Tk 2,51,97,851 had been illegally earned, transferred, and converted through various means. The inquiry also revealed that transactions exceeding Tk 56.86 crore had taken place through accounts linked to the accused. Currently, about Tk 6,33,471 in those accounts has been frozen under a court order. Investigators further found that the audit reports of two companies submitted by Tajul for 2023 and 2024 were fake. According to the CID, the reports were allegedly prepared in the name of chartered accountant SM Zakaria, who had died during the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating that the accused used his name and firm’s address to produce forged audit documents. The case was registered at Pallabi Police Station on March 5, 2026, under sections 4(2) and 4(4) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012 (amended 2015). CID official Jasim Uddin Khan said the agency is continuing its investigation with utmost importance to curb money laundering and financial crimes.