United News of Bangladesh

UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh Sheldon Yett on Wednesday said UNICEF is "appalled" by the killing of a Rohingya teacher in gunfire in one of the refugee camps in Cox's Bazar. 3.2 million Children at risk as Cyclone Remal hits hard in coastal areas of Bangladesh: UNICEF “UNICEF expresses its sincere condolences and extends its sympathy to the family, friends and students of the victim," Yett said in a statement. UNICEF strongly condemns any attack against schools and other places of learning, which must always be a safe space for children, and for the staff delivering this essential service, Yett added.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat on Wednesday urged the country’s mass media to work with utmost sincerity to safeguard the interests of the country and its people. “The country belongs to all of us so, conspiracies against the interests of this country must be dealt with staying united,” he said. Govt-citizen partnership needed to resolve civic problems: State Minister Arafat The state minister said this while addressing the Bangladesh Press Council (BPC) Medal-2023 distribution ceremony at Tathya Bhaban Auditorium in the city’s Circuit House Road this afternoon (Wednesday). “To build a non-communal society with liberation war spirit, in moving this society forward, in the efforts of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the field of inclusive development, everyone, including the media, must play a collective role.,” he added. Arafat divulges how govt proceeding to shut 'unregistered' news sites “The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always stands by the people working in the media with different types of incentives so they can work professionally with responsibility,” he said. Reiterating the government’s commitment to foster professional journalism, Arafat said, “We believe that freedom of the press is the part of our Liberation War spirit." Regarding German broadcaster Deutsche Welle’s (DW) recent documentary, he said, "You will see it was not against any individual or the government but against the country and its important institution - Bangladesh Army." They have made the documentary to belittle our success and reputation in international peace keeping missions, the state minister added. Arafat criticises US police response to peaceful campus protests for Palestinian rights “A vested quarter is spreading such kind of propaganda to tarnish the image of the Bangladesh Army and the country by using the international media,” he added. Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting Ministry Kazi Keramat Ali, Senior Secretary of the ministry Humayun Kabir Khandaker, and jury board chief and Professor of Dhaka University (DU) Mass Communication and Journalism Department Dr Abul Mansur Ahmed spoke at the function, with BPC Chairman Justice Md Nizamul Huq Nasim in the chair.

The Chittagong University (CU) administration has issued show-cause notices to 23 Chhatra League leaders of the CU unit for their alleged involvement in wielding local weapons and engaging in clashes to capture polling centers during the Upazila elections in Hathazari. BCL to host nationwide flag hoisting on May 6, aimed at backing global student movement for Palestine The accused have been given three days to respond. Following their responses, disciplinary actions will be taken as per the decision of the university's disciplinary committee, the CU authorities stated. After reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence, the 23 students were identified and served notices on Wednesday. Notices were also sent to the families of the accused students. Mohammad Rifat Rahman, Assistant Proctor and Assistant Secretary of the Investigation Committee at the university, confirmed the issuance of the show-cause notices. Attack by ‘rivals’ leaves 4 BCL activists injured in Lakshmipur "We have issued show-cause notices to 23 students after verifying all evidence and footage. Notices have been sent simultaneously to their halls, departments, and families. They have three working days starting tomorrow to explain their actions. Necessary steps will be taken based on the disciplinary committee's decision," he said. He added, "Two incidents occurred. The first one took place in front of the Laboratory School, and the second in front of Abdur Rab Hall. During this time, some students defied our prohibitions and displayed local weapons. Legal actions will also be taken against them." We envision a system where Buet students will choose their leaders: BCL President For the sake of the investigation, the names of the 23 students served with show-cause notices have been kept confidential. Previously, a clash broke out between two sub-groups of the CU BCL unit – 'Choose Friends with Care (CFC)' and the 'Bijoy' group – over the occupation of polling centers during the upazila parishad elections at around 2pm on May 21. During the incident, Bijoy activists attempted to occupy the center for the motorcycle symbol candidate, while CFC activists supported the horse symbol candidate. At that time, Salah Uddin, a follower of Bijoy Group, was hacked with sharp weapons by CFC followers. To investigate the incident, a three-member committee was formed with Assistant Proctor Enamul Haque as the convener, Assistant Proctor Mohammad Rifat Rahman as the member secretary, and Assistant Proctor Tanvir Hasan as a member.

Power supply was restored to 93 percent consumers of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) while it was 87 percent for consumers of West Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (WZPDC) till 6:00 pm on Wednesday. According to a press release from the Power Division, some 3.03 crore consumers of the BREB were affected by Cyclone Remal on Monday and got disconnected from the electricity supply network. The BREB has restored the electricity supply to 2.82 crore consumers, which is 93 percent. 3.5 lakh people still without power in Shariatpur after Sunday’s cyclone The WZPDC has restored electricity supply to 2.82 lakh of its consumers during the same period, which is 87 percent of its total affected consumers of 4.53 lakh who were without electricity due to the cyclone. Power supply severely disrupted in Dhaka city, adjoining areas after Remal hit The Power Division said that about 25,000 workforce from BREB are currently working at the field level, while the WZPDC has also engaged its manpower to repair damaged power lines. Cyclone Remal causes Tk 96 crore in damages to power supply infrastructure, as per initial estimates   

Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna raised a question on Wednesday about why former Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed have not yet been arrested, despite corruption allegations against them. "Why haven't Aziz or Benazir been arrested yet, and why haven't cases been filed against them? You (people) need to take to the streets making a demand in this regard (the arrest of Aziz and Benazir)," he told a rally. Referring to Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader’s comment that the government was not embarrassed about the issues of Aziz and Benazir, Manna said this regime is least bothered about such crucial allegations as it is shameless. “Who elevated Aziz and Benazir to these positions? They indulged in stealing, looting and robbery one after another. Begum Zia did not give them posting,” he said. The Nagorik Oikya leader also said those who nurtured Aziz and Benazir will not be allowed to go unpunished. He said that the government was aware of the misdeeds and corruption by the two former top military and police officials but did not take any action against them as they helped it cling to power. Jatiyatabadi Desh Bachao Manush Bachao Andolan, a pro-BNP platform, arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the unconditional release of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and other party leaders and workers, including Ishraque Hossain. Manna warned that the government would face trouble as a UN representative announced to investigate and send back those Bangladeshi peacekeepers accused of involvement in crimes against humanity. He bemoaned that General Aziz tarnished the image of the entire armed forces of Bangladesh. The United States has recently imposed sanctions on Aziz Ahmed over allegations of corruption while the Anti-Corruption Commission has launched an investigation into Benazir's ill-gotten wealth. A Dhaka court recently ordered the authorities concerned to confiscate the assets of Benazir and freeze his bank accounts.

Additional Inspector General of Police Barrister Md Harun-Ar-Rashid has been appointed as the new director general of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).A gazette notification of the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs was issued in this regard on Wednesday. RAB DG details enhanced security measures at Shaheed MinarThe order will come into effect on June 5, it said. No threat of militant attack centering Biswa Ijtema: RAB DGHarun-Ar-Rashid will succeed current RAB DG M Khurshid Hossain. Election 2024: Those trying to obstruct voters will be resisted, says RAB DG

An earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale was felt in Bangladesh at 7:13 pm on Wednesday. The epicenter of the earthquake was 31 km East-southeast (ESE) of Mawlaik, Myanmar, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). A cluster of earthquakes shakes Taiwan after a strong quake killed 13 earlier this month There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the earthquake. Earthquake measuring 5.6 hits central Turkey

Cyclone Remal which battered  Bangladesh's coastal area on Sunday claimed at least16 lives, according to the National Disaster Response Co-Ordination Centre (NDRCC) under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief The deaths were reported in Khulna, Satkhira, Barishal, Patuakhali, Bhola, Chattogram and Pirojpur districts, said NDRCC said in its daily bulletin. Among the deceased, four died in Pirojpur, three each in Bhola, Barishal and Patuakhali and one each in Satkhira, Khulna and Chattogram districts. Besides, about 2.75 lakh houses have been destroyed in the coastal and its adjacent 19 districts, it said. Of these, 40,338 houses were completely destroyed and 1,33,528 houses were partially damaged. Khulna district witnessed highest number of damaged houses as a total of 20,762 houses were totally destroyed while in Bagerhat the number is 10,000. Besides, nearly 46 lakh people have affected by the cyclonic storm. State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohibur Rahman on Monday said 1,50,457 houses were damaged during the storm. Of these, 35,483 houses were fully damaged in 107 unions and 914 municipalities, said the state minister.

Left Democratic Alliance (LDA) has demanded publishing of white paper on the alleged corruption of former army chief General Aziz Ahmed and former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed and others who are involved in money laundering and loan defaulting. In a meeting of the central steering committee of the LDA on Wednesday, the leaders expressed concern over the incidents of Aziz, Benazir and ruling Awami League lawmaker Anwarul Azim, saying that these incidents exposed a terrible picture of corruption. Such incidents are absolutely impossible without the support of the current government and the patronage of the upper echelons, the LDA leaders alleged. Ruhin Hussain Prince, General Secretary of Communist party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Coordinator of Left Alliance, chaired the meeting at the CPB office in the city. The meeting urged the government to take appropriate measures to recover the laundered money and defaulted loans. Expressing condolence for the victims in the recent cyclone, the meeting demanded taking necessary measures for rehabilitation of the cyclone-victims. It expressed concern over the reports of putting more tax burden on the shoulders of people for the benefit of the looters, following the IMF's decision ahead of the upcoming budget. It is said that in order to solve the country's economic crisis, it is necessary to give priority to the public interest, including getting out of the current system, recovering black money-laundered money-reckoning debts, stopping corruption and looting, unnecessary mega projects and stopping the import of luxury goods. The meeting  was addressed by Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BASD) General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Feroze, Revolutionary Communist League General Secretary Iqbal Kabir Zahid, BASD (Marxist) General Secretary Masud Rana, General Secretary of Democratic Revolutionary Party Moshrafa Mishu, Executive President of Samajtantrik Party Abdul Ali, Abdus Sattar of Communist League, Mosharraf Hossain Nannu, Shahidul Islam Sabuj of Democratic Revolutionary Party, Taslima Akhter Beauty of Basad (Marxist).

Biman Bangladesh Airlines could be expanding its fleet with new aircraft from Airbus. Outgoing Managing Director and CEO of the national flag carrier, Shafiul Azim, made the indication during a views exchange meeting with the Aviation and Tourism Journalists’ Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) today (May 29, 2024). The meeting, held in Dhaka, saw the participation of ATJFB members led by their president, Tanzim Anwar. Addressing the forum, the outgoing Biman MD said that Airbus had proposed two offers to Biman for aircraft procurement. “Initially, Airbus offered us two cargo planes, but we decided we do not need them at the moment. Instead, we expressed our interest in expanding our passenger fleet. Subsequently, Airbus proposed four passenger aircraft, which was a better offer. This proposal has been evaluated by the committee and forwarded to the board for approval,” Azim explained. He emphasized the importance of diversifying their fleet, noting that currently, 16 out of 21 large aircraft in Biman’s fleet are from Boeing. “We are considering Airbus’s offers seriously. Diversifying our aircraft will not only mitigate risk but also appeal to passengers who appreciate newer models,” Azim said. Airbus leading in Bangladesh’s aircraft purchase consideration over Boeing? Regarding Boeing, Azim mentioned that they also received an offer from Boeing, which will be evaluated. “We have a longstanding relationship with Boeing, not just in terms of aircraft procurement but also their technical support and credit facilities. We are working well together,” he added. Azim highlighted Biman’s advantageous position due to the competitive proposals from both Airbus and Boeing. He assured that regardless of the manufacturer chosen, Biman stands to benefit as a customer. When asked about the financial status of Biman, Azim confidently stated that Biman has been “profitable for eight out of the last ten years.” The two years of losses included one year heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and another due to significant payment obligations. “Despite challenges such as dollar shortages and ongoing global conflicts, we have remained profitable,” the Biman MD said. He further defended Biman’s financial health, pointing out that regular audits have confirmed their profitability. “We continue to hire, pay salaries and bonuses, including profit bonuses. If Biman wasn’t profitable, where would this money come from? To those who doubt our success, I pray they find guidance,” he remarked. PM’s likely Visit to Paris: France hopes significant progress on purchase from Airbus, satellite Reflecting on his tenure, Azim expressed satisfaction with his management approach. “During my time, I never hesitated to reward deserving employees or to impose necessary disciplinary actions. I have used my authority to the fullest and believe that with effort, Biman can compete with the world’s leading airlines,” he stated. Addressing the frequent changes in Biman’s leadership, Azim underscored the need for a stable management system. “Our human and technical resources are competent. If systems and structures are in place, the organization won’t rely on any single individual. I have focused on establishing these systems,” he noted. He also recommended retaining experienced personnel in technical fields, regardless of age, as experience grows with time. “Biman should not function with the mindset of a government office; it is a commercial entity and should be managed commercially,” Azim advised. He expressed a slight regret, wishing that four new aircraft could have been added to Biman’s fleet during his tenure. Read more: Jahidul Islam Bhuiyan appointed as MD of Biman On May 26, the Ministry of Public Administration announced Md. Jahidul Islam Bhuiyan as the new Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. In a separate announcement, Shafiul Azim was promoted to Secretary of the Election Commission.