United News of Bangladesh

In response to the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s call, a relief collection drive called “Gonotran” is in full swing at TSC of Dhaka University. On Thursday afternoon, a steady stream of donors from various parts of the city arrived at the TSC, bringing with them much-needed relief items. Contributions included packets of puffed rice, flattened rice, biscuits, and other dry foods, alongside essential supplies like saline solutions. The donated items are being carefully collected and stored within the TSC premises. The initiative is also open to cash donations, providing another avenue for people to contribute. Meanwhile, Dhaka University students are independently organizing fundraisers and relief collections within the campus and residential halls, demonstrating their solidarity with the flood-affected communities. Students from various departments are actively participating in these efforts. All collected supplies and funds are being channelled to support those impacted by the current devastating floods in the southeastern and eastern region of the country.

Board of Trustees of the Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology (ADUST) was reconstituted in a special emergency meeting of the Board on Wednesday with Md. Mobarak Hossain in the chair. Mohammad Shamsul Alam Liton, one of the founding members of the Board of Trustees, was unanimously elected as the Chairman, said a press release. In the meeting, deepest respect was paid to those who were martyred in the students’ anti-discrimination movement and also expressed condolences to their bereaved families. Those who were injured in the movement and now undergoing treatment also wished for a speedy recovery. During the agitation, like other universities, the academic activities of Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology were also disrupted. Restructuring of the Board of Trustees became necessary for the sake of the students to overcome the stagnant state of the university and bring it back to normalcy. In the meeting Md. Mubarak Hossain was elected as Executive Chairman, Ariful Bari Majumder as Senior Vice Chairman and Md. Kamruzzaman Leetu as Member Secretary. The meeting was also attended by Md. Sirajul Haque Chowdhury, Mr. Imtiaz Ahmed (virtual), Md. Jonayet Ahmed, Selina Begum, Tanveer Islam Patwari, Mosa Kamrun Nehar and Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has asked banks, financial institutions and National Savings Authority to provide details of five business tycoons and their family members. They are: Summit Group founder-chairman Aziz Khan, Orion Group chief Mohammad Obaidul Karim, Beximco Group's co-founder and vice-chairman Salman F Rahman, Nassa Group chairperson Nazrul Islam Mazumder, and Bashundhara Group founder Ahmed Akbar Sobhan. The Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has initiated the move. NBR sources said that they are under scanner for alleged tax evasion. As per section-200 of the Income Tax Law 2023, the NBR is empowered to seek bank account information of a taxpayer against his Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) if they suspect any tax evasion. Banks and NBFIs are bound to provide the account information to the taxmen as per law. The tax law has a penal provision in case of non-cooperation of bank officials in providing required information of bank account transactions. Following the fall of the Awami League government in a student-mass uprising, tax zone-15 of the NBR issued bank account search notices for Awami League Presidium Member Sheikh Selim and business tycoon S. Alam's family members.

At least two people died and nearly 36 lakh people have been affected in ten districts as the flood situation keeps worsening with the swelling of rivers caused by torrential rains and onrush of upstream water in northeastern and eastern part of the country. Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam, Bir Protik and Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md Kamrul Hasan are already on the way to see the situation in flood-affected areas while other advisers will also join. “More than 36 lakh people are affected in ten districts,” Chief Adviser’s Press Shafiqul Alam told reporters on Thursday evening at Foreign Service Academy.  He said they have taken up the challenge to provide relief to the affected people in the districts. “We can confirm two deaths as of now,” Alam added.  The two deaths were reported from Fulgazi upazila of Feni district and Brahmanbaria district, according to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. Among the districts, Feni is the worst-hit with six upazilas submerged by floodwater, rendering three lakh people stranded. Floodwaters have severely damaged power lines, leading to a complete blackout in Parshuram, Fulgazi, and Chhagalnaiya upazilas since Tuesday. The lack of electricity and disrupted mobile network coverage has deepened the crisis, leaving residents stranded and without communication. Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief KM Ali Reza briefed the media about the overall flood situation of the country at the secretariat on Thursday. Since the flood began on Tuesday, ten districts have so far been affected. Cumilla, Feni, Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, Habiganj and Moulvibazar are among the affected districts where 357 unions under 50 upazilas were submerged, affecting 294,946 people. He said the water level of major rivers in the northeastern and eastern parts of the country is rising. According to the weather agencies, the trend of heavy rains may decrease in the northern, eastern and adjoining upstream areas of the country in the next 24 hours. The flood situation in the low-lying areas of Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts along the Manu, Khowai and Dholai rivers may initially remain stable and improve later, he said. Quoting weather offices, Ali Reza said that in the next 24 hours, the trend of heavy rains may decrease in the southeast, eastern and adjoining upstream areas of the country. The flood situation in the low-lying areas of Feni, Cumilla and Chattogram districts along the rivers Muhuri, Feni, Gumti, Halda may initially remain stable but may improve later, he added. A total of 440,480 families have been stranded by floodwaters in eight districts. A total of 1,534 shelters have been opened while 75,668 people have taken refuge. In the flood-hit districts, 444 medical teams have been working to ensure treatment of the people. Army and navy personnel have joined to rescue the trapped people while Border Guard Bangladesh is bringing water transports to rescue people. He informed that 160 army personnel and 40 salvage vessels, 71 Navy personnel and eight salvage vessels were deployed in the flood-hit areas in Feni. Besides, adequate relief materials have been stocked in all districts of the country, he said, adding that necessary instructions have been given to the deputy commissioners in the flood-affected districts to work together in coordination with the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, army, medical team and other volunteers. A full-time control room has been opened at the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief with the number 02-55101115 for contact, the secretary added. Mohammad Nazmul Abedin, joint secretary of the ministry, informed that a total of Tk 1.82 crore has been allocated for eight flood-hit districts. On the other hand, 13,650 metric tonnes of relief rice have been allocated. Besides, 11,000 dry and other food packets have been allocated, he added. In the current flood situation, the leave of the officials and employees of the offices and agencies under the Department of Posts and Telecommunications in Feni, Cumilla and other areas have been canceled to maintain constant contact with the people and repair the damaged towers, said the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry today.

Flood situation in Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Feni, Cumilla and Chattogram districts has deteriorated due to heavy rainfall and rising water levels of rivers in 24 hours till 6am on Thursday, according to Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) . Heavy to very heavy rainfall was witnessed in eastern Cumilla, Brahmanbaria and Feni districts bordering India's Tripura over the last 24 hours, it said. Major rivers in the northeastern and eastern region of the country are in rising trend. Rising Gomti River water leaves thousands in distress in Cumilla Besides, the Met Office forecasts that the trend of heavy rains may decrease in the northeastern region of the country and adjacent uplands in the next 24 hours. At this time, the flood situation in the lower areas adjacent to the Manu, Khoai, Dhalai rivers of Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts in the northeastern region may improve. The trend of heavy rainfall may decrease in the southeastern, eastern and adjacent parts of the country in the next 24 hours, according to the meteorological agencies. The flood situation in the lower areas adjacent to rivers such as Muhuri, Feni, Gomti, Halda  in Feni, Cumilla and Chattogram districts of the region may improve initially. Rains inundate low-lying areas in Khagrachari The water level of Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Ganga rivers is decreasing, while the water level of Padma River is stable. In the next 48 hours, the water level of all these rivers may decrease. Water level in Surma-Kushiara in northeastern part of the country are in rising trend, which may continue for next 24 hours.

Train services between Dhaka and the northern region were halted for six hours on Thursday after students caught irregularities in ticket sales at Joydebpur Railway Station in Gazipur. The situation was brought under control after members of the army arrived at the scene. According to local sources, the incident occurred around 5 am on Thursday when students at Joydebpur Railway Station noticed irregularities in the ticket sales for the Dhaka-bound Balaka Express train from Dewanganj in Jamalpur.  Upon discovering ticket scalping and overpricing, the students protested, leading the ticket counter staff to quickly flee the scene. The students continued their protest, which led to the suspension of train services. Joydebpur Railway Station Master Hanif Ali reported that train services between Dhaka and the northern region, as well as the Mymensingh route, were disrupted for six hours, causing significant inconvenience to passengers stranded at various stations. The situation was eventually brought under control when army personnel arrived at Joydebpur Station. They engaged with the students, assuring them that steps would be taken to address the irregularities. Train services resumed around 11:15 am after the situation was resolved.

The government has decided to revoke the diplomatic passports (red passports) issued to former ministers, lawmakers, and other officials, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following the dissolution of the current parliament. "With no active parliament and no current ministers or MPs, their passports will be canceled," said Ali Reza Siddiqui, Additional Secretary (Security and Immigration Division) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, in a statement to UNB on Wednesday night. Siddiqui confirmed that verbal instructions have already been issued to the Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP) to implement this decision. Additionally, the government has ordered the cancellation of diplomatic passports for individuals who held positions equivalent to the rank of secretary under contractual agreements, many of whom have now had their contracts terminated or been sent into compulsory retirement. "We are taking action to ensure that these passports are no longer active. If someone does not voluntarily surrender their passport, it will be deactivated," Siddiqui added. However, Siddiqui was unable to provide the exact number of current red passport holders. This decision comes in the wake of the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5, following a student and public uprising.

The interim government has taken "adequate preparation" to face the flood situation in the country as a number of districts are already affected.  "We have adequate preparation," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters on Wednesday.  He said Chattogram, Noakhali and Feni are largely affected and some people have already moved to safe shelters.  The Press Secretary said adequate medicine and dry food are being supplied.  Quoting the weather office officials, Alam said the rainfall may continue until August 26, and there is no sign for a quick improvement in the rain-driven floods.  Eight districts of the country have been flooded due to heavy rains and onrush of water from the upstream, said the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief on Wednesday. The eight districts are Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Feni, Chattogram, Noakhali, Cumilla and Khagrachhari. The flood may spread further, said Additional Secretary of the ministry, KM Ali Reza, at a press briefing on the ongoing flood situation at the secretariat. He said according to the Met office forecast, moderate to heavy rainfall is likely in the northeastern region of the country and adjoining upstream in the next 48 hours. As a result, the water level of the major rivers of the northeastern districts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrakona, Moulvibazar and Habiganj may rise, he added. The water of Kushiyara, Manu, Dhalai, Khowai, Muhuri, Feni and Halda rivers are flowing above the danger level at seven stations. Relief distribution are underway in the flood-hit districts, the Additional Secretary said, adding that the local administration is working in coordination with the Deputy Commissioners of the flood-affected districts, the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, the army and other volunteers. Mohammad Nazmul Abedin, joint secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, said cash has already been allocated for relief work in the flood affected areas. Besides, rice and dry food were provided, he added. "We have adequate relief in stock in our district warehouses. Based on the actual report, we will be able to provide more relief to the flood victims. We have received news that army and navy teams have already reached Feni. They have started rescue operations.  Six army boats have reached there,” he said. The joint secretary said that according to the report given by the Feni deputy commissioner, 1,600 people have taken shelter in 78 shelter centers and Feni is the worst-hit district. Reports from other districts are yet to be received, he added.

Grameen Danone Foods Ltd has officially partnered with Backpage, the dedicated public relations wing of Starcom Worldwide, to enhance its PR strategies and communications. The strategic collaboration aims to bring forward Grameen Danone’s impactful stories and showcase their commitment to community support across rural Bangladesh. The partnership was formalized during a signing ceremony held at the Grameen Telecom Bhaban in the capital’s Mirpur attended by Dipesh Nag, Managing Director of Grameen Danone Foods Ltd, Surayya Siddiqua, Director of Sales and Marketing at Grameen Danone Foods Ltd, and Ashik Iqbal, Director of Backpage PR. “This collaboration will help us amplify our impact stories and ensure that the communities we serve are aware of the benefits we bring” said Dipesh Nag, managing director of Grameen Danone Foods Ltd. Surayya Siddiqua, director of sales and marketing at Grameen Danone Foods Ltd, added: “With the expertise of Backpage PR, we are confident that we can strengthen our brand narrative and reach even more people with our message of hope and support” Backpage PR, known for crafting compelling brand stories, will provide strategic guidance to Grameen Danone in bringing their impact stories to the forefront in order to reach the stakeholders. The partnership is expected to enhance Grameen Danone’s communication efforts, ensuring that their mission resonates with a broader audience. Ashik Iqbal, director of Backpage PR, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating: “We look forward to working closely with them to tell their story in a way that truly reflects the profound impact they are making in communities across Bangladesh.”

The interim government has decided to publish a white paper highlighting the current economic situation. For the preparation of the proposed white paper, a committee can be formed headed by distinguished economist Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, said the Chief Adviser’s office on Wednesday. He may nominate the required number of members of the committee in consultation with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. The committee members will serve unpaid. The areas which will be focused in the proposed white paper are: Public Finance Management—Domestic Resources, Public Expenditure (Public Investment, ADP, Subsidies and Debt), Financing of Budget Deficit, Inflation and Food Management—Production, Public Procurement and Public Food Distribution, External balance—Export, Import, Remittances, FDI, Foreign Exchange Reserves, Foreign Finance Flow and Debt, Energy and Power—Demand, Supply, Pricing, Costs and Purchase Agreements, Private Investment—Access to Credit, Electricity, Connectivity and Logistics, Employment—In-country and Overseas, Formal and Informal Wages, Youth Employment.