United News of Bangladesh

A Natore court on Thursday convicted two people and sentenced them to life imprisonment for killing a young man over previous enmity in 2014. Natore Additional District and Session Judge Md Delwar Hossain handed down the punishment. The lifers are—Masud Rana and Mizanur Rahman. The court also fined them Tk 10 lakh each, in default, to suffer, three years more in rigorous imprisonment. According to the prosecution, the convicts killed Abdul Kahar, son of Abdur Rashid of Borogram in Singra upazila over previous enmity. A case was filed with Singra Police Station. Later, police submitted the chargesheet against them.  

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has once again extended the deadline for filing income tax returns for individual taxpayers for 2025–2026 tax year until 31 March, 2026. In an order issued under Section 334 of the Income Tax Act, 2023, the revenue authority said the decision was taken in the public interest. Under the earlier schedule, the deadline for submitting returns was set for 28 February. Officials said the extension is expected to facilitate compliance and ease pressure on taxpayers who may require additional time to finalise their documentation. The NBR urged taxpayers to take advantage of the extended timeline and ensure timely submission of returns within the new deadline to avoid any penalties under the law.

Dhaka University Metro Rail Station remained closed for two hours on Thursday afternoon due to special security arrangements for the inauguration of Amar Ekushey Book Fair. Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd issued a notice on Thursday in this regard. The DU metro station remained closed from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated Amar Ekushey Book fair at 2 pm. Special security measures were put in place centring the programme. The Dhaka Metro Rail authority expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to commuters.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday inaugurated the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026, the annual gathering for book lovers and publishers, in the capital. The Prime Minister opened the country’s largest book fair around 3:12 pm, joining the inaugural ceremony at the Bangla Academy premises. The Bangla Academy organised the fair at its premises and the adjoining Suhrawardy Udyan. The fair will remain open from 2 pm to 9 pm on regular days, with entry closing at 8:30 pm. On holidays, it will run from 11 am to 9 pm. Fridays and Saturdays will feature a dedicated Children’s Corner from 11 am to 1:30 pm, hosting 63 institutions across 107 units. At the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister presented the Bangla Academy Sahitya Puroshkar 2026 to eight distinguished personalities for their outstanding contributions to Bangla literature. This year’s recipients are Nasima Anis for fiction, Syed Azizul Haque for essays and prose, Hasan Hafiz for children’s literature, Ali Ahmad for translation, Mustafa Majid and Israil Khan for research, Farseem Mannan Mohammedy for science, and Moidul Hasan for works on the Liberation War. Unlike previous years, the fair began at the end of February instead of February 1 due to the national election held on February 12. The ceremony began at 2 pm with the national anthem and a recitation of religious scriptures. A one-minute silence was observed in tribute to the martyrs of the Language Movement, the Liberation War, and the July mass uprising. Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, Chairman of Bangla Academy, chaired the inaugural session. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam, Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman, and Bangla Academy Director General Prof Mohammad Azam, among others, addressed the programme. Prime Minister’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and his daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman were present. Cabinet members, members of parliament, notable citizens, writers, publishers, and senior civil and military officials also attended. Organisers promised a 'zero-waste' and environmentally conscious edition of the country’s largest literary gathering. This year’s fair carries the theme 'Multidimensional Bangladesh' and will continue until 15 March. The traditional book fair remains a central feature of Bangladesh’s cultural calendar, celebrating the spirit of the Language Movement and the wider observance of Amar Ekushey. According to the organisers, 549 publishing houses are participating this year, with 81 stalls at the Bangla Academy and 468 at Suhrawardy Udyan, making a total of 1,018 units. A 'Little Magazine Corner' has been arranged under the trees near the open stage at Suhrawardy Udyan, featuring 87 little magazines. The overall layout remains largely unchanged from last year, though some structural adjustments have been made.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday presented the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025 to nine distinguished personalities for their outstanding contributions to Bangla literature. This year’s recipients are Mohan Roy for poetry, Nasima Anis for fiction, Syed Azizul Haque for essays and prose, Hasan Hafiz for children’s literature, Ali Ahmad for translation, Mustafa Majid and Israil Khan for research, Farseem Mannan Mohammedy for science and Moidul Hasan for works on the Liberation War. The Prime Minister handed over the awards to the recipients at the inaugural function of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 on the Bangla Academy premises. PM distributes Ekushey Padak 2026 The ceremony, organised by Bangla Academy, began at 2pm with the national anthem and a recitation of religious scriptures. A one-minute silence was observed in tribute to the martyrs of the Language Movement, the Liberation War and the July mass uprising. Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, Chairman of Bangla Academy, presided over the inaugural session.  

Md. Mostaqur Rahman took over as the 14th Governor of Bangladesh Bank on Thursday. Senior officials and staff received the new governor when he reached the central bank headquarters around 11 am. “I have arrived; let me start the work first, then we can talk,” he told reporters while entering the office. Mostaqur, a Fellow of Cost and Management Accountants (FCMA), was appointed for a four-year term by the government replacing ex-governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur. The appointment was announced in a notification issued by the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday. As per the official gazette, the appointment was made under Section 10(5) of the Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972, which requires the new governor to sever all other professional affiliations. Mostaqur served as Chairman of the BGMEA Standing Committee on Bangladesh Bank and was a member of the Chittagong Stock Exchange Ltd, according to a central bank press release. He has involved with several leading trade and business bodies, including Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) and Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). He served on various important committees in these organisations. Mostaqur Rahman is an entrepreneur and businessman, and a senior financial governance specialist with over 30 years of leadership experience in corporate finance, export economics, institutional governance, and financial systems management. He has demonstrated expertise in financial oversight, regulatory compliance, banking-sector engagement, and capital management, it said. Moreover, he has extensive leadership experience across multiple sectors including manufacturing, real estate, agro-based enterprises, and industrial ventures, with responsibility for financial planning, investment oversight, and governance frameworks. In his various roles in industry and trade associations, he has significantly contributed to structured dialogue on financial stability, industrial financing, and economic sustainability, said the press release. Mostaqur was born in a renowned Muslim family in 1966. He obtained B.Com (Hons.) and Masters Degree from the Department of Accounting, University of Dhaka. Later, he qualified as a Cost & Management Accountant from the Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB). He is also involved in various charitable and community development activities.

Nine distinguished citizens and one organisation on Thursday received the Ekushey Padak this year in recognition of their outstanding contributions to various fields. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman handed over the Ekushey Padak 2026, the country’s second highest civilian award, to the recipients and their representatives at a ceremony held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the morning. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs announced the names of the awardees on February 5, 2026, on the occasion of Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day. Each recipient received a gold medal weighing 35 grams, Tk 400,000 in cash and a certificate of honour. The Ekushey Padak is awarded for significant contributions to various fields, including the Language Movement, the Liberation War, arts, journalism, literature and education. In the field of arts, actress Farida Akhter Babita received the award for film, Prof Dr Abdus Sattar for fine arts, Marina Tabassum for architecture, Arthy Ahmed for dance, Islam Uddin Palakar for pala music, and Tejos Haldar Josh for sculpture. In music, the late Ayub Bachchu received the award posthumously. His wife, Ferdous Akhter Chandana, received the award on his behalf. In band music, the band Warfaze was honoured with the Ekushey Padak this year. The award was received by the band’s leader, Sheikh Monirul Alam. Shafik Rehman received the award in journalism, while Prof Dr Mahbubul Alam Majumdar was honoured in education. Earlier, the Prime Minister arrived at the venue around 10:53 am. The ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury presided over the function, while Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani conducted the award-giving ceremony and read out the citations of the awardees. State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam spoke as the special guest, while Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman delivered the welcome speech. Cabinet members, Members of Parliament, noted citizens, diplomats, senior civil and military officials and other dignitaries were present at the function.

After overcoming a series of logistical challenges, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 opens its gates in the capital today (Thursday) with organisers promising a 'zero-waste' and  environmentally conscious edition of the country’s largest literary gathering. This year’s fair carries the theme 'Multidimensional Bangladesh' and will run until March 15. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the fair at 2pm. During the opening ceremony, he will also present the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025. Organised by Bangla Academy, the month-long fair remains a central fixture of Bangladesh’s cultural calendar, marking the spirit of the Language Movement and the wider observance of Amar Ekushey. Scale and Layout According to the organisers, 549 publishing houses are participating this year. Of these, 81 stalls are located within the Bangla Academy premises and 468 at the adjoining Suhrawardy Udyan.  In total, the fair features 1,018 units. A 'Little Magazine Corner' has been arranged under the trees near the open stage at Suhrawardy Udyan, with 87 little magazines allocated stalls. The overall layout remains largely unchanged from last year, though some structural adjustments have been introduced.  Due to the positioning of the metro rail station, the exit route has been shifted closer to the temple gate. There will be four entry and exit points at TSC, Doel Chattar, the MRT basing plant and the Engineers’ Institution area. Food stalls have been placed along the boundary of the Engineers’ Institution. Ramadan Arrangements & Environmental focus With Ramadan under way, organisers have made special arrangements at the Suhrawardy Udyan section for Taraweeh prayers.  Bangla Academy assures inclusive, safe Amar Ekushey Book Fair Prayer spaces, washrooms and related facilities will remain available. The fair will be open from 2pm to 9 pm on regular days, with entry closed after 8:30 pm. On holidays, it will run from 11 am to 9pm. Fridays and Saturdays will feature a dedicated Children’s Corner from 11 am to 1:30 pm, hosting 63 institutions across 107 units.  In addition, daily seminars will take place on the main stage from 3pm to 4pm, followed by cultural programmes from 4pm to 5pm. There will also be children’s art, recitation and music competitions, alongside book launch events at Suhrawardy Udyan. This year, organisers have pledged to turn the fair into a 'Zero Waste Book Fair'. The premises will be free from polythene and smoking.  Regular water spraying will be carried out to control dust and mosquito control measures will be in place. Publishers, food vendors and stall operators have been urged to use recyclable and environmentally friendly materials such as jute, cloth and paper for stalls, banners and promotional materials. Security and Last-minute Rush  Multi-layered security arrangements have been implemented across the fairground and surrounding areas.  Archways have been installed at entry and exit points, and extensive CCTV coverage has been set up. No mob threat at Amar Ekushey Book Fair, police on full alert: DMP Members of Bangladesh Police, RAB, Ansar and various intelligence agencies will oversee security.  Adequate lighting has been arranged throughout the fairground and adjacent areas, including routes from Doel Chattar to TSC and Shahbagh, via Matsya Bhaban and the Engineers’ Institution, as well as from Doel Chattar to Shaheed Minar and Chankharpul, and from TSC to Nilkhet. Despite the preparations, some publishers say that complications surrounding the fair’s commencement during Ramadan have left them struggling to complete stall arrangements in time.  Workers were seen busy arranging books and hanging banners even on the eve of the opening. According to several publishers, not all stalls will be fully ready on the first day, with finishing touches likely to continue even after the fair formally begins.

The government has identified a fake website operating in the name of the Ministry of Social Welfare and warned citizens to remain cautious to avoid possible fraud. In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry said its official website — www.msw.gov.bd — is functioning normally and remains secure. However, the ministry has found that a fraudulent website using the domain name “mswbd.org” is operating in imitation of the ministry, which may create confusion among the public. The ministry urged citizens to stay alert and not to be misled by the fake website. It also requested the public to inform its ICT wing at 01915026423 if any hacker group or dishonest individual attempts to carry out fraudulent activities using the ministry’s name. As a key ministry providing public welfare services, the Ministry of Social Welfare said necessary legal action will be taken against any group or individual involved in such activities.  

A 14-year-old schoolgirl was stabbed to death by an unidentified attacker in an alley near Hazaribagh Hotel under Hazaribagh Police Station in the capital on Wednesday night. The deceased was identified as Shahriar Sharmin Binti, an eighth-grade student of Rayerbazar High School. She was the daughter of Billal Hossain, originally from Kachikata village in Sakhipur police station of Shariatpur district. Binti had been living with her family on the fifth floor of Babu Commissioner’s house next to Haider Ali Hotel in the Hazaribagh area. The incident occurred around 9:30pm. She was rescued in a critical condition and taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared her dead at around 10:30pm. Hafizur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Hazaribagh Police Station, said police visited the scene. “Initially, we have learned that the student was stabbed to death over a love-related issue,” he said. He added that the investigation is ongoing and further details will be shared later.