United News of Bangladesh

President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to China may face a more restrained atmosphere compared to his highly celebrated 2017 trip, as tensions over Iran and lingering trade disputes continue to complicate relations between Washington and Beijing. Ahead of the visit, Trump expressed confidence on social media that Chinese President Xi Jinping would warmly welcome him. However, analysts say China’s close economic relationship with Iran and ongoing disagreements over tariffs could dampen the mood during the visit. Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday night. His itinerary includes a formal welcome ceremony, bilateral talks with Xi, a visit to the historic Temple of Heaven, a state banquet and additional meetings focused on trade and economic cooperation. According to the White House, discussions are expected to cover plans for a new Board of Trade aimed at maintaining dialogue on economic matters, along with cooperation in sectors such as energy, agriculture and aerospace. China’s Foreign Ministry said Beijing is ready to work with the United States on the basis of equality and mutual respect while managing differences and strengthening cooperation. Despite the ceremonial arrangements, observers believe the visit will not match the lavish reception Trump received during his first term, when China organised an elaborate “state visit-plus” featuring military parades, a tour of the Forbidden City and an official banquet. Experts say both sides now view the relationship differently. China has gained a clearer understanding of Trump’s approach, while Washington increasingly sees Beijing as a strategic rival. Analysts also expect limited breakthroughs on trade issues, noting that China may prefer to wait and assess the political landscape in the United States ahead of the midterm elections. Trump and Xi are expected to meet several times this year, including possible meetings at the White House, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in China and the G20 summit in Florida. Although Trump has often spoken positively about Xi and their personal rapport, disagreements remain over Taiwan, tariffs and China’s role in the Iran conflict. The White House indicated that Trump will urge China to use its influence over Iran to help maintain regional stability. Beijing’s economic ties with Tehran, especially its imports of Iranian oil, have placed China in a significant diplomatic position amid the ongoing conflict. Trade remains another major challenge in bilateral relations. Several trade agreements announced during Trump’s first term failed to materialise fully, while tariff disputes and export restrictions have continued to fuel tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Still, both countries have recently shown interest in extending a temporary trade truce reached last year. The White House said Trump remains focused on securing tangible outcomes during the visit and is expected to pursue additional economic agreements with China.   

Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder has underscored the urgency of establishing a sustainable social security framework, describing the inclusion of all citizens in the pension system as vital for the creation of a welfare state. Dr Mozumder highlighted the transformative potential of the Universal Pension Scheme while speaking as the chief guest on Saturday at a workshop titled "Capacity and Potential of the National Pension Authority" held at the authority's conference room,. The Finance Secretary expressed optimism that the country could establish a robust social and financial security net by bringing citizens over the age of 18 under the four existing schemes: Prabash, Pragati, Surokkha, and Samata. He directed the National Pension Authority to intensify promotional activities, including seminars and workshops, to reach every segment of society. He also stressed the importance of developing an effective communication strategy and assured the authority of the Finance Division’s full support in these efforts. The workshop was organised to identify and resolve existing challenges in implementing the Universal Pension Scheme. Participants discussed the rationale, features, investment, and registration processes of the various schemes, alongside a two-month action plan and necessary amendments to existing rules. Attendees at the event emphasised the importance of involving low-income groups and suggested that government offices and missions abroad should be engaged in awareness campaigns to make the schemes more accessible and ‘people-friendly’. The workshop was presided over by Dr Md Suratuzzaman, Executive Chairman of the National Pension Authority. High-ranking officials, including Additional Secretary Dilruba Shahina, and Joint Secretaries Dr Md Ferdous Alam and Sharif Nazrul Islam, were also in attendance. Key insights were provided by National Pension Authority Member Sheikh Kamrul Hasan and General Manager Dr Md Ashrafuzzaman.  

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions over the next 72 hours commencing 10 am on Monday. According to the special bulletin of BMD, “The formation of thunderclouds is likely and it may continue over the country. Under its influence heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions during next 72 hours.” Due to heavy to very heavy rainfall temporary waterlogging may occurr at places over Sylhet division.  

Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan has said the country’s hilly region has immense potential for tourism and the government is taking special initiatives to attract not only domestic but also foreign tourists to the region. “Necessary measures are also being taken to ensure the safety of foreign visitors and allow them to travel freely,” he said while addressing a views-exchange meeting on the development of the tourism sector in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, organised by the Resort Owners Association in Rangamati on Sunday night. Dipen Dewan said an increase in foreign tourist arrivals in the Chittagong Hill Tracts would not only help earn foreign currency for the country but also reduce unemployment at the local level and improve the financial condition of residents. Mentioning some administrative barriers to foreign tourists’ travel in the region, he said discussions are underway at the highest levels of the government to address the issues. Referring to concerns over tourist safety in the hills, the minister said fear and negative propaganda often discourage foreign tourists from travelling there. “We must work together to stop this culture of intimidation. Only then will people be able to freely enjoy the natural beauty of the hills,” he said. He urged the media to help remove negative perceptions through positive reporting. Speaking about Kaptai Lake, he said the vast waterbody is a valuable national asset and that the government plans to achieve economic prosperity in the tourism sector centring the lake. The meeting, chaired by Resort Owners Association Rangamati President Tonay Dewan, was also attended by the organisation’s Vice-President Lalit Chandra Chakma, General Secretary Sumet Chakma, district BNP leader Subhash Chakma, member Bappi Tanchangya and other local leaders.  

The government is ensuring all necessary preparations and management measures to make waterway travel safe, comfortable and hassle-free for homebound people during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Bridges, and Railways Shaikh Rabiul Alam said on Sunday. "Waterways are an inseparable part of life and livelihoods in riverine Bangladesh. Yet water accidents remain a major challenge. To address this, the government, vessel owners, operators and passengers must all play a responsible role together," the minister made the remarks at the inaugural ceremony of "Maritime Safety Week 2026," organised by the Department of Shipping at Dhaka Ladies Club on Eskaton Garden Road. The week-long programme, running under the theme "Safe Voyage, Protection of Lives and Property," aims to strengthen waterway safety, prevent accidents and raise public awareness. Minister Rabiul said the government has already begun ensuring vessel fitness certification, training for operators, and deploying modern technology for waterway navigation marking, while surveillance and law enforcement on waterways are being further intensified. "We want every voyage to be safe and every family to reach their destination without harm." Emphasising the government's firm commitment to making the country's waterways fully safe and passenger-friendly, the minister stressed the importance of adhering to operational regulations, stopping the practice of carrying excess passengers, and ensuring all necessary safety equipment on board every vessel. He added that technology-driven monitoring, registration drives, and public awareness initiatives would continue in the future. State Minister for the Shipping Ministry and Bridge Division Md Razib Ahsan, speaking as special guest, said waterway accidents can be brought down to zero through awareness and accountability. He issued strict directives to the relevant authorities and river police to stop the movement of unapproved and unfit vessels ahead of the Eid journey. Shipping Secretary Zakaria revealed that a nationwide vessel census has identified a large number of unregistered boats and vessels, and a drive is underway to bring them swiftly under the registration framework. Director General of the Department of Shipping Commodore Md Shafiul Bari said a modern, technology-driven maritime safety system is being built through the introduction of digital number plates, online services, mandatory life jacket use, and the LTMS (Licence and Traffic Management Software). He expressed optimism that the measures would ensure discipline, transparency and accountability across the shipping sector.

Speakers at a programme on Sunday said strict enforcement of traffic laws is essential to prevent road crashes and improve road safety. They made the remarks at an event titled “Youth Talk for Comprehensive Road Safety Law,” organised by the Health Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission at its head office in the capital. Speaking as chief guest, Barrister Muhammad Nawshad Zamir, Member of Parliament for Panchagarh-1, said compliance with traffic rules and greater awareness among young people could play a significant role in reducing road crashes. He mentioned that the death rate among youths is alarmingly high due to reckless motorcycle speeding, lack of helmet use and violations of traffic regulations. He stressed the need for young people to engage more actively in proper training, obtaining valid driving licences and participating in initiatives for safer roads. Additional Deputy Inspector General (Operations) of Highway Police Muntasirul Islam said stronger measures are needed to prevent road crashes. He emphasised the importance of identifying the actual scale of road fatalities and taking effective steps accordingly. He also underscored the need for a comprehensive road safety law. The session was chaired by Dr S M Khalilur Rahman, Vice President of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, while Iqbal Masud, Director of the Health and WASH Sector of the organisation, also spoke at the event. Speakers urged lawmakers to expedite the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive road safety law. They also highlighted the importance of aligning with the United Nations Safe System Approach, improving road safety education for all users, and involving young people in both policymaking and implementation to strengthen road safety governance.

Speakers at a discussion here on Sunday suggested effective reform of the tobacco tax structure in the upcoming national budget for the sake of improve public health and thus increasing government revenue. They said the government could generate nearly BDT 44,000 crore in additional revenue from the cigarette sector alone in a fiscal year and reduce the number of premature deaths as the use of tobacco caused some 400,000 premature deaths every year in the country. PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) jointly arranged the discussion titled “Budget 2026–27: Advancing Public Health and Increasing Tobacco Revenue,” at the National Press Club in the city. Economists, physicians, and other experts proposed reducing the number of cigarette price tiers, introducing a specific tax system, and increasing the prices of all tobacco products. The speakers recommended that the government introduce uniform price and taxes for both filtered and non-filtered bidi and the retail price for 20 sticks of bidi should be BDT 30, followed by a 50 percent SD. For smokeless tobacco, the retail price for 10 grams of jarda and gul should be BDT 60 and BDT 30 respectively, followed by 60 percent SD. They also suggest retaining a15 percent VAT on the retail prices of all tobacco products and continuing the existing 1 percent health development surcharge (HDS). Other recommendations placed by them are; merging the low and medium cigarette tiers and setting the retail price at BDT 100 per pack of 10 sticks; setting the high-tier price at BDT 150 and the premium-tier price at BDT 200 or above; retaining the existing 67 percent supplementary duty (SD) on all cigarette tiers; and introducing a specific tax of BDT 4 per 10 sticks. “The price difference between the low and medium tiers is very small. Currently, consumers of the low and medium tiers constitute 90 percent of all cigarette users. Merging these two tiers into one and setting the price of the merged tier at BDT 100 for 10 sticks can increase government revenue and particularly discourage cigarette use among the poor and the youth,” said Dr Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS). Dr. Rumana Huque, Professor of the Department of Economics at University of Dhaka, said tobacco products are cheaper than essential commodities in Bangladesh, which poses a major threat to public health. “Effective measures must be taken to make tobacco products unaffordable to the people,” she said. Dr. Syed Abdul Hamid, Professor at the Institute of Health Economics of University of Dhaka, said the introduction of a specific tax system is a highly effective measure for simplifying tax collection. Public health expert Dr. Lenin Choudhury urged the policymakers to implement all the prices and tax related proposals presented in the event so that it can discourage tobacco use. Besides, Zahirul Alam, Executive Director of Channel24, Dr Abu Jamil Faisel, President, Public Health Association of Bangladesh, Mortuza Haider Liton, Convener, ATMA, and ABM Zubair, Executive Director, PROGGA, among others, also spoke on the occasion.  

Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee on Sunday said erosion-resistant coastal infrastructure is critical to Bangladesh's long-term security and economic development. "Building sustainable and safe coastal infrastructure is a demand of the time. It is imperative to protect coastal areas from climate-induced risks by using advanced construction materials, eco-friendly engineering, and climate-resilient design," the minister said. He was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled 'Corrosion-Resistant Coastal Infrastructure in Bangladesh' and the 'Unveiling of Project Management Training Manual (2nd Edition) and Certificate Awarding' ceremony, at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in the capital. The minister said high population density in coastal regions is giving rise to a host of environmental challenges. Agricultural land is shrinking, the number of fishermen is growing, and problems such as overexploitation of coastal resources, water pollution, and destruction of mangrove forests persist unabated, he said. He warned that rising sea levels are accelerating coastal erosion and allowing saline water intrusion into farmland, causing widespread crop damage while also polluting marine ecosystems and disrupting the sea's ecological balance. Calling for maximum use of technology to counter coastal erosion, the minister announced that the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is reviving its canal excavation programme. "Over the next five years, 20,000 kilometres of rivers, canals, ponds and reservoirs will be dug or re-excavated. In addition, 250 million trees will be planted, creating a green buffer zone across coastal areas." The minister also underscored the urgent need for a Coastal Zone Management Rules framework and a Special Management Plan to safeguard the environment of coastal regions. He called for laws to protect agricultural land in these areas, modernisation of waste management system and proper regulation of groundwater use. "At the very least, a coordinated integrated plan must be implemented for coastal areas, one that ensures the development of both the people living there and the natural environment." The seminar was organised on the occasion of IEB's 78th founding anniversary and was chaired by Engineer Muhammad Shafiqul Islam Khokon, Chairman of IEB's Civil Engineering Division.    

A two-day programme marking Mother’s Day, organised by Bangladesh’s first parenting app ToguMogu, concluded on Saturday. The event was held on May 8 and 9 at the ToguMogu Parenting Hub in Uttara, Dhaka, bringing together parents and children in a festive and engaging atmosphere. The programme featured puppet shows, magic shows, interactive games, craft sessions and cultural performances. Experts also conducted sessions on child development and positive parenting.

A writ petition was filed with the High Court on Sunday seeking its directives to provide Tk 2 crore each to the family members of 352 children died from measles. The petition also sought directives to establish specialized measles treatment units equipped with ICU, PICU and necessary diagnostic facilities at every district hospital and upazila health complex across the country. It also sought directives to form a 10-member investigation committee comprising representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), which would identify the root causes of the measles outbreak, administrative failures and those responsible, and submit a report to the court within 30 days. Besides, the petition also sought an order directing the authorities to submit within seven days an affidavit to the court detailing the current status of the stock, preservation and supply systems of measles and rabies vaccines across the country. Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Humayun Kabir Pallob and other filed the petition on behalf of human rights organisation Law and Life Foundation Trust on Sunday. Secretary to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), secretary to the Home Ministry, Director General of DGHS, and director of IEDCR were made respondents to the rule. The writ was submitted with permission from the bench comprising Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury. According to the writ petition, 352 children have died so far in the severe measles outbreak that began in Bangladesh in March 2026. Thousands of children across the country are being infected and the situation has already turned into one of the most serious public health crises in the country’s recent history. The petition said these deaths were neither sudden nor unavoidable. Rather, the disaster resulted from policy changes in vaccine procurement and supply systems, disruption of long-standing effective mechanisms, ignoring warnings from international organizations, and the lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure, it said . It also said that after a long-standing vaccine procurement system managed through UNICEF was changed and the interim government introduced an open tender system, serious disruptions occurred in the supply and vaccination programme for measles in the country. It also said that UNICEF repeatedly warned the then health adviser, Nurjahan Begum, about a possible vaccine shortage, outbreak of the disease and the risk of child deaths, but those warnings were not heeded. The petition also said due to the lack of adequate ICU, PICU and specialised treatment facilities at district and upazila levels across the country, many children did not receive timely medical care. It said many families moved from one hospital to another but failed to secure ICU or PICU beds for their children, resulting in the deaths of several children. On May 5, 2026, a legal notice was sent to the relevant authorities requesting to take urgent measures in this regard. As no effective remedial steps were taken even after the expiry of the notice period, and the measles situation continues to worsen every day, the writ petition was filed in the public interest, it said .