United News of Bangladesh

Bangla Academy president and eminent writer Professor Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq passed away on Sunday afternoon. He was 86. He breathed his last at around 2:30pm at the National Heart Foundation in Mirpur after falling sick at a family progrmame, said Serajul Islam (Seraj Salekeen), chairman of the Department of Bangla of Dhaka University. Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq was a distinguished literary critic and a professor who taught for 40 years in the Department of Bangla at the University of Dhaka. He graduated from the University of Dhaka in 1965 and completed his master's degree at the same university in 1966. He served as the convener of the Rashtrabhasha Bangla Rokkha Committee (State Language Bengali Protection Committee). He also served as the president of Bangla Academy. He received several awards for his contributions to literature and research, including the Bangla Academy Award (1981), the Alakta Memorial Literary Award (2004), the Bangladesh Writers’ Association Humayun Kabir Memorial Award (1974), and  Kolkata Little Magazine Library and Research Center Award (1991), according to Bangla Academy. His first book, Muktisangram was published in 1972. More than 250 research articles of Prof Huq were published in national and international journals. His works included 32 books, 1 translation and he edited a total of 23 books. His son, publisher Faisal Arefin Dipon, who owned Jagriti Prokashony, was killed by Islamist militants on October 31, 2015.

The Tagore University of Creative Arts (TUCA) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Selina Rahman Chowdhury, wife of Saidur Rahman, Chairman of the university's Board of Trustees. In a statement issued on Monday, TUCA said it was deeply saddened by her passing and prayed for the eternal peace of her departed soul. Selina Rahman died at her residence in Priyanka City, Uttara, at 5:00pm on Sunday. She was 63. She is survived by her son, Sourav Rahman, and daughter, Shatila Rahman Disha, as well as numerous relatives and well-wishers. She was laid to rest at 10:30pm following her second namaz-e-janaza at Priyanka Western City in Birulia. Thousands of people from all walks of life attended her janaza and offered prayers for the forgiveness of her soul.

Eminent artist and cultural personality Mustafa Monwar passed away at a hospital in Dhaka on Monday. He was 90. The renowned artist breathed his last around 8:30 am while undergoing treatment at the hospital due to old-age complications, said his family. In a condolence message, Bangla Academy Director General Prof Mohammad Azam said Bangladesh’s legendary cultural figure and honorary fellow of Bangla Academy, Mustafa Monwar, passed away on Monday morning. He said Monwar’s contribution to the creative development of the country’s media including Bangladesh Television is unforgettable. He also prayed for the eternal peace of the artist’s soul and expressed sincere condolences to the bereaved family. According to family sources, Monwar had been suffering from various age-related health complications for several years. Mustafa Monwar is known as the "Puppet Man of Bangladesh". During the Liberation War in 1971, he organised puppet shows at the refugee camps in West Bengal to make people aware about the war. His television puppet show ‘Moner Kotha’ ran on BTV for 12 years, which told the story of a little girl called Parul and her seven brothers named Champa who were cursed and turned into flowers. It is based on the folklore ‘Saat Bhai Champa’. Born on September 1, 1935 in Jashore, Monwar was the youngest of six siblings. His father was renowned poet Golam Mostafa. Mustafa Monwar studied at Narayanganj Government School before briefly enrolling in science at Scottish Church College, Kolkata. He later shifted to the Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, graduating in 1959 with first class first in Fine Arts. After beginning his professional career as a lecturer at the then East Pakistan College of Arts and Crafts, Mustafa Monwar went on to serve as Deputy Director General of Bangladesh Television, Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and National Institute of Mass Communication.  In his illustrious and successful career, he held the position of director general at Bangladesh Television (BTV), Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and the National Media Institute. He also served as the managing director of the FDC, and the founder president of Directors Guild Bangladesh. This eminent art maestro earned the prestigious All India Fine Arts Competition award, Zainul Abedin Gold Medal and most notably country’s highest honor, the Ekushey Padak in 2004. His creative works enriched the childhoods of several generations and left a lasting impact on Bangladesh’s cultural heritage.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Sunday said the Budget Helpdesk plays an important role in helping lawmakers conduct data-driven analyses of the national budget and gain a deeper understanding of the government's fiscal policies and strategies.  “The nation will benefit if lawmakers take a greater interest in the budget and engage more actively in parliamentary initiatives,” the Speaker said while inaugurating a budget debriefing session organised under the Budget Helpdesk-2026 programme at the oath room of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat. He encouraged members of parliament to make greater use of the parliamentary library to enrich their knowledge and strengthen their participation in budget discussions. “People are eagerly looking to this parliament. The roadmap for their future will be shaped here,” he added. Describing the initiative as a timely and significant step towards strengthening parliamentary democracy, he said such sessions help enhance MPs’ capacity to scrutinise the national budget and understand broader public financial management issues. He also identified revenue mobilisation, debt management and maintaining macroeconomic stability as some of the key challenges facing the national economy. The Speaker said programmes supported by the European Union aimed at strengthening parliamentary institutions were helping meet public expectations through effective participation and accountability of lawmakers. Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal chaired the event while Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam Moni spoke as a special guest. Addressing the event, Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal said public expectations of parliament had always been high since independence and that the government formed after the July uprising represented a unique chapter in the country's democratic journey. “People in every constituency are closely observing this parliament,” he said. He described parliament as the foundation of economic, social and state policy and said budget debriefing sessions contribute to the establishment of an evidence-based legislature. Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented a practical and forward-looking budget aimed at ensuring the best use of limited resources. He said the Budget Helpdesk provides valuable support to lawmakers in collecting and analysing budget-related information. “There was a time when MPs had to struggle to obtain budget information. Thanks to this commendable initiative by the European Union, essential data and information are now readily available, creating opportunities for thorough budget analysis,” he said.    

Four members of a family died as they fell into an abandoned pit while trying to save a goat at Joloi village in Madhupur upazila of Tangail district. The deceased were identified as Babul Hadima, 48, his son Neimar Mrong, his brother-in-law  Ratan Nakrek, 26 and another brother-in-law Gabriel Sangma, 42, of the upazila. AKM Fazlul Haque, Officer-in-Charge of Madhupur Police Station, said a goat of Babul Hadima slipped into the abandoned pit around 8:30 am. To save it, Babul and three others went down into the pit one after another and dell unconscious inside it. Getting to respond from the well, local people informed the matter to local Fire Service and Civil Denfence who recovered the bodies. Local Union Parishad member Hasmat Ali said toxic gas might have been accumulated in the old pit and it is presumed that they might have died after inhaling the gas. A pall of grief descended the area following the tragic deaths.    

Ayesha Begum, the mother of Premier Bank PLC Managing Director Md Monzur Mofiz, died on Tuesday due to old-age complications. She was 78. She breathed her last at her Bakalia residence in Chattogram city, according to a press release. Ayesha Begum is survived by two sons, two daughters and numerous relatives. Meanwhile, the Premier Bank family expressed deep shock at her death. They prayed for salvation of the departed soul and conveyed heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

Ad-din Foundation on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of six newborns at Ad-din Women's Medical College Hospital at Moghbazar, announcing a series of administrative and infrastructural measures following a preliminary investigation into the incident. In a statement, the foundation said a preliminary inquiry was completed and action has already been taken against those found negligent. It also said steps has been initiated to strengthen monitoring systems and review existing protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. The organisation said it is implementing the directives of the government and remains committed to introducing necessary changes to its infrastructure and management systems. As part of the reform process, extensive retrofitting work has already begun at the hospital premises to modernise facilities. According to the statement, necessary modifications are being carried out under the supervision of three independent consultants to ensure proper ventilation, improved air circulation and adequate oxygen availability. The foundation also announced the permanent closure of the bakery located above its corporate office. Meanwhile, Executive Director of Ad-din Foundation Dr Sheikh Mohiuddin has stepped down from his position. The Board of Directors later appointed Prof Dr Jamalunnessa as the new executive director. Describing its long-standing role in public welfare, the foundation said it has been working since 1980 in healthcare, medical education, general education, professional training and income-generating support programmes for underprivileged communities. Currently, Ad-din Foundation operates nine hospitals, five medical colleges, one nursing college, four nursing institutes, one institute of health technology, one collegiate school and a range of mobile healthcare services across the country. The statement noted that Ad-din Women's Medical College Hospital at Moghbazar has provided healthcare services for 1.58 crore patients over the past 29 years. Until June 11 this year, around 2,000 patients were receiving treatment daily at its outpatient department. A total of 1,790 doctors, nurses and support staff are employed at the hospital, most of them women, while 646 students, including 209 foreign students, are enrolled at the affiliated medical college. The foundation said more than 2,000 doctors, nurses and students depend on the institution for their academic and professional futures. Reaffirming its commitment, Ad-din Foundation said it remains dedicated to ensuring quality healthcare, patient safety and accountability in patient treatment.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will resume its Dhaka-Narita-Dhaka flight on July 27, not June 30 as reported earlier, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita said on Monday. She made the announcement at a press briefing on the route's resumption held at the Press Information Department conference room at the Secretariat. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat was also present. Earlier on July 1, 2025, it suspended operations citing pressure from Hajj flights, an aircraft shortage and commercial considerations.

Former state minister for health and family welfare and Managing Director of Acme Laboratories Ltd and Acme Group Mizanur Rahman Sinha died in Singapore early Saturday while undergoing treatment. He was 83. Contacted, Munshiganj-2 lawmaker Abdus Salam Azad said Sinha died at around 2:00am at a hospital in Singapore after prolonged illness. “He had long been undergoing treatment there. Efforts are underway to bring his body back to Bangladesh. Details will be announced later,” Salam said. Sinha’s daughter and Deputy Managing Director of Acme Tasnim Sinha also confirmed her father’s death in a Facebook post. Mizanur Rahman was nominated by BNP from Munshiganj-2 (Louhajang-Tongibari) constituency for the 13th parliamentary election. But after he fell ill, BNP Joint Secretary General Abdus Salam Azad was nominated in his place. He was elected MP from the constituency in the seventh parliamentary election in 1996 and again in the eighth parliamentary election in 2001 as a BNP candidate. Following the 2001 election, he served as state minister for health and family welfare in the cabinet led by former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Apart from serving as treasurer of BNP’s central executive committee, he was also convener of the district BNP. Mizanur Rahman Sinha was born on August 18, 1943, in Dohuri village of Kolma Union under Louhajang upazila in Munshiganj district. His father was Hamidur Rahman Sinha and mother Nurjahan Sinha. He spent part of his childhood in Kolkata before completing higher secondary education at Government Tolaram College in Narayanganj. He later earned a degree in business studies from the University of Dhaka. Sinha began his professional career in 1964 at Habib Bank. After the death of his father, he joined the family-founded Acme Group in 1975 and became its managing director in 1983. He became involved in politics during his student life. While studying at Government Tolaram College, he was elected general secretary of the student union as its candidate in the student union election. Later, he joined BNP. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and BNP lawmakers from Munshiganj expressed deep sorrow at his death and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family. He also prayed for the salvation of the departed soul.  

Popular young content creator and actress Kaarina Kaisar has passed away while undergoing treatment in Chennai, India, due to liver-related complications. She was 31. The daughter of former national football team captain Kaisar Hamid and granddaughter of chess legend Rani Hamid, during her short life Kaarina became known for her engaging digital content, acting projects, and strong social media presence.  The news of her death was confirmed by Kasar Hamid himself, who wrote on his Facebook page at 1.30am (Saturday): “It is with great sadness that I inform you that my dearest daughter Kaarina Kaisar has left us while undergoing treatment in Chennai a while ago. If my daughter has done any wrong or has caused any trouble to anyone, please forgive her. I express my gratitude to those who were by our side, prayed for us, and cooperated with us during this difficult time. Everyone please pray, may Allah grant her paradise. Amen.” Earlier on Monday night, Kaarina was taken to Chennai by air ambulance for advanced treatment after being placed on life support due to serious liver complications. Kaarina was accompanied by her mother, Lopa Kaisar, while her two brothers, Mustafa S. Hamid and Sadat Hamid, travelled as potential liver donors. Kaarina suffered liver failure on May 8 and was later placed on life support. Family sources said she had been unwell for several days. After being admitted to hospital, doctors reportedly detected an infection and confirmed that she had contracted Hepatitis A.