United News of Bangladesh

Security personnel at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) have arrested four construction workers with cannabis and yaba pills. The arrests took place around 8pm on Friday at the university’s main gate. All four detainees were reportedly working at different construction sites within the campus. Tapas Das, a security officer on duty at the gate, said, when one of them entered the campus, his pants were folded at the knee, which raised suspicion. Upon searching, we found four packets of cannabis, which we reported to the Proctor’s office. A short while later, additional individuals attempting to enter the campus were also searched, and cannabis and yaba were recovered. SUST students announce complete shutdown until SUCSU election Assistant Proctor Dr. Md. Rasheduzzaman confirmed the arrests, saying, Security personnel informed us and we arrived at the scene. The matter will be handed over to the police, who will take legal action against them.

A mourning meeting and remembrance gathering were held in Dhaka on Friday to mark the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The event was organised by the Bangladesh representative office of the Office of the Leader of Iran, the Bangladesh representative office of Al-Mustafa International University and the Bangladesh Imamia Ulama Society. Iran’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi attended the programme as the chief guest. Special guests included Hojjatul Islam Wal Muslimeen Shahabuddin Mashayekhi Rad, Bangladesh representative of Iran’s Al-Mustafa International University and Seyyed Reza Mirmohammadi, cultural counsellor of the Iran Cultural Centre in Dhaka. The meeting was chaired by Hojjatul Islam Wal Muslimeen Seyyed Ibrahim Khalil Razavi, president of the Bangladesh Imamia Ulama Society and principal of Khulna Islami Shikkha Kendra. Speakers at the event described the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a clear disregard for the global order and a violation of international law. They alleged that innocent civilians, including children, have been affected by the attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, describing the strikes as a serious threat to global peace and stability. The speakers also said the escalation of conflict across the Middle East could lead to severe consequences if the situation continues to deteriorate. They criticised the attacks carried out during the holy month of Ramadan, accusing Israel and the United States of demonstrating what they called “terrorist behaviour”. Participants at the gathering said the attacks violated international law, the United Nations Charter and the fundamental principles of sovereignty of independent states, and strongly condemned the strikes. Representatives of the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka said various political parties and organisations in Bangladesh had organised rallies and demonstrations protesting the attacks on Iran, as well as prayer gatherings and mourning meetings in memory of Iran’s Supreme Leader. The embassy expressed gratitude to those organisations and to the people of Bangladesh for showing solidarity with Iran.

A total of 165 Bangladeshi nationals have been repatriated from Libya with the assistance of the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, the Libyan government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). They returned to Bangladesh at 5:30am on Friday on a Buraq Air flight. Of the returnees, 143 had been detained at the Ganfouda Detention Centre in Benghazi, while the remaining 22 were distressed, vulnerable and physically ill Bangladeshis who had been living in Benghazi and nearby areas and expressed willingness to return home voluntarily. According to officials, most of the repatriated migrants had entered Libya irregularly after being lured and assisted by human traffickers while attempting to reach Europe illegally by sea. Many of them also alleged that they had been kidnapped and subjected to torture at different times in Libya. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other relevant ministries and the International Organization for Migration received the returnees at the airport. To raise public awareness, the Foreign Ministry requested the returnees to share their difficult experiences with others. The International Organization for Migration provided each returnee with travel allowances, food items, primary medical care and temporary accommodation where necessary. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the International Organization for Migration are continuing to work together to ensure the safe repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals detained at various detention centres in Libya, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Thirty-three more Middle Eastern flights to and from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka were cancelled on Friday, raising the total number of flights cancelled to 245 over the past seven days due to the ongoing Gulf region conflict, a major destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers. Hundreds of passengers bound for Gulf Arab countries were stranded amid immense difficulties following the closure of airspaces by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) said. Of the 33 flights cancelled on Friday, four belonged to Kuwait Airways, four to Jazeera (Kuwait) Airways, six to Air Arabia (Sharjah-UAE), four to Qatar Airways, four to Emirates Airlines, five to US-Bangla Airlines, two to Gulf Air (Bahrain), two to FlyDubai, and two to Biman Bangladesh Airlines, according to the CAAB. The United States and Israel jointly launched attacks on Iranian sites on February 28. Iran almost immediately retaliated with attacks on Israeli and US military bases across Middle Eastern countries.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Mexico Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey has paid a visit to the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Mexico and signed the condolence book in honor of the late Try Sutrisno, former Vice-President  of Indonesia.  On behalf of the government and the people of Bangladesh, the Ambassador conveyed their deepest condolences on the passing of the Former Vice President of Indonesia. His dedicated service and leadership made significant contributions to the development and stability of Indonesia, said the Bangladesh envoy. Ambassador Mushfiqul said Bangladesh stands in solidarity with the government and the friendly people of Indonesia during this time of mourning.  "May his soul rest in eternal peace," said Ambassador Mushfiqul.

Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Mia Golam Parwar, on Friday signed the condolence book at the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka in honour of Iran's Supreme Religious Leader, Shaheed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R.A). Parwar expressed deep condolences to the government and people of Iran on behalf of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. He said that the contributions of influential Muslim religious leaders throughout history are always remembered with respect. He prayed that Allah Almighty may grant His infinite mercy on them and give patience and strength to all concerned. He also mentioned that ongoing conflicts and violence in different parts of the world are causing the loss of countless innocent lives, which is very painful. He said that no political goal or interest can ever justify such loss. Realising that the blood of innocent people is sacred in the eyes of Allah, he called on all parties to show restraint, wisdom, and humanity. Parwar was accompanied by Dhaka-14 MP Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem. They expressed their sympathy for the people of Iran and the Muslim Ummah, and prayed to Allah Almighty for peace, prosperity, justice, and stability for the Muslim world, including the Middle East.

Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen on Thursday paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh’s Minister for Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury and State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom, where the two sides discussed ways to enhance cultural cooperation and strengthen diplomatic relations between China and Bangladesh. During the meeting, they held in-depth discussions on expanding cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Yao congratulated Minister Nitai and State Minister Khyom on assuming their new posts. He noted that both China and Bangladesh are ancient civilizations with a profound and long-standing friendship and close cultural ties, which have effectively promoted mutual understanding and affinity between the two peoples. China is ready to continue deepening practical cooperation in the cultural field with Bangladesh, promote mutual learning among civilizations, and provide stronger people-to-people support for the China-Bangladesh Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. The Bangladesh side extended its appreciation to Ambassador Yao for his congratulations and thanked China for its long-standing support for Bangladesh's cultural development. They expressed their willingness to work hand in hand with China to further promote cultural exchanges and industrial cooperation, injecting new vitality into the long-standing friendship between the two countries.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan phoned Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday and discussed the need for immediate halting of the military escalation in the Middle East following attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel. The UAE President called Tarique Rahman at around 4pm, said Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly. “Both sides underscored the need for an immediate halt to the military escalation in the region and address its serious implications for regional and global security,” he said. The Press Secretary said the two leaders also affirmed the importance of dialogue and diplomatic efforts in addressing the issues and finding a peaceful solution. The Prime Minister invited the UAE President to visit Bangladesh, and he accepted it, saying he would visit the country some time soon. He also expressed sincere thanks to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the UAE for taking care of Bangladeshi people living in their country. Amazon says drone attacks damage three facilities in UAE, Bahrain The Prime Minister expressed solidarity with the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), while the UAE President sincerely thanked Tarique Rahman for standing by the UAE and for his concern over the escalating tensions in the region. He also expressed deep gratitude for the help and support from UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, as well as the UAE Ambassador and the Embassy in Dhaka.

A Bangladeshi worker has been killed in Kuwait amid rising military tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States. The deceased, Mohammad Zayed, was a resident of Ward 9 in Sandwip Municipality, Chattogram. He was the son of Kamal Dafadar. Local sources said Zayed was working in Kuwait and lost his life due to the recent conflict in the region. His family received the news with shock and relatives are still trying to gather detailed information. This is the second death of a Sandwip resident working abroad in the ongoing Middle East conflict. Earlier, on Monday, Abul Mohsin from Azimpur, Sandwip, was killed while working at a shipyard in Bahrain. 2 construction workers die after falling from Chattogram building Many families of Chattogram residents working in Middle Eastern countries are living in fear and anxiety. Relatives said the prolonged conflict is raising serious concerns about the safety of Bangladeshis in the region.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur wrapped up his two-day visit on Thursday night, discussing key US priorities in Bangladesh, expanding market access for American businesses, strengthening cooperation on illegal immigration, and deepening collaboration on regional security and counterterrorism. Assistant Secretary Kapur and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen honored the legacies of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at Zia Udyan. They viewed the architecturally renowned National Parliament House, popularly known as Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Designed by American architect Louis Kahn, the building showcases the best of American ingenuity inspired by Bengali culture and landscape, a powerful symbol of collaboration and architectural excellence. Assistant Secretary Kapur and Ambassador Christensen held ‘productive meetings’ with leaders from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. On Wednesday, he met members of American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) to discuss the Trump Administration’s priorities for strengthening US businesses and promoting US exports. US Assistant Secretary Paul Kapur pays tribute at graves of Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia