United News of Bangladesh

A 75-year-old man allegedly hacked his wife to death with a sharp weapon before committing suicide by hanging himself following a family dispute in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj on Friday evening. The deceased were identified as Mofizul Haque, 75, and his wife Monowara Begum, 60, of Rasiknagar Babupur village under Noyalavanga union. According to police and locals, the couple had been locked in a longstanding feud. Following a heated altercation on Friday, Haque allegedly hacked Begum to death with a sharp weapon and subsequently hanged himself from a ceiling fan hook in their room. The incident came to light when the couple's daughter-in-law, Shapla Begum, returned home after attending a social invitation and saw her mother-in-law's blood-stained body lying on the floor through a window. With the help of neighbors, she broke open the locked door and found Haque's hanging body.  Upon receiving the information, a police team rushed to the spot, recovered the bodies and sent them to the district hospital morgue for autopsies. A.N.M. Wasim Firoz, Additional Superintendent of Police(ASP) said primarily they suspect the murder-suicide was triggered by a family dispute, adding that a detailed investigation is underway.

An outraged mob vandalized the houses of three suspected drug dealers in the C&B Ghat area of Faridpur Sadar upazila on Friday afternoon following an anti-drug protest. According to eyewitnesses, hundreds of local residents began gathering near the Leo Petrol Pump near the C&B Ghat embankment after Jummah prayers. Around 2:30 p.m., the crowd launched an attack on the nearby residences of suspected drug peddlers identified as Miloni, Labu and Babu, vandalizing their homes. Upon receiving the information, police rushed to the scene to calm the protesters. However, the crowd bypassed police obstacles and continued the vandalism for some time. Later, local businessman Rubel Hasan Dulal issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the accused families to leave the locality. Truck union leaders Nadim Hossain and Dulal Hossain also addressed the protest gathering. Mahmudul Hasan, Faridpur Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), said additional police forces have been deployed to the area to keep the situation normal. "We are working to maintain law and order and take legal action against the drug dealers," the OC added.

State Minister for Public Administration and Food Md. Abdul Bari and his wife were injured and an elderly speech-impaired pedestrian was killed Friday morning, when the minister's car veered off the road and crashed into a paddy field in Bogura's Shibganj upazila. The deceased pedestrian was identified as Firoza Begum, 62, wife of the late Nizam Uddin of Gopinathpur village in Shibganj. She passed away around noon while undergoing treatment at TMSS Medical College Hospital in Bogra. According to police and locals, the accident occurred on the Joypurhat-Mokamtala regional highway in the Gopinathpur area. The state minister was heading to Joypurhat from Dhaka for a two-day official visit. As his protocol vehicle went ahead, Firoza Begum suddenly stepped onto the road. The driver lost control while attempting to avoid hitting her, but it was too late and the vehicle plunged into the paddy field. The state minister and his wife, Nazma Ara Begum, were initially rushed to the Joypurhat 400-bed General Hospital. The hospital’s superintendent, Dr. Sardar Rashed Mobarak, said Bari did not sustain any fractures.  "He suffered a soft tissue injury in his right leg alongside minor injuries to his hand, shoulder and neck," Mobarak said, adding that Bari's leg was placed in a short plaster cast. His wife did not sustain any major injuries. Bari was later transferred to Square Hospital in Dhaka for advanced medical care. Md. Al-Mamun Miah, Joypurhat District Commissioner, said the local administration is maintaining contact with the Shibganj upazila executive officer to ensure necessary administrative assistance.

In solidarity with the people of brotherly nation Nepal, and as part of its humanitarian and social responsibility, Team Group has taken an initiative to extend support to those affected by the recent natural disaster in the country. A handover ceremony was held at the head office of Team Group on Thursday, attended by Abdullah Hil Nakib, deputy managing director of Team Group; Zahidul Islam, chief executive officer; Bertin Gomez, country head of Good Neighbors Bangladesh; and senior officials from both organizations. 2 workers rescued alive from Nepal hydropower tunnel as search continues for others The humanitarian aid includes garments manufactured by Team Group, essential items from the clothing brand 'Twelve' and medicines from Team Pharmaceuticals. Speaking on the occasion, Nakib said, “This is not merely a relief initiative; it is an expression of our humanitarian and social responsibility to stand beside people during times of crisis. Guided by this belief, Team Group has taken the initiative.” He further added, “Borders may separate us, but humanity knows no boundaries. Standing beside our neighbors during their time of hardship is not an act of favor - it is our humanitarian responsibility. Through this initiative, we want to convey a message of love, empathy and solidarity from Bangladesh to the people of Nepal during this difficult time.”

Professor Dr Gawsia Wahidunnessa Chowdhury of the University of Dhaka has received the university’s Distinguished Scholar Recognition Award 2026 for her contribution to scholarly excellence through high-quality research. The award is given to teachers and researchers who have achieved 2,000 or more citations on their Google Scholar profiles, said a press release on Friday. Dr Chowdhury was among 62 Dhaka University academics recognised for their research contributions and for strengthening the university’s international visibility. A professor in the Department of Zoology, Dr Chowdhury is an internationally recognised researcher whose work focuses on wetland ecology, aquatic ecosystems, plastic pollution and the conservation of threatened species in Bangladesh.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Tozammel Hossain Khan (Taju Khan), a prominent political figure and social worker from Thakurgaon district. Tozammel Hossain passed away on Friday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka. In a condolence message, the President recalled Tozammel's lifelong, relentless contributions to democracy and development. "With his passing, the country's northern region has lost a strong and dedicated leader," the President said. The President prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved family members.

The body of Indian national Gautam Mistry, 55, who passed away on the Bangladesh side of the Benapole checkpost last Wednesday, has been handed over after obtaining clearance from the Indian High Commission. The body was handed over through Benapole checkpost around 11am on Friday, after completion of immigration formalities. Gautam was a resident of Kalyannagar Suraiya Sen Palli in Kolkata and son of Ramani Mistry. He had come to Bangladesh about two weeks ago to visit his in-laws in Barishal. On Wednesday, he suffered a stroke while returning to India through Benapole. His wife, Jahanara Mistry, said Gautam fell ill shortly after getting down from their vehicle at Benapole. He was taken to a local hospital, where doctors declared him dead. She said they could not take the body to India immediately because the death occurred in Bangladesh and various documents were required. After obtaining a death certificate from the hospital, a general diary (GD) from the local police station and clearance from the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, she was able to take her husband’s body back to India on Friday. Jahanara expressed gratitude to people in Bangladesh for helping her financially and providing other assistance during the ordeal. Benapole Immigration Police Officer-in-Charge Saifur Rahman said the body of the Indian citizen, who died of a stroke on Wednesday, was handed over through the checkpost around 11am after the required embassy clearance was obtained. Gautam’s wife later left for India with the body, he added.

Fisheries, Livestock, and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid today said that Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) inflicts severe financial losses on cattle farmers, but a domestically developed vaccine against the disease will play a crucial role in safeguarding livestock across the country. The Minister noted that the commercial rollout of locally produced vaccines will bring down costs for farmers, increase market availability, and enhance the overall sustainability of the livestock sector. The Minister was speaking as the chief guest at the launch of a vaccination campaign for  Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and Goat Pox vaccines, both developed by the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI). The campaign is also organised by BLRI at the Raichu Eidgah Field in Adarsha Sadar upazila, Cumilla. Underscoring the demand for livestock protection, the minister revealed that Bangladesh requires around 25 million doses of the LSD vaccine annually. While the country previously relied on imports, domestic vaccine development initiatives have now been successfully set in motion.  Addressing farmers, he stressed that routine vaccination is vital to maintaining healthy herds and urged them to adhere to strict vaccination schedules, warning that an outbreak on one farm can quickly devastate neighboring holdings. To lower livestock feeding expenses, the Minister advocated for the cultivation of a newly developed high-protein grass variety. Innovated by BLRI, the grass contains approximately 18 percent protein, allowing farmers to produce nutrient-rich fodder at a lower cost while decreasing their dependence on commercial concentrated feed. Aminur Rashid also announced a new government initiative aimed at conserving and expanding the traditional Black Bengal goat breed. Under this program, union-level entrepreneurs will receive training, high-quality breeding stock, and marketing assistance, with priority given to women and youth. Describing the Black Bengal goat as a prime national asset, the minister highlighted the strong international demand for its meat and leather, adding that planned expansion and scientific management could significantly strengthen the rural economy, generate employment, and boost export earnings. Chaired by BLRI Director General Dr. Shakila Faruq, the inauguration event was addressed by Department of Livestock Services (DLS) Director General Md. Shahzaman Khan as special guest. Senior officials from DLS and BLRI, local political leaders, and a large number of livestock farmers attended the program. Under the campaign, supported by the Department of Livestock Services, the administration of 2,000 doses of the LSD vaccine and 100 doses of the Goat Pox vaccine was formally initiated in the upazila.

At least 25 people including the OC of the local police station were injured and several houses vandalized as supporters of two rival Union Parishad (UP) members clashed for the second consecutive day over establishing dominance in Sylhet's Jaintiapur upazila on Friday. Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman Molla, Jaintiapur Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), sustained injuries while attempting to bring the situation under control. Violent clash at Sylhet shrine over donation box leaves 30 injured The hour-long clash broke out around 9am at Ghilatoil village in Nijpat union between the supporters of current UP member Monsur Ahmad and former UP member Ponki Miah. Ahmad claimed that the rival group vandalized at least 10 houses belonging to his supporters during the violence. This followed a previous clash on Thursday night that left 18 people, including pedestrians, injured, with five sent to Sylhet for advanced treatment.   Locals said the long-standing feud is fueled by competition to control lucrative illegal smuggling and human trafficking routes in the border village, though these claims remain unverified. To resolve the dispute, an arbitration meeting has been called by Upazila BNP General Secretary Abdul Hafiz and Darbast UP Chairman Baharul Alam Bahar. OC Molla said the situation is now under control and legal action will be taken once written complaints are received from both sides.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury on Friday said the government believes in a free press and is committed to ensuring a safe working environment for journalists. “The government firmly believes in the full freedom of the media and has ensured a favorable environment for journalists to perform their professional duties without any fear or intimidation,” he said, while addressing the orientation of the 'Rafiq Hilali English Excellence Programme-2026' and a reception for outstanding SSC and Dakhil students as chief guest at Kendua Upazila Public Hall in Netrokona. He also said, “Along with ensuring press freedom the Press Council is also working to prevent ‘yellow journalism’ and misinformation to maintain professional standards.” He informed that an initiative has been taken to increase the budget allocation for the Journalist Welfare Trust to Tk 25 crore from the existing Tk 6 crore. “A proposal in this regard has already been sent to the Finance Ministry,” he added. Addressing the students, the state minister said merely achieving GPA-5 or good academic results is not enough; rather, they must grow up as humane and ideal citizens. “True success comes from practicing morality and showing respect to one's family, teachers, and the country,” he said. He mentioned that local playgrounds are being modernized to engage grassroots youth in sports and initiatives to teach Chinese and Arabic languages online and on television are also being launched. The program was chaired by Netrokona-3 (Kendua-Atpara) MP Dr Rafiqul Islam Hilali. Mymensingh-8 MP Lutfullahel Majed Babu, Netrokona Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Mun Mun Jahan Liza, Kendua Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sanjida Chowdhury, and District Press Club Secretary Mahbubul Kibria Chowdhury Helim, among others, spoke at the event.