United News of Bangladesh

‘July Unity’, a pressure group claiming to stand for the values of the July 36 Uprising, held a press conference on Sunday at TSC of Dhaka University responding to the government’s decision regarding the ban on the Awami League and the July Declaration, as well as to address the coalition's next steps. The leaders stated that their next movements will be announced following the decision of the advisory council. AB Zubayer, one of the key organizers of the platform, said, “We were holding protests in Shahbagh with three main demands, including the ban of the Awami League. We wanted the Awami League to be banned as a political party and for the July Declaration to be officially announced. However, we have been informed that the Awami League will be banned through a judicial process, and until then, all its activities will remain prohibited.” Regarding their next course of action, Zubayer said, “The decision on announcing the July Declaration is expected to be informed on Monday. Based on the decision of the advisory council on Monday, we will announce our next program.” It was mentioned in response to journalists’ questions that allies of the Awami League are still hidden within the interim government and at various levels of administration. They have shifted the focus from banning the party itself to merely prohibiting its activities. “We reiterate our demand for a complete ban on the Awami League as a political party,” he emphasized. “We announced the ‘July Unity’ platform standing on the blood of nearly 2,000 martyrs. Right now, around 80 social, political, and human rights organizations have joined our platform,” said Zubayer.  

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nepal Indira Ranamagar on Sunday highlighted the structural and societal hurdles that continue to impede women’s meaningful participation in media. As she shared her experiences of working as a politician and social worker, she underlined the need for concerted efforts to dismantle the barriers facing women journalists and promote an inclusive and women-friendly media landscape. She was speaking as the chief guest at an interaction on "Promotion of Friendship and Cooperation between Women Journalists of Nepal and Bangladesh". Nepal seeks partnerships with Bangladesh in key areas The Embassy hosted the programme in collaboration with the Initiatives of Media Women (IMW) Nepal. Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari emphasized the vital role media women play in uncovering unique and often untold stories that give voice to the voiceless and the disadvantaged communities. He commended the IMW for bringing together women journalists from both Nepal and Bangladesh and stressed the role of such events in further promoting people-to-people contacts. Laxmi Bhandari, President of the IMW, shared the organization’s ongoing efforts to empower women professionals in the media sector. She expressed hope that the event would contribute to fostering long-term friendship between journalists of the two countries. Dr. Husne-Ara Begum, founder of Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha (TMSS) and Msj Swopnil, Deputy Director of the Joint Council CC23, also spoke on the occasion. Bangladesh reaffirms climate resilience commitment at 4th RIMES ministerial meet Prior to the formal session, an informal interaction was held among women journalists of the two countries. The participants shared their personal and professional experiences, discussed common challenges, and provided pathways for collaboration and meaningful partnership in the future.

Police have arrested a bank officer on charges of embezzling customers' money from the Silonia Bazar branch of Southeast Bank in Feni. Police arrested Md Ziaul Haque, 36, from Feni town on Sunday morning, said Md Wahid Parvez, officer-in-charge (OC) of Daganbhuiyan Police Station. Ex-AL MP, 6 others arrested in Dhaka Arrestee Ziaul Haque is the son of Abdul Haque of Salman Haji Bari of Paschim Pathannagar village in Pathannagar union of Chhagalnaiya upazila of the district. He is a junior officer at the Silonia Bazar branch of Southeast Bank. However, it is not clear the amount of money was withdrawn from the accounts of how many customers. Police said when the matter came to light, the victim customers came to the bank and complained, and the bank officer went into hiding on May 4. Later, Branch Manager Md. Kamruzzaman filed a case with Dagan Bhuiyan Police on May 6, accusing Ziaul Haque. DIG Dhaka range orders arrest of July movement suppressors Manager Kamruzzaman said that after learning about the withdrawal of customers' deposits from bank accounts, officials of the bank's audit department came to the branch and collected information. "It is not possible to provide details about how many customers' accounts and how much money was withdrawn before receiving the audit report," he added. OC Wahid Parvez said that the arrestee will be produced before the court after completing the due procedures. Push-ins by India continues; BGB strengthens border patrols

Over three lakh sacrificial animals are available in the Sylhet division, while the demand is around 2.75 lakh, said officials from the Department of Livestock in Sylhet. According to data from the relevant office, there is no anticipated shortage of sacrificial animals in Sylhet this year. Farmers have an ample supply of livestock and there are also a significant number of domestically raised animals. Besides, thousands of cows arrive in Sylhet from various districts every year, ensuring that cattle, goats and sheep will be more than sufficient in local markets. Officials also mentioned that many expatriates from Sylhet prefer to offer large cattle for Eid-ul-Azha. While the local supply of large animals is limited, it is expected—as in previous years—that a large number of such cattle will arrive from districts like Kishoreganj, Netrokona, Mymensingh, and Kushtia. According to the Department of Livestock's regional office, 3.9 lakh animals are ready for sacrifice across farms in the division’s four districts. Among these, 1,30,756 bulls, 32,368 oxen, 37,392 cows, 5,420 buffaloes, 77,646 goats, 24,014 sheep and 919 other animals. Dr. Maruf Hasan, Director of the Sylhet Divisional Livestock Office, said that initial estimates put the region’s demand for sacrificial animals at 2,71,500. However, the actual demand may turn out to be slightly lower though the farmers currently have a stock of 308,515 animals.

Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin has said Bangladesh is now a unique example of growth and development in the world. "With extensive socio-economic development, the country now aspires to become an upper middle income country by 2031," the adviser saud, while speaking at a programme organised on the occasion of "Bangladesh Day" of World Expo 2025 in Japan's Osaka on Sunday afternoon. He also mentioned that the growing young population and stable growth have elevated the people of the country to a level of prosperity. The adviser has called on business leaders around the world to be partners in the journey of a developed and prosperous Bangladesh. Bashiruddin has called on business leaders around the world to be partners in the journey of a developed and prosperous Bangladesh. Calling for investment by exploring business opportunities in Bangladesh, Adviser Bashir said that we need to work together for the future generations by utilizing technology and experience. Urging visitors to visit the Bangladesh Pavilion, he said that the pavilion highlights the rich history, culture and heritage of Bangladesh. As a symbol of bridging the gap between tradition and future society, the pavilion has been built with a wooden structure, which is an example of zero carbon and sustainable practices.

Alongside serving Bangladesh Railway officials and employees and their dependents, Railway General Hospital in Chattogram is providing medical services to the general public. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Health and the Bangladesh Railway to manage the railway hospitals under joint administration by the Ministry’s Health Services Division and Bangladesh Railway on April 21, 2025. Following the MoU, the Ministry of Health initially took the initiative to operate the Railway Hospital Chattogram under joint management and to extend its services to the general public. As part of this initiative, the hospital was renamed Railway General Hospital-Chattogram. Recently, the Health Ministry has appointed 19 doctors and nine nurses to the hospital. Additionally, by increasing medical equipment and expanding facilities, the hospital has begun providing medical services not only to railway employees and their dependents but also to the broader community. Bangladesh Railway and the Railways Ministry have urged all residents of the surrounding area to avail themselves of the healthcare services offered at the hospital. The hospital currently provides services in orthopedics, gynecology and obstetrics, internal medicine, dermatology and venereology, cardiology, ENT, dental, and surgery. Besides, laboratory and radiology services are available. Outpatient services are open to everyone, while inpatient services will be launched in phases. Similar facilities will be expanded to other hospitals managed by Bangladesh Railway over time.  

A heatstroke centre has been opened under the supervision of Dhaka North City Corporation at its Dedicated Covid Hospital in Mohakhali to treat patients suffering from heat stroke in the current heat wave. "Necessary medical services will be provided free of cost to patients suffering from heat-related illnesses at this centre," DNCC said in a press release on Sunday. Besides, the DNCC Administrator has instructed the DNCC Regional Executive Officers to keep the main rooms and ablution rooms of the mosque open to the public, ensuring security from 11 am to Maghrib prayers through the Mosque Committee to combat the ongoing severe heat wave, added the press release. The Health Department will confirm this directive through a letter on the next working day after contacting the Islamic Foundation. This urgent public service of Dhaka North City Corporation has been included in the National Emergency Service (National Emergency Service) 999. Residents of North City Corporation affected by heat stroke can contact 999 to get detailed information.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday said the Election Commission will take appropriate steps once it receives the official gazette or paper over the ban of all activities of the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act. "When we officially receive the government's decision, we will act accordingly. We will sit in a meeting tomorrow (Monday) and take a decision,” he told a private television channel. The CEC said they cannot take any decision based on newspaper or TV reports. Expat Voting: CEC says all efforts to be pointless without political backing   The Council of Advisers, in a special meeting on Saturday night, decided to ban all activities of the Awami League, including in cyberspace, under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the trial of Bangladesh Awami League and its leaders in the International Crimes Tribunal is completed. Law Adviser  Asif Nazrul at a press briefing said the decision was taken in order to protect the security and sovereignty of the country, the safety of the leaders and activists of the July movement, and the protection of the plaintiffs and witnesses of the International Crimes Tribunal. The relevant gazette in this regard will be issued on the next working day, he added. On Sunday, the Council of Advisers approved the draft of the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, incorporating provision to ban individuals or entities involved in terrorist activities and their operations. The Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009 was enacted to deter some terrorist activities and ensure effective punishment along with relevant provisions. The amendment incorporates provisions for banning the activities of entities, necessary adaptations, and prohibiting the dissemination of content through online and social media platforms.    

Two people have died after trees fell on them following a nor'wester (kaalboishakhi) in two separate places in Mymensingh. The incident occurred in the Barera area and Marakuri area of Ghagra Union around 4 pm on Sunday, Kotwali Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan confirmed. The deceased were identified as Sajib, 20, son of Abdul Majid of Barera area and Suruj Mia, 55) son of late Afsar Ali of Marakuri area. Locals said that when the storm suddenly started around 4 pm on Sunday, Sajib took shelter under a tree. Suddenly, the tree fell on him and he died on the spot. On the other hand, Suruj Mia, a resident of the Marakuri area of the same union, was standing next to his house when a branch fell on his head, leaving him seriously injured. Later, locals took him to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, where doctors on duty declared him dead. OC Shafiqul Islam said police were sent to the spot after receiving the information. Legal action is under process in this regard.

Lightning-Killed, Ld Nine people were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes in Kishoreganj, Habiganj, Naogaon and Brahmanbaria districts on Sunday. In Kishoreganj three people including a college student were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes in Kishoreganj district on Sunday. Witnesses said, Faruk Mia, 60, of Rasulpur village in Bhairab upazila was killed when a thunderbolt struck him while he was cutting paddy in the haor areas around 4:30 pm. Three schoolgirls among 4 killed in Kishoreganj lightning strikes Meanwhile, Foysal Mia, 28, son of Yunus Mia of Srinagar union of Bhairab upazila was killed by the lightning strike while going outside during rain in the afternoon. On the other hand, Kabir Hosain, a student of Hazi Asmat College, was killed when a streak of thunderbolt struck him while working at a filed in Kuliarchar upazila in the afternoon. Dr Umme Habiba, medical officer of Bhairab Upazila Health Complex said all of them were brought dead at the hospital. In Brahmanbaria, four people were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes in Akhaura and Nasirnagar upazilas of the district on Sunday. Quoting witnesses, police said, Abdur Razzak of Tekanagar village in Nasirnagar upazila was killed on the spot by the lightning strike while cutting paddy. Shamsul Huda of Beribadh area of the same upazila was killed when a thunderbolt struck him while working at his field. Meanwhile, two more people were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes in Akhaura upazila of the district in the afternoon. The deceased were identified as Jamir Kha and Selim Mia. In Habiganj, Saju Mia, 20, was killed by the lightning strike while taking bath at Demikandi village of Ajmiriganj upazila on Sunday afternoon, said officer-in-charge of Ajmiriganj Police Station Shafiqul Islam. In Naogaon, a farmer was killed and another one injured by the lightning strike in Mushumba Diarapara in Manda upazila on Sunday evening. The deceased was identified as Zillur Rahman, 40, son of Ayesh Uddin of the village. Ashekur Rahman, Naogaon District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer, said the local administration will provide Tk 20,000 to the family members of the deceased.