United News of Bangladesh

Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has extended his warmest congratulations to the government of Bangladesh and Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on his election as president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. In a message, the Secretary-General extended his best wishes to Khalilur Rahman for success in the performance of his duties, expressing his confidence that his leadership of the General Assembly would contribute to strengthening multilateralism and addressing common global challenges, owing to his diplomatic acumen and experience, and to the constructive role played by the People's Republic of Bangladesh on the international stage and within the UN and the OIC. The Secretary-General also affirmed the OIC's commitment to continuing cooperation and coordination with the Presidency of the United Nations General Assembly in the promotion of peace, security, and development worldwide. The 81st session of the General Assembly will open on September 8, with world leaders scheduled to gather at UN Headquarters in New York two weeks later for the annual high-level debate. In a secret-ballot vote, Khalilur Rahman defeated Cyprus’ Ambassador Andreas Kakouris 99-91, with three countries not voting.  He will succeed Germany’s former Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, whose one-year term ends in September.

A man accused of raping a five-and-a-half-year-old girl was beaten by angry locals at Madanhat village in Sadar upazila of Natore before being handed over to police on Wednesday evening. The accused, Shariful Islam, a fuchka vendor from the village, was detained following the incident. Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mansur Rahman of Sadar Police Station said Shariful allegedly took the child to a nearby grass field on Tuesday afternoon and violated her. The girl was later rescued by her relatives and admitted to a local clinic. As news of the alleged incident spread at the village, angry locals gathered and confronted the accused on Wednesday evening. The dragged him out of his house, tied him to a tree and beat him. On information, police rushed to the spot, rescued Shariful from the mob and took him to the police station, the OC said. The victim was admitted to Natore Sadar General Hospital for treatment.

At least four Bangladeshi nationals are among those were injured in a drone attack on the Kuwait International Airport on Wednesday, according to the Bangladesh Embassy in Kuwait. The injured Bangladeshis were admitted to Farwaniya Hospital, while the embassy is closely monitoring their condition, said an emergency statement signed by Mohammad Moniruzzaman, counsellor (Political) and head of chancery. One person was killed and several other foreign nationals were also injured in the incident, the statement added. The embassy advised Bangladeshi expatriates in Kuwait not to photograph or record videos of the scene, particularly of rocket or drone attacks and interceptions, warning that such activities are punishable under Kuwaiti law. It also noted a shortage of stored blood at Kuwait’s Central Blood Bank and urged eligible Bangladeshi expatriates to donate blood on an emergency basis. Expatriates were also requested to encourage others to donate blood to help meet the urgent demand. Earlier, Kuwait suspended commercial flights on Wednesday after a drone attack attributed to Iran struck its international airport. The incident came hours after renewed missile exchanges between Iran and US forces in the region, further escalating already high tensions in the Gulf. Kuwait’s Defence Ministry Spokesperson Brig Gen Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi said “a number of hostile drones” targeted Kuwait International Airport, causing significant damage to the passenger building and injuring several people. The airport had only recently resumed operations on June 1 after an earlier shutdown linked to regional conflict. Late Tuesday, the US military said it carried out strikes on an Iranian military facility in retaliation for missile that it said originated from Iran and targeted Kuwait and Bahrain. According to the US, two Iranian missiles aimed at Kuwait disintegrated mid-air, while others targeting Bahrain were intercepted. US Central Command also said it shot down multiple drones directed at American forces stationed in Kuwait. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, however, said it had launched strikes targeting the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain and another location, though it did not name Kuwait. It said the attacks were in response to earlier US military action against an Iranian oil tanker. “We had previously warned that any aggression would be met with a stronger response,” it said in a statement.

A rare Bengal slow loris, locally known as Lojjabati Banor, has been rescued in Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla. The endangered animal was spotted on Tuesday afternoon at Baidderkhil village, a border-adjacent area under Chauddagram municipality. According to local sources, resident Abdul Momin first noticed the animal and safely captured it before informing the authorities. Following the report, Arafat Hossain, team leader of the Chauddagram Quick Response Team (QRT), took custody of the slow loris through the upazila administration. On Wednesday morning, the animal was handed over to the Upazila Livestock Office for examination and treatment. Following medical care, it was returned to the upazila administration, which subsequently transferred it to the local Forest Department, said Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Abdullah Al Mamun Shagar. "We suspect the slow loris may have suffered an electric shock," he said. Chauddagram Forest Officer Md Shahin Alam said the animal is currently under the department's care and is now in good health. “It will be released into a suitable habitat once it is fully cured," he added. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Shahadat Hossen said the endangered animal was handed over to the Forest Department after necessary treatment and that the department would take further steps regarding its release.

Two padestrians were killed and four others injured after a bus struck on the Dhaka–Mawa highway in Rajendrapur area under South Keraniganj in Dhaka on wednesday afternoon. The deceased were identified as Jamal, 36, and Mahfuz, 35. The accident occurred near the Dhaka Central Jail opposite area. Saiful Alam, South Keraniganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge(OC), confirmed the incident. Four more pedestrians were injured in the accident. The injured are Chan Mia, 40, Selim, 35, Barkat, 32, and Jasim, 34. Sazzad Hossain, Ward Master of Mitford Hospital confirmed that the injured were admitted to Mitford Hospital for treatment. Police said the bus, which was travelling to Dhaka from Barishal carrying passengers, was moving recklessly when it hit the victims, causing the fatal accident. Further legal procedures are underway, police said.

Two people were killed in separate lightning strikes in Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila on Wednesday afternoon. The victims were identified as Miraj, son of Md Babu of Bhabanipur village, and Munirul Islam, son of Md Mangal Hossain of Shiala Colony village under Chapainawabganj municipality. Family members said Miraj was packing mangoes in an orchard around 4:00pm when lightning struck him. Locals rescued and took him to Chapainawabganj District Hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival. Two farmers killed in lightning strikes in Mymensingh In a separate incident around 3:00pm, Munirul was struck by a thunderstorm while standing near his house. Relatives rushed him to the same hospital, where he was also pronounced dead. Officer-in-Charge of Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station Md Ekramul Hossain said police visited the locations after receiving the information and were taking necessary legal steps.

Over 50 people were injured in a clash between two groups in Sadar upazila of Habiganj on Wednesday following a dispute stemming from a local friendly football match between two teams named after Argentina and Brazil. The incident took place around noon at Kashipur village under Lokra union. According to locals, two groups of youths from the village played a friendly football match on Tuesday afternoon, with the teams competing under the names "Argentina" and "Brazil." The Argentina team won the match 2-0, prompting celebrations by its supporters. 9 shops gutted in Habiganj fire The celebrations led to an argument between supporters of the two sides. Local elders intervened and settled the matter at night. However, both groups again became involved in a heated exchange on Wednesday morning, which later escalated into a clash. A chase and counter-chase took place during the melee that continued for nearly an hour, leaving more than 50 people injured. The injured were taken to Habiganj Sadar Hospital, from where several of them were sent to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Officer-in-Charge of Habiganj Sadar Model Police Station Md Jahidul Haque said the situation in the area remained under control.

The body of a teenage girl was found in a sack with her hands tied in the Padma River in Sadar upazila of Pabna on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Riya, a resident of Raghabpur area in Sadar upazila of the district. The body was recovered from the river at Balrampur-Pirpur under Bharara union of the upazila around 10:00am. Police said the victim was believed to be aged between 14 and 16 years. A silver chain was found around her neck, while a shopping bag was tied around her neck before the body was placed inside a sack. Locals said farmers heading to work in a nearby char area spotted a sack floating in the river. Out of suspicion, they approached it and discovered the body inside before informing police. Locals also reported seeing an unidentified private car in the area around 10:30pm on Tuesday.  They claimed four young men were inside the vehicle, which reportedly broke down while leaving the area and had to be pushed to the Balrampur embankment with the help of local residents. Locals alleged that the girl was raped and murdered before her body was dumped in the river using the vehicle seen in the area on Tuesday night. They said the circumstances surrounding the incident could become clearer if CCTV footage from nearby Char Balrampur High School is examined. Police, however, have not yet confirmed the allegations. Officer-in-Charge of Pabna Sadar Police Station Tariqul Islam said the motive behind the killing remains unclear. "We are investigating the incident and working to uncover the mystery behind the murder," he said.  

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Wednesday expressed deep satisfaction as well as pride and relief over Bangladesh’s election to the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). In a congratulatory message, the President extended heartfelt greetings to the current democratic government, the country’s diplomats, UNGA President-elect Dr Khalilur Rahman, and the people of Bangladesh for what he described as a “remarkable achievement on the global stage.” Bangladesh back on global stage with honor and dignity, Ambassador Mushfiqul says after UNGA victory He also expressed gratitude to all member states that showed full confidence and support for Bangladesh. The election was held on Tuesday at the UN Headquarters in New York, where Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman secured the position by defeating the Cyprus candidate. In his statement, the President said this achievement will further strengthen Bangladesh’s dignity, acceptance, and influence in the international arena. The 81st UNGA session is scheduled to formally begin on September 8, while the high-level general debate featuring heads of state and government will commence on September 22. 

The government has withdrawn Dr AKM Anisur Rahman, a member of the Mongla Port Authority, following public outcry over the death of his mother, whose decomposed body was recovered from a flat in the capital's Mirpur area after reportedly remaining there unattended for about a week. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Wednesday, attaching Anisur, a joint secretary, to the ministry. According to the order, he has been directed to report to the ministry by Thursday. Failure to do so will result in his being deemed automatically stand-released from his current post. On May 31, police recovered the body of Nurjahan Begum, 75, Anisur’s mother, from a flat in Mirpur-11 after receiving a call through the national emergency service 999. According to preliminary findings, she died seven to eight days earlier. Another son of the woman is a professor at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) while other lives abroad. The woman's daughter, a schoolteacher, lives in an adjacent room of the same flat but allegedly did not inform authorities of her mother's death.