United News of Bangladesh

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Dhaka and some other parts of Bangladesh on the morning of 21 November 2025, sending tremors through the capital and surrounding districts.  Strong shaking was felt across Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, and nearby areas.  In Old Dhaka (Armanitola), a portion of a building partially collapsed.  At least 3 people were reported killed, according to police.   People in Dhaka described panic, rushing out of homes and offices, and helping children and elderly to safety.  Read more: 10 Most Earthquake-prone Countries around the World What to Do During an Earthquake Here are some critical safety steps to follow if another quake strikes:             1.         If You Are Indoors             •          Stay inside — do not run outside while the building is shaking.             •          Drop, Cover, and Hold On — get under a sturdy desk or table and hold on.             •          If no furniture is nearby, move against an interior wall or into a hallway.             •          Stay away from windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances, which could fall.             •          Avoid the kitchen, as items like dishes and pots can fall and injure you.             2.         If You Are Outside             •          Move to an open area, away from buildings, power lines, chimneys, and anything that might collapse.             3.         If You Are Driving             •          Carefully pull over, but do not stop under or on a bridge or overpass, or beneath trees, signposts, or power lines.             •          Stay inside your vehicle until the shaking stops.             •          When you resume driving, be alert for road damage, fallen rocks, and other hazards.                         5.         If You Are Near the Ocean             •          Follow tsunami safety guidelines — move to higher ground if necessary and listen to local authorities. Read more: Post-Earthquake Cautions: Do’s & Don’ts Why This Matters Now This quake is a serious wake-up call. Dhaka is densely populated, and although buildings swayed rather than fell en masse, even moderate earthquakes can trigger panic, structural damage, or worse. Expert geologists warn that preparedness and quick, informed responses are crucial to minimizing harm. Take-Home Message: Stay calm, stay safe, and follow earthquake safety rules — they can save lives. (With inputs from USGS)

Home safety is a serious concern to prevent crime incidents like robberies and thievery. To keep money, jewellery, important documents, and other valuables safe at home, you need to ensure proper safety arrangements. Digital lockers are modern and versatile chambers that are equipped with multi-level security options. Let's delve into some of the best home safety digital locker boxes, vaults, and their pricing in Bangladesh in 2025.  How Digital Lockers Can Keep Your Valuables Safe at Home Digital lockers are becoming an increasingly popular solution for safeguarding valuables at home. Here are key points highlighting their benefits, supported by data and statistics: Enhanced Security Features Digital lockers offer advanced security measures, including electronic locking mechanisms and encryption, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Many smart lockers use strong 128-byte encryption to encode all digital data, making it incomprehensible to unauthorized individuals.  Read more: Government and Private Banks with Locker Facilities in Bangladesh Integration with Smart Home Systems Modern digital lockers can seamlessly integrate with existing smart home systems, offering features like remote access and real-time monitoring. This integration enhances overall home security by allowing homeowners to monitor and control access to their valuables remotely.  Durability and Low Maintenance Constructed from high-strength materials, digital lockers are designed to withstand physical attacks, ensuring long-term protection of valuables. Additionally, models powered by lithium batteries can last up to ten years without needing a battery change, minimizing maintenance efforts.  Protection Against Environmental Hazards Some digital lockers are designed to protect contents from environmental hazards such as fire and water damage, providing comprehensive protection for important documents and valuables.  Read more: Highway Robbery Prevention Tips while Driving at Night Some Popular Digital Locker Models' with Prices in Bangladesh in 2025 Here are some trendy safety locker boxes to use at home for keeping your valuables safe. Under BDT 40,000 Deli ET597 Digital Safe Box (BDT 33,000) Deli ET597 is a three-storey digital safety locker that measures 31.50 inches in height, 18.90 inches in weight, and 16.53 inches in depth. It offers substantial safe storage for confidential and valuable assets and documents. The body is made of impenetrable carbon steel and offers multi-level protective options: password, fingerprint, key, and a combination of password and fingerprint. The Deli ET597 has an 11.5mm thick steel door and 1.5mm thick boxes to provide the highest security measures. Zymak EL-600F (BDT 34,000) The Zymak EL-600F is a fireproof and sawproof digital locker made of 5-layered steel. It measures 23.6 inches by 15.7 inches by 14.2 inches and weighs 45 kg. The locker implements diverse locking and unlocking systems, such as a password, a fingerprint, and an emergency key system. The fingerprint sensor has default storage that can save up to 8 persons’ fingerprints. The robust steel door with its vehement hinges of the Zymak EL-600F promises reliable and unparalleled security. Read more: Credit Card Fraud Prevention: How to Protect Your Credit Card Online? Under BDT 30,000 GM 250F (BDT 23,000) Measured at 10 inches by 14 inches by 10 inches, the GM 250F is a spacious and robust choice for a digital locker. In addition to a digital keypad, this locker features a biometric sensor allowing fingerprint access. Its extra-thick door can withstand fire, water, and even bullets, providing the ultimate safety for valuables kept inside. With a polished and sleek design, the GM 250F, when installed, adds a luxurious flair to the environment around it. Deli ET635 Digital Safe Box (BDT 27,000) Deli ET635 is a tall, two-storey digital safe locker and one of Deli’s finest creations. It measures 21.65 inches by 13.58 inches by 11.81 inches in dimensions and is taller than most other options found at this price. A knob on the door works synchronized with the user’s fingerprint, a password, or a key, providing versatile one-way access. The vaults have an alarm mechanism that triggers when someone puts an erroneous password. The heavy-duty carbon steel structure of the vault ensures impregnable security.  Read more: Understanding Zero-Click Hacks: The Growing Cyber Threat to WhatsApp Users Under BDT 20,000 Deli ET522 Black Digital Safe Box (BDT 18,500) Deli ET522 is one of the latest dual-access safety boxes from the renowned Chinese stationery maker DeliGroup Co., Ltd. The box's primary structure is made of solid steel and measures 7.87 inches by 16.93 inches by 13.78 inches, allowing for easy installation. The dual-access unlocking system consists of a PIN code system and a main key. Deli ET522 comes with a one-year service warranty. ZYMAK L128 Digital Locker (BDT 18,000) ZYMAK digital lockers have earned a reputation for making safety lockers, and one of its popular models, ZYMAK L128, stands out with its design and features. It has a thick steel body, which measures 7.9 inches by 12.6 inches by 7.9 inches, providing enough space to keep jewellery, money, or valuable documents. The locker features a digital password panel that supports up to 8-digit numeric input. ZYMAK also provides a special key to unlock or reset the password in case of emergency. Read more: How to Protect Mobile Phones from Getting Hacked? Conclusion With growing incidents of thievery and robbery, safety concerns for precious assets and documents are at their peak. The aggression of malpracticers has reached a level that property owners do not feel safe with traditional lockers. Digital lockers are a viable solution to this problem, providing multi-level locking systems. These safety locker boxes are available at different price points in the Bangladeshi market. However, the prices are subject to change.

Do you use buses or public transport for commuting to nearby or long-distance destinations after evening? To ensure safety while traveling at night on buses or public transport, certain precautions should be followed. Do’s and Don’ts for Evening or Night-Time Travel on Public Transport . Plan Your Journey Ahead Planning your journey makes travel safer. If there is an option to book a bus or train ticket in advance, choose a seat in the middle. When traveling at night, it is best to avoid the window-side or rear seats of the bus. If possible, inform a trusted person about your travel details (destination, expected arrival time). Read more: How to Stay Safe from Devil's Breath Choose Reliable Transport Select a reliable bus or public transport for your journey. Use government-operated or recognized transport services. Check the bus or vehicle’s route and schedule in advance. If using an app-based ride-sharing service (such as Uber, or Pathao), verify the vehicle details before boarding. Keep Your Location Private Nowadays, many people share their daily activities and personal information on social media, which can increase risks for traveling at night. Avoid sharing personal details with strangers. If possible, share your live location with family or friends while traveling. Read more: Safety Tips for Solo Female Travellers Stay Alert and Observe Your Surroundings Avoid conversation with unfamiliar or suspicious individuals and do not share personal information. Even if you are busy, do not focus entirely on your mobile phone; be aware of your surroundings. If you notice anything suspicious or feel uncomfortable, inform the bus driver or fellow passengers. Avoid Crowded Vehicles If a vehicle is overly crowded or the situation seems suspicious, it is better not to board. Keep important belongings such as your wallet, phone, or bag close to you. Carry Essential Self-Defense Items For self-defense, carry small safety tools (such as pepper spray, a whistle, a folding metal safety rod, etc). Keep your phone charged with mobile data so you can seek help if needed. Read more: How to Ensure Women's Safety in Educational Institutions Save Emergency Contacts Keep the contact numbers of local police, bus service helplines, and trusted persons easily accessible. In case of emergency, call 999 (Bangladesh’s emergency service). Do Not Accept Food from Strangers During travel, some passengers may offer food or drinks out of politeness or friendliness. However, criminals disguised as passengers sometimes mix chemicals in food to make travelers unconscious and then rob them. To avoid such risks, never consume food offered by strangers. Maintain Balance While Traveling When the bus or vehicle is moving, avoid standing up or moving suddenly. Hold onto a handle or support to prevent falling if the driver brakes suddenly. If possible, inform the bus assistant about your destination in advance so they can notify you when you reach your stop. Read more: Best Free Personal Safety Android, iOS Apps for Women Keep Your Mobile Phone Secure Many passengers scroll through social media on their mobile phones while traveling. This habit increases the risk of theft, especially if seated by the window. Unless necessary, avoid taking out your mobile phone and keep it secure in your pocket or bag until you reach your destination. Conclusion Many people travel by public transport in the evening or late at night due to personal, emergency, or professional reasons. By following the above safety precautions, nighttime travel can be made much safer. Read more: Essential Snake Safety Tips for Hiking, Trekking, Camping, and Traveling

When tourists and travellers embark on their adventures, they often seek out new experiences and explore unfamiliar environments. Unfortunately, open water accidents and drowning incidents can occur, posing a significant risk to their safety.  Lack of swimming skills, underestimating water conditions, lack of awareness about local safety measures, and unfamiliarity with the water environment are mainly responsible for the accidents. It is crucial for tourists and travellers, especially those going into the ocean, river, or any open water bodies, to be aware of the potential dangers and take necessary precautions to prevent drowning.  Open Water Safety Tips for Tourists  Learn Swimming Skills  It is highly recommended to have basic swimming skills before going into open water. Travellers need to take swimming lessons to improve their abilities and build confidence. Knowing how to float, tread water, and swim basic strokes can significantly enhance your safety in the water. Stay within Your Comfort Zone  It's essential to assess one’s own swimming abilities and stay within one’s comfort zone. Avoid venturing into deep or fast-flowing water, if one is not confident.  It’s always safe not to attempt activities beyond your own skill level, such as diving in unfamiliar areas or swimming long distances without proper training. When the tourists attempt to swim in a new area, they should try to stick where they feel comfortable and safe, considering their swimming proficiency and experience. Read more: United efforts needed to prevent death in drowning: Ambassador Mustafizur Take Local Advice  Bangladesh is known for its vast network of rivers, and some areas have strong currents. It would be better to familiarise yourself with the water conditions and potential hazards in the specific location you plan to visit. Currents can be unpredictable, so it is important to understand their behaviour and take necessary precautions.  Travellers can seek advice from local authorities, experienced water sports professionals, or knowledgeable guides. The local people can provide valuable insights about the local water conditions, any specific precautions to take, and areas to avoid. Observe Warning Signs Experts suggest paying close attention to warning signs, flags, or instructions from local authorities regarding water conditions. These signs may indicate high tide, strong currents, dangerous areas, or any other potential hazards. Tourists should always follow these guidelines to ensure their own safety. Wear a Life Jacket  If you are not a strong swimmer or when participating in activities like boating, kayaking, or rafting, wearing a properly fitted life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) can enhance safety. Life jackets provide buoyancy and can save lives in the event of an accident or unexpected water conditions. Besides, it is necessary to ensure the life jacket is in good condition and properly fastened. Read more: Bangladesh leads WHO in adopting resolutions to reduce drowning mortality