United News of Bangladesh

Three more children died with measles-like symptoms in 24 hours until 8:00am on Friday, bringing the country’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 1084 this year. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified all three latest fatalities as suspected measles deaths. With these, the total number of suspected measles deaths has reached 983, while confirmed deaths from measles have remained the same at 101. A total of 1,201 new suspected measles cases were reported during the 24-hour period, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 185,833. Meanwhile, 64 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 21,015. Since March 15 this year, a total of 164,248 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 157,807 have recovered, according to DGHS data.

BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday said the speech delivered by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly reflected the aspirations of peace-loving people across the world. “I congratulate and thank Tarique Rahman for his speech. He echoed the feelings of peace-loving people around the world at the 81st session of the world’s largest organisation, the United Nations,” he said. Rizvi was speaking at a protest rally after the Jummah prayer organised by the Jatiyatabadi Ulema Dal in the Baitul Mukarram area of the capital. He said Tarique Rahman represents the third generation of his family to address the United Nations. “His father delivered a speech there in 1980, his mother delivered a speech in 1992, and today their eldest son Tarique Rahman delivered his speech there,” he said. The BNP leader said Tarique Rahman’s message was about replacing weapons and destructive weapons with reason and argument, diplomacy, education and humanity as the tools of change. “What was his message? Nothing else but this: instead of weapons, instead of destructive weapons, let reason and argument, diplomacy, education and humanity be the tools of change,” he said. Describing the speech as “an extraordinary statement”, Rizvi said Tarique Rahman also called for relations between every country and every other country to be based on equal dignity and mutual respect. He said Tarique Rahman again reiterated that establishing an independent Palestinian state was a demand of people across the world. Rizvi said Tarique Rahman also called for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh to return to their own country with dignity. He said the Prime Minister also spoke on various other issues, including economic development. The BNP leader said people across the world want peace, not war. “When there is war, the prices of goods rise, food prices rise, fuel prices rise and gas prices rise. Electricity becomes unavailable, mills and factories shut down and people become unemployed,” he said. Rizvi urged people not to be afraid of difficulties. “Let storms come, let winds blow. Do not be afraid,” he said. He said the BNP government is working for the people, their welfare and social protection. The acting BNP secretary general said there is no place in Bangladesh for forces that are against the country, democracy, independence and sovereignty. He alleged that some forces want to turn Bangladesh into a colony and a subservient state. “The Jatiyatabadi Ulema Dal and BNP will build strong barricades against them on streets, at intersections and across the country,” Rizvi said.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized 4,000 Indian Tapentadol tablets during a special operation in a border area of Lalmonirhat on Friday morning. A patrol team of Lalmonirhat Battalion (15 BGB) conducted the operation at Char Folimari under Mogholhat Border Outpost (BOP) of Sadar upazila around 6:20am, said the BGB. At one point, they noticed a suspicious person approaching the border and started monitoring his movements. When the BGB members chased him, the person abandoned the goods he was carrying and fled into Indian territory by crossing the border. Later, BGB members searched the area and recovered 4,000 Indian Tapentadol tablets. According to the BGB, the seized tablets have a street value of Tk 4 lakh. The process of identifying those involved in the smuggling and taking legal action against them is underway, said BGB. Lt Col Mehedi Imam, commanding officer of Lalmonirhat Battalion (15 BGB), said intelligence surveillance and patrol activities have been strengthened in sensitive border areas to prevent smuggling, drug trafficking and illegal entry.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan on Friday said the government cannot be toppled by issuing threats and warnings, as it is a government elected by the people. “This government is the government of the people. This government is a democratic government. This government is a government elected by the people. It cannot be toppled through threats and intimidation,” he said. The minister was speaking at a rally organised by the Jatiyatabadi Tati Dal in front of the Jatiya Press Club before a procession. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman always seeks cooperation from the opposition over the issues they raise in Parliament. “Come, let us turn Parliament into the centre of all politics, all development and all prosperity. Criticise us if we make mistakes; we will correct ourselves. We will build this country with you,” Ahmed Azam quoted the Prime Minister as saying. “But we are noticing that whatever the opposition says in Parliament, outside Parliament, they are trying hard to destabilise the government and the country. This reminds us of what Sheikh Hasina said in 1991. Sheikh Hasina said, ‘I will not allow an elected government to remain in peace even for a minute,’” he said. The minister said the current opposition might not be using those exact words, but its activities seven months into the government’s tenure, including long marches and threats to topple and remove the government and not to leave the streets, indicate that it is following Sheikh Hasina’s approach step by step. He, however, said the people do not like it. Ahmed Azam said people want free and fair elections every five years under a caretaker government. “They want elections where there will be no ballot stuffing, no coercion, no threats or intimidation. People will cast their votes; there will be no voting at night. Those who are elected by the people’s votes will serve the country for the next five years,” he said. “We did not take responsibility to rule the country. We have taken responsibility in government to serve the country,” the minister said. He said the opposition appears to believe that the government will fall simply by issuing threats. The minister urged the opposition to refrain from what he described as the politics of sabotage, arson and threats. “So, I will tell you clearly, 'refrain from the politics of sabotage, arson and threats like before. Speak in Parliament. If we make mistakes, point them out in Parliament',” he said.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers in parts of the country in the next 24 hours from 9am on Friday. "Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna and Barishal divisions and at a few places over Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country," the BMD said. Tetulia recorded the country's highest rainfall of 64mm in the 24 hours until 6am on Friday. Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country. The axis of the monsoon trough runs through Madhya Pradesh, the centre of the depression, Gangetic West Bengal and Assam, across the southern part of Bangladesh. The monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and strong over the North Bay.

Launch fares have been increased by up to 7.54 percent following the recent hike in fuel prices, with the new rates coming into effect from Thursday. The Ministry of Shipping issued a gazette notification on Thursday revising passenger fares for inland waterway services. Under the new rates, the fare for journeys up to 100 kilometres has been raised by 22 poisha per kilometre to Tk 3.17 from Tk 2.95. For journeys exceeding 100 kilometres, the fare has increased by 19 poisha per kilometre to Tk 2.71 from Tk 2.52. The increases represent 7.46 percent for journeys up to 100 kilometres and 7.54 percent for journeys exceeding 100 kilometres. The minimum passenger fare has also been raised by Tk 3 to Tk 35 from Tk 32. The notification said the revised fares must be displayed prominently at terminals of all river ports and at visible locations on vessels. According to the gazette, the government has revised the maximum and minimum passenger fares for inland waterway vessels under Rule 27 of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport (Navigation Routes, Permit, Schedule and Fare Fixation) Rules, 2019.

Community Bank Bangladesh PLC has extended financial support under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program to icddr,b to conduct an HPV vaccination and awareness initiative aimed at preventing cervical cancer among female police personnel. The project, titled 'HPV Vaccination, Awareness Creation, and Barrier Mitigation for Cervical Cancer Prevention among Female Police Personnel,' aims to address one of the primary health risks facing women in Bangladesh. Under the initiative, 188 female members aged 18 to 45 from the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) will receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The program fills a vital gap by extending vaccination to adult working women beyond ongoing adolescent immunization drives. Led by icddr,b Assistant Scientist Dr. Rizwana Khan, the project will be implemented in seven phases-comprising ethical approval, a baseline survey, awareness sessions, vaccination, monitoring, evaluation and final reporting-while also promoting menstrual hygiene and general health awareness. A symbolic check was handed over at an event hosted at icddr,b in the capital. Md. Ali Hossain Fakir, Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Chairman of Community Bank, the bank's Managing Director Mohammad Imtiaz Uddin and icddr,b Executive Director Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed were present alongside senior officials from both organizations. Highlighting the significance of the drive, IGP Ali Hossain Fakir said the health and safety of female police personnel remain a priority, noting that workplace-based vaccination sets an effective precedent.

Five months have passed since several members of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) were allegedly assaulted by a group of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leaders and activists inside Shahbagh Police Station while performing their professional duties, but the Dhaka University administration is yet to publish its investigation report on the incident. The attack took place on April 23 amid heightened tensions between activists of Dhaka University unit JCD and Chhatra Shibir at Shahbagh Police Station. At least 10 DUJA members were reportedly assaulted while covering the incident. The university administration formed a six-member investigation committee on the night of the incident and asked it to submit its report within three working days. However, the report has yet to be made public. The delay has raised concerns among the journalists who were allegedly assaulted over the university administration’s handling of the incident and its efforts to ensure accountability. Regarding the matter, DU Proctor Israfil Ratan said, “I have to discuss the matter with the probe committee then can comment on its progress. Several groups are involved in the matter, so we need to consider the possible aftermath before reaching a conclusion. We are discussing the issue with the concerned groups.” What happened on April 23? The incident began after a screenshot of a derogatory Facebook post, allegedly posted from a Shibir activist’s account and targeting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman, circulated online. On April 23, JCD activists went to Shahbagh Police Station in connection with the issue, while several Shibir activists and DUCSU representatives also went there to file a general diary. Tensions escalated inside the police station, leading to physical confrontations between the groups. DUJA members covering the incident alleged that they were attacked by a group of JCD activists while performing their journalistic duties. Following the incident, DUJA demanded the immediate identification of those involved and disciplinary action against them. The association also called for legal and administrative measures to ensure the safety of journalists.

US-Bangla Airlines has moved up one notch to fourth place in the Best Regional Airlines (India/South Asia) category at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards. The Bangladeshi private carrier has secured a place in the regional ranking for three consecutive years from 2024 to 2026, according to a press release issued by the airline. US-Bangla was ranked fifth in the category in both 2024 and 2025 before moving up to fourth in the latest ranking. The airline said the improvement in its Skytrax regional ranking reflects its growing international visibility and continued recognition by passengers. The Skytrax World Airline Awards are based on passenger votes through an international airline passenger satisfaction survey. According to Skytrax, the awards have been held since 1999, with passengers from different countries participating in determining results across various airline categories. Skytrax defines regional airlines for the awards as primarily full-service carriers operating short- and medium-haul domestic and international flights, generally of up to around six hours. US-Bangla said its three consecutive years of recognition by Skytrax as a Bangladeshi private airline reflect the international potential of the country's aviation sector.

Bangladesh's push to join the world's largest free trade bloc moved a step closer after trade ministers of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) gave final approval to set up an ad hoc Accession Working Group to fast-track the entry of four applicant economies, the Commerce Ministry said on Thursday. The decision was taken at the 5th RCEP Ministers' Meeting in Manila, the Philippines, the ministry said in a press release. At the September 21 meeting, ministers formally endorsed a recommendation made by the RCEP Joint Committee. Apart from Bangladesh, the applicants are Chile, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong. A joint statement issued after the meeting said the RCEP agreement remains committed to an open and inclusive framework. As part of efforts to expand the bloc and in line with its roadmap for admitting new members, the working group will advance formal negotiations and technical processes with Bangladesh and other aspiring economies. The bloc comprises the 10 ASEAN members along with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The Commerce Ministry believes Bangladesh's inclusion in the mega trade bloc could be a major milestone for the economy. It expects RCEP membership to play a game-changing role in helping the country tackle challenges after graduating from least developed country (LDC) status, retain duty-free access in global trade, deepen integration with global supply chains and draw more foreign direct investment (FDI). The meeting stressed that close cooperation and constructive dialogue among members are key to building an effective, forward-looking regional economic integration. Ministers from the RCEP member countries also reviewed the progress of the applicant economies and underscored the need to remove unnecessary barriers to international trade and to advance reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO).