United News of Bangladesh

The newly appointed Chairman of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), Md Abdus Salam, paid tribute to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at their mausoleum in the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area on Wednesday. He later joined a special prayer session seeking eternal peace for their departed souls. Prayers were offered for peace, prosperity, and progress of the nation. The event was also attended by the newly appointed Vice Chairman of BDRCS, Prof Dr Md Rafiqul Kabir, Treasurer Dr Abu Md Mofakkharul Islam (Rana), and members of the newly formed Managing Board, according to a press release. After paying tribute, Chairman Abdus Salam said, "At the very beginning of our journey, we have come to pay tribute at the mausoleum of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia. Their ideals, patriotism, and lifelong dedication to the welfare of the people remain a source of inspiration for us." "Guided by their vision of building a humane, transparent, democratic, and value-based society, we are beginning our journey of humanitarian service through the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society,” he said.

Dhaka University (DU) has imposed restrictions on the entry of outsiders and vehicular movement on its campus during the FIFA World Cup 2026 to ensure the overall security of the university and its students. The decision was announced in an urgent notice issued by the University’s Proctor office on Wednesday. According to the notice, the restrictions came into effect on June 24 and will remain in force during the World Cup period. Under the measures, outsiders will not be allowed to enter the campus, while vehicle movement will be regulated through the university's entry points, including Shahbagh, Doel Chattar, Burn Unit, Shib Bari Crossing, Fuller Road, Palashi Mor and Nilkhet. The notice said only vehicles bearing Dhaka University stickers and those providing emergency services, including ambulances, doctors, patients, journalists, ride-sharing services, food delivery vehicles, online shopping carriers and other government vehicles, will be permitted to enter the campus. However, public transport and heavy vehicles will remain restricted at all times. The university authorities said the measures were taken to maintain security and ensure smooth management of the campus during FIFA World Cup 2026-related activities. The notice also mentioned that the decision may be reviewed and revised from time to time based on the opinions and recommendations of stakeholders and the prevailing situation.

Police Inspector (City and Vehicle) Md. Golam Mostafa has been awarded a bravery award in recognition of his role in recovering a hijacked truck loaded with cattle and goats in the capital’s Gabtoli cattle market area and taking legal action against those involved in the crime. The award was presented on Wednesday afternoon by Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Traffic-Mirpur Division Mohammad Sanowar Hossain on behalf of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner. According to sources at the DMP Traffic Division, Inspector Golam Mostafa conducted a special operation in the Gabtoli cattle market area on May 26 based on secret intelligence information. During the operation, he demonstrated bravery, professionalism and efficiency in recovering the hijacked truck carrying cattle and goats in intact condition.  He also took appropriate legal action against the hijackers involved in the incident. In recognition of his courageous and exemplary performance, the DMP Commissioner decided to honour him with the bravery award. At a ceremony held on Wednesday, DC T(raffic-Mirpur Division) Mohammad Sanowar Hossain formally handed over the award to Inspector Golam Mostafa.

Fisheries and Livestock, and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid on Wednesday urged scientists to dedicate themselves to basic, innovative, and quality research focusing on food nutrition, safety, and public health, rather than solely relying on budget allocations. “There is no alternative to research for achieving sustainable development and ensuring food security in the country,” he said while addressing a view-exchange meeting with officials at the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) conference room in Mymensingh, following an inspection of the institute’s activities. The minister called for securing patents for agricultural research and implementing modern, productive projects to keep pace with changing times. To tap into global markets, he emphasised the urgent need to safely produce fish feed raw materials maintaining international standards, aiming to increase safe production and expand exports, according to a handout. In response to a journalist's query regarding supplying electricity at subsidised rates for aquaculture- similar to the agriculture sector, Aminur termed the demand "highly logical" and assured that necessary steps will be taken after discussing the matter with the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources. Earlier in the day, the minister inspected various advanced hatcheries at the BFRI campus. He reviewed the breeding protocols and production lines for high-value and indigenous species, including Subarna Rui, Mekong Pangas, Mahseer, Small Mahseer, Freshwater Pearl, Khoksa, Dhela, native Sarputi, Baam (Eel), Bhagna, native Tit Puti, Ghaura, Monosex Tilapia, small shrimp, Galda Chingri, and Kuchia. Aminur also inspected the modern cage culture setups for Shing, Gulsha, Pabda, and Magur, issuing strategic guidelines to respective departmental heads. Among other, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md Delwar Hossain, BFRI Director General Dr Anuradha Bhadra and Divisional Director of the Department of Fisheries, Mymensingh Nripendra Nath Biswas were present.

Bangladesh now faces 200 dangerous humid heat days a year as climate change intensifies global heat risks, according to a new Climate Central analysis. The analysis said Bangladesh is emerging as one of the countries facing some of the most persistent exposure to hazardous heat and humidity conditions. While dangerous humid heat has increased across tropical regions including South and Southeast Asia, Bangladesh's dense population, large outdoor workforce, rapid urbanization and limited access to cooling make the country particularly vulnerable to its impacts, according to the analysis. The impacts are already evident across Bangladesh's major cities. Khulna now experiences an average of 224 dangerous humid heat days each year, while the capital city Dhaka, home to more than 20 million people, now experiences an average of 210 dangerous humid heat days each year, with 25 days annually added by climate change. In Chattogram, Bangladesh's one of the major commercial hubs and major coastal city, residents experience an average of 211 dangerous humid heat days per year, while climate change contributes an additional 36 days annually which is more than a full month of dangerous humid heat that would not have occurred without global warming. Dangerous humid heat days have more than doubled worldwide since the 1970s due to human-caused climate change. “Extreme heat and humidity driven by climate change are increasingly affecting children's health. We are seeing more cases of cough, breathing difficulties, and asthma-related illnesses among children,” said Dr Shimul Mazumder, Senior Consultant (Child Health), Comilla General Hospital. He said compared to previous years, asthma and related respiratory conditions have risen by nearly 70%, highlighting the growing health risks posed by extreme heat. The health impacts extend beyond heat-related illnesses. According to physicians, extreme heat is also contributing to a rise in waterborne diseases as people struggle to stay hydrated during prolonged hot weather. "Rising heatwaves are increasing the risk of waterborne diseases. As people consume more water during hot weather, many rely on unsafe sources, leading to higher cases of diarrhoea, typhoid, and jaundice,” said Dr Rashedul Hasan, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Green Life Medical College and Hospital. As Bangladesh continues to face rising temperatures and increasingly humid conditions, the findings underscore the need for stronger heat-health preparedness, workplace protections, urban cooling measures and greater investment in climate-resilient public health systems. Globally, dangerous humid heat days increased from an average of 10 days per year in the 1970s to 23 days annually during 2016-2025. The analysis found that nearly two-thirds (64%) of dangerous humid heat days worldwide since 1970 can be attributed to climate change, making it the primary driver of increasingly dangerous heat-humidity conditions across the planet. In Bangladesh, where high temperatures frequently combine with intense humidity, dangerous humid heat is already a common part of daily life. The country experienced an average of 200 dangerous humid heat days per year during 2016-2025, up from 175 days annually in the 1970s. The study found that climate change is now adding around 30 dangerous humid heat days to Bangladesh each year, equivalent to an additional month of potentially hazardous conditions. In the 1970s, climate change contributed only five such days annually. The share of dangerous humid heat linked to climate change has increased fivefold, from 3% in the 1970s to 15% during the last decade. The findings highlight how climate change is transforming heat exposure around the world. Unlike dry heat, humid heat prevents the body from cooling effectively through sweating. As humidity rises, the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, cardiovascular stress and other heat-related illnesses increases substantially. Health experts warn that older adults, children, pregnant women, outdoor workers and people with underlying medical conditions face the greatest risks. The global analysis comes as extreme heat is becoming one of the deadliest consequences of climate change. More than a quarter-million people worldwide have died from extreme heat since 2000, and researchers warn that rising humidity is making heat increasingly dangerous by pushing conditions closer to the limits of what the human body can safely tolerate.

The Australian Government and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday signed an agreement worth A$16 million (around Tk 137 crore) to support humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh. The agreement was signed at the Secretariat in presence of Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle and UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh Rana Flowers signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. The agreement signed aimed at improving the living standards of the Rohingya and host communities. The Home Minister said, "I am immensely delighted to be present at the agreement signing ceremony between the Government of Australia and UNICEF as part of the humanitarian assistance activities for the Rohingya and host communities." The Minister expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Australian Government for this cooperation. He hoped that such assistance from the international community, including Australia, would continue until the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar is achieved. Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Australian High Commission, and UNICEF Bangladesh, were present at the signing ceremony. It is mentioned that this agreement is part of Australia's 370 million Australian Dollar (BDT 3,162 crore) humanitarian assistance package to Myanmar and Rohingya and Host Communities in Bangladesh for the 2026-2028 period. Notably, since 2017, Australia has provided a total of 1.26 billion Australian Dollars (BDT 10,770 crore) including this in humanitarian assistance to address this regional crisis. UNICEF will utilize this 16 million dollar fund provided by Australia for education, nutrition, child protection, and safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sectors for the Rohingya and host communities.  

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) on Wednesday approved procurement proposals involving consultancy services, infrastructure development, port operations, youth skills development and LNG imports, with contracts worth several thousand crore Taka. The approval came at the committee’s 28th meeting of this year with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in the chair. The committee approved the purchase of two LNG cargoes through the international Request for Quotation (RFQ) process . The Energy and Mineral Resources Division proposed the procurement of LNG cargoes worth approximately Tk 1,356 crore. One LNG cargo will be supplied by Aramco Trading Singapore Pte. Ltd, while the other will be supplied by Gunvor Singapore Pte. Ltd. The committee also endorsed the appointment of an international consultancy consortium for a feasibility study and master plan aimed at assessing the availability of tuna and similar pelagic fish in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean under the Department of Fisheries’ “Pilot Project for Harvesting Tuna and Similar Pelagic Fish in the Deep Sea (2nd Revised)” project. The consultancy contract, valued at Tk 35.60 crore, was awarded to a joint venture comprising Sustainable Research and Consultancy Ltd (SRCL) of Bangladesh, New Water Tec Co. Ltd of South Korea and Shatabdi Hye Bangladesh Limited. The committee also recommended approval of a Tk 195.05 crore contract for the construction and improvement of the Ramu–Naikhongchhari Road in Bandarban under a World Bank-financed project being implemented by the Roads and Highways Department. The contract was awarded to National Development Engineers Ltd. In the transport sector, the committee approved a proposal by the Ministry of Shipping for the appointment of a contractor to handle cargo equipment operations at Benapole Land Port. The Tk 49.24 crore contract was awarded to Everest Port Services Limited. A significant portion of the meeting focused on service provider appointments under the “Economic Acceleration and Resilience for NEET” project being implemented by the Department of Youth Development under the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The committee spproved several contracts for operating Vocational and Livelihood Training Centres (VLTCs) across different regions of the country. BRAC JV secured the Dhaka Division package worth Tk 196.42 crore and the Rangpur Division package worth Tk 143.94 crore. Save the Children International JV won contracts for Barishal Division worth Tk 69.55 crore and for Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar districts worth Tk 72.87 crore. CARE Bangladesh JV was selected for Bandarban, Khagrachhari and Rangamati districts under Chattogram Division for Tk 38.27 crore, Khulna Division for Tk 116.11 crore, Mymensingh Division for Tk 88.11 crore and Rajshahi Division for Tk 121.93 crore. Dhaka Ahsania Mission JV received the contract for Feni, Lakshmipur, Cumilla, Noakhali, Brahmanbaria and Chandpur districts under Chattogram Division, valued at Tk 166.40 crore. DAM JV was awarded the Sylhet Division package worth Tk 94.30 crore.

A Dhaka court on Wednesday placed television actor Niamat Ullah Bhuiya, popularly known as Zaher Alvi, on a two-day remand in a case filed over allegation of provoking his wife, Afra Ivnath Khan Ikra, to commit suicide. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Al Beruni Mir passed the order after the investigating officer of the case, Abdul Malek, produced Alvi before the court with a 10-day remand prayer. Earlier on June 18, a Dhaka court sent Zaher Alvi to jail when he surrendered before the court. The court also rejected the bail petition of Alvi when his lawyer filed a petition seeking his bail. Earlier on February 28, this year, Afra Ivnath Khan Ikra, wife of television actor Zaher Alvi reportedly committed suicide in the capital’s Mirpur DOHS. Alvi confirmed the matter through a post on his verified Facebook page but did not mention any reason behind it. In the post, the actor wrote, “This noon, my wife Ikra committed suicide at our Mirpur DOHS residence. Now, I am in Nepal for a shooting project. Since hearing the news, I have not been in a state to speak. I do not understand why she chose to leave this way without thinking about our child and me.” He further wrote, “I request my well-wishers and journalist brothers to please give me some time. I am trying to return to Dhaka as soon as possible and will speak to everyone after I get back. Until then, during this moment of grief, please allow me and my family some mental peace. For the sake of our child’s future, please do not spread any misleading information. Please pray for my Ikra.” Alvi and Ikra were married in 2010 and they have a son.  

Four separate proposals to import diesel through the direct procurement method (DPM) in response to energy security concerns were withdrawn from discussion at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury presided over the meeting. According to official meeting documents, the proposals were placed before the committee by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division seeking policy approval for emergency fuel imports to meet the country's urgent energy demand amid an unstable geopolitical situation. The proposals included the procurement of a total of 525,000 metric tonnes of diesel from four international suppliers through direct procurement. One proposal sought approval to import 100,000 metric tonnes of 50 PPM diesel from Pacific, Silverline Limited. Another proposed the purchase of 125,000 metric tonnes of EN590-10 PPM diesel from AKA Energy Ltd. The remaining two proposals involved the import of 100,000 metric tonnes each of EN590-10 PPM diesel. In addition, a proposal to import 100,000 metric tonnes of 50 PPM diesel from Royal, Babji Fuel Trading LLC was also included in the agenda. However, all five proposals were withdrawn from discussion at the request of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division before the committee could deliberate on them. No official explanation was provided at the meeting regarding the reasons behind the withdrawal of the proposals.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Beijing from Dalian on Wednesday afternoon by high-speed train to begin his official three-day state visit to China. He reached Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station at 5:35pm local time, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Md Suzauddhowla. He said the Prime Minister, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, will leave for his place of residence – Diaoyutai State Guest House – on completion of the airport formalities. Earlier, the Prime Minister left Dalian for the Chinese capital by the bullet train at 1:56pm local time after participating in the two-day 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum (WEF), also known as Summer Davos. The Prime Minister’s arrival in Beijing marks the start of his official three-day state visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang. During the visit, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Premier Li Qiang on Thursday and Friday. He is also expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and hold discussions with senior leaders of the Communist Party of China. According to the programme schedule, Premier Li Qiang will accord a red-carpet reception to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. The two prime ministers will subsequently lead high-level bilateral talks between Bangladesh and China at the Great Hall of the People, focusing on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure development and other areas of mutual interest. Earlier, in the morning, the Prime Minister participated in the WEF 17th Annual Meeting at the Dalian International Conference Centre. The conference began at 10:00am local time with the theme, “Innovating at Scale,” focusing on how innovation can drive sustainable economic growth and address global challenges. Before that, he also attended the plenary session of the conference, which began at 9:00am local time. WEF President and Chief Executive Officer Alois Zwinggi delivered the opening remarks. Apart from Tarique Rahman, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Mongolian Prime Minister Nyam-Osor Uchral, Guinean Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and Kazakh Prime Minister Oljas Bektenov also joined the session. On the sidelines of the session, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held discussions with several heads of government and senior leaders from various countries to strengthen bilateral relations and advance issues of mutual interest. The interactions focused on enhancing cooperation in areas, including trade, investment, economic development and regional connectivity. During a break in the session, the participating world leaders took part in an official photo session. More than 1,700 representatives from over 90 countries and regions, including leaders from government, business, academia and media, took part in the event. This year’s event, themed “Innovating at Scale,” focuses on key global issues, including the global economy, shifting industrial structures, the practical application of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies, China’s economic future, youth employment, and climate change. Bridging the gap between rapid technological advancement and its broader economic benefits remains one of the central topics of discussion at the conference. This marked Tarique Rahman’s first participation in a World Economic Forum meeting since assuming office as Prime Minister. Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman addressed a session of the annual meeting. He also held a meeting with WEF President and CEO Alois Zwinggi on the sidelines of the conference. Besides, Tarique Rahman attended a state dinner hosted by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, along with the prime ministers of six other countries, including South Korea, Mongolia, Guinea, Montenegro and Kazakhstan. The Prime Minister, along with his spouse Dr Zubaida Rahman and the delegation, arrived in Dalian from Kuala Lumpur on Monday night. A high-level Chinese government delegation welcomed Tarique Rahman with a red-carpet reception upon arrival, followed by a motorcade escort to the hotel. He is expected to return home on the night of June 26, wrapping up his first official overseas tour since taking office.