United News of Bangladesh

For 66 years, Mohammad Ali rose early, braving the sun, rain and storms to deliver newspapers to readers in Jhenaidah town. His familiar face was a regular sight on the streets as he carried the day's news to people's doorsteps while the town was still asleep. That long journey came to an end on Saturday when Ali, regarded as Jhenaidah's oldest newspaper hawker, died at his residence ai Kalikapur village under Jhenaidah Municipality at 4pm. He was 90. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter, along with relatives, colleagues and many well-wishers. Born in 1936, Ali began distributing newspapers in 1960 under the guidance of Mahbubur Rahman, the town's first newspaper agent. At a time when newspaper distribution was taking shape in Jhenaidah, he became part of a profession that connected people with news and information. Over the next six decades, he remained committed to his work, continuing to sell and distribute newspapers until the end of his life. Those who knew him said Ali earned people's respect through his honesty, punctuality and friendly manner. Despite facing financial hardship throughout his life, he remained dedicated to his profession and was held in high regard by newspaper readers and fellow hawkers. Abdul Wahed, a leader of the Jhenaidah Newspaper Multipurpose Cooperative Society, expressed deep sorrow following his demise. Mizanur Rahman Badsha and Hafizur Rahman, leaders of the Jhenaidah Hawkers' Association, also mourned his death. The Jhenaidah Press Club President Asif Iqbal Makhon, General Secretary Aminul Islam Liton and former President Asif Kazal, also expressed their deep condolences. Describing Ali as a guardian figure in the town's newspaper industry, the journalist leaders said he was more than a newspaper distributor.  “Mohammad Ali was a living witness to the history of mass media in Jhenaidah. For 66 long years, braving sun and rain, he served as a bridge between newspapers and their readers. His honesty and dedication to his work will forever remain an example for us to emulate,” they said. Ali's namaz-e-janaza was held at the Kalikapur Jame Mosque premises on Saturday after Isha prayers. He was later buried at the Kalikapur graveyard in the presence of family members, colleagues and prominent local figures. For generations of readers in Jhenaidah, Ali's daily newspaper deliveries were a familiar part of life. His death marks the end of a 66-year journey in a profession through which he helped keep the town connected to the world beyond its streets.

Senior journalist Amir Khasru, a former Bangladesh correspondent for Voice of America (VOA), died at a city hospital on Saturday. He was 64. He breathed his last at around 7pm while undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Medical University in the capital, family sources said. Khasru, who had long been suffering from kidney and liver complications, is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. He was a former executive editor of Weekly Budhbar and also worked as a diplomatic correspondent for the Daily Ittefaq.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has expressed deep grief over the death of M Ghaziul Haque, a pioneer in the country’s financial sector, founding director and former chairman of Eastern Bank PLC (EBL), and chairman of MGH Group. In a condolence message, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said Ghaziul Haque played an outstanding lifelong role in Bangladesh’s economic growth, expansion of modern banking and development of international trade. His visionary leadership and contribution to establishing Eastern Bank PLC and strengthening the foundation of private-sector banking in the country will always be remembered, he said. Mahmud Hasan Khan also said Ghaziul Haque’s dynamic leadership of MGH Group, a global company supporting international supply chains, logistics and foreign trade, significantly contributed to the overall economy and particularly the growth of the apparel sector. His contribution to earning foreign exchange and diversifying exports in global markets had a far-reaching positive impact on the national economy, he said. BGMEA prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed its deepest sympathy to the bereaved family. The association said the nation would always remember Ghaziul Haque’s outstanding contributions with profound respect.

Shahida Islam, mother of senior journalist of The Daily Observer Md Wahidul Islam, passed away at a city hospital at 2:30am on Friday. She was 69. Born on January 10, 1957, in Jashore, Shahida Islam was the wife of Hafez Rabiul Islam. She was the daughter of renowned social worker Solaiman Hossain and Rathia Rokiya. She is survived by two sons and daughters, who, along with other relatives and well-wishers, are mourning her death. Her death has cast a pall of grief over her family, relatives and acquaintances. They remembered her as a devoted family member whose presence was a source of affection and support to those around her. The family has sought prayers for the eternal peace of the departed soul and for strength for the bereaved family to bear the loss.

Syed Imran Ahmed, co-founder and former guitarist of metal band ‘Mechanix’, died on Sunday morning after battling cancer for around one and a half years. Mechanix vocalist Aftabuzzaman Tridib confirmed the death in a social media post. “Syed Imran Ahmed has left us forever. He had been battling cancer for the past one and a half years. I have lost a brother. Please pray for him,” Tridib wrote. Imran was buried at Mohammadpur Tajmahal Road Cemetery following his namaz-e-janaza at the cemetery mosque after Asr prayers on Sunday. Members of the country’s music and band community have expressed grief over his death. Mechanix made its debut in 2005 and played an important role in the development of heavy metal music in Bangladesh. Imran co-founded the band with Tridib. He left Mechanix in 2008 and did not join any other band afterwards due to professional commitments. Despite leaving the band, Imran maintained a close and friendly relationship with the members of Mechanix. After he was diagnosed with cancer, the band also organised a concert to raise funds for his treatment. The fundraising concert, held on July 25, featured performances by eight bands, including Mechanix and Highway. Imran died only a few weeks after the concert, which was organised to support his treatment. He gained wider recognition as a guitarist after appearing in the second season of the television music reality show ‘D Rockstars’ in 2007. Imran is survived by his wife and a daughter.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Amena Begum, mother of Agriculture, and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid. In a condolence message, the President prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his deep sympathy to the bereaved family. Amena Begum died of complications from old age at her residence in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon at the age of 103.

Amena Begum, mother of Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid, passed away at her residence in Dhaka on Tuesday. She was 103. Nizam Uddin Kaiser, a member of the minister’s family and president of Cumilla Modern High School Managing Committee, said she breathed her last at their Mohakhali DOHS residence in the afternoon. According to the minister’s relative Jasim Uddin, her namaz-e-janaza will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday at her native village Paranpur under Baropara union of Sadar South upazila in Cumilla. She will be buried beside her husband’s grave at the family graveyard in the village following the janaza. Amena Begum was the mother of nine children – four sons and five daughters. Aminur was her fifth child.

Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Monday signed the condolence book opened at the Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka following the death of King Harald V of Norway. Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen was present on the occasion. Signing the condolence book, the minister conveyed profound grief and sincere condolences on behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh to the Norwegian Royal Family, government and people. King Harald V died on August 28. The Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka opened the condolence book to allow people to pay their respects following his death.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has taken the seat next to Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman in Parliament following Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s assumption of office as President. The first sitting of the current parliament session began at 3:00pm on Thursday, with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad in the chair. Under the new seating arrangement, Salahuddin occupied the seat beside the Prime Minister, which was previously held by Mirza Fakhrul. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, Women and Children Affairs Minister AZM Zahid Hossain, Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Selima Rahman have been given seats in the front row. Amanullah Aman was also allocated a seat in the front row following the rearrangement.  

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat on Monday said Cox’s Bazar International Airport will be inaugurated in October this year. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to open the airport, he said during a meeting with members of the Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) at the Secretariat. He said international airlines alongside Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate flights from Cox’s Bazar International Airport. “Several foreign airlines have already expressed interest in operating flights from Cox’s Bazar,” he said. The government has taken initiatives to launch direct international flights from Cox’s Bazar through discussions and coordination with international airlines, the minister said, adding that the process of signing the necessary agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) is underway. Regarding the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Millat said the government is working towards launching the terminal in December. “Necessary preparations are underway. An agreement with the Japanese consortium will be signed next month,” he said. Once operational, the third terminal will increase the airport’s passenger-handling capacity and improve service quality, enabling the airport to provide international-standard facilities, he added.