United News of Bangladesh

Ali Mahmud, City Editor of the daily Dinkal, died of a heart attack on Monday. He was 69. According to family members, Ali Mahmud did not return home on Sunday night, causing concern among his relatives.  On Monday morning, his wife, Jesmin Ara, along with other family members, went to the Jatiya Press Club to look for him. After staying there for some time, a cleaning staff member informed them that Ali Mahmud was found lying unconscious in a washroom of the club. Police later took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Ali Mahmud is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter. Born in 1956 in Paba upazila of Rajshahi, Ali Mahmud began his journalism career completing his graduation from Rajshahi University.  His first workplace was the Rajshahi-based daily Barta. He later joined Dinkal after moving to Dhaka. He worked at Dinkal for a long time, serving in several important positions, and was last working as its City Editor. Ali Mahmud was a permanent member of the Jatiya Press Club, Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) and Dhaka Journalists Union (DUJ).  He was also a member of BNP’s media cell. Following the news of his death, a pall of grief descended over journalists, including his colleagues at Dinkal.  Fellow journalists described him as a simple and humble person and a dedicated working journalist who remained active in the field throughout his career. Freedom fighter Abdur Rashid Molla dies in Narshingdi Leaders of various journalist organisations expressed deep sorrow over his death. Acting President of the Dhaka Federal Journalists Union Obaidur Rahman Shahin and its General Secretary Kader Gani Chowdhury mourned his demise. DUJ President Shahidul Islam and General Secretary Khurshid Alam, DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel, and National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz and General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan also expressed condolences in separate messages, praying for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveying sympathy to the bereaved family. In separate condolence messages, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Media Cell Convener Professor Maudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, Member Secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, and BNP Chairperson’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibli also expressed deep shock and sorrow at Ali Mahmud’s death.

Abdur Rashid Molla, a  freedom fighter and an adviser of Narsingdi district BNP, died at a hospital in Dhaka on Saturday morning. He was 80. He breathed his last around 9:30 am, family sources said. Rashid, a former commander of the Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangshad  in Narsingdi and  a former chairman of Joynagar Union Parishad , is survived by wife, four sons, one daughter and many relatives. His first namaz-e-janaza will be held after Asr prayers at Narsingdi Collectorate Mosque. A second janaza will take place after Esha prayers at his village home in Joynagar village under Shibpur upazila. Man held over killing of freedom fighter, wife in Rangpur He will be buried at the family graveyard with state honour. BNP Joint Secretary General and Narsingdi district BNP President Khairul Kabir Khokon, district BNP General Secretary Manjur Elahi, Narsingdi Press Club President Makhan Das, General Secretary Asadul Haque Palash and Narsingdi District Bar Association President Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan expressed deep sorrow at his death and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family.

The interim government on Thursday said that law enforcement agencies did not fire any shots during the protest march organised by Inqilab Moncho near the state guest house Jamuna, demanding justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. In a statement issued by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, the government said that despite a ban on all forms of protests, rallies and gatherings in and around Jamuna and adjacent areas, law enforcers initially did not use any force against the protesters who began their march on Friday afternoon. The statement said the situation escalated when protesters broke through police barricades and attempted to advance towards Jamuna. At one stage, some protesters climbed onto a water cannon, prompting law enforcement agencies to intervene to bring the situation under control. To disperse the crowd, sound grenades and water cannons were used. The government firmly stated that no bullets were fired at any point during the incident. It said that the restrictions around Jamuna have been imposed to maintain public order and ensure the security of the Chief Adviser. In this context, police acted in a lawful and procedural manner to disperse the protesters. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police also confirmed that no lethal weapons were used during the operation. Nearly 40 injured as security forces crackdown on Inqilab Moncho march towards Jamuna According to information received from doctors on duty at the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, a total of 23 people, including Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, received medical treatment following the incident. However, doctors confirmed that none of the injured had sustained gunshot wounds. The government reiterated its firm commitment to ensuring justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. It said the legal aspects of conducting an investigation under the United Nations are being reviewed thoroughly and an official letter will be sent to the relevant UN body on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Rejecting allegations of excessive use of force against protesters, the government urged all concerned to exercise patience, restraint and responsibility during this sensitive political period ahead of the upcoming election. It also called upon citizens to cooperate in ensuring a peaceful, fair, inclusive and credible election, describing the forthcoming polls as a historic milestone in the country’s democratic journey.

National Press Club member and veteran journalist Zakaria Kajal passed away on Friday afternoon. He was 67. He breathed his last around 3:30 pm while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and numerous relatives, colleagues, and admirers. He had been suffering from various physical complications, including liver, kidney and heart ailments, as well as diabetes, for a long time. Born on December 16, 1959, Kajal worked as Head of News at Dainik Azad, Inqilab, The Observer, bdnews24.com and, most recently, Jamuna Television. His namaz-e-janaza will be held at the National Press Club premises at 1:00 pm on Saturday. National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz and General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan have expressed deep shock and sorrow over his death. In a statement, the leaders prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and expressed their deepest condolences to his bereaved family members.

Islamic University (IU) retired professor Dr Md Afaz Uddin of the Dawah and Islamic Studies department passed away on Tuesday night at his residence in Kushtia. His Namaz-e-Janaza will be held on Wednesday (February 5) at 9:00 am at Nishan intersection in Kushtia town. He will be laid to rest at Bakosh Pota village in Maheshpur upazila of Jhenaidah district. Meanwhile, the IU administration, including Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Nakib Muhammad Nasrullah, expressed deep condolence over his passing.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday stressed the need for coordinated joint research with Japan, Indonesia and the Maldives to explore marine resources, mentioning that Bangladesh has a maritime area almost equal to its landmass. “The problems need to be identified. Research must be coordinated with those who have expertise in this area. Through such efforts, new horizons of the economy will open,” he said. Prof Yunus pointed out that although Bangladesh’s water area is comparable to its land area, the country has failed to utilise its marine resources effectively. “We have not even been able to determine the volume of resources and their potential. These resources must be properly utilised, which will require extensive research and policy support,” he added. Prof Yunus made the remarks when a survey and research report on marine fisheries and ecosystems, conducted by the research vessel RV Dr Fridtjof Nansen, was submitted to him by the committee at the State Guest House Jamuna. Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Prof Sayedur Rahman Chowdhury of the Institute of Marine Sciences at Chittagong University, and Assistant Director of the Department of Fisheries Dr Md Abdullah Al Mamun were present at the meeting. The survey was carried out from August 21 to September 21 last year. A total of 25 scientists from eight countries participated, including 13 from Bangladesh. Prof Sayedur Rahman presented the research findings at the meeting, revealing the existence of 65 previously unidentified aquatic species. “The excessive abundance of jellyfish in Bangladesh’s deep sea is a sign of ecological imbalance, largely caused by overfishing,” he said. The study also found plastic waste at depths of up to 2,000 metres, which researchers described as a matter of serious concern. Compared to a similar study conducted in 2018, the report shows a decline in large fish populations in deep-sea areas, while fish stocks in shallow waters are decreasing at an alarming rate. It was revealed that 270 to 280 large fishing trawlers operate in deep-sea areas, with around 70 using sonar for targeted fishing. Researchers described this as an aggressive practice that benefits deep-sea operators while causing losses for small-scale fishers in shallow waters. Fisheries Adviser Farida Akhter warned, “If targeted fishing continues in this manner, there is a risk that the Bay of Bengal will be depleted of fish. The government will take a decision regarding sonar-based fishing.” The study also found a significant abundance of tuna in Bangladesh’s deep-sea waters, highlighting strong potential for commercial exploitation. Besides, a fish breeding nursery was discovered beneath the Sundarbans, which the government has already ordered to be preserved. The meeting was informed that the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy is in the process of handing over its multipurpose hydrographic and oceanographic survey vessel, HMS Enterprise, to the Bangladesh Navy. The vessel will collect seabed, depth and other marine data, significantly enhancing Bangladesh’s marine research capabilities.

The Jatiya Press Club (JPC) has expressed deep sorrow at the demise of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. On behalf of the JPC, its President Hasan Hafiz and General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan conveyed their profound condolences. A condolence meeting was held at the club at 11am in place of its scheduled annual general meeting. At the outset of the meeting, a one-minute silence was observed in solemn tribute to Khaleda Zia. Following the condolence meeting and discussion, a special prayer was offered seeking eternal peace for the departed soul. The meeting was chaired by President Hasan Hafiz and conducted by General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan. Management Committee members Abdul Hye Sikder, Kader Gani Chowdhury, Bakhtiar Rana, Quazi Rownak Hossain, Shahnaz Begum, Mohammad Momin Hossain, Masumur Rahman Khalili and AKM Mohsin attended the meeting.

Masud Hasan Jamaly, an avid sports enthusiast, passed away on Monday night at the age of 91, following prolonged health complications. He was laid to rest at Azimpur Graveyard following Zuhr prayers on Tuesday, said a media release. He is survived by his wife Raushan Ara Masud , daughter Rumana Jamaly and a host of relatives. After graduating in Electrical Engineering from Ahsanullah Engineering College in 1958, Hasan Jamaly served the Water and Power Development Board (WAPDA) for nearly 30 years. He retired as Member (Generation) of the Power Development Board. He earned the distinction of being a “University Blue” in football during his student years at Ahsanullah Engineering College. He also served as General Secretary of the Bangladesh Tennis Federation.

Sukumar Ranjan Ghosh, former MP of Munshiganj-1 constituency, passed away at a hospital in Dhaka early Monday. He was 70. After being diagnosed with pneumonia a few days ago, Sukumar was put on life support at a hospital in the capital and breathed his last early Monday morning, said his family. Sukumar had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for about 18 years and had been staying at his Dhanmondi residence. He is survived by his wife, one son, two daughters and a host of relatives. Sukumar’s cremation was held at Baradeshwari Kali Temple in the capital, said his wife Ava Rani Ghosh. He was elected MP of Awami League from Munshiganj-1 constituency twice in 2008 and 2014. Apart from politics, he was also associated with the film industry and produced the popular movie ‘Keyamat Theke Keyamat’. He had served as president of the Awami League’s Srinagar upazila unit.

Inquilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi was laid to rest beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the Dhaka University Central Mosque. Hadi was buried beside the mosque beside Kazi Nazrul Islam’s grave at around 3:30 pm. Read more: Hadi’s brother questions failure to arrest killers After the namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, his body was brought to Dhaka University in a procession for burial. For security reasons, all entry points to Dhaka University were kept closed.