United News of Bangladesh

A mild earthquake jolted Narsingdi and its adjoining areas early Monday. The tremor, measuring 3.0 on the Richter scale, struck at 5:32am, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). The epicentre was in Shibpur upazila of Narsingdi, about 47 kilometres northeast of Dhaka, the BMD said. No casualties or damage were reported immediately.  

River Police detained two women with 9kg of cannabis at Chandpur Launch Terminal on Sunday afternoon. The detainees were identified as Amena Begum, 30, daughter of Muslim Palowan of Lalmohan upazila in Bhola, and Asma, 34, daughter of Mokhles of Singpara village in Munshiganj. They are relatives. Police said they apprehended the two around 2pm during a special anti-drug drive led by Chandpur River Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Azamgir Hossain. Acting on suspicion, police searched the women and recovered 6kg of cannabis from Amena and 3kg from Asma. OC Azamgir Hossain said during preliminary interrogation, the women told police they had collected the cannabis in Cumilla and were taking it to Munshiganj via Chandpur. Legal action has been taken against them, he said.

A motorcyclist and his pillion rider were killed when a speeding truck hit their motorcycle in the Jaliapara area on the Dinajpur-Gobindaganj regional highway on Sunday evening. The deceased were identified as Rifat Emon, 22, son of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Nayanpur area in Dinajpur city, and Entazul Haque Sohag, 28, son of Kamruzzaman Bablu of the same area. Police said the accident occurred when the truck, travelling from Phulbari towards Dinajpur city, collided head-on with the motorcycle coming from the opposite direction. Rifat Emon died on the spot, while Sohag was critically injured and taken to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment. Moniruzzaman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kotwali Police Station, said the bodies were handed over to their families following due procedures.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Traffic Division filed 1,329 cases against traffic law violators during a crackdown across different areas of the capital on Saturday, said a press release issued on Sunday. According to the DMP Traffic Division, the Traffic-Ramna division filed 90 cases involving seven buses, two trucks, five covered vans, eight CNG-run auto-rickshaws and 30 motorcycles. Traffic-Lalbagh division filed 135 cases against violators, including 28 buses, four trucks, one covered van, 17 CNG-run auto-rickshaws and 66 motorcycles. Motijheel division filed the highest number of cases among the divisions, with 230 cases involving 18 buses, three trucks, 17 covered vans, 58 CNG-run auto-rickshaws and 86 motorcycles. Wari division filed 98 cases involving 14 buses, seven trucks, five covered vans, four CNG-run auto-rickshaws and 37 motorcycles. Tejgaon division filed 122 cases against six buses, seven covered vans, 20 CNG-run auto-rickshaws and 45 motorcycles. Mirpur division filed 334 cases — the highest among all traffic divisions — involving 16 buses, 17 trucks, 37 covered vans, 49 CNG-run auto-rickshaws and 146 motorcycles. Uttara division filed 204 cases involving 17 buses, seven trucks, six covered vans, 26 CNG-run auto-rickshaws and 81 motorcycles. Gulshan division filed 116 cases involving 17 buses, five trucks, seven covered vans, six CNG-run auto-rickshaws and 27 motorcycles. During the drive, a total of 493 vehicles were dumped and 338 vehicles were towed away, the DMP said. The Traffic Division said such drives will continue in different parts of the capital to maintain traffic discipline in Dhaka metropolitan areas.

Reiterating his optimism about addressing any issue through top-level meetings and interactions, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Sunday night said he remains very hopeful that a visit to India by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman "should take place much sooner." "Issues can only be sorted out by meeting, and I am very hopeful," he said, noting that hearts are very close and that he wants to see a golden chapter in Bangladesh-India relations. Speaking at a welcome dinner hosted by Masud Jamil Khan, Honorary Consul of Ireland in Bangladesh, and his wife Kate Jaro Khan in Baridhara, the High Commissioner said Bangladesh and India do not only share a border; they really share a dream. The Indian envoy said Bangladesh and India are two sovereign countries. "We have our challenges. There is no doubt about it. And if you do not have challenges, that is not democracy. No matter how chaotic is democracy......" He also said, "We need our space. We have our differences. We have our arguments. That's okay. But as long as our goals are the same, that we want people, not only of these two countries, but all over the world, you have dignity, respect, mutual respect for each other. 
And that's what we strive for. And I sincerely wish.....My very objective is to have a golden period between India and Bangladesh." Highlighting his efforts towards that goal, the High Commissioner said they have to move on. The envoy said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is truly a people's person and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too. "Both are people's persons, and the objective is the same. And this is where I have said many times in the media, wherever they have asked me that when two such leaders meet and interact, there is no problem, there is no issue, which cannot be discussed and which cannot be sorted out". Masud Khan said that over time, the relationship has developed into a broad partnership encompassing trade and investment, connectivity, energy, education, culture, security, development cooperation, and people-to-people relations. "But of course, there is always more that can be achieved, and we must always acknowledge our challenges," he said. Masud Khan hoped that during the High Commissioner's tenure, Bangladesh and India will continue to address their shared challenges with openness, mutual respect, and a spirit of cooperation. "And we wish him all success during his time here." Ambassadors and High Commissioners stationed in Dhaka, former diplomats, businesspeople, city elites, and former civil and defence officials were also present. On Saturday, the High Commissioner highlighted the importance of working together to advance the partnership in key sectors and nurture the exceptional bond of friendship between Bangladesh and India. “We recognise that it is the people-to-people connection, rooted in shared aspiration and mutual goodwill, that remains the true beating heart of this enduring friendship,” he said while celebrating India’s 80th Independence Day at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. Trivedi urged the two countries to work together towards shared prosperity, noting that Bangladesh and India are advancing their partnership across vital sectors, ranging from trade and connectivity to security and healthcare. “Let us also continue to nurture the exceptional bonds of friendship between India and Bangladesh, working hand in hand toward shared prosperity,” he said. The High Commissioner reflected on the foundations of the relationship and said the two countries are bound by a shared history of the freedom struggle and had built their ties on mutual respect and partnership. “With the history of the freedom struggle, our bond is deeply entwined. On this solid bedrock of shared history, mutual respect, and partnership, our relationship continues to flourish,” Trivedi said. Describing his first meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as fruitful, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi recently said Bangladesh and India not only share a border but also share dreams. "We are looking forward. Our invitation is there in place. We are positive that if the two leaders meet together, there will be a discussion. There will be issues in democracies. It's not democracy if there is no issue. But there is only one people's issue, which is good relations. It's a win-win situation if there is a good relationship," he told reporters when his attention was drawn to the outcome of the meeting.

As many as 1,667 women and girls across Bangladesh were subjected to various forms of violence between January and July this year, with 83 girl children and 258 women killed and 292 raped, Bangladesh Mohila Parishad said on Sunday. The rights organisation disclosed the figures at a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the afternoon, staged to protest the continuing violence, rape, murder and killing of children across the country. Speaking at the programme, Mohila Parishad president Fauzia Moslem said an analysis of data showed that 83 girl children and 258 women were killed over the past seven months, of which 31 incidents were linked to rape and post-rape murder. She, however, cautioned that the figures likely understate the actual scale of violence. "The information we are getting has mainly been compiled from a limited number of newspaper reports, based on data from only 14 newspapers. Yet there are numerous other media outlets in the country. Had we received data from all media, the real picture of violence against women could have been far more alarming," she said, questioning how far women's right to live safely is actually ensured in Bangladesh. Mohila Parishad general secretary Maleka Banu said 1,667 women and children faced different forms of violence between January and July 2026, of whom 292 women and girls were victims of rape. "These incidents make it clear that women and children in Bangladesh are not fully safe anywhere today. It is not just rape or sexual violence, women and children are also falling victim to murder, torture and various other forms of violence. The most worrying part is that we are failing to bring down this trend of violence. Even children who have not yet reached physical and mental maturity, who have not yet reached an age where they identify themselves as women, are becoming victims of sexual violence," she said. Other speakers at the programme said the rising violence against women is a matter of grave concern, describing Bangladesh as having turned into a "safe haven" for rape and abuse. They noted that women have been the primary targets of violence at every turn, from the country's independence struggle to the present day. Citing prevailing patriarchal attitudes and discriminatory social norms that fail to treat women as human beings, the speakers called for building a social movement, ensuring proper enforcement of laws, and monitoring their implementation to prevent ongoing violence, rape, murder and killing of children, while urging the head of state to run the country with patriotism, humanity and a sense of responsibility to restore trampled human rights.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday stressed the need for democratisation of the country’s economy to make political democracy successful. “Political democracy alone is not enough. If we cannot democratise our economy, political democracy cannot be successful,” he said. The Finance Minister made the remarks while addressing a discussion titled “July Mass Uprising commemoration ceremony 2026” at the Central Auditorium of BUET in the capital. Explaining the concept of democratization of the economy, Khosru said its fundamental idea is to ensure that every citizen of Bangladesh can participate in all sectors of the country’s economy. “The basic idea behind the democratisation of the economy is that every person in Bangladesh will have the opportunity to participate in the economy. The benefits of the economy must reach every person regardless of their position,” he said. The finance minister said the people of Bangladesh were not only deprived of their rights during the Sheikh Hasina regime, but the country’s independence and sovereignty were also put into question. “There was a tendency to remain in power even by selling the interests of the country that everything had to be sold to stay in power. This created a major question over our sovereignty,” he said. “That is why one of the slogans of our Prime Minister is, ‘Bangladesh first,’” he added. State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque said the July Uprising doesn’t belong to any person or group and warned against attempts to turn the uprising into a means of personal or political business. “July does not belong to any individual or any party,” he said. “Some political parties are constantly capitalizing on the events of July. We want to steer clear of this kind of opportunism,” he added. He said the government would implement the public aspirations reflected in the July uprising. “We want to implement the aspirations of July as July is the fruit of 17 years of struggle,” he said. The vice chancellor of BUET professor Dr. Eqramul Hoque, Pro vice chancellor Mohammad Shariful Islam along with families of July martyrs were also present among the guests.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday unveiled plaques of various government development initiatives at the historic Sholakia Eidgah, where he also announced a Tk 17 crore project to improve facilities at the centuries-old Eid prayer ground. He said lakhs of people gather at the venue to offer Eid prayers and so, the government has taken the initiative to develop the field and make it more suitable for devotees. The Prime Minister said Tk 6 crore has already been released in favour of the district administration, while the development work will begin soon. “The field will be developed and beautified so that devotees can offer their Eid prayers comfortably,” he said. He also joined a tree-planting programme organised by Kishoreganj district unit of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and planted a sapling himself, highlighting the importance of protecting the environment and increasing greenery. Calling for more trees at the historic venue, Tarique Rahman said the government wants to plant a large number of neem trees on the Eidgah premises, following the example of the Arafat Maidan. He said the trees will provide shade and create a healthier environment for worshippers, children playing in the field and people who come here for morning and evening walks. The Prime Minister also urged local residents to take initiatives to protect the environment of the Eidgah and its surrounding area. After the programme, he left Kishoreganj for Dhaka by road, said his Deputy Press Secretary Md Sujauddhoula. Tarique Rahman’s presence at the historic Sholakia Eidgah generated considerable enthusiasm among local residents, with people from different walks of life gathering at the venue to see him and hear his remarks.

A fire that broke out at a helmet warehouse in Dhaka’s Bangshal area on Sunday evening was brought under control. Six firefighting units from Siddik Bazar Fire Station rushed to the scene and brought the blaze under control at 7:55pm, said Warehouse Inspector Anwarul Islam of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters media cell. The fire broke out around 6:04pm on the second floor of a six-storey building at Mukim Bazar, he said. No casualties were reported until 8:10pm, when the report was filed. The cause of the fire could not immediately be ascertained.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday urged people to remain vigilant against those spreading confusion and rumours in the country, and assess their activities in light of their past roles. “There are many confusion-makers and rumourmongers in the country. We must remain alert to them and see what they did in the past,” he said. The Prime Minister made the remarks while inaugurating the distribution of Family Cards, other financial assistance, and honorarium for imams, muezzins, khadims, and religious personnel at the Old Kishoreganj Stadium. He urged people to assess present and future activities of those trying to create confusion in light of their past roles and asked them to keep their “eyes and ears open.” “The time has come to keep the country stable. We must not be misled by anyone trying to create confusion. If anyone comes to mislead the people, they must be given a befitting response as in the past,” Tarique Rahman said. In an oblique reference to opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, he recalled its role in 1971, 1986 and 1996, saying the people had witnessed its stance during those periods. The Prime Minister claimed that those now trying to create confusion against the BNP government had not been seen on the streets during the people’s movement of the past 17 years. He said BNP leaders and activists, along with those of political parties that stood with the BNP during the movement, had faced repression, enforced disappearances and killings. Tarique Rahman said the BNP’s politics is centred on the people and aimed at changing their fortunes as well as those of the country. “Our goal is to work for the people and change their fortunes. Only by changing the fortunes of the people can we change the fortunes of the country,” he said.