United News of Bangladesh

Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram on Friday stressed the need to properly present the true history of the Liberation War of 1971 and the sacrifices of those who fought and laid down their lives for Bangladesh’s independence to the new generation. “The responsibility of implementing the spirit of the Liberation War rests with the next generation. Now, all we want is a beautiful country. We want our next generation to realise that the country became independent and understand the sacrifices behind that independence,” he said. The acting president made the remarks while addressing the commissioning and Fellowship Day celebration of the Bangladesh Liberation War Courses at Kurmitola Golf Club in Dhaka Cantonment as the chief guest. Referring to the Liberation War as more than a struggle for the independence of a territory, the acting president said it was a struggle to establish an independent state based on democracy, equality, human dignity and freedom from discrimination. “Why did we fight the war? We wanted an independent state where everyone would enjoy equal rights, where there would be no discrimination, and where human dignity and equality would prevail. This is what we fought for,” he said. Recalling different stages of the Liberation War, the acting president said Bengali army officers and soldiers, students, youths and people from various professions joined the war for independence in 1971. Many young people, he said, received only a few weeks of training before taking part in frontline battles, and many of them sacrificed their lives. He said around 600 young people were recruited in the Jessore region, of whom nearly 100 were killed in the war. “These young men became fighters after only six weeks of training and fought against the Pakistani forces under extremely difficult circumstances,” he said. Recalling the Battle of Kamalpur, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said around 250 trained and newly recruited fighters took part in the attack without any effective fire support. “Even amid heavy machine-gun fire, a soldier did not retreat,” he said, adding that nearly 50 percent of the fighters became casualties in the battle. The acting president, who is expected to resume his normal duties the Speaker of Parliament following the election of a new president later this month, said the courage and sacrifices of ordinary soldiers and young people who participated in the Liberation War had not been adequately highlighted in the history of Bangladesh. “Ordinary soldiers, poor boys and children from ordinary families proved how much the country meant to them. They came to give their lives for the country and thousands of them sacrificed their lives,” he said. He said the revolt and resistance by Bengali army officers and soldiers in March 1971 marked an important chapter in the beginning of the Liberation War. Later, thousands of students and youths were trained and brought into the war. On the objectives of the Liberation War, Hafiz Uddin said the goal of independence was to establish a state where democracy, equality, human dignity and citizens’ rights would be ensured. Referring to the mass uprising of August 5, 2024, he said it too could be placed within the aspiration for democracy. Against the backdrop of a prolonged political crisis and deprivation of people's rights, he said, the people of Bangladesh expressed their desire for change. Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Khandker Misbah-ul-Azim, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Bangladesh Liberation War Courses Foundation Vice President Colonel (retd) Md Aminul Islam, foundation President Major General (retd) Jamil D Ahsan and its chief patron Major (retd) A Matin Chowdhury also spoke at the programme. To mark the occasion, the acting president cut a cake. Earlier, a one-minute silence was observed in memory of the martyrs, followed by a munajat seeking eternal peace for their departed souls.

A blaze swept through a cloth market in the Borobazar area of Netrokona town on Friday night, causing extensive damage.  Around a quarter past midnight, 8 Fire Service units, assisted by local residents, were working to bring the blaze under control, but it had not been contained at the time of reporting. The Netrokona Fire Service told UNB they received the first call reporting the fire at 9.27pm on Friday night.  Several shops and properties had already been damaged, with the extent of the losses yet to be assessed. Borobazar is a major commercial hub and central marketplace located in the heart of Netrokona town. The Netrokona Fire Service Department was working intensively to contain the blaze and expected to bring it under control soon, said the district administration. The district administration urged people not to panic and asked them to keep the roads clear to facilitate firefighting and emergency operations.

Amid stated 'outrage' from Bangladesh, the Indian government on Friday reiterated that it had "no role" to play in deposed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's recent press conference in New Delhi, nor does it endorse what was said at the event, where Sheikh Hasina spoke virtually. "I have already stated the government's position on the issue before the press conference happened. You would have seen those remarks. I am reiterating it here," said Spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal. Responding to a question at the MEA's regular briefing in New Delhi, Jaiswal said the Indian government had no role to play in what was an event by a private media entity. "And the government does not endorse anything said at the Forum, especially with regard to the duly-constituted government of Bangladesh," he said. The MEA Spokesperson also said they continued to closely follow developments that happen in their neighborhood, keeping their national security interests in mind, and would take whatever measures have to be taken in that regard. Bangladesh was "outraged" that the absconding “convicted genocider” Sheikh Hasina was allowed on Wednesday evening to engage in live interaction with the media in New Delhi where she and her "henchmen launched venomous vitriol" against Bangladesh and her people, according to a terse statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) here in Dhaka Wednesday night. In it, MoFA said Dhaka deeply regrets that in spite of concerns conveyed a priori to the Government of India about the likely ramifications of this event on the reset of our bilateral relations, this public event was permitted to be held, the government said in a statement. On a day when the people of Bangladesh are observing the second anniversary of the July Revolution, this interaction by Sheikh Hasina on the Indian soil stands as an affront to the sovereignty of Bangladesh and a grievous insult to the martyrs of the July Revolution, the MoFA said. The denial of facts established by the United Nations, including gruesome killing of the innocent civilians including minor children during July-August 2024 by the fascist regime, stands as a futile attempt by the absconding convicted mass murderer Hasina and her criminal cohort to reverse the tide of history, said the government. "The people of Bangladesh rejected such heinous attempts in the past and continue to do so now," the statement reads. "Upholding the spirit of the July Revolution, our people have firmly resolved that our nation will never again go back to the dark days of fascism and that Bangladesh will never be a client State. Convicted mass murderer Hasina and her mafia enterprise will never have a place in the polity of Bangladesh," it said. Bangladesh said it desires to maintain a constructive, mutually beneficial, and forward-looking relationship with India based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and national dignity. Regrettably, the Ministry said, Bangladesh’s repeated requests to the Government of India for returning convicted criminal Hasina to Bangladesh under the Extradition Treaty signed between Bangladesh and India in 2013, has not yet elicited a response. "On the contrary, allowing her the opportunity to openly interact with the media under any pretext is deeply hurtful to our people’s sentiment and detrimental to the development of harmonious bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India," said the Ministry.

Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) Cultural Secretary Sheikh Jisan Ahmed has announced he is resigning, alleging administrative interference, lack of decision-making freedom and political influence in cultural programmes. Jisan made the announcement in a Facebook post on Friday saying he would resign if he could not work independently or faced interference in performing his duties. JU Chhatra Dal leader show-caused over alleged disciplinary breach He said he was elected independently and was not part of any political party or panel. Jisan alleged that the university administration repeatedly changed the list of presenters for a central cultural programme without consulting him. He said he selected two presenters after discussing the matter with Teachers-Students Centre (TSC) teachers. Later, another presenter was added and subsequently asked to step down. He further alleged that about two hours before the programme, an official received a call from a senior administrative authority to add two more presenters. When he went to the stage, he found two additional presenters, bringing the total to seven. Jisan alleged that political interests influenced the changes. He claimed that one presenter later decided not to host any university programme in the future, while another left the event after feeling humiliated. He also alleged interference during a cultural programme at Mukto Mancha. According to Jisan, several people from the administration and some teachers gave him the names of several student leaders and pressured him to announce their names over the microphone. He said tension broke out among Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leaders after he announced the names. He also alleged that someone later pressured him to apologise on stage. “Am I a pawn in your chess game?” Jisan wrote, expressing his frustration over the alleged interference. Jisan said he had worked on films and videos on a zero-budget basis before joining JUCSU and had collaborated with hundreds of university students. He also said he continued performing his duties for the past 15 days despite having a fractured hand, but did not receive the respect and freedom he deserved. Explaining his decision, Jisan said he valued self-respect more than power. “Where student leaders seek political power, I chose to leave power while holding a position. Power means very little to me; self-respect matters more,” he wrote.

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the  central committee has served a show-cause notice on Mohammad Faisal Hossain, joint convener of its Jahangirnagar University unit, for allegedly violating organisational discipline. JCD Central Office Secretary (equivalent to vice president) Md Jahangir Alam signed the notice on Friday, asking Faisal to submit a written explanation within 24 hours. The notice said Faisal allegedly breached organisational discipline while holding a responsible post in the JU unit. It asked him to explain why permanent organisational disciplinary action should not be taken against him. Faisal has been directed to appear at the JCD central office and submit his written explanation in the presence of central President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir. The notice said the JCD president and general secretary issued the directive on Friday.

Continuous delays in repairing roads riddled with potholes caused by torrential rainfall have triggered a tailback stretching 15 kilometres on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, causing severe suffering to thousands of passengers and transport workers. The congestion began early Friday from the Mainamati area and stretched to Suagazi in Sadar south upazila, with long queues of vehicles seen on both lanes. Residents suffer as heavy downpour submerges Cumilla city Anisur Rahman (SI), Mainamati Highway Crossing Police Station, said vehicles were moving slowly due to repair work, although the congestion was not permanent. Almas Khan, a businessman returning to Dhaka from Feni, said he got stuck in traffic at Paduar Bazar around noon and took two and a half hours to reach Mainamati. Several ambulances carrying patients were also seen stuck in the congestion. A police report said rainwater had created large potholes near Amtali, close to Cumilla Cantonment, forcing Dhaka-bound vehicles to move slowly. Some vehicles attempted to drive on the wrong side, affecting the Chattogram-bound lane as well. Police deployed two mobile teams and additional personnel at key points to control the situation. Kirtiman Chakma (ASP), Highway Police Cumilla Region, said continuous rain over the past three to four weeks had severely damaged the road. At least four cargo trucks became stuck in potholes over the past two days, causing prolonged disruptions while being removed by tow trucks.

Bangladesh Police has urged the public to remain cautious about false, misleading and provocative information being circulated on social media targeting senior police officers and important government figures. A statement circulated from Police Headquarters (PHQ) on Friday said a “vested group” has been deliberately spreading fabricated and inflammatory content on Facebook and other social media platforms. Police warn public against fraudsters posing as officials on social media They strongly condemned and protested against such propaganda, saying it appears to be aimed at confusing the public, destabilising the law-and-order situation, undermining police morale and damaging the government’s image. PHQ said there is evidence that some propagandists have been accused of various criminal offences, sought improper intervention at police and other government offices, and demanded money on condition that they stop spreading misinformation. They urged people not to believe, share or circulate misleading and provocative statements on social media and called on responsible citizens to help prevent rumors and propaganda. The statement warned that strict legal action would be taken against those involved if such campaigns continue. PHQ said the force is performing its duties with determination, professionalism and dedication to maintain law and order and ensure public safety through stronger public trust.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Friday said the government is working to curb unscrupulous syndicates and brokers who exploit Bangladeshi students seeking to pursue higher education abroad by charging them excessive money. “Unscrupulous syndicates or brokers take advantage of our students, who have to pay extremely high amounts of money to go abroad. The government is obviously aware of the issue and is working on it,” she said. Shama Obaed seeks enhanced global cooperation to prevent irregular migration  The state minister said while addressing the inaugural session of the two-day 14th International Education Expo 2026, organised by the Foreign Admission and Career Development Consultants Association of Bangladesh (FACD-CAB), at a city hotel. This year the fair brought together representatives from 30 countries to provide consultancy services for around 300 world-class educational institutions around the world. Shama Obaed said the foreign ministry has already opened a migration wing for the first time to address the migration related problems. The sole responsibility of this newly opened wing is to address all sorts of migration related problems. She urged FACD-CAB and others concerned to help the wing by providing necessary information to contain the unscrupulous syndicates in the student migration process.    “Together, we have to work in a unison way here. We have to work together to bring these broker syndicates under the law. They are unfairly destroying the future of our children (students),” she said. The state minister said the foreign ministry is ready to cooperate with FACD-CAB to make the migration process more transparent and accountable and to help it provide better services to Bangladeshi students. She asked FACD-CAB to submit in writing its demands and problems so that the issues could be brought to the attention of the Prime Minister as well as the Foreign Ministry together with other concerned ministries, including the Education, Finance and Home ministries, could fulfill their demands and address the problems. Shama Obaed stressed the importance of creating a safe and investment-friendly environment in Bangladesh so that students attained overseas education and experiences can return home and contribute to the country's development. “We certainly want our children to go abroad and study. But at the same time, we need to create a safe, investment-friendly and secure environment in Bangladesh where they can return, invest and become entrepreneurs and thus help the government build the country,” she said. Describing education as an important instrument of diplomacy, she said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to encourage educational and research partnerships between Bangladesh and other countries. Bangladesh's missions abroad can help connect Bangladeshi institutions with international universities, facilitate academic cooperation and support the legitimate interests and welfare of Bangladeshi students. Referring to the national budget for 2026-2027 fiscal year, the state minister said the government has given the highest-ever allocation to the education sector in the latest budget, reflecting its priority to education. The International Education fair, a flagship international education event, started at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, bringing together education consultants, international university representatives, students, and stakeholders under one platform. Visitors need prior registration to visit the education fair from 10:00am to 8:00pm. Visitors get scope to interact directly with representatives of universities from different countries and receive guidance on scholarships, financial aid, tuition fees, visa processing and career planning.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) on Friday approved the procurement of one cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Aramco Trading Singapore, a fully-owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco based in Singapore, under a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement to help meet the country’s growing energy demand. The approval came at the eighth meeting of the CCGP for the 2026-27 fiscal year, held virtually with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in the chair on the weekly holiday.The committee approved the proposal to purchase one LNG cargo from Aramco Trading Singapore for delivery on August 11-12, 2026 through the direct procurement method under the G2G framework. The LNG will be purchased at a price of US$21.55 per MMBtu, according to officials. However, the committee again did not consider another proposal relating to a long term LNG procurement arrangement with Gunvor USA LLC. The Energy and Mineral Resources Division withdrew its proposal like the Thursday meeting seeking approval for the direct purchase of LNG from Gunvor USA LLC under a G2G arrangement for the period from 2026 to 2038 before it could be placed for the committee’s consideration. Bangladesh has been importing LNG to supplement declining domestic natural gas production and ensure a stable supply of fuel for power generation and industrial use.The latest approval is expected to support the country’s gas supply by facilitating timely delivery of an LNG cargo during August. The country's gas supply is gradually returning to normal after the partial restoration of the Excelerate Energy-operated floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at Maheshkhali, easing a nationwide shortage that disrupted power generation, industries, CNG stations and household cooking for more than two weeks. The crisis began on July 21 when a fire damaged the FSRU’s boiler-related electrical systems, forcing the suspension of LNG regasification from one of the country’s two floating LNG terminals. The outage cut around 450 million cubic feet of gas per day from the national grid, significantly affecting electricity production and industrial operations. Following repair work by local and foreign engineers, the terminal has resumed partial operations, supplying about 115 million cubic feet of gas per day, with output expected to increase in phases. Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood on Thursday said gas supply should return to normal within two to three days as repairs continue. Bangladesh currently faces a daily gas demand of about 3,800 to 4,000 million cubic feet against supply of roughly 2,600 million cubic feet, making imported LNG crucial to meeting domestic demand. The latest disruption has once again highlighted the country’s growing dependence on LNG imports and the vulnerability of its gas supply system to disruptions at a single FSRU.

Repair work on the flood-damaged Dahagram-Angarpota main road in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat began on Friday after the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) facilitated the entry of trucks carrying construction materials through the Tin Bigha Corridor. Osman Gani, Sub-Assistant Engineer (SAE) of the Lalmonirhat Roads and Highways Department, said repair work began on Friday morning. Earlier on Thursday morning, a large section of the paved road in the Srishtiyarpar area collapsed after floodwaters triggered by a surge in the Teesta River from upstream in India washed away part of the road. The damage left a 10-foot-deep crater, cutting off communication for at least 2,000 families. The Lalmonirhat Roads and Highways Department took up emergency repair work and dispatched trucks carrying sand and other materials. However, the work was briefly delayed after the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) stopped the trucks while they were crossing the Tin Bigha Corridor. According to BGB sources, the force coordinated with the BSF, citing the hardship faced by residents and the urgency of restoring the road. Following the request, the BSF allowed the trucks carrying the repair materials to enter Dahagram.