United News of Bangladesh

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that Ukraine had secured important commitments from Group of Seven (G7) leaders for additional military, energy and economic support as the country continues to defend itself against Russia’s invasion. Following the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Zelenskyy said world leaders agreed to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence capabilities, support its energy resilience and impose further sanctions on Russia. “The G7 Summit in France delivered important results for Ukraine. Most importantly, we agreed on additional strengthening of Ukraine’s air defense,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. He said Ukraine’s partners had pledged continued support for the country’s defence sector and energy infrastructure while also increasing pressure on Moscow through new sanctions. French President Emmanuel Macron said the summit demonstrated what he described as an “unprecedented convergence” among G7 leaders, including US President Donald Trump, on maintaining support for Ukraine. The summit came as Zelenskyy continues efforts to rally international backing and diplomatically isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 and is now in its fifth year. Zelenskyy is expected to attend a European Union summit in Brussels on Thursday. Earlier this week, Ukraine officially launched negotiations for membership in the EU, beginning a process that could take years to complete. The ongoing conflict involving Iran has diverted some international attention from efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine. Against that backdrop, Zelenskyy sought to engage with Trump during the G7 gathering, where several key European leaders were also present. According to observers, Putin has sought to sideline both Kyiv and European partners by pursuing direct discussions with Washington regarding the future of the conflict.

Daraz has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Bangladesh, saying it continues to operate normally and remains focused on sustainable growth, amid recent media reports regarding its investment and operational outlook. “Daraz remains firmly committed to Bangladesh and has no plans to exit the market. Bangladesh continues to be an important market for the company, and we are focused on sustainable growth and contributing to the development of the country’s digital economy,” it said in a statement on Wednesday. The company said some recent characterisations do not accurately reflect its strategic priorities or day-to-day operations. It said it remains committed to investing in technology-driven solutions aimed at improving operational efficiency and enhancing customer experience, while building a scalable and sustainable digital commerce ecosystem in the country. Highlighting its continued business momentum, the company said it onboarded more than 7,000 new sellers over the past year, reflecting the steady expansion of its marketplace and its ongoing efforts to create opportunities for local entrepreneurs and small businesses. It said the growth of its seller network has contributed to job creation and income-generation opportunities across the broader e-commerce ecosystem. The company added that, as part of regular business operations, it periodically reviews its organisational structure to ensure alignment with long-term strategic priorities and business objectives. It further noted that Bangladesh’s growing internet penetration and increasing smartphone adoption beyond major urban centres continue to create significant opportunities for the e-commerce sector. Daraz said companies with strong operational discipline and a long-term vision are well-positioned to capitalise on the country’s expanding digital economy and drive future growth.  

The local steel industry is facing a severe crisis that could push up the production cost of MS Rod by Tk 11,000 to Tk 12,000 per tonne, local steel manufacturers warned on Wednesday (June 17). The Bangladesh Steel Manufacturers Association (BSMA) attributed this looming price hike to the combined impact of recent power tariff hikes and the proposed hikes in VAT, customs duties, and taxes in the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2026-27. Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club on Wednesday, BSMA President Mohammad Jahangir Alam said the direct and indirect production costs would ultimately be passed on to consumers, further dampening sales in an already struggling market. The association placed a five-point demand to the government to rescue the steel sector from the current crisis. Their demands include the withdrawal of the proposed additional VAT, duties, and taxes on the steel industry; cancellation of extra VAT at the sales stage and on local scrap; reconsideration of the additional taxes on raw materials; restoring the turnover tax to the previous 0.6 percent from the proposed 1.0 percent; and accelerating the implementation of the development budget to stimulate demand. Jahangir Alam noted that while the proposed budget includes some business-friendly initiatives, the new financial burdens make survival difficult for the industry. He revealed that while the country's annual demand for steel rods stands at around 50 lakh tonnes, the total production capacity exceeds one crore tonnes. As a result, most mills are operating at less than 50 percent capacity, which significantly increases overhead costs and puts immense financial strain on entrepreneurs. Detailing the cost hikes, the BSMA stated that recent electricity price hikes alone added Tk 1,800 to Tk 2,000 to the cost of producing each tonne of rod. Additionally, rising port fees, landing charges, and transportation costs are adding another Tk 3,000 to Tk 3,500 per tonne. Furthermore, the proposed budget’s higher taxes on ferro-alloys (crude alloys of iron), refractory materials, spare parts, and other inputs will hike costs by another Tk 2,000 to Tk 2,500. While these factors account for a direct production cost increase of Tk 5,000 to Tk 6,000, indirect pressures—such as dwindling market demand, underutilized factory capacity, higher overhead expenses, and rising bank interest rates—will slap on another Tk 5,000 to Tk 6,000 in costs per tonne, the steel leaders said. The BSMA president pointed out that large-scale infrastructure projects and work orders have remained stalled since August 5, 2024, as many previous contractors have gone into hiding or left the country, and many projects are stuck awaiting design approvals. He urged the government to swiftly release the development budget to keep the construction industry alive. BSMA Secretary General and Chairman of Rani Steel, Suman Chowdhury, criticized the fiscal strategy, noting that while the education budget was increased, the heavy tax burden on industries will stifle the job creation needed for the educated youth. He warned that many factories might default on their bank loans if the situation persists. Among others, Maruf Mohsin, Managing Director of Sonargaon Steels, and Zakaria, Director of CSRM, were also present at the press conference.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited ailing former MP Khaleda Rabbani here on Wednesday. The Prime Minister went to Khaleda Rabbani’s residence on Shah Mostafa Road in the town after attending a Family Card distribution programme at the Moulvibazar Govt High School ground. During the visit, an emotional Khaleda Rabbani recalled various memories from her long political career, including her association with former President Ziaur Rahman. She also showed the Prime Minister several old photographs, reminiscing about different moments from the party’s history. At one point, moved by the emotional recollections, Tarique Rahman embraced her affectionately and offered words of comfort and reassurance. The Prime Minister spent some time with the veteran politician and discussed her medical condition and overall health with family members. He wished her a speedy recovery. BNP Assistant Organising Secretary Miftah Siddique, Moulvibazar Zila Parishad Administrator Mizanur Rahman Mizan, and local BNP leaders and activists were present during the visit. Khaleda Rabbani previously served as women affairs secretary of BNP, president of Moulvibazar district BNP and chief adviser to the central committee of Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal. She was elected MP from reserved women's seat for several times.

Football fever has swept through the capital, with a giant Argentina jersey drawing crowds in Mirpur's Ibrahimpur area during the FIFA World Cup. Measuring 40 feet by 30 feet, the blue-and-white jersey was erected by local Argentina supporters and has quickly become a popular attraction for football fans.  

A parliamentary attempt to erase a finger-pointing incident from the official record hit a constitutional roadblock on Wednesday when Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad clarified that while words may be expunged, fingers enjoy a certain degree of parliamentary immunity. The unusual debate emerged during budget discussions when ruling party lawmaker Rafiqul Islam Hilaly elected from Netrokona-3 demanded that remarks made by an opposition member on Sunday – along with an accompanying finger gesture – be removed from the record. According to Hilali, the opposition MP had suggested that members seated in the back rows of the House do not consume drugs, while allegedly pointing towards government benches in a manner that implied the opposite. “We do not make remarks that undermine the dignity of any member, whether from the government or opposition,” Hilali told Parliament. “The finger was directed at us. I request that it be expunged.” The Speaker, however, drew a firm distinction between verbal and manual expressions. “I will examine whether any unparliamentary words were used,” he said. “But as for the finger-pointing, that cannot be expunged. Words can be expunged. Fingers cannot.” The ruling immediately sparked amusement among members, with some privately wondering whether future parliamentary procedures might require separate rules governing gestures, eyebrow movements and meaningful coughs. Earlier in the debate, Hilali expressed concern over the ease with which suspects in drug-related cases obtain bail. Recalling a recent incident in his constituency, he said a suspected drug user was arrested and sent to court, only to reappear at a tea stall outside the police station before officers had even returned from escorting him. “The policemen had not yet reached the station, but the accused was already having tea,” he said, prompting murmurs across the chamber and renewed appreciation for the efficiency of the justice system — at least in terms of travel time. Hilali called for stricter legal measures to prevent bail in narcotics cases until trials are completed.

A woman was killed as her husband allegedly slit her throat with a razor following a family dispute in Narayanganj's Bandar upazila on Wednesday evening. The deceased was identified as Sathi, 38, wife of Jony Shil of the Jhautala area in the upazila. According to locals, the couple, originally from the Bihari community, had been living in a rented house in the area for about four years. Jony ran a barbershop at a local market. Other tenants of the building said the couple frequently quarrelled. On Wednesday evening, residents noticed blood near the door of their room and informed police. Police later entered the room and recovered Sathi’s throat-slit body around 7:30pm, said Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bandar Police Station Golam Moktar Ashraf Uddin. He said they launched a drive to arrest the accused, who went into hiding after the incident.

The Char Development and Implementation Council on Tuesday organised a rally and memorandum submission programme in Kurigram, pressing for a 10-point demand that includes forming a Ministry of Char Affairs, a separate budget for char areas, and compensation and rehabilitation for people affected by river erosion. The programme began with a march from Singha Chattar in the Ghoshpara area of Kurigram town in the morning. The procession passed through various roads before ending at the Deputy Commissioner's office premises, where a rally was held. Following the rally, leaders of the organisation submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Deputy Commissioner. The rally was chaired by the organisation's president, Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu, and addressed by General Secretary Ashraful Haque Rubel, Principal Khaja Sharif Uddin Rintu, Principal Shah Alam, Prof Mokhlesur Rahman, Iman Ali, Rafiqul Islam, Syed Ahmed Babu, Professor Nazmun Nahar Beauty, BM Abul Hossain, Yusuf Hossain, Prof Golam Rasul Raja, Yasin Ali and Saiful Islam Badal, among others. Prof Bebu said millions of people living in Bangladesh's char areas remain outside the mainstream of development and continue to suffer from river erosion, poverty, unemployment and poor infrastructure.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested six people, including alleged top criminal Farid Uddin Babu alias "Excel Babu", in connection with the robbery of a bKash agent and an attack on police officers in the capital's Adabor area. The arrested include Farid Uddin Babu, Rashed Khandaker, 32, Md Liton, 28, Md Tosir, 30, and Md Tariqul Islam, 25. Two other suspects, Amir and Rubel, were also apprehended during subsequent operations. RAB-2 Commander Additional DIG Naimul Hasan disclosed the information at a press briefing at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar on Wednesday. According to RAB, a group of armed robbers entered a bKash outlet in the Shekhertek area of Adabor around 4:50pm on Tuesday. The attackers allegedly hacked the agent with a machete, snatched around Tk 3 lakh and a mobile phone, and fled the scene. Acting on information, Adabor police later conducted a raid in the Turag Housing area. During the operation, the suspects allegedly attacked police officers with locally made weapons, seriously injuring Adabor Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zaidul Islam and Sub-Inspector Tarun. Police opened fire in self-defence, leaving two suspects, Amir and Rubel, with gunshot injuries, officials said. Naimul Hasan said RAB launched intelligence-led operations immediately after the incident and carried out separate raids in Mohammadpur's Pirerbag area, Adabor and Mirpur from Tuesday night until early Wednesday. During the raids, six suspects, including Excel Babu, were arrested. A motorcycle, a machete and a mobile phone believed to have been used in the robbery were recovered. The RAB official said Excel Babu admitted his involvement with the "wrist-cutting" gang. He claimed that Babu had been a mentor to the gang's founder Anwar and its current leader Abu Sayeed. According to RAB, Abu Sayeed took charge of the gang after Anwar's arrest.

Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday urged all types of media to practice responsible journalism when reporting on the country's banking sector, cautioning that arbitrary calculations of "distressed loans" create unnecessary panic among the public. In a press release issued by the Department of Communications and Publications (DCP), the central bank clarified its position regarding recent media analyses derived from the newly published ‘Financial Stability Report (FSR) 2025’. The central bank noted that following the release of the FSR 2025, several newspapers and media published reports claiming that the banking sector's "distressed loan" ratio ranges anywhere between 45 percent, 59 percent, or even 60 percent based on their own calculations. Dismissing these figures, Bangladesh Bank stated that no internationally recognized financial policymaking body has defined a standard definition for "distressed loans." Generally, loans that yield no income or where installments are default are treated as distressed. However, the central bank clarified that unclassified rescheduled loans cannot be clubbed into this category because borrowers are actively and regularly paying back their designated installments. Furthermore, the banking regulator pointed out that under international best practices, written-off loans are completely removed from a bank's balance sheet, meaning they also cannot be mathematically categorized as distressed loans. According to the official data re-verified by the central bank, the actual Non-Performing Loan (NPL) or default loan ratio in the country's banking sector stood at 30.60 percent as of December 31, 2025. Bangladesh Bank expressed strong reservations over combining actual default loans with legally rescheduled and written-off loans to project an inflated distressed loan ratio. The regulator warned that such reporting distorts macroeconomic realities and sends highly misleading signals to both domestic and international financial stakeholders regarding the health of Bangladesh's economy. Considering the extreme sensitivity of the financial architecture and overall national interest, the central bank requested editors, reporters, and media houses to ensure maximum objectivity, depth, and precision when disseminating banking and economic data.