United News of Bangladesh

Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has extended his warmest congratulations to the government of Bangladesh and Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on his election as president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. In a message, the Secretary-General extended his best wishes to Khalilur Rahman for success in the performance of his duties, expressing his confidence that his leadership of the General Assembly would contribute to strengthening multilateralism and addressing common global challenges, owing to his diplomatic acumen and experience, and to the constructive role played by the People's Republic of Bangladesh on the international stage and within the UN and the OIC. The Secretary-General also affirmed the OIC's commitment to continuing cooperation and coordination with the Presidency of the United Nations General Assembly in the promotion of peace, security, and development worldwide. The 81st session of the General Assembly will open on September 8, with world leaders scheduled to gather at UN Headquarters in New York two weeks later for the annual high-level debate. In a secret-ballot vote, Khalilur Rahman defeated Cyprus’ Ambassador Andreas Kakouris 99-91, with three countries not voting.  He will succeed Germany’s former Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, whose one-year term ends in September.

At least four Bangladeshi nationals are among those were injured in a drone attack on the Kuwait International Airport on Wednesday, according to the Bangladesh Embassy in Kuwait. The injured Bangladeshis were admitted to Farwaniya Hospital, while the embassy is closely monitoring their condition, said an emergency statement signed by Mohammad Moniruzzaman, counsellor (Political) and head of chancery. One person was killed and several other foreign nationals were also injured in the incident, the statement added. The embassy advised Bangladeshi expatriates in Kuwait not to photograph or record videos of the scene, particularly of rocket or drone attacks and interceptions, warning that such activities are punishable under Kuwaiti law. It also noted a shortage of stored blood at Kuwait’s Central Blood Bank and urged eligible Bangladeshi expatriates to donate blood on an emergency basis. Expatriates were also requested to encourage others to donate blood to help meet the urgent demand. Earlier, Kuwait suspended commercial flights on Wednesday after a drone attack attributed to Iran struck its international airport. The incident came hours after renewed missile exchanges between Iran and US forces in the region, further escalating already high tensions in the Gulf. Kuwait’s Defence Ministry Spokesperson Brig Gen Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi said “a number of hostile drones” targeted Kuwait International Airport, causing significant damage to the passenger building and injuring several people. The airport had only recently resumed operations on June 1 after an earlier shutdown linked to regional conflict. Late Tuesday, the US military said it carried out strikes on an Iranian military facility in retaliation for missile that it said originated from Iran and targeted Kuwait and Bahrain. According to the US, two Iranian missiles aimed at Kuwait disintegrated mid-air, while others targeting Bahrain were intercepted. US Central Command also said it shot down multiple drones directed at American forces stationed in Kuwait. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, however, said it had launched strikes targeting the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain and another location, though it did not name Kuwait. It said the attacks were in response to earlier US military action against an Iranian oil tanker. “We had previously warned that any aggression would be met with a stronger response,” it said in a statement.

Japan has extended its warmest congratulations to Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on his election as president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The Embassy of Japan in Dhaka in a message on Wednesday wished him every success as he undertakes this important responsibility. “We look forward to further deepening the Japan-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership through even closer collaboration at the United Nations and in other multilateral fora,” it said. Khalilur Rahman, president-elect of the 81st UNGA session, said he is assuming the role “with humility and respect” at a time when confidence in the international system is under considerable strain. His presidency will coincide with one of the most significant processes on the UN calendar, the selection of a successor to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term concludes on December 31, 2026. The 81st session of the General Assembly will open on September 8, with world leaders scheduled to gather at UN Headquarters in New York two weeks later for the annual high-level debate. In a secret-ballot election, Khalilur Rahman secured 99 votes while Andreas Kakouris of Cyprus received 91. A total of 190 ballots were cast, with no invalid votes or abstentions.

The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dhaka has encouraged broader participation from Bangladeshi organizations in the 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize. The Zayed Sustainability Prize, an affiliate of Earth Zayed Philanthropies and the UAE’s pioneering global award for sustainability and humanitarian innovation, has opened submissions for its 2027 cycle. The Prize carries forward the vision and legacy of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, by supporting those advancing a more inclusive and sustainable world. Nonprofit organizations can possibly win US$1 million cash prize under the themes of Health, said the Embassy on Wednesday. Food, Energy, Water, or Climate Action, while Global High Schools winners will receive US $150,000 to implement or expand student-led projects in their communities. Nonprofit organizations Finalist will receive US $100,000, while Global High Schools Categories Finalists will receive US $25,000 each. Winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize will be announced during the 2027 Zayed Sustainability Prize giving ceremony. The deadline to apply is on 22 June 2026. More details and application materials are available at www.ZayedSustainabilityPrize.com. It is worth noting that Bangladeshi participants including school students, representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and young entrepreneurs, have already taken part in various cohorts of this prestigious initiative. Their outstanding contributions have been recognized through numerous awards across a diverse range of categories.

Describing the election for the Presidency of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as “highly contested,” Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir has said Bangladesh, as a soft power, will play a positive role in promoting global stability. “Bangladesh is a soft power. It is an emerging tiger that engages in international politics from a soft-power perspective, seeking to mediate and influence outcomes for the greater good,” he told reporters in New York soon after Bangladesh’s victory against Cyprus on Tuesday night. Bangladesh back on global stage with honor and dignity, Ambassador Mushfiqul says after UNGA victory Kobir said the election was highly competitive and that Bangladesh had taken a bold decision to enter the race. “We were confident of the support that our Prime Minister enjoys, backed by a two-thirds majority of our people. The Prime Minister gave us the confidence and support to put forward our candidature, despite entering the contest relatively late,” he said. The Adviser noted that Cyprus had invested greater resources with the backing of a coalition of European countries. “Despite that, we moved forward with full confidence and, within just three and a half months of our government taking office, we were able to overturn Cyprus’s support base,” he said, adding that the government worked diligently to secure every vote. “We truly earned this victory. We were confident that through a democratic vote, we could convince the world that Bangladesh is a dynamic and forward-looking nation. Bangladesh can lead and exert influence for the greater good,” he said. Kobir described the outcome as a major success for Bangladesh’s political and diplomatic efforts and congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the achievement. “This is the people’s victory and a reflection of their confidence in our government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. It is a proud moment and a defining hour for Bangladesh at the United Nations,” he said. Bangladesh Foreign Minister and President-elect of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Dr Khalilur Rahman, said he is assuming the role “with humility and respect” at a time when confidence in the international system is under considerable strain. His presidency will coincide with one of the most significant processes on the UN calendar, the selection of a successor to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term concludes on December 31, 2026. The 81st session of the General Assembly will open on September 8, with world leaders scheduled to gather at UN Headquarters in New York two weeks later for the annual high-level debate. In a secret-ballot vote, Rahman defeated Cyprus’ Ambassador Andreas Kakouris 99-91, with three countries not voting. He will succeed Germany’s former Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, whose one-year term ends in September.

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday said so far five Bangladeshi nationals could be traced as injured due to a fire that swept through a building in a New Delhi neighborhood, killing at least 21 people and injuring several others. “So far five Bangladeshi nationals could be traced as injured. Three are receiving treatment in Max Hospital in Saket; and two more are receiving treatment at Safdarjung Hospital,” said the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. The Mission is in constant contact with the authorities and is closely monitoring their condition and well-being. The High Commission conveyed deep condolences following the tragic incident of fire in Malviya Nagar, Delhi. “Our heartfelt condolences go to all the bereaved families and sincere sympathy to all those affected by this tragedy.” Bangladesh wished speedy recovery of the injured and commended the tireless efforts of the rescue and emergency response personnel. The building in the Malviya Nagar neighborhood in the southern part of the city had a restaurant on the ground floor and a hotel above. The predominantly residential area is densely populated and is popular with students and young professionals. The blaze was extinguished with the help of eight fire engines, and more than 40 people were rescued and taken to nearby hospitals, Delhi police said in a statement. The cause of the blaze was not immediately known, reports AP. Images from the scene showed firefighters trying to douse the blaze as thick smoke billowed from the building. Some people trapped inside were seen hanging from windows and shouting for help as flames and smoke swept through parts of the building. Local residents also joined rescue efforts, helping evacuate people trapped inside and carrying some of the injured to safety. Some of the victims were foreign nationals who had traveled to India for medical treatment, AP reported quoting local media. Many foreign patients travel to New Delhi for medical treatment and often stay in nearby hotels or residential accommodation during their visits.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Wednesday urged the media not to give undue importance to reports regarding Prime Minister’s foreign visits until an official announcement is made by the government. "Invitations have come from many countries. It is the Prime Minister's decision as to how, when and to which country he will make a visit," she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs amid media reports that claimed the Prime Minister will visit Malaysia on June 21-22 before he travels to China later this month. The State Minister said news reports published by different media outlets regarding the Prime Minister's possible visits should not be treated as confirmed information in the absence of an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Prime Minister's Office. "Newspapers publish their own reports, and you do the same. But until there is an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Prime Minister's Office regarding the visit of the Prime Minister, I do not think such reports should be taken seriously, nor should I comment on them," she said. The State Minister said details of any foreign visit by the Prime Minister would be formally announced by the Prime Minister's press wing once the visit is finalised. She also emphasised the importance of maintaining strong relations with all countries and said the Prime Minister would take the appropriate decision regarding future visits.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Wednesday said comments made by a defeated political leader in another country is not a matter for Bangladesh to discuss but they are working directly with the Indian government through diplomatic channel to bring back Osman Hadi's killers. "An election has taken place in another country, and a political leader has made certain remarks. That is not our matter to discuss," she told reporters when asked about remarks made by West Bengal's former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Referring to the murder of Osman Hadi, the State Minister said Bangladesh would give due consideration to any official communication from the government of India regarding the issue. She said both the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are actively and seriously engaged in the matter, adding that significant progress has already been made. "We want justice for Hadi's murder. Efforts are underway, and we expect those arrested in India to be returned to Bangladesh so that the legal process can proceed here," she said. Shama Obaed emphasised that Bangladesh remains committed to pursuing the case through appropriate diplomatic and legal channels and is maintaining close engagement on the issue. She also said it would not be appropriate to give a response based solely on comments made by an individual political leader in Kolkata. Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday alleged that Indian home minister Amit Shah asked her to keep quiet about the arrest of suspects linked to the killing of a Bangladeshi political activist. She also claimed that she knew the identities of those behind the murder of the activist whose killing sparked widespread unrest in Bangladesh, but said she would not reveal their names because doing so could trigger turmoil in Bangladesh. Though she did not mention the victim’s name, her comments appeared to refer to Sharif Osman bin Hadi, slain spokesperson of Bangladesh’s Inquilab Mancha.

Ambassador of Bangladesh Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey has said Bangladesh has returned to the global stage with ‘honor and dignity’ under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, following the election of FM Dr Khalilur Rahman as President of the 81st Session of the UNGA. In a post on X, Ambassador Mushfiqul congratulated Dr Khalilur Rahman on his election. “Bangladesh is back on the global stage with honor and dignity. We have achieved this under the leadership of Bangladesh’s elected Prime Minister @trahmanbnp,” he wrote.

The United States has proposed additional tariffs on imports from a good number of countries, including Bangladesh, after concluding that their efforts to curb trade in goods produced with forced labour are inadequate and restrict US commerce. The United States Trade Representative (USTR) in its report found that Bangladesh has failed to impose and effectively enforce a forced labor import prohibition. It found that the failure to impose and effectively enforce a forced labor import prohibition is unreasonable. The USTR also found that the failure to impose and effectively enforce a forced labor import prohibition burdens or restricts US commerce. “Bangladesh has, however, taken on commitments under the US-Bangladesh ART (Agreement on Reciprocal Trade) with respect to a forced labor import prohibition. For the foregoing reasons, the results of this investigation indicate that the acts, policies and practices of Bangladesh related to the failure to impose and effectively enforce a forced labor import prohibition are unreasonable and burden or restrict US commerce,” said  the 92-page report. The USTR on Tuesday determined under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 that the acts, policies, and practices of 60 economies, related to the failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor is unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce, and are thus actionable under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act.  The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has prepared a comprehensive report titled “Acts, Policies, and Practices of Various Economies Related to the Failure to Impose and Effectively Enforce a Prohibition on the Importation of Goods Produced with Forced Labor” that supports the findings in each investigation. “The failure of our most important trading partners to address the importation of goods made with forced labor is unacceptable. This creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field,” said Ambassador Jamieson Greer.  “We will no longer tolerate this disparity. Some trading partners have taken initial steps to prevent the importation of forced labor goods, including through USMCA and commitments in Agreements on Reciprocal Trade. However, each of our trading partners must do more to ensure that trade does not perversely encourage and entrench forced labor globally.”  To be assured of consideration, interested persons should submit requests to appear at the hearings, along with a summary of testimony by June 22, 2026, according to USTR. Written comments are due by July 6, 2026. The USTR will hold hearings about the proposed actions in these investigations on July 7, 2026. As a result of these determinations in the investigations, the U.S. Trade Representative has proposed responsive action for public comment. Specifically, the US Trade Representative proposes additional duties on all products of the investigated economies, except as provided in Annex A to the Federal Register notice.  For economies that impose a forced labor import prohibition, that have committed to impose and enforce such a prohibition through an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, or economies that have imposed a partial regime with the effect of preventing the importation of certain forced labor goods, the US Trade Representative proposes 10% as the rate of additional duties.  For all other economies, the US Trade Representative proposes 12.5% as the rate of additional duty.  The US Trade Representative also proposes a textile mechanism that would allow for a certain volume of apparel and textile imports from certain economies to enter the United States at a reduced Section 301 tariff rate. On March 12, 2026, the US Trade Representative initiated 60 investigations related to the failure of various economies to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor. Pursuant to the Trade Act, USTR provided the public and interested persons with opportunities to present their views through a public comment process and through a public hearing.  The US Trade Representative has determined that the failure of each of the 60 investigated economies to impose and effectively enforce a forced labor import prohibition is unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts US commerce, and thus is actionable under the Trade Act.  In particular, the US Trade Representative determined that the following 54 economies have failed to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour: Algeria; Angola; Argentina; Australia; the Bahamas; Bahrain; Bangladesh; Brazil; Cambodia; Chile; China, People’s Republic of; Colombia; Costa Rica; Dominican Republic; Egypt; El Salvador; Guatemala; Guyana; Honduras; Hong Kong, China; India; Iraq; Israel; Japan; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kuwait; Libya; Malaysia; Morocco; New Zealand; Nicaragua; Nigeria; Norway; Oman; Peru; the Philippines; Qatar; Russia; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; South Africa; South Korea; Sri Lanka; Switzerland; Taiwan; Thailand; Trinidad and Tobago; Türkiye; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; Uruguay; Venezuela; and Vietnam. The following six economies have failed to effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor: Canada; Ecuador, the European Union; Indonesia; Mexico; and Pakistan. Therefore, USTR said, all of the investigated economies have failed both to impose a forced labor import prohibition and to effectively enforce such a prohibition. The failure of each of the investigated economies to impose and effectively enforce a forced labor import prohibition is unreasonable because it: (1) undermines the universal aim of eliminating forced labor; (2) permits firms that avail themselves of forced labor to produce goods at lower cost and thereby distort market conditions for firms that do not use forced labor; (3) undermines the profitability of firms that do not use forced labor; and (4) contributes to the circumvention of existing forced labor import prohibitions.