United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has acknowledged the support of the European Union (EU) to the Election Commission and extended a warm welcome to the forthcoming visit of the EU pre-election exploratory Mission to Bangladesh. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday outlined the interim government’s ongoing efforts to lay the groundwork for the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 2026. Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) Mounir Satouri met the Foreign Adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed the issues of mutual interest, including the upcoming national election. Satouri is currently leading a European Parliament delegation, comprising four fellow Members of Parliament. The delegation said the EU will continue to support the democratic transition in Bangladesh, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. BNP leaders meet EU team; discuss election, democratic transition Building on the Chair’s comment, one of the MEPs said, “Democracy is backsliding around the world. However, Bangladesh is moving in the right direction to uphold democracy despite many challenges.” The Foreign Adviser briefed the delegation on the interim government’s reform initiatives focused on upholding fundamental rights and strengthening of domestic institutions to uphold democratic values and prevent future occurrence of human rights violations. He also reaffirmed the interim government’s unswerving commitment to international human rights standards, highlighting recent accessions to key UN human rights instruments, including the International Convention on Enforced Disappearances and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. EU lauds Dhaka’s collaborative efforts in addressing irregular migration

A group of 10 Bangladeshi youth, nominated by the interim government of Bangladesh, participated in the BIMSTEC Young Leaders’ Summit, hosted by the government of India from September 9-11 in Guwahati, Assam. This is the second edition of the event as the first BIMSTEC Youth Summit was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India in February 2025 which also saw the participation of 10 Bangladeshi youth delegates. The Summit underscored that the young leaders of the Bay of Bengal region should come together for ushering in inclusivity and deeper regional cooperation. The event also spotlighted the strategic importance of North East India as a land bridge linking the Bay of Bengal community and advancing socio-economic integration. The initiative, part of the 21-point action plan announced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, was organized in partnership with the Bharat Scouts and Guides and inaugurated by the governor of Assam. It brought together over 80 dynamic young leaders from across all BIMSTEC member states. Apart from representatives from Bangladesh Ministry of Youth & Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladeshi delegation included participants from various sectors ranging from ed-tech entrepreneur to lawyer, museum curator to social and political activists. BIMSTEC joins Asia-Pacific Group on money laundering as 'observer' The Bangladeshi delegates returned with enhanced skills, innovative ideas, and strengthened networks that will contribute to regional development efforts, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. Their active participation showcased Bangladesh’s commitment to advancing the shared prosperity and connectivity goals of BIMSTEC. The Summit is in line with India’s Neighborhood First, Act East, and MAHASAGAR visions, and reinforces the collective resolve to nurture the region’s young leaders who will shape policies, strengthen cooperation, and confront the challenges of the future. As part of its commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties, all expenses were fully funded by the Government of India. Dhaka reaffirms strong commitment to BIMSTEC process with enhanced cooperation Over the course of three days, the Summit engaged young leaders on themes of resilient and inclusive 21st century leadership, entrepreneurship, design thinking, and socially responsive innovation. Cultural exchanges and country-sharing sessions further strengthened mutual understanding and solidarity among BIMSTEC nations.

US Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson joined senior Bangladesh Armed Forces officials on Wednesday at Zahurul Haque Cantonment in Chattogram to observe Exercise Pacific Angel 25, a multilateral program focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster response. The seven-day multilateral exercise brings together nearly 92 U.S. and 90 Bangladesh Air Force personnel, two Sri Lanka Air Force medical personnel, the Oregon Air National Guard, and regional partners to enhance cooperation in medical readiness, air safety, engineering support, and disaster management operations, said US Mission Spokesperson Poornima Rai on Wednesday.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members will not be able to cast votes from abroad through postal ballots if their National Identity (NID) Cards remain locked during the next election, according to remark made by Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Wednesday. “No one whose NID is locked will be able to vote from abroad,” he said while talking to reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban. The EC secretary, however, did not mention anyone's name. Formation of ‘election commission service’ sought for EC staff EC officials confirmed that the NID cards of Sheikh Hasina and nine other members of her family were suspended on February 16, 2025 by the EC’s National Identity Registration Wing. Those whose NIDs were locked include Hasina’s son Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, sister Rehana Siddiq, nieces Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq, and nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby. Besides, Hasina’s former security adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique (brother-in-law of Sheikh Rehana) and his wife Shahin Siddique and their daughter Bushra Siddique have also had their NID cards suspended. So, none of them, including Hasina, will be able to exercise voting rights from abroad. Replying to a question on whether Hasina can cast her vote from abroad, the EC Secretary said “Her NID is locked. Those whose NIDs are locked cannot vote.” The EC official explained that once an NID is suspended, it cannot be used for any purpose, including voter registration. For the first time, the Election Commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin is set to introduce an IT-supported postal ballot system for expatriate Bangladeshis, where having an active NID is mandatory for registration. February election crucial for Bangladesh’s democratic transition: Gwyn Lewis In the upcoming parliamentary election, there will be both in-country and out-of-country voting (OCV). “The expatriates will register online, and a system is being developed for this,” said Akhtar Ahmed. But he said there is no bar on voting for those living abroad to due to lawsuits, exile, or any other reason, if their NIDs remain active. Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024, following a student-led mass uprising that toppled her government. Since then, she and many of her party colleagues have been living abroad.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) detained a 28-year-old man, Avinash Chandra Roy Rabi, while he was cutting grass for cattle in the Hati Bandha area of Lalmonirhat on Wednesday. The incident occurred around noon near Sub-Pillar 13S of the 895 Main Pillar under the Singimari Border Outpost of the 61 BGB Tista Battalion. Avinash, son of Monoranjan Roy, had recently returned home from Dhaka, where he worked as a tiles mason. According to local sources, Avinash went to the border area to collect fodder for cattle when BSF personnel apprehended him. His family informed the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) about the incident. BGB officials have requested a flag meeting with BSF to secure his release. BGB-BSF meeting held near Jhenaidah border Hati Bandha Police Officer-in-Charge Mahmud Un Nabi confirmed the incident and said the BGB is taking all necessary steps through the flag meeting to ensure Avinash’s safe return.

The Bangladesh Air Force, in collaboration with the United States Pacific Air Forces, is currently conducting a seven-day joint exercise, ‘Operation Pacific Angel 25-3’. As part of the drills, various air, ground, and wartime scenario exercises were held on Wednesday. A press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the exercises included transportation of critically injured patients and transferring them from one aircraft to another. Such exercises aim to enhance emergency medical response, in-flight coordination, and rapid decision-making capabilities. Search and rescue operations were also conducted, focusing on coordinated response and timely evacuation of casualties during accidents, adverse weather conditions, or combat situations. Bangladesh, US to continue joint military exercises eyeing safer region   On the ground, exercises included combat tracking and survival drills. Combat tracking focused on detecting enemy movements, covert tracking, and developing strategic planning skills. Survival exercises provided practical experience in using limited resources to stay alive, sourcing food and water, concealment, and safely escaping from enemy encirclement in challenging environments. The joint exercise is expected to significantly enhance the forces’ ability to operate together during emergencies and wartime operations, marking a milestone for future collaborative missions.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will reach New York on September 22 to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he is set to deliver his official statement and hold a series of high-level meetings on the sidelines. The Chief Adviser will deliver his speech at the UNGA on September 26, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told reporters during a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Wednesday. Hossain said Prof Yunus, in his speech, is expected to highlight the activities of the last year and the interim government commitment to true democracy through reforms and elections scheduled for February next year. He is expected to address a wide range of pressing global issues, including peacekeeping, climate change and climate justice, the Sustainable Development Goals, illicit financial flows, safe migration and migrant rights, sustainable technology transfer in the age of artificial intelligence, as well as a call for ceasefire and permanent peace in Palestine.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to holding a ‘free, fair, transparent and festive’ general election in the first half of February next year.  “The general election will be peaceful, fair, transparent and festive,” he said, adding that the interim government remains determined to hold it as scheduled, though ‘certain forces’ are still attempting to delay the polls. Prof Yunus made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) led by Mounir Satouri, held at the State Guest House Jamuna, said his Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. “We have already announced the timeline for the election. It will be held in early February, just before Ramadan,” the Chief Adviser told the visiting delegation. Prof Yunus noted growing enthusiasm among the public, particularly the youth, as student body elections have resumed in universities after years—some after more than three decades. Prof Yunus to kick off packed 80th UNGA schedule on Sept 22 He expressed confidence that young voters would turn out in record numbers, as this will be the first time in over 15 years that many of them will be casting their ballots. “Bangladesh will witness a new beginning through the February election. It will mark a new chapter in our history, a new journey for the nation,” he said. During the hour-long discussion, the Chief Adviser and the MEPs exchanged views on the government’s reform initiatives, the European Union’s continued support for Bangladesh’s development and democratic transition, and the ongoing Rohingya humanitarian crisis.

French Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy has inaugurated the new visa application centre with the VFS Global to facilitate travel for Bangladesh residents. “The Embassy of France is very happy to inaugurate this new visa application centre. The aim of outsourcing the collection of visa applications is to facilitate travel for Bangladesh residents," she said on Tuesday. VFS Global on Wednesday (September 17) started accepting short-term and long-term visa applications for France at the visa application center located at 118 Gulshan Avenue. Appointment bookings have already started, and applicants can book them via VFS Global by visiting https://visa.vfsglobal.com/bgd/en/fra/. This shift will increase the number of daily applications submitted, reduce the waiting time to get appointments, modernise payment options and generally improve applicant experience via a specialised centre, said the Ambassador. She emphasised the fact that VFS Global’s responsibility will be limited to welcome the applicants and collect their application files. "The processing of visa applications will continue to be the sole responsibility of the Embassy," the Ambassador said. At the inauguration event, VFS Global’s spokesperson for Bangladesh said this visa application center will play an important role in meeting the growing demand for travel to France. "The global experience of VFS Global will make France’s visa services easier and hassle-free for the citizens of Bangladesh," he said. Since 2004, VFS Global has been serving as a trusted partner of the government of France in visa processing services. Currently, the organization provides France visa services in 29 countries through 70 dedicated Visa Application Centres worldwide. This spacious, state-of-the-art facility will be supported by well-trained customer service representatives who will guide applicants through every stage of the visa process. Designed for convenience, the centre offers multiple benefits, including flexible payment options (cash, card, and online), easy appointment booking, and extended operating hours for both application submission and passport collection. "We are excited to expand our partnership further. We are confident that these visa application centers will support the rising demand for travel between the two nations by making the application submission process even smoother and seamless thereby enhancing customer

Nine young women who once toiled on garment production lines are now pursuing higher education, swapping sewing machines and fabric samples for lecture halls and textbooks as they reshape their futures through learning. They all are now attending classes at the Asian University for Women (AUW) in Chattogram, said a media release on Wednesday. This is the remarkable reality made possible by collaboration between Team Group and Inditex. Nishat Anjum Nijhum was junior quality inspector, Sumaiya Akter was junior quality inspector,  Sumaiya Misu was junior operator, Mousume Akter was junior operator, Nipa Moni Akter was junior needle issue girl and Mumtarin Ferdous was employed as peon at 4A Yarn Dyeing Ltd, a concern of Team Group. While Trisha Moni was junior quality inspector, Tania Akther as junior quality inspector, and Sumaiya Khatun was employed as operator at Gramtech Knit Dyeing Finishing & Garments Industries Ltd, another concern of Team Group. The workers completed higher secondary education (HSC). But after the HSC they dropped out and to take the responsibilities of their families they entered the jobs. Graduation was their cherished dream which they thought would never be fulfilled. Their dreams came true when Team Group announced Inditex scholarships for its female workers to study at the university. Through exams they were found eligible to study in the graduation course. Team Group facilitated the whole assessment process and guided them throughout the exam period. They already started classes at the AUW. They enrolled there for 5 years – 2 years foundation course and afterwards 3 years graduation course. During the 5 years course, Inditex will be taking care of their tuition fee, lodging, food and monthly stipend to support their families. Deputy Managing Director of Team Group Abdullah Hil Nakib on Wednesday said: “I really hope to see them successful in the coming years. And also like to see all of them as stars in the unlimited sky of Team Group.” “When these individuals complete their degrees and return to Team Group, they won’t be walking back to the same positions they left. Rather they’ll return as officers, managers, and leaders. This is what empowerment looks like when it moves beyond words into transformative action”, he added.