United News of Bangladesh

The BNP Standing Committee is set to hold an emergency meeting on Thursday evening (November 13) following the Chief Adviser’s announcement that the next national election and a referendum will be held on the same day, along with the approval of the July National Charter implementation order. The meeting will begin at 7pm at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. He said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will join the meeting virtually and preside over it.Earlier in the day, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus announced that the national election and the referendum on the July Charter will take place on the same day. In a televised address to the nation, he said a meeting of the Council of Advisers had approved the July National Charter (Constitution Amendment) Implementation Order, 2025. Referendum, national election together in Feb: Prof Yunus “To implement the July Charter, this order includes several important provisions. These include holding a referendum on the constitutional amendment proposals of the charter and, subsequently, the formation of a Constitution Reform Council.” A senior BNP leader said while their party welcomes the announcement of the election and the referendum on the same day, it has reservations about the implementation order and the nature of the referendum. He said the meeting of the BNP Standing, the highest policymaking body of the party, will discuss these issues in detail and decide the party’s next course of action. Read more: Chief Adviser breached signed July Charter, says Salahuddin

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said Bangladesh is now preparing for the national election, which will be a historic moment for the nation. “You’ve come at a time when Bangladesh is undergoing a significant transformation, an uprising led by young people. Now we are preparing for the election, which will be a historic moment for the nation,” the Chief Adviser said. Prof Yunus made the remarks when Canadian Senator Salma Ataullahjan, two MPs, Salma Zahid and Sameer Zuberi, called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna. Led by Senator Salma Ataullahjan, the team discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral trade cooperation and address the Rohingya crisis, said the Chief Adviser's press wing. The Chief Adviser briefed the delegation on the ongoing reforms and preparations for the upcoming February election. He also thanked Canada for its steadfast support for the Rohingya community.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has directed the security forces to spare no effort in identifying and apprehending the perpetrators and to bring them swiftly to justice, stressing that violence and intimidation have no place in our political and social life. "The CMP has already launched a manhunt for the attackers," he said. The interim government on Wednesday (5th November 2025) strongly condemned the violent attack at an election campaign event of Ershad Ullah, the nominated candidate of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for Chattogram-8. In a statement, the government called upon all political actors and their supporters to uphold calm, show restraint and ensure that the February general election takes place in an atmosphere of peace, dignity, and fairness. Read more: Five BNP men wounded in Raozan gun attack "The government will do its part by taking all necessary measures to guarantee the secure and peaceful conditions required for free, fair, credible and festive elections across Bangladesh," said the statement issued by the Chief Adviser's press wing. Immediate investigation by the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) indicates that Ershad Ullah was not the target of the attack, but a stray bullet hit and injured him.  The government wishes him an early recovery. A full probe has been ordered. The government expressed its deep concern at this criminal act and reiterated its unwavering commitment to protecting the safety and rights of all candidates and citizens participating in the democratic process. Read more: One killed, BNP candidate Ershad Ullah injured in Ctg gun attack

The National Consensus Commission on Tuesday submitted its recommendations on ways to implement the July Charter to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. The Commission presented its recommendations at the State Guest House Jamuna before the members of the Council of Advisers. These recommendations outline ways to implement the July National Charter. Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz and commission members were also present. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday highlighted the importance of preserving all documents, videos, audios and photographs related to the discussions from the formation of the National Consensus Commission to the formulation of its final recommendations, describing them as invaluable assets. NCC holds review meeting with experts on July Charter implementation “As a nation, we need to preserve and make accessible for everyone the context, process and decisions we have reached over time. All documents, including photos and videos of meetings, as well as all correspondence exchanged, should be systematically preserved and categorized. All discussions broadcast live on television should also be archived in segments,” he said. Prof Yunus said these records would serve as living documents of history. “Researchers should be able to access and use them. These documents will remain for generations and become central to future political discussions,” the Chief Adviser said while addressing the concluding meeting of the National Consensus Commission. The Chief Adviser expressed gratitude to the political parties, officials and staff of the Consensus Commission, researchers, and members of the media for their cooperation. The Commission members called on the government to take immediate steps to finalise the outline for implementing the July National Charter and to carry out the recommendations of other reform commissions.  

Visiting Chairman of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza has expressed his country’s willingness to deepen cooperation with Bangladesh across various sectors, highlighting the untapped potential for enhancing trade, connectivity and investment between the two nations. "Our two countries will support each other,” General Mirza said, adding that a two-way shipping route between Karachi and Chittagong has already begun operations, while a Dhaka–Karachi air route is expected to open within months. He paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna late Saturday. During the meeting, they discussed a wide range of issues concerning Bangladesh–Pakistan relations, including the growing importance of bilateral trade, investment and defence cooperation. First US wheat shipment arrives at Ctg port Both sides also underscored the need for deescalating tensions in the Middle East and Europe, said the Chief Adviser's press wing on Sunday. They exchanged views on the growing challenge of misinformation and the misuse of social media by non-state actors to undermine peace and stability across various regions. “Fake news and disinformation have flooded social media. It is being used to sow chaos. There must be a concerted global effort to combat this menace,” the Chief Adviser said. National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Senior Secretary and SDGs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, and Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider were present during the meeting.  

Describing Germany as Bangladesh’s biggest trade partner in Europe, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday expressed optimism that newly appointed German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Rüdiger Lotz would work to boost trade and investment. The German Ambassador paid a courtesy call on the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna and discussed issues of mutual interest. The Chief Adviser extended his warmest greetings to the German Ambassador on assuming his duties in Bangladesh and expressed the hope that the friendly relations between Bangladesh and Germany would reach a new height during his stay here. During the meeting, the Ambassador showed support for the interim government and enquired about the preparations for the national election in February 2026. He said that it was encouraging to see that people in Bangladesh were becoming more engaged in the democratic process, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Partnership with Bangladesh can deepen as strategic alignment: Saudi Minister The German Ambassador also praised the government’s reform efforts, especially the July National Charter. “It’s good to see political parties sitting down together and having conversations. The country should continue these reform initiatives after the election.”  The Chief Adviser said the National Consensus Commission did an excellent job by bringing major political parties together to sign the Charter. “It was a historic moment that showed unity and a shared commitment to change. It also helps build trust before the upcoming election. The government is doing everything possible to ensure the February election is peaceful and joyful,” he said.  The Ambassador also spoke about the rising number of Bangladeshi students who want to study in Germany. Bangladesh a key partner in Bay of Bengal, wider Indo-Pacific: EU The Chief Adviser and the Ambassador both welcomed the growing connections between the people of the two countries. They also discussed the situation of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and Germany’s support in this area. Prof Yunus also spoke about the power of young people. “Thanks to technology and social media, today’s youth can speak up, connect with others easily, and spot injustice,” he said. He, however, also warned about the dangers of false information. “Disinformation is one of the biggest challenges we face before the election.” 

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has called on the youth  around the world to be more visionary and courageous in transforming their dreams into reality, emphasising their power to create meaningful change in society. He made the call during a meeting with a delegation of young political activists from Sweden and Norway at the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday. “People say youth is the future, I say youth is the present,” Prof Yunus told the visiting group.  “The world is changing fast, and today’s youth are not the same as previous generations. Your upbringing and access to technology make you a different kind of human being, almost a superhuman. All you need to do is ask yourself, ‘What kind of world do I want to create?’ Then commit to it, you have the tools to make it happen," the Chief Adviser said. Machado dared to imagine a better world, worked tirelessly: Prof Yunus Led by ambassador Nicolas Weeks of Sweden and Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen of Norway, the delegation featured young political leaders from diverse parties, including Alice Landerholm (Moderate Youth Party), Arian Twana (Social Democratic Youth Party), Anton Holmlund (Liberal Youth Party), Dexter Krokstedt (Sweden Democrats Youth), Hanna Lindqvist (Green Youth Party), and Max Pelin (Christian Democratic Youth Party) from Sweden, and Oda Røhme Sivertsen (Young Conservatives), Lars Mikael Barstad Løvold (Progress Party Youth), and Syver Kleve Kolstad (Red Youth) from Norway. They were accompanied by UNDP representatives Stefan Liller (Resident Representative, Bangladesh), Caroline Aberg (Deputy Director, Nordic Representation Office), Kirtijai Pahari (Strategic Communications and External Relations Specialist), and Emilie Andresen (Communications Analyst), said the Chief Adviser’s press wing on Sunday. 

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, who arrived in Dubai International Airport on Wednesday evening, is scheduled to reach home on Thursday morning. An Emirates Airlines commercial flight carrying the Chief Adviser and his small entourage is scheduled to take off from the Dubai International Airport at 2am on Thursday (Dubai time). The Chief Adviser is scheduled to return home before 9am on Thursday (Dhaka time). Prof Yunus left New York on Tuesday night (US time) for Dhaka, concluding a nine-day visit marked by extensive engagements during the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). An Emirates Airlines commercial flight carrying the Chief Adviser and his small entourage took off from John F. Kennedy International Airport at 11:10 pm (US time). Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Tareq Md Ariful Islam and Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury saw him off at the airport, said Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. Prof Yunus began his UNGA tour on September 22 and concluded it by attending the high-level conference on the “Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities” held at the UN General Assembly Hall on Tuesday. Prof Yunus leaves New York for Dhaka He delivered his address at the 80th UNGA on September 26 and held a series of meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the session. BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, Jamaat’s US spokesperson Mohammad Nakibur Rahman, National Citizen Party member secretary Akhter Hossen, and first senior joint member secretary Dr Tasnim Jara joined the delegation at Prof Yunus’ invitation. Speaking broadly at the UNGA, Prof Yunus warned, the “truth before us is frightening” and stressed that “extreme nationalism, geopolitics that thrive on the suffering of others, and indifference to human pain are destroying the progress humanity has built through decades of struggle”. This tragedy is most visible in Gaza, he said, adding that the two-State solution must be implemented now. Prof Yunus described three goals on which young people must be able to build the future: zero carbon, zero wealth concentration and zero unemployment. “Let the dream of a three-zero world be the dream of all nations.”

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has sought support from United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres, stressing that the next few months will be crucial as the country is heading towards the national election. "We need your support for the election," Prof Yunus said, highlighting that the ousted regime and its allies are funding disinformation campaigns using stolen assets in a bid to destabilise the country ahead of the vote. The UN Secretary-General expressed his full support and solidarity with Bangladesh’s ongoing democratic transition and reform initiatives. He made the remarks during a meeting with the Chief Adviser at the UN Headquarters in New York on Monday (US time). Prof Yunus led a high-level delegation that included Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain and National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Principal Secretary Siraj Uddin Miah and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. During the meeting, the two sides discussed a wide range of issues, including political reforms, preparations for the upcoming general election scheduled for February, accountability for the atrocities committed during the July Uprising, global trade concerns surrounding protectionist tariff measures, and the upcoming International Rohingya Conference set for September 30. One of India’s specialties right now is fake news: Prof Yunus The Chief Adviser briefed the Secretary-General on the reform measures undertaken by the Interim Government and its commitment to ensuring a free, fair and peaceful election. “They do not want an election in February. Certain international quarters are backing them,” he added. In response, Secretary-General Guterres reaffirmed the UN's strong support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition and reform agenda. Prof Yunus urges global rights defenders to monitor Bangladesh ahead of polls

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said that by sitting together with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the UNGA Hall, leaders of three major political parties sent a strong message to the international community that Bangladesh remains united and committed to moving forward with the national election in a united manner.   “The full presence of six political leaders at the UNGA conveyed the message that we are united and determined to move forward with the elections together. This is a significant message, not only for Bangladesh but also for the entire world,” he said, noting that the country is fully prepared for a democratic transition. BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, party leader Mohammad Nakibur Rahman, National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhter Hossen, and its Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr Tasnim Jara accompanied the Chief Adviser as part of the Bangladesh delegation to the UNGA.   The political leaders highly appreciated the initiative taken by the Chief Adviser.   “It’s a historic day,” said Press Secretary Alam while briefing reporters at a hotel in New York on Friday afternoon (NY time).   Prof Yunus delivers a 'powerful call' for justice, reform, renewed international solidarity   He said they are in the final stage of reform efforts and have already achieved significant progress in many areas.   The political leaders who joined the Chief Adviser during his speech at the UNGA also participated in various sessions, marking their united presence at the United Nations General Assembly.   The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the organisation.    Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations.    Delivering his speech at the 80th UNGA on Friday, delivering a powerful call for justice, reform and renewed international solidarity.   Reflecting on Bangladesh’s transformation since the July Uprising of 2024, Prof Yunus highlighted the decisive role of youth in restoring democracy and inspiring reforms now anchored in the 'July Declaration'.   He underscored progress towards  institutional accountability, preparations for free elections, and comprehensive economic and governance reforms aimed at transparency, stability and investment.   Prof Yunus emphasised Bangladesh’s strong human rights commitments, citing accession to international conventions, cooperation with the UN Human Rights Office, and measures to safeguard against past abuses.   TIB statement on Prof Yunus' UNGA delegation "deeply disappointing": CA's press wing   The Chief Adviser paid tribute to Bangladesh’s expatriate workforce, noting that migrant workers continue to send home record levels of remittances and underlined that their contributions are equally valuable in host countries and at home.   He drew the attention of the Member States to the High Level Conference on Rohingya on 30 September 2025 and urged the global community to step up support for the Rohingyas.    He also strongly condemned the Israeli genocide and called for urgent international action to stop the violence in Gaza, and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s unwavering support for a two-state solution. The Chief Adviser reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to women’s empowerment, climate action, youth-driven innovation, equitable sharing of new technologies including AI, nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, reform of international financial system to stop money laundering and wealth siphoning from developing countries, fairer sharing of natural resources among countries, UN peacekeeping, and revitalisation of regional organisations and reform of multilateralism.    Prof Yunus presented his vision of a 'three-zero world': zero carbon, zero net wealth concentration to end poverty and zero unemployment.   The Chief Adviser congratulated the President of the General Assembly and all Member States on the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter.    He commended the UN’s historic achievements while stressing the urgent need for reforms to strengthen multilateralism and ensure that developing countries’ voices are heard.