Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has directed the relevant authorities to ensure the commercial launch of Starlink’s satellite broadband internet service in Bangladesh within 90 days. According to officials, during trial broadcasts in the country, Starlink operated using its foreign satellite broadband gateway. But for commercial operations, the company must comply with the Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) policy, which mandates the use of a local broadband gateway or International Internet Gateway (IIG). Starlink, a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has been in discussions with Bangladesh’s regulatory authorities regarding the licensing process. The government has emphasised the importance of adhering to national regulations, including spectrum allocation and security requirements, before granting full operational approval. Bangladeshi firms join hands with US telecom giant Starlink Dr Yunus has also formally invited Elon Musk to visit Bangladesh for the official launch of the service. The initiative aims to address the recurring instances of internet shutdowns that have disrupted freelance and business activities. Starlink’s entry into the market is seen as a significant breakthrough in ensuring uninterrupted connectivity, particularly benefiting remote communities and local entrepreneurs. Bangladeshi companies are already collaborating with Starlink to establish ground stations, facilitating the integration of satellite connectivity. Starlink's entry ensures uninterrupted internet in Bangladesh: CA’s Press Secretary Dr Yunus stressed that the new service would complement national efforts spearheaded by entities like Grameen Bank and Grameenphone.

Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has sought cooperation from all to maintain religious harmony in the country, ignoring the identity of minority and majority. He made the call while exchanging greetings with representatives of the Christian community at the State Guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka marking Christmas Day on Tuesday. "I am very glad to meet you all today. We seek religious harmony. We don’t want words like minority and majority. In this country, we are one family, and our dream is to live together as one. To make this dream a reality, everyone must come forward," he said. "We are all humans alike, and our identity as human beings should come before our religion. Every religion carries a message of peace. We must internalise that message of peace within ourselves. Only then will divisions be eliminated. If we can establish the message of peace within our hearts, we will find that peace in all religions, and there will be no divisions. Our children will have a beautiful childhood," he continued. Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain conducted the event, among others, attended by, Archbishop Vejoy N. D'Cruze, head of the Catholic Christian community in Bangladesh, Bishop Bejoy N D'Cruze, the head of the Catholic Christians of Bangladesh; Bishop Philip P. Adhikary, Chairman of National Christian Fellowship of Bangladesh; President of Bangladesh Christian Association Nirmal Rosario; Ignatius Hemant Corraya, secretary general of the Bangladesh Christian Association; and Daniel Nirmal D'Costa, President of Bangladesh Christian Mohajote. Assuring full cooperation, the Christian leaders expressed hope that under the leadership of the Chief Adviser, Bangladesh would foster generosity, communal harmony, and inclusivity. Addressing the event, Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze referred to the life, ideals, and message of peace of Jesus Christ. He said, "The people’s mass uprising in Bangladesh has opened doors to new possibilities. Professor Yunus has taken on the difficult responsibility of leading the country. You are knowledgeable, honest, and a trusted figure for all in Bangladesh.” Read: Necessary security measures taken for Christmas: DMP The Christian leaders also thanked the interim government for the donation of Tk 2.5 crore to the Christian Religious Welfare Trust on the occasion of Christmas. This grant has been distributed to churches across the country.  

BNP Chairperson's advisory council member Zainul Abedin Farroque on Friday urged the interim government to promptly initiate the process of a fair election without delaying reforms as plots are on to destabilise the country. "There is a conspiracy to weaken the interim government, which is disrupting the reform process. I urge Chief Advisor Dr Muhammad Yunus to stay vigilant about this,” he said. BNP warns of legal action against unauthorised use of party name Speaking at a sit-in programme, he also said the government should complete reforms to the Election Commission urgently based on the opinions of the political parties to start the election process. The Senbagh Forum in Dhaka arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the withdrawal of all cases filed against BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. Farroque also demanded that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India, be brought back to the country immediately. He claimed that Sheikh Hasina, who is involved in the disappearances of Ilyas Ali and Chowdhury Alam in Bangladesh and the killings of many opposition leaders and activists, was seen walking around a park in Delhi under special security. The BNP leader noted that a fallen dictator like Hasina walks in a park in Delhi, the capital of a country that once boasted to the world as a democratic nation. "I demand that the Chief Advisor of the Interim Government bring back Sheikh Hasina, against whom an arrest warrant has been issued by the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh. She should be held accountable under the law and punished,” he said. Farroque stated that the syndicate pushing up the prices of essential items is connected to the ghost of Awami League. “Those involved in the potato syndicate, the onion syndicate, and the sugar syndicate are once again alert and plotting," he said. The BNP leader emphasised that the government must take swift action against the Awami business syndicate. “The longer we wait, the more they will assert themselves... We need to bring them under the law and break their hold."

The Council of Advisers on Thursday approved the  proposed list of 26 holidays including 5-day holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr, 6-day for Eid-ul-Azha and two-day for Durga Puja for 2025 calendar year. The approval came from a meeting of the Council of Advisers chaired by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus at his office. The holidays included 12 general holidays and 14 holidays by the executive order. Nine holidays would coincide weekends (Fridays and Saturdays). Durga Puja holiday: Banks to close nationwide on Oct 10 There will be 12 general holidays including five weekly holidays and holidays for festivals of different religions. Besides, there will be 14 holidays by the executive orders which include four days of weekly holidays for Pahela Baishakh and other important holidays on religious occasions. Meanwhile, the indigenous people will get a three-day holiday on the occasion of Baisabi.