United News of Bangladesh

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will lead the party in the upcoming 13th national election, likely to be held in February, said his foreign affairs adviser Humayun Kabir on Thursday. Talking to reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the morning after returning from the United States, he said, “The national election will be held in February. Tarique Rahman will lead BNP in that election.” Asked about Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh, Kabir said that since he would be leading the party, it was natural for him to return.  “He will return home soon. Once the date is fixed, you will know… There is no doubt about his return,” he added. In the 2001 national election Khaleda Zia led BNP, while Tarique played an important role in the electoral process. This time, Tarique Rahman himself will lead the party in the election. About his visit to the UN General Assembly with Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, Kabir said the Chief Adviser was very sincere about holding the upcoming national election. “We hope the election will be held in February next year,” he said. Salahuddin warns of plots against Bangladesh’s democratic transition He said the Chief Adviser led Bangladesh’s delegation at the UN General Assembly, which included different political parties and showed that Bangladesh was united. The BNP leader also defended the party over the incident at New York’s JFK Airport on 23 September, when political leaders were harassed during the Chief Adviser’s trip. “Throwing eggs does not damage the country’s image. Rather, it has again exposed the fascist nature of Awami League. It also proved why their political activities were banned in Bangladesh — it was the right decision,” he said. Kabir blamed the incident on poor coordination by the embassy and security officials but said the Chief Adviser had assured them that action would be taken. Tarique warns of covert autocracy, calls for unity He described the New York visit as a success, saying, “It showed that Bangladesh is united and standing tall on the international stage.”

President of the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) and former Ambassador M Humayun Kabir on Saturday said that lasting peace in Gaza cannot be achieved through the unity of the Muslim world alone. He emphasised that genuine and sustained efforts from the international community and the United Nations are indispensable. Speaking as the chief guest at a shadow parliament debate competition, Ambassador Humayun highlighted the critical role of the UN, which he said is widely recognised as the legitimate authority for maintaining international peace and security. At least 45 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza: Civil Defense The event was presided over by Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron. "We need to have joint efforts engaging the international community, UN, and the Muslim world. Without the international community's support, only the Muslim world's unity is not enough," said the former diplomat, noting that what is happening in Gaza is inhumane, barbaric and extremely cruel. Over 50,000 people have been killed since October 2023, nearly a third of whom are children, according to the Ministry of Health. Israeli airstrikes kill at Least 25 in Gaza; new U.S. Ambassador Huckabee makes first appearance Since the resumption of hostilities on 18 March, more than 1,500 people have been killed, according to local authorities. According to the United Nations, at least 409 aid workers, most of whom were UNRWA staff, the main provider of humanitarian aid in Gaza, have been killed since October 2023. Ambassador Humayun said the people of Bangladesh and the government have always stood by the oppressed people of Palestine and continue to support their just cause. At the beginning of the debate, a minute of silence was observed in memory of those killed in the barbaric attack on Palestinians. In his speech, Chowdhury Kiron said Palestine is in a deep crisis today, and Gaza is swimming in blood. "No one - women, children, doctors, human rights activists, journalists - is spared from the Israeli genocide. Gaza has been turned into a city. There is no food, no water, no electricity, no medicine, no treatment in the death city of Gaza. The people buried under the rubble are desperate to survive," he said, adding that Gaza has been turned into a mass grave of Palestinians.