United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday (December 22, 2025) reiterated his commitment to holding the general election on February 12 next. "The nation is eagerly waiting to exercise their voting rights which were stolen by the autocratic regime," he said. Prof Yunus made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Sergio Gor, the US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, at around 7:30 pm (Dhaka time). The discussion, which lasted for about half an hour, focused on trade and tariff negotiations between Bangladesh and the United States, the upcoming general election, the country’s democratic transition, and the murder of young Bangladeshi political activist Sharif Osman Hadi. Read more: EC’s briefing for DCs-SPs begins Sergio Gor, who also serves as the US Ambassador to India, congratulated Prof Yunus for his leadership during recent tariff negotiations.  Bangladesh succeeded in reducing US reciprocal tariffs on Bangladeshi goods to 20 percent. The US Special Envoy also discussed the massive funeral of Shaheed Osman Hadi, said Chief Adviser’s Press wing. The Chief Adviser noted that supporters of the ousted autocratic regime were allegedly spending millions of dollars to disrupt the electoral process and that their fugitive leader was inciting violence.  He, however, said the interim government was “fully prepared” to deal with any challenges. Read more: Tarique Rahman to become voter on Dec 27: Salahuddin “We have roughly 50 days to go before the election. We want to hold a free, fair and peaceful election. We want to make it remarkable,” Prof Yunus said. Commerce Adviser Sk Bashiruddin, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed were present during the phone call.

Russian Ambassador in Dhaka Alexander Mantytskiy instead of the country’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent his country at the IORA meeting scheduled for November 24. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is likely to have a telephone conversation with his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.  Read more: Momen meets Lavrov, pitches for stronger international support for resolving Rohingya crisis State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam confirmed this to UNB on Sunday as there is a revised decision regarding his planned Dhaka visit.  The Bangladesh side was taking preparation for a bilateral meeting between Foreign Minister Momen and his Russian counterpart apart from a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. But the Russian side conveyed its revised decision to Bangladesh. Read more: Moscow to strengthen cooperation with Dhaka: Lavrov The reason behind the revised decision could not be known. The Russian Foreign Minister was scheduled to visit Bangladesh on November 23 mainly to attend the 22nd IORA Council of Ministers (COM) meeting to be held in Dhaka on November 24. Read more: Russia denies FM Lavrov was hospitalised, calling it “highest level of fakes” Russia is a dialogue partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) while Bangladesh is the current chair of IORA. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will brief the media on the upcoming IORA meeting on Monday.