United News of Bangladesh

Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi on Thursday said his country remains committed to supporting vulnerable populations in Bangladesh, including Rohingyas and their host Bangladeshi communities. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed a new contribution of USD $6.7 million (JPY 1.05 billion) from the government of Japan to support Rohingyas and host community smallholder farmers in Cox’s Bazar. “Through this partnership with WFP, Japan aims to contribute to food security, improved nutrition and the overall wellbeing of Rohingya families, particularly women and children,” said the Ambassador. At the same time, he said, it is also important to support Bangladeshis in improving their food security by addressing pressing challenges related to climate change and market access. With this contribution, WFP will deliver lifesaving food assistance to Rohingyas and provide nutrition services to pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children under five. The funding will also enable WFP to strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers within the host communities by implementing an aggregation centre model. These centres facilitate the consolidation of agricultural produce and improve access to local markets and humanitarian supply chain, thereby providing fresh vegetables, eggs, and rice to Rohingya families. WFP’s provides Rohingya families with monthly food vouchers to purchase food items including rice, lentils, oil and other essentials, as well as fresh vegetables and protein-rich foods at designated outlets, according to the WFP. Under nutrition activities, pregnant and breastfeeding women and young children receive malnutrition prevention and treatment services including specialized nutrition products, growth monitoring, nutrition education, and behaviour change communication. In host communities, this funding will allow WFP to repair agricultural infrastructure damaged by floods and cyclones, restoring vital supply routes for local farmers. The funding will also equip aggregation centres with cold storage and modern food processing facilities to improve the quality and value of locally produced food. Since early 2024, nearly 150,000 additional Rohingya have fled to Cox’s Bazar camps due to intensified fighting in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, pushing the total population to nearly 1.2 million. Despite the rising needs, dwindling international support has placed the humanitarian response at risk. Unless additional funding is secured to fill a USD 150 million gap, WFP’s food and nutrition services for Rohingya families could face major disruptions starting in April 2026. “At a time when humanitarian needs in Cox’s Bazar remain extraordinarily high, this funding from the Government of Japan is both timely and critical,” said Simone Parchment, WFP Bangladesh Country Director a.i. “We are deeply grateful for Japan’s steadfast commitment to the Rohingya and Bangladeshi host communities. For years, Japan’s support has been central to WFP’s lifesaving and life-changing mission in Bangladesh. We call on other donors to also step up to safeguard the lives, wellbeing and dignity of vulnerable communities such as the Rohingya.” Since the beginning of the emergency in August 2017, Japan has been a consistent supporter of the Rohingya humanitarian response in Bangladesh, contributing over USD 260 million to WFP and other UN agencies and non- governmental organizations, including through this latest contribution.

Gold prices have increased again in the country with the rate of 22-carat gold rising by Tk 3,324 per bhori (11.664 grams), Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) said on Tuesday. Following the latest adjustment, the price of 22-carat gold has been fixed at Tk 277,428 per bhori, according to a notification issued by  BAJUS. BAJUS said the new rate was determined in view of an increase in the price of pure gold (tejabi gold) in the local market and the overall market situation. Under the revised pricing structure, 21-carat gold will cost Tk 264,773 per bhori while 18-carat gold has been set at Tk 226,981 per bhori. The price of gold produced under the traditional method has been fixed at Tk 185,749 per bhori. The last adjustment was made on March 2, when BAJUS raised the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 5,424 per bhori to Tk 274,104. So far in 2026, gold prices have been adjusted 36 times in the domestic market, raised on 24 occasions and reduced 12 times. Despite the hike in gold prices, silver rates remain unchanged. Currently, 22-carat silver is being sold at Tk 7,173 per bhori. In 2026, silver prices have been adjusted 21 times, with rates increased 14 times and reduced seven times.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Md Nahid Islam has said that there will be no existence of fascism in Bangladesh. In a post on the party’s verified Facebook page on Monday, he said, “We will not leave any trace of fascism in Bangladesh.” Nahid, also a lawmaker from Dhaka-11, said the president must be impeached and brought under arrest. NCP forms committee to oversee local government polls

Bangladesh and India have agreed to work towards expanding bilateral trade, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said on Monday. “Trade between the two countries has faced various obstacles due to some mutual decisions. Both sides have drawn each other’s attention to reviewing decisions such as the closure of several Indian land ports, border haats and the cancellation of trans-shipment facilities,” he said. The commerce adviser made the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting with Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat. The minister said the high commissioner primarily came as part of a courtesy call to welcome the new government but discussions also covered various aspects of increasing trade between the two countries. Talks included the reopening of some closed land ports, he added. Muktadir said Bangladesh also drew India’s attention to existing restrictions on the export of some products while the Indian side mentioned restarting closed border haats. “There are, in fact, some mutual barriers created by both countries and it is true that these have affected trade relations,” he said the high commissioner would discuss the issues at higher levels in his country while Bangladesh would also raise the matters in the cabinet. Replying to a question, Muktadir said there was no discussion on the future of Indian-funded projects. Asked about the possibility of fuel and food shortages if the Strait of Hormuz is closed due to the Iran war, the minister said shipping costs would rise in that case. “There is no need for immediate concern as the situation could be resolved within a couple of days. If not, the government would take alternative measures and there is currently no shortage of goods in the country, he said.

The United States has suspended the issuance of immigrant visas for citizens of Bangladesh and 74 other countries, the US Embassy in Dhaka said on Monday. However, the suspension does not apply to visitor visas, it added. In a message posted on its official Facebook page, the embassy said effective January 21, 2026, the Department of State paused all immigrant visa issuances to nationals of countries, including Bangladesh, whose immigrants have a high rate of collecting public assistance at the expense of the U.S. taxpayer. “The pause does not apply to visitor visas. Immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of impacted countries may submit visa applications and attend interviews, and the Department of State will continue to schedule visa interviews, “ it said.

Bangladesh on Sunday condemned the violation of sovereignty of some countries, including Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Bangladesh hopes that calm will prevail at the earliest, and peace, security and stability will be restored soonest across the region, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the wake of attacks on Iran, Bangladesh continues to be 'deeply concerned' at the safety and security of Bangladeshi nationals residing in this country. Khamenei’s death: Who will be Iran’s next supreme leader? Bangladesh warned that the continuation of hostilities will only endanger regional peace, stability and the wellbeing of civilian populations. Bangladesh called upon all concerned parties to exercise maximum restraint and return to diplomacy to resolve the differences.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook has said that the United Kingdom (UK) shares a deep and special relationship with Sylhet. “Sylhet’s relationship with the UK is very close because around 90 percent of Bangladeshis living in the UK are from Sylhet. Bangladesh’s ties with the UK are growing stronger day by day, largely due to Sylhet. The contribution of Sylhetis in the UK is remarkable,” she said. The High Commissioner made the remarks at an Iftar Mahfil organised by the British High Commission at a hotel in the city on Wednesday, in honour of representatives from various professions in Sylhet. Wishing everyone a blessed Ramadan, she said the holy month brings a message of moderation and peace every year. She added that such Iftar gatherings create an opportunity for people from all sections of society to come together. During her visit, the High Commissioner paid courtesy calls on the Divisional Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet. She also held discussions with leaders of the Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry and British investors working in the region. The meetings focused on issues of mutual interest, including expansion of trade and investment, climate resilience, education and migration. She said Bangladesh and the UK maintain close cooperation in these areas and expressed the UK’s interest in further strengthening bilateral relations.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday called on Chinese investors to increase their presence in Bangladesh, highlighting the role of security and stability in attracting foreign capital. The request came during a meeting with China’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen at the Ministry of Home Affairs. Minister Salahuddin described China as a major development partner and urged expansion of existing investments, citing Bangladesh’s strategic location and long-standing bilateral ties. Chinese envoy meets PM Tarique, reaffirms China’s support Ambassador Yao said Bangladesh’s politically stable government creates a favourable environment for investment. He said roughly 10,000 Chinese nationals are currently working across sectors in the country and emphasised that development and security are interlinked, urging enhanced law enforcement and public safety measures. Joining the ‘International Alliance Combating Telecom and Cyber Fraud’, an initiative by China’s Ministry of Public Security, by Bangladesh also came up at the meeting for discussions. India, China invite Bangladesh FM to pay official visits Minister Salahuddin instructed officials to review the expired 2023 memorandum on law enforcement training cooperation and indicated plans to visit China later this year. Discussions spanned security, cybercrime prevention, police training, and business expansion, reflecting both countries’ aim to deepen economic and strategic ties.

Saudi Arabia’s Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has banned the import of poultry and table eggs from 40 countries including Bangladesh aimed at protecting public health and ensuring food safety in the kingdom. It also imposed partial restrictions on certain regions in 16 other countries, reports Gulf News. The authority said the list of affected countries is regularly reviewed in line with global health developments and epidemiological updates. According to the latest update, some bans have been in place since 2004, while others were introduced gradually over the years based on risk assessments and international reports on animal diseases, especially highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks. The full ban covers imports from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Djibouti, South Africa, China, Iraq, Ghana, Palestine, Vietnam, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Cameroon, South Korea, North Korea, Laos, Libya, Myanmar, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Serbia, Slovenia, Côte d’Ivoire and Montenegro. Partial restrictions apply to certain states or cities in Australia, the United States, Italy, Belgium, Bhutan, Poland, Togo, Denmark, Romania, Zimbabwe, France, the Philippines, Canada, Malaysia, Austria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The SFDA clarified that the ban does not cover heat-treated poultry and related products, provided they meet approved health and safety standards. Such products must carry official certification confirming that they have been processed to eliminate avian influenza and Newcastle disease viruses and come from approved facilities in the exporting country.

Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday discussed ways to accelerate negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and strengthen cooperation in trade, energy, infrastructure and Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects. The issues were discussed when UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdulla Ali AlHmoudi paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting reaffirmed the longstanding friendship and ‘growing strategic partnership’ between Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates. UAE-Bangladesh joint venture to invest $10m at BEPZA Economic Zone The Foreign Minister conveyed appreciation for the greetings from the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. He emphasised Bangladesh’s commitment, under the ‘Bangladesh First’ policy, to elevating bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic and economic partnership. The Foreign Minister appreciated the UAE for hosting around 1.2 million Bangladeshi expatriates and requested reopening of labour visas and facilitating greater mobility, including business and transit visas. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across sectors and enhancing people-to-people ties for mutual benefit. UAE rulers grant royal pardons to 440 Bangladeshi prisoners Earlier, the UAE Ambassador met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam. The State Minister stressed exchange of high-level visits and on holding regular meetings of existing bilateral platforms to identify opportunities and advance cooperation for mutual benefit.