United News of Bangladesh

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has congratulated Prof Muhammad Yunus on being the chief adviser of the newly formed interim government. "Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus and all those who have taken responsibility in Bangladesh. I hope our relationship with them will improve further,” she wrote on her verified Facebook account on Friday. “I wish for the development, peace, progress, and well-being of all people at all levels in Bangladesh. My many, many good wishes to the students, youth, workers, farmers, and women, starting from everyone there,” she said. “I hope the crisis will soon pass, and peace will return. May peace return to this world of love of yours and mine. If our neighbouring country is well, we too will be well,” she added.

Border guards said on Friday they detained S.M. Amjad Hossain, former chairman of South Bangla Agricultural and Commerce Bank, while trying to illegally cross into India through Satkhira's Bhomra border. Amjad, along with a Barishal city Awami League Nirob Hossain alias Khora Tutul, was detained on Thursday night, according to BGB. Tutul holds Industries and Commerce Secretary post in the Barishal unit of the party. Lt. Col Ashraful Haque, commanding officer of the BGB's 33rd Battalion in Satkhira, confirmed the matter saying that they had information about individuals accused of terrorism, drug trafficking, extortion, corruption, and other criminal activities might try to flee to India through Bhomra immigration checkpoint. As a result, they tightened security measures at the border. Nirab was detained as he was about to cross into India followed by the detention of Amjad Hossain later in the afternoon, he said. Amjad is under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for accumulating assets worth Tk hundreds of crores, he said adding that his assets include multiple properties in the United States, as well as significant wealth stashed in Belgium, France, Singapore, Russia and India.

The United States has welcomed Bangladesh’s interim government chief adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus’s call for an end to the recent violence. The US reiterated that they stand ready to work with the interim government and Dr. Yunus as it charts a democratic future for the people of Bangladesh. "I’m not going to speak to the private diplomatic conversations, but obviously one of the things that we have made clear is that we want to see the interim government chart a democratic future for the people of Bangladesh," said US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller while responding to a question at a regular briefing in Washington on Thursday. Miller said there has been communication with the interim government, and their charge d’affaires attended his swearing-in ceremony in Bangabhaban Thursday night. "I don’t know if she spoke to him at the swearing-in, but she did attend," he said. Earlier, the US said the interim government will play a vital role in establishing long-term peace and political stability in Bangladesh.   “We urge all parties to refrain from further violence. We call for full accountability of all perpetrators of violence,” said the spokesperson, adding that all decisions regarding the interim government should respect democratic principles, rule of law, and the will of the Bangladeshi people. The US expressed its deep concern and sadness about the reports of deaths, human rights abuses, and injuries over the past weeks. “We share our deepest condolences with all who lost loved ones and those who are suffering,” Miller said, adding that they continue to monitor developments in Bangladesh. Nobel laureate and globally acclaimed economist Prof Muhammad Yunus was sworn-in as the chief adviser of the interim government on Thursday night bringing hope for a new journey towards Bangladesh’s democratic future.

China has noted that Bangladesh has formed an interim government and welcomes it and reiterated that Beijing strictly follows the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs. "We respect Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and the development path independently chosen by the Bangladeshi people," said a Spokesperson at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. China said they stand firmly by their policy of good neighborliness and friendship with all people of Bangladesh. The friendship between Bangladesh and China runs long and deep, said the spokesperson. "China values its relations with Bangladesh, and stands ready to work with Bangladesh to promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various areas and further advance our comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership," the spokesperson mentioned. Nobel laureate and globally acclaimed economist Prof Muhammad Yunus was sworn-in as the chief adviser of the interim government on Thursday night amid hope for a new journey towards Bangladesh’s democratic future.

The European Union (EU) has said it looks forward to engaging with the new administration in Bangladesh and to supporting this critical transition. It said the transition should be part of a peaceful and inclusive process underpinned by good governance, democratic values and respect for human rights. "The EU welcomes the swearing-in of the members of Bangladesh's interim government, led by Nobel Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, as they took their oath," said the EU High Representative Josep Borrell Fontelles in a statement received on Friday. He said Bangladesh is now entering a period of transition and the interim government will have an important task to prepare the ground for democratic elections and ensure accountability for the deaths and violence that have occurred. "This is an important moment for the country’s democratic path and the fulfilment of the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh and its youth," said the EU High Representative. Sharing the statement from his social media handle, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley said it was a "privilege" to attend the ceremony and see a "new chapter" in Bangladesh history taking shape. Nobel laureate and globally acclaimed economist Prof Muhammad Yunus was sworn-in as the chief adviser of the interim government on Thursday night bringing hope for a new journey towards Bangladesh’s democratic future.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities as chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government. "We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities," he said. In a message shared through his verified X handle, Modi said India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfill the shared aspirations of both their peoples for peace, security and development.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Thursday dialed India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and discussed the unfolding situation in Bangladesh and West Asia. “Received a call from UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy today. Discussed the situation in Bangladesh and West Asia,” Jaishankar confirmed through his social media handle X, formerly known as Twitter. Following her resignation as Prime Minister of Bangladesh and leaving Dhaka earlier on Monday, Sheikh Hasina will reportedly remain in India until granted political asylum in a third country. Indian media sources indicate that Hasina is seeking asylum in the UK. But her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy declined the claim.

The United States has said they stand ready to work with the interim government, as it charts a democratic future for the people of Bangladesh. “We understand Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has agreed to lead Bangladesh’s interim government. We stand ready to work with the interim government,” said a spokesperson at the US Department of State. He said the interim government will play a vital role in establishing long-term peace and political stability in Bangladesh.   “We urge all parties to refrain from further violence. We call for full accountability of all perpetrators of violence,” said the spokesperson, adding that all decisions regarding the interim government should respect democratic principles, rule of law, and the will of the Bangladeshi people. The US expressed its deep concern and sadness about the reports of deaths, human rights abuses, and injuries over the past weeks.  “We share our deepest condolences with all who lost loved ones and those who are suffering,” he said, adding that they continue to monitor developments in Bangladesh. “And as you heard the Secretary (US Secretary of State Antony Blinken) said yesterday, any decisions that interim government makes should respect democratic principles, rule of law, and the will of the Bangladeshi people,” Matthew Miller, US State Department Spokesperson, said during a regular briefing in Washington on August 7.

Ambassador of Thailand to Bangladesh and ASEAN Dhaka Committee (ADC) current chair Makawadee Sumitmor has extended her congratulations and emphasized the unity and strength of ASEAN, which rely on various cooperative mechanisms to foster mutual trust with partner countries. She highlighted ASEAN's mission under the current chairmanship of Lao PDR based on the theme "ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience," which aims to promote connectivity and resilience internationally to support development. The Ambassador also commended Bangladesh’s engagements with ASEAN and the ADC in numerous collaborative activities, notably the training in diplomacy and the workshop in sustainable fishery. The ASEAN Dhaka Committee (ADC) celebrated the 57th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) or the 57th ASEAN Day at the Royal Thai Embassy who is the current Chair of ADC. The event started with the ASEAN Flag Raising Ceremony followed by a reception. ASEAN was founded on 8 August 1967 through the signing of ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration). It has ten Member States, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. In Bangladesh, the ADC was established in 2014 and consists of eight ASEAN Missions in Dhaka. The ADC Chair is rotated every six months and is currently held by the Royal Thai Embassy.

Executive Director of ActionAid Bangladesh Farah Kabir has said they call for prioritizing a whitepaper on inclusion, equity and gender-responsive public service and governance. On behalf of ActionAid, the communities and youth activists we represent, she said they request that gender-based violence and harmful social norms and practices be addressed at all levels and strong messages be sent out from the highest levels that the new Bangladesh, its student leaders, law enforcement agencies and the government will not tolerate any forms of violence, exploitation and abuse. Prof Yunus returns home amid warm welcome to lead interim govt In an open letter to Prof Yunus and student leaders, Farah paid respect and salute to all those who sacrificed their lives for a new Bangladesh. “Second, we want to thank and congratulate Professor Yunus for agreeing to take on the monumental task of restoring peace and security, protecting the economy and paving the way for free and fair elections,” she said. She said they understand that the priority at this juncture is to uphold the spirit of the students’ movement, reestablish law and order, revive governance and state institutions and stabilize the economy. “In this effort, please remember that the issues of feminization of poverty, marginalization and exclusion must be addressed. Public services and offices need to be supported to become more gender-sensitive, to move away from a culture of corruption, nepotism, abuse of power, and discrimination, and thus to end patriarchy,” Farah said. The contributions and inclusion of women, youth, marginalized communities, and minorities have never been fully realized, recognizing their potential and bringing them to the table of decision-making is crucial for an inclusive future, she said. “We wish you all the best and we will always be there should you need any support,” the letter reads.