NEW YORK — U.S. Congressman Gregory W. Meeks has called for collective efforts to help restore normalcy in Bangladesh, strengthen democratic institutions, uphold the rule of law and protect press freedom. Meeks, the Ranking Member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, made the remarks during an exchange meeting with members of the Bangladeshi-American community in New York on September 28.

Speaking about Bangladesh’s political situation, Meeks said he expects Democrats to regain majorities in both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections. He said that if he again becomes chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, he intends to visit Bangladesh, observe the situation firsthand and work through Congress to provide appropriate direction to the U.S. administration.

Meeks also referred to a December 23, 2025 letter that he and four other members of Congress sent to Bangladesh’s then-Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. The letter urged the interim government to work with political parties across the political spectrum to create conditions for free, fair and inclusive elections and to restore confidence in the neutrality of state institutions.

The lawmakers also expressed concern that suspending the activities of a political party or restarting what they described as a flawed International Crimes Tribunal would undermine those objectives. Meeks said Bangladesh needs stronger democratic institutions, effective rule of law and safeguards for media freedom.

Turning to the United States, the congressman also expressed concern about what he described as growing pressure on media outlets and dissenting voices. Referring to disputes involving CNN, Politico and MS NOW and their access to the White House and Air Force One, he said measures affecting the media and people expressing dissent were inconsistent with American democratic values.

Meeks said he wanted to see Bangladesh return to a stable political environment. He also pledged that, if he again serves as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, he would visit Bangladesh and engage with relevant authorities regarding the country’s situation.

Bangladesh Situation Discussed

The exchange meeting was organized with the assistance of Sector Commanders Forum-Muktijuddho ’71 and the Bangabandhu Foundation. Bangabandhu Foundation President Abdul Kader Mia chaired the event, while Queens Democratic Party District Leader Dr. Dilip Nath moderated it.

Former Bangladeshi Foreign Minister and former Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations A.K. Abdul Momen and former National Press Club President Farida Yasmin spoke about Bangladesh’s political and social situation. They alleged that opposition voices and political activists had faced arrests, violence and legal cases following the July-August 2024 protests and the formation of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

They also alleged that members and supporters of the Awami League had been subjected to violence and that religious minorities had faced attacks. The speakers further criticized the suspension of Awami League activities, alleged mistreatment of freedom fighters and legal action against journalists whose reporting they said was not favored by the government.

The speakers called for the lifting of restrictions on the Awami League and urged the U.S. Congress to support what they described as the need for an early election. They also sought congressional intervention for the release of journalists and other political detainees facing what they characterized as politically motivated murder cases.

Bangladeshi-American Community Leaders Attend

At the beginning of the event, Abdul Kader Mia welcomed Congressman Meeks by presenting him with a traditional uttariya amid applause from attendees. Also present on the stage were Bangabandhu Foundation Senior Vice President Engineer Md. Fazlul Haque, Bangladesh Muslim Center of Brooklyn President Alhaj Abul Hashem, community organizer Enamul Haque Shamim, Aminul Islam Amin and Nazrul Islam Babu. The United States Bangabandhu Parishad, Sandwip Pourashava Welfare Association and Haque Medical Office served as co-hosts of the event.

Among the attendees were writer, columnist and editor Naim Nizam; World Bangla 24 TV CEO Alim Khan Akash; journalist Sultana Rahman; freedom fighter and journalist Lablu Ansar; journalist Sazzad Hossain Sobuj; Jago Prohori Editorial Board President Dr. Mahabbur Rahman Tuku; Sheikh Kamal Smriti Parishad President and freedom fighter Dr. Masudul Hasan; Sandwip Association Convener Sirajul Mawla; former Sandwip Association President Nazrul Islam Babul; Sandwip Pourashava Welfare Association President Md. Zafarullah; Sandwip Education and Cultural Society President Mosharraf Hossain, Secretary Abdul Hamid and Treasurer Ahsan Ullah Saki.

Others included community leader Mobasher Hossain, freedom fighter Kadir Mia, freedom fighter and businessman Saraf Sarkar, social organizer Sakhawat Ali, businessman and community organizer Ifzal Chowdhury, Chattogram Association General Secretary Ariful Islam Arif, Bauria Janakalyan Association Adviser Abul Kashem, Ekattor Genocide Foundation founder and freedom fighter Dr. Pradip Kar, community leader Abdul Jalil, Afsar Mohammad, Abu Taher M. Rahman, Yasin Arafat Bappi, politician Baker Bhuiyan, Democrat Morshed Alam, Engineer Mohammad Ali Siddiqui and Imdad Chowdhury, among others.

The guests were introduced by Bangabandhu Foundation Secretary Kamal Hossain Mithu. Dipa Nath, president of NAVA, and Linda Ramparteb coordinated fundraising activities for the congressman.

Call for Unity

In his closing remarks, Abdul Kader Mia thanked the attendees and called for unity to help Bangladesh overcome what he described as misrule. He urged the community to learn from past mistakes and move forward with the goal of completing what he described as the unfinished work of building “Sonar Bangla,” referring to the political vision associated with the country’s founding leadership.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the Bangabhaban here this afternoon. Upon the arrival of the Prime Minister at the Bangabhaban at 3 pm, the President welcomed him at the Octagonal and introduced his Military Secretary, Secretary and Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, President’s Press Secretary Md. Sarwar Alam told KHABOR.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister briefed the President on his recent visit to the United States, participation in the UNGA session, sideline meetings with heads of the states, UN high officials, and economic and development partners and appraised him of the government’s overall activities. The President congratulated the Prime Minister on his address at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, describing it as “visionary, resolute and guiding”.

He said the speech reflected Bangladesh’s national interests and aspirations and clearly articulated the country’s positions on major global issues. The President expressed hope that the Prime Minister’s UNGA address, sidelined meetings would further enhance Bangladesh’s dignity and position in the international arena.

“The visit played an important role in further consolidating and strengthening Bangladesh’s position in the international arena, protecting public interests, and expanding bilateral and multilateral relations,” he said.

They also exchanged views on various issues related to national and state interest. The President thanked the Prime Minister for visiting the Bangabhaban. The visit marked the Prime Minister’s first official meeting at the Bangabhaban after President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir assumed the office.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: The world remains far from fulfilling the commitments made 25 years ago to end racial discrimination, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Irene Khan, said Monday. Khan made the remarks at a high-level event at the United Nations marking the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA).

The ambassador said the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action adopted 25 years ago made a clear commitment that no person should face discrimination on the basis of race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin. However, she said the world remains far from fully implementing that commitment.

Khan reaffirmed Bangladesh’s strong commitment to the full and effective implementation of the DDPA. She called for greater efforts in justice, education, development and international cooperation to address structural discrimination rooted in slavery, colonialism and other historical injustices. She also stressed the need to strengthen protection of the rights of migrants, refugees, forcibly displaced people, minorities, women, children and others in vulnerable situations.

Addressing the issue of artificial intelligence, Khan said emerging technologies should be used to advance sustainable development rather than spread hatred and incitement to violence. She also stressed the need to ensure that human rights, equality and non-discrimination are protected in the development of artificial intelligence.

“Bangladesh is committed to building a world where the diversity and dignity of all people are upheld, both online and offline,” Khan said.

NEW YORK: Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman is carrying out his responsibilities in New York as President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, with questions emerging over the reported cost of his accommodation, daily allowances, transportation and other expenses during his assignment.

A Sept. 26 report by journalist Chandan Nandy in Northeast News said Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had approved a monthly housing budget of up to $20,000 for Rahman’s residence in Manhattan. The report said the ministry had arranged accommodation for him during his assignment in New York. It also cited a monthly official housing allowance of $12,000 for Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.

According to the report, a Bangladesh Foreign Ministry order dated Aug. 30, 2026, covered Rahman’s assignment from Aug. 31 through Oct. 21. The report said the government order also provided for a Mercedes-Benz vehicle for his official local transportation in New York.

The same report said Rahman, as a full Cabinet minister of Bangladesh, is entitled to a daily allowance of $420 while on official foreign duty. Based on that rate, the report calculated that an eight-month period of official duties would result in approximately $100,800 in daily allowances.

That eight-month figure is a calculation based on the reported $420 daily rate and should not be treated as a confirmed final government payment. The exact amount ultimately paid would depend on the applicable government rules, the actual number of eligible days and the official accounting records.

The United Nations separately states that the President of the General Assembly is not a UN employee and does not receive a UN salary. The UN’s guidance says the salary of the PGA is generally a matter for the government of the country that nominates the President. It also states that accommodation in New York is usually provided by the Permanent Mission of the sponsoring country.

Rahman was elected President of the 81st General Assembly on June 2, 2026. UN records show that he subsequently assumed the presidency when the 81st session opened in September. The UN election record shows that Rahman received 99 votes against 91 for Cyprus’s Andreas Kakouris.

The reported expenses therefore need to be distinguished from the operating costs of the Office of the President of the General Assembly. The two are not necessarily the same source of expenditure.

The Office of the President of the General Assembly has funding from the UN regular budget as well as a trust fund supported by Member States. The office uses those resources for activities connected to the presidency, including certain official travel and operational requirements.

Bangladesh has also pledged funds to the trust fund supporting the Office of the President of the General Assembly. However, such contributions should not automatically be interpreted as payments for Rahman’s personal salary, accommodation or daily allowance. The funding categories of the office and the personal entitlements of the PGA are separate matters.

UN guidance also indicates that travel costs for the President of the General Assembly can, depending on the circumstances, be supported either by the host country or by the regular budget of the Office of the President of the General Assembly.

The composition of Rahman’s office also involves several Bangladeshi officials. The UN’s staff profile for the 81st session lists 40 colleagues representing 29 nationalities. It distinguishes between regular-budget positions, staff seconded by Member States and positions supported through the Office of the President’s Trust Fund.

The Northeast News report said Rahman is supported in New York by six Bangladeshi officials, five of whom were drawn from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It said their salaries and overseas allowances remain linked to their respective government positions. Those details are based on the report and would require the underlying government records for independent verification.

The reported $20,000 monthly accommodation figure, $420 daily allowance and Mercedes-Benz vehicle therefore relate to Bangladesh’s reported arrangements for its Foreign Minister during his New York assignment. They should not be described as benefits paid by the United Nations unless separate UN records establish such payments.

The broader financial picture involves several different categories of expenditure. Rahman remains a Bangladeshi government minister whose salary is paid by Bangladesh, while his responsibilities as General Assembly President are supported through a combination of UN and Member State resources under the applicable rules.

At present, the most detailed public figures concerning Rahman’s accommodation, daily allowance and vehicle come from the Sept. 26 report by Chandan Nandy. The underlying Bangladesh Foreign Ministry order and complete financial records would provide a stronger basis for independently confirming the exact amounts and determining which government budget lines were used.

What is established by the UN is that Khalilur Rahman is President of the 81st General Assembly and is not a UN employee receiving a UN salary. The specific figures concerning his New York accommodation, daily allowance and vehicle remain matters that can be further verified against the underlying Bangladesh government documents.

NEW YORK: Barrister Zaima Rahman is serving as a Legal Officer in the Office of the President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, according to the UN’s official staff records. The UN Office of the President of the General Assembly lists Rahman as a P-3 Legal Officer from Bangladesh working in the Executive Office. Her position is among eight posts funded through the UN regular budget. The staff profile, updated as of Sept. 25, lists 40 colleagues in the President’s Office, representing 29 nationalities.

The UN’s team page describes Rahman as a barrister and legal and policy professional with experience in the United Kingdom and Bangladesh. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Rahman is the daughter of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. BSS reported that the Prime Minister’s Assistant Press Secretary, KM Nazmul Haque, said the existing UN rules and appointment process were strictly followed in her case.

Rahman studied law and politics at Queen Mary University of London and qualified as a barrister in England and Wales through the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple. Her professional background includes legal and policy work in both the United Kingdom and Bangladesh, according to her official UN biography.

Publicly available professional information also shows that Rahman has worked in several legal roles in the United Kingdom, including positions involving legal assistance and court advocacy. Some of those roles overlapped during 2021 and 2022. Such employment history, by itself, does not establish whether a candidate was qualified or unqualified for a subsequent UN position.

Rahman’s appointment has attracted attention partly because the President of the 81st General Assembly is Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Khalilur Rahman. The UN elected him to the presidency on June 2, 2026, and the 81st session opened on Sept. 8. The Office of the President currently includes six Bangladeshi officials, according to BSS. The UN staff profile identifies several of them, including Deputy Chef de Cabinet Md. Abdul Alim and Senior Adviser Mafizul Islam, alongside Rahman.

The UN’s publicly available staff information provides details about Rahman’s position, grade and funding source, but does not set out the individual selection process that led to her appointment. It does not identify who nominated her or who made the final hiring decision.

That distinction is important because the UN staff profile separates regular-budget positions from officials seconded by Member States and positions supported by the Office of the President’s Trust Fund. Rahman is listed among the regular-budget positions rather than among the 20 officials seconded by Member States.

At present, the public UN record confirms Rahman’s appointment and her role as a P-3 Legal Officer. It does not, however, provide evidence that Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman personally arranged or secured her appointment. Further information about the recruitment process, including any relevant vacancy announcement, selection documentation or official explanation from the United Nations, would be needed to establish how the appointment was made.

For now, the documented facts are that Zaima Rahman serves as a Legal Officer in the Executive Office of the President of the 81st General Assembly, her position is funded through the UN regular budget, and the UN publicly identifies her as a Bangladeshi legal and policy professional.

DHAKA — Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called for further expansion of bilateral trade, investment and development cooperation between Bangladesh and China. He made the remarks during a farewell meeting with outgoing Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen at the Prime Minister’s Office.

According to Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu, the meeting discussed a range of issues of mutual interest, including the Rohingya crisis. During the meeting, Yao Wen congratulated Tarique Rahman on his participation in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and his various engagements in New York.

The Chinese ambassador reaffirmed China’s continued support for Bangladesh’s development efforts and expressed hope that bilateral relations between the two countries would be further strengthened. The meeting also underscored the importance of expanding economic engagement between Bangladesh and China, particularly in trade, investment and development cooperation.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun were present at the meeting. Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy Liu Yuyin accompanied the outgoing ambassador.

DHAKA — Bangladesh Bank has expanded the scope of international card payments for air tickets purchased from foreign airlines, allowing eligible transactions to be settled through international acquiring and payment arrangements outside Bangladesh. The Foreign Exchange Policy Department-1 (FEPD-1) introduced the facility through Circular No. 39, expanding the framework established under FE Circular No. 47 issued on November 19, 2025.

Under the revised arrangement, foreign airlines operating in Bangladesh may accept international card payments for air tickets, provided the proceeds are settled through established international acquiring and payment settlement arrangements outside Bangladesh. The facility applies only to foreign airlines. Bangladeshi airlines will continue to follow existing local settlement and domestic acquiring arrangements for international ticket sales originating from Bangladesh.

A key provision of the new arrangement is that eligible air-ticket purchases will not be counted against an individual’s annual travel entitlement. In other words, such purchases will not be deducted from the standard annual foreign-exchange travel quota. Bangladesh Bank has also introduced a post-facto card replenishment mechanism for these transactions. Authorized Dealers (ADs) may replenish an international card after verifying the ticket purchase against the relevant card statement and confirming that the transaction falls within the eligible Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) specified by the central bank.

The foreign airlines covered by the facility are Air India, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Emirates, Flydubai, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), Singapore Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Thai Airways International, Turkish Airlines and Air Arabia.

According to the circular, Authorized Dealers must report all ticket purchases made under the facility through Bangladesh Bank’s Transaction Monitoring (TM) module. The central bank also instructed ADs to continue applying the provisions of FE Circular No. 47 of 2025 that have not been specifically modified by the latest circular. These include applicable documentation, verification and compliance requirements.

Bangladesh Bank further clarified that foreign airlines receiving ticket proceeds through offshore settlement arrangements must include those proceeds when calculating their remittable surplus earnings. Amounts settled outside Bangladesh cannot subsequently be claimed again as part of the airlines’ regular profit remittances.

The necessary adjustment must be made in accordance with the audit requirements set out under Part-B of FEPD-1 Circular No. 08, issued on May 7, 2026. Bangladesh Bank has instructed Authorized Dealers to inform their customers and corporate constituents about the revised facility and ensure compliance with all applicable foreign-exchange regulations.

DHAKA – Bangladesh repaid $698.92 million in foreign loans during the first two months of the current fiscal year (FY27), according to the Economic Relations Division (ERD). Of the total debt repayment, $516.04 million was paid as principal and $182.88 million as interest.

The country received $294.56 million in foreign loans and grants in July-August of FY27. The ERD data covers foreign loans and grants received by the government as well as repayments made against previously contracted external loans.

Bangladesh received $750 million in foreign assistance during July-August of FY26. The country also received commitments for $240.39 million in foreign assistance during July-August of FY27.

DHAKA — Prime Minister Tarique Rahman returned home Sunday morning after concluding a five-day visit to New York, where he attended the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), delivered his maiden address to the General Debate and held a series of high-level bilateral and multilateral meetings. An Emirates flight carrying the prime minister, his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and members of his entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:21 a.m., according to PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (retd.) AKM Shamsul Islam, Whip Miah Nuruddin Ahmad Apu, local MP SM Jahangir Hossain, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani and Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar received the prime minister at the airport.

Tarique Rahman left Dhaka on September 21 and reached New York the same day after a stopover in Istanbul. He departed New York on September 25 and travelled through Dubai before returning to Dhaka. During his four working days in New York, the prime minister took part in 30 engagements, including 11 bilateral meetings, eight UNGA-related engagements and 11 institutional meetings. The prime minister and members of his delegation collectively represented Bangladesh at around 80 engagements, according to BSS.

A major highlight of the visit was Tarique Rahman’s first address to the UNGA General Debate on September 24. In his speech, he outlined Bangladesh’s positions on global peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, economic cooperation and humanitarian issues, while calling for conflicts to be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy and cooperation.

The prime minister held bilateral meetings with the leaders of Türkiye, Iran, Pakistan, Croatia, Haiti, Bhutan and Thailand. He also met the vice president of the Maldives, the crown prince of Kuwait, the UAE’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, the Saudi foreign minister and Sweden’s foreign minister. The discussions covered bilateral relations, trade and investment, economic cooperation, manpower exports, energy security, regional and international issues and other areas of mutual interest.

The Rohingya crisis was another major issue during the visit. Tarique Rahman called for stronger international support for the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar and discussed the issue with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih.

Climate change and the impact of rising sea levels also featured prominently in the prime minister’s engagements. He called for stronger global action to reduce emissions, greater access to climate finance and technology, and international cooperation to address climate-induced displacement and loss and damage. At a Bangladesh-Sweden-UNFPA high-level event on midwifery, Tarique Rahman outlined his government’s vision of a “Healthy Bangladesh,” with primary healthcare at the centre of health-sector reform. He said the government plans to recruit additional health workers and professional midwives while developing an integrated digital health system.

Economic diplomacy was also a significant part of the visit. At a breakfast meeting with Wall Street representatives hosted by JPMorgan Chase, the prime minister discussed Bangladesh’s economic prospects, investment opportunities and potential partnerships. During the visit, Biman Bangladesh Airlines also signed an agreement with Boeing for the purchase of 11 aircraft as Bangladesh plans to expand its aviation sector and open new international routes.

Tarique Rahman also held meetings with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman, International Peace Institute President and CEO Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, among others. On September 22, Tarique Rahman and Dr. Zubaida Rahman attended a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for world leaders and their spouses before attending the opening of the UNGA General Debate. They later attended a reception hosted by US President Donald Trump for leaders participating in the General Assembly.

Dr. Zubaida Rahman also took part in several high-level engagements during the visit, including the UN General Assembly’s Platform of Women Leaders, the First Spouses’ Dialogue and a high-level event focusing on maternal and child health and midwifery. The New York visit marked Tarique Rahman’s first participation in the UN General Assembly as prime minister and included a broad programme of diplomatic, economic, humanitarian and multilateral engagements.

NEW YORK — Fatikchhari MP Sarwar Alamgir was accorded a reception at Radhuni Restaurant in the Church-McDonald area of New York on Thursday night, September 25. The event was organized at the initiative of Mohammad Hanif, chief adviser and former president of the Chattogram Association of New York. The reception was chaired by Mohammad Hanif and moderated by Md. Ariful Islam, general secretary of the Chattogram Association of New York. Among those attending were New York City Councilwoman Shahana Hanif, former Chattogram Association president Kazi Shakhawat Hossain Azam, current president Abu Taher, and poet and writer Shamsuddin Mahmud of Washington, D.C., along with prominent members of the Bangladeshi-American community.

In his speech as the chief guest, Sarwar Alamgir recalled his longstanding family relationship with Mohammad Hanif and his family. “Hanif bhai has not merely acted like an elder brother; he has always stood by me as my elder brother. I am therefore very happy to be able to visit New York and attend this gathering as his guest first,” Alamgir said. Alamgir also highlighted various initiatives undertaken for the development of Fatikchhari and expressed his determination to take necessary measures to eliminate terrorism and improve law and order in the constituency.

He also thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for nominating him from Fatikchhari.  New York City Councilwoman Shahana Hanif said that although she was born and raised in New York City, her roots are in Fatikchhari.

“I am a New York City Councilwoman. I was born and raised here, but my roots are in Fatikchhari,” she said. Shahana Hanif expressed her happiness that the people of Fatikchhari have a leader like Sarwar Alamgir. She also expressed hope that Alamgir would provide necessary advice and cooperation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman not only for the development of Fatikchhari but also for the broader development of Bangladesh.

During the event, poet and writer Shamsuddin Mahmud presented two of his books to Sarwar Alamgir as gifts. The program concluded with guests being served traditional Chattogram-style mezbani cuisine. Recent reporting also identifies Sarwar Alamgir as the MP for Chattogram-2 (Fatikchhari) and confirms that he is currently serving as a lawmaker.