United News of Bangladesh

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has reaffirmed Bangladesh’s solidarity with Qatar against any threat to its security and sovereignty. He conveyed the message during a meeting with the Qatari State Minister for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad bin Sultan Al Muraikhi They discussed various bilateral issues, and Qatar reiterated its commitment to support efforts for resolving the Rohingya crisis, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. Bangladesh praises Bahrain’s role in promoting Middle East stability Foreign Adviser Hossain also held discussions with the Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), exploring ways for the organization to play a greater role in addressing political challenges and promoting cooperation across Asia. Hossain is attending the sessions and side events of the 21st Manama Dialogue, which brings together global leaders and policymakers to deliberate on key regional and international security issues. Hossain held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the ongoing 21st Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, focusing on strengthening regional peace, cooperation and bilateral relations on Saturday.  

Afghanistan and Pakistan, which have been engaged in over a week of fierce border clashes that left dozens dead and hundreds wounded, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday. It marks the worst confrontation between the two neighbours in years. According to a Qatari statement, both sides also agreed to form mechanisms to promote lasting peace and stability and will hold follow-up talks in the coming days to ensure the truce endures. The negotiations were mediated by Qatar and Turkey. Tensions flared earlier this month, with each country accusing the other of cross-border aggression. Afghanistan has rejected Pakistan’s claim that it shelters militants who stage attacks along the frontier. Pakistan has been facing a growing wave of militancy since 2021, when the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan. The recent fighting raised fears of further instability in a region where extremist groups such as the Islamic State and al-Qaida have been attempting to reemerge. A temporary 48-hour ceasefire expired Friday evening, and hours later Pakistan launched strikes across the border. Afghan, Pakistani officials meet in Doha to address border violence Pakistani security officials told the Associated Press that the military targeted militant hideouts in two districts of Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province, identifying them as bases of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group. The strikes were described as retaliation for a suicide bombing at a security compound in Mir Ali, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the day before. Officials said the air raids killed dozens of militants without civilian casualties. However, Afghan authorities reported at least 10 civilian deaths, including women, children, and several young cricketers who had been playing nearby. In response, Afghanistan’s cricket board announced a boycott of its upcoming series in Pakistan. The International Cricket Council said it was “saddened and appalled by the tragic deaths of three young and promising Afghan players.” Thousands of people attended funeral prayers for the victims in Paktika on Saturday, where clerics denounced the attacks over loudspeakers. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned what he called Pakistan’s “repeated crimes and violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty,” describing them as deliberate provocations aimed at prolonging hostilities. The two nations share a 2,611-kilometer (1,622-mile) frontier known as the Durand Line, which Afghanistan has never officially recognized. Pakistan, meanwhile, has accused India of supporting armed groups inside its territory — a charge New Delhi denies. Afghan police accuse Pakistan of cross-border strikes after ceasefire ends Addressing cadets at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir urged Afghanistan to choose “mutual security over perpetual violence and progress over hardline obscurantism,” while calling on the Taliban to rein in militants operating from Afghan soil. High-level delegations from both countries took part in the Doha negotiations that led to Sunday’s ceasefire announcement. Source: AP 

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order committing to defend Qatar against external threats, including through possible military action, following Israel’s surprise strike on the Gulf nation. The order, posted on the White House website Wednesday but dated Monday, pledges to safeguard Qatar’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and critical infrastructure. It came amid efforts to reassure Doha after the Israeli attack, which killed six people, including a member of Qatar’s security forces, as Hamas leaders were reportedly weighing a ceasefire deal in the Gaza war. “The United States shall regard any armed attack on Qatar as a threat to U.S. peace and security,” the order states. It further authorizes “all lawful and appropriate measures — diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military” to defend both American and Qatari interests. US begins troop drawdown in Iraq under agreement with Baghdad The move followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Washington visit, during which Trump arranged a call between Netanyahu and Qatar’s leadership. Netanyahu conveyed his “deep regret” over the strike, the White House said. Later, Trump also spoke by phone with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani about Doha’s mediation in ceasefire talks. Qatar welcomed the U.S. pledge as a “significant step in strengthening defense ties,” while Al Jazeera described the order as a security guarantee. However, questions remain about its binding nature, as treaties typically require Senate approval. Analysts noted that Trump, like previous presidents, has at times pursued international commitments without Senate consent. The order has already stirred debate. Right-wing activist Laura Loomer posted on X: “I don’t want to die for Qatar. Do you?” The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board also criticized the decision, saying it came “without public debate.” Qatar hosts the U.S. Central Command’s forward base at Al Udeid Air Base and was designated a major non-NATO ally by President Joe Biden in 2022 for its role in aiding the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Gulf state also maintains close ties with Trump, ranging from business projects to support for his presidential travel. Meanwhile, Israel’s strike has triggered broader regional repercussions. Saudi Arabia has signed a mutual defense pact with Pakistan, reportedly extending Islamabad’s nuclear umbrella over the kingdom. Analysts suggest other Gulf states, facing uncertainty over Israel and renewed U.N. sanctions on Iran, may also seek formal guarantees from Washington. “The Gulf’s centrality to the Middle East and its strategic value to the United States demand clear guarantees beyond verbal assurances and ceremonial meetings,” wrote Bader al-Saif, a Gulf affairs expert at Kuwait University. Source: AP

Qatar on Monday prepared to host a high-level summit in Doha in response to last week’s Israeli strike on Hamas leaders, aiming to rally Arab and Islamic nations behind efforts to restrain Israel as the war in Gaza drags on. The summit comes despite Qatar’s role as a key mediator in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas — a role Doha has pledged to continue even after the assault. Since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 abducted, Israel has expanded its retaliatory strikes across Iran, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Syria, Qatar and Yemen. More than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, about half of them women and children, according to local health officials. The widening conflict has fueled anger across the region and deepened doubts about U.S. security guarantees in the Gulf. “It is time for the international community to stop applying double standards and punish Israel for all the crimes it has committed,” Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Sunday. Analysts note that while assembling such a summit on short notice highlights regional urgency, it remains unclear whether it will lead to stronger measures against Israel, such as diplomatic downgrades, economic restrictions, or airspace limitations. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who traveled to Doha for the meeting, accused Israel of attacking “many Islamic countries, including Qatar, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran and Yemen,” while criticizing U.S. and European support for Israel. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed the sentiment, writing on X that “Iran stands with Qatar and indeed all Muslim brothers and sisters.” Neither mentioned Iran’s own strike on Qatar earlier this year. Qatar, which has hosted Hamas’ political office for years at Washington’s request, remains central to back-channel talks. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Hamas leaders in Doha could be targeted. On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated Washington’s support for Qatar, calling it “a great ally” facing unique challenges due to its strategic location. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel on Monday for talks with Netanyahu, focusing on the attack on Qatar and Israel’s planned offensive in Gaza City. Meanwhile, Netanyahu faces mounting public pressure over the fate of 48 hostages still held in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.  

Qatar on Saturday announced it will host an emergency Arab-Islamic summit on September 15 to address the recent Israeli attack on its capital. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari told the state-run Qatar News Agency that foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic countries will gather Sunday to draft a statement ahead of the leaders’ meeting. Al Ansari said the summit comes at a critical time, underscoring Arab and Islamic solidarity with Qatar in the face of what he called the “cowardly Israeli aggression” that targeted the homes of several Hamas leaders in Doha. He added that the summit also reflects a united rejection of what he described as “state terrorism” carried out by Israel. On Tuesday, Israel carried out an unprecedented airstrike in Doha, hitting a building where Hamas officials were holding talks on a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal. The strike killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer, while key members of the Hamas negotiating team survived. The attack sparked swift condemnation from Qatar and drew criticism from across the international community.

The government of Bangladesh has unequivocally condemned the recent Israeli military aggression against Qatar. Such actions constitute a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar, as well as of international law and the principles of the UN Charter, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Wednesday. Bangladesh called upon the international community, particularly the United Nations and relevant stakeholders to take appropriate measures to ensure accountability and to uphold respect for international law and the UN Charter. Dhaka seeks peaceful dialogue in Nepal to resolve differences Bangladesh said it stands in steadfast solidarity with the government and people of the brotherly State of Qatar in the face of this unlawful and unprovoked attack. This incident is yet another indication of Israel’s continued disregard for regional stability, international peace, and established international norms, Bangladesh said in its statement. "Such actions undermine global efforts towards peace and security," the statement read.

US President Donald Trump has said he is “not thrilled” about Israel’s air strike in Qatar, which killed five Hamas members and triggered widespread condemnation from across the world. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended this attack as “fully justified,” targeted senior Hamas leaders accused of masterminding the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war. Hamas confirmed the deaths of five members, including the son of top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, but said Israel failed to assassinate its political bureau members. The group denounced the strike in Doha as a “heinous crime” and a “flagrant violation of international law.” Qatar, a key US ally hosting an American air base and the Hamas political bureau since 2012, strongly condemned the assault as “cowardly” and a grave breach of its sovereignty. The interior ministry said one security officer was killed and others injured. Witnesses in Doha reported up to eight explosions in the Katara district. Trump told reporters: “I’m not thrilled about the whole situation. It’s not a good situation. We want the hostages back, but we are not thrilled about the way that went down today.” The White House later said the president had assured Qatar’s emir and prime minister that “such a thing will not happen again on their soil.” According to US officials, Trump had instructed envoy Steve Witkoff to inform Qatari authorities of the impending strike. The White House stressed that bombing inside a sovereign ally “does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” though it described eliminating Hamas as a “worthy” objective. Israel said the operation was carried out independently, involving 15 fighter jets that launched 10 munitions within seconds. Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the decision followed recent deadly attacks in Jerusalem and Gaza. Reactions poured in from around the world. The UN Secretary General António Guterres condemned the strike as a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty, while French President Emmanuel Macron called it “unacceptable regardless of motive.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned of further escalation, and Saudi Arabia denounced the “brutal aggression.” Pope Leo XIV said the situation was “very serious,” while families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza expressed deep anxiety that the strike could endanger their loved ones. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid demanded the government clarify whether hostages’ safety had been considered. Hamas said its delegation had been discussing the latest US ceasefire proposal in Doha when the compound was hit. The plan reportedly includes a 60-day truce, the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and talks on a permanent ceasefire. Netanyahu later told a gathering at the US embassy in Jerusalem that the strike could “open the door to an end of the war.” He urged Gazans to “stand up for your rights and your future” and accept peace. Israel has previously killed several top Hamas leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh in Iran in July 2024 and Yahya Sinwar in Gaza three months later. The Gaza war erupted after Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostage on 7 October 2023. Since then, Israeli strikes have killed at least 64,605 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

President Donald Trump used the first major foreign trip of his second term to outline a vision for restoring global stability that is grounded in pragmatism and self-interest rather than values, holding out U.S. ties to wealthy Gulf countries as a model for America’s longtime foes. His four-day swing through Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which ends Friday, put a spotlight on Trump’s transactional approach to foreign affairs as he was feted by autocratic rulers with a trio of lavish state visits where there was heavy emphasis on economic and security partnerships. His trip played out against the backdrop of stubborn global conflicts, including Gaza and Ukraine, that showed the limits of his influence. But Trump insisted he was turning the page on American “interventionalism” in the region as he moved to recognize the new government in Syria for the first time and prodded Iran to engage on nuclear talks before it’s too late. Some takeaways from Trump’s travels: Trump marveled at Gulf state opulence but held his tongue on human rights Presidential trips to the Middle East usually feature at least some public calls for authoritarian governments to improve their human rights efforts. Not this one, as Trump celebrated his business deals with Gulf royals and admired their wealth. Trump toured the marble and gilded palaces of Gulf rulers and deemed them “perfecto” and “very hard to buy.” He praised the “gleaming marvels” of the skyline in Saudi Arabia. And he groused about the “much less impressive” Air Force One. In Trump’s remarks at a VIP business conference in Riyadh, he went out of his way to distance himself from the actions of past administrations, the days when he said American officials would fly in “in beautiful planes, giving you lectures on how to live and how to govern your own affairs.” Rights advocates took that as a pledge of nonintervention, swearing off some of the pressure past U.S. presidents have brought to bear on partners to varying degrees to ease up on detentions, suppression of critics and other issues. Israeli strikes kill at least 64 people in Gaza as Trump wraps up his Middle East visit “It’s absolute support for absolute monarchy,” said Saudi exile Abdullah Alaoudh. His father, a Saudi cleric with a wide following there, is imprisoned in the kingdom. Some rights advocates said Trump officials gave them private assurances the administration was working on behalf of detained Americans and rights advocates. Tommy Pigott, a deputy spokesman at the State Department, declined to say whether Trump raised those or other rights issues in discussions with Gulf royals. Thwarted by Putin While Trump was in the Mideast, Vladimir Putin opted to skip direct peace talks with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy despite the U.S. president’s strong calls for them to meet face to face. Trump has been pushing Putin and Zelenskyy to move with greater haste to end Russia’s grinding war in Ukraine. But after it became clear Putin wouldn’t be attending talks in Turkey this week and would instead be sending underlings to Istanbul, an annoyed Trump insisted he knew all along that it was highly likely Putin would be a no-show. “I don’t believe anything’s going to happen whether you like it or not, until he and I get together,” Trump said. “But we’re going to have to get it solved because too many people are dying.” As he wrapped up his visit on Friday, Trump said the face-to-face would happen “as soon as we can set it up.” Trump was scheduled to fly back to Washington on Friday, but tried to keep people guessing until the end. He teased late Thursday that he would be heading to a “destination unknown” — “probably” Washington, he added. His opaque language stoked speculation that he might make a drop-by to Turkey. But on Friday morning, he told reporters he needed to get back to Washington. His daughter Tiffany had her first child while the president has been away. “I would actually leave here and go,” Trump said. “I do want to see my beautiful grandson.”   On Syria sanctions, Trump takes a leap of faith Just two months ago, the Trump administration wasn’t sold on Syria’s interim government led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, the onetime al-Qaida-affiliated insurgent. They worried the Syrian president didn’t have the legitimacy to govern the country’s ethnically diverse population. Clashes broke out in early March, killing hundreds and targeting many more members of the Alawite religious minority to which the ousted Syrian leader Basher Assad belongs. The moment gave the Trump White House pause about easing sanctions on Syria. But Trump signaled Monday that he was having a change of heart and was moving toward lifting the Syria sanctions. A day later, he announced the move during an address to Gulf leaders. Trump then took it another step by agreeing to meet al-Sharaa. Trump said he was impressed with al-Sharaa, who not that long ago had a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head. The president called him a “young, attractive guy” with a “very strong past.” Trump said it was recommendations from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that nudged him to take a chance on al-Sharra. “President Erdogan called me and said: ‘Is there any way you could do that? Because if you don’t do that, they don’t have a chance,’” Trump said. “So, I did it.”    

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to leave for Doha, Qatar on Monday to attend the Earthna Summit 2025 and discuss the issues of mutual interest with the leadership of the gas-rich Gulf kingdom.  The Chief Adviser will pay the four-day official visit at the invitation of Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, said an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr Yunus is likely to have meetings with both the Amir of Qatar and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in addition to attending several high-level meetings at the Summit, the official told UNB. Bangladesh stressed the need for a deepening trade and investment relationship with Qatar. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani was appointed Prime Minister on 7 March 2023 and Minister of Foreign Affairs in January 2016. Reform Commission on Women’s Affairs submits report to Dr Yunus Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan and Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan are likely to accompany the Chief Adviser during the visit. National Women Athletes to Accompany In a historic first, four national women athletes from Bangladesh will accompany the Chief Adviser during his upcoming four-day visit to Qatar, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. The delegation includes footballers Afida Khandakar and Shaheda Akhter Ripa and cricketers Sumaiya Akhter and Sharmin Sultana. This is the first time a group of female athletes will travel as part of an official state delegation with a head of government of Bangladesh. The Qatar Foundation extended the invitation to the athletes through the Chief Adviser’s office. On Thursday evening, the four athletes met Professor Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna, where they discussed their goals for the visit and expressed their excitement. "We are thrilled to be part of this visit. It's not just a personal honour but also a proud moment for our teammates and the sports community in Bangladesh," the footballers were quoted by the press wing as saying. They added that they hoped to invite the Qatari women's football team for a friendly match and were eager to explore Qatar's sports facilities and professional training methods. The cricketers expressed their desire to spark interest in cricket in Qatar, where the sport is not yet widely followed. "We've prepared a presentation to introduce both our men's and women's cricket journeys," they said. During the meeting, the athletes also shared their personal struggles and thanked the Chief Adviser for giving them the opportunity to represent the country abroad. Dr Yunus praised the athletes for their resilience and passion. "You are Bangladesh's sports ambassadors. Share your real stories. Represent our country's spirit and progress through sports," he said. He assured full support from his office to ensure the success of their trip. Earthna Summit The second edition of the Earthna Summit under the theme “Building our Legacy: Sustainability, Innovation and Traditional Knowledge” highlights Qatar’s commitment to advancing sustainability in hot and arid environments, by drawing on its rich cultural heritage and unique ecosystems. Dr Yunus urges quick implementation of Women Affairs Commission’s recommendations The Summit serves as a platform for exploring how both traditional knowledge and innovation approaches can inform modern sustainability, shaping a more resilient and inclusive future. During the two days – April 22-23, the Earthna Summit will explore a wide range of topics through presentations, interactive panel discussions, workshops and roundtables. Besides, the Earthna Village in Barahat Msheireb will host a series of inspiring talks and discussions led by various experts and innovators to foster dialogue and inspiration. A number of side events by partners will host a series of networking activations and discussions lead by local stakeholders. Dr Yunus relentlessly devotes his time and energy to inspire people into creating a world of 3 Zeros - zero net carbon emission, zero wealth concentration for ending poverty once for all and zero unemployment by unleashing entrepreneurship in everyone.

As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare services for the most vulnerable, Qatar Charity organised its fourth paediatric medical camp in Bangladesh to treat children with congenital heart defects. During the seven-day medical camp, which began on April 12 at Bangladesh Specialised Hospital in the capital, 110 life-saving cardiac catheterisation procedures were carried out on children from underprivileged families. The medical team was led by a group of distinguished specialists, including Professor Muhammad Noman from the University of Texas in the USA, Professor Iyad Al-Amouri, a paediatric cardiologist from the Jordan University Hospital, Dr Rajab Al-Sayed, a cardiac catheterisation expert from King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Saudi Arabia, Dr Hassan Ismail, a paediatric anaesthesia specialist from Palestine, and Abdullah Ashkanani, Head Technician at the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at Hamad Hospital in Qatar. Four women athletes to join CA Yunus on state visit to Qatar Their efforts were supported by a dedicated team of local and international medical professionals, ensuring the success of the humanitarian mission, said a press release on Saturday. During the same period, Qatar Charity also launched its first-ever medical campaign dedicated to treating adults and the elderly in need of cardiac catheterisation.Held at Shamarita Medical College Hospital in Dhaka, the initiative resulted in 25 life-saving procedures. Daud Miah, Director General of the NGO Affairs Bureau of Bangladesh, commended Qatar Charity for its vital role in providing healthcare to those in need while attending the inaugural ceremony. “I encourage other NGOs in Bangladesh to follow this inspiring example,” he said. The parents of the children expressed their deep gratitude and immense relief at receiving free treatment for their children.