Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday said the United Nations, which marks the 80th anniversary, must continue to evolve and adapt if it is to fulfill their collective aspiration for peace and multilateralism. "We join the call for reforming the UN to make it more agile, integrated, and equipped to deliver the aspirations of all people in an evolving global landscape," he said in a message marking the United Nations Day that falls on October 24. On this solemn occasion, Prof Yunus said they pledge that Bangladesh will continue to do its part to ensure a stable and peaceful world, as envisioned in the UN Charter. This year, they are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. On this day, on behalf of the people of Bangladesh, Prof Yunus wished all Member States, Partners in the UN System, and other stakeholders a happy United Nations Day. "This is an occasion for the international community to renew its pledge to build a world free from fear and want, and rejuvenate the spirit of multilateralism and consensus-building that the UN embodies," Prof Yunus said. Over the past eight decades, he said, the United Nations has expanded its scope of work and deepened its engagement around the globe. It has played an indispensable role in advancing peace and security, in protecting human rights and in promoting sustainable development, improving lives across the world. Since attaining its membership in 1974, Prof Yunus said, Bangladesh has assiduously built its reputation as an active, responsible, and contributing member of the UN. "Bearing the flag of the culture of peace, Bangladesh has been participating in the most perilous UN peacekeeping operations across the globe and has been one of the leading contributor countries under the UN blue helmet," he said. "Many of our valiant soldiers have made the supreme sacrifice for the sake of establishing peace," Prof Yunus said. Be it sustainable development, trade, or addressing the climate crisis, global South countries like Bangladesh thrive in a rules-based multilateral system, he said. "We, however, witness with concern the tensions of unilateral measures and unequal treatment in bilateral relations. The recent conflicts have plunged the world into collective uncertainty," said the Chief Adviser. He said they must acknowledge that multilateral diplomacy is under strain. "Extreme nationalism and indifference to human pain are destroying the progress humanity has built through decades of struggle," he said. Prof Yunus said the world has become an audience to live broadcasts of a genocide happening in Gaza. "In our own backyard, we have witnessed the deprivation of rights and persecution of the Rohingyas, rooted in cultural identity-based politics, for which we have called for renewed attention of the international community," he said. Building Future Together The United Nations is the most universal international organization, making it truly global in reach. By promoting peace, human rights and social progress, including access to healthcare and education, the United Nations has improved the lives of people around the world, creating better living standards for all, the UN said. Eighty years after its founding, the United Nations faces new challenges. The organisation is working on ways to adapt and strengthen itself. With the Agenda 2030, the Pact for the Future, and the UN80 initiative, the UN is looking to renew the foundations of international cooperation, and to ensure that it can deliver for people everywhere. A Symbol of Hope for Global Unity United Nations Day, on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. There is no other global organization with the legitimacy, convening power and normative impact of the United Nations. "No other global organization gives hope to so many people for a better world and can deliver the future we want," said the UN. Today, the urgency for all countries to come together, to fulfil the promise of the nations united, has rarely been greater. UN Day, celebrated every year, offers the opportunity to amplify our common agenda and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter that have guided us for the past 80 years.

Senior BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has said the party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will return to Bangladesh in November. Speaking on Friday at his Gulshan residence, the Standing Committee member added that the exact date will be announced soon and hoped the return would occur in mid-November. Tarique has been living in London for the past 17 years after leaving the country with his family during the 2008 state of emergency. Although legal complications related to Tarique’s cases eased after the fall of the Awami League government, he has not yet returned Several senior BNP leaders have in recent months said Tarique will return “soon”, though no fixed date has been officially confirmed. In an Oct 6 interview with BBC Bangla, Tarique indicated he would return “quickly” and confirmed his intention to participate in the election. When asked about contesting from which constituencies, Salahuddin said Tarique will take part in the election, with specific seats to be decided later. On Khaleda Zia’s participation, Salahuddin said the party hopes the BNP chairperson will decide for herself whether to contest after assessing her health. “We want her to take part in the election.” Regarding candidate nominations, he said the party aims to issue green signals for single candidates in roughly 200 constituencies by mid-October, allowing them to campaign as unified candidates. On coalition discussions, he said talks are ongoing with all potential partners, but final outcomes will be revealed closer to the election.

Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organiser of the National Citizen Party’s (NCP) southern region, has alleged that active efforts are under way to manipulate the upcoming national election with the involvement of influential quarters, including elements within the interim government. Speaking at a coordination meeting in Dhaka’s Shahbagh on Friday evening, Hasnat accused the authorities of facilitating political interference in state machinery. “Several political parties are sharing deputy commissioners (DCs) among themselves by visiting the Secretariat,” he claimed. “The current Election Commission is behaving in an authoritarian manner. Two parties are capturing every state institution. If this continues, the people will not accept it.” In a sharp warning directed at what he described as “powerful actors within the cantonment,” Hasnat alleged that a section of military officers was conspiring to protect those accused of past misconduct. “Another person inside the cantonment is plotting. He is pleading with Brigadier Azmir to shield the accused officers,” he said. “If there is another conspiracy, we will not sit idle. Tanks cannot silence us.” The NCP organiser also cautioned party members about infiltration by spies, urging vigilance against those joining the party with ulterior motives. The event, attended by top NCP figures including Member Secretary Akhter Hossain, Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adeeb, and Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, was marred by factional infighting outside the venue. Eyewitness videos circulated on social media showed clashes between rival groups, leaving several injured. NCP Northern Region Chief Organiser Sarjis Alam accused sections of the media of spreading “false and malicious” reports about Nasiruddin Patwary’s resignation. Patwary himself denied the rumours, reaffirming his loyalty to the party “until it forms a government.” Reiterating his party’s stance on the upcoming polls, Hasnat said the NCP remains committed to supporting a free, fair, and impartial national election, but warned that continued partisan control over the administration and state institutions would make that impossible. “The democracy that Sheikh Hasina plundered — we are ready to help the nation reclaim it through a neutral and acceptable election,” he declared. “But the corrupt culture of power-sharing and administrative capture among parties must end first.” Concluding his address, Hasnat urged supporters not to measure the National Citizen Party by its numbers or street presence. “Real political strength lies in moral conviction and public trust,” he said. “Even if one person stands for truth and justice, the whole nation will rally behind him.”