Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has urged the World Trade Organization (WTO) to provide full support to ensure Bangladesh’s transition from an LDC to a developing country faces no obstacles.
In a meeting with WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Yunus called for meaningful outcomes in the upcoming ministerial conference. In response, Okonjo-Iweala pledged full cooperation and sought Bangladesh’s leadership role in WTO reforms.
Highlighting global economic concerns, she noted that 75% of trade still operates under WTO rules despite growing protectionism. Yunus agreed reforms are essential, stressing the need for the WTO to become more active in today’s rapidly changing trade environment.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s motorcade was halted in New York after police blocked several roads for U.S. President Donald Trump’s convoy, according to The Guardian.

Caught in the security lockdown, Macron reportedly phoned Trump directly to resolve the situation. The blockade was lifted shortly afterward.

However, Macron was forced to abandon his vehicle and proceed the rest of the way on foot.

In a shocking incident, a 13-year-old Afghan boy managed to travel from Kabul to Delhi by hiding inside the landing gear compartment of a commercial flight. The incident occurred on Sunday morning when Kam Air’s flight RQ-4401 landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport after a two-hour journey.

Authorities said the boy, from Kunduz city, sneaked into the Kabul airport and concealed himself in the rear central landing gear bay. After landing, he was spotted wandering near the aircraft’s security control room. Airline staff detained him and handed him over to security officials. During questioning, the boy admitted he entered the plane “out of curiosity.” By 12:30 p.m., he was deported back to Afghanistan on the same flight.

France has officially recognized Palestine as a state, joining a growing list of Western nations.

The announcement came at a high-level meeting in New York, where Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and Monaco also declared recognition. The UK had made its recognition just a day earlier.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated:

“We are here today because the time has come. It is our responsibility to do everything possible to uphold a two-state solution. Today I announce that France recognizes the State of Palestine.”

Spain, Norway, and Ireland extended recognition last year. Spain has also imposed sanctions on Israel over the war in Gaza. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said:

“When a people are subjected to genocide, a two-state solution becomes impossible. For the sake of reason, law, and human dignity, this massacre must end.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the Assembly via video message.

Speaking at a high-level side event on “Social Business, Youth and Technology,” Prime Adviser Yunus warned that reducing UN budgets or development aid for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) would be counterproductive.

He highlighted Bangladesh’s unique challenges—hosting over 1.3 million Rohingya refugees, tackling climate shocks, and navigating global economic instability.

“Instead of cuts, what we urgently need is increased international support, guaranteed technical assistance, and a fair path for vulnerable nations to graduate,” Yunus said.

He stressed that building a better world cannot be measured by past failures but requires courage, action, and unwavering commitment today. Yunus also emphasized the importance of social business, renewed multilateral diplomacy, and deeper global cooperation to achieve sustainable development.

Portugal has officially recognized Palestine as an independent state, joining the UK, Canada, and Australia in a wave of international support.

The announcement came from the Portuguese Foreign Minister in New York. Earlier, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed recognition via a video message, citing London’s commitment to reviving the two-state solution. Australia also issued a joint statement declaring its recognition, while Canada had been the first G7 nation to extend formal acknowledgment.

This latest move raises the total number of countries recognizing Palestine to 151. French authorities are also expected to issue a formal declaration today.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that a Palestinian state will “never be established,” branding international recognition efforts as a reward for terrorism.

In a speech, he said: “Those attempting to impose a terrorist state on us will get their answer when I return from the United States.” Netanyahu boasted that Jewish settlements in the West Bank have doubled under his leadership.

His remarks come after the UK, Canada, and Australia recognized Palestine following Israel’s October 7 atrocities.

In a historic move, three influential nations—United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia—simultaneously recognized Palestine as an independent state on Sunday.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the decision in a video message, describing it as part of London’s effort to revive a two-state solution.
Australia confirmed its recognition through a joint statement signed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Canada became the first G7 nation to formally extend recognition.
With this development, the number of countries recognizing Palestine has now reached 150.

The U.S. has announced a staggering increase in H-1B visa application fees, raising the cost to $100,000 per applicant—a 60-fold jump—under a new executive order signed by President Donald Trump. The revised fee takes effect from Sunday.

India, whose nationals account for over 70% of all H-1B visas issued in 2024, has strongly criticized the decision, calling it a matter of “deep humanitarian concern” that would cause severe disruption to family lives.

“The exchange of skilled professionals between India and the United States is mutually beneficial. We hope policymakers consider the foundation of our bilateral ties when making such decisions,” India’s statement read.

Meanwhile, Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is set to depart for Washington on Monday for discussions with U.S. counterparts.

A delegation of senior Bangladeshi clerics, led by Maulana Mamunul Haque, met Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi during a recent visit to Kabul.
Muttaqi expressed optimism about future ties, noting significant trade potential in Afghanistan’s cotton, carpet, dry fruit, and marble sectors. He revealed that a Bangladeshi business delegation is scheduled to visit Kabul on September 30.
While Afghanistan has already established official ties with most countries, Bangladesh has yet to take that step. Muttaqi urged the clerics to encourage Dhaka to engage formally.
The delegation welcomed the call, with Maulana Abdul Hamid describing the visit as “a new beginning.” They also invited Muttaqi to attend Bangladesh’s upcoming Khatme Nabuwwat Conference.

Hezbollah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem has called on Saudi Arabia to join forces against Israeli aggression. His remarks came after fresh Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Friday.
Hezbollah indicated a willingness to rebuild ties with Riyadh, emphasizing dialogue, resolving past disputes, and identifying Israel as a common enemy.
Relations between Hezbollah and Saudi Arabia soured in 2016 when the Gulf Cooperation Council designated the Iran-backed group as a terrorist organization. However, shifting geopolitics in the Middle East may now open the door to rapprochement.

The United Kingdom may formally recognize Palestine as an independent state this Sunday afternoon, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer expected to make the announcement.
The Starmer administration had earlier signaled in July that recognition would be considered if Israel failed to commit to a ceasefire in Gaza and to a long-term peace framework under a two-state solution.
Tel Aviv has strongly criticized the move. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said such recognition would “reward terrorism.”
Meanwhile, France, Canada, Australia, Portugal, and Luxembourg have already declared their intention to recognize Palestine.

The United Arab Emirates has not officially announced any suspension of work or tourist visas for Bangladeshi nationals, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to the UAE, Tarek Ahmed, said in response to viral reports. He noted that the website which circulated the story is not an official UAE government site.

News first appeared on a website called “UAE Visa Online” on 17 September and, after coverage in several Bangladeshi outlets on Saturday, went viral on social media. The Bangladesh embassy said it will contact UAE authorities after the weekly holiday and asked people not to pay attention to visa-related rumours until an official statement is issued.

At least 78 people were killed and 20 others injured when a drone strike hit a mosque in Sudan’s El-Fasher city, escalating the conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The RSF, which has been locked in a brutal power struggle with the army for over two years, has recently intensified efforts to seize El-Fasher. Reports also emerged of attacks on nearby displacement camps, much of which are now under RSF control.

The UN has warned that the conflict is increasingly taking on ethnic dimensions, with the RSF accused of targeting non-Arab communities in areas under its control—allegations the group has consistently denied.

The Trump administration has approved a $6.4 billion arms package for Israel, including 30 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and 3,250 infantry assault vehicles.

According to U.S. officials, the helicopters are valued at $3.8 billion, while the vehicles are priced at $1.9 billion. An additional $700 million has been allocated for spare parts and ammunition.

The deal comes as Israeli forces, under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s orders, intensify their ground operations to seize full control of Gaza. Analysts believe the new weaponry will be used in the ongoing offensive.

Meanwhile, France and Saudi Arabia have called for an international conference in New York on September 22 to push for recognition of Palestine as an independent state.