Britain, Australia and Canada on Sunday recognized a Palestinian state in a seismic shift in decades of western foreign policy, triggering swift Israeli anger. Portugal was also to recognize Palestinian statehood later Sunday, as Israel came under huge international pressure over the war in Gaza triggered almost two years ago by the October 7, 2023 Hamas resistance campaign.

“Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two-state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognizes the State of Palestine,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a message on X. Britain and Canada became the first G7 countries to take the step, with France and other nations expected to follow at the annual UN General Assembly which opens Monday in New York.

“Canada recognizes the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X.

It is a watershed moment for Palestinians and their decades-long ambitions for statehood, with the most powerful western nations having long argued it should only come as part of a negotiated peace deal with Israel.

But the move puts those countries at odds with the United States and Israel, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacting angrily and vowing to oppose it at the UN talks. Calls for a Palestinian state “would endanger our existence and serve as absurd reward for terrorism,” Netanyahu said Sunday. A growing number of longtime allies have shifted positions, as Israel has intensified its Gaza offensive, vowing to eliminate the Hamas Palestinian fighters.

The Gaza Strip has suffered vast destruction, a spiralling death toll and a lack of food that has sparked a major humanitarian crisis since the start of the conflict which has drawn an international outcry.

The UK government has come under increasing public pressure to act, with thousands rallying every month on the streets. A poll released by YouGov on Friday showed two-thirds of young Britons aged 18-25 supported Palestinian statehood. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy acknowledged at the UN in July that “Britain bears a special burden of responsibility to support the two-state solution.”

Over a century ago, the UK was pivotal in laying the groundwork for the creation of the state of Israel through the 1917 Balfour Declaration. Three-quarters of UN members already recognise Palestinian statehood, with over 140 of the 193 having taken the step. Starmer said in July that his Labour government intended to recognise a Palestinian State unless Israel took “substantive” steps including reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, getting more aid into the territory and confirming it would not annex the West Bank.

Starmer has also repeatedly called on Hamas to release the remaining hostages they captured in the 2023 resistance campaign, and is expected to set out new sanctions on the Palestinian fighters.

Lammy told the BBC on Sunday that the Palestinian Authority — the civilian body that governs in areas of the West Bank — had been calling for the move for some time “and I think a lot of that is wrapped up in hope.”

“Will this feed children? No it won’t, that’s down to humanitarian aid. Will this free hostages? That must be down to a ceasefire.”

But he said it was an attempt to “hold out for” a two-state solution. Palestinian foreign minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin told AFP last week: “Recognition is not symbolic.”

“It sends a very clear message to the Israelis on their illusions on continuing their occupation forever,” she added.

Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed at least 65,208 people, also mostly civilians, according to figures from the Gazan health ministry that the United Nations considers reliable. Portugal said that it would also formally declare its recognition in New York on Sunday.

“By acting now, as the Portuguese government has decided, we’re keeping alive the possibility of having two states,” Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday accused Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami of trying to create a “state within the state” through its activities in the political landscape and universities. Speaking at a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club, he warned that the country’s independence and sovereignty could face a major conspiracy due to rising threats from across the border and the emergence of new forces.

“Has the Ducsu VP been given magistracy power to decide which shop on the campus is legal or illegal? He fined a shop Tk3,000 and then deposited the money into Baitul Mal (the party’s fund). What is the legal basis for this?” the BNP leader asked.

“7th November Projonma” organized the program on journalist Dr Maruf Mallick’s book “Theoretical Analysis of Bangladeshi Nationalism: Crisis of Civic and Ethnic Nationalism”.

In any university, Rizvi said, it is the administration that should monitor who runs shops or markets on campus. Student leaders can raise concerns if the peaceful and orderly environment of the campus is being disturbed, he said.

“Instead, you are imposing fines and that money is going into Jamaat’s party fund. This is a very serious matter. We have always seen that their activities are creating a ‘state within the state,’ and we are now observing such an environment,” the BNP leader said.

He also criticized the supply of iron beds to university halls by Jamaat’s student wing, questioning whether it is the responsibility of any political party or the student union to do so.

“If students have demands, they should bargain or negotiate with the vice-chancellor. If there is a shortage of accommodation, beds or other facilities, it is the administration’s duty to address it,” Rizvi said. But, he said, the student organization or party is providing iron beds to the administration.

He added: “This is very strange. It undermines the legal foundation of the state and goes against the proper functioning of the university. Are you running an orphanage that you provide iron beds? Will you also provide dining tables for food? These kinds of actions are a very bad sign, in our view.”

Rizvi said in the current reality, especially after 5 August, when the nation is facing constant threats, many divisive voices are being heard, saying that one side is bad and the other is good.

“In this changed situation, with continuous threats coming from neighbouring countries, the way the political situation is moving and the rise of certain forces, I believe this is creating an opportunity for a major conspiracy that could endanger our sovereignty and independence,” the BNP leader said.

He also said a planned campaign is underway to blame BNP for crimes such as extortion, sand lifting and stone theft, while similar allegations against Jamaat leaders are being downplayed. When Jamaat attempts to show itself as good, it often appears that if BNP men are involved in sand lifting, Jamaat men are also connected, Rizvi said. He, however, lamented that media outlets do not highlight the misdeeds of Jamaat leaders and activists, while allegations against BNP receive wide coverage.

“If BNP members are involved in irregularities, we expel or suspend them and take disciplinary action. But this is not highlighted. Instead, a narrative is carefully created to use against BNP and malign the party,” Rizvi said.

He also said the media and social media often blame BNP for extortion, sand lifting or stone theft, but do not report that Jamaat leaders’ names also appear in such incidents, including cases of sexual harassment or abuse of women.

“Every family may have a black sheep. But if the parents punish the black sheep, that is a responsible family. The same goes for political parties,” the BNP leader said. BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, organizing secretary principal Selim Bhuiyan and senior journalist Amirul Islam Kagoji, among others, also spoke at the event.

Bangladesh has emerged as one of the most climate-vulnerable yet climate-indebted nations, according to the newly released Climate Debt Risk Index (CDRI-2025) by Change Initiative. With a national risk score of 65.37 out of 100, projected to rise to 65.63 by 2031, Bangladesh now falls under the ‘High Risk’ category—signaling a dangerous trajectory if immediate action is not taken.

Despite contributing less than 0.5% to global greenhouse gas emissions, Bangladesh now bears one of the highest per capita climate debts at $79.6, with a debt-to-grant ratio of 2.7—almost four times higher than the LDC benchmark of 0.7. The burden is exacerbated by an alarming multilateral climate loan ratio of 0.94, nearly five times the LDC average of 0.19.

The report highlights a deeper crisis: the adaptation-to-mitigation ratio stands at just 0.42, severely underfunding life-saving resilience work. The Index warns that the current international climate finance system—originally envisioned as reparations under the Paris Agreement—has morphed into a climate debt trap, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable nations.

“Protecting biodiversity can reduce climate impacts, yet global forums like COP often fail to deliver results,” said Dr Farhina Ahmed, secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

“Bangladesh must respond by addressing unequal carbon emissions, as highlighted by the ICJ judgment, while prioritizing national adaptation plans and NDC implementation.”

Key Findings for Bangladesh:

• • Per Capita Climate Debt: $79.6—among the highest in LDCs
  • Debt-to-Grant Ratio: 2.7—nearly 4x the LDC average of 0.7
  • Multilateral Climate Loan Ratio: 0.94 vs. 0.19 LDC average
  • Adaptation-to-Mitigation Ratio: 0.42—less than half of LDC average (0.88)
  • Loan Burden per Ton of CO₂e: $29.52—contradicts Polluter Pays Principle
  • Misattributed Fossil Finance: 18.84% of “climate finance” went to fossil fuel projects with a staggering loan-to-grant ratio of 28.8:1.

Sectoral Analysis:

• Energy Sector: Loan-to-grant ratio of 11.99:1
• Transport & Storage: Virtually all debt-financed (1123:1)
• Water Supply: 7.78:1, despite being adaptation-critical

Sectors like agriculture, health, and disaster preparedness remain critically underfunded.

“Grants are limited, loans risky, and overreliance on the private sector heightens financial strain,” said Dr AK Enamul Haque, director general, BIDS.

“True resilience demands local knowledge, technology, and systemic change—incremental fixes are not enough.”

“Without firm pledges and clear governance, the $1B Climate Finance Action Fund, launched in COP29, risks remaining an ambition, not a lifeline for vulnerable nations,” added M Zakir Hossain Khan, chief executive of Change Initiative.

Household Burden Rising

The report reveals that between 2000 and 2023, over 130 million Bangladeshis were displaced or affected by climate hazards, causing $13.6 billion in losses. In the absence of sufficient public adaptation support, households now spend an average of Tk10,700 (~$88) annually on self-financed climate protection—totaling $1.7 billion a year.

“Adaptation finance must be grant-based and equitable, or the world risks a climate debt crisis where survival becomes unaffordable,” said Dr Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed, deputy managing director, PKSF.

The Call for a Just Climate Finance System

Change Initiative outlines a new roadmap grounded in Natural Rights Led Governance (NRLG)—a people-and-nature-centric approach that treats climate finance as a legal obligation, not charity.

Key policy asks include:

• A grant-first approach for adaptation, loss, and damage
• Debt-for-nature swaps and immediate climate debt relief
• Transparent classification systems to prevent misattribution
• A bottom-up Earth Solidarity Fund for direct, unconditional community grants
• Reforms to MDBs to end fossil fuel and unproven energy support

“Unless Bangladesh ensures accountability, transparency, and good governance, access to global finance will remain limited,” warned Shirin Lira, cooperation officer, Embassy of Switzerland.

“During disasters, local communities are the first responders—and without building their capacity, pledges won’t translate into real action.”

“Bangladesh contributes little to global emissions yet suffers the greatest impacts,” added Dr Saimun Parvez, special assistant to chairperson, BNP.

“We must move from loans to justice—this is the time to end climate debt and usher in climate equity.”

Bangladeshi supermodel Nibir Adnan has made the nation proud by gracing the runway at one of the world’s largest fashion events—New York Fashion Week 2025. Held from September 10 to 14 at Sony Hall, Manhattan, New York City, the event brought together renowned designers, models, celebrities, and fashion enthusiasts for a spectacular and diverse runway showcase. Models walked the runway in the creations of over 130 acclaimed designers. The event featured 28 Latin American brands from countries like Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia, alongside international brands from Japan, the United Kingdom, and Portugal.

Before the main event, on September 8, Nibir Adnan participated in the casting round through his agency CG Models. Nearly 3,000 models from around the world competed in this casting, where Nibir Adnan qualified to secure his place on the main runway. Among them, he proudly represented Bangladesh, highlighting the nation’s prestige through his presence and performance on the international stage.

During the three-day event, Nibir walked for five international designers, including O4BH (United Kingdom), Monkstr (Austin, Texas), The Tokyo Vibes (Japan), Runway7 Fashion (New York, LA, Miami), and Emma Ritz (Tokyo). His makeup was done by Book of Beauty, with photography by Anja Stoll.

Speaking from New York about participating in one of the world’s largest fashion weeks, Nibir Adnan said: “This is a moment of immense pride for me, not just as an individual, but as a Bangladeshi. Representing my country on the global stage of New York Fashion Week is truly a dream come true. Every time someone asks me, ‘Where are you from?’ and I say, ‘I’m from Bangladesh’—I get goosebumps. Sharing the same platform with international celebrities and receiving their appreciation has been surreal. Their support and kind words have touched my heart. This success is not just mine; it’s for every young dreamer back home who thinks the world is too big and their country too small. I want to say: we belong. We rise. We represent.”

Notably, during the fashion week, on September 11 he also participated in the International Heritage Fashion Week, and he is scheduled to take part in Couture Fashion Week on Saturday, where his performance will further shine a spotlight on Bangladesh.

Supermodel Nibir Adnan has worked with nearly all major local brands and extended his career internationally in Mumbai, India, representing products for Amazon India, Raymond, Spykar, among other Indian brands. He has also brought pride to Bangladesh as the brand ambassador for the world-renowned Italian brand Bulgari Perfume, and has worked as a model for brands based in London and Dubai, in addition to Dhaka and Mumbai. Nibir has received numerous international honors and recognition, including the NRB Award in the ‘International Model of the Year’ category on September 14 in New York.

Apart from modeling, this supermodel is steadily entering acting. This year, he made his big-screen debut with the film ‘Esha Murder’.

The US State Department’s 2025 Fiscal Transparency Report says Bangladesh’s interim government has moved to make all natural resource extraction procurements fully open and transparent, suspending direct negotiations led by the previous administration.

The report noted that the government has set clear rules for awarding extraction contracts and licences and provided limited information on procurement. However, the country’s supreme audit institution failed to meet international independence standards and did not fully review accounts due to the change in government.

To improve fiscal transparency, the US recommended Bangladesh publish timely end-of-year reports, prepare budgets in line with global standards, provide a complete picture of revenues and expenditures, and strengthen the audit institution’s independence.

The State Department emphasized that fiscal transparency builds accountability, market confidence, and fair competition for US firms.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the decision of student representatives to join the government was “not right. They had the opportunity to play a role as a pressure group on any issue of the state. But it is not for us to call on them to step down from the government — that urgency must come from within themselves,” he said on Saturday while speaking at the Third Dialogue on Youth’s State Thought at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, in the capital’s Kakrail.

“In a democratic system, there is no scope to be in both government and opposition at the same time. From the moment the students of the July movement entered the government, I realized they would no longer be able to contribute to rebuilding the state,” he added.

Referring to a newspaper report, Salahuddin said: “I saw one leader remark, who will be the ruling party and who will be the opposition party. If you are so confident, then why don’t you join the election? You are only trying to obstruct it with various excuses.”

The BNP leader further observed that no one can decide which party will be in power or in opposition — only the people can. He also cautioned that pursuing dialogue and movements simultaneously would be contradictory. “We are negotiating on the legal basis of the July Charter. We want a solution through dialogue. There is no objection if any party makes demands, but they should not impose it on the nation,” he said. Salahuddin urged all political parties to maintain unity without creating fresh crises.

The Trump administration is seeking congressional approval to sell Israel $6.4 billion in support equipment and weapons including attack helicopters and troop carriers, people familiar with the matter said on Friday. Israel‘s military said it had expanded operations in Gaza City on Friday and bombarded Hamas infrastructure.

The news of the proposed sale came days before world leaders were set to gather in New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly next week, which the UN Security Council is also due to hold a high-level meeting on Gaza.

The planned package includes a deal worth $3.8 billion for 30 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and $1.9 billion for 3,250 infantry assault vehicles for the Israeli army. Another $750 million worth of support parts for armored personnel carriers and power supplies are also working its way through the sale process, one of the people said.

US Republican President Donald Trump’s full-throated support for Israel‘s military contrasts with growing wariness about Israel‘s campaign in Gaza among Democrats. On Thursday, a group of US senators introduced the first Senate resolution to urge recognition of a Palestinian state and more than half of Democrats in the Senate recently voted against further arms sales.

The Wall Street Journal reported the potential helicopter and vehicle sales on Friday. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

NEW YORK — The United States on Thursday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, along with the lifting of Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid.

The draft, backed by 14 of the council’s 15 members, also demanded the release of all hostages and restoration of essential services. Algeria, which co-sponsored the text, expressed regret at the council’s failure.

US envoy Morgan Ortagus said the resolution “failed to condemn Hamas or recognize Israel’s right to self-defense,” accusing other members of pushing language that legitimized Hamas narratives. Critics accused Washington of shielding Israel as Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens.

US military buildup in Bangladesh’s strategic Chittagong region is raising alarms in India and Myanmar, with experts warning of potential regional security implications, reports The Economic Times.

The paper noted that a C-130J Super Hercules – a tactical transport aircraft normally based at the US Air Force’s Yokota station in Japan – recently touched down at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong.

Analysts cited by the publication said the visit appeared linked to growing involvement of external powers in the Bay of Bengal area, which lies near India’s Northeast and Myanmar. Both Washington and Beijing are reportedly trying to court Myanmar’s rebel groups, the report added.

Since Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed power in Dhaka, the US military has made frequent stops in Chittagong, ranging from reconnaissance trips to joint drills, The Economic Times said. Earlier this year, Bangladesh and the United States conducted exercises codenamed Operation Pacific Angel-25 and Tiger Lightning-2025 in the same zone.

Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan have signed a sweeping mutual defense agreement, declaring that any attack on either country will be treated as an attack on both. The accord comes days after Israel launched a military strike on Qatar, escalating a conflict that has already engulfed multiple fronts across the Middle East.

The two nations share decades of close political, religious, and security ties, with Riyadh having long provided financial backing to Islamabad — including, according to some analysts, support during Pakistan’s nuclear weapons development. Over the years, diplomats and experts have speculated that Saudi Arabia could fall under Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella if regional threats intensified.

The timing of the pact is widely seen as a direct warning to Israel, which is believed to be the region’s only nuclear power. Since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 assault, Israel has carried out a broad military campaign striking Iran, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Qatar, Syria, and Yemen.

Neither Israel nor the U.S. State Department responded to requests for comment. The pact represents the most consequential Gulf defense move since the attack on Qatar and signals a possible realignment of security guarantees in the region.

Riyadh/Islamabad — Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan have signed a sweeping mutual defense agreement, declaring that any attack on either country will be treated as an attack on both.

The accord comes days after Israel launched a military strike on Qatar, escalating a conflict that has already engulfed multiple fronts across the Middle East.

The two nations share decades of close political, religious, and security ties, with Riyadh having long provided financial backing to Islamabad — including, according to some analysts, support during Pakistan’s nuclear weapons development. Over the years, diplomats and experts have speculated that Saudi Arabia could fall under Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella if regional threats intensified.

The timing of the pact is widely seen as a direct warning to Israel, which is believed to be the region’s only nuclear power. Since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 assault, Israel has carried out a broad military campaign striking Iran, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Qatar, Syria, and Yemen.

Neither Israel nor the U.S. State Department responded to requests for comment. The pact represents the most consequential Gulf defense move since the attack on Qatar and signals a possible realignment of security guarantees in the region.