Friday, 30 May, 2025
Friday, 30 May, 2025
CA to hold bilateral talks with Japanese PM tomorrow
Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus will hold a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba tomorrow. According to the itinerary, revealed by the foreign ministry, the meeting will be

India dismisses Yunus's remarks on 'hegemonism' as 'deflection'

Bangladesh high commissioner to India presents credentials to President Murmu

‘Don't buy a foreign wife’: Chinese embassy warns its citizens in Bangladesh

Bangladesh set to observe Peacekeepers Day tomorrow

Khaleda Zia hopes democracy to be restored soon
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia today hoped democracy will be restored in Bangladesh very soon. “Ziaur Rahman sacrificed his life for establishing democracy and safeguarding independence and sovereignty. But this democracy sill gets hampered at every step. Very soon we will see democracy is restored in Bangladesh,” she said. The BNP chief was virtually addressing a discussion organized on the occasion of the 44th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman at the capital’s Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB). She urged the party men to pay tribute to Shaheed Zia by implementing the politics of resolving all problems in democratic ways. Khaleda said every year the martyrdom anniversary of Ziaur Rahman comes to their family with a painful memory as on this day, not only their family, but the entire country is left in pain and became guardian less. “Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman is an inseparable name associated with the birth of our beloved motherland. He made his name inseparable from this country by proclaiming independence from Chattogram. He embraced martyrdom being a successful, honest, farsighted and truly patriotic president in that Chattogram,” she said. “Ziaur Rahman was another embodiment of democracy, independence, sovereignty and advocate of freedom of the press and independence of judiciary and creation of his own philosophy of Bangladeshi nationalism,” she said. She prayed for eternal peace of Ziaur Rahman’s departed soul.
CA to hold bilateral talks with Japanese PM tomorrow
Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus will hold a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba tomorrow. According to the itinerary, revealed by the foreign ministry, the meeting will be

India dismisses Yunus's remarks on 'hegemonism' as 'deflection'

Bangladesh high commissioner to India presents credentials to President Murmu

‘Don't buy a foreign wife’: Chinese embassy warns its citizens in Bangladesh

Bangladesh set to observe Peacekeepers Day tomorrow

Foreign ministry's maritime affairs secretary Khurshed Alam resigns
Offshore oil, gas exploration: 7 foreign firms bought tenders so far
Project cargo for Numaligarh refinery arrives via India Bangladesh protocol route
Tripura chapter of IBCC writes to Bangladesh minister for better connectivity
The BRICS-established New Development Bank (NDB) has planned to raise its lending to Bangladesh development projects to US$ one billion this year, a vice-president of the Shanghai-based multilateral lender said
Martin Raiser, vice president of the World Bank (WB) for South Asia, arrived in Dhaka on a four-day visit today, which the global financial institution stated was aimed at reinforcing
Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus left here for Davos, Switzerland, at early hours of today, on a four-day official visit to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic
Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus is set to leave here for Davos, Switzerland, on a four-day official visit to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF)
Chief Adviser Prof Dr Mohammad Yunus will attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on January 21-24. Foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Rafiqul Alam today said in
Energy giant Chevron has planned to invest in new gas exploration activities in Bangladesh in an effort to boost the country's energy security, senior officials of the US-based company said
HRW criticises crackdown on AL supporters, urges justice for abuses
Recent legislative initiatives by Bangladesh's interim government risk undermining fundamental freedoms, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report published today. Instead of pursuing its pledge to reform the criminal justice system and bring accountability for serious abuses, the government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is allegedly attempting to suppress the rights of supporters of the deposed Awami League (AL) and its leader, Sheikh Hasina, the report said. On May 12, the interim government imposed a "temporary" ban on the Awami League, invoking newly introduced powers under an amended Anti-Terrorism Act. The ban prohibits party-related meetings, publications, and online speech, and has sparked widespread criticism from rights groups and opposition figures. HRW criticised the ban and related legal actions, saying they contradict the government's stated commitment to human rights and democratic values. "Sheikh Hasina's government abused legal powers to silence political opponents, but using similar methods against the supporters of her Awami League party would also violate those same fundamental freedoms," said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. The HRW report noted that although the interim administration has taken some positive steps since coming to power on August 5, 2024 — following three weeks of deadly protests that left about 1,400 people dead — recent actions have cast doubt on its intentions. The Election Commission has already stripped the Awami League of its registration, citing the ban imposed by the interim government. The ban is expected to remain in place until party leaders face trial for alleged abuses committed during their 15-year tenure, a process that could take years. The government has prohibited "all activities including any kind of publication, media, online and social media, any kind of campaign, procession, meeting, gathering, conference, etc. by Bangladesh Awami League," effectively curbing freedom of speech and association for a wide base of the party's supporters. These actions followed an ordinance amending the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, which expanded the Tribunal's authority to prosecute and dismantle political organisations. The amendment defines "organisation" broadly, including any political party, affiliated group, or individuals who are deemed to support such entities. HRW warned that the vaguely drafted powers could violate international standards of due process and freedom of association. The Tribunal is now empowered to penalise "any group of individuals which, in the opinion of the Tribunal, propagates, supports, endorses, facilitates, or engages in the activities of such a [banned] party or entity." "Those accused of committing crimes under Hasina's government should be appropriately prosecuted, but imposing a ban on any speech or activity deemed supportive of a political party is an excessive restriction on fundamental freedoms that mirrors the previous government's abusive clampdown on political opponents," HRW said. HRW further noted that a broad spectrum of individuals — including actors, lawyers, singers, and activists — have already been arrested under politically motivated murder charges. Prosecutors reportedly justified these arrests by alleging support for the "rule of fascist Hasina." Concerns are also growing over delays in addressing serious human rights violations committed during the Awami League's tenure. On August 27, 2024, the interim government formed a commission of inquiry into enforced disappearances, which were allegedly widespread under Hasina's rule. In its preliminary report, the commission said it had recorded 1,676 complaints, with around 200 victims still missing. The report described a "systematic design" targeting political opponents, citing torture and inhumane conditions at secret detention sites run by security agencies. Although the commission has requested an extension until December 2025 to complete its findings, the proposed legislation to address enforced disappearances reportedly overlooks the commission's role and omits references to "widespread" or "systematic" disappearances, delegating those cases to the overburdened and controversial International Crimes Tribunal. While the proposed law would establish a National Commission on the Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearances, HRW said the draft lacks provisions to ensure its independence. It also proposes a Tribunal for Prevention and Remedies of Enforced Disappearance, which would not have jurisdiction over crimes against humanity. The legislation would criminalise individuals who aid, abet, or conspire in a disappearance. However, it sets a higher threshold for command responsibility than the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The draft law excludes liability based on "constructive knowledge" and introduces a requirement that the superior must have "exercised authority in an act connected with the disappearance." It also fails to distinguish between civilian and military command structures, using the vague term "superior officer." The law permits the death penalty if the victim is killed — a measure HRW calls abusive and incompatible with human rights norms. The lack of meaningful progress has left victims' families in anguish. "I still hope [my son] will come back," said the mother of a man who disappeared in 2013. "But if he can't come back, I want the perpetrators brought to justice so no one can think of taking away another mother's son." Some families have also faced intimidation. HRW cited the case of Sanjida Islam, coordinator of victims' group Mayer Daak, whose family home was raided by police on May 8. To promote human rights in Bangladesh, HRW urged the interim government to reverse repressive actions, protect the freedom of expression for Awami League members and supporters, and focus on prosecuting crimes with credible evidence. It also called for an end to politically motivated pretrial detentions and emphasised that such detentions should remain the exception, not the rule. "The priority should be to deliver justice for human rights violations, particularly unlawful killings and enforced disappearances," HRW said. "The government should use evidence gathered by the commission of inquiry to prosecute alleged perpetrators, remove suspects in the security forces from active duty, and reveal the fate of the missing." "There is widespread anger against the Awami League for the many abuses committed during Hasina's rule, but stripping supporters of opposition parties of their rights isn't a way forward," said Ganguly. "Instead, the interim government should ensure progress on revealing what happened to the disappeared and holding perpetrators accountable through fair trials."
২২ মে, ২০২৫
Amnesty expresses concern over Meghna Alam's detention
'No plan to ban Awami League'
Toby Cadman urges govt to refer July massacre case to the ICC

Bangladesh to Investigate Appointment of WHO Regional Director for South East Asia

As Bangladesh presses for its former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, to be extradited to face charges of human rights abuses, her daughter, the World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for South East Asia (SEARO), is also under scrutiny. Saima Wazed was elected to the WHO position by regional leaders in November 2023 amid allegations that her mother had improperly influenced the election process.  Last August, Hasina fled the country after a revolt against her government following its harsh crackdown on student protests. She is currently in India as is her daughter, who is based at the WHO SEARO office in New Delhi. This week the director of Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), General Akhtar Hossain, confirmed to The Business Standard that his commission’s probe into Hasina would include Wazed’s election.  Hossain told the newspaper that corruption was suspected to be involved in Wazard’s appointment. SEARO has 11 member countries including India and Pakistan, yet only tiny Nepal put up a candidate to contest for the regional director position. In an article published by Health Policy Watch before Wazed’s election by member states, public health specialist Mukesh Kapila noted that her own capability statement “does not reveal the ‘strong technical and public health background and extensive experience in global health’, required by the official criteria for the role”. Neither did she have “the mandatory substantive track record in public health leadership and significant competencies in organisational management”, required by WHO. “But being introduced by her mother at recent high-level summits such as BRICS, ASEAN, G20 and the UN General Assembly to craft deals in exchange for votes may be seen as crossing the fine line between a government’s legitimate lobbying for its candidate and craven nepotism,” Kapila wrote. Wazed is a psychologist with a special interest in autism. Code of conduct The 2024 Executive Board recommended that the code of conduct of all regional directors should be expanded to include provisions on “sexual misconduct and other abusive conduct and a disclosure of interests by candidates”, more stringent reference checks and due diligence review of qualifications and employment history.  It also recommended that nominating member states should “disclose grants or aid funding for candidates” in the two years before their appointment. In response to the news reports that Wazed’s appointment was being investigated, the WHO said: “If there are allegations of wrongdoing by or within a member state in connection with a WHO election campaign, it is appropriate for these to be investigated by the competent national authorities.  We would not comment on such investigations or any consequential legal processes while they are ongoing.” According to Article 52 of the WHO Constitution, regional directors are appointed by the WHO’s Executive Board, “in agreement with the regional committee”. A note from the WHO’s legal counsel flags that, despite a decision by the 2012 World Health Assembly, to implement “a process for the assessment of all candidates’ qualifications”, only the European Region has done so.

CA for impact-driven connects among varsities, cooperative learning to make youth skilled

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today proposed building impact-driven connects among universities and introducing cooperative learning to make the youth skilled by taking fuller advantages of digital revolution.   "... let us build and deepen functional, impact-driven connects between our universities and equivalent knowledge institutions, particularly focused on preparing boys and girls into entrepreneurial other than its sake. Applied Science disciplines," he said.   The chief adviser made the remarks while addressing the 11th D-8 summit in Egyptian city of Cairo, according to a message received here.   He observed that the D-8 member states must bring the entrepreneurs and higher learning much closer than what is today, while their aim should be to generate knowledge output that can produce global secure business and industry from leaders of D8 countries fiercely competitive global market place, with their niche.   "If this asks to re-look at the D-8 trade and investment frameworks afresh, we should do so. Transforming the business to impact on peoples' lives, not just an occupation to be our wealth. They will engage in social business to create a new civilization," he added.   The 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate, said for years, they tried to impart basic education and skills to millions in the D-8 countries through conventional in-person institutional architecture.   "In a 1.2 billion people, so often that is an increasingly daunting task. To reach 'scale', we tried through distance learning, for instance. We need to think deeper as to how to skill millions of young adults in workplace where right attitudes - values - ethics matter as much as hard skills."   "And, then we also confront the challenge to re-skill many millions at different vocational streams, on a continuous basis," he said.   Mentioning that basic AI-based tools and applications are accessible now, Prof Yunus urged the D-8 leaders to consider a cooperative learning agenda that can complement their national undertakings.   He said the ways the 'world of work' is evolving fast as the world of youth entrepreneurship, the D-8 countries have to re-invent 'learning' to make rooms for their boys and girls to become leaders of the economy.   "In our countries, we have great heritage, wisdom and accomplishments. We have to see how we can blend and build on those. We are yet to take fuller advantages of the digital revolution that has been with us for years," Prof Yunus said.   "Now that using AI is here, let us think if we can leapfrog and catch up with the disruptions, to the advantage of our entrepreneurial boys and girls. As way forward, I would like to propose (the) two specific actions, for our consideration," he added.   Highlighting the significance of the D-8 summit, the chief adviser said the D-8 leaders have met at a time when the world is witnessing unprecedented challenges, while so many opportunities beckon them as well.   He mentioned that the theme of the Summit, focusing on youth and the SMEs, aptly resonate with shared aspirations.   Each of the D-8 countries has sizable youth population while median age in Bangladesh, for instance, is just 27 years, he said. Around two and a half million young people enter the labour market every year, Prof Yunus added.   "In a private sector driven economy, as we endevour to get them fit for the market or, encourage them to emerge as agile entrepreneurs, we see how emergence of technologies is posing challenges and opportunities like never before," he added. The chief adviser said manufacturing landscape in the countries has millions of workers who generally have low skills but the manufacturing and service economy of tomorrow is fast transforming, largely riding on artificial intelligence, machine learning, data-driven tools and applications.   In Bangladesh, where agriculture is still a critical mainstay for the society and economy, it has been seen that children of the majority of small farmers are little interested to pursue back-breaking, risky and often uncertain farming-on-field the ways their parents took upon as a matter of tradition, he said.   Prof Yunus said travelling to rural Bangladesh, even across Asia, Africa and Arab world, he saw how millions of today's youth are fast embracing technology and innovation, in everything around - either to turn around long-persistent challenges or, eke out newer opportunities that many thought impossible even a few years before. Often, he said, the younger folk show uncanny imagination in tacking intractable climatic stress on-the-field.   "I particularly underline this as our agriculture and food are changing about securing our economies, and creating wealth, within our own societies, with little outside inputs," he added.   About the importance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), the chief adviser said this brings into their consideration the millions of SMEs and most of those thrive within informal economy.   "They aspire to grow and connect to global supply chain. Most often, they lack formal structure, access to institutional finance or support architecture and are unfamiliar with market norms-practices-standards. Yet, I see how amazingly capable and competitive the SMEs are," he said.   In the D-8 countries, he said, collectively they possess enough of wealth, even in private philanthropy, to stand by these scores of SMEs.   "With our modest support, we can shape a virtuous 'cycle of good', for them and for our people. We need to let money flow to them, through de-risking finance, for instance," the Noble Laureate said.   He urged the D-8 governments to convene candid, result-oriented conversation involving communities of youth - startups - business - finance, and see if they can curve out new platform amongst them.   Prof Yunus asserted that Bangladesh would be ready to take such an initiative forward; and convene a first multi-stakeholders meet in 2025.   "As we adopt the Cairo Declaration and the Summit outcome reflecting our collective aspiration and shared commitment to addressing pressing issues, I may call upon Excellencies to re-look at our collective agenda, afresh," he concluded.   Egypt President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the leaders of D-8 member states and the D-8 Secretary General were present on the occasion.  
CA for enhanced regional cooperation to address climate challenges
Touhid calls for collaboration for peace, security, stability in Asia
Sheikh Hasina needs to be PM again: FBCCI
Next year's HSC exam on revised syllabus: Minister
Bangladesh set to observe Peacekeepers Day tomorrow
Bangladesh goes up a notch, ranks 130th in human development: UNDP report
Bangladesh reaffirms commitment to fully Implement the CHT Peace Accord
NASA Welcomes Bangladesh as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory
The UN said Monday it and partners were seeking nearly $1 billion to provide life-saving aid this year for some
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres left Dhaka this morning at 9:55am, concluding his four-day visit to Bangladesh. Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana
Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman yesterday paid a courtesy call on UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who is visiting Bangladesh. During
Bangladesh becomes BIMSTEC chair for 2yrs
Bangladesh has received the BIMSTEC chairmanship for the next two years from Thailand. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has received the
০৪ এপ্রিল, ২০২৫
Polls at the earliest, Yunus's top priority
BIMSTEC: Yunus, Modi, other leaders join official dinner
IMF keeps Bangladesh’s economic growth forecast almost unchanged
BRICS-backed bank to lend $1b to Bangladesh this year
Most USAID workers to be fired or placed on leave
World Bank reiterates support for Bangladesh's reforms
London-based IGC to partner with BRAC in setting up a data hub in Bangladesh, says its chief

Williamson, Latham punish fumbling Pakistan

Japan coach Moriyasu staying on after WC

Hunger-striking Senegal journalist shifted to hospital

PM opens 1st phase of metro rail today

Polls no later than June 2026

‘Otherwise, people will not forgive us’

Prof Yunus envisions a new nation in conversation with NPR

Bangladesh maintains close ties with all – China, US and India: PM tells CNN

Williamson, Latham punish fumbling Pakistan

Williamson, Latham punish fumbling Pakistan

Japan coach Moriyasu staying on after WC

Hunger-striking Senegal journalist shifted to hospital

PM opens 1st phase of metro rail today

10 killed, 30 injured in hotel-casino fire on Cambodian border