US President Joe Biden has ordered intelligence officials to “redouble” efforts to investigate the origins of Covid-19, including the theory that it came from a laboratory in China.
Category: Int’l relations
COVID-19 Response: Japan gives ASEF equipment
The government of Japan will provide over 340,000 items including isolation gowns to Bangladesh to fight Covid-19, which are part of the Asia-Europe Foundation’s stockpiled items financed by Japan.
Families in anguish over journo, girlfriend held in Belarus
The families of a dissident journalist and his girlfriend, held after a plane was diverted to Belarus, have spoken of their concern for their safety.
Dhaka to host World Peace Conference in November
Bangladesh will host a two-day world peace conference in November this year, marking the ongoing birth centenary celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Efforts to resume tripartite talks over Rohingya repatriation
Efforts are underway to resume tripartite talks among Bangladesh, China and Myanmar on Rohingya repatriation even though the negotiation with Myanmar remains halted for a long time.
Ready to stand with BD, S Asian countries to defeat pandemic: China
China has said it will continue to support Bangladesh’s fight against COVID-19 and is willing to facilitate the discussion of cooperation in “vaccine filling” between Chinese and Bangladeshi companies.
How the UN Can Help End Israeli Apartheid and Persecution
As usual, Israeli airstrikes in heavily populated areas of Gaza have claimed the most victims, although Hamas rockets launched into Israel have also killed and injured civilians.
Bangladesh elected to chair IOC Regional Committee
Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rear Admiral (Retd) Md. Khurshed Alam has been elected Chairperson of the IOC Regional Committee for the Central Indian Ocean (IOCINDIO)
World Health Assembly to focus on ending pandemic
The 74th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) will run from May 24 to June 1 that will stress the urgency of ending the current pandemic and preventing the next one by building a healthier, safer and fairer world.
UN General Assembly President to visit Bangladesh next week
President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly Volkan Bozkir will visit Bangladesh and Pakistan from May 25 to 27.
Rich countries drained 152 tn from global South since 1960
The drain takes place subtly and almost invisibly, without the overt violence of colonial occupation and therefore without provoking protest and moral outrage.
US Casts 45 Vetoes While Protecting a Client State
The UNSC, the most powerful political body at the United Nations, has largely remained silent or ineffective in resolving one of the longstanding military conflicts in the Middle East involving Israelis and Palestinians.
Should WHO Members Pursue a Pandemic Treaty amidst Covid-19
A draft decision on the negotiation modalities of a pandemic treaty for consideration of the 74th World Health Assembly has been circulated to WHO Members as most governments are struggling to contain COVID-19.
Jerusalem to Gaza, Israeli Authorities Reassert Domination
Latest Escalation Highlights Reality of Apartheid, Persecution for Millions of Palestinians
Omar Shakir Israel and Palestine Director
FM Momen terms China’s remarks on Quad very regrettable
Terming Chinese envoy’s recent remarks very regrettable, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said Bangladesh maintained a non-aligned and balanced foreign policy and it will decide what to do following those principles.
2021 EducationUSA Academy Connects Program: US Embassy Dhaka
U.S. Embassy Dhaka is pleased to announce the launch of the 2021 EducationUSA Academy Connects college preparatory program.
Bangladesh stands by Nepal in its Covid-19 crisis
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque on Tuesday handed over medicines and health protection items to the Nepalese Ambassador in Dhaka Dr Banshidhor Mishra.
Bangladesh condemns attacks on Al-Aksa Mosque
Bangladesh has strongly condemned the attacks of terrorist nature and violence unleashed on innocent devotees and civilians at Al-Aksa Mosque compound.
Beijing wants Dhaka not to join Quad
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Monday said Bangladesh should not join “Quad”, a US-led initiative, and Dhaka’s relations with Beijing will “substantially get damaged” if it joins it.
Unicef lauds release of 345 detained children in Bangladesh
Unicef on Thursday commended the recent release of 345 children from detention centres in Bangladesh by virtual courts.
FM Momen greets Mamata; hopeful of resolving issues
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has congratulated Mamata Banerjee on her party Trinamool Congress’ historic win in the West Bengal State Assembly elections 2021, and hoped to resolve outstanding issues.
WHO, int’l experts expose anti-China slander on Covid-19
It was meant to counter misrepresentations by the Big Media in the West, and in India which only relayed half-truths spread by the former.
Human Rights Watch: A Threshold Crossed
Human Rights Watch’s 27 April report, A Threshold Crossed: Israeli Authorities and the Crimes of Apartheid and Persecution could also have been entitled Better Late Than Never.
The Day the UN Buried its Report on Apartheid in Israel
When the UN’s Beirut-based Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), released a landmark 2017 report on “apartheid” in Israel, the United Nations disassociated itself with the study and left it to die— unceremoniously and unsung.
World Press Freedom in an age of remoteness
Edmund Burke called the press the fourth estate, the fourth pillar of democracy, with an oversight role on the remaining three pillars – the legislature, executive and the judiciary.
World Press Freedom Day 2021
WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY: a reminder to governments of their commitment to press freedom. This year’s World Press Freedom Day theme: “Information as a Public Good.”
Cross-border bank claims rise in fourth quarter of 2020, says BIS
Cross-border bank claims increased by $431 billion, or 6% year on year, in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2020, bringing the outstanding stock to $35.6 trillion at end-2020.
Brazil’s Indigenous People, Leader, Sonia Face Persecution
On April 26, the week following the Leaders Summit on Climate, Brazilian Indigenous leader Sonia Guajajara was summoned to testify by Brazilian Federal Police under the accusation of libel against the Bolsonaro.
Abusive Israeli Policies Form Apartheid, Persecution Crimes
Israeli authorities are committing crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.
Trade, connectivity hold bright future for Dhaka-Delhi ties
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami has said trade will be potentially a key driver of Bangladesh-India friendship in the future.