Dhaka, May 20 – Amid the escalating diplomatic row between the two countries, the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad, in an apparent protest, has stopped issuing visas to Pakistanis, said an official on Monday. The decision was taken as a…
Category: Conflicts
Google says services on Huawei phone still will function
Beijing, May 20 (AP/UNB) — Google is assuring users of Huawei smartphones the American company’s basic services will work on them following U.S. government restrictions on doing business with the Chinese tech giant. Google, a unit of Alphabet Inc., said…
Huawei has immediately lost access to Android and Google
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Alphabet Inc’s Google has suspended business with Huawei that requires the transfer of hardware, software and technical services except those publicly available via open source licensing, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Sunday,…
US military confirms rocket near embassy in Iraq
Dubai, May 20 (AP/UNB) —The U.S. military command that oversees the Mideast has confirmed an explosion outside the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad and says there are no U.S. or coalition casualties. A spokesman for U.S. Central Command, Bill Urban,…
Saudis say they will defend themselves, as Trump warns Iran
Dubai, May 20 (AP/UNB) — Saudi Arabia does not want war but will not hesitate to defend itself against Iran, a top Saudi diplomat said Sunday after the kingdom’s energy sector was targeted this past week amid heightened tensions in…
AL’s youth associate Jubo League man shot dead in Rangamati
Rangamati, May 20 (UNB) – A local Jubo League leader was gunned down by armed terrorists at Naikhongchhora in Rajasthali upazila on Sunday night. The victim was identified as Kya Hla Ching Marma, president of Bangalhalia Ward unit of Jubo…
Dhaka concerned at attacks on oil facilities in Gulf region
Dhaka, May 19 (UNB)— Bangladesh says it has observed with “deep concern” the secret drone attacks on oil pumping stations in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. Equally disconcerting is the news of attacks on Saudi and Emirati oil tankers in the…
Awami League activist abducted, murdered in Bandarban
Bandarban, May 19 – A ruling Awami League activist was shot dead by criminals after abduction in the Sadar Upazila on early Sunday. The deceased was identified as Kya Ching Thowai Marma, 27, son of Ta U Thowai Marma. He…
Bahrain orders its citizens to leave Iraq, Iran
Dubai, May 19(AP/UNB) — Bahrain is ordering all of its citizens to immediately leave Iraq and Iran, amid rising tensions in the Persian Gulf. Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry made the announcement via its state-run news agency Saturday afternoon. It cited the…
Chhatra League leader cuts off man’s fingers in Satkhira
Satkhira, May 18 — A Chhatra League leader chopped off four fingers of a man’s right hand in Kalaroa Upazila on Friday over a land dispute, police and family members said. The victim was identified as GM Tushar, son of…
Ensure fair paddy price: Farmers urge BD govt
Dhaka, May 18 – Farmers on Saturday urged the government of Bangladesh to save them by ensuring that they get a fair price for paddy. They made the call at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity. It was jointly…
Global convention on principles for building peace needed?
STOCKHOLM, May 17 2019 (IPS) – When the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) concluded a three-day forum on “Peace and Development” on May 16, the primary focus was the daunting challenges threatening global security, including growing military interventions, spreading humanitarian…
Authoritarianism, social inequalities a prelude to conflict
STOCKHOLM, May 17 2019 (IPS) – I want to talk about peacebuilding and inclusive peace. My main point is that peace begins in the minds of people, and people, communities, societies must be allowed to participate in peace for it to…
Saudis blame Iran for drone attack amid calls for US strikes
Dubai, May 17 (AP/UNB) — Saudi Arabia accused Tehran of being behind a drone strike that shut down a key oil pipeline in the kingdom, and a newspaper close to the palace called for Washington to launch “surgical” strikes on…
Demo in Dhaka demand fair prices for farmers
Dhaka, May 16 (UNB) – Speakers at a human-chain programme here on Thursday urged the government to take steps enabling famers to get the fair prices of their produces as they are struggling with low prices. Students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural…
UNDP, Norway sign deal to promote harmony in Cox’s Bazar
Dhaka, May 16 (UNB) – The Norwegian government on Thursday signed an agreement with UNDP for the period 2019-2021 showing its strong commitment to foster peace and harmony in Rohingya camps and host communities in Cox’s Bazar district. Sidsel Bleken,…
A step forward in UN’s efforts against rape as weapon of war
By Rene Wadlow On Tuesday, 23 April 2019, the United Nations Security Council voted resolution N° 2467 concerning the use of rape as a weapon in times of armed conflict. This resolution builds on an earlier resolution of 24 June…
Fans set police car on fire ahead of Italian cup final
Rome, May 16 (AP/UNB) — A police car was set on fire as Lazio fans clashed with local authorities near the Stadio Olimpico before the Italian Cup final on Wednesday. Italian national news agency Ansa reported that the two policemen…
Pursue basin-wide plan for Ganges: IFC leaders on Farakka Long March Day
Dhaka, May 15 2019 – An appeal has been made to the government of Bangladesh and all others concerned to start the process of renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty for a basin-wide integrated regional management of the river to…
Offer public apology for 71 role: Zafrullah tells Jamaat
Dhaka, May 15 (UNB) – Gonoshasthya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury on Wednesday suggested Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami to apologise to the nation for its anti-liberation war role in 1971. At a discussion in presence of Jamaat Nayeb-e-ameer Mia Ghulam Parwar, he…
Sri Lankan gov’t minister: At least 1 Muslim killed in riots
Colombo, May 14 (AP/UNB) — Mob attacks on Muslim communities in Sri Lanka’s northwest have left one person dead and dozens of shops and mosques destroyed, a government minister said Tuesday, as communal violence worsened in the wake of Easter…
Satellite images show no major damage to ‘sabotaged’ ships
Dubai, May 14 (AP/UNB) — Four oil tankers anchored in the Mideast were damaged by what Gulf officials described as sabotage, though satellite images obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday showed no major visible damage to the vessels. Details…
‘Restore democracy to celebrate 50th year of liberation’
Dhaka, May 14 – Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain on Tuesday said a democratic atmosphere and the rule of law are necessary to restore people’s ownership of the country. “We want to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence…
Dhaka urges Delhi to withdraw anti-dumping duty
WTO support sought to address post-graduation challenges Dhaka, May 14 – Bangladesh has urged India to withdraw the anti-dumping duty imposed on Bangladeshi products in its market. Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi raised the issue during his meeting with Indian counterpart…
How EU can prevent an east-west divide between its members
Any reform efforts must be as inclusive as possible towards central and eastern European states, where nationalist parties are gaining ground. The east-west divide in the European Union has finally commanded the attention of policy-makers and scholars on both sides of…
2 Rohingyas, drug suspect killed in Cox’s Bazar ‘gunfights’
Cox’s Bazar, May 14 – Three people, including two Rohingya men, were killed in separate ‘gunfights’ in the Chittagong Sadar and Teknaf Upazilas early Tuesday. The Rohingya ‘human traffickers’ were killed in an alleged gunfight with police on the Marine…
America first as a threat to mulitlateralism
STOCKHOLM / ROME, May 13 2019 (IPS) – On 25 April, Joseph Biden announced his candidacy for the US presidency, declaring that his decision was based on fears of Trump being re-elected: Joe Biden´s statement mirrors rising concerns that Trump´s agenda,…
AL-backed BCL leaders clash at DU over central committee
Dhaka, May 13 – At least seven people were injured during a clash between two opposing factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at Madhu’s Canteen of Dhaka University on Monday evening. Earlier in the afternoon, a 301-member central committee of…
Wasa’s failure to submit report on water irks HC
Dhaka, May 13 (UNB) – The High Court on Monday expressed discontent as Dhaka Water Supply & Sewerage Authority (DWASA) authorities failed to submit a report after examining its water supplied to different areas. The HC bench of Justice JBM…
2 Saudi oil tankers damaged by sabotage attacks
Fujairah, May 13 (AP/UNB) — Saudi Arabia said Monday two of its oil tankers were sabotaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in attacks that caused “significant damage” to the vessels, one of them as it was en…