By Pascal Laureyn Manila, Jan 10 (IPS) – It’s not just suspected drug users and dealers at risk of targeted killing in the Philippines. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reported last week that the Philippines is the most dangerous…
Category: Int’l relations
US pumping weapons into Asia-Pacific , Russia tells Japan
By rt.com Washington is militarizing the Asia-Pacific, “pumping” weapons and kit into Japan and South Korea in an “absolutely disproportionate” response to the North Korean threat, the Russian Foreign Minister said. Tokyo won’t be calling the shots, he warned.
Rapid and rights-based responses to migrants, refugees urged
UN ESCAP Regional Consultation Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration 6-8 November 2017 – Statement of Asia and the Pacific The result of the process that civil society in Asia has drawn out after a series of consultations…
For democracy in Cambodia
Robert J. Burrowes A long-standing French protectorate briefly occupied by Japan during World War II, Cambodia became independent in 1953 as the French finally withdrew from Indochina. Under the leadership of Prince Norodom Sihanouk, Cambodia remained officially neutral, including during…
Sweden warns against cutting US aid to Palestinians
‘It’s vindictive of US to deprive UN of money to feed, educate Palestinian children in order to blackmail PA’ Sweden, a big donor country that has recognized Palestine as a state, warned Tuesday that any US decision to withdraw funds…
Dhaka for new beginning with Yangon thru’ Rohingya deal
Dhaka, Jan 10 – Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali on Wednesday said the issue of Rohingya influx with Myanmar remained as an irritant in bilateral relations between the two countries and hoped there will be a new beginning with Myanmar…
Inequality in Europe
“Inequality is the defining issue of our time”. This is what then US President Barack Obama said about inequality at the end of 2013. Almost half a decade later we unfortunately have to conclude that it still is one of…
Trump named world’s no. 1 oppressor of press freedom
A journalism group named the president among repressive leaders who “have gone out of their way to attack the press” and undermine free speech. By Willa Frej President Donald Trump, who recently said he would announce the “MOST DISHONEST &…
Dhaka needs to engage Delhi, Beijing on trade-investment
Dhaka, Jan 10 – Bangladesh needs to proactively engage the two economic powers – India and China – on trade and investment, said a leading economist on Wednesday.
World Bank forecasts 7.6 percent growth this year
The World Bank (WB) in a report today upgraded its forecast for the Bangladesh economy, attributing the progress to the supportive fiscal policy, stable political situation and effective development initiatives. The WB in its Global Economic Prospects, released in Washington,…
California storm mudslides kill 13 – devastation huge
A storm that slammed a California coastal community is over. The search for its victims is not. Authorities in Santa Barbara County were still trying to reach new areas and dig into the destruction to find dead, injured or trapped…
Catherine Deneuve defends men’s ‘right to hit on’ women
French actress Catherine Deneuve has said that men should be “free to hit on” women. She is one of 100 French women who wrote an open letter, warning about a new “puritanism” sparked by recent sexual harassment scandals. It deplores…
Magnitude 7.6 quake hits the Carribean North of Honduras
A magnitude 7.6 earthquake has struck in the Caribbean Sea north of Honduras.There are no early reports of damage on land, but the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center warns of tsunami dangers in Puerto Rico, Jamaica, other islands and the…
Sheikh Mujib was not a rebel but was made into one: Nawaz Sharif
Ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was not a rebel, but was made into one. Sharif came up with the remark while talking to a group of lawyers gathered at Punjab House, Islamabad on Tuesday,…
Enough confusion for decades: Cauvery verdict in 4 weeks: Indian SC
New Delhi, Jan 10: The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday said its judgement pertaining to Cauvery water dispute among Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and others would be delivered within four weeks.
The #MeToo movement disrupts commodification of feminism
By Rangita de Silva de Alwis UN, Jan 8 (IPS) – As the 62nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations in New York draws near, women from every corner of the world…
2017 was a year of record-breaking climate events
By Kelly Levin We’re only a few days into the new year, but it’s already off to an extreme start. Washington DC, Jan 6 2018 (IPS) – Parts of the United States are experiencing blizzard and record low temperatures, with…
’28 children killed, 49 raped monthly in Bangladesh’
As many as 28 children are murdered and 49 raped in Bangladesh every month, according to a report by Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF), a network of non-government organisations.
Trump gives 200,000 Salvadoreans deadline to leave US
Donald Trump’s administration has decided to cancel permits that allow nearly 200,000 people from El Salvador to live and work in the US. They were granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) after earthquakes rocked the Central American country in 2001.
Balkan War Crimes: The promise and limits of int’l justice
The groundbreaking court brought many of the war’s worst criminals to justice, but more is needed to heal the region’s deep divisions. By Benjamin Ward and Param-Preet Singh Hundreds of men buried alive, men and women mutilated and slaughtered, children…
BNP to select Dhaka North Mayor candidate Saturday
Dhaka, 09 Jan – The BNP will finalise its candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayoral by-poll at party standing committee meeting on Saturday.
Opposition BNP wants army deployment in Dhaka North City polls
Hours after the announcement of its schedule, BNP on Tuesday demanded the deployment of army a week before the by-polls to Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) meyoral post. Talking to reporters, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also said…
Karachi Media conference pledges to uphold ethics of journalism
Mohammad Zainal Abedin, Karachi A 4-day international conference held at Karachi, the main commercial hub of Pakistan ended on Monday with a call to uphold the ethics of journalism. This pledge was made on the concluding day of the conference.
Mobile court to operate until appeals’ settlement: SC
Dhaka, Jan 9 – The operation of mobile court by the executive magistrate will continue until settlement of three appeals filed by the government against the HC verdict over the mobile court act.
Samsung’s profit jumps 64 percent to record high on chips
Seoul, Jan 9 (AP/UNB) — Samsung Electronics said its October-December operating profit jumped 64 percent to a record high, capping off 2017 with the biggest annual operating income and sales in its history thanks to the blockbuster semiconductor business.
North Korea to send delegation to the Olympic Games
North Korea has said it will send a delegation to the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, taking place in South Korea in February, says Seoul.
US revives its harmful drug war
Attorney General Sessions to Crack Down on Marijuana Jasmine L. Tyler US Attorney General Jeff Sessions is reviving the US government’s out-of-date, ineffective, and counterproductive war on drugs. Today it was reported that he will rescind the 2013 Cole Memo,…
Non-representative govt deprives people of basic rights: Khaleda
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia said on Monday that she is “gravely disturbed at the lawlessness and heinous attack on women dignity.”
BNP blasts AL for polluting polls atmosphere
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Monday criticised the Awami League government for unlawfully detaining and implicating huge number of opposition leaders and activists in recent days. Thus, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said no sign is still visible…
Govt decides to lift ban on Hilsha export
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Narayan Chandra Chanda today said the government has decided to lift the ban on hilsa export, slapped nearly six years ago, to check the smuggling of the national fish. “Our hilsa production is increasing gradually and…