Efforts to reassure EU citizens in the UK about their future after Brexit are “a first step but not sufficient”, a top EU official has said. Under plans announced by Theresa May, EU nationals living in the UK for five…
Category: Int’l relations
Grenfell Tower fire started in fridge freezer
The Grenfell Tower fire in London started in a fridge freezer, and outside cladding failed safety tests, police say. Insulation on the building also failed tests and the Metropolitan Police will consider manslaughter charges. Seventy-nine people are feared dead after…
Arab states send Qatar 13 demands to end crisis
Four Arab states boycotting Qatar over alleged support for terrorism have sent Doha a list of 13 demands including closing Al Jazeera television and reducing ties to their regional adversary Iran, an official of one of the four countries said.
New York Governor signs Anti-Child Marriage Law
New York – New York State has taken an important step toward ending child marriage, as Governor Andrew Cuomo on June 20, 2017 signed legislation to dramatically reduce the circumstances under which children can marry, Human Rights Watch said today.…
North Korea tests new missile engine
North Korea has tested a new rocket engine as part of its efforts to build a missile capable of reaching the American mainland, US officials said.
UK offer to ensure EU citizens rights a good start, says Merkel
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has described UK plans to ensure the rights of EU citizens in Britain after Brexit as “a good start”.
Afghanistan, Ireland get Test status
Afghanistan and Ireland have joined the ranks of full Test-playing nations after receiving approval from the International Cricket Council, making them 11th and 12th nations to join the elite group in the game.
Democracy must prevail, always
by Thorvaldur Gylfason Diversity is desirable in human affairs, as in nature. Most countries strive toward economic and political diversification. Economic diversification is a way of escaping dependence on a narrow economic base so as to spread risk. Political diversification…
German intelligence spied on White House
German news weekly Der Spiegel reported on Thursday that it had received materials documenting German surveillance efforts aimed at a number of US businesses and government, including the White House. The Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), Germany’s foreign intelligence agency, reportedly monitored email…
Grenfell Tower type cladding used in around 600 UK high rises
Around 600 high rises across England are using similar cladding to Grenfell Tower, Downing Street estimates. Tower blocks across the UK are being examined after the London blaze, which left 79 people dead or missing, presumed dead. Three samples have…
Prince Harry says no one in royal family wants throne
London – Britain’s Prince Harry has suggested that no one in the royal family really wishes to rise to the throne. –AP/UNB
Australia lifts suspension of airstrikes against IS in Syria
Canberra – Australia said Thursday it had lifted a suspension of its airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria that was imposed amid tensions with Russia after a U.S. fighter jet shot down a Syrian warplane this week. –AP/UNB
IS militants destroy 12 century mosque in Iraq’s Mosul
Irbil – The Islamic State group destroyed Mosul’s 12th century al-Nuri mosque and its iconic leaning minaret known as al-Hadba when fighters detonated explosives inside the structures on Wednesday night, Iraq’s Ministry of Defense said. –AP/UNB
London fire: Local administrator resigns amid criticism
London – The local administrator in the west London community devastated by a high-rise apartment fire has resigned after government officials criticized the speed of the response to the devastating blaze that killed at least 79 people. –AP/UNB
BD youth injured in Thakurgaon BSF firing
Dhaka, June 22 – A Bangladeshi youth sustained bullet injuries in his stomach as Indian Border Security Force (BSF) opened fire on a group of cattle traders at Rotnai frontier in Baliadangi upazila of Thakurgaon district on Thursday morning.
Australia to help build community resilience in Cox’s Bazar
Dhaka – The Australian Government has announced additional support of AUD3.9 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to improve nutrition and build community resilience in Cox’s Bazar.
Refugee protection an obligation under international law
By Secretary-General António Guterres UN, June 21 (IPS) – It is impossible to be ten years as High Commissioner for Refugees, doing my best to try to help the most vulnerable of the vulnerable, without changing your life. And, indeed,…
Austrian claims property Barrister Moudud evicted from
Dhaka – An Austrian citizen has claimed the heir of the property from which BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed has recently been evicted.
BD Election Commission to update voter list from July 25
Dhaka – The Election Commission (EC) will begin the data collection for updating the existing voter list starting from July 25.
Benelux, Baltic and Nordic leaders meet ahead of EU summit
The Hague – Leaders of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg are due to meet with counterparts and senior officials from Baltic and Nordic nations for talks ahead of a European Union summit and two days after formal negotiations on Britain’s…
Macron faces bigger reshuffle after bigger ally quits
French President Emmanuel Macron is shaking up his five-week-old government Wednesday – and will have to make more changes than anticipated after the minister who was leading Macron’s crusade to purify politics was forced to quit over corruption allegations. Justice…
US will be replaced it it disengages from world: UN chief
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the Trump administration on Tuesday that if the United States disengages from many issues confronting the international community it will be replaced – and that won’t be good for America or for the world. Guterres made…
Domestic violence victims of Brazil
The authorities in the Brazilian state of Roraima are failing to investigate or prosecute domestic violence cases, leaving women at further risk of abuse, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The serious problems in Roraima, the state…
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince deposed
Saudi Arabia’s king deposed the sitting crown prince Wednesday and replaced him with Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the deputy crown prince, the state news agency reported.
Suspect fatally shot in Brussels Central Station terror attack
A suspect was fatally shot at Brussels Central Station Tuesday after a failed bombing that Belgian authorities are calling a terrorist attack.
BSF picks up 2 Bangladeshi nationals in Naogaon
Dhaka – Members of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) picked up two Bangladeshi nationals at Duarpal along Hapania border in Porsha upazila on Tuesday.The victims are-Mainul Islam, son of Ketab Ali and Manirul Islam, son of Abdul Mannan of Duarpal…
Saudi Arabia claims arrest of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard
Riyadh, Jun 20 (AP/UNB) – Saudi Arabia said Monday its forces had captured and were questioning three members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard who were intending to carry out an attack on a major offshore oilfield in the Persian Gulf.
US student Otto Warmbier dies after return from North Korea
American college student Otto Warmbier only intended to spend five days sightseeing in North Korea in 2016. Instead, he spent 17 months there in detention where his family believes he was tortured into a coma. On Monday, less than a…
London tower fire death toll rises to 79
London police say that the number of dead or missing in the high-rise apartment building fire is now 79. Police Commander Stuart Cundy gave the new figure during a statement outside Scotland Yard on Monday. The previous figure given was…
EU shifting rescue of migrants risks lives: HRW
(Milan) – Libyan forces have engaged in reckless conduct during recent rescue operations that endangered people being rescued in international waters in the Mediterranean, Human Rights Watch said today. These incidents indicate that Libyan forces lack capacity to safely perform…