Bonn (Indrajit Bose and Chee Yoke Ling) — During the last climate talks in Bonn, developing countries cautioned against the introduction of new terms and concepts in the draft agreement to enhance climate actions expected to be adopted in Paris…
Category: Int’l relations
Blair can’t even apologise correctly for destabilising Middle East
By Juan Cole Former British PM Tony Blair reiterated on Sunday some of his previous half-hearted ‘apologies’ for illegally launching a war of aggression on Iraq in 2003. Blair’s ‘apologies’ always take the form of the little boy who, when…
IS monitoring group claims responsibility of attack in Bangladesh
Monitoring group SITE has stood by its report saying the Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the murder of two foreigners and a bombing of a Shia procession in Bangladesh.
Iran to be invited to key talks, US says
Iran is likely to be invited for the first time to international talks with the US and Russia over the Syrian conflict, the US says.US state department spokesman John Kirby said it was unclear if Iran’s leaders would attend the…
Unrealistic optimism for Myanmar’s Suu Kyi
By Nava Thakuria As Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) approaches for its next national elections, which emerges as the most important polls since the southeast Asian country was put under military dictatorship in 1962, speculations now rises high over the…
Yemen air strikes destroy MSF Hospital
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) says one of its hospitals in northern Yemen has been destroyed by several air strikes. The first, which occurred around 22:30 (19:30 GMT) on Monday, hit part of the facility in Saada province that was not…
143 people killed in Political violence till Sept 2015: Rights body
About 143 people were reportedly killed and nearly 5,000 injured in political violence across the country till September this year, says a bulletin of Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), a human rights body.
China angry over US warship’s illegal passage
Chinese officials have condemned a US ship’s passage near disputed islands in the South China Sea as “illegal”.The guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen breached the 12-nautical mile zone China claims around Subi and Mischief reefs in the Spratly archipelago.The freedom of…
Drunk driver kills 4 in US
A car travelling at high speed driven by a suspected drunk driver has crashed into a crowd of spectators during a university parade in the US state of Oklahoma killing four people and injuring 44 others, police say.A local woman,…
Panel formed to investigate Ashura blasts, HM says conpiracy
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Saturday formed a three-member probe committee to investigate bomb blasts at a gathering of Shia Muslim community’s headquarters in the old part of Dhaka that left one person killed.
‘Good,solid,accountable and transparent govt. system’ needed to achieve SDG
UN Resident Coordinator to Bangladesh Robert D Watkins here on Saturday laid emphasise on a solid, accountable and transparent governance system making the global efforts meaningful and thus achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Nigeria bomb blast kills 37
At least 37 people were killed and 107 wounded on Friday in two bomb attacks at mosques in Nigeria’s restive northeast, where Boko Haram has been trying to carve out an Islamic state, officials and medics said.No one claimed responsibility…
Ashura attack unacceptable: Robert Gibson
British high commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Gibson termed unacceptable the bomb attack on Ashura procession in Old Dhaka that left one killed and more than 100 injured.In a twitter message, the diplomat said he was “horrified at the attack” on…
Imposing law enforcement is not the ultimate solution to stop migration: UN
Two United Nations experts on the human rights of migrants on Friday called on the European Union to open regular and safe channels for migrants in order ‘to take over the mobility market from the smugglers’.
42 died in France traffic accident
At least 42 people are feared dead in a traffic accident involving a truck and bus in south-west France, reports say.The accident happened near Libourne, in the Gironde region, east of Bordeaux.Reports say the bus and the truck caught fire…
Sweden in shock over deadly school attack
Sweden has reacted with shock to the killing of a teacher and pupil at a school in the west of the country, near Gothenburg, by a sword-wielding man. Police say the attacker, who was shot dead by police, is being…
States urged to make ending enforced disappearance top on agenda
The Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances has called on States to put on the top of their agenda the eradication of enforced disappearance. It also urged governments to address the changing nature of the problem due to new…
US upset with Assad visiting Russia
The White House on Wednesday slammed Russia for its “red carpet” treatment of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who made a rare visit to Moscow to see President Vladimir Putin.“We view the red carpet welcome for Assad, who has used chemical…
For peacekeeping role Bangladesh net security provider: Nisha Desai
US Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Nisha Desai Biswal has said peacekeeping is a great example of how the countries of South Asia including Bangladesh are becoming net security providers. “Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Nepal are…
Canada to withdraw fighter jets from IS war
Canadian Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau has confirmed he will withdraw Canadian fighter jets from the air strikes against Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria.He informed US President Barack Obama of his decision hours after leading his Liberal party to…
Justin Trudeau carries Liberals to massive win in Canada
By Rachel Browne and Hilary Beaumont Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau has been elected Canada’s 23rd prime minister, beating out Conservative leader Stephen Harper, who reigned for nearly a decade. The son of the late Pierre Elliott Trudeau — a…
Observers barred as Bonn climate negotiations finally begin
Bonn (Indrajit Bose) – Japan has objected to observers’ presence in spin-off groups that will negotiate the Paris climate agreement, even as 134 countries in the Group of 77 and China (G77 and China) stressed that negotiations must remain transparent…
Japan to withdraw 35-40 volunteers from field areas
Dhaka – Japan has decided to temporarily withdraw some 35-40 volunteers, mostly working in rural areas, as they want to take more time to get back to work, said a diplomatic source on Tuesday.
Supreme Court set to hear review pleas by Salauddin Quader, Mujahid on Nov 2
Petitions by war crimes convicts Salauddin Quader Chowdhury and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid for a review of their death sentences will be heard at the Appellate Division on Nov 2.The Supreme Court’s Chamber Judge Syed Mahmud Hossain gave the order…
Jessore-Benapole direct train launched to facilitate travel
Dhaka – Direct train service from Jessore to Benapole, has been introduced on Tuesday to provide a shortcut journey to the travelers to and from Bangladesh and India by land route. The railway authorities decided to introduce the service following…
In Canada election Liberals head for historic victory
Canada’s opposition Liberal Party is heading for a big victory in general elections, ending nine years of Conservative rule, early results show. The Liberals, led by Justin Trudeau, are leading in 191 electoral districts. The son of late Prime Minister…
BD is extremely responsive to ensure foreigners’ safety: Marcia
US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat on Monday said the government of Bangladesh has been extremely responsive to their requests to help ensure foreigners’ safety in the face of the current threat.
Balkans struggle with growing number of migrants
The Balkans struggled with a growing backlog of migrants on Monday as thousands of people waited on cold, wet borders after Hungary closed its southern frontier and diverted them to Slovenia.Slovenia imposed a daily limit of 2,500, forcing fellow European…
Bills to nearly double perks, privileges of President, Ministers
The Cabinet on Monday approved six draft amendment bills seeking to almost double the perks and privileges of the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker, the Chief Justice, ministers and Deputy Speaker, and Appellate Division and High Court Division judges,…
Wildfire kills seven Indonesian hikers
Seven hikers were killed and two others suffered severe burns when a wildfire broke out on a mountain on Indonesia’s main island of Java, an official said Monday. The group was climbing on Mount Lawu when the accident took place…