Japan has approved the relocation of a US military airbase on its southern island of Okinawa, officials said.
Category: Int’l relations
Accused in the Padma graft aren’t mine: PM
With just over a week to the general elections, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has distanced her party from those accused of corruption in the Padma bridge project. “Those accused of being involvement in the Padma bridge graft case are…
AL wants EC steps against BNP
The ruling Awami League has urged the Election Commission (EC) to take legal actions against the BNP, the main opposition party, for allegedly planning to foil the national polls.
Joint forces launch drive in Dhaka
Law-enforcing agencies have launched a pre-election joint drive in the capital to arrest criminals. They have a list of around 2,000 ‘criminals’ to arrest during the drive launched on Wednesday midnight.
Thailand protests: Yingluck government rejects election delay
Thailand’s government has rejected calls to delay February’s election, amid increasingly violent protests in which a policeman has been shot dead.
China marks Mao Zedong’s 120th birthday anniversary
Celebrations are being held in China to commemorate the 120th birthday of Mao Zedong, the founder of modern China.
World Cup T20 venue may be shifted to another country
Dhaka – Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Wednesday apprehended that the venue of the ICC World Cup T20 Cricket, scheduled to be held in Bangladesh in March-April next, might be shifted to another country if the country’s prevailing political situation…
Pope Francis urges aid access to Syria in Christmas speech
Pope Francis has used his first Christmas Day address to urge access for humanitarian aid in Syria.
3 Turkey ministers resign amid scandal
Three Turkish ministers have resigned after their sons were arrested amid a corruption scandal that has hit the government of PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Ban Ki-moon phones PM, seeks troops for South Sudan
Dhaka – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday requested Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to send another battalion of troops for its peacekeeping missions. PM’s press secretary Abul Kalam Azad told UNB that Ban Ki-moon made a phone call to…
FM assures full safety of diplomats, their missions
Amid their growing concern over safety and security, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali on Tuesday assured the diplomats stationed in Dhaka of providing ‘full safety and security’ for their missions, residences, schools and cultural centers before and after the 10th…
South Sudan mass graves reported as ethnic killings spread
The UN says it has reports of three mass graves in South Sudan, amid “palpable fear” among civilians they will be killed for their ethnicity.
NSA leaks: Snowden declares ‘mission accomplished’
Former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden, who leaked details of US electronic surveillance programmes, says he’s achieved his aim.
PSC chairman Ekram Ahmed sworn in
Dhaka – Newly appointed chairman of Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) Ekram Ahmed was sworn in on Tuesday. Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain administered the oath to him at Judges’ Lounge of the Supreme Court.
Continued concerns on Bangladesh elections: US
The United States believes Bangladesh has an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to democracy by organizing free and fair elections that are credible in the eyes of the Bangladeshi people.
Good news for new pensioners
There is something for the new pensioners to cheer about. The government on Monday enhanced the rate of surrendered pension money up to 15 percent with effect from December 1.
Monirul Islam new envoy to Morocco
The government has decided to appoint Md Monirul Islam as Bangladesh’s new ambassador to Morocco. He is currently serving as Bangladesh’s Consul General in New York.
Mikhail Kalashnikov, assault rifle inventor, dies at 94
The inventor of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, Mikhail Kalashnikov, has died aged 94, Russian TV reports.
Pakistan to go ahead with Pervez Musharraf treason trial
Lawyers for former Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf have failed to delay a special court due to try him for treason.
Australia sends plane to monitor Japanese whaling
Australia says it will send a surveillance plane to the Southern Ocean to monitor Japanese whaling ships.
Afghan general warns over delay in signing US pact
A top Afghan general has told BBC News his country may be dangerously exposed if a security pact with the US on its military withdrawal is not signed soon.
BCIM joint working group’s next meet likely in June
Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar have agreed on a joint research programme on an ‘Economic Corridor’ connecting the four Eastern South Asian countries, officially setting up the mechanism to promote cooperation among the four nations. The agreement came from the…
Experts for multi-sectoral approach to reduce child malnutrition
Speakers at a roundtable here on Saturday said only through employing a multi-sectoral approach can Bangladesh overcome its current alarming scenario of child malnutrition. Despite the country’s success in reducing child and maternal mortality, malnutrition in children under five years…
Thai opposition to boycott 2 February elections
Thailand’s main opposition Democrat Party has announced it will boycott snap elections set for 2 February.
Billionaire Lam Kok feared dead after French vineyard sale
A Chinese billionaire is feared dead in a helicopter crash that happened as he was surveying his newly-purchased vineyard in south-west France.
ACC decision not to probe candidates’ wealth frustrating: TIB
Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep concern over the statements of wealth of the candidates contesting the January 5 election that show they have amassed huge wealth during the past five years. The candidates submitted their statements before the…
Muhith blames EU envoy for ‘msiconduct,’calls Pakistan ‘barbaric’
Minister for Finance Abul Maal Abdul Muhith on Thursday compared the behaviour of the European Union Ambassador with sheer misconduct and termed Pakistan as a barbaric nation.
Canadian delegation for separating religion from politics
Expressing deep concern over the ‘ongoing and increasing’ attacks against religious minorities in Bangladesh, a Canadian delegation said here on Friday that only a clear separation between religion and politics can ensure the rights of all Bangladeshis, including minorities. “If…
‘Keep National Immunisation Day out of politics’
The UNICEF and World Health Organisation have urged political parties to make the National Immunisation Day (NID) on Saturday a success. The appeal came in view of the BNP announcing a fresh blockade beginning 6am on Saturday after a day’s…
Russia frees Khodorkovsky after Putin signs pardon
Former tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky has been released from jail following a pardon from Russian President Vladimir Putin, his lawyers say.