US wants conditions conducive to fair polls
Bangladesh’s relationship with US remains a robust one. Despite some strain after Washington’s sanctions on Rab officials and Bangladesh not being invited to Biden’s Democracy Summit, the engagement between Dhaka and Washington has been growing. What is the reason behind the world’s leading superpower’s rising interest?
1w ago
Rohingya Return: Verification begins for first batch
Amid mounting global pressure, a 17-member Myanmar delegation yesterday started verifying the identities of the Rohingya refugees in Teknaf, as the first group of Myanmar’s displaced people is expected to be repatriated in a few months.
2w ago
No observers from EU if next polls not participatory
The European Union will not send election observers if the next parliamentary polls are not participatory.
2w ago
Romania to take in 17,000 migrants
An eight-member Romanian consular mission is arriving in Dhaka today for a six-month stay during which they will issue around 17,000 visas to Bangladeshis seeking employment in the East European nation.
3w ago
Puzzling case of more migrants and less remittance
The following year, 757,731 migrant workers left the shore. But the remittance receipt was 10.9 percent lower at $13.61 billion.
3w ago
What lies beyond the football romance with Argentina?
"The people of Bangladesh never forgot to show love for Argentina. So, we today humbly came here and reopened the embassy in Bangladesh as a new channel to cement our relations" Argentina Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero says
4w ago
Latin America: Dhaka keen to expand trade, ties
Bangladesh is seeking to expand diplomatic and trade relations with Latin American countries in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war that has disrupted the global supply chains.
Under strain, govt may go for inclusive polls
Feeling the pressure from the West for fair and participatory polls and the economic stress at home, the government may go all out to get the BNP and like-minded parties to participate in the next national election.
How USA becomes top remittance source beating Saudi Arabia
The USA has 5 lakh Bangladeshi migrant workers and Saudi Arabia 20 lakh
Democracy in Myanmar: Washington wants Dhaka on its side
A major focus of US State Department Counsellor Derek Chollet’s recent visit to Dhaka was the Rohingya crisis, and the US believes that addressing the problem involves restoration of Myanmar’s democracy.
2 top officials from US, India fly in today
Two high-level foreign officials -- US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet and Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra -- are expected to arrive in Dhaka today.
Mexico keen to bolster ties with Bangladesh
Mexico is set to open an embassy in Dhaka this year as the Latin American nation is eager to boost trade and diplomatic relationship in consideration of Bangladesh’s growing economy and importance in regional and global spheres. Mexico is set to open an embassy in Dhaka this year as the Latin American nation is eager to boost trade and diplomatic relationship in consideration of Bangladesh’s growing economy and importance in regional and global spheres
Dhaka expecting open labour migration
Dhaka is expecting Kuala Lumpur to adopt an open system that allows all licensed agencies to send workers to Malaysia free of cost or at minimum cost as Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail visits Bangladesh on February 4.
Indian foreign secretary to visit Dhaka next month
Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra will visit Dhaka in mid-February to discuss the preparations for the upcoming G20 summit, which will be held in Delhi on September 9-10.
Washington wants Dhaka to play key role in Indo-Pacific region
The US wants to see Bangladesh as an independent player in the Indo-Pacific region, recognising it as a significant geostrategic actor in the region’s security architecture, says US-based foreign policy expert Anu Anwar.
US to focus on polls atmosphere
There was a lot of interest in US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia Donald Lu's visit to Dhaka. Before leaving early yesterday, he held a series of meetings with the top ministers, labour rights, and civil society leaders. What were the discussions and outcomes? Lu shared with Porimol Palma in detail.
Washington to watch Bangladesh nat'l polls environment
Washington will be focusing on whether there is intimidation during the next national elections due early next year and say it publicly, considering that it is important for the democracies to provide feedback and encourage each other for better democracies, said Donald Lu, US assistant secretary of State for South and Central Asia.
US to closely watch polls in Bangladesh
The US will be keeping a close watch on the situation in Bangladesh ahead of the next national election, as the superpower wants to promote democratic governance and human rights, say foreign policy analysts.
Australia looks to boost trade, promote defence cooperation
The risk of conflict in the Indo-Pacific is increasing. Australia, one of the major powers in the region, is gearing up its relations with countries including Bangladesh.
Climate Change Adaptation Funds: Only 6pc goes to locally-led initiatives
Bangladesh is one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and requires huge funds to adapt.
SOS from 250 Rohingyas stuck in Malacca Strait
Two boats carrying around 250 Rohingyas are calling for rescue after getting stranded in the Malacca Strait due to engine failures, while another boat carrying some 180 Rohingyas went missing from the Andaman Sea.
Bangladesh may witness a jump in foreign investment
With Bangladesh rapidly improving its infrastructure and connectivity and making regulatory reforms, Japan expects massive foreign investments flowing into the country as it looks to become a regional industrial hub in a few years.
Bangladesh has learnt a lot from Sri Lanka’s woes
Sri Lanka is generally known for its quality education, healthcare, natural beauty and even migration policies and practices. But in recent times, the island nation has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
First EU-Bangladesh dialogue today
European Union is going to hold the first-ever political dialogue with Bangladesh today, as the two sides aim to deepen their relationship, at a time when the influence of Bangladesh is growing globally.
‘Dhaka should focus more on Indo-Pacific’
The Indo-Pacific region has become a focus of the world powers. Dealing with them has become challenging for many countries. How should Bangladesh handle such a situation?
Lavrov's Dhaka visit: Dhaka to focus on food, energy supply, Rohingya crisis
Facing global isolation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov may seek Bangladesh’s support during his visit here next week, while Dhaka will focus on Rohingya crisis, food supply and energy cooperation.
Lavrov’s visit: Dhaka to focus on food, energy supply, Rohingya crisis
Facing global isolation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov may seek Bangladesh’s support during his visit here next week, while Dhaka will focus on Rohingya crisis, food supply and energy cooperation.
Myanmar, Southeast Asia: Rising crime posing regional, global threat
Increasing incidents of crime in Myanmar and across Southeast Asia, and an explosion of human trafficking for labour are becoming a regional and global security threat, says a new report of the US Institute of Peace.
Dhaka, Ankara can be ‘forces of good’
Bangladesh and Turkey have shared historic and cultural roots dating long before the creation of an independent Bangladesh.
Bangladesh a part of EU legal migration scheme
European Commissioner Ylva Johansson is coming to Bangladesh on a two-day visit today to advance legal migration from Bangladesh -- one of the four countries included in the European Union’s Talent Partnership.
1971 Genocide: US resolution a new journey towards truth
The introduction of the resolution to the US House of Representatives urging recognition of Pakistan’s genocide against the Bangalees marks the start of a new journey towards truth, justice, and correcting global narratives on Bangladesh’s Liberation War, according to researchers.
Tashkent wants Dhaka to buy fertiliser plants there
Bangladesh has received an offer from Uzbekistan of buying two fertiliser factories there and produce fertiliser as Dhaka seeks to ensure long-term fertiliser security for boosting food production.
‘Make childhood playful’
When he was young, teachers used to tell him off for being “too playful”. Despite getting good grades in school, he was considered not ready to be made a class prefect.
Hold traffickers accountable
Washington has pressed Dhaka for holding human traffickers accountable for their crimes and supporting trafficking survivors.
The bridge that opened doors
Mahmud Hasan Jewel could never think of doing business or getting a job in Pirojpur Sadar before the bridge over the Kocha river was built.
Brunei keen on migrants, Bangladesh want oil
Brunei wants to hire Bangladeshi workers only under a government-to-government arrangement to streamline the recruitment process, which has been plagued with irregularities for years.
US watching processes to free, fair polls
Out of the five largest economies in the world today, three -- China (2), Japan (3) and India (5) -- are in Asia.Out of the five largest economies in the world today, three -- China (2), Japan (3) and India (5) -- are in Asia. The robust economic growth of Asian giants, China in particular, is rapidly reshaping the global distribution of power.
Myanmar conflicts hurting Bangladesh
Conflicts in Myanmar intensified after the military coup on February 1 last year, as pro-democracy activists and the National Unity Government’s armed wing, the Peoples’ Defence Force, began fighting the junta, in addition to about three dozen ethnic armed groups.
‘We’re working very hard to increase Bangladesh’s export to China’
Chinese envoy Li Jiming shares his views on the depth and prospects of Bangladesh-China bilateral relationship with The Daily Star.
KL to take 10k workers under G2G system
The Malaysian government has made a new move to hire Bangladeshi workers under a government-to-government arrangement as the
Why our women footballers’ victory is so significant
Our national women’s football team’s victory surely gives us all, especially the women, an extraordinary level of confidence.
Tension at border: Dhaka should call for int’l investigation
Bangladesh should call for an international investigation into Myanmar’s unlawful activities at the border since the latter has shifted blame to the Arakan Army and Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, said an international relations analyst.
Tensions on border: Dhaka should take it to UN immediately
Myanmar, by its actions near the border, have lately been violating international rules and posing serious threats to the sovereignty of Bangladesh, analysts have said.
PM’s India visit: Focus on energy cooperation
Enhancing energy cooperation to address the challenges posed by high commodity prices in the wake of the Ukraine war will top the agenda when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visits India on September 5-8.
Rohingya resettlement in third country not a wise idea: Experts
The Rohingya genocide day on August 25 brought to the fore diverse suggestions for a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis. Two similar proposals, however, stand out. One was from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the other was from the Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ito Naoki.
5 Years of influx: Rohingya return a distant dream
Khin Maung dreamt of becoming a lawyer to help the Rohingyas realise their rights in a country where they were denied citizenship.
Consider independent means to probe allegations
The government should seriously consider Michelle Bachelet’s recommendation of an independent mechanism to investigate alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, experts said following the UN human rights chief’s visit.
August 11, 2022
$500M indian loan: Dhaka moves to buy defence equipment five years after deal
Five years after India and Bangladesh signed an agreement of $500 million line of credit (LOC) for defence purchase, Dhaka is moving towards buying defence equipment from the neighbour.
August 6, 2022
Hiring foreign workers in Malaysia: Eight IT officials held for taking bribe
Eight top officials of an IT company that provides software to the Malaysian government were arrested Tuesday for accepting bribes to recruit workers, including Bangladeshis.
August 6, 2022
China fm’s visit: Beijing eager to deepen ties with Dhaka
China wants to deepen ties with Bangladesh as global geopolitical polarisation sharpens, and this would be a major objective of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s two-day visit to Bangladesh starting today, say international relations analysts.
July 31, 2022
Migrants’ jobs in UAE: Bangladesh wants more work visas
Bangladesh wants the UAE to increase the number work visas for its citizens in the Gulf country as the figure has dropped significantly in recent years.
July 31, 2022
Unhr commissioner’s visit: Rights issues, Rohingyas to figure high
UN Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet will be focusing on human rights situation in Bangladesh, Rohingya crisis, and climate change during her four-day visit here that begins on August 14.
July 24, 2022
ICJ ruling on genocide case: Time to mount pressure on Myanmar
The verdict of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has created a new scope for the world to mount pressure on Myanmar military for ensuring justice for the Rohingyas, analysts and rights activists say.
July 18, 2022
Padma Bridge to woo foreign investors
Foreign investors will be increasingly interested in considering Bangladesh as a better place for investment, with the Padma Bridge expanding connectivity both within the country and beyond and improving supply chains, said the Nordic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) in Bangladesh.
July 17, 2022
Malaysia starts process of hiring workers
Malaysia has started the process of hiring workers from Bangladesh without settling the controversy surrounding the syndicate of 25 agencies chosen to conduct the recruitment.
July 15, 2022
Boosting ties, Rohingya repatriation top agenda
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen yesterday started a weeklong visit to two Asean countries, aiming to boost relations with the bloc and push the agenda of Rohingya repatriation.
July 7, 2022
Next polls will be crucial
Bangladesh’s national election next year will be critical in determining whether the country moves towards greater democracy or greater autocracy, said a recently released policy document of the US.
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