Staff Correspondent : The United Nations Security Council is slated to vote Thursday on the latest call for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian access to Gaza, a move supported by a majority seeking to act despite repeated US vetoes. The 10 non-permanent members initiated discussions on the current draft resolution in late August, in response to the UN’s official declaration of famine after nearly two years of Israel’s war on the Palestinian territory. An earlier draft primarily demanded lifting barriers to aid, but diplomatic sources told AFP that France, the United Kingdom and Russia were skeptical of the value of…
Author: diplomaticjourna_diplomaticjourna
Staff Correspondent : Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will leave Dhaka on September 22 for New York to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he is scheduled to deliver Bangladesh’s national statement, participate in a series of high-level meetings, and represent the country in several landmark global events. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy today, confirming that Prof Yunus will address the General Assembly on September 26. In his speech, the Chief Adviser is expected to highlight the interim government’s reform initiatives, the aspirations of the July…
ISPR dismisses speculation surrounding the presence of US aircraft in Chattogram, reiterating that the US team is only there for the joint exercise “Operation Pacific Angel 25-3”, a joint Bangladesh–United States military exercise is under way at the Bangladesh Air Force’s Zahurul Haque Base in Chattogram, the Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) said, after footage of US aircraft at Shah Amanat International Airport sparked a flurry of speculation on social media. The weeklong exercise, which began on Sept 13, involves the Bangladesh Air Force and the US Pacific Air Forces. The drills will continue until Sept 18, according to…
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) today started recording depositions of NCP Convener Nahid Islam in crimes against humanity case filed against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and two others. The ICT-1 headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder recorded the deposition of National Citizens Party (NCP) Chief Nahid Islam as the 47th prosecution witness of the case after ending the testimony of Dainik Amar Desh Editor Dr Mahmudur Rahman. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam and prosecutors Mizanul Islam and Gazi M H Tamim moved for the prosecution before the ICT while state appointed counsel Amir Hossain moved for fugitive accused Sheikh…
Pope Leo XVI expressed solidarity with the population of Gaza on Wednesday, saying that civilians had been “once again” forced from their land and were living in “unacceptable conditions”. “I express my deep solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza who continue to live in fear and survive in unacceptable conditions, being forcibly displaced once again from their lands,” said the 70-year-old pope after his general audience. Hundreds of thousands of residents of Gaza City have been trying to evacuate the northern city since a massive bombardment by Israeli forces aimed at crushing Hamas. “I renew my appeal for a…
The German, British and French foreign ministers are to hold talks with their Iranian counterpart about Tehran’s nuclear programme on Wednesday, a French diplomatic source told AFP. The telephone discussion comes after European powers triggered a 30-day deadline last month for sanctions to come back into force in the absence of a negotiated deal on the Iranian nuclear programme.
Iran said Wednesday it expects European powers who triggered a snapback of UN sanctions to respond positively to its signing of a new cooperation agreement with the UN nuclear watchdog. The statement came as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi prepared to speak by telephone on Wednesday with his British, French and German counterparts. “We have demonstrated that we are not averse to diplomacy and take every opportunity to safeguard the interests and benefits of the Iranian nation,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said during his weekly press conference. “It is natural to expect that Iran’s positive approach and good-faith efforts will…
By Wahid Milton Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today reaffirmed his government’s commitment to holding a free, fair, transparent, and festive general election in the first half of February next year. He made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) led by Mounir Satouri at the State Guest House Jamuna in the city. “We have already announced the timeline for the election. It will be held in early February, just before Ramadan,” the Chief Adviser told the visiting delegation. Professor Yunus noted growing enthusiasm among the public, particularly the youth, as student…
Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi has said Bangladesh should negotiate free trade agreements (FTAs) or economic partnership agreements with key countries to obtain friction-free access to their markets since its graduation from LDC status is unavoidable. “We have to negotiate free trade agreements or economic partnership agreements with key countries so that we obtain friction-free access to their markets,” he said. Increasingly, Siddiqi said, these agreements entail multiple chapters, comprehensively covering a wide range of topics beyond tariffs to include labour standards and movement of people. The chief adviser’s special envoy made the remarks while delivering his keynote speech…
Staff Colrrespondent : National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Dr Ali Riaz today said that experts have outlined four potential mechanisms for implementing the July Charter. Delivering his opening remarks at a meeting of the commission with representatives from 29 political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, he said the proposed methods include: ordinance, executive order, referendum, and special constitutional order. Regarding the extension of the commission’s tenure by one month, Ali Riaz said, “Another reason for the extension is that if any office continues for a year, it takes some time to wrap up its activities.” He…
