Indonesia is hoping going nuclear can help it meet soaring energy demand while taming emissions, but faces serious challenges to its goal of a first small modular reactor by 2032. Its first experiment with nuclear energy dates to February 1965, when then-president Sukarno inaugurated a test reactor. Sixty years later, Southeast Asia’s largest economy has three research reactors but no nuclear power plants for electricity. Abundant reserves of polluting coal have so far met the enormous archipelago’s energy needs. But “nuclear will be necessary to constrain the rise of and eventually reduce emissions”, said Philip Andrews-Speed, a senior research fellow…
Author: diplomaticjourna_diplomaticjourna
Southeast Asian leaders are looking to insulate their trade-dependent economies from geopolitical uncertainty, in particular US tariffs, as they hold talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Gulf state dignitaries in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. US President Donald Trump blew up global trade norms in April when he announced a slew of punishing levies targeting countries around the world, including US allies. Though he subsequently instigated a 90-day pause for most, the experience has spurred the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to accelerate efforts to diversify its trading networks. “A transition in the geopolitical order is underway,” Malaysian Prime…
National Consensus Commission (NCC) Vice-Chairman Ali Riaz today said all political parties are in unanimous agreement on reinstating the caretaker government, while most have also voiced support for establishing a bicameral parliament. He added that most parties have agreed to establish an independent investigation commission to identify officials who acted against the July uprising, were involved in the activities of genocide and repression, as well as those accused of electoral fraud and corruption, and to take appropriate action against them. Ali Riaz revealed this at a press conference held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, following the end of the first…
With the aim of reaching various government services at the doorsteps of the commoners, “Nagorik Sheba Bangladesh” has started its journey online with the slogan ‘All Citizen Services at One Address’. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus formally inaugurated the pilot project of this programme at the State Guest House Jamuna here today. Trained Nagorik Sheba entrepreneurs will provide these services to the general citizens from Nagorik Sheba Kendras (centres). Nagorik Sheba centres have been set up in Gulshan, Uttara and Nilkhet areas of the capital under the pilot project. Among those, the centres in Gulshan and Uttara have already started…
A car rammed into a packed crowd celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League title victory on Monday leaving 27 people hospitalised, but police said they were ruling out terrorism. “We believe this to be an isolated incident, and we are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to it,” Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims told a press conference, adding a 53-year-old white British man had been arrested. “The incident is not being treated as terrorism,” she added. Some 27 football fans were hospitalised, including two who were seriously injured, after a dark-coloured vehicle swerved through the huge crowds hitting…
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Monday to bring back all hostages, “living and dead”, as Gaza rescuers said Israeli strikes killed at least 52 people in the war-battered Palestinian enclave. Netanyahu’s remarks came amid confusion about the fate of a proposed 70-day ceasefire that was to see the release of 10 Israeli hostages alongside more Palestinian prisoners. Israel has in recent weeks expanded its offensive in the Gaza Strip, drawing international condemnation as aid trickles in following a monthslong blockade that has caused severe food and medical shortages. “If we don’t achieve it today, we will achieve it tomorrow,…
Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus will leave Dhaka early Wednesday on a four-day official visit to Japan to attend the 30th Nikkei Forum and hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to boost bilateral cooperation. Acting Foreign Secretary Md Ruhul Alam Siddique disclosed the details of the visit at a curtain-raiser press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this afternoon. During the visit, he said seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed, covering cooperation in investment, energy, and technology sectors, said the secretary. An Exchange of Notes is also anticipated on budgetary support and…
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today published advertisements on two national dailies, asking ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader Shakil Akand Bulbul to appear before it on June 3. The advertisements were published on daily Jugantor and daily New Age today, summoning the former premier and Bulbul to give explanations over a contempt of court application brought against them by the prosecution of the tribunal. Confirming the matter to newsmen, ICT prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim said, “Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina obstructed the (ICT) investigation through issuing threats and delivering hate speeches on various…
Adviser for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has said all the wastages of qurbani animals will be removed within 12 after and all preparations in this regard have been taken. “Although, the home adviser said, the qurbani will continue for three days and 90 percent animals will be slaughtered on the first day, we have asked for quick disposal of the wastages.” “The administrators of the city corporations have said that all wastages would be removed within 12 hours and all preparations have been taken for this,” the adviser said in a Facebook post. In…
The interim government, headed by Nobel Laureate Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, wants to turn Bangladesh into a welfare-oriented state through improving the lives and livelihood of common people of the country. “On the whole, we’re vying for turning Bangladesh into a welfare-oriented state where none will only think about growth and growth related things side by side the lives and livelihood of common people will improve further,” said Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed. Talking to BSS at his office ahead of announcing the national budget for FY26 on June 2, the finance adviser highlighted the vision and objectives to be…
