Iranian officials arrived in Pakistan on Friday for peace talks with the United States as Tehran insisted on a truce in Lebanon and unfreezing of its assets for the negotiations to go ahead. US President Donald Trump vowed meanwhile to have the Strait of Hormuz open “with or without” Iran’s cooperation and said his top priority at the Islamabad talks was to ensure the Islamic republic cannot have a nuclear weapon. Trump has dispatched Vice President JD Vance to Pakistan to meet with the Iranians in a bid to reach a peace deal in the Middle East war following a…
Author: diplomaticjourna_diplomaticjourna
Britain has been cushioned from surging gas prices since the start of the Middle East war due to its growing use of renewable energy, according to a new report Thursday. Clean energies cut national gas purchases by œ7 million ($9.4 million) a day compared to the last energy crisis in 2021-2023, think-tank Ember said in its report. Energy prices in the UK are among the highest in Europe, notably because more than a quarter of its electricity still comes from natural gas, whose price has often risen in recent years, especially since the start of the war in Ukraine in…
The killing of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayed during the July Uprising became one of the most widely discussed incidents of the nationwide movement, eventually leading to a crimes against humanity trial at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2. Abu Sayed was the first martyr of the July Mass Uprising, and his death quickly engulfed the nation, intensifying the nationwide movement. As the tribunal prepares to deliver its verdict today, the following is a chronology of significant events leading up to the judgment. According to the prosecution, on July 16, 2024, shortly before Abu Sayed’s death, the then proctor allegedly…
The 13th National and 21st World Down Syndrome Day-2026 was observed in the capital today with a call to promote inclusion and eliminate social isolation of persons with down syndrome. Marking the day, the Neuro Developmental Disability Protection Trust (NDDPT) under the Ministry of Social Welfare organised a discussion and award-giving ceremony at the Social Welfare Building auditorium in Eskaton, Dhaka, with the theme “Let’s walk together – eliminate isolation.” Secretary to Social Welfare Dr Mohammad Abu Yousuf attended the programme as the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, he said the government remains committed to the welfare of children…
Clarifying that the schedule, date and destination of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible state visit have not yet been finalized, the government today urged everyone to refrain from spreading rumors in this regard. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman disclosed this tonight, saying that some recent reports circulating in some media outlets and on social media regarding the Prime Minister’s foreign visit are misleading and baseless. The reports claimed that the Prime Minister will first visit India on an official tour. “This information is baseless. There is no truth to it. This false information is being spread intentionally.…
Bangladesh today welcomed the temporary ceasefire in the Middle East, describing it as an encouraging step towards de-escalation and urging all parties to pursue dialogue for a durable and peaceful resolution. In a statement, the foreign ministry said that Bangladesh hoped all parties involved will respect the ceasefire and use the opportunity constructively to restore lasting peace and stability in the region. The statement appreciated the diplomatic efforts of all parties that contributed to facilitating the ceasefire. Bangladesh also reiterated that all disputes can and should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 is scheduled to deliver its judgment today in a crimes against humanity case filed over the killing of Begum Rokeya University (BRUR) student Abu Sayed during the July Mass Uprising. The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Mazumder, on March 5 fixed April 9 for pronouncing the verdict in the case. On January 27, the tribunal kept the case under CAV (curia advisari vult), a Latin legal term meaning the court reserved its verdict after concluding the hearing. Earlier, on January 25, the prosecution sought the maximum punishment for the accused, while the defence…
The by-election in Bogura-6 constituency and general election in Sherpur-3 constituency began today at 7:30 am. The voting will continue till 4:30 pm. Although voting is being held, there will be no referendum in these two constituencies as the ‘Yes’ vote won by a huge margin in the national parliament elections. Earlier, on Wednesday, Senior Secretary of the EC Secretariat Akhtar Hossain said the Election Commission (EC) has already completed all the necessary work for holding the elections smoothly and there is no security threat. BNP candidate Md. Rezaul Karim Badsha, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Md. Abidur Rahman and Bangladesh Development Party…
The United Nations secretary-general on Wednesday warned that deadly Israeli strikes on Lebanon posed a “grave risk” to the fragile US-Iran truce, his spokesperson said in a statement. “The ongoing military activity in Lebanon poses a grave risk to the ceasefire and the efforts toward a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region. The Secretary-General reiterates his call to all parties to immediately cease hostilities,” UN chief Antonio Guterres’s spokesman said. The Lebanese health ministry reported that 182 people were killed and 890 wounded by Israeli strikes on Wednesday, with capital Beirut hit by the most violent bombardment yet since…
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized 230,000 pieces of yaba in separate anti-drug operations at Ukhia-Teknaf border areas of Cox’s Bazar district. A patrol team of Jimbangkhali BOP of BGB’s Ukhia Battalion (64 BGB) recovered 10,000 pieces of Yaba and a local weapon in a raid conducted in the border area of responsibility this morning. In addition, a patrol team of Hoi Kyung BOP seized 20,000 pieces of yaba in a raid at the border area of responsibility. On the other hand, another special operation by Hnila BOP recovered 2,00,000 pieces of yaba. The estimated value of the seized drugs…
