Staff Reporter : The sanction on former Army General Aziz Ahmed was meant for the US commitment to upholding democratic institutions and the rule of law in Bangladesh, the US Department of Defence said on Tuesday. The Department further said that the US government fully supports the Bangladesh government’s efforts to curb corruption. In reply to a question from a journalist, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said, “The State Department has designated General Ahmed for significant corruption. They...
Staff Reporter : The recent Geographic Indications (GI) certification awarded to India for the Sundarbans’ honey has sparked significant concerns, given that the majority of the Sundarbans territory lies within Bangladesh. This issue was highlighted by Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), during a media briefing at the CPD office in the capital on Wednesday. Dr. Bhattacharya, an eminent economist, addressed this new concern, which has arisen amidst the waning controversy over the...
Staff Reporter : The International Monetary Fund (IMF) have recommended the government take an inventory of assets belonging to all public officials every year and update it regularly aiming to reduce corruption adding that at least five high-risk banks in Bangladesh ought to be checked regarding money laundering and terror financingwhile stating a timeline up to next June. Previously, the IMF had asked the government to collect asset statements from key officials only. According to the IMF staff report published...
Staff Reporter : Bangladesh and Italy have pledged to elevate their relationship to even greater heights, forging stronger bonds in trade, investment, security, and technological advancements. This commitment was solidified during the second round of political consultations held in Dhaka on Monday. Leading the discussions, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen and Italian Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Riccardo Guariglia affirmed a shared desire to broaden cooperation across multiple domains. These include political and cultural ties,...
Staff Reporter : The ways former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and Commissioner of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Matiur Rahman, along with their family members, managed to sneak out of the country have become a hot topic of discussion. This comes despite the strong vigilance on them by law enforcers, including the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Both Benazir Ahmed and Matiur Rahman are alleged to have amassed significant illegal wealth through corrupt practices. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,...
Staff Reporter : The United States Department of State has issued a firm statement reaffirming its unwavering commitment to a free and independent press. Highlighting the vital role journalists play in safeguarding democratic institutions and fostering transparency, the Department strongly condemned any attempts to harass or intimidate them. This statement came in response to a journalist’s inquiry regarding a recent, threatening message issued by the Bangladesh Police Service Association towards media outlets reporting on police corruption. The journalist further emphasised...
Staff Reporter : The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Tuesday strongly denounced the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements signed...
Staff Reporter : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has firmly reassured the nation that the decision to grant rail transit to...
Staff Reporter : The 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report by the US State Department, published on its website, paints a complex picture of Bangladesh’s efforts to combat human trafficking. While the Bangladeshi government has demonstrably increased its overall efforts compared to the previous year, it still falls short of meeting the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, keeping the country in Tier 2 for the fifth consecutive year since 2020. Countries that fully comply with the Trafficking in Persons...
Aljazeera : During one of the many conversations I had with Julian Assange while he was at the Ecuadorian Embassy...