The World Trade Organization (WTO) as a multilateral institution has been saved, for the time being, but at the cost of doing, and agreeing to do, almost nothing. 'WTO Reforms' was the catchword of 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14). Everyone agreed about the need for Reforms, but there was wide di
Bangladesh’s vulnerability to any disruption in the global energy supply chain has been amply demonstrated during the US-Israel’s war on Iran. For, as soon as Iran, in retaliation for the attack, blocked the narrow maritime chokepoint, called the Strait of Hormuz through which ships car
Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture in its economic trajectory. With sustained gross domestic product (GDP) growth, a large domestic market, and a favorable demographic profile, the country possesses the structural fundamentals required to attract significantly higher levels of Foreign Direct
The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has taken up a programme of planting 300,000 trees in areas under its jurisdiction in five years from now. This green initiative is not unprecedented, though. Late mayor Annisul Huq started such a programme as early as 2017. His plan was to plant 0.1million s
The Education Minister has recently announced that all coaching centres across the country will be shut down. But his claim apparently rings hollow as the government's decision to replace the lottery-based admission system with competitive tests from Class One to Class Nine from next year has alrea
Bangladesh is facing a major crisis due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has disrupted the oil supply chain and driven up prices. Despite temporary ceasefire, the oil shock will make the already vulnerable economic conditions more fragile. It will be truly challenging for the government
Establishing educational institutions to spread knowledge has always been regarded as a noble deed and great contribution to society. Generations continue to remember with deep respect philanthropists like Haji Muhammad Mohsin, Sir Khwaja Salimullah, Nawab Faizunnesa Choudhurani, RP Shaha and Ashwi
One wonders what the plethora of public and private research organizations do if they cannot develop a standard reference book/manual on some basic facts about the country. An article published in one of the major Bangla newspapers of the country is indeed revealing. What it points out is that ther
The vocabulary we use to describe global affairs shapes how we understand them. For decades, geopolitics has served as the dominant lens—focusing on territory, alliances, and military power. Yet in today’s world, that term is no longer sufficient; it cannot fully capture the deep and ac
It is generally understood that there is a close nexus between freedom of speech and the term freedom of expression. The former generally refers to the right to communicate one's opinions and ideas without fear of government censorship. It is similarly felt that the term freedom of expression
Last year, I received a call from a five-star hotel in Banani. The general manager, a Sri Lankan national, had obtained my contact through a technical reference. He was concerned about repeated guest complaints regarding noise disturbances in their rooms and requested a site visit. I visited the h
For millions of households already grappling with surging inflation, the sharp increase in the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) - an essential cooking fuel - could not have come at a worse time. Adjusted monthly in line with international market trends, LPG prices witnessed the steepest singl
Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman has contended that the Iran war could be the "straw that breaks the camel's back" for a delicate U.S. economy, resulting in a "fresh level of massive uncertainty” due to current stresses. Contrary to what Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz has cautioned, the US faces a
