China
The beginning of China’s semiconductor industry
In 1987, two very different dreams were born in Asia. In Taiwan, Morris Chang set his sights on building a company called TSMC that would manufacture the world’s best chips. At the same time, in Shenzhen, China, Ren Zhengfei founded Huawei—a small business that purchased cheap telecom equipment from Hong Kong and sold it in the Chinese market.
Why this reality persists even after 151, out of 193, UN member states recognised Palestine
In October 2023, Israel launched yet another indiscriminate attack on Gaza. Almost two years on, the death toll in Gaza has already exceeded 65,000. Nearly all of the 2.1 million residents of the besieged enclave have been displaced multiple times. Recently, Israel began a full-scale assault on Gaza City, the largest city in the territory. The objective is clear — to empty this densely populated city completely and seize control of it. In this situation, international pressure on the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Western countries to force Israel to end the war and genocide is steadily increasing.
United Nations : On verge of collapse or at threshold of reform?
Born out of the ruins of the Second World War in 1945, the United Nations was created with the hope of ensuring peace, justice and security for humanity. Its aim was to establish a global platform where all states would participate equally and disputes would be resolved through dialogue, not conflict. But after nearly eight decades the question arises—has the UN fulfilled its mission, or is it now standing at the edge of collapse?
Jamaat had honeymoon period with both Awami League and BNP
Writer and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmed is at the same time a historian and a valiant freedom fighter. Among those who have written, analysed and researched most on the political context of post-independence Bangladesh, he is one. He is the only political writer in Bangladesh who wrote a book on the 1973 election titled “The Election of ’73”. He has also written “Red Terror: Siraj Sikder and Proletariat Politics”, “Anti-hero Sirajul Alam Khan”, “Awami League BNP: Which Way”, “The Rise and Fall of Jasad: Politics of a Turbulent Time” and many other works. He continues to write on contemporary politics.
Rise of Korea: Enemy's enemy is an ally
Lee Byung-chul was an individual with natural, innate traits for entrepreneurship. He had a magical aura in dealing with business— he was successful in whatever business he took up. In 1938, when the drums of war were rolling out all around, and Korea was under Japanese rule and at war with China, he started his dream company, Samsung.
What message China received from Nepal protests
Nepal, the Himalayan daughter, is now effectively in turmoil. The country has no functioning government. The coalition government led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli collapsed after only 48 hours of protest. In July 2024, KP Sharma Oli took oath as Prime Minister for the fourth time. His party, UML (Unified Marxist-Leninist), formed a government in alliance with the Nepali Congress.
Why is Nepal’s political change being compared with Bangladesh
Nepal lies at the foothills of the Himalayas. Its size is similar to Bangladesh, with a population of just over 30 million. Though often referred to as a small country, in reality it cannot be called small. Yet the term is used due to the size of its economy. It is an economy mainly dependent on agriculture, remittances and tourism. However, Nepal’s geopolitical position is both significant and highly sensitive. On its two sides are China and India, the world’s most populous and major military powers. Nepal’s relationship with India has always been bittersweet. With each change of power in Nepal, its ties with India have also shifted. Relations with China, too, have fluctuated.
Where does Bangladesh stand amidst US's global retaliatory tariffs?
After much negotiation, the United States has agreed to reduce the imposed tariff rate on Bangladeshi goods exported to the US from 35% to 20% during the third round of discussions. On April 2, then-US President Donald Trump imposed 'retaliatory' tariffs on goods from 57 countries—a list that expanded to over 90 by July. Before the new policy was implemented, Bangladeshi exports faced an average tariff of 15.5%. The new 35% hike brought the total to 50%. However, as global economic uncertainty followed the announcement, Trump suspended the new tariffs for three months and allowed countries to negotiate fairer rates.
Why participants of mass uprising turning into extortionists
In Bangladesh, the story of state development nowadays is heard in newspaper pages, television announcements or from the mouths of leaders—“The country has changed,” “Development is visible,” “The dream Padma Bridge has been built,” or “Digital Bangladesh is a reality.” While these words sound striking, in reality, a cruel question also arises—who are the beneficiaries of this development? And by development, do we only mean buildings, bridges, or GDP, or is there any standard for people and humanity as well?
Rise of global chip industry and low-wage transistor girls
Female workers in Asia played an extraordinary role in the chip-making revolution from the beginning of the modern semiconductor industry. Although mainly men were working on the design of transistors, a group of skilled hands was needed to transform the designed chips into real products that would be fast, accurate, and low-budget. Women filled this gap, especially women workers on assembly lines.