United States
Trump–Putin meeting: Balance of success and failure
In the middle of the night on 15 August Bangladesh time, the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin took place in Alaska, United States. International media are reporting that there was no solution to the Ukraine war, no agreement, and that the Putin–Trump talks failed. Since the announcement of the meeting, the matter had been the talk of the world; but no one has clearly said what the agenda of the talks was, or what the aim was. Mainly, the discussion was about Ukraine; but there was no question of any agreement or treaty.
Beginning of the semiconductor revolution in Taiwan and Asia
Two top executives of the US Texas Instruments Company—Mark Shepherd and Maurice Chang—flew to Taiwan in 1968. Their goal was to find a suitable location for a new factory for chip assembly.
Bangladesh in perplexity of diplomacy!
Bangladesh has been drifting in a puzzle of diplomacy. Not only Bangladesh but the world politics has met with a perplexity. Since Donald Trump was elected the US President, the suicidal decision to impose additional tariffs on the entry of products from various countries into the US market has established a valid ground for isolating the United States in world politics. And within that area, world diplomacy is becoming complicated. Of course, Bangladesh is not outside of it.
Bangladesh’s victory and defeat in US tariff war
After three rounds of discussion, Bangladesh has managed to reduce the increased tariff imposed on its products in the US market from 35 percent to 20 percent. This is not only positive for the country's economy but also a diplomatic success for the interim government. Because when on April 2, US President Donald Trump first announced the rate of additional tariffs on various countries, he stated that a 37 percent additional tariff would be levied on Bangladeshi products. Later, that tariff was suspended temporarily for three months. Trump informed Dr Yunus in a letter that instead of 37, the tariff amount on Bangladesh would be 35 percent, after reducing it by 2 percent.
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.
China-India relations in new world order
Everyone knows that a new world order has been formed. In this new system, the position of each country—who is forming new friendships with whom, who is supporting whom militarily and economically—is being re-shaped. For instance, the long-standing bond between Europe and the United States saw a crack, particularly after Donald Trump became President. Their relationship is now more commercial and win-win rather than cordial. Their common interest is in standing against socialism and maintaining Western influence. Beyond that, the blind support the United States had previously given to Europe, and the various benefits extended, were withdrawn by the Trump administration. This has put Europe in a somewhat difficult position, and Europe is now busy rapidly increasing its military strength. That is, it no longer wants to be fully dependent on the United States as before. As a result, alongside the United States, Russia, and China, Europe is likely to emerge as a visible military power soon.
Politics in Bangladesh becoming increasingly complex
Politics in Bangladesh is becoming increasingly complex, confused and decaying. Leaderlessness, lack of ideology, and a decline in morality are now the inevitable features of the country’s political landscape.
The reality of Gaza behind the Iran-Israel conflict
Torture, human rights violations, genocide, hunger, displacement—such heart-wrenching terms now seem reserved solely for Gaza. For the past twenty months, indiscriminate brutal killings have been ongoing in the region, targeting men, women, and children alike. The hellish massacre in Gaza is hard for any normal person to comprehend. These heart-breaking scenes are not isolated incidents—there are thousands of them. All perpetrated by Israel, backed by the United States. Millions live there in uncertainty. They have no food, no shelter, no contact with relatives. The people of Gaza are enduring an inhumane and tragic life. As if they are trapped in a nightmare. There is no accurate count of how many people have died so far. The procession of the dead grows heavier every day.
What Bangladesh should do regarding US tariff
If any country imposes additional tariffs on imported goods, the first reaction is that the price of the concerned exported goods increases. The United States has imposed increased tariffs on imported goods from various countries. In order for Bangladeshi products to enter the US market in the future, an additional 35 percent tariff will have to be paid. Currently, an average of 15 percent tariff has to be paid for exporting Bangladeshi products to the US market. An additional 35 percent tariff will be added to that. That is, in order to enter the US market in the future, a total of 50 percent tariff will have to be paid on Bangladeshi products.
World’s defenceless people now hostages to armed powers
Democracy and human rights are interrelated. A review of the 300-year history of democracy in the world reveals that, having passed through various stages, democracy has taken an institutional form in several countries. Nation-states have been established through movements and struggles against colonial rule. The main objective of these countries has also been the establishment of democracy and human rights. Human rights are a widely discussed topic around the world. Sadly, human rights are also one of the most frequently violated issues globally. Human rights are the combined form of two words: human and rights. Simply put, the rights of humans are human rights. When people do not receive their due rights, it is considered a violation of human rights. And that is when there is an outcry across the world.