Bangladesh and the United States have discussed ways for strengthening collaboration to counter corruption, tackle money laundering and recover stolen assets. The issues were discussed during a meeting between Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin and acting Coordinator for Global Anti-Corruption Shelby Smith-Wilson in Washington, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. Talks also covered technical support for reforms, MLA (Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) treaty and enhancing experience and expertise sharing in procurement systems, law enforcement, judiciary and media. US values Bangladesh as a partner in Indo-Pacific region: Uzra Zeya Meanwhile, US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya said the United States values Bangladesh as a “partner” in the Indo-Pacific region and their “strong collaboration” as their leading partner on Rohingya response and number one source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). She shared a brief message on X, formerly known as Twitter on Saturday as she had a meeting with the Foreign Secretary in Washington on October 11. "Vital discussion with Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin on US-Bangladesh humanitarian cooperation, accountability and democratic institutions and support for labour rights," she said. The Foreign Secretary and Under-Secretary Uzra Zeya had “fruitful discussions" on the reforms of the democratic institutions and upholding of democratic values, accountability of human rights violations, humanitarian response and sustainable solutions of the Rohingya crisis and labour rights issues, according to the ministry. He also had a "productive meeting" with US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma at the State Department, affirming renewal of commitment to deepen and expand bilateral ties, strengthen collaboration on areas of mutual interest. The Foreign Secretary had a separate meeting with acting US Under Secretary for Political Affairs John Bass and discussed ways to deepen bilateral collaboration building on the momentum in the Bangladesh-US relationship and to advance impactful cooperation in priority areas. He also had discussions on diverse issues at a meeting with US Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia Lindsey W Ford at the White House. They covered the interim government's reform agenda, democratic transition, economic and security issues, regional stability, Rohingya crisis and labour law. Foreign Secretary also Jashim met Brendan Lynch, Assistant USTR for South and Central Asia and discussed mutual cooperation to diversify export, DFQF access of RMGs produced from cotton imported from US, simplification of registration and reduction of registration fees for pharmaceutical products, labour law reforms, and access to US International Development Finance Cooperation (DFC). A lunch meeting between the Foreign Secretary and key officials focused on a wide range of issues of mutual interests. The US officials included Assistant Secretary Ambassador Donald Lu, Acting Assistant Secretary Marta C Youth, Deputy Assistant Secretary Nicole Chulick, Deputy Assistant Secretary Monica Ager Jacobsen, as well as Director Alla P Kamins. The Foreign Secretary visited New York before his tour to Washington and is scheduled to leave Washington on October 14.  

The U.S. on Friday announced new sanctions on Iran's energy sector in response to its Oct. 1 attack on Israel when it fired roughly 180 missiles into the country. Iran said the barrage was retaliation for a series of devastating blows Israel has landed in recent weeks against the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, which has been firing rockets into Israel since the war in Gaza began. Included in Friday's sanctions are blocks on Iran's so-called “ghost fleet” of ships and associated firms that span the United Arab Emirates, Liberia, Hong Kong and other jurisdictions that allegedly obfuscate and transport Iranian oil for sale to buyers in Asia. Additionally, the U.S. State Department designated a network of companies based in Suriname, India, Malaysia and Hong Kong for allegedly arranging for the sale and transport of petroleum and petroleum products from Iran. Current U.S. law authorizes sanctions targeting Iran’s energy sector as well as foreign firms that buy sell and transport Iranian oil. But energy sanctions are often a delicate issue as restricting supplies could push up prices for global commodities that the U.S. and its allies need. Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security advise, said the new sanctions “will help further deny Iran financial resources used to support its missile programs and provide support for terrorist groups that threaten the United States, its allies, and partners.” At least 22 killed in airstrikes in central Beirut, with Israel also firing on UN peacekeepers The penalties aim to block them from using the U.S. financial system and bar American citizens from dealing with them. Israel and Iran have fought a shadow war for years, but rarely have they come into direct conflict. Increasingly, however, escalating attacks between Israel and Iran and its Arab allies threaten to push the Middle East closer to a regional war. Iran launched another direct attack on Israel in April, but few of its projectiles reached their targets. Many were shot down by a U.S.-led coalition while others apparently failed at launch or crashed in flight. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Friday that the United States "will not hesitate to take further action to hold Iran accountable.”  

Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin had a "productive meeting" with US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma at the State Department, affirming renewal of commitment to deepen and expand bilateral ties, strengthen collaboration on areas of mutual interest.  Their discussions focused on the US technical and financial support to reform initiatives of the interim government and addressing challenges, Rohingya issue, labour law reforms, etc.  The Foreign Secretary had a separate meeting with acting US Under Secretary for Political Affairs John Bass and discussed ways to deepen bilateral collaboration building on the momentum in the Bangladesh-US relationship and to advance impactful cooperation in priority areas.  He also had discussions on diverse issues at a meeting with US Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia Lindsey W Ford at the White House.  They covered interim government's reform agenda, democratic transition, economic and security issues, regional stability, Rohingya crisis, labour law etc. Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin met Brendan Lynch, Assistant USTR for South and Central Asia and discussed mutual cooperation to diversify export, DFQF access of RMGs produced from cotton imported from US, simplification of registration and reduction of registration fees for pharmaceutical products, labour law reforms, and access to US International Development Finance Cooperation (DFC). A lunch meeting between the Foreign Secretary and key officials focused on a wide range of issues of mutual interests.  US officials include Assistant Secretary Ambassador Donald Lu, Acting Assistant Secretary Marta C. Youth, Deputy Assistant Secretary Nicole Chulick, Deputy Assistant Secretary Monica Ager Jacobsen, as well as Director Alla P. Kamins.  The Foreign Secretary visited New York before his tour to Washington and is scheduled is leave Washington on October 14.      

The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has announced that it is considering whether to ask a judge to break up Google in an effort to limit its control over the internet search market. This move could have far-reaching implications for the technology industry, marking a significant development in the government's efforts to curtail the influence of large tech companies. The DoJ has hinted at imposing ‘structural requirements’ on Google, which may involve separating its search engine from other services like Chrome, Google Play and Android. The announcement follows a landmark ruling in August, which concluded that Google had used illegal practices to secure its dominance in online search. In a court filing, the DoJ expressed concerns that Google could leverage its various products to favour its search services, thereby preventing competition. The Justice Department stated it is currently evaluating a range of remedies that would address these issues. In response, Google issued a warning about the unintended consequences of such measures on both businesses and consumers. Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s vice president of regulatory affairs, described the DoJ's proposals as "government overreach" in a blog post. Upcoming Deadlines The DoJ is expected to submit a more detailed set of proposals by 20 November, outlining the specific remedies it intends to seek from the court. Google, in turn, will have until 20 December to submit its own proposed solutions. The August ruling was a major blow for Alphabet, Google's parent company, following a 10-week trial. During the trial, prosecutors accused Google of paying billions of dollars to companies such as Apple and Samsung to ensure it remained their default search engine. Google's legal team countered by arguing that users prefer Google because it offers a superior product, and that the company has been investing in its search engine to improve the consumer experience. Broader Implications The scrutiny of Google comes amid a broader effort by US authorities to strengthen competition in the technology sector. Other major tech companies, including Facebook-owner Meta, Amazon and Apple, are also facing lawsuits alleging anti-competitive practices. The outcome of these cases could significantly reshape the landscape of the US technology industry. If the DoJ succeeds in breaking up Google or imposing other stringent restrictions, it would set a precedent for handling similar concerns with other dominant tech firms. The move signals a more aggressive stance from regulators looking to curtail the influence of Big Tech and ensure a fair competitive environment. Industry experts are watching closely to see what long-term impact the DoJ's actions may have on innovation and market dynamics. Source: Agencies

The United States has said it looks forward to continued engagement with Bangladesh to advance progress on economic stability, democracy, security, and Rohingya refugees. "The Secretary (Antony Blinken) did have a productive meeting with the advisor to the interim government (Prof Muhammad Yunus) and looks forward to continued engagement to advance progress on all of these issues," US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller said on October 8. He made the remark when a journalist wanted to know how the Biden administration is navigating its relationship with Bangladesh considering the country’s challenges with economic stability, democracy, security, and Rohingya refugees. "So we continue to work with the Government of Bangladesh on all those questions," Miller said in a regular media briefing in Washington. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus had separate meetings with US President Joe Biden and US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly recently in New York. Read: Those responsible for recent rights violations in Bangladesh need to be held accountable: US Both President Biden and Chief Adviser Prof Yunus affirmed the close partnership between the United States and Bangladesh, which is rooted in shared democratic values and strong people-to-people ties. During the meeting, Biden welcomed further engagement between the two governments and offered continued US support as Bangladesh implements its new reform agenda. Asked whether the US discussed anything about Bangladesh with India, Miller said, "I can tell you that regional issues, including Bangladesh, often come up in our meetings with the Government of India, but I don’t have any specific readout to offer." Read more: Nahid promises justice, compensation for victims of minority abuse

The United States has called for holding those responsible for human rights violations in the recent months in Bangladesh accountable. "And (we) made clear that we want to see human rights protected, and that ultimately those responsible for violations of the human rights of the Bangladeshi people over the past few months need to be held accountable," said US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller. He made the remarks when a journalist wanted to know about the incidents of "mob violence and lynching" in Bangladesh and how does the US government viewed the protection of human rights in Bangladesh during a regular media briefing in Washington on October 7. Read: Nahid promises justice, compensation for victims of minority abuse "I can’t speak to these individual cases that you mentioned, but I can tell you that the Secretary met with the prime minister (Chief Adviser) of Bangladesh just two weeks ago at the UN General Assembly in New York," Miller said. Responding to a question on Durga Puja and minority issues, the spokesperson said they, of course, want to see the rights of minorities protected in Bangladesh as all around the world. The government has already announced an additional public holiday on Thursday (October 10) for Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community. Read more: UN fact-finding team calls for submissions on human rights violations during July-August 2024 protests The Durga Puja holiday will now last four days, starting from Thursday

Lack of appropriate temperature-controlled logistics in Bangladesh results in post-harvest losses, affects food safety, and limits trade in agricultural and consumer products, said Chargé d’Affaires of US Embassy Dhaka, Helen LaFave. "Cold chain infrastructure would enable Bangladeshi agricultural producers to diversify export opportunities by ensuring the safety and quality of their agricultural products," she said. US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded a feasibility study grant to Bangladeshi prepared foods and cold chain services company Bonton Foods Limited (Bonton Foods) to support the deployment of a temperature-controlled logistics network of cold storage refrigeration warehouses in Bangladesh. This feasibility study will identify opportunities for increased U.S. investment in cold chain, which would create a stable logistics network for refrigerated and frozen U.S. products that meet the consumer demands of the rapidly growing Bangladesh middle class, Helen LaFave said. The study’s goal is to lower costs and reduce losses of dairy, meat, and other food products, resulting in improved food security for people across the country, USTDA said recently. Read: Bangladesh to reap long-term benefits of US investment: Commercial Counselor of US Embassy Bonton Foods selected Minnesota-based Land O’Lakes Venture37 to conduct the study. “Facilitating private sector investment is vital to Bangladesh’s food security goals. Our partnership with Bonton Foods will help mobilize capital and deploy innovative solutions that address the needs of Bangladesh’s people,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “We look forward to demonstrating the positive role that U.S. technology can play in unlocking greater access to fresh foods.” While Bangladesh has 2.7 million metric tons of cold storage refrigeration capacity across over 300 sites, the country’s current cold chain industry cannot meet demands, particularly in rural areas. As a result, animal proteins and produce are handled primarily via wet markets with little to no mechanical refrigeration support, which can lead to food spoilage and loss. The USTDA-funded study will address these challenges by facilitating the construction of an integrated network of third-party logistics cold storage facilities across Bangladesh. Shamim Ahamed, Managing Director of Bonton Foods, said the country’s large population—20 million people in greater Dhaka alone—a growing upper and middle-class, and changing consumer patterns signal a bright future for the cold chain industry. Read more:  US investment in Bangladesh's tech market to pave the way for the development of digital economy of two countries: Palak "We are keen to leverage our position in the market by expanding third-party logistics services to small and medium-sized agribusinesses as well as international food importers and exporters,” he said. USTDA’s study advances the goals of Biden-Harris Administration priorities such as the Feed the Future initiative. The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create US jobs through the export of the U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies.

After the White House, the US Department of State has also trashed reports that claimed the United States was involved in former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation. "That’s laughable," Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters at a regular briefing in Washington on August 13. He said any implication that the United States was involved in Sheikh Hasina’s resignation is absolutely false. "We have seen a lot of disinformation in recent weeks," Patel said. Read more: What Dhaka wants from Delhi: Ending border killings, conclusion of Teesta deal, supply of essential commodities He said they remain incredibly committed to strengthening information integrity across the digital ecosystem, especially with their partners in South Asia. Earlier, the White House ruled out any involvement of the United States behind the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, stressing that it is false. "So, we have had no involvement at all. Any — any reports or rumours that the United States government was involved in these — in these events is simply, simply false. That is not true," Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at a press briefing on August 12. She said this is a choice for and by the Bangladeshi people.   "We believe that the Bangladeshi people should determine the future of the Bangladeshi government, and that’s where we stand," said the White House Press Secretary. "Any allegations, certainly, we will continue to say, and I have said here, is simply not true," she added. A journalist mentioned that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reported to allies that she was thrown out — or forced to be out of power because the U.S. wanted to have one of the islands given to them - the United States of America.   Read more: Complaint lodged at International Crimes Tribunal against Hasina, top officials for crimes against humanity and genocide And since — because they didn’t agree to it, she was forced to resign, the questioner mentioned. The press secretary said they are going to continue to monitor the situation. 

The US Department of State has selected four distinguished scientists to serve as Science Envoys for 2024. They are Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, Dr. Stephanie “Steffi” Diem, Dr. Sian Proctor, and Dr. Dawn Wright.   Through the US Science Envoy Program, eminent American scientists and engineers leverage their expertise and networks to forge connections and identify opportunities for sustained international cooperation to advance solutions to shared challenges, champion innovation, and demonstrate America’s scientific leadership and technical ingenuity.   The scientists selected to participate in 2024 make up the first all-female cohort in the history of the US Science Envoy Program, said the US Department of State. The US Science Envoy program was established by the Secretary of State in 2010.   Read: Irish Minister Simon Coveney pays homage to Father of the Nation at Dhanmondi-32 Like their 30 predecessors, the 2024 Cohort will travel as private US citizens to engage internationally with civil society as well as government interlocutors.   Science Envoys help inform the Department of State, other US government agencies, and the scientific community about opportunities for science and technology cooperation.   The State Department selected the 2024 cohort to take advantage of their expertise in key issues facing the world today: Artificial Intelligence, Fusion Energy, Civil Use of Space, and Ocean Sustainability. Dr. Rumman Chowdhury is a data scientist and social scientist. She is the CEO of Humane Intelligence, a technology nonprofit that builds a community of practice around evaluations of artificial intelligence (AI) models.   Dr. Chowdhury is also a Responsible AI Fellow at Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society.  Previously, Dr. Chowdhury served as Director of the Machine Learning Ethics, Transparency, and Accountability team at Twitter, as well as the Global Lead for Responsible AI at Accenture Applied Intelligence.  Read: UN envoy: Finding that some hostages were victims of sexual violence doesn’t justify Israeli attacks She has earned numerous awards and accolades, including Time Magazine’s 100 most Influential People in AI, BBC’s 100 Women, Worthy Magazine’s top 100, the Bay Area’s top 40 under 40, and Forbes’ labeled her one of Five Who are Shaping AI.   Dr. Chowdhury holds two undergraduate degrees from MIT, a M.S. in Quantitative Methods of the Social Sciences from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, San Diego.

The United States has honoured Bangladesh Supreme Court lawyer Fawzia Karim Firoze with 2024 International Women of Courage Award. US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and First Lady Jill Biden hosted the annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Awards ceremony at the White House on March 4 (US time). Other awardees are Benafsha Yaqoobi (Afghanistan), Volha Harbunova (Belarus), Ajna Jusić (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Myintzu Win (Myanmar), Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello (Cuba), Fátima Corozo (Ecuador), Fatou Baldeh (The Gambia), Fariba Balouch (Iran), Rina Gonoi (Japan), Rabha El Haymar (Morocco) and Agather Atuhaire (Uganda). Secretary Blinken said the United States stands with every woman of courage working to build greater stability, greater equality, and greater opportunity. "And we are committed to knocking down the barriers that prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential," he said at the ceremony. Read more: Dr Shehlina receives honorary British award "That’s why championing the rights of women and girls in all of their diversity is a central part of our foreign policy," Blinken said. Over the past three years, he said they have put forward concrete strategies, policies, and programmes to support women and girls around the world. "It’s not simply rhetorical, it’s practical, from increasing their political participation to ensuring that they’re parts of things like the clean energy transition," Blinken said. Last year, US President Joe Biden requested a doubling of foreign aid to promote gender equity abroad – an historic $2.6 billion. Fawzia has fought for the rights of marginalized groups for more than three decades, said the US State Department of State. She is currently the head of her own law chamber and serves as the Chairperson for the Foundation for Law and Development (FLAD). Read more: Bangladesh's Fawzia Karim named among International Women of Courage Award recipients for 2024 Under her leadership, FLAD won a ruling determining that the Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy of 2015 was inadequate to protect the rights of domestic workers. Fawzia has personally filed approximately 3,000 cases on behalf of garment workers against their employers and helped establish the Bangladesh Independent Garment Workers Union Federation (BIGUF) and the Domestic Workers Guidelines, said the US Department of State on Friday. Read more: Shahin Howlader receives honorary award in NY