US
US doesn't consider it interference when other countries discuss its elections: State Dept
The United States has said holding free and fair elections in Bangladesh is a "shared desire" of the two friendly countries.
"It’s a desire that we share as a friend and partner of Bangladesh for over 50 years," said US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller in a regular briefing at the State Department on Monday (July 10, 2023).
He noted that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has repeatedly stated her own commitment to free and fair elections.
Read: Momen welcomes foreign observers during maiden interaction with British envoy
"I don’t know why anyone would object to us calling for free and fair elections," Miller said, apparently referring to statements that came from Russia, China and Iranian media.
Miller reiterated that they do not support one political party over the other. "We support a genuine democratic process."
"We don’t consider it interference in internal affairs when other countries raise our elections process with us. We welcome those discussions as an opportunity to strengthen our democracy, and we don’t know why any other countries would object," he added.
Read: Dialogues between parties not held in other countries, including in the US: Momen
Asked whether US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya and Assistant Secretary Donald Lu will engage with the ruling party and the opposition party BNP, Miller said she will meet with senior government officials to discuss shared humanitarian concerns, including the Rohingya refugee crisis, labor issues, human rights, free and fair elections, and combating trafficking in persons.
Key Engagements
US Under Secretary Zeya is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka this evening.
She is likely to visit the Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday as the Rohingya issue remains one of the top priorities of her visit, an official told UNB.
She said her visit is aimed at advancing “shared solutions” to global challenges; contribute to a more free, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific; and bolster humanitarian support for refugees and host communities throughout the region.
Read: US Under Secretary Uzra Zeya holds "productive" meeting with Ambassador Imran; looks forward to deepening partnership
She is likely to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Private Industries and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman apart from her meetings with Law and Home Ministers and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, a diplomatic source told UNB.
US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Asia, USAID Änjali Kaur will be part of the delegation, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Read: Not endorsing one political party vs another in Bangladesh: US State Dept says
Zeya leads global diplomatic efforts to strengthen democracy, advance universal human rights, support refugees and humanitarian relief, promote rule of law and counternarcotics cooperation, fight corruption and intolerance, prevent armed conflict, and eliminate human trafficking.
US says it would let India speak for its bilateral relations with Bangladesh
National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, has said the US would let the Indian government speak for its bilateral relations with Bangladesh.
“I think we’d let the Indian Government speak for its bilateral relations with Bangladesh… We have already made clear our desire to free and fair elections in Bangladesh,” Kirby said while responding to a question at a briefing on the upcoming state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Diplomatic sources say regional and the global situation will come up for discussion during the Indian Prime Minister’s meeting with US President Joe Biden.
Read: Biden hosting Modi as US sees India as a pivotal force in Asia for decades to come
At the media briefing, Kirby said it is “commonplace and consistent” for President Biden to raise concerns over human rights wherever he goes and whatever leaders he is speaking to.
“Human rights are a foundational element of this administration’s foreign policy, and you can certainly expect that the President will – as he always does and as you can do with friends and partners like Prime Minister Modi in India – raise our concerns about that,” he said.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an official state visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner on June 22, according to the White House.
Read: Success in achieving ‘Sonar Bangla’ and ‘Global Britain’ depend on how Bangladesh and UK choose to cooperate: Shahriar Alam
The visit will affirm the deep and close partnership between the United States and India and the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together, said the US government.
The visit will strengthen the two countries’ shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific and shared resolve to elevate strategic technology partnership, including in defence, clean energy, and space, White House said.
Read: Momen urges US to import more medicines from Bangladesh
The leaders will discuss ways to further expand educational exchanges and people-to-people ties between India and the US, as well as their work together to confront common challenges from climate change, to workforce development and health security.
Around 200 prominent Bangladeshi Americans say 6 US congressmen’s letter ignores BNP-Jamaat persecution of Hindus in 2001
A group of around prominent 200 Bangladeshi Americans have said the recent letter from six US congressmen to President Joe Biden – demanding stricter sanctions against the Bangladesh government – contains “false and misleading information.”
The claim in the congressmen’s letter, “Since Sheikh Hasina’s rise to power, the Hindu population has been halved,” is categorically false and hides the real reasons behind the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, they said.
In particular, the letter ignores the October 2001 post-national election violence unleashed on the Hindu community by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami led coalition, the Bangladeshi Americans said.
Also read: State of Christians in Bangladesh: Archbishop Emeritus Patrick D'Rozario rejects 6 US congressmen’s letter to Biden
The congressmen’s letter also contains “incorrect information” about the persecution of the Christian population in Bangladesh under the current government, they observed.
“We, the undersigned Bangladeshi Americans, request the congressmen to withdraw the false information from the letter,” they said.
The wrong information would not only undermine the credibility of the congressmen’s stance on minority rights in Bangladesh but also jeopardize the security and safety of the undersigned Bangladeshi Americans, according to their statement.
Also read: 6 congressmen’s letter to Biden a ‘false projection’ of the state of Bangladesh’s minorities, community leaders say
Noted Bangladeshi Hindu, Christian and Buddhist leaders have already rejected the claims about the state of minority communities in Bangladesh made in the congressmen’s letter as categorically false.
They also indicated that false claims hide the real culprits behind minority persecution in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad leader Rana Dasgupta said that the congressmen’s claim of Hindu population being “halved” under Sheikh Hasina’s rule is a “travesty of truth.”
“We understand that the US elected representatives sign many statements. But false information in congressmen’s letter to President Biden is concerning and detrimental to the Bangladeshi minority communities,” wrote the Bangladeshi Americans.
Also read: Letters from 6 MEPs and 6 US congressmen: Netizens point out curious similarities, including misspelling Bangladesh PM’s name
“We again request the congressmen to withdraw the false and misleading information from the letter for the security, safety, and wellness of the Bangladesh minority and undersigned Bangladeshi Americans who have been actively fighting for minority rights in Bangladesh for decades,” they said.
The signatories are:
1. Dr. Nuran Nabi, Councilman, NJ
2. Prof. ABM Nasir, Professor, NC
3. Abu Ahmed Musa, Councilman, MI
4. Rana Hasan Mahmud, Engineer, CA
5. Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, Professor, PA
6. Shikrithy Barua, IT Engineer, NY
7. Abul Khan, State Representative, NH
8. Mahbubul Alam Taiyab, Milborne City Mayor, NH
9. Nurul Hassan, Councilman, Milborne City, NH
10. Dr. Sufian A Khandakar, Scientist
11.Dr. Ashraf Ahmed, Scientist and Writer
12. Dr. Joti Prakash Dutta, Writer, FL
13. Prof. Abu Naser Rajib, CA
14. Morshed Alam, Activist, NY
15. Ahad Ahmed, Engineer, MI
16. Dr. Baman Das Basu, Scientist, MA
17. Safeda Basu, Activist, MA
18. Dr. Khondoker Mansur, Community Leader, NY
19. Dr. Mohshin Patowari, Professor, NY
20. Jamal Uddin Hossain, Cultural Personality, AL
21. Dr. Mohshin Ali, Writer, NY
22. Dastagir Jahangir, Journalist, VA
23. Fahim Reza Noor, Activist, NY
24. Dr. Zeenat Nabi, Scientist, NJ
25. Hassan Ferdous, Columnist & Writer, NY
26. Maj (retd) Manzur Ahmed, Community Leader, NY
27. Dr.Pradip Kar, Scientist,NY
28. Dr. Protap Das, Physician, NY
29. Kowshik Ahmed, Editor, NY
30. Lovlu Ansar, Editor,NY
31. Rafayet Choudhury, Activist, NY
32. Abu Taher, Activist, PA
33. Soud Choudhury, Activist, NY
34. Dr. Mizan R Miah, Professor, IL
35. Dr. Jamil Talukdar, Professor, WI
36. Dr.Shahadat Hossain, Professor, NY
37. Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Professor, NJ
38. Dr. Khandakar Monsur, Scientist, MD
39. Dr. Syed Abu Hasnat, Teacher, MA
40. Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiyan, Businessman ,GA
41. Tajul Imam, Artist, NY
42. Abdur Rahim Badsha, Businessman, NY
43. Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Scientist
44. Abdul Qader Mia, Community Leader, NY
45. Zakaria Choudhury, Community Leader, NY
46. Bedarul Islam Babla, Commuinity leader, NY
47.Mintu Rahman, Community Leader, GA
48. Nadira Rahman, Community Leader, GA
49. Arefin Babul, Community Leader, GA
50. Dr.Shahab Siddique, Scientist, GA
51. Mohammed Ali Babul, Lawyer, NY
52. Mohammad Mowla, Community Leader, GA
53. Jharna Choudhury, Theater Artist, NY
54. Lutfun Nahar Lata, Artist, NY
55. Dr. Faruk Azam, Physician, NJ
56. Mian Helal, Businessman, NJ
57. Shamsun Nahar Helen, Technologist, NJ
58. Iqbal Yousuf, Community Leader, MA
59. Atiqur Rahman, Community Leader
60. Rumi Kabir, Writer, GA
61. Ali Ahmad Farish, Businessman, MI
62. Rashed Ahmed, Community Leader, NY
63. Sitangshu Guha, Journalist, NY
64. Dr. Dilip Nath, Teacher, NY
65. MA Salam, Community Leader, NJ
66. Fakir Ilias, Poet, NY
67. Mishuk Selim, Poet, NY
68. Khaled Sharifuddin, Poet, NY
69. Abu Sayeed Ratan, Poet, NY
70. Hassan Al Abdullah, Poet, NY
71. Mithun Ahmed, Cultural Activist, NY
72. Minhaj Ahmed, Cultural Activist, NY
73. Shakawat Ali, Community Leader, NY
74. Dr. Abdul Baten, Scientist, NY
75. Dr. Hasan Masud, Teacher, NY
76. Shahid Hasan, Artist, NY
77. Rathindra Nath Roy, Artist, NY
78. Istiaq Rupu, Poet, NY
79. Gopal Sannal, Community Leader,NY
80. Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Tuku, Businessman, NY
81. Dr. Nahid Banu, Scientist, NJ
82. Mahbub Reza Rahim, Community Leader, AZ
83. Dr. Monowar Hossain, Scientist, NJ
84. Golam Faruk Bhuyan, Businessman, NJ
85. Rehan Reza,Community Leader, KS
86. Dr. Hasan Mamun, Teacher, NJ
87. Zahedul Mahmud Zami, Community Leader, CA
88. Towfik Solaiman Khan, Community Leader, CA
89. Nazrul Alam, Community Leader, CA
90. Saifur Rahman Osmani, Broadcaster, CA
91. Dr.Golam Mostofa, Professor, PA
92. Rabiul Karim Belal, Businessman, PA
93. Dr. Ahsan Choudhury, Engineer, TX
94. Hashmot Mobin, Community Leader, TX
95. Shah Halim, Community Leader, TX
96. Maggie Halim, Community Leader, TX
97. Dr. Anisul Aslam, Physician, CA
98. Mohammad Billah Rana, Businessman, CA
99. Hadi Billah Roba, Businessman, NV
100. Quazi Shahraiar Rahman, Engineer, CA
101. Karimul Haque Chowdhury, Businessman, CA
102. Bashir Ather, Scientist, CA
103. Tapan Mondol, Social Worker, CA
104. Shah Alam, Community Leader, CA
105. Maminul Haque Bachchu, Sr. Community Leader, CA
106. Tasnim Salam Aslam, Engineer, CA
107. Abed Mansur, Community Leader, CA
108. Habib Ahmed Tia, Community Leader, CA
109. Mofazzal Hussain, Community Leader, CA
100. Mohammad Hossain Rana, Community Leader, CA
101. Abul Hasnat Rayhan, Community Leader, CA
102. Asaduzzaman Bachchu, Businessman, MI
103. Dewan Zamir,Engineer, CA
104. Belal Beg, columnist, NY
105. Nini Wahed, Journalist, NY
106. Dr.Farjahan Rahman Shawon, Professor,NC
107. Dr.Khondoker Mansur, Community Leader, NY
108. Khurshid Anowar Bablu, Community Leader, NY
109. Hassan Al Abdullah, Writer, NY
110. Syed Abu Hasnat, Professor, MA
111. Dr.Delwar Hossain, Professor, AL
112. Iqbal Yusuf, Director, Intl.Sustainable Development
113. Atiqur Rahman, Businessman, FL
114. Hassan Jahangir, Businessman, FL
115. Junaid Akhter,Community Leader, FL
116. Dr. Hemayet Ullah, Professor
117. Dr. Mahbub Pramanik
118. Dr.Purobi Bosu, Writer, FL
119. Farhana Iliyas Tuli, Poet, NY
120. Syed Mamunur Rashid, Poet, NY
121. Swapnil Firoze, Poet, NY
122. Liton Ahmed, Activist, NY
123. Golam Mohiuddin, Musician, GA
124. Nazrul Islam, Community Leader, GA
125.Farque Ahmed, Community Leader, GA
126. Mohin, Community Leader, FA
127. Abul Hassan, Community Leader, GA
128. Ahmadhur Parvez, Community Leader, GA
129. Dr. Mohammed Nasim, Community Leader, GA
130. Mahmud Abbas, Community Leader, GA
131. Mohammad Akbar Khan, Community Leader, GA
132. Reza Karim, Community Leader, GA
133. Ali Hosen, Community Leader, GA
134. Pintu Yusuf, Community Leader, GA
135. Nurul Kabir Nahid, Community Leader, GA
136. Mojammel,Community Leader, GA
137.Moshiur Rahman, Businessman, GA
138. Russel Bhuiyan, Businessman, Ga
139. Arefin Pial, Teacher, GA
140. Mahrufur Bhuiyan, Businessman, GA
141. Borhan Uddin, Community Leader, GA
142. Rashedul Karim, Businessman, GA
143. Bindu Hossen, Singer, GA
144. Rezaul Bari, Activist, NY
145. Abul Bashar Chunnu,Activist,NY
146. Nabendu Dutta,Professor, NY
147. Siraj Ahemd Sohag, Community Leader, NY
148. Shyamal Chakraborti, Community Leader, NY
149. Pranobondhu Chakraborti, Engineer, NY
150. Mohammad Fazlul Haque, Community Leader, NY
151. Parimal Karmakar, Community Leader, NY
152. Jhorna Chowhdury, Artist, NY
153. Syed Rashid Ahmed Karmani, Businessman, NY
154. Ruksana Karmani, NY
155. Farque Ahmed, Businessman, NY
156. Dilara Ahmed, Activist, NY
157. Touqid Chowdhury, Activist, NY
158. Saniyet Ahmed Chowdhury, Engineer, NY
159. Toujiat Chowdhury, PhD student, NY
160. Alim Khan Akash, Businessman, NY
161. Sabita Das, Activist, NY
162.Abul Bhashar Bhuiyan,NY
163. Shareb Ahmed,NY
164.Rontu Lal Das,NY
165. Harun Chowdhury, VA
166. Santosh Barua, Poet, VA
167. Nupur Chowdhury, VA
168. Gourab Golpo, Artist, VA
169. Nasrin Ahmed Munna, Artist, VA
170. Dr.Monowar Hossain, Scientist, NJ
171. Nahid Chowdhury, Businessman, NJ
172. Mir Chowdhury, Community Leader, NJ
173. Rafiqul Islam, Businessman, CA
174. Tasnim Salam Aslam ,CA
175. Mizanul Kabir, P.O., CA
176. Abul Hasnat Rayhan, Community Leader, CA
177. Asaduzzaman Bacchu, Community Leader, CA
178. Masud Chowdhury, Community Leader, CA
179. Mohammed Hossain Rana, Businessman, CA
180. Ruhul Amin, Businessman, MI
181. Abdul Muhit Mukta, Businessman, MI
182. Mohoshin Uddin Tipu, Businessman, MI
183. Md. Sirajuddin Tipu, Community Leader, MI
184. Dr.Adnan Morshed, Professor, WA
185. Dr.Atiar Rahman, FDA statistics, VA
186. Dr. Sadek Chowdhury, VS
187. Alauddin Ahmed, Community Leader, VA
188. Dr.Zahed Chowdhury, Software Engineer, VA
189. Nizamuddin Ahmed, CEO, Huge Network, VA
190. Saleh Ahmed,Activist, VA
191. Swapnik Khan,Activist,TX
192. Redwan Chowdhury, Community Leader, D.C.
Read more: China says PM Hasina's remarks against sanctions reflect a ‘large part of int'l community's mind’
China says PM Hasina's remarks against sanctions reflect a ‘large part of int'l community's mind’
China has said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's remarks against US sanctions were "not just the strong position of the Bangladeshi people, but also the mind of a large part of the international community, especially the developing world."
Read: Bangladesh, Denmark launch action plan to strengthen partnership on green transition
"We have noted the recent remarks by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Indeed, while turning a blind eye to its own racial discrimination, gun violence and drug proliferation problems, a certain country has long been interfering in the internal affairs of Bangladesh and many other developing countries under the pretext of democracy and human rights," said Spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Wenbin, commenting on sanctions on Bangladesh.
Read: Record 108.4 mln people forcibly displaced by end of 2022: UNHCR
He said Bangladesh and China have been traditionally friendly neighbours.
"We firmly support Bangladesh in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, upholding independent domestic and foreign policies, and pursuing a development path that suits its national realities," said the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson.
Read: Japan provides critical funding to WFP’s lifesaving food assistance for Rohingyas
He said they stand ready to work together with Bangladesh and other countries to oppose all forms of hegemony and power politics, uphold the UN-centred international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Dangling threat of visa sanctions in Bangladesh’s case, US silent on undeclared martial law situation in Pakistan: Geostrategist Chellaney
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's announcement to withhold visas from individuals "responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process" in Bangladesh is hardly conducive to the promotion of this aim, says Professor Emeritus of Strategic Studies at the Center for Policy Research in New Delhi, Brahma Chellaney.
"If anything, it is likely to prove counterproductive," he wrote in an article published by Nikkei Asia on Monday.
Also read: New US visa policy declared targeting next Bangladesh polls
Chellaney is a former adviser to India's National Security Council, and has authored nine books, including "Water: Asia's New Battleground".
US President Joe Biden’s administration “has made Bangladesh a focus of its democracy promotion efforts by dangling the threat of visa sanctions against officials who undermine free elections while staying silent on the undeclared martial law situation in Pakistan, where mass arrests, disappearances and torture have become political weapons,” writes the professor.
Also read: US govt’s new visa policy does not bother Bangladesh government: Shahriar Alam
"The short answer is that US promotion of democratic rights has long been selective, with geopolitical considerations often dominant. The pursuit of moral legitimacy for the cause of democracy promotion has also contributed to making sanctions the tool of choice for US policymakers," Prof Chellaney says.
In the case of Bangladesh, he thinks, the Biden administration is seeking to leverage two other factors: that close relatives of many Bangladeshi politicians live in the US or Britain, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son who holds an American green card; and that the bulk of Bangladesh's exports go to the West, with the US being the top destination.
Also read: Bangladesh expects new US visa policy will not be applied arbitrarily in non-objective manner
"In fact, bullying the world's seventh-most populous country, far from helping to promote a free and fair election, is more likely to revive painful memories of how the US looked the other way in 1971 as the Pakistani military brutally resisted Bangladesh's efforts to achieve independence from Islamabad, slaughtering up to 3 million people. What is Washington really after now?" — the professor questions.
Bangladesh's impressive growth trajectory stands in stark contrast to the chronic political and economic turmoil seen in Pakistan, which today is teetering on the brink of default. Yet while Bangladesh was excluded from the Summits for Democracy convened in 2021 and earlier this year by Biden, Pakistan was invited both times though it did not attend either, the article reads.
Also read: US eyeing enhanced cooperation with Bangladesh in security and trade
While continuing to reward Pakistan by prioritizing short-term geopolitical considerations, the Biden administration has been criticizing democratic backsliding in Bangladesh.
Blinken's wielding of the “visa-sanctions stick” is clearly aimed at members of PM Hasina's government, including law enforcement and other security officials, although the announcement of the new policy also mentioned members of opposition parties, Prof Chellaney writes.
Also read: US consistent on the need for free, fair election in Bangladesh: White House
"But sanctioning foreign officials usually serves no more than a symbolic purpose while hampering diplomacy. It can also have unintended consequences," he adds.
The professor observed that the new hardline towards Dhaka makes little sense. "The Hasina government could be a significant partner in the US war on terror and in improving Asian security. Instead, bilateral relations are under strain. No one from the Biden administration even met with Hasina when she visited Washington last month for discussions with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund."
"While in Singapore this month, (US Defense Secretary Lloyd) Austin declared that America ‘will not flinch in the face of bullying or coercion’ from China. But bullying and coercion are also unlikely to advance US interests in Bangladesh," the article reads.
Also read: Exaggeration, inconsistency in Congressmen’s letter: Shahriar Alam
Millions breathing hazardous air as smoke from Canadian wildfires streams south over US
Smoke from Canadian wildfires poured into the U.S. East Coast and Midwest on Wednesday, covering the capitals of both nations in an unhealthy haze, holding up flights at major airports, postponing Major League Baseball games and prompting people to fish out pandemic-era face masks.
Canadian officials asked other countries for additional help fighting more than 400 blazes nationwide that already have displaced 20,000 people. Air with hazardous levels of pollution extended into the New York metropolitan area, central New York state and parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Massive tongues of unhealthy air extended as far as North Carolina and Indiana, affecting millions of people.
“I can taste the air,” Dr. Ken Strumpf said in a Facebook post from Syracuse, New York, which was enveloped in an amber pall. The smoke, he later said by phone, even made him a bit dizzy.
The air quality index, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency metric for air pollution, exceeded a staggering 400 at times in Syracuse, New York City and Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. A level of 50 or under is considered good; anything over 300 is considered “hazardous,” when even healthy people are advised to curtail outdoor physical activity.
Also read: Out-of-control wildfires cause evacuations in western Canada
In Baltimore, Debbie Funk sported a blue surgical mask as she and husband, Jack Hughes, took their daily walk around Fort McHenry, a national monument overlooking the Patapsco River. The air hung thick over the water, obscuring the horizon.
“I walked outside this morning, and it was like a waft of smoke,” said Funk.
Canadian officials say this is shaping up to be the nation's worst wildfire season ever. It started early on drier-than-usual ground and accelerated very quickly, exhausting firefighting resources across the country, fire and environmental officials said.
Smoke from the blazes in various parts of the country has been lapping into the U.S. since last month but intensified with recent fires in Quebec, where about 100 were considered out of control Wednesday — which, unsettlingly, was national Clean Air Day in Canada.
The smoke was so thick in downtown Ottawa, Canada's capital, that office towers just across the Ottawa River were barely visible. In Toronto, Yili Ma said her hiking plans were canceled and she was forgoing restaurant patios, a beloved Canadian summer tradition.
“I put my mask away for over a year, and now I’m putting on my mask since yesterday," the 31-year-old lamented.
Quebec Premier François Legault said the province currently has the capacity to fight about 40 fires — and the usual reinforcements from other provinces have been strained by conflagrations in Nova Scotia and elsewhere.
Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre spokesperson Jennifer Kamau said more than 950 firefighters and other personnel have arrived from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and more are due soon.
In Washington, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden has sent more than 600 firefighters and equipment to Canada. His administration has contacted some U.S. governors and local officials about providing assistance, she said.
Also read: Chile wildfires spread amid heat wave as death toll rises
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Twitter that he spoke by phone with Biden and “thanked him for all the help Americans are providing as we continue to fight these devastating wildfires.”
The largest town in Northern Quebec — Chibougamau, population about 7,500 — was evacuated Tuesday, and Legault said the roughly 4,000 residents of the northern Cree town of Mistissini would likely have to leave Wednesday. But later in the day, Mistissini Chief Michael Petawabano said his community remains safe and asked residents to wait for instructions from Cree officials.
Eastern Quebec got some rain Wednesday, but Montreal-based Environment Canada meteorologist Simon Legault said no significant rain is expected for days in the remote areas of central Quebec where the wildfires are more intense.
U.S. National Weather Service meteorologist Zach Taylor said the current weather pattern in the central and eastern U.S. is essentially funneling in the smoke. Some rain should help clear the air somewhat in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic this weekend or early next week, though more thorough relief will come from containing or extinguishing the fires, he said.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said 1 million N95 masks would be available at state facilities. New York City closed beaches, and Mayor Eric Adams told residents to stay indoors as much as possible as smoke smudged out the skyline. Zoos in the Bronx and Central Park closed early and brought their animals inside.
The Federal Aviation Administration paused some flights bound for LaGuardia Airport and slowed planes to Newark Liberty and Philadelphia because the smoke was limiting visibility. It also contributed to delayed arrivals at Dulles International Airport outside Washington, where a heavy haze shrouded the Washington Monument and forced the cancellation of outdoor tours.
Major League Baseball put off games in New York and Philadelphia, and even an indoor WNBA game in Brooklyn was called off.
On Broadway, “Killing Eve” star Jodie Comer had difficulty breathing and left the matinee of “Prima Facie” after 10 minutes; the show restarted with an understudy, show publicists said. “Hamilton” and “Camelot” canceled Wednesday evening performances, with “Hamilton” publicists saying the the deteriorating air quality “made it impossible for a number of our artists to perform.” In Central Park, the popular outdoor Shakespeare in the Park performances were put off through Friday.
Schools in multiple states canceled sports and other outdoor activities, shifting recess inside. Live horse racing was canceled Wednesday and Thursday at Delaware Park in Wilmington. Organizers of Global Running Day, a virtual 5K, advised participants to adjust their plans according to air quality.
New Jersey closed state offices early, and some political demonstrations in spots from Manhattan to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, were moved indoors or postponed. Striking Hollywood writers were pulled off picket lines in the New York metropolitan area.
The smoke exacerbated health problems for people such as Vicki Burnett, 67, who has asthma and has had serious bouts with bronchitis.
After taking her dogs out Wednesday morning in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Burnett said, “I came in and started coughing and hopped back into bed.”
Still, she stressed that she's concerned for Canadians, not just herself.
“It’s unfortunate, and I’m having some problems for it, but there should be help for them,” she said.
Relations with US still 'excellent', insists Hasan Mahmud
Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said the relationship between Bangladesh and the United States remains excellent despite recent comment regarding US sanctions by PM Sheikh Hasina.
“We have taken several positive decisions in recent times to enhance our relations with the United States,” he said, while speaking at a press briefing in the Secretariat this afternoon.
Mahmud emphasized the government's desire to strengthen ties with the US.
Also Read: PM strikes defiant tone in face of US pressure
Highlighting the need to diversify trade opportunities, Mahmud mentioned that Bangladesh has not been able to increase trade with countries of South America.
He also stressed the importance of expanding trade with the Middle East beyond labour export, given the increased purchasing power and awareness in the region.
He also emphasized the trade potential in ASEAN countries and the Oceania region, citing the Prime Minister's interest in exploring these opportunities.
Also Read: New visa policy to help PM Hasina's govt in holding fair elections: US
“Prime Minister's remarks regarding the US visa policy were intended to alleviate concerns and ease tension for those worried about obtaining US visas,” he said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said it doesn't matter at all if someone goes to the USA crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a 20-hour- plane journey.
“There are other oceans and other continents in the world, we will make friends with those continents crossing the other oceans. Our economy will be stronger and more developed and vibrant,” she said firmly.
Also Read: US govt’s new visa policy does not bother Bangladesh government: Shahriar Alam
Hasan Mahmud also mentioned that Bangladesh's budget deficit stands at 5.2 percent, whereas in comparison, India's deficit is 5.9 percent, the United States' is 6 percent, and the United Kingdom's is 5.5 percent.
He referred to the proposed budget for 2023-24 as "people-friendly and poor-friendly," stating that the government aims to increase the number of direct beneficiaries and the number of allowances provided.
Also Read: People, not PM, to decide whether they go to USA or not: BNP
He further said that around two crore people would directly receive various forms of government assistance, including financial aid.
In addition, he announced that a list containing the names of individuals involved in arson attacks, as well as their instigators and financiers, would be disseminated to relevant authorities.
US says ‘the time is now’ for Sweden to join NATO and for Turkey to get new F-16s
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday the "time is now" for Turkey to drop its objections to Sweden joining NATO but said the Biden administration also believed that Turkey should be provided with upgraded F-16 fighters "as soon as possible."
Blinken maintained that the administration had not linked the two issues but acknowledged that some U.S. lawmakers had. President Joe Biden implicitly linked the two issues in a phone call to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.
"I spoke to Erdogan and he still wants to work on something on the F-16s. I told him we wanted a deal with Sweden. So let's get that done," Biden said.
Also Read: Finland could join NATO ahead of Sweden: Defense minister
Still, Blinken insisted the two issues were distinct. However, he stressed that the completion of both would dramatically strengthen European security.
"Both of these are vital, in our judgement, to European security," Blinken told reporters at a joint news conference in the northern Swedish city of Lulea with Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. "We believe that both should go forward as quickly as possible; that is to say Sweden's accession and moving forward on the F-16 package more broadly."
"We believe the time is now," Blinken said. He declined to predict when Turkey and Hungary, the only other NATO member not yet to have ratified Sweden's membership, would grant their approval.
But, he said, "we have no doubt that it can be, it should be, and we expect it to be" completed by the time alliance leaders meet in Vilnius, Lithuania in July at an annual summit.
Also Read: Erdogan might approve Finland’s NATO bid, ‘shock’ Sweden
Fresh from a strong re-election victory over the weekend, Erdogan may be willing to ease his objections to Sweden's membership. Erdogan accuses Sweden of being too soft on groups Ankara considers to be terrorists, and a series of Quran-burning protests in Stockholm angered his religious support base — making his tough stance even more popular.
Kristersson said the two sides had been in contact since Sunday's vote and voiced no hesitancy in speaking about the benefits Sweden would bring to NATO "when we join the alliance."
Blinken is in Sweden attending a meeting of the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council and will travel to Oslo, Norway on Wednesday for a gathering of NATO foreign ministers, before going on to newly admitted alliance member Finland on Friday.
Also Read: Erdogan says no support for Sweden's NATO bid
Speaking in Oslo ahead of the foreign ministers' meeting, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the goal was to have Sweden inside the grouping before the leaders' summit in July.
"There are no guarantees, but it's absolutely possible to reach a solution and enable the decision on full membership for Sweden by the Vilnius summit," Stoltenberg said.
People in support of fair polls have nothing to fear, Peter Haas says on new US visa policy
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Tuesday (May 30, 2023) said people who support free and fair election and work towards that end have nothing to fear regarding the new US visa policy.
“I don’t see any disagreement at all,” he told reporters, noting that they in the US want the same what the people of Bangladesh want – a free and fair election.
Ambassador Haas made the remarks while responding to questions on the new visa policy after a function in Dhaka.
He said the US sees positive things rather than challenges. “We have a very strong partnership on trade, security relations, people to people ties, healthcare, and good conversation on the upcoming election.”
Read more: Widened Dhaka-Washington relationship allows to freely debate on differences: Shahriar
Haas said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made a clear commitment to hold a free and fair election in Bangladesh.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in his announcement said the holding of free and fair elections is the responsibility of everyone—voters, political parties, the government, the security forces, civil society, and the media."
The ambassador spoke at the inaugural ceremony of a photo exhibition titled “Roots of Friendship: 50 Years of U.S.- Bangladesh Relations” at Edward M. Kennedy Center.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam spoke as the chief guest.
Read more: New US visa policy to curb money laundering: Momen
US, Saudi Arabia call for warring sides in Sudan to extend ‘imperfect’ cease-fire
The United States and Saudi Arabia called on warring sides in Sudan to extend a cease-fire due to expire Monday.
The Sudanese army and a rival paramilitary force, battling for control of Sudan since mid-April, had agreed last week to the weeklong truce, brokered by the U.S. and the Saudis. However, the cease-fire, like others before it, did not stop the fighting in the capital of Khartoum and elsewhere in the country.
In a joint statement early Sunday, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia called for an extension of the current truce which expires at 9:45 p.m. local time Monday.
"While imperfect, an extension nonetheless will facilitate the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people," the statement said.
The statement also urged Sudan's military government and the rival Rapid Support Forces to continue negotiations.
The fighting broke out in mid-April between the military and the powerful RSF. Both military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan and RSF leader Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo led the 2021 coup that removed the Western-backed government of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.
The fighting turned Khartoum and the adjacent city of Omdurman into a battleground. The clashes also spread elsewhere in the country, including the war-wracked Darfur region.
The conflict has killed hundreds of people, wounded thousands and pushed the country to near collapse. It forced more than 1.3 million out of their homes to safer areas inside Sudan, or to neighboring nations.
Residents reported renewed sporadic clashes Sunday in parts of Omdurman, where the army's aircraft were seen flying over the city. Fighting was also reported in al-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur.
The U.S.-Saudi statement came two days after Burhan demanded in a letter to the U.N. secretary-general that the U.N. envoy to his country be removed, The U.N. chief was "shocked" by the letter, a spokesman said.
The envoy, Volker Perthes, has been a key mediator in Sudan, first during the country's fitful attempts to transition to democracy and then during efforts to end the current fighting.
Burhan's letter came after Perthes accused the warring parties of disregarding the laws of war by attacking homes, shops, places of worship and water and electricity installations.
In his briefing to the U.N. Security Council last week, Perthes blamed the leaders of the military and the RSF for the war, saying that they have chosen to "settle their unresolved conflict on the battlefield rather than at the table."