Norway may pull investment from Rampal coal plant
The massive 1,320 megawatt Rampal thermal plant would sit on the edge of Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, in Bangladesh. For more than two years, citizens, artists, and social and environmental activists protested plans to build this plant close to a forest that is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s world heritage site as well as a Ramsar wetland site. In September 2013, about 20,000 people marched for five days from Dhaka to Dighraj. ‘The long march’ covered a distance of nearly 250 miles, to demand the scrapping of the power plant.
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Gender equality means business: UN
Although businesses were not part of the discussions at the historic Beijing Women’s Conference 20 years ago, it is now clear that achieving gender equality will require the concerted efforts of the private sector, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told participants at the annual Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) event at UN Headquarters.
“Removing the barriers that keep women and girls on the margins of economic, social, cultural and political life must be a top priority for us all – businesses,...
“Removing the barriers that keep women and girls on the margins of economic, social, cultural and political life must be a top priority for us all – businesses,...
IMF Bangladesh forecast low
The Bangladesh economy will grow by about 6 percent, less than previously forecast, in the year to end-June if political violence persists, the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday.
More than 120 people have died since protests surged on Jan. 5, the first anniversary of contested national elections. Transport blockades and strikes, led by the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and aimed at toppling the government, have disrupted business in the impoverished South Asian nation of 160 million people.
“The economy may gro...
More than 120 people have died since protests surged on Jan. 5, the first anniversary of contested national elections. Transport blockades and strikes, led by the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and aimed at toppling the government, have disrupted business in the impoverished South Asian nation of 160 million people.
“The economy may gro...
British aid ‘being used to stamp out political opposition’
British aid money may have been used to help corrupt regimes stamp out political opposition, a damning report warns today.
The study by the government’s aid watchdog warns that a £52 million programme to help strengthen Bangladesh’s security services could have been used to target opponents of the regime.
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The study by the government’s aid watchdog warns that a £52 million programme to help strengthen Bangladesh’s security services could have been used to target opponents ...
The study by the government’s aid watchdog warns that a £52 million programme to help strengthen Bangladesh’s security services could have been used to target opponents ...
UN again calls for peaceful solution
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has emphasised the need for finding a solution to the current situation in Bangladesh.
The UN High Commissioner made the remarks when the Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali met him at his office 
in Geneva.
While briefing the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights about the current spate of violence in Bangladesh, the Foreign Minister said some of the recent acts of BNP-Jamaat are almost identical to ...
in Geneva.
While briefing the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights about the current spate of violence in Bangladesh, the Foreign Minister said some of the recent acts of BNP-Jamaat are almost identical to ...
End extreme poverty? Let’s start with financial access for all
What if you had no secure, affordable way to save money, pay bills, or obtain a business loan?
When I was a doctor working with Partners In Health in Haiti and Peru, I didn’t think a lot about this question. We were more concerned with helping people receive treatment for diseases such as multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and HIV. And 
although we also helped patients access education, training, and get good jobs – many actually started to work with us – we never really discussed how access to financial services could serve as a bridge out of poverty.
I...
although we also helped patients access education, training, and get good jobs – many actually started to work with us – we never really discussed how access to financial services could serve as a bridge out of poverty.
I...
