The recently unveiled draft regulations by the European Union this week are likely to impact Chinese exports if enacted, contributing to heightened tensions between Beijing and Brussels, the Voice of America reported, citing analysts. The recently unveiled draft regulations by the European Union this week are likely to impact Chinese exports if enacted, contributing to heightened tensions between Beijing and Brussels, the Voice of America reported, citing analysts.    The regulations, disclosed on Wednesday, aim to safeguard the EU's economy and prevent sensitive technology from reaching geopolitical rivals. A statement accompanying the draft positioned the regulations as part of an initiative to bolster the bloc's economic security "at a time of growing geopolitical tensions and profound technological shifts," Chermaine Lee writes in VOA. The comprehensive package includes measures to reinforce export controls, identify potentially risky foreign investments in the tech sector, enhance the security of sensitive research, and scrutinize foreign investments. Chinese foreign direct investment into Europe has slowed in recent years, reaching an eight-year low in 2022, as concerns about supply chain, technology, and infrastructure security have grown, according to Clara Brandi, a professor of economics and political science at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability in Bonn, reported VOA.   The new limits come despite China's pleas for the EU to loosen limitations on high-tech items. On the day the economic security package was announced, China's Chamber of Commerce in the EU issued a statement stating that more than half of the enterprises polled were concerned about the impact of the new screening process, VOA reported. More than one-fifth of the 180 Chinese firms polled indicated they intended to grow their presence in Europe during the next one to three years, as well as boost their investment and merger and acquisition activity. Notably, Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week. During the meeting, Li urged the EU to "uphold justice, compliance, and transparency in economic and trade matters" and "treat Chinese enterprises fairly." Li also urged the EU to proceed "prudently" as it implements restrictive economic and trade policies.   Source: ANI

Bangla Academy has announced the names of 16 winners of its 2023 literature awards on Wednesday (Jan 24).     They include Shamim Azad for poetry, and Nuruddin Jahangir and Salma Bani for fiction. Zulfiker Matin has won the award for essay or research, and Saleha Chowdhury in translation. For screenplay, Mrittika Chakma and Masud Pathik have shared the award.     The award for children’s literature goes to Tapankar Chakraborty. Afroza Parvin and Asaduzzaman Asad have won the award for research on the Liberation War. The academy has named Saifullah Mahmud Dulal and Md Mojibur Rahman as the winners of the award for research on the Father of the Nation Bangaandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Enam Al Haque has been named for science writing, science fiction or works on environmental science.   For autobiography, memoirs or travelogue, Ishaque Khan has won the award. Tapan Bagchi and Sumankumar Dash are the winners of the award under the folklore category.     Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will distribute the awards at the inauguration of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair in Dhaka in the beginning of February.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 15-member Under-19 team today (1st January) with an aim to win the trophy for the second time. The selectors have retained the same squad for the World Cup that had won the U-19 Asia Cup in Dubai recently. Left-arm spinner Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby will lead the side with Ahrar Amin as his deputy. "After winning the trophy in 2020, we hoped to retain it in 2022 too but it eluded us. However, we now have strong hopes to regain the title this year," U-19 team selector Hannan Sarkar told the media at a press conference at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur Monday (1st January). The young Tigers will be in Potchefstroom for a pre-event camp from January 9-12. Bangladesh are slotted in Group A in the tournament alongside India, Ireland and the USA. The youngsters in red and green open their campaign against holders India in Bloemfontein on January 20. The top two teams of the group will move on to the quarter-finals of the 16-team event. Squad: Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby (Captain), Ashiqur Rahman Shibli, Jishan Alam, Chowdhury Mohammad Rizwan, Adil Bin Siddik, Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Boranno, Ariful Islam, Shihab James, Ahrar Amin (Vice Captain), Sheikh Parvez Jibon, Rafi Uzzaman, Rohanat Doullah Borson, Iqbal Hasan Emon, Wasi Siddiquee, Maruf Mridha Standby: Nayeem Ahmed, Rizan Hossan, Ashraful Hasan, Tanvir Ahammed, Akanto Sheikh

Jatiya Party, the main opposition party in the national parliament has announced its candidates for 289 constituencies for the upcoming national parliamentary elections. Party Secretary General Md. Mujibul Haque Chunnu has announced the names at a press briefing attended by top leaders at the party chairman's office in Banani. Moreover, JP chairman GM Quader will contest from Rangpur-3 and Dhaka-17. On the other hand, his wife MP from reserved seats, Sherifa Quader will contest from Dhaka- 18 as well. Jatiya Party didn't announced the name to any of its leaders to contest from Mymensingh-4 because Raushan Ershad who is the the party's chief patron and opposition leader have been vying this constituency in the previous elections. Raushan Ershad's son, MP Rahgir Almahe Ershad who was elected as a member of the parliament from JP was not given nomination.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said today (Thursday) that the election schedule would be announced "very soon" as the time for the next national polls is imminent. He came up with the announcement after a meeting between EC officials and President Mohammad Shahabuddin at the Bangabhaban. The EC officials reached the Bangabhaban for the meeting in the morning. Election commissioners Ahsan Habib Khan, Rasheda Sultana, Md Alamgir and Md Anisur Rahman accompanied Awal to the presidential palace with CEC.

The All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA) Punjab announced a strike in all educational institutions of the province until the cancellation of the leave encashment notification. AGEGA Punjab has been holding a sit-in outside the Civil Secretariat for the past two days to protest against the proposed privatisation of public schools, amendments to pension regulations, and the cessation of leave encashment. They initiated a protest campaign against the government on Tuesday. A total of 34 organisations representing employees from various Punjab government departments, including health, education, and higher education, along with members of the All Pakistan Clerks Association, are participating in the sit-in. Throughout the day, protesters chanted slogans against the caretaker government and Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The Punjab government has erected barricades outside the Civil Secretariat and deployed police on the Lower Mall. AGEGA Punjab office bearers conducted a meeting outside the Civil Secretariat since no government representative approached them to address their concerns after two days had passed. AGEGA leader Tariq Zaidi told Dawn that the meeting had resulted in the decision to close all educational institutions in protest, with no teachers attending classes. He said that they had previously engaged in a partial strike, but the government had not approached them to address their demands. Zaidi criticised the government for pursuing anti-worker and labor policies, vowing not to permit such actions.

Bangladesh cricket board revealed 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu announced the squad on Saturday morning in a press conference. There is no place for the veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah while 22-year-old opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim has been called as the new face. Bangladesh squad for Asia Cup Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Liton Kumar Das, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Tawheed Hriday, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehdi Hasan Miraj, Nasum Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Ebadat Hossain, Nazmul Hasan Shanto, Sheikh Mahedi Hasan, Tanjid Hasan Tamim, Shariful Islam, Shamim Hossain Patwari and Afif Hossain.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said, "There is nothing to feel anxious about the United States newly announced visa policy." On Thursday, May 25, Mr. Momen uttered his hope that the groups who indulge in violence, arson and destruction, will be vigilant. Foreign Minister Momen told, "We do not want any arson, violence and destruction. We hope that through the United States visa policy, these type of acts (arson, violence and destruction) will abate." We are not under pressure. Relationship between the United States and Bangladesh is very good. Newly visa policy of the United States will strengthen Sheikh Hasina's position. She wants to arrange a free and fair election. Mr. Momen said, "Awami League always committed to voters. Our Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is also promised this." The Foreign Minister added, "We take it (the matter coming from the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken) positively."

It has been heard for the past few days that Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Kumar Das are going to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) instead of playing the only Test against Ireland.  But the reality is different. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has remained steadfast in its decision regarding the two.  The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced the Test team against Ireland keep in Shakib-Litton in the squad. The BCB announced the 14-member squad for the Test Saturday, April 1 in a statement.  No new surprises in the team. But the presence of Shakib-Litton will undoubtedly give relief to the team management. Because they are one of the most important members of the team in test format as in other two formats. Shakib-Litton did not go to play in the IPL as they have not received a no-objection letter (NOC) yet.  BCB did not give them a no-objection letter before the end of the Ireland series, mainly considering the national team.  However, these two cricketers will leave the country to play for Kolkata Knight Riders after playing the Test. The only Test between Bangladesh and Ireland will start from April 4. The match will be played at Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur. Bangladesh Test Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Litton Das (Vice Captain), Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Shoriful Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy.

Final three nominees for the Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper and the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper announced FIFA has announced the final nominees in the women’s and men’s goalkeeper category. The winners will be crowned on Monday, 27 February 2023 in Paris. Finalists for the Best FIFA Women’s Coach and the Best FIFA Men’s Coach will be announced on Thursday, 9 February 2023. FIFA has announced the finalists for the Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper and the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper awards for the 2022 edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards. The final three nominees for the Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper are: Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany / Chelsea FC Women), Mary Earps (England / Manchester United WFC), Christiane Endler (Chile / Olympique Lyonnais). The final three nominees for the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper are: Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Sevilla FC), Thibaut Courtois (Belgium / Real Madrid CF), Emiliano Martínez (Argentina / Aston Villa FC). These two awards are given to the outstanding goalkeepers in women’s and men’s football as voted for by an international jury respectively comprising the current coaches of all women’s/men’s national teams (one per team), the current captains of all women’s/men’s national teams (one per team), one specialist journalist from each territory represented by a national team and fans registered on FIFA.com. The full voting and award process is detailed in the Rules of Allocation. In addition, the finalists for the Best FIFA Women’s Coach and the Best FIFA Men’s Coach will be announced on Thursday, 9 February 2023, and the finalists for the Best FIFA Women’s Player, the Best FIFA Men’s Player and the FIFA Puskás Award will be communicated on Friday, 10 February 2023. All the winners of the Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 will be crowned at a special ceremony on Monday, 27 February 2023 in Paris. Source: FIFA