After Taiwan's military expert issued a warning on Wednesday about Chinese warplanes encroaching closer to Taiwan, defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng offered reassurances to its people, Focus Taiwan reported. Retired Air Force Lieutenant General Chang Yen-ting raised alarms based on a Ministry of National Defence chart posted on April 21 depicting two Chinese fighter jets breaching the Taiwan Strait median line, nearing Keelung city by 41 nautical miles. According to Focus Taiwan, Chang's analysis suggested that a People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft could reach Taipei's Presidential Office within four to five minutes, leaving scant time for Taiwan's military to respond adequately. Further, Chang highlighted the critical six-minute window required for Taiwanese warplanes to intercept intruding PLA aircraft, underscoring the urgent need for preparedness against potential incursions. Before a fighter jet gets close to Taiwan's airspace, Chang said Taiwan's military can only continue to monitor and track down PLA warplanes with anti-air missile systems, exposing the weakness of the nation's air-defence system, Chang added, as per Focus Taiwan. Asked to comment on Chang's warning, Chiu said Wednesday that Taiwan's military has a regular intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system in place "exactly for the purpose of preventing the scenario from happening," without elaborating. He confirmed, however, that without military counterattack measures in place, "it is true that a fighter jet would reach the Presidential Office within three to five minutes [if they are 41 nautical miles (76 kilometres) from Keelung]." Chiu was also asked about local media reports that a Chinese oceanographic survey and research ship the Xiang Yang Hong No. 6 was detected in waters off Hualien County on April 22. He answered that it was not unusual for Taiwan to detect Chinese survey and research ships in waters around Taiwan, and while noting that the latest detection of a Chinese vessel "came at a sensitive time," he said Taiwan's Coast Guard and military have responses ready, without elaborating. The MND has issued daily reports on Chinese military activities for the past few years, including identifying those Chinese aircraft, drones, and balloons that are found to have crossed the Taiwan Strait median line to the Taiwan side. On Tuesday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence detected six Chinese naval vessels and two military aircraft around the country between 6 am on April 22 and 6 am on April 23, Taiwan News reported. The median line of the Taiwan Strait served for decades as a tacit border between China and Taiwan, but China's military has more freely sent aircraft, warships and drones across it since former United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022. Meanwhile, China is currently trying to open two new air routes, with flight paths near two outlying islands controlled by Taiwan, which is its latest move to up the pressure on Taiwan, Voice of America reported, citing several analysts. The M503 route runs alongside the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which once served as an unofficial border between China and Taiwan. Since the new air routes initiated by Beijing run very close to the median line of the Taiwan Strait, some experts say China is trying to redefine the status quo across the Taiwan Strait based on its terms, China's Taiwan Affairs Office, which oversees cross-strait relations, said.  Source: msn

On the  occasion of the official visit of  PM Sheikh Hasina to Thailand, a business meeting was organized  on 26 April 2024 by the Embassy of Bangladesh in Bangkok. Minister of finance Mr. Abul Hasan Mahmood Ali, MP, Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud and many more attended the event. Foreign Minister called upon the private sectors of Thailand to take full advantage of various government incentives for business, investment, and partnership that will ultimately contribute to the overall development and prosperity of Bangladesh's economy. FM Hasan Mahmud has emphasized the potential for trade and investment between Bangladesh and Thailand. He called upon the private sectors of Thailand to take full advantage of various government incentives for business, investment, and partnership which will ultimately contribute to the overall development and prosperity of Bangladesh's economy. He said this during a business meeting with PM Hasina on her six-day official tour to Thailand. The Foreign Minister also enlightened Thailand's significance as a key trade partner for Bangladesh within the ASEAN region.  FM was pleased to mention the signing of the Letter of Intent (LoI) to commence the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries earlier on the day and emphasized the importance of early commencement of FTA for enhancing bilateral trade and balancing trade deficit between the two countries.  Furthermore, he stressed the importance of fostering increased people-to-people contact as a means to strengthen the bonds between Bangladesh and Thailand.  He said that the Bangladesh Government might benefit from Technology Transfer from the Thai Government and invited Thai investment in the Tourism sector of Bangladesh. He further added that as a bridge between South Asia and South East Asia, Bangladesh could be considered for investment as a regional hub and for its reasonable size of market. He urged the private sectors of Bangladesh and Thailand to explore all opportunities while assuring the required facilitation from the Government.   He highlighted agricultural business, digital economy, logistics and light manufacturing sectors which Thai investors may consider for investment. The event was attended by prominent business personnel from the Thai business community.  Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Abdul Hye thanked all the dignitaries and guests for their presence at the event.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday recalled the contributions of Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Haque, recalled his struggle for economic freedom of the peasants and toiling people of the country, and prayed for eternal peace of his departed soul. She paid rich tributes to the late leader's Shrine at the historic Sohrawardi Udyan. PM paid this tribute on the occasion of his 62nd Birthday. Awami League General Secretary and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader paid tribute to Sher-e-Bangla by laying flowers at the tomb at 8 am on Saturday (April 27). Later central leaders paid tribute on behalf of Awami League. After finishing that, central leaders keeping silence for 1 minute. At this time, Awami League presidium member Kazi Zafar Ullah, Dr. Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nashim, Organizing Secretary BM Mojammel Haque, Abu Saeed Al Mahmud Swapan, Sujit Roy Nandi and many more were present.

Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen has directed all hospitals across the country to be prepared to deal with adverse conditions amid severe heatwave. The Health Minister gave the directive at a virtual meeting with hospital directors and civil surgeons across the country at the Secretariat on Sunday. He said that there is a risk of heat stroke in the summer. There is enough stock of saline and medicines. Due to the heatwave, patients with cold cases (who do not need to be admitted now) have been advised not to be hospitalized at this time. Hospitals have been prepared for a hostile environment. Advising children and the elderly not to go out of the house without need, the Health Minister said that the holidays of educational institutions will be extended after understanding the situation. We will not put children at risk.  

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen said that there was no disruption of health services in any hospital in the country even during the long vacation of Eid. He said this while talking to reporters after visiting Mugda Medical College Hospital in the capital on Thursday (April 11). The Health Minister said that though the Eid vacation is going on, there was no disruption of health services in any hospital in the country. "This is my first Eid as a minister. I hope the people of the country are celebrating Eid very nicely. I went to two hospitals on Wednesday and found enough doctors and nurses in both places. I am satisfied. I also talked to patients. No one complained," he added. "I have sent a message to the directors of all the hospitals in the country this morning. As far as I know, treatment is going on everywhere. There was no disruption anywhere. I found enough doctors and nurses in every hospital I have visited and I am satisfied with their services.", said Dr Samanta Lal Sen.

Ireland's parliament has voted in Simon Harris as the country's youngest ever prime minister. Harris, 37, replaces Leo Varadkar after he abruptly quit last month citing personal and political reasons. Simon Harris has become the Republic of Ireland's youngest ever prime minister, or taoiseach, after being elected to succeed party colleague Leo Varadkar. The 37-year-old former health and higher education minister, best known for coordinating Ireland's initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, received 88 votes from lawmakers, with 69 against. Fine Gael party leader Harris will now travel to the official residence of the president of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, where his appointment will be confirmed. Harris' predecessor both as Fine Gael leader and taoiseach, Varadkar, abruptly stepped down last month citing personal and political reasons. Varadkar formally resigned at an audience with President Higgins on Monday evening, paving the way for Harris' election on Tuesday. Who is Ireland's new prime minister, Simon Harris? Born in Greystones, County Wicklow, on Ireland's east coast, about 30 kilometres (18 miles) south of Dublin, Harris quit university aged 20 to work as a political aide, was elected to parliament at just 24 and was handed a cabinet post before he turned 30. At Fine Gael's annual party conference on Saturday, the father-of-two outlined his focus on law and order, supporting small businesses and reconnecting with rural voters. What are Simon Harris' political challenges? But Harris takes charge of a coalition government which has less than a year until an election which could see the opposition left-wing, Irish Republican Sinn Fein take power for the first time. Recent polling data shows Fine Gael on just 21% of the vote, ahead of coalition partners Fianna Fail (16%) but behind Sinn Fein (26%). Harris he will face the same deep-rooted problems, including unease at record numbers of asylum seekers but most notably a severe shortage of affordable housing. Data on Monday showed asking prices for Irish homes rose by 6.5% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2024, the fastest rate of growth since 2022. An opinion poll on Sunday showed housing remained Irish voters' top concern, and Harris has pledged to fix the crisis "once and for all." Harris is due to announce a reshuffle of the Fine Gael members of the cabinet, which therefore won't include the foreign or finance ministries, but a coalition agreement leaves little room for major new policy initiatives.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said police and intelligence agencies are working to strengthen security across the country ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. He said this after a meeting for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr at the Home Ministry conference room at the Secretariat on Monday (April 1). The minister said all measures will be taken to maintain law and order across the country during Eid-ul-Fitr. Police and intelligence agencies will be deployed alongside uniformed police to prevent theft, robbery, hijacking, extortion and terrorist activities. He said police patrols will be in all important places, big cities and ports, including the diplomatic areas of the capital. Besides, special measures will be taken to maintain law and order on waterways.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that we are a nation of heroes, we will keep our heads high. No one can stop our indomitable progress. He made this remarkes while addressing a reception and discussion meeting of freedom fighters organized by Dhaka district administration at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Tuesday (March 26). He said Bangladesh's independence was achieved through a series of movements. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the inspiration of a series of movements from 1952 to 1971. "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a source of inspiration for all of us who took part in the war. Today, Bangladesh is transforming into a smart Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This trend will continue in the coming days.

Simon Harris has taken the helm of Ireland's Fine Gael party after Leo Varadkar's surprise resignation. Its left-wing rival, Sinn Fein, has been leading in opinion polls. Simon Harris on Sunday took over Ireland's ruling center-right Fine Gael party, paving the way for his election as prime minister. He took over from Leo Varadkar, who announced his surprise departure on Wednesday. Harris ran unopposed in the election for party leadership. He is 37 years old, meaning he will be Ireland's youngest prime minister if elected. He has no more than a year before new parliamentary elections. Fine Gael's left-wing rival, Sinn Fein, has been leading in opinion polls over the last few years. The party favors reunification with Northern Ireland. Since 2020, Fine Gael has governed in coalition with the conservative Fianna Fail, the Greens, and a number of independent deputies. Harris pledges party 'reset,' fight against populism "This is a moment for Fine Gael to reset," Harris said at a party event in the town of Athlone in central Ireland. "Under my leadership, Fine Gael stands for supporting businesses, especially small businesses ... Fine Gael stands for supporting the family farm ... Fine Gael stands for law and order, on the side of An Garda Siochána (police), where our streets are safe and crime is never allowed go unchecked." He said that this was a "moment for Fine Gale to reconnect" with the people. "I want this party to fight against populism and deliberate polarization," he said. He said that Fine Gael is a "proudly pro-European party." He condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and called for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. Harris served as health minister from 2016 to mid-2020 and is known for helping steer the country's initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He later served as justice minister and as minister for higher education and science.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has strongly condemned the terrorist attack that took place at Crocus City Hall in Moscow that left over 130 people dead. In a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, PMstrongly condemned the cowardly and senseless terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall in Moscow on March 22, 2024. "I am extremely shocked and resentful at the loss of so many innocent lives. "I am praying for the salvation of the departed souls and extending my heartfelt condolences to their families. " Sheikh Hasina wished a early recovery of those injured in the attack.