Chinese President Xi Jinping Sunday said China's "reunification" with Taiwan is inevitable--striking a stronger tone than last year--while addressing the nation in a speech marking the New Year, ahead of the general elections in the Chinese-claimed island to elect a new leader, Reuters reported. Beijing claims Taiwan to be its "sacred territory". Though Xi Jinping made no mention of military threats in his New Year speech, China has never renounced the use of force to bring it under control. "The reunification of the motherland is a historical inevitability," Reuters quoted the Chinese President as saying, though Xinhua used a simpler translation of his remarks: "China will surely be reunified". "Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," Xi said. The official English translation wrote "all Chinese" rather than "compatriots". During the last year speech ahead of New Year, Xi said people on either side of the strait are "members of one and the same family" and hoped that both sides will work together to "jointly foster lasting prosperity of the Chinese nation". Beijing considers the current Vice President Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate for Taiwan's ruling Democratic Party (DPP), a dangerous separatist. Last year, Xi said only that people on either side of the strait are "members of one and the same family" and that he hoped people on both sides will work together to "jointly foster lasting prosperity of the Chinese nation". China has taken particular exception to current Vice President Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate for Taiwan's ruling Democratic Party (DPP) and leading in opinion polls by varying margins, saying he is a dangerous separatist. "Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," Xi said. The official English translation wrote "all Chinese" rather than "compatriots". During last year's speech ahead of New Year, Xi said people on either side of the strait are "members of one and the same family" and hoped that both sides would work together to "jointly foster lasting prosperity of the Chinese nation". Beijing considers the current Vice President Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate for Taiwan's ruling Democratic Party (DPP), a dangerous separatist. "As the leading figure of the DPP authorities and current DPP chairman, Lai Ching-te cannot escape his responsibility for this," Chen added. Tsai and Lai have repeatedly offered talks with China, but have been rebuffed. According to theruling DPP only Taiwan's people can decide their future. Whereas Lai's main opponent Hou Yu-ih from Kuomintang (KMT) favours close ties with China but strongly denies being pro-Beijing. Lai Saturday said the Republic of China and People's Republic of China "are not subordinate to each other", wording he and Tsai have used previously which has also riled Beijing.   Source: Mint

The High Court (HC) today fixed on Wednesday to hold hearing on a rule issued regarding banning the publication and broadcasting of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman's speech in media. A High Court division bench comprising Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Khairul Alam set the date. Advocate Qamrul Islam, Sanzida Khanom and Nasrin Siddiqa Lina took part in hearing for a writ petition filed in this regard, while Additional Attorney General SM Munir and Deputy Attorney General Bipul Baghmar stood for the state. Earlier on August 13, The High Court had ordered to correct the addresses of Tarique Rahman and send its notice regarding the rule on those addresses. on January 6, 2015, Advocate Nasrin Siddiqa Lina filed the writ, pleading for court's instructions to take necessary measures not to publish, broadcast, screen and reproduce any statement of Tarique Rahman in any newspaper, electronic media, social media or any other electronic device or media, as he is a fugitive convict. The High Court on January 7, 2015, issued the interim rule over banning the publication and broadcasting of Tarique Rahman's speech in media.

The UN Human Rights Council says hate speech is on the rise worldwide. The body voted to condemn Quran burnings and religious hatred following a debate held at Pakistan's request. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Wednesday adopted a resolution condemning recent incidents in which the Quran was burned. That was despite many countries' choosing not to back the resolution for fear of it infringing on freedom of speech. Amongst the 47 council members, there were 28 votes in favor of the resolution, 12 votes against, and seven abstentions. 'Alarming rise' in acts of religious hatred On Tuesday the UNHCR debated the issues of religious protection and speech rights at an urgent meeting convened at Pakistan's request. Pakistan and other nations said they had been moved to action by "the alarming rise in premeditated and public acts of religious hatred as manifested by recurrent desecration of the Holy Quran in some European and other countries." Mistreating the Quran is considered blasphemy in Islam. "We must see this clearly for what it is: incitement to religious hatred, discrimination and attempts to provoke violence," Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said in a video address to council members. "Speech and inflammatory acts against Muslims, Islamophobia, antisemitism, and actions and speech that target Christians — or minority groups such as Ahmadis, Baha'is or Yazidis — are manifestations of utter disrespect. They are offensive, irresponsible and wrong," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said as the special session got underway. Türk said hate speech must be combated through awareness, dialogue, education and interfaith engagement. He added that provocations such as public Quran burnings "appear to have been manufactured to express contempt and inflame anger; to drive wedges between people; and to provoke, transforming differences of perspective into hatred and, perhaps, violence." "Powered by the tidal forces of social media, and in a context of increasing international and national discord and polarization, hate speech of every kind is rising everywhere," Türk said. "It is harmful to individuals, and it damages the social cohesion necessary to the sound functioning of all societies." Free speech must be weighed against religious freedom The most recent such high-profile incident came in Sweden on June 28, when a Quran burning outside Stockholm's main mosque sparked global backlash among Muslims. Pakistan and members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation hope to get a resolution passed on the issue of Quran burning Tuesday or later in the week. Regardless of the law or personal belief, Türk said, "people need to act with respect for others." Sweden's right-wing government condemned the "Islamophobic" act but said it had an obligation to ensure the "constitutionally protected right to freedom of assembly, expression and demonstration." Türk said: "Every national limit on the greater right of free speech and free expression of opinion must be so formulated so that its only task, its only outcome, can be the protection of the individual — and not the protection of religious doctrines from critical analysis." He warned of the rising tide of hate speech, noting that individuals are continuously singled out for abuse because of their religion, skin color or sexual orientation. Social media, he said, fueled national and international conflicts and polarization. He said segments of societies struggled with religions being misused for political purposes. This is the UNHRC's second of three annual sessions. It will run through Friday.

The UN Human Rights Council says hate speech is on the rise worldwide. The body voted to condemn Quran burnings and religious hatred following a debate held at Pakistan's request. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Wednesday adopted a resolution condemning recent incidents in which the Quran was burned. That was despite many countries' choosing not to back the resolution for fear of it infringing on freedom of speech. Amongst the 47 council members, there were 28 votes in favor of the resolution, 12 votes against, and seven abstentions. 'Alarming rise' in acts of religious hatred On Tuesday the UNHCR debated the issues of religious protection and speech rights at an urgent meeting convened at Pakistan's request. Pakistan and other nations said they had been moved to action by "the alarming rise in premeditated and public acts of religious hatred as manifested by recurrent desecration of the Holy Quran in some European and other countries." Mistreating the Quran is considered blasphemy in Islam. "We must see this clearly for what it is: incitement to religious hatred, discrimination and attempts to provoke violence," Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said in a video address to council members. "Speech and inflammatory acts against Muslims, Islamophobia, antisemitism, and actions and speech that target Christians — or minority groups such as Ahmadis, Baha'is or Yazidis — are manifestations of utter disrespect. They are offensive, irresponsible and wrong," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said as the special session got underway. Türk said hate speech must be combated through awareness, dialogue, education and interfaith engagement. He added that provocations such as public Quran burnings "appear to have been manufactured to express contempt and inflame anger; to drive wedges between people; and to provoke, transforming differences of perspective into hatred and, perhaps, violence." "Powered by the tidal forces of social media, and in a context of increasing international and national discord and polarization, hate speech of every kind is rising everywhere," Türk said. "It is harmful to individuals, and it damages the social cohesion necessary to the sound functioning of all societies." Free speech must be weighed against religious freedom The most recent such high-profile incident came in Sweden on June 28, when a Quran burning outside Stockholm's main mosque sparked global backlash among Muslims. Pakistan and members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation hope to get a resolution passed on the issue of Quran burning Tuesday or later in the week. Regardless of the law or personal belief, Türk said, "people need to act with respect for others." Sweden's right-wing government condemned the "Islamophobic" act but said it had an obligation to ensure the "constitutionally protected right to freedom of assembly, expression and demonstration." Türk said: "Every national limit on the greater right of free speech and free expression of opinion must be so formulated so that its only task, its only outcome, can be the protection of the individual — and not the protection of religious doctrines from critical analysis." He warned of the rising tide of hate speech, noting that individuals are continuously singled out for abuse because of their religion, skin color or sexual orientation. Social media, he said, fueled national and international conflicts and polarization. He said segments of societies struggled with religions being misused for political purposes. This is the UNHRC's second of three annual sessions. It will run through Friday.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was safely evacuated from an event in the city of Wakayama after what was reported to be a "smoke bomb" was thrown at him. A suspect has been apprehended. Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was rushed from a speech after a smoke bomb was thrown near him in the city of Wakayama on Saturday, public broadcaster NHK said. The prime minister was safely evacuated from the scene, the broadcaster added. "Police are investigating the details of the loud explosive sound at the previous speech venue," Kishida said when he resumed his campaign speeches, in video broadcast by Japan's national broadcaster NHK. "I am sorry for causing many people to be concerned. We are in the middle of an important election for our country. We must carry this on together." His Liberal Democratic party said on Twitter that scheduled campaigning events on Saturday and Sunday would be held as planned.  "We are very sorry for your concern," the party said. What do we know so far? Japanese media reported a blast followed by smoke filling the area as Kishida began his speech. The Jiji news service said a pipe-like object was thrown at him. NHK reported the prime minister was taken to the Wakayama prefectural police headquarters and was safe.  News footage appeared to show officers subduing and detaining a suspect at the scene. NHK said he was held on suspicion of obstruction of business. There were no immediate signs of injuries or damage. When the incident occurred, Kishida was touring a fishing harbor in Wakayama to support his ruling party's candidate in a local election. Politicians receive extra protection after Abe assassination Japan has bolstered security for its politicians after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot dead on the campaign trail in July 2022. The incident shocked a country that witnesses little violent crime. Japan will host the G-7 summit for world leaders in Hiroshima next month. A series of G7 meetings were underway in Japan ahead of next month's summit.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that ‘Joy Bangla’ slogan and the 7th March speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will expedite the journey of development. "I believe that 'Joy Bangla' slogan and the 7th March speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will expedite the journey of development," she said in a message issued on the occasion of the historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu. Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is the role model of development recognized by the world due to the government's initiatives.  "We have established digital Bangladesh. We will transform the country into a smart Bangladesh by 2041," she said. She said after the AL took charge of the country in 1996, it repealed the Immunity Ordinance proclaimed by the murderers - Mustaq-Zia and started trial for killing of the Father of the Nation. "Subsequently, we have formed governments three consecutive times since 2009 and devoted ourselves to the overall development of the country in the spirit of Bangabandhu. We have established the rule of law in the country by enforcing the verdict of Bangabandhu killing; as a result, the nation freed from stigma," Sheikh Hasina said. She said the historic March 7 speech was recognised by UNESCO as a "World Heritage Document" on October 30, 2017. Not only that, she said, UNESCO thinks that Bangabandhu had declared the independence of Bangladesh indirectly through this speech. The Primer said the worldwide recognition of the historic March 7 speech of the Father of the Nation is a rare honour and pride for the Bangalee nation. "Today is an unforgettable day in the life of the Bangalee nation. On this day in 1971, the undisputed leader of the Bangalee nation, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, delivered an 18-minute fiery speech standing on the historic Racecourse Maidan, now known as Shaheed Suhrawardy Udyan," Sheikh Hasina said. Terming Bangabandhu and Bangladesh synonymous, the premier said the Father of the Nation fought against the Pakistanis for long 24 years, while tolerated imprisonment and oppression and led all the movements for realising the just rights of the people of East Bengal and establishing an independent state on the world map. She said Bangabandhu was the only strongest voice among the exploited and deprived Bangalees in the last thousand years. Under his leadership, the Awami League achieved majority in the 70’ elections, she said, adding, "However, the Pakistanis started making excuses without handing over the responsibility of running the country to the AL". Involving the people from all walks of life in Bangladesh, Bangabandhu called for a non-cooperation movement against the Pakistani rulers, Sheikh Hasina said. She said: "In his speech on March 7 in 1971, he uttered an immortal message of freedom and showed us the path to freedom from struggle". Till March 25, every person in the country ignored the rule of Yahya Khan and followed the instructions of Sheikh Mujib properly, the prime minister said. "The Pakistani ruler arrested him (Bangabandhu) on that night. He officially declared independence before his arrest," she said. Unfortunately, Sheikh Hasina said, by assassinating Bangabandhu and most of his family members on August 15 in 1975, the local allies of the defeated enemies of '71 avenged their defeat.

In the 21st session of the 11th National Parliament and the first session of the year, Abdul Hamid gave his last speech as President of the state. On Thursday, January 05 at 4 pm the session started under the chairmanship of Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury.  Prime Minister and Parliament Leader Sheikh Hasina also present in the session. According to the constitution, the President addresses the first session of the year.  Later there will be a general discussion on President speech. Finally, a vote of thanks will be accepted from the National Assembly.

Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday termed prime minister Shehbaz Sharif’s speech at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as a copy-paste version of Imran Khan’s speech at the same platform.   “It was a copy-paste of Imran Khan’s address,” PTI Senior Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a statement, reported Geo News.   Qureshi said that Shehbaz addressed the issues in a similar manner as the PTI chairman did during his speech. “Maybe he copy-pasted an earlier speech of Imran Khan.”   It was a good gesture of Shehbaz Sharif to remind the developed world that they were behind the climate catastrophes across the globe, but what steps have Shehbaz Sharif and his brother [Nawaz Shairf] taken for climate change?” Qureshi questioned pointing out to Sharif’s remark at UNGA, where he said that the purpose of his speech was to explain the impact of the climate catastrophe that has put one-third of Pakistan in such a situation that “no one had seen in living memory”.   The PTI leader alleged that if the previous governments of PPP and PML-N had built water storage facilities in the last four decades, the country would not be facing such a grave situation right now, reported Geo News.   Since June this year, Pakistan has endured harsh monsoon weather resulting in a serious humanitarian and development crisis.   According to government estimates, about 33 million people across the country have been affected by unrelenting heavy rains and flooding – the worst in decades.   Millions of acres of crops and orchards – many of those ready to harvest – have been damaged and destroyed, and the next planting season is threatened. Agriculture is a critical source of sustenance and livelihood for the majority of families in Pakistan, and for the economy of the country.   Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his speech at UNGA highlighted the devastation caused by the floods in his country due to the impact of the climate catastrophe and urged the global leaders to act before it’s too late.   “For 40 days and 40 nights, biblical flood poured on us. Even today, huge swathes of the country are still underwater. 33 million people including women and children are at high risk of health hazards. More than 1,500 of my people have gone from the world including 400 children. Far more are in peril,” he said underlining that Pakistan emits less than 1 per cent of greenhouse gases yet why his people were paying the price of global warming.   He stated that the future was “dimmed by new fragility, lost homes, decimated livelihoods, deluged croplands, permanent food insecurity and exposure to uncertain futures”.   “Some 11 million people will be pushed further below the poverty line, while others will drift to cramped urban shelters, leaving little room for climate-smart rebuilding.”   “Nature has unleashed her fury on Pakistan without looking at our carbon footprint, which is next to nothing. Our actions did not contribute to this,” he reiterated.   Pakistan’s PM said that the leaders of the world have to come together to “act now.”   Source: ANI

Shubho Shun Dha, and good evening, everyone.  I am Bryan Schiller, the Acting Spokesperson from the United States Embassy here in Dhaka.  I want to thank RTV for having me here tonight and for holding the Banglar Gayen competition. This unique competition is a wonderful opportunity for young people of Bangladeshi origin in the United States to develop their brains and direct their energies toward activities that are beautiful and productive.  When a young mind is focused in this way, it naturally turns away from activities that are destructive or those that are simply a waste of time. The Banglar Gayen competition helps young people to feel connected to their ancestral homeland.  It is a terrific way to highlight the rich culture of Bangladesh and to put a spotlight on the incredible Bangladeshi diaspora that lives in the United States.  It truly brings people together. A popular dish in parts of the United States is called “stew.”  A stew is a combination of solid food ingredients that have been cooked in liquid and served in the gravy that results.  Typically, it has meat, potatoes, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and other vegetables, all mixed together.  I have heard American culture described as a stew.  You take Bangladeshis, and Indians, and Chinese, and Mexicans, and Germans, and Brazilians, and Australians, and Nigerians, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, and you mix them all together in one bowl—one environment—and the result is an amazing blend of flavors.  The Bangladeshi diaspora is one ingredient in that wonderful stew.  The ten amazing finalists here tonight are a taste of that stew! The Banglar Gayen competition also connects people from the United States to the people of Bangladesh, which is particularly meaningful this year because we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between our two countries.  U.S. Ambassador Peter Haas likes to say that in the last 50 years, Bangladesh has had no better friend than the United States of America.  We have given over $8 billion in development assistance and cooperated with you in countless areas, as we have witnessed the explosive, remarkable growth of your economy.  We expect that in the next 50 years, we will continue to be your greatest friend, and tonight, we are celebrating that friendship.  Thank you, and dhonyobād to RTV for hosting this evening. * Bryan is a Public Diplomacy officer who has previously served in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea; Paris, France; and Kabul, Afghanistan (twice).  Before joining the Foreign Service, he was a Foreign Affairs Officer for the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.  He is an Army veteran and a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.  Bryan holds a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University, and a Juris Doctor. from the Stetson University College of Law.  He has studied Dari, French, and Spanish.  

Your Excellency Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister for External Affairs of India, Distinguished Members of the Delegation   Good afternoon to you all.   It is wonderful to be back in the uniquely historic city of Delhi after our meeting at Guwahati for NADI 3 conference in May. My sincere thanks to you, Excellency, for inviting me for the 7th Joint Consultative Commission between our two countries. I am touched by the warmth and generosity of your hospitality extended to me and to my delegation since the time of our arrival in Delhi.   Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 6th Joint Consultative Commission between our two countries was held on virtual platform in September 2020. Though we have had the opportunity to meet physically many times including twice in Dhaka when you visited us, the 7th JCC gives us an opportunity to sit together for a timely stocktaking of the status of cooperation and progress in various sectors between our two countries.   The year 2021 was a momentous one for India and Bangladesh as we jointly celebrated three epochal events – Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence and 50th anniversary of establishment of Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations. Both the countries have taken up yearlong programs to celebrate these auspicious occasions. The celebration has reached its peak with the launching of the trailer of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s biopic - ‘Mujib: The Making of a Nation’, at the 75th Cannes Festival in France on 19 May 2022. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Government of India and my Indian friends on the occasion of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ – the year-long celebrations to mark the 75th year of India’s Independence.   Since the Virtual Summit of 17 December 2021 between the two Prime Ministers and the State Visit by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India to Bangladesh on 26-27 March 2021, the concerned authorities on both sides have remained engaged in taking forward the directives, despite the COVID-19 restrictions and challenges. In 2021-22, we saw State Visits by both the Hon’ble President and the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, your visits to Dhaka, Secretary Level Talks of Water, Shipping, Commerce and Power, and Joint Working Group meetings of multiple sectors. All these have been in addition to other initiatives we witnessed such as trade through rail routes, inauguration of new inland waterways route, capacity-building initiatives, the first trial run of Indian cargo from Kolkata to North-East India and of course, cooperation on COVID-19.   Excellency,   Our shared history, geography, culture and values, and shared commitment to peace, security and development have given us unique confidence to forge partnership not only on the bilateral front but on a wide range of issues in various regional and multilateral forums. During the last twelve years, under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, our Government has taken bold steps towards strengthening our relations with India in depth and dimensions. We have attained tangible results in many areas, such as, settling land and maritime boundary demarcation, security, connectivity, development cooperation, cultural exchange, power and energy, trade and commerce, blue economy, defence and so on.   Excellency,   We happily recognise the growing mutual dependency of the economies of Bangladesh and India. We need collective efforts for early recovery from economic devastations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions due to the ongoing conflicts in the Europe. Bangladesh has made a strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the volatility of markets following the Ukraine conflict is a cause for concern. We need collective collaborative efforts to sustain our economic growth and maintain peace, security and stability in the region. I thank you, Excellency! Jay Bangla! Jay Bangbandhu! May Bangladesh- India relations live forever!