American companies have long exploited the H-1B visa and related programs to cut labor costs rather than address genuine skill shortages. Though the visas were designed for hard-to-fill specialized roles, many firms have used them for basic coding and support jobs easily staffed domestically, according to a report in the New York Times. Nearly two-thirds […]
As Nike braces for an estimated $1.5 billion hit from tariffs this fiscal year, analysts say it may be time for the footwear giant to reconsider where its shoes are made, and Bangladesh offers one of the most compelling alternatives. Nike’s manufacturing network remains heavily reliant on China, Vietnam and Indonesia, countries where tariff rates […]
Pakistan has dispatched its first shipment of rare earth elements and critical minerals to the United States under a new $500 million agreement with US Strategic Metals. The September 8 deal, signed in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, is aimed at building secure supply chains for […]
Authorities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir struck a peace agreement Saturday with a civil rights alliance, ending days of violent protests that left at least 10 people dead. The deal, reached after two days of talks in Muzaffarabad, the regional capital, commits the regional government led by Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq to continue subsidies on […]
Advisers to Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir have floated a plan for the United States to help develop a new port at Pasni on the Arabian Sea, in a move that could expand American influence in a region dominated by China. The proposal, seen by the Financial Times, would cost up to $1.2 billion and […]
Bangladesh remains on the U.S. State Department’s Tier 2 list for human trafficking, as political turmoil has undermined the country’s law enforcement response. Civil unrest in August 2024 toppled the previous government and collapsed parts of the police force, hampering prosecutions. Authorities investigated 811 cases involving 3,334 suspects, down from 975 cases a year earlier. […]
Bangladesh is struggling under the weight of more than 1.3 million Rohingya refugees while Myanmar, the source of the crisis, faces few consequences, analysts warn. A UN conference this week again highlighted how international pledges remain thin, leaving Dhaka to shoulder a burden it did not create. Since 2017, residents of Ukhiya and Teknaf have […]
Bangladesh’s import settlements fell sharply in August, signaling a slowdown in new business and investment despite an adequate supply of U.S. dollars. Bangladesh Bank data show Letters of Credit (LC) settlements dropped 10.9% year-on-year to $4.88 billion, largely due to an 11.5% fall in capital machinery imports. Economists said entrepreneurs remain reluctant to pursue new […]
Nearly 1,000 call records linked to former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were deleted the evening of Aug. 5, 2024, the day she was ousted in a mass uprising, investigators said Monday. Tanvir Hasan Joha, a special investigator with the International Crimes Tribunal, told reporters the logs included four numbers used by Hasina and were […]
India’s new rail connectivity initiative with Bhutan underscores the value of working closely with neighbors to deepen regional integration. Indian Foreign Minister Vikram Misri announced the project alongside Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, calling it a reflection of the trust and cultural ties binding the two countries. India has also pledged about $120 million for Bhutan’s […]
