Bangladesh's Yunus meets Xi Jinping in Beijing amid strained ties with India
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Bangladesh’s interim government chief, Muhammad Yunus, in Beijing on Friday, AFP reported.
The visit comes as Bangladesh seeks new allies in the wake of strained relations with India.
Yunus is on a four-day visit to China to strengthen ties and attract investment. He previously went to the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan, according to AFP.
This is his first bilateral visit after taking office in August 2024, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations.
Yunus is joined by Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, High Representative Khalilur Rahman, SDG Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, and Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.
'Local government role vital for development of agriculture'
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari has said that the role of local government was instrumental for the development of the agriculture sector.
At a meeting with the chiefs and deputies of the local levels from Dhading district at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development on Thursday, Minister Adhikari said so while expressing commitment to incorporate the recommendations from the local levels on agriculture development.
Adhikari also vowed to make maximum efforts to ensure best policy and programmes on agriculture.
Trump administration to cut vaccine aid to developing countries
The Trump administration is planning to end funding for Gavi, a global health organization that helps provide vaccines and other life-saving care to developing countries, The Guardian reported.
A 281-page spreadsheet obtained by the New York Times lists the Trump administration’s plans for thousands of foreign aid programs, including financial cuts to the organization that buys vaccines for children, as well as scaling back on programs that combat malaria in developing countries.
Gavi is estimated to have saved the lives of 19 million children since it was set up 25 years ago with the US contributing 13% of its budget, the Times said.
“The US has historically been one of Gavi’s biggest donors and I hope that longstanding champions on Capitol Hill will urge the administration to reverse course,” said Janeen Madan Keller, policy fellow and deputy director of the global health policy program at the Center for Global Development, according to The Guardian.
She added: “Gavi is one of the most impactful global health initiatives. We know that vaccinating children is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve health and save lives – which is exactly why Gavi has enjoyed bipartisan support to date.
“This latest move will turn back years of hard-won progress and stymie Gavi’s efforts to stop the spread of infectious disease outbreaks before they reach the US border.”
Canada PM Mark Carney says old relationship with US 'is over'
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Canada's old relationship with the United States, "based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation, is over".
Speaking to reporters in Ottawa after a cabinet meeting, Carney said Canadians must "fundamentally reimagine our economy" in the face of US President Donald Trump's tariffs, BBC reported.
He said Canada would respond with retaliatory tariffs that will have "maximum impact" on the US.
Trump announced on Wednesday he would target imported vehicles and vehicle parts with a 25% tax, stating: "This is permanent."
