The government of Bangladesh has ordered tax and customs officials to immediately end a two-day nationwide strike that has paralysed tax operations, including customs services at the country’s key trade gateway, Chittagong Port.
In an official statement, the interim government warned that failure to return to work would prompt “strict measures” to safeguard national interests and economic stability, though no specifics were provided. Authorities emphasised that import and export activities must continue without disruption and classified all National Board of Revenue (NBR) positions as essential services.
The strike follows a May 12 government directive dissolving the NBR and replacing it with new revenue divisions aimed at modernising operations, eliminating redundancies, and increasing efficiency. However, many employees view the reforms as a threat to job security and institutional autonomy. They are calling for changes to the restructuring plan and demanding the resignation of the NBR chairman. A complete shutdown began Saturday to press these demands.
Business leaders have expressed alarm, cautioning that a prolonged standoff could destabilise supply chains, hinder tax collection, and further erode investor confidence in an already fragile economic climate.
The protests add to mounting challenges for the transitional administration of Muhammad Yunus, who took office after widespread student protests forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused French President Macron and German Chancellor Merz of losing common sense over their stance on Russia, also calling Kyiv a "Nazi regime".
Over a third of Tuvalu's population has applied for Australia's climate visa, as rising sea levels threaten to submerge the Pacific nation within decades.
A data transmission failure at Milan's Area Control Center has suspended over 300 flights across northwest Italy since Saturday evening.
Fourteen militants were killed in a security operation following a deadly suicide bombing on a military convoy in northwest Pakistan that left 13 soldiers dead.
Over 1 million Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan since January, amid calls from the interim government to help rebuild the country.
U.S. President Trump says a group of “very wealthy people” is ready to buy TikTok, but the deal will require China’s sign-off—despite looming deadlines under U.S. law.
Protesters braved extreme heat in Seville on Sunday to call for debt relief, fairer taxation, and climate action on the eve of a major UN summit on global development.
An early-season heat wave pushed temperatures above 40°C across Europe over the weekend triggering red alerts and wildfire warnings.
A currency conversion glitch at Norway’s state gambling company led thousands of Eurojackpot winners to believe they had won massive prizes—until the mistake was corrected.
Blue Origin launched six passengers into space aboard New Shepard, completing an 11-minute sub-orbital flight that crossed the Kármán Line.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
Severe rain in Venezuela has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, sweeping away homes and collapsing a highway bridge, with five states affected and no casualties reported so far.
A data transmission failure at Milan's Area Control Center has suspended over 300 flights across northwest Italy since Saturday evening.
A sweeping tax-cut and spending bill backed by President Donald Trump is advancing through the U.S. Senate, setting the stage for a high-stakes legislative push that could reshape America’s fiscal landscape for years to come.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal held talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Madrid on Sunday, focusing on enhanced military cooperation, joint defense production, and Ukraine’s bid to begin European Union accession talks.
Protesters braved extreme heat in Seville on Sunday to call for debt relief, fairer taxation, and climate action on the eve of a major UN summit on global development.
An early-season heat wave pushed temperatures above 40°C across Europe over the weekend triggering red alerts and wildfire warnings.
A currency conversion glitch at Norway’s state gambling company led thousands of Eurojackpot winners to believe they had won massive prizes—until the mistake was corrected.
U.S. President Trump says a group of “very wealthy people” is ready to buy TikTok, but the deal will require China’s sign-off—despite looming deadlines under U.S. law.
Protesters braved extreme heat in Seville on Sunday to call for debt relief, fairer taxation, and climate action on the eve of a major UN summit on global development.
An early-season heat wave pushed temperatures above 40°C across Europe over the weekend triggering red alerts and wildfire warnings.
A currency conversion glitch at Norway’s state gambling company led thousands of Eurojackpot winners to believe they had won massive prizes—until the mistake was corrected.
Blue Origin launched six passengers into space aboard New Shepard, completing an 11-minute sub-orbital flight that crossed the Kármán Line.
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