Policy analysis

The high-stakes meeting brought together 20 leaders from various political parties and organisations in two separate sessions, as Yunus sought to shore up support amid reports of internal tensions within his interim government and growing external pressure.

Beyond trade, both nations expressed keen interest in enhancing vocational training collaboration, with a specific focus on developing industry-aligned skills for Sri Lankan youth.

The army, which played a key role in ushering in the interim setup, has grown wary of Yunus's intentions.

China has grown into one of Bangladesh’s most significant economic partners. In FY 2023–24, Bangladesh imported goods worth $16.637 billion from China, accounting for 26.4 per cent of the country’s total imports, indicating the growing demand for Chinese products.

The commitments mark a key milestone in WHO’s ongoing Investment Round, a critical drive to secure sustainable financing and strengthen the organisation’s capacity to respond to global health needs.

Retrenchment is the dominant theme on both sides. However much the West and China may wish to compete for the Global South’s affections, the constraints of their respective political economies limit their offer.

Focusing on seven dominant platforms – Uber, Lyft, Amazon Flex, DoorDash, Instacart, Favor, and Shipt – the report accuses these companies of building a business model that avoids employer responsibilities, keeps wages low, and controls workers through opaque and unpredictable algorithms.

The research, meticulously titled "Social and Economic Factors in Fertility in Maldives," delved deep into the experiences and perspectives of 479 women aged between 18 and 45, alongside valuable input from men and healthcare professionals through focused group discussions.