DHAKA: Bangladesh’s main opposition party yesterday refused a request from the prime minister to form an all-party government to oversee upcoming elections, setting the stage for a showdown this week that could delay or derail the polls. The tension is a fresh threat to the garment export industry rocked by deadly factory accidents over the past year. The ruling Awami League in 2011 scrapped a “caretaker government” system — whereby neutral leaders take over three months before elections and oversee polls — and is refusing to step down by October 24, as should have happened ahead of elections by January. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought to defuse the crisis, offering the formation of an all-party government to see through the elections with her staying head of government.
Entry fee for foreigners likely
BANGKOK: Thailand is considering charging foreigners a $16 entry fee from January next year, said the health minister. Officials from the ministries of tourism, sports and public health and the Royal Thai Police agreed with the idea, Xinhua quoted Pradit Sintavanarong as saying on Sunday. The health ministry would gather information and help the ministry of interior in legislating law. The fees would go into the national coffers before being transferred to different agencies.
Peace talks on track: Aquino
MANILA: President Benigno Aquino III expressed optimism yesterday that the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf), the largest Muslim insurgent group in the country, could complete four annexes of the framework agreement within the year. He said his Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles told him that dialogue on the two remaining annexes — power-sharing and normalisation — continued. “I was assured that we’re on track. The government and the Milf peace panels failed to sign the power-sharing and normalisation annexes early this month in Malaysia.
Deal for more OFWs in Iraq
MANILA: The government is pursuing a deal with Iraq for the hiring of more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). “We are negotiating with Iraq so we could fully open the market for Filipino workers,” Labour Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said yesterday. She said the government has lifted the ban on deployment to Iraq after the peace and order situation there improved, but the hiring of Filipino workers remains limited as there are still “no go” zones in Iraq. AGENCIES
