Bangladesh Ambassador-designate to Mexico Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey on Monday said he would put in his best efforts to significantly expand trade relations with the North American country in addition to exploring wider areas of cooperation between the two countries. “There’s ample opportunity to further expand trade volume with Mexico,” he said, referring to the bilateral trade volume between the two countries which is now around $674.6 million. While having an interaction with the members of Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) over tea at its Lounge at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mushfiqul said there is a lot to do to present the country in Mexico. “I believe there is a huge scope to work to that end.” Mexico relocates migrants far from US border He said it is a great privilege and honour for him to work in the team of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. “I will try my best to show due respect to the trust and confidence that he has placed in me.” Nobel Laureate Dr Yunus offered his vision of an emerging new economic system in his book ‘A World of Three Zeros: The New Economics of Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment, and Zero Net Carbon Emissions’. Ambassador Mushfiqul said there is a huge campaign in favour of Dr Yunus’s vision of “Three Zeros” and social business.    Dr Yunus urges Malysia to issue multiple-entry visas for Bangladeshi workers

Around 100 migrants from various countries roamed aimlessly through the streets of Acapulco, a troubled resort on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Having trekked for weeks across southern Mexico alongside hundreds of other migrants, they agreed to immigration officials’ proposal to travel to Acapulco, expecting to continue their journey toward the U.S. border. Instead, they found themselves stranded on Monday, reports AP. Trump threatens to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China on first day in office With President-elect Donald Trump’s second inauguration just two weeks away, Mexico persists in breaking up high-profile migrant caravans and scattering migrants across the country to keep them away from the U.S. border and prevent their concentration in any one area. This "dispersion and exhaustion" strategy has been a cornerstone of Mexico’s immigration policy in recent years. It has significantly reduced the number of migrants reaching the U.S. border, explained Tonatiuh Guillén, former chief of Mexico’s immigration agency, it said. Claudia Sheinbaum to be sworn in as Mexico’s 1st female president Guillén added that the current administration hopes the reduced migrant numbers will help counter Trump’s pressure. Guillén left the administration of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador after Trump threatened tariffs over migration during his first term. Acapulco, once a jewel of Mexican tourism, is an unlikely destination for migrants. The city is grappling with organized crime and is still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Otis in 2023. On Monday, while Mexican tourists enjoyed the final moments of their holiday beach vacations, migrants slept on the streets or sought ways to resume their northward journeys, the report said. “Immigration officials told us they’d give us a permit to travel freely across the country for 10 to 15 days, but that didn’t happen,” said 28-year-old Venezuelan migrant Ender Antonio Castañeda. “They abandoned us here with no way to leave. They won’t sell us bus tickets or anything else.” Castañeda, like thousands of others, had left Tapachula, a southern city near the Guatemalan border. In recent weeks, more than six caravans of about 1,500 migrants each have departed from Tapachula, but none got far. 6 die in landslide caused by heavy rains in Mexico Authorities allow the migrants to walk for days before exhaustion sets in and then offer to transport them to various cities, promising to review their immigration status—a process with uncertain outcomes. Some migrants have ended up in Acapulco, where about a dozen sleep at a Catholic church near immigration offices. On Monday, dozens gathered outside the offices seeking information, but no one provided answers. Castañeda, having received money from his family and desperate to leave, opted for a ride from a van driver he deemed the most reliable, despite fares being five times higher than regular bus tickets to Mexico City. Some migrants discovered that the permits they received restrict their travel to Guerrero state, where Acapulco is located, while others have had more luck. On Sunday, a recent migrant caravan disbanded after hundreds received transit permits allowing unrestricted travel within Mexico for a limited time. Cuban migrant Dayani Sánchez, 33, and her husband were among those granted such permits. “We’re a little scared about safety while traveling by bus, fearing we might be stopped,” she said. Mexican drug cartels often target migrants for extortion or kidnapping, and some migrants accuse authorities of similar practices. President Claudia Sheinbaum has claimed that her immigration policy prioritises humanitarian concerns, allowing more migrants to leave southern Mexico. However, migration advocates have pointed out that migrants are often sent to dangerous regions. The Rev. Leopoldo Morales, a priest at the Catholic church near the immigration offices in Acapulco, expressed similar concerns. In November, buses carrying migrants—including families—arrived in Acapulco. Last weekend, two more buses brought adult migrants. Although Acapulco is not a traditional migration route and lacks infrastructure to support migrants, local priests have coordinated efforts to provide water, food, and clothing. “They’re in dire straits, arriving with nothing,” Morales said. Migrants quickly realise finding work in Acapulco is nearly impossible. Following Hurricane Otis, the federal government deployed soldiers and National Guard troops to aid reconstruction and ensure security. However, the city continues to struggle with violence. Acapulco remains one of Mexico’s most violent cities, with high homicide rates. Local cab drivers and small business owners—who spoke anonymously—reported rising extortion, deterring large businesses from rebuilding. Honduran migrant Jorge Neftalí Alvarenga, relieved to have left Chiapas near the Guatemalan border, was already disillusioned. “They misled us,” Alvarenga said. “We asked for arrangements to take us to Mexico City for work or even places like Monterrey, where there are more job opportunities.”

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Mexico City has marked a significant milestone  with the launch of e-passport services, transforming travel security and convenience for Bangladeshi citizens. With e-passport services now fully operational from Sunday, Bangladeshi nationals in Mexico, along with those in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador, and other Latin American countries, can enjoy enhanced services, faster processing, and a more seamless travel experience, said the Embassy on Monday. This initiative underscores the collaboration between the government of Bangladesh, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and key stakeholders. Bangladesh Ambassador Abida Islam inaugurated the initiative, highlighting its role in modernizing national travel infrastructure and meeting global standards. The event was attended by members of the Bangladeshi community, and dignitaries from Bangladesh and Mexico. The Embassy in Mexico City is now the 52nd Bangladeshi mission to introduce e-passport services, advancing the government’s efforts to digitize and enhance efficiency. The e-passport system ensures advanced security, faster immigration processing, and a seamless travel experience aligned with international standards. Read: Bangladesh Mission in KSA inaugurates e-passport services for expatriates The event featured a documentary detailing the evolution of the e-passport system and remarks from prominent members of Bangladeshi community, including Arifuzzaman Kabir (Ericsson), Aktaruzzaman (Japan-Bangladesh Tobacco Limited), Azad Hossain (restaurateur), and Shamsul Alam Khan Chowdhury (Grameen Carso). Their reflections underscored the initiative’s potential to enhance global mobility and strengthen community ties. Khalil Ahmed, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Dhaka, and technical perspectives from Mahbubur Rahman, Deputy Project Director, Department of Passport and Immigration, Dhaka, also spoke highlighting the system's implementation and long-term vision. Read more: Bangladesh Embassy in Portugal launches e-Passport facilities The event concluded with the presentation of a commemorative crest to Ambassador Abida Islam, followed by the ribbon-cutting of the e-passport facility and the symbolic handover of e-passport delivery receipts to two Bangladeshi nationals in Mexico City.

The word pyramid is often associated with the three large triangular structures in Egypt. These iconic tombs of the Egyptian Pharaohs are a testament to the glorious history and ancient culture of the country. However, beyond the borders of Egypt, there are other pyramids scattered across the globe. Each of these structures has their own history and purpose. Let’s look at 10 of the most famous pyramids that put visitors under a spell.  Top 10 Notable Pyramids Across the World  Most of the noteworthy pyramids are located in Egypt. However, pyramids were also discovered in Mexico which are similar to the ones in Egypt with a distinctive design. This list comprises the pyramids in Egypt and Mexico as they are the most iconic ones with deep-rooted history.  The Great Pyramid of Giza The Great Pyramid of Giza is located in the pyramid complex of Giza Valley in Egypt along with two other pyramids. The Great Pyramid stands tall as the largest one among the three. It is the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu of the fourth Egyptian Dynasty.  The pyramid was built in 2570 BCE by royal patronage before the death of Khufu. At its center, the tip of the pyramid is 146.6 meter long from the base. Initially, the pyramid was constructed with 2.3 million blocks of smooth limestone and granite which have mostly eroded over time.  Read more: Top 15 Heritage Sites of Bangladesh The inside of the pyramid has three chambers: the king’s chamber, the queen's chamber, and a subterranean chamber which was never finished.  Pyramid of Khafre  The Pyramid of Khafre is the second largest pyramid in the Giza complex. The Pyramid of Khafre was also built during the fourth dynasty by Pharaoh Khafre, son of Khufu, and was intended to be his burial site. The construction started sometime in 2570 BCE.  The top of the pyramid still retains some of the original limestones. The height of the pyramid is 136.4 meters at its peak. However, it looks taller compared to the Great Pyramid because of its position on a higher base structure.  Read more: Top 10 Historical Mosques in Bangladesh

A high school student who killed three women in northwestern New Mexico with an indiscriminate spray of gunfire left a cryptic note presaging “the end of the chapter” and wore a bulletproof vest that he discarded before being shot to death by police, authorities said Wednesday. Police added new details to the profile of the lone gunman and the weaponry he used as he walked through his residential neighborhood before being confronted by officers and fatally shot outside a church. The shooter discharged more than 190 rounds during the rampage, according to authorities, most of them from the home he shared with his father. Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe said in a news conference that 18-year-old Beau Wilson was wearing what appeared to be a modified vest with steel plates and that the note was found in his pocket. Handwritten in green lettering, the message said in part, “if your reading this im the end of the chapter.” Wilson began shooting with an AR-15 rifle just outside his home, from the front porch area, but quickly dropped that into some bushes even though it still held more live ammunition, police said. The gunman continued firing with two pistols, discarding a .22-caliber gun and then depleting rounds from a 9-mm handgun in the final shootout with police, during which he let off at least 18 rounds. Slain by the shooter were longtime Farmington residents Gwendolyn Schofield, 97, her 73-year-old daughter, Melody Ivie, and 79-year-old Shirley Voita, police said. The women were well known in the community, in part through participation in faith-based groups. Ivie ran a preschool for four decades that was attended by several generations of residents. Those wounded in the attack include Farmington police Sgt. Rachel Discenza and New Mexico State Police Officer Andreas Stamatiadas. The officers were treated at a local hospital and released. Police are probing Wilson’s access to weapons and concerns about his prior mental health, and efforts are underway to subpoena medical and school records that might shed light on any issues. Also read: New Mexico high school student killed 3 women in 'random' shooting rampage, police say “We have been talking with family members and trying to do more investigation into his mental health that appears to — early on — to be a factor,” Hebbe said. At the same time, Hebbe said, “there did not appear to be significant indications that ... something was going to happen that day.” New Mexico enacted a so-called red flag law in 2020 that can be used to seize guns from people who pose a danger to themselves or others. Judicial records show the Farmington Police Department has petitioned successfully for the removal of guns in other instances, most recently in February. In November, after he turned 18, Wilson legally purchased the assault-style weapon used Monday, according to police. They believe two of the three weapons he carried were owned by relatives. Two days before the attack, Wilson purchased additional ammunition magazines, police said. Authorities said it appears he shot indiscriminately at vehicles, and bullets struck 11 of them along with seven homes. Additional weapons and ammunition were found at the home Wilson shared with his father, but Hebbe said he did not appear to have organized those before he left the house. The suspect had access to over 1,400 rounds of ammunition and 10 other weapons at the time of the attack. “He planned to use the three weapons he had,” Hebbe said, “and he went outside and he did just that.” Police say evidence shows that at least 176 rounds were fired by Wilson from an assault rifle near his house at the outset of the rampage. A community vigil was planned for Wednesday night at the Farmington Museum, the latest in a series of gatherings to remember and mourn victims of the shooting. Wilson was a senior at Farmington High School and had been scheduled to graduate the next day. At the school’s commencement ceremony Tuesday, speakers talked of resilience and hope. A chair was left empty with a bouquet of white roses “in memory of those we lost throughout the years,” school district spokesperson Roberto Taboada said.

Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen bilateral relations with Mexico, and looks forward to exploring new avenues for cooperation and collaboration. The Embassy of Bangladesh in Mexico City hosted a grand reception at the chancery to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of independence and National Day of Bangladesh. The event, originally scheduled for March 26, 2023, was held on April 28 due to the holy month of Ramadan in March. The reception was attended by a distinguished group of high-ranking officials, including ambassadors, government officials, academicians, local dignitaries, and media personnel. Also read: Bangladesh Embassy in Mexico observes historic March 7 The guest of honour was the Director General of the Asia Pacific wing of the Foreign Ministry of the United Mexican States, Fernando Gonzalez Saiffe. During his speech at the event, Saiffe highlighted the close and growing friendship between Bangladesh and Mexico, demonstrating Mexico's commitment to enhancing the relationship further. He expressed deep satisfaction with the remarkable economic development and social progress that Bangladesh has achieved, which he witnessed in person during his maiden visit to Bangladesh in November 2022 while attending the Second Foreign Office Consultation in Dhaka. Director General Saife assured the audience that he is committed to fostering a more dynamic and tangible relationship between Bangladesh and Mexico as the bilateral relations have bright potential for future cooperation. This commitment is particularly significant with the upcoming opening of the Mexican embassy in Dhaka this year, which will provide an avenue for greater collaboration, communication, and partnership between the two nations. Ambassador Abida Islam, in her brief speech, paid rich tributes to the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the martyrs of the Liberation War in 1971 for their immense contributions, underscoring their supreme sacrifices for the nation. She also mentioned that the event was also a celebration of the progress Bangladesh has made since its independence in 1971, highlighting the ongoing socio-economic development of Bangladesh under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Referring to the enduring bond between Bangladesh and Mexico, rooted in mutual respect, trust, and shared values, the ambassador also mentioned that the establishment of a Mexican embassy in Dhaka this year will further enhance bilateral relations and create new collaboration opportunities. The guests were later treated to traditional Bangladeshi cuisine, which offered a taste of the country’s rich cultural heritage.    

The anonymous tip that led Mexican authorities to a remote shack where four abducted Americans were held described armed men, people wearing blindfolds and plenty of activity around a ranch. Authorities headed for the rural area east of Matamoros on Tuesday morning, leaving the highway and driving remote dirt roads looking for the described location, according to Mexican investigative documents viewed Friday by The Associated Press. Finally, they saw the wooden shack far from any homes or businesses, surrounded by brush, and a white pickup parked outside that matched the one the Americans had been loaded into last Friday. Then they began to hear someone shouting, “Help!” Inside the shack, the documents said, Latavia “Tay” McGee and Eric Williams were blindfolded. Beside them were the bodies of Shaeed Woodard and Zindell Brown, wrapped in blankets and plastic bags. When authorities arrived, McGee and Williams shouted desperately to them in English. A guard who tried to escape out a back door was quickly apprehended, the documents said. He was wearing a tactical vest, but there is no mention of him being armed. Also Read: Two kidnapped Americans found dead in Mexico, 2 others alive The four Americans had crossed into Matamoros from Texas so that McGee could have cosmetic surgery. About midday, they were fired on in downtown Matamoros and then loaded into the pickup truck. Another friend, who remained in Brownsville, called police after being unable to reach the group that crossed the border. A Mexican woman, Areli Pablo Servando, 33, was also killed, apparently by a stray bullet. In the letter obtained by The Associated Press through a Tamaulipas state law enforcement official Thursday, the Scorpions faction of the Gulf cartel apologized to the residents of Matamoros where the Americans were kidnapped, Servando, and the four Americans and their families. But relatives of the abducted Americans said that the purported apology has done little to dull the pain of their loved ones being killed or wounded. Woodard’s father said he was speechless upon hearing that the cartel had apologized for the violent abduction captured in video that spread quickly online. “I’ve just been trying to make sense out of it for a whole week. Just restless, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat. It’s just crazy to see your own child taken from you in such a way, in a violent way like that. He didn’t deserve it,” James Woodard told reporters Thursday, referring to his son’s death. The cousin of Williams, who was shot in the left leg during the kidnapping, said his family feels “great” knowing he’s alive but does not accept any apologies from the cartel. “It ain’t gonna change nothing about the suffering that we went through,” Jerry Wallace told the AP on Thursday. Wallace, 62, called for the American and Mexican governments to better address cartel violence. U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar told reporters Friday that U.S. officials had contacted President Andrés Manuel López Obrador directly over the weekend to ask for help in locating the missing Americans in Matamoros. He said the cartel there “must be dismantled.” The letter attributed to the cartel condemned last week’s violence and said the gang turned over to authorities its own members who were responsible. “We have decided to turn over those who were directly involved and responsible in the events, who at all times acted under their own decision-making and lack of discipline,” the letter reads, adding that those individuals had gone against the cartel’s rules, which include “respecting the life and well-being of the innocent.” A photograph of five bound men face-down on the pavement accompanied the letter, which was shared with The Associated Press by the official on condition that they remain anonymous because they were not authorized to share the document. A separate state security official said that five men had been found tied up inside one of the vehicles that authorities had been searching for, along with the letter. That official also spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the case. On Friday, Tamaulipas state prosecutor Irving Barrios said via Twitter that five people related to the violence had been arrested on charges of aggravated kidnapping and homicide. He said only one other person had been arrested in recent days.

Dhaka, Mar 3 (UNB) - Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard has announced that his country will open an Embassy in Dhaka in the second half of the yeae - 2023. While in New Delhi, Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard met with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Friday and announced the opening of a Mexican embassy in Bangladesh for the second half of this year. With a population of over 170 million, Bangladesh is a major player in the Central Asian region, according to the Mexican government. Read more: Dhaka urges G20 countries to make concerted efforts to overcome global challenges Mexico is interested in boosting business and cooperation with Bangladesh, particularly in the pharmaceutical, agribusiness, and technology sectors. Bangladesh already has an embassy in Mexico.

María Elena Ríos has conflicting feelings about her saxophone: She once blamed the instrument for bringing her to the brink of death — but it also has been her salvation. Ríos, 29, thought her career as a musician and her devotion to her saxophone were what led her former boyfriend — an influential politician — to hire the men who splashed acid onto her face and body, disfiguring her. Later, she learned he simply couldn't accept that she had broken off their relationship. Some of the attackers and the ex-boyfriend are in jail, but Ríos still had to come to terms with her instrument. Her love of the saxophone, in the end, is helping heal the psychological scars left by the terrifying attack. “We are reconciling, little by little,” Ríos said of the musical instrument. “I hated it, because I thought it was responsible” for the 2019 attack in Mexico's southern state of Oaxaca. She's performed live since then, but still wears a mask covering her lower face. “It bothered my attacker a lot that I was a musician," Ríos recounts, "because he said we musicians were vagrants, poverty stricken, that we just took drugs and that when I went to concerts I probably participated in orgies.” The ex-politician who allegedly ordered the attack is being held in jail while awaiting trial, as are two other men, but another remains at large. Meanwhile, Ríos has joined a movement calling for greater punishments for acid attacks and says the saxophone is her “sword” in that battle on behalf of victims. Mexico City legislators have proposed a bill bearing her nickname, “Malena,” which would classify acid attacks as a distinct, serious crime equivalent to attempted femicide. Currently they are treated as simple assault or bodily injury. Acid attacks are most common in South Asia, but also have been documented in many other parts of the world, including Latin America. The Carmen Sánchez Foundation, started in 2021 to highlight the issue in Mexico, says government health data from 2022 suggests more than 100 women were attacked by chemicals or some kind of corrosive agent, though only 28 were reported to authorities. Ríos remembers having to choose, at age 9, between playing soccer and joining one of the musical bands that are a popular community activity in the rural villages in Oaxaca. “I am not her anymore. I am not the beautiful young woman who played the saxophone anymore,” said Ríos. “Today I can say I have been forced to become a defender of my own rights, and a defender of the rights of other fellow women survivors.” She was hospitalized for five months after the attack, and still recalls the sadness in her parents’ eyes when she awoke in hospital. She now attends musical classes in Mexico City, where she has taken refuge since the attack. The federal government has provided her with bodyguards because her attacker was wealthy and influential. Ríos said she and her family were harassed before the attack, when she tried to break off the relationship. She says the harassment continues, and that she lives in constant fear for her life. The man accused of ordering the attack, Juan Manuel Vera Carrizal, was a local legislator and businessman. He has declared himself innocent and his lawyers deny he had any involvement. Even though he was jailed and expelled from his political party in 2020, Ríos says he still has influence. In January he was almost released to house arrest after a judge tried to reclassify the crime, applying rules for a lesser offense. But because her case has gained has gained national attention, the attempt failed. Music is now a refuge for Ríos. “When I begin to assemble my saxophone, I feel like I am putting myself together,” she says. Last year she was invited to play on stage for the first time after the attack. It was at the annual Vive Latino music festival in Mexico City with the rock group Maldita Vecindad. She says it made her feel “eternal."  

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday welcomed the proposed visit of a high-level delegation led by Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon on March 7-9, 2023 and expressed hope that his maiden visit would infuse vigor and vitality in the bilateral relations. Momen also welcomed the announcement of the Mexican government to open their Embassy in Dhaka by 2023 which will further consolidate ties between the two countries and will boost trade and commerce, investment, exchange of visits between the businessmen, high officials and people-to-people contacts. Federico Salas Lofte, non-resident Ambassador of Mexico, Alejandro Simancas Marin, non-resident Ambassador of Cuba, Sinisa Pavic, non-resident Ambassador of Serbia  and Menzie Sipho DLAMINI, non-resident High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Eswatini jointly met Foreign Minister Momen at the Foreign Service Academy on Tuesday following presentation of  their Letter of Credence to the President of Bangladesh at Bangabhaban.  At the outset, the Foreign Minister welcomed the non-resident Ambassadors to Bangladesh. Also Read: Mexico wants to share automobile manufacturing experience with Bangladesh, transfer technology At the joint calls on, Momen hoped that the bilateral relations among Bangladesh and the countries of accreditation would usher a new avenue during their tour of duty.  Non-resident Ambassadors cordially exchanged views on bilateral and multilateral cooperation of mutual interests, including trade and investment, infrastructure development, connectivity, COVID situation and Russia-Ukraine crisis that disrupted the supply chain of wheat, fuel and edible oil and discussed ways and means to address the issue to offset the crisis. Foreign Minister Momen fondly recalled about the great Cuban Leader Fidel Castro who once compared Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with the Himalayas. To mark the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of relations between Bangladesh and Cuba, the Cuban Ambassador handed over a congratulatory message to Momen from his Cuban counterpart. Regarding Rohingya issue, Foreign Minister Momen underlined that Bangladesh is currently hosting 1.1 million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals who were forced to flee their ancestral land in the face of rape, violence and persecution. Also Read: Malaysian Home Minister’s visit in Feb: Bangladesh wants manpower recruitment at a reduced cost Bangladesh cannot afford to share its sovereign land any longer with its limited resource and land, he said. The Foreign Minister urged the support of the respective governments to play an active role for the early repatriation of these Rohingya people to their homeland in Myanmar with safety, security and dignity. Uncertainty and delay in their repatriation may attract them towards radicalism, trafficking, drugs smuggling and other cross border crimes which may threaten the security and stability of Bangladesh and Myanmar and beyond, he added.