The Biden family and top US officials were showered with extravagant gifts from foreign leaders in 2023, according to the State Department’s annual accounting. The disclosures include high-value items such as a $20,000 diamond gifted to First Lady Jill Biden and luxurious timepieces destroyed by CIA officials. Glittering Gifts to the First Family The 7.5-carat diamond, presented to Jill Biden by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was the most expensive gift received by any member of the first family. Alongside this, Jill Biden also accepted a brooch valued at $14,063 from Ukraine’s ambassador to the US and a bracelet, brooch, and photograph album worth $4,510 from Egypt’s president and first lady. President Joe Biden himself was not overlooked, receiving: A commemorative photo album worth $7,100 from South Korea’s impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol. A $3,495 statue of Mongolian warriors from Mongolia’s prime minister. A $3,300 silver bowl from the Sultan of Brunei. A $3,160 sterling silver tray from Israel’s president. Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships A $2,400 collage from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Official Use and Archiving US law mandates that executive branch officials declare foreign gifts exceeding $480 in value. Expensive items are typically transferred to the National Archives or used in official displays. The $20,000 diamond is retained for official use in the White House East Wing, while most other gifts to the Bidens have been archived. Recipients may purchase gifts at market value, though this is rare. CIA’s Costly and Confidential Gifts The report also revealed that CIA employees received lavish items, most of which were destroyed. CIA Director William Burns reported receiving an $18,000 astrograph – a telescope and astrological camera – from an undisclosed source, which has been transferred to the General Services Administration. However, Burns also destroyed an $11,000 Omega watch, in line with federal protocols. In total, CIA officials destroyed gifts worth over $132,000, including luxury watches, perfume, and jewellery. Transparency and Accountability The disclosures, published in the Federal Register, underscore the importance of transparency in diplomatic relations. While some gifts, like the $20,000 diamond, highlight the pomp and ceremony of international diplomacy, others emphasise the strict measures in place to ensure accountability for high-ranking officials. This annual accounting offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of protocol, politics, and the allure of luxury.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have discussed issues relevant to Bangladesh's readymade garments (RMG) industry, including its current challenges, prospects, and preparedness to pursue the next level of development and growth. The discussion also encompassed the industry's efforts and initiatives to carry forward the achievements made in workplace safety, environmental sustainability, workers' rights and well-being. A BGMEA delegation headed by its President Faruque Hassan met with Ania Canavan, economic unit chief of the State Department Office of Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bhutan Affairs, at a hotel in Dhaka Monday. The delegation included vice-presidents Md Nasir Uddin, Miran Ali; directors Asif Ashraf, Abdullah Hil Rakib and Haroon Ar Rashid. Scott Brandon, political and economic counselor at the US Embassy in Dhaka, Matthew Beh, first secretary (political/labour) at the US Embassy, Kaitlyn Denzler, crisis, stabilization, and governance foreign service officer at USAID Bangladesh; and Md Saifuzzaman Mehrab, labour specialist at the US Embassy Dhaka, were also present at the meeting. Read more: BGMEA, Recover discuss collaboration to turn Bangladesh into global recycling hub Faruque informed Ania about Bangladesh's apparel industry's strides in the area of environmental sustainability, saying the country has the highest number of green garment factories in the world. He also briefed her about the progress made by Bangladesh in improving trade union activities, workplace safety, wages, skills development and labour welfare. Read more: BGMEA urges Rajuk to allocate land for apparel club for foreign nationals

President Joe Biden will make clear Thursday that the world should expect a more diplomatically engaged United States moving forward, starting with him putting the brakes on Donald Trump’s plan to withdraw thousands of U.S. troops from Germany.