Yunus urges China to relocate solar panel factories to Bangladesh
Dhaka (PTI): China, facing growing export restrictions for its solar panels, should explore the possibility of relocating some of its solar panel factories to Bangladesh to boost the country's green transition and exports, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said on Sunday.
Yunus, who assumed charge of the interim government on August 8, days after the fall of the government led by Sheikh Hasina, made the call when the Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Yao Wen called on him here.
During the meeting, Yunus called for close economic collaboration between Beijing and Dhaka and asked the Chinese investors to relocate their plants to Bangladesh, the official BSS news agency reported.
Yunus noted that China has emerged as one of the largest manufacturers of solar panels, but the country increasingly faced restrictions in the export market.
China is the largest market in the world for both photovoltaics and solar thermal energy.
Chinese manufacturers "can relocate" solar panel factories to Bangladesh, which will help Bangladesh diversify exports and transition into a green economy, the 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate said.
He also stressed the need for increased imports of Bangladeshi goods to China to increase economic cooperation between the two nations.
The chief adviser put emphasis on technological transfer and increased collaboration in disaster management, education and farming.
Ambassador Yao conveyed greetings of the Chinese leadership and its people to Prof Muhammad Yunus on his assumption of the leadership of the Bangladesh Interim Government.
He said Beijing was ready to work with Dhaka and hoped that he would "fulfil expectations of a poverty-free Bangladesh".
"The future of Bangladesh will be better and brighter under your leadership," he told the chief adviser.
Yao pointed out that China and Bangladesh have recently upgraded their relationship to a "comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership" and added that both nations would celebrate the 50th year of diplomatic ties next year.
During the meeting, the Chinese envoy conveyed an invitation from the Chinese leadership to Prof Yunus to visit Beijing at a convenient time.
He said Bangladesh was at a crossroads but "the people of Bangladesh will overcome the challenges".
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South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
