Friday, May 9, 2025

Obstacles to Launching PayPal in Bangladesh

 


Launching PayPal in Bangladesh has faced several obstacles over the years. Despite high demand from freelancers, e-commerce users, and digital service providers, there are multiple regulatory, infrastructural, and strategic barriers that have delayed or prevented full PayPal services in the country. Here's a breakdown of the main challenges:


🔐 1. Regulatory and Legal Barriers

  • Foreign exchange regulations: Bangladesh Bank has strict rules around cross-border money transfer, foreign exchange control, and remittance inflows/outflows. PayPal's typical model of allowing both sending and receiving funds conflicts with current policies.

  • KYC & AML compliance: Ensuring full Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance at international standards is a major requirement. Bangladesh’s financial regulatory environment is still developing in this area.

  • Lack of legal framework for digital wallets: There is no fully updated legal framework for international digital payment services like PayPal to operate independently.


🏦 2. Banking and Infrastructure Issues

  • Weak integration with local banks: PayPal requires a seamless link with local banking systems for withdrawals, deposits, and identity verification. Bangladesh's banking infrastructure isn't fully ready or compatible with PayPal’s operational model.

  • Risk management concerns: Bangladeshi banks and regulators are cautious about fraud, money laundering, and cyber risks associated with cross-border transactions.


🌐 3. Market Size and Business Strategy

  • Limited market incentive for PayPal: From PayPal’s perspective, Bangladesh may not yet represent a large enough revenue-generating market to justify the legal and technical investment needed to launch.

  • High remittance inflow but low international purchase volume: While Bangladesh receives billions in remittances, local consumers have limited international purchasing power due to low credit card penetration and restrictions on dollar transactions.


⚠️ 4. Past Misunderstandings

  • Confusion over "Xoom" vs full PayPal: In 2017, PayPal’s remittance service Xoom was launched in Bangladesh, but many mistook it as full PayPal functionality. Xoom only allows sending money into Bangladesh, not receiving or holding PayPal balances.


🧩 5. Cybersecurity and Digital Readiness

  • Lack of cybersecurity frameworks: For a global platform like PayPal, operating in a country requires robust cybersecurity support and legal recourse against online fraud.

  • Digital literacy and infrastructure gaps: A sizable portion of the population is still not familiar with secure digital transactions.


Summary Table

ObstacleExplanation
Regulatory RestrictionsStrict control over foreign transactions and remittance rules
Incompatible Banking SystemsWeak integration between PayPal and local banks
Strategic Business ConcernsSmall market for PayPal compared to the cost of setup and compliance
Technical and Security GapsInadequate digital infrastructure and cyber regulation
Confusion Around PayPal ServicesMiscommunication around Xoom vs. full PayPal functionality

Echoes Beneath the Willow Sky

 



In the quiet town of Avenshore, life moved like a whisper. The wind was soft, the lake never stirred too much, and the willow trees, with their curtain-like branches, bent low enough to seem like they were listening to secrets. Tucked between a crumbling clock tower and a bakery that always smelled faintly of cinnamon, stood a forgotten bookshop called The Last Page. It was the kind of place people walked past without noticing—but it was Eliot’s whole world.

Eliot worked there, day in and day out, alone among shelves of aging paper and quiet stories. He was quiet, too—so quiet that people often forgot he was there even when speaking to him. He didn’t mind. He was used to being unseen, used to the solitude that settled over his shoulders like a familiar coat. His life was a slow, dust-covered rhythm, the kind that didn’t ask questions or wait for surprises.

Until one rainy afternoon, the bell over the door chimed, and she came in.

She wore a yellow raincoat that looked too bright for the gray outside. Her hair stuck to her face, wild and wet, and her eyes sparkled like lightning behind storm clouds. She dripped onto the old rug and asked, without hesitation, “Do you have an atlas? Not the boring kind. I’m looking for maps that lead to places that don’t exist anymore.”

Eliot blinked. “Travel section,” he muttered, gesturing with a thumb.

She smiled like he’d just solved a riddle. “Perfect.”

From that day on, Mira started coming in often. She brought stories with her—ones about towns that vanished, libraries under the sea, and staircases that went nowhere. She’d toss him questions, most of which he never answered, and yet she always filled the silence like music, never seeming to expect more. She danced between shelves, sometimes barefoot, once with paint on her hands, always alive in a way that scared Eliot a little.



He didn’t know when he fell in love with her. Maybe it was when she read aloud from a book about forgotten gods and made every word sound like a prayer. Maybe it was when she took him to the lakeside one night and convinced him to scream into the water just to hear the echo. Or maybe it was when she brought him a daisy she found by the roadside and didn’t explain why.

He never told her how he felt. He was too afraid the words would push her away.

One night, lying side by side under the willow trees that hung like green veils, Mira spoke softly.

“I won’t be here forever.”

Eliot turned his head toward her. “Why not?”

“I don’t stay places. I... break things when I stay too long.”

“You haven’t broken anything here.”

She smiled sadly. “Give it time.”

He didn’t argue. He wanted to, but he knew it wouldn’t change anything. Mira wasn’t the kind of person who could be caught. She was like fog or fire—beautiful, impossible to hold, and capable of vanishing without warning.

But he loved her anyway.

And then, one morning, she didn’t come.

He waited. One day passed. Then two. A week. She didn’t return. Her name echoed in his mind, louder than it had ever been aloud. His fingers hovered over his phone more times than he could count, but he didn’t know what to say, didn’t even know if it would reach her.

Then he found the map.

It was left on the bookstore counter, folded neatly. A red circle marked an area far past the hills, where the trail broke off into forest. Alongside it was a note in her handwriting:

“If you’re brave enough, come find me. But only if you’re ready to lose yourself.”

Eliot didn’t think twice. He packed a small bag with a flashlight, water, and the daisy she gave him, now pressed between pages of his notebook. Then he locked the bookstore, tucked the key under a stone, and followed the map out of the town that had never truly seen him.

The path was no path at all. The trail quickly turned to thorns and shadows. Trees leaned in too close, like they were eavesdropping. At night, he heard sounds that didn’t belong—laughter with no mouth, wind with no air. Rain fell without clouds. Once, he found a clearing where his own footprints led in a circle.

Still, he pushed on.

He crossed rivers that no longer flowed, climbed cliffs where the rocks seemed to whisper. He stumbled, bled, and wept in silence. Hunger clawed at him. Fear nipped at his heels. But he held onto Mira’s voice in his mind—the way she said his name like a secret.



Days—maybe weeks—passed.

Eventually, he reached a village nestled in a valley that no map ever named. It was quiet, too quiet. The people moved like echoes. They looked at him as though they recognized something they had forgotten.

“She came through,” an old man said. “The girl in yellow. Asked about the Edge.”

“The Edge?” Eliot asked.

The man pointed up toward a trail carved into the mountain. “Where the world ends, they say.”

Eliot followed it.

The climb was harder than anything before. Cold clawed at his bones. The air thinned. His body begged him to stop.

But love—pathetic, stubborn love—kept him moving.

At the summit, where the clouds lay beneath him like fallen angels, stood a cabin. Small. Crooked. Waiting.

Inside, dust coated everything.

On the bed was a single letter, with his name on it.

He opened it with shaking hands.

Eliot,

If you’re reading this, you made it. I never doubted you would. You always believed in me more than I deserved.

I’m sorry I left. I’m sorry I couldn’t say goodbye. But I don’t belong to people. I don’t know how to stay without becoming someone else.

You are the gentlest person I’ve ever met. I hope one day you find someone who stays. I hope you forgive me for not being her.

Thank you for loving me like a sunrise. I’m sorry I left like a storm.

Mira

He didn’t cry.

He folded the letter, placed it under the daisy, and sat down in the silence.

That night, he lit a fire and stayed there until morning. He watched the sky bleed into gold. He felt something break inside him, not like a fracture, but like a seed cracking open.

He didn’t return to Avenshore.

Not because he couldn’t, but because something inside him had changed.

He walked back down to the ghost village and made a life there. He tended gardens, helped the old woman fix her shutters, told stories to children who had never heard laughter before. He didn’t talk about Mira often. When he did, it was gently, like one speaks of a bird that once landed on their shoulder before flying off again.

Every spring, he climbed back to the cabin and left a new flower at the door.

He read her letter again.

Not with pain.

But with gratitude.

Back in Avenshore, the bookstore still stands. The daisy on the counter never wilts. Some say the place is haunted—not by ghosts, but by something softer. A memory. A name carved under the willow tree near the lake.

Eliot & Mira.

And when the wind moves just right, it carries a whisper through the trees:

“He loved her like poetry. She left like a story half-finished. And somehow, that was enough.”

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Bill Gates Announces Plan to Donate Entire Fortune, Wind Down Foundation by 2045

 


Tech billionaire sets historic philanthropic goal to give away his $133 billion fortune within two decades.

By Global Philanthropy Desk
Seattle, WA | May 9, 2025

In a monumental shift that could redefine global philanthropy, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates announced on Thursday his intention to donate 100% of his personal wealth by the year 2045 and close the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation shortly thereafter.

The move marks the most ambitious philanthropic commitment ever made by a private individual, signaling a dramatic acceleration of Gates’ decades-long mission to fight poverty, disease, and educational inequality across the globe.

A Life-Changing Pledge

In a personal blog post titled “The Final Gift,” Gates wrote, “It has always been my goal to return my resources to society. By 2045, I intend to give away my entire fortune and ensure the Foundation completes its mission with lasting impact.”

Gates’ current net worth is estimated at $133 billion, making him the fifth-richest person in the world. According to the post, all remaining funds will be distributed to the Foundation and a select group of global charities over the next 20 years, focusing primarily on climate change, pandemic preparedness, public health systems, and AI safety.

Foundation to Wind Down

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, founded in 2000 and now one of the world’s largest private charitable organizations, has committed more than $75 billion to public health, education, and development efforts worldwide.

Foundation CEO Mark Suzman confirmed that operations will be gradually phased out over the next two decades, with most of its funds expected to be deployed by 2045.

“This plan gives us 20 years to finish strong, scale what works, and empower local institutions to carry the torch,” Suzman said.

Global Reactions Pour In

The announcement drew praise from leaders and philanthropists across the globe. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres called Gates' commitment “a legacy that will outlive any fortune,” while Warren Buffett, Gates’ longtime friend and fellow philanthropist, said it “raises the bar for what giving can mean.”

However, some critics questioned whether such concentrated wealth—even when donated—should wield such influence over global policy, calling instead for more democratic control of international development funding.

A Legacy of Giving

Since stepping down from Microsoft’s board in 2020, Gates has dedicated his full-time efforts to philanthropy, funding vaccine programs, agricultural development, and digital education across more than 130 countries.

With this latest pledge, Gates joins a growing list of ultra-wealthy individuals seeking to give away their fortunes within their lifetimes, but his timeline and scale set a new precedent.

“By 2045,” Gates wrote in closing, “I hope we’ll look back and say we used our time and resources to bend the arc of history toward justice and humanity.”

FEMA Acting Administrator Cameron Hamilton Dismissed Amid Internal Policy Disputes

 


Hamilton’s ousting highlights deepening divisions over the future of federal disaster response programs.

By U.S. Politics Desk
Washington, D.C. | May 9, 2025

Cameron Hamilton, the Acting Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has been officially dismissed by the White House following internal disagreements over proposed restructuring plans that could significantly weaken the agency’s role in national disaster response.

Clash Over FEMA’s Future

Hamilton, a decorated U.S. Navy veteran and former emergency management director in North Carolina, was appointed acting head of FEMA in late 2024. His tenure came to an abrupt end after he openly opposed recent legislative proposals—backed by senior administration officials—that would decentralize FEMA authority and shift more disaster response duties to individual states.

In testimony before the Senate Homeland Security Committee last month, Hamilton warned that the proposed changes could “cripple FEMA’s ability to coordinate swift, large-scale disaster relief in future national emergencies.”

Multiple sources inside FEMA say Hamilton’s warnings were not well-received by senior White House staff, leading to a breakdown in trust and his subsequent dismissal.

White House Announces Replacement

The Trump administration announced that Hamilton will be replaced by Charles "Chad" McKinnon, a longtime political aide and strategist with limited emergency management experience. Critics quickly denounced the move as a “political appointment” at a time when FEMA faces increasing demands from climate-related disasters.

In a brief statement, the White House said, “We thank Mr. Hamilton for his service and welcome Mr. McKinnon as FEMA enters a new era focused on state empowerment and budget efficiency.”



Political Fallout

Reaction to Hamilton’s firing was swift and deeply divided along party lines. Senate Democrats condemned the dismissal as “retaliation against professional dissent,” while some Republicans praised the administration for promoting a more decentralized disaster management model.

“Cameron Hamilton stood up for the integrity of a life-saving agency,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). “His removal is a warning to all civil servants who put science and safety over politics.”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), however, applauded the decision, stating that “FEMA needs to get out of the way and let states lead.”

Implications for Future Disasters

FEMA has played a central role in coordinating responses to hurricanes, wildfires, and floods across the U.S. for decades. With natural disasters on the rise and climate change worsening, critics argue that weakening federal oversight could leave vulnerable communities unprotected.

Hamilton has not yet spoken publicly about his dismissal, but insiders suggest he may testify before Congress in the coming weeks regarding the internal pressures and policy debates leading up to his exit.

As debate continues over the balance of state and federal responsibility, Hamilton’s firing adds to the growing tension between experienced civil servants and political appointees shaping the future of America’s emergency preparedness.



Pope Leo XIV, First American Pontiff, Makes Historic Public Debut at Vatican

 


Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost ushers in a new era of reform, unity, and inclusion for the global Catholic Church.

By Religion & World Affairs Desk
Vatican City | May 9, 2025

History was made in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, appearing before thousands of faithful as Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff in the nearly 2,000-year history of the Roman Catholic Church.

A Pontiff from the New World

Chosen after a brief but intense conclave of cardinals, Pope Leo XIV’s election signals a transformative moment for the Church. At age 69, the former prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and former bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, brings decades of pastoral and administrative experience in both North and South America.

Speaking in Italian, Spanish, and English during his first public address, Leo XIV said, “I come to you as a servant from a distant land, but with a heart rooted deeply in our shared faith. Let us walk together in love, justice, and mercy.”

The crowd erupted in cheers as the new pontiff offered his first papal blessing, “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and to the world), calling for peace in war-torn regions and unity in an increasingly fractured world.

A Reformist Vision

Pope Leo XIV is widely seen as a moderate reformer with a reputation for bridging conservative and progressive factions within the Church. During his years in Latin America, he championed indigenous rights, pastoral outreach to the poor, and a greater role for laypeople—especially women—in Church life.

Sources close to the Vatican say Leo XIV is likely to prioritize synodal governance, further transparency in Church finances, and renewed efforts to address clerical abuse and declining youth participation.

His American roots and multilingual fluency are expected to boost engagement across the Americas, where Catholicism is both vibrant and increasingly challenged by secularism and evangelical growth.

A Papacy of Firsts

In addition to being the first American pope, Leo XIV is also the first pontiff to take the name “Leo” in more than a century, evoking Pope Leo XIII—widely regarded as a pioneer of Catholic social teaching.

U.S. President Donald Trump, in a statement from the White House, called the election “a proud day for American Catholics and a moment of inspiration for people of all faiths.”

The Archdiocese of Chicago erupted in celebration as bells rang out from Holy Name Cathedral, and parishes across the country prepared for commemorative Masses this weekend.

Global Expectations

With more than 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, the expectations placed on Pope Leo XIV are immense. From China–Vatican relations to interfaith dialogue with Islam and Judaism, the new pope’s leadership will be tested from the start.

Vatican insiders say a major encyclical may be issued within the first 100 days of his papacy, likely focusing on ecological justice and social harmony—continuing the themes championed by his predecessor, Pope Francis.

As the Vatican settles into a new chapter of its long and storied history, many believe Pope Leo XIV’s election could mark a rejuvenation of Catholicism for a more global and inclusive age.

Tensions Flare Between India and Pakistan, Raising Fears of Full-Scale War

 


Deadly attack in Kashmir sparks military exchanges and international alarm over nuclear neighbors.

By Foreign Affairs Desk
New Delhi/Islamabad | May 9, 2025

A sharp escalation in hostilities between India and Pakistan has reignited fears of a potential armed conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations, following a deadly militant attack in the disputed region of Kashmir earlier this week.

Kashmir Attack Sparks Retaliation

According to Indian defense officials, the conflict intensified after a cross-border attack on an Indian Army convoy in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir left 12 soldiers dead and several wounded. The attackers, allegedly members of the Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), triggered immediate condemnation from New Delhi.

India responded within hours by launching “precision strikes” against what it claimed were terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border dividing the Indian and Pakistani portions of Kashmir.

“These were targeted strikes in self-defense,” said Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. “We will not tolerate terrorism or those who harbor terrorists.”

Pakistan Denies Allegations, Mobilizes Forces

Pakistan's military denied any involvement in the attack and condemned India’s airstrikes as “unprovoked aggression.” The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) claimed that Pakistan shot down two Indian drones that violated its airspace and warned of “resolute retaliation” if further action is taken.

“We have no desire for war, but we are fully prepared to defend our sovereignty,” said Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar in a televised address.

In response to the heightened tensions, both nations have reportedly moved troops and artillery closer to the LoC. Fighter jets have been put on standby, and air defense systems activated in several forward areas.

International Community Urges Restraint

The sudden escalation has prompted urgent appeals for de-escalation from global leaders and institutions. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for “maximum restraint,” while the U.S. State Department expressed “deep concern” and urged both sides to prioritize dialogue.

China, a strategic ally of Pakistan and an economic partner to India, offered to mediate and warned that further military action could destabilize the entire South Asian region.

Analysts warn that even a limited conflict could spiral out of control, especially given the presence of nuclear weapons on both sides and the history of war over Kashmir, most notably in 1947, 1965, and 1999.

A Fragile Peace Threatened

The attack and counterstrikes have effectively collapsed the recent backchannel diplomatic efforts that began earlier this year, aiming to restore trade ties and reopen bilateral talks.

Civilians living along the border in both countries have been evacuated in some areas as artillery fire continues to be exchanged sporadically. Schools and public transportation have been suspended in several towns close to the LoC.

With the region on edge and rhetoric intensifying, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the situation descends into a broader military conflict or if international pressure can succeed in bringing the two rivals back to the negotiating table.

Trump Unveils Landmark UK Trade Deal, Appoints Jeanine Pirro as Interim DC Prosecutor

 


Major shift in U.S.–UK economic relations coupled with a surprise legal appointment sparks debate.

By Staff Reporter
Washington, D.C. | May 9, 2025

In a significant development on the international and domestic fronts, President Donald J. Trump announced a sweeping new trade agreement with the United Kingdom on Thursday, while also naming former judge and conservative commentator Jeanine Pirro as the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.

U.S.–UK Trade Deal Marks New Economic Chapter

During a press conference at the White House, Trump revealed that the new trade deal with the UK will eliminate tariffs on key industrial goods such as automobiles, steel, and aluminum, while also granting expanded market access for American agricultural products, including beef, dairy, and soybeans.

“This deal puts American workers, farmers, and manufacturers first,” Trump said. “It reflects our shared values with the United Kingdom and our joint commitment to fair, free, and reciprocal trade.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron (serving in a comeback term since early 2025) praised the agreement, calling it “a bold step forward in revitalizing the transatlantic alliance post-Brexit.” The UK, having struggled with sluggish trade following its formal exit from the EU customs structure, views the deal as a critical move toward economic stability.

Trade analysts suggest the agreement could increase bilateral trade volume by over $60 billion annually and may set a precedent for further trade realignments as global supply chains continue to shift.

Jeanine Pirro Named Interim U.S. Attorney for D.C.

In a move that drew immediate attention from legal and political communities, Trump announced the appointment of Jeanine Pirro as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. The role, one of the most powerful prosecutorial positions in the nation, involves oversight of high-profile investigations in the capital, including potential probes involving federal officials.

Pirro replaces Ed Martin, whose formal nomination faced pushback from Senate Democrats and several moderate Republicans, prompting Trump to act via an interim designation.

“Judge Pirro has a record of strength, fairness, and loyalty to justice,” Trump stated. “She’ll bring the kind of fearless oversight that Washington needs.”

Pirro, a former Westchester County district attorney and host of the popular Fox News program Justice with Judge Jeanine, has been a vocal supporter of Trump throughout his political career. Critics argue that her partisan profile raises concerns about impartiality, especially amid ongoing federal investigations.

Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) criticized the move as “yet another example of this administration politicizing the Department of Justice,” while allies like Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) hailed it as “a win for law and order.”

Legal scholars note that while interim U.S. attorney appointments are constitutionally permissible, they traditionally go to career prosecutors with federal experience.

A Dual Move with Broader Implications

The twin announcements mark a defining moment in Trump’s second term, blending foreign policy ambition with assertive domestic governance. Both decisions reflect Trump’s continued efforts to reshape the institutions of government with individuals and policies aligned with his America First doctrine.

While the trade deal has largely been met with bipartisan praise for its economic potential, the Pirro appointment is expected to ignite partisan battles in the months ahead—particularly if she becomes involved in politically sensitive cases.

With elections for Congress looming in 2026 and key international alliances in flux, analysts say these developments will shape both Trump’s legacy and America’s role in global leadership.