Bangladesh has issued one of its most severe political judgments in history, sentencing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the 2024 student protests. However, the ruling is complicated by the fact that Hasina is currently in India, where she has been living for over a year since fleeing Dhaka after her government collapsed. With the International Crimes Tribunal passing the harsh verdict in her absence, Bangladesh’s interim ad

Massive student and teacher protests erupted across Dhaka University and Jagannath University after the Yunus-led interim government scrapped the posts of music and physical education teachers in public schools. The move came after Islamist organisations like Hefazat-e-Islam and Islami Andolon Bangladesh denounced such subjects as “un-Islamic” and threatened street protests unless the government prioritized religious education. The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education had init

Bangladesh has officially withdrawn its earlier approval for fugitive Indian preacher Zakir Naik’s planned visit scheduled for November 28. The reversal came after the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government reassessed potential risks, with security agencies warning that Naik’s presence could draw massive gatherings and create law and order challenges ahead of the country’s first general elections since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime. Naik, who faces terror-linked allegations in Ind

Pakistan has offered Bangladesh the use of its Karachi port for exporting jute and other goods, marking a significant geopolitical move amid deteriorating India-Bangladesh relations. The offer comes shortly after India banned the import of jute products through land routes, a major blow to Bangladesh’s export sector. The development was formalized during the Pakistan-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting in Dhaka, held after a gap of nearly 20 years, signaling a thaw in relatio

Thousands of Islamists across Bangladesh took to the streets demanding a ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which they labeled an extremist Hindutva outfit. The rallies, organised after Friday prayers in Dhaka and Chattogram by hardline groups like Hefazat-e-Islam and Intifada Bangladesh, reflect a growing tide of anti-Hindu sentiment in the country. The protestors accused ISKCON of engaging in “subversive and extremist” activities, and called for it

Islamist groups in Bangladesh are mobilising for a massive rally in Dhaka on November 15, demanding that the Ahmadiyya Muslim community be officially declared “non-Muslim,” following Pakistan’s precedent. The rally, organised by the International Majlis Tahaffuz Khatme Nabuwwat and supported by Hefazat-e-Islam, has invited clerics from Pakistan, India, and Saudi Arabia, including leaders from Darul Uloom Deoband. The event has escalated fear within the small Ahmadiyya community, which n

A devastating fire broke out on Tuesday, October 14, in Bangladesh’s capital city, Dhaka, engulfing a garment factory and a nearby chemical warehouse, killing at least nine workers and injuring eight others, according to officials. The inferno began in the chemical storage facility before rapidly spreading to the adjacent garment production unit, authorities from the Fire Service and Civil Defence confirmed. Fire Service Media Wing representative Talha Bin Jasim stated that initia

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus sparked a political storm during the UN General Assembly in New York, openly stating that Dhaka’s relations with India have soured since last year’s student protests that toppled Sheikh Hasina. Yunus accused India of providing shelter to Hasina and spreading “fake news” portraying the uprising as Islamist-driven. According to him, this has deepened mistrust between the two neighbors, alrea

The Supreme Court of India highlighted the resilience of the Indian Constitution on Wednesday by drawing comparisons with the ongoing turmoil in neighboring Nepal and Bangladesh. During a hearing of the presidential reference case, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Vikram Nath pointed to violent protests shaking both countries. CJI Gavai remarked, “We are proud of our Constitution, see

At least 19 people were killed and over 70 injured after a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 training jet crashed into the Milestone School and College building in Dhaka's Uttara area on Monday. The tragic incident occurred while classes were in session, resulting in a horrific scene of chaos and devastation. Television footage showed thick black smoke billowing from the crash site as fire personnel and rescue teams rushe

A leaked audio recording has revealed that Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, allegedly authorized the brutal crackdown on student protesters in 2024. The recording,  captures Hasina’s conversation with a senior government official in which she directs security forces to use "lethal weapons" and to "shoot wherever they find them," referring to the protesters. The conversation took place on July 18, 2024, whi

President Donald Trump has triggered a new wave of international trade tension by announcing that the United States will impose steep import tariffs on 14 countries starting August 1. The new tariffs, set at a minimum of 25 percent, will affect both rivals and close allies, including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand, unless trade agreements are finalized before the deadline. This marks one of the most aggressive trade policy shifts under Trump’s renewed administration and represe

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in a recent episode of the ANI podcast, made strong remarks regarding communal harmony in the state under his government. Asserting that Muslims are the safest community in Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath credited the Bharatiya Janata Party’s governance since 2017 for the absence of communal riots in the state. His comments have sparked widespread discussions over the state of inter-religious trust, safety of minorities, and the broader implicatio

Bangladesh is currently facing heightened political uncertainty as sources indicate a potential military takeover may be underway. Reports suggest the Bangladesh army, led by General Waker-Uz-Zaman, held an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss significant developments that could unfold in the coming days. The meeting was attended by top-ranking army officers, including five Lieutenant Generals, eight Major Generals (GOCs), and key officials from independent brigades and the army headquarter

Bangladesh’s interim government chief Muhammad Yunus has rejected concerns over strained relations between Bangladesh and India, asserting that the diplomatic ties between the two neighboring nations remain strong despite recent tensions. Yunus acknowledged that some conflicts have emerged but attributed them mainly to misinformation and propaganda rather than any fundamental changes in the relationship.In an interview with BBC Bangla, Yunus highlighted the historical, political, and ec

In a landmark ruling, Bangladesh's Supreme Court acquitted former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, clearing her of all charges. The verdict, delivered by a bench led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, also exonerated Tarique Rahman, the Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and other suspects involved in the case. Zia, who had faced a combined 17 years in prison across multiple corruption charges, had been imprisoned in 2018 but w

Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed cases against former leader Sheikh Hasina and her family members, including British minister Tulip Siddiq and World Health Organization (WHO) official Saima Wazed, in connection with an alleged large-scale land grab. The cases, filed on Monday, accuse Hasina and some government officials of illegally allocating lucrative plots in Dhaka's suburbs for personal gain. Sheikh Hasina, who fled Bangladesh in August 2024 and to

India has extended invitations to Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other neighboring countries to participate in a unique seminar marking 150 years of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This initiative aims to set aside political differences and highlight the shared history of the Indian subcontinent. The seminar is being hailed as a first-of-its-kind effort by the Indian government to foster regional cooperation. Invitations have been sent to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanis

A court in Bangladesh has issued a second arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of enforced disappearances during her time in power. The new charges, which were announced by the chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Tajul Islam, involve Hasina, her military adviser, and several law enforcement officials. Over 500 people were allegedly abducted by Bangladesh's security forces under her regime, with some of them detained in secret locati

A Bangladesh court on Thursday rejected the bail plea of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent Hindu monk and spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. Das, who previously served as a leader in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was arrested on charges of sedition and other offenses. The Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Saiful Islam denied the bail request following a 30-minute hearing, which was held with heightened security. The bail petiti