Asia

Report by Muslima Akhtar: The 6th BIMSTEC Summit concluded today with the adoption of the Bangkok Declaration and the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision, setting a strategic roadmap for deeper economic integration and sustainable development in the Bay of Bengal region. Bangladesh officially took over the chairmanship of the seven-nation bloc from Thailand, pledging to drive forward regional cooperation over the next two years. Bangladesh’s Leadership and Vision for BIMSTEC Professor Muhammad Yunus, Hon’ble Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh, represented the country at the summit and outlined Bangladesh’s priorities during his statement. He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to inclusive governance, economic cooperation, and regional stability, emphasizing: Accelerating ...

The political turmoil in Bangladesh has intensified following the recent speech by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power by a student-led uprising. On February 5, Hasina, who is currently in exile in India, delivered a speech via social media, in which she accused the interim government of unconstitutional rule. Her remarks have been seen as an attempt to reignite protests among student activists who played a crucial role in her removal. During her speech, Hasina urged her supporters to “resist” the interim government, a call that many interpret as a bid to destabilize the already fragile political landscape. In response, protesters targeted the historic Dhanmondi residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding leader and Hasina’s father, in an apparen...

USAID Suspend All Aid to Bangladesh Amid Sweeping U.S. Foreign Aid ReviewBy Mohammed Shahid Miah, Investigative Reporter "USAID Suspend All Aid to Bangladesh: A Major Shift with Far-reaching Impacts" In a major policy shift, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has suspended all assistance to Bangladesh, following an executive order by former President Donald Trump that places a 90-day hold on foreign aid globally. This decision, aimed at reevaluating the alignment of U.S. aid programs with national interests, has sent shockwaves through Bangladesh, a country heavily reliant on international aid for its development initiatives and humanitarian efforts. The freeze halts critical USAID-funded programs in areas like education, healthcare, disaster response, and gover...

A bomb blast at a train station in Quetta, southwestern Pakistan, has killed at least 24 people and injured more than 50. The explosion struck as nearly 100 passengers were waiting to board a train to Rawalpindi. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group, has claimed responsibility, stating that a suicide bomber targeted military personnel stationed at the site. Government spokesman Shahid Rind indicated the attack appeared to be a suicide bombing, although officials are still investigating the BLA’s claim. Footage from the scene shows extensive damage, with the roof of the platform’s steel structure blown apart, a tea stall destroyed, and luggage scattered across the area. Police reported that about a dozen security personnel were among those killed. Mouzzam Jah Ansa...

As Bangladesh’s political landscape continues to evolve, one name has been capturing the attention of analysts and political observers alike: Tanjim Ahmad Sohel Taj. The son of Bangladesh’s first Prime Minister, Tajuddin Ahmad, and a former State Minister for Home Affairs, Sohel Taj's recent engagements have fueled speculation about his potential return to active politics, particularly within the ruling Awami League. A Legacy of Integrity and Commitment Sohel Taj’s political lineage is deeply rooted in the history of Bangladesh. His father, Tajuddin Ahmad, played a pivotal role as the Prime Minister of the Mujibnagar government in exile during the 1971 Liberation War, effectively leading the country's independence movement when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was imprisoned. After the war,...

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and interim Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Professor Muhammad Yunus, had a pivotal diplomatic engagement at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2024, marking a crucial step in Bangladesh’s international relations. Among his high-profile meetings was a significant bilateral discussion with U.S. President Joe Biden, where the two leaders explored avenues for stronger ties and economic cooperation. Meeting with President Biden: A Diplomatic Breakthrough Yunus’s meeting with Biden on the sidelines of UNGA 2024 was a historic moment, as it marked the first bilateral meeting between a sitting U.S. president and a Bangladeshi leader at the assembly. Biden expressed his admiration for Yunus’s role in leading Bangladesh through a transitional period after the f...

Investigative Report By Mohammed Shahid Miah: In a startling turn of events, Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has fled the country amid a massive student-led revolution. Protests erupted in the capital, Dhaka, demanding an end to Hasina's alleged political corruption and her undemocratic attempts to hold onto power. As the public outcry grew, so did the violence. Initially, Hasina resorted to using police forces to control the escalating demonstrations. These brutal crackdowns, however, resulted in the deaths of hundreds of innocent students, further intensifying public outrage. In a last-ditch effort to maintain control, she declared a nationwide curfew and called on the military to restore order, but the military refused to follow her...

Nearly 40,000 people were found dead alone in their homes in Japan during the first half of 2024, according to a report by the National Police Agency. Of these, almost 4,000 individuals were discovered more than a month after their deaths, while 130 bodies remained unnoticed for a year before being found. Japan, which currently has the oldest population in the world according to the United Nations, is increasingly facing the issue of elderly citizens living and dying alone. The National Police Agency hopes that its report will draw attention to this growing problem. The data from the first half of 2024 reveals that 37,227 people living alone were found deceased in their homes. The report highlights that over 70% of these individuals were aged 65 and above, underscoring the vulnerabil...