分类： politics

In his inaugural policy address, Bangladesh’s newly appointed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has committed to addressing the nation’s pressing economic challenges during the holy month of Ramadan. The 60-year-old political scion, sworn into office on Tuesday, faces the formidable task of stabilizing essential commodity prices while implementing comprehensive governance reforms.

Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the late President Ziaur Rahman, assumes leadership following his party’s decisive electoral victory. His administration inherits a complex landscape marked by political turbulence and economic strain, particularly after the 2024 uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina’s government.

During a nationally televised speech on Wednesday evening, the Prime Minister issued a stern warning against commercial exploitation during Ramadan. He emphasized the spiritual significance of the holy month, stating, ‘This period of self-purification should not exacerbate public hardship. Traders must refrain from treating Ramadan as an opportunity for excessive profit and ensure essential goods remain accessible to all citizens.’

The government’s commitment comes against a backdrop of persistent inflationary pressures. Recent data reveals Bangladesh’s annual inflation reached 8.58% in January 2026—the highest recorded since May 2025—with food prices continuing to burden household economies.

Rahman outlined a multi-faceted approach to economic management, pledging to dismantle market syndicates that manipulate prices while establishing robust mechanisms to protect both consumers and legitimate businesses. His administration will prioritize judicial reforms and anti-corruption measures, asserting that ‘the rule of law, rather than political influence or coercion, will serve as the foundational principle of governance.’

Beyond immediate economic concerns, the Prime Minister revealed ambitious infrastructure modernization plans. These include comprehensive reorganization and expansion of the national railway network, alongside enhanced coordination between transportation ministries to develop an integrated transit system. This initiative aims to alleviate urban congestion while improving nationwide connectivity and commercial efficiency.

Washington witnessed the inaugural gathering of President Donald Trump’s newly established ‘Board of Peace’ on Thursday, an institution conceived with immediate focus on Gaza’s stabilization but designed with far broader geopolitical ambitions. The high-profile assembly brought together approximately two dozen world leaders and senior officials, notably including several of Trump’s authoritarian-leaning allies while conspicuously excluding traditional European democratic partners typically aligned with U.S. initiatives.

The board’s formation follows the Trump administration’s successful mediation of an October ceasefire in Gaza, achieved through collaborative diplomacy with Qatar and Egypt, which halted two years of devastating conflict. According to U.S. officials, the peace plan has now progressed to its second phase, prioritizing the disarmament of Hamas—the Palestinian group whose October 7, 2023 attack on Israel triggered massive military retaliation. Gaza’s Hamas-operated health ministry reports at least 601 casualties since the truce implementation.

Central to Thursday’s deliberations were substantial financial commitments exceeding $5 billion for Gaza’s reconstruction, where extensive infrastructure lies in ruins. President Trump has notably suggested developing resorts in the territory, drawing from his background as a property magnate. The meeting also advanced plans for an International Stabilization Force to ensure security, with Indonesia—the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation—expressing readiness to contribute up to 8,000 troops pending confirmation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the priority of disarming Hamas, specifically targeting AK-47 rifles as ‘the main weapon that has to go.’ Strategic affairs expert Jeremy Issacharoff acknowledged the complexity of disarmament while stressing that a credible pathway would determine the initiative’s viability. Meanwhile, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem urged the board to compel Israel to cease violations and lift its longstanding siege of Gaza.

The board’s operational framework grants Trump veto power and permanent leadership privileges even after leaving office, with permanent membership requiring a $1 billion contribution. The initiative has drawn criticism from analysts like Bruce Jones of the Brookings Institution, who described it as ‘a confused mix of ambition and narcissism, unleavened by any effort at intellectual coherence.’

The attendance roster reflected Trump’s diplomatic preferences, featuring Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Argentina’s President Javier Millei, while traditional U.S. allies including France and Canada were notably absent. Japan remained undecided on membership, and Brazilian President Lula da Silva declined participation, criticizing the board as ‘a new UN where only [Trump] is the owner.’

In a landmark ruling that has exposed profound national divisions, former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life imprisonment for orchestrating a constitutional insurrection through his attempted imposition of martial law. The Seoul Central District Court delivered the verdict on Thursday, concluding that Yoon’s actions on December 3, 2024, constituted a grave assault on democratic foundations when he deployed military forces to blockade the National Assembly and ordered the arrest of political opponents.

Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon characterized Yoon as the ‘insurrectionist leader’ whose conduct ‘fundamentally damaged South Korea’s democracy,’ justifying the severe punishment despite prosecutors initially seeking capital punishment. The courtroom proceedings unfolded amid intense public polarization, with thousands of supporters and protesters clashing outside the courthouse. Emotional Yoon loyalists wept openly while holding banners proclaiming ‘Yoon, again,’ while anti-Yoon demonstrators demanded maximum penalty.

The political crisis originated when Yoon—facing legislative gridlock and corruption allegations against his wife, Kim Keon Hee—attempted to justify military rule as necessary protection against ‘anti-state forces’ sympathetic to North Korea. His televised declaration was reversed within hours after lawmakers physically forced their way into the parliamentary compound, triggering months of political turmoil that culminated in impeachment proceedings and multiple criminal indictments.

This verdict represents the latest development in a sweeping judicial process that has already resulted in substantial prison terms for Yoon’s associates. Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo received a 23-year sentence last month, while ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun—who advised implementing martial law—was jailed for 30 years. Several other high-ranking officials received sentences for their participation in what courts have deemed ‘an insurrection from the top.’

Yoon maintained throughout the trial that his actions fell within presidential authority, claiming he acted to ‘protect the freedom and sovereignty of the people.’ His legal team immediately denounced the verdict as lacking evidentiary support and following a ‘pre-written script,’ suggesting likely appeals to the Supreme Court. This would prolong final resolution for several months amid ongoing security deployments and political tensions.

Historical precedent suggests potential for future presidential pardon, as every convicted South Korean leader since 1997 has eventually received executive clemency. Yoon currently serves additional time for abuse of power and obstruction charges related to the insurrection attempt, with three more trials pending.

In a landmark verdict that concludes one of South Korea’s most dramatic political sagas, impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life imprisonment for leading an insurrection through his unauthorized declaration of martial law in December 2024. The Seoul Central District Court delivered the decisive ruling on Thursday, marking the 65-year-old conservative leader’s second criminal conviction within a month.

The unprecedented constitutional crisis began when President Yoon attempted to institute martial law citing unspecified North Korean threats and ‘anti-state communist elements’—a move parliament reversed within hours amid massive public outcry. The declaration plunged South Korea’s young democracy into months of political turmoil, widespread protests, and ultimately led to Yoon’s impeachment, indictment, and removal from office in April 2025.

Legal experts have characterized the martial law attempt as both ‘legal overreach and political miscalculation.’ Professor Leif-Eric Easley of Ewha Womans University noted that ‘with extremely low public support and without strong backing within his own party, the president should have known how difficult it would be to implement his late-night decree.’

Yoon’s political downfall represents a spectacular reversal for the former prosecutor who rose to national prominence by convicting ex-President Park Geun-hye in 2016. His 2022 electoral victory against liberal opponent Lee Jae-myung by less than 1% reflected South Korea’s deeply divided political landscape. Yoon initially appealed to young male voters through anti-feminist platforms amid growing societal divisions over gender issues.

The former president’s tenure was marred by numerous controversies, including diplomatic gaffes and scandals involving first lady Kim Keon Hee, who faced allegations of corruption and influence peddling. Yoon’s approval ratings steadily declined throughout his presidency due to personal scandals and mounting opposition pressure.

The political crisis culminated after opposition parties won a landslide victory in April 2024 parliamentary elections, rendering Yoon a lame-duck president. Facing budget cuts and impeachment proceedings against cabinet members, Yoon resorted to what analysts termed ‘the nuclear option.’

Yoon’s insurrection trial revealed that his martial law justification—initially framed as national security necessity—was primarily motivated by domestic political troubles. Throughout the proceedings, the former president maintained defiance, characterizing his actions as ‘a measure to protect the freedom and sovereignty of the people.’

The verdict has further polarized South Korean society. While many celebrate the judgment as upholding constitutional order, Yoon retains a vocal support base among young male and elderly conservative voters who echo right-wing narratives about election fraud and national security necessities. Pro-Yoon demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse during the verdict, reflecting persistent divisions within Korean society.

Several former administration officials received substantial sentences for their roles in the crisis, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (23 years) and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min (7 years). The courts uniformly recognized the martial law declaration as an act of insurrection against constitutional order.

Despite the closure of this chapter, South Korea continues to grapple with the political and social divisions exposed during the crisis. Yoon still faces two additional trials while serving a separate five-year sentence for abuse of power, obstruction of justice, and document falsification convictions.

SEOUL, South Korea — Former President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared at Seoul Central District Court on Thursday for a landmark verdict regarding rebellion charges stemming from his unprecedented attempt to impose martial law in December 2024. The ousted conservative leader arrived under heavy police security as both supporters and protesters gathered outside the judicial complex.

The case represents the most severe political crisis in decades for South Korea, triggered when Yoon declared martial law and deployed military forces to surround the National Assembly on December 3, 2024. Special prosecutors have pursued capital punishment for the former president, arguing his actions constituted a grave threat to the nation’s democratic foundations.

Legal experts anticipate a life imprisonment sentence rather than execution, noting that Yoon’s poorly executed power grab resulted in no casualties. South Korea maintains an unofficial moratorium on capital punishment, with no executions carried out since 1997.

Presiding Judge Jee Kui-youn will also deliver rulings for seven former military and police officials accused of enforcing Yoon’s martial law decree, including ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun.

Yoon has maintained that his actions were necessary to counter what he characterized as ‘anti-state’ liberal forces obstructing his governance agenda. The martial law declaration lasted approximately six hours before legislators breached the military blockade and unanimously voted to overturn the measure.

The former president was initially suspended from office on December 14, 2024, following impeachment by lawmakers, and was formally removed by the Constitutional Court in April 2025. He has remained in custody since July facing multiple criminal trials.

Last month, Yoon received a five-year prison sentence on separate charges including resisting arrest, fabricating the martial law proclamation, and bypassing mandatory Cabinet procedures. Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo received a 23-year sentence for attempting to legitimize the decree through manipulated Cabinet meetings and falsified records, though he has appealed the verdict.

North Korea has publicly showcased 50 new launch vehicles for nuclear-capable short-range missiles in a strategic military display ahead of an upcoming ruling party congress. State media released photographs depicting rows of launcher trucks positioned near the April 25th House of Culture in Pyongyang, the traditional venue for major political gatherings.

The Korean Central News Agency confirmed these vehicles support the country’s 600-millimeter multiple rocket launcher systems, which military experts note blur conventional distinctions between artillery and short-range ballistic missiles due to their self-thrust capability and guided delivery systems. These weapons form part of North Korea’s expanding arsenal designed to penetrate missile defense systems in South Korea.

Leader Kim Jong Un, addressing the ceremony, emphasized the advanced capabilities of these rocket launchers, describing them as “wonderful” systems equipped with artificial intelligence and precision guidance technologies engineered for “strategic missions”—a term typically indicating nuclear purposes. Kim further announced that the impending Workers’ Party congress would introduce comprehensive plans to enhance the operational capabilities of his nuclear-armed military, which already possesses diverse weapons systems targeting U.S. allies in Asia and potential long-range strike capacity against the American mainland.

In parallel developments, Kim’s sister and key foreign policy official Kim Yo Jong offered measured acknowledgment of South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young’s apology regarding alleged civilian drone incursions. However, she maintained that North Korea would continue strengthening border security measures against what she termed the “enemy” South, warning that any recurrent drone flights would meet with military response.

The Korean Peninsula tensions have significantly escalated since 2019 when nuclear negotiations between Kim Jong Un and former U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed over sanctions disputes. Relations deteriorated further as Kim abandoned longstanding reunification principles, instead adopting a hostile “two-state” doctrine that may be formally institutionalized in the Workers’ Party constitution during the forthcoming congress.