分类： world

Dhaka witnessed an overwhelming outpouring of grief as tens of thousands of mourners gathered Saturday for the funeral of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent student leader whose assassination has plunged Bangladesh into renewed political turmoil. The massive procession followed two days of violent protests that have shaken the nation’s interim government.

Hadi, 32, a central figure in last year’s pro-democracy uprising, succumbed to injuries Thursday in a Singapore hospital after masked gunmen opened fire while he was departing a mosque in Dhaka. His body was repatriated to the capital Friday ahead of the solemn funeral rites held at the parliament building, where police in body cameras maintained a vigilant presence.

Interim leader Muhammad Yunus delivered an emotionally charged eulogy, declaring, “We have not come here to say goodbye. You are in our hearts and will remain in the heart of all Bangladeshis as long as the country exists.” Hadi, known for his vocal criticism of India, had been preparing to contest February’s general elections.

The assassination has triggered widespread civil unrest, with protesters demanding justice and accountability. Late Thursday, demonstrators targeted media institutions, setting fire to offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and Daily Star, which critics accuse of pro-India bias. The publications have been particularly scrutinized since ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought refuge in India following the 2024 uprising.

In a separate incident adding to the tension, Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das was lynched Thursday in Mymensingh district following blasphemy allegations. Yunus confirmed seven suspects have been arrested in connection with this religiously-motivated killing.

Amnesty International issued a statement Saturday urging Bangladesh’s interim government to conduct “prompt, thorough, independent and impartial” investigations into both Hadi’s killing and the subsequent violence. The rights organization expressed particular alarm over the deteriorating security situation and growing religious tensions.

The convergence of political assassination, religious violence, and anti-media attacks presents a severe challenge to Bangladesh’s fragile transitional government as the nation approaches critical elections.

A devastating railway collision resulted in the deaths of seven elephants and left one injured in northeastern India’s Assam state early Saturday morning. The incident occurred at approximately 2:17 AM local time in Hojai district when a Delhi-bound train struck a wandering herd outside officially recognized elephant passageways.

According to VV Rakesh Reddy, the district police chief, and confirmed by Northeast Frontier Railway authorities, the train engineer immediately engaged emergency brakes upon spotting the elephants. Tragically, the animals unexpectedly moved toward the oncoming train instead of away from it, leading to the fatal impact.

The collision caused significant derailment of the locomotive and five passenger coaches, though remarkably no human injuries were reported among passengers or crew. Railway officials have implemented immediate diversion protocols for scheduled trains while restoration teams work to clear and repair the affected section.

This incident highlights the ongoing conflict between India’s expanding rail infrastructure and wildlife conservation efforts, particularly in regions with significant elephant populations. The absence of designated corridors at the accident location raises questions about habitat protection and transportation safety measures in ecologically sensitive areas.

In a significant escalation of military operations, the United States has conducted extensive airstrikes targeting over 70 Islamic State-linked locations throughout central Syria. The coordinated offensive, executed on Friday, represents a direct response to the December 13th ambush near Palmyra that resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and one civilian contractor, with three additional service members wounded.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) characterized the operation as crucial to disrupting ISIS capabilities and preventing terrorist plots against American interests. More than 100 precision munitions were deployed against known ISIS infrastructure and weapons storage facilities, with tactical support provided by Jordanian fighter aircraft.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the operation as a “declaration of vengeance” rather than the initiation of broader conflict. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump asserted Syrian government support for the strikes via his Truth Social platform, issuing a stern warning that terrorists threatening U.S. interests would face unprecedented consequences.

In a notable development, Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly endorsed the counterterrorism effort through official channels, reaffirming Damascus’s commitment to eliminating ISIS safe havens within its territory. The Syrian government extended an invitation for international coalition support, emphasizing the need for civilian protection and regional stability.

The December 13th attack, perpetrated by a lone ISIS gunman according to CENTCOM, triggered a series of 10 operations across Syria and Iraq that neutralized 23 terrorist operatives. Over the past six months, U.S. and partner forces have conducted more than 80 counterterrorism missions targeting threats to regional and American security.

Despite losing territorial control in Syria and Iraq, ISIS remnants continue to pose persistent security threats through insurgent tactics. The New York Times reported the retaliatory strikes extended into early Saturday morning local time, occurring amid a reduced U.S. military presence of approximately 1,000 troops in Syria.

The United States military executed extensive airstrikes against Daesh targets throughout central Syria on Friday, marking a significant retaliatory response to a recent attack that resulted in American casualties. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth characterized the operation as ‘Operation Hawkeye Strike,’ confirming it successfully neutralized enemy fighters, infrastructure, and weapons facilities.

This military action comes directly after a December 13th assault in Palmyra that killed two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter, with three additional soldiers wounded. The attacker, reportedly a member of Syrian security forces with suspected Daesh sympathies, was killed during the incident.

President Donald Trump affirmed the strikes during a public address in North Carolina, describing the operation as a ‘massive’ blow against the terrorist organization. The administration emphasized that the Syrian government, now led by former rebels who overthrew Bashar al-Assad after a prolonged civil war, provided full support for the operation.

U.S. Central Command detailed that the comprehensive strikes hit over 70 targets utilizing F-15 and A-10 jets, Apache helicopters, and HIMARS rocket systems. Jordanian fighter jets provided additional support to the mission, highlighting regional cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.

Despite the scale of the operation, Defense Secretary Hegseth clarified that this represents ‘not the beginning of a war, but a declaration of vengeance,’ indicating targeted retaliation rather than escalation. Approximately 1,000 U.S. troops remain deployed in Syria as part of ongoing coalition efforts against Daesh, which have intensified in recent months through combined airstrikes and ground operations with Syrian security forces.

In a decisive military response, the United States executed a series of airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria late Friday. The operation, officially designated ‘Operation Hawkeye Strike,’ comes as direct retaliation for the December 13th ambush in Palmyra that resulted in the deaths of three American personnel—two soldiers and one civilian interpreter.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth publicly announced the offensive via social media platform X, characterizing the action as a measured response rather than an escalation toward broader conflict. ‘This is not the beginning of a war,’ Hegseth stated. ‘It is a declaration of vengeance.’ His accompanying message delivered a stark warning to adversaries: ‘If you target Americans – anywhere in the world – you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you.’

The Syrian government, through its foreign ministry, issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to combating Islamic State militants. This alignment of interests appears to extend to the highest levels of leadership, with US President Donald Trump noting on his TruthSocial account that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa expressed ‘full support’ for the operation.

According to Pentagon reports, the initial provocation occurred when US personnel engaged in a meeting with local leaders in Palmyra were ambushed by an attacker subsequently identified as an IS sympathizer within Syrian security forces. US Central Command confirmed its troops responded immediately, neutralizing the gunman responsible.

The current US military presence in northern Syria consists of approximately 1,000 troops dedicated to counter-ISIS operations. This retaliatory strike underscores the persistent security challenges facing American forces engaged in ground engagement missions throughout the region.

The restoration of direct air connectivity between India and China after a five-year hiatus is catalyzing a significant resurgence in bilateral exchanges, with educational and cultural ties emerging as primary beneficiaries. This aviation breakthrough, officially commencing in October 2025 with IndiGo Airlines’ Kolkata-Guangzhou route, has dramatically reduced travel barriers that previously hampered academic collaboration.

Indian students pursuing educational opportunities in China are experiencing substantial relief from previously exorbitant travel costs and logistical complexities. Priyanshu Yadav, who recently completed advanced Chinese language studies at Tsinghua University, attested to the transformative impact: ‘Travel expenses have been reduced to less than half, eliminating the need for third-country transits that previously cost approximately $430 for one-way journeys.’

The renewal of direct routes—including China Eastern Airlines’ Shanghai-New Delhi connection and Air India’s planned 2026 resumption of Delhi-Shanghai services—has reinvigorated institutional academic partnerships. Prestigious institutions including Jawaharlal Nehru University and Visva-Bharati University’s Cheena Bhavana (India’s oldest Chinese studies center) are actively reestablishing formal ties with Chinese counterparts like Fudan and Tsinghua Universities.

Professor Huang Yinghong of O.P. Jindal Global University emphasized the multidimensional advantages: ‘The elimination of third-country transit saves time, energy, and financial resources while symbolizing improved bilateral relations.’ This sentiment is echoed by academic leaders anticipating renewed physical exchanges of faculty and students by July 2026, reviving cultural programs encompassing tai chi, calligraphy, Kathak dance, and yoga that were maintained online during the connectivity gap.

The diplomatic dimension continues to develop with China’s recent implementation of an online visa application system for Indian travelers, further streamlining cross-border educational mobility. As Ambassador Xu Feihong noted, these developments reflect mutual commitment to strengthening cooperation across educational, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges, marking a new chapter in Sino-Indian relations through the prism of academic collaboration.