Bangladesh faced widespread disruption on Thursday as ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her former ruling party, the Awami League, called for a nationwide ‘lockdown’ in protest against her trial for crimes against humanity. The charges stem from her alleged role in the violent crackdown on student-led protests last year, which ended her 15-year rule and left hundreds dead. Hasina, currently in exile in India, is being tried in absentia by a special tribunal in Dhaka, which is set to announce the verdict date soon. The tribunal also involves former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, the latter of whom has turned state witness against Hasina. The interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has heightened security nationwide, deploying soldiers and other agencies to guard the tribunal premises. Schools in Dhaka and other major cities shifted to online classes, while public transportation was severely disrupted. The Awami League, now banned, has urged supporters to protest, leading to escalating tensions. Over the past three days, crude bomb explosions and vehicle arson have been reported in Dhaka and elsewhere, signaling continued political chaos. Hasina has denounced the tribunal as a ‘kangaroo court’ and refused legal representation, while her party campaigns against the upcoming February elections unless they are allowed to participate. The UN estimates up to 1,400 deaths during last year’s violence, though Hasina disputes these figures and demands an independent investigation. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry has summoned India’s Deputy High Commissioner to express concerns over Hasina’s media interactions in India, where she accused Yunus of supporting Islamists and violating human rights. Hasina vows to fight back, with her son emphasizing that only an inclusive election can stabilize the country.
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Parents search for children missing since a volcanic eruption in Colombia 40 years ago
In the wake of the catastrophic eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano on November 13, 1985, which obliterated the Colombian town of Armero and claimed approximately 25,000 lives, hundreds of children were separated from their families. Among them was Sergio Melendro, whose mother, Martha Lucía López, continues her relentless search for her son nearly four decades later. López, now 67, recently participated in a symbolic act of releasing a boat into the river, adorned with images of missing children, in a poignant plea for their return. ‘The only option we have is for them, the people who adopted them, to tell the true story and for them to come to us,’ López expressed. The tragedy, Colombia’s deadliest natural disaster, left Armero uninhabited and plunged countless families into a lifelong quest to reunite with their lost loved ones. On the night of the eruption, López and her husband were swept away by the torrential flow of lava and debris, leaving their five-year-old son Sergio behind. Despite years of searching and unverified leads, including a potential sighting in New Orleans, Sergio’s fate remains a mystery. The Armando Armero Foundation has documented 580 missing children, with 71 reportedly adopted. So far, only four have been located through DNA testing. Francisco González, the foundation’s director, emphasized the complexity of the situation, stating that children were taken by various means, including by civilians who acted out of compassion. The Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF) has acknowledged receiving 170 children from Armero but is still investigating the number of adoptions, which were court-mandated at the time. Families have long relied on the ICBF’s ‘red book,’ a recently declassified record of some of the missing children, though it remains incomplete. Despite the passage of time, the families’ resolve remains unshaken. ‘It’s been 40 years of hope,’ said Benjamín Herrera, father of Óscar Fernando, who was just 14 months old at the time of the tragedy. ‘And we will wait as long as it takes.’
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Democrats left bruised after historic shutdown yields little
After a grueling 43 days, the longest government shutdown in US history has finally concluded. Federal employees will soon receive their overdue paychecks, national parks will reopen, and essential government services will resume. Air travel, which had become a logistical nightmare, will return to its usual state of minor frustrations. However, as the dust settles and President Donald Trump signs the funding bill, questions linger about the shutdown’s lasting impact and its cost to the nation. The shutdown was triggered by Senate Democrats, who used the parliamentary filibuster to block a Republican-backed temporary funding measure. Their primary demand was an extension of health insurance subsidies for low-income Americans, set to expire at year’s end. Despite their efforts, the eventual reopening of the government yielded little for Democrats—only a promise of a Senate vote on the subsidies, with no guarantees of Republican support. This outcome has sparked outrage among the party’s progressive wing, with figures like California Governor Gavin Newsom labeling the deal as “pathetic” and a “surrender.” Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, criticized the Democratic leadership for failing to adapt to the political landscape reshaped by Trump. Meanwhile, Trump has celebrated the reopening as a “very big victory,” even taking jabs at Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. Despite the resolution, the battle over healthcare subsidies remains unresolved, posing a significant challenge for millions of Americans facing skyrocketing insurance costs. Additionally, the Epstein case resurfaced, diverting attention from the shutdown’s conclusion and underscoring the unpredictable nature of US politics. As Congress returns to its regular schedule, the specter of another shutdown looms, with funding for several government departments set to expire by January’s end.
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More rain falls in Taiwan after tropical depression causes flooding
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan faced continued downpours and severe weather conditions on Thursday as Tropical Depression Fung-wong brought relentless rain, triggering widespread flooding and posing a persistent threat of landslides. The storm, which initially made landfall in southern Pingtung County on Wednesday evening, has left 95 people injured across the island. In anticipation of the storm’s impact, authorities evacuated over 8,500 residents from vulnerable coastal and mountainous regions.
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‘Fortune teller’ and daughter allegedly behind A$70m fraud in Australia
A mother and daughter, allegedly part of a highly sophisticated criminal syndicate, have been arrested in Sydney, Australia, for orchestrating a massive fraud scheme targeting vulnerable members of the Vietnamese community. The duo, aged 53 and 25 respectively, are accused of scamming nearly A$70 million (approximately $46 million) through deceptive practices, including posing as a fortune teller and feng shui master. The mother allegedly convinced victims to take out loans by promising them a future as billionaires, while keeping a significant portion of the funds for herself. The pair were arrested at their multi-million-dollar mansion in the exclusive suburb of Dover Heights, where police seized luxury items, financial documents, and a 40-gram gold bar worth A$10,000. The mother faces 39 charges, including directing a criminal group and obtaining financial advantage by deception, while her daughter faces seven charges related to money laundering and involvement in criminal activities. The investigation, led by NSW Police’s Strike Force Myddleton, has uncovered a broader syndicate involved in large-scale fraud and money laundering, with assets worth A$75 million already frozen. The case, dubbed the Penthouse Syndicate, is believed to be one of the largest financial crime operations in Australia, involving corrupt bank staff and fraudulent loans to purchase luxury properties.
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GCC to roll out ‘one-stop’ travel system; UAE, Bahrain to pilot first phase in December
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has unveiled a groundbreaking ‘one-stop’ travel system aimed at streamlining cross-border movement for Gulf citizens. The UAE and Bahrain have been chosen to spearhead the pilot phase of this initiative, set to commence in December 2025. This innovative system will consolidate all travel procedures—including immigration, customs, and security checks—into a single checkpoint, eliminating the need for multiple inspections upon arrival. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi announced the project during the 42nd meeting of GCC Interior Ministers in Kuwait City, emphasizing that the system will be expanded to all six member states if the pilot proves successful. The initiative aligns with the GCC’s broader efforts to enhance regional integration, including the introduction of a unified GCC tourist visa, which is expected to launch in late 2025. Together, these measures are poised to revolutionize intra-Gulf and inbound travel, fostering a more seamless and efficient experience for citizens, residents, and international visitors alike.
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Djokovic says Sinner’s doping controversy will linger
Novak Djokovic has openly criticized the handling of Jannik Sinner’s doping case, describing it as ‘odd’ and predicting that the controversy will shadow the Italian tennis star throughout his career. Sinner, a four-time Grand Slam champion, was suspended for three months earlier this year after testing positive for the anabolic agent clostebol. Authorities accepted that the substance entered his system inadvertently through massages administered by his physiotherapist during the Indian Wells tournament in March 2024. Despite the suspension, Sinner was able to return to competition in May without missing any Grand Slam events, a fact that Djokovic finds particularly troubling. In an interview with Piers Morgan, Djokovic expressed his dissatisfaction with the perceived preferential treatment given to Sinner, comparing it to his own experience of being deported from Australia in 2022 over his refusal to take a COVID-19 vaccine. Djokovic emphasized that while he does not believe Sinner acted deliberately, the inconsistency and lack of transparency in the case’s handling have left a cloud over the Italian’s career. He also noted that many other players, both male and female, have voiced similar concerns about preferential treatment in doping cases. The International Tennis Integrity Agency has maintained that all cases are dealt with based on facts and evidence, not a player’s name, nationality, or ranking. However, Djokovic’s comments have reignited the debate over fairness and consistency in the enforcement of anti-doping regulations in professional tennis.
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Jewish groups condemn ADL’s Mamdani Monitor as ‘blatant Islamophobia’
A coalition of Jewish organizations has strongly criticized the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for its creation of the ‘Mamdani Monitor,’ labeling it as a blatantly Islamophobic and racist initiative targeting New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. The coalition, which includes groups such as IfNotNow, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, and J Street NYC, released a letter on Tuesday condemning the project, stating that it undermines the collective fight against antisemitism and Islamophobia in the city. The letter emphasized unity with Mamdani and rejected the ADL’s claim to represent all Jewish communities. It also highlighted Mamdani’s commitment to combating hate violence and his outreach to Jewish communities during his campaign. The ADL, however, defended its initiative, with CEO Jonathan Greenblatt asserting that Mamdani has promoted antisemitic narratives and demonstrated animosity toward Israel. The tracker has faced widespread backlash, with critics accusing the ADL of scaremongering and conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism. Despite the controversy, Greenblatt stated that the monitor would also share positive news if Mamdani’s administration takes steps to ensure the safety and inclusion of Jewish New Yorkers.
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India vows justice after deadly ‘terror’ car blast
India has vowed to bring the perpetrators of a deadly car explosion near the historic Red Fort in Delhi to justice. The blast, which occurred on Monday, killed at least 12 people and injured 30 others, marking one of the most significant security incidents in recent months. The Indian government, in a cabinet statement, confirmed the incident as an act of terrorism, describing it as a ‘heinous terror incident perpetrated by anti-national forces.’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the emergency meeting, where the cabinet expressed profound grief over the loss of lives and reiterated India’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards terrorism. The Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the venue for the annual Independence Day speech, is one of India’s most iconic landmarks. Witnesses recounted the harrowing scene of the car exploding in traffic, with victims engulfed in flames. The explosion occurred hours after Indian police arrested a gang linked to Pakistan-based radical groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, both designated as terrorist organizations in India. The National Investigation Agency is leading the probe, with the government emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding national security and bringing the culprits to justice. The incident has drawn international condemnation, with foreign governments expressing solidarity. This attack follows a pattern of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which India blamed on Pakistan. The recent Islamabad suicide bombing, claimed by a Pakistani Taliban faction, has further strained relations, with both nations trading accusations of supporting terrorism.
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US House passes bill to end record-breaking government shutdown
The United States House of Representatives has passed a short-term spending bill, effectively ending the longest government shutdown in the nation’s history. This bipartisan measure, which secured support from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, was approved just two days after the Senate narrowly passed the same legislation. The shutdown, which began on October 1, had left millions of Americans without essential food aid and disrupted air travel due to unpaid air traffic controllers calling in sick. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill late Wednesday night, bringing relief to government systems strained by the prolonged closure. However, the funding only extends until January 30, leaving lawmakers with the challenge of reaching a long-term agreement. The shutdown’s central issue revolved around healthcare subsidies for low-income Americans, with Democrats pushing for their inclusion in the funding bill. Despite their efforts, the final deal did not address this concern, leading to frustration among House Democrats. Meanwhile, the swearing-in of Adelita Grijalva, Arizona’s newest Democratic representative, marked a symbolic moment as she joined her colleagues in advocating for justice in the Jeffrey Epstein case. House Speaker Mike Johnson has pledged to schedule a vote on the Epstein-related petition next week, signaling a potential shift in legislative priorities.