标签： Asia

Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, an 80-year-old political stalwart, is set to contest in the upcoming February elections, as confirmed by her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Monday. A dominant figure in the nation’s tumultuous political landscape, Zia’s return marks a significant moment in the country’s power struggles. Her party is widely regarded as the frontrunner in the polls. Zia will contest in three constituencies, according to Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, a senior BNP leader. Her participation comes after years of imprisonment and health challenges under the rule of her arch-rival, Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in a mass uprising in August 2024. Zia, who served as prime minister three times, was jailed in 2018 on corruption charges under Hasina’s administration, which also restricted her from seeking medical treatment abroad. She was released last year following Hasina’s fall from power. Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, who has been living in the UK since 2008, will also run in the elections. Rahman, acquitted of serious charges after Hasina’s departure, has long claimed political persecution. The political rivalry between Zia and Hasina, often referred to as the ‘Battle of the Begums,’ has shaped Bangladesh’s politics for decades. This feud traces back to the 1975 assassination of Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the subsequent rise of Zia’s husband, Ziaur Rahman, who became president in 1977 before his own assassination in 1981. Zia inherited the BNP leadership and emerged as a formidable political force, eventually alternating power with Hasina over the years.

SEOUL, South Korea — Kim Yong Nam, a steadfast North Korean official who served as the nation’s ceremonial head of state for over two decades, has died at the age of 97, as reported by North Korea’s state media on Tuesday. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced that Kim, who held the position of president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly from 1998 to 2019, passed away on Monday. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid his respects by visiting Kim Yong Nam’s bier on Tuesday, expressing profound condolences.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized on Monday that a United Nations Security Council resolution is essential to authorize an international stabilization force for Gaza. He stated that Turkey’s decision to participate would hinge on this critical step. Fidan highlighted that countries considering troop deployment, as part of a US-brokered deal, are eager to first understand the mission’s parameters. ‘Countries want a UN Security Council resolution that establishes the force, defines its terms, and grants it legitimacy,’ Fidan explained during a press conference in Istanbul. This followed his meetings with foreign ministers from Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and representatives from the UAE and Qatar. Recent reports suggest Turkey is among the nations being considered for deployment, a proposal strongly opposed by the Israeli government. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently affirmed Ankara’s readiness to maintain the Gaza ceasefire, including potential troop deployment if necessary. Fidan stressed that participation would depend on the mission’s definition and scope, particularly its powers and rules of engagement. He also noted that countries might hesitate if the mission’s mandate conflicts with their principles. ‘We are ready to shoulder the burden for peace and make any necessary sacrifice,’ Fidan said, adding that Turkey is carefully examining the proposed framework to ensure alignment with its principles. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is reportedly exploring alternatives, such as Azerbaijani troops, to avoid Turkish involvement. Tensions between Turkey and Israel have escalated since Israel’s military actions in Gaza began in October 2023, with Turkey imposing a trade embargo and joining a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

A British public relations consultancy, CMS Strategic, has been accused of orchestrating a media narrative linking Iran to the funding of Palestine Action, a proscribed direct action group. According to a report by Private Eye, Georgia Pickering, the head of CMS Strategic, allegedly claimed responsibility for placing a story in The Times about a Home Office investigation into Palestine Action’s funding sources. The article, which suggested Iranian proxies were financing the group, was published shortly before Palestine Action was banned under terrorism legislation in July 2023. The story was later amplified by outlets such as the Mail and GB News. However, the Home Office denied recognizing the claims, and Palestine Action dismissed the investigation as “baseless” and “ridiculous.” CMS Strategic also denied involvement in the Times article, contradicting Pickering’s alleged admission. The controversy emerged amid a broader campaign by pro-Israel lobbying group We Believe in Israel, which accused the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of being the “darker puppeteer” behind Palestine Action. The group’s reports, which influenced the language of then Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s statement on the ban, lacked concrete evidence beyond claims of ideological alignment. Palestine Action, known for targeting Elbit Systems and its affiliates, including CMS, has faced increasing scrutiny in the UK.