Bangladesh

On August 20, 2026, Bangladesh held its first contested presidential election in 35 years, triggered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin’s resignation on health grounds. Ruling BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir won with 255 votes against opposition candidate Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed’s 88 in parliament. Alamgir, 78, will be sworn in on August 21. The presidency is largely ceremonial, but the election marks a significant political milestone amid ongoing constitutional debates.

9 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 22, 06:32 PM UTC

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Kozhikode, India, arrested a Bangladeshi national identified as Muhammad Hassan from Mavoor on Wednesday. Hassan was apprehended during an inspection at a rented house following a tip-off. The ATS team recovered his Bangladeshi identity documents and currency. Hassan and a friend had moved into the house just a day earlier. The friend fled upon seeing the ATS team, and police have intensified the search for him. Authorities also received information about another friend staying in the same house and are working to trace him. Hassan was moved to the Mavoor police station, and a case will be registered under the Immigration and Foreigners Act for illegal stay.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 08:06 PM UTC

On July 28, 2026, the Q Branch police detained five Bangladesh nationals during a verification drive at Panickampalayam near Perundurai in Erode district, Tamil Nadu. The operation was conducted based on intelligence that foreign nationals were residing in the area without valid authorization. The Perundurai SIPCOT Industrial Estate, which houses over 100 industrial units and employs thousands of migrant workers, was the focus of the surprise inspection. The five individuals were taken to a police station for verification of their passports, visas, and other immigration documents. Authorities are investigating the legality of their stay in the district.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 12:38 PM UTC

Bangladesh's deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 78, told AFP she is determined to return to her country by December, despite fearing for her life. In an email response, she stated, 'I may be killed. I may be arrested. I may be sent to prison... Still, I want to go back because my people are calling me.' Last November, a special tribunal in Dhaka sentenced Hasina to death in absentia for alleged crimes against humanity over her government's brutal crackdown on student-led protests in 2024. Hasina dismissed the death penalty and all charges as politically motivated. Since the verdict, Bangladesh has been urging India to extradite her to face the law.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 06:22 AM UTC

The article marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, a UN-backed treaty that defined refugees, their rights, and standards of treatment, saving millions of lives. It highlights growing strain on the convention as some countries deny asylum seekers entry, notably under US President Donald Trump's policy of sending asylum seekers to third countries. Over 41 million refugees remain forcibly displaced, with 70% hosted by low- and middle-income countries amid over 130 armed conflicts globally. The core principle of non-refoulement prohibits returning people to persecution. Six refugees share their experiences: Sayed Alom, a Rohingya who fled Myanmar to Bangladesh in 2017, describes worsening conditions including kidnapping and natural disasters; human rights lawyer Juan Carlos Arce fled Nicaragua in 2018 and credits the convention with saving his life. The article underscores the convention's enduring importance despite contemporary challenges.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 07:49 AM UTC

Former Labour anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq has criticized Prime Minister Andy Burnham's major government reshuffle, which removed most of Keir Starmer's allies from positions of power. Siddiq expressed frustration over the sacking of competent parliamentary private secretaries (PPS), particularly noting the removal of Abena Oppong-Asare, the first Black woman to serve as PPS to a prime minister. The reshuffle, announced in Burnham's first week in office, includes new PPS appointments made in consultation with cabinet ministers. Siddiq, who resigned from Starmer's government in January 2025 amid scrutiny over her links to her aunt, former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, was convicted in absentia in Bangladesh in December 2025 on corruption charges related to a 2013 nuclear deal with Russia, which she denies.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 07:42 AM UTC

Former Labour anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq has publicly criticized Prime Minister Andy Burnham's major government reshuffle, which saw the removal of most of Keir Starmer's allies from positions of power. Siddiq expressed frustration on X, particularly noting the dismissal of Abena Oppong-Asare, the first Black woman to serve as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to a prime minister. The reshuffle, implemented within Burnham's first week in office, also includes new PPS appointments with promises of enhanced responsibilities. Siddiq, who resigned from Starmer's government in January 2025 amid scrutiny over her ties to her aunt, former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, and was later convicted in absentia in Bangladesh on corruption charges, rejected the allegations as malicious. The government has been approached for comment.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 07:42 AM UTC

Former anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq publicly criticized Prime Minister Andy Burnham's major government reshuffle, which saw most of Keir Starmer's allies removed from power. Siddiq expressed frustration over the 'unceremonious sacking' of competent parliamentary private secretaries (PPSs), specifically noting the removal of Abena Oppong-Asare, the first Black woman to serve as PPS to a prime minister. The reshuffle, occurring within Burnham's first week in office, aims to strengthen junior roles under a new chief whip. Siddiq, who resigned from Starmer's government in January 2025 amid corruption allegations linked to her aunt, former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, has been convicted in absentia in Bangladesh. The government has been approached for comment.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 07:42 AM UTC

Wheat futures experienced midday losses on Monday, July 27, 2026, with Chicago SRW contracts falling 15-16 cents, KC HRW down 14 cents, and MPLS spring wheat slipping 7-8.25 cents. The decline occurred alongside a broader commodity complex selloff. The weekly Export Inspections report showed wheat shipments of 394,785 MT for the week ending July 23, up 71.82% from the previous week and 36.01% above the same week last year. Major destinations included Bangladesh, Japan, and Mexico. However, the marketing year total of 2.543 MMT remains 23.21% below the same period last year. The weekly Commitment of Traders data indicated managed money in CBT wheat futures and options reduced their net short position by 17,449 contracts to 19,349 contracts, while in KC wheat, they added 12,450 contracts to their net long position, now at 29,944 contracts.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 05:25 PM UTC

China has proposed an economic corridor linking its southwestern Yunnan province with Myanmar and Bangladesh, reviving a scaled-down version of the long-stalled Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) corridor. The proposal was made during Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to Beijing in June 2026. Unlike the original BCIM plan, this initiative excludes India initially but leaves the door open for future Indian participation. The corridor aims to improve connectivity between Yunnan and the Bay of Bengal, reduce transport costs, and help address Bangladesh's massive trade imbalance with China—where China exports $18 billion annually but imports less than $1 billion. Bangladesh has urged China to import more Bangladeshi goods including pharmaceuticals and leather. The phased approach reflects Beijing's willingness to pursue smaller, flexible partnerships in South Asia rather than waiting for consensus among all four BCIM members.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 02:00 PM UTC

On July 24, 2026, the Trump Administration announced new tariffs on imports from 60 economies, following a USTR investigation into failures to enforce bans on forced labor goods. The National Council of Textile Organisations (NCTO) criticized a 'textile mechanism' clause that offers Section 301 duty relief for textile and apparel imports from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia based on their imports of US cotton and textiles. NCTO argues this will harm US domestic manufacturers, who have lost 41 plants and employ 453,000 workers. The group warns that Asia's US market share has grown from 77% to 79% since 2019, while the Western Hemisphere's share shrank from 16% to 12%. NCTO claims the mechanism will not boost US yarn/fabric exports due to Asia's reliance on subsidized inputs, and urges stronger enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act instead.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 12:10 PM UTC

India's Commerce Ministry announced that 45% of Indian exports to the U.S. will not face the new 10% 'forced labour' tariffs imposed by Washington, including generic pharmaceuticals, smartphones, and products already covered by Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminium, and auto parts. The remaining 55% of exports will attract the 10% duty, but this rate is lower than the initially proposed 12.5% and lower than tariffs imposed on 38 other countries investigated by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). India was not included in a textile tariff-rate quota mechanism established for Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia, but said it continues engaging with the U.S. on textile exports as part of ongoing negotiations for the India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The Ministry credited sustained diplomatic engagement for India's relatively favorable tariff treatment.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 12:08 PM UTC

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin, a long-time ally of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, resigned on July 24, 2026, two years before his term ended. In his resignation letter to Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, the 76-year-old cited serious health problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney complications, and a newly diagnosed autonomic neuropathy causing brief loss of consciousness. Speaker Ahmed, who returned from medical treatment in Bangkok, accepted the resignation and will serve as acting president until a successor is elected. Shahabuddin, a 1971 Liberation War veteran and former judge, was the last constitutional holdover from the Hasina era after the 2024 student-led protests toppled her government. His resignation follows speculation that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's government was uncomfortable with him, and reports that he recently contacted Hasina—which he denied. Hasina fled to India in August 2024 and recently announced plans to return by December despite a death sentence.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 01:44 PM UTC

The Swara Samrat Festival, founded 14 years ago in Kolkata in memory of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, held its second Delhi edition featuring only young musicians. The festival opened with Bangladesh-born dhrupad vocalist Niloy Ahsan, who presented Mian ki Malhar but was criticized for an overlong 45-minute alap that left insufficient time for compositions. Next was Farrukhabad gharana tabla artiste Ishaan Ghosh, son of Pt. Nayan Ghosh, who impressed with compositions from multiple tabla traditions and emphasized the importance of preserving each composition's tehzeeb. Sitarist Mehtab Ali Niazi, accompanied by his brother Khurram on tabla, also performed Mian ki Malhar, showing novelty by playing jhala in different beats. The article notes both strengths and weaknesses of each performance, including technical critiques of microphone use and raga exposition.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 11:51 AM UTC

India and Pakistan have been granted direct entry into the quarterfinals of both the men's and women's cricket competitions at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi, Japan. The Indian women's team will begin their campaign against Japan, while the men's opponents will be determined after the preliminary stage. The women's event runs from September 17 to 22, and the men's competition from September 24 to October 1. Both tournaments will be played in T20 format at Korogi Athletic Park. Shreyas Iyer will captain the Indian men's team, and Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the women's side. Cricket is featured in the Asian Games for the fourth time, having previously appeared in 2010, 2014, and 2023.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 11:23 AM UTC

The Hindu's morning digest covers multiple major stories from July 24, 2026. Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike after Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised a cabinet discussion and a bill on NEET paper leaks. The U.S. imposed 10% tariffs on goods from India and 16 other countries over forced labour concerns. The Ministry of Minority Affairs reported over 6.17 lakh Waqf properties approved on the UMEED portal. Opposition parties refused a debate on paper leaks without Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and held a symbolic march. Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman was invited to the BRICS summit in Delhi. Additionally, activist Amit Bhatnagar ended an 18-day hunger strike against the Ken-Betwa river linking project.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 01:06 AM UTC

On July 23, 2026, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) intercepted and apprehended a fishing boat with four Indian crew members near the Indo-Bangladesh International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Sundarbans. Acting on specific intelligence, the operation was conducted in close coordination with the Sunderbans Forest Department and intelligence agencies. The boat had departed from Jherkhali Creek and was suspected of trans-border arms trafficking. A comprehensive search led to the recovery of a cache of illegal arms and ammunition destined for Bangladesh. The ICG stated that the timely interception thwarted a gun-running attempt. The boat, crew, and recovered weapons were handed over to the West Bengal Marine Police for further investigation and legal proceedings.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 11:43 PM UTC

On July 24, 2026, the United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced 10% tariffs on goods imported from India and 16 other countries, citing the use of forced labour in production. The action was taken under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 at President Donald Trump's direction, targeting 60 economies for failing to enforce prohibitions on forced labour-tainted imports. India, previously facing 12.5% tariffs, was included in the 10% bracket alongside Canada, the UK, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The announcement came a day before the expiration of 10% additional levies on all countries. India had amended its foreign trade policy on June 14 to prohibit forced labour imports after the proposed tariffs were unveiled. India has contested the investigations, arguing the issues should be discussed within the bilateral trade agreement. The U.S. is India's second-largest trade partner, with bilateral goods trade reaching nearly $141 billion in 2025.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 11:11 PM UTC

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been invited by the Indian government to attend the BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026, as a guest. The announcement was made by Bangladeshi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid in Dhaka. This marks the first BRICS summit since Rahman came to power in February 2026 after a landslide victory for his Bangladesh Nationalist Party. His first foreign trips were to Malaysia and China. The invitation comes amid a trust deficit in India-Bangladesh ties following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024. Key pending issues include the renewal of the 1996 Ganga water treaty, which expires on December 31, 2026.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 05:12 PM UTC

State BJP president N. Ramchander Rao warned Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Congress leaders against supporting what he termed 'anti-national forces' and foreign-funded organizations. Addressing a press conference in Hyderabad, Rao claimed India's youth would not remain silent if attempts were made to replicate unrest seen in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. He accused Congress, Left parties, and foreign subversive forces of conspiring to undermine the Modi government by instigating youth unrest. Rao alleged that organizations behind recent events in Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Delhi received ₹10 crore from Khalistani groups and support from Qatar, Canada, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. He criticized Rahul Gandhi for aligning with Khalistani forces. Rao also defended the NDA government's handling of the NEET leak case, contrasting it with alleged paper leaks during the UPA regime. Additionally, he launched a BJYM campaign demanding fee reimbursement arrears.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 03:09 PM UTC

A video obtained by Die Welt from the EU border protection agency Frontex shows a May 11 rescue operation by the NGO Sea-Watch in the Mediterranean, where approximately 90 migrants, mostly from Bangladesh, were transferred from a smuggler's boat to Sea-Watch inflatables. The smugglers, reportedly armed and wearing balaclavas, were seen waving and giving thumbs up after the handover. Italy is investigating Sea-Watch for 'aiding illegal entry,' while the organization denies any collaboration with smugglers, stating the video shows only a selective excerpt and that their team was confronted by masked men. The incident has sparked political controversy, with AfD leader Alice Weidel accusing sea rescuers of working 'hand in hand' with criminal gangs. Sea-Watch counters that sea rescue is an obligation under international law and accuses the EU of supporting Libyan actors despite documented violence against migrants.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 10:30 AM UTC

The Assam state government informed the Assembly that 2,089 foreigners were deported from January 2016 to June 2026 for illegal entry or stay, with 2,023 from Bangladesh. Other nationalities deported included 39 from Myanmar, 18 from Nigeria, two each from Afghanistan, Russia, and Ukraine, and one each from Kenya, Pakistan, and Uganda. Additionally, the government disclosed that of 172,673 foreigners detected in Assam as of May 31, 2026, 111,414 were Muslims, 61,189 were Hindus, and 70 were Christians. Minister Atul Bora noted that 1,572 illegal foreigners were sent back from 2025 to June 30, 2026, and 117 were expelled, with repatriations to Bangladesh following a May 2025 Home Ministry directive.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 02:23 AM UTC

The second Delhi edition of the Swara Samrat Festival, held recently, featured only young musicians. The festival opened with a dhrupad vocal recital by Bangladesh-born Niloy Ahsan, who presented Mian ki Malhar but was criticized for an overlong alap and poor time management. Next, Farrukhabad gharana tabla artiste Ishaan Ghosh, son of Pt. Nayan Ghosh, delivered a polished and mature performance in teentaal, showcasing compositions from multiple tabla traditions. The concluding artiste was sitarist Mehtab Ali Niazi, accompanied by his brother Khurram on tabla. Mehtab, from the Bhendi Bazaar gharana, also played Mian ki Malhar, showing novelty in his jhala patterns but lacking full command over raga exposition. The festival, which began 14 years ago in Kolkata in memory of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, has expanded to other cities over the past three years.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 12:33 PM UTC

The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has issued a pre-sowing price forecast for small onions, estimating farm gate prices of ₹30-35 per kg at harvest time. The forecast, by the Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell (DEMIC) of TNAU's Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies, is based on time series analysis of Dindigul market prices over 15 years and a market survey. Key producing areas include Dindigul, Tiruppur, Perambalur, Trichy, Namakkal, Theni, and Madurai, with additional supply from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Small onions constitute about 80% of Tamil Nadu's total onion production, cultivated on 0.44 lakh hectares yielding 5.28 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 (average productivity 12 tonnes/hectare). Tamil Nadu is a major export hub, supplying to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Nepal, with exports accounting for 5-10% of output. Strong international demand is reported this season.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 01:51 PM UTC

Australia's bowling attack receives a major boost with the return of Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood for the two-Test series against Bangladesh. The trio missed most of the home Ashes series due to injuries, with Hazlewood absent since July 2025. Their inclusion, alongside Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, creates a selection dilemma for head coach Andrew McDonald, especially after Boland took 20 wickets in the Ashes. Michael Neser misses out despite his 15 Ashes wickets. The squad also sees the return of opener Jake Weatherald, who has been in strong form for Leicestershire, and all-rounder Beau Webster. The first Test begins August 13 in Darwin, followed by the second in Mackay, serving as preparation for a three-Test tour of South Africa in October.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 05:48 AM UTC

The article examines the diplomatic and practical challenges of recognizing a single government in Myanmar, where the military junta, the National Unity Government (NUG), and ethnic armed organizations compete for control. Despite ASEAN's de facto engagement with the junta as the sole government, the reality on the ground is fragmented: the junta administers only a fifth to a third of the country, while warlordism spreads across nearly half. The NUG and ethnic groups run parallel administrations. International mechanisms like the UN Credentials Committee are deadlocked, defaulting to the current occupant. China bypasses the one-government model by making local deals with armed groups. The article argues that the diplomatic framework of recognizing one government per territory is outdated for Myanmar's complex conflict, and that refusing to deal with armed groups does not change the ground reality.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 05:16 AM UTC

In this Guardian opinion piece, columnist Jonathan Liew reflects on the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, arguing that the tournament revealed the fragility of national identity rather than reinforcing nationalism. He notes that fans from around the world, including Kazakhs cheering for Uzbekistan and Bangladeshis passionately supporting Argentina, adopted temporary allegiances based on personal preference rather than nationality. Liew points to ticket sales data showing most final attendees were Americans, and highlights how celebrities like Mike Tyson and Trevor Noah wore opposing team shirts. He argues that national identity has become a disposable consumer brand, citing examples of far-right nationalists rejecting their own diverse national teams and leftwing fans in Latin America avoiding team shirts co-opted by right-wing populists. The piece concludes that the World Cup, once a bastion of nationalism, now demonstrates the increasing haziness and disposability of nationhood in a globalized world.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 03:20 PM UTC

A Fortune article reports on a trial in Bangladesh showing that providing $10 reading glasses to garment workers with uncorrected presbyopia could unlock $27 billion in global productivity gains. The trial found that every $1 spent on vision screening returned $3.37 in productivity. Workers reported significant improvements in tasks like threading needles. The article highlights the economic impact of addressing a simple, low-cost vision problem in the garment industry workforce.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 03:27 PM UTC

This article explores the extraordinary and enduring support for the Argentine national football team in Bangladesh, a phenomenon that has intensified with Lionel Messi's recent World Cup and Copa America victories. The bond originated in the 1980s with the introduction of color television in Bangladesh, which broadcast Diego Maradona's iconic 1986 World Cup performance. The fandom, spanning generations from Maradona to Messi, manifests in massive street celebrations, murals, and university viewing events across the country. The article highlights the role of student groups in organizing screenings, the diplomatic impact (including Argentina reopening its embassy in Bangladesh in 2023), and the cultural fusion of Argentine and Bangladeshi music. It also addresses darker aspects, including fan violence and the exclusion of women from public viewing spaces, leading to separate arrangements for female students. The phenomenon is described as a unique, selfless, and unconditional love that has made Bangladesh feel like a second home for Argentine football.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 09:14 AM UTC

Two years after the July Revolution that ousted authoritarian leader Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has undergone a political transition but the promised systemic reforms remain incomplete. The revolution, sparked by civil service quota protests, led to Hasina's flight to India and the installation of an interim government under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. A February 2026 general election brought the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) under Tarique Rahman to power, with Jamaat-e-Islami as the main opposition. A referendum on the July National Charter—which proposed limiting the prime minister's tenure, judicial independence, and a 100-member upper house—saw 68% approval. However, the BNP has refused to implement the charter, calling it 'illegal,' and has pursued its own 31-point reform agenda. Student leaders and the National Citizen Party criticize the BNP for political conservatism, describing the revolution as a 'half revolution.' The article highlights ongoing tensions between reformist aspirations and political pragmatism.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 05:19 AM UTC