Saturday, December 6

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Bangladesh Court Sentences Former PM Sheikh Hasina to Death Over Student Protests; Former Home Minister Also Penalized
Opinion, Politics, world

Bangladesh Court Sentences Former PM Sheikh Hasina to Death Over Student Protests; Former Home Minister Also Penalized

Dhaka: In a historic and unprecedented verdict, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death, along with former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the anti-reservation student protests of July–August 2024. Former Police Chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was also found culpable, receiving varying sentences in related cases. Court Findings The ICT, presided over by Justice Ghulam Mortuza Mojumdar, concluded that Sheikh Hasina, Kamal, and Al-Mamun were responsible for orchestrating violent crackdowns against student demonstrators. According to the court, Hasina issued orders for lethal force, including the use of helicopters and drones, resulting in the deaths of approxim...
Sheikh Hasina Reacts to Death Sentence, Labels Bangladeshi Court Decision ‘Biased and Politically Motivated’
Politics, world

Sheikh Hasina Reacts to Death Sentence, Labels Bangladeshi Court Decision ‘Biased and Politically Motivated’

Dhaka/New Delhi: Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has issued her first official response after being sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). She described the verdict as the product of a “rigged, partisan, and undemocratic tribunal” operating under an interim government without any democratic mandate. According to Hasina, the death sentence recommendation reflects an attempt by extremist elements within the interim administration to eliminate her as the country’s last elected Prime Minister and weaken the Awami League as a political force. Criticism of Interim Government Sheikh Hasina criticized the government led by Dr. Mohammad Yunus, accusing it of chaotic, violent, and socially regressive governance. She stated that millions of Bangladeshi...
EVM Strong Rooms Explained: Who Holds the Keys and How Votes Are Counted
world

EVM Strong Rooms Explained: Who Holds the Keys and How Votes Are Counted

As Bihar prepares to announce its election results today, many voters wonder how Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are secured and counted. A key question is: who holds the keys to the EVM strong rooms, and how is the counting process conducted? What Happens After Voting Ends Once voting concludes, the presiding officer verifies the vote records stored in each EVM. All candidates’ polling agents are provided with a verified copy of the records. After all EVMs arrive at the designated strong rooms, they are placed under strict security monitored by electoral officers. Multiple security layers and CCTV surveillance ensure the integrity of the machines. What is a Strong Room? A strong room is a secure space where EVMs are stored. Typically located in government schools or other pr...
Why Feminine Forms of Job Titles Matter: Challenging Patriarchy Through Language
world

Why Feminine Forms of Job Titles Matter: Challenging Patriarchy Through Language

In an era striving for gender-neutral language, why do we still insist on feminine forms for professions? We do not call a female lawyer a "vakilini," yet terms like "adhyaksha" are used, though inconsistently. Patriarchy Embedded in Language It is no secret that our society operates on a deeply patriarchal framework, reflected in festivals, traditions, attire, speech, and daily interactions. Historically, this gender bias may have gone unnoticed, but with women increasingly entering education, workplaces, and positions of authority, linguistic inequities become more evident. As women assert themselves in previously male-dominated spaces, language must evolve to acknowledge their presence. The Experiment with Feminine Terms Recently, NBT has started experimenting with feminine ...
Trump’s Sudden Pakistan Affection: Munir’s Lavish Lobbying Revealed, India Left Watching
world

Trump’s Sudden Pakistan Affection: Munir’s Lavish Lobbying Revealed, India Left Watching

Islamabad/Washington: In a startling revelation, reports suggest that Pakistan spent three times more than India on lobbying efforts in the US to win over President Donald Trump, following his return to power. Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir reportedly leveraged promises of a major mineral deal to secure Trump’s favor, opening Pakistan’s strategic resources as bait. Sources reveal that since Trump’s second term began, his approach toward Pakistan has significantly shifted. Despite suspending economic aid to Pakistan during his first term, Trump has hosted Asim Munir for a White House lunch and later welcomed both Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for high-level meetings in Washington. According to the New York Times, Pakistan engaged six influential US lobbying firms, including...
France Unveils Nuclear-Capable Supersonic Cruise Missile; Rafale Jet Conducts Devastating Drill
world

France Unveils Nuclear-Capable Supersonic Cruise Missile; Rafale Jet Conducts Devastating Drill

Paris: Amid growing concerns over Russian aggression in Europe, France has for the first time publicly showcased its nuclear-capable supersonic cruise missile, the ASMPA-R, mounted on the Rafale M fighter jet. The demonstration, conducted by the French Naval Nuclear Aviation Force, was part of Operation Diomede, simulating a nuclear strike without loading an actual warhead. According to the French Defense Ministry, the ASMPA-R missile was officially inducted into the Naval Nuclear Aviation Force on November 10, 2025. Though operational since 2023 within the strategic air forces, this public display marks its first visual confirmation on the Rafale M platform, which both the French Air Force and Navy employ for missile launches. Enhanced Range and Speed The ASMPA-R boasts a range o...
After Operation Sindoor Failure, Pakistan Seeks European Drone Technology; India on Alert
world

After Operation Sindoor Failure, Pakistan Seeks European Drone Technology; India on Alert

Islamabad: Following the failure of Turkish combat drones during Operation Sindoor, the Pakistan Army is now shifting its focus from Ankara to Russia, Ukraine, and European countries in search of advanced drone technology. Pakistani officials are negotiating with these nations to acquire military-grade, medium-altitude, long-endurance drones, a move that has caught the sharp attention of Indian defense authorities. Previously, the Pakistan Army relied heavily on drones from Turkey and China, but the shortcomings observed during Operation Sindoor have prompted senior Pakistani officials to explore alternatives. Reports indicate that a technology transfer agreement has been signed between a European company and Pakistan’s state-owned Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT). Sources reveal that Isla...
From India to Indonesia: Global Warming Wreaks Havoc as COP30 Seeks Solutions in the Amazon
world

From India to Indonesia: Global Warming Wreaks Havoc as COP30 Seeks Solutions in the Amazon

The COP30 United Nations Climate Change Conference is currently underway in Belém, a small city nestled within the dense Amazon rainforest in Brazil. Against the backdrop of rising global temperatures, countries are urgently discussing measures to mitigate climate change, promote clean energy, and build resilience against extreme weather events. From India to Indonesia, the impacts of global warming are increasingly visible, with floods, droughts, and heatwaves affecting millions. Key Themes: Fossil Fuels, Finance, and Forests Three words echoed throughout the conference: fossil fuels, finance, and forests. Global leaders highlighted the need to transition away from coal, oil, and gas, increase funding for climate-resilient infrastructure, and protect forests as a critical line of de...
Major Blow to Indians: U.S. Plans to End H-1B Visa; Trump’s Party Introduces New Bill
world

Major Blow to Indians: U.S. Plans to End H-1B Visa; Trump’s Party Introduces New Bill

In a development that could significantly impact Indian professionals, the U.S. is reportedly preparing to phase out the H-1B visa program. Republican lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced plans to introduce a bill aimed at gradually ending the program to curb large-scale displacement of American workers. If passed, this legislation could intensify ongoing debates in Congress regarding the future of H-1B visas and broader immigration reforms. A Setback for Indian Professionals The H-1B visa has long been a gateway for Indian professionals seeking work opportunities in the U.S., as well as a pathway toward green cards and eventual citizenship. The recent proposal comes shortly after the U.S. government raised H-1B visa fees, making the program more costly and challenging for a...
Terror Attacks Fueled by India-Afghanistan Nexus, Claims Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif After Islamabad Blast Curated
world

Terror Attacks Fueled by India-Afghanistan Nexus, Claims Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif After Islamabad Blast Curated

Islamabad:In the wake of the deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again blamed India and Afghanistan for orchestrating terror attacks on Pakistani soil. Addressing the National Assembly on Wednesday, Sharif alleged that “external forces” were responsible for the recent spate of violence, including the twin attacks in South Waziristan’s Wana and the capital Islamabad. Sharif claimed that both attacks were planned and supported from across the border, stating, “It is no longer a secret that external elements are behind these attacks. The perpetrators sit across the border and work hand in hand.” India and Afghanistan Under Fire Sharif accused both Kabul and New Delhi of collaborating to destabilize Pakistan, emphasizing that the impr...