Sheikh Hasina vows to return to Bangladesh this year
NEW DELHI, June 28: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said she will return to Bangladesh this year despite facing a death sentence in absentia and the ban on her Awami League party. In an interview with NDTV, Hasina described the verdict against her as politically motivated and said her return was linked to restoring democracy, the rule of law and the spirit of Bangladesh’s Liberation War. She claimed the Awami League remained a strong political force with widespread public support despite government restrictions. Hasina accused the interim administration and the BNP government of undermining democracy, weakening the economy and failing to protect minority communities. Calling attacks on Hindus and other minorities a threat to Bangladesh’s founding ideals, she urged authorities to ensure their safety. Rejecting reports of secret talks with the BNP, Hasina said constitutional rights and justice could not be negotiated through backchannel deals. (Agencies)
Venezuela quake death toll rises to 1,430
CARACAS, June 28: The death toll from the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday has risen to 1,430, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez. Officials said 3,238 people have been injured and 3,142 families affected by the disaster. The country was hit by two major quakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, followed by 430 aftershocks, complicating rescue efforts. Authorities said tens of thousands of emergency workers are continuing search and relief operations amid widespread destruction. A further magnitude-4.1 earthquake was later reported near La Guaira, a heavily damaged coastal city declared a disaster zone. The shallow depth of the quake intensified shaking, prompting panic in Caracas. Rescue operations continue as officials monitor ongoing seismic activity and urge the public to follow verified information. (IANS)
B’desh tribunal awards death penalty to three police officers
DHAKA, June 28: A special Bangladesh tribunal has sentenced three police officers, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Habibur Rahman (in absentia), to death over their role in the 2024 student-led protests that toppled then prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The International Crimes Tribunal-Bangladesh (ICT-BD) found them guilty of killing protesters, including shooting a man hanging from a building cornice during the unrest. A police sub-inspector received life imprisonment and another officer was sentenced to 20 years. The protests, known as the “July Uprising,” led to Hasina fleeing to India and the formation of an interim government under Muhammad Yunus. Authorities and a UN report estimate up to 1,400 deaths during the crackdown. Several accused are absconding and can appeal after arrest. The tribunal is also handling other high-profile cases linked to the crackdown and past political leaders, amid ongoing legal and political controversy over its legitimacy. (PTI)
