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As of September 2025, UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced plans to potentially suspend visas for countries that refuse to cooperate on returning rejected asylum seekers. This move follows record Channel crossings, with over 30,000 migrants arriving by small boats in 2025. Mahmood discussed coordinated action with Five Eyes allies and is exploring housing asylum seekers in military sites to manage the crisis.
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Nepal's political crisis deepened this week as protests erupted nationwide, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The unrest was sparked by a social media ban and widespread discontent over corruption, economic hardship, and political instability, reflecting a broader regional pattern of youth-led upheaval.
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Bangladesh faces a deadly dengue outbreak with 179 deaths and 42,000 infections, worsened by prolonged monsoon and urbanization. Meanwhile, Hong Kong reports record dengue and chikungunya cases, linked to rising temperatures and global travel. Delhi prepares for a severe H3N2 flu season, highlighting rising infectious disease risks globally.
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As the UN turns 80, it struggles with record-breaking meetings, lengthy reports, and funding cuts. Meanwhile, the US pushes for a reformed global asylum system, citing abuse and fraud, amid rising tensions over immigration policies and international cooperation.
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Following a US government funding lapse, US embassies across the Gulf and Asia have reduced operations. Consular services like passports and visas continue, but social media updates are limited. The shutdown affects multiple agencies, with essential functions maintained, creating uncertainty for travelers and US citizens abroad.
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The UN highlights ongoing suffering of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, with reports of violence, displacement, and hunger. Despite international calls for justice, conditions in Rakhine State remain dire, with aid blocked and political solutions elusive. The story underscores the urgent need for coordinated action.
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India's textile industry and social fabric face challenges amid diplomatic tensions with Bangladesh and internal communal divisions. Ban on Bangladeshi sari imports hits Varanasi weavers, while Assam's unity over singer Garg's death highlights deep regional fractures. The BJP's centenary underscores rising national tensions.
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Pakistan's federal Cabinet has approved a ban on the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) following violent protests and clashes during a march from Lahore to Islamabad. The government accuses the group of inciting violence and extremism, with authorities searching for its leader Saad Rizvi. The ban marks the second time TLP has been outlawed in recent years.
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A fire at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport destroyed cargo storage, including raw materials and samples vital to Bangladesh's $47bn garment industry. The incident, the third major fire this week, has caused losses estimated at up to $1 billion, disrupting exports and raising safety concerns amid ongoing investigations.
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Recent updates to the Henley Passport Index show notable declines for the US, UK, Pakistan, and India, while China and several Asian countries have improved their rankings. The US has fallen out of the top 10 for the first time in 20 years, reflecting changing global mobility and diplomatic shifts.
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Morocco faces protests led by Gen Z activists over corruption, inequality, and government spending. Similar youth-led movements have erupted in Madagascar, Nepal, Peru, and other countries, often leaderless and driven by social media. Authorities are cracking down, including banning platforms like Discord in Jordan amid fears of unrest.
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Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina faces charges linked to a deadly crackdown on student protests in 2024, with allegations of ordering or failing to prevent violence that resulted in approximately 1,400 deaths. She remains in exile in India, defying court orders to return for trial. The case highlights ongoing political tensions and questions about judicial independence.
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Nepal’s recent protests, driven by Gen Z factions, have challenged the country's political establishment, demanding constitutional reforms, youth representation, and the restoration of the monarchy. The interim government faces internal dissent and rising polarization, risking further instability as old parties struggle to adapt.
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A fire at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's cargo area was extinguished after several hours, causing flight disruptions. No casualties were reported, but cargo damage and operational delays affected international flights. An investigation into the cause is underway, with authorities emphasizing safety and security measures.
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Exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina faces trial for crimes against humanity after her ousting in 2024. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, plans elections in February 2026 but has banned her party, the Awami League, citing security concerns. The political landscape remains highly unstable.
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Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed direct flights to the UK after a five-year ban due to safety concerns. The UK lifted restrictions in July 2025 following safety reforms, with the first flight from Islamabad to Manchester operating Saturday. PIA plans to expand to London and Birmingham, boosting economic and cultural ties.
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Bangladesh faces escalating violence as a special tribunal prepares to deliver a verdict against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is in exile in India. Recent days have seen bombings, arson, and heightened security amid ongoing political chaos linked to her charges of crimes against humanity related to 2024 protests. Security measures include deployment of thousands of troops and increased restrictions across Dhaka and surrounding districts.
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Bangladesh is gearing up for parliamentary elections in February amid ongoing political reforms and protests. The government, led by interim leader Muhammad Yunus, faces criticism over human rights issues and the legitimacy of the July National Charter, which many opposition parties demand be made legally binding through a referendum.
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Two boats capsized off Libya's coast near al-Khums, resulting in at least four deaths from Bangladesh and dozens of migrants missing or presumed dead. Rescue efforts continue amid rising migrant deaths in the Mediterranean, with Libya remaining a key transit route for those fleeing conflict and poverty.
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On November 17, 2025, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia for crimes against humanity linked to a deadly crackdown on 2024 student protests. Hasina, exiled in India since August 2024, denies the charges and calls the trial politically motivated. The verdict precedes February 2026 elections where her Awami League party is banned amid rising unrest and security concerns.
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A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday, causing at least six deaths and hundreds of injuries. The quake was felt in Dhaka and neighboring regions, with aftershocks continuing. Authorities activated emergency response efforts amid widespread damage and panic.
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On December 4, 2025, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remains in India after being sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity linked to a 2024 crackdown on student protests. She also received consecutive seven-year prison terms for corruption involving illegal land grabs. Bangladesh has requested her extradition, but India is unlikely to comply amid political tensions ahead of February 2026 elections.
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Since late November 2025, X (formerly Twitter) has rolled out an "About This Account" feature showing where accounts are based. This exposed many popular US-focused political accounts, especially pro-Trump and pro-Israel ones, as operated from countries like India, Eastern Europe, Nigeria, and Bangladesh. The move aims to increase transparency but raises privacy and safety concerns.
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A UN report shows Jakarta has become the world's most populous city with 42 million residents, surpassing Tokyo. The shift results from new methodology and rapid urban growth in Asia, with Dhaka projected to become the largest city by 2050. Climate and migration are key drivers.
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British MP Tulip Siddiq is being tried in absentia in Bangladesh over land allegations linked to her aunt, ex-PM Sheikh Hasina. Siddiq dismisses the case as politically motivated, criticizing the process as flawed and unfair. The trial follows Bangladesh's recent political upheaval and her aunt's exile.
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On December 1, 2025, a Dhaka court sentenced British MP Tulip Siddiq to two years in prison for corruption linked to illegal land allocation in Bangladesh. Her aunt, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, received a five-year sentence, and Siddiq's mother was sentenced to seven years. The trial was held in absentia amid claims of political motivation and flawed legal processes.