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British authorities have postponed a decision on China's proposed embassy near Tower of London until January 20, citing security concerns. The plan involves consolidating China's diplomatic sites into Europe's largest embassy, amid opposition over espionage fears and proximity to critical infrastructure. The delay aligns with Prime Minister Starmer’s upcoming visit to China.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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.