Protesters accused the government of failing to manage the energy shortage and blamed both weak regulation and poor diplomacy for the disruption in fuel supplies. Some said the crisis had been worsened by conflict-linked disruption to routes from the Middle East , a key source of Bangladesh’s energy imports.

Others said the authorities were downplaying the severity of the shortage, pointing to long queues at petrol stations as evidence of growing public hardship.

The protest, led by Jamaat-e-Islami and an 11-party opposition alliance, comes as wider instability in global energy markets adds pressure on fuel-dependent economies.

General Waker said the army had carried out its assigned responsibilities during the election period and was now awaiting instructions from the incoming administration.

The country has returned to democratic rule, he said, adding that the military would return to the barracks as soon as directed by the new government.

However, he noted that some troops would remain deployed temporarily to help maintain law and order until the police fully regain control of security operations.

This reflects an overwhelming acceptance of the recent polls ’ results, in which the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a decisive majority, securing 209 of 300 seats and giving it a two-thirds mandate to form the next government.

“The people of Bangladesh accept the result,” Bangladeshi journalist Samiur Rahman Sazzad told Global South World , dismissing criticisms from Hasina and her party in exile that the elections were a “well-planned farce” and were not inclusive.

After tight election security

Bangladesh’s army had been deployed nationwide in support of civilian authorities during the election, amid heightened political tensions. Additional forces sent out during the period have already been scaled back, according to meeting sources.

In his address, General Waker thanked army personnel for what he described as their professionalism and strong sense of responsibility while carrying out election duties.

“Whatever was necessary in the interest of the people has been completed,” he said. 

Referring to the military’s role in stabilising the political environment, he said the country and its people would remember the army’s service.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining discipline within the ranks, urging commanders to uphold the chain of command and sustain morale among troops.

The army chief cautioned personnel to remain vigilant against misinformation and disinformation, an issue that has become increasingly prominent during politically sensitive periods.

Bangladesh’s military has historically played a significant role during periods of political uncertainty, but General Waker’s remarks signal an intention to step back once the elected civilian leadership formally assumes office.

“I was very excited about today’s voting,” Sazzad, a journalist, told Global South World shortly after polls closed on Thursday. “It was like a new experience for us. After so many years, we finally had the chance.”

This year’s election marked Bangladesh’s first since the 2024 youth-led uprising that ended Hasina’s 17-year rule and forced the longtime premier into exile in India.

More than 127 million voters were registered for the parliamentary contest and a simultaneous referendum on constitutional reforms.

For many in Generation Z — those who came of age politically during Hasina’s tenure — the vote represented more than a routine democratic exercise. 

It was, in Sazzad’s words, an opportunity to help shape a “new Bangladesh.”

“They are the future of our country,” Sazzad said of the Bangladeshi youth. “They want to see some pragmatic changes in the future in Bangladesh. They never want to see any corruption. They never want to see any disruption to living their life.”

Polling centres in the capital were calm and heavily secured, with the military and other law enforcement agencies deployed nationwide, Sazzad said. 

Yet beneath the order, Bangladeshis were elated at the chance to witness a new political landscape, one they largely see as shaping their future.

“They are very happy and they were feeling like it's like Eid for us,” Sazzad said, referring to the Islamic holiday featuring feasts and prayers. “It was a sunny day in our country. The situation was very good.”

BNP win

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party secured a decisive parliamentary majority, winning 209 of 300 seats, giving the party a two-thirds mandate to form the next government .

For Samiur Rahman Sazzad, the outcome signals both continuity and opportunity. 

“BNP now has the chance to prove themselves,” he said, noting the party’s “very talented” leadership under Tarique Rahman, son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. 

Tarique, who returned from nearly two decades abroad, is seen as a charismatic figure capable of implementing the BNP’s 31-point election platform, including initiatives aimed at reducing social inequality, expanding access to food and education , and widening the tax base.

Sazzad emphasised that while the Awami League was barred from contesting, voter turnout — estimated at around 65% — reflects strong public engagement. 

“The people of Bangladesh accept the result,” he said, dismissing criticisms from Hasina and her party in exile that the elections were a “well-planned farce” and was not inclusive, considering Awami League was excluded.

Opposition voices, including Jamaat-e-Islami, have also largely signalled acceptance.

Gen Z future

While BNP claims power, Sazzad sees the next chapter of Bangladesh’s politics as still deeply influenced by Generation Z. 

Young voters, he said, remain committed to pragmatic reform and anti-corruption priorities, even as new actors like the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) begin to emerge.

“The NCP is like an infant baby,” Sazzad explained. “They won five seats, but they have potential.” 

He predicts the party could capture dozens of constituencies in future elections, reflecting a generation eager for leaders who actively participated in the 2024 uprising that ousted Hasina.

For many young Bangladeshis, including first-time voters like Sazzad, the election is a first step toward what they hope will be a more transparent, equitable, and forward-looking Bangladesh.

"Interestingly, the election atmosphere is beginning to feel almost festive, and many people are expressing hope for a fair and credible election this time, especially after past controversies," Ahmed said. "That expectation of fairness is shaping much of the public mood, there’s anticipation rather than visible unrest."

Bangladesh’s 2026 election is widely viewed as a defining moment in the nation’s democratic history. It follows months of upheaval in 2024, when widespread protests over quota reform and broader grievances evolved into a national uprising that eventually forced Sheikh Hasina’s 15‑year rule to an end.

Hasina’s party, the Awami League, was barred from participating in the election, and she remains in exile in India. The vote was conducted under an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which has pledged a peaceful and transparent process.

Alongside the parliamentary vote, a referendum on the July Charter, covering 84 clauses to be accepted or rejected as a whole, prompted ongoing debate and discussion among voters, with some expressing uncertainty about the implications of a yes-or-no decision.

"Overall, I would describe the current atmosphere as engaged and anticipatory," Ahmed described. "Life is continuing as usual, but political interest, especially among younger citizens, is noticeably heightened, with cautious optimism surrounding the electoral process."

This concludes our live coverage of the February 12 Bangladesh elections. Vote counting is currently in progress. Follow Global South World for further updates as we await the official results from the Bangladesh Election Commission.

10:59 GMT: Polls close in first election after 15 years

Vote counting is underway in Bangladesh following the nation’s first election since student-led protests led to the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024.

10:10 GMT: What time do polls close?

Polls in Bangladesh’s general election will close at 4:30 p.m. local time (10:30 a.m. GMT). While voting began at 7:30 a.m., voters already in line at closing time will still be allowed to cast their ballots.

9:45 GMT: Voting continues across Bangladesh as election day progresses

8:00 GMT: Over 1.12 million postal ballots received

By 7:00 a.m. GMT (1:00 p.m. local time), the Bangladesh Election Commission reported that 1,125,382 postal ballots had reached returning officers under the country’s first technology-supported postal voting system. In total, over 1.528 million voters were approved to vote by post in this election.

7:48 GMT: Voting is currently underway in Bangladesh’s general election, with polling stations open across the country as citizens continue to cast their ballots.

7:44 GMT: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus cast his ballot in the 13th general election and referendum on the July National Charter at the Gulshan Model School and College centre in Dhaka.

7:38 GMT: Around 540 foreign observers and journalists from major global organisations and media outlets, including BBC, Reuters, AP, Al Jazeera English, the European Union delegation, the Commonwealth Secretariat, ANFREL, IRI, among others, are monitoring the elections across the country.

5:20 GMT: BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman said the moment was long anticipated as he cast his ballot in Bangladesh’s defining 2026 general election. "People of Bangladesh have been waiting for this day," he said.

3:40 GMT: Tarique Rahman casts his vote in Bangladesh’s pivotal 13th parliamentary elections, marking a high-profile return to frontline politics for the BNP leader. The son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia voted at a Dhaka polling centre.

3:20 GMT: After casting his vote, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman expressed hope that his party would establish a government genuinely selected by the people. “If the voting is held in a free and fair manner, we will accept the results. Others should also accept the verdict of the people,” he said.

2:50 GMT: Almost 1 million security personnel are on the ground today across Bangladesh, with surveillance cameras also installed in multiple sites to ensure the security of voters. These tight measures come as precincts remain “vulnerable to violence,” according to the electoral body.

2:30 GMT: Apart from the polls becoming the first to be held since Hasina was ousted, this year also marks the first time Bangladesh conducts a general election and a national referendum side by side. Thus, two ballots are used: white for the parliamentary elections and pink for the referendum.

1:50 GMT : While many voters are upbeat about the polls, considering it is the first to be held since the fall of the Hasina regime, some still express reservation over the shallow pool of candidates.

1:35GMT: Security is tight in Bangladesh, with reports from the ground indicating the deployment of striking teams to ensure voters can cast their ballots securely.

1:30 GMT: Voting opens in Bangladesh, in one of the most awaited and consequential polls for Asia in 2026, considering the size of the voting population and the political backdrop of the election.

Polls open at 7:30 a.m. (01:30 GMT) and close at 4:30 p.m. (10:30 GMT).

The Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) extended the polling time by one hour overall—up from the previous 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. window—to accommodate the increased voting workload. This extra time is necessary because voters will be processing two separate ballots: a white ballot for the parliamentary election and a pink ballot for the national referendum.

Background

Bangladesh's 2026 elections mark the first vote since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. An interim government will oversee the parliamentary polls and a national referendum on constitutional reforms. Key rivals include the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, while the Awami League remains barred.

How many voters are eligible?

A final voter list released by the Election Commission of Bangladesh indicates that approximately 127.7 million eligible citizens will participate in this election. Of these voters:

This is one of the largest electorates in South Asia . Many voters are also participating for the first time, including millions who turned 18 since the last election.

How many parties are contesting?

Candidates are contesting across 299 constituencies (after one constituency election was cancelled due to a candidate’s death). At least 51 political parties are participating, alongside independent candidates.

Major political players in this election include:

Electoral system and process

Voters are casting ballots in the 13th National Parliamentary Election (Jatiya Sangsad) to elect members of parliament. Alongside the general election, a national referendum on political reforms, covering issues like executive limits and governance accountability, is also being held.

Bangladesh uses a first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system. Each of the 300 seats in parliament is contested in a single-member constituency: the candidate with the most votes in each wins the seat. After the election, 50 additional seats are reserved for women and allocated to parties based on their share of the elected seats, in line with constitutional provisions.

Polling is taking place simultaneously nationwide from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on election day, with transparent ballot boxes used at each centre.

Polling stations and logistics

The Election Commission has finalised over 42,700 polling centres across the country, each serving roughly 3,000 voters on average. In total, there are more than 247,000 polling booths staffed by thousands of electoral officials to ensure the voting process runs smoothly.

For the first time, Bangladesh has introduced a digital postal voting platform (“Postal Vote BD” app) to facilitate voting by citizens living abroad, government officials on duty outside the country, and others eligible for postal ballots

When will results be announced?

Counting of votes typically begins soon after polling stations close at 4:30 p.m. on election day. Preliminary results are expected to begin emerging later that evening and may continue into the early hours of the following day.

The official and full results are usually announced over the next 24–48 hours as constituencies report in. (This pattern reflects recent practice in Bangladeshi elections; specific times are set by the Election Commission.

Absence of Awami League

Following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in 2024, the party's registration and electoral activities were suspended. The party has been banned from all political activities and will not participate in the upcoming elections under its electoral symbol.

The absence of the Awami League—historically one of Bangladesh's largest and most influential political parties—is considered a highly significant shift in the country's political landscape. Experts note that a central challenge for the next government will be determining the future of the party and how long the substantial segment of the electorate aligned with it can remain politically excluded.

Brief history of elections in Bangladesh

The country’s first general election was held on 7 March 1973, just two years after independence, with the Awami League winning an overwhelming majority of seats in the new national parliament, the Jatiya Sangsad. That election helped establish the foundations of parliamentary democracy in the young nation.

A key turning point came with the 1991 general election, widely viewed as a return from military rule to civilian parliamentary democracy. That election brought the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to power and established a pattern of alternating rule between BNP and the Awami League, which would shape politics into the 2000s.

The January 2024 election, held under Hasina’s administration, saw the Awami League win a large majority amid low turnout and a boycott by major opposition parties. This period culminated in nationwide protests and unrest that ultimately led to her removal from power later that year.

Now, the 2026 election is the first major vote after the end of long-term dominance by a single leader and in a political environment shaped by mass protest, calls for reform, and efforts to strengthen democratic legitimacy.

According to the Election Commission of Bangladesh (ECB), over 127 million voters will cast their votes across 42,761 polling centres in 64 districts for 300 parliamentary constituencies. 

Hasina’s rule had been marked by strong economic growth but also sharp criticism at home and abroad over restrictions on political competition and contested elections. Her government’s decision to eliminate the independent caretaker system and its handling of opposition parties had intensified political tensions.

The January 2024 election, held amid an opposition boycott, returned her to office but with low turnout and serious doubts about fairness, reinforcing perceptions that Bangladesh was heading toward one-party dominance.

Those tensions boiled over in 2024 when student-led protests erupted over a controversial quota system in public jobs and quickly broadened into nationwide demands for political reform and accountability. The unrest grew into a sustained uprising that culminated in Hasina’s resignation and departure from Bangladesh in August 2024, leaving an interim government in place and dissolving the old parliament.

The upcoming election is being held under that interim administration, led by Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist Muhammad Yunus, which has overseen a transition period focused on preparing for a credible vote. Many Bangladeshis view this election not as a regular political event but as a turning point after years in which successive polls were deeply contested and perceived to favour entrenched political elites.

With Hasina’s party, the Awami League, effectively excluded and banned from campaigning, the race has opened space for new and reconfigured political forces. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has emerged as a major contender, fielding candidates across most constituencies and staking its campaign on promises of economic reform and governance change. Other parties, such as the previously banned Jamaat-e-Islami, have also returned to the political arena, reflecting how much the landscape has shifted in the post-Hasina era.

For many voters, particularly younger Bangladeshis who were at the forefront of the protests, the election is both a culmination of public mobilisation and a test of whether demands for accountability, fairness and democratic renewal can be translated into tangible political influence at the ballot box. While hopes for a more open political system are strong, concerns about rising polarisation, political violence and the representation of women and minorities continue to shape public sentiment in the run-up to polling day.

As Bangladesh heads to the polls, the significance of this election lies not just in who wins, but in whether the vote can mark a credible reset for a country that has grappled with years of political tension and contested governance.

According to multiple timelines and analyses , the clash between state forces and demonstrators after the High Court reinstated controversial job quota rules widened public anger. Clashes escalated into what many have described as a mass, pro-democracy movement that ultimately pushed Hasina out of power in August 2024.

The protests did not just shake the streets, they reshaped the state. Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country in August 2024, ending her fifteen-year rule, and an interim government under Muhammad Yunus was formed.

This shift was in large part due to sustained public pressure, especially from youth and student networks, that exposed deep distrust in the status quo and ignited demands for democratic reform and government accountability.

The February 12, 2026, general election is seen not as a routine democratic exercise but as a key step in responding to those demands.

Bangladeshis widely regard this vote as a chance to reset the political process after years marked by contested elections, allegations of authoritarianism, and political repression under Hasina’s government. Many citizens hope the polls will restore civil liberties, strengthen institutions, and respond to calls for accountability raised during the protests.

The interim administration, under intense pressure to deliver a credible electoral timeline, has moved the election up as part of responding to public expectations that political change should culminate in a legitimate parliamentary mandate.

The protests have reshaped the political landscape in ways that will influence voter behaviour and party positioning:

For many voters, the upcoming election is not simply a choice between candidates; it is a referendum on change itself: whether Bangladesh’s democratic institutions can be strengthened to reflect the demands that first propelled thousands into the streets.

The IPL exit and political pressure

In December, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) signed Rahman for Rs 9.2 crore ($1 million) during the IPL auction held in Abu Dhabi, making him one of the most expensive overseas players at the event. However, on January 3, the BCCI instructed KKR to release Rahman.

The move was influenced by political pressure within India. Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raised objections to the participation of Bangladeshi players in the IPL following reports of communal violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh.

These leaders called for a boycott of Bangladeshi products and public figures, with Rahman’s presence in the IPL becoming a focal point of the criticism. In retaliation for the removal, Bangladeshi authorities banned all broadcasts of the IPL within their borders.

Tensions have been high between the South Asian neighbours since former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India in 2024.

Escalation to the T20 World Cup

Rahman’s removal soon had implications beyond the IPL. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested that its T20 World Cup matches be moved from India to Sri Lanka, citing "security concerns".

The ICC rejected this request, citing an "absence of any credible security threat". When the BCB failed to confirm its participation within a 24-hour deadline, the ICC removed Bangladesh from the tournament, replacing them with Scotland.

The ICC defended its firm stance by stating it was vital "not to establish 'precedents that could undermine the neutrality and fairness of ICC events'".

Pakistan boycott and financial risks

The situation worsened when Pakistan intervened in support of Bangladesh. The Pakistan government and the PCB accused the ICC of "double standards".

In a significant blow to the tournament’s commercial viability, the Pakistani government ordered its national team not to take the field against India for their scheduled match on 15 February.

This "selective participation" poses a major financial threat to the ICC, as India-Pakistan matches generate significant broadcast and commercial revenue that can attract over 600 million viewers.

The ICC has warned that such actions are "not in the interest of the global game" and called for a "mutually acceptable resolution". Supporting the government's stance, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi stated: "This is the moment for the ICC to lead and prove through decisions, not statements, that it is impartial, independent and fair to every member".

Transition to the Pakistan Super League

Amid the ongoing dispute, Rahman secured a contract in the PSL with the Lahore Qalandars, signing for $230,000. He was one of two players signed directly outside the league’s auction process. This is Rahman’s third stint with the franchise since the PSL began in 2016, where he is viewed as a foundational member of the squad.

Lahore Qalandars owner Sameen Rana publicly backed the player, stating: “Once a Qalandar, always a Qalandar. Mustafizur is not just a player; he’s a brother, a key part of our family who never left”.

Rana added that Rahman’s “talent, experience, and dedication” would be important as the team prepares to defend its title in the upcoming PSL 11 season.

Bangladesh, by contrast, covers just 147,570 square kilometres, making it roughly 115 times smaller.

According to data from Wordometer , Bangladesh’s population stands at around 176 million, while Russia’s population is approximately 143 million.

The country sits on the fertile Ganges–Brahmaputra Delta, one of the most agriculturally productive regions on the planet. For centuries, this allowed dense human settlement supported by farming, fishing, and river-based trade .

While fertility rates have declined sharply since the 1980s, a trend documented by the World Bank , population momentum keeps total numbers high due to a large base of young people.

Today, Bangladesh has made notable progress in healthcare, child survival, and life expectancy, all of which contribute to population size even as birth rates fall. The UN notes that Bangladesh is now approaching replacement-level fertility, a major shift from past decades.

Russia’s population challenge

Despite its vast landmass and natural resources, the country faces long-term population decline. According to the United Nations and Rosstat , Russia has struggled with low fertility rates, high mortality among working-age men, and outward migration. These trends have been compounded by economic pressures and, in recent years, geopolitical instability.

Large parts of Russia are also sparsely populated due to harsh climate, limited infrastructure, and historical settlement patterns. Much of the population is concentrated in the west, leaving enormous regions with very low population density.

Here’s what you should know about Hasina:

Beginnings

Political career

Struggles and exile

Sentenced to death

The ruling marks a dramatic turn in Bangladesh’s politics. Hasina, a three-time prime minister and daughter of the country’s founding father, has been a central figure in Bangladesh for decades, credited with major economic and social reforms. 

The tribunal’s decision fulfills a promise by interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus to hold former leaders accountable for the “July Revolution,” which began peacefully but turned violent after government suppression.

Bangladesh’s interim government is under pressure as political parties continue to clash over the July National Charter, a framework meant to guide the country’s transition. The rift has widened over how and when a national referendum on the Charter should be held. Despite repeated calls for unity, the stalemate threatens to delay vital reforms and further test the credibility of the interim administration.

Government faces test as parties spar over referendum timing

The government’s biggest test now lies in navigating growing partisan tensions. Several political parties are unwilling to compromise on the referendum’s timing, accusing the interim government of trying to dictate the process. Officials, however, warn that if talks fail, the government may move ahead unilaterally to keep the transition on track. Analysts suggest that such a move could spark political unrest at a sensitive time for the nation.

Can political parties reach an agreement through discussion? What history says

Observers remain sceptical that the warring political camps will voluntarily engage in meaningful dialogue. Historical precedents show that major political agreements in Bangladesh have often required mediation or external pressure rather than self-initiated consensus. Political scientists argue that unless this dynamic changes, the July Charter dispute risks becoming another protracted impasse in the country’s democratic evolution.

Is the July Charter drive losing its way?

Efforts to secure broad-based agreement on the Charter appear to be faltering. Major parties have refused to participate in government-led discussions, accusing the administration of lacking transparency. Critics worry that the government’s top-down approach and political brinkmanship are eroding public confidence in what was supposed to be a unifying reform process. Without renewed dialogue, the Charter’s legitimacy could come under question both domestically and internationally.

Cabinet likely to take up issue in next meeting

In a bid to break the deadlock, the interim government plans to bring the July Charter and referendum timeline before its advisory council at the next cabinet meeting. The move signals that officials are aware of the growing urgency but remain divided on the strategy. Political analysts believe the cabinet’s decision could determine whether the country moves toward reconciliation or sinks deeper into political uncertainty.

Between 2013 and 2022, Bangladesh, India, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Vietnam together received 25% of all international climate adaptation funding to the Global South , according to a new study published in World Development.

According to the study, "Thirty percent of the 182,834 projects climate and/or biodiversity projects explicitly sought to contribute to both climate adaptation and biodiversity objectives. Of these 55,907 projects, approximately 6,208 had both climate adaptation and biodiversity as their principal objective."

“Bangladesh, India, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Vietnam were the top 5 recipients of climate adaptation funding. These 5 countries together make up for a quarter of the total funding during the study period,” the study found.

"Vietnam and India also appear in the top 5 of total biodiversity investments," the study also found.

Here is a breakdown of total climate adaptation investment, per capita adaptation investments, total biodiversity investments, per hectare biodiversity investments, and total mixed investments.

Bangladesh

The delta nation, crisscrossed by rivers and facing sea-level rise and cyclones, has long been the face of climate vulnerability. But it’s also been proactive.

Between 2013 and 2022, Bangladesh received a total of $2,882 million in climate adaptation funding; climate adaptation funding per capita of $17.63; total biodiversity funding of $654.5 million; biodiversity funding per hectare of $4,432, and total mixed funding of $471 million.

India

India ranks second with climate projects ranging from solar irrigation and urban cooling to water conservation and ecosystem restoration. India received climate adaptation funding of about $2,753 million; climate adaptation funding per capita of $1.996; total biodiversity funding of $2,929 million; biodiversity funding per hectare of $891.0; and total mixed funding $903.9 million.

The study indicated that "the differences between the top and bottom recipients of funding are large: average per capita investments of the top 10 countries over the period 2013–2022 are US$ 930, with Tuvalu receiving per capita funding as high as US$ 4257, compared to less than US$ 1 for the bottom 10 recipient countries."

Ethiopia

Ethiopia ranks third, and many of its projects focus on restoring degraded land and improving food security , areas that also generate biodiversity co-benefits.

The country received climate adaptation funding of about $2,600 million; climate adaptation funding per capita of $23.72; total biodiversity funding of $1,267 million; biodiversity funding per hectare of $1,115; and total mixed funding of $1,351 million.

But despite being one of Africa’s most climate-exposed nations, Ethiopia still receives far less per capita than smaller or more stable countries, showing that vulnerability alone doesn’t guarantee funding.

Indonesia :

With its vast tropical forests, peatlands, and coastlines, the country is both a carbon sink and a climate hotspot. Indonesia received climate adaptation funding of about $2,409 million; climate adaptation funding per capita of $9.029; total biodiversity funding of $1,320 million; biodiversity funding per hectare of $689.5; and total mixed funding of $781.1 million.

Further stating that "climate adaptation funding and biodiversity funding were strongly and positively correlated. This finding is supported by spatial analysis, which shows that countries receiving relatively high amounts of both climate adaptation funding per capita and biodiversity funding per hectare are roughly located around the equator."

Vietnam:

Home to one of the most polluted cities, Hanoi, Vietnam, receives the fifth-largest share of the global climate adaptation funding. Vietnam received $2.188 billion in total climate adaptation funding, equivalent to $23.33 per capita. It also received $1.526 billion in total biodiversity funding, or $4,606 per hectare in biodiversity funding. In total, it received $768.8 million.

According to The Blackout Report, India’s blackout in July 2012 impacted 670 million people, Pakistan’s blackout in January 2023 hit 244 million (almost its whole population), Bangladesh’s October 2022 outage affected 140 million, and Indonesia’s 2005 incident cut power to 100 million.

India’s 2012 blackout — The largest in human history

In July 2012, India experienced what remains the biggest power outage in history, cutting electricity to more than 670 million people, nearly half of its population.

The collapse began when a key 400 kV transmission line between Bina, Gwalior, and Agra failed, triggering a cascading breakdown that crippled three of India’s five regional grids.

Trains stopped mid-journey, traffic signals failed, hospitals ran on emergency power, and millions were left stranded at railway stations in the sweltering July heat. Water pumping systems also failed, leaving many without access to clean water.

It took nearly 15 hours to restore 80% of power in the affected regions, and the episode became a wake-up call for India’s power sector. The blackout led to immediate reforms, including tighter coordination between regional grids, better load forecasting, and investments in “smart grid” systems.

What happened in Pakistan in 2023

On January 23, 2023, Pakistan experienced one of the most dramatic grid collapses in modern history. The outage began around 7:34 a.m. local time when sudden fluctuations in grid frequency caused transmission lines to trip and disconnect southern and northern systems. Over 11365 MW of power was lost, and most of the country plunged into darkness.

In many areas, power stayed off for over 12 hours, and in some rural zones, outages stretched to 24 or even 72 hours. In its aftermath, authorities launched a full investigation.

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) held six entities accountable, including the national transmission company, generator operators, and hydropower stations. Weak protection systems, mismatched generation schedules, and poor coordination all contributed to the cascade collapse.

Every day life suffered as hospitals ran on backup generators, communications networks faltered, and water pump systems shut down. The economic toll was steep, especially on industries like textiles.

Bangladesh’s 2022 blackout

On October 4, 2022, nearly 80% of Bangladesh lost power after a massive grid failure disrupted the country’s entire electricity network. The outage, which began in the afternoon and lasted for more than seven hours, affected around 140 million people.

In the capital, Dhaka, elevators stopped, traffic lights went dark, and factories across the industrial belt were forced to shut down. For Bangladesh’s garment sector, the backbone of its economy, the blackout was especially painful. Many textile plants, which rely on continuous power for production, were forced to halt operations, disrupting exports and cutting daily wages.

The outage also deepened frustration amid a worsening energy crunch. Protests broke out in several cities, reflecting public anger over the government’s handling of energy imports and rising costs. Officials later confirmed the blackout was caused by a “transmission imbalance” in the eastern grid, leading to a chain reaction that tripped multiple power plants.

Indonesia’s 2005 blackout

Earlier, in August 2005, Indonesia faced a similar crisis when a transmission line failure in West Java triggered a cascading power outage across Java and Bali, leaving nearly 100 million people without electricity.

The blackout struck at mid-morning, paralysing Jakarta, one of Asia’s most crowded capitals. Traffic jams stretched for miles, hospitals operated on diesel generators, and mobile networks went offline. The state utility company, PLN, apologised publicly as then President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ordered an immediate investigation.

Within hours, most of Jakarta regained power, but some regions remained in darkness well into the night. The incident led to major scrutiny of PLN’s maintenance and oversight procedures, as well as a push to diversify Indonesia’s energy mix to reduce dependence on overloaded transmission corridors.

Red marks countries that commemorate independence (the largest category). Orange shows nations that mark the formation of government . Yellow indicates unification moments, green reflects revolution, blue for saint days, purple for discovery, and pink for other reasons or when the reasoning doesn’t fit neatly into those categories. The striped pattern indicates where no data is available.

Unsurprisingly, most countries celebrate independence. That reflects widespread decolonisation and the rise of modern nation-states across Africa, Asia, Latin America , and elsewhere. The map shows large regions in red, indicating how many national days commemorate breaking free from colonial rule.

But some national days commemorate unification, for example, when formerly divided states merged (yellow). Others mark revolution (green), where a nation’s founding moment lies in an internal upheaval or regime change, rather than a foreign withdrawal. For example, Egypt celebrates Revolution Day on July 23, commemorating the 1952 revolution that ended the monarchy and established a republic.

Saints’ days or patron feast days also serve as national days in some countries, linking religion , tradition, and identity. Other nations mark discovery or “discovery of land” days, highlighting colonisation or exploratory heritage (purple). And in a few cases, national days are tied to other events or dates whose meaning is local or particular.

Significantly, not every country marks independence. Some states choose another moment, a constitution, a monarch’s accession, or a national hero’s birthday — because that event feels more defining to their identity.

This map’s breakdown is timely given recent political shifts and identity debates around the world. For example, Bangladesh officially recognised “July Mass Uprising Day” (August 5) in 2025, commemorating a recent revolution and regime change in 2024.

That shows how new national days can emerge from contemporary events, a country redefining how it wants to remember its own story.

Elsewhere, in regions facing secessionist pressures or debates over historical memory, national days are flashpoints. Which events get honoured (or omitted) reflects ongoing struggles over identity, history, and power.

According to the report, Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and India were the world ’s most polluted countries in 2024, with air quality levels many times higher than the guidelines set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Chad recorded the worst air quality globally, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 91.8 µg/m³, over 18 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³. Bangladesh followed with 78 µg/m³, Pakistan with 73.7 µg/m³, the Democratic Republic of Congo with 58.2 µg/m³, and India with 50.6 µg/m³.

The 2024 IQAir report is based on data from more than 40,000 air quality monitoring stations across 8,954 locations in 138 countries, making it one of the most comprehensive assessments of global air pollution to date. Alarmingly, the report found that 126 countries exceeded the WHO’s safe air quality limits, and only 17% of global cities met the recommended PM2.5 guideline.

South Asia remains the world’s most polluted region. Despite some progress, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan continue to struggle with dense smog and industrial emissions. In India, air quality improved slightly, about a 7% reduction in PM2.5 levels compared to 2023, yet the country still ranked fifth overall.

The world’s most polluted city in 2024 was Byrnihat, India, with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 µg/m³.

A major factor behind these high readings is the continued reliance on fossil fuels, combined with vehicle emissions, industrial output, and seasonal crop burning. In regions such as India and Pakistan, weather conditions, including low wind speeds and temperature inversions, trap pollutants close to the ground, turning cities into toxic basins.

Meanwhile, many African nations face growing challenges as rapid urbanisation collides with limited environmental monitoring. IQAir notes that in Africa, there is, on average, just one air quality monitor for every 3.7 million people.

The dangers of these trends became especially clear during the 2024 India–Pakistan smog crisis, when thick haze engulfed large parts of the two countries. In November 2024, some areas recorded PM2.5 levels as high as 947 µg/m³, forcing school closures and overwhelming hospitals with respiratory cases.

They discovered that marriage rates rise after extreme weather events, especially in rural areas where livelihoods depend heavily on agriculture.

The reasoning behind this is tied to economic and social pressures. When floods destroy crops or droughts lead to food shortages, families may feel they can no longer afford to support all their children. In this situation, marrying off a daughter can seem like a way to reduce financial strain.

Some families also worry about protecting their daughters' reputations and safety in the unstable conditions that often follow disasters, for example, in temporary shelters where harassment or violence may be a risk.

Unfortunately, these early marriages come with long-term consequences. Girls who marry early are more likely to drop out of school, face health risks from early childbirth, and have fewer opportunities for work. This doesn’t just affect individuals; it also slows down a country’s economic development by reducing women’s participation in education and the workforce.

While some families may see early marriage as a form of protection in uncertain times, it can ultimately lead to deeper vulnerabilities for both individuals and nations.

Bangladesh is losing at least $1.7 billion annually to extreme heat , according to a World Bank report warning of a growing public health and economic disaster. Between 1980 and 2023, maximum temperatures rose 1.1°C, but the “feels-like” heat index surged 4.5°C — making Dhaka one of the world’s hottest urban heat islands. Heat-related illnesses are spiking: diarrhoea cases nearly tripled in summer, depression rose 23.8% on days over 35°C, and heat exhaustion hits working adults and the elderly hardest. The report also warned Bangladesh could lose 4.9% of GDP to heat by 2030 without intervention.

Deeper trade ties, fewer US tariffs sought

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to stronger US ties in trade, investment, energy, and development as Dhaka and Washington near a bilateral trade deal. At a September 9 meeting with Assistant US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch, Yunus welcomed the July decision to cut tariffs on Bangladeshi exports from 35% to 20% but urged further reductions. Talks also covered trade imbalance, US agricultural imports, energy cooperation, and aircraft purchases. Yunus highlighted Bangladesh’s labour reforms and pledge to improve the investment climate, expecting more US investment and concessional credit. Lynch praised Bangladesh’s early, constructive engagement and stressed swift implementation of tariff agreements and purchase commitments.

Islamist parties launch 3-day protest for electoral reform

Islamist parties Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and Khelafat Majlis will stage a three-day nationwide protest starting September 18 to press their five-point demand for electoral reform, including proportional representation and banning the ruling 14-party alliance and Jatiya Party. The parties will hold separate rallies in Dhaka on September 18, divisional processions on September 19, and district- and upazila-level demonstrations on September 26. Jamaat said the programme aims to ensure free, fair, and intimidation-free elections, while IAB announced simultaneous protests across the country. The groups also demand justice for killings and corruption under the previous government and insist on a level playing field before the next polls.

Journalist hacked in Bhanga protest

Violent protests in Bhanga escalated Monday as demonstrators vandalised and set fire to key government offices, including the Upazila Parishad and Highway Police Station. MyTV journalist Sarwar Hossain was brutally hacked while covering the unrest , and several other reporters were injured. Clashes erupted after a road blockade, forcing bloodied police officers to seek refuge in a mosque, where madrasa teachers and students shielded them from the mob. Protesters later attacked police stations and torched motorcycles. The unrest stems from an Election Commission decision merging Algi and Hamirdi unions with Faridpur-2, which has triggered blockades across South Bengal. Police have filed a case against 90 people as tensions remain high.

Youth urged to lead national development

Interim government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on September 15 said no national problem will remain unresolved if B angladesh’s youth stay active and engaged. Speaking at the Youth Volunteer Award 2025, Yunus urged young people to use their talent and creativity not just for personal success but for social good, citing their historic role in the 1971 Liberation War. He praised their contributions to healthcare, environmental protection, poverty alleviation, and social justice. Yunus stressed that future challenges, from health crises to educational gaps, must be confronted collectively, with youth leading the way. He congratulated award recipients and called youth the “driving force” of the nation’s progress.

“This is a big problem for us... We need all the help we can get from Malaysia as a good friend,” Yunus said.

According to the United Nations , hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled violence and persecution in Myanmar over the years, with Bangladesh now hosting the largest refugee settlement in the world. The prolonged crisis has placed significant strain on Bangladesh’s resources, prompting calls for stronger regional and international cooperation.

Malaysia, a key voice in Southeast Asia on the Rohingya issue, has previously criticised Myanmar’s handling of the crisis and supported humanitarian efforts for the displaced community.

Chad tops the list at 91.8 µg/m³, meaning residents breathe air more than 18 times dirtier than the World Health Organisation’s guideline of 5 µg/m³. Bangladesh follows at 78 µg/m³, with Pakistan (73.7 µg/m³) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (58.2 µg/m³) close behind.

India, where crop‑residue burning, coal plants and vehicle exhaust are routine, recorded 50.6 µg/m³, while Tajikistan, Nepal, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi also made the top 10, all above 40 µg/m³.

The Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) translates pollution levels into expected years of life lost. Its 2024 report warns that if PM₂.₅ levels were reduced to meet WHO guidelines, the average person could live almost two years longer, saving 14.9 billion life‑years globally.

Air pollution is now the leading external threat to human health, surpassing smoking, alcohol and traffic accidents. People in the most polluted regions, such as the Sahel, South Asia and parts of central Africa, lose an average of 2.7 years of life compared with those in the least polluted regions.

Why are Chad and Bangladesh so polluted? In the Sahel, dust storms sweep across deserts and mix with smoke from wood‑ and charcoal‑burning stoves. Chad has little industrial infrastructure to monitor emissions, so informal brick kilns and diesel generators operate unchecked.

In Bangladesh and Pakistan, rapid urbanisation, brick‑making, and garment manufacturing rely on coal and heavy oil. Seasonal crop‑burning in India and Nepal adds huge plumes of smoke each winter. Across central Africa, slash‑and‑burn agriculture and charcoal production are widespread. All of these sources produce PM₂.₅, tiny particles less than 2.5 microns across that lodge deep in the lungs.

The 2024 IQAir World Air Quality Report underscores just how exceptional clean air is. It found that only 12 countries and territories met the WHO PM₂.₅ guideline, while 99% of the global population lives in areas that exceed it.

The report gathered data from more than 40,000 monitoring stations in 138 countries and noted that 17% of cities met the standard, up from 9% the year before. By contrast, the countries with the dirtiest air have concentrations more than eight times the global average (around 9.6 µg/m³), highlighting the enormous inequality in air quality.

University student Muhibullah Al Mashnun, 23, expressed frustration over the political symbolism tied to the residence and past leadership.

"The statues of Sheikh Mujib that have been brought down, those were less the statues of Sheikh Mujib, they were more the statues of dictatorship. The dictatorship evolved here, keeping its statue in the front of us for the last 16 years," Mashnun said in an interview with AFP. "In the name of the spirit of liberation war , in the name of the spirit of Sheikh Mujib, this dictatorship stood still in the last 16 years."

Tanzim Wahab, who is overseeing the museum's conversion, outlined the site's intended purpose.

"It is supposed to be used as a forum for democratic thought. There will be a stage here, various events will take place here, and there will be conversations here. We want young people to become stakeholders in Gono Bhaban, to use it as a platform for discussing democratic ideas, new thinking, and how to build a new Bangladesh," Wahab said.

Human rights advocate and documentary photographer Mosfiqur Rahman Johan, 27, emphasised the symbolic importance of the site.

"Gono Bhaban is a symbol of fascism, and also the symbol of an autocratic regime. For me, this is the place where everything has been done by Hasina and her mercenaries," Johan said. Thousands of demonstrators entered the residence after Hasina and her sister, Sheikh Rehana, fled by helicopter on August 5, arriving in Delhi via Agartala. The walls of the palace remain marked by graffiti denouncing her leadership.

Who counts the votes now as Burkina Faso dissolves independent electoral body?

Burkina Faso’s military rulers have dissolved the electoral commission, calling it too expensive and vulnerable to foreign interference. Minister Émile Zerbo said it costs nearly $870,000 annually. Read more here .

Cameroon elections body rejects candidacy of president's main rival

Cameroon’s electoral commission has rejected the presidential bid of Maurice Kamto, the main rival to President Paul Biya, sparking fears of protests and boosting Biya’s reelection chances. ELECAM approved 13 candidates without explaining Kamto’s exclusion; appeals are allowed within two days. Read more here .

'Gun for hire': How Kenya’s police are being weaponised against dissenters

Kenyan blogger Albert Ojwang died in custody after a post allegedly targeting a top police official, sparking outrage and exposing police abuse. Journalist Kioko Nyamasyo likened the force to a colonial-era tool of intimidation. Read more here .

Asia

Teacher dies saving students from inferno in Bangladesh jet crash

When a Bangladeshi fighter jet crashed into her school, teacher Maherin Chowdhury risked her life to save students, repeatedly entering the burning building despite being set ablaze herself, her brother told Reuters. Read more here .

Why Modi’s third term is raising global alarm over India’s democracy

Indian PM Narendra Modi won a third term in 2024, but his BJP’s right-wing Hindutva agenda has drawn global concern. Critics cite rising attacks on Muslims, Christians, and marginalised groups like Dalits and Tribals under BJP rule. Read more here .

Thailand and Cambodia exchange heavy artillery fire as border battle expands

Thailand and Cambodia traded heavy artillery fire for a second day Friday, as border clashes escalated. Cambodia accused Thailand of backing out of a Malaysian-brokered ceasefire deal. Read more here .

Latin America

Venezuelan makeup artist returns home, describes torture during El Salvador detention

A makeup artist deported with over 250 Venezuelans to El Salvador’s toughest prison returned home Wednesday, calling the experience “an encounter with torture and death.” Read more here .

Venezuela to investigate Bukele, other officials for alleged detainee abuse

Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek Saab said Monday his office will investigate El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele and two officials over alleged abuse of detained Venezuelans. Read more here .

Peru seizes 4 tons of black market mercury bound for illegal gold mines

Peru has seized four metric tons of mercury bound for Bolivia, suspected for use in illegal gold mining, highlighting growing black market activity amid surging gold demand. Read more here .

The crash occurred at the Milestone School and College located in Uttara, a northern area of the capital. The aircraft involved was an F-7 BGI training jet operated by the Bangladesh Air Force.

According to a statement from the military’s public relations department, “Bangladesh Air Force's F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed in Uttara. The aircraft took off at 13:06 (0706 GMT).”

More than 50 individuals, including children and adults, were admitted to the hospital with burn injuries. A doctor from the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery confirmed the hospitalisations in a briefing to reporters.

Authorities are continuing rescue and recovery efforts at the site.

According to the data, peace has declined globally, with 78 countries experiencing increased conflict in the past year.

External conflicts, such as those in Gaza and Ukraine, have contributed significantly, but many other parts of the world, especially sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, have seen growing unrest.

Despite this trend, the Safety and Security domain recorded some improvements, particularly in perceptions of criminality and political terror.

Countries like Bangladesh, Norway, and Denmark recorded some of the steepest declines in peace due to growing militarisation. At the same time, sub-Saharan African countries such as Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Ghana are among those involved in five or more external conflicts.

The number of nations drawn into foreign wars has climbed to 98, up from 59 in 2008.

According to the index, the following countries are among the most peaceful in the Global South. They have lower conflict scores, lower levels of militarisation, and better safety records compared to many others within similar regions.

Most Peaceful Countries in the Global South (GPI 2025)

(Peace Score – Global Ranking)

Singapore – 1,367 (34)

Malaysia – 1,469 (41)

Mauritius – 1,586 (54)

Qatar – 1,593 (55)

Sierra Leone – 1,887 (57)

Madagascar – 1,895 (59)

Ghana – 1,898 (61)

Chile – 1,899 (62)

Zambia – 1,914 (64)

Uzbekistan – 1,926 (67)

Senegal – 1,936 (69)

Liberia – 1,939 (70)

Malawi – 1,955 (71)

Tanzania – 1,965 (73)

Angola – 1,987 (76)

Kyrgyz Republic – 1,988 (78)

Tajikistan – 1,996 (79)

Dominican Republic – 1,996 (79)

Tunisia – 1,998 (81)

Equatorial Guinea – 2,004 (82)

Bolivia – 2,005 (83)

Panama – 2,006 (84)

Morocco – 2,012 (85)

Thailand – 2,017 (86)

Cambodia – 2,019 (87)

Saudi Arabia – 2,034 (90)

Rwanda – 2,036 (91)

Algeria – 2,042 (92)

Côte d’Ivoire – 2,066 (94)

Peru – 2,073 (96)

Sri Lanka – 2,075 (97)

China – 2,093 (98)

Eswatini – 2,094 (99)

Guinea-Bissau – 2,112 (101)

Cuba – 2,123 (102)

Republic of the Congo – 2,132 (103)

El Salvador – 2,136 (104)

Philippines – 2,148 (105)

Egypt – 2,157 (107)

Guatemala – 2,174 (108)

Mauritania – 2,204 (110)

The move follows months of discussions with the UN, particularly in the aftermath of the July 2024 student-led uprising that toppled the Sheikh Hasina government.

According to a UN Fact-Finding Mission report released in February 2025, approximately 1,400 people were killed during the unrest and its aftermath, with evidence pointing to serious human rights violations by state security forces and affiliated groups.

“There has been remarkable progress in our dialogue with the UN,” said Nazrul. “If serious human rights violations occur in the future, we hope both the OHCHR and local agencies can play a crucial role in addressing them.”

The OHCHR’s future presence in Bangladesh is widely seen as a response to international concerns over accountability and justice following last year’s political violence. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed interest in expanding the UN’s role during a visit to Dhaka in October 2024.

The office’s establishment is intended to support ongoing reforms in Bangladesh’s political, legal, and law enforcement sectors, according to UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis, who confirmed the agreement was near finalisation during remarks in early June.

The MoU’s final draft will be reviewed by the interim government before being submitted to the OHCHR for approval. Once signed, the office will begin operations and may be extended beyond its initial three-year term based on mutual agreement.

The development reinforces global efforts to ensure transparency, uphold human rights, and provide independent oversight in a country undergoing political transition.

The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) operates 18 country or stand-alone offices, including 16 in nations such as Colombia, Sudan, and Palestine, one field office in Seoul for North Korea, and a monitoring mission in Ukraine.

To establish these offices, OHCHR negotiates a comprehensive mandate with host governments. This mandate typically includes human rights monitoring, protection, technical assistance, capacity-building, engagement with national authorities and civil society, and public reporting.

The redesigned notes worth Tk500 ($4.25), Tk200 ($1.70), Tk100 ($0.85), Tk10 ($0.08), Tk5 ($0.04), and Tk2 ($0.02) will enter circulation gradually.

Earlier the same day, new Tk1,000 ($8.50), Tk50 ($0.42), and Tk20 ($0.17) notes began circulating.

The central bank said this updated series, called “Historic and Archaeological Architecture of Bangladesh,” aims to showcase important landmarks while maintaining the legal tender status of all existing notes and coins.

The Tk500 note displays the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar. The Tk200 note features the Aparajeyo Bangla sculpture at Dhaka University and student-drawn graffiti from the July uprising.

The Tk100 note includes the UNESCO-listed Sixty Dome Mosque in Bagerhat and the Sundarbans forest.

Smaller denominations also reflect important sites. The Tk10 note features the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

The Tk5 and Tk2 notes, signed by the secretary of finance rather than the central bank governor, also show the Tara Mosque and memorials for martyred intellectuals.

Each note includes a watermark of a Royal Bengal Tiger, numerical values, and official monograms for added security. The central bank plans to announce release dates and security features through public updates.

Authorities say the new designs are part of a long-term effort to modernise the national currency and increase public appreciation of Bangladesh’s history and identity.

The Daily Star reports that the Chief Advisor will attend the 30th Nikkei Forum Future of Asia on May 29 and hold a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on May 30. The visit will also see the signing of seven (7) memoranda of understanding covering human resource development, worker recruitment, infrastructure, railways, and energy cooperation.

Bangladesh is, however, seeking to send 100,000 trained workers to Japan, with an emphasis on language and skills training.

Yunus is also scheduled to meet key Japanese figures, including Taro Aso, president of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League; Yohei Sasakawa of the Nippon Foundation; JICA president Dr. Tanaka Akihiko; and JETRO president Kimura Fukunari.

He will take part in three seminars on labour, trade , and investment and deliver a keynote speech at the Nikkei Forum focusing on Asia’s response to global instability. Soka University will award him an honorary doctorate, and he will address the university community.

Discussions with JICA will cover future cooperation and the status of ongoing Japanese-funded projects in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has requested a total of $1 billion in budget support, with an announcement likely during bilateral talks.

They had been detained in Delhi during a police operation targeting illegal immigration.

The move is part of a broader campaign that intensified after a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region in April.

The Indian government has directed state authorities to identify and remove undocumented migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar without waiting for the slower legal deportation process.

More than 500 people have been moved to the border over the past month, with large groups earlier sent from Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Migrants are first held in detention centres , then handed over to the Border Security Force after their identities are recorded and fake Indian documents are cancelled.

The Ministry of External Affairs said India has asked Bangladesh to confirm the nationality of more than 2,300 people it plans to deport. Some cases have reportedly been pending for several years.

In Bangladesh, the recent “push-back” approach has sparked concern.

A senior military official in Dhaka told reporters that such actions are “unacceptable,” but the country’s border forces are handling the situation according to international rules.

The Indian government maintains that those being removed are different from people who arrived legally but overstayed their visas.

It says biometric records are now being collected to stop re-entry and prevent illegal access to services like Aadhaar, India’s national ID system.

The crackdown gained momentum after political changes in Bangladesh last year.

Indian officials say the goal is to strengthen border security and reduce risks linked to undocumented migration.

Kenya’s health sector is faced with a severe $355 million budget deficit that threatens to disrupt critical services, including HIV and tuberculosis treatment, vaccine procurement, and the employment of thousands of healthcare workers under the country’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiative. Read more here .

Trump confronts South Africa's Ramaphosa with false claims of white genocide

U.S. President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on May 21, with explosive false claims of white genocide and land seizures during a tense White House meeting that was reminiscent of his February ambush of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Read more here .

Cholera devastates Sudan’s capital amid conflict, power outages, and water scarcity

Sudan’s Ministry of Health has reported a rise in cholera cases in the capital region, particularly in Karrari locality (Omdurman) and Jabal Awliya, south of Khartoum amid ongoing water crises and weakened public health infrastructure. Read more here .

Asia

China to give $500 million to WHO in next 5 years, official says

China will give an additional $500 million to the World Health Organisation over five years, an official told the World Health Assembly on May 20, as the U.N. agency seeks extra funding to offset the expected loss of its top donor, the United States. Read more here .

Singapore wine investment scam: Man jailed for siphoning $12.7 million

A Singaporean businessman, Eldric Ko, was sentenced to seven years and two months in prison for orchestrating a fraudulent wine investment scheme that defrauded over 200 investors of S$17 million (approximately US$12.67 million) between 2008 and 2011. Read more here .

Bangladesh's Yunus could quit over lack of reform progress, student leader says

Bangladesh's de-facto prime minister has threatened to step down if political parties cannot agree on reforms that citizens await with growing impatience, a top student leader has said, deepening uncertainty in the wake of deadly protests last year. Read more here .

Latin America

Cat caught smuggling drugs into Costa Rica prison

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How Brazil dismantled a Russian 'spy factory' training deep cover operatives

A Russian spy operation based in Brazil has been exposed, leading to the dismantling of a network involved in training new intelligence recruits. Nine operatives were uncovered living in Brazil under false identities, according to a recent investigation by the New York Times. Read more here .

Brazil hopes to be officially free of bird flu in 28 days

Brazil began a 28-day bird flu observation period on May 22, which it hopes will show the country's chicken farms are free of the disease after local authorities said a farm where its first outbreak was detected had been fully disinfected. The outbreak in the world's largest chicken exporter, detected in the town of Montenegro in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, triggered trade bans from multiple countries. Read more here .

A notice from India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade said garments, agro-processed foods, plastic products, and wooden furniture from Bangladesh can no longer enter India through land routes in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, and parts of West Bengal.

Imports of garments will now be allowed only through the Kolkata and Nhava Sheva sea ports.

The decision took effect immediately.

The move comes weeks after India suspended transhipment of Bangladeshi goods to third countries via land borders.

It also follows Bangladesh’s own decision in April to block yarn imports from India through five of its land ports, a step aimed at protecting its local textile industry.

The sudden shift has alarmed Bangladeshi exporters, especially garment and plastic goods producers, who rely heavily on land routes.

Nearly 93 percent of Bangladeshi apparel exports to India, valued at about $700 million annually, are shipped through land ports.

Economists have warned that sudden restrictions could damage long-standing trade links between the two neighbours.

He urged both governments to hold talks and improve coordination to keep trade flowing.

Security forces recovered 10 illegal firearms, 87 rounds of ammunition, five improvised explosive devices, six hand grenades, narcotics , stolen mobile phones and passports, counterfeit food items, stolen sugar and spices, unauthorized pharmaceuticals, and cash.

All suspects have been handed over to local police for further investigation and legal proceedings.

The military said the operations were part of ongoing efforts to maintain law and order nationwide. Army patrols are also being conducted in industrial areas to help ease labor unrest, and additional security measures were in place during this week’s Buddha Purnima festival.

Authorities urged the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest army camp.

His sudden departure, which took place under the radar, has drawn attention because it happened amid tight airport security and ongoing political unrest.

The 80-year-old was accompanied by his wife, brother, and brother-in-law. A viral image of him at the airport has since intensified public interest and debate.

The interim government, now led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, was reportedly caught off guard.

Authorities say Hamid left legally and that no court order had barred him from travelling.

“There was no request or application from the police to detain or arrest him in any case,” an airport official who spoke to Dhaka Post was quoted by the Times of India .

Hamid, who served two terms as president, is reported to be facing a murder charge.

 His escape has sparked criticism from student activists, who are demanding that officials responsible for allowing his departure be held accountable within 24 hours.

The political climate in Bangladesh has been tense since August, when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India following a student-led uprising.

Many top leaders from the Awami League party have since been jailed or gone missing.

This has led to a growing number of worn-out and torn notes being dispensed at ATMs and handed out at banks, sparking complaints across Dhaka and other cities.

Customers say the poor condition of money is making daily transactions harder.

Many shops and transport workers are refusing to accept torn bills, while money exchange vendors in Dhaka’s Gulistan market are charging extra for crisp new notes and offering less in return for damaged ones.

The shortage has partly been blamed on Bangladesh Bank’s decision earlier this year to stop distributing newly printed notes that feature the image of the country’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The move came just before Eid-ul-Fitr, a period when the demand for fresh notes typically spikes, local reports say.

According to dealers in Gulistan, even people from districts outside Dhaka are now travelling in to try to swap worn notes for cleaner ones.

But the dealers say supply is running low, and priority is being given to small business owners handling larger sums of money.

The central bank says it will release newly designed notes ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, but the process of replacing old currency will take several years.

Printing new designs, which began in May, takes time due to limited production capacity at the state-owned mint.

Banking authorities say around Tk374,000 crore is currently in circulation, with the majority held by the public but many of those notes are now in poor condition.

Bangladesh has escalated its diplomatic discourse by demanding a formal apology from Pakistan for the atrocities committed during the 1971 Liberation War, amidst a backdrop of resumed talks after 15 years, Independent reports. Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin highlighted these historical grievances while discussing a $4.52 billion compensation claim regarding pre-1971 assets during negotiations held in Dhaka. 

Model allegedly blackmails Saudi envoy

Former beauty queen Meghna Alam was arrested in Bangladesh for allegedly attempting to extort $5 million from the former Saudi ambassador through a honey-trap scheme. According to The Star , the actions were characterised by police officials as jeopardising diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia, a key ally due to its significant economic assistance and employment of Bangladeshi workers. 

390 arrested by Bangladesh army

In a concerted operation conducted by various divisions of the Bangladesh Army between April 10 and 17, 390 individuals were arrested in connection with serious crimes, alongside the seizure of illegal arms and narcotics. This extensive operation aimed to uphold public safety during the celebrations of Pahela Baishakh, demonstrating an active stance against criminal activities, Daily Observer reports. 

India rejects Bangladesh's claims on West Bengal violence

India's Ministry of External Affairs has firmly dismissed Bangladesh's comments regarding recent communal violence in West Bengal, labelling them as 'unwarranted'. Observer reports that this diplomatic clash arose following allegations from Bangladeshi officials concerning their supposed involvement in the violence, which have been categorically refuted by Dhaka. Both governments continue to stress the importance of bilateral relations.

Bangladesh to establish body for trade negotiations Post-LDC graduation

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India is a major supplier of cotton and manmade fibre yarn to Bangladesh. A large part of this yarn usually travels by land because it is cheaper and faster.

In 2024 alone, India exported cotton yarn worth $1.6 billion and manmade fibre yarn worth about $85 million.

The new restriction comes shortly after India cancelled an earlier rule that allowed goods from Bangladesh to move through Indian land ports to other countries.

The government explained that its ports were too crowded.

According to Siddhartha Rajagopal, Executive Director of the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council, about 32% of India's yarn exports to Bangladesh are sent by land, and the new rule is likely to hurt both sides.

“The restrictions imposed on the export of cotton yarn are a matter of deep concern,” he was quoted by The Hindu .

Following the directive, small and medium-sized textile mills in northern India will now have to send their goods by sea through ports like Mundra, Thoothukudi, or Nhava Sheva, which will cost more and take longer.

Garment factories in Bangladesh, which depend on Indian yarn, will also see higher prices and shipping delays.

Rakesh Mehra, chairman of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry, said Bangladesh is India's biggest buyer of cotton yarn, taking more than 45% of its exports.

He added that trade between the two countries is strong and growing fast, suggesting that both governments quickly find a solution.

The Home Ministry sent a letter to the Department of Immigration and Passports on April 7 asking them to put the line back. A senior official from the ministry confirmed the decision on April 13.

Bangladeshi passports will once again say, “This passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel.”

The move comes as many people in Bangladesh are showing anger over Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza. Large crowds gathered in Dhaka over the weekend to demand an end to the violence against Palestinians.

“This is not just about words on a passport,” said Nilima Afroze, a deputy secretary at the Home Ministry. “It’s a reflection of the country’s policy and public feeling.”

Bangladesh has never had diplomatic ties with Israel. The country has long supported the Palestinian cause and continues to call for peace in the Middle East .

His case is far from isolated: an estimated 35 million children, or around 60% of all children in the country, are affected by elevated lead exposure.

The sources of contamination are varied, but Junayed’s mother points to a now-defunct battery recycling factory near their village. The facility, which dismantled and melted down old vehicle batteries with little regulation, polluted the surrounding air and soil in its rush for profit.

As informal battery recycling continues to grow in response to global demand for energy storage, communities across Bangladesh are sounding the alarm over the hidden cost: a silent epidemic harming the country's most vulnerable.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs will take steps to get boats, along with Jamdani sarees and Tangail sarees, recognised as cultural heritage by UNESCO.

These boats have been an important part of Bangladesh’s history , serving as a key mode of river transport for centuries.

The boat was also the election symbol of the Awami League, the ruling party that was recently removed from power following mass protests. During its time in government, the party displayed the boat symbol at many events, linking it to its political identity.

The interim government has now taken down the boat symbol from the logos of the Prisons Department, the police, and Chittagong City Corporation.

The advisory council also decided to merge two youth celebrations to cut government costs.

National Youth Day, which is celebrated on November 1, will now be observed together with International Youth Day on August 12.

The United Nations introduced International Youth Day in 1999, and both events focus on similar themes.

The government believes celebrating them together will save resources while still highlighting youth issues.

The latest protests in Dhaka were sparked by several high-profile cases of sexual harassment, with demonstrators demanding stronger protections for women. Dhaka University student Jannatul Promi highlighted the pervasive sense of insecurity among young women.

“Since I don't live in the university dorm, I don’t feel safe staying on campus after evening. I constantly worry about how I will get home. Our society has become like this now – women cannot feel safe going out alone at night. And considering the recent incidents we have witnessed, it becomes even harder to feel courageous. Change is absolutely necessary. That’s why we feel that we must continue our movement. That’s why we have boycotted our classes and exams,” she told the AFP.

Maleka Banu, general secretary of Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, the country’s oldest feminist organisation, warned about the growing influence of anti-women forces in society. “ At present, we are seeing many anti-women forces gaining a lot of momentum. And they are becoming much bolder. They are attacking women on the streets for many excuses, whether it be mob attacks, personal attacks, silently or openly,” she stated. She also criticised the government’s response, urging authorities to take decisive action rather than merely expressing concern. “You can certainly express concern, but that alone is not enough from the state. Effective measures need to be taken, and a clear message must be sent.”

The rise in extremist activities has led to growing instances of harassment in public spaces. Nishat Tanjim Nera, an anti-rape protester and student, shared a troubling incident she witnessed on public transport. “ One day, I saw a man following a girl in the metro. Then the man told the girl, ‘Your dress is not appropriate.’ When I asked him, ‘Who gave you the right to say this?’ he left. I believe that in the present, women are suffering from a lack of security,” she said.

The report found that Chad had the highest pollution level, with its air containing more than 18 times the amount of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) considered safe by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Bangladesh ranked second, with pollution levels more than 15 times higher than the WHO guideline, while Pakistan followed closely, exceeding the safe limit by more than 14 times.

Other countries with dangerously high pollution levels included the Democratic Republic of the Congo and India.

The report also showed that 91% of the countries studied failed to meet WHO’s air quality standards.

Frank Hammes, Global CEO of IQAir , emphasised the urgent need for action.

“Air pollution remains a critical threat to both human health and environmental stability, yet vast populations remain unaware of their exposure levels,” he said.

He added that air quality data is essential in shaping policies and protecting people.

The report also highlighted the lack of air quality monitoring in some regions, especially in Africa, where there is only one monitoring station for every 3.7 million people.

According to the report, air pollution in Latin America worsened due to wildfires in the Amazon rainforest.

Meanwhile, Oceania was named the cleanest region, with most of its cities meeting WHO’s air quality guidelines.

Aidan Farrow, Senior Air Quality Scientist at Greenpeace International, warned that failing to act on pollution today will have long-term consequences.

 “The World Air Quality Report should be a rallying call for urgent and concerted international efforts to cut pollutant emissions,” he said.

IQAir also announced an initiative to install air quality monitors in over one million schools worldwide.

The organisation believes this will help provide more people with real-time pollution data and push for cleaner air globally.

Many people have complained that their nicknames are missing from their NID. Others have asked for their names to be added as second wives. These issues have led to many correction requests.

The director general of the National Identity Registration Division, ASM Humayun Kabir, said the EC has talked about adding a nickname section to the NID application form.

He also indicated that some women want to be listed as second wives on their husband's NID.

"In a meeting, we considered adding a nickname field to Form 2 of the NID, which could aid in accurate identification," he was quoted by The Business Standard .

However, the EC awaits the approval of higher authorities including the Election Commission and the Secretariat to make these changes.

The attack happened on February 5, when the child was raped while staying at her sister’s house.

She was badly injured and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital before being moved to another hospital for better treatment.

Police have arrested four suspects since the incident occurred.

This has led to protests in different parts of the country. Students, teachers, and civil society groups have taken to the streets in anger.

At Dhaka University, protesters gathered at a well-known campus landmark before marching in protest. At Rajshahi University, hundreds of students skipped classes and blocked a major highway for nearly 30 minutes. In Kushtia, students from Islamic University also blocked a key road.

Many protesters are calling for the death penalty for those guilty of such crimes.

Save the Children, a global child rights group has condemned the attack. The organisation said violence against women and children is rising in Bangladesh. It reported that over 2,300 women and girls have faced violence this year, including more than 1,000 children.

Shumon Sengupta, the group’s country director in Bangladesh, said , “We demand justice for the victim of this horrific crime. Authorities must ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to trial.”

Meanwhile, a Bangladesh court has ordered all pictures of the child to be removed from social media. The High Court directed the country’s telecommunication authorities to take action.

A senior government official has also assured the public that those responsible will face justice. But many protesters say they want real change, not just promises.

They are demanding stricter laws and better enforcement to keep women and children safe.

According to him, having a passport is a citizen’s right and questioned why police checks were needed when they are not required for birth certificates or national ID cards.

The decision comes after years of complaints about corruption and delays in the police verification process.

Local reports indicate that many people struggled to get their passports on time because of unnecessary checks and demands for extra payments.

By removing police verification, the government hopes to make the passport application process faster and easier for everyone.

Witnesses reported that armed demonstrators wielding sticks, hammers, and other tools converged at the historic house and independence monument late Wednesday. Some brought heavy machinery, including a crane and excavator, to demolish the site.

Shimul Bhuiyan, a scientific officer at the institute, revealed that more than 80 percent of the turtles were females, likely coming ashore to lay eggs. "This is concerning as it impacts future turtle populations," Bhuiyan told AFP.

Olive ridley turtles face declining numbers and have suffered periodic mass die-offs, including a similar event earlier this month in southern India .

Experts are now working to determine the cause of the latest incident along the Bangladeshi coast.

The olive ridley sea turtle is named for its heart-shaped shell, which features a distinctive olive-green hue. It is one of the smallest sea turtle species in the world.

The U.S. government has imposed stricter sanctions on Russian oil producers and vessels, targeting companies like Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, along with 183 ships involved in transporting Russian oil. This move aims to cut off funding for Russia's war in Ukraine and is expected to significantly reduce Russia's crude oil supply to its major customers, China and India, US News reports. As a result, both countries will likely turn to alternative sources for oil, mainly from the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas, which will increase oil prices and freight costs. Notably, the newly sanctioned vessels previously transported about 530 million barrels of Russian crude, predominantly to China and India. The sanctions may also affect the pricing of Russian oil, leading to discounts below $60 per barrel to utilise Western insurance.

India to showcase vision for AI, sustainability, and global leadership at WEF 2025

India will showcase its vision for artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, and global leadership at the 55th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos from January 20-24, 2025. The theme "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age" aligns with India's focus on technology, renewable energy, and global partnerships. According to India News Network , the delegation, led by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and representatives from six states, will participate in discussions on economic transformation, innovation, skill development, and sustainability. Key sessions will address sustainable investment opportunities in AI, infrastructure development, global partnerships, and India's role as a hub for chemical manufacturing.

India calls on Bangladesh to implement existing border management understandings

India urged Bangladesh to implement existing border management agreements and adopt a cooperative approach to address escalating tensions along their international boundary. As reported by Hindustan Times , Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma conveyed this message during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Mohammad Jashim Uddin in Dhaka. Recent tensions arose after the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) acted against Bangladeshi smugglers, leading to claims of unauthorised fencing by India, which Dhaka contends violates bilateral agreements. Uddin expressed concern over BSF's actions, including the unauthorised construction of barbed wire and incidents of border killings, urging dialogue to resolve issues peacefully.

Air India aims to double international transit traffic in three years

Air India aims to double its international transit traffic, currently at 10% of its total, within three years, according to Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal. Currently, less than 1% of transit traffic over India is handled in Delhi, which presents significant growth potential. The airline plans to enhance its connectivity to Southeast Asia and establish stronger ties in the Europe-Australia corridor. Aggarwal expects the share of international-to-international (I2I) traffic to rise to 15-20% in three years. Air India's revenue from premium cabins has increased significantly, leading to plans for more front cabin seats on widebody planes. The airline does not currently seek to wet lease planes, favouring dry leasing instead, and remains focused on strengthening its hubs in India to capture more international traffic, Business Standard reports.

India ready for Maha Kumbh Mela, world's largest religious gathering

India is preparing to host the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, from January 13 to February 26. Over 400 million pilgrims are expected to participate in rituals, prayers, and holy baths at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. The festival, rooted in Hindu mythology, occurs every 12 years and is considered more auspicious in its "maha" form, attracting the largest crowds. Key rituals include daily sacred bathing, especially on auspicious days like January 29 (Mauni Amavasya) and the culmination on February 26 (Maha Shivaratri). Preparations for the event are massive, including the creation of a temporary city with 150,000 tents, extensive amenities, and special transportation via 98 extra trains. Security is a priority, with 40,000 police personnel and advanced AI surveillance systems deployed, supported by a budget of 64 billion rupees ($765 million), NDTV World reports.

Regardless, these major events sparked concerns around the world, some causing immediate change in their respective countries and others just sounding a word of caution of what is yet to come if some actions were not taken.

So, we captured some of the major ones, those that shook nations and got the world, particularly the global south talking.

Here is a compilation of these major protests

Bangladesh riots over job quotas, PM’s resignation

Massive protests erupted across Bangladesh in August 2024 after students demanded reforms to a job quota system that reserved 56% of government positions for specific groups, limiting opportunities for many young people. Many youth expressed frustration over rising unemployment and corruption under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule, leading to the unrest. Things escalated after a violent crackdown by police and ruling party supporters left over 300 people dead and thousands injured or detained. Despite the Supreme Court scrapping most quotas, anger over the deaths, corruption, and suppressed dissent led protesters to demand Hasina’s resignation. The protests deepened as schools and universities were shut, the internet was cut off, and civil disobedience spread. Hasina eventually resigned and fled the country leading to a change in power.

Kenya anti-government protests

A group of young protesters sparked a revolution in Kenya with a series of protests against President William Ruto’s government in August 2024. The protests were over new taxes in the 2024/2025 Finance Bill, including a 16% levy on bread and a 2.5% tax on vehicles, which many said would worsen the cost of living and hurt small businesses. The unrest, which began in June, left over 50 people dead, with police accused of using live bullets and excessive force. Protesters, led mostly by frustrated youth described as “Gen Z”, demanded better governance, action against corruption, and justice for those killed. Despite withdrawing some taxes, dissolving his cabinet, and appointing opposition leaders to key positions, Ruto’s efforts were dismissed as inadequate, with calls for his resignation growing louder. The protests, were fueled by anger over unfulfilled campaign promises and economic hardship amidst arrests and heavy security.

Pro-Khan protests in Pakistan

Protests erupted across Pakistan in May 2023 after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on corruption charges, which he claimed were politically motivated. Thousands of his supporters took to the streets, storming government and military facilities in anger, leading to a crackdown by authorities. Nearly 1,400 people were arrested , with 25 recently convicted by military courts and handed sentences of two to 10 years, despite criticism from Amnesty International and human rights groups, who call the trials of civilians in military courts unlawful. The army, which has long held significant influence in Pakistan, says justice will only be complete when the protest organisers are punished, but Khan's allies and critics argue the measures are excessive and aimed at stifling dissent. Khan, ousted in 2022 after losing a confidence vote, continues to accuse the government and military of targeting him and his supporters to silence opposition.

Nationwide protests in India after doctor’s rape and murder

Indian doctors protested in August 2024 after the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at a state-run hospital in Kolkata, sparking nationwide outrage over women's safety. The doctor was attacked in a seminar room after a 36-hour shift, with an autopsy confirming sexual assault. Protests, led by healthcare workers and citizens , included candlelight vigils and the "Reclaim the Night" march, demanding justice and safety reforms. Critics accused West Bengal's government of negligence, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) blamed the state for fostering insecurity for women. The investigation, initially criticised for police mishandling, was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced measures to improve hospital safety.

Mass protests in Venezuela after election results

Venezuela saw mass protests after President Nicolás Maduro claimed victory in a disputed election on July 29, which the opposition and many international bodies described as fraudulent. Thousands took to the streets of Caracas , chanting for freedom and calling for the government to fall. Security forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, clashing with protesters who ripped down Maduro’s posters and burned them. Opposition leaders, including Edmundo González, who replaced Maria Corina Machado on the ballot after she was banned, argue that he actually won the election by a large margin. The protests led to violence, with reports of killings and arrests, while the government faced growing calls for a fair vote count. International bodies, including the UN and the US, have questioned the results, urging Venezuela to release detailed voting data.

Nigerians take over the streets to protest bad governance

In August 2024, Nigeria saw widespread protests sparked by a deepening economic crisis. The decision by Bola Tinubu’s government to remove fuel and electricity subsidies, along with rising food prices and inflation, hit millions of Nigerians hard. The reforms, aimed at improving the economy, only worsened the situation for many, making basic goods unaffordable. Frustrations became more as food prices soared, including a 50kg bag of rice costing more than the minimum wage. Nigerians took to the streets with at least 13 people killed and hundreds arrested. Demonstrators called for better governance, jobs, and a reversal of the policies, while the government’s response included force and curfews in some areas.