Author: INF 365

Sixteen former officials, including 11 ex-ministers, face trial for 2024 protest crackdown. Charges include crimes against humanity during the July-August mass uprising. Prosecutors allege involvement in violent suppression of student-led demonstrations. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now in India, also faces arrest warrants. UN reports up to 1,400 deaths during the protests, urging thorough investigations. Sixteen former officials, including 11 ex-ministers from the previous Awami League government, appeared before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) today. They face charges of crimes against humanity linked to the violent suppression of the July-August 2024 mass uprising. The protests began with student-led demonstrations against…

Germany’s economy has stagnated, facing long-term structural issues. The upcoming February 23 election will be crucial for shaping the future. Businesses cite excessive bureaucracy and lack of government direction. Energy costs have soared due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Competition from China has hurt German exports. Germany, Europe’s largest economy, is at a crossroads. Once known for its industrial strength and reliance on cheap natural gas from Russia, the country is now mired in stagnation. Its economic growth has been flat for the past five years, leading to a sense of uncertainty. The upcoming national election, set for February 23, 2025,…

31-year-old Vikat Bhagat sentenced to life for rape and murder of Irish tourist in Goa. The brutal crime occurred in March 2017, and justice was delayed for nearly eight years. The victim’s body was found with severe injuries, including facial trauma. India’s justice system struggles with slow trials and backlog in sexual violence cases. Despite legal reforms, India’s response to sexual violence remains inefficient and delayed. In a case that highlights India’s slow-moving justice system, authorities sentenced 31-year-old Vikat Bhagat to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a 28-year-old Irish tourist in Goa. This comes almost eight years…

South Korea halts new downloads of DeepSeek app after privacy issues. Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) cites violation of local data protection laws. Existing users can still access the web service, but no new downloads allowed. DeepSeek appoints legal representatives in South Korea and acknowledges issues. China emphasizes commitment to data security in response to South Korean actions. South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) announced on Monday that it has halted new downloads of the Chinese AI app DeepSeek. This suspension comes after the app failed to meet the country’s strict data privacy laws. The suspension took effect on…

Taiwan’s defense ministry asserts the Taiwan Strait is outside China’s sovereignty. US State Department’s update on Taiwan’s independence sparks new diplomatic questions. Taiwan is already operating with de facto independence despite limited global recognition. China continues military incursions near Taiwan, raising concerns about regional stability. Taiwan’s international recognition is limited to just 12 countries. Taiwan’s defense ministry firmly rejected China’s claims over the Taiwan Strait, declaring it “not within the scope of China’s sovereignty.” The ministry highlighted that the Taiwan Strait is an international waterway vital for global shipping and trade. Any attempts by China to create instability in the…

National Institute inaugurates country’s first Skin Bank. Facility aims to improve care for severe burn patients. Skin donations accepted from living and deceased donors. Advanced preservation techniques ensure graft viability. Experts call for increased public participation in skin donation. On Sunday, February 16, 2025, the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka inaugurated Bangladesh’s first Skin Bank. Professor Dr. Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor, led the ceremony. This initiative aims to enhance treatment for patients with severe burns. The Skin Bank has already begun making a difference. Hamida, a two-year-old patient, received a skin transplant…

Israel receives MK-84 bombs after Trump lifts Biden-era export block. Biden administration had paused shipments over concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza. Delivery coincides with fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire negotiations. US military aid to Israel surpasses $17.9 billion since October 2023. International community expresses concerns over escalating military support. Israel has received a shipment of heavy MK-84 bombs from the United States after President Donald Trump lifted a block imposed by former President Joe Biden. The Israeli Defense Ministry confirmed that these 2,000-pound unguided bombs, known for their ability to penetrate thick concrete and metal, arrived over the weekend. The Biden…

Iran’s forces abruptly abandoned a Syrian base near Khan Shaykhun in December 2024. Remnants left behind reveal chaos and panic, signaling a sudden retreat. The Iranian military had been entrenched in Syria for over a decade, assisting Assad’s regime. A major rift between Assad and Iranian-backed groups marked a dramatic collapse in relations. The sudden withdrawal of Iran-linked forces highlights Syria’s shifting alliances. Iranian-backed forces made a rapid and messy retreat from a key base in Syria’s Idlib province, revealing the crumbling military situation. Once home to Iran’s elite IRGC and allied groups, this base near Khan Shaykhun now stands…

At least 18 people killed in a stampede at New Delhi railway station. Chaos erupted while people scrambled for trains to the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The stampede follows a history of deadly crowd-related disasters at the event. Government’s inadequate crowd control measures raise serious concerns about safety. Prime Minister Modi expresses sorrow, but lacks substantial action on the ground. A deadly stampede broke out at a railway station in New Delhi late Saturday night. Eighteen people lost their lives as tens of thousands rushed to board trains for the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Confusion on the platform and surging…

Taiwan detects 24 Chinese military aircraft near the island during Canadian warship’s passage. The HMCS Ottawa becomes the first Canadian naval vessel to transit Taiwan Strait in 2025. Chinese military issues warning to the Canadian warship during the transit. Earlier in February, two U.S. Navy ships transited the Taiwan Strait, drawing China’s criticism. Taiwan’s defense ministry reports increasing Chinese military activity around Taiwan. On February 16, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported the detection of 24 Chinese military aircraft near the island as the Canadian warship, HMCS Ottawa, passed through the Taiwan Strait. This marks the first Canadian naval vessel to navigate…