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Sheikh Hasina

The latest news and updates on Sheikh Hasina, a prominent Bangladeshi politician and daughter of the nation’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She served as Prime Minister for over two decades across multiple terms (1996-2001, 2009-2024), becoming Bangladesh’s longest-serving head of government. As President of the Awami League, her leadership focused on economic development, poverty reduction, and social welfare, overseeing significant GDP growth and initiatives like the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty and the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord. Her administration also championed women’s empowerment and digital transformation. She recently resigned amidst widespread student-led protests.

Sheikh Hasina

Why a leading party in Bangladesh is facing uncertainty as election looms

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s leadership crisis threatens to undermine its advantage ahead of the February election, analysts say.

Video | Mass grave unearthed in Bangladesh

Bangladesh mass grave from 2024 uprising exhumed with UN support

UK MP Tulip Siddiq, aunt Sheikh Hasina sentenced to jail in Bangladesh land case

The former Bangladeshi prime minister, her niece and sister were convicted for illegally obtaining land in a government project.

‘Utmost inspiration’: Bangladesh ex-PM Khaleda Zia in ‘very critical’ condition

Zia was jailed for corruption in 2018 under Sheikh Hasina’s government, which also barred her from travelling abroad for medical treatment.

Bangladesh authorities uncover fugitive ex-PM Hasina’s gold stash

Authorities seized gold worth US$1.3 million from Hasina, who is under investigation for not depositing gifts into the treasury as required.

Can a single vote save Bangladesh from a return to authoritarianism?

Analysts question if the July Charter championed by Muhammad Yunus can overcome Dhaka’s ‘winner-takes-all’ political culture.

Why India extraditing Hasina to Bangladesh to face death penalty is unlikely

Analysts say the verdict adds to New Delhi’s concerns that Dhaka will slip under the influence of radical Islamists.

Malaysia-Singapore crossing brawl, climate crisis in focus: 7 Asia highlights

From a Bangladesh court sentencing Hasina to a Muslim trans woman’s secret, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Justice or chaos? Bangladesh on edge as Hasina verdict looms

The verdict on Monday could pile pressure on the interim administration as it seeks to reform the country ahead of next year’s election.

‘Judicial mockery’: Bangladesh’s Hasina slams trial as verdict nears

Former PM defends crackdown after protests ‘darkened into mob violence’ and calls trial a political hatchet job driven by her rivals.

Bangladesh political violence kills 281 since Hasina’s fall

A Dhaka-based human rights group said many people had fallen victim to extortion by political parties regardless of their financial or social standing.

Will death penalty demand for Hasina jeopardise extradition to Bangladesh?

Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam says Hasina deserves 1,400 death sentences and ‘shows no remorse for the brutality she has committed’.

Bangladesh airport fire destroys US$1 billion in garments, exports

Officials are investigating possible ‘sabotage or arson’ after the catastrophic blaze at Dhaka’s main airport cargo complex.

Bangladesh’s ex-PM Sheikh Hasina should be put to death, prosecution demands

Prosecutors allege that the fugitive ex-prime minister is responsible for the deaths of up to 1,400 people in last year’s uprising.

Bangladesh grapples with political fragmentation ahead of key election

Conflicting demands over proportional representation, which requires constitutional reform, have put the interim government in a dilemma.

From Malaysia to Bangladesh, Asia’s dirty money finds a home in UK property

Investigators from Kuala Lumpur to Dhaka are once again focusing on Britain’s role as a global laundromat for kleptocrats.

Letters | From Nepal to Bangladesh, Gen Z’s passion must be paired with perspective

Readers discuss the potential for youth movements to descend into chaos, and China’s developing ties with Iran.

Fatal protests upend China hopes for stability in Asia

Youth-led protests have led to fatalities in both Nepal and Indonesia, rocking the local leadership and highlighting political risks in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

China weighs risks as social unrest rocks strategic partner Nepal

Regional instability, political upheaval test China’s Belt and Road Initiative, casting uncertainty over key infrastructure projects.

Bangladesh sets February election date

The announcement of the parliamentary election comes a year after the uprising that ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh protest victim, witness gives evidence in ex-PM Hasina trial

Khokon Chandra Barman’s face was ripped apart by gunshot during the protests last year. He lost his left eye the same day Hasina fled by helicopter.

Will Bangladesh veer from its India-China middle path?

India’s recent aid gesture reflects resilient ties with Bangladesh, as analysts say fears that Dhaka will pivot towards China are misplaced.

Bangladesh scrambles to avert devastating 35% US tariff

The proposed levy would strip Bangladesh of its price advantage over rivals like Vietnam, jeopardising livelihoods across the country.

More violence in store? Bangladesh student clashes expose political fault lines

Worries that the country may face more violence have grown since student leader Nahid Islam floated the prospect of another march.

Bangladesh violence leaves at least 4 dead as political turmoil persists

Security forces clashed with supporters of the toppled prime minister, highlighting deep political divisions in the country.

Audio suggests ex-Bangladesh PM ordered ‘lethal weapons’ be used on protesters

In the recording from July 2024, a voice alleged to be Sheikh Hasina’s is heard authorising security forces to ‘use lethal weapons’ against protesters.

‘Warmth gone’: Bangladesh-India ties under ‘intense strain’ amid China pivot

A year after anti-Hasina protests, Dhaka, Beijing and Islamabad deepen engagement, sparking worry in New Delhi.