The Bangladesh government is preparing to seek Interpol’s help to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal from India. Both leaders were sentenced to death in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal for alleged crimes during the student protests in July 2024. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has already asked India to send them back. Bangladesh’s Chief Prosecutor’s Office is drafting the formal request, which will be sent to New Delhi soon. Hasina has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh on August 5, 2024 after mass protests. (PC: HT)

Congress has approved a bill ordering the US Justice Department to release files on Jeffrey Epstein. The House passed it 427-1, and the Senate cleared it without debate. The move follows President Donald Trump’s sudden call to make the records public after backlash from his supporters. The bill requires Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all unclassified documents within 30 days, though sensitive details can be withheld. Lawmakers from both parties pushed for transparency. Survivors of Epstein’s abuse said the release is vital for justice. Trump denies any wrongdoing and says he cut ties with Epstein years ago. (PC: BBC)

Bangladesh’s interim government has urged India to hand over ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both sentenced to death in absentia by Dhaka’s International Crimes Tribunal for “crimes against humanity” during last year’s student uprising. Dhaka says the request is mandatory under the India–Bangladesh extradition treaty and warns that protecting them would be “an unfriendly act.” India, however, responded cautiously: while noting the verdict, it said it will “engage constructively” with all parties for stability and democracy in Bangladesh. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus hailed the ruling, declaring that “no one … is above the law” and calling the sentence “vital, if insufficient, justice.” (PC: India Today)

Police in Birbhum, West Bengal, seized around 20,000 gelatine sticks from a pick-up van during a naka check near Nalhati on Tuesday night. The vehicle was coming from Pakur in Jharkhand. Police said the explosives were packed in 50 bags and were moved without permission. One man, Narayan Ghosh of Birbhum, was arrested. He was produced in the Rampurhat court and sent to police custody for three days. Police are working with Pakur authorities to trace the source. Officers said such explosives are often used in illegal mining and stone quarries in the area. (PC: India Today)

US Congress has approved a bill ordering the Justice Department to release all unclassified files on Jeffrey Epstein. The House voted 427-1, and the Senate passed it without objection. The move comes after President Donald Trump changed his stance and asked Congress to release the records. The bill requires the Attorney General to publish documents, flight logs, and internal communications within 30 days, unless they affect active investigations or reveal victim identities. The push was led by lawmakers Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna. Survivors also urged transparency, saying hiding the records was a betrayal. Trump is expected to sign the bill. (PC: BBC)

An eight-month pregnant Indian woman, Samanvitha Dhareshwar, was killed in a car crash in Sydney. She was walking with her husband and three-year-old son when a speeding BMW hit a Kia, which then struck her. Police said she suffered severe injuries and was taken to Westmead Hospital, but she and her unborn child could not be saved. The BMW was driven by 19-year-old Aaron Papazoglu, who was later arrested. He has been charged with dangerous and negligent driving causing death, and causing the loss of a foetus. A magistrate denied bail. The case may fall under Zoe’s Law. (PC: NDTV)

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum firmly dismissed claims that the U.S. might deploy troops to Mexico to combat drug cartels, stressing that such an intervention will “never happen.” She stated that former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously proposed sending American forces, but Mexico rejected the idea each time. Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico’s sovereignty is “non-negotiable,” though she remains open to intelligence-sharing and coordinated strategies that do not involve foreign military presence. Her remarks followed renewed debate in the U.S. about cross-border operations, prompting Mexico to reiterate its constitutional commitment to controlling its own security operations. (AFP)

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum firmly dismissed claims that the U.S. might deploy troops to Mexico to combat drug cartels, stressing that such an intervention will “never happen.” She stated that former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously proposed sending American forces, but Mexico rejected the idea each time. Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico’s sovereignty is “non-negotiable,” though she remains open to intelligence-sharing and coordinated strategies that do not involve foreign military presence. Her remarks followed renewed debate in the U.S. about cross-border operations, prompting Mexico to reiterate its constitutional commitment to controlling its own security operations.

Sajeeb Wazed, son of ousted Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina, condemned the tribunal’s verdict sentencing her to death, calling it a “complete mockery of justice.” He claimed the trial was rushed, predetermined, and conducted by an “unelected, unconstitutional” interim government that even amended laws to fast-track it. Wazed said his mother was denied her own defence attorneys, and argued that there is “no rule of law” in Bangladesh now. (PC: India Today)

Awami League leaders in exile condemned Sheikh Hasina's death sentence as a "pre-determined verdict" by an "illegal, unconstitutional" Yunus government. Organizing Secretary Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel slammed the tribunal, defending Hasina's 15-year work for Bangladesh's 170 million people. The party called for a national shutdown protesting the "politically motivated" verdict. Leaders warned they "will not allow elections without the Awami League" and threatened escalating protests unless international intervention occurs. Rights groups called the trial a "political farce" violating fair trial standards, noting 17 judges were dismissed before proceedings. Bangladesh banned Awami League activities ahead of February elections, with supporters vowing "stronger protests" and warning of potential violence. (PC: Britannica)