News
Fresh violence in Bangladesh student protests
Fresh violence erupted in Bangladesh on Wednesday as police clashed with student protesters demanding justice for victims of recent unrest. The demonstrations, led by the Students Against Discrimination movement, have seen growing tensions across the country.
In the north-eastern city of Sylhet, officials reported that protesters attacked police, prompting officers to use tear gas to disperse the crowds. Similar clashes have been reported in the capital, Dhaka, and other cities.
The protests have resulted in more than 200 deaths this month, primarily due to police opening fire on demonstrators. Nearly 10,000 people have been detained amid the escalating violence.
The “March for Justice” organized by the Students Against Discrimination movement was held in response to “mass killings, arrests, attacks, and disappearances of students and people.” The protests initially began over the reinstatement of quotas in civil service jobs for relatives of veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 war for independence from Pakistan.
A third of public sector jobs had been reserved for these relatives, but the Supreme Court ruled on 21 July that only 5% of the roles could be reserved. The student movement argues that this system is discriminatory and is demanding recruitment based on merit.
Protest organizers have called for an apology from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the resignation of six ministers over the deadly clashes. Meanwhile, the government has attributed the unrest to the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Jamaat-e-Islami party.
The European Union has responded to the violence by postponing talks with Bangladesh on a new cooperation agreement, following criticism of the government’s crackdown on protesters. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned the excessive use of force and urged for those responsible to be held accountable.
In a devastating incident in eastern India, at least 46 people, including 37 children and seven women, have drowned while celebrating the Hindu Jivitputrika festival. The fatalities, which occurred across 15 districts within the past 24 hours, resulted from victims ritually bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent flooding.
The three-day festival, which honors children’s wellbeing, is traditionally marked by mothers fasting and families participating in ritual baths. This year, the swollen water bodies, exacerbated by recent floods, have turned the celebratory ritual into a deadly disaster.
Local disaster management officials have expressed fears that the death toll could rise further. State authorities have promised compensation for the families and relatives of the victims.
Fatal accidents during religious festivals are not uncommon in India, where large gatherings often take place with insufficient safety measures. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such gatherings, especially during adverse weather conditions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted airstrikes in Beirut, reportedly killing Mohammad Hussein Surur, a senior Hezbollah air unit leader. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed two deaths and 15 injuries from the attack. The strikes come amid escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire throughout the night and into the morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the IDF would continue to fight “with full force” against Hezbollah, aiming to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group. This marks a significant intensification of hostilities between the two sides, which have been exchanging rockets and airstrikes for days. The Lebanese health ministry also reported that 28 people were killed today by Israeli airstrikes.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched 80 missiles targeting northern Israeli cities, including Safed. Israeli authorities have reported no casualties but noted significant property damage in Safed and Rosh Pina.
Amid the intensifying conflict, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin renewed calls for a diplomatic solution. The U.S., along with 11 other allied nations, has urged both Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a ceasefire to prevent further escalation and civilian casualties.
Ferry travel between the Isle of Man and Lancashire continues to face disruption due to strong winds over the Irish Sea. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has cancelled Thursday’s 08:45 BST sailing of the Manxman to Heysham and its scheduled 14:15 return journey. This follows the cancellation of the vessel’s return trip from the Lancashire port on Wednesday evening.
The disruptions have affected postal services, with the Isle of Man Post Office reporting delays in deliveries from the UK. While local deliveries within the island remain unaffected, items posted on Wednesday for UK delivery may not reach Royal Mail’s network in time for Friday delivery.
Additionally, the ferry cancellations have caused a delay in newspaper deliveries, with no papers available on the island on Thursday, as confirmed by the island’s wholesale distributor.
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