International
90 killed as Bangladesh protesters insist Hasina must quit
90 killed as Bangladesh protesters insist Hasina must quit
At least 91 people have been killed, including 13 police officers, and dozens more injured in a new round of violence in Bangladesh as police fired tear gas and lobbed stun grenades to disperse tens of thousands of protesters who returned to the streets to ask Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign.
The deaths were reported by the police and doctors on Sunday in the capital Dhaka and the northern districts of Bogura, Pabna and Rangpur, as well as in Magura in the west, Comilla in the east, and Barisal and Feni in the south.
The attack on the police took place at the Enayetpur police station in the northwest city of Sirajganj, according to Additional Deputy Inspector General Vijay Basak of the Bangladesh police. The identity of the attackers is unknown.
The demonstrators are demanding Hasina’s resignation after earlier protests in July that began with students calling for an end to a quota system for government jobs and escalated into violence that killed 200 people.
Hasina said those who were engaging in the “sabotage” and the destruction in the name of protests were no longer students, but criminals, and said the people should deal with them with iron hands.
Authorities have blocked internet access and imposed a shoot-on-sight curfew. At least 11,000 people have been arrested in recent weeks.
‘Volatile and dangerous’
Deaths were reported from at least 11 districts including Bogura, Magura, Rangpur and Sirajganj districts, where the protesters backed by the main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) clashed with police and the activists of the ruling Awami League party and its associated bodies.
READ ALSO:
- Poverty: Shehu Sani accuses northern leaders, ex-presidents
- Cleric advises parents to lead by example in raising righteous children
- IBB denies endorsing military takeover, says X post fake
Al Jazeera’s Tanvir Chowdhury, reporting from Dhaka, described the situation as “volatile and dangerous”. “The protesters are saying that they are not going to move, until their government steps down,” he said.
“People are extremely worried [about] what’s going to happen,” Chowdhury said, adding that the crowd of protesters is growing. He also reported clashes between the protesters and supporters of the Awami League.
Prapti Taposhi, a student activist who witnessed clashes with police, told Al Jazeera the police were engaged in running battles with the demonstrators.
“I am on the street right now, and I can see so many people here. This is not just a student protest or a ‘quota protest’,” she said.
The government has now imposed an indefinite curfew that began at 6pm local time (1200 GMT), although protesters have continued to gather at the Shaheed Minar monument in central Dhaka.
Protesters called for “noncooperation”, urging people not to pay taxes and utility bills and not show up for work on Sunday, a working day in Bangladesh. Offices, banks and factories opened, but commuters in Dhaka and other cities faced challenges getting to work.
A ‘March to Dhaka’ protest has also been moved from Tuesday to Monday, a coordinator for the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (ASD) told Al Jazeera.
“This means we are urging students and the public nationwide to start their journey to Dhaka tomorrow to lay siege to the city,” the coordinator, Asif Mahmud, said.
The government, meanwhile, announced a holiday from Monday to Wednesday. Courts will remain closed for an indefinite period. Authorities also closed schools and universities across the country.
Mobile internet service was off on Sunday, while Facebook and messaging apps including WhatsApp were inaccessible even on broadband internet. Junior Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat said mobile internet and messaging services were off to help prevent violence.
READ ALSO:
- Paul Okoye slams Joe Igbokwe over post on rift with twin brother, Peter
- Fuel scarcity: We’re at mercy of tank farms, marketers cry out
- Newlywed woman hangs self after fight with hubby
Arafat added to Al Jazeera that the government was acting “in a defensive position, not an offensive one”.
“These miscreants attacked our activists and leaders and unleashed violence,” Arafat said, adding that the government has “always opted for a peaceful solution” and “never wanted violence”.
The deadly protests began last month as students demanded an end to a quota system that reserved 30 percent of government jobs for the families of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence against Pakistan in 1971.
As violence intensified, the country’s Supreme Court scaled back the quota system to 5 percent of jobs, with 3 percent for relatives of veterans.
But protests have continued demanding accountability for violence the demonstrators blame on the government’s use of excessive force.
The unrest, which spurred the government to shut down internet services, is its biggest test since January when deadly protests erupted after Hasina’s Awami League won a fourth straight term in elections boycotted by the BNP.
The protests have now grown into a wider antigovernment movement across the South Asian nation of some 170 million people. At least 11,000 people have been arrested in recent weeks.
Critics of Hasina, along with several rights groups, have accused her government of using excessive force to stamp out the movement, a charge it denies.
“We want the government to resign,” Jahirul Islam, a restaurant worker in Dhaka, told Al Jazeera.
Dhaka-based political analyst Zahed Ur Rahman said that the government would be unlikely to resign “without bloodshed”.
“For the past two days, peaceful gatherings and demonstrations have taken place across the country demanding the government’s resignation,” Rahman said, explaining that the protests were peaceful because of the absence of Awami League activists on the streets.
However, once ruling party’s activists went to confront the protesters “they use gun[s] and violence to quell a popular uprising in front of the whole world”, Rahman said.
Additional reporting by Faisal Mahmud in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
90 killed as Bangladesh protesters insist Hasina must quit
![]()
International
Trump Declares “I’m the Boss” as G7 Summit Ends in France
Trump Declares “I’m the Boss” as G7 Summit Ends in France
United States President Donald Trump sparked global attention at the closing stage of the G7 summit in France, after declaring “I’m the boss” as he arrived for a morning session attended by fellow world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron.
The remark was made as Trump entered the meeting room in Evian, a resort town on the shores of Lake Geneva, where leaders of the world’s major advanced economies gathered for three days of talks on global security, economic stability, and geopolitical tensions.
According to accounts from officials present, Trump made the comment while other leaders were already seated. The statement reportedly triggered laughter in the room, with Macron responding in a relaxed and conversational tone as the session continued.
“I’m the boss,” Trump said before taking his seat, after which proceedings moved on to scheduled discussions.
The G7 summit brought together leaders of the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan, with key talks centered on trade relations, international conflicts, and energy security.
READ ALSO:
- Oshiomhole Clarifies Remarks on Natasha Suspension, Denies Forgery Allegation
- Woman Sentenced to Death for Supplying Ammunition to Bandits in Katsina
- Three Records, One Night: Messi’s Hat-Trick Powers Argentina Past Algeria
Diplomatic sources said Trump remained a dominant presence throughout the summit, actively participating in discussions and supporting a joint communique at the conclusion of the meeting. His full attendance until the end was also noted as significant, contrasting with previous summits where he had departed early.
The gathering came at a politically sensitive moment, following heightened global tensions and recent international negotiations involving the United States. Trump’s presence added increased global attention to the summit’s outcome and policy direction.
At the close of the meeting, Macron extended a private invitation to Trump for a dinner at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris. French officials clarified that the dinner was intended as a working engagement rather than a ceremonial gala, amid domestic political scrutiny over the optics of hosting the US president in such a setting.
Observers say the “I’m the boss” remark has become one of the most talked-about moments of the summit, reflecting Trump’s assertive communication style and continued influence on the global diplomatic stage.
The incident has since circulated widely across international media and social platforms, adding a viral moment to an otherwise formal gathering of world leaders.
Trump Declares “I’m the Boss” as G7 Summit Ends in France
![]()
International
TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL ‘ALL SIGNED’ AS STRAIT OF HORMUZ PARTIALLY REOPENS
TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL ‘ALL SIGNED’ AS STRAIT OF HORMUZ PARTIALLY REOPENS
President Donald Trump on Monday announced that a landmark agreement between the United States and Iran has been finalized, declaring that the deal is “all signed” and that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz has already been partially reopened to maritime traffic.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, Trump said the agreement would pave the way for the full reopening of the vital shipping route by the end of the week.
“The deal’s all signed. And the strait is already partially opened. On Friday, it’ll be completely open,” Trump stated.
The development marks a significant breakthrough in efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East following months of heightened security concerns and disruptions to international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints.
According to U.S. officials, the agreement, described as a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, was digitally signed on Sunday. Vice President JD Vance confirmed that both parties had completed the signing process ahead of a formal ceremony expected to take place in Geneva later this week.
While details of the accord have not yet been made public, reports indicate that the agreement includes measures to restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, reduce military tensions in the region, and establish a framework for renewed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Trump said the full text of the agreement would be released following the formal signing ceremony.
The announcement was welcomed by global energy markets, with crude oil prices falling amid expectations that shipping activities through the Strait of Hormuz would gradually return to normal levels.
However, security experts cautioned that a complete restoration of maritime operations could take time. Officials familiar with the situation noted that demining operations and security assessments remain ongoing, meaning full commercial traffic may not resume immediately despite the political agreement.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the narrow channel, making its stability crucial to global energy security.
The agreement is expected to be closely scrutinized by lawmakers, regional allies, and international observers as further details emerge in the coming days.
TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL ‘ALL SIGNED’ AS STRAIT OF HORMUZ PARTIALLY REOPENS
![]()
International
UK Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
UK Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
The United Kingdom has announced plans to introduce one of the world’s toughest online safety measures, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirming that children under the age of 16 will be banned from accessing major social media platforms.
The proposed legislation, expected to be presented to Parliament later this year, will prohibit under-16s from using platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube, and X. The government says the move is aimed at protecting children from harmful content, online predators, cyberbullying, and addictive digital features that negatively impact mental health.
Announcing the policy on Monday, Starmer said social media platforms are increasingly “making children unhappy” and exposing them to content that is both dangerous and deliberately designed to keep young users engaged for extended periods.
According to the British government, the ban is expected to take effect in spring 2027 if approved by lawmakers. Officials say technology companies will be required to implement robust age-verification systems to prevent underage users from accessing restricted platforms.
While the restrictions will apply to most major social networking services, messaging applications such as WhatsApp and Signal will remain exempt from the ban. Authorities argue that these services primarily facilitate direct communication rather than content-driven engagement.
READ ALSO:
- Ogun APC Unveils Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun as Yayi’s Running Mate for 2027 Governorship Election
- BREAKING: Court Orders Deregistration of ADC, Four Other Political Parties
- BREAKING: Kenneth Okonkwo Withdraws Support for Atiku
In addition to social media restrictions, the UK government plans to introduce tougher regulations for gaming services and livestreaming platforms that allow children to interact with strangers online. Starmer emphasized that children should not be exposed to unknown adults through digital platforms without adequate safeguards, indicating that further measures are being developed to limit such interactions. Officials have described the planned reforms as “world-leading,” with additional details expected to be unveiled in July.
The government is also considering a range of extra protections for young internet users. These include overnight social media curfews for minors, mandatory breaks from infinite scrolling features, and stricter default privacy settings for teenagers. Officials say the proposals are intended to reduce excessive screen time and minimize exposure to potentially harmful online content. The reforms follow a government-led consultation in which British teenagers tested social media bans and app time limits, helping shape the final policy framework.
Starmer acknowledged that the UK’s approach was partly inspired by Australia, which became the first country to implement a nationwide social media ban for under-16s. However, British officials insist that the UK’s proposals go further by extending restrictions to gaming platforms, livestreaming services, and potentially certain AI-powered companion chatbots that may pose risks to children.
The announcement has generated debate within the technology industry. A spokesperson for YouTube warned that a blanket ban could push children toward less-regulated online services, potentially creating new safety concerns. Other industry stakeholders have questioned how age-verification requirements will be enforced and whether teenagers will find ways to circumvent the restrictions.
Despite the criticism, the government remains committed to the policy, arguing that stronger intervention is necessary to protect children in an increasingly digital world. Supporters of the proposal say the ban could help tackle growing concerns about mental health issues, online addiction, cyberbullying, and harmful content exposure among young people.
If approved, the legislation would position the UK among the global leaders in regulating children’s online activity and could influence similar policy discussions in other countries.
UK Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
![]()
-
Politics3 days agoBREAKING: Court Orders Deregistration of ADC, Four Other Political Parties
-
News2 days agoShot by Bandits, Saved by Soldiers: Dramatic Rescue of General’s Wife in Katsina
-
metro2 days agoDrugged, Beaten, Forced to Sleep with 60 Men Daily: Teenage Girl’s Harrowing Escape from Lagos Traffickers
-
Politics3 days agoBREAKING: Kenneth Okonkwo Withdraws Support for Atiku
-
metro15 hours agoBREAKING: UK Court Clears Diezani Alison-Madueke of All Bribery Charges
-
Opinion2 days agoIf Nigeria Is Not Divided, We Will Never Have Any Sense in the North
-
Politics3 days agoJust in: ADC Formally Unveils Atiku-Amaechi Presidential Ticket
-
metro14 hours ago‘They Assigned One Girl to 3 or 4 Men Daily’: Survivor Recounts 20 Days of Rape, Torture in Bandits’ Den
