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News18
16 hours ago
- General
- News18
Sheikh Hasina's Secret Flight: Inside Ex-Bangladesh PM's Midnight Escape To India
Last Updated: Citing civil and military aviation sources, the newspaper reported that the change in flight path was a deliberate decision intended to avoid attention. A recent report published by The Daily Star, a Bangladeshi newspaper, shed light on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's departure from Dhaka on August 5, 2024. The report claimed that a Bangladesh Air Force aircraft carrying Sheikh Hasina was initially scheduled to land in Kolkata but was redirected mid-flight to the Hindon Air Force Station near Delhi. Military 'Training' Flight Used Citing civil and military aviation sources, the newspaper reported that the change in flight path was a deliberate decision intended to avoid attention amid escalating unrest in Bangladesh. The flight, designated as a military 'training flight," took off from the Bangabandhu Air Force Base in Dhaka shortly after 3 p.m. local time. First Destination Choice For Sheikh Hasina Was Kolkata Although a flight plan had been filed for Kolkata and shared with Indian authorities- including a transponder squawk code of 4131- the aircraft turned off its transponders after takeoff. This effectively removed the flight from civilian radar systems while maintaining communication with ground control for safety. The transponders were reactivated near the Bangladesh-India border, at which point Dhaka air traffic control handed the flight over to its counterpart in Kolkata, following standard airspace transition procedures. The Flight Landed In Delhi Then The aircraft appeared to be on course for Kolkata until shortly before crossing into Indian airspace when it changed direction toward Delhi. This route was likely selected to minimize time on the ground in Bangladesh during a volatile period, the report claimed. Indian authorities had granted overflight and landing permission in advance, in response to a request from the Bangladesh side. The aircraft eventually landed at the Hindon Air Force base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Who Were On Board Sheikh Hasina's Flight? Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and close aides were on board as the situation in Dhaka had deteriorated significantly with widespread violence and reports of attacks on police stations and members of the then-ruling Awami League. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: June 03, 2025, 15:32 IST
News18
a day ago
- Business
- News18
'We Want to Be Your Partner': Yunus Urges Stronger Bangladesh-China Ties Amid India Tensions
Last Updated: Yunus added that these efforts aim to attract foreign direct investment, stimulate economic growth, and generate employment opportunities for the country's youth. Bangladesh Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday said that large-scale Chinese investment in Bangladesh can be a game changer for the country's economy, reported Bangladeshi news website The Daily Star. 'Chinese companies are the masters of manufacturing in the globe, and we want to be your partner," Yunus said while inaugurating the China-Bangladesh Conference on Trade and Investment, reported the news website. The daylong event was organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) with assistance from the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and the Chinese government at the BIDA office in Dhaka. China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao attended the event as a special guest. During the event, Yunus also highlighted that tens of millions of young Bangladeshis are eager for meaningful employment to showcase their skills. 'Bangladesh stands on the cusp of a transformative era. Our interim government has been steadfast with implementing reforms aimed at enhancing the investment climate, streamlining regulatory frameworks, and ensuring a conducive environment for business operations," Yunus said, The Daily Star mentioned. Yunus added that these efforts aim to attract foreign direct investment, stimulate economic growth, and generate employment opportunities for the country's youth. He described the conference as a historic occasion for Bangladesh, particularly as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the enduring friendship between Bangladesh and China. During the event, Bangladesh chief adviser emphasized the need to build a future that aspires to reach new heights, highlighting the shared potential of Bangladesh and China. He also mentioned that during his recent visit to Beijing, he had encouraged Chinese President Xi Jinping to support greater investment from Chinese companies in Bangladesh, expressing gratitude for the president's commitment. Recent Strain With India In recent months, India-Bangladesh relations have experienced significant strain, particularly following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has pursued a foreign policy that appears to distance itself from New Delhi, fostering closer ties with Beijing and Islamabad. This shift has been marked by a series of reciprocal trade restrictions, including India's imposition of port curbs on Bangladeshi imports such as readymade garments and processed foods, in response to similar measures from Dhaka. Additionally, the cancellation of a $21 million defense contract by Bangladesh with India's state-owned Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd has further exacerbated tensions. First Published: June 03, 2025, 09:04 IST
The Print
2 days ago
- Business
- The Print
Bangladesh replaces its founder Mujibur Rehman with temples, landmarks in new currency notes
The Bangladesh Bank has unveiled redesigned Tk 20, Tk 50, and Tk 1,000 notes ahead of Eid. 'Under the new series and design, the notes will not feature any human portraits, but will instead showcase natural landscapes and traditional landmarks,' Bangladesh Bank spokesman Arif Hossain Khan told AFP. The new notes will showcase symbols of the country's heritage, including temples, monasteries, historic buildings, and artwork by Zainul Abedin, a prominent Bangladeshi artist. New Delhi: Bangladesh's central bank, under Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus' interim administration, has dropped the portrait of the country's founding father and exiled leader Sheikh Hasina's father Sheikh Mujibur Rehman from new currency notes. The Tk 20 note features the Kantaji Temple, a Hindu temple in Dinajpur, and the Paharpur Monastery. The Tk 50 note showcases Ahsan Manzil, a palace in capital Dhaka and a famine-era painting by Zainul Abedin. The Tk 1,000 note, printed in purple, includes images of the National Martyrs' Memorial and the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. All three bear the Royal Bengal Tiger watermark and the bank's monogram. The redesigned notes are being introduced following a political controversy over Sheikh Mujibur Rehman's face on the currency notes. Last Eid, despite tradition, no new notes were issued. After the July protests and the ousting of ex-Prime Minister Hasina, the central bank barred commercial banks from circulating stored notes bearing Mujib's image. The central bank says the new designs aim to curb counterfeiting while emphasising national identity through depictions of historic and religious landmarks. The updated banknotes will gradually replace existing notes, though older versions featuring Mujib's portrait as well as current coins will remain legal tender, The Daily Star reported. Also Read: Retd Bangladeshi major general calls for 'occupation' of India's Northeast if it attacks Pakistan Symbolic changes The currency redesign is the latest in a series of symbolic changes made under the interim administration. Similar changes have surfaced in the education sector. The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has revised the content of 441 textbooks for the 2025 academic year, removing or altering references to Mujib's role in Bangladesh's independence. Some new textbooks now credit General Ziaur Rahman with declaring the country's freedom, reversing decades of official narrative. Over 400 million updated textbooks have already been distributed to students nationwide, according to The Daily Star. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also Read: Shake-ups & protests lay bare simmering fault lines between Yunus govt & Bangladesh's diplomats
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
00s pop legend Daniel Bedingfield 'didn't enjoy being famous at the height of his career
Daniel Bedingfield "was not enjoying" being famous at the height of his music career. The 45-year-old pop star enjoyed immense success in the early 2000s with hits like 'Gotta Get Thru This' and 'If You're Not The One' but had to take time out of the spotlight in the years that followed, amd admitted that he only really "deeply enjoys" the performance aspect of things these days. He told The Daily Star newspaper's Wired column: "I am really glad that I did it but actually being in the spotlight is a lot for an autistic kid, it is a lot of information, it is a lot of people wanting lots of things. "I think I was quite overstimulated for most of it. Yes, I pulled myself together and got it done as it was what I was dreaming of for most of my life, but it was a lot. I was not enjoying the famous aspect but deeply, deeply enjoying being on stage." The 'Never Gonna Leave Your Side' singer - who has not recorded any new material in two decades - now lives on a farm in Los Angeles and is "really grateful" to the US because it has allowed him to embrace and work on his mental health struggles in a way that is perhaps not as commonplace for musicians in the UK. "I think going back and forth between doing concerts and farming and trying to save the planet is kind of an exciting life now to be honest. "I am really grateful to America as I remember growing up in Britain it was like, 'Oh mental health is whatever' - you gotta just carry on so I am so grateful for that change. "And perhaps people can be a little more gracious, I know a lot of sensitive pop stars right now and they've had to build these massive walls and massive gated communities to keep them safe, that's in England and only in England, in America they don't seem to be having such a hard time."
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Harrowing final diary entries of off-grid man who starved to death in the wild
In 1992, Chris McCandless ventured into the Alaskan wilderness, where he tragically died five months later, his emaciated body found wrapped in a sleeping bag inside an abandoned bus April 1992 saw Chris McCandless, a young man driven by wanderlust, embark on a treacherous trek into the unforgiving Alaskan wilds. Regrettably, just five months later, his life came to a grim end at just 24 years old. His body was discovered in a decrepit bus, curled up in a sleeping bag and weighing just 30kg (4st 7lbs) – starvation cited as the cause. Known to some as Alexander Supertramp, McCandless documented his diminishing plight in a diary, detailing his reliance on what he could hunt and forage – from critters to roots and seeds. Jon Krakauer captured his poignant tale in 'Into The Wild', which also inspired a hit movie. Back in Fairfax, Virginia, where he grew up, Chris was remembered as a gifted student and runner, with his high school mentors noting his originality, once remarking he "marched to the beat of a different drummer", as reported by The Daily Star. After bagging a history and anthropology degree from Emory University in 1990, he donated $24,000 to charity OXFAM and spent the following couple of years toggling between jobs and hiking escapades, reports the Mirror US. In 1992, loaded with only the essentials and after ditching most of his personal items, he caught a lift towards Fairbanks, Alaska's gateway, before stepping foot into its relentless wilderness. His diaries, peppered with snapshots, show his journey across the snowy Stampede Trail and how he stumbled upon an obsolete bus near Denali National Park – his final dwelling place. He eked out an existence on small game such as squirrels, birds, and rabbits, alongside foraged roots and seeds, fully embracing his time in the wild. However, McCandless's bushcraft stumbled when he poached a moose in June, but unfortunately failed at preserving its meat, leading to rapid spoilage. His misfortunes worsened in July as he tried to leave the wilderness but he was thwarted by the impassable Teklanika River which had swollen considerably, compelling him to retreat to the relative security of his refuge - the bus. Anxious about his survival, McCandless left a desperate plea for help outside the vehicle: "Attention Possible Visitors. S.O.S. I need your help. I am injured, near death, and too weak to hike out. I am all alone, this is no joke. In the name of God, please remain to save me. I am out collecting berries close by and shall return this evening. Thank you, Chris McCandless. August." Yet, fatefully, no one responded to his urgent plea. McCandless's poignant tale documents 113 days cut off from the world, with his penultimate note on day 107 exulting "BEAUTIFUL BLUE BERRIES." In the subsequent days, his calendar was ominously marked by slashes until the 113th day, which stood out for its eerie emptiness. The enigmatic details only deepen the mystery that surrounds this young explorer's demise. Among his last actions, he took a self-portrait holding up a message which read: "I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD. GOODBYE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL!". Moose hunters came upon his remains and personal notes on September 6. The harrowing tale of Chris McCandless has long been shrouded in mystery. The intrepid explorer's tragic demise in the Alaskan wilderness has puzzled many, with the cause of his death a topic of ongoing debate. McCandless, an experienced adventurer, had been living off the land for several months before his death, with his diary entries revealing a daily struggle to hunt and forage for food. Yet, despite his evident resourcefulness, McCandless's body was discovered weighing a mere 67 pounds, sparking intense speculation about the circumstances surrounding his passing. Renowned author Jon Krakauer has dedicated considerable time to unravelling the enigma of McCandless's death. Krakauer's book, 'Into the Wild', chronicled McCandless's journey and probed the possible reasons behind his tragic end. Krakauer initially posited that wild potato seeds, which McCandless had consumed in large quantities, were the primary cause of his death. Krakauer hypothesised a toxic alkaloid within the seeds had severely debilitated McCandless, rendering him incapable of sustaining himself through hunting and gathering. However, this theory was later disputed when laboratory tests failed to detect the presence of any toxic compounds in the seeds. Undeterred, Krakauer continued to investigate, and his persistence has led to a new theory. Researcher Ronald Hamilton has proposed that the wild potato seeds did, in fact, contribute to McCandless's demise, albeit not due to toxic alkaloids. Hamilton's research revealed that McCandless's meagre diet and malnutrition had left him vulnerable to a rare but debilitating condition known as "lathyrism". This condition, often found in malnourished young men, gradually paralyses its victims, rendering them incapable of carrying out even the most basic tasks. Krakauer is now a proponent of Hamilton's theory, which provides a plausible explanation for McCandless's tragic demise. The case serves as a poignant reminder of the unforgiving nature of the wilderness and the devastating consequences of malnutrition. Despite the progress made in understanding McCandless's death, the incident remains a sobering reminder of the perils faced by adventurers who venture into the unknown. As the allure of the wilderness continues to captivate explorers worldwide, the story of Chris McCandless serves as a cautionary tale, underscoring the importance of meticulous planning, preparation, and respect for the unforgiving power of nature. Lathyrism is triggered by an amino acid found in certain legumes, a devastating discovery originally linked to wild grass pea seeds. When Krakauer sent off the wild potato seeds to a chemist, it was confirmed they harboured the harmful amino acid responsible for lathyrism. After his passing, the converted bus that served as Christopher McCandless's last abode turned into a legendary spot for adventurers. Now known as "The Magic Bus", it bears a plaque commemorating McCandless, lovingly installed by his father, Walt. In a significant move in September 2020, the bus found a new home at the Museum of the North at the University of Alaska, receiving restoration and its own dedicated exhibit. Emile Hirsch took on the role of McCandless in 2007's cinematic homage 'Into The Wild', enduring mountain climbs, braving frigid river waters in the nude, and coming face-to-face with a towering grizzly bear. Director Sean Penn felt compelled to bring the story to life on-screen after devouring Krakauer's book. "I ended up reading it cover to cover, nonstop, twice - the first time realising it was a movie and the second time affirming it," he admitted. Penn sought out Krakauer, who facilitated a meeting with McCandless' family - parents Walt and Billie, alongside sister Carine. His family approached the idea of a film with caution, wary of reawakening their grief, but over a decade later, they embraced the film adaptation. While McCandless has been celebrated by some for his audacious pursuit of adventure, others have condemned his ventures as reckless and negligent. Park Ranger Peter Christian delivered a biting critique: "When you consider McCandless from my perspective, you quickly see that what he did wasn't even particularly daring, just stupid, tragic, and inconsiderate." He highlighted the lack of survival skills displayed by McCandless: "First off, he spent very little time learning how to actually live in the wild. He arrived at the Stampede Trail without even a map of the area. If he had a good map he could have walked out of his predicament." Christian was blunt about the tragedy that ensued: "Essentially, Chris McCandless committed suicide." In contrast, ranger Ken Ilgunas gave an alternate view in The McCandless Mecca: "McCandless, of course, did not commit suicide. He starved to death, accidentally poisoned himself, or a combination of the two." Jon Krakauer, author of the renowned story, came to McCandless' defence stating: "In 1992, however, there were no more blank spots on the map - not in Alaska, not anywhere." Krakauer relayed McCandless' unconventional thinking: "But Chris, with his idiosyncratic logic, came up with an elegant solution to this dilemma: He simply got rid of the map. In his own mind, if nowhere else, the terra would thereby remain incognita."
