BANGLADESH'S highest court on Thursday (31) upheld a death sentence against a top Islamist leader for war crimes in a move that lawyers said meant he would almost certainly be executed in the coming months.
ATM Azharul Islam, a stalwart of fundamentalist opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami, was sentenced to death in 2014 for rape, murder, and genocide during the country's 1971 independence war.
He would become the sixth Islamist leader to be hanged for their role in the war, which saw Bangladesh break away from Pakistan after a nine-month conflict.
The Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain rejected an appeal by the 67-year-old in a majority verdict, defence lawyer Khandker Mahbub Hossain told reporters.
"We will file a review petition against the verdict," he said, adding Islam was an 18-year-old student during the war and did not have a leading role helping the Pakistani military.
But it is rare in Bangladeshi judicial history for a verdict to be overturned on review. All previous death sentences arising out of the 1971 war cases have been upheld.
A prosecutor told that Islam could be hanged within months if the review backs the verdict.
Islam was assistant secretary-general of Jamaat, the nation's largest Islamist party, which sided with Pakistan during the conflict. He is the last of its prominent leaders to face war crimes accusations.
In recent years, the controversial International Crimes Tribunal, set up by the government in 2010, has sentenced dozens of people to death including five Jamaat leaders on war crimes charges.
A former minister of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party was also sentenced to death by the tribunal and later hanged.
Prosecutors said that as regional head of a pro-Pakistani militia and student wing leader of Jamaat, Islam was involved in the murder of 1,200 people in the northern district of Rangpur during the war.
Defence lawyers said the charges were fabricated.
Jamaat, which is banned from contesting elections, said the war crime trials were only aimed at eliminating Bangladesh's top Islamist leaders.
Jamaat's supreme leader was executed in 2016. The sentences against Islamist leaders sparked unrest in 2013-14 that left hundreds dead.
Rights groups have said the trials fell short of international standards.
The government maintains the trials were needed to heal the wounds of the 1971 war, which it says left three million people dead. Independent researchers give a lower toll.
RESIDENTS can now have their say on a plan which would see the number of local councils in Leicestershire drop from eight to two.
The proposal is one of three put forward for the political re-organisation of Leicestershire after the government told local leaders it wanted areas with two tiers of councils – such as the county – to reduce it to a single-tier set up.
That does not mean just one authority for Leicestershire, however, with the eight district and borough councils, along with Rutland County Council, believing residents would be better served if Leicestershire was split in two. They are proposing one new council for the north of Leicestershire and Rutland, and a second covering the south and the city to remain separate.
Their proposal is at odds with the options put forward by Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council, both of which believe one ‘doughnut’ authority, taking in all of the county but leaving Rutland and the city separate, is a better approach.
Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby also believes that city borders should expand to take in parts of Leicestershire, something the remaining council leaders and many county residents all say they oppose.
Now, the district and borough councils are seeking residents’ opinions on their “North, City, South” proposal.
Under the plan, the areas currently served by Charnwood, North West Leicestershire and Melton district and borough councils, and Rutland County Council, would be served by one authority, called the “North Leicestershire and Rutland” council.
Those under the control of Blaby, Harborough, Hinckley and Bosworth, and Oadby and Wigston district and borough councils would be served by the second authority, called “South Leicestershire” council. District and borough leaders believe this would allow councils to stay “connected and accountable” to the communities they serve, while still simplifying services and saving money, as the government has demanded.
The leaders said this approach could save nearly £43 million a year. However, this figure was disputed by the previous leaders of the county council who put the figure closer to £17 million.
Speaking on behalf of the eight authorities, leader of Melton Borough Council Pip Allnatt said: “Councils in the area are facing the biggest change in over 50 years and it is vital our communities are involved in helping to shape the future of local government. We encourage people, businesses and organisations to take part in the survey and tell us their views on our plans.
“This is the second time we have asked for views, and earlier this year more than 4,600 people and organisations responded to our original survey to help inform our interim plan… we will continue to make strenuous efforts to gather views from our communities and partners. Please have your say.”
The survey asks residents whether they agree with the principle of replacing the two-tier system with a single council structure, if they agree with the North, City, South approach put forward by the districts and boroughs, and if they agree with the areas proposed to be joined together under that plan.
The survey can be found on the North City South website with residents able to respond until Sunday, July 20. An explainer of all of the proposed changes and their impact on residents is also available there.
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Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025.
INDIAN and US negotiators reported progress after four days of closed-door meetings in New Delhi on Tuesday, focusing on market access for industrial and some agricultural goods, tariff cuts and non-tariff barriers, according to Indian government sources.
"The negotiations held with the US side were productive and helped in making progress towards crafting a mutually beneficial and balanced agreement including through achievement of early wins," one of the sources said to Reuters.
The US delegation, led by senior officials from the Office of the US Trade Representative, met Indian trade ministry officials headed by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal.
Both sides also considered ways to expand bilateral digital trade through improved customs and trade-facilitation measures, the sources added, noting that “negotiations will continue” with an eye on a quick conclusion of the initial tranche.
Interim pact expected soon
president Donald Trump and prime minister Narendra Modi agreed in February to finalise a bilateral trade agreement by autumn 2025 and to more than double two-way trade to $500 billion by 2030. Officials now expect to seal an interim deal by the end of this month, before Trump’s 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs expires, including a possible 26 per cent levy on Indian goods.
Commerce minister Piyush Goyal, who is in Switzerland for talks with European counterparts, said India is ready to settle “simpler issues” first. Subsequent rounds could handle more complex matters, with the goal of signing the first tranche by September or October, the officials said.
India turned down US requests for wider access to wheat, dairy and corn while offering lower tariffs on US almonds, pistachios and walnuts. New Delhi also asked Washington to remove its 10 per cent baseline tariff, a step the US side opposed, pointing out that Britain accepted the same duty in its recent deal. India further sought relief from a 50 per cent duty on steel exports.
A 26 per cent tariff on Indian rice, shrimp, textiles and footwear—about one-fifth of India’s merchandise exports—could dent shipments and weigh on foreign investment, the sources warned. India has pledged to increase purchases of American liquefied natural gas, crude oil, coal and defence equipment.
India’s exports to the US climbed 28 per cent to $37.7 billion in the first four months of 2025, while imports rose to $14.4 billion, widening India’s surplus, US data showed.
US voices backing on terrorism fight
Separately, the State Department said the US “reaffirmed its strong support” for India’s fight against terrorism during last week’s visit to Washington by an Indian all-party parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
Deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau met the group as part of New Delhi’s outreach following Operation Sindoor, launched after the 22 April Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters that a Pakistani parliamentary team headed by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also met officials, including under secretary for political affairs Allison Hooker. “So that meeting occurred,” Bruce said.
Hooker reiterated US support for the current “– as you might imagine, thank God – between India and Pakistan,” Bruce added, referring to the cessation of on-ground hostilities.
Asked about possible Pakistani assurances on action against militants, Bruce declined to share details. On whether Trump might “mediate” on Kashmir, she said: “Well, I – obviously, I can't speak to what's on the mind or the plans of the President. What I do know is that I think we all recognise that President Trump in each step that he takes, it's made to solve generational differences between countries, generational war."
“So, while I can't speak to his plans, the world knows his nature, and I can't speak to any details of what he might have in that regard… But it is an exciting time that if we can get to a point in that particular conflict..,” Bruce said, adding that it is a “very interesting time.”
India has maintained that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an “integral” part of the country and has rejected any outside mediation.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Jaishankar, who is currently in Europe a month after India launched Operation Sindoor, said Pakistan was training 'thousands' of terrorists 'in the open' and 'unleashing' them on India. (Photo: Getty Images)
INDIA's external affairs minister S Jaishankar has said India would strike deep into Pakistan if provoked by terrorist attacks, and warned of retribution against terrorist organisations and their leaders in response to incidents like the Pahalgam attack.
Speaking to Politico on Monday, Jaishankar, who is currently in Europe a month after India launched Operation Sindoor, said Pakistan was training “thousands” of terrorists “in the open” and “unleashing” them on India.
“We are not going to live with it. So our message to them is that if you continue to do the kind of barbaric acts which they did in April, then there is going to be retribution, and that retribution will be against the terrorist organisations and the terrorist leadership,” he said.
“We don't care where they are. If they are deep in Pakistan, we will go deep into Pakistan,” he added.
Tensions between India and Pakistan rose after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. India responded with precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7.
The hostilities lasted four days and ended on May 10 following talks between the directors general of military operations.
Causes and consequences
Jaishankar said the root causes of the conflict remain.
“It (Pakistan) is a country very steeped in its use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy. That is the whole issue,” he told Politico.
Asked if the conditions that led to last month’s war-like situation still existed, he said, “If you call the commitment to terrorism a source of tension, absolutely, it is.”
On losses, he said relevant authorities would communicate details when ready.
Jaishankar said India’s fighter aircraft and missiles inflicted greater damage on the Pakistani Air Force than the other way around, and that this forced Pakistan to seek peace.
“As far I'm concerned, how effective the Rafale was or frankly, how effective other systems were — to me the proof of the pudding are the destroyed and disabled airfields on the Pakistani side,” he said.
“The fighting stopped on the 10th for one reason and one reason only, which was that on the 10th morning, we hit these eight Pakistani, the main eight Pakistani airfields and disabled them,” he added, noting that satellite images are available on Google showing damaged runways and hangars.
Jaishankar is on a week-long visit to Europe, during which he will meet leaders in the European Union, Belgium and France to strengthen bilateral ties and reiterate India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism.
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Reeves said the government would focus investment on security, health, and the economy 'so working people all over our country are better off.'
THE GOVERNMENT is set to announce its medium-term spending and investment plans on Wednesday, with significant increases expected for defence and healthcare, alongside reductions in other areas.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will present the spending review to parliament, outlining the government’s fiscal strategy aimed at boosting growth. This comes amid concerns about potential economic pressures from a possible return of Donald Trump to the US presidency and his proposed tariffs.
Reeves said the government would focus investment on security, health and the economy “so working people all over our country are better off.” She also said she would “invest in Britain’s renewal.”
Funding boosts are expected for the defence sector and the National Health Service (NHS), while other departments are likely to see spending cuts.
Reeves, the chancellor of the exchequer, has adjusted fiscal rules to give the government more room to invest ahead of the review. At the same time, she aims to balance the budget so that tax revenues cover day-to-day spending, with borrowing reserved for investment.
The changes have enabled the Treasury to increase borrowing, particularly for housing and energy infrastructure projects, resulting in a £113 billion windfall over five years.
'Balance the books'
Ahead of the announcement, the government pledged billions for the nuclear sector, including investment in the Sizewell C nuclear power plant.
Citing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the UK previously committed to raising defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027, and 3.0 per cent by 2034, partly funded by cuts to international aid.
In addition to the expected NHS funding increase, £86 billion is planned for science and technology by 2030. Urban public transport in England will also see investment more than double, reaching over £15bn by 2030.
The government recently reversed its decision to scrap winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners, following criticism from within the party. Late on Tuesday, it also confirmed Reeves is expected to announce £39bn in funding for affordable housing over the next decade, aimed at building 1.5 million homes.
However, the increased focus on some sectors means other departments may face budget reductions.
Joe Nellis, economic adviser at MHA, said Reeves "will need to balance the books by making cuts to unprotected department budgets." He pointed to the Home Office, transport, local councils, police and prisons as possible areas for cuts.
Reports suggest the Treasury has faced tensions with the interior ministry over police funding and with the energy department over carbon reduction targets.
Since taking office in July, Labour has already made cuts to public spending under tight fiscal conditions. That includes reductions to disability welfare, aimed at saving more than £5bn by 2030.
Although the UK economy grew by 0.7 per cent in the first quarter, exceeding expectations, analysts have warned that such growth may not continue.
“If growth fails to emerge, then she (Reeves) will either have to cut further areas of public sector spending or raise taxes again in this year’s Autumn Budget,” said Nellis.
(With inputs from agencies)
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A Post Office van parked outside the venue for the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry at Aldwych House on January 11, 2024 in London.
THE UK government said on Monday that more than £1 billion has been paid to self-employed managers of Post Office branches who were affected by faults in the Horizon accounting software.
The update comes a few weeks after Alan Bates, the former subpostmaster who led the campaign for justice, criticised the compensation process, calling it “quasi-kangaroo courts”.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said it had received 11,208 claims in total. Of these, 7,569 have been settled, while 3,709 are still pending.
Between 1999 and 2015, the Post Office prosecuted over 900 subpostmasters based on errors in Horizon, a software developed by Fujitsu. The system incorrectly showed shortfalls in branch accounts.
Many subpostmasters were forced to repay the shortfalls and later went bankrupt. Some were imprisoned and faced social stigma.
At least four people took their own lives, and several others died before they were exonerated.
In 2019, the High Court ruled that computer errors, not criminal behaviour, had led to the missing funds.
Alan Bates, who was knighted by King Charles III for his efforts to expose the issue, has criticised how the DBT is handling the assessment of claims.
"The department sits in judgement of the claims and alters the goal posts as and when it chooses," he told The Sunday Times last month.
Public attention around the case grew in January 2024 following a television drama about the subpostmasters’ experiences, which sparked widespread public reaction.
Following that, Fujitsu’s European director Paul Patterson appeared before a parliamentary committee and apologised for the firm’s role in prosecutions based on incorrect data. He said the company was “truly sorry” for “this appalling miscarriage of justice”.
Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas said the government had prioritised faster payments since taking office in July 2024.
"We are settling cases every day and getting compensation out more quickly for the most complex cases, but the job isn't done until every postmaster has received fair and just redress," he said.