BANGLADESH’S interim leader Muhammad Yunus expressed optimism about strengthening relations with the US, the largest buyer of Bangladeshi clothes, despite President-elect Donald Trump’s criticism of violence against minorities in the country.
“Foreign policies don’t usually change because of a change in the president,” Yunus told The Hindu newspaper, referring to Trump’s victory in US presidential election.
“It’s a very good relationship that we have built over years. Our hope is that it will be strengthened.”
Trump in a X post at the end of October said: “I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos”.
Yunus was named head of the caretaker government that took charge of Bangladesh after prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India in August amid violent protests seeking her ouster.
Protests in Bangladesh, which began in July as a student-led movement against public sector job quotas, escalated into some of the deadliest unrest since Bangladeshi independence in 1971, killing about 1,500 people, according to the interim government’s estimate.
Nobel Peace prize winner Yunus said reports of atrocities against minority groups was propaganda.
Calling India and Bangladesh twins who are “born to be together”, Yunus said he wants to meet prime minister Narendra Modi.
“Our dream is imagining a relationship like the EU (with freedom of movement and trade). That’s the direction we want to go.” Yunus said Hasina has continued her political activities from India and his caretaker government was taking legal steps to demand her extradition.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)