Amid calls for the removal of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said the nation does not expect a constitutional or political crisis from such actions. Talking to reporters at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, he urged all to remain alert to prevent the cohorts of fascism from causing trouble in the country through various plots. “The presidency is the highest constitutional position and it is also an institution. If this position becomes vacant due to resignation or removal, it will create a constitutional and national crisis,” he stated. President issue: BNP urges unity in talks with Dr Yunus The BNP leader also said if the path of transition to democracy is delayed or hindered through a state crisis, it will go against the nation’s desires. He urged everyone to stay alert to prevent the deposed fascists and their associates from causing chaos in the country through various plots. The BNP leader also emphasised that the nation stands united and is prepared to confront these challenges and plots together. When asked if the BNP seeks the President’s removal or resignation, Salahuddin replied, “Vacancy in the President's post would create a state and constitutional crisis at this moment, which the nation doesn’t expect. A group of students and people is demanding the resignation or removal of the President after Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, the chief editor of Manab Zamin, in an article in ‘Janatar Chokh’ claimed that the President told him that he had not received any resignation letter from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Rizvi accuses govt of 'hide and seek' over arrest of Hasina's ministers Subsequently, Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul accused the President of lying about not receiving Hasina’s resignation letter, suggesting that his statement constituted a breach of his oath of office. “The President’s claim that he did not receive Sheikh Hasina’s resignation letter is a lie and a violation of his oath,” Dr Asif asserted. Earlier in the day, BNP senior leaders, including Salahuddin, met Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus and called for strengthening national unity to foil any attempts to create a constitutional and political crisis. Speaking to reporters in front of the Chief Adviser's residence after the meeting, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan also said they will tackle any plots by the cohorts of the deposed fascist regime unitedly, together with all pro-democratic political parties and organisations. Nazrul, along with BNP Standing Committee members Amir Khosru Mahmud and Salahuddin Ahmed, met the Chief Adviser to discuss the latest political situation. The BNP leader said they discussed establishing a government of the people through a national election after completing the ongoing process of reforms. BNP for creating quick election environment  Asked whether the Chief Adviser sought any opinion from them about the removal of the President, Nazrul parried the question. He, however, said they urged all to remain cautious to ensure that a new constitutional or political crisis does not arise in the country.  

The nationwide blockades for the past few days have dealt a severe blow to the business landscape of Bangladesh, leaving wholesale markets desolate and causing a week-long economic slump. The impact has spread over areas like New Market, Chandni Market, Eastern Plaza, Elephant Road, Farmgate, Gulistan Market, Shantinagar, Kakrail, Mouchak Market, Rampura-Badda, Mirpur, Dhanmondi, Gulshan-Banani, and Uttara in Dhaka. Nawabpur, Chawkbazar, Islampur, Babubazar, Shankharibazar, Moulvibazar, and Bangabazar, also witnessed a decline in trade activities. Economy buffeted by political unrest amid declining forex reserves: Analysts Dewan Aminul Islam, President of Dhaka New Market Traders’ Association, said that sales were very low during the blockade. “There are no buyers. Small traders are suffering more. If the blockade continues, then we will be the most affected,” he said. Employees at Olympia Bakeryshop in the Baitul Mukarram area similarly report a decline in sales. They have resorted to a shift toward alternative sales strategies within familiar networks. Sabuj, a tea vendor at Paltan intersection, said his shop faced a significant contraction in sales over the past week. “I make TK10-12,000 per day. Now it’s Tk2-3,000," he said. Uncertainty, tension grip students, parents amid raging political crisis Farooq Hasan, President of BGMEA, told UNB “The sector was already suffering from a shortage of buyers in the international market. Now, due to internal political instability, we have to face a more difficult situation. As a result, not only the export sector will be affected, but the entire economy of the country will be affected.  It will also affect the reserves.” Mohammad Hatem, Executive President of BKMEA, expressed concern over escalating losses among traders. “The internal transportation of goods has been severely impeded. Industrial production witnessed a decline.Export sector is especially vulnerable to the ongoing blockade,” he said. The Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) President, Abdus Salam Murshedi, told UNB that due to the blockade, businesses cannot collect the raw materials stuck at various ports due to the transportation crisis. Mahbubul Alam, president of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), called for a collective reconsideration of the ongoing strike blockade. With economic diversification, transformation, Bangladesh holds potential to achieve more: Swiss Ambassador Reto Renggli “Such programs, if prolonged, may lead to a standstill in the wheels of the economy,” he said. On October 29, a hartal was observed across the country called by BNP and other like-minded opposition parties. After the three-day blockade on October 31, the blockade continued on November 5 and 6, and after the two-day blockade, it continued on November 8 and 9 with a one-day break.

Thirteen arson attacks have been reported across Bangladesh from 6 am on Wednesday (November 08, 2023) till 9 am today (November 09, 2023) during the ongoing 48-hour blockade. Read: 21 arson incidents reported in 38 hrs till Monday evening: Fire Service Of these, five arson attacks were reported in Dhaka City Corporation areas, three in Gazipur, one in Khagrachhari, one in Bogura, two in Barishal and Barguna, and one in Noakhali, said Talha Bin Jasim, station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defense's media cell. A total of seven buses, four covered vans, and two trucks were burned during this period. Read: 7 incidents of arson occur Tuesday: Fire Service

The second day of the countrywide 48-hour blockade, called by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties, is underway. The ongoing blockade will end at 6 am tomorrow (November 10, 2023). The presence of public transport on Dhaka roads seemed usual despite heightened tension and fear of violence. Guardians were seen rushing their children to respective schools safely as final exams are starting in many educational institutions. Rickshaws are dominating Dhaka streets while a few private vehicles are seen plying the streets. In Chuadanga, leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies brought out a procession in support of the blockade on Chuadanga-Jhenaidah road at Rail Bazar area of the district town in the morning. Blockade: Two vehicles torched in two districts They also hurled brick chips targeting some vehicles passing through the area. Multiple cases of arson violence were reported in places in Dhaka and across the country since Wednesday evening, on the first day of the 48-hour road-rail-waterways blockade. On November 6, BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties announced the latest blockade across the country from Wednesday morning. Another bus set ablaze in Dhaka’s Tantibazar amid blockade The opposition parties gave a day’s break from its action programme on Tuesday as BNP observes November 7 as the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’. The latest spell of agitation was announced on the last day of the opposition’s previous 48-hour nationwide blockade which was marked by incidents of violence, including clashes with police, vandalising and burning vehicles . Bus set on fire in Gazipur amid blockade Earlier last week, the opposition’s three-day countrywide blockade saw clashes and widespread burning and vandalising vehicles, leaving four people — three in Kishoreganj and one in Sylhet — killed and over three dozen vehicles either burned or vandalised.

The United States has said it is closely monitoring the electoral environment in Bangladesh, leading up to January’s general election, and that it takes any incident of violence “incredibly seriously”. “We are engaging and will continue to engage with the government, with opposition parties, with civil society, and other stakeholders to urge them to work together for the benefit of the Bangladeshi people,” Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State, Vedant Patel, said. Read: US says it takes any violence leading up to election in Bangladesh ‘incredibly seriously’ He made the remarks at a regular briefing on November 6 when a reporter wanted to know whether the US will ask for putting an end to the violence and participation in the election. Patel reiterated that the US does not support any particular political party in Bangladesh. “We don’t favor any one political party over the other. Right now our focus continues to be closely monitoring the electoral environment in Bangladesh leading up to January’s election, engaging appropriately with the government, with opposition leaders, with civil society and other stakeholders to urge them to work together for the benefit of the Bangladeshi people,” Patel said. Responding to a question, the principal deputy spokesperson for the US Department of State said, they have an “incredibly talented” team at the embassy in Dhaka, led by an experienced ambassador who is well-versed not just working in Bangladesh, but also the broader region. Read: COP28: Haas meets Saber with eye on Dubai In a separate briefing at the UN headquarters on November 6, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, said that they hope for a “fair and free” election, free of violence, in Bangladesh. “And as we said, we’ve expressed our concern about the large number of people who’ve been arrested,” he said while responding to a question.  Read: EU concerned over opposition arrests, urges all sides to reject violence  “Well, I can’t speak to why, I mean, I don’t have the details. I can’t speak to why one party did not attend the dialogue,” said the UN chief's spokesman when a journalist mentioned that the Election Commission is holding dialogues with the main political parties to meet the demands of a fair election in Bangladesh, but BNP did not attend the dialogue held on November 4.  

The persistent anti-government political programmes enforced by BNP and like-minded political parties have cast a shadow over academic activities in Dhaka and parts of Bangladesh. Many schools and colleges in the capital have remained open despite the blockades but students’ attendance has dropped remarkably. Many guardians are reluctant to send their children to schools and colleges, especially those who live far from the educational institutions. Additionally, educational institutions have been forced to postpone scheduled exams, compounding the stress and uncertainty over students' studies. Read: BNP’s like-minded parties announce fresh 48-hour blockade from Wednesday The latest bout of the political turmoil saw a nationwide hartal on October 29. After the end of a three-day blockade on October 31, a two-day blockade is currently underway on November 5 and 6. This ongoing situation has left students and parents in a state of panic, with fears of a more challenging political situation throughout November and December. The implications of this political unrest are most profound in divisional cities and district headquarters, including the capital. Talking to the UNB reporter, many parents said they are particularly concerned about the safety of their children during their commute to and from school in these challenging times. Almost all educational institutions in the capital, including Motijheel Ideal School and College, Banasree Ideal School and College, Viqarunnisa Noon School and College Main Branch and Bashundhara Branch, Government Laboratory High School, Motijheel Government Girls High School, Rampura Ekramunnesa Girls' School, Rajuk Uttara Model School and College, and Banani Bidyaniketan, have reported a significant decrease in attendance. Read: Bus carrying passengers set on fire in Dhaka’s Gulistan Some English medium schools have been forced to close indefinitely, while others have resorted to holding classes online. Parents are increasingly concerned about the disparities between physical and online classes and are uncertain about the upcoming half-yearly exams. Sarwar Alam, a parent of a child studying at English medium school 'Play-Pen' located in Bashundhara, said, “We've shifted to online classes. However, there are noticeable disparities between physical classroom instruction and online learning. With the upcoming half-yearly exam scheduled for November 10, I am uncertain about how this examination will be carried out.” Ruhul Amin, a parent of a student at Ideal School and College, expressed the dilemma many parents are facing. “My two children study at Ideal School’s Banasree branch. I didn't allow my children to come to school during the previous phase of the hartal and blockade. They missed a week of school. Now it is happening again. Who knows how long this will last? That's why I brought my child to school again. But there is a sense of fear within us, wondering what will happen and when,” he said. The anxiety and concerns of parents are echoed by Abdul Majid Sujan,  general secretary of the guardians’ forum at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College. “The children's annual examination is scheduled to be held this month. Meanwhile, the continuous strike and blockade are creating panic among parents. We are afraid and worried about sending the children to school, especially when it comes to traveling on the road,” Read: DMP chief announces Tk 20,000 reward for help with catching arsonists Director of the  Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Professor Mohammad Belal Hossain, said that the annual evaluation of schools will start on November 9, with the goal of completing the examination by November 30. However, if the situation deteriorates, decisions will be made in consultation with higher authorities, he said. According to the previous schedule, the annual evaluation for class VI and VII students under the new curriculum was scheduled to begin on November 5 but has now been rescheduled to start on November 9. The impact of these disruptions extends beyond the capital, with divisional and district towns also experiencing low student turnout. In response to the evolving situation, schools have received revised schedules for examinations. Parents are left with no choice but to take risks and send their children to schools despite the uncertain circumstances.

A Peruvian judge on Thursday ordered ousted President Pedro Castillo to remain in custody for 18 months as nationwide protests set off by the political crisis showed no signs of abating and the death toll rose to at least 14. The judge’s decision came a day after the government declared a police state as it struggles to calm the violence that has been particularly fierce in impoverished Andean regions that were the base of support for Castillo, a leftist former schoolteacher, himself of humble roots. The ouster of the political neophyte whose surprise election last year brought immediate pushback from the political elite has drawn thousands of his loyal supporters to the streets. Forty people remained hospitalized for injuries suffered during the civil unrest, according to the Ministry of Health. The protests erupted after Castillo was removed from power by lawmakers last week, following his attempt to dissolve Congress ahead of a third impeachment vote. The crisis has only deepened the instability gripping the country, which has had six presidents in as many years. Judge Juan Carlos Checkley Soria’s ruling came after Congress stripped Castillo of the privilege that keeps Peru’s presidents from facing criminal charges. Castillo and his legal team refused to participate in Thursday’s virtual hearing, arguing it lacked “minimum guarantees.” He was represented by a public defender, who said the judge’s decision will be appealed. Peru’s Supreme Prosecutor Alcides Chinchay said in court Thursday that Castillo faces at least 10 years in prison on charges of rebellion. Meanwhile, a large group of protesters — and police in riot gear — gathered in central Lima Thursday evening. The government also imposed a roughly dusk-to-down curfew for five days in at least 15 communities, as allowed by the nationwide emergency declaration issued Wednesday. The protesters were demanding Castillo’s freedom, the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, and the immediate scheduling of general elections to pick a new president and members of Congress. They have burned police stations, taken over an airstrip used by the armed forces and invaded the runway of the international airport in Arequipa, a gateway to some of Peru’s tourist attractions. Thousands of tourists have been affected by the protests. The passenger train that carries visitors to Machu Picchu suspended service, and roadblocks on the Pan-American Highway stranded tractor trailers for days, spoiling food bound for the capital. In Cusco, a top tourist destination, people were stuck Thursday at hotels and the airport. Read more: Congress removes Peru's president amid political unrest “I was about to return to Ecuador on Monday, and unfortunately, they told us that all flights were canceled due to the protests,” said Karen Marcillo, 28, who has had to sleep at the Teniente Alejandro Velasco Astete airport in Cusco. The impact on tourism comes as Peru is still recovering from the effects of the pandemic, which reduced visitations last year to 400,000, down from 4.4 million in 2019. While in office, Castillo spent much of his time defending himself against attacks from an adversarial Congress and investigations ranging from corruption to plagiarism. Now, it remains unclear whether Boluarte — once his running mate and vice president — will get a chance to govern. Just like Castillo, she is a newcomer to politics without a base in Congress. “She’s doing a good job right now,” said Cynthia McClintock, a political science professor at George Washington University who has studied Peru extensively. “But it’s a big challenge.” While some protesters “seem to want kind of instability at any cost,” McClintock said, others saw Castillo’s ouster as an opening to express simmering grievances, such as deep inequality, poverty and lack of public services. Boluarte, though, may be given some breathing room by lawmakers seeking to keep their jobs. They cannot pursue re-election and would be jobless if a general election for Congress is scheduled, as protesters want. Boluarte on Wednesday sought to placate the protesters by saying general elections could potentially be scheduled for December 2023, four months earlier than the timing she had proposed to Congress just a few days earlier. All of the protest-related deaths have occurred in rural, impoverished communities outside Lima that are strongholds for Castillo, who himself comes from a poor Andean mountain district and had no prior political experience. In Andahuaylas, where at least four people have died since the demonstrations began, no soldiers were on the streets Thursday despite the government declaration allowing the armed forces to help maintain public order. Some grocery store owners there were clearing the roads littered with rocks and burned tires, but planned to close their doors because of the expected protests led by people from nearby rural communities. Castillo’s move to dissolve Congress came as lawmakers began a third attempt to impeach him since he was elected in July 2021. After Congress voted him out of power, Castillo’s vehicle was intercepted as he traveled through Lima’s streets with his security detail. Chinchay, the government’s top prosecutor, insisted Castillo was a flight risk, saying he was trying to reach the Mexican Embassy to seek asylum after he left the presidential palace. “We do not believe that he wanted to go to the Mexican Embassy to have tea,” Chinchay said. In issuing his ruling, the Judge Checkley said a “concrete flight risk” still exists and “remains latent over time. Besides Castillo’s apparent effort to reach the Mexican Embassy, he cited remarks from Mexico’s president and foreign minister regarding their country’s willingness to offer him asylum, and a jail visit he received from Mexico’s ambassador in Peru. Read more: Anger in rural areas fuel protests against Peru government Castillo’s public defender, Italo Díaz, rejected assertions the former president is a flight risk. He told the judge Castillo’s children and wife depend on him and he could return to his teaching job if freed. Castillo is being held at a built-for-presidents detention center inside a National Police facility. On Thursday, police in riot gear stood outside the facility as dozens of Castillo supporters gathered throughout the day. The state of emergency declaration suspends the rights of assembly and freedom of movement and empowers the police, supported by the military, to search people’s homes without permission or judicial order. Defense Minister Luis Otarola Peñaranda said the declaration was agreed to by the council of ministers. On Wednesday, Boluarte pleaded for calm as demonstrations continued against her and Congress. “Peru cannot overflow with blood,” she said. In a handwritten letter shared Wednesday with The Associated Press by his associate, Mauro Gonzales, Castillo asked the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to intercede for his “rights and the rights of my Peruvian brothers who cry out for justice.” The commission investigates allegations of human rights violations and litigates them in some cases.

Former Italian Premier Matteo Renzi is testing his already low popularity by provoking a political crisis that could bring down Italy’s coalition government at a critical juncture in the coronavirus pandemic.

The political impasse that has paralyzed Haiti is sending its economy deeper into recession, with 4.6 million people needing humanitarian aid — and there is no immediate end in sight, the U.N. envoy for Haiti said Thursday.