In a shocking incident, a group of protesters in Dhaka, Bangladesh, set ablaze the office of the Daily Star, a prominent English-language newspaper, trapping employees inside for over four hours. According to reports from the Bangladeshi media, the protesters stormed the office, vandalizing the property and setting fire to various parts of the building, leaving at least 28 journalists and staff members stranded.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the fire started on the first and second floors of the nine-story building, causing a rapid spread of flames and thick smoke. The smoke made it difficult for the trapped employees to breathe, forcing them to seek refuge on the rooftop.
The incident occurred in the wake of the death of prominent student leader, Shafiqul Islam Kajol, who was shot and killed in a police crackdown on protesters in Dhaka. The protesters accused the Daily Star and the Bengali newspaper Prothom Alo of fueling Kajol’s murder, which the newspapers vehemently denied.
The protesters also prevented firefighters from dousing the flames, delaying rescue operations. The attackers damaged office furniture, computers, cameras, and other electronic equipment, and made off with some of the belongings.
The Daily Star administration claimed that all the trapped employees were rescued safely by 5:00 am, but the incident has caused significant damage to the lower floors of the building.
The police, led by the Inspector General, visited the scene of the incident and attempted to mediate the situation. The funeral of Shafiqul Islam Kajol was held in Dhaka, with thousands attending the ceremony.
The incident highlighted the escalating tensions in Bangladesh, where students have been protesting against the government’s handling of the economy and social issues.
Meanwhile, in other news, a passenger was allegedly assaulted by an Air India Express pilot on a flight from Dubai to Delhi. The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many calling for the pilot’s suspension.
In the United States, the Central Command announced that it will release thousands of documents related to its operations in Syria and Iraq. The documents are expected to provide insights into the US military’s involvement in the region.
In a separate incident, a Greek Coast Guard vessel spotted a migrant boat off the coast of Greece, approximately 30 kilometers from the island of Lesvos.
In India, a wild elephant attack on a bus in Assam left at least eight people dead and one injured. The incident has highlighted the dangers of wildlife-human conflicts in the region.
In Pakistan, a court sentenced a Pakistani-Canadian oil tycoon, Murtaza Lakhani, to 7.7 years in prison for violating Pakistan’s anti-money laundering laws. Lakhani, who is the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, was also fined 1 billion Pakistani rupees.
In other news, the Pakistan showbiz industry’s popular actor, Afzal Khan, also known as Rambo, expressed his dissatisfaction with the response of Karachi’s residents to his recent visit to the city. Khan claimed that the city’s atmosphere was not as welcoming as that of Lahore.
The funeral of Shafiqul Islam Kajol, the leader of the Bangladesh student movement, was held in Dhaka, with thousands attending the ceremony.
In a separate incident, three suspects were arrested in Nazimabad, Karachi, for their involvement in a recent extortion racket in the Malir area.
The price of gold in India saw a significant increase following the Reserve Bank of India’s decision to impose a 5% tax on gold imports. The new rate of gold is expected to be around 456,162 rupees per tola.
In a related development, the All Pakistan Saraf and Jewellers Association (APSGJA) announced that the price of gold in Pakistan has increased due to the recent hike in the import duty.
In other news, the United Nations Human Rights Council demanded an investigation into the killing of Shafiqul Islam Kajol, a prominent student leader in Bangladesh.
The British government and the European Union imposed sanctions on Murtaza Lakhani, a Pakistani-Canadian oil tycoon, for violating anti-money laundering laws.
In a separate incident, a court sentenced the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, Imran Khan, and his wife
