Mammootty

With no confirmed sighting for decades, the move by Muhammad Yunus’s interim government has reignited hopes of finally unearthing the truth.

The gap between Dhaka’s demand and Islamabad’s denial is not new. It is rooted in the brutal events of 1971, when the Pakistani military unleashed one of the bloodiest campaigns of repression in South Asia’s modern history.

The call came during the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar -- the most senior Pakistani official to travel to Dhaka since 2012.

After weeks of concern, Malayalam superstar Mammootty has reassured fans that he has recovered from a recent health crisis. The news was shared by his personal secretary, George, on social media, bringing immense relief and joy to his supporters and colleagues.

The Awami League is the party of Sheikh Hasina, who is currently living in exile in India after student-led protests against her government were hijacked by Islamists last year.

Earlier this month, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said the elections would be held in February next year. He took charge after Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign as Prime Minister in August 2024 after after weeks of deadly unrest in which over 300 people were killed.

Malayalam megastar Mammootty, recovering well after a brief health-related hiatus, is set to return in September, joining director Mahesh Narayanan’s upcoming project, marking his grand comeback to the big screen.

Yunus's message comes amid widespread concerns regarding repeated incidents of alleged attacks on Hindu community members and their places of worship since he took office in August of last year.

Muhammad Yunus urges February 2026 elections before Ramadan, calling for a joyful and inclusive celebration of democracy.

Actress and human rights advocate Sheena Chohan shares her inspiring journey with Moneycontrol.com, discussing her work with film legends, the struggles of being an industry outsider, and the mentors who shaped her path across Hindi, Malayalam, Bengali, and other films.

Bangladesh’s warming ties with Pakistan, exemplified by recent diplomatic overtures and public statements of goodwill, are raising red flags in New Delhi.

The continued absence of elections, the institutionalisation of violence, and the legitimisation of jihadist groups paint a grim picture of Bangladesh’s future.

Hasina, 77, resigned last year and fled to India on August 5 following a massive protest by students against a controversial quota system in government jobs

Law enforcement remains a challenge, though analysts say freedom of expression has expanded since Hasina's exit while suspected forced disappearances during her tenure appear to have stopped. Political violence, mob attacks and harassment of journalists and minorities, especially women, are regularly reported.

While India faces a steeper 25% tariff, Bangladesh has managed to strike a balance between protecting its vital export industries and accommodating US demands, particularly in agricultural trade.

On May 12, the interim government announced a “temporary” ban on the Awami League, invoking new authority granted by a controversial amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act.

As optimism fades, many are beginning to ask whether the revolution has delivered real change, or simply replaced one crisis with another.

Bangladesh is using gestures like mango diplomacy and Eid greetings to ease tensions with India while pursuing extradition demands against Hasina.

A BBC report revealed on Wednesday that Sheikh Hasina had ordered security forces to shoot protesting students during last year's mass uprising.

"We will do this every year so that dictatorship cannot raise its head again in any way," Yunus said