Good afternoon,

Today’s news: Globally, Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death over the 2024 violent crackdown. Plus, updates from Gaza, and Japan-China tensions. Locally, AJK braces for a vote likely to oust PM Haq, the FCC expands amid controversy, and October sees a $112M current account deficit.

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Around The World

Updates from Gaza. Israel reportedly engaged in a last-minute diplomatic push to change the wording of a United Nations Security Council resolution on the next phase of Trump’s Gaza peace plan, one day before the UNSC votes on the resolution. The resolution would mandate a transitional administration and an international stabilisation force in Gaza, and includes defined language about Palestinian self-determination under pressure from Arab and Muslim countries expected to contribute troops to the ISF.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military has killed at least three Palestinians in Gaza, as the enclave reeled from heavy rains, flooding, and makeshift tents housing thousands who have been denied sufficient shelter due to Israel’s continued restraint of aid supplies.

Girl fight. Japanese stocks related to tourism and retail fell on Monday after China warned its citizens not to travel to Japan amid a row between Tokyo and Beijing over Taiwan. Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stirred tensions with China last week by suggesting a Chinese move against Taiwan could prompt a Japanese military response. China has consistently ranked among the top sources of tourists visiting Japan. Chinese and Japanese officials are expected to hold talks on Tuesday.

Story of the Day - Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death

What happened? Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death by a special tribunal in Dhaka for her violent crackdown on student-led protests last year. Bangladesh’s special tribunal also sentenced former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for crimes against humanity.

The counts. She’s being sentenced to death on three counts: ordering the deployment of drones, helicopters, and lethal weapons against protesters, and “by virtue of her order,” the killings of protesters in Chankarpul of Dhaka and the killings in Ashulia of Savar. The 2024 uprising ended Hasina’s 15-year authoritarian rule, marked by allegations of suppression of dissent, and extrajudicial detentions and killings.

The trial. The 78-year-old was on trial in absentia for being the “mastermind and principal architect” behind the suppression of mass demonstrations prompted by a controversial quota system in government jobs, in which some 1,400 people were killed. 

The tribunal. She was sentenced by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), which was established in 2010 by Hasina’s Awami League government to prosecute people for atrocities committed during Bangladesh’s liberation war in 1971. The tribunal soon became one of the country’s most politically divisive institutions, and remained one of Hasina’s most powerful judicial instruments – a court she created, expanded, and heavily defended.

What’s next? Hasina has been in exile in India since losing power. The verdict will put India under pressure to extradite Hasina, but experts believe it is unlikely to do so.

Situation in Bangladesh. Paramilitary border guards and police have been deployed in Dhaka and many other parts of the country as Hasina’s Awami League party called for a nationwide shutdown Monday to protest against the verdict, calling the tribunal a “kangaroo court.” The verdict comes as local media reported new explosions of at least 30 crude bombs in Dhaka, including one in front of the house of an adviser, equivalent to a Cabinet minister, on Sunday. 

Pakistan

Switching seats. The AJK Legislative Assembly convened to vote on a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, with the PPP positioned to install its regional secretary general, Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, as his successor. The PPP’s majority strengthened after two more PTI forward-bloc ministers joined the party on Sunday, raising its support to 29 in the 52-member house, where 27 votes constitute a simple majority. 

Under AJK’s Constitution, a successful no-confidence vote automatically elects the proposed replacement, making Rathore likely to become the region’s fourth prime minister since 2021. The rapid turnover began with PTI’s Abdul Qayyum Niazi in 2021, followed by his replacement, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, who was later disqualified in 2023, leading to Haq’s elevation and now potential removal.

Tribulations. Two more judges, Rozi Khan Barrech and Arshad Hussain Shah, were sworn in to Pakistan’s newly created Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), joining Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan and four other judges already appointed under the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The FCC has begun operating in temporary facilities but faces significant controversy, as senior judges of the Islamabad High Court boycotted the oath-taking ceremony, and critics argue that the appointments have disregarded established seniority principles. 

Meanwhile, a petition filed in the Sindh High Court challenges the FCC’s formation, alleging the amendment undermines judicial independence, violates constitutional separation of powers, and attempts to create a “tailor-made court.” The petitioner seeks to strike down the amendment in its entirety, to invalidate all related appointments, and to have the case heard by an SHC bench unconnected to the new framework.

Slipping through my fingers. Pakistan’s current account slipped into a $112 million deficit in October 2025 after posting a surplus in September, driven by a surge in imports and a decline in exports. Exports fell 4% year-on-year to $3.57 billion, while imports rose over 13% to $6.32 billion, widening the trade gap despite a strong 12% increase in remittances, which reached $3.42 billion. 

Analysts noted that remittances remain crucial in offsetting external pressures as domestic demand pushes imports higher. Over the first four months of FY26, the current account deficit widened sharply to $733 million, up 256% from the previous year, though Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves improved to $14.5 billion, a 29% year-on-year rise that offers some buffer against mounting external challenges.

What Else Is Happening?

🪝Anthropic, the makers of AI chatbot Claude, claim to have caught hackers sponsored by the Chinese government using the tool to perform automated cyber attacks against around 30 global organisations. This is believed to be the first AI-driven cyber espionage campaign, with the model executing 80-90% of the attack autonomously.

🏏Pakistan completed a 3-0 series sweep of Sri Lanka with a clinical six-wicket victory in their third and final ODI on Sunday, with 32 balls remaining.