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 Here are the latest news updates from Bangladesh:

Adani to Restore Full Power Supply to Bangladesh

Adani Power has agreed to restore the full 1,600 MW power supply from its plant in India to Bangladesh. The supply had been halved due to payment delays caused by Bangladesh's foreign exchange shortage. Despite agreeing to resume full supply next week, Adani Power has declined Bangladesh Power Development Board's request for significant discounts and tax benefits. Discussions between the two parties are ongoing, with unresolved issues regarding tariff calculations. BPDB reportedly owes Adani Power around $900 million.

Bangladesh Government Plans December Elections

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced that the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, plans to hold general elections by December. The country has been under an interim administration since August, following mass protests that led to the resignation and departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The BNP has been advocating for earlier elections, preferably in August. The interim government is also addressing high inflation, which stood at 9.94% in January.

UN Reports Significant Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh

The United Nations human rights office estimates that up to 1,400 people were killed during a crackdown on student-led protests in Bangladesh last summer. The protests, which began over public sector job quotas, escalated into a national movement resulting in the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The UN report highlights extensive extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and instances of torture by security forces, potentially amounting to crimes against humanity. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has initiated some arrests related to attacks on religious and indigenous groups but faces challenges in reforming the justice sector and ensuring accountability.

Investigations into Corruption Allegations

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has sought financial information from nine countries, including Russia, to investigate corruption allegations against Tulip Siddiq, a UK Labour Party MP. Siddiq is implicated in alleged irregularities related to a 2013 nuclear deal between Dhaka and Moscow. The ACC is also investigating former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members for alleged embezzlement of nearly $17 billion during her tenure. Siddiq resigned from her parliamentary position in January amid investigations and has denied all allegations.

Labor Rights Concerns in the Garment Industry

Despite improvements in factory safety since the Rana Plaza collapse, a recent study reveals ongoing labor law violations in Bangladesh's garment industry. Many workers receive wages below the minimum standard and endure excessively long working hours, especially in subcontracting factories. The report suggests that international clothing brands need to thoroughly map their supply chains and collaborate to ensure fair labor practices. However, Bangladesh's competition with other garment-exporting countries complicates efforts to address these issues.