Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s Nobel laureate, has been appointed as the interim leader following a political crisis that led to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fleeing the country. Yunus, a critic of Hasina's 15-year rule, faces significant challenges including restoring law and order, reviving the economy, and ensuring free and fair elections. The protests that led to this change were initially against job quotas but evolved into a larger movement for democracy. Yunus, known for his work with Grameen Bank and his Nobel Peace Prize, is seen as a credible leader both domestically and internationally. His immediate tasks include stabilizing the economy, addressing human rights violations, and maintaining diplomatic relations with India.

Bangladesh is set to hold an election on January 7, which is criticized as a farcical event with the Awami League ensuring its continued rule through tactics such as jailing opposition members, using dummy candidates, and threatening voters. The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, having boycotted previous elections due to fears of rigging, faces a similar dilemma. The Awami League aims to create the appearance of a contested election and a high voter turnout by threatening the loss of financial benefits to millions. The election is seen as a means to maintain secular authoritarianism with the support of major countries like India, Russia, and China.

Mother’s Boy by Patrick Gale is a biographical novel about the poet Charles Causley, a beloved figure in Britain known for his war poetry and children's verse. The novel explores Causley's life in Launceston, his relationship with his mother, and his experiences during World War II. Gale's work is praised for its quiet yet powerful narrative, skillfully filling in the gaps of Causley's life.

Alfred Chester, an obscure yet significant American writer, is the focus of a new publication by Spuyten Duyvil, which has released his Moroccan correspondence from 1963 to 1965. Despite his limited output and tragic death at 43, Chester was a notable figure in the New York literary scene and the English-speaking community in Tangier, mingling with prominent figures like Paul and Jane Bowles, William Burroughs, and Allen Ginsberg. The letters offer a glimpse into a vibrant period of American culture and the unique, predominantly gay and Jewish literary circle in Tangier.

Richard Howard, an underappreciated yet significant American poet, passed away on March 31, 2022, at the age of 92. Known for his translations of French literature and his dramatic monologues, Howard's work often challenges readers' notions of authenticity and tests their knowledge of literature and history. Despite winning prestigious awards like the Pulitzer Prize and the American Book Award, Howard remains less celebrated than some of his contemporaries. His final collection, 'Progressive Education,' showcases his ability to write from the perspective of a child, highlighting his unique literary talent.

An Al Jazeera investigation reveals a feud involving Bangladesh’s army chief, General Aziz Ahmed, and his brothers, accused of political and financial corruption. The conflict began with the murder of Hasan Mahedee Munna's uncle in 1996, for which three of Aziz's brothers were convicted. Aziz's rise to power is marked by allegations of using his influence to overturn his brothers' convictions and to target political opponents, including Munna's family. The report suggests a 'mafia state' in Bangladesh, with the army and RAB implicated in personal vendettas.

Since its establishment in 2004, Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has been accused of severe human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. Initially formed to address security issues, RAB's actions have led to widespread criticism from human rights organizations and allegations of being used for political repression. Despite government promises to curb these abuses, reports of unlawful killings and disappearances have persisted. The article highlights the involvement of high-ranking officials and the lack of accountability for RAB's actions.

An employee of UK-based Bangladeshi businessman Shahid Uddin Khan, Johirul Haque Khandaker, died in custody under suspicious circumstances after being detained for eight months without trial. Khan accuses Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's security adviser, of orchestrating the detentions as part of a campaign of intimidation. The article details the alleged abuse of power, secret detentions, and the subsequent death of Khandaker, while also mentioning the broader context of Khan's business and legal troubles in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh government blocked access to Al Jazeera's English news website after it published an article implicating a senior security figure in the disappearance of three men. The new system allows agencies to block websites centrally, bypassing the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission. The government has faced criticism for increasing media restrictions, including blocking local news websites and arresting individuals for criticizing the prime minister. Despite government denials, experts argue that these actions undermine democratic principles and are counterproductive.

Abdur Razzaq, a senior leader of Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami, resigned due to the party's refusal to apologize for supporting the Pakistani military during the 1971 war of liberation. Razzaq had pushed for an apology for 20 years and believes the party should dissolve given its inability to operate due to government restrictions. The Jamaat is accused of atrocities during the war, and its leaders have been executed following convictions by the International Crimes Tribunal. Razzaq, now in self-exile in London, has no plans to start a new political party.