Salmond is credited with helping to push support for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom
world6 days ago
Mohammed Shahabuddin, a former judge and a ruling party official, was sworn in as the president of Bangladesh on Monday, just months before a general election.
Shahabuddin, 73, was an anti-corruption commissioner and fought in the country's 1971 war of independence against Pakistan, the presidential palace said.
"He was sworn in as the 22nd president of the People's Republic of Bangladesh today," Shampad Barua, secretary of the president, told AFP.
He was elected by lawmakers in February after the ruling Awami League party nominated him instead of the speaker of parliament, who had been seen as the favourite.
Shahabuddin replaces Abdul Hamid, a former speaker and Awami League stalwart, whose second term expired on Monday.
The election comes as the country faces mounting protests over the next general election, scheduled to be held in January 2024.
The opposition has staged a series of giant protests in recent months, demanding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina step down and let a caretaker government hold a free and fair election.
The opposition accuses Hasina, who has been in power since 2009, of rigging the previous two votes, and Western countries and rights groups have also raised concerns. Hasina has rejected the demand.
If Hasina was forced to resign or the protests descend into chaos, the otherwise largely ceremonial presidential office could end up playing a bigger role. Although he enjoys few powers in his new position, Shahabuddin now oversees the military.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a message of congratulations to Shahabuddin, China's official news agency Xinhua reported.
China and Western countries are vying for influence in the South Asian country of 170 million people, with Beijing investing billions of dollars on infrastructure projects there under its Belt and Road initiative.
Russia is also building a $12.65-billion nuclear power plant outside Dhaka to improve the country's shaky electricity network.
Bangladesh has agreed to pay Russia about $300 million in yuan to settle payment for building the facility, Bloomberg News reported last week.
Salmond is credited with helping to push support for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom
world6 days ago
Around 2,000 workers walked off the job in September at Hilton's largest hotel in the world
world6 days ago
In a message to employees, the company's CEO said downsizing is necessary "to align with our financial reality"
world6 days ago
The company is also suspending one flight a day between London Heathrow and Doha
world1 week ago
The airport was put on alert mode as the Air India Express flight circled in the air for over two hours to burn off fuel
world1 week ago
The country's foreign ministry said that all sides in the conflict had an obligation to protect peacekeepers.
world1 week ago
The anti-nuclear group was recognised for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons
world1 week ago
As part of attempts to avoid being caught in the crossfire, Gulf states have refused to let Israel fly over their airspace for any attack on Iran
world1 week ago