Bangladesh's president, once a close ally of ousted premier Sheikh Hasina, resigns

Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin has resigned halfway through his term, citing medical reasonsByJULHAS ALAM Associated PressDHAKA, Bangladesh -- Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin, appointed during the rule of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, resigned Friday halfway through his term following years of political turbulence in the South Asian country.A new government headed by Tarique Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and Hasina’s archrival, came to power with a landslide victory in February after 18 months of interim rule under Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus. Hasina stepped down and fled to India in August 2024 following an anti-government movement that ended her 15-year rule.Hasina fiercely criticized the interim administration led by Yunus. Shahabuddin submitted his resignation on Friday to Parliament Speaker ⁠Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, citing medical reasons. The resignation letter was seen by The Associated Press. The speaker told a news briefing later on Friday that he accepted the resignation.But local media reported that Shahabuddin had to resign under pressure from the current government as he allegedly talked to Hasina by phone ...