Washington — A brutal mob lynching at Bangladesh’s oldest university has put a spotlight on the country's crumbling law and order, just as its fledgling interim government tries to assert control and push through sweeping institutional reforms. Late Wednesday, Tofazzal Hossein, a man known for struggling with mental health issues and roaming around the 102-year-old University of Dhaka, wandered into a residential hall. Accusing him of theft, a mob of students grabbed and savagely beat him over the course of several hours. By Thursday morning, Hossein, 35, was dead, the latest casualty in a wave of mob violence that has gripped Bangladesh since student protests ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and sent her fleeing the country last month. Mob violence and student vigilantism were commonplace during Hasina’s 15-year reign. Rights group Ain o Salish Kendra documented 32 mob killings between January and June, even before student protests toppled her government and left more than 1,000 people dead. But the lawlessness has spiraled out of control since the August 5 fall of the government. In the days that followed, police officers, fearful of student reprisals, vanished from the streets, creating a vacuum that has yet to be filled. In just five weeks since early August, 21 people were lynched across the country, according to a tally by the Daily Star, a leading Bangladeshi newspaper. One of the victims, a former student leader accused of attacking protesters in July, was himself beaten to death at another major university on Wednesday. University students, once hailed as democratic heroes, now stand accused of committing mob violence. Six face charges over Hossein's murder, with seven more implicated in the second case. The lawlessness has spread nationwide, leading to numerous incidents of extortion, harassment, intimidation and courtroom violence, sometimes triggering larger conflicts. In Bangladesh’s southern Chittagong Hill Tracts region, the lynching on Wednesday of a man accused of stealing a bike reignited long-simmering tensions between ethnic Bengalis and indigenous people. The ensuing violence has already claimed at least four lives, according to media reports. The unrest comes just days after the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, granted the army sweeping law enforcement powers to restore order. At stake are more than domestic peace and the stability of the country's industrial regions. Yunus' six-week-old government has set up six commissions to advance democratic reforms, including a panel tasked with changing the country’s 51-year-old Constitution. The instability in Bangladesh, South Asia's third-most-populous country, is also drawing regional scrutiny, with Indian politicians voicing concern about reports of attacks on Hindus. The Bangladeshi army's 60-day new powers, announced Tuesday, allow commissioned officers to act as “executive magistrates,” making arrests, conducting searches, dispersing unlawful assemblies and opening fire in extraordinary circumstances. Asif Nazarul, the interim government’s law adviser, said the government acted in response to “subversive acts” and instability, particularly in the country's industrial areas. “Given the situation, army personnel have been given magistracy power,” Nazarul was quoted in the Daily Star. Rattled by growing insecurity, many Bangladeshis have welcomed the army’s new power. Noting that security remains a “big challenge” for the interim government, Badiul Alam Majumdar, editor of Citizens for Good Governance, told VOA, “It has been done to maintain law and order in view of the overall situation. It has been done temporarily. I hope the position will change.” Accused of using violence during the anti-government protests, Bangladeshi police became targets of student anger after Hasina’s ouster. Police stations were looted, and several officers were killed or burned to death, their bodies hanged from overpasses. With no one held accountable in those cases, police fear for their safety. Many have yet to return to their posts, leaving the police forces understaffed and barely functioning. Julia Bleckner, a senior Bangladesh researcher at Human Rights Watch, said while the government has a responsibility to maintain law and order, giving the army “unchecked” powers raises concerns about abuse. “They've been given a mandate to carry out pretty widespread and arbitrary searches, detentions and arrests,” Bleckner said in a phone interview with VOA. The army can now arrest anyone on the spot for “disturbing the peace” and use civilian personnel to disperse “illegal assemblies,” Bleckner noted. “We are under a new government that has made massive commitments and very important commitments to human rights, but these are the same security forces that have carried out abuses for decades,” Bleckner said. The Bangladeshi army last wielded similar law enforcement powers during the country’s 2006-2008 political crisis. At the time, military personnel were accused of making arbitrary arrests and other human rights abuses. Nazarul, the law adviser, said he did not believe the army would “misuse this authority,” according to the Daily Star. But critics remain unconvinced. “It is not right,” ZI Khan Panna, a veteran lawyer, said of the army’s magistracy power, according to the Daily Star. “Has the government lost confidence in the magistrates? It is not right for army personnel to perform magistrate's duties under the deputy commissioners. It would not be wise to mix army personnel with the general public." In the three days since receiving policing powers, the army has not announced any arrests. However, it has faced criticism for failing to quell violence. Nolen Deibert, head of Freedom House’s Asia Religious and Ethnic Freedom Program, noted that the attacks against indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracks region came as “the army allegedly stood by and watched.” The interim government's home affairs adviser, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, said a high-level committee will be formed to investigate the violence, Reuters reported. “The country faces real risks of heightened conflict and threats of violence toward minority groups,” Deibert said via email. “The interim government must come up with a plan to return policing powers to civilian authorities who will fairly protect and serve all Bangladeshis, regardless of race or creed.” VOA’s Bangla Service contributed to this article.

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I cannot overstate how serious it is that Democrats and two Republicans lied and covered up the fact that Donald Trump requested 10,000 National Guard for January 6. There is verifiable proof. Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, and the Democrats on the J6 panel knew the truth and lied. This information comes straight from the report, […] The post WOW! Proof of Shocking Lies by Cheney & the J6 Panel appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Oklahoma has removed more than 450,000 voter registrations from its rolls since 2021, a move aimed at maintaining election integrity ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The purge, announced by Governor Kevin Stitt and state officials in September 2024, is part of an ongoing voter list maintenance program. The removals include deceased individuals, duplicate registrations, convicted felons, people who have moved out of state, and inactive voters who failed to respond to address confirmation notices. The breakdown of the purge includes 97,065 deceased voters, 14,993 duplicate registrations, 5,607 felons, 143,682 people who moved out of state, and 194,962 inactive voters who did not update their information during the state’s address verification process. This voter roll audit has reduced Oklahoma’s registered voters to just over 2 million, with Republicans making up about half, followed by over 534,000 registered Democrats and roughly 363,000 Independents. Oklahoma— HUGE More than 463,000+ Ineligible Voters Have been Removed from the Voter Rolls 97,000+ DEAD People15,000+ Duplicate voters143,000+ people that have moved5,600+ Felons It truly makes you wonder about how many of these blue states are actually blue.… pic.twitter.com/yKGa8zvTqP — DailyNoah.com (@DailyNoahNews) September 19, 2024 Governor Stitt emphasized the importance of accurate voter rolls to ensure that "every Oklahoman's vote is securely cast and properly counted," a sentiment echoed by state officials such as Secretary of State Josh Cockroft. Cockroft noted that this effort reflects Oklahoma’s broader election security measures, including collaboration with the state’s Cyber Command to protect voting systems from technological threats, including artificial intelligence. Oklahoma removed 453k ineligible voters, requires paper ballots, and ID before voting. If only all states did this. Great job @GovStitt pic.twitter.com/9TQn27vGCf — Sheepdog (@sheepdog_AF) September 20, 2024 The state’s proactive approach to election integrity also includes strict voter ID laws, banning practices like ballot harvesting, and using hand-marked paper ballots counted by electronic scanners. These scanners are not connected to the internet, further safeguarding the process. Additionally, post-election audits and recounts have consistently validated the accuracy of the state's voting system​. While Republican officials praise these efforts, some Democrats have voiced concerns that the aggressive purging of voter rolls could inadvertently disenfranchise eligible voters. State Representative Mauree Turner, a Democrat from Oklahoma City, expressed fears that some Oklahomans may not realize they've been removed from the rolls and could be caught off guard on Election Day. Voters who were removed in error have until October 11, 2024, to re-register before the November general election. Oklahoma law requires residents to be at least 18 years old, U.S. citizens, and legal residents of the state to register. The state's election board encourages residents to verify their registration status online to avoid any surprises when they head to the polls​. This major voter roll update is part of a broader trend across the U.S., where states are taking steps to tighten their election processes in the aftermath of the contentious 2020 presidential election. Oklahoma’s measures, particularly the large-scale removal of inactive and ineligible voters, reflect an increased focus on preventing potential voter fraud and ensuring that only eligible citizens participate in elections​. The post Oklahoma Removes Over 450,000 Ineligible Voters from Rolls Amid Push for Election Integrity appeared first on The Conservative Brief.

Former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are at odds again, this time over a proposed ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in their home state. As Florida voters prepare to decide on Amendment 3 in November 2024, Trump has voiced strong support for the measure, contrasting sharply with DeSantis’ opposition. Trump’s endorsement came through a post on Truth Social, where he announced he would vote “yes” on the amendment, which would legalize the possession and use of marijuana for adults aged 21 and older. Trump argued that “needless arrests and incarcerations” over small amounts of marijuana should end, and emphasized the need for smart regulations to ensure safe access to cannabis products. It’s a FACT: Marijuana is safer than alcohol.Let’s end the prohibition this November #YesOn3 pic.twitter.com/MEy3tYuU4m — Smart & Safe Florida (@SmartandSafeFl) September 18, 2024 Amendment 3, if passed, would allow adults to possess up to three ounces of marijuana and permit state-licensed companies to grow and sell cannabis. The measure has gained traction, with polls showing it on track to surpass the 60% voter approval required for it to become law. In a state where Republicans outnumber Democrats by 1 million registered voters, Trump’s backing could sway conservative voters who have historically opposed legalization​. DeSantis, however, has positioned himself as a staunch opponent of the initiative. He argues that the measure is designed to benefit what he calls a “weed cartel,” referring to large companies like Trulieve, the state's biggest medical marijuana operator, which has been a significant financial backer of the campaign. DeSantis has raised concerns about public safety, claiming the amendment would lead to widespread public marijuana use and diminish the state’s ability to regulate the industry​. Florida will legalize cannabis aka marijuana, by voting yes on amendment 3. A rejection of unfounded smears, and a return to policies that are consistent with 161 years of U.S. history. pic.twitter.com/0gWWgP16Xh — EightOne Nine1 (@EightOne91) September 20, 2024 The battle over marijuana legalization has further deepened the political rift between Trump and DeSantis, who were already at odds during the 2024 Republican presidential primaries. While DeSantis has the backing of most state Republicans, Trump’s support for Amendment 3 has left some conservative lawmakers and voters in a difficult position. State Sen. Joe Gruters, a former chair of the Florida Republican Party and a Trump ally, is one of the few GOP legislators openly backing the measure​. The marijuana debate in Florida is part of a broader national conversation, as cannabis legalization continues to gain popularity across the U.S. A recent Gallup poll found that 70% of Americans support legalization, reflecting the shifting views on the issue. Trump’s endorsement of the Florida measure is also consistent with his federal stance, where he has called for marijuana to be reclassified from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug, easing restrictions on medical research without fully legalizing it nationwide. For DeSantis, the stakes are high. His opposition to Amendment 3 aligns with his broader political strategy of maintaining a tough stance on law and order, which he believes resonates with his base. DeSantis has repeatedly warned that legalizing marijuana would harm Florida’s communities, comparing the potential outcomes to what he describes as the failed policies of states like California and Colorado. Ultimately, Amendment 3 will be decided by Florida voters in November. With Trump’s endorsement providing a significant boost to the pro-legalization campaign, and DeSantis doubling down on his opposition, the marijuana measure has become a key battleground in Florida politics. Whether Trump’s influence can shift enough conservative voters remains to be seen, but the outcome could have national implications, further shaping the future of marijuana policy in the U.S. The post Trump Backs Florida Marijuana Legalization, Sparking Clash with DeSantis appeared first on The Conservative Brief.