FirstUp: Bangladesh braces for Awami League protest, Starbucks workers to strike in US... The news today

It’s a busy Thursday indeed.  

The International Crimes Tribunal is scheduled to set a date for its judgment on November 13, in relation to the upcoming verdict on ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Security measures have been heightened in Dhaka.  

The Thai King is set to make a historic visit to China, signalling closer ties.  

France was shaken on the evening of November 13 after a coordinated terrorist attack took place in Paris. France now prepares to pay tribute to the victims of the assaults, which left several dead and injured

Let’s take a closer look at all the events:  

Bangladesh Awami League’s nationwide march 

A series of violent incidents has already gripped Bangladesh, and now the deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s party, Bangladesh Awami League, has called for a nationwide march.  

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According to the party, the protests would extend from Dhaka to districts across Bangladesh. They call it a dawn-to-dusk lockdown.  

The movement is what they call a ‘befitting’ response to those false cases and sham trials against Hasina.  

“The November 13 event would go beyond a simple lockdown, representing a day Bangladesh stands united to say. Enough is enough,” asserts the Awami League.  

Bangladesh braces for court fixing verdict date

Today, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh will pronounce a date for its verdict in relation to the case filed against the former deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.  

It’s on the charges of crimes against humanity, including murder, during the July unrest last year.

The nation is on high alert ahead of the big announcement. Security is beefed up. The army and police have been deployed at airports and key installations to avoid any untoward incident.  

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The Bangladesh Awami League has already declared a nationwide lockdown, calling on people from all walks of life to participate in the programme.

Starbucks unionised workers’ massive strike

In the United States, the unionised Starbucks staff are preparing to strike, timing their action with the coffee giant’s Red Cup Day event.  

According to Starbucks Workers United, several members participated in a recent vote, and 92 per cent approved a strike to demand higher wages and improved working conditions.  

The union has also stated that if no agreement is reached, then the strike will begin in 25 cities, with more shops expected to join later.

In a strongly worded statement, the union representative Michelle Eisen asserted that, “The ball is in Starbucks’ court."

A historic Thai King’s visit to China 

Maha Vajiralongkorn, Thailand’s first king, is all set to make his first state visit to China on the invitation of President Xi Jinping.  

As both nations mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, their leaders are also eyeing ways to strengthen their ties through trade, tourism and historical migration.  

The Thai Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the king’s visit will begin today and continue until November 17.  

The King and Queen Suthida will meet Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, who will host a state banquet for the royal couple, the foreign ministry also asserted in its statement.  

The royals will also visit religious and cultural landmarks in Beijing.

10 years on, 2015 attack in France still shows scars

Even after 10 years, the grief is unbearable.  

Struggling to cope with the trauma, survivors of the Paris attack are trying to hold themselves together as they prepare to pay tribute to the victims today.  

The horrific assault that took place in 2015 left more than 130 dead and over 400 injured.  

A 39-year-old Arthur Denouveaux, president of victims’ association Life for Paris, asserted, “The 10th anniversary is here and emotions and tension are everywhere for us survivors."  

In the deadliest violence to strike France since World War II, on this day in 2025, nine Islamic state group gunmen and suicide bombers struck within minutes of one another at locations, including the Bataclan concert hall, cafes and national stadium.