Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of Bangladesh, has been sentenced to death for her role in the deadly crackdown on protesters last year following a monthslong trial. She had ordered violence against a student-led uprising, resulting in more than 1,400 deaths and thousands of injuries. The “vast majority” of the victims were shot by Bangladesh’s security forces, and about one in eight killed was a child, according to a U.N. report. Hasina denied the charges. 

Who’s Sheikh Hasina? 
The former leader is the eldest daughter of the “founding father” of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was instrumental in the country gaining independence in 1971. She was forced into exile in India in 1975 following the assassination of her father, mother and three brothers in a military coup. Having returned to Bangladesh from exile in 1981 to lead her father’s Awami League, she became prime minister in 1996 until 2001 and again from 2009 to 2024. 

Why was she convicted? 
Many view her second term as a “reign of terror,” said The Guardian. Her tenure, as both the longest-serving prime minister and longest-serving woman leader in the world, was “marred by allegations of corruption, torture and enforced disappearances.” 

Following last year’s student protests over civil service job quotas, she led a “ruthless state-led crackdown” regarded as the “worst political violence in Bangladesh since its 1971 independence war.” In August of last year, she went into self-imposed exile in India. Along with her former home minister and police chief, Hasina was convicted by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal, a court established by her government to try war criminals in the 1971 fight for independence. 

What happens now? 
The verdict could “set off a wave of political chaos” in the lead-up to Bangladesh’s national elections, expected to take place in February, said CNN. Hasina’s son and adviser, Sajeeb Wazed, warned that supporters of his mother might block February’s election, and protests risk escalating into violence if the current ban on the Awami League is not lifted. 

Today’s sentence is also “likely to put pressure on the Indian government to extradite Hasina to Bangladesh,” said Bloomberg. Indian officials did not respond to a formal request for her return last year, despite an extradition agreement between the two countries. 

Experts warn that flu season, which typically runs from October to May in the U.S., is expected to be worse than usual this year due to a new subvariant of the virus called H3N2 subclade K. This version is not reflected in the flu vaccine, which will likely lead to an increase in cases and hospitalizations. The subvariant can cause similar symptoms to other flu viruses, including a sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches and fever.

‘Rapidly spreading’
Subclade K first appeared in June, four months after the makeup of this year’s flu shots had already been decided. The subvariant likely emerged while “circulating in the Southern Hemisphere,” where it “picked up seven new mutations,” said Forbes. Australia has had the “worst flu for seven years,” said Dr. Hilary Jones to The Independent. “What tends to happen there in their winter tends to follow here.”

There has already been an increase in flu hospitalizations in Canada and the U.K., as flu season got off to an early start. There’s limited data in the U.S. regarding cases of subclade K, largely due to the government shutdown. Even now that the government has reopened, the “hollowing out” of the CDC through layoffs could continue to delay data collection, Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said to NBC News.

‘Very bad season’
Because of its various mutations, the H3N2 strain that’s in the flu vaccine this year “may not match this subclade K very well,” said Forbes. As a result, this could be a “very bad season” for the flu, said Jones to the Independent. 

An earlier flu season with a new subvariant could lead to higher infection rates and more cases resulting in hospitalization. This could “overwhelm clinics, emergency rooms and hospitals, impeding the care of other health conditions,” said Forbes. Other respiratory diseases, including Covid-19, are also circulating.

‘Make your own way’
Despite the vaccine’s reduced effectiveness, it remains one of the best ways to protect yourself against the virus. Generally, the flu shot does not prevent infection but rather reduces its severity. Without proper CDC reporting on the flu, “things are in disarray,” said Forbes. That means “you may have to make your own way with influenza H3N2 subclade K.”

People light their phones as they take part in a demonstration commemorating the 36th anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution, at the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic. The Velvet Revolution brought the end of 41 years of one-party communist rule.
Michal Cizek / AFP / Getty Images

Gratitude is the word of the day for Thanksgiving. One way to show your appreciation for family or friends cooking a big dinner is by arriving with a gift. It might be something to drink that night or an instant heirloom they will use year after year. These are seven items every host will love.

Caspari Celebration Crackers
These crackers are a hit with every group. Who doesn’t love being able to take home a few trinkets as souvenirs from the night? Each one of these festive tubes contains surprises that tumble out when opened. Foil paper crowns and jokes are included, along with a more substantial object. ($36.50, Caspari)

UrbanStems The Spice bouquet
A gorgeous bouquet of flowers from UrbanStems elevates any table, turning even the most drab to fab. Choose from classic or seasonal options like The Spice, a bold medley of orange and yellow roses, spray roses, pincushion protea, safari sunset, hypericum and solidago. Each bouquet is shipped in a secure cardboard box and arrives looking like it came straight from the florist. ($88, UrbanStems)

Wolffer Estate Spring in a Bottle sparkling nonalcoholic rosé
Even those who don’t imbibe will be able to sip this booze-free wine. Made in Germany from organic St. Laurent, pinot noir, pinot meunier and dornfelder grapes, Spring in a Bottle is tart and refreshing, with a fruity pop. Wolffer Estate is one of the brands available on The Zero Proof, an online shop specializing in nonalcoholic wines, beers and spirits. ($25, The Zero Proof)