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Tom's Guide
03-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Tello Coupon Codes for July 2025
Ccustomers the choice of four pre-made Tello plans: Economy: The cheapest pre-made Tello plan includes 1GB of data, unlimited talk, and unlimited text. This plan costs $10/month. Value: If you need a little more data, the Value plan includes 2GB of data, unlimited talk, and unlimited text. This plan costs $14/month. Smart: This plan bumps your data to 5GB per month. It also includes unlimited talk, and unlimited text. This plan costs $19/month. Data: Tello's top-of-the-line plans includes unlimited data, unlimited talk, and unlimited text. This plan costs $29/month. Tello uses T-Mobile's 5G network to provide coverage across the United States. That includes major metropolitan areas like New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Washington, D.C., and more. You can see Tello's coverage map via the Tello website to see if you'll get a signal in your area. Tello offers free international coverage to 60+ destinations. This incudes China, Mexico, and India. You can browse all supported countries via the Tello website. If a country you want to call isn't part of Tello's free network, you'll need to purchase a Pay As You Go credit to call that destination. Most unlocked GSM smartphones can be used on Tello's network. This includes popular models like the iPhone 14, Google Pixel 7, Galaxy S23, and more. Although you can buy a new handset when you sign up with Tello, you don't need to if you already have an unlocked phone that's compatible with their network. You can check your phone's compatibility via the Tello website. Tello offers family plans, but there's no financial benefit to them. You'll sign up as a family and you can manage all of the accounts via one email address and one dashboard. Otherwise, each person in the family can choose their own plan, pay separately, and start their contract on a different day. Unlike most carriers, Tello offers no discount for added lines. Yes, students looking to save money on their phone bill can take advantage of Tello's student discount. Tello offers 50% off its 2GB, 5GB, and unlimited data plans for any customer who can very their student status via their Student Beans account. Customize your own plan: Unlike many carriers, Tello lets you customize plans to your liking. For instance, you can create a plan that gives you 100 minutes of talk, free texting, and 1GB of data for just $7 each month. Bring your own phone: One of the best ways to save at any carrier is by bringing your own phone. Tello permits this as long as your phone is unlocked and supported by its network. You can check your phone's compatibility by model number or by IMEI number at Tello's website. Opt for unlimited: Unlimited data plans are very pricey. However, Tello's unlimited data plan costs just $29 per month. Not only is that one of the best unlimited data plans we've seen, but it's also the cheapest. Refer a friend to Tello: Spread the Tello love and both your and a friend will get rewarded. If you're a Tello customer, you can have friends or family join Tello using your referral code/link. Once they join, you'll both get $10 Tello dollars. You can use the Tello dollars to pay your phone bill or to buy a new phone on Tello. 1. Select one of our Tello coupon codes to use and click "Get Code". 2. Copy the code for later and head to the Tello website to shop for the items you want. 3. After adding the item(s) you're after to your shopping cart, proceed to the view shopping cart dashboard. 4. Under the "total" summary, you'll find a section that says "Coupon." Manually enter your Tello coupon code, click "Apply," and your discount will be activated. 5. Proceed through the rest of the checkout to place your order. The coupons you'll find on Tom's Guide have been sourced by our dedicated coupons team, who use the web, our relationships with retailers, & our affiliate networks to find the latest codes. The offers on each coupon page are updated every few days to ensure we feature the freshest ways to save, and our commercial team (based in London) also sources exclusive codes and sales info directly from some of the biggest retailers around. All the coupon codes we list on our pages have been tested by our deals & offers teams to check they work as intended before they've been uploaded. You'll find a wide range of coupons on Tom's Guide, including free shipping offers, student discounts, and savings on various kinds of products. To ensure that all listed codes are available to use, we don't include any one-time use or user-specific coupons. We also provide as much information as we can to keep things as clear as possible - any expiry dates or terms & conditions will be listed alongside the code. Look for the 'Terms & Conditions' text - you'll be able to click this to expand this section for more details. We take care to only list tried & tested coupons on our pages, so all codes should be active and confer the listed discount or deal. However, although we keep up to date with expiry dates and any terms & conditions, sometimes retailers change these before we can update our pages. Should a coupon fail to work as expected, check you meet any listed requirements. These can include minimum spends, multibuy offers, or product-specific promotions (i.e. 10% off selected tablets). You can view all associated requirements by clicking 'View terms and conditions' below your code. If this does not solve your issue, you can contact our customer service team by emailing Make sure to let us know which coupon you were trying to use and which page this was listed on, and we'll be in touch to help as soon as possible. Tom's Guide makes money from coupons through a commission-based model. We have agreements in place with each retailer on our site - for every purchase made using one of our coupons or deals, we earn a small percentage of the order total back in commission. Thanks to this model, we can save our customers money without charging them a thing. You won't pay a penny to get the discounts listed on our pages, so whichever code or deal you choose, you'll get exactly what it says on the tin. If you're looking for more information on Tom's Guide coupons, you can also read more about How We Source Coupon Codes and How to Use Them on our dedicated page.
Hindustan Times
27-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro banned in Japan, Pixel 8 and 9 at risk: Here's why
Google has had a major setback in Japan, where a court has banned the sale of its Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro smartphones due to patent infringement. This ruling could soon affect the upcoming Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 models, which threaten Google's growing presence in the Japanese smartphone market. Google Pixel 7 and Pro smartphone sales have been banned in Japan due to patent infringement.(HT) The dispute centres on a technical part of 4G network communication involving the transmission of an 'acknowledgement signal' or ACK between devices and base stations. This technique is protected by Japanese patent law. Although Pantech, the patent holder, no longer makes smartphones, its remaining patents continue to hold legal weight. The Tokyo District Court ruled that Google's use of this technology violated those patents. Also read: Gemini's dramatic apologies: Why Google's chatbot sometimes says it should 'switch itself off' after failing tasks Furthermore, the judge criticised Google for what was described as an "insincere attitude" during the case. This criticism contributed to the court's decision to impose a full sales ban instead of a lesser penalty or settlement. Pixel Ban's Impact on Market Presence This ruling challenges Google's growing presence in Japan, where the Pixel brand recently became the second most popular smartphone line after Apple's iPhone. The success of the Google Pixel 7 series and the Pixel 7a helped boost the brand's market share. Also read: Could non-Nintendo chargers shorten your Switch 2's life? Here's what a user's experiment found The situation may escalate as the companies behind the patent, IdeaHub and Pantech, are pushing to extend the ban to the upcoming Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 models. No official ruling has been made on these devices yet, but the potential for a wider ban adds pressure on Google to resolve the legal issues quickly. Japan stands out as a strong market for Google Pixel phones outside the United States. A broader sales ban could disrupt Google's growth in the region and might also affect customer trust. Also read: Big tech's tariff troubles: Why US trade policy has Silicon Valley on edge Moreover, Google has not yet provided a detailed response to the court's decision. The company now faces choices including appealing the ruling, negotiating licensing rights, or redesigning future phones to avoid patent conflicts. Each option carries risks, especially with the Google Pixel 9 launch expected later this year. Currently, only the Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are banned. However, the case signals a growing trend in the tech industry, where older patents are increasingly enforced by entities that do not produce consumer products, which are creating new legal challenges for tech giants. Mobile finder: Google Pixel 8 Pro LATEST price, specs and all details
Al Jazeera
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
‘Gotham but no Batman': Crime grips Bangladesh 6 months after Hasina fled
When Maydul Hassan was first mugged, he thought he had hit rock bottom. But within a week, the 21-year-old student was battered and robbed again – this time, in front of the police, who, according to Hassan, stood by and did nothing. Hassan, who participated in last year's student-led uprising that helped unseat longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now wonders what the nation he risked his life for has turned into. 'This is what I got in return,' he said. 'The nation is drowning in crime, no one seems to care.' On February 13, a group of men ambushed him at about 10pm, while he was returning home from his part-time job at a tech firm in the capital's Mirpur area. The attackers took his Pixel 4XL phone, wallet, university ID and headphones. Days later, on February 18, he was beaten and robbed. The assailants snatched the new Google Pixel 7 phone he had just bought on a $400 loan, then mocked him as he pleaded with them to return it. The police were stationed only metres away, Hassan said. 'I cried, I begged, but the police did nothing.' When Hassan later attempted to file a complaint at the nearby police station, a local man claiming to be a member of Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), one of the main opposition parties that has gained influence since Hasina's ouster, intervened. 'You don't need to file this. I'll find your phone,' the man assured him, escorting him outside – and then demanded money in return. Desperate, Hassan withdrew and handed over 3,500 Bangladeshi taka ($29) from a nearby ATM. He soon realised he had been tricked. The man, he later discovered, had also been part of Hasina's student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) – an all-too-common case of political opportunism where members of fallen parties shift loyalties overnight to align with those in power. Hassan eventually filed a complaint online, a copy of which he showed to Al Jazeera, but no police action has followed. 'I live in a country where, even as a victim, I am harassed inside a police station. Criminals walk freely, flexing their power in front of officers, and the police do nothing. I begged in front of them, and all they did was watch,' Hassan wrote in a Facebook post that went viral overnight. Ali Ahmed Masud, the chief of Dhanmondi Police Station, where Hassan had gone, insisted that no one was obstructed from lodging a complaint. 'From my understanding, there may have been an agreement that the phone would be returned, which is why he initially chose not to file a General Diary [police complaint],' Masud said. 'But later, when he did file one, we are actively working to recover the phone and take actions against the muggers.' However, Masud did not comment on the allegation that police officers stood by without intervening while Hassan was being attacked. 'It hasn't come to my knowledge yet. I'll look into it,' Masud said. Safety on edge Hassan's ordeal is not an isolated case. Bangladesh, home to 170 million people, is experiencing its worst crime wave in years. Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, the streets have grown increasingly perilous. In January 2025 alone, police reported 242 cases of mugging and robbery – the highest number in six years – across Bangladesh. At least 294 murders were recorded in January 2025, compared with 231 in the same month the previous year. Robberies surged from 114 to 171, and abductions more than doubled. Police data also show a sharp rise in muggings, robberies and abductions in November and December last year, surpassing figures from the same period over the previous five years. 'The figures are alarming,' said Najmus Sakib, a criminology assistant professor at Dhaka University. 'People fought for democracy, but now they are afraid to step outside their homes. That doesn't give a positive sign about the state of our law enforcement.' However, retired Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, who is in charge of Bangladesh's Ministry of Home Affairs, retired Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, has dismissed these concerns, claiming that the government is appropriately dealing with the increasing crime rate. 'You will feel tonight that our law enforcement activities have increased significantly,' Chowdhury told reporters during an emergency news conference at 3am on February 24 – hours after a wave of muggings in different parts of Dhaka sparked panic among residents. 'Never seen such a bad situation' In one incident, Anwar Hossain, a jeweller, was attacked outside his home while carrying gold worth approximately 28,100,000 taka ($232,000) in cash. Six men on motorcycles tried to snatch his bag. When he resisted, they shot him and fled. With gunshot wounds in both legs, Hossein is now undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The incident, captured on video, went viral and sparked outrage and protests across Dhaka, with demonstrators demanding Chowdhury's resignation. Between February 1 and February 26, dozens of violent crimes – including murder, rape, robbery and extortion – nationwide were reported in local media, with gruesome videos and firsthand accounts from victims circulated widely on social media. 'There was theft and snatching before, but now, it is out of limit,' said Rahmat Ullah, a rickshaw driver in his 50s. He added that he had 'never seen such a bad situation' in more than 17 years of work. His passengers have been victims of attacks too, Ullah said. 'I used to save up the money I earned over 15 to 20 days and send it home through a bank. Now, whatever I earn each day, I send back home immediately [via a mobile financial service].' Despite this, the government has been hesitant to acknowledge the crisis. Asif Nazrul, the adviser for the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs ministry, conceded government shortcomings, but insisted that the interim administration under Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was doing all it could. 'Sometimes, the situation was good, sometimes extremely bad,' Nazrul said. 'But we are making relentless efforts to control the situation.' For many Bangladeshis, these assurances ring hollow. Protests have erupted across university campuses, led by several student groups, especially after a wave of reported rapes across the country – of which Al Jazeera could independently verify at least 10. The protesters have demanded the immediate resignation of the Home Affairs adviser and urgent action to tackle the deteriorating law and order situation. 'My parents worry every time I step outside, and this is the reality for all women like me. We just want to hustle through our daily life not being raped or hijacked and make it home safely without any fear,' said Eti Akter, one of the protesters, told Al Jazeera. 'Life now feels more unsafe than ever.' Such insecurity was previously associated with the 'thugs' of the Chhatra League, the student wing of Hasina's Awami League, said Tanvir Rifat, another protester. Now, the Awami League is gone, but the crime has only grown. 'This is not the Bangladesh we hoped to see after the mass uprising. It feels like everything could be snatched away at any moment,' Rifat said. He compared 'the streets of Dhaka' with Gotham, the fictional, crime-riddled metropolis from the DC universe. 'But, sadly, we don't have a Batman.' Tawohidul Haque, a crime analyst and associate professor at Dhaka University's Institute of Social Welfare and Research, told Al Jazeera that one of the key indicators of an improving crime situation is whether people feel safe at home, outside and while commuting.'People now do not feel safe any more,' he said. Farisa Nusrat, a Dhaka University student, said she avoids staying out late. 'My parents don't allow it any more. Even if I stay, they keep calling me,' she said. Many private university students from different institutions are now demanding online classes during Ramadan, citing safety concerns. Government struggles On February 8, the government launched Operation Devil Hunt, a joint military and police crackdown that was meant to tackle the rising crime wave. But while more than 9,000 arrests have been made, violent crime continues unabated. Mubashar Hasan, a political analyst, believes the interim government is struggling to maintain order. 'Unlike an elected government with a unified chain of command, the current administration consists of figures from different backgrounds with competing priorities,' he told Al Jazeera. 'While there is no lack of intention to curb crime, their capacity to do so remains limited.' After Chowdhury's, the Home Affairs adviser, February 24 news conference, police arrested 248 people allegedly involved in various criminal activities in different parts of Dhaka, within 24 hours. But 'arrests mean nothing if we don't feel safe on the streets,' Hassan, the 21-year-old student, said. As fear spreads, some citizens have taken security into their own hands. In multiple neighbourhoods, locals have formed self-defence patrols, armed with sticks and batons to fend off muggers. In one shocking case, two men suspected of mugging were beaten and hung upside down from a Dhaka footbridge by an angry crowd on February 25. That same night, another suspected mugger was beaten to death. 'This is what happens when people lose faith in law enforcement – they resort to vigilante justice,' said Tawohidul Haque, an associate professor at Dhaka University's Institute of Social Welfare and Research. In January alone, 16 people were killed in mob violence nationwide, according to the rights body Ain O Salish Kendra. Experts attribute the surge in crime to the political turmoil following Hasina's removal. 'A sudden power shift creates unrest and a power vacuum – an environment where lawbreakers thrive,' said criminology assistant professor Sakib. 'Criminals saw this instability as an opportunity, which is why crime has peaked.' Sakib also pointed out that Bangladesh Police, the primary law enforcement agency, are struggling to regain public trust. 'During the deadly protest against Hasina, police were widely accused of human rights violations and were seen as an adversary of the people. This loss of 'moral authority' has weakened their ability to function effectively.' Since Hasina's August removal, the Yunus government has moved out the heads of each of Bangladesh's 50 police stations for allegedly being close to Hasina's party. 'New officers aren't familiar with their assigned areas. They lack informants and haven't had time to develop a comprehensive crime-fighting strategy,' Sakib said. All of this, he added, 'has created a vacuum that criminals are exploiting'. Another driving force behind the crime wave is the release on bail of convicted criminals – some of whom were once listed as 'top terror' figures – after the political transition, a senior Dhaka Metropolitan Police officer said. 'We have reports that many of these individuals have returned to crime, reviving old extortion rackets and gang operations,' the officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'We plan to appeal for bail cancellations, but the issue is that many of these criminals were bailed through the influence of politicians who now hold power.' Sakid said: 'Mass bail for convicted criminals was done so rapidly, and it spreads a negative message to the people in society. Though this is a judicial matter, the sheer speed at which terror-listed figures have been freed is alarming. Public safety should have been carefully assessed before allowing these individuals back onto the streets.' Weapons looted during political uprisings have also found their way into criminal hands, fulling a rise in armed muggings. Videos of masked gangs wielding weapons have spread fear across social media. Hasan, the political analyst, argues that a democratically elected government would be far more effective in restoring law and order. 'A political government elected by the people will have much more strength and legitimacy,' he said. The interim government has yet to announce a concrete timeline for elections. However, Yunus's press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, told the media on February 24 that polls could take place at the latest by March 2026. But for many young Bangladeshis, every day without a sense of security feels like a betrayal. 'We took to the streets last year for a safer Bangladesh where the standard of living will be ensured by the state, and now we are at the mercy of criminals, perhaps patronised by the politicians who will rule the country in the near future,' Rifat, the protester, said. 'What was the point?'
Al Jazeera
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
‘Gotham but no Batman': Crime wave grips Dhaka 6 months after Hasina fled
When Maydul Hassan was first mugged, he thought he had hit rock bottom. But within a week, the 21-year-old student was battered and robbed again – this time, in front of the police, who, according to Hassan, stood by and did nothing. Hassan, who participated in last year's student-led uprising that helped unseat longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now wonders what the nation he risked his life for has turned into. 'This is what I got in return,' he said. 'The nation is drowning in crime, no one seems to care.' On February 13, a group of men ambushed him at about 10pm, while he was returning home from his part-time job at a tech firm in the capital's Mirpur area. The attackers took his Pixel 4XL phone, wallet, university ID and headphones. Days later, on February 18, he was beaten and robbed. The assailants snatched the new Google Pixel 7 phone he had just bought on a $400 loan, then mocked him as he pleaded with them to return it. The police were stationed only metres away, Hassan said. 'I cried, I begged, but the police did nothing.' When Hassan later attempted to file a complaint at the nearby police station, a local man claiming to be a member of Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), one of the main opposition parties that has gained influence since Hasina's ouster, intervened. 'You don't need to file this. I'll find your phone,' the man assured him, escorting him outside – and then demanded money in return. Desperate, Hassan withdrew and handed over 3,500 Bangladeshi taka ($29) from a nearby ATM. He soon realised he had been tricked. The man, he later discovered, had also been part of Hasina's student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) – an all-too-common case of political opportunism where members of fallen parties shift loyalties overnight to align with those in power. Hassan eventually filed a complaint online, a copy of which he showed to Al Jazeera, but no police action has followed. 'I live in a country where, even as a victim, I am harassed inside a police station. Criminals walk freely, flexing their power in front of officers, and the police do nothing. I begged in front of them, and all they did was watch,' Hassan wrote in a Facebook post that went viral overnight. Ali Ahmed Masud, the chief of Dhanmondi Police Station, where Hassan had gone, insisted that no one was obstructed from lodging a complaint. 'From my understanding, there may have been an agreement that the phone would be returned, which is why he initially chose not to file a General Diary [police complaint],' Masud said. 'But later, when he did file one, we are actively working to recover the phone and take actions against the muggers.' However, Masud did not comment on the allegation that police officers stood by without intervening while Hassan was being attacked. 'It hasn't come to my knowledge yet. I'll look into it,' Masud said. Safety on edge Hassan's ordeal is not an isolated case. Bangladesh, home to 170 million people, is experiencing its worst crime wave in years. Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, the streets have grown increasingly perilous. In January 2025 alone, police reported 242 cases of mugging and robbery – the highest number in six years – across Bangladesh. At least 294 murders were recorded in January 2025, compared with 231 in the same month the previous year. Robberies surged from 114 to 171, and abductions more than doubled. Police data also show a sharp rise in muggings, robberies and abductions in November and December last year, surpassing figures from the same period over the previous five years. 'The figures are alarming,' said Najmus Sakib, a criminology assistant professor at Dhaka University. 'People fought for democracy, but now they are afraid to step outside their homes. That doesn't give a positive sign about the state of our law enforcement.' However, retired Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, who is in charge of Bangladesh's Ministry of Home Affairs, retired Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, has dismissed these concerns, claiming that the government is appropriately dealing with the increasing crime rate. 'You will feel tonight that our law enforcement activities have increased significantly,' Chowdhury told reporters during an emergency news conference at 3am on February 24 – hours after a wave of muggings in different parts of Dhaka sparked panic among residents. 'Never seen such a bad situation' In one incident, Anwar Hossain, a jeweller, was attacked outside his home while carrying gold worth approximately 28,100,000 taka ($232,000) in cash. Six men on motorcycles tried to snatch his bag. When he resisted, they shot him and fled. With gunshot wounds in both legs, Hossein is now undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The incident, captured on video, went viral and sparked outrage and protests across Dhaka, with demonstrators demanding Chowdhury's resignation. Between February 1 and February 26, dozens of violent crimes – including murder, rape, robbery and extortion – nationwide were reported in local media, with gruesome videos and firsthand accounts from victims circulated widely on social media. 'There was theft and snatching before, but now, it is out of limit,' said Rahmat Ullah, a rickshaw driver in his 50s. He added that he had 'never seen such a bad situation' in more than 17 years of work. His passengers have been victims of attacks too, Ullah said. 'I used to save up the money I earned over 15 to 20 days and send it home through a bank. Now, whatever I earn each day, I send back home immediately [via a mobile financial service].' Despite this, the government has been hesitant to acknowledge the crisis. Asif Nazrul, the adviser for the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs ministry, conceded government shortcomings, but insisted that the interim administration under Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was doing all it could. 'Sometimes, the situation was good, sometimes extremely bad,' Nazrul said. 'But we are making relentless efforts to control the situation.' For many Bangladeshis, these assurances ring hollow. Protests have erupted across university campuses, led by several student groups, especially after a wave of reported rapes across the country – of which Al Jazeera could independently verify at least 10. The protesters have demanded the immediate resignation of the Home Affairs adviser and urgent action to tackle the deteriorating law and order situation. 'My parents worry every time I step outside, and this is the reality for all women like me. We just want to hustle through our daily life not being raped or hijacked and make it home safely without any fear,' said Eti Akter, one of the protesters, told Al Jazeera. 'Life now feels more unsafe than ever.' Such insecurity was previously associated with the 'thugs' of the Chhatra League, the student wing of Hasina's Awami League, said Tanvir Rifat, another protester. Now, the Awami League is gone, but the crime has only grown. 'This is not the Bangladesh we hoped to see after the mass uprising. It feels like everything could be snatched away at any moment,' Rifat said. He compared 'the streets of Dhaka' with Gotham, the fictional, crime-riddled metropolis from the DC universe. 'But, sadly, we don't have a Batman.' Tawohidul Haque, a crime analyst and associate professor at Dhaka University's Institute of Social Welfare and Research, told Al Jazeera that one of the key indicators of an improving crime situation is whether people feel safe at home, outside and while commuting.'People now do not feel safe any more,' he said. Farisa Nusrat, a Dhaka University student, said she avoids staying out late. 'My parents don't allow it any more. Even if I stay, they keep calling me,' she said. Many private university students from different institutions are now demanding online classes during Ramadan, citing safety concerns. Government struggles On February 8, the government launched Operation Devil Hunt, a joint military and police crackdown that was meant to tackle the rising crime wave. But while more than 9,000 arrests have been made, violent crime continues unabated. Mubashar Hasan, a political analyst, believes the interim government is struggling to maintain order. 'Unlike an elected government with a unified chain of command, the current administration consists of figures from different backgrounds with competing priorities,' he told Al Jazeera. 'While there is no lack of intention to curb crime, their capacity to do so remains limited.' After Chowdhury's, the Home Affairs adviser, February 24 news conference, police arrested 248 people allegedly involved in various criminal activities in different parts of Dhaka, within 24 hours. But 'arrests mean nothing if we don't feel safe on the streets,' Hassan, the 21-year-old student, said. As fear spreads, some citizens have taken security into their own hands. In multiple neighbourhoods, locals have formed self-defence patrols, armed with sticks and batons to fend off muggers. In one shocking case, two men suspected of mugging were beaten and hung upside down from a Dhaka footbridge by an angry crowd on February 25. That same night, another suspected mugger was beaten to death. 'This is what happens when people lose faith in law enforcement – they resort to vigilante justice,' said Tawohidul Haque, an associate professor at Dhaka University's Institute of Social Welfare and Research. In January alone, 16 people were killed in mob violence nationwide, according to the rights body Ain O Salish Kendra. Experts attribute the surge in crime to the political turmoil following Hasina's removal. 'A sudden power shift creates unrest and a power vacuum – an environment where lawbreakers thrive,' said criminology assistant professor Sakib. 'Criminals saw this instability as an opportunity, which is why crime has peaked.' Sakib also pointed out that Bangladesh Police, the primary law enforcement agency, are struggling to regain public trust. 'During the deadly protest against Hasina, police were widely accused of human rights violations and were seen as an adversary of the people. This loss of 'moral authority' has weakened their ability to function effectively.' Since Hasina's August removal, the Yunus government has moved out the heads of each of Bangladesh's 50 police stations for allegedly being close to Hasina's party. 'New officers aren't familiar with their assigned areas. They lack informants and haven't had time to develop a comprehensive crime-fighting strategy,' Sakib said. All of this, he added, 'has created a vacuum that criminals are exploiting'. Another driving force behind the crime wave is the release on bail of convicted criminals – some of whom were once listed as 'top terror' figures – after the political transition, a senior Dhaka Metropolitan Police officer said. 'We have reports that many of these individuals have returned to crime, reviving old extortion rackets and gang operations,' the officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'We plan to appeal for bail cancellations, but the issue is that many of these criminals were bailed through the influence of politicians who now hold power.' Sakid said: 'Mass bail for convicted criminals was done so rapidly, and it spreads a negative message to the people in society. Though this is a judicial matter, the sheer speed at which terror-listed figures have been freed is alarming. Public safety should have been carefully assessed before allowing these individuals back onto the streets.' Weapons looted during political uprisings have also found their way into criminal hands, fulling a rise in armed muggings. Videos of masked gangs wielding weapons have spread fear across social media. Hasan, the political analyst, argues that a democratically elected government would be far more effective in restoring law and order. 'A political government elected by the people will have much more strength and legitimacy,' he said. The interim government has yet to announce a concrete timeline for elections. However, Yunus's press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, told the media on February 24 that polls could take place at the latest by March 2026. But for many young Bangladeshis, every day without a sense of security feels like a betrayal. 'We took to the streets last year for a safer Bangladesh where the standard of living will be ensured by the state, and now we are at the mercy of criminals, perhaps patronised by the politicians who will rule the country in the near future,' Rifat, the protester, said. 'What was the point?'
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hurry Up and Get This $700 Google Pixel Phone for $300
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. As a serious bargain hunter, I'm thrilled to check every day because you never know what treasures you can find. One thing to know about Woot, however, is that these top-notch deals come with a very short lifespan, sometimes they're only available for a few hours. So if you want it, you should grab it while you can. Today's top deals include an older-gen but still capable Google Pixel phone at a major discount, a bass-forward, fully waterproof portable JBL speaker, and a super relaxing Nintendo Switch game. And if you're an , you'll get free shipping. Be sure to check out the Woot deals we found on Feb. 20 and Feb. 19, since some of them are still kicking. The Google Pixel 7 is more than half-off at Woot right now. When we reviewed it back in 2022, we gave it an "Outstanding" rating as well as our Editors' Choice award, stating at the time that no other Android phone offered this combination of features and performance for the price. If you don't need the latest, but are looking for an ultra-affordable, still-capable Android phone, this Pixel could do the trick. Samsung Galaxy S25 128GB Phone With $100 Amazon Gift Card for $799.99 (List Price $899.99) Google Pixel 9 128GB Unlocked Phone (Obsidian) for $649.00 (List Price $799.00) Apple iPhone 14 128GB (Verified Refurbished by Back Market) for From $335 (List Price $629) Google Pixel 8a 128GB Unlocked Phone (Obsidian) for $399.00 (List Price $499.00) Motorola Edge+ 512GB Unlocked Phone (Intersteller Black) for $400.00 (List Price $699.99) *Deals are selected by our commerce team With spring just around the corner, it's time to take advantage of this 31% discount for the JBL Flip 6 and prepare to have tons of fun listening to your favorite music anywhere you go. In our review of the Flip 6, we gave it an "Excellent" rating for its powerful audio performance, robust bass, and water- and dust-proof build. Herdio 6.5" 400W Wired Waterproof Outdoor Speakers (Pair) for $97.19 (List Price $128.99) Polk Audio Atrium 6 Outdoor Speakers (Pair, Black) for $299.00 (List Price $399.00) Pyle Outdoor Wall-Mount Patio Stereo Speakers (White) for $139.99 (List Price $172.99) Polk Audio Atrium 5 Outdoor Speakers (Pair, Black) for $229.00 (List Price $299.00) Yamaha NS-AW190WH 5" 120W 2-Way Waterproof Speakers (Pair) for $109.90 (List Price $129.95) *Deals are selected by our commerce team One of the most popular games for the Nintendo Switch, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, is 33% off at Woot right now, so if you don't already have it in your library, you should add to your cart to discover endless hours of entertainment. "...it's fun, relaxing, and simply very chill," notes our gaming expert, Will Greenwald in our 4-star, Editors' Choice review.
