“We won’t go back, we won’t go back. We demand punishment of Myanmar,” these are the slogans that the 130 Rohingya refugees chanted in unison at a refugee camp in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar.

The Bangladesh government should follow the recommendations of senior United Nations refugee and human rights officials and immediately halt the proposed repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, Human Rights Watch says.

Canada has urged the government of Myanmar to guarantee the necessary safeguards for and protection of any returning Rohingya saying repatriation must not be rushed.

Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali will brief diplomats on the current situation of the Rohingya repatriation, the ministry sources said.

US Vice President Mike Pence yesterday expressed the Trump administration's strongest condemnation yet of Myanmar's treatment of Rohingya Muslims, telling leader Aung San Suu Kyi that "persecution" by her country's army was "without excuse".

The first batch of Rohingyas is all set to be sent back to Myanmar today amid reports that many of the refugees listed for return are hiding in fear of forcible repatriation.

A 28-year-old Malaysian entrepreneur has been listed under the Forbes 30 under 30 for her achievements in developing a non-toxic skincare line for children.

Bangladesh and Myanmar are set to begin the long-awaited repatriation of Rohingyas tomorrow. In the first batch, 2,260 refugees are expected to go home.

Bangladesh has reiterated its call for sustained international pressure on Myanmar for safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees who took shelter in Bangladesh to flee persecution in their home country.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has urged Dhaka to halt plans for the repatriation of 2,260 Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, warning that the returns would be in violation of international law putting their lives and freedom at serious risk.

Asian leaders yesterday gathered for a summit amid warnings that the post-World War Two international order is in jeopardy and trade tensions between Washington and Beijing could trigger a "domino effect" of protectionist measures by other countries.

The International Crisis Group has warned of serious security risks of “forced repatriation” of the Rohingya, just as Myanmar and Bangladesh prepare for the November 15 return of the refugees sheltered in Bangladesh.

The Amnesty International has stripped Aung San Suu Kyi of its highest honour, the latest of several honours taken away from her since last year's brutal military crackdown on the Rohingyas.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (Africa and Asia) Richard Albrighton says the repatriation of Rohingyas should be safe, dignified and voluntary.

Indonesia yesterday called off the search for passengers of a Lion Air plane, almost two weeks after the jetliner plunged into the Java Sea killing 189 people on board.

For Nurul Amin, a Rohingya Muslim living in a refugee camp in Bangladesh, the days since learning he and his family were among a group of people set to potentially be repatriated to Myanmar have been among the most frightening since they fled their home.

Imelda Marcos was found guilty of corruption yesterday and handed a lengthy prison term in a rare conviction for the former Philippines first lady accused with her late dictator husband of embezzling billions of dollars from state coffers.

Sri Lanka's main Tamil parties have turned down a call from President Maithripala Sirisena to support his newly appointed prime minister in a likely floor test in parliament this month, the parties said yesterday.

Dhaka has urged Beijing to encourage Myanmar to create a conducive environment for a speedy return of Rohingyas to their home in Rakhine.

A plan to start repatriating Rohingyas back to Myanmar is premature and the refugees are "terrified" about leaving Bangladesh where they sought refuge, dozens of aid agencies working in the region said yesterday.