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Bangladesh’s New Leader Faces Challenge of Delivering Reform After Landslide Election Victory
Bangladesh is poised to have Tarique Rahman as its next prime minister, a development that comes 18 months following the removal of the country’s longest-serving leader amid widespread demonstrations.
It has been over two years since Sheikh Hasina's election victory, which was widely criticized as being unfairly influenced in her favor. At the time, it seemed unlikely that her 15-year hold on power would be disrupted so suddenly, or that a rival party, which had been largely dismissed, would make such a significant comeback.
However, in the context of Bangladeshi politics, this shift is merely another instance of the alternating pattern of power between Hasina's Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which have been trading power for decades.
This marks the first time that Tarique Rahman, the new leader of the BNP, has formally led the party and contested an election.
His mother, Khaleda Zia, who passed away late last year, had led the party for four decades, taking over after the assassination of his father, Ziaur Rahman, the founder of the BNP and a key figure in Bangladesh's war for independence.
Tarique Rahman has faced allegations of corruption and benefiting from nepotism during his mother's tenure. He returned to Bangladesh five days before her death, ending his 17-year self-imposed exile in London.
Although Rahman, 60, has occasionally acted as the de-facto chair of the BNP when his mother was imprisoned or ill, he is largely viewed as an untested leader.
According to political scientist Navine Murshid, Rahman's lack of experience may actually work in his favor, as people are willing to give change a chance and are hopeful for positive outcomes.
The BNP's primary objective is to restore democracy in Bangladesh, according to the party.
Senior BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that the party's first priority is to rebuild the country's democratic and financial institutions, which have been damaged over the past decade.
Bangladesh has a history of broken promises, with parties often becoming increasingly authoritarian after coming to power.
However, the country's young people, who played a key role in the "July uprising" of 2024 that led to Hasina's ouster, appear less willing to accept the status quo this time around.
Tazin Ahmed, a 19-year-old who participated in the uprising, expressed her desire for a better future, stating that the real victory will be when the country is free from corruption and has a stable economy.
Ahmed emphasized that the resignation of the previous prime minister was not the ultimate goal, but rather a step towards achieving a corruption-free and prosperous Bangladesh.
Her cousin, Tahmina Tasnim, 21, echoed similar sentiments, calling for unity among the people and a stable nation with a strong economy, and warning that they will not hesitate to take action if necessary.
Since Hasina's departure, Bangladesh's interim leader, Mohammad Yunus, has struggled to maintain law and order.
The new government will need to prioritize restoring law and order, as well as addressing the country's economic challenges, including high food prices and unemployment among the large youth population.
Sociologist Samina Luthfa noted that the lack of experience in governing is a challenge faced by all parties.
The Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, which has been banned twice in Bangladesh's history, including during Hasina's tenure, has won a significant number of seats in this election.
The National Citizens Party (NCP), a new party formed by some of the students who led the uprising, has won six seats in its first election.
Luthfa observed that the incoming parliament will feature many new leaders who have never held office before.
She noted that the NCP's young members have a lot to learn, while the more experienced politicians lack experience in governing the country, making it a challenging task ahead.
Jamaat's election manifesto focused on secular and development-oriented policies, with no mention of Islamic law.
However, the party's website suggests that its ultimate goal is to implement Islamic law, which has raised concerns about its intentions if it were to come to power.
Murshid stated that Jamaat's performance in the election was not unexpected, given its strong organization and grassroots efforts over the years.
She acknowledged that Jamaat is a well-organized party, but also expressed concerns about its inherently anti-democratic and patriarchal nature.
Luthfa criticized all parties for failing to adequately represent women in Bangladesh, with only about 4% of candidates being female.
She emphasized that the women who participated in the July uprising have been let down by all parties, which have failed to translate their collective energy into meaningful political representation.
Luthfa urged parliament members to quickly nominate skilled and deserving women to the reserved seats in parliament.
In Bangladesh's parliament, 50 seats are reserved for women, who are nominated by parties in proportion to their electoral performance.
While this election was distinct from previous ones under Hasina, being genuinely competitive and with an uncertain outcome, the exclusion of her party has raised questions about the election's credibility.
When asked if the BNP would support allowing the Awami League to re-enter the political process, senior leader Chowdhury stated that it is not up to the BNP to decide, citing the Awami League's questionable credibility.
Chowdhury noted that the Awami League's past actions, including allegations of killing and persecuting its own people, would need to be addressed before it could be considered a viable political force again.
Hasina, currently in exile in India, has denounced the recent election as a "farce" and called for a new election in which the Awami League can participate.
While public opinion is currently strongly against the Awami League, it would be premature to write off the party entirely, given Bangladesh's complex political history.
The situation remains fluid, with the new government facing significant challenges in restoring stability and democracy to the country.
Additional reporting by Aakriti Thapar
News
UK Jewish Victim Expresses Fears for Personal Safety After Assault
Yoni Finlay, a victim of the synagogue attack, may have also been a potential target in a previous plot.
Following the Manchester synagogue attack, a survivor has expressed concerns about his safety in the UK, citing the discovery of a previously foiled plot that could have put him in harm's way.
On October 2025, Yoni Finlay was inadvertently shot by a police bullet while barricading the doors of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue, where two individuals lost their lives during a violent attack.
Finlay, 40, had long been aware of the potential for such an incident to occur in his hometown, where he has lived his entire life.
According to Finlay, "The fear of an attack is constant, which is why we have implemented security measures, and they do an excellent job, but there is always a risk of something happening."
Unbeknownst to Finlay at the time, he may have been caught up in an earlier plot, which was thwarted by an undercover police operative.
Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, had planned to target Manchester's Jewish community in what could have been the deadliest terror attack in the UK if they had succeeded.
The pair had arranged for firearms to be smuggled into the UK as part of an Isis-inspired plot.
Prosecutors stated that the men intended to launch a gun attack on an anti-antisemitism march by the end of summer 2024, followed by further attacks on Jewish communities in north Manchester.
In a message, Saadaoui noted that Manchester has the largest Jewish community outside of London, stating, "We will carry out [an attack] here."
The next day, Saadaoui took the undercover operative to areas with significant Jewish populations in Manchester to identify potential targets.
Finlay was among the thousands who attended an anti-antisemitism march in Manchester during the summer of 2024, unaware that a plot to target the event had been foiled.
It was not until after his release from the hospital, following the synagogue attack, that Finlay learned about the earlier foiled plot.
Finlay believes that the normalization of antisemitism has contributed to the sense of inevitability surrounding such attacks, saying, "I think for everybody, there was an element of it being a matter of time."
Finlay had also attended a similar march in January 2024, which further underscored his concerns about the prevalence of antisemitism.
He described the undercurrent of hate and antisemitism, saying, "It's difficult to live with on a day-to-day basis, knowing that there are people who don't want us here."
Finlay's personal experiences have been affected, as his son has faced threats and harassment for being Jewish, and now avoids wearing a kippah in public.
Despite being a lifelong resident of Manchester and feeling a strong connection to the city, Finlay feels that it is no longer safe for him and his family.
However, Finlay is determined not to let fear dictate his life, stating, "It's essential not to allow terrorism and hatred to win."
Finlay's resolve to continue living his life without being controlled by fear is evident in his commitment to not letting terrorism prevail.
The sentences handed down to Saadaoui and Hussein, who were found guilty of preparing acts of terrorism, reflect the severity of their crimes.
Saadaoui received a life sentence with a minimum term of 37 years, while Hussein was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 26 years.
A third individual, Bilel Saadaoui, was convicted of failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism and received a six-year sentence.
The convictions and sentences serve as a reminder of the importance of preventing and combating terrorism.
The events surrounding the foiled plot and the subsequent attack on the synagogue have had a profound impact on Finlay and the Jewish community in Manchester.
The case highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and the community to prevent such incidents in the future.
News
Probe Underway into DNA Discovered at Nancy Guthrie’s Residence
According to the sheriff’s department, efforts are underway to determine the owner of the DNA, although the location of its discovery has not been released.
Local authorities have discovered DNA at the residence of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of American news anchor Savannah Guthrie, that does not match her or anyone in her close circle, according to officials.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department is currently working to determine the origin of the unidentified DNA, but has not disclosed its exact location.
Several gloves have been found by investigators, with one discovered approximately two miles away from Nancy Guthrie's residence.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, vanished from her Tucson, Arizona home nearly two weeks ago, and authorities suspect she was taken against her will.
The sheriff's department has clarified that reports of a glove being found inside or on the property of Nancy Guthrie's home are incorrect.
All evidence collected has been submitted for laboratory analysis, according to the department.
On Thursday, the FBI released a description of the suspect, stating that the individual is a male, approximately 5ft 9in to 5ft 10in (175-177cm) tall, with a medium build.
Investigators were able to gather identifying details about the suspect by analyzing footage from a doorbell camera located outside Nancy Guthrie's home.
The suspect was seen wearing a 25-litre Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack in the footage, as reported by the FBI.
Following the release of the doorbell footage, investigators received over 13,000 tips, including 4,000 within a 24-hour period.
The FBI has increased the reward for information regarding Nancy Guthrie's disappearance from $50,000 (£36,700) to $100,000.
The county sheriff's department stated that the suspect description remains a primary focus of the investigation, but added that no individual or possibility is being ruled out.
Investigators have also made a broader appeal for neighbors to share any video footage that may be relevant to the case.
Authorities have noted that Nancy Guthrie, 84, requires daily medication and has limited mobility.
Savannah Guthrie and her two siblings have posted multiple social media appeals directed at their mother's abductor.
The family believes Nancy Guthrie is still alive and has indicated their willingness to pay for her safe return.
News
Malinin Crashes to Eighth in Free Skate Upset
At the Milan-Cortina 2026 event, USA’s Ilia Malinin, heavily tipped to claim the men’s figure skating title, experienced a disappointing outing, suffering two falls, which ultimately led to him finishing off the podium, while Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov secured the top spot and the gold medal.
At the Milan-Cortina 2026 event, Ilia Malinin of the USA, who was heavily tipped to win the men's figure skating gold, experienced a disappointing performance, falling twice and ultimately missing the podium, allowing Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov to claim the top spot.
For further information, Mikhail Shaidorov's gold medal win is detailed in a separate article, which also discusses Ilia Malinin's unexpected loss.
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