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  • Newly Sworn-In Members of Bangladesh Parliament

    Newly Sworn-In Members of Bangladesh Parliament

    Bangladesh’s recently elected Members of Parliament took their oaths on Tuesday after a landmark election resulted in a victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka was attended by delegates from multiple regional and Muslim nations.

    The event, held at the parliamentary complex, began with verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the oath administered by Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner, AMM Nasir Uddin.

    This story is still developing and will be updated with additional details as they become available.

  • Tarique Rahman Emerges as Next Leader in Bangladesh Politics

    Tarique Rahman Emerges as Next Leader in Bangladesh Politics

    A 60-year-old leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tarique Rahman, who had been overshadowed for years by his influential family, is finally stepping into the spotlight. As the heir to one of Bangladesh’s most powerful political dynasties, Rahman is now prepared to lead the nation of 170 million people, driven by his desire to “improve” the country.

    Following a deadly uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian rule roughly a year and a half ago, the BNP claims they secured a “landslide victory” in last Thursday’s parliamentary elections. While official results are pending, the United States has already congratulated Rahman on what they describe as a “historic” win.

    Rahman’s return marks a significant turnaround, especially considering he only came back to Bangladesh in December after spending 17 years in exile in the UK, far from the country’s turbulent politics. Known widely as Tarique Zia, his life has been deeply intertwined with his family’s political legacy. His father, President Ziaur Rahman, was assassinated in 1981 when Tarique was just 15. His mother, Khaleda Zia—who served as prime minister three times and was a dominant political figure—passed away at 80 just days after his return.

    Speaking to AFP two days before the election, Rahman promised to build upon his family’s legacy. “They are them, I am me,” he stated from his office adorned with portraits of his late parents. “I want to do better than them.” He shared that upon arriving in December, he was overwhelmed with mixed emotions—initial joy of returning contrasted with grief over his mother’s passing. “This is my country; I was born and raised here, so I felt very happy,” he said. However, instead of celebrating, he had to say farewell to his mother, who had been in intensive care. “When you come home after so long, any son wants to hug his mother,” he admitted. “I didn’t get that chance.”

    Within days of returning to Dhaka, Rahman took charge of the BNP and its election campaign. Despite his grief, he stepped onto the stage, rallying large crowds with determination.

    His family roots stretch back to a rivalry rooted in politics that dates to the 1970s. His father, Ziaur Rahman, rose to prominence as an army officer after a 1975 coup, establishing a powerbase in opposition to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina’s father. Both Ziaur Rahman and his successor, Sheikh Zia, were killed in assassinations, fueling a long-standing political rivalry. Tarique’s mother, Khaleda Zia, became Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, often competing against Sheikh Hasina in contentious elections.

    Rahman’s political journey began under the shadow of these family struggles, and it has not been without controversy. U.S. diplomatic cables from 2006 describe him as “an unnerving figure,” associated with corruption and violence. He faced corruption charges in 2007, which he claims were politically motivated, resulting in his exile to London. He consistently denies all accusations, asserting their political nature, but has expressed regret if any mistakes were made in the past.

    He was eventually acquitted of the most serious charges, including a life sentence for a grenade attack on Sheikh Hasina’s rally in 2004, which he has always denied perpetrating. Married to a cardiologist and father to a daughter who is a lawyer, Rahman led a quiet life in Britain until his dramatic return, which was met with a hero’s welcome and viral images of his pet cat, Jebu.

    Acknowledging the enormous challenge ahead, Rahman considers his task to be rebuilding a nation he says was “destroyed” by the previous regime. His return marks a new chapter in Bangladesh’s complex political landscape, with many watching to see how his leadership will unfold.

  • Bangladesh Earthquake Claims 9 Lives, Injures Hundreds

    Bangladesh Earthquake Claims 9 Lives, Injures Hundreds

    A powerful earthquake hit just outside Bangladesh’s densely populated capital, Dhaka, on Friday, resulting in at least nine fatalities and over 300 injuries. The tremor registered at magnitude 5.5 and struck around 10:38 a.m. local time, near Narsingdi, roughly 20 miles from Dhaka, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake caused widespread panic and chaos as many residents, many of whom were at home on their day off, fled their houses.

    In the aftermath, at least 14 structures were damaged, and fires broke out at a power station but were quickly contained. The interim government’s spokesperson expressed deep sorrow over the casualties and assured that all necessary measures were underway. The health authorities reported that nine individuals in Dhaka were admitted with serious injuries, including a child who died instantly after debris fell from an eight-story building onto a busy street where people had gathered.

    Witnesses described masonry from the collapsing building littering the streets, with reports of wreckage falling on pedestrians and vehicles. The seismic activity lasted about 26 seconds, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation and assessing damages.

    The earthquake’s effects extended beyond Bangladesh, with tremors also being felt in Kolkata, India, over 200 miles away from the epicenter. People in Kolkata rushed out of their homes and offices in response to the shaking, though no significant injuries or damages were reported there.

    Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, commented on the incident, expressing his shock and stating that the government is actively responding. Yunus, 85, was chosen to lead the country following last year’s uprising that ousted the previous government, with national elections scheduled for February 2026.

  • Cargo Fire at Dhaka Airport Causes Flight Delays and Diversions

    Cargo Fire at Dhaka Airport Causes Flight Delays and Diversions

    A passenger airplane remains parked on the runway amid rising smoke from a fire that erupted in its cargo hold at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on October 18, 2025. — Reuters

    – “All aircraft are confirmed safe,” states airport official Masudul Hasan.
    – The fire has caused interruptions to both domestic and international flights.
    – The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.

    Flights departing from Bangladesh’s primary airport experienced delays and diversions Saturday after a significant blaze occurred in the cargo terminal, officials reported. Thirty-six firefighting units are currently battling the flames, according to Talha Bin Zasim, a Fire Service and Civil Defence spokesperson for Reuters.

    Operations at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport have been halted, with Masudul Hasan, an airport official, confirming all aircraft are safe. The origin of the fire is still under investigation.

    Both local and international flights faced disruptions. An IndiGo flight from Delhi was rerouted to Kolkata, and an Air Arabia flight from Sharjah, UAE, was redirected to Chittagong. Meanwhile, a Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong was observed circling without landing, awaiting clearance.

    The rescue efforts include the army, navy, and air force alongside fire services, all working to contain the blaze.

    This incident marks the third major fire in Bangladesh this week. Earlier, on Tuesday, a fire at a garment factory and a nearby chemical warehouse in Bangladesh resulted in at least 16 fatalities and multiple injuries. On Thursday, another fire destroyed a garment factory building in an export processing zone in Chittagong.

  • Bangladesh detains ex-minister and group over alleged conspiracy

    Bangladesh detains ex-minister and group over alleged conspiracy

    An 87-year-old former minister is among 16 individuals who were ordered into custody by a Bangladesh court on Friday, facing charges linked to a conspiracy against the government, according to police reports.

    Since the mass uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic rule in 2024, Bangladesh has experienced ongoing political instability. Various parties are now jostling for influence ahead of elections set for February.

    The 16 suspects were detained Thursday after participating in a meeting at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), a journalists’ organization. During the gathering, participants accused political factions of plotting to overthrow the constitution.

    Eyewitnesses reported that a mob invaded the venue, disrupted the event, and subsequently handed the individuals over to law enforcement authorities.

    “These arrests were made under the anti-terrorism legislation,” stated Khalid Mansur, the officer-in-charge of Dhaka’s main police station.

    Among those detained was Abdul Latif Siddiqui, a former minister under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Authorities told the court that the group was “secretly forming plots and inciting unrest with the aim of destabilizing the nation and overthrowing the current administration.”

    Hafizur Rahman Karzon, a law professor from the University of Dhaka, was also taken into custody. During Friday’s court appearance—where the suspects arrived handcuffed, wearing helmets and bulletproof vests—they claimed to be victims rather than perpetrators.

    Journalist Manjurul Alam, one of the detainees, raised his hands and declared, “My hands have fought against corruption for years.”

  • Former Bangladesh PM’s Palace Transformed into a Revolution Museum

    Former Bangladesh PM’s Palace Transformed into a Revolution Museum

    Anti-government protesters wave Bangladesh’s national flag as they storm Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s residence in Dhaka on August 5, 2024. — AFP

    • Student-led protests resulted in the overthrow of Hasina’s government on August 5, 2024.
    • The former prime minister fled to India after protesters seized control of the Dhaka palace.
    • Sheikh Hasina, aged 77, has refused to comply with court orders to attend her ongoing trial.

    Dhaka: The once heavily guarded residence of Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is being transformed into a museum, serving as a lasting reminder of her authoritarian tenure.

    Images capturing crowds celebrating with flags atop the Dhaka palace following Hasina’s helicopter escape to India marked the height of student-led protests that toppled her administration on August 5, 2024.

    A year later, amidst ongoing political chaos in Bangladesh’s population of approximately 170 million, officials hope that the expansive Ganabhaban palace will serve as a message to future generations.

    Graffiti condemning her regime remains untouched on the walls, with messages such as “Freedom” and “We want justice” still visible.

    Hasina’s leadership was characterized by widespread human rights violations, including mass detentions and extrajudicial killings of political opponents. The United Nations estimates that up to 1,400 individuals were killed during July and August 2024 as she desperately clung to power.

    Despite being summoned, Sheikh Hasina continues to defy court orders to appear at her trial on charges related to crimes against humanity, which she denies.

    Another slogan—“Killer Hasina”—appears among the remnants of her legacy, protected for posterity.

    Muhammad Yunus, 85, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate leading the caretaker government until the 2026 elections, stated that converting the palace into a museum would “preserve memories of her misrule and the people’s anger as they removed her from power.”

    A symbol of trauma and suffering

    Mosfiqur Rahman Johan, 27, a rights activist and documentary photographer, was among the thousands who stormed the opulent palace, recounting how crowds danced in her private chambers, feasted from the palace kitchens, and swam in the lake she once used for fishing.

    “It will visualize and symbolize the past trauma, the pain and the resistance,” he said.

    “Ganabhaban is a symbol of fascism, representing an autocratic regime.”

    Constructed by Sheikh Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—the founding leader of Bangladesh—the palace served as her official residence during her 15-year rule.

    Tanzim Wahab, the museum’s curator-in-progress, told AFP that exhibits would include artifacts of those killed during protests. Personal stories will be shared through photographs and films, while plaques will list the names of individuals slain by security forces during her lengthy regime.

    “The museum’s deeper purpose is to reflect on years of misrule and oppression,” Wahab explained. “That’s one of the most critical aspects of this project.”

    The museum will feature interactive displays, animations, and documentation of the cramped detention cells where her opponents were held in inhumane conditions.

    “We want young people to engage with this as a platform to discuss democracy, fresh ideas, and how to build a new Bangladesh,” Wahab added.

    A symbol of dictatorship

    This initiative aligns with interim leader Muhammad Yunus’s efforts to strengthen democratic institutions before the elections—although progress has been slow amid political infighting, according to Human Rights Watch, which issued a warning ahead of the revolution’s anniversary.

    “The interim government seems stuck, managing an unreformed security sector, sometimes-violent religious hardliners, and political factions more interested in revenge than protecting citizens’ rights,” HRW said.

    While the palace is preserved as a historical site, many other symbols of Hasina’s rule have been dismantled. Statues honoring her father have been toppled, and portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were shredded or set ablaze.

    Protesters even used excavators to demolish the house of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—turned into a museum by Hasina—symbolizing a rejection of her legacy.

    “When dictatorship falls, its remains must go too,” said Muhibullah Al Mashnun, a 23-year-old student involved in tearing down the house.

    He believes removing these symbols is essential for Bangladesh’s progress toward a better future, calling them “statues of dictatorship.”

  • Death Toll Climbs to 27 in Bangladesh Fighter Jet Crash

    Death Toll Climbs to 27 in Bangladesh Fighter Jet Crash

    The Bangladesh fire service and security teams carry out search and rescue operations following the crash of an Air Force training jet into a Dhaka school on July 21, 2025.

    • A Chinese-made F-7 BJI aircraft crashed into a school in Dhaka.
    • 78 individuals are receiving treatment in various hospitals.
    • The government led by Yunus has declared Tuesday as a national day of mourning.

    DHAKA: A tragic incident occurred on Monday when a Bangladeshi fighter jet crashed into a school in Dhaka, leading to the deaths of at least 27 people, primarily children, according to official reports released on Tuesday.

    Most of the casualties were students who had just been dismissed from their classes when the Chinese-manufactured F-7 BJI jet collided with Milestone School and College.

    This crash marks the deadliest aviation disaster in Bangladesh in many years and resulted in injuries to over 170 individuals.

    “We have confirmed 27 fatalities thus far; of these, 25 were children, and one was the pilot,” stated Sayedur Rahman, a special assistant to the chief adviser in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

    “Currently, 78 injured individuals are being treated across different hospitals,” Rahman added.

    According to the Bangladesh military, the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam, was conducting a routine training exercise when the aircraft reportedly suffered mechanical failure.

    “The cause of the incident is still under investigation,” the military stated in a public announcement.

    Efforts were made by the pilot to steer the aircraft away from densely populated regions; however, “despite his best attempts,” it crashed into the two-story school building, added the military.

    The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has declared Tuesday a national day of mourning.

    Yunus expressed his “deep sorrow and grief” about the tragedy in a post on X. “The irreparable loss felt by the Air Force, the students, their parents, the teachers, and staff of Milestone School and College, as well as others impacted by this disaster, is immense,” he stated. “This is a profoundly painful moment for our nation.”

  • Tragic Bangladesh Air Force Plane Crash Claims 19 Lives on Campus

    Tragic Bangladesh Air Force Plane Crash Claims 19 Lives on Campus

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  • Bangladesh’s Political Turmoil Disrupts Daily Life and Stability

    Bangladesh’s Political Turmoil Disrupts Daily Life and Stability

    Protests Intensify in Dhaka Amid Political Turmoil


    Supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party demonstrate in Dhaka’s Naya Paltan area. — Reuters/File

    • Thousands gathered to support the Bangladesh National Party in Dhaka.
    • Leftist parties are preparing protests against the release of a Jamaat-e-Islami leader.
    • At least six different demonstrations occurred in Dhaka on Wednesday.

    Protests have become a routine part of life in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Many residents either participate in the events as political factions vie for power after last year’s upheaval or try to avoid the chaos altogether.

    Since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in August 2024—having fled by helicopter as demonstrators stormed her palace—the South Asian nation of approximately 170 million has been embroiled in political strife.

    Hasina’s 15-year-long authoritarian governance stifled dissent, holding back protests until a student-led uprising led to her downfall.

    On Wednesday, Dhaka, a city with over 20 million residents, witnessed at least six protests, encompassing political rallies, counter-protests, labor strikes, and even celebrations surrounding the release of a leader from death row.

    “I was freed this morning after spending 14 years in prison,” exclaimed ATM Azharul Islam, waving to thousands of supporters from the Jamaat-e-Islami party.

    As the crowd erupted in cheers following his release from a prison hospital in central Dhaka—a day after the Supreme Court overturned his death sentence and acquitted him of war crimes—Islam communicated his past grievances and expressed hope for future justice.

    “Previous rulings lacked fairness… We anticipate that the court will uphold justice moving forward,” he stated.

    In contrast, leftist factions have condemned his release and plan to hold counter-demonstrations.

    Across Ramna Park in the Naya Paltan district, a massive crowd filled the streets in a show of support for the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), as political groups brace for much-anticipated elections scheduled by the interim government for no later than June 2026.

    ‘Unpredictable’ Atmosphere

    While tens of thousands of protesters gather at key intersections in Dhaka, others struggle through the congested streets.

    “All major roads are blocked during the day,” lamented Zakir Hossain, a chicken vendor. “I’ve had to adjust my working hours and now start my day at midnight, even though the security situation is deteriorating, and muggings are becoming frequent.”

    This instability is a reminder of the violence that erupted last year when police attempted to suppress protests that ultimately led to Hasina’s exit.

    “The situation is unpredictable—protests can escalate into violence at any time,” voiced a housewife who wished to remain anonymous due to her husband’s government employment. “I used to refrain from calling him often, but now I worry whenever he is late returning home.”

    Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, an 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate heading the caretaker government, has called for unity among political factions to ease the intense competition for power.

    The government issued a warning on Saturday about “unreasonable demands” impeding its efforts.

    ‘Finding Balance’

    Yunus has proposed that elections could occur as soon as December, although he indicated a later date would allow more time for governmental reforms.

    Rallies organized by the influential BNP are demanding the government set a date for the elections and address a range of other issues, including the dismissal of certain cabinet members.

    Tax authority employees have been staging a partial strike for two weeks in response to reforms that would place their agency under the finance ministry’s purview.

    This tension intensified over the weekend when security forces cordoned off the national tax headquarters, subsequently prompting the government to reconsider its proposals.

    Civil servants also staged protests this week at major government office complexes against directives altering employment regulations, which the government indicated it would review.

    The demonstrations continue as everyday life is disrupted.

    “Customers rarely visit the bank when the roads are blocked,” remarked bank manager Muhammed Sazzad. While he supports the right to protest, he suggested that authorities might designate specific areas for demonstrations.

    Rakib Hasan Anik, a lecturer at the Bangladesh University of Professionals, expressed concern about the academic disruptions caused by the unrest, with students frequently caught in traffic and missing classes.

    “There needs to be a balance,” he said. “We hope all parties can come together to prioritize the needs of the public.”