Unofficial results of the Bangladesh parliamentary elections show Tarique Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in a strong lead as the country continues to count votes

In today’s newsletter, the government further tightens regulations about AI-generated content. But first, an important election in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh voted on Thursday to pick a new leader. It’s a pivotal moment: the first national election since a student revolution in the summer of 2024 toppled the previous prime minister, Sheikh Hasina. Bangladeshis also voted on a referendum that includes many of the political reforms demanded during the protests.

The Bangladesh election is the first poll since Sheikh Hasina was ousted in protests and pits Jamaat-e-Islami against the BNP.

Bangladeshis voted in a pivotal election for the South Asian nation after the 2024 ouster of long‑time premier Sheikh Hasina in a Gen Z‑driven uprising.

Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Rangpur, Barishal, Sylhet, Mymensingh Genreal Election Results Live : BNP crosses halfway mark for a simple majority.

Voters are hoping for a return to democracy after 15 years of authoritarian rule under Sheikh Hasina.

Kapur reiterated the administration’s readiness to engage constructively. The exchange highlighted both bipartisan recognition of Bangladesh’s strategic importance and differing views on how the United States should deploy its diplomatic and development resources to support democratic processes.