A day after Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appeared on a national broadcaster to address escalating clashes that led to at least 32 deaths, students set ablaze the state broadcaster's building as protests continued.
Following intense confrontations between hundreds of civil service reform advocates and riot police using rubber bullets on Thursday, demonstrators marched towards BTV headquarters in Dhaka where tensions escalated further.
According to an official from the broadcaster, numerous individuals were reportedly trapped inside as fires engulfed a reception building and surrounding vehicles at the station. Later statements indicated that all present had been safely evacuated.
In response to ongoing lawlessness, Prime Minister Hasina ordered the closure of schools and universities indefinitely while authorities intensified their efforts to maintain order. Despite her plea for calm during a broadcast address urging accountability for those responsible for casualties, unrest persisted as clashes continued.
At least 25 more individuals lost their lives on Thursday compared to previous days with seven fatalities from the initial wave of demonstrations. Hospitinas reported approximately one thousand people treated for injuries, many attributed to rubber bullet impacts during confrontations.
Protests spread across various cities in Bangladesh as riot police faced opposition groups' blockades on roads and highways. Rapid Action Battalion officers were airlifted from a building at the Canadian University where intense clashes took place, rescuing around 60 personnel.
The protests predominantly arose over criticisms of the civil service hiring quota system favoring certain groups. Opponents accuse Prime Minister Hasina's government of suppressing dissent and stifling opposition through political means, including extrajudicial actions against activists.
University expert Mubashar Hasan suggested that the protests signify broader discontent with Hasina's rule, highlighting concerns over her leadership style. Concurrently, many Bangladeshis experienced internet blackouts following social media restrictions aimed at curbing misinformation and rumors during the unrest.
Read next
Over 1 million people gather in Madrid for outdoor mass with Pope Leo
Over one million people gathered in Madrid for an open-air mass led by Pope Leo. During the service, the American pontiff highlighted the contradiction between Christian principles and far-right ideology, stating, “No one can kneel before the Lord and despise their brother.”
Crowds began forming hours before dawn on Sunday
Xi Jinping visits Pyongyang to strengthen China-North Korea relations
Xi Jinping has begun a two-day visit to North Korea, marking his first trip to the country in nearly seven years as he seeks to strengthen relations with the ally.
Footage from the Xinhua state news agency showed the Chinese leader and his wife, Peng Liyuan, arriving at Sunan international
Denmark's mullet championship celebrates the 'beautifully ugly' and divisive hairstyle
Copenhagen recently hosted the 2026 Mullet Championship, where more than 1,000 spectators gathered on an outdoor stage to celebrate the enduring hairstyle characterized by short hair in the front and length in the back.
Twelve participants competed in the event, which was organized by 37-year-old electrician Steffen Stiw Weber.