Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister Khaleda Zia dies after prolonged illness

• Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first woman prime minister, has died in Dhaka at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness.
• She served three terms as prime minister, starting in 1991, and was a dominant figure in Bangladesh's political landscape, often in rivalry with Sheikh Hasina.
• Her passing, following Ms Hasina's ouster last year, marks the apparent conclusion of a significant chapter of women-led politics in Bangladesh.
• Despite being out of power since 2006 and facing corruption charges, which her party claimed were politically motivated, Zia and her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) maintained wide public support.
• Her son, Tarique Rahman, has returned to Bangladesh and is expected to assume leadership of the BNP, with the country currently under an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

IN FULL

Khaleda Zia death: Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister dies aged 80