Bangladesh mourns loss of Khaleda Zia, interim chief Yunus expresses grief; 'lost great guardian...'

Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus paid tribute to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia following her death at the age of 80, calling her a “great guardian” of the nation. Yunus praised Zia’s role in establishing democracy, multi-party politics, and protecting the rights of the Bangladeshi people. The interim government announced a three-day national mourning period and a general holiday on Wednesday, when her funeral prayers will be held outside the national Parliament building in Dhaka. Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, had been acquitted earlier this year in her final corruption case, clearing the way for her return to public life after years of illness and political turmoil.