"Violence and Arson Escalate in Bangladesh as Elections Approach"

In Bangladesh, several polling stations were set ablaze by arsonists ahead of the general elections, amidst a 48-hour strike called by the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which is boycotting the vote. The government has been accused of not ensuring fair elections, while the opposition faces allegations of orchestrating a deadly train fire. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to win a fourth term in what has been criticized as a one-sided election. Security has been increased around polling stations in response to the unrest.