Sheikh Hasina
Born September 28th, 1947, in Tungipara, northern Bangladesh (then East Pakistan).
Who is she? Daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh's first president.
Why's she in the news? Hasina heads the Awami league, and is a front runner in Bangladesh's general election.
Running against? Arch rival former prime minister Khaleda Zia, daughter president Gen Ziaur who was killed in an aborted military coup (1981).
And Hasina? Recently swapped her Awami party's secularism obsessive nationalism for a more pro-Islamic, market friendliness.
Her story Graduated from Dhaka University (1973). Was influenced politically by her father, who led Bangladesh to independence in 1971 and was assassinated during a military coup (1975). Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehnna were in Germany when her father, his wife, three sons and several relatives were killed. The two sisters remained in exile until Hasina returned from exile to lead the Awami league (1981). Was arrested several times during rule of Gen Hossain Mohammad Ershad, who seized power in 1982.
She joined Khaleda to topple Ershad in 1990, then lost to her in 1991 elections.
Has confronted Khaleda since then. The Awami and other opposition parties boycotted last February's elections, saying no fair election could take place under a BNP government.
Last word from Hasina "The BNP is engaged in a conspiracy to jeopardise democracy".