GREEN MAG

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas climb picked up more steam Monday night as the No. 9 Jayhawksknocked off top-ranked Arizona82-78.

Arizona Kansas Basketball

Less than a month after falling out ofThe Associated Press Top 25, Kansas (19-5, 9-2 Big 12) has won eight in a row and clawed its way back into Big 12 title contention, trailing previously unbeaten Arizona (23-1, 10-1) by one game. Houston is currently in second, a half-game ahead of Kansas. The third-ranked Cougars face Utah on Tuesday night.

"We couldn't lose this game," senior guard Melvin Council Jr. said after knocking off Arizona. "We were just ready and prepared and we knew it was going to be a long game with a bunch of runs."

Kansas trailed by as many as 11 points in the game and did not hold a lead until the clock read 9:32 in the second half. Four Jayhawks finished in double figures, led by Flory Bidunga and Council Jr, who scored 23 points apiece. Bidunga also grabbed 10 rebounds.

The Jayhawks played without freshman standout Darryn Peterson, who wasexperiencing flu-like symptomsand missed the game. Self revealed after the game that Peterson had missed practice on Sunday and didn't know until about a half hour before the game that he would be unavailable. Despite missing 11 games, Peterson leads the Jayhawks in scoring, averaging 20.5 points.

"A lot of teams, this time of year, when you get to early February, they know where their ceiling is, and the great teams are operating pretty close to their ceiling, Kansas coach Bill Self said. "I don't know where our ceiling is, and I know that we're not close to it yet, though."

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The victory ended a 23-game winning streak for Arizona. It was the second-longest streak in Division I men's basketball behind Miami (Ohio), which has won 24 straight.

With the win, Kansas improved to 2-2 against top-10 opponents this season. It was also the Jayhawks' first win against the AP's top-ranked team at Allen Fieldhouse.

"Kansas is a hell of a team," Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said after the game. "They beat the No. 1 team in the country at home tonight. They did a hell of a job and their coach did a hell of a job."

Four Jayhawks finished the game in double figures, with Bryson Tiller scoring 18 and Jamari McDowell adding 10.

Brayden Burries led all scorers with 25 points for Arizona. Teammate Motiejus Krivas recorded a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds, and Ivan Kharchenkov scored 13.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphereandhere(AP News mobile app). AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Brad Keselowski has been cleared to race in the Daytona 500, nearly two months after breaking his right leg.

Keselowski, who suffered the injury when he slipped on ice during a family ski vacation, passed a driving test Monday at Charlotte Motor Speedway and was officially given the green light to get behind the wheel in the No. 6 Ford for RFK Racing.

"So much work to get here!" Keselowski wrote in a post on X. "Special thanks to my family, the 6 crew, all the medical professionals and my fans for all your help and support."

Keselowski had surgery in mid-December and always believed he would be ready for the season-opening Daytona 500. Corey Lajoie filled in during the exhibition Clash last week at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Keselowski, the 2012 Cup Series champion, is winless in 16 starts in the Daytona 500. He turns 42 days before "The Great American Race" and is entering his 17th full season of racing at NASCAR's top level. He spent the bulk of his career at Team Penske but purchased a stake in Roush Fenway Racing in 2022 and became an owner/driver of the rebranded team.

AP auto racing:https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

So ... who's ready for NFL draft season?

Acaptivating, albeit decisive, Super Bowl 60put a cap on the 2025 NFL season, but action in the league isn't about to come to a standstill. The scouting combine is only two weeks away, and plenty of weighty decisions on retirements, potential cuts, trades and free agency moves are ahead in the next two months. And that's to say nothing of the draft, which several teams will be counting on to transform their fortunes coming off a campaign that featured a title matchup of two non-playoff teams from 2024.

With the full first-round order now set, here's our latest NFL mock draft projection:

2026 Senior Bowl week: NFL draft prospects in action

2026 NFL mock draft

1.Las Vegas Raiders– Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

With Klint Kubiak in the foldas the Raiders' expected head-coaching hire, the Silver and Black have laid the foundation for a young quarterback to come in and thrive in the aggressive downfield attack. Las Vegas shouldn't have to do any real searching to find the right triggerman. After Tom Brady and team brass came out in full force to get a look at Mendoza in the national championship game, it would be a stunner if the franchise went in any other direction besides selecting the Heisman Trophy winner. There's substantial work to be done to provide him with sufficient support − particularly up front − but the Raiders should be highly aggressive in free agency to bring aboard a few veteran staples.

2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

If Aaron Glenn's delayed staff reset didn't reflect a heightened level of panic for Gang Green, his taking over of defensive play-calling duties surely drove home the need for change. But a unit stunningly short on playmakers after trading away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams will have a difficult time turning things around without a significant talent infusion in the draft. Reese is hardly a finished product, particularly if any team is counting on him to make the transition from ultraversatile off-ball linebacker to full-time edge rusher. Still, the 6-foot-4, 243-pounder might be the most dynamic defender in the draft when things are clicking for him.

3. Arizona Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)

Even after hiring Mike LaFleur, Arizona remains somewhat of an enigma in this slot. A pass rusher could be a consideration, but Mauigoa would offer a stout and steady presence at right tackle. Paired with Paris Johnson Jr., he could provide the protection and push necessary for LaFleur's scheme to coalesce in Year 1, regardless of whether Kyler Murray returns.

4. Tennessee Titans – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

A fearsome front four feels like a prerequisite for a true embrace of the Robert Saleh experience. Though Tennessee boasts an imposing interior with Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat, the outlook at edge appears unsettled. Bain's atypical physical makeup for a defensive end might not be the same sticking point for Saleh and general manager Mike Borgonzi as it is for others, with the Hurricanes standout more than living up to the "fast and violent" identity the coach said he is seeking for his new team.

5. New York Giants – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

If nothing else, John Harbaugh's arrival should institute some guardrails for a franchise that has repeatedly careened into catastrophe in recent years. Picking up Tate might mark an important step forward for general manager Joe Schoen to align with that approach. While the 6-foot-3, 195-pound pass catcher should help take a considerable amount of pressure off both Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers as an intermediate target, he could also further amplify the passing attack's vertical threat with his comfort stacking cornerbacks vertically and hauling in contested catches.

6.Cleveland Browns– Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Afterhis hiring as Browns coach, Todd Monken was lauded by many for his adaptability in adjusting his scheme to the available personnel. But there's no successful adapting to what Cleveland can conjure up along the offensive line, with a nearly total reset possibly in store. Though he's not the bulldozer one might expect to find plowing holes in the AFC North, Fano can make things happen on the move and stay in front of speed rushers thanks to his fleet feet.

7.Washington Commanders– David Bailey, DE/OLB, Texas Tech

Last offseason, the Commanders strung together a series of aggressive moves at almost every area of weakness besides its edge rush. Expect a bolder plan this time around as Washington takes inventory on what went wrong in a disastrous 5-12 campaign. New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones might need to be creative in his deployment of the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Bailey, but the traits here are that of a double-digit sack artist.

8.New Orleans Saints– Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

How fortunate New Orleans is to be able to consider what some might view as a luxury pick. While there's certainly a question of resource allotment for the Saints, the rushing attack ranked 31st in expected points added per carry, according to Next Gen Stats, and should be contemplating a post-Alvin Kamara future. Even if he can't transcend the limitations of his position, Love could change the complexion of a Saints offense that must discover more ways to be explosive in Year 2 for Kellen Moore.

9. Kansas City Chiefs – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Think that Kansas City is getting cute here by taking a 5-foot-11, 195-pound slot receiver in the top 10? Don't focus on Lemon's measurables, and instead look to what the Biletnikoff Award winner can do for a withering offense. The Chiefs surely would be able to make quick use of Lemon's deftness at shaking man coverage, allowing the passing attack to progress without turning to the more drastic steps the organization has largely been disinterested in.

10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

It would be easy and sensible to pencil in an edge rusher for Cincinnati to account for Trey Hendrickson's expected departure. But the Bengals can't afford to take such a narrow view from this spot, especially with Bain and Bailey off the board. Downs is a true force multiplier near the line of scrimmage, and this unit would surely stand to benefit from his savvy, tone-setting approach.

11. Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Cornerback figured to be an area of heightened importance for the Dolphins this offseason even prior to the appointment of Jon-Eric Sullivan as general manager andJeff Hafley as coach. With the two former key Green Bay Packers figures in town, however, the position might be even more pressing. Miami might be better equipped than most teams to take a patient approach with McCoy, who missed all of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament but otherwise brings many of the traits the Dolphins currently lack on the back end.

12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

In tabbingChristian Parker as their new defensive coordinator, the Cowboys made it clear they have pinpointed the secondary as the source of many of last year's defensive meltdowns. To get the most out of his expected scheme, coming from the Vic Fangio scheme, Dallas likely is due for more consistency than it can count on from DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel. Delane played under new Cowboys secondary coach Ryan Smith at Virginia Tech prior to transferring to LSU, so the staff should know how to tap into capabilities that approached lockdown status last season.

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Before newly mintedNFL MVP Matthew Stafford announced his plan to returnfor next season, Rams general manager Les Snead expressed a desire to try to capitalize on what's left of the quarterback's career. To do so, Los Angeles might have to break from precedent by making a long overdue splash at cornerback. Cisse likely is in for a more extended acclimation period than either McCoy or Delane, but his superlative physical tools could allow the Rams to better match up against the bulkier receivers who have bothered them in recent years.

14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

Jesse Minter's arrivaland initial few moves seem to have calmed the waters for the Ravens for what could have been a rocky transition. Ioane's overall steadiness would make him a natural solution to a Baltimore interior line that too often was responsible for derailing the offense last season.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

As Lavonte David continues to mull retirement, it's readily evident that the Buccaneers should be searching for a new source of stability in the middle of their defense. Heady and disciplined throughout his play, Styles could mirror former Buckeyes teammate Emeka Egbuka for Tampa Bay as a highly polished Day 1 contributor.

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16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

The stars didn't align for New York to secure a top passer in this draft, though the franchise could force the issue if leadership is feeling unsettled with its alternatives in free agency. Rather than press the matter behind center, however, Gang Green might be better suited to ensure enhanced skill-position support. Tyson's versatility, polish and toughness should facilitate a smooth transition to the pros.

17. Detroit Lions – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

A 6-foot-6, 285-pound defensive end who bagged just two sacks in his final season might not be a surefire top-20 pick to some, but this shouldn't be a hard sell for Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes. Whether kicking inside or working on the edge, Faulk might make for a fascinating running mate for Aidan Hutchinson given his untapped upside as a pass rusher.

18. Minnesota Vikings – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Bully ball comes easily to Hood, who makes for an exceedingly challenging matchup off the line of scrimmage and at the catch point. That physicality could make him a fast favorite of Brian Flores, who no doubt would love to have a well-built cover man capable of disrupting the timing of opposing aerial attacks.

19. Carolina Panthers – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

A ruptured patellar tendon for Ikem Ekwonu in the playoffs turned the once-settled left tackle position into one of Carolina's biggest offseason uncertainties. As a blocker with a fairly volatile performance and athletic profile, Proctor can't be counted on to stabilize things out of the gate, but few others can match the 6-foot-7, 366-pounder when it comes to displacing or engulfing opponents.

20. Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

A double-dip on the back end for Dallas? Don't rule it out. McNeil-Warren might not match others on this list as a fixture of the first round just yet, but he could get there after the combine. Jerry Jones has been far more willing than other decision-makers to break from consensus in the draft, and the multitalented McNeil-Warren might help accelerate Parker's plan to get the pass defense in order.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Mike McCarthy's hireunderscores a clear desire by the Steelers to field plenty of support for their quarterback in 2026, no matter who's under center. Selecting Concepcion would be in keeping with that theme, as the ease with which he frees himself up underneath would add a highly desirable new facet to an offense that too often had to do things the hard way in 2025.

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

After he missed all but two games last season due to a foot injury, Banks parlayed a strong Senior Bowl showing into significant buzz in the pre-draft process. With nose tackle Teair Tart recently re-signed, the Chargers can continue to focus on setting the tone at the line of scrimmage by bringing on the 6-foot-6, 335-pounder, who might be the most disruptive interior force in the class when he's putting it all together.

23. Philadelphia Eagles – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

The rapidly crumbling infrastructure of Philadelphia's once-formidable offensive frontwarrants addressing early on in the draft. Howie Roseman could return to the Bulldog pipeline for a possible Lane Johnson successor − in either the short or long term − in Freeling, an ascendant blocker with an impressive frame and solid functional athleticism.

24. Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Monken's extensive use of two tight-end sets can only do so much to cover for an uninspiring receiving corps. At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Boston likely won't blaze past many defensive backs, but his penchant for plucking the ball over the top of them could make him a true No. 1 option.

25. Chicago Bears – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

With a shining performance at the Senior Bowl, Parker appears to be firmly back in the first-round mix after a dip in production as a junior left some wondering where he stood. He might not be the most scintillating edge presence, but the 6-foot-3, 260-pounder can create disruption out of any lapse in technique or effort from opposing blockers.

26. Buffalo Bills – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)

With the top four receivers in the class already spoken for, Buffalo shouldn't force a pick at a position when there are several other problematic areas for a franchise doubling down on an immediate title push. Mesidor's advanced age − he'll be 25 on draft day − might deter some teams from taking him on Day 1, but his dogged approach and instinctive pass-rushing style could allow him to become a force opposite Greg Rousseau.

27. San Francisco 49ers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

What are pre-combine mock drafts if not thought experiments? And it sure is fun to think about how Kyle Shanahan would utilize arguably this year's biggest mismatch threat in the passing game. Sadiq's arrival would invigorate a receiving corps that is due for a bit of electricity − or at least some not linked to a conspiracy theory about injuries.

28.Houston Texans– Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

How could Houston make a line that features NFL Defensive Player of the Year finalist Will Anderson Jr. and five-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter even more formidable? Bolster the interior, where Lee Hunter (no relation) is sure to leave his mark with his knack for walking back blockers and commanding double teams.

29. Rams – Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

Let's get back to that notion of trying to make the most of the remaining portion of the Stafford era. The Rams passing attack's overreliance on Puka Nacua and Davante Adams was on full display in the postseason, where the duo combined for 35 catches while the team's other wide receivers totaled five. Bernard's versatility and run-after-catch skills would be put to immediate use in Los Angeles and give the offense more easy solutions.

30. Denver Broncos – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

For as settled as the Broncos look in several key spots, linebacker almost nearly looks like a blank slate, depending on how things pan out with Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad. Denver would serve itself well in fortifying the second level of its defense with Allen, whose modest 6-foot-1, 235-pound build has many overlooking his robust skill set.

31. New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

Defensive play-caller Zak Kuhr has unleashed a wide array of different looks to compensate for an edge rush that's struggled to generate heat in more straightforward setups. Howell carries all the complications one might expect of incorporating a 6-foot-2, 248-pound pass rusher, but his toolkit for creating pressure helps prevent him from stalling out with too much regularity.

32. Seattle Seahawks – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

ForSeattle's "Dark Side" defenseto continue blotting out opponents, a reconsideration of the cornerback room likely will be required this offseason. Aggressive yet calculating in coverage, Terrell would have no trouble fitting in with the ethos Mike Macdonald has established for this unit.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026 NFL mock draft: Projecting first round with full order set

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading to Washington on Tuesday to encourage President Donald Trump to expand the scope ofhigh-stakes nuclear talkswith Iran. The negotiations resumed last week against the backdrop of an American military buildup.

Israel has long called for Iran to cease all uranium enrichment, dial back its ballistic missile program and cut ties to militant groups across the region. Iran has always rejected those demands, saying it would only accept some limits on its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.

It's unclear if Iran'sbloody crackdown on mass protestslast month, orthe movement of major U.S. military assetsto the region, has made Iran's leaders more open to compromise, or if Trump is interested in broadening the already difficult negotiations.

Netanyahu, who will be in Washington through Wednesday, has spent his decades-long political career pushing for stronger U.S. action toward Iran. Those efforts succeeded last year when the U.S. joined Israel in12 days of strikeson Iran's military and nuclear sites, and the possibility of additional military action against Iran is likely to come up in this week's discussions.

Decisions are being made

Netanyahu's visit comesjust two weeks afterTrump's special envoySteve Witkoffand Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and Middle East adviser, met with the prime minister in Jerusalem. The U.S. envoys held indirect talks in Oman with Iran's foreign minister on Friday.

"The Prime Minister believes that any negotiations must include limiting ballistic missiles and ending support for the Iranian axis," Netanyahu's office said over the weekend, referring to Iran-backed militant groups like the Palestinian Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Years of nuclear talks have made little progress since Trumpscrapped a 2015 agreement with Iran, with strong encouragement from Israel. Iran has shown little willingness to address the other issues, even after suffering repeated setbacks. But the meeting with Trump gives Netanyahu an opportunity to shape the process and may also bolster his standing back home.

"Clearly these are the days when decisions are being made, America is expected to complete its force buildup, and it's trying to exhaust the prospect of negotiations," said Yohanan Plesner, head of the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based think tank.

"If you want to have influence on the process, only so much can be done via Zoom."

Israel fears a narrow agreement

Trump threatened a military strike against Iran last month over the killing of protesters and concerns of mass executions, moving a number of military assets into the region. Thousands were killed and tens of thousands detained at Iranian authorities crushed the protests over widespread economic distress.

As the protests largely subsided, Trump shifted his focus to Iran's nuclear program, which the U.S., Israel and others have long suspected is aimed at eventually developing weapons. Iran insists its program is entirely peaceful and says it has the right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes.

Sima Shine, an Iran expert formerly with Israel's Mossad spy agency who is now an analyst at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, said Israel fears that the U.S. might reach a narrow agreement with Iran in which it would temporarily halt uranium enrichment.

A deal in which Iran halts enrichment for several years would allow Trump to claim victory. But Israel believes any such agreement that does not end Iran's nuclear program and reduce its ballistic missile arsenal will eventually require Israel to launch another wave of strikes, she said.

Iran might be unable to enrich uranium after last year's strikes, making the idea of a temporary moratorium more appealing.

In November, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran wasno longer enriching uranium due to the damagefrom last year's war. The U.S. and Israeli airstrikes killed nearly 1,000 people in Iran, while Iranian missile barrages killed almost 40 in Israel.

It's unclear how much damage was done to Iran's nuclear program. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency have been unable to visit the bombed nuclear sites.Satellite imagesshow activity at two of them.

Netanyahu faces election this year

Netanyahu, who faces elections later this year, has long touted his close ties to world leaders, particularly Trump, who he has praised as the best friend Israel has ever had in the White House. This week's meeting allows Netanyahu to show Israelis he is a player in the Iran talks.

"The issue of relations between Netanyahu and Trump will be the issue of the campaign, and he is saying, 'Only I can do this, it's only me,'" Shine said.

Netanyahu is Israel's longest-serving prime minister, having held the office for a total of over 18 years. His government, the most nationalist and religious in Israel's history, is expected to survive until the election in October, or close to it.

Netanyahu was originally scheduled to visit Washington next week for the Feb. 19 launch of Trump'sBoard of Peace, an initiative that was initially framed as a mechanism for rebuilding Gaza after the Israel-Hamas war but has taken on a larger mandate of resolving global crises.

Netanyahu agreed to join the initiative but is wary of it because it includes Turkey and Qatar, countries he does not want to have a presence in postwar Gaza because of their relations with Hamas.

Moving the visit up could provide an "elegant solution" that allows Netanyahu to skip the launch without offending Trump, Plesner said. Netanyahu's office declined to comment.

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh'selectionThursday is the country's most consequential. It followsyouth-led protests 18 months agothat overthrew the government of former prime ministerSheikh Hasinaand ushered Bangladesh into an interim administration led byNobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

Bangladesh Election In Their Words

The vote, alongside a constitutional referendum on political reforms, will end thetransition periodand test the South Asian nation's democracy.

Many voters hope the return to elections will restore law and order, protect civil liberties and bring accountable leadership. But there is also unease. Some fear political instability, the marginalization of women andminorities, and the rise of Islamists in a secular country.

Here's a look at what Bangladeshis have been saying.

Fair elections and the rule of law are key demands

Yunus has promised to deliver a fair vote. That is a major demand among most people, many of whom regard previous elections under Hasina as rigged. Those concerns, includinga clampdown on opposition parties, were a major factor that eventually exploded in a student-led uprising that ended Hasina's 15-year-long rule and sent her toexile in India.

"I don't want any more bad incidents in Bangladesh, or a war like situation," said Arefin Labib, referring to the 2024 uprising which was met with a brutal crackdown by security forces,killing hundreds of people.

Labib hopes that a newly elected government might finally restore stability to Bangladesh and guide the nation toward a better future.

"If the country wants to run smoothly, then a fair election is needed," he said.

Much of this sentiment is shared by many Bangladeshis, especially after Hasina's ouster was followed by rising political violence,attacks on Hindu minorities,and a collapse of law and order on the streets.

"I want the government to prevent riots, killings, and any other trouble in the country," said 62-year-old street vendor Zainul Abedeen.

A call for a return to democracy

There is broader consensus that Yunus' interim government steadied an economy that had been in free fall, but many say it failed to restore security and protect human rights, and neglected the safety of religious minorities.

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Dhaka resident Rajit Hasan said that while the interim government made efforts to stabilize the situation, it ultimately fell short of delivering the deep reforms and accountability many had hoped for.

"The government just tried, but the political situation was so fragmented, so fragile, that it just couldn't sort it out," he said.

Hasan wants the transition to bring stronger access to justice, genuine protection of civil liberties, and the freedom for people to practice their religion and exercise their rights. He also called for accountable leadership, independent institutions, and a political culture where dissent is respected rather than suppressed.

"We want democracy. We want our rights. We want the rule of law. That's what we are looking for," he said.

Concern among women over representation

For years, Bangladesh stood out globally for being governed by female prime ministers —Khaleda Ziafor two full terms and Hasina for four. It gave many women a sense of representation. That legacy, however, is under threat.

Hasina and her party are banned from participating in the election. Meanwhile, there are fewer women contesting than before, despite the pivotal role women protesters played in the uprising that paved the way for the election.

Economics student Wasima Binte Hussain, who took part in the uprising, said she had hoped the political transition would open more space for women. But she has found the reality discouraging. Female leadership remains scarce, and issues affecting women have yet to get the attention she expected, she said.

"One of my primary hope was that there will be more women leaders ... and women issues would be prioritized more. It hasn't been prioritized that much," she said.

Rise of Islamists leads to worries

These worries have grown alongside a surge of support in Bangladesh forJamaat-e-Islami,an Islamist group that was banned under Hasina but has gained influence since her ouster.

The party's rise has alarmed many women, especially after its leaders suggested restricting women's activities and questioned their ability to work because of their childbearing role. The party, however, insists that it would rule moderately if it comes to power.

Sayma Nowshin Suha, 22, said the prospect of Jamaat-e-Islami gaining power is deeply frightening for young women like her because of its conservative politics. She said she dreams of a Bangladesh where people are free to live their lives as they see fit, without fear or restriction.

"In Bangladesh," she said, "conservatism is the scariest thing."