At least 16 migrants have died in two separate boat capsizings in the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday, authorities confirmed. The incidents occurred near the coasts of Greece and Turkey.

In Greece, seven bodies were recovered after a boat carrying around 30 migrants capsized. Initially, four bodies were found, with coast guard patrols later recovering three more. A search and rescue operation is still ongoing for the remaining passengers.

Meanwhile, off the coast of Ayvacık district in Turkey, another migrant boat sank, resulting in nine fatalities. Turkish authorities successfully rescued 25 others from the water.

These incidents highlight the persistent dangers faced by migrants risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean in search of safety and better opportunities in Europe.

Md. Yasin Sheikh, hailing from Gouripur, joined the Russian army in pursuit of his father’s wishes and tragically died in the war on March 27. His family received the news on April 1. His mother is bed-ridden, devastated by the loss. Yasin had gone to Russia in September 2024 for a job offer, and after working for three months, he enlisted in the Russian army. The local municipal administrator, Sunanda Sarkar, visited his family to offer condolences, while the Upazila Nirbahi Officer assured that all necessary legal steps would be taken.

Lokman Hossain, from Mathbaria, returned to Bangladesh after being freed from captivity in Libya. Lokman shared that he had paid 3.5 lakh Taka to a broker, Shah Alam, to help him travel to Italy. However, Alam sold him to another broker in Libya. Lokman paid 10 lakh Taka to another broker named Shiru Islam to reach Italy, but instead faced severe abuse. To escape, he sold his home and paid 12 lakh Taka to another broker in Madaripur. Lokman’s wife, Rimi Akter, stated that her husband returned home after 11 months.

On Thursday afternoon, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor, met with Thailand’s Minister for Social Development and Human Security, Baravut Silpa-archa, and the Minister of State at the Prime Minister’s Office, Jiraporn Sindhupray. Later, Dr. Yunus attended an official dinner as part of the BIMSTEC summit, where he was photographed with Thailand’s Prime Minister, Phaetongtarn Shinawatra.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus is set to hold a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, according to his press secretary, Shafiqul Alam. This will be the first official meeting between the heads of the two neighboring governments since the interim administration took office. The two leaders already met briefly at the summit’s welcome dinner and exchanged greetings.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh, who is currently visiting Thailand for the BIMSTEC summit, will meet with Thailand’s Prime Minister, Phaetongtarn Shinawatra, and Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Shering Tobgay. According to a press secretary, BIMSTEC, a regional grouping around the Bay of Bengal, has yet to achieve its desired goals even after two decades. As the new Chairperson, Dr. Yunus will focus on strengthening the organization. Shafiqur Alam, one of his advisors, mentioned that Dr. Yunus aims to rejuvenate both SAARC and BIMSTEC to enhance regional cooperation and promote trade and investment.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has expressed strong optimism about resolving the tariff issue with the United States through discussions. “We are reviewing the matter. Since it is negotiable, we will engage in talks, and I am confident we can reach the best possible solution,” said Dr. Yunus. His press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, further stated from Bangkok on Thursday that the government is working towards a solution that ensures a win-win situation for both parties.

The United States has imposed new tariffs on at least 12 countries, including Bangladesh. However, the majority of Americans do not support Trump’s “aggressive” trade policies. According to a Marquette Law School poll, 58% of Americans believe Trump’s tariff policies will hurt the U.S. economy, while only 28% think they will be beneficial. The poll also found that 43% of Americans hold a negative opinion of Trump. Additionally, 64% believe that closing institutions like USAID and the Department of Education is beyond a president’s authority. Furthermore, 70% of respondents said judges who rule against Trump’s decisions should not be removed.

Just days after the Chief Adviser referred to maritime governance, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that India has the longest coastline in the Bay of Bengal, spanning approximately 6,500 kilometers. He emphasized that India not only shares borders with five BIMSTEC member states but also serves as a crucial connectivity hub between the Indian subcontinent and ASEAN. Jaishankar further highlighted that India’s northeastern region is emerging as a “connectivity hub” for BIMSTEC, featuring extensive road, rail, waterway, power grid, and pipeline networks. He stressed that regional cooperation and facilitation are essential for the seamless movement of goods, services, and people. With this geostrategic vision in mind, India has dedicated increasing attention and energy to strengthening BIMSTEC over the past decade.

Speaking at the BIMSTEC Young Gen Forum in Bangkok, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus emphasized the need for young people to shift their mindset from seeking jobs to becoming entrepreneurs. “If we want to build a new civilization, we must change our approach. The youth must lead the way as entrepreneurs,” he stated. Earlier in the day, he arrived in Bangkok and later attended the signing of the BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement.

Foreign ministers of BIMSTEC nations have signed a maritime transport cooperation agreement in Bangkok, aiming to enhance regional connectivity. The Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry issued a statement highlighting the significance of this agreement in strengthening economic integration. During the meeting, Foreign Affairs Adviser Tawhid Hossain raised concerns about the 1.2 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and urged Myanmar to create favorable conditions for their repatriation with full rights and security.

Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary, Abul Kalam Azad, confirmed that the Chief Adviser is set to deliver a speech at the BIMSTEC Young Gen Forum on “Future-Ready BIMSTEC: Role of the Young Generation Toward Pro-BIMSTEC.” He arrived in Bangkok on Thursday at noon and was welcomed by Thai Minister Jiraporn Sindhuprai. The forum will focus on seven key pillars of regional cooperation: trade and investment, climate change, security, agriculture and food security, people-to-people connectivity, science and innovation, and infrastructure development. The Chief Adviser will also hold bilateral meetings with regional leaders.

US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose high import tariffs has drawn criticism from world leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Meloni labeled the 20% tariff on EU products as a “mistake,” while Albanese called the 10% duty on Australian goods “unjustifiable.” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez vowed to protect Spanish businesses and workers, reaffirming commitment to a free global market. Ireland’s Taoiseach Michael Martin called Trump’s move “deeply regrettable.” China, facing a 54% tariff on its exports, urged Washington to withdraw the tariffs immediately, warning of retaliatory measures if ignored. South Korea remarked that a full-scale global trade war is now a reality, while Japan and Thailand also expressed concerns over the economic impact.

In 1552, Hurrem Sultan, wife of Ottoman Emperor Suleiman the Magnificent, established the Haseki Sultan Imaret, a charitable soup kitchen located just 100 meters from the Assembly Gate of Al-Aqsa Mosque. For over 450 years, it has been serving free meals to the underprivileged, Al-Aqsa Mosque staff, and visitors in Jerusalem. Until 1948, the Ottoman sultans directly managed its operations. Today, the Jordanian Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites oversees its administration. According to director Abu Lubdi, the kitchen distributes food throughout the year, with meal distributions increasing significantly during the holy month of Ramadan.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a new wave of tariffs, citing economic independence as the rationale. Among the affected countries, Bangladesh will see its average import duty increase from 15% to 37%. Other countries facing significant tariff hikes include India (26%), Pakistan (29%), China (34%), the European Union (20%), Myanmar (44%), Laos (48%), Madagascar (47%), Vietnam (46%), Sri Lanka (44%), Taiwan (32%), Japan (24%), South Korea (25%), Thailand (36%), Switzerland (31%), Indonesia (32%), Malaysia (24%), Cambodia (49%), the UK (10%), South Africa (30%), Brazil (10%), Singapore (10%), Israel (17%), the Philippines (17%), Chile (10%), Australia (10%), Turkey (10%), and Colombia (10%). Additionally, a 25% tariff on foreign car imports will take effect from midnight.