Chief Advisor Yunus has informed UN Secretary-General António Guterres that if the interim government implements a short reform package, elections can take place in December. However, if a comprehensive reform package is adopted, elections will be delayed until June.

He further stated that 10 political parties have already submitted their feedback on the reform reports prepared by six interim reform commissions. If these parties agree to the recommendations, they will sign the July Charter, outlining the country’s democratic transition framework.

Guterres has expressed full support for the reform process undertaken by the interim government.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard, in a joint operation with the police, seized a locally-made firearm and five rounds of live ammunition in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar.

According to the Coast Guard’s media wing, acting on a tip-off, a joint team launched a raid in the Nonachhari Ashrayan Center area on Thursday afternoon. Upon sensing the presence of law enforcement, the armed gang fled the scene. A thorough search of the area led to the discovery and confiscation of the weapons and ammunition.

Unlike last year’s soaring prices, most essential commodities remain within reach this Ramadan, with only a few exceptions. Broiler chicken prices have dropped by 20 BDT per kg, now selling at 180-190 BDT per kg. Sonali chicken has seen a 30 BDT per kg decrease, now priced at 260-280 BDT per kg. Deshi chicken is selling for 650-680 BDT per kg, while white and red layer chickens are priced at 270 BDT and 280-300 BDT per kg, respectively. Ducks are being sold for 600-650 BDT per piece.

Beef prices range between 750-850 BDT per kg, while goat meat is priced at 1,250 BDT per kg. Red eggs cost 120-125 BDT per dozen, whereas white eggs are slightly cheaper at 110-115 BDT per dozen. Eggplant is priced between 60-120 BDT per kg, while cucumber and ridge gourd are selling at 30-40 BDT per kg. A bundle of four lemons is priced at 60-80 BDT.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Chief Advisor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus visited the Rohingya refugee camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. Their visit aims to assess the ongoing humanitarian efforts and the challenges faced by the refugees. During the tour, they interacted with Rohingya refugees and inspected facilities, including learning centers and livelihood programs. Their visit is expected to reinforce international attention and support for the Rohingya crisis.

The Cox’s Bazar District Prison Hospital has allegedly turned into a luxury rest house for yaba drug dealers, while critically ill prisoners are deprived of medical care. Reports suggest that securing a hospital bed requires an upfront payment of BDT 20,000, followed by a monthly fee of BDT 15,000-20,000 to prison officials. Currently, 40-45 yaba traders are reportedly enjoying a comfortable stay at the facility in exchange for bribes. The same applies to political leaders, where top figures must pay BDT 50,000, and lower-level leaders BDT 20,000-30,000, to secure hospital beds. Those forced to stay on the floor must pay BDT 10,000 monthly. The corruption is allegedly being overseen by prison chief Abu Musa, who also faces accusations of torture.

The U.S. has faced another obstacle in its plan to detain migrants at Guantanamo Bay. Forty migrants previously held at the naval base have been transferred back to the U.S., with no future deportation flights currently scheduled. This move effectively leaves the detention center empty. Among those relocated were 23 high-risk individuals and 17 others from the immigration processing center. On Tuesday, they were transferred to Louisiana detention facilities via a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) aircraft. Previously, on February 20, the U.S. had deported 177 Venezuelan migrants from Guantanamo back to their home country.

During discussions with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Donald Trump stressed the strategic importance of U.S. control over Greenland for global security. He emphasized the need to strengthen America's presence in the Arctic. Trump stated, "We have many key players roaming the coastlines, and we must remain vigilant." Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister Múte Egede has repeatedly rejected such proposals, but Trump remains firm in his stance that acquiring Greenland is essential.

After a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the Oval Office, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated, "I have a great relationship with Kim Jong Un. Let's see what happens, but he is a nuclear power." Discussing nuclear disarmament, Trump emphasized the need to reduce global nuclear stockpiles, particularly in Russia and China. A White House official mentioned that Trump remains committed to North Korea’s complete denuclearization, a goal he pursued during his first term.

Former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A.A.M.S. Arefin Siddique’s funeral will not be held on the university campus, following a decision made by his family. Current DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan confirmed this while attending the first funeral prayer. He stated, "The family has decided to hold two funeral prayers and has also discussed the burial site with us. We respect their decision." The university will hold a special prayer at the central mosque in his honor.

Garment factory workers in Gazipur blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway on Friday morning at 9:30 AM, demanding Eid bonuses and the resignation of their factory's General Manager. The protest took place near the Smag Sweater Limited factory in Telipara, where tensions had been escalating between workers and management. While the factory initially offered a 25% basic salary as a bonus, the workers demanded 50%. Industrial and local police are in talks with the workers to resolve the situation.

Advance train ticket sales for Eid travel began at 8:00 AM, and within just nine minutes, most tickets for western routes were sold out. Only a few tickets remained available online for select trains. Between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM, the ticketing website recorded a staggering 20 million hits. Tickets for trains heading to Rangpur, Gaibandha, and Kurigram were entirely booked, while a few remained available for Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, Parbatipur, and Rajshahi. By 11:00 AM, nearly all train tickets for Eid travel were sold out.

The monthly food aid for Rohingya refugees is set to be reduced by more than half, dropping from $12.50 to $6 per person starting next month. This drastic cut has led many Rohingyas to express their desire to return to Myanmar. Azizul Haque, a young Rohingya refugee, shared his concerns, saying, "We have heard that rations will be cut next month. I have stocked up on eggs, lentils, and sugar, but if the aid decreases, survival will be extremely difficult." Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mizanur Rahman stated that the UN Secretary-General's visit could help restore confidence among the Rohingya community and encourage their voluntary return, reinforcing the global commitment to their welfare.

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck the Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh regions at midnight. The tremor, with its epicenter in Kargil, occurred around 3:00 AM local time on Friday. According to India's National Center for Seismology, the earthquake originated at a depth of 15 kilometers. Authorities have reported no casualties or significant damage so far.

After a meeting in Dhaka, the interim government's Chief Advisor, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres traveled to Cox's Bazar on a commercial flight operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines. During the visit, Dr. Yunus will inspect the under-construction Cox's Bazar International Airport and the Khurushkul Climate Refugee Center. He will then proceed to Ukhiya to visit the Rohingya Learning Center, the Rohingya Cultural Center, and a jute-based product manufacturing facility.

In a social media post, UN Secretary-General António Guterres reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh in implementing significant reforms. He emphasized the importance of continued international collaboration in fostering sustainable development, enhancing governance, and addressing humanitarian challenges, including the Rohingya crisis.