UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s South Asia head Leslie Craig and Commodore Whale briefed Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in London about HMS Enterprise, a naval, oceanographic, and survey ship being procured for the Bangladesh Navy. Yunus requested assistance in equipping the platform further to enhance its capabilities in resource exploration, climate analysis, mangrove conservation, fisheries research, and biodiversity studies.

Security Adviser Jahangir Alam announced that while regular police units will carry rifles and small arms, heavy weapons will be restricted to specialized units like the Armed Police Battalion (APBN). He added that the government is working on comprehensive upgrades across police and law enforcement agencies. Despite minor incidents, he said, the Eid holidays were celebrated peacefully across the country this year.

In an interview with UK-based ITV, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus stated that any allegations should be addressed in court, not through political dialogue. He also confirmed rejecting a meeting request from British MP Tulip Siddiq. Siddiq has faced allegations of illegally acquiring land and a luxury flat in Dhaka from former autocrat Sheikh Hasina—claims she has denied as politically motivated.

After Israel’s attack on Iran, global reactions poured in. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned of a strong and regret-inducing response. Former US President Donald Trump urged both sides to stop the bloodshed, stressing that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons and suggesting a return to diplomacy. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned Israel’s actions as “unacceptable and provocative.” China also urged all parties to de-escalate and contribute to regional peace, while the EU emphasized diplomatic solutions.

In response to the meeting between Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Tareq Rahman, Adviser Asif Mahmud wrote on Friday that the path to victory for pro-Bangladesh forces is now clear. He said this understanding must continue in line with the July Declaration, the July Charter, reforms, justice, and free elections. Mahmud warned, however, that “sabotage elements” remain a threat and tend to reappear with new conspiracies despite repeated failures.

Following a 10-day Eid-ul-Adha holiday, government offices, banks, and financial institutions will reopen on Sunday. Public servants have been on leave from June 5 to 14, with the government compensating for the break by opening offices on May 17 and 24, which were weekends. Crowds have already begun returning to cities, with transport hubs like Sadarghat, bus terminals, and train stations experiencing heavy footfall in recent days.

At a United Nations Security Council session, US official McCoy Pitt warned that any attack on American citizens, bases, or infrastructure—whether by governments, proxies, or independent actors—would have devastating consequences for Iran. Pitt emphasized the U.S.'s top priority is the protection of its personnel and facilities. He acknowledged the U.S. had prior knowledge of the recent attacks but was not militarily involved. Pitt affirmed that every sovereign nation has the right to self-defense, including Israel.

To curb overcharging of passengers during the post-Eid travel rush, the Bangladesh Army has set up a checkpost at Abdullahpur, the northern entryway into Dhaka. Acting on passenger complaints, the Army conducted inspections on long-distance buses heading to Dhaka, ensuring that any extra fares collected were refunded to passengers.

Almost every long-distance bus was brought under inspection, with soldiers verifying compliance and addressing complaints on the spot. The initiative has been widely appreciated by passengers, many of whom expressed satisfaction with the prompt action against unfair practices.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that the prestigious award from King Charles and a 30-minute private meeting with the British monarch mark international recognition of the transformative changes in Bangladesh since last July’s uprising. He described the recent meeting between the interim government’s leader and the head of the largest political party as a “game over” moment for the conspirators. Alam also revealed that the UK’s National Crime Agency has seized 320 properties worth £170 million allegedly linked to a top associate of Sheikh Hasina. He added that the visit brings renewed hope for resolving the Rohingya crisis.

As people return to their workplaces after the Eid-ul-Adha holidays, vehicular traffic across the Jamuna Bridge has surged significantly. In the last 24 hours alone, a total of 38,539 vehicles crossed the bridge, generating Tk 27.96 crore (Tk 279.69 million) in toll revenue.

Of this, 16,380 vehicles crossed the eastern lane heading towards northern districts, contributing Tk 12.92 crore in tolls. Meanwhile, 22,159 vehicles used the western lane heading towards Dhaka, with tolls amounting to Tk 15.04 crore. The Jamuna Bridge continues to play a vital role as the main gateway connecting northern Bangladesh to the capital.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus returned to Bangladesh at 9:45 AM on Saturday after completing a four-day official visit to the United Kingdom. According to his press wing, Yunus and his delegation departed London’s Heathrow International Airport at 7:15 PM local time on Friday. During the visit, Professor Yunus held meetings with several influential figures, including the Speaker of the UK House of Commons. He also met with Tarique Rahman, the Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Elite police unit RAB-11 has arrested Sohel Member, widely known as 'Fancy Sohel,' along with his associate Fazlul Haque Fazlu in Araihazar, Narayanganj. Sohel, a notorious criminal and drug dealer in the area, leveraged his influence to become a local council member. RAB officials stated that Sohel had long been involved in narcotics trafficking, extortion, and public displays of armed intimidation.

Multiple accidents involving 4-5 vehicles on the Jamuna Bridge have caused severe traffic congestion stretching approximately 25 kilometers—from the bridge’s eastern toll plaza to Rabna Bypass in Tangail. Passengers traveling between Dhaka and the northern districts are facing extreme hardship. Law enforcement and Jamuna Bridge authorities are working to clear the traffic and restore normalcy.

Two people were killed and at least 10 others injured when a speeding passenger bus rammed into the back of a truck on the Mawa side of the Padma Bridge. One of the deceased has been identified as Rakib, while the other remains unidentified. The accident took place near pillar number 2 of the bridge when a bus operated by Imad Paribahan collided with a stationary truck, leaving the front portion of the bus completely mangled.

Jamaat leader Mujibur Rahman warned that the victory achieved through the student-public movement in July could be lost if anti-fascist forces in Bangladesh fail to unite. “The dream of a new Bangladesh is a just and fair society, and Jamaat-e-Islami is working toward that vision,” he added. Mujibur criticized the country’s 54-year history as one of democratic suppression and injustice, emphasizing that the people of Bangladesh do not want to see oppressive governments anymore. He also condemned Israel’s atrocities in Palestine, calling for an immediate end to the ongoing genocide.