Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees gathered along the banks of the Brahmaputra River in Kurigram to participate in the sacred Astami Snan ritual.
The ritual, which started at 4 a.m., is expected to continue until 5 p.m. along a two-kilometer stretch from Ramna Bandar to Putikata in Chilmari.
To accommodate the pilgrims, 22 educational institutions were opened for lodging, while 44 temporary booths were set up for changing clothes and overnight stay. Security has been intensified to ensure safety during the event.

In an interview with China Media Group (CMG), Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said, “I have spoken with President Xi. Bangladesh needs support in these critical times, and China has shown interest.”
Yunus emphasized that Bangladesh presents new opportunities for economic and trade development, attracting interest from Chinese investors and entrepreneurs.
On poverty, Yunus noted, “The face of poverty is the same everywhere. The solution lies in recognizing human creativity and supporting it institutionally.”
He drew parallels between his “Three Zero” philosophy and President Xi’s modernization framework, stating they align closely in values.

Cities across India — including Kolkata, Chennai, and Ahmedabad — witnessed mass protests on Friday against the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act. Thousands from the Muslim community took to the streets, accusing the government of interfering with religious properties. Effigies were burned in anger, and in some places, police clashed with demonstrators. In Gujarat, authorities forcibly removed elderly protestors sitting on the streets. The protest in Chennai was organized by a political party led by actor Vijay. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also voiced strong opposition, assuring the state’s Muslim population that their rights would not be compromised.

A passenger bus operated by Itihas Paribahan was robbed while in motion on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway, marking the third such incident in recent weeks in Savar. Armed robbers disguised as passengers took control of the vehicle and looted gold jewelry, cash, and other valuables worth several lakhs of taka. The bus driver, Rojob Ali, and his assistant, Emdadul Haque, have been taken into custody for questioning by Savar Model Police Station. After holding passengers at knifepoint and seizing their belongings, the robbers fled after stopping the bus near Rajfulbaria.

At least 40 people were injured when a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims overturned on the Hemayetpur-Manikganj regional highway in Savar. The accident occurred while the bus was crossing the Bhasha Shaheed Rafique Bridge. The pilgrims were en route to the Gangasnan festival at Nangalbandh in Narayanganj, having started their journey from the Kalibari Temple in Manikganj. The bus, operated by Shuvojatra Paribahan, was chartered for the religious trip before it crashed mid-journey.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has introduced a new immigration initiative dubbed the “Gold Card” visa. Priced at $5 million, the visa offers foreign nationals the opportunity for permanent residency in the United States. The card features Trump’s image along with the inscription “The Trump Card.” Trump announced, “This exclusive visa will be available in less than two weeks. I’m the first buyer myself.” The program is being pitched as a premium alternative to the traditional Green Card, with Trump claiming it could create jobs and help reduce the national deficit. In February, he expressed hopes of selling around one million of these visas.

The United States has moved forward with the sale of more than 20,000 assault rifles to Israel, a deal initiated during the Trump administration. Although the Biden administration initially paused the sale over concerns that the weapons could be used by extremist settlers in the occupied territories, a March 6 notification from the U.S. State Department to Congress indicates the transaction is now back on track. According to documents reviewed by Reuters, the sale includes 5.56mm caliber fully automatic Colt carbines, worth an estimated $24 million. Earlier, President Biden had imposed sanctions on individuals and organizations allegedly involved in violence in the West Bank — sanctions that were swiftly revoked by Trump upon taking office.

A Bangladeshi medical team has provided treatment to 227 people injured in a recent earthquake in Myanmar, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). On Friday alone, 150 patients received care, including two complex cancer surgeries and a critical orthopedic procedure. The team served at several facilities including the 1,000-bed General Hospital, the 50-bed Zabuthiri General Hospital, and the 100-bed Lewe Hospital, showcasing Bangladesh’s humanitarian commitment in the region.

In a shocking incident in Debidwar, Cumilla, a dispute over a cricket game led to an attack at a mosque, resulting in the death of its committee secretary, Ibrahim Khalil. RAB-11 has arrested two brothers, Zahid Hossain Bhuiyan (25) and Onik Bhuiyan (20), named in the FIR. The deceased, Ibrahim Khalil, was the general secretary of the Fathehabad Baitul Al Aqsa Jame Mosque committee and a resident of Fathehabad Dakshinpara in Debidwar Municipality.

A murder suspect named Aminul Islam (22) was beaten to death by an angry mob in Bagmara, Rajshahi, after allegedly stabbing a youth named Abdur Razzak (35) to death. The incident occurred in front of police officers, six of whom — including a sub-inspector — were injured while trying to intervene. Confirming the incident, the local police chief said the situation escalated quickly, and military assistance has been requested to restore order.

Ten Bangladeshi expatriates arrested in Saudi Arabia during the July movement celebrations—following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s removal from office—have returned home. They were among 12 arrested for hosting a feast and celebration. After serving eight months in prison, the Saudi authorities deported ten of them. Due to passport and paperwork issues, two others remain detained. Upon arrival, the returnees were received at the airport by government representatives. The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare has pledged support for their rehabilitation.

During a courtesy meeting with BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey, Dr. Muhammad Yunus suggested hosting a dedicated youth summit during the next BIMSTEC conference in Dhaka, scheduled two years from now. Secretary General Pandey welcomed the proposal, calling the idea “excellent” and assuring it will be pursued with high priority. He also announced preparations are underway for a long-overdue trade ministers’ meeting — the first in 21 years. At the end of the summit, Professor Yunus officially assumed the role of BIMSTEC Chair on behalf of Bangladesh.

Following a marathon midnight debate on Thursday, India passed the controversial Wakf Bill. On Friday, Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi filed separate petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the bill, calling it “discriminatory” and a “violation of fundamental rights” of Muslims.

In his petition, Jawed argued that the bill breaches several constitutional provisions, including Article 14 (Right to Equality), Article 25 (Freedom of Religion), Article 26 (Right to Manage Religious Affairs), Article 29 (Cultural and Educational Rights of Minorities), and Article 300A (Right to Property). He emphasized that the law unfairly limits the autonomy of Wakf institutions while maintaining broader freedoms for religious trusts of other faiths. One of the most contentious provisions of the bill mandates the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the formation of Wakf Boards and the Central Wakf Council, which critics argue undermines community self-governance.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has returned to Dhaka after attending the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. He landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at approximately 10:05 PM Bangladesh time on Friday aboard a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. Earlier, he departed Bangkok at 8:45 PM local time. Dr. Yunus was seen off at the airport by Jiraporn Sindhuprai, Minister attached to the Thai Prime Minister’s Office.

The Bangladesh Armed Forces are continuing rescue and medical operations in Myanmar following a recent natural disaster, according to ISPR. On Friday, teams conducted rescue missions in Naypyidaw’s Zabuthiri Township and surrounding areas, retrieving one body and rescuing several people trapped in buildings, in cooperation with local authorities and fire services.
Bangladesh’s medical teams are providing care at the 50-bed Zabuthiri Hospital and the 100-bed Lewe Hospital. A coordination meeting was also held with representatives from Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry, fire department, and delegates from 16 other countries.