Former Vice-Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, has been sent to jail over allegations of embezzling development funds. He appeared in court on Thursday after being named in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on June 18. Four others are co-accused, including former project director AKM Nur-un-Nabi, former executive engineer Md. Jahangir Alam, contractor Md. A. Salam Bachchu, and MM Habibur Rahman. The charges include unauthorized design alterations and embezzlement of over BDT 40 million.

The Jammu and Kashmir Home Department has banned 25 books, citing allegations of promoting separatist ideologies. Prominent authors on the banned list include Booker Prize-winning writer Arundhati Roy, constitutional expert A.G. Noorani, Hafsa Kanjwal, Anuradha Bhasin, and historian Sumantro Bose.

Authorities claim these publications “spread false narratives, promote secessionist sentiments, and encourage a sense of victimhood and militancy among youth.” Among the banned titles are Al-Jihad fil Islam by Jamaat-e-Islami founder Maulana Abul A'la Maududi and Mujahid’s Call by Muslim Brotherhood founder Hassan al-Banna.

The move has reignited debates around freedom of expression and democratic space in India.

The High Court on Thursday declared the ICT Act case filed against renowned photographer Shahidul Alam as illegal, thereby nullifying the case. The case was initially suspended in November 2024, when the court also issued a rule asking why it should not be dismissed. Shahidul Alam was charged under the Information and Communication Technology Act in August 2018. Notably, the Digital Security Act was enacted later that same year, in October.

The High Court has acquitted Youth League leader and contractor GK Shamim in the high-profile case of laundering BDT 195 crore to Singapore and Malaysia. On Thursday afternoon, a bench of Justices ASM Abdul Mobin and Md. Zobayed Hossain granted his appeal, overturning a 10-year prison sentence handed down in July 2023 by a Dhaka court. Shamim was arrested in 2019 on extortion and tender manipulation charges. In 2020, CID filed a money laundering case against him and his seven bodyguards. The trial court convicted them in November that year, but the verdict has now been overturned on appeal.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that China may face higher tariffs—similar to those imposed on India—due to its continued oil imports from Russia. During a briefing in the Oval Office, reporters pointed out that besides India, countries like China are also major buyers of Russian oil. When asked whether China could face the same tariff penalties, Trump responded that it was “a possibility,” though he did not provide further details.

Press Secretary Shafiqur Alam has outlined 12 major achievements of the interim government in a Facebook post, covering progress made over the past year. These include support for July revolution martyrs and victims, economic recovery, electoral reform plans, advancements in trade and investment, protection of migrant and labor rights, institutional and legal reforms, foreign policy shifts, maritime and infrastructure development, justice for July massacre, democratic reforms and the July Charter, judicial independence through reformist appointments, and the restoration of peace and stability.

Advisor Faruq-e-Azam has revealed that 78 individuals injured during the July uprising were sent to Thailand, Singapore, Russia, and Turkey for medical treatment, at a total cost of BDT 97.5 crore. He emphasized that treatment, not cost, was the priority. The injured have been categorized into three groups for monthly allowances—Category A will receive BDT 20,000, Category B BDT 15,000, and Category C BDT 10,000. Additionally, they have received one-time financial grants. Free lifetime treatment at all government hospitals has been guaranteed for them, with health cards issued for access. Azam added that the Health Ministry has assumed full responsibility for their care, and plans are in place to rehabilitate them based on personal preferences and qualifications. Those lacking skills will be provided training and employment.

Former Vice Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Professor Dr. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, has been arrested by the Detective Branch of the police. He was taken into custody on Thursday morning from Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area. The arrest was confirmed by DMP’s Deputy Commissioner of Media and Public Relations, Muhammad Talebur Rahman.

The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project has become a glaring example of showpiece development under the Hasina-led government, now turned into a logistical nightmare. Originally launched with a massive loan of BDT 3,697 crore from ADB and AFD, critics now label the project as monstrous and poorly planned. The project’s current status is such that it can neither be completed without substantial additional funding nor halted altogether. Due to these complications, even the fourth revised proposal couldn't be approved by ECNEC. The BRT aims to introduce a dedicated bus lane from Gazipur to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. A planning advisor commented, “We’re now in a 'what do we do' situation.” Transport buses have yet to be procured, and the project has already limited pedestrian access and restricted road flexibility. Critics question why these issues weren’t anticipated from the start.

While football took center stage on the pitch, the gallery at the Durand Cup match between East Bengal and a team called "Namdhari FC" witnessed a powerful protest. Bengali-speaking East Bengal supporters unveiled a large protest TIFO in response to being labeled “Bangladeshi” simply for speaking Bengali. The display condemned the pushback of Bengali speakers to Bangladesh, the Delhi police referring to Bengali as a "Bangladeshi language," and BJP leader Amit Malviya’s controversial claim that “there is no language called Bengali.” This sparked widespread anger among the Bengali community. Previously, East Bengal fans had protested against NRC and CAA with the message: “This land is paid for with blood, not documents.” The current TIFO echoed that sentiment. East Bengal’s name itself carries historical ties to undivided Bengal.

A close aide to the Kremlin, Yuri Ushakov, confirmed that the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Moscow was “appropriate and constructive.” According to Ushakov, the two discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine and the potential for strategic cooperation between Moscow and Washington. He noted that Russia had sent “certain signals” regarding the conflict and had received “relevant signals” in return from Trump’s side. "President Putin is now fully informed about the current situation," Ushakov added. However, he also mentioned that Trump has not yet been briefed on the outcome of the meeting, and as such, he refrained from making further comments. Russian official Kirill Dmitriev echoed the positive tone, saying, “Constructive U.S.-Russia dialogue is ongoing, and it is crucial for global peace and security.” Bloomberg reports that Russia is considering concessions to Trump, including the suspension of drone and missile strikes.

As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushes for the "complete conquest" of Gaza, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Yaal Zamir has warned that such a move could entrap Israeli forces in hostile enclaves and endanger remaining hostages. In a recent meeting, Zamir advised focusing on encircling key zones where hostages might be held, instead of deeper incursions into central Gaza. He noted that the army is already struggling with burnout and losses among reserve troops. Despite political pressure from far-right leaders, Zamir emphasized adherence to strategic caution. The military claims it currently controls around 75% of Gaza.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus visited the Secretariat for the second time on Thursday, triggering heightened security. He entered the premises at 10:25 AM for a high-level advisory council meeting held in the newly constructed Cabinet Room. All entrances except one were sealed off. This marked the first official meeting chaired by a head of government in the new Cabinet Division building. Professor Yunus previously visited the Secretariat on November 20 last year. Traditionally, the Chief Adviser conducts most official business from the Jamuna office.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week—the first such meeting between the two countries' leaders since Biden and Putin met in Geneva in June 2021. According to The New York Times, Trump informed European leaders during a phone call on Wednesday that he plans to meet Putin and hopes to soon initiate trilateral talks involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. White House Press Secretary confirmed ongoing discussions. A Kremlin aide described a recent meeting between Putin and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff as "productive and constructive." Trump initially hailed it as “great progress” but later tempered expectations.

Students from the Faculty of Animal Husbandry at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) locked the administrative building on Wednesday evening, demanding the introduction of a combined degree program. Vice-Chancellor Dr. A.K. Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan was temporarily trapped inside the building before the lock was removed. The students have boycotted classes and exams for seven consecutive days. Now, students from the Veterinary Faculty have officially joined the protest. A petition with 501 student signatures was submitted to the VC, and a formal memorandum was presented to the dean of the Veterinary Faculty. During discussions, the VC stated that he alone cannot make the final decision on introducing the degree.