In response to Bangladesh’s condemnation of alleged misinformation and Muslim persecution amid protests over the Wakf Act in West Bengal, India has firmly rejected the remarks. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Bangladesh’s reaction appears to be an attempt to deflect from ongoing concerns about minority oppression within its own borders. “Criminals behind such communal incidents are still freely roaming,” he added. Jaiswal emphasized that instead of making baseless comments, Bangladesh would be better served by focusing on protecting the rights of its own minorities. Notably, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused both Professor Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of fueling the current communal tensions.

A mobile court in Dighinala, Khagrachari, fined Nurul Haque Tk 2 lakh for illegal hill cutting under the Soil Management Act 2010. Executive Magistrate Mamunur Rashid led the operation based on a tip-off. Haque, the landowner, immediately paid the fine. Officials noted that the hill had been leveled without any government approval.

A Tk 5.12 crore bridge is under construction over a canal in Titas, Cumilla, but lacks proper access roads on either side. One end opens to nothing, while the other connects to a damaged rural road. The surrounding area consists of agricultural fields, making the bridge practically unusable for locals. Additionally, another bridge worth over Tk 5.5 crore is being built just 700 meters away. Locals allege these projects are examples of rampant public fund mismanagement and wastage.

Activist groups ‘SAD’ and ‘July Records’ organized a human chain demanding official recognition of Myanmar-origin Noor Mostafa as a martyr of the people’s uprising, and honorary citizenship for his family. Noor, born in Bangladesh with legal documentation, was killed during the mass protests. Speakers condemned the exclusion of his name from the official list of July martyrs and urged the government to rehabilitate affected families and injured protesters.

Deputy Press Secretary Azad Majumder has stated that an independent nation cannot shape its foreign policy around pleasing one neighbor at the expense of distancing another. He emphasized a “Bangladesh-first” approach moving forward. Majumder called for Pakistan to offer a formal apology, return Bangladesh’s rightful assets, and ensure the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis. He cited global examples of former enemies becoming allies, such as the U.S. and Japan after World War II.

Police in Savar arrested three young men from a moving bus and recovered knives from each of them. The detainees are Tanvir Hossain (18) from Nawabganj, Mamun Hasan Munna (19) from Savar, and Sohanur Rahman (18) from Mymensingh. According to police, the trio was preparing to commit a robbery onboard.

Gono Odhikar Parishad leader Nurul Haque Nur has called for immediate action against financial criminals and political mafias, stating that even during the 1/11 political crackdown, some top businessmen were arrested along with politicians. He criticized the current transitional government for failing to take action against major corrupt figures, especially land grabbers and financial embezzlers allegedly shielded by authoritarian powers. Nur specifically mentioned that while minor actions were taken against entities linked to S. Alam Group, there has been no visible action against the real enablers of corruption. He urged advisors to take swift measures, warning, “There is no room for fascist looters and mafias in the Bangladesh of 2024.”

Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary met with two U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretaries—Nicole Chulick and Andrew Herrup—during which they discussed bilateral trade, investment, development cooperation, people-to-people ties, and the Rohingya crisis. The Foreign Secretary briefed them on Bangladesh’s ongoing reforms and efforts to reduce the trade deficit. The U.S. side urged for visible progress within the 90-day review period, stressing the urgency of the timeline. The Foreign Secretary clarified that Bangladesh does not consider the 90-day period a pause, but rather a time to work proactively with all stakeholders to resolve issues in mutual interest. He also urged reconsideration of USAID’s recent funding cuts in the health and agriculture sectors, and called for U.S. participation and support in the upcoming Rohingya conference.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has returned 251 mobile phones to their rightful owners after recovering them using digital tracking. These phones were lost, stolen, or snatched, and later reclaimed by police stations including Sher-e-Bangla Nagar (63), Hatirjheel (54), Mohammadpur (40), Tejgaon Industrial (32), Adabor (32), and Tejgaon (30). The devices were officially handed over in the presence of Deputy Police Commissioner Md. Ibne Mizan on Thursday.

A US delegation, including Deputy Assistant Secretary Nicole A. Chulick and Andrew Herrup, met with National Security Adviser Dr. Khairul Rahman to discuss regional peace, security, and bilateral relations. The talks covered the Rohingya crisis and the evolving situation in Myanmar. The US delegation praised Bangladesh’s response and strategies in managing the refugee influx.

The Nationalist Citizens’ Platform (NCP) has expressed grave concern over continued killings of Bangladeshi nationals by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). Citing the shooting of Hasibul Alam and the brutal beating and drowning of Wasim Hossain at the Jhenaidah border, the NCP condemned these as extreme violations of human rights. They criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for failing to act post-uprising and demanded international legal intervention and stronger security for border citizens.

Students of Sunamganj Medical College staged protests for the third consecutive day, demanding the immediate opening of the 500-bed hospital affiliated with their college. Although the academic program began in 2020-21, the hospital remains non-operational, forcing students in higher years to attend limited clinical classes twice a week at the district hospital 15 kilometers away. With no dedicated transport, this severely disrupts their education.

Following an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) petition, a court has ordered the freezing of 1,360 bank accounts linked to Mohammad Saiful Alam, chairman of S. Alam Group, and his associates. These accounts hold a total of Tk 2,619 crore. The ACC stated they are investigating allegations of money laundering and unlawful fund transfers, necessitating the freeze to prevent asset flight.

The Rakhine community in Cox’s Bazar has kicked off their traditional three-day water festival to mark the start of the new year 1387, as per their calendar. Young men and women, dressed in cultural attire, joyfully splash water on each other, symbolizing the washing away of sorrow and the welcoming of prosperity. Decorated bamboo drums, colorful pavilions, and festive cheer fill the air in this vibrant celebration rooted in tradition and unity.

Dissatisfied with the university’s probe into the July attack, Dhaka University (DU) students have formed a 34-member committee to conduct their own investigation. The university report listed only 128 attackers from Chhatra League, omitting key figures like DU BCL General Secretary Tanvir Hasan Saikat and even included six individuals not affiliated with DU. Students call this report a mockery, while the university administration labeled it “positive.”