The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized smuggled goods worth Tk 11.3 million that were illegally brought from India, evading customs duty. According to Lieutenant Colonel Md. Nazmul Haque, commander of the 48th BGB Battalion, a raid was conducted early Friday along the Sylhet and Sunamganj border areas. Items seized include a large quantity of sunglasses, sarees, raisins, creams, chocolates, mehndi, razor blades, sugar, hair oil, soap, basmati rice, liquor, and Phensedyl. Authorities have stated that legal actions will be taken in accordance with regulations.

BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has stated that if the Election Commission operates properly, the national election could take place in June or July instead of December. Speaking at a prayer gathering for martyrs and the injured under Hasina’s rule, he emphasized that they consider the interim government as a caretaker government, which will oversee the national election. He insisted that no other elections should take place before the national polls.

Rizvi accused Sheikh Hasina of being the leader of a band of robbers, alleging that she fled Bangladesh after brutally suppressing students and shedding blood. He also criticized India for allegedly providing her refuge and support.

Since August 5, nearly 45,000 members of the fallen ruling party have fled to India, with most settling in Kolkata. They are actively maintaining communication through Facebook, Messenger, Telegram, Signal, and WhatsApp while plotting to destabilize the interim government. Reports suggest they are reviving banned militant organizations, including extremist groups from the southern region. League insiders claim these activities are being orchestrated under the direct supervision of “Fascist Hasina.”

Renowned Bangladeshi pop and band music pioneer Azam Khan is set to receive the prestigious Independence Award posthumously, 14 years after his passing. Known for hits like Ore Saleka, Ore Maleka, Rail Liner Oi Bostite, and Alal O Dulal, Khan, whose real name was Mohammad Mahbubul Haque Khan, was also a freedom fighter. Born on February 28, 1950, he passed away on June 5, 2011. Some of his other notable songs include Ami Jare Chaire, Anamika, Obhimani, Papri, and Je Meye Chokhe Dekhena.

In Srimangal, Moulvibazar, a shocking act of revenge resulted in the poisoning of nine cows belonging to a local farmer. The accused, Ramzan Mia (55) and his son Monir (30), allegedly committed the act on Wednesday night after their goat was confined by neighbor Suleman Ahmed (25) for eating crops from his field. According to the complaint, Suleman, who owns a farm with 20 cows, detained Ramzan’s goat in a pen. This enraged Ramzan and his son, leading them to poison the cattle in retaliation.

During Hizb ut-Tahrir’s “March for Khilafah,” a banned organization, a rickshaw puller was seen being beaten by one of its members in front of the police. Later, security forces detained the rickshaw puller from the scene. This incident sparked outrage on Facebook, with citizens demanding his release. In response to the growing pressure, Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan intervened and secured the rickshaw puller’s release from the DB office. He was then taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for medical treatment.

Malaysia’s Immigration Department conducted a raid at an entertainment center in Selangor on Wednesday night, detaining 80 undocumented migrants, including Bangladeshis. Selangor’s Immigration Director Khairul Aminus Kamaruddin reported that among those arrested were 75 women and five men, aged between 17 and 45, from Bangladesh, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. The operation was launched at 10:30 PM following two weeks of intelligence gathering based on public complaints regarding illegal migrants in the area.

A devastating fire erupted at a textile warehouse in Pabanartek, Jamgara, Ashulia, on Friday afternoon. According to Fire Service officials, the blaze broke out in a tin-shed storage facility owned by Md. Sharif. Two firefighting units from DEPZ Fire Service initially responded, followed by two more units from Zirabo Modern Fire Service. The fire was brought under control after an hour-long effort. No casualties have been reported so far.

Motaharul Islam Riyad, the convener of Jubo Dal in Monirampur Upazila, Jessore, has been accused of assaulting Shahin Alam, an accountant clerk at the Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s (UNO) office. In protest, UNO Nishat Tamanna, Assistant Commissioner Niaz Makhdum, and other staff members formed a human chain on Thursday.

Shahin Alam recounted that on Wednesday afternoon, he was chatting with his colleague Saiful Islam in front of the office. At that moment, Saiful mentioned over the phone, “Shahin is right in front of me.” Riyad, who was on the other end, then insisted on speaking to Shahin. However, upon receiving the call, Riyad reportedly began verbally abusing him. When Shahin protested, Riyad arrived shortly with a group of 20-25 men. Allegedly, in Riyad’s presence, Shahin was physically assaulted.

A Bangladeshi youth named Sahed Mia was shot dead by Indian smugglers inside Indian territory near the Sylhet-Kanaighat border early Friday morning. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) stated that Sahed was involved in smuggling, and the incident occurred due to a conflict between smugglers from both countries. The process of repatriating the body is underway. Kanaighat Police Officer-in-Charge Awal Mia confirmed that the BGB informed them about the incident, and legal procedures are being followed to bring the body back.

The condition of the eight-year-old girl who was raped in Nijnanduali, Magura, remains critical, according to her family. She is currently undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Police have arrested the child’s brother-in-law and his father in connection with the incident.

On Friday, rumors spread on social media claiming that the victim had passed away. However, her uncle confirmed that she is alive but in a severe condition. The third-grade student had gone to visit her sister’s house on Saturday when, on Thursday morning, her sister’s father-in-law, Hitu Mia, allegedly lured her into a room and raped her. She was rushed to the hospital in a critical state.

Following water level assessments at Farakka on Tuesday, a joint committee of India and Bangladesh met at a Kolkata hotel on Thursday to discuss the implementation of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty. Representatives from both nations addressed concerns over reduced water flow and its impact. Mohammad Abul Hossain, leading the Bangladeshi delegation, told DW that they were satisfied with the discussions but acknowledged that lower water levels this year had affected both countries. The decreased flow has raised concerns about irrigation challenges in Bangladesh’s southwestern districts and potential threats to biodiversity in the Sundarbans. Talks will continue on Friday.

Filmmaker and advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki took to Facebook on Thursday to express his firm stance against misogyny. In his post, he questioned whether anyone had cared about the gender, attire, or political affiliation of their fellow protestors when fighting against Hasina’s oppressive regime in July. He pointed out that Bangladesh had opposed the stigmatization of beards, caps, and burqas in the past and should do the same now. His message was clear: “A straight ‘NO’ to all forms of misogyny—never before, not now, not in the future.” He ended his post with a thought-provoking question about who truly benefits from the political manipulation of power.

Despite prior warnings from Dhaka Metropolitan Police, the banned extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir organized a “March for Khilafah” procession after Friday prayers at Baitul Mukarram. The march proceeded toward Bijoynagar but was intercepted by police after about 15 minutes. Law enforcement used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the protesters, causing them to scatter. However, the group regrouped and attempted to continue the demonstration, leading to another round of police action. Protesters retaliated by hurling stones and bricks at security forces. Several individuals were detained during the clashes.

Three leaders of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) resigned from their positions on Thursday, citing personal reasons. They submitted separate resignation letters to party convenor Nahid Islam. The resigning leaders include Joint Chief Coordinator Abu Hanif, Joint Chief Organizer (North Zone) Hanif Khan Sojib, and Joint Chief Coordinator Abduz Zaher. Sources revealed that Abu Hanif was previously a senior member of the Gono Odhikar Parishad. Hanif, along with at least 20 other leaders and activists from Nurul Haque’s Gono Odhikar Parishad, had recently joined the NCP. Their resignations came within a week of switching parties.