The 25th BIMSTEC Senior Officials' Meeting began today in Bangkok, ahead of the upcoming summit on April 4, 2025. A five-member delegation led by Foreign Secretary Md. Jasim Uddin is representing Bangladesh. The meeting will discuss free trade agreements, trade facilitation, customs cooperation, and investment opportunities.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury credited police vigilance for ensuring a peaceful Eid. He noted that law enforcement officers worked tirelessly to maintain security, and their leaves were canceled for this purpose. He also assured that while criminals will be dealt with firmly, innocent citizens will not be harassed.

Information Adviser Mahfuz Alam has stated that the government will take a tough stance against any attempts to destabilize the country. Addressing concerns raised in a New York Times report, he emphasized that the administration would prevent any rise in political or religious extremism. He also stressed the government’s commitment to upholding democratic principles.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has accused "defeated forces" of using the New York Times to spread misinformation against Bangladesh. He alleged that fascist elements are spending billions of illicit funds to tarnish the country’s image. Rizvi dismissed claims of extremism in Bangladesh and criticized Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s counter-terrorism policies as mere political maneuvers to maintain power.

The New York Times has reported signs of growing religious extremism following Sheikh Hasina's removal from power. The article cites incidents of gender-based restrictions, vigilante justice, and the resurgence of banned Islamist groups. It also highlights debates over removing secularism from the constitution. However, the Bangladesh government has dismissed the report as misleading and one-sided, asserting that democratic values and cultural diversity will be preserved.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, is set to travel to Bangkok on Thursday to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. He will be accompanied by Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Tawhid Hossain and Foreign Secretary Md. Jasim Uddin. This will be their first overseas diplomatic mission together. The summit will take place from April 2-4 in Thailand's capital.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Libya confirmed on Tuesday night that local law enforcement rescued 23 abducted Bangladeshi nationals and arrested two kidnappers. The embassy thanked Misrata's law enforcement agencies for their swift action and assured that legal assistance would be provided to the rescued individuals.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated in an interview that Moscow has thoroughly reviewed the US ceasefire proposal but cannot accept it in its current form. According to Russia, the proposal fails to address key concerns that led to the conflict. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, following its annexation of Crimea in 2014. Former US President Donald Trump had previously threatened severe sanctions on Russian oil if Moscow violated agreements.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday claimed the lives of at least 42 more Palestinians, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to 50,399. In the past 24 hours, 183 others were wounded, increasing the number of injured since the conflict began to 114,583. Many victims remain trapped under rubble, with rescue teams struggling to reach them.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait have officially informed the United States that they will not allow their airspace or military bases to be used for any attacks on Iran. This follows threats from the US president to bomb Iran. Meanwhile, Washington has approved the sale of MQ-9 Reaper drones to Qatar and advanced weaponry to Saudi Arabia. With these restrictions, the US has now deployed B-2 bombers to the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean. Iran has already threatened retaliation if attacks originate from Diego Garcia. The US currently has two aircraft carriers and approximately 40,000 troops stationed in the Middle East.

At least 10 people were killed and six others injured in a head-on collision between a high-speed Relax Transport bus and two HiAce vans in Lohagara, Chattogram, on Wednesday morning. The accident temporarily halted traffic on the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway for an hour before emergency services cleared the road. The identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed.

Three days after the shocking double murder in Chattogram, a case has been filed against Sajjad Hossain, alias "Chhoto Sajjad," and his wife, Sharmin. The case was lodged by Firoza Begum, the mother of victim Mohammad Manik. Additionally, Mohammad Hasan, Mobarak Hossain Imon, Khorshed, Raihan, and Borhan have also been named in the case. According to reports, on the night of March 29, Manik, Sarwar, Abdullah, Robin, Hridoy, and Imon were socializing near a bridge when assailants on 6-7 motorcycles opened fire on their car, killing two people on the spot.

Mohammad Hasan, who was arrested on charges of rape, committed suicide in police custody at Bhola Sadar Model Police Station around midnight on Monday. Reports indicate that earlier that day, during Eid, a housewife from Medua village accused Hasan of raping her when she went to store meat in his refrigerator. Enraged locals caught Hasan and assaulted him before handing him over to the police, who then admitted him to Bhola Sadar Hospital. After receiving medical treatment, he was placed in custody at 8 PM. Later, he reportedly hanged himself in the toilet.

Two separate explosions at fireworks factories in West Bengal and Gujarat have resulted in the deaths of 21 people and injured six others. Authorities reported that the first explosion occurred on Tuesday morning at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Disa, Banaskantha district, Gujarat, killing at least 13 people and injuring six. The second explosion took place late Monday night in Raipur, Dholahat, under Patharpratima police station in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. The blast, which occurred at a house storing fireworks, claimed eight lives, including four children from the same family. Local sources fear that more people may be trapped under the rubble in Gujarat.

On Tuesday, Joynal Abedin Shishir, Joint Secretary of NCP, visited the grave of Kazi Ashraf Ahmed Riaz, a martyr of the mass uprising, in Nangalkot, Comilla. He met with Riaz’s family and expressed gratitude for their sacrifices. Shishir stated that this year’s Eid was celebrated with unprecedented joy and security, free from the fear of fascist oppression. He highlighted that the recent people's victory in the mass movement has paved the way for a new Bangladesh. He urged all pro-democracy forces to unite in the upcoming elections, stating that thousands of students and citizens have shed blood for a better future. He warned that vigilance is necessary to prevent the return of authoritarian rule.