Chinese military spokesperson Tian Junli stated that the People's Liberation Army conducted a routine patrol in the South China Sea on Friday. He accused the Philippines of escalating tensions by collaborating with non-regional nations for joint patrols. Junli warned that such actions threaten regional stability and reiterated that relying on external powers would not benefit the Philippines. The warning came a day after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed support for Manila against "Communist China's threats."

In a column for The New York Times, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sharply criticized the Trump administration, calling its policies “reckless displays of power.” She questioned Trump’s disregard for federal record-keeping laws and described his executive orders as harmful to national security. Clinton warned that if the U.S. continues operating like a corrupt state, it will lose its global standing against China and Russia. She also compared Trump’s business failures in Atlantic City to his handling of national security, cautioning that continued recklessness could lead to severe consequences.

On Saturday, the Pakistan World Alliance announced that PTI leader Imran Khan has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership and efforts in human rights and democracy. A post on X from Partiet Centram stated that they collaborated with an eligible nominator to put forward Khan’s name. Previously, Khan was nominated for the prize in 2019 for his peace initiatives in South Asia.

BNP central leader Ruhul Kuddus Talukdar Dulu warned the government that if an election is not held soon, public anger will reach uncontrollable levels. He accused Sheikh Hasina of rigging elections and suppressing the people's right to vote for 15 years. He stated that the upcoming election will be held under the BNP’s leadership, with Tarique Rahman at the helm, and vowed to restore democratic rights through mass movement.

In Nalitabari, Sherpur, a 17-year-old boy named Abu Naim was stabbed to death over a Facebook reaction. The accused, 18-year-old Sabuj Mia, was apprehended by locals and handed over to the police. Reports indicate that Naim had reacted with "Haha" to a post by Sabuj, leading to a heated argument on Messenger. Later, Sabuj confronted Naim at Nayabil Bazaar and stabbed him in the chest. Naim was rushed to Nalitabari Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju said that those who once exploited state power for personal gain and terror are now realizing the consequences of their actions. He highlighted how political violence and revenge-driven politics have exhausted citizens. Manju asserted that the July uprising was a clear rejection of the old politics of violence. He believes that as young leaders take charge, the era of political terror will be left behind, making it impossible for fascist rule to return.

NCP Secretary Akhtar Hossain stated that Bangladesh was under fascist and autocratic rule for a long time. He credited the student-led uprising of July-August 2024 for liberating the country from dictatorship. To prevent such a regime from returning, students have organized under the National Citizens Party (NCP). He emphasized that every citizen of Bangladesh has rights and dignity, and their party's long-term vision is to ensure these rights through political reform.

BNP leader Abu Naser Mohammad Rahmatullah claimed that after assuming power, Ziaur Rahman rescued Bangladesh from famine and made it self-sufficient in food production. He accused the "terrorist" Awami League of plundering the country, oppressing farmers, and forcing dependency on India for expensive agricultural goods. Rahmatullah recalled how Ziaur Rahman took charge through the Sipahi-Janata revolution after the tragic events of 1975 and introduced groundbreaking agricultural reforms to ensure food security.

The Bangladesh Armed Forces are set to dispatch a rescue and relief team to Myanmar following a devastating earthquake. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, the military team will depart on Sunday with emergency medical supplies, relief goods, and rescue equipment. The move comes in response to Myanmar’s urgent humanitarian needs following the disaster. As of Saturday evening, reports indicated that the death toll had exceeded 1,600, with over 3,400 injured.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have exceeded $25 billion ahead of Eid, driven by record remittance inflows in March. According to Bangladesh Bank data, the country’s total reserves rose to $25.44 billion on Thursday. Under the IMF’s BPM6 accounting method, reserves stood at $20.30 billion, while the usable reserves remain around $15 billion. On March 9, Bangladesh Bank announced that it had cleared $1.75 billion in import payments through the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) for January and February, causing net reserves to drop to $19.75 billion at that time.

A Bangladeshi youth lost his leg in a landmine explosion inside Myanmar while allegedly engaged in cross-border smuggling. The incident occurred in the Naikhongchhari border area of Bandarban district. Mohammad Salam (42) was caught in an explosion near an old Maijja Camp controlled by the Arakan Army, about 200 meters inside Myanmar from the zero line of Chakdhala Border Outpost’s (BOP) Pillar No. 44. Local sources reported that the landmine had been planted earlier by the Arakan Army. After the explosion, locals rescued Salam and took him to Naikhongchhari Upazila Health Complex for treatment.

BNP leader Mostafizur Rahman Babul made a controversial statement, demanding both the return and execution of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “We want Sheikh Hasina back, we want Mirza Azam back, we want Obaidul Quader back—but we also want Sheikh Hasina to be hanged,” he declared. He lamented that in the past 15-16 years, people have been unable to vote freely, elect MPs, or form local governments. He claimed that the most persecuted person in the country is BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, whom he referred to as the “Mother of Democracy.” Babul accused the ruling government of imprisoning her for years under false cases and pushing her toward death through “kangaroo court” verdicts.

On Saturday night, a boat sank in the Boulai River in Sunamganj, claiming the lives of three children and two women. Police sources confirmed that the boat, carrying 70 passengers and goods, was traveling from Madhyanagar to Jamalganj when it capsized. While many passengers managed to swim to safety, five were confirmed dead, and one was injured. The victims, from different parts of Netrokona, were visiting relatives in Noapara village of Beheli Union in Jamalganj. Authorities fear the death toll may rise.

NCP leader Samanta Sharmin declared in Bhola that there is no place for the Awami "terrorist" party in Bangladesh. She called for the prosecution of this "fascist and genocidal" party in an international court. Sharmin stated that for 15 years, one party ruled Bangladesh, but on August 5, the student movement ousted the Awami League. However, she noted that some groups, who were nowhere to be found during those years, are now trying to take credit. She accused them of extortion and spreading fear in local communities. She emphasized that Bangladesh's student movement stands firm against corruption and terrorism.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has questioned the necessity of holding a Constituent Assembly election, asking whether Bangladesh had ever become a newly independent state again. “A Constituent Assembly is only needed when a country gains independence, has no laws, no constitution, and no government,” he argued. Rizvi accused the ruling party of attempting to erase the memory of Bangladesh’s greatest achievement in 1971 by introducing the idea of a “second independence” through a new Constituent Assembly. He criticized government-aligned student leaders and newly formed political groups for promoting this idea, asking, “On whose behalf are you speaking?” Addressing the government, he accused it of playing a deceptive game with election dates, mentioning shifting timelines from March to June to December. He insisted that any reforms should be carried out by an elected government, while the current regime could only propose them.