While Myanmar struggles to recover from a devastating earthquake that has killed 1,700 people, the country’s military junta has launched airstrikes on rebel groups. UN special rapporteur Tom Andrews condemned the attacks, stating, "While everyone is focused on rescue efforts, the military is dropping bombs. This is absolutely unacceptable." The airstrikes killed seven people in Shan State’s Naung Cho, occurring just three hours after the earthquake. The military also conducted aerial attacks near the Thailand border.

Following pressure from the Trump administration, Harvard University has dismissed key figures of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES), including interim social sciences dean David Cutler, Turkish studies professor Cemal Kafadar, and associate history professor Rosie Bashir. The decision follows accusations that CMES promoted anti-Semitic content and failed to adequately represent Israeli perspectives. The move comes after a report by the Harvard Jewish Alumni Alliance, which claimed CMES portrayed Israel as a colonial state engaged in apartheid and genocide.

Amid uncertainty over the next general elections, 52 political parties, including BNP, are demanding that the elections be held by December. Senior leaders of these parties have stated that no compromises will be made on this demand. They also called for electoral reforms and a clear roadmap for the election process. If their demands are not met, mass protests are expected by the end of April. Discussions are ongoing as opposition leaders accuse the government of deliberately keeping the election timeline ambiguous.

Tensions have erupted between BNP and Awami League following a violent attack in Chatak, leaving Faruk Khan (35) critically injured. While returning home from an Iftar gathering, Khan was ambushed and suffered 15-20 stab wounds. The incident has intensified political hostilities in the area, with reports suggesting that the attack was linked to political rivalry. Khan, a leader of the BNP-affiliated Volunteer Wing, was attacked near his home in Kanchanpur after attending an event hosted by former UP chairman Nizam Uddin.

According to BGMEA, out of its 2,107 member factories, seven have yet to disburse Eid salaries and bonuses, prompting protests by workers outside the labor department. In response, officials held an emergency meeting and decided to detain three top executives of TNZ Garments until wages are paid. Additionally, the sale of machinery worth Tk 30 crore has been approved to cover unpaid wages. The protesting workers, however, rejected partial payments and demanded full wages and bonuses. The non-compliant factories include TNZ Apparels, Apparels Plus Eco Ltd, Basic Clothing, Basic Knit Ltd, Sign Apparels, Hug Apparel, and Roar Fashion Ltd.

A group of brave women who participated in the July revolution has received the U.S. Department of State's ‘International Courage Award’ under the ‘Madeleine Albright Honorary Group.’ Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright played a significant role in U.S. foreign policy during the 1990s. The award ceremony will be hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and First Lady Melania Trump. However, Umama Fatema has personally rejected the award, citing her respect for the Palestinian liberation movement and condemning the award as an endorsement of Israel’s attacks on Palestine.

In line with Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, over 50 villages in Chandpur, including the Sadra Darbar Sharif in Hajiganj, are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr today. On Saturday night, Pirzada Maulana Mufti Arif Chowdhury stated, "We determine our fasting and Eid celebrations based on moon sightings as per the Quran and Hadith, not just by following Saudi Arabia." Necessary arrangements have been made for Eid prayers, with the first congregation at Darbar Sharif ground at 9 AM, led by Pirzada Maulana Mufti Zakaria Chowdhury. The tradition of following the Saudi lunar calendar for Eid celebrations was introduced in 1928 by the Pir of Sadra Darbar Sharif.

Army Chief General Wakar-Uz-Zaman visited a military camp in Khagrachari on Saturday, engaging with troops and providing strategic guidance to maintain high morale and operational readiness. He also met with local dignitaries and officials to discuss the army’s role in regional development and peacekeeping. During his visit, he commended the troops for their service and extended early Eid greetings.

The Ziaur Rahman Foundation distributed Eid gifts to 12 families in Sherpur who lost members in the July uprising. The foundation’s divisional committee, led by Engineer AKM Zahirul Islam and Dr. Md. Sayem Monowar, personally delivered gifts and a commemorative letter on behalf of acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman. Family members demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killings.

BNP North Dhaka Convener Aminul Haque accused a group of attempting to delay elections under the pretext of reform. He emphasized the need for an immediate, fair election to restore stability and establish a government chosen by the people. He argued that democracy can only be fully realized through such a government and demanded the trial of Sheikh Hasina and her allies.

The Bangladesh Army has intensified security monitoring to ensure smooth traffic flow and a safe Eid holiday, according to ISPR. The 9th Infantry Division has increased surveillance in Dhaka and nearby districts, facilitated understanding between factory owners and workers in industrial areas, and ensured safety at launch terminals, train stations, and bus stands. The army is actively managing major highways like Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh to prevent travel disruptions.

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.