Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the existing 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum will be doubled to 50%, effective Wednesday. Trump stated that this measure will revive the domestic steel industry, enhance national self-reliance, and reduce dependence on China. Speaking at a rally, he said, “There will be no layoffs, no outsourcing—and every American steelworker will soon receive a $5,000 bonus.” He further revealed a $14 billion investment in steel production in the Pittsburgh region through a joint venture between U.S. Steel and Japan’s Nippon Steel.

At least 72 Palestinians were killed and 278 others injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza between Thursday evening and Friday evening, according to Palestinian health officials. The Quds Brigade claimed that resistance forces launched an attack in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, resulting in 10 Israeli soldiers killed or injured. Following Friday’s attacks, the total number of casualties in Gaza over the past one and a half years has reached 54,321 dead and 123,770 injured. Women and children make up 56% of those killed or wounded.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that more than 1,000 Indian nationals have been deported from the United States since January this year. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal disclosed that 62% of these individuals were returned to India on commercial flights. Meanwhile, the former Trump administration had earlier estimated that approximately 18,000 Indian nationals have illegally entered the US. Jaiswal also expressed concerns over the impact of the US government’s recent policies on international students, stating that these changes could significantly affect Indian students planning to enroll in American universities.

BNP leader Khairul Kabir Khokon has alleged that a vested group is orchestrating a deep-rooted conspiracy surrounding Bangladesh’s national election. Speaking at a public event, Khokon claimed the group aims to delay the election and create political instability in the country. “The people of Bangladesh will not allow such conspiracies to succeed. If a clear election date is not announced by December, the people of Bengal will be forced to take to the streets again,” he warned. Commenting on the role of the National Security Adviser, Khokon said, “He is not even a citizen of Bangladesh—he’s a foreign national. How can he be involved in running the country?” Khokon reiterated that the BNP fully supports the formation of an interim government but accused the ruling authorities of stalling on election arrangements. He demanded the announcement of a definite election date within December.

BNP leader Salahuddin Tuku stated that the previous fascist regime destroyed electoral politics and democracy. “People must reclaim their right to vote and their democracy,” he said. “Under Tareq Rahman's leadership, we aim to return power to the people.” Tuku also reiterated that it was Ziaur Rahman who first declared Bangladesh’s independence and shifted the country from a one-party system to multi-party democracy, working tirelessly for citizens’ rights and welfare.

A tourist boat in Tanguar Haor, Sunamganj’s Tahirpur upazila, caught fire around 8 PM on Friday. The blaze destroyed 80% of the boat, but all 12 tourists onboard managed to escape safely. According to the fire service, the likely causes of the fire could include a gas cylinder explosion, a kitchen fire spreading, or an electrical short circuit.

Three police officers and an Ansar member have been arrested in Bogura with 850 Yaba pills. Detective Branch (DB) police conducted the operation on Thursday. A narcotics case has been filed against them. Superintendent of Police Zaidan Al Musa stated, “The force will not take responsibility for individual misconduct.” One officer has been suspended, and disciplinary reports for the others have been sent for further action.

Cultural adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has criticized the BNP’s monopolization of Ziaur Rahman’s legacy. “I’ve always wanted to prevent any event about Ziaur Rahman from being limited to BNP members only. He is not the exclusive property of one party,” Farooki said. “The Awami League made a similar mistake in the past, and I hope BNP avoids repeating it.” He added that their current government is short-lived and cannot bring radical changes, but they are working to unite diverse cultural groups, including Chakma, Marma, and Garo communities, in national celebrations.

Muhammad Ubaidul Haque, who had resigned from his teaching post at Oxford University to join BRAC University, has now been reappointed by Oxford after BRAC unexpectedly cancelled his offer letter. Ubaidul has secured a new role as Academic Officer at Oxford’s Merton College. “My intention to teach at BRAC was fueled by patriotism,” he said. “But BRAC University never explained why they withdrew the offer. It was disheartening.” This marks his third position at Oxford, where he now serves in an independent academic role.

On Friday, BSF reportedly forced 29 individuals across the border into Bangladesh via two upazilas in Moulvibazar district. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) later detained them from Juri and Kamalganj upazilas. With this latest incident, the total number of individuals detained in push-in cases in Moulvibazar has risen to 326 — including 240 through Barlekha, 10 through Juri, 21 through Kulaura, and 55 through Kamalganj.

Barisal’s district unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (BNP's student wing) has announced partial committees for six colleges in Muladi Upazila, sparking outrage. Grassroots activists allege that the committees include non-students and members from rival student organizations like Chhatra League and Bangabandhu Chhatra Parishad. For example, in Char Kalekhan Adarsha College, the newly appointed vice president Al Amin was previously the finance secretary of Bangabandhu Chhatra Parishad, and general secretary Maruf Billah was an active Chhatra League member, despite reportedly not being a current student.

BNP leader Abu Naser Mohammad Rahmatullah has claimed that no Bangladeshi leader has ever matched the integrity and patriotism of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. “Whenever Bangladesh faced a crisis, Ziaur Rahman emerged as the savior,” he said. “In his absence, Begum Khaleda Zia fulfilled that role, and for the past 17 years, Tareq Rahman has led the struggle to restore voting rights and democracy in the country.” Rahmatullah emphasized that under Tareq Rahman's leadership, Bangladesh will move forward.

Just hours after an unsuccessful attempt to push intruders into Bangladesh through the Roumari border in Kurigram, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) flew four surveillance drones into Bangladeshi airspace. The incident occurred around 8:30 PM on Friday night, raising alarm among local residents. No statement has been released yet by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Previously, BSF had flown five drones in two separate instances along the border.

Abrar Faiyaz, the younger brother of slain BUET student Abrar Fahad, has received death threats via social media. A General Diary (GD) has been filed naming two individuals, including Shahriar Ibrahim, former president of Dhaka Metropolitan Student Union. According to the GD, Faiyaz had posted a comment criticizing the injustice under the current regime, which was later shared by Ibrahim with the caption: “Justify the killing of that JAS leader’s dog Abrar Fahad.” In the same post, a person named Nowaz Hossain Fardin commented: “He too will follow the same path.”

Speaking at a memorial for Ziaur Rahman’s death anniversary, BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said, “Nothing can be implemented without an elected government. We urgently need one.” He stressed that the solution to Bangladesh’s problems lies within the country, not outside. “Let us stop looking abroad. The solution is with the people of Bangladesh. Reforms and justice are secondary—first, we must empower the people,” he stated. He called on party members to accelerate their efforts to build a Bangladesh guided by the visions of Zia and Khaleda Zia.