Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, police have issued several safety guidelines to ensure a secure and smooth celebration. Citizens are advised to plan their travel in advance, avoid overcrowding on buses, and refrain from traveling on truck beds or bus rooftops. Pedestrians should use zebra crossings or foot overbridges when crossing roads. Drivers have been urged to avoid speeding and reckless overtaking. Additionally, ferry passengers are advised to check weather forecasts before departing and to ensure that passenger decks remain clear of excessive cargo.

A court has acquitted Tarique Rahman, Lutfozzaman Babar, and six others in a bribery case involving a 2.1 billion BDT transaction. The case alleged that the bribe was paid to secure legal immunity for Safiat Sobhan Sanvir, an accused in a murder case. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had filed the case during the military-backed caretaker government era. Following the verdict, Tarique Rahman’s lawyers stated that he now faces no legal obstacles to returning to Bangladesh and resuming political activities.

Ali Riaz, head of the Constitutional Reform Commission, has stressed the urgent need for structural reforms to ensure political inclusivity and good governance. He emphasized that the existing system must be overhauled to prevent authoritarian rule and further political crises. Riaz criticized past elections as fraudulent and accused the judiciary of being manipulated to grant the Prime Minister unchecked power. He called for legal and constitutional reforms to restore accountability and democracy.

On Wednesday, Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange involving 175 individuals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the released prisoners included severely wounded soldiers and fighters who had been falsely imprisoned in Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the exchange, mentioning that they had released 22 severely injured Ukrainian prisoners as a goodwill gesture, though the original plan was to release 23. Zelensky expressed gratitude to the UAE for mediating the exchange.

After a series of airstrikes that killed over 970 people in Gaza, Israel has announced an escalation of its ground offensive. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that their troops had advanced to the Netzarim Corridor, dividing northern and southern Gaza. The IDF has ordered large-scale evacuations in the area. Meanwhile, the UN reported an explosion at its Deir al-Balah office, killing two people, including a staff member. Israel has denied responsibility for the incident.

In response to questions about Tulsi Gabbard’s remarks on minorities and Islamic governance in Bangladesh, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce acknowledged Bangladesh's interim government's efforts to curb violence. She reaffirmed the US stance against intolerance and violence toward minorities and expressed hope that Bangladesh would continue its commitment to ensuring safety for all communities.

Former British minister Tulip Siddiq has accused Bangladeshi authorities of targeting her with baseless propaganda in an official letter. She stated that investigators never formally informed her of any allegations. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) responded, asserting that Tulip had benefitted from Awami League corruption. The letter also questioned her claims of ignorance regarding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's governance, stating that such claims were difficult to believe.

Dhaka South Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Nurul Islam Bulbul stated that one of the party's four core agendas is social reform and welfare. He emphasized that an economically stable family contributes to the stability of society and the nation. Every year, hundreds of men and women receive vocational training to secure employment. Jamaat also runs educational assistance programs for underprivileged and meritorious students, as well as humanitarian aid initiatives for disaster victims. The party operates free medical camps and has a fleet of 10 ambulances dedicated to serving marginalized communities.

The National Consensus Party (NCP) has formed a 'Reform Coordination Committee' to engage in discussions with the National Consensus Commission and other stakeholders regarding state reform proposals. On Tuesday, NCP conveners Nahid Islam and Akhtar Hossain approved the five-member committee, appointing Sarwar Tushar as coordinator. Other members include Monira Sharmin, Javed Rasin, Saleh Uddin Sifat, and Arman Hossain.

A devastating fire broke out at Green City Market in Rupganj, Narayanganj, around 2 AM on Wednesday. Fire service station officer Jahangir Alam stated that three fire service units battled the blaze for an hour before bringing it under control, and it was completely extinguished by 4 AM. The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage are yet to be determined. However, shops inside the market suffered severe losses, with furniture and valuable goods reduced to ashes.

Kolkata police have sought a 'Lookout Notice' against 69 Bangladeshi nationals accused of obtaining Indian passports using forged documents. These individuals, now residing abroad with Indian passports, will be restricted from traveling to other countries if the notice is issued. Any attempt to leave their current country of residence will be flagged to Kolkata police. The investigation began in late 2024 following allegations of passport fraud at Bhawanipur police station, leading to the arrest of 10 individuals, including a retired district intelligence officer and a Bangladeshi national. Of the 121 fraudulent passport applications, 73 passports have already been issued, and at least 20 individuals have traveled abroad using them.

Sixteen Houthi fighters were killed in a US airstrike in Yemen on Wednesday night. Among the casualties were seven women and two children. According to Al-Masirah TV, the airstrikes targeted Saada in Al-Jawf province, Al-Hazm district, and As-Sawadiyah district in Al-Bayda province. Reports indicate that since former President Trump's announcement, Anadolu has recorded dozens of US airstrikes in Yemen, resulting in 53 deaths and 107 injuries by Tuesday evening.

Israel has blocked the main route, Salah al-Din Street, which serves as the primary passage for movement from northern to southern Gaza. This action is a violation of the latest ceasefire agreement. Hamas has condemned the move, stating that it has completely derailed the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, further tightening the blockade on Gaza and worsening the humanitarian crisis. According to AFP, Israeli airstrikes in war-torn Gaza have claimed the lives of 970 Palestinians in the past 48 hours.

A former leader of the BNP’s student wing, Chhatra Dal, succumbed to injuries sustained during a factional clash in Enayetpur, Sirajganj. Kabir Hossain (28), former general secretary of Chhatra Dal’s Ward No. 2 unit in Sadiya Chandpur, passed away on Wednesday. The violence erupted on Tuesday at the Chandpur Government Primary School ground during an Iftar gathering. Allegations suggest that the attack was led by former BNP union president Saiful Islam Mithu Mir and general secretary Kalam Sikder. Following Kabir’s death, BNP activists staged a protest rally at Kezi Mor in the evening, demanding justice.

At least six migrants lost their lives, and 40 remain missing after a boat capsized near Lampedusa, Italy, the United Nations refugee agency confirmed on Wednesday. The Italian Coast Guard has so far rescued ten individuals and resumed search operations at dawn to locate more survivors. According to the rescued migrants, a group of 56 people fell into the water due to rough weather conditions. They had set out from Tunisia on a small dinghy, attempting to reach European shores. In 2023, a total of 41,584 migrants crossed the Eastern Mediterranean migration route into the EU, a significant increase from 12,758 in 2022.