The Russian Foreign Ministry has reported that approximately 9,000 civilians, mostly women and children, have sought refuge at Russia’s Hmeimim Airbase in Syria to escape escalating violence. Sectarian clashes have intensified between interim security forces and the Alawite community. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has confirmed hundreds of Alawite civilian casualties. Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa has condemned the violence, calling the killings a “threat to Syria’s unity.” Russia claims to be actively engaging with Arab states, Turkey, and Iran to ensure long-term stability in the region.

A high-profile meeting between Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus and UN Secretary-General António Guterres took place at the Chief Advisor’s Office at 10 AM. Following the meeting, both leaders will travel to Cox’s Bazar on the same flight. Advisor Farooq E. Azam will receive the UN chief in Cox’s Bazar, where Guterres is scheduled to visit a Rohingya learning center, a cultural hub, and a jute-based production center.

In New York, activists from the group “Jewish Voice for Peace” staged a sit-in at Trump Tower, demanding the release of Palestinian worker Mahmoud Khalil. Protesters chanted slogans like “Free Mahmoud, Free Everyone!” and “Fight Nazis, Not Students!” They wore red shirts bearing the messages “Not in Our Name” and “Stop Arming Israel.” Khalil was arrested on March 8 from his university residence, a move activists claim was politically motivated.

NC Party leader Abdul Hannan Masud has warned against excessive civility in political discourse. He criticized the media establishment allegedly created by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, urging opposition figures not to reinforce its foundations under the guise of politeness. In a social media post tagging Hasnat Abdullah, Masud wrote, “If you truly aim to rebuild this collapsing system for the next generation, then the current media establishment must be dismantled and reconstructed from scratch.”

Government-affiliated organizations, including the banned student wing and elements of the ruling party, are allegedly conspiring to destabilize the nation, now joined by activists from the Shahbagh Gonojagoron Mancha and some left-wing factions. Young protesters have vowed to prevent these groups from infiltrating demonstrations. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam stated that authorities are identifying those instigating attacks on law enforcement. A case has been filed against 12 individuals, and the investigation will determine the involvement of any Shahbagh affiliates or other groups.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has accused Tulip Siddiq of using fraudulent notarized documents to transfer government-owned land to her sister. The investigation, which focuses on illegal allotment of state property, revealed that Siddiq allegedly leveraged her political influence to secure plots in Dhaka’s Purbachal New Town Project for herself and her family. Previously, she resigned from her UK ministerial position amid an ongoing ethical misconduct inquiry.

Former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, Professor Dr. A.A.M.S. Arefin Siddique, will be laid to rest following a funeral prayer at Dhanmondi Eidgah ground after Jumu’ah prayers on Friday. He will be buried at Azimpur Cemetery beside his parents’ graves. Professor Siddique passed away at 10:45 PM while undergoing treatment for a brain stroke and hemorrhage at Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital.

Reports surfaced that a news anchor and two other employees were dismissed from a television channel after an on-air controversy involving NC Party’s chief organizers, Hasnat Abdullah (South) and Sarjis Alam (North). However, Hasnat Abdullah himself has now urged the reinstatement of the dismissed anchor. He stated, “We fought for the right to express differing opinions, not just for freedom of speech but also for the freedom to dissent.”

On the second day of his visit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres held a bilateral meeting with Foreign Affairs Advisor Tawhid Hossain. Later, he is scheduled to meet Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. In the afternoon, Guterres will travel to Cox’s Bazar, where he will be briefed on the current situation of the Rohingya refugees, with a focus on funding shortages. He will also interact with local residents and attend an iftar event with 100,000 Rohingya refugees. Chief Advisor Dr. Yunus will accompany him on this visit.

ollowing the signing of a visa exemption agreement between Bangladesh and Gambia, Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that the agreement, applicable to diplomatic and official passport holders, would further solidify bilateral relations. He expressed deep gratitude for Gambia’s unwavering support for Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue. Gambia’s leadership in securing justice for the Rohingya at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with the backing of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has earned high praise, further strengthening ties between the two nations.

At Dhaka University (DU), student organization Islami Chhatra Shibir organized an Iftar event on Thursday, where students received food boxes along with a 500 BDT cash note. The event was reportedly funded by a Turkish organization, TIKA. Approximately 1,500 students attended the gathering, which stood out for its scale and unique approach. A viral video showed students standing in line, collecting their Iftar packs and cash, with visible expressions of joy.

Tarique Rahman has strongly condemned the tragic death of eight-year-old Achiya in Magura, who was a victim of sexual assault. Expressing his grief and outrage, he stated, “Like the rest of the nation, I am deeply shaken by this inhumane act. Such brutality cannot be tolerated.” The horrific incident has sparked nationwide protests, from cities to rural areas. Rahman also revealed that upon learning about the case, he pledged medical and legal assistance for the victim. He accused past authoritarian governments of failing to hold rapists accountable, thereby enabling the repetition of such crimes. He reiterated the need for justice and stronger protections for women and children.

Following discussions in Riyadh last week, the United States proposed a 30-day temporary ceasefire with Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to the proposal, stating, “We are open to halting the war. However, we aim for this pause to evolve into lasting peace and address the root causes of this conflict.” He further emphasized that any ceasefire must be tied to resolving the fundamental issues that led to the war, adding that more details on the agreement are necessary.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir has criticized a newly formed political party, accusing it of lacking originality and being intolerant of criticism. Nasir argued that the party has merely adopted the same policies once introduced by BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. “Whenever they face criticism, they deflect by pointing out the flaws of older parties to justify their own mistakes,” he claimed. He further questioned the party’s stance on foreign policy, arguing that they have yet to provide a clear direction on their governance strategy if elected. Nasir also expressed concerns about the sources of funding backing this new party.

BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan has declared that autocratic rule has no future in Bangladesh, crediting sustained movements and public resistance for forcing authoritarian regimes to flee. Speaking at an event, Moin Khan recalled how unified pro-democracy forces, particularly students, played a pivotal role in the final push against dictatorship. He compared the recent protests to historic prison breaks, citing the storming of the Narsingdi Jail on July 19 as a turning point in the fight for democracy. “There is no greater right than the right of the people,” he affirmed.