Following recent trade tensions, former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that India has agreed to reduce tariffs on American products, although the Modi government has stated that discussions are still ongoing. White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt highlighted that India imposes a 150% tariff on American liquor, calling it unfair. She also pointed out India’s additional 100% tariff on agricultural products. Levitt emphasized that Trump believes in mutual cooperation and aims for a fair and balanced trade relationship between the two nations.

A Dhaka court has sentenced three individuals to life imprisonment for the gang rape of a teenage girl in Kamrangirchar. Additionally, two minors have been given the maximum punishment of 10 years in prison. The convicts—Mohan, Sabbir, and Russell—were also fined BDT 100,000 each. Failure to pay will result in an additional year of imprisonment. The two minors were fined the same amount, with a similar penalty for non-payment. The crime occurred on June 17, 2020, when the 13-year-old victim was assaulted by the perpetrators.

Former Dhaka Mayor Atiqul Islam, Prime Minister’s Adviser Salman F Rahman, and Mohibul Haque have been arrested in separate cases. Salman F Rahman and Atiqul Islam were shown as arrested in a murder case under Vatara Police Station, while Mohibul Haque was arrested in an attempted murder case under Tejgaon Police Station. Salman F Rahman was apprehended on August 13 while attempting to flee by boat from the Sadarghat area. Atiqul Islam was arrested on October 16 in Mohakhali, Dhaka. Mohibul Haque was detained on November 20 in Mohakhali DOHS.

Canada’s Minister Ahmed Hussen has announced over $270 million in new funding for foreign aid projects in Bangladesh and the Indo-Pacific region. He emphasized Canada’s long-standing ties with the region and its commitment to strengthening those bonds. The funding will be allocated to 14 projects aimed at healthcare for vulnerable populations, women’s empowerment, and combating climate change. In addition to Canada’s contributions, other international donors and partners are also involved in the funding efforts.

Actress Shomi Kaiser has been granted interim bail in an attempted murder case linked to recent political unrest. She remains in Kashimpur Women’s Prison, but with no additional cases against her, there are no legal barriers to her release. The case alleges that on July 18, members of the Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League launched an armed attack in Azampur, injuring multiple individuals, including businessman Ishtiaq Mahmud. The plaintiff claims that Shomi Kaiser was directly involved in the incident.

In a Facebook post, Ishraq Hossain strongly condemned the resurgence of key figures from the controversial Gonojagoron Moncho movement, stating that an interim government must take strict action against them. He accused the platform of facilitating judicial killings, brutal persecution of Islamic scholars, rigging the 2014 elections in favor of Sheikh Hasina, and enabling extrajudicial killings that suppressed opposition parties, including the BNP. He argued that the movement laid the foundation for a decade of fascist rule in Bangladesh.

A case has been filed against 12 individuals, including Meghmallar Basu, for allegedly attacking the police during an anti-rape protest march at Hotel Intercontinental intersection. SI Abul Khayer filed the case, naming 12 individuals and accusing an additional 70-80 unidentified persons. The accused include Aung Aung Marma (25), Sumaiya Shahina (25), Adritha Roy (23), Arman (30), Meghmallar Basu (28), Al Amin Rahman (25), Richard (26), Hasan Shikdar (25), Seema Akter (25), Soukat Arif (26), Main Ahmed (24), and Fahim Ahmed Chowdhury (25).

The condition of the 8-year-old rape survivor in Magura has worsened, according to Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. The child, who was visiting her sister’s home when the assault occurred, is undergoing treatment at the CMH hospital. Despite initial signs of improvement, her condition began deteriorating again yesterday. Medical teams are making every effort to stabilize her health.

BNP leader Zainul Abedin Faruk has accused the NCP of causing disruptions to delay the upcoming elections. He emphasized that a free and fair election is crucial to fulfilling the people’s expectations and aspirations. He urged the government to announce a clear roadmap for the national parliamentary elections without further delay. Faruk also criticized the government, saying, “I don’t care about the Constitutional Assembly. What matters to me is that I have faced 84 cases and spent 9 out of 16 years in jail. As a political activist and a freedom fighter, I appeal to Professor Muhammad Yunus—not for a Constitutional Assembly, but for a fair and impartial national election that reflects the hopes and dreams of the people of Bangladesh.”

The news circulating on Facebook about the appointment of eight new advisers is completely false, confirmed Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser. Earlier, a document without any official signature surfaced on Facebook, claiming that eight individuals had been appointed as advisers to the interim government. The document, dated March 8, 2025, falsely stated that these individuals had been “approved for swearing-in as advisers.” The government has dismissed this as misinformation.

According to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs, individuals under the age of 15 will not be allowed to perform Hajj this year. The age will be determined based on the date of birth mentioned in the pilgrim’s passport. Both government-registered and private Hajj agencies, as well as banks involved in Hajj-related transactions, must strictly follow this directive. Those above 15 years must complete pre-registration and official registration to be eligible for Hajj. There will be no exceptions for those under 15.

A BNP leader in Sonargaon’s Noagaon Union was allegedly assaulted by Jatiya Party leader Hazrat Ali and his followers after protesting extortion. According to reports, Hazrat Ali’s associates forcibly took a cable machine and 200,000 BDT in cash from Aman, a friend of BNP leader Sanaullah, and demanded additional extortion money. When Sanaullah attempted to mediate the issue in a local arbitration, the attackers refused to return the machine and instead launched an armed attack on him.

Senior executives of Turkey’s Koç Group have visited Dhaka to reinforce business ties with Bangladesh. As one of Turkey’s leading investors, the conglomerate reaffirmed its commitment to expanding operations in the country. Koç Group’s flagship consumer durables brand, Beko, operates in Bangladesh through Singer Bangladesh Ltd., a subsidiary of the group. Koç Holding CEO Levent Çakıroğlu stated that Bangladesh and the broader South Asian region present significant opportunities for investment in sustainable consumer goods, energy, local manufacturing, research, and exports.

Police used water cannons and batons to disperse protesting teachers who were marching towards the Chief Adviser’s residence, demanding nationalization of their schools after being excluded from the latest MPO (Monthly Pay Order) enrollment phase. The confrontation, which took place on Wednesday afternoon, left at least five teachers injured. Earlier, the police attempted to negotiate with the teachers, suggesting that only a small delegation proceed to the residence. However, the protesters refused and continued their march, leading to the clash.

Intern doctors at various hospitals, including Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), have launched a strike demanding five key points, leading to the suspension of outpatient services. Healthcare services at major hospitals like Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital have also been affected, leaving low-income patients in distress. Under the banner of “Doctors and Medical Students of All Levels,” the protesters staged day-long demonstrations before announcing their work stoppage at a press conference. The strike was officially declared by intern doctor Nadim Hossain.