Under the directive of BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, the “We Are BNP Family” organization will distribute Eid gifts to the families of party members who were abducted, killed, or disabled. Additionally, families of those killed or injured in the 2024 mass uprising will receive similar support. The organization’s secretary stated that this initiative has been in place since 2016, reaching approximately 1,200 families annually. This year, the number of beneficiaries is expected to rise to 1,700-1,800.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus emphasized that the holy month of Ramadan provides a unique opportunity for self-purification through restraint, seeking Allah’s pleasure and forgiveness. In a message marking Ramadan, he extended greetings to the nation and the global Muslim community, highlighting the role of fasting in promoting compassion, harmony, and brotherhood. He urged people to renounce indulgence, envy, and conflict while embracing patience and moderation. He also encouraged increased Quran recitation and worship, praying for peace and divine blessings for all.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) will launch an “all-out action” against known criminal gangs in the city, according to Additional Commissioner Rezaul Karim Mallik. He emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for all crimes, big or small. Given the increase in financial transactions during Ramadan, DB officers will conduct undercover surveillance to maintain law and order. Mallik noted that recent incidents of robbery and snatching involved criminals aged 15-30, many of whom were influenced by incitement from fallen fascists.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has criticized the National Citizen Party for lacking a clear political philosophy, despite making grand statements about the state. He dismissed comparisons between BNP’s formation under military rule and other political narratives, stating that Ziaur Rahman established a new ideological framework distinct from past regimes. Rizvi asserted that Zia was the pioneer of multi-party democracy and did not seize power by dismantling democratic governance. Instead, he restored democracy after the one-party BAKSAL system.

Dr. Muhammad Mofizur Rahman, coordinator of the Inter-Cadre Disparity Resolution Council, announced that 25 cadres will observe a full-day strike nationwide on Sunday. Only emergency services will remain operational. The strike demands the withdrawal of dismissal orders against 12 officials penalized for social media posts and the resolution of inter-cadre inequalities. Rahman warned that if the issues remain unaddressed within a week, stricter measures will follow. He urged authorities to take immediate steps to resolve the matter.

The Brahmanbaria District Student Wing has announced a partial nine-member committee for Nasirnagar’s Chaltapara Degree College, with women holding seven key positions, including president and general secretary. The press release, signed by district convenor Shahinur Rahman and member secretary Samir Chakraborty, has drawn widespread praise for prioritizing female leadership. Kanika Akter has been appointed as president, while Dewan Nusrat will serve as general secretary. Akter credited the inspiration to past mass movements led by women and noted that Tarique Rahman also supports the rise of female leadership.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has urged the Chief Adviser to announce the national election roadmap within March instead of making vague statements. He warned that failure to do so would prompt democratic forces to decide on future political actions. He pointed out that while the Chief Adviser mentioned a December election in foreign media, he should have the courage to declare the same to local media. Criticizing those advocating local elections before national elections, Salahuddin claimed they fear their own standing in the national polls.

Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Abul Kalam Azad Mazumdar, has dismissed media reports of a robbery on 40 vehicles in Pabna as exaggerated. According to the statement from Santhia Police Station, unidentified robbers blocked the Sathia-Bera road in Karomja Union with fallen trees on Friday night and intercepted a single HiAce van. The robbers held five passengers at gunpoint, seizing 7.14 tolas of gold, a laptop, an iPad, a small suitcase, a diamond nose pin, 502 dinars, and 50,000 taka in cash. They also took mobile phones from a CNG driver and a motorcyclist before fleeing the scene.

China has fired flares at an Australian reconnaissance aircraft over the disputed South China Sea, triggering fresh tensions. According to Australian officials, a Chinese J-16 fighter jet released flares near an Australian P-8 surveillance aircraft in contested waters. Australia’s defense department has lodged a formal complaint, expressing concerns over the incident. Beijing, however, defended its actions, stating that the Australian aircraft had entered its territory illegally, and the response was a restrained yet professional enforcement of its sovereignty.

Chinese geologists have claimed to have discovered a massive energy source that could potentially sustain the country for the next 60,000 years. According to reports from the Daily Mail, scientists in Beijing have identified a vast deposit of thorium in the Bayan Obo mineral complex, located in Inner Mongolia. The thorium reserves found are so abundant that they could theoretically supply every household in China with unlimited energy. Thorium is a mildly radioactive element that can be used in nuclear reactors to generate electricity. Scientists believe that a molten-salt reactor, powered by thorium, could produce an almost infinite amount of energy. Experts estimate that if the entire thorium deposit in the mine is extracted, it could amount to one million tons, marking a groundbreaking discovery in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.

The AB Party has announced a daily public Iftar program during Ramadan, distributing healthy and nutritious meals to thousands of homeless and underprivileged individuals. Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju stated that the event will take place at the party’s central office every day at 5 PM. He raised concerns about artificial price hikes during Ramadan and the rise in criminal activities such as theft and robbery. He questioned why, despite the absence of a party-led government, the situation remains unchanged. “The government must pass this test of maintaining stability during Ramadan,” he asserted.

A gang of robbers looted at least 30 vehicles, including buses and trucks, by blocking the Pabna-Santhia road with a fallen tree on Friday night. The incident has been confirmed by Saidur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Santhia Police Station, and Mostafizur Rahman, OC of Madhpur Highway Police Outpost. According to local sources, the gang first stopped a cargo truck by placing a tree trunk on the road, causing a massive traffic jam with over a hundred vehicles, including buses, trucks, private cars, CNGs, and microbuses, stranded on both sides. Moments later, a group of 40 to 50 armed robbers launched an attack, targeting at least 30 vehicles. The criminals looted valuables and left at least ten people injured.

The Gano Odhikar Parishad has demanded the resignation of student advisers and student representatives from the National Citizen Party to ensure government neutrality. Nurul Haque Nur stated that although fascism fell through a mass uprising, domestic and foreign conspiracies have prevented the realization of public aspirations. While welcoming a new political party, he pointed out that one student adviser had resigned, but two others remain. He alleged that a handful of student leaders were interfering in administration, causing discontent. Nur demanded the resignation of the remaining two advisers for the sake of government neutrality and criticized the government’s inaction during a press conference.

At a press conference on Saturday, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that the government is determined to create a level playing field for free and fair elections. Addressing concerns about Ramadan market conditions, he noted that essential food prices remain at a reasonable level compared to last year. The government will make every effort to keep prices stable throughout Ramadan, taking steps to increase supply. He expects the situation to improve further, ensuring affordability. He also acknowledged a shortage of both loose and packaged soybean oil but assured that regular monitoring has helped reduce the crisis in loose oil supply.

The Financial Times has exposed secret global assets belonging to former Bangladeshi minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, revealing ownership of 482 properties worth $295 million. The Bangladeshi government is reportedly seeking to recover some of these assets. The investigation uncovered that Saifuzzaman owns forest land in Florida, luxury properties in Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah and Burj Khalifa, and significant real estate holdings across London. His portfolio includes: • 315 properties in the UK • 142 properties in Dubai • 16 properties in New York • 6 properties in Florida • 3 properties in New Jersey The report also found that Bangladeshi elites have acquired an estimated $578 million worth of properties in Singapore and Canada, raising further concerns about wealth accumulation abroad.