Residents of Gaza City have voiced skepticism about the recently announced second phase of the ceasefire agreement, saying that many commitments from the first stage have yet to be implemented. Several Palestinians told Al Jazeera that crossings were supposed to open, prices were expected to fall, and Israeli attacks were to stop, but none of these changes have materialized. Instead, they said, the only difference has been their displacement from the south to the northern parts of the enclave. A woman interviewed said that Gaza’s situation remains unchanged and urged that the first phase be completed properly before moving to the next stage. Another resident said he was not hopeful because aid and food had not arrived and the ceasefire was not enforced as promised. With ongoing bombardments and killings, many said they could not find shelter or even tents. The report reflects widespread frustration among Gazans who see little progress on the ground despite official announcements of a new ceasefire phase.

Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inquilab Mancha, has given a one-week ultimatum for visible progress in the trial of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi’s murder. He made the announcement on Friday at a rally held at the base of the Raju Memorial Sculpture on the Dhaka University campus. Earlier, Inquilab Mancha organized a protest march after Friday prayers from the central mosque, which moved through key campus roads and Shahbagh before concluding at the rally site. During his speech, Jaber criticized political parties for their silence on the demand for justice, urging them to raise their voices simultaneously from all 300 parliamentary constituencies. He warned that if no significant progress is made within a week, a nationwide movement would be launched. Jaber also invoked Hadi’s ideals, emphasizing fairness and the right to vote for all, calling on supporters to uphold his vision of justice in future leadership. He expressed frustration at major political parties for avoiding street protests while posting emotional messages on social media, describing such actions as clear hypocrisy.

U.S. President Donald Trump will not change his stance on acquiring Greenland even after the formation of a European military mission on the island, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, she said European troop deployments would not affect Trump’s decision-making process. A meeting was held Wednesday between the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where both sides agreed to form a working group for technical discussions on the issue. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated that while all parties agree on strengthening Arctic security, there are disagreements over methods, emphasizing that people are not commodities to be traded. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any U.S. attempt to forcibly take Greenland could threaten NATO’s existence. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen viewed ongoing dialogue positively, calling diplomacy the right path forward. Meanwhile, Denmark landed two military transport planes in Nuuk as part of the NATO “Arctic Endurance” exercise, with European allies deploying troops to Greenland. Trump reiterated that U.S. control of the island is vital for national security against potential Russian and Chinese threats.

Samsul Alam has been appointed as the director and Imran Hasan as the assistant director of Rajshahi University’s literary and cultural organization, Bikalpo Sahitya Sangskritik Sangsad. The announcement was made on Thursday during an artists’ gathering organized by the group. The new leadership was declared by H M Abu Musa, executive director of Samonnito Sangskritik Sangsad (SASAS), along with Bikalpo chairman Mujahid Faisal and outgoing director Ahmed Raihan. According to the report, Samsul Alam is a master’s student in the Department of History, while Imran Hasan is a third-year student in the Department of Arabic. Change TV director Amirul Momenin Manik congratulated the newly appointed committee and expressed hope that the new leadership would play a leading role in promoting a healthy and progressive cultural environment at Rajshahi University. The leadership transition marks a continuation of student-led cultural activities at the university, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to fostering creativity and progressive values among students.

Rabeya Islam Shampa, wife of slain Inkilab Mancha spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, has publicly demanded justice for her husband’s killing. On Friday afternoon, she posted on her Facebook account that her only request to the state, on behalf of herself and her child, is justice for Hadi’s murder. She emphasized that justice for his death stands above all worldly desires. According to the report, Hadi, a frontline activist of the July Movement and an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, was attacked by assailants on December 12 in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. He sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was later taken to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he died while under care. His funeral drew a large crowd, and he was buried beside the national poet’s grave. Shampa had previously made a similar appeal for justice on Wednesday, reiterating her demand for accountability in her husband’s killing.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has announced that it will not join the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The declaration was made on Friday by the party’s senior joint secretary general and spokesperson Gazi Ataur Rahman at a press conference. He stated that the party’s candidates are actively campaigning in 268 constituencies and will not withdraw their nominations. The party will decide later whom to support in the remaining 32 constituencies after the nomination withdrawal process ends. Gazi Ataur Rahman emphasized that ensuring everyone’s rights based on Islamic principles is possible and that party members consider politics for establishing Islam as a sacred act of worship. He added that the party remains optimistic about its mission. The announcement followed speculation over whether Islami Andolan would join the alliance, as the party did not attend an emergency meeting of the 11-party coalition held at Jamaat’s central office in Moghbazar on Thursday. The press conference clarified Islami Andolan’s independent stance and ended the uncertainty surrounding its alliance position before the election.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman expressed deep sorrow and sympathy to the families of those killed in a fire in Dhaka’s Uttara area. On Friday afternoon, he visited Road 18 of Sector 11, where the incident occurred, prayed for the departed souls, and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. He met relatives of the six deceased from two families and offered condolences, praying for divine mercy and healing for the 13 people still hospitalized. During his visit, Dr. Rahman emphasized the moral duty of standing beside affected families in times of crisis, offering emotional support and encouragement. He urged neighbors to provide comfort and solidarity to the grieving families. He also noted that while material loss cannot be fully compensated, survivors should be supported to recover and continue serving humanity. In response to a question, Dr. Rahman said that if given the opportunity, he would work to include emergency safety education in the national curriculum and raise awareness about safety through media, mosques, NGOs, and social organizations.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh, led by the Pir of Charmonai, has announced its withdrawal from the 11-party electoral alliance that included Jamaat-e-Islami. The decision was declared on Friday afternoon at the party’s central office by Joint Secretary General and spokesperson Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman. He stated that the party would contest independently in 268 constituencies in the upcoming 13th national election, as two of its 270 nominations were rejected on appeal. Rahman outlined four reasons for leaving the alliance, all centered on Jamaat-e-Islami’s actions. He criticized Jamaat’s leader for discussing an understanding with BNP’s Tarique Rahman without consulting allies, which raised doubts about the election’s integrity. He also cited ideological differences, saying Jamaat’s leadership had assured Christian representatives that they would not implement Sharia law if in power, which contradicted Islami Andolan’s goals. The spokesperson emphasized that Islami Andolan practices politics as a form of worship and does not pursue power politics. The party aims to unite Islamist votes under one banner and continue its mission to establish an Islamic welfare state.

After more than a decade of fluctuating relations, the United States is struggling to maintain its economic position in Africa, according to Turkish academic Yunus Turhan of Haci Bayram Veli University in Ankara. Citing U.S. Census Bureau data, he noted that trade between the U.S. and Africa has seen major ups and downs from 2014 to 2025, with exports reaching 34 billion dollars and imports 37.8 billion dollars by November 2025. Despite this, Africa accounted for only 1.1 percent of America’s total trade volume of 7.37 trillion dollars in 2024. Turhan highlighted that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), launched in 2000, has played a key role by allowing 32 African nations to export over 1,800 products duty-free to the U.S., contributing about 500 billion dollars in exports between 2002 and 2022. The U.S. House of Representatives recently extended AGOA for another three years. However, Turhan observed that U.S.-Africa trade remains largely oil-dependent. He added that China and Russia have become Washington’s main competitors in Africa, with China’s trade reaching 314 billion dollars in 2025 and Russia’s 24.5 billion dollars in 2024. Turhan suggested that the U.S. should work closely with partners like Turkey to balance strategic rivalry and development goals in Africa.

Islami Chhatra Shibir has expressed deep concern and sorrow over the deadly fire that occurred in a residential building in Sector 11 of Uttara, Dhaka. In a condolence message sent to the media on Friday, the organization’s central president Nurul Islam and secretary general Sibgatullah conveyed their condolences and prayed for the departed souls. The fire broke out in a seven-story building on Friday morning, killing six people, including women and children, and injuring several others. In their statement, the Shibir leaders expressed deep concern over the tragic incident and extended sympathy to the bereaved families. They also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured and called on the authorities to conduct a proper investigation and support the affected families. The leaders urged the government to adopt modern fire safety systems and necessary security measures in densely populated and important areas to prevent such accidents in the future. The statement reflects the organization’s call for accountability and improved safety infrastructure following the fatal incident in the capital’s Uttara area.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s senior joint secretary general Gazi Ataur Rahman announced that the party will seek to implement Islamic Sharia law if it wins the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. He made the statement on Friday during a press conference organized to discuss seat-sharing issues. Responding to journalists, Rahman said that establishing Sharia law would be their duty and that they would attempt it through lawful means if they gained the necessary strength. Rahman also clarified the party’s stance on the constitution, stating that while citizens are obliged to follow existing laws, some provisions are oppressive and could be changed through proper procedures. He explained that Islami Andolan left the 11-party alliance due to disagreements over justice and fairness, emphasizing that their politics is based on Islamic ideology rather than pursuit of power. The party has submitted nominations in 270 constituencies, of which 268 remain valid, and all candidates have been instructed to contest independently. Rahman further said that Jamaat-e-Islami’s separate understanding with the BNP created doubts about the alliance’s integrity, prompting Islami Andolan to protect its ideological goals independently.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that the government should not call for voting based on any special reason or promote any particular vote. He emphasized that the government’s responsibility is to encourage citizens to participate in elections and go to polling centers. He made these remarks on Friday afternoon while speaking to journalists after attending a children and youth gathering organized by the Maizbhandari Academy at Nasirabad Government Boys High School field in Chattogram. Amir Khasru said that when government representatives talk about voting for special reasons, it creates suspicion among the public. He added that people are not taking positively the idea of highlighting one vote while ignoring another. According to him, the focus should be on the vote that can bring real change to the lives of ordinary people, which he described as the “real vote.” The event was inaugurated by Chattogram City Mayor Shahadat Hossain, with Daily Azadi editor M A Malek as a special guest. Several other organizers and officials were also present at the gathering.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated in Istanbul on Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aggressive military policies have left Israel increasingly isolated internationally. He said the ongoing military operations have caused widespread death and destruction in the Middle East and made normalization of relations with Israel practically impossible for Turkey and many other countries. Fidan emphasized that as long as Israel’s military campaign continues, there is no realistic opportunity to restore diplomatic ties. He noted that European leaders are now reluctant to meet or be photographed with Netanyahu, reflecting growing opposition among European human rights groups and elected representatives. According to him, this reluctance stems from political risks associated with public closeness to Netanyahu. He added that Israel’s diplomatic isolation is evident, with Netanyahu reportedly losing the ability to travel beyond the United States. Fidan described Turkey’s stance not as emotional or ideological but as part of a broader international response, noting that many countries are either openly criticizing Israel or quietly avoiding high-level contact.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the newspaper Amar Desh, stated that the political legacy and struggle of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia have now been entrusted to their son, Tarique Rahman. He made the remarks on Friday at a citizens’ condolence meeting held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament in Dhaka, organized to mourn the death of Begum Khaleda Zia. Rahman described this transfer of legacy as both a matter of pride and a profound responsibility. He said that being the son of two such prominent leaders is an honor but also a source of fear and challenge, as the people of Bangladesh will always compare Tarique Rahman with his parents. Citing Rabindranath Tagore’s verse, he prayed for divine strength for Tarique to carry this symbolic flag of independence and leadership. Rahman further remarked that Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia were the only husband and wife in Bangladesh’s century-long history who remained at the peak of popularity throughout their lives, calling their joint legacy unique in global political history.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed stated that Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty remained protected because of Begum Khaleda Zia’s leadership. He made the remarks on Friday at the inauguration of a three-day photo exhibition in memory of Khaleda Zia at Justice Shahabuddin Park in Gulshan, Dhaka. Rizvi said her refusal to compromise led to her imprisonment and suffering, and that she was a guiding light for the nation. He described Khaleda Zia’s life as broad and revolutionary, saying her political and professional journey would inspire admiration among those who study it. According to Rizvi, such exhibitions will motivate the younger generation and highlight her ideals and leadership. He added that her death created a void affecting not only her party but the entire nation. Rizvi also criticized the Awami League government for approving projects like the Rampal power plant to serve business interests, contrasting it with Khaleda Zia’s alleged resistance to anti-national deals. He claimed regional and global forces continue to conspire to control Bangladesh’s coal and gas resources, against which Khaleda Zia always stood firm.