In a bold political move, Elon Musk has announced the formation of a new political party called the “America Party,” amid growing tensions with Donald Trump. In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, Musk said the new party aims to "restore the people's freedom." He criticized Trump’s budget bill as “disgraceful” and vowed to spend against Trump-backed members of Congress. The announcement has stirred intense debate across the U.S. political landscape, though analysts remain skeptical about the party’s chances of disrupting the entrenched two-party system.

The U.S. national debt has now exceeded $33 trillion, sparking global concern among economists and policymakers. Analysts warn that former President Donald Trump's “Big Beautiful Budget Bill,” which includes significant tax cuts, could increase the debt by an additional $3 trillion. Financial expert Ray Dalio cautioned that the U.S. is at a tipping point, with three alarming paths ahead: slashing public spending and increasing taxes, printing more dollars, or facing a catastrophic default. Although the situation is grave, experts believe the crisis might be delayed due to the lack of a viable alternative to the U.S. dollar in global finance.

BNP central leader M. Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu expressed deep gratitude toward journalists, stating, “Even if I gave my own blood, I couldn’t repay the debt I owe to journalists. It was through their writings that I rose from a district-level student leader to become an MP, a minister, and a national-level BNP leader.” Speaking as the chief guest at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Natore Press Club on Saturday, Dulu promised lifelong support for journalists and media freedom. He added that if the BNP comes to power, no party member will obstruct the press, and journalists will be free to do their work without interference.

More than a hundred aggrieved businessmen staged a protest in front of Vatara Police Station in Dhaka on Saturday night, demanding the arrest of Dr. Mujtaba Ali, chairman of the e-commerce platform Dhamaka Shopping. They accused Dr. Mujtaba of embezzling nearly Tk 4 billion (400 crore taka) from them. The demonstration, which began in the evening, continued until 1 a.m., with protesters alleging that instead of taking action, police were sheltering him inside the station under the pretext of security. When contacted, the officer-in-charge of Vatara Police Station confirmed that Dr. Mujtaba had not been arrested and that no decision regarding his arrest had yet been made.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel will dispatch a delegation to Qatar to participate in ceasefire negotiations over the Gaza conflict. However, Hamas has requested amendments to certain provisions in the Qatari proposal, which Israel currently finds unacceptable. On Friday, Hamas said it had accepted in principle a U.S.-brokered proposal for a 60-day ceasefire. Amid the prolonged hostilities, there is cautious optimism that talks in Qatar could open a path toward de-escalation. Since the start of the conflict, Israeli attacks in Gaza have left more than half a million Palestinians dead or injured.

BNP leader Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has tarnished even the country’s sports sector with corruption and partisanship. He asserted that if the BNP is entrusted with power, it will transform the sporting arena to genuinely reflect the aspirations of the people. At the same event, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi stated that those who became martyrs during the July–August mass uprising are among the nation’s finest sons. He described Sheikh Hasina’s rule as marked by chaos and brutality, accusing the government of abducting many political figures including Chowdhury Alam and Ilias Ali, who remain missing to this day. Rizvi referred to chilling revelations documented in the Disappearance Commission’s report. He also warned of ongoing conspiracies to manipulate the upcoming election, emphasizing the need to ensure that elections are held on time.

During the tenure of the Awami League government, significant irregularities marred the 30th and 31st BCS recruitments. Forty-one individuals were unlawfully appointed to cadre positions without any recommendation from the Public Service Commission (PSC). Previously, 21 candidates were similarly appointed in the 29th BCS, a matter now under Anti-Corruption Commission investigation. Despite being on non-cadre lists, the appointees were assigned through special gazettes issued by the Ministry of Public Administration and placed in key positions as loyalists of the ruling party. PSC officials reiterated that there is no provision for transferring non-cadres to cadre posts without proper procedure.

The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) has expressed deep concern over the government’s decision to impose a 2% advance income tax without prior discussion. At a press conference in Gulshan, industry leaders warned this measure—coming amid severe crises in gas supply, electricity, and bank loans—could devastate the sector. “Is this policy designed to destroy local industries and benefit our neighbors?” one leader asked. The association demanded the tax’s withdrawal within seven days, threatening factory closures if their call goes unheeded. They stressed that $75 billion in investments and the national economy itself are now at risk.

BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has inquired about the medical treatment of Zisan, the younger brother of slain protester Abdullah Bin Zahid, who is battling cancer. Joining virtually from the BNP office in Gulshan, he spoke to the bereaved mother and promised continued support. Tarique sent gifts for Zisan and expressed hope for his recovery. Overcome with emotion, the mother thanked Tarique and recounted her family’s tragedies: losing a son to political violence, her younger son’s cancer diagnosis, and the death of her husband.

Rifat Rashid, president of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, has denounced the government’s failure to provide proper medical care to those injured in the July uprising. “Healthcare is a constitutional right,” he said, criticizing the Advisory Council’s indifference. “If any advisor lacks sincerity, they should vacate their chair. If they have no empathy for the wounded and martyred, they have no right to lead.” He accused a doctors’ syndicate aligned with a ruling party of obstructing care and delaying treatment under false assurances. Central leaders met victims’ families in NITOR and Mirpur and pledged to fight the syndicate’s hold over healthcare.

This year in Iran, Ashura was not just a day of mourning but also a mass demonstration of national unity and resistance against perceived Israeli and American aggression. Inspired by the spirit of Karbala, Iranians transformed their grief into defiance, holding processions with images of martyrs and anti-imperialist slogans. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei called for donating blood instead of self-flagellation—a call that was widely heeded. Clerics described Ashura as the fountainhead of Islamic revolution and steadfastness. Despite sorrow, Iranians stood tall, strengthened by Ashura’s spiritual legacy. (By a journalist and analyst based in Iran)

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has expressed hope that he will live more than 130 years. During a prayer gathering in Dharamshala, India, he told followers he plans to reincarnate as Tibet’s spiritual leader after death. He emphasized that the right to recognize his successor lies with the Gaden Phodrang Trust—not the Chinese government. China has long branded him a separatist. The Dalai Lama, who is already the longest-living Tibetan Buddhist leader, reiterated that his next birth will take place outside Chinese control.

The Chinese government has launched a new initiative to combat the country’s severe birth-rate crisis. Beginning January 2025, Beijing will provide couples with an annual cash payment of 3,600 yuan for each newborn child, continuing until the child turns three. Once the most populous country in the world, China has now fallen to second place amid sustained declines in birth rates despite previous policy relaxations. Authorities hope that direct financial support will help reverse this trend and stabilize population growth.

The Israeli administration has effectively transformed Sinjil city in the occupied West Bank into an open-air prison by erecting a five-meter-high fence around it. Only a single entrance gate remains open, under strict surveillance, severely restricting the daily lives of local Palestinians. Residents are unable to freely access their own extensive lands, face significant movement barriers, and struggle to maintain their livelihoods. While Israel claims the fence is a necessary security measure, Palestinian leaders denounce it as a form of oppression and a tactic to break their morale.

Awami League leader Kamrul Haque was arrested at Sylhet’s MAG Osmani International Airport upon returning from the holy Hajj pilgrimage. Kamrul Haque is an executive member of the Awami League’s Bianibazar Upazila unit. He was detained during immigration questioning and subsequently arrested based on a case filed at Bianibazar police station. Kamrul is a resident of Ghungadia village in Muria Union and a businessman in the travel sector.