Police in Thakurgaon seized 69 sacks of Open Market Sale (OMS) rice and arrested Aminul Islam, accused of involvement in smuggling government-subsidized rice. Aminul, who served as the convenor of the BNP-affiliated Volunteer Group in Begunbari Union, was caught red-handed with others transporting the rice in a Mahindra vehicle for illegal sale. Local authorities confirmed Aminul’s expulsion from the party and alleged that four others—Kamal Haq, Sultan, Nur Amin, and Wadud, all linked to BNP—were also involved in the illegal operation.

Indian media outlets are reporting the deployment of Chinese troops in Balochistan, a claim Pakistan vehemently denies. According to Sama TV, following a failed terrorist attack on a train, India and its intelligence agency RAW have launched a new propaganda campaign in support of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). India Today published unverified claims suggesting the presence of Chinese private military companies in Pakistan. Pakistani authorities clarified that apart from security personnel stationed at designated locations in Lahore and Karachi, no Chinese security forces are deployed in the country.

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, with tremors felt in neighboring Bangladesh and Thailand. While Bangladesh reported no significant damage, a high-rise under construction collapsed in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, trapping 43 construction workers. The quake caused cracks in roads and debris to fall from buildings. Myanmar’s Fire Services Department stated, “We have begun investigations in Yangon to assess casualties and damage, but no official reports are available yet.”

A court has issued arrest warrants against former Vice-Chancellor of Jessore University of Science and Technology (JUST) Dr. Abdus Sattar and two others in a corruption case. The other accused are JUST Deputy Director Abdur Rauf and former Pro-Vice Chancellor of Islamic University Dr. Kamal Uddin. The case alleges that in 2009, Dr. Sattar, as the chairman of the recruitment board, attempted to unlawfully appoint Abdur Rauf as an Assistant Director despite lacking the required qualifications. Subsequently, Rauf was irregularly promoted to Deputy Director in 2021, fraudulently drawing approximately 6.1 million BDT in salaries and benefits.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, extended Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to the nation. In a statement, he remarked, "After a month of fasting, Eid-ul-Fitr brings a message of joy. The nation is celebrating this Eid at a time when the people have achieved their second independence through a mass movement led by students and citizens. Freed from 15 years of oppression, people can now breathe in a liberated environment, speak freely, and live in peace." He also prayed for the martyrs and the injured while expressing hope for a free and fair election.

At least 42 garment workers were injured when a transport bus overturned in Banani, Dhaka. Banani Police Station Officer-in-Charge Russell Sarwar confirmed the incident, stating that the bus was en route to Gazipur when it lost control and overturned early in the morning. Authorities are taking necessary legal measures regarding the accident.

Garment workers of Hong Kong Fashion Limited in Tongi staged a protest and road blockade on Friday morning, demanding their overdue salaries. The demonstration took place in the Pagara area, with workers also blocking the roads on Thursday night. According to the workers, about 500 employees work at the factory. While the management provided Eid bonuses to employees who had completed a year of service, more than 100 workers have yet to receive their January salaries, despite Eid holidays starting on Saturday.

A powerful earthquake was felt across Dhaka and several other parts of Bangladesh at 12:25 PM. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that the quake measured 7.0 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter in Mandalay, Myanmar, approximately 597 kilometers from Dhaka. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported a magnitude of 7.7, with the epicenter located 16 kilometers north-northwest of Sagaing, Myanmar, at a depth of 10 kilometers.

Bangla Academy has decided to revert to the traditional spelling of 'Eid' instead of 'Id,' reaffirming its commitment to preserving the purity and heritage of the Bengali language. Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan announced on Thursday night, "This is a historic decision, as linguists and literary figures believe that 'Eid' represents both the beauty and cultural legacy of our language." Following this decision, all official and private publications, along with the media, will use the spelling ‘Eid.’

The United States has pledged an additional $73 million in humanitarian aid for Rohingya refugees through the UN World Food Programme. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated in an X post, "This food and nutrition assistance is crucial for over a million people." The US remains the largest donor to the Rohingya crisis, having provided approximately $2.4 billion since 2017. However, the Trump administration previously announced plans to reduce aid for the Rohingya after returning to power.

At a high-level event at the United Nations General Assembly marking ‘International Zero Waste Day,’ Turkey’s First Lady Emine Erdoğan praised Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus for his remarkable contributions and global support for waste reduction. Focusing on fashion and textile waste, Emine Erdoğan highlighted the devastating impact of current linear production models and emphasized the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling to protect the planet’s future. Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to addressing sustainability challenges in the textile sector.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which was described as constructive and fruitful by Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. During the discussion, Dr. Yunus called for China to take a stronger role in the repatriation of Rohingya refugees. Additionally, he urged China to play a more significant role in ensuring peace, prosperity, and stability in both Bangladesh and China.

At least 40 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to over 50,200. According to Al Jazeera, an Israeli airstrike on a busy market in central Gaza killed seven people. The Gaza Government Media Office reported that the number of fatalities caused by Israeli aggression has now surpassed 61,700, with thousands still missing under the rubble, presumed dead.

On Thursday, Iran responded to a letter from former US President Donald Trump via Oman, reaffirming its stance against direct negotiations under pressure. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated, "We are open to indirect negotiations with the US." Previously, on March 7, Trump had announced that he had sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, inviting discussions over Iran’s nuclear program. Trump also warned that if Tehran refused to negotiate, military action could be taken.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the United States' new administration is taking its plans to seize Greenland seriously. Former US President Donald Trump had previously claimed that acquiring Greenland was essential for Washington’s 'international security.' Putin cautioned that underestimating the US’s ambitions regarding Greenland would be a grave mistake. He pointed out that these plans have deep historical roots. While Russia is not directly involved in the territorial claims over Greenland, Moscow is concerned that NATO countries are increasingly strategizing to use the Arctic region in potential conflicts.