In Baufal, Patuakhali, two local leaders of the Volunteer League—UP President Rimon Sikder (31) and General Secretary Liton Khandakar (40)—have been accused of robbing a businessman of BDT 8.65 lakh. On Wednesday night, the victim, Sourav Bashar, filed a complaint with the Baufal police station. According to the complaint, Bashar arrived in Siddique Bazar with his petrol truck when Liton Khandakar demanded petrol on credit. Upon refusal, a group of five to six individuals reportedly told Bashar that he must pay BDT 10 lakh in extortion fees to operate in the area. The dispute escalated, and the group allegedly snatched a black bag containing BDT 8.65 lakh from Bashar. The accused have denied the allegations.

Army Chief General Waqar-Uz-Zaman led the Maghrib prayer during a presidential reception at Bangabhaban, sparking widespread discussion. Responding to the controversy, his former army colleague and retired officer, Abu Rushd Md. Shahidul Islam, defended him, stating: "Even in his youth, Waqar used to lead prayers. We were coursemates and roommates, spending two years training together in the same platoon in 1984-85. Our rigorous training left us exhausted, but Waqar would still perform ablution and offer prayers diligently, even completing missed prayers before sleeping."

BNP’s Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, has sent an Eid-ul-Fitr greeting card to the interim government’s Chief Adviser, Dr. Muhammad Yunus. On Thursday morning, BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie delivered the card to the Chief Adviser’s office, where it was received by his secretary, Saifullah Panna.

To enhance the joy of Eid, Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan announced various government initiatives, including a grand Eid procession reminiscent of the Sultanate era. He recently shared an update, stating: "Preparations for the Eid procession are in full swing. Despite time constraints, the Local Government Division, the Ministry of Culture, and Dhaka North City Corporation are working tirelessly day and night." He added, "The procession will feature an elephant—will you be joining?"

Despite a continuous nine-day Eid holiday, Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed assured that the country’s economy would not face any stagnation. Speaking at the Secretariat after a government procurement advisory meeting, he stated that most advisory council members would remain in Dhaka. While some secretaries are traveling abroad, he emphasized that decision-making would not be disrupted, as digital systems allow for remote governance. His remarks aim to dispel concerns about potential economic slowdowns during the extended holiday period.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs is facing difficulties in identifying fake freedom fighters. Over the past three months, more than 20,000 complaints have been filed against individuals holding fraudulent certificates. Allegations have also surfaced against those who secured jobs using fake documents. Additionally, even some genuine freedom fighters have been subjected to scrutiny. To address this issue, the interim government has restructured the 10-member National Freedom Fighters Council (JAMUKA), as well as the 10-member Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust and its executive committee. Sources claim that former Minister for Liberation War Affairs, AKM Mozammel Haque, himself is a fake freedom fighter. According to JAMUKA, the number of fake freedom fighters exceeds 100,000. JAMUKA Director General Shahina Khatun stated that preliminary on-site hearings will be conducted to verify claims. Meanwhile, the government is also searching for families of martyrs who have yet to receive their entitled allowances.

Sudanese Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced on Wednesday that the military has regained control of Khartoum International Airport and declared the capital “liberated.” For the past two years, the airport had been under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), but it has now been reclaimed by Sudanese armed forces. Last Friday, the Sudanese army also took full control of the presidential palace in Khartoum, which had similarly been under RSF occupation for the past two years.

Speaking at the BFA International Convention Center, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus stated that the world is witnessing Bangladesh’s united stand against corruption. While building a new Bangladesh comes with challenges, efforts are being made to regain public trust through necessary reforms. He also warned that civilization is at risk, urging greater emphasis on grant-based financing to combat the impact of climate change.

A survey conducted by the National Council of Canadian Muslims revealed that 55% of Canadians support banning arms exports to Israel due to the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Additionally, 49% believe Canada should go further by restricting the sale of military equipment, services, and training to Israel. More than 56% of respondents agreed that Canada should comply with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision, meaning that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enters Canada, he should be arrested. Support for recognizing the ICC’s warrant is particularly high among Liberal Party voters, with 70% in favor. However, Conservative voters are divided on the issue, with half supporting Netanyahu’s arrest and the other half remaining undecided.

Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a tent in Jabalia. Several others were injured in the attack. Meanwhile, separate Israeli strikes in Gaza City left at least six people dead, and another strike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, claimed one more life. Earlier this week, Israel assassinated Hamas political bureau members Ismail Barhoum and senior leader Salah Al-Barhoum. Both were part of Hamas’ 20-member decision-making body. Since March 18, intensified Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have killed 830 Palestinians and left around 1,800 injured.

Speaking at a World Bank side event at the WHO’s Second Global Conference on Air Pollution, environmental expert Rizwana Hasan revealed that 30-35% of Bangladesh’s air pollution originates from neighboring countries. She stressed the need for regional cooperation beyond political discussions to address this pressing issue. Hasan noted that while the implementation of Bangladesh’s 2024 National Air Quality Management Plan had faced delays due to political instability, it is now being effectively enforced. She highlighted recent crackdowns on illegal brick kilns, which have already led to slight improvements in air quality. Urging immediate action, she called for stricter measures to mitigate air pollution.

BNP leader Aminul Haque has alleged that alongside Sheikh Hasina’s allies, new accomplices have emerged, all driven by the greed for power. He criticized certain groups for linking state structure reforms and the trial of Sheikh Hasina to the upcoming elections. Haque emphasized that the trial of Sheikh Hasina and structural reforms have no connection to the electoral process. He pointed out that while some are calling for reforms only after August 5, BNP had been advocating for them since July 13, 2023. According to him, the people want to vote, and through a fair election, a government chosen by the people will ultimately bring about true reforms and hold Hasina and her allies accountable.

On the occasion of Bangladesh’s Independence Day, US President Donald Trump extended his greetings to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the people of Bangladesh. Trump emphasized the United States’ commitment to maintaining its partnership with Bangladesh, particularly during this transformative period. He noted that this time presents an opportunity for Bangladesh to strengthen democracy, economic development, and security. The US President also expressed hope for continued collaboration in enhancing security in the Indo-Pacific region. The US Embassy in Dhaka conveyed his message.

A school principal in Gaibandha, Fatema Akter Mili, has come under fire for her aggressive behavior toward a journalist. Following the fall of the Awami League government, she had been missing from the school for months but reappeared on Wednesday for an Independence Day event. When questioned about allegations of corruption and irregularities, she lost her temper and verbally abused the journalist. In a viral video, she can be seen threatening journalist Mamunur Rashid, saying, “I will take off my sandal and beat you!”

Chief Adviser Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus is set to deliver a speech at the opening session of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025. His Deputy Press Secretary confirmed that other key speakers at the event in Hainan, China, will include Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Chinese Executive Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, Boao Forum Chairman Ban Ki-moon, and Secretary-General Zhang Jun. Additionally, Dr. Yunus will meet FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu and hold a bilateral discussion with former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.