Dhaka University students erupted in protests after Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus stated that the interim government has no plans to ban the Awami League. The statement, made during a meeting with the International Crisis Group, sparked immediate outrage. Students took to the streets late at night, chanting slogans demanding the ban of Awami League and justice for its alleged crimes. Protesters also urged Yunus to withdraw his remarks, emphasizing their strong opposition to the ruling party’s continued presence.

A joint operation involving army infantry divisions, independent brigades, and law enforcement agencies led to the arrest of 249 individuals across various regions. Conducted between March 13 and 19, 2025, the operation targeted listed criminals, extortionists, fugitives, gang members, kidnappers, human traffickers, food adulterators, juvenile gang members, and drug dealers. The arrested individuals were caught red-handed during the raids.

A tragic road accident in Pabna’s Ishwardi on Thursday claimed five lives, including a child, in a head-on collision between a passenger bus and a CNG-run auto-rickshaw. Officer-in-Charge Shahidul Islam stated that the bus was heading towards Ishwardi when it collided with the oncoming auto-rickshaw. Five people died on the spot, while another was critically injured. The bus driver and assistant fled the scene immediately after the accident, but authorities have seized the vehicle.

A case has been filed against Sheikh Hasina, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and 201 others for allegedly attempting to murder madrasa student Saifuddin Mohammad Emdad. The complaint states that during a mass uprising on August 4, a group of protesters led by M.A. Hashem Razu marched from the Central Shaheed Minar to Paribagh near Hotel Intercontinental. Allegedly, members of Chhatra League, Jubo League, and Awami League blocked their path and launched an armed attack with bullets, hand bombs, petrol bombs, and explosives. The victim sustained a bullet injury to his right eye. After recording the plaintiff’s statement, the court directed the officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station to submit a report within seven days regarding any existing cases related to the incident.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus reaffirmed that there is no reason to alter the election date, as the government is committed to holding elections on schedule. He also clarified that there are no plans to ban the ruling party. However, he stated that leaders accused of crimes, particularly murder and crimes against humanity, would be tried in Bangladeshi courts. Yunus noted that a UN fact-finding mission had reported possible war crimes during the July rebellion and that the government is considering referring cases against Awami League leaders to the International Criminal Court. He added that Dhaka is working to gather aid for Rohingya refugees and aims to raise global awareness through a UN conference. He also accused Indian media of spreading anti-Bangladesh misinformation.

On Thursday, three Bangladeshi nationals, including a child from the same family, were detained by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at the Panchagarh border for illegal entry. BGB reported that they crossed back into Bangladesh from India under cover of darkness. Upon interrogation, they revealed that they had illegally entered India through human traffickers 2.5 months ago for a fee of 20,000 BDT. They returned to Bangladesh using the same network. Authorities recovered two mobile phones, 2,300 Indian rupees, and 278 Bangladeshi taka from them. Meanwhile, two traffickers involved in the operation managed to escape.

Ali Riaz warned that efforts are being made to hinder the reform process both internally and externally. He emphasized the need for vigilance and public participation, stating that without civic engagement, pressure, and inclusion, reforms cannot progress. He also criticized the judiciary, calling it “practically destroyed” and stressed the need for a cultural shift in politics. “Without an accountable system of governance, elections will only bring the same problems,” he argued. He noted that despite constitutional secularism, religious minorities have faced persecution. While members of the Constitutional Reform Commission agreed on various issues, they were divided on retaining the state religion.

BNP leader Abdus Salam Pintu alleged that Bangladesh has been run under India’s influence for the past 15 years. He accused India of conspiring to destroy BNP, believing that weakening the party would make Bangladesh vulnerable. He called for unity against such conspiracies. Pintu further claimed that since 2020, he has been barred from seeing his family. “We have been released, but not fully free,” he stated. Reflecting on his time in prison, he recalled hearing executions from the adjacent cell and fearing his own fate. He urged the government to ensure fair and transparent elections, stating that reforms should serve the people’s rights.

Ignoring the ceasefire, Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed over 500 Palestinians, including 200 children. In retaliation, Hamas has launched rocket strikes on Israel. The Israeli military reported that air raid sirens went off after rockets were fired from Gaza. Out of three rockets launched from southern Gaza, one was intercepted, while the other two landed in open areas, causing no casualties. Additionally, Yemen’s Houthis fired a ballistic missile, disrupting flights at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Hamas’ Qassam Brigades stated that the attack was in retaliation for Israeli massacres of civilians in Gaza.

BNP leader Syed Emran Saleh Prince has accused a certain group of running a deliberate misinformation campaign against BNP to serve their own interests. He asserted that such tactics would not isolate BNP from the people. He called for unity against any conspiracies aimed at destabilizing the country. “Stability cannot be achieved without elections. Reforms are an ongoing process, but delaying elections in the name of reform is unacceptable. The lack of progress in reforms even after seven months demands accountability,” he added.

The government expects the media to maintain a neutral and responsible role, said Adviser Md. Mahfuz Alam. While welcoming media criticism, he emphasized that constructive criticism helps the government make better decisions. At the same time, he stressed that the media should also highlight the government’s positive initiatives. He also criticized the role of the media over the past 16 years. To ensure discipline, the government has established a Media Reform Commission, and he urged media owners, journalists, and all stakeholders to cooperate in the reform process.

Two clothing stores in Naogaon city—Asman Big Bazaar and Shilamani Garments—were caught selling locally made garments at inflated prices by falsely labeling them as Indian products. The store owners failed to provide purchase receipts for the items. As a result, the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate fined each store BDT 50,000, totaling BDT 100,000 in penalties. The shop owners admitted to the fraud during the operation.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed two separate cases against Saima Wazed Putul for allegedly securing a World Health Organization (WHO) job using false information and forcibly extracting BDT 3.3 billion from 20 banks under the name of Suchona Foundation. • WHO Job Fraud: The ACC claims that in 2023, Putul falsely stated in her CV that she was involved in faculty work or training manual development at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), which helped her secure the position of WHO South-East Asia Regional Director. • Bank Fund Misuse: As former chairperson of Suchona Foundation, Putul allegedly colluded with top banking officials and misused power to extract BDT 3.3 billion from banks, leading to the corruption charges against her.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman condemned the ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza, stating that the global conscience is dead. “If the world had any conscience left, women and children in Gaza wouldn’t have to die in agony,” he said. He added that Gazans, unable to bear the oppression, are now praying to God to take them away, as they lack even basic necessities. Jamaat has staged protests and called for a boycott of Israeli products while urging the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) to take decisive action against Israel.

According to a press release from the Cabinet Division on Thursday, the government spent 1.98 billion BDT on medical treatment and related expenses for 40 critically injured protesters from the July-August 2024 mass uprising. The expenses covered medical care, travel, accommodation, food, visas, passports, banking charges, and other necessities for 40 patients, 25 attendants, and one interpreter. The Health Services Division reported this expenditure to the Advisory Council. Additionally, the draft amendment of the Public Procurement Ordinance 2025 has been approved, pending legislative and parliamentary vetting.