The White House has dismissed reports that Elon Musk is stepping down from his role in the Trump administration, calling them “completely baseless” and “nonsense.” White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt stated on X, “Both Musk and Trump have publicly confirmed that Musk will continue as a special government employee until he completes his ‘incredible work’ at the Department of Government Efficiency.” Earlier, Politico, citing discontent among party activists and sources close to the U.S. president, reported that Musk was expected to step down soon.

An Indian citizen was shot and killed by the Border Security Force (BSF) near the Kurigram-Phulbari border. The deceased, identified as 24-year-old Jahanur Alam, was a resident of Dinhata, Cooch Behar district in India. According to local sources, a group of smugglers attempted to cross the border early in the morning when BSF personnel fired rubber bullets at them. Jahanur was hit and fell into a nearby canal, where he died. The incident has sparked fear among border residents. Upon receiving the news, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) intensified patrols and held a flag meeting with BSF officials. Later, the BSF took custody of the deceased’s body.

Just days after the Chief Adviser referred to maritime governance, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that India has the longest coastline in the Bay of Bengal, spanning approximately 6,500 kilometers. He emphasized that India not only shares borders with five BIMSTEC member states but also serves as a crucial connectivity hub between the Indian subcontinent and ASEAN. Jaishankar further highlighted that India’s northeastern region is emerging as a “connectivity hub” for BIMSTEC, featuring extensive road, rail, waterway, power grid, and pipeline networks. He stressed that regional cooperation and facilitation are essential for the seamless movement of goods, services, and people. With this geostrategic vision in mind, India has dedicated increasing attention and energy to strengthening BIMSTEC over the past decade.

Central leaders of the National Conservative Party (NCP) have conducted a mass rally in Comilla, demanding the ban of the Awami League, the declaration of a Second Republic, and the establishment of a constitutional assembly. Rifat Rashid stated, “We will not allow extortion or occupation in Bangladesh anymore. Our politics will be about freeing the working class from exploitation.” Meanwhile, Jayanal Abedin Shishir called on Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus to take immediate action, labeling the Awami League as a “genocidal party” and demanding their prosecution for the July massacre.

Police have arrested street vendor Monir Hossain after more than 200 people fell ill from consuming fuchka (pani puri) at an Eid fair in Abhoynagar, Jessore. The affected individuals, including men, women, and children, reported symptoms of severe stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. According to Officer-in-Charge Subhra Prakash Das, Monir had set up a temporary stall near the Bhairab Bridge. By the following night, over 200 people had been hospitalized, prompting authorities to take legal action under food safety laws.

Speaking at the BIMSTEC Young Gen Forum in Bangkok, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus emphasized the need for young people to shift their mindset from seeking jobs to becoming entrepreneurs. “If we want to build a new civilization, we must change our approach. The youth must lead the way as entrepreneurs,” he stated. Earlier in the day, he arrived in Bangkok and later attended the signing of the BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement.

Foreign ministers of BIMSTEC nations have signed a maritime transport cooperation agreement in Bangkok, aiming to enhance regional connectivity. The Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry issued a statement highlighting the significance of this agreement in strengthening economic integration. During the meeting, Foreign Affairs Adviser Tawhid Hossain raised concerns about the 1.2 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and urged Myanmar to create favorable conditions for their repatriation with full rights and security.

Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary, Abul Kalam Azad, confirmed that the Chief Adviser is set to deliver a speech at the BIMSTEC Young Gen Forum on “Future-Ready BIMSTEC: Role of the Young Generation Toward Pro-BIMSTEC.” He arrived in Bangkok on Thursday at noon and was welcomed by Thai Minister Jiraporn Sindhuprai. The forum will focus on seven key pillars of regional cooperation: trade and investment, climate change, security, agriculture and food security, people-to-people connectivity, science and innovation, and infrastructure development. The Chief Adviser will also hold bilateral meetings with regional leaders.

Three individuals, including the main suspect, Shoaib Rahman Jishan (25), have been arrested for harassing and assaulting a female journalist in Dhaka’s Banasree area. The victim stated that while she and her younger brother were at a juice shop around 7:30-8:00 PM, a group of local youths started harassing her. When her brother protested, they attacked him. When she intervened, they physically assaulted her as well. The incident went viral on social media, leading to police action.

US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose high import tariffs has drawn criticism from world leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Meloni labeled the 20% tariff on EU products as a “mistake,” while Albanese called the 10% duty on Australian goods “unjustifiable.” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez vowed to protect Spanish businesses and workers, reaffirming commitment to a free global market. Ireland’s Taoiseach Michael Martin called Trump’s move “deeply regrettable.” China, facing a 54% tariff on its exports, urged Washington to withdraw the tariffs immediately, warning of retaliatory measures if ignored. South Korea remarked that a full-scale global trade war is now a reality, while Japan and Thailand also expressed concerns over the economic impact.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared plans to tighten military control over Gaza by securing the Morag Corridor, similar to the already-occupied Philadelphi Corridor. Israeli forces attempted to seize the corridor on Tuesday night. Located between Khan Younis and Rafah, the corridor was named after a former Israeli settlement vacated in 2005. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel will continue escalating military action and the blockade until all hostages are returned.

A violent altercation between two factions of the BNP left at least 10 people injured in Kaina village, Bauphal, Patuakhali. The conflict erupted over a music event organized near a local mosque. The incident occurred when Sohrab Mridha, Yusuf Mridha, and Nasir Mridha got into a heated argument with event organizer Chunnu Mridha. At one point, Chunnu and his group—comprising Dulal, Liton, Mojibor, Jashim, Ujjal, and 10-15 others—attacked them with sharp weapons and sticks. When local residents attempted to intervene, they too were assaulted. Both factions are affiliated with the BNP.

British MP Tulip Siddiq has stated that her legal team is prepared to address any formal questions regarding corruption allegations against her in Bangladesh. When asked if she regrets her past association with the fallen Awami League after the mass uprising, she responded, “Check my legal letter and see if there’s anything for me to answer. The Bangladeshi authorities have never contacted me, but I am waiting to hear from them.” Last month, Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus told Sky News that Tulip Siddiq had left assets in Bangladesh and should be held accountable for them.

The interim government of Bangladesh has shown little enthusiasm for implementing the IMF’s loan conditions, deeming them contrary to national interests. As a result, the IMF has delayed three installments of its loan disbursement. The key conditions set by the IMF include raising the exchange rate of the dollar, increasing electricity prices, and boosting tax revenue. However, with Bangladesh’s economic condition improving, the government feels less pressured to comply. Meanwhile, the IMF faces mounting resistance from multiple nations due to its stringent policies, forcing it to consider relaxing the conditions for Bangladesh.

In response to the recent tariff hikes imposed by the US—ranging from 15% to 37% on Bangladeshi products—the government is reviewing import duties on US goods. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, stated, “The National Board of Revenue is evaluating options for tariff rationalization.” Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, Faiz Tayeb Ahmed, emphasized that while global economies brace for these new trade barriers, Bangladesh is positioning itself as an attractive destination for international investors by ensuring streamlined registration processes, export incentives, secure industrial zones, stable electricity, and reliable internet in its EPZs, Hi-Tech Parks, and Special Economic Zones. The US remains the largest market for Bangladesh’s garment industry, raising concerns over the long-term impact of these tariffs.