Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus is set to hold a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, according to his press secretary, Shafiqul Alam. This will be the first official meeting between the heads of the two neighboring governments since the interim administration took office. The two leaders already met briefly at the summit’s welcome dinner and exchanged greetings.

Yemen’s armed forces have claimed responsibility for a successful joint naval, drone, and missile attack on the U.S. aircraft carrier ‘Harry S. Truman’ and its accompanying warships in the northern Red Sea. The attack was carried out in retaliation for over 36 U.S. airstrikes on Sana’a, Sa’dah, and other regions in Yemen. Additionally, Yemen’s military reported shooting down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone over Al Hudaydah province.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has expressed strong optimism about resolving the tariff issue with the United States through discussions. “We are reviewing the matter. Since it is negotiable, we will engage in talks, and I am confident we can reach the best possible solution,” said Dr. Yunus. His press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, further stated from Bangkok on Thursday that the government is working towards a solution that ensures a win-win situation for both parties.

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Mohammad Tajul Islam, has revealed evidence of substantial financial investments aimed at disrupting the trial of the July-August massacre. He stated that the prosecution has obtained concrete information indicating that the fallen government allocated significant funds to obstruct justice. Furthermore, those orchestrating the interference from behind the scenes have also been identified.

AB Party leader Asaduzzaman Fuad has claimed that no previous government in Bangladesh has enjoyed such widespread public support. “In my view, after the government led by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s interim government will be the most successful,” he said. Fuad added that if this administration can sustain consensus and operate for two to four years, Bangladesh will make significant progress towards the long-held aspirations of becoming like Singapore, Malaysia, or South Korea.

The results of the 1446 Hijri academic year Dawra-e-Hadith examinations, held under Al-Hayatul Ulya Lil Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh, have been published. The overall pass rate stands at 85.48%. According to office manager Md. Ashiur Rahman, this year, 32,714 students appeared for the exams—17,743 male and 14,972 female candidates. A total of 27,963 students passed, while 4,751 failed, and 735 were absent. Among the successful candidates, 15,948 were male, and 12,015 were female. As per examination regulations, merit rankings were separately prepared for male and female students. For every 500 candidates, one has been placed on the merit list, meaning 35 male students and 30 female students have secured merit positions.

A digital signboard at the Ramkrishnapur Paschimpara Mosque in Natore displayed the slogan “Joy Bangla,” sparking controversy. According to eyewitnesses, the signboard also showed a message reading, “Bangla is my pride; anyone who looks at Bangla will have their eyes gouged out.” Upon noticing the message, locals quickly removed the signboard. The incident has caused panic, especially as it comes just two days after the ruling party fired shots at BNP supporters and ordinary worshippers on Eid day. Bazlur Rahman, a freedom fighter and president of the mosque committee, stated that it is still unclear how this incident occurred.

The United States has imposed new tariffs on at least 12 countries, including Bangladesh. However, the majority of Americans do not support Trump’s “aggressive” trade policies. According to a Marquette Law School poll, 58% of Americans believe Trump’s tariff policies will hurt the U.S. economy, while only 28% think they will be beneficial. The poll also found that 43% of Americans hold a negative opinion of Trump. Additionally, 64% believe that closing institutions like USAID and the Department of Education is beyond a president’s authority. Furthermore, 70% of respondents said judges who rule against Trump’s decisions should not be removed.

Kamal Uddin Haider, the coordinator of the Inter-Education Board Examination Control Committee, has ruled out any possibility of postponing the upcoming SSC exams. He stated that all necessary preparations have been completed. “Most students are in favor of taking the exams as scheduled,” he said, dismissing calls for a delay as a conspiracy by certain individuals on social media. Education board officials emphasized that the April 10 exam date was announced 8-9 months in advance, giving both students and institutions ample preparation time. They described last-minute calls for postponement as unreasonable and a deliberate attempt to disrupt the exams. Meanwhile, some students have requested a rescheduling, citing difficulties in preparing while fasting during Ramadan and demanding at least a three-day gap between each exam.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam has identified extortion as the primary cause of violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. He stated that unless extortion is eradicated, peace in the region will remain elusive. “Well-dressed individuals make grand speeches while keeping extortion alive,” he remarked, vowing zero tolerance for extortion-related terrorism. Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to crack down on these activities with an iron hand. He also revealed that on August 5, a large number of weapons were looted, many of which remain unrecovered. Efforts are underway to retrieve them. Additionally, he accused sections of the Indian media of spreading false propaganda against Bangladesh, urging Bangladeshi media outlets to counter such misinformation with the truth.

BNP leader Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has warned that if the interim government fails, the sacrifices of the martyrs will be in vain. Speaking at a public gathering, he stated that fair elections are the demand of the entire nation, as people were deprived of voting in 2014, 2018, and 2024. Despite the addition of nearly 36 million new voters, their democratic rights remain unfulfilled. Tuku emphasized that the people of Bangladesh have fought for their right to vote, and the government must fulfill their democratic aspirations. He reiterated BNP’s demand for an immediate election roadmap, stating that his party is cooperating with the government in this process. “This government was established through student and public movements. If it fails, the sacrifices of our martyrs will be wasted,” he added, vowing to resist fascist conspiracies through unity.

Journalists in Thakurgaon have accused Officer-in-Charge Md. Shahidur Rahman of Thakurgaon Sadar Police Station of corruption and case manipulation. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir acknowledged their concerns, stating that the law-and-order situation has worsened following the mass uprising. He alleged that under the previous administration, the police were politically biased and failed to take necessary actions. However, he noted that no one had personally reported allegations against this officer to him before. In response to the journalists’ claims, Fakhrul assured them that he would discuss the matter with higher authorities and call for an investigation. If the allegations are found to be true, he pledged to urge the government to take appropriate action against the officer.

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.