Jamaat leader Mohammad Selim Uddin paid tribute to the late Tanifa Ahmed, calling her a valiant fighter and frontline leader of the July Revolution. He stated that her courageous role will forever be remembered with deep respect by the nation. Tanifa, who served as the co-spokesperson of Mirpur Model Police Station during the mass uprising, tragically lost her life along with her uncle Shamim in a devastating road accident in Lohagara. Selim Uddin emphasized that while death is determined by divine will, accidents are beyond human control. He urged everyone to channel their grief into action and commit to building the Bangladesh Tanifa dreamed of. He also pledged full support to the bereaved family.

Sohail Rana, a banned Chhatra League leader and former president of the Savar Sadar Union unit, was arrested by police in the early hours of Friday in Savar. Authorities revealed that Rana had been in hiding since the political shift in August. Although he claimed via Facebook that he was in India, he was actively spreading anti-interim government propaganda while remaining in the country. Using digital surveillance, police tracked him down and arrested him from a rented house. Rana faces nine cases, including charges of attempted murder and opening fire on protesters.

The Bangladesh Armed Forces are continuing rescue and medical operations in Myanmar following a recent natural disaster, according to ISPR. On Friday, teams conducted rescue missions in Naypyidaw’s Zabuthiri Township and surrounding areas, retrieving one body and rescuing several people trapped in buildings, in cooperation with local authorities and fire services. Bangladesh’s medical teams are providing care at the 50-bed Zabuthiri Hospital and the 100-bed Lewe Hospital. A coordination meeting was also held with representatives from Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry, fire department, and delegates from 16 other countries.

In a bilateral meeting between Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, both leaders underscored the importance of strengthening trade and connectivity. Dr. Yunus invited Bhutan to send a delegation of investors to the upcoming investment summit in Dhaka. Discussions also touched upon the designated economic zone for Bhutan in northern Kurigram, where Bhutanese entrepreneurs plan to invest in fruit processing and other manufacturing industries aimed at regional export. Prime Minister Tshering requested a dedicated fiber-optic internet link from Bangladesh, to which the Chief Adviser assured full cooperation. Dr. Yunus expressed interest in expanding educational opportunities for Bhutanese students in Bangladesh’s medical colleges and universities. The Bhutanese Prime Minister congratulated Yunus on his recent appointment as BIMSTEC Chair.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a 25% tariff on selected U.S. automobile imports in response to what he called violations of free trade principles. Though Canada was initially exempt from Trump’s global tariff measures due to USMCA compliance, new U.S. policies have targeted various goods including vehicles, steel, and aluminum. Calling Trump’s trade policies a “tragedy,” Carney warned that they could destabilize the global economy and marked the end of an era of American economic leadership.

Hefazat-e-Islam has issued a statement condemning the passage of the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill in India, calling it a step toward state appropriation of Muslim religious institutions including mosques, madrasas, and orphanages. The statement criticized the Modi government for earlier banning triple talaq, passing anti-conversion laws, and enacting the Citizenship Amendment Act, describing these as part of a systemic campaign against India’s Muslim minority. Hefazat termed it a “religious war” waged by Hindu nationalist forces against Muslims using legal and state machinery.

Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has urged Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to simplify the visa process for Bangladeshi citizens traveling to Thailand, especially those seeking medical treatment. Dr. Yunus highlighted the difficulties faced by Bangladeshi medical travelers during their meeting, to which the Thai Prime Minister responded with reassurance. The Chief Adviser also emphasized enhancing bilateral trade, maritime cooperation, and increasing air connectivity between the two nations. He proposed launching direct flights from Chattogram to Thailand, noting that such a route previously existed and had a positive impact on trade and travel. Dr. Yunus congratulated the Thai Prime Minister on her appointment as BIMSTEC Chair and paid tribute to the late Thai King Bhumibol, acknowledging his role in recognizing Bangladesh’s independence.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has sought cooperation from Sri Lanka to recover billions of dollars siphoned abroad from Bangladesh. He made the request during a meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harin Fernando. Prime Minister Fernando informed that Sri Lanka has already taken several steps to recover illicit funds, including passing a new law in Parliament aimed at accelerating the repatriation process. Both leaders discussed various aspects of the July uprising and emphasized the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties and mutual understanding between the two nations. They also pledged to expand trade and bilateral cooperation. During the meeting, the Chief Adviser also briefed the Sri Lankan Prime Minister on the upcoming elections in Bangladesh and ongoing political reforms.

Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe informed Dr. Khalilur Rahman, High Representative of Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, that 180,000 Rohingya have been verified for repatriation from the 800,000 currently residing in Bangladesh. The list was submitted in six phases between 2018 and 2020. Myanmar pledged to expedite verification of the remaining 550,000 individuals. This is the first confirmed list and marks significant progress toward resolving the Rohingya crisis. Dr. Rahman expressed condolences for lives lost in Myanmar’s recent earthquake and confirmed Bangladesh’s readiness to provide humanitarian assistance.

New York City celebrated “Bangladesh Heritage Day” on Thursday at the official mayoral residence, Gracie Mansion, an event initiated by Mayor Eric Adams. Over 400 members of the Bangladeshi-American community attended the celebration. Among the distinguished award recipients were former Member of Parliament and editor of Weekly Thikana, M.M. Shaheen, and community activist Nurul Azim. In a brief address, Mayor Adams praised the Bangladeshi community, stating that their contributions are enriching New York City in numerous ways.

Maulana Ataullah Hafezzi, Amir of the Khelafat Andolon, passed away at 11 a.m. on Friday after a prolonged illness due to old age. He was the head of Jamia Nuria Islamia Madrasa in Kamrangirchar, Dhaka—founded by Hafezzi Huzur—and served as Vice President of the Qawmi Madrasa Board, Befaq. Leaders from Khelafat Majlish, including Amir Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and Secretary General Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader, expressed deep sorrow and prayed for his forgiveness and a place in Jannah, extending condolences to the bereaved family.

During the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus held a bilateral meeting with Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. The two leaders discussed various issues of mutual interest. Yunus also met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra earlier the same day.

Bangladesh has taken over the BIMSTEC chairmanship for the next two years. Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to advancing regional cooperation and development. Member states unanimously adopted the Bangkok Declaration and the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision, which aim to guide the organization toward sustainable development and economic integration. Yunus urged BIMSTEC to take a more proactive role in engaging Myanmar to stabilize Rakhine State, thereby creating conditions conducive to the repatriation of displaced Rohingya. Upon receiving the chairmanship from Thailand, Yunus emphasized the need for an inclusive and action-oriented BIMSTEC.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus held a bilateral meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit. Yunus also met Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. Earlier, he met Thai Minister of Social Development and Human Security Varawut Silpa-archa and Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Jiraporn Sindhuprai.

Following a bilateral meeting between Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit, India issued a statement reaffirming its support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh. Modi highlighted that cooperation between the two nations has delivered tangible benefits for their people and urged avoidance of rhetoric that could harm the diplomatic environment. On border issues, Modi emphasized the strict enforcement of laws to prevent illegal nighttime crossings. Expressing concern over the safety of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, he called for strengthened protection and transparent investigations. Modi congratulated Yunus on becoming the new BIMSTEC Chair and reaffirmed that all mutual concerns between India and Bangladesh can be addressed through dialogue and mutual understanding.