In a bilateral meeting, Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain and Sri Lanka’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen regional economic cooperation for shared prosperity. Earlier, BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey met with Adviser Touhid and praised Bangladesh’s role in regional cooperation. Bangladesh reiterated its strong commitment to the BIMSTEC process as the incoming Chair. The Secretary General sought support for the upcoming 30th anniversary celebrations, which Adviser Touhid welcomed, encouraging the Secretariat to develop a comprehensive plan.

During their over 30-minute meeting, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed a range of bilateral issues. According to the Press Secretary, the talks were productive. Dr. Yunus raised the issue of Sheikh Hasina’s extradition, citing concerns over her provocative remarks made from India. The meeting also covered topics such as border killings and the long-standing dispute over Teesta river water sharing, with both leaders expressing commitment to resolving mutual concerns.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has called upon BIMSTEC member states to work together based on mutual interests and shared benefits. Highlighting the region’s immense potential, he described its large population as a strength rather than a challenge, noting that BIMSTEC is home to one-fifth of the global population. “Bangladesh embraces open regionalism and seeks inclusive cooperation grounded in justice, mutual respect, and common good,” Yunus stated. He emphasized joint efforts in renewable energy, cross-border electricity trade, and energy efficiency. He also stressed the importance of easing cross-border movement, particularly for the youth, to enhance trade and investment, calling these the keys to regional prosperity. Dr. Yunus pointed out that intra-regional trade stands at only 5.9% and urged full implementation of the 2004 BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement to improve connectivity. He noted that Bangladesh, as Chair, will work to advance the group’s goals and welcomed reforms to enhance BIMSTEC’s effectiveness, placing regional interests above bilateral ones.

Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus held a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 12:10 PM local time on Friday on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. This marks the first official meeting between the two since Dr. Yunus assumed the role of Chief Adviser of the interim government. The two leaders previously exchanged greetings during Thursday’s official banquet, where they were also seen engaged in a lengthy and cordial conversation.

At least 16 migrants have died in two separate boat capsizings in the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday, authorities confirmed. The incidents occurred near the coasts of Greece and Turkey. In Greece, seven bodies were recovered after a boat carrying around 30 migrants capsized. Initially, four bodies were found, with coast guard patrols later recovering three more. A search and rescue operation is still ongoing for the remaining passengers. Meanwhile, off the coast of Ayvacık district in Turkey, another migrant boat sank, resulting in nine fatalities. Turkish authorities successfully rescued 25 others from the water. These incidents highlight the persistent dangers faced by migrants risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean in search of safety and better opportunities in Europe.

In the past 24 hours, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have claimed the lives of at least 112 Palestinians, including women and children. Among them, 33 civilians—mostly children and women—were killed in attacks on three schools where displaced and persecuted Palestinians had taken refuge. Meanwhile, Israel has issued further evacuation orders for Palestinian families in southern Gaza. According to the UN, since Israel broke the ceasefire on March 18, nearly 280,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced. The President of the Palestine Red Crescent Society stated that the recent killing of 15 medical and emergency workers by Israeli forces could amount to war crimes.

Basit Khan Musa (7), who was critically wounded in the head during the July mass uprising, has returned to Bangladesh after undergoing treatment in Singapore for five months and 12 days. Upon arrival, he was transported to Dhaka CMH in a military ambulance. Musa was shot while buying ice cream with his grandmother, Maya Islam, near their home in Meradia Hat on July 19. Tragically, his grandmother succumbed to her injuries the following day. The bullet entered one side of Musa’s head and exited the other. On October 22, he was flown to Singapore for advanced medical care. Musa is his parents’ only child.

A long-standing political feud led to a violent clash between Awami League and BNP supporters in Murutia village, Faridpur. The confrontation resulted in the vandalism of homes, with at least one Awami League supporter’s house set on fire. At least 12 people were injured in the conflict. The clash was reportedly led by Mintu Mia, son of former BNP leader Harun Mia, on one side, and Belayet Molya, a supporter of local Awami League leader and UP chairman Afshar Matubbar, on the other. The violence escalated after Awami League supporter Azizul Sheikh (41) was hacked during a heated argument, prompting both sides to engage in a full-scale fight with locally made weapons.

A violent clash erupted in Pallabi on Thursday evening, resulting in gunfire and physical assault. Mamun Hossain Bappi, a young man, sustained serious injuries in the incident, which stemmed from a family dispute between his cousin Hossain and another relative, Mamun. Witnesses reported that an argument escalated into a fight, after which Hossain’s associates attempted to forcibly take Mamun away. When locals intervened, Hossain’s men fired multiple rounds into the air to disperse them. Eventually, they struck Mamun on the head with a brick before fleeing the scene.

Over the past 15 months, 48 people—including men, women, and children—have lost their lives after being struck by trains in Akhaura. Among them, two young men were killed near a railway bridge in Gangasagar last Wednesday when they fell from the roof of an intercity train, reportedly while filming a TikTok video. Two others were seriously injured. From January 2024 to April 2, 2025, railway police in Akhaura recovered the bodies of 13 victims, including two women and one child. In 2024 alone, 35 bodies were found—26 men, 9 women, and 2 children. Most of the deceased remain unidentified. These tragic incidents occurred along the 100-kilometer railway stretch covering Akhaura-Ashuganj, Akhaura-Mandabag, and Akhaura-Mukundapur. Authorities continue to investigate and urge passengers to prioritize safety.

Following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, opposition parties across Turkey have launched widespread protests and called for a boycott of products from government-affiliated companies. On Wednesday, the movement gained momentum, with activists urging a one-day shopping strike. Some stores shut down in solidarity, condemning the arrest as politically motivated. Turkey’s Minister of Trade, Ömer Bolat, denounced the boycott, calling it an attempt to harm the economy and a violation of fair trade principles. Pro-government voices, including football star Mesut Özil, have pushed back against the movement, using the hashtag “No Boycott, National Damage” to voice their opposition. However, Turkey’s President remains confident that the boycott will not succeed.

Hungary has officially announced its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). This move follows the issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Despite being a member state of the ICC, Hungary has refused to cooperate with the arrest order, further complicating international legal matters.

In Gournadi, Barisal, a clash broke out between BNP and Youth League activists over an Eid greeting poster. At least 25 members from both parties were injured, including six women. The incident escalated when supporters of both sides attacked each other, leading to property damage, including the destruction of five motorcycles.

BNP Vice Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu condemned those who deny the 1971 Liberation War, claiming it is a betrayal of the 3 million martyrs who fought for independence. Bulu criticized those attempting to erase the nation’s history and misrepresent the role of the Bangladesh Army in the Liberation War, calling for the immediate declaration of a roadmap for the next national elections.

BNP leader and advisor to Khaleda Zia, Abul Khair Bhuiyan, has stated that banning the Awami League is not his party’s responsibility but rather that of the state authorities. “We are not going to take on such responsibilities,” he said. Bhuiyan emphasized that the current government must ensure a roadmap for elections where people can exercise their voting rights. He also criticized the Awami League, accusing them of systematically ruining the future of students, looting the country’s wealth, and even embezzling funds from educational institutions.