Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday reaffirmed his country's full support for the transitional government in Bangladesh, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The support includes backing for initiatives on nation-building, reforms, and a peaceful democratic transition. Both leaders reiterated their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity for all. Dr. Yunus expressed gratitude for Japan’s continued assistance in bilateral initiatives, including the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt and the Matarbari-Moheshkhali Integrated Infrastructure Development Program.

BNP leader Aminul Haque visited flood-affected areas in Pallabi where nearly 3,000 families have been trapped indoors due to severe waterlogging caused by recent rainfall. He personally distributed cooked meals, dry food, and clean drinking water among the victims. “Ziaur Rahman always stood by the people, and we are following in his footsteps. To overcome the current political crisis, we must be inspired by the ideals of Shaheed Zia,” he stated. In observance of Zia’s death anniversary, Aminul also led relief efforts in several other parts of Dhaka.

At a street rally in Gobindaganj, Gaibandha, political activist Sarjis Alam claimed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country due to an existential crisis triggered by the people’s uprising in July.

“If only students had taken to the streets, a revolution wouldn’t have been possible. It happened because ordinary people rose up,” he stated. He urged the public not to compromise with those who abuse power. “Support those who represent your community, those with integrity and acceptance, those who don’t extort or exploit power—elect them with your votes,” he concluded.

JAGPA spokesperson Rashed Pradhan has called for sweeping reforms before the upcoming national election, demanding the removal of Awami League loyalists from government and administrative bodies.

“There can be no true democracy without free, fair, and neutral elections,” he said. “But if the pursuit of power overshadows the need for reform and justice, it will be a tragedy.” He stressed the need to create an environment free from Indian interference and called for the prosecution of Sheikh Hasina, her allies, and all entities complicit in fascism. “We need not just an electoral roadmap, but a roadmap for reform and justice to build the future of Bangladesh,” he added.

Aminul Islam Bulbul has officially assumed his role as President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) after being elected through a direct vote by board directors on Friday.

Speaking to the media, Aminul said, “I received a call from the Youth and Sports Adviser in late April, offering me this opportunity. I felt honored and didn’t look back. Now, my sole focus is to move Bangladesh cricket forward.” Comparing his leadership style to a fast-paced format, he added, “Test cricket lasts five days, ODIs for seven hours—I want to play a quick T20 innings.”

On Friday, 14 individuals—including women and children—were pushed into Bangladesh through the Khagrachhari border by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). They were allegedly detained in Haryana, India, and forcibly repatriated via the Matiranga border.

Locals spotted the group early in the morning and informed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), who took them into custody. The district administration stated that their identities are being verified. If confirmed as Bangladeshi citizens, they will be handed over to their families.

In an interview with Oman TV, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that Muslim countries possess vast resources, exceptional human capital, rich cultures, and glorious heritage—tools necessary to play a key role in shaping a new global order.

He urged Muslim nations to stop waiting for direction from others and instead assert themselves in international affairs. Thanking Oman for its mediation efforts, he said, “Our rights are protected under international law. Under the Supreme Leader’s fatwa, Iran has never sought nuclear weapons and never will. But we will not give up our right to peaceful nuclear technology.” He condemned the killing of Iranian scientists by Israel and criticized the global silence on the Gaza genocide.

India's economic growth has declined to its lowest rate in four years, sparking concerns about further downturns due to US tariff policies. According to the BBC, the country recorded a 6.5% GDP growth in the 2024–25 fiscal year (April–March), compared to 9.2% in 2023–24.

Analysts predict the GDP growth could dip further to 6% in 2025–26. Despite plans by companies like Apple to shift production from China to India, the recent withdrawal of trade tariffs between the US and China may stall such investments.

Gaza is currently the only defined territory where the entire population is at risk of famine, according to Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). "It is the most hunger-stricken area on the planet," he said.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron warned, “If the humanitarian situation in Gaza does not improve immediately, European nations must take a stronger stance against Israel.” He added, “We must act within the next few hours or days and consider sanctions.” The US has also renewed its call for a ceasefire.

Adviser Faruk-e-Azam stated that the roots of microeconomics, social business, and solution-oriented entrepreneurship lie in the soil of Chattogram. “Under Dr. Muhammad Yunus's leadership, these ideas grew from here and gained global recognition,” he noted.

Speaking at the Chattogram College Olympiad, he said trust-based banking—unlike traditional systems that rely on collateral and wealth—considers trust itself as capital. “This Olympiad is not just a competition of intellect, but a platform to shape future economic leaders, policy makers, and sustainable development advocates,” he added.

Amid rumors that Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib lost his position due to misbehavior with senior leaders, the organization’s General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir dismissed the claims as “deliberate and misleading propaganda.”

He clarified that Rakib has been suffering from a cold and fever after participating in party activities in the rain for days. "He could not attend today's event due to illness. We’ve seen a wave of baseless rumors during this time. Please avoid such disinformation," Nasir said in a statement on Friday.

Responding to the Chief Adviser’s recent comments, the 12-Party Alliance stated that not just one group but all patriotic democratic parties in the country demand that the general elections be held this December. "Only a free, fair, and credible election can ensure the country's liberation and path to progress—history has repeatedly proven this," the alliance said.

The coalition alleged that the Chief Adviser is attempting to delay the election process by aligning with fringe, anti-liberation, and fundamentalist parties lacking public support. "Dr. Muhammad Yunus must understand that rhetorical maneuvering won’t secure his seat, nor will staged resignations. The public sees through his theatrics," the statement added. The alliance also questioned the legitimacy of the Advisory Council’s absence from the country’s ongoing pro-democracy movement.

In a speech at Soka University, Tokyo, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus warned that current civilization is heading toward self-destruction due to environmental degradation. He reiterated his vision of the "Three Zeros"—zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions. Dr. Yunus proposed the creation of “Three Zero Clubs” where five individuals can pledge to avoid fossil fuel use entirely. He criticized profit-driven economic models that disregard ecological and social sustainability.

BNP leader Mirza Abbas has alleged that Dr. Muhammad Yunus is personally opposed to holding elections, not just a specific political party. Abbas said BNP wanted elections in December and Dr. Yunus himself admitted that only one party supported it. He criticized the government for importing foreign advisers under the guise of reform, contrasting this with Ziaur Rahman’s homegrown policies. “Dr. Yunus doesn’t want an election—he wants to avoid accountability,” Abbas stated.

Speaking after paying tribute at Ziaur Rahman’s grave, BNP’s Salahuddin Ahmed stated that all opposition parties have consistently urged the Chief Adviser for early elections. He criticized the Chief Adviser for wrongly stating that only one party wants elections in December, adding that all allies in the joint opposition movement share this demand. Salahuddin also vowed to bring Sheikh Hasina and her party to justice and build a democratic, egalitarian Bangladesh.