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.

Zulkarnaine Sayer has claimed that notorious criminal Subrata Bain worked with India's intelligence agency RAW, conducting covert missions in Bangladesh and other countries. Bain allegedly received commando training in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh along with associates Molla Masud and Golam Murtuza Babu. Missions included the assassination of a Nagaland separatist's wife and child, and the murder of Mustakim, a Bihari-origin kebab shop owner in Dhaka.

NCP leader Akhter Hossain has accused the Jatiya Party of enabling authoritarianism by acting as a “domesticated opposition.” He claimed the party has long worked to destabilize Bangladeshi politics and should face legal consequences for participating in rigged elections that have undermined democracy. Akhter demanded accountability not just from the Awami League but also from Jatiya Party for their roles in eroding democratic norms.

Faez Tayeb Ahmed, Special Assistant on ICT to the Chief Adviser, reported that a nationwide telecom disruption is underway due to storm surges and power outages caused by a low-pressure system. A total of 5,904 mobile network sites have gone offline. Severely affected regions include Barisal, South Sylhet, Tangail, Chandpur, Mymensingh, North Dhaka, Comilla, Noakhali, and South Chattogram.

On Sunday, climate activist Greta Thunberg and fellow campaigners will set sail for Gaza aboard a humanitarian vessel organized by the Freedom Flotilla. Their mission is to protest the ongoing war and blockade imposed by Israel. European Parliament member Rima Hassan, who will be aboard, stated that the goals include condemning the siege and genocide, challenging Israeli impunity, and raising global awareness. Earlier this month, a similar vessel Thunberg planned to board was damaged by a drone strike.

LDP Secretary General Dr. Redwan Ahmed has refuted claims by the Chief Adviser that only one political party wants elections in December. He asserted that nearly all opposition parties, including those in the BNP-led alliance, demand elections before the end of the year. He also criticized the government's alleged favoritism towards Grameen entities, highlighting the waiver of Tk 666 crore in Grameen Bank interest and Tk 4,000 crore in Grameenphone dues. Redwan emphasized that the opposition's 31-point charter includes comprehensive plans for state reform.

Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim of the International Crimes Tribunal has stated that formal charges against Sheikh Hasina will be submitted before the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha holidays. The charges are being prepared under the International Crimes Tribunal Act of 1973. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun are also accused in the same case. Earlier, the legal adviser indicated a possible verdict before July.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus in a bilateral summit during which six memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed. Key agreements include a policy-based development loan to support economic reforms and climate resilience, and the construction of a dual-gauge double railway line between Joydebpur and Ishwardi (Phase 1). Tokyo will provide $1.063 billion in aid, including $418 million in development policy loans and $641 million for railway upgrades. Additionally, Japan will offer a $4.2 million grant for scholarships.

Bangladesh will continue supporting UN peacekeeping operations, Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said during a reception for injured peacekeepers. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman noted the country's unmatched contributions to global peace and honored 168 fallen peacekeepers. Bangladesh has actively participated in peacekeeping since 1988 and currently deploys 5,180 personnel in nine missions. The event was attended by top officials, diplomats, and UN representatives. Earlier, the day began with the “Peacekeepers Run/Rally 2025” held in Dhaka and divisional cities.

BNP has launched an eight-day nationwide program to mark the 44th martyrdom anniversary of party founder and former President Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated on May 30, 1981, in Chattogram. Events include tributes at his grave, discussions, prayers, and distribution of food and clothes to the poor. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul highlighted Zia’s pivotal role in declaring independence in 1971 and restoring multiparty democracy. The program is being observed with full honors following the fall of the Awami League government last year.