The United States has announced new port fees targeting Chinese-built and operated vessels, aiming to boost the domestic shipbuilding industry and curb China’s maritime dominance. These fees, which will come into effect around mid-October, apply to all Chinese-linked vessels entering U.S. ports. Ships will incur additional charges per tonnage or container, with fees starting at $18 per entry or $120 per container. For a vessel carrying 15,000 containers, the cost could surge by up to $1.8 million. The fees will be reviewed five times a year. However, waivers may be granted if the vessel’s owner places an order for U.S.-built ships.

In a foreword for TIME Magazine, Hillary Clinton praised Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus for his role in steering Bangladesh toward democracy after the fall of its authoritarian leader during the people’s uprising. Clinton highlighted Yunus’ decades-long work with Grameen Bank in empowering the poor through microloans. Recalling her first meeting with him in Arkansas with then-Governor Bill Clinton, she noted his global impact and praised his current efforts to restore human rights and accountability in Bangladesh.

Former ambassador M. Maruf Zaman was reportedly abducted from the airport area on December 4, 2017, and held in a DGFI-run torture cell for 16 months. Zaman, known for criticizing Indian influence and the Hasina government, described harrowing conditions: loss of teeth from beatings, torn ligaments, untreated infections, and insect-infested cells. He endured extreme torture methods, including waterboarding, and witnessed fellow detainees disappearing. Guards occasionally hinted at secret executions.

In response to Bangladesh’s condemnation of alleged misinformation and Muslim persecution amid protests over the Wakf Act in West Bengal, India has firmly rejected the remarks. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Bangladesh’s reaction appears to be an attempt to deflect from ongoing concerns about minority oppression within its own borders. “Criminals behind such communal incidents are still freely roaming,” he added. Jaiswal emphasized that instead of making baseless comments, Bangladesh would be better served by focusing on protecting the rights of its own minorities. Notably, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused both Professor Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of fueling the current communal tensions.

A mobile court in Dighinala, Khagrachari, fined Nurul Haque Tk 2 lakh for illegal hill cutting under the Soil Management Act 2010. Executive Magistrate Mamunur Rashid led the operation based on a tip-off. Haque, the landowner, immediately paid the fine. Officials noted that the hill had been leveled without any government approval.

A Tk 5.12 crore bridge is under construction over a canal in Titas, Cumilla, but lacks proper access roads on either side. One end opens to nothing, while the other connects to a damaged rural road. The surrounding area consists of agricultural fields, making the bridge practically unusable for locals. Additionally, another bridge worth over Tk 5.5 crore is being built just 700 meters away. Locals allege these projects are examples of rampant public fund mismanagement and wastage.

Activist groups ‘SAD’ and ‘July Records’ organized a human chain demanding official recognition of Myanmar-origin Noor Mostafa as a martyr of the people’s uprising, and honorary citizenship for his family. Noor, born in Bangladesh with legal documentation, was killed during the mass protests. Speakers condemned the exclusion of his name from the official list of July martyrs and urged the government to rehabilitate affected families and injured protesters.

Deputy Press Secretary Azad Majumder has stated that an independent nation cannot shape its foreign policy around pleasing one neighbor at the expense of distancing another. He emphasized a “Bangladesh-first” approach moving forward. Majumder called for Pakistan to offer a formal apology, return Bangladesh’s rightful assets, and ensure the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis. He cited global examples of former enemies becoming allies, such as the U.S. and Japan after World War II.

Police in Savar arrested three young men from a moving bus and recovered knives from each of them. The detainees are Tanvir Hossain (18) from Nawabganj, Mamun Hasan Munna (19) from Savar, and Sohanur Rahman (18) from Mymensingh. According to police, the trio was preparing to commit a robbery onboard.

Gono Odhikar Parishad leader Nurul Haque Nur has called for immediate action against financial criminals and political mafias, stating that even during the 1/11 political crackdown, some top businessmen were arrested along with politicians. He criticized the current transitional government for failing to take action against major corrupt figures, especially land grabbers and financial embezzlers allegedly shielded by authoritarian powers. Nur specifically mentioned that while minor actions were taken against entities linked to S. Alam Group, there has been no visible action against the real enablers of corruption. He urged advisors to take swift measures, warning, “There is no room for fascist looters and mafias in the Bangladesh of 2024.”

Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya has announced that the group is ready to engage in comprehensive negotiations to release all hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel, and reconstruction aid for Gaza. He ruled out any interim deal. This comes a day after Israeli airstrikes killed at least 35 people, including 13 members of one family in Khan Younis. Meanwhile, over 120,000 people have signed 43 petitions on the ‘Restart Israel’ platform, demanding an end to the war and the release of all captives.

At least 38 people were killed and 102 injured in a U.S. airstrike on the Ras Isa oil port in Yemen. Most of the casualties were civilians. The U.S. military claimed the attack targeted fuel supplies used by Houthi rebels, aiming to disrupt their financial resources. CENTCOM stated the objective was to weaken the Houthis’ economic capabilities. However, the Houthis have vowed to continue their operations in solidarity with Palestinians.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary met with two U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretaries—Nicole Chulick and Andrew Herrup—during which they discussed bilateral trade, investment, development cooperation, people-to-people ties, and the Rohingya crisis. The Foreign Secretary briefed them on Bangladesh’s ongoing reforms and efforts to reduce the trade deficit. The U.S. side urged for visible progress within the 90-day review period, stressing the urgency of the timeline. The Foreign Secretary clarified that Bangladesh does not consider the 90-day period a pause, but rather a time to work proactively with all stakeholders to resolve issues in mutual interest. He also urged reconsideration of USAID’s recent funding cuts in the health and agriculture sectors, and called for U.S. participation and support in the upcoming Rohingya conference.

According to White House sources, Israel had planned an airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities in May, aiming to set back Iran’s nuclear capabilities by at least a year. Despite months of discussion with the US, former President Trump ultimately opted for diplomatic negotiations over military action. The next round of US-Iran talks is scheduled for Saturday in Rome. The UN had earlier warned that Iran was nearing nuclear weapon capability.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has returned 251 mobile phones to their rightful owners after recovering them using digital tracking. These phones were lost, stolen, or snatched, and later reclaimed by police stations including Sher-e-Bangla Nagar (63), Hatirjheel (54), Mohammadpur (40), Tejgaon Industrial (32), Adabor (32), and Tejgaon (30). The devices were officially handed over in the presence of Deputy Police Commissioner Md. Ibne Mizan on Thursday.