During his first cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump claimed that illegal border crossings from Mexico and Canada had declined. However, he announced a 25% tariff on goods from both neighboring countries. The tariff is set to take effect on April 2. Earlier, Trump had issued a stern warning to Canada and Mexico to curb illegal border crossings and the flow of fentanyl, delaying tariff imposition for 30 days—a period set to expire on March 4. Now, he has officially set the date for the new tariffs.

The BNP-backed panel faced a devastating defeat in the Kushtia Bar Association elections. Their candidates for both the President and General Secretary positions lost. Awami League-backed candidate Advocate Md. Harunur Rashid won the presidency, while BNP’s rebel candidate Advocate S.M. Shatil Mahmud secured the General Secretary position. Out of 17 positions, Awami League and rebel candidates secured victories in 11 seats.

The Chief Adviser’s Home Affairs Advisor, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, has dismissed a sub-inspector and a constable for negligence at Gulshan Police Station. During a pre-dawn inspection of four Dhaka police stations, he observed officers displaying laxity in their duties. He emphasized that such lapses create opportunities for crime and vowed to maintain strict oversight.

Speaking at BNP’s extended meeting, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir declared, “We have defeated fascism. We have ousted Sheikh Hasina.” He accused certain groups of conspiring against the democratic transformation envisioned by BNP’s founder, Ziaur Rahman. Fakhrul lamented that despite public hopes for democracy, clear directions remain elusive. He also criticized attempts to rename historical institutions and reiterated BNP’s sacrifices for a liberal democratic Bangladesh.

Desperate for a better life, Pakistani youth like Amir Ali are risking perilous journeys to Europe. After being denied a visa seven times, Ali resorted to illegal migration. Moroccan authorities recently rescued him along with 21 other Pakistanis from a stranded boat near the Atlantic coast. Tragically, out of 50 men who perished from starvation and dehydration, 43 were Pakistani. Ali’s father cited financial hardship as the reason for the journey. Experts argue that migrants seek not only financial security but also a higher standard of living, as similar work in Pakistan pays only $3 compared to $20–$25 in Europe.

At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Pakistan has condemned India’s “illegal occupation” of Jammu and Kashmir and its continued suppression of Kashmiri self-determination. Pakistani Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar highlighted his country’s commitment to human rights, citing over 70 new laws passed in the past decade. He also called for an update on the UN’s Kashmir report and condemned ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza.

A new political party for students, named the National Citizens Party, has been officially announced. The party made the declaration on Thursday, along with the appointment of its top six leaders.

Nahid Islam has been named as the Convener, while Akhtar Hossain will serve as the Member Secretary. Nasiruddin Patwari has been appointed as the Chief Coordinator. Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah will lead the northern and southern regions, respectively, as Chief Organizers. Additionally, Shamanta Sharmin has been appointed as the Joint Member Secretary.

This leadership committee is expected to remain in place until the national elections. Reports suggest that key frontline activists from the July movement have secured significant positions in the new party, with women also being given important roles.

UN Middle East envoy Sigrid Kaag has warned that the window for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine is closing. Speaking at a conference, she emphasized that peace, security, and dignity in the region depend on this solution. Kaag expressed concern over Israel’s recent military expansion in the West Bank. Meanwhile, US envoy Dorothy Shea reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to fully implementing existing agreements, while also highlighting that Hamas continues to hold 63 hostages, including five Americans. Both US and Israeli representatives insisted that Hamas must be eradicated for lasting peace.

Gaza spokesperson Major Mahmoud Basel has reported that over 700 bodies have been recovered from different parts of the Gaza Strip. Many of the bodies bear severe trauma, making identification difficult. Due to a lack of forensic facilities, authorities are struggling to verify the victims’ identities. Basel also noted that more than 10,000 bodies remain trapped under rubble, with rescue operations hampered by inadequate equipment.

Gazipur Metropolitan Police have arrested 21 individuals in a joint security operation named “Devil Hunt.” The arrests were made between Wednesday morning and Thursday 7 AM across different areas, including Basan, Kashimpur, and Tongi. Authorities revealed that a total of 348 individuals have been detained in the ongoing operation.

Following widespread criticism on social media, Supreme Court lawyer Shishir Monir has stepped down from representing the accused in the Abrar Fahad murder case. In a statement, he clarified that although the High Court hearing has concluded, he will not pursue an appeal on behalf of any of the convicts. He expressed his willingness to meet Abrar’s family, hoping for an amicable resolution.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General, Professor Mia Golam Parwar, has stated that elections should only be held after necessary reforms, rather than on a fixed timeline. “We don’t have the money or muscle to rig votes; those who do are pushing for early elections,” he said. He dismissed claims that Jamaat wants to delay elections and insisted that the party rejects elections like those of 2014, 2018, and 2024. He also hinted at ongoing discussions for unity among Islamic political groups.

Protesters injured in the July uprising have been staging a sit-in for 26 consecutive hours in front of the Chief Adviser’s Office, demanding equal rights in government quotas. Around 30 demonstrators remained at the site, chanting slogans whenever government vehicles appeared. Their primary demand is the removal of discrimination in quota policies, advocating for a two-category system.

Supreme Court lawyer Shishir Monir has come under criticism for representing convicts in the Abrar Fahad murder case. In a Facebook post, Howard University Assistant Professor Dr. Mirza Galib explained that Shishir Monir’s chamber reviewed the evidence and rejected cases for five of the 12 death row convicts, believing them to be innocent. He took up cases for two convicts, arguing they deserved life imprisonment instead of the death penalty. Monir has stated that if credible legal experts provide contrary evidence, he will withdraw from the case.

BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, has called on all citizens to remain vigilant against efforts to disrupt national unity and the upcoming elections. He accused those who once sought to make Bangladesh a puppet state of creating confusion regarding the government and local elections. Remembering BNP’s founder, Ziaur Rahman, and honoring those who sacrificed their lives in past movements, including the July martyrs, he portrayed BNP as a party committed to continuous reform.