Ten Bangladeshi expatriates arrested in Saudi Arabia during the July movement celebrations—following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s removal from office—have returned home. They were among 12 arrested for hosting a feast and celebration. After serving eight months in prison, the Saudi authorities deported ten of them. Due to passport and paperwork issues, two others remain detained. Upon arrival, the returnees were received at the airport by government representatives. The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare has pledged support for their rehabilitation.

During a courtesy meeting with BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey, Dr. Muhammad Yunus suggested hosting a dedicated youth summit during the next BIMSTEC conference in Dhaka, scheduled two years from now. Secretary General Pandey welcomed the proposal, calling the idea “excellent” and assuring it will be pursued with high priority. He also announced preparations are underway for a long-overdue trade ministers’ meeting — the first in 21 years. At the end of the summit, Professor Yunus officially assumed the role of BIMSTEC Chair on behalf of Bangladesh.

A new survey by the Jewish People Policy Institute, titled The Israeli Society Index, reveals that 60% of Israelis agree—albeit cautiously—that the country may be heading toward civil war.

The study also found that food insecurity is now affecting around 1.5 million Israeli settlers. The warning echoes earlier concerns raised by former Israeli Supreme Court President Aharon Barak, who had cautioned about the growing risk of internal conflict. While 27% of respondents agreed with Barak and said his warning was accurate, 33% felt his comments were somewhat exaggerated but still acknowledged the potential danger. Only 16% of Jewish respondents believe there is no risk of civil war in Israel. Meanwhile, 51% of voters said there should be no political interference in the dismissal of the intelligence chief.

At least 86 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Since the beginning of the Israeli offensive in October 2023, the total death toll has climbed to 50,609.

An additional 287 people have been injured in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of wounded to 115,063. The Gaza government’s media office has stated that including those still trapped under the rubble, the real death toll has likely exceeded 62,700. Israel launched its latest wave of surprise airstrikes on March 18, which alone resulted in 1,249 deaths and over 3,000 injuries.

Following a marathon midnight debate on Thursday, India passed the controversial Wakf Bill. On Friday, Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi filed separate petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the bill, calling it “discriminatory” and a “violation of fundamental rights” of Muslims.

In his petition, Jawed argued that the bill breaches several constitutional provisions, including Article 14 (Right to Equality), Article 25 (Freedom of Religion), Article 26 (Right to Manage Religious Affairs), Article 29 (Cultural and Educational Rights of Minorities), and Article 300A (Right to Property). He emphasized that the law unfairly limits the autonomy of Wakf institutions while maintaining broader freedoms for religious trusts of other faiths. One of the most contentious provisions of the bill mandates the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the formation of Wakf Boards and the Central Wakf Council, which critics argue undermines community self-governance.

NCP leader Zaynal Abedin Shishir declared that a new constitution has already been written in the blood of martyrs like Sadman. “This constitution will be realized through the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for a new Bangladesh,” he said.

Shishir called for a people-empowered constitution that rejects dynastic and personality-based politics. Expressing gratitude for the sacrifices of the fallen, he urged the government to ban the Awami League and ensure exemplary punishment for those in power.

He demanded greater state recognition for the martyrs, including their inclusion in textbooks and other public platforms. Before speaking, Shishir visited the grave of Shaheed Sadman to pay his respects.

BNP leader Mirza Abbas has called the meeting between Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi highly significant and necessary. “The government had been trying to make it happen. It was needed, and it finally happened,” he remarked.

Abbas urged India to “immediately send Sheikh Hasina back” so that she can face trial, calling her a “fascist” whose prosecution is imperative. He also demanded the rightful share of Teesta River water for Bangladesh and called for necessary renovations of the Teesta Barrage to be undertaken by Bangladesh, with no compromises on national interests.

Responding to critics, Abbas clarified BNP’s stance on reform. “Some say reform talk irritates BNP. That’s not true. We support reform—alongside elections. We just reject any reform that undermines the people’s rights,” he said.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has returned to Dhaka after attending the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. He landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at approximately 10:05 PM Bangladesh time on Friday aboard a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. Earlier, he departed Bangkok at 8:45 PM local time. Dr. Yunus was seen off at the airport by Jiraporn Sindhuprai, Minister attached to the Thai Prime Minister’s Office.

Speaking after Friday prayers in Rangpur, National Citizens’ Party (NCP) leader Sarjis Alam announced that the newly formed party is working toward fielding candidates in all 300 constituencies in the upcoming national election. He stated, “For over a decade, politics has moved away from the people. We aim to restore that connection and represent citizens in Parliament.”

Alam criticized regional disparities in budget allocation over the past 16 years, noting that while South Bengal has seen significant investment, North Bengal has primarily been a contributor. “We expect the next government to address these imbalances,” he said.

He acknowledged the challenges of nominating candidates nationwide as a one-month-old party but affirmed their commitment to the goal. On foreign relations, Alam emphasized the need to shift from a one-sided policy with India to a relationship built on mutual respect and equality.

In a recent post, Press Secretary Shafiqur Alam asserted that Islamic extremism has never seen a significant rise in Bangladesh — and there is no indication that it will in the future.

He criticized some Western journalists for drawing unfounded parallels between Bangladesh and conflict-ridden nations like Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Syria due to a lack of nuanced understanding of Bangladeshi society.

Highlighting key incidents — such as the 1994 exile of Taslima Nasrin, the 2004 attack on author Humayun Azad, the 2005 nationwide bombings, and the rise of Bangla Bhai — he emphasized that despite these, no widespread resurgence of Islamist extremism has taken place.

Between 2013 and 2016, Bangladesh faced a spate of targeted attacks on atheist bloggers, secular and LGBTQ activists, and even foreign nationals — nearly 20 lives were lost. Yet, society at large remained largely resilient and unchanged.

Alam, who admits to once falling into the same narrative trap, stressed that the social and familial diversity of Bangladesh serves as a strong defense against extremism. “This diversity,” he said, “will keep Bangladesh from straying down the wrong path.”

In a bid to strengthen international collaboration against corruption, Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The signing ceremony was attended by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
ACC Chairman Dr. Mohammad Moin and NACC President Suchart Trakulkasemsuk signed the MoU, which aims to enhance bilateral cooperation in data sharing and joint operations. Moin expressed hope that the agreement would help both nations track down and prosecute corrupt individuals, including those taking refuge in neighboring countries.

India has ramped up its military presence in the strategically crucial Siliguri Corridor, commonly known as the “Chicken’s Neck,” deploying advanced weaponry. This move follows remarks by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus during his China visit, where he referred to India’s northeast as landlocked and described Bangladesh as the gateway to the sea for the region.
Indian Army officials stated the corridor is one of their most fortified areas, home to the Trishakti Corps headquartered in Sukna. The corps is equipped with Rafale jets, BrahMos missiles, and advanced air defense systems, ensuring maximum readiness against potential threats.

In response to the Trump administration’s new tariffs on Chinese imports, China has announced a 34% additional tariff on all U.S. goods, effective from April 10. The Chinese finance ministry confirmed the surcharge will be applied over existing duties. Additionally, China has restricted the export of seven rare minerals, including gadolinium and yttrium. Beijing also plans to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization. This comes as the U.S. imposes a universal 10% tariff on all imports.

Jamaat leader Mohammad Selim Uddin paid tribute to the late Tanifa Ahmed, calling her a valiant fighter and frontline leader of the July Revolution. He stated that her courageous role will forever be remembered with deep respect by the nation. Tanifa, who served as the co-spokesperson of Mirpur Model Police Station during the mass uprising, tragically lost her life along with her uncle Shamim in a devastating road accident in Lohagara. Selim Uddin emphasized that while death is determined by divine will, accidents are beyond human control. He urged everyone to channel their grief into action and commit to building the Bangladesh Tanifa dreamed of. He also pledged full support to the bereaved family.

Sohail Rana, a banned Chhatra League leader and former president of the Savar Sadar Union unit, was arrested by police in the early hours of Friday in Savar. Authorities revealed that Rana had been in hiding since the political shift in August. Although he claimed via Facebook that he was in India, he was actively spreading anti-interim government propaganda while remaining in the country. Using digital surveillance, police tracked him down and arrested him from a rented house. Rana faces nine cases, including charges of attempted murder and opening fire on protesters.