Palestinians make their way after fleeing areas around the southern city of Rafah, following an Israeli evacuation order, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Mar 31, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem KhaledPalestinians make their way after fleeing areas around the southern city of Rafah, following an Israeli evacuation order, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Mar 31, 2025. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel would step up pressure on Hamas but would continue negotiations "under fire". Israel has said Hamas' military and government capacity must be entirely dismantled and says the group, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, can have no role in the future governance of the enclave. Israel launched its campaign in Gaza following an attack by Hamas-led gunmen on southern Israeli communities on Oct 7, 2023 in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken as hostages into Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

The French court's ruling was a catastrophic setback for Le Pen, the National Rally (RN) party chief who has been a front-runner in opinion polls for the 2027 contest. The judge also gave Le Pen a four-year prison sentence - two years of which are suspended sentence and two which will be served under home detention. There was no immediate comment from Le Pen on the ruling. Judge Benedicte de Perthuis said Le Pen had been "at the heart" of the scheme. "In Paris they have condemned Marine Le Pen and would like to exclude her from political life."

Following the prayer and just before the munajat, or supplication, the chief advisor briefly addressed the crowd with Eid greetings. Security arrangements were tight, with a bamboo-fenced area behind the imam reserved for high-profile participants, including the chief advisor. On behalf of the nation, we wish everyone who has taken part in these congregations Eid Mubarak. “To our mothers and sisters at home, we wish you Eid Mubarak on behalf of the nation. Making his way to the exit, Yunus continued shaking hands with a smile to a chorus of "Eid Mubarak, sir!"

As the morning sun rose, people of all ages rushed to the Eidgah grounds from far and wide. Vehicles were also barred from the Paltan intersection, Matsya Bhaban, Bangabazar, and Doel Chattar intersection. Those travelling to the Eidgah grounds had to continue on foot. Meanwhile, as every year, five Eid prayer congregations are being held at Baitul Mukarram on Eid Day. The first Eid prayer service was scheduled for 7am, the second at 8am, the third at 9am, the fourth at 10am, and the fifth at 10:45am.

It had been over a decade and a half since the head of Bangladesh's government last joined the main Eid prayer congregation at the National Eidgah grounds in Dhaka. Wishing everyone Eid Mubarak, Yunus said: “Eid is a day where we overcome the distance between us. After the prayers, Yunus exchanged greetings with many attendees and shook hands with several worshippers. The last time a head of government joined Eid prayers at the National Eidgah was in 2008, when Fakhruddin Ahmed, then chief advisor of the military-backed caretaker government, attended the congregation. During Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year tenure from 2009 to 2024, women were allowed to pray at the National Eidgah but the former prime minister herself never attended.

The previous Eid holiday lasted for six days, with the added occasion of celebrating Bengali New Year. Security arrangements have been made for the main Eid congregation, and senior law-enforcing officers have ensured safety measures. In case of adverse weather or unavoidable circumstances, the main Eid congregation will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 9:00am. The Gor-e-Shahid Boro Maidan in Dinajpur has emerged as a contender for the largest Eid congregation, with a capacity for up to 500,000 to 600,000 people. This is expected to be the largest Eid congregation in Dhaka, featuring a procession and cultural events after the prayers.

Bangladesh has welcomed the involvement of Chinese companies in the Teesta River management and restoration projectKhalilur Rahman, the chief advisor's top aide, has said that China has given positive indications about its involvement in Bangladesh’s Teesta River development project. During his four-day state visit to China, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus sought a “50-year masterplan” on water management from China, highlighting its success in controlling floods and maintaining water systems. On Sunday, Khalilur said: “The chief advisor had extensive and deep discussions with China about water resources. “And the Chinese team promised to provide all sorts of support, including preserving river water, flood forecasting, controlling flood, among others,” he said. “I spoke about Teesta in terms of managing our water resources for the next 50 years.

Yunus lauds the army for performing its duties with professionalism and dedication to ensure the country's sovereignty and securityChief of Army Staff Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman has paid a courtesy call on Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor to the interim government. During the meeting, the army chief extended advance Eid greetings to Yunus. The chief advisor praised the role and professionalism of the army and gave it the necessary guidance on future activities. Yunus said he hoped the army will continue to perform its duties with professionalism and dedication to ensure the country's sovereignty and security. Waker had previously paid a courtesy call on the chief advisor on Mar 19.

"On Eid day, the city corporation is organising the Eid prayer congregation and processions. Come join us at both events!”DNCC'S TWO-DAY FAIRThe Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) is organising a festive fair called "Eid Ananda". According to the DNCC, the event will take place at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre grounds from 9am to 5am on Eid day and the following day. The play will run on Eid day and the following two days, with two shows each evening at 7:00pm and 8:15pm. The zoo will remain open throughout the Eid holidays, following its regular schedule, according to Zoo Director Rafiqul Islam Talukder.

This year Muslims have fasted 29 days as Ramadan began on Mar 2Bangladesh to mark Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday as Shawwal moon sightedBangladesh will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest festival for Muslim devotees, on Monday as the moon for the Islamic month of Shawwal has been sighted. Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr after a month of fasting in Ramadan. Usually, Saudi Arabia and some other Middle Eastern countries celebrate Eid a day before Bangladesh as the moon is sighted there early. Several districts in the country also celebrate Eid alongside Saudi Arabia. Assuming Mar 31 as Eid day, the interim government had earlier declared four days of holiday -- Mar 29, Mar 30, Apr 1 and Apr 2.

"Among the key concerns flagged by the MEA was the "continued release of violent Islamic extremists" convicted of serious crimes. Work on India's development assistance projects has been continuing, which had been interrupted by the violence in the month of August 2024. ""EAM Jaishankar met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on the sidelines of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat, Oman. The India-Bangladesh Naval Exercise Bongosagar 2025 and Coordinated Patrol was conducted in the Bay of Bengal from Mar 10-12, 2025. The exercise enhanced interoperability between the two navies, facilitating collaborative responses to shared maritime security challenges.

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has stressed that stability in Bangladesh is of "paramount importance" to the region amid fraught relations between Delhi and Dhaka following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina regime last year. Among the key concerns flagged by the MEA was the "continued release of violent Islamic extremists" convicted of serious crimes. The ministry labelled the issue as a matter of "grave concern", not just for law and order in Bangladesh but for regional and global security as a whole. The MEA, however, pointed out that India was issuing visas to Bangladeshi nationals on a reduced scale due to "some security concerns". It highlighted the importance for both countries to recognise the value of economic and infrastructural linkages in driving regional development.

One member of the Navy and two police personnel have been injured in the incident, police sayThe joint forces have detained 11 people after a shootout in Khulna’s Sonadanga. One member of the Navy and two police personnel have been injured in the incident, he said. Azam said, “The joint forces conducted an operation at a home in the city’s Arambag area around 12:30am on Sunday upon receiving a tip-off that criminals were meeting there.”“The criminals opened fire when they noticed the presence of the joint forces. The joint forces returned fire.”He said that a "top criminal" named Sheikh Polash and 10 others were detained from the scene in the operation. Three pistols, a shotgun, a dismantled firearm, several rounds of ammunition, machetes, and axes were among the weapons recovered from the scene.

Two others were injured in the incidentAssailants chase down car, shoot two dead in ChattogramAssailants have killed two people after chasing a car and shooting the victims in broad daylight in Chattogram. The dead were identified as Bakhteyar Hossain Manik and Md Abdullah, both between 30 and 36 years of age. Chawkbazar Police Station chief Zahidul Kabir told bdnews24.com that assailants gave chase to a car carrying the victims from Baklia Rajakhali Bridge and shot them on the Chandanpura-Baklia Access Road. They ordered the car to stop at the entrance of the access road and shot the victims. Another rickshaw driver said a police vehicle was parked at the entrance of the access road, but it left after the gunshots were fired.

Mujibur is one of the senior army officers dismissed following the power change. An ACC official told bdnews24.com that the application also highlighted information regarding “millions of taka transactions” in their 16 bank accounts, along with details of savings certificates and investments in the stock market. Before his dismissal, Mujibur served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC). Of these, Mujibur owns one flat, two houses, and three plots while Tasrin holds one flat and seven plots. The ACC official said there are allegations against Mujibur for "misusing power, irregularities, and corruption to embezzle hundreds of millions of taka" while holding key government positions.