The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin met with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Trade Representative Paul Thoppil to discuss the possibility of initiating talks on a free trade agreement. The Secretary highlighted Bangladesh's multi-dimensional economic reforms and invited Canadian investment in sectors such as ICT, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, engineering, and renewable energy. Both countries expressed satisfaction over bilateral trade exceeding $3 billion. Bangladesh also emphasized the need to simplify the Canadian education visa process.

Students at Barisal University have locked the administrative building, demanding the removal of Vice Chancellor Dr. Suchita Sharmin. The protest followed a 30-minute demonstration on the university’s ground floor. The students accused the VC of reinstating authoritarian faculty members, failing to implement 22 student demands, and filing cases against protesting students. The protest, ongoing for over 15 days, has now evolved into a single-point demand for her removal. Students have threatened to shut down the entire southern region if their demands are not met. Allegations also include the VC's inaction against a ruling party student leader accused of abuse and lack of support for a cancer-stricken student who later passed away.

The Trump administration has declared that Harvard University will no longer receive federal research grants. In a letter to the university, Education Secretary Linda McMahon accused Harvard of mocking higher education and failing to uphold academic standards. McMahon criticized the university for allegedly admitting foreign students who exhibit violent behavior and anti-American sentiment. She stated that Harvard will now function solely as a privately funded institution. The university claims the letter is a retaliatory move following a lawsuit it filed on April 21.

India is ramping up its border surveillance by adding 16 new battalions to the Border Security Force (BSF), bringing in nearly 17,000 additional personnel. The country is also establishing two new forward headquarters—one in Jammu to enhance operations along the Pakistan border, and another in Mizoram to focus on the eastern frontier with Bangladesh. The move signals heightened vigilance and intelligence operations on both borders.

The KUET Teachers’ Association has issued a seven-day ultimatum demanding action against students responsible for cyberbullying and defaming faculty members after February 18. The teachers have been boycotting classes for two days and warned they will also abstain from administrative duties if their five-point demand is not met. They are also calling for the identification and legal action against those spreading anti-KUET propaganda online. An interim meeting with the acting Vice-Chancellor failed to resolve the impasse, despite discussions around a possible student apology.

A headmaster in Adamdighi, Bogura, was physically assaulted by a tenth-grade student named Hridoy Hossain after he was instructed not to use his mobile phone in class. The injured teacher, Atiar Rahman, later filed a police case against Hridoy and three others. In protest, a large number of students formed a human chain on the school grounds and in front of the Upazila Parishad on Monday afternoon, demanding justice. A memorandum was also submitted to the UNO seeking disciplinary action.

Adviser Farida Akhtar emphasized the need to ensure both food security and fair treatment of farmers. She criticized import policies that hurt local agriculture and called for market analysis before importing food products. Akhtar also raised concerns about the over-mechanization of agriculture, which reduces livestock use and impacts rural livelihoods. “Consumers deserve safe food, but farmers must also be able to earn a profit,” she said.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a phone conversation with Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain. According to the Pakistan High Commission, Dar briefed the adviser on India’s “baseless allegations” and “unilateral actions” contributing to growing regional tensions. He particularly criticized India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as a reckless move. Adviser Hossain expressed concern over the current situation and emphasized the need for restraint by all parties to de-escalate tensions. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and stressed the importance of maintaining regular high-level contacts. They also explored opportunities for greater cooperation in regional and multilateral forums.

Adviser Mahfuz Alam announced that the licensing of media outlets during the former government’s tenure will undergo investigation. He accused the previous administration of manipulating media to justify abductions, extrajudicial killings, and other abuses. Alam also urged media outlets not to produce content that supports fascism. He criticized some outlets for labeling the July uprising as a movement and for referring to the current government as a transitional regime. “More people were killed in Bangladesh between July 19 and August 5 last year than in Gaza during the same period,” he said.

On Monday, Italian Interior Minister Mr. Matteo Piantedosi met with Bangladesh's Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury at the Secretariat. Following the meeting, the adviser stated that Italy has expressed a keen interest in recruiting workers from Bangladesh through official, legal channels. He emphasized the importance of proper procedures, noting that some individuals misuse visas from countries like Saudi Arabia or Libya to enter Italy illegally. “They have requested that workers travel to Italy with valid Italian visas directly from Bangladesh,” he said.

Russia has offered to help de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22. In a phone conversation with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s readiness to support a political resolution. Lavrov had earlier held similar discussions with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, urging both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue.

European Union Ambassador Charles Whiteley has stated that the timing of Bangladesh’s national election is solely the country’s decision. However, he emphasized the importance of completing necessary electoral reforms beforehand. The EU has no intention of exerting pressure, he clarified. “We hope political parties and the interim government will work together on reforms,” he said. The EU is also willing to assist with the election process. Regarding the July uprising, he stressed the need for transparent investigations and humanitarian aid for all victims, regardless of affiliation.

Starting Monday, nearly 400,000 government primary school teachers will engage in an hour-long work stoppage demanding their promotion to the 11th grade. Previously, the government had agreed to upgrade assistant teachers to the 12th grade, but the teachers now demand at least the 11th grade for their pay. The strike will continue until May 15th, with plans for escalating protests through May 26th if their demands are not met.

The Chinese Embassy has announced a new "Green Channel" visa scheme for Bangladeshis seeking medical treatment in China. This initiative, following Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s visit in March, simplifies the visa process by removing the need for Foreign Ministry-certified documents. Applications submitted online will now receive priority processing under this special facility.

UAE Ambassador Abdullah Ali Al Hammadi has confirmed that the UAE Embassy in Dhaka is once again issuing 30 to 50 visit visas daily. During a meeting with Special Envoy Lutf Siddique, he praised Bangladesh’s active role in strengthening bilateral relations. He also announced the reopening of the UAE’s online skilled worker visa system, with hundreds of visas already issued to professionals including hotel staff and security guards.