Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has returned home after a two-day official visit to Qatar. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Army Chief held courtesy meetings and discussions with several high-ranking Qatari officials, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Minister of Interior, Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces, and Deputy Chief of Internal Security.

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.

In April, Bangladesh received $2.75 billion in remittance, the second-highest monthly figure recorded by the Bangladesh Bank. The remittance amounted to approximately BDT 33,574 crore, reflecting a 34.64% increase compared to the previous year. The remittance for the first 10 months of the current fiscal year has increased by 28.30%.

After a meeting with the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Vice President, Salehuddin Ahmed, the Economic Adviser to the government, reported that the ADB is pleased with Bangladesh's economic achievements compared to other countries. The ADB confirmed its support for reforms in the banking sector and National Board of Revenue (NBR), along with providing necessary assistance for the government’s realistic and achievable budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Salehuddin emphasized the importance of reducing expenditures and improving efficiency.

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.

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan has announced a tougher stance on individuals who evade taxes, do not file returns, or exploit tax exemptions. He emphasized the need for accountability, revealing that the government loses as much revenue from tax exemptions as it collects annually. NBR data shows a large number of TIN holders fail to submit tax returns, placing an unfair burden on regular taxpayers.

Adviser Mahfuz Alam called for greater accountability in the media, proposing a fact-finding review of media activities over the past 15 years. “We are working to implement a journalist protection law,” he said. He also advocated for a national broadcasting body covering state media like radio, BTV, and BSS, and emphasized setting fair government advertisement rates. Media Reform Commission head Kamal Ahmed echoed the need for financial safeguards, warning that corruption among journalists won’t stop without fair compensation.

Kamal Ahmed, head of the Media Reform Commission, stated that they have proposed a permanent media commission and a journalist protection law, with drafts already submitted. “So far, we haven’t seen much initiative from the government,” he said. He criticized past governments for issuing TV licenses based on political loyalty instead of journalistic merit. Addressing opposition to public limited company models for media, he noted, “More than a dozen media houses are profitable—this is achievable.”

Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, stated that Bangladesh may withdraw from its loan agreement with the IMF if excessive conditions are imposed. Accepting all terms could further weaken the economy. If new conditions are attached to the next tranche of the $4.7 billion loan, Bangladesh will reconsider continuing the agreement.

Pakistani diplomat Mohammad Faisal accused India of reneging on its commitment to a plebiscite in Kashmir as mandated by UN resolutions. He said recognizing Kashmir as a disputed territory is essential for peace and called for a resolution through dialogue. Faisal dismissed Indian accusations regarding Pahalgam as baseless and reiterated Pakistan's demand for an impartial international investigation. He added that India currently deploys 900,000 troops in Jammu and Kashmir and maintains a belligerent stance toward Pakistan.

Former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Anwarullah Chowdhury revealed that he received death threats during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure for criticizing fascism. Before August 5, he was warned at home to stop making anti-government speeches or risk being shot by armed student activists. He condemned the establishment of BAKSAL and media censorship, crediting Ziaur Rahman for restoring press freedom. Editor Mahmudur Rahman warned of a return to fascism and growing Indian influence in Bangladesh, urging public vigilance.

Journalists Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi were murdered, not victims of suicide, according to a progress report submitted to the High Court. The taskforce revealed that two individuals were involved, with Sagar killed first, followed by Runi. Both were in bed with their child before the attack. Due to unclear DNA evidence, the killers remain unidentified. No signs of marital discord, theft, or professional rivalry were found. The murder weapons—a knife and a cleaver from the kitchen—were used while the victims were still alive.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that India has yet to provide credible evidence linking Pakistan to the recent Pahalgam attack. During a meeting with Turkey’s ambassador, Sharif expressed appreciation for President Erdogan’s continued support for Pakistan. Despite India’s “provocative behavior,” he reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to restraint and called once again for an impartial international investigation. He added that Pakistan would welcome Turkish participation in such an initiative. The Turkish envoy reaffirmed support for Pakistan and urged all regional parties to exercise restraint to preserve peace in South Asia.

The Express Tribune reports that Indian journalist Archana Tiwari’s investigation highlighted inconsistencies in the official narrative of the Pahalgam incident. Tiwari questioned whether the alleged attack on a newlywed couple and the husband’s reported death were fabricated. A Kashmiri driver confirmed, “Yes, it’s all false. The husband is alive—it was all staged.” She further asked if videos of the widow and a traumatized child were also fake. The driver replied, “Yes, it's all political theater. How could terrorists firing from 10 kilometers away ask about the victims’ religion?”