Security has been intensified at the Bangladesh Secretariat as government employees protest the 'Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025'. SWAT and BGB forces have been deployed at the main entrance. Entry is restricted to only government officials and staff. According to police, a decision on media access will be made by noon. The Home Ministry earlier announced that no visitors would be allowed into the Secretariat today.

A video from French President Emmanuel Macron’s Vietnam trip has gone viral, showing his wife Brigitte seemingly swatting his face as they disembark from a plane. Macron responded with humor, saying, “In the video, I was joking with my wife, and suddenly it’s being treated like a geopolitical catastrophe. People are interpreting it in bizarre ways.” He added, “Yes, the videos are real—but the way they’re being distorted and weaponized is even more alarming.”

Assam police have arrested at least 50 individuals suspected of being Bangladeshi infiltrators from districts including Guwahati, Golaghat, Dhubri, Barpeta, and Cachar. However, families of the detainees claim they are all Indian citizens. A police official reported that the suspects are currently being held at the Rupnagar Police Reserve. Their families have started submitting necessary documents to prove their Indian nationality, and verification is underway.

In a recent directive, the Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance has increased the festival allowance for MPO-listed teachers at non-government educational institutions. Teachers will now receive 50% of their basic salary as a festival bonus, up from the previous 25%. The circular also noted that any future irregularities in disbursement will be the responsibility of the respective bill-paying authorities. The allowance will take effect from the date of the administrative ministry’s order.

At a recent seminar, Adviser Farida Akhter stated that the local livestock industry has seen a strong resurgence. Women farmers and entrepreneurs are now raising cattle and goats at home, significantly reducing dependency on foreign imports during Eid-ul-Adha. She estimated that this year’s Qurbani-related economic activity will surpass Tk 1 trillion. To support the leather sector, the government has announced free salt distribution for rawhide preservation and fixed prices to prevent exploitation. If necessary, rawhides will be preserved for export.

To bring government services closer to the public, the initiative Citizen Services Bangladesh has launched under the slogan "All Services at One Address." The platform was inaugurated on May 26 by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Service centers have already been set up in Gulshan, Uttara, and Nilkhet. Professor Yunus emphasized that this platform will play a pivotal role in curbing exploitation by brokers, minimizing public harassment, and ensuring hassle-free services. He added that it aims to foster healthy competition among ministries and enable automatic birth registration for every newborn as a foundational step to citizenship.

Speaking at a seminar, Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Economic Adviser to the government, affirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability in financial services. He emphasized that sustainable development rests on three pillars: accountability, transparency, and ethical governance. “These are not abstract concepts, but practical necessities,” he stated. He noted that monitoring, auditing, and implementation practices help turn policy documents into real, tangible benefits for the people.

Mohammad Alim Akhter Khan, Director General of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, said there is no interference from higher authorities in the agency’s operations. “So far, I have not been pressured by any superior to act in a certain way,” he stated. He further assured that officials have been instructed to perform their duties independently. “If an official makes a mistake, the accused may submit a formal complaint, and I will personally investigate,” he added. Khan also revealed that even large corporations have been summoned and fined for violating consumer rights.

Following the recent attack in Pahalgam, Muslims in Kashmir are living in fear. Homes are being demolished, travelers harassed, and men with beards and skullcaps are being labeled as “terrorists” without evidence. Farooq Ahmed, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir, said his brother Mohammad Iqbal was killed in a madrasa during India-Pakistan border clashes on May 7. “Several Indian media outlets falsely labeled Iqbal a terrorist without any proof,” Farooq said. Police later contradicted those claims in an official statement. Manisha Pandey, Executive Editor of NewsLaundry, condemned the media’s coverage, calling the baseless allegations “heartbreaking and dangerous.”

Professor Ali Riaz stated that the National Consensus Commission will begin its second round of talks with political parties in June, aiming to draft a 'National Charter'. “The Commission’s role is to engage with stakeholders, build consensus, and outline reform policies in a national document,” he explained. “Political parties have shown strong support for these reforms, indicating their commitment. We believe they can determine a path for implementation.” He noted, however, that enforcement of the charter would be the responsibility of the interim government and other stakeholders.

Advisor Asif Mahmud announced that the government has begun a crackdown on online gambling. Over 1,000 mobile banking accounts linked to gambling activities are being frozen. He urged citizens to report any suspicious bank or gambling-related accounts. Mahmud added that online gambling is prohibited under Section 20 of the new Cybersecurity Ordinance and all activities related to it are now banned in the interest of public safety. He also said preparations have been made to remove all sacrificial waste within 12 hours after Eid.

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced Monday night that entry to the Secretariat will remain closed to visitors on Tuesday due to unavoidable reasons. The announcement comes amid continued protests by government employees inside and outside the Secretariat, now in their third consecutive day, against the newly approved "Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025."

Environmental Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasized that resolving human-elephant conflict in the Garo Hills requires patience and behavioral change. “Elephants lived in the hills before humans. We won’t survive if we continue destroying forests and harming elephants,” she said. Rizwana criticized the Forest Department for planting invasive eucalyptus and acacia trees, which disrupted the ecosystem. She called for removing these trees and planting species better suited to the habitat of elephants.

Information Adviser Mahfuz Alam told a delegation from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom that Bangladesh offers maximum religious freedom to its citizens, with no discrimination based on faith. He emphasized that the government ensures equal rights for all communities and actively supports religious festivals. He also noted that there have been no recent incidents of minority persecution, and dismissed ongoing international allegations as politically motivated propaganda. Alam expressed concern that some individuals from minority groups continue to align themselves with the Awami League, calling it regrettable.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a notification inviting applications from retired officials who were denied promotions between 2009 and August 4, 2024. Eligible individuals must apply through their respective ministries by June 16. The notification clarifies that those who have previously submitted applications need not reapply. This follows similar measures for 764 officials from the administration cadre. However, officials in other cadres with third-grade or higher positions are ineligible.