The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education is forming a “District Expert Pool” to enhance training for education officers and primary school teachers. Each district will have a list of qualified experts to provide guidance in training programs. Interested individuals with a Master’s degree and expertise in areas like primary education, public administration, budget management, or public procurement can apply by June 30. Applications must be submitted to the district primary education officer.

Two Israeli embassy staff members were shot and killed near the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem condemned the attack, calling it a "senseless killing" and vowed justice. "We are actively investigating and will bring the perpetrator to justice," she said. The motive behind the attack remains unknown.

The tenure of the Women’s Reform Commission has been extended by 10 more days, now valid until May 31. A gazette notification issued Tuesday confirmed the decision, stating the extension aims to allow the commission, formed on November 18 last year, to complete its work. The commission had submitted its report to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on April 19.

Forty-three Australian senators and MPs have sent a letter to Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, urging immediate action on three key demands: announcing a clear electoral roadmap, ensuring justice for victims of the July uprising, and disbanding the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The letter, sent via email, was confirmed by BNP’s International Affairs Secretary Md. Rashedul Haque.

Indian security forces have killed 27 Maoist insurgents, including Nambala Keshava Rao, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), in a major counter-insurgency operation. Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the operation, saying this is the first time in three decades that a top Maoist leader has been neutralized.

Keshava Rao, also known as Basavaraju, was a native of Telangana and took over the reins of India’s largest armed leftist insurgency group from Muppala Lakshmana Rao in 2018. The successful raid marks a significant milestone in India’s decades-long battle against Naxalite violence.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur stated that the country’s foreign exchange reserves are projected to reach between $27 billion and $30 billion by the end of June. The target for the next fiscal year is to boost reserves to $40 billion. “Microloans cannot be sustained with a 26% interest rate,” he warned. According to central bank data, as of May 19, the country’s total reserves stood at $25.44 billion.

Planning Adviser Professor Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud made an unannounced visit to Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) to inspect ongoing development projects. He toured the campus and reviewed infrastructure development activities. Expressing satisfaction with the cleanliness, architectural design, and implementation quality, he commended the university’s progress. Vice Chancellor Professor Kazi Rafiqul Islam raised concerns about the lack of guide walls, warning that without them, hundreds of trees could fall and roads could collapse, disrupting student movement. He sought the Adviser’s assistance in securing emergency funding through the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Foreign Affairs Adviser Tawhid Hossain stated that there has been no clear decision yet regarding the “pushback” of individuals recently “pushed in” from India into Bangladesh. “Those who are confirmed Indian citizens must be taken back by India,” he said. Hossain added that communication with Delhi is ongoing to ensure that no actions fall outside agreed protocols. “We do not expect immediate responses within a day. They have shared their position and provided a list. We are currently reviewing that list through the Ministry of Home Affairs,” he explained. Hossain also clarified that treaties can only be annulled through mutual consent or specific provisions, and Bangladesh has not taken steps to cancel any such agreements unilaterally.

The Ministry of Education has issued a directive warning against submitting letters directly to the Secretary concerning MPO (Monthly Pay Order) issues or personal complaints without proper authorization. It states that several teachers and institutional heads have violated protocol by bypassing official channels, thereby disrupting the ministry’s operations and complicating legal procedures. The notice explicitly prohibits all employees under the Ministry, including school heads, teachers, managing committee members, and governing body members, from submitting applications to the Ministry without prior approval through the appropriate channels.

Prominent thinker Farhad Mazhar has criticized the slogan “My Body, My Choice”, calling it an extremist ideology that undermines societal and moral norms. He argued that individuals cannot do whatever they wish with their bodies, emphasizing that suicide, for example, cannot be considered a personal decision. “This slogan, though seemingly about liberation, actually promotes a hyper-individualistic mindset detached from social responsibility,” he said. Mazhar added, “Though I own my body, I cannot decide to take my own life because I am a part of society and the state.” Echoing this sentiment, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Nurul Islam Bulbul said that in the name of women’s rights, there is now a push to legitimize homosexuality and sexual permissiveness—actions he claimed are unacceptable in a country where 90% of the population is Muslim.

Several Indian citizens, particularly from West Bengal, have been applying for political asylum in European countries like France by falsely claiming Bangladeshi nationality. French media outlet Le Monde and the French National Court of Asylum (CNDA) report that Biswajit Das and his wife Rinku Das from Nadia district entered France in 2022 with forged Bangladeshi birth certificates and citizenship documents.

Experts say asylum applications citing religious and political persecution are more likely to be approved if the applicant claims to be from Bangladesh. This growing trend of fraudulent claims is damaging Bangladesh’s global image and could affect genuine asylum seekers.

Faruk E Azam, Disaster Adviser and Bir Protik, acknowledged that while Bangladesh has earned international praise for cyclone and flood preparedness, its capacity to handle earthquakes remains weak. “Earthquakes strike without warning, and public awareness is crucial to minimizing risks,” he said. He stressed the importance of government coordination in rescue and rehabilitation efforts and urged strict enforcement of building codes to reduce structural vulnerabilities.

Bangladesh Bank is set to release newly designed paper currency ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, featuring graffiti drawn by students during and after the historic July Mass Uprising. The redesigned notes also highlight iconic national landmarks, replacing the traditional portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Key features include:

৳20 note: Image of Kantajew Temple in Dinajpur

৳50 note: Famine artwork by the legendary artist Zainul Abedin

৳100 note: Images of the Sundarbans, featuring deer and the Bengal tiger

৳500 note: Historic Ahsan Manzil in Old Dhaka

৳1,000 note: Illustrations of Bangabhaban and the National Martyrs' Memorial

৳5 note: Portraits of July revolution martyrs Abu Saeed and Mugdha

৳10 note: Symbol of youth unity and Baitul Mukarram National Mosque

The initiative is being praised for capturing the spirit of youth activism and national heritage.

Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, announced that mango exports to China mark a new milestone in Bangladesh’s agricultural trade. On May 28, the first shipment—about 50 tons—is scheduled to be sent. The government is also working to export jackfruit and other fruits. He added that farmers are receiving support through various projects and incentives to meet international standards. A centralized management information system is being introduced for all agencies under the ministry, and a long-term plan is in place to ensure safe and nutritious food for all by 2050.

Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan commented that India’s restrictions on importing certain Bangladeshi goods via land routes may temporarily harm businesses, but in the long run, it opens a door for increased self-reliance. In another post, he noted that Starlink could revolutionize Bangladesh’s telecom sector, particularly by delivering high-speed internet to remote regions currently beyond the reach of optical fiber networks.