Monir Haidar, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, has claimed that political protection has allowed rampant corruption and mismanagement in the health sector. “It’s not just the officials’ fault—the entire system is politically compromised,” he said. He emphasized that democracy must be about transparency and accountability, not just elections. “In the civilized world, elections are merely an entry point to democracy; the real essence lies in good governance,” he said.

Environmental activist and adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasized the deep connection between sustainable development and cultural heritage. “Preserving heritage means protecting the environment,” she said. Praising Mahin Khan’s exhibition of eco-friendly traditional attire, she added, “This is not just art—it’s a roadmap to a sustainable future.” The exhibition also featured cultural festivities including music, a fashion show, and Pohela Boishakh celebrations.

A tragic incident unfolded in Kaliakoir, Gazipur, where 23-year-old Idris Ali consumed toxic chemicals at his workplace and died by suicide. Employed in the carton section of Montrims Ltd, Idris had not been made permanent even after a year of work. In a final Facebook post, he expressed frustration over being overlooked while others secured permanent roles in months. Naming two officials, he wrote, “They think they’re made of gold and we’re made of dirt. I’m ending it today.”

National Security Advisor Dr. Khalilur Rahman has said the government is actively engaging with all stakeholders to ensure Rakhine becomes a safe zone for Rohingya repatriation. He hopes the process will begin before the upcoming Eid. Speaking after a visit to a Rohingya camp where he met and prayed with residents, he urged them to advocate for repatriation on international platforms. Commenting on a Rakhine cultural event, Dr. Khalil noted that Bangladesh is a land of diverse faiths and traditions. He also hailed Myanmar’s agreement to repatriate 180,000 Rohingyas as a diplomatic success.

Following campus protests in support of Palestine, the U.S. canceled the visas of 327 international students last month, permanently banning them from reentering the country. Indian Congress leader Jairam Ramesh revealed that 50% of those affected were Indian nationals. He criticized the decision as opaque and alarming, highlighting that many of the targeted students had spoken out against U.S. support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Religious Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hussain said, “People become obsessed with power, even to the point of killing thousands. But remember, God does not accept the Hajj of thieves, robbers, and the corrupt.” He clarified that the responsibility for implementing Qawmi certification lies with the Education Ministry, not his office, though he has received assurances from other advisers. He noted that this year’s Hajj cost was reduced by BDT 100,000 and reiterated that no one can now perform Hajj at the government’s expense.

Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam organized a protest in front of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka condemning the passage of India’s Waqf Bill and the ongoing persecution of Muslims there. Protesters labeled Indian Prime Minister Modi the “Butcher of Gujarat” and accused him of systematically stripping Muslims of their rights, destroying their homes, and displacing them. The group also called for a united resistance against what they termed as genocidal acts by occupiers.

Poet and political thinker Farhad Mazhar has called the recent wave of protests a “mass uprising,” not a revolution, emphasizing that the struggle now is cultural and constitutional. “What we are witnessing is the people rising to complete what remains unfinished. The real battle ahead lies in drafting a new constitution for Bangladesh,” he said. Mazhar highlighted that students have been vocal from the outset about the need for a new constitutional framework—not just new laws. “A constitution is not merely a set of laws. While laws are made by governments, constitutions are made by the people themselves. A true constitution emerges from public participation and consensus on how people want to live together,” he said. Mazhar stressed that Bangladesh must move away from its colonial legacy and create a people-centric system.

Wearing symbolic funeral shrouds, students from various Polytechnic Institutes across the country staged a massive protest march on Friday after Jumu’ah prayers, starting from Tejgaon Polytechnic. The demonstration, organized under the banner of “Technical Student Movement Bangladesh,” was announced late Thursday night. Earlier in the evening, students held torch processions in Dhaka and other cities. Protesters accused the Ministry of Education of betraying them through staged meetings and condemned the attack on fellow demonstrators in Cumilla.

In Germany, several student protesters were arrested after they entered the Emil Fischer Lecture Hall at a university building in Berlin to protest Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and the planned expulsion of four pro-Palestinian individuals by the Berlin state government. The students hung banners from the windows that read, “You are complicit in genocide,” “There is only one state, Palestine ’48,” and “Intifada until victory.” Outside the building, around 20 demonstrators expressed solidarity with slogans such as “Free Palestine,” “Boycott Israel,” “No borders, no expulsions,” “Germany is a fascist state,” and “Resistance is a right under international law.” Police later arrested at least five protesters, one of whom was reportedly wearing a press jacket.

In a foreword for TIME Magazine, Hillary Clinton praised Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus for his role in steering Bangladesh toward democracy after the fall of its authoritarian leader during the people’s uprising. Clinton highlighted Yunus’ decades-long work with Grameen Bank in empowering the poor through microloans. Recalling her first meeting with him in Arkansas with then-Governor Bill Clinton, she noted his global impact and praised his current efforts to restore human rights and accountability in Bangladesh.

A mobile court in Dighinala, Khagrachari, fined Nurul Haque Tk 2 lakh for illegal hill cutting under the Soil Management Act 2010. Executive Magistrate Mamunur Rashid led the operation based on a tip-off. Haque, the landowner, immediately paid the fine. Officials noted that the hill had been leveled without any government approval.

A Tk 5.12 crore bridge is under construction over a canal in Titas, Cumilla, but lacks proper access roads on either side. One end opens to nothing, while the other connects to a damaged rural road. The surrounding area consists of agricultural fields, making the bridge practically unusable for locals. Additionally, another bridge worth over Tk 5.5 crore is being built just 700 meters away. Locals allege these projects are examples of rampant public fund mismanagement and wastage.

Police in Savar arrested three young men from a moving bus and recovered knives from each of them. The detainees are Tanvir Hossain (18) from Nawabganj, Mamun Hasan Munna (19) from Savar, and Sohanur Rahman (18) from Mymensingh. According to police, the trio was preparing to commit a robbery onboard.

According to White House sources, Israel had planned an airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities in May, aiming to set back Iran’s nuclear capabilities by at least a year. Despite months of discussion with the US, former President Trump ultimately opted for diplomatic negotiations over military action. The next round of US-Iran talks is scheduled for Saturday in Rome. The UN had earlier warned that Iran was nearing nuclear weapon capability.