In a major eviction drive in the Goran-Chatbari ponding area of Mirpur, the Water Development Board (WDB), with support from police and the army, cleared illegal structures from 100 acres of government-acquired land. Authorities stated that such operations will continue to reclaim occupied WDB lands.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain has confirmed that Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen is voluntarily stepping down. “He has chosen to vacate the position himself. His duties will be reassigned, and the change will take effect within a day or two,” Hossain said. He also indicated that Sufiur Rahman, Special Assistant for Foreign Affairs to the Chief Adviser, may also see changes in his role. Although Secretary Masud’s term was set to end on December 12, 2026, he is reportedly opting for early leave despite being offered a diplomatic post abroad by the interim government.

Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin announced that this year’s prices for sacrificial animal hides will be set higher than last year to ensure better management and prevent syndicate manipulation. He made the remarks ahead of Thursday’s official pricing meeting. The government, he said, is actively working to disrupt any monopolistic control over leather collection and storage. As part of the management effort, free salt will be distributed to orphanages and madrasas to assist in leather preservation during Eid.

Officials under the NBR Reform Unity Council have declared an indefinite non-cooperation campaign to press for four key demands, including the repeal of the newly enacted revenue ordinance and sustainable revenue reforms. They plan to submit a formal memorandum to the Chief Adviser tomorrow. In a statement, they expressed dissatisfaction with Tuesday’s meeting with the Finance Adviser and other officials, claiming their demands were ignored. The other two demands include the immediate removal of the current NBR chairman and the public disclosure of recommendations made by the Revenue Reform Advisory Committee via an official website.

National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman has dismissed rumors of a proposed “corridor” within Bangladesh for UN humanitarian operations. “There have been no talks about any corridor with anyone. The UN, facing difficulties in delivering aid to Rakhine, wants to use its partners to send humanitarian assistance,” he said. Rahman emphasized that there is no need for a corridor, only a secure channel to deliver aid. “The issue is being carefully reviewed in consultation with all national stakeholders — not just by the government,” he added. Dr. Rahman also warned that if the Arakan Army continues policies resembling ethnic cleansing, “there will be no trade relations with them.” Any humanitarian channel, if created, would be entirely under UN control. He criticized regional media narratives suggesting Bangladesh is acting as a U.S. proxy in Myanmar, calling such claims “baseless and false.” He also clarified that there is no disagreement between the civilian administration and the military on Myanmar policy.

National Security Adviser Dr. Kholilur Rahman has addressed growing speculation about his citizenship. “There has been discussion regarding my nationality. Let me be clear — I have only one nationality, and that is Bangladeshi,” he said. Dr. Rahman emphasized, “I do not hold an American passport and have no citizenship other than Bangladesh.” He clarified that while he lived in the United States with his family, such circumstances should not define his identity. “If my stay in the U.S. makes me a foreign national, then people could say the same about Tarique Rahman tomorrow,” he warned. He urged critics to be cautious with their words, stating, “If you throw a stone at me, it might hit someone else too.” He further challenged his critics to prove their claims in court, stressing, “Please don’t make me out to be something I’m not.” The remarks came in response to BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed, who accused the adviser of holding U.S. citizenship.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s acting secretary general ATM Masum has expressed deep concern over the recent harassment of Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia. In a statement, Masum alleged that a network of corrupt syndicates—formed during 15 years of authoritarian rule—continues to oppress the nation. He said these syndicates have long exploited expatriates, who selflessly send most of their hard-earned income back home. Referring to the Malaysia incident as “heart-wrenching,” Masum demanded swift and appropriate action from authorities and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

In a trilateral meeting held in Beijing on Wednesday, foreign ministers of Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan— Ishaq Dar, Wang Yi, and Amir Khan Muttaqi— agreed to cooperate on counterterrorism and regional stability. The three nations also reached consensus on extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan. China’s Foreign Ministry stated, “We support Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and are committed to regional peace and development.”

Labor and Employment Advisor M. Sakhawat Hossain has warned factory owners to clear all pending wages by May 28, ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. He said legal action will be taken against defaulters, including arrests and red alerts for absconding owners. “Anyone failing to pay wages will not be allowed to leave Dhaka, let alone the country,” he stated. Already, five factory owners have been sued in labor court. Additionally, four armed Ansar personnel will be deployed on each launch for Eid river safety, and bulkhead transport will be suspended three days before and after Eid.

In response to NCP’s protest, Election Commissioner Md. Sanaullah reiterated that the EC does not comment on political activities. He stated, “The sequencing of elections is a government decision, not ours.” On the allegation of bias, he said, “The Commission is and will remain fully neutral.” Regarding Ishraq Hossain’s legal challenge, he clarified that EC has no provision in the law to become a party in such cases, though they are often included upon request.

The court has postponed its decision on a writ petition seeking to prevent BNP’s Ishraq Hossain from taking oath as Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation. The ruling is now scheduled for Thursday. Advocate Mohammad Hossain represented the petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Mahfuzur Rahman Milon argued for the state. Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Barrister Kaiser Kamal represented Ishraq.

Amir Hamza, a top leader of the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, has been hospitalized in Lahore under ISI protection after sustaining serious injuries in an attack at his residence. The identity of the attackers and the motive behind the incident remain unclear. Hamza hails from Gujranwala in Punjab province and is known to have close ties with Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed and Abdul Rehman Makki.

Heavy rains and upstream runoff have raised water levels in the Teesta River, submerging croplands in Ulipur and Rajarhat of Kurigram. Farmers have suffered crop losses worth several crores as paddy, peanuts, and other crops remain underwater. Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu stated that although crops worth thousands of crores are grown annually on Teesta’s banks, authorities remain indifferent to repeated seasonal damages due to riverbed siltation.

More than 51,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia for Hajj—4,583 under government management and 47,364 through private agencies. Tragically, nine pilgrims (eight men and one woman) have died so far, with four passing away in Mecca and five in Medina.

In India, voicing opinions on Kashmir increasingly results in state persecution under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ultra-nationalist government. Writers, academics, and cultural activists are being silenced with sedition charges. Recently, academic Ali Khan Mahmudabad was arrested, while British-Kashmiri author Nitasha Kaul has been barred from her homeland. Even singing works by Pakistani poet Faiz has led to punitive actions.