Interim Government Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has distanced the administration from remarks made by retired Major General A.L.M. Fazlur Rahman, who suggested Bangladesh should seize India’s northeastern states (Seven Sisters) if India attacks Pakistan. Rahman’s comments, made in a Facebook post, also proposed a military alliance with China. Shafiqul clarified that the statement does not reflect government policy and reiterated Bangladesh’s respect for all nations’ sovereignty.

Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Mexico, Mushfiqur Fazal Ansari, has urged media outlets to stop referring to sympathizers of convicted war criminals and human rights violators as “journalists.” In a social media post, he condemned those who support fugitive killers with UN-documented war crime charges and called them “looters and cronies” undeserving of the journalist title.

Labor Adviser M. Sakhawat Hossain has stated that the interim government’s steps toward protecting workers’ rights are likely to leave a significant mark internationally. Speaking at a labor event, he emphasized that “only when employers and workers stand united will society truly change.” During a recent visit to the ILO, Hossain observed that worker wages and safety conditions have severely deteriorated over the past 20–30 years, nearly leading to sanctions.

Gazipur police suspect a deliberate attempt to incite unrest following the custodial death of a man accused of molestation in Haidarabad. Detainee Raiz Uddin, arrested after local residents handed him over for alleged abuse, died after falling ill in jail. Five victims had testified under the Women and Children Repression Act. Deputy Commissioner N.M. Nasir Uddin warned that false narratives are being spread to manipulate public sentiment and disrupt the legal process.

In response to lawyer Tania Amir’s remarks at the Geneva Press Club about the 2009 BDR mutiny, a government press release accused her of pushing a partisan agenda aligned with the former Awami League government. The statement criticized her for allegedly representing the views of mutineers and questioned her intentions, noting the absence of new evidence and reliance on long-standing opposition narratives.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus emphasized that a new and equitable Bangladesh cannot be built while workers continue to suffer. Speaking on the May Day theme—“Workers and Employers Unite to Rebuild the Nation”—he highlighted the critical role workers played in past uprisings and current development. Bangladesh is working on labor standards reform in line with ILO conventions. Yunus also distributed financial aid to five worker families through the Labor Welfare Foundation.

Despite being known for their tireless work ethic, Bangladeshi laborers in Malaysia are facing serious wage disparities. While workers from countries like Nepal, China, and Vietnam earn a minimum of 3,000 Malaysian Ringgit for 8-hour shifts, Bangladeshis reportedly earn only 1,500–2,000 Ringgit for 12-hour days. The workers blame this discrimination on unskilled and irregular migration practices.

Following a two-month fishing ban aimed at conserving juvenile hilsa (jatka), thousands of fishermen have resumed work in the Padma-Meghna rivers. The ban, effective from March 1 to April 30, covered a 70 km stretch from Shatnol to Char Bhairabi in Chandpur. Over 1,000 enforcement drives were conducted, resulting in the arrest of 129 fishermen—five were jailed and 124 fined. During the ban, each affected fisherman received 160 kg of rice as aid.

India has officially banned all Pakistani aircraft from entering its airspace, a retaliatory measure announced Wednesday night. This follows Pakistan’s earlier move banning Indian aircraft from its skies. The reciprocal decision marks a sharp escalation in airspace restrictions between the two neighbors.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus emphasized that workers and employers are not adversaries but partners in building a strong and self-reliant Bangladesh. Speaking on May Day, he paid tribute to the workers of the 1886 Haymarket movement and reaffirmed his commitment to fair wages, an 8-hour workday, and safe working conditions. “Improving labor standards is not only a right for workers but also a prerequisite for national economic growth,” he added.

The United States and Ukraine have signed a mineral resource agreement granting the US priority access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals and future reconstruction investment opportunities in Kyiv. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko signed the deal. According to the Treasury, the agreement reflects the Trump administration’s strong commitment to a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine. Trump recently emphasized that the US should receive benefits in exchange for aiding Kyiv—this deal aligns with that stance.

Residents of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) who maintain gardens on their rooftops or in their yards will receive a 5% tax rebate, said Administrator Mohammad Ejaz. Starting May 11, 2025, DNCC will host a Tax Fair where citizens can easily pay taxes and avail special incentives. At the 6th DNCC Corporation meeting, several structures named during the previous authoritarian government were renamed. These include: “Shaheed Zayan Chowdhury Playground” in Banani renamed to “Banani Chairman Bari Field,” “Bir Muktijoddha Asaduzzaman Khan Complex” in Madhubagh renamed to “Madhubagh Community Center,” and “Harun Mollah Flyover” in Kalshi renamed to “Kalshi Flyover.”

A 150-200 kg military ordnance believed to be from World War II was safely defused in Munshiganj’s Aralia village. Discovered during excavation on April 28, the device was covered by the landowner before police and the army confirmed it was a bomb. The CTTC bomb disposal unit later neutralized it. Authorities say it’s the largest bomb ever recovered in Bangladesh.

The traditional sweet ‘Patkhiri’ from Munshiganj has been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status, recognizing it as a culturally significant local product. Industry adviser Adilur Rahman Khan emphasized the importance of developing GI-certified products commercially to empower local producers. Patkhiri now joins the list of 55 GI-recognized Bangladeshi products, including the famed Jamdani saree.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has requested detailed information from the Power Development Board regarding the Adani power deal. The ACC is probing why the contract was signed without involving the National Board of Revenue (NBR).