All import-export operations through Benapole Land Port will remain suspended for 10 days from June 5 to June 14 in observance of Eid-ul-Azha. However, cross-border movement of passport-holding travelers between India and Bangladesh will continue as usual.

Shamsur Rahman, President of the Benapole C&F Agents Association, confirmed that all customs and port-related activities, including trade operations, will be on pause during the holiday. Normal operations will resume on the morning of June 15.

Benapole Port Director (Traffic) Md. Shamim Hossain said enhanced security measures are in place to prevent any untoward incidents during the holiday closure. Officer-in-Charge Ibrahim Ahmed added that despite the suspension of trade, traveler movement will remain uninterrupted. Due to an expected surge in passenger traffic, immigration staff have been placed on standby to manage the rush efficiently.

Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP) leader Tasnim Zara criticized the current system of reserved parliamentary seats for women, stating it prevents elected female MPs from establishing direct relationships with local constituents.

Zara argued that women should be elected through direct votes in specific constituencies to ensure accountability and better representation of local issues. Addressing criticisms from academics and election officials who questioned the need for MPs to be locally connected, Zara clarified that MPs are not just lawmakers—they are policymakers who must remain connected to public needs. While local governments execute policy, MPs must develop laws grounded in people’s experiences.

A Chattogram court has denied bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former organizer of ISKCON, in five separate cases. These include the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, and three cases filed by police under charges of vandalism, assault, and explosives-related offenses on November 26 last year. Another case was filed by Alif’s brother, Khane Alam.

Chinmoy was formally shown arrested in these cases, and the court has permitted interrogation at the jail gate.

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan has stated that a limited scope for legalizing undisclosed income—commonly referred to as black money—is being proposed as an “exit route” for individuals wishing to bring such funds into the formal economy.

Addressing the issue, he clarified that the proposal aims to help individuals who, for various reasons, have kept money unreported over the years. However, he emphasized that this is not a move to endorse the act of hiding income.

Earlier, Economic Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed remarked that if such an opportunity were to be offered, it should come with a significantly higher tax rate than in the past. “We’re not claiming this is an ideal initiative,” he noted.

Abdur Rahman Khan also mentioned that the previous provision to legalize black money by paying a 15% tax was scrapped after the new government took office. Another provision, which allows for immunity from questioning if one buys land or property while paying a slightly higher tax, is set to expire on June 30. “We have not extended this facility either,” the NBR chairman added.

UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis met with Professor Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of the Interim Government, on Tuesday at Jamuna.

During the meeting, Lewis praised the government's strong cooperation and held extensive discussions with Professor Yunus regarding Bangladesh’s development progress. They explored how the United Nations could provide comprehensive support to strengthen the government’s ambitious reform initiatives.

The two also addressed the ongoing Rohingya crisis and the financial challenges it poses. Both expressed deep concern over the significant reduction in funding, which is affecting education and other essential programs.

The Election Commission has formally requested various ministries and government agencies to make the submission of National Identity Cards (NID) mandatory for all government job applications.

SM Humayun Kabir, Director General of the National Identity Registration Wing, stated that the Election Commission wants this requirement to be included within the legal framework governing public administration. According to him, a large number of people are requesting major corrections to their NID information by citing government job applications as the reason. Enforcing the use of NID at the time of application could significantly reduce such complications.

On Monday, the Election Commission held a meeting with 27 ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Public Administration. During the session, the commission presented eight arguments to support the necessity of requiring NID cards in job applications.

Lt. Col. Md. Mahbub Alam, Commander of RAB-4, stated that RAB has intensified monitoring to prevent crimes like counterfeit currency, extortion, and illegal cattle transport between markets.

Temporary RAB camps have been set up in major cattle markets, including Gabtoli, with watchtowers and increased intelligence surveillance. Mobile courts are also operating to prevent ticket scalping and overcharging in public transport. Between May 1 and May 31, 17 muggers were arrested in various operations.

Adviser Farida Akhter assured the public that the country has sufficient livestock for Eid-ul-Adha, and there is no need to import cattle from neighboring countries.

She added that law enforcement is maintaining strict surveillance along border areas to prevent illegal cattle entry. Veterinary teams are deployed across the country’s cattle markets, and traders are being discouraged from using artificial fattening methods.

A tragic incident occurred at Baharpur Noor-e-Madina Hafizia Women’s Madrasa in Baliakandi, where a student named Kaniz Fatema died after a water tank collapsed in the ablution area. The accident took place early Tuesday morning as Fatema and another student, Mim Akter, were preparing for Fajr prayers. Mim was injured and rushed to Rajbari Sadar Hospital. Local police, including the OC and SI, arrived at the scene and began an investigation. Legal proceedings regarding the incident are currently ongoing.

A court has imposed a travel ban on 15 individuals, including former Election Commission Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed and ex-Minister Farhad Hossain, as part of an ongoing Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation.

Others named include ex-MP Masud Uddin Chowdhury, AB Tajul Islam and family members, First Security Islami Bank officials, and individuals linked to the S. Alam Group. The ACC had sought the ban due to concerns over potential flight risks during the inquiry.

Legal Adviser Asif Nazrul stated that significant reforms—including constitutional amendments—require political consensus.

Speaking about post-"July Charter" reforms, Nazrul emphasized that changes aim to establish good governance and prevent the return of authoritarianism. He said, "Our goal is to make laws strong enough so that dictatorship cannot rise again." He noted a more open space for government criticism today as one positive reform outcome.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has pushed 56 individuals—men, women, and children—into Bangladesh through the borders of Bholahat (Chapainawabganj), Panchagarh, Dobaura, and Haluaghat (Mymensingh). Among them, 12 are reported to be Bengali-speaking Indian nationals. All were detained by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

According to BGB sources, 26 were pushed in through Panchagarh, 8 through Bholahat, 12 through Dobaura, and 10 through Haluaghat. Separately, the BSF handed over three undocumented Bangladeshis through a flag meeting after they were detained for illegal entry into India.

The Left Democratic Alliance has rejected the newly announced budget, labeling it a continuation of outdated free-market policies that fail to address core issues such as inequality, unemployment, inflation, and investment stagnation.

The alliance said the public expected relief and concrete social protections—like universal rationing or a national minimum wage—which are absent. They also criticized the budget’s provision to legalize black money as unconstitutional and a betrayal of public trust.

Former Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Amiruzzaman Pintu has allegedly embezzled approximately Tk 200 crore from more than 5,000 members and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami in Bogura. According to the victims, Pintu lured investors by promising high returns based on Shariah-compliant profit schemes.

He reportedly collected the funds through a number of organizations, including one named Rainbow Multipurpose Co-operative Society. After securing the investments, he has since gone into hiding.

Despite protests and attempts by victims to locate him by surrounding his office and residence, Pintu remains untraceable. One of the victims, Fazlur Rahman, stated, “Pintu is a fraud. I invested over Tk 4 lakh in hopes of receiving Shariah-based high returns. The investment eventually grew to Tk 90 lakh, of which I am still owed Tk 83 lakh.”

The case has raised serious concerns over unregulated cooperative societies and the exploitation of religious sentiments for financial gain. Authorities are being urged to investigate and take action.

BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi claimed the interim government’s budget mirrors those under Sheikh Hasina, including the provision to legalize black money.

He criticized the silence of advisers when asked about election timelines and noted the declining focus on reforms. Rizvi also expressed disappointment over low allocations for health and education, arguing that the current budget favors corrupt elites and will worsen the financial pressure on the poor and middle classes.