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.

The BCS Dental Cadre Association has submitted a six-point demand, including the inclusion of “Dental Surgeon” posts in all BCS exams, including the upcoming 48th Special BCS. They are also demanding the creation of at least five dental surgeon positions at each Upazila Health Complex and eight at district hospitals. The association is calling for an end to the appointment of MBBS doctors to dental posts, regular promotions for dental professionals, the upgrading of dental units into full-fledged colleges, and increased budget allocations for oral healthcare under the national “Health for All” commitment.

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.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has accused Nurul Haque Nur of causing disruption at their office after allegedly pressuring officials to award a contract to a preferred contractor. DNCC says Nur phoned Additional Chief Engineer Mohammad Arifur Rahman on May 18, threatening to lock down the office if his demands weren't met.

In response, Nur and the Gano Adhikar Parishad denied the allegations, claiming the real issue was the administration's refusal to award a contract to the highest bidder—one of their members—without demanding a commission. They further alleged that DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz is linked to the banned outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir and is unfit to hold such a sensitive post.

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.

Police have arrested three more suspects in connection with the murder of Shahriar Alam Samyo, a Dhaka University student and Chhatra Dal leader. The arrests were made on Tuesday night, though the suspects’ identities have not yet been disclosed. Earlier, three individuals were arrested on May 14 in the same case. Samyo, a student of the Institute of Education and Research (2018–19 session), was stabbed to death at Suhrawardy Udyan.

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.

Speaking at a protest rally in Kakrail, Ishraq Hossain said, “The Election Commission is a sovereign institution—its decisions must be respected.” Expressing disappointment, he said that even after forming a new party, parts of the group remain aligned with the current regime, preventing a truly neutral government. He accused the government of conspiring to obstruct BNP’s participation in elections and interfering with the judiciary. “Can we expect fair elections under such a regime? Do we want another authoritarian government?” he asked, demanding the resignation of advisers Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan and Mahfuz Alam.

Professor ASM Amanullah, Vice-Chancellor of the National University, was assaulted in Gazipur after stepping out of his car near the campus. The attackers were candidates of the 2022 undergraduate (pass) examinations demanding auto-pass. The VC sustained minor injuries, while several security personnel were also hurt while trying to protect him. The university is preparing to file a case with Gacha Police Station and noted this wasn’t the first such incident.

The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has sharply increased prices of key commodities just before Eid-ul-Azha. The new prices reflect a BDT 35 hike per liter of oil, BDT 20 per kilogram of lentils, and BDT 15 per kilogram of sugar. From Thursday, subsidized sales to low-income families holding smart family cards will begin. The new rates are:

Oil: BDT 135 per liter (previously BDT 100)

Lentils: BDT 80 per kg (up from BDT 60)

Sugar: BDT 85 per kg (up from BDT 70)
In addition to cardholders, general consumers will also be able to purchase Eid essentials from special TCB trucks operating nationwide.

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.