Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus returned to Bangladesh at 3 a.m. on Sunday night after attending the funeral of Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City. Earlier on Sunday afternoon (Bangladesh time), he departed Rome. Professor Yunus joined other world leaders in paying their final respects to the late Pope.

Citing an “unexpected situation,” United International University (UIU) has suspended all academic activities indefinitely. This follows the resignation of Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kashem Mia and 11 other officials amid student protests on Saturday night. Authorities announced that all academic and administrative activities will remain halted until new appointments are made. Students have clarified they seek the resignation of only the Vice Chancellor and the head of the CSE department, not all faculty members.

After a meeting with the BNP, Andaleeve Rahman Partha stated that elections should be held by December this year. He emphasized that despite ongoing reforms by the interim government, true completion can only come through elections. “The people are eagerly waiting. Any delay might give some groups a chance to create chaos,” Partha warned. He suggested the government move towards elections based on agreed reforms.

Adviser Sharmin S. Murshid stated that the government is firmly committed to ensuring justice. “We want to see criminals apprehended and punished,” she said. Speaking at an event marking World DNA Day in Bangladesh, she highlighted the 2025 theme: “The Use of DNA Technology: A New Horizon for Women’s Justice and Safety.” She noted that since 1986, DNA technology has revolutionized forensic science and criminal justice systems worldwide, significantly strengthening Bangladesh’s judiciary.

A court has ordered an Interpol arrest warrant against Saima Wazed Putul, daughter of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in connection with a land allocation corruption case. Previously, on April 10, the court issued arrest warrants against Sheikh Hasina and Saima Wazed in the same case. On April 13, the court also issued warrants against Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, Rehana’s daughter Tulip Siddiq, her son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, and 21 others in three separate land corruption cases.

Ali Ahsan Junaid wrote that the daughter of martyr Jasim was raped and later committed suicide. He emphasized that it is the interim government’s responsibility to ensure justice for the victim and the safety of martyr families. He further stated, “If protests are necessary to achieve this, the interim government should step down and join the people.” He made it clear: “There can be no political settlement in this country without justice. We demand legal resolutions for the murders of the Pilkhana, Shapla, and July martyrs, along with proper accountability for 16 years of fascist rule.”

At a meeting with the National Consensus Commission, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) General Secretary Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan emphasized the need for fundamental changes to Bangladesh’s political structure following a bloody uprising. He called for constructing a ‘Republic’ that reflects the will of the people based on five reform commission reports.

Advisor Asif Mahmud announced that the government is considering forming two separate Public Service Commissions—one for cadre posts and another for non-cadre positions. Discussions are ongoing, and a final decision will follow the meeting resolutions.

The Election Commission has officially gazetted BNP candidate Mohammad Ishraq Hossain as Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation. The gazette follows a legal victory and consultation with the Ministry of Law, confirming his 2020 election win.

BNP leader Salahuddin Tuku emphasized that the people were deprived of voting rights in 2014, 2018, and 2024. He stressed the need for a fair national election and said that BNP’s 31-point plan envisions job creation, unemployment benefits, healthcare insurance, and family cards for all citizens.

Sakhawat Hossain Khan, lawyer for the plaintiffs in the Narayanganj seven-murder case, accused the previous fascist government of delaying justice. He alleged that Shamim Osman and Nur Hossain orchestrated the murders, and demanded the immediate execution of the verdicts.

AB Party leader Asaduzzaman Fuad criticized the government for relying too heavily on bureaucrats, leading to the collapse of administrative services. He argued that dismissing elected councilors through bureaucratic orders stripped them of their dignity and urged the interim government to reverse these actions and reappoint those who had fought for democracy.

Lamya, 17, daughter of martyred Jasim Uddin, was laid to rest beside her father’s grave after her funeral at Pangashia Girls’ High School field. She had taken her own life in her room in Dhaka’s Shekhertek area on Saturday night and was declared dead at Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital.

The Bangladesh Catholic Church will organize an interfaith dialogue in September. Cardinal George Jacob Kouvakad of the Vatican’s Interreligious Dialogue Office conveyed this during a meeting in Rome with Chief Adviser Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to religious harmony and the protection of all citizens’ rights.

During a meeting with a visiting Chinese Communist Party delegation, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher expressed gratitude for China’s support and urged further investment in Bangladesh. He proposed granting full independence to Myanmar’s Rohingya-majority Arakan State as a solution to the refugee crisis.