Md. Moniruzzaman, a journalist for the daily Kalbela from Kaliakair, Gazipur, has been missing for two days. His mobile phone is switched off. His wife, Salma Akter, has filed a general diary with the police. Moniruzzaman reportedly left for Dhaka on Tuesday morning in a private car accompanied by Abdullah Al Mamun, the car’s driver Niranjan Sarker, and an unidentified individual. Around 5 PM, he contacted his wife and informed her that he had reached Dhaka. Since then, he has not returned home. The mobile phones of both Mamun and Sarker are also unreachable. It has been reported that a relative received a phone call demanding BDT 50,000 for Moniruzzaman’s return.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur stated that the country’s foreign exchange reserves are projected to reach between $27 billion and $30 billion by the end of June. The target for the next fiscal year is to boost reserves to $40 billion. “Microloans cannot be sustained with a 26% interest rate,” he warned. According to central bank data, as of May 19, the country’s total reserves stood at $25.44 billion.

Planning Adviser Professor Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud made an unannounced visit to Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) to inspect ongoing development projects. He toured the campus and reviewed infrastructure development activities. Expressing satisfaction with the cleanliness, architectural design, and implementation quality, he commended the university’s progress. Vice Chancellor Professor Kazi Rafiqul Islam raised concerns about the lack of guide walls, warning that without them, hundreds of trees could fall and roads could collapse, disrupting student movement. He sought the Adviser’s assistance in securing emergency funding through the University Grants Commission (UGC).

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.