Danish beauty queen and Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, is set to visit Bangladesh in May for humanitarian work, announced Bangladeshi Ambassador to Mexico, Mushfiqur Fazal Ansari. In a Facebook post, he expressed his delight at welcoming Theilvig and her team to the Bangladeshi Embassy. Theilvig made history by becoming the first Miss Universe from Denmark. Her upcoming visit aims to engage in philanthropic activities in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal has formed a two-member investigation committee to probe the recent clash between students and NCP’s chief organizer, Sarjis Alam, near North South University. In a statement, the student wing announced that Senior Vice President Abu Afsan Mohammad Yahya and Vice President Zahir Rayhan Ahmed would lead the investigation. The committee has been instructed to submit a written report to the central leadership within 48 hours. The incident, which occurred on the 5th of this month, has drawn significant attention and concern among students and activists.

Authorities have arrested Mostakim (20), a key suspect in the murder case linked to the mass uprising in Jatrabari, and Abdul Kader Papu (32), accused of theft and extortion. According to RAB, on August 14, armed assailants attacked unarmed students and civilians with sharp weapons, rods, and sticks during the protests in Jatrabari. Victim Md. Saidul Islam Yasin was brutally hacked and beaten before being left in critical condition near Jatrabari Police Station. He was later taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The arrest was made as part of the ongoing investigation into the murder.

BNP leader Aminul Haque has accused a certain group of inciting chaos across the country under the guise of mob justice. Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Haque claimed that these individuals are taking the law into their own hands, engaging in unethical activities under the cover of night. “This disorder is unacceptable. It is eroding public trust in the legal system, and the government must take responsibility,” he asserted. Haque also criticized the economic situation, stating that even buying a lemon has become a struggle due to rising prices, which he blamed on an “Awami League syndicate.” He called for an immediate election to restore stability in the country.

Since its establishment in 1957, the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) has played a crucial role in cinema development. However, in recent years, progress has stalled, with critics alleging that the institution has been more focused on politics and commercial ventures than on cinema’s growth. Industry insiders accuse successive administrations under the ruling Awami League of failing to take meaningful steps to advance the industry. In 2018, the government launched a high-rise complex project on 94 katha (1.55 acres) of BFDC land, instead of prioritizing the improvement of theaters, which producers argue should have been the primary focus. The recent appointment of Masuma Rahman Tani as the new managing director has sparked controversy, with critics accusing her of being aligned with authoritarian interests.

In Lohagara, Chattogram, armed hill terrorists attacked three brick kilns—IBM, NBK, and NBM—after their owners refused to pay extortion. The masked attackers, armed with heavy weapons, arrived on motorcycles, assaulted over 20 workers, and looted cash and mobile phones. Police and army forces later inspected the site. The kiln owner claimed the terrorists had been demanding 1.5 million taka for 15 days. Authorities have launched an investigation, promising legal action. The attack has left the area in fear and tension.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, revealed that he had warned the Bangladesh Army against participating in the crackdown during the mass uprising. “Their main concern was what we would say and do. We cautioned the army that if they got involved, they might no longer be able to send peacekeepers. As a result, we saw changes,” Türk stated. He also mentioned that when Professor Yunus took over as the chief advisor of the interim government, he immediately requested an investigative team to look into the incidents, which the UN complied with. Türk noted that Bangladeshi students expressed gratitude for their efforts.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Secretary General, Md. Nurul Islam Saddam, commended campus journalists for their courage during the July Revolution, stating that their efforts were crucial to its success. Speaking at an Iftar gathering at a university, he criticized mainstream media for serving vested interests and promoting yellow journalism. He called for state policies to ensure journalists’ welfare and urged them to prioritize community interests over personal gains. He emphasized that ethical journalism aligns with moral and religious values.

Chhatra Dal activists in Dhaka’s Tejgaon Industrial Area recovered a snatched TVS Apache RTR 160 CC motorcycle. The incident occurred in front of the Land Record and Survey Department, where muggers attempted to escape with the stolen bike. Activists chased the snatcher, forcing him to abandon the vehicle. Under the supervision of local Chhatra Dal leaders Abu Bakker Siddique Suman and Anisur Rahman Manik, the motorcycle was handed over to its rightful owner through the police. Several student leaders were present during the handover.

Fugitive Awami League leaders are reportedly taking refuge in various Indian cities, primarily Kolkata, and conspiring to destabilize Bangladesh. They are allegedly in contact with criminals, smugglers, and armed groups to incite unrest. Around 45,000 party members have fled to India, using digital platforms to coordinate activities. Reports suggest they aim to undermine the interim government and disrupt upcoming elections. Key leaders, including former ministers, are said to be stationed in Kolkata and Delhi, strategizing to regain power and obstruct ongoing legal proceedings.

Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) has dismissed four faculty and staff members for their opposition to the July student uprising. The RUET syndicate made this decision based on evidence that these individuals took a stance against the student movement, were involved in suppressing protests, and remained absent from their duties.

Those dismissed include Siddhartha Shankar Saha, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and a leader of the Rajshahi city unit of the Swechasebak League; Naeem Rahman Nibir, an assistant engineer in the engineering division and a former president of the RUET Chhatra League; and Md. Mahidul Islam, a data processor in the Department of Physics and former president of the RUET Employees’ Association. Additionally, Harun-or-Rashid, an assistant engineer in the Planning and Development Department and a former convenor of the RUET Chhatra League, has also been relieved of his duties.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has claimed that some advisors in the interim government harbor hostility toward the BNP. He stated, “Dr. Muhammad Yunus, an internationally respected figure, is now the head of the government. The people of this country expect a positive approach from him. However, I believe there are some anti-BNP advisors within the interim government. Whenever BNP recommends someone for a position, they seem to feel embarrassed and envious.”

Rizvi also criticized those who, according to him, have forgotten the sacrifices of BNP leaders in the fight against fascism and the struggles of Begum Khaleda Zia. He further remarked that if the rule of law were upheld in the country, mob culture would not have flourished. He added that necessary reforms should be carried out by an elected government.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has affirmed that the Abu Sayeed murder case is receiving top priority, with every possible effort being made to ensure justice. Addressing concerns over cases where autopsies were not conducted, he acknowledged that many incidents, especially those after August 5, were not properly registered as cases. Some incidents led to multiple cases being filed, while in others, even burials were not possible, making hospital autopsies unimaginable. The IGP emphasized that if justice is to be served for these deaths, mere legal technicalities should not stand in the way. He stressed the importance of ensuring fair trials for the victims, the movement, and the martyrs.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed his desire to collaborate more closely with international development partners after attending an iftar event with foreign diplomats in Dhaka. He stated, “The path ahead is clear – a swift return to democracy through a free and fair election.” The gathering was attended by British High Commissioner Sarah Cook, former U.S. Deputy Head of Mission John Danilovich, Pakistani High Commissioner Syed Ahmed Maroof, Turkish Ambassador Ramis Sen, Indian High Commissioner Pranay Kumar Verma, UN Resident Coordinator Gwen Lewis, and EU Ambassador Michael Miller.

Abdur Rahman Khan, Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), has stated that Bangladesh lags behind the global average in VAT and tax collection, making the country increasingly dependent on foreign aid. He emphasized that boosting revenue is essential for national development. To build an equitable Bangladesh, everyone must pay taxes according to their financial capacity, he added. Khan also pointed out that while developed nations such as European countries collect 45% in taxes, the US collects 35%, and Japan collects 24%, Bangladesh’s tax collection remains slightly above 7%. He assured that efforts are underway to simplify online tax return submissions and encouraged citizens to utilize the digital platform for filing complaints if they face issues.