Activist Umama Fatema criticized former Shibir members who, she claims, infiltrated Chhatra League and contributed to a toxic student political culture post-August 5. “For 15 years, many of them used Chhatra League’s name to assert dominance in student halls,” she wrote. Fatema further accused them of sabotaging student causes while pretending to represent the general student body. “They didn’t even join anti-rape protests or movements against rigged elections,” she added.

Bangladesh Bank reported on Tuesday that the country’s gross foreign exchange reserves have increased to approximately $25.80 billion. However, according to the IMF’s BPM6 standard, usable reserves stand at $20.56 billion. Earlier, economist Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur stated that reserves were at $27 billion and projected to rise to $30 billion next month.

Former Land Minister Rezaul Karim Hira (84) and his wife were released from police custody late Monday night after being detained in Jamalpur. Officer-in-Charge Abu Faisal Md. Atik confirmed there were no charges against Hira, who appeared confused and unable to articulate his whereabouts. Considering his age and mental state, he was released into the custody of his wife, Salma Khatun, whose own health is reportedly poor. The couple had earlier been detained by local BNP activists in Sherpur while attempting to sell land. Notably, Hira served as Land Minister in 2009.

Shahriar Alam Samyo was assaulted after a verbal altercation with a group of known drug dealers at the food court in Suhrawardy Udyan on the night of May 13, according to DMP Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali. The dispute reportedly began when Samyo asked to see their electric vehicle, often used for self-defense. The altercation escalated, and a drug dealer named Rabbi attacked Samyo with a Swiss gear knife, injuring his leg. The Detective Branch has arrested eight more suspects, bringing the total number of arrests in connection with the murder to eleven.

Students of Satkhira Government College have submitted formal memorandums to the college administration and the district commissioner, demanding that Assistant Professor Nadira Yasmin not be allowed to join the institution. Accusing her of religious defamation, they called for a full investigation and legal action. They also urged authorities not to assign or transfer anyone perceived to hold anti-Islamic views to educational institutions in Satkhira. Previously, public backlash erupted against attempts to mobilize support in favor of her transfer.

A missile strike turned a Gaza school—used as a shelter—into an inferno late at night, killing at least 36 people, including 18 children and 6 women. Seven-year-old Ward Sheikh Khalil survived the attack but lost six family members. From her hospital bed, she tearfully recounted the tragedy: “The missile fell on us. The school burst into flames. I saw my mother and siblings burn in front of my eyes.” Al Jazeera confirmed that Ward is one of the few survivors from her immediate family.

To ensure smoother travel during the Eid-ul-Adha holiday, the Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association has proposed shifting two days of public holiday—June 3 and 4—to before Eid, reducing post-Eid time off. The group has submitted 11 recommendations, including a crackdown on unfit buses and ferries, strict action against fare overcharging, removal of illegal vehicles like battery rickshaws from highways, prevention of extortion, and effective management of traffic at toll booths and makeshift cattle markets near highways.

A moderate earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale struck several parts of Bangladesh, including the capital Dhaka, in the early hours of Tuesday. The tremor was felt at 2:24 AM. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter was near Moirang city in India’s Manipur state, at a shallow depth beneath the earth’s surface. No immediate reports of damage have been received from any part of Bangladesh. Geographically, the epicenter was approximately 354 kilometers from Dhaka.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur revealed that an estimated $18 to $20 billion has been illegally siphoned out of the country. Speaking at an event, he stated that documenting these transactions is time-consuming but currently underway. Once the investigations are complete, steps will be taken to repatriate the funds. He also mentioned that a joint investigative task force is already operational and may be expanded. In FY 2023–24, the Financial Intelligence Unit received 17,345 suspicious transaction reports—a 22.96% increase from the previous year.

In a recent notification, the Ministry of Public Administration has transferred three additional secretaries. Among them, Additional Secretary Hawlader Md. Rakibul Bari has been appointed on deputation as the Secretary of the Information Commission, filling the post that remained vacant since the removal of Commissioner Masuda Bhatti on January 20. Meanwhile, Noor Md. Mahbubul Haque, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, has been transferred to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Shariful Islam, Director General and Registrar of the Department of Cooperatives, has been reassigned as Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain, Adviser on Religious Affairs, stated that the government-managed Zakat fund is playing a significant role in poverty reduction. He stressed that strengthening this fund could further accelerate national efforts to combat poverty. Addressing Zakat recipients, he urged them to utilize the funds wisely to become self-reliant. “Invest this money to establish yourself in society. Engage in income-generating activities such as livestock and poultry farming, fish cultivation, vegetable farming, or setting up cottage industries. These initiatives will help speed up poverty alleviation,” he said. During the event, he distributed Tk 615,000 among 64 financially distressed individuals.

Adviser Farida Akhter emphasized that the government must proactively serve its citizens, not make them chase after services. Speaking at a public event, she said, “People shouldn’t have to go door to door; the government should come to them. Students have sacrificed their lives in the fight against inequality—some have even lost limbs and eyesight. This is not the time to stop the movement. Injustice must be eradicated from the country.” She also criticized the leasing of waterbodies (bils and baors) under the guise of revenue collection by the Land Ministry, stating that such actions are harming the environment, livelihood, and local communities. “A corrupt group is profiting from these leases, while the fishing communities depending on these resources are being pushed into jeopardy. This is not acceptable,” she said. She concluded by reaffirming the need for elections: “We all want elections. A government will be formed by the people’s choice, regardless of party.”

A low-pressure system developed over the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. This system is expected to intensify rainfall across the country, particularly over the next three days. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in parts of northern, northeastern, and southeastern Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Water Development Board has issued warnings of possible flash floods and short-term inundation in these regions. Due to intense rain, landslides are feared in hilly areas of Chattogram, Rangamati, Khagrachari, Bandarban, and Cox's Bazar. In anticipation of strong winds, the Meteorological Department has advised local ports—including Chattogram, Mongla, Payra, and Cox's Bazar—to hoist local cautionary signal number 3.

The Anti-Discrimination Employees’ Unity Forum has expressed solidarity with the ongoing protest against the newly introduced Secretariat employment ordinance. The forum also condemned the obstruction of its leaders from entering the Secretariat. It accused Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid, Public Administration Secretary Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, and Home Secretary Nasimul Ghani of derailing the goals of the July Movement after receiving contractual appointments, allegedly with unethical support from controversial adviser Ali Imam Majumder. The forum demanded the cancellation of their appointments.

BNP’s Joint General Secretary Khayrul Kabir Khokon stated that election is now the demand of the general public, the cause of much struggle, lawsuits, attacks, and abductions. There will be no more delays regarding the interim government’s election. The election must be held by December. Khokon also mentioned that during 16 years of Awami League’s misrule, they were unable to freely observe the martyrdom and birth anniversaries of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. This time, there will be no obstacles; they will spontaneously commemorate their leader, the great freedom announcer Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman’s martyrdom anniversary, while ensuring no one is pressured or forced. Otherwise, they will take action.