At a recent seminar, Adviser Farida Akhter stated that the local livestock industry has seen a strong resurgence. Women farmers and entrepreneurs are now raising cattle and goats at home, significantly reducing dependency on foreign imports during Eid-ul-Adha. She estimated that this year’s Qurbani-related economic activity will surpass Tk 1 trillion. To support the leather sector, the government has announced free salt distribution for rawhide preservation and fixed prices to prevent exploitation. If necessary, rawhides will be preserved for export.

Demanding justice for the killing of student Samya, Dhaka University’s Chhatra Dal organized a sit-in on Monday afternoon in front of the administrative building. They called for the arrest and trial of those responsible, as well as the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor and Proctor for failing to ensure campus safety. Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas, President of DU Chhatra Dal, said, “This is our final program of tolerance. We have shown patience for 13 days, but the VC and Proctor are unfit to remain in their positions. Our next move will be even more intense.”

To bring government services closer to the public, the initiative Citizen Services Bangladesh has launched under the slogan "All Services at One Address." The platform was inaugurated on May 26 by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Service centers have already been set up in Gulshan, Uttara, and Nilkhet. Professor Yunus emphasized that this platform will play a pivotal role in curbing exploitation by brokers, minimizing public harassment, and ensuring hassle-free services. He added that it aims to foster healthy competition among ministries and enable automatic birth registration for every newborn as a foundational step to citizenship.

BNP Acting Chairman Tareque Rahman has stated that the 13th National Parliamentary Election could be held by December this year—or even earlier—if essential reforms, especially election-related changes, are implemented. Speaking at a virtual meeting with pro-BNP talk show analysts, Rahman instructed participants to present these perspectives through logic and debate on television. The meeting, held around 4 PM, included 62 participants, such as university professors, media figures, professionals, doctors, and political analysts.

On Saturday night, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher held a courtesy meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-Uz-Zaman. When asked about the purpose of the meeting, Taher clarified, “It was purely a courtesy visit. We exchanged brief thoughts on the current overall situation. There were no formal discussions on any specific issue with the Army Chief or the military.” Asked whether political matters like elections were discussed, he added, “What I’ve already said is all I can disclose.”

Rezaul Karim, Amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, condemned the siege of the Secretariat by government employees as an illegal and unacceptable action. “This is not a lawful form of protest—it violates civil service protocols and constitutes a punishable offense,” he said. Karim urged public servants not to engage in activities that destabilize the country. He acknowledged positive elements in the proposed ordinance that seeks to reform civil service accountability. “If there are legitimate concerns, there should be room for constructive dialogue,” he added.

From Saturday through late Monday night, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) pushed 175 individuals into Bangladesh through various border points, including Jibannagar and Damurhuda in Chuadanga, Khagrachhari, Chunarughat in Habiganj, Maheshpur in Jhenaidah, and Kamalganj in Moulvibazar. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained the individuals and handed them over to local police. Authorities stated that they would be returned to their families once their identities are confirmed.

Nadira Yasmin, Assistant Professor of Bengali at Narsingdi Government College, has been transferred to Satkhira Government College. Earlier, the Narsingdi chapter of Hefazat-e-Islam accused her of blasphemy over a publication titled Hisya, a magazine discussing inheritance laws based on gender equality. Protests were staged against her. Reacting to the transfer, Yasmin said, “I strongly condemn and protest this unjust treatment.” NCP leader Samanta Sharmin also criticized the move, saying, “Surrendering to mob pressure is unacceptable. This decision must be reversed immediately.”

Speaking at a seminar, Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Economic Adviser to the government, affirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability in financial services. He emphasized that sustainable development rests on three pillars: accountability, transparency, and ethical governance. “These are not abstract concepts, but practical necessities,” he stated. He noted that monitoring, auditing, and implementation practices help turn policy documents into real, tangible benefits for the people.

Mohammad Alim Akhter Khan, Director General of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, said there is no interference from higher authorities in the agency’s operations. “So far, I have not been pressured by any superior to act in a certain way,” he stated. He further assured that officials have been instructed to perform their duties independently. “If an official makes a mistake, the accused may submit a formal complaint, and I will personally investigate,” he added. Khan also revealed that even large corporations have been summoned and fined for violating consumer rights.

During the International Week of the Disappeared, BNP leader Tarique Rahman urged the state to play an active role in preventing enforced disappearances. “No individual should ever fall victim to such inhumane practices again,” he stated. Citing BNP data, Tarique claimed that from 2009 to March 2024, at least 666 individuals were forcibly disappeared by law enforcement agencies. “The actual number is likely several times higher,” he added. Many remain missing, some were found dead, and others were shown as arrested after long periods of disappearance. He emphasized that the culture of enforced disappearances must be dismantled to preserve human rights in Bangladesh.

Following the recent attack in Pahalgam, Muslims in Kashmir are living in fear. Homes are being demolished, travelers harassed, and men with beards and skullcaps are being labeled as “terrorists” without evidence. Farooq Ahmed, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir, said his brother Mohammad Iqbal was killed in a madrasa during India-Pakistan border clashes on May 7. “Several Indian media outlets falsely labeled Iqbal a terrorist without any proof,” Farooq said. Police later contradicted those claims in an official statement. Manisha Pandey, Executive Editor of NewsLaundry, condemned the media’s coverage, calling the baseless allegations “heartbreaking and dangerous.”

Professor Ali Riaz stated that the National Consensus Commission will begin its second round of talks with political parties in June, aiming to draft a 'National Charter'. “The Commission’s role is to engage with stakeholders, build consensus, and outline reform policies in a national document,” he explained. “Political parties have shown strong support for these reforms, indicating their commitment. We believe they can determine a path for implementation.” He noted, however, that enforcement of the charter would be the responsibility of the interim government and other stakeholders.

BNP leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy has praised Zakir Khan, former president of Narayanganj Chhatra Dal, calling him a brave leader who has endured numerous attacks and legal battles. “We must restore democracy or else the July uprising will fail,” Roy warned. “Even though fascism has fled, democracy has not yet returned to the hands of the people.” He emphasized that the BNP remains committed to the fight for voting rights and praised the party's acting chairman for maintaining unity across the nation.

Helal Uddin Naeem (26), a student leader known for his anti-discrimination activism, was violently attacked by members of the BNP-affiliated Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) at Titumir College. He is currently receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement accused the college administration of deliberately using JCD members to suppress ongoing student protests demanding the reopening of dormitories. During a sit-in against this political interference, JCD activists launched a surprise attack. The group called for immediate arrest of those responsible.