BNP leader Abdus Salam has demanded that Ishraque Hossain be immediately installed as mayor. “For the past seven days, Dhaka city BNP leaders have been demanding that Ishraque assume the mayoral role. Why is the government pushing the country toward uncertainty over a simple matter?” he asked. “A few advisers should not cause the government to fail,” he warned. “The court has ruled, the Election Commission has published the gazette. So whose interest is being hurt by Ishraque assuming office?” Salam said the EC gazette is still valid, questioning why the mayoral handover has not happened. He also slammed plans to lease Chattogram port to foreign companies and establish a humanitarian corridor for the Rohingya, calling them betrayals of national sovereignty.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain has confirmed that Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen is voluntarily stepping down. “He has chosen to vacate the position himself. His duties will be reassigned, and the change will take effect within a day or two,” Hossain said. He also indicated that Sufiur Rahman, Special Assistant for Foreign Affairs to the Chief Adviser, may also see changes in his role. Although Secretary Masud’s term was set to end on December 12, 2026, he is reportedly opting for early leave despite being offered a diplomatic post abroad by the interim government.

The Ministry of Education has issued a directive requiring all educational institutions in Bangladesh to begin daily assemblies with a patriotic oath. The purpose is to instill nationalism and moral values among students. The official oath reads: “I pledge to devote myself to serving humanity, to remain loyal to my country, to always strive to uphold the unity and solidarity of the nation, to refrain from wrongdoing and corruption, and never to condone them. O Almighty God/Creator, grant me the strength to serve Bangladesh and help transform it into an ideal, just, and strong nation. Ameen.”

Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin announced that this year’s prices for sacrificial animal hides will be set higher than last year to ensure better management and prevent syndicate manipulation. He made the remarks ahead of Thursday’s official pricing meeting. The government, he said, is actively working to disrupt any monopolistic control over leather collection and storage. As part of the management effort, free salt will be distributed to orphanages and madrasas to assist in leather preservation during Eid.

Officials under the NBR Reform Unity Council have declared an indefinite non-cooperation campaign to press for four key demands, including the repeal of the newly enacted revenue ordinance and sustainable revenue reforms. They plan to submit a formal memorandum to the Chief Adviser tomorrow. In a statement, they expressed dissatisfaction with Tuesday’s meeting with the Finance Adviser and other officials, claiming their demands were ignored. The other two demands include the immediate removal of the current NBR chairman and the public disclosure of recommendations made by the Revenue Reform Advisory Committee via an official website.

Bagchas convener Abu Bakr Mojumder has issued a three-point demand: no national election should be held before student union elections; all vice-chancellors, proctors, and administrative officials appointed or nominated through Mirza Fakhrul Islam and Wahiduddin Mahmud must resign before Eid-ul-Adha; and a clear roadmap for student union elections across educational institutions and campuses must be declared. He warned that if these demands are not met, the movement will escalate beyond campuses to the streets. “A national election will not take place before student union elections,” he asserted.

NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwari accused several advisers of aligning with BNP interests, stating, “Asif Nazrul is stalling the July Declaration — betraying the blood of the people. Without issuing the declaration, you won’t be able to remain in the country.” Patwari warned that advisers acting as BNP spokespeople would be forced to resign. He specifically named Economic Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud and Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, accusing them of working to destabilize Bangladesh’s economy. He also claimed the Legal Adviser is trying to dismantle the Ministry of Law. Patwari added that without reconstituting the Election Commission, NCP will not allow any elections, accusing the current EC of acting as a BNP office. “BNP talks big using Awami League’s money,” he said, claiming that BNP has even shut down city corporation offices using those funds. “The Mujib-era constitution will not be tolerated,” he declared.

National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman has dismissed rumors of a proposed “corridor” within Bangladesh for UN humanitarian operations. “There have been no talks about any corridor with anyone. The UN, facing difficulties in delivering aid to Rakhine, wants to use its partners to send humanitarian assistance,” he said. Rahman emphasized that there is no need for a corridor, only a secure channel to deliver aid. “The issue is being carefully reviewed in consultation with all national stakeholders — not just by the government,” he added. Dr. Rahman also warned that if the Arakan Army continues policies resembling ethnic cleansing, “there will be no trade relations with them.” Any humanitarian channel, if created, would be entirely under UN control. He criticized regional media narratives suggesting Bangladesh is acting as a U.S. proxy in Myanmar, calling such claims “baseless and false.” He also clarified that there is no disagreement between the civilian administration and the military on Myanmar policy.

National Security Adviser Dr. Kholilur Rahman has addressed growing speculation about his citizenship. “There has been discussion regarding my nationality. Let me be clear — I have only one nationality, and that is Bangladeshi,” he said. Dr. Rahman emphasized, “I do not hold an American passport and have no citizenship other than Bangladesh.” He clarified that while he lived in the United States with his family, such circumstances should not define his identity. “If my stay in the U.S. makes me a foreign national, then people could say the same about Tarique Rahman tomorrow,” he warned. He urged critics to be cautious with their words, stating, “If you throw a stone at me, it might hit someone else too.” He further challenged his critics to prove their claims in court, stressing, “Please don’t make me out to be something I’m not.” The remarks came in response to BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed, who accused the adviser of holding U.S. citizenship.

Muhammad Ubaidul Haque, a former staff member at Oxford University, resigned from his position after receiving a faculty offer from BRAC University. After preparing to return to Bangladesh, he was abruptly informed that the offer had been suspended without explanation. Despite repeated queries, BRAC remained silent. Ubaid expressed frustration over the lack of transparency, noting his clean record and prior service at BRAC. The university later cited legal grounds for the withdrawal under the 1872 Contract Act, sparking public concern over the fairness of the decision.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s acting secretary general ATM Masum has expressed deep concern over the recent harassment of Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia. In a statement, Masum alleged that a network of corrupt syndicates—formed during 15 years of authoritarian rule—continues to oppress the nation. He said these syndicates have long exploited expatriates, who selflessly send most of their hard-earned income back home. Referring to the Malaysia incident as “heart-wrenching,” Masum demanded swift and appropriate action from authorities and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has dismissed a case filed against BNP leader Mirza Abbas over alleged irregularities in the allocation of a government plot. The case, filed on March 6, 2014, accused Abbas and three others of unlawfully allocating a seven-acre plot in Mirpur-8 to the Dhaka Journalists' Cooperative Society in 2006, during his tenure as Housing and Public Works Minister. The decision brings an end to years of legal proceedings against the senior BNP leader.

In a trilateral meeting held in Beijing on Wednesday, foreign ministers of Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan— Ishaq Dar, Wang Yi, and Amir Khan Muttaqi— agreed to cooperate on counterterrorism and regional stability. The three nations also reached consensus on extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan. China’s Foreign Ministry stated, “We support Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and are committed to regional peace and development.”

Labor and Employment Advisor M. Sakhawat Hossain has warned factory owners to clear all pending wages by May 28, ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. He said legal action will be taken against defaulters, including arrests and red alerts for absconding owners. “Anyone failing to pay wages will not be allowed to leave Dhaka, let alone the country,” he stated. Already, five factory owners have been sued in labor court. Additionally, four armed Ansar personnel will be deployed on each launch for Eid river safety, and bulkhead transport will be suspended three days before and after Eid.

Despite the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, all customs houses and duty stations across Bangladesh will remain operational, ensuring uninterrupted import-export activities. Only Eid day will be observed as a full closure. Eid-ul-Azha is expected to be celebrated on June 6 or 7. The government has declared a 10-day public holiday starting June 5.