Despite difficulties in finding new banknotes at commercial banks, they are being freely sold in open markets such as under the Gulistan Complex, near the Bangladesh Bank headquarters, and beneath the Sadarghat branch.

Although many bank branches are running out of new currency notes, the open market remains flooded with them. From Monday, ten additional banks have started distributing new notes on behalf of Bangladesh Bank. These banks include:

Sonali Bank

Janata Bank

Agrani Bank

Rupali Bank

Pubali Bank

Uttara Bank

Dutch-Bangla Bank

Islami Bank

Al-Arafah Islami Bank

BRAC Bank

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain stated that local branches of these banks have been supplied with new notes. However, the specific branches distributing them will be determined by the banks themselves.

Dhaka’s state-of-the-art and fastest mode of public transport, the metro rail, will be suspended on June 7 in observance of Eid-ul-Azha.

According to AKM Khairul Amin, Director (Administration) of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), the metro rail will remain non-operational on Eid day. Service will resume the next day, June 8, from 8:00 AM, operating on a 30-minute headway schedule. From June 9 onward, the metro will follow the regular holiday timetable.

BNP leader Aminul Haque has urged the government to announce a roadmap for the next national election without delay, stating that the people of Bangladesh—along with all political parties engaged in the simultaneous movement—want elections to be held by December.

Speaking at a public event, Haque emphasized that while the ruling party claims to support reforms, the demand for meaningful reform has long been echoed by the BNP and the broader public. “True reform,” he said, “can only come under a free, fair, and impartial election conducted by a people’s government.”

He further criticized the government’s performance over the past ten months, claiming that despite promises of reform and justice, no substantial progress has been made. “You have failed to bring any of your autocratic allies to justice,” he stated.

Haque also underscored the urgency of holding elections as a means to overcome the country’s ongoing economic crisis and political instability.

Peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine remain at a standstill, with no significant progress expected in the near future, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

Recent talks in Istanbul saw Ukraine call for a full and unconditional ceasefire, a demand Moscow rejected. Both sides did, however, agree on prisoner exchanges and exchanged peace proposals. Peskov emphasized the complexity of the situation and dismissed hopes for a quick resolution. He also said a summit involving the presidents of Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. is unlikely unless negotiators reach a substantial agreement. Moscow is demanding a troop withdrawal from four Ukrainian regions as a precondition for ceasefire, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insists on a full and unconditional truce.

At least 102 starving Palestinians have been shot dead by Israeli forces at U.S.-backed humanitarian aid distribution centers in Gaza over the past eight days, according to local media.

An additional 490 people have been injured. The Gaza Media Office has condemned the attacks as a “deliberate genocide,” while the UN has described the situation as a “calculated death trap.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an independent investigation into the Sunday attack at the Rafah aid center.

A new consignment of buffalo has arrived at the Benapole land port, imported duty-free by the government from India to enhance livestock development.

On Tuesday afternoon, 95 buffaloes—55 adults and 40 calves—arrived in five trucks from Haryana, India. These animals were imported for breeding purposes at the Savar Livestock Research and Development Center. The declared import value is USD 109,950. The government has exempted these imports from customs duties.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain has said the government communicates its official stance on upcoming elections to all international partners. According to him, elections are expected to take place between December and June.

Touhid noted that irregular travel activities are causing issues abroad, including visa suspensions from several countries—problems largely caused by Bangladeshis themselves. He emphasized internal accountability before blaming others. On the issue of U.S. student visas, he said the government has no direct influence. On the bright side, he mentioned India’s cancellation of transshipment facilities has had no negative effect on Bangladesh, as alternatives have been established.

The Rangpur Metropolitan Police has banned all public gatherings—including rallies, processions, and demonstrations—within the city without prior permission.

In a public notice signed by Commissioner Md. Majid Ali, authorities warned that various political and organizational groups have been staging unsanctioned road blockades, disrupting public movement and causing traffic congestion. All such gatherings must now be pre-approved by the police to maintain public order and ensure smooth traffic flow.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus is set to travel to the UK to receive the King Charles Harmony Award 2025. He may also meet King Charles III and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the visit.

Yunus is scheduled to depart for London on June 9, the same day the award will be presented. A meeting at Buckingham Palace is expected, where Yunus may discuss reform, the Rohingya crisis, and money laundering, seeking international support for Bangladesh’s interim government. While a meeting with the UK Prime Minister has not been finalized, officials remain hopeful.

All import-export operations through Benapole Land Port will remain suspended for 10 days from June 5 to June 14 in observance of Eid-ul-Azha. However, cross-border movement of passport-holding travelers between India and Bangladesh will continue as usual.

Shamsur Rahman, President of the Benapole C&F Agents Association, confirmed that all customs and port-related activities, including trade operations, will be on pause during the holiday. Normal operations will resume on the morning of June 15.

Benapole Port Director (Traffic) Md. Shamim Hossain said enhanced security measures are in place to prevent any untoward incidents during the holiday closure. Officer-in-Charge Ibrahim Ahmed added that despite the suspension of trade, traveler movement will remain uninterrupted. Due to an expected surge in passenger traffic, immigration staff have been placed on standby to manage the rush efficiently.

Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP) leader Tasnim Zara criticized the current system of reserved parliamentary seats for women, stating it prevents elected female MPs from establishing direct relationships with local constituents.

Zara argued that women should be elected through direct votes in specific constituencies to ensure accountability and better representation of local issues. Addressing criticisms from academics and election officials who questioned the need for MPs to be locally connected, Zara clarified that MPs are not just lawmakers—they are policymakers who must remain connected to public needs. While local governments execute policy, MPs must develop laws grounded in people’s experiences.

A Chattogram court has denied bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former organizer of ISKCON, in five separate cases. These include the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, and three cases filed by police under charges of vandalism, assault, and explosives-related offenses on November 26 last year. Another case was filed by Alif’s brother, Khane Alam.

Chinmoy was formally shown arrested in these cases, and the court has permitted interrogation at the jail gate.

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan has stated that a limited scope for legalizing undisclosed income—commonly referred to as black money—is being proposed as an “exit route” for individuals wishing to bring such funds into the formal economy.

Addressing the issue, he clarified that the proposal aims to help individuals who, for various reasons, have kept money unreported over the years. However, he emphasized that this is not a move to endorse the act of hiding income.

Earlier, Economic Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed remarked that if such an opportunity were to be offered, it should come with a significantly higher tax rate than in the past. “We’re not claiming this is an ideal initiative,” he noted.

Abdur Rahman Khan also mentioned that the previous provision to legalize black money by paying a 15% tax was scrapped after the new government took office. Another provision, which allows for immunity from questioning if one buys land or property while paying a slightly higher tax, is set to expire on June 30. “We have not extended this facility either,” the NBR chairman added.

UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis met with Professor Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of the Interim Government, on Tuesday at Jamuna.

During the meeting, Lewis praised the government's strong cooperation and held extensive discussions with Professor Yunus regarding Bangladesh’s development progress. They explored how the United Nations could provide comprehensive support to strengthen the government’s ambitious reform initiatives.

The two also addressed the ongoing Rohingya crisis and the financial challenges it poses. Both expressed deep concern over the significant reduction in funding, which is affecting education and other essential programs.

The Election Commission has formally requested various ministries and government agencies to make the submission of National Identity Cards (NID) mandatory for all government job applications.

SM Humayun Kabir, Director General of the National Identity Registration Wing, stated that the Election Commission wants this requirement to be included within the legal framework governing public administration. According to him, a large number of people are requesting major corrections to their NID information by citing government job applications as the reason. Enforcing the use of NID at the time of application could significantly reduce such complications.

On Monday, the Election Commission held a meeting with 27 ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Public Administration. During the session, the commission presented eight arguments to support the necessity of requiring NID cards in job applications.