Chaired by the Chief Adviser, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved nine development projects, including a major upgrade of the grid power evacuation system. The total estimated cost for these projects is BDT 11,851 crore. Of this, BDT 8,046 crore will come from government funds, BDT 2,988 crore from foreign aid, and BDT 816 crore from the implementing agencies’ own funds.

The United Nations Refugee Agency has reported that two separate boat accidents off the coast of Myanmar’s Rakhine State have left 427 Rohingya people missing. On May 9, a motorized boat carrying 267 Rohingyas capsized after setting off from the Arakan coast, with only 66 survivors. On May 10, another wooden motorboat carrying 247 people also sank shortly after departure; only 21 passengers survived. The intended destinations of the vessels remain unknown.

A delegation led by Nahid Islam, Convenor of the National Coordination Platform (NCP), is scheduled to meet Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at 8:30 PM tonight (Saturday) at Jamuna. The delegation will include NCP Joint Member Secretary Mushfiq-us-Salehin, Chief Organiser Hasnat Abdullah, and Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Zara.

Earlier in the evening, Dr. Yunus also held a meeting with a delegation from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain. Other BNP leaders present at the meeting were Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Salahuddin Ahmed.

Bangla Academy will confer the prestigious ‘Nazrul Award’ on researcher Anwarul Haque and renowned singer Shabnam Mustari for their significant contributions to the study, promotion, and performance of the works of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. The awards will be presented during the Nazrul Jayanti celebration organized by Bangla Academy on Sunday afternoon. Each recipient will receive a monetary prize of BDT 100,000, along with a commemorative plaque and honorary scarf.

Adviser Asif Mahmud has stated that attempts are being made to create a misleading perception about him for political purposes. Addressing the recent rumors and allegations involving his former Assistant Personal Secretary (APS), he clarified that he himself had formally requested the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to launch an investigation.

Mahmud emphasized that in post-July Uprising Bangladesh, there is a national commitment to hold anyone involved in corruption accountable, regardless of their identity. He highlighted that the impartiality and professionalism of constitutional institutions are key indicators of progress in the new Bangladesh.

He further noted that he has instructed all concerned, including the relevant ministry, to fully cooperate with the investigation regarding his former APS.

To block Dhaka South Mayor Ishraq Hossain, the banned Awami League and National Citizen Party (NCP) appear to have formed a tactical alliance. Lawyer Salauddin Regan, once an AL nomination seeker, sent a legal notice to the interim government on behalf of an NCP leader demanding city election schedules. Regan, previously arrested for violence in the Supreme Court, still displays AL imagery on Facebook. This has sparked debate, with many accusing AL-NCP factions of conspiring under the influence of ex-mayor Taposh.

n a statement issued by the Press Wing of the Chief Adviser, it was revealed that an unscheduled meeting of the Advisory Council took place on Saturday following the ECNEC session. The meeting focused on upcoming elections, judicial reforms, and the broader reform agenda.

According to the statement, the Council discussed how various unreasonable demands, politically motivated statements, and actions outside the bounds of authority are disrupting the normal administrative environment and sowing doubt among the public. The Council expressed concern that such activities are hindering progress and stability.

The Press Wing emphasized the need for broader national unity to safeguard the country’s stability, ensure a fair electoral process, uphold justice, and move forward with vital reforms—all essential to prevent any future authoritarian resurgence. The government, it stated, is open to hearing political parties’ positions and will clarify its own stance accordingly.

Despite facing numerous challenges, the government remains committed to serving the public interest, inspired by the expectations of the July uprising. However, if any attempts are made to obstruct governance, reform efforts, justice, or fair elections to the extent that it becomes impossible to fulfill its responsibilities, the government will inform the public and take necessary steps.

According to sources from the Chief Adviser’s Office, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus will meet with representatives of all political parties on Sunday amid the ongoing political developments. Each party that supported the July uprising has been invited to send one representative to the meeting. Additionally, separate meetings are scheduled for Saturday night with representatives from the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. The BNP delegation is expected to meet with the Chief Adviser at 7:30 PM, followed by the Jamaat delegation at 8:30 PM.

On the morning of May 17, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) apprehended Jahanara Khatun from near the Thakurgaon border inside Bangladesh. She described the incident, stating, “The BSF told us they would fire two shots, and once they did, we should all run. So they fired two bullets, and we all fled, crossing into Bangladesh.”

Jahanara further revealed, “They instructed us that if we got caught, we should claim we were heading to India but fled back after the BSF chased us.” That day, the BSF reportedly pushed 16 other people along with Jahanara into Bangladeshi territory.

At a recent seminar, BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that numerous investors are interested in coming to Bangladesh, but they are waiting for a credible and fair election. “The key issue now is how quickly we can return to democracy,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of investment in national progress, Khasru emphasized that the capital market must be the primary source of future investments. “To ensure future investment, we must revive the capital market,” he asserted.

He criticized the current state of the stock market, saying, “It has become a casino where certain groups manipulate and exploit it before walking away. This has been happening for the past 15 years, and we need to break this cycle.”

GOP leader Rasheed Khan dismissed recent rumors about a possible political intervention similar to the 1/11 episode, calling them a deliberate attempt to mislead and intimidate the public. “One must question whether those who are loudly talking about 1/11 now are in fact hoping for its return,” he wrote. “Their circles are surrounded by the very same actors of that era — likely advising them to stir panic.” Rasheed expressed hope that Bangladesh will embark on a democratic path toward national reform under the leadership of Dr. Muhammad Yunus, and that a new chapter in the nation’s history will be written. He emphasized that political tolerance and national unity are crucial for realizing this vision.

Rafe Salman Rifat, a leader of the Youth for People’s Power (UP Bangladesh), stated on Facebook that the July uprising had no single figurehead. “Sadiq Kayem, Nahid, Mahfuz, and Zunaed — none led the others; there was no singular ‘imam’ of this movement. The sacrifice of the martyrs and the injured turned the student and public protests into a full-scale uprising,” he wrote. Rifat added, “This was also a direct consequence of the brutal repression by Hasina’s regime and the spontaneous unity of the people against it.” He warned that post-August 5 efforts to impose a singular leadership narrative only sowed division and mistrust. Rifat further noted that Dr. Muhammad Yunus has viewed the movement through the lens of a few select individuals, while remaining unaware of the broader collective leadership including Sadiq Kayem, Hasnat Abdullah, Ali Ahsan Zunaed, Sibghatullah, and student leaders like Rakib and Nasir. Had this collective leadership been acknowledged earlier, the current coordination crisis among movement leaders might have been avoided.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur has announced that newly printed currency notes will be introduced ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. The new notes will feature historic landmarks of Bangladesh, with no portraits of individuals. Printing of the new Tk 20 note is nearly complete and is expected to be handed over to Bangladesh Bank next week. Printing of Tk 50 and Tk 1,000 denominations will follow shortly. The central bank will decide on the official release date. Dr. Mansur also addressed efforts to repatriate laundered money, stating that international pressure following media reports has led to the freezing of illicit funds, marking a significant first step in the recovery process.

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) handed over 24 detained Bangladeshis to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Friday night, following a thwarted plan of push-in across the border. The handover took place during a flag meeting between the BGB and BSF at the Balatari border in Phulbari upazila of Kurigram. After the handover, BGB ensured the safe return of the individuals to their families. According to sources, BGB had received intelligence suggesting a potential push-in attempt by BSF. In response, BGB warned BSF that any repatriation must follow proper identification procedures and only confirmed Bangladeshi citizens would be accepted. Nationals of other countries would not be allowed entry under any circumstances. This transfer followed that agreement.

Following the Advisory Council meeting, Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud confirmed that Chief Adviser Professor Yunus has no plans to resign. “He didn’t say he would step down. This responsibility is a significant one, and we cannot abandon it,” Mahmud said. He noted that while challenges exist, the advisers have identified them and are committed to overcoming the obstacles to fulfill their duties. The meeting was held without the presence of any bureaucrats or government officials—only advisers attended.