Taskin Ahmed, President of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry, stressed that while democratic protests are valid, they must not disrupt daily life and business, especially during economic uncertainty. Golam Mawla, President of the Edible Oil Traders Association, noted that despite a change in the political landscape, the law and order situation has not improved significantly. Importers continue to face rising costs due to reliance on brokers for truck rentals at land ports. Speakers urged immediate action to resolve these challenges.

Forty-three Australian senators and MPs have sent a letter to Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, urging immediate action on three key demands: announcing a clear electoral roadmap, ensuring justice for victims of the July uprising, and disbanding the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The letter, sent via email, was confirmed by BNP’s International Affairs Secretary Md. Rashedul Haque.

Indian security forces have killed 27 Maoist insurgents, including Nambala Keshava Rao, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), in a major counter-insurgency operation. Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the operation, saying this is the first time in three decades that a top Maoist leader has been neutralized.

Keshava Rao, also known as Basavaraju, was a native of Telangana and took over the reins of India’s largest armed leftist insurgency group from Muppala Lakshmana Rao in 2018. The successful raid marks a significant milestone in India’s decades-long battle against Naxalite violence.

BNP leader Dr. Abdul Moin Khan has issued a stern warning to the interim government, urging it to uphold democracy and press freedom or face being forgotten in history. “We believe in freedom of the press. Just look at the state of journalism during the past 16 years under Awami League,” he said.

He reminded the public that the National Press Club was established by President Ziaur Rahman, symbolizing media independence. “Reform, elections, and democracy are not mutually exclusive. They must exist together,” Moin Khan stressed, calling for unity while rejecting authoritarianism.

Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman stated during an officers' address on Wednesday that the national election must be held by December. He emphasized that decisions on matters like the humanitarian corridor must come from an elected government. On law and order, he noted the military is adopting a firmer stance. Regarding port-related issues, he said the opinions of local residents and political leaders are essential and that such decisions should come through a political government. He also revealed that the government has disregarded the army's proposed reforms. Despite the interim government's 10 months in power, no significant reforms have materialized, he added. The Army Chief asserted the military will never engage in any activity that harms national sovereignty. He also claimed the army was unaware of the July–August UN reports—although the UN had informed the government, the government failed to relay the information to the military. "We are supporting the interim government and will continue to do so," he affirmed.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col. (Retd.) Dr. Oli Ahmed has urged the interim government to act as a government for all Bangladeshis, not merely as representatives of the National Consensus Platform (NCP). Speaking to the press, he alleged that India has always sought a favorable government in Dhaka—from Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the current ruling party—and even claimed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was involved in the assassination of President Ziaur Rahman.

He also warned the interim authority not to unilaterally decide on humanitarian corridors or other major policies without wider consultation, saying it could backfire politically.

Md. Moniruzzaman, a journalist for the daily Kalbela from Kaliakair, Gazipur, has been missing for two days. His mobile phone is switched off. His wife, Salma Akter, has filed a general diary with the police. Moniruzzaman reportedly left for Dhaka on Tuesday morning in a private car accompanied by Abdullah Al Mamun, the car’s driver Niranjan Sarker, and an unidentified individual. Around 5 PM, he contacted his wife and informed her that he had reached Dhaka. Since then, he has not returned home. The mobile phones of both Mamun and Sarker are also unreachable. It has been reported that a relative received a phone call demanding BDT 50,000 for Moniruzzaman’s return.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur stated that the country’s foreign exchange reserves are projected to reach between $27 billion and $30 billion by the end of June. The target for the next fiscal year is to boost reserves to $40 billion. “Microloans cannot be sustained with a 26% interest rate,” he warned. According to central bank data, as of May 19, the country’s total reserves stood at $25.44 billion.

Planning Adviser Professor Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud made an unannounced visit to Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) to inspect ongoing development projects. He toured the campus and reviewed infrastructure development activities. Expressing satisfaction with the cleanliness, architectural design, and implementation quality, he commended the university’s progress. Vice Chancellor Professor Kazi Rafiqul Islam raised concerns about the lack of guide walls, warning that without them, hundreds of trees could fall and roads could collapse, disrupting student movement. He sought the Adviser’s assistance in securing emergency funding through the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Foreign Affairs Adviser Tawhid Hossain stated that there has been no clear decision yet regarding the “pushback” of individuals recently “pushed in” from India into Bangladesh. “Those who are confirmed Indian citizens must be taken back by India,” he said. Hossain added that communication with Delhi is ongoing to ensure that no actions fall outside agreed protocols. “We do not expect immediate responses within a day. They have shared their position and provided a list. We are currently reviewing that list through the Ministry of Home Affairs,” he explained. Hossain also clarified that treaties can only be annulled through mutual consent or specific provisions, and Bangladesh has not taken steps to cancel any such agreements unilaterally.

The Ministry of Education has issued a directive warning against submitting letters directly to the Secretary concerning MPO (Monthly Pay Order) issues or personal complaints without proper authorization. It states that several teachers and institutional heads have violated protocol by bypassing official channels, thereby disrupting the ministry’s operations and complicating legal procedures. The notice explicitly prohibits all employees under the Ministry, including school heads, teachers, managing committee members, and governing body members, from submitting applications to the Ministry without prior approval through the appropriate channels.

Prominent thinker Farhad Mazhar has criticized the slogan “My Body, My Choice”, calling it an extremist ideology that undermines societal and moral norms. He argued that individuals cannot do whatever they wish with their bodies, emphasizing that suicide, for example, cannot be considered a personal decision. “This slogan, though seemingly about liberation, actually promotes a hyper-individualistic mindset detached from social responsibility,” he said. Mazhar added, “Though I own my body, I cannot decide to take my own life because I am a part of society and the state.” Echoing this sentiment, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Nurul Islam Bulbul said that in the name of women’s rights, there is now a push to legitimize homosexuality and sexual permissiveness—actions he claimed are unacceptable in a country where 90% of the population is Muslim.

Several Indian citizens, particularly from West Bengal, have been applying for political asylum in European countries like France by falsely claiming Bangladeshi nationality. French media outlet Le Monde and the French National Court of Asylum (CNDA) report that Biswajit Das and his wife Rinku Das from Nadia district entered France in 2022 with forged Bangladeshi birth certificates and citizenship documents.

Experts say asylum applications citing religious and political persecution are more likely to be approved if the applicant claims to be from Bangladesh. This growing trend of fraudulent claims is damaging Bangladesh’s global image and could affect genuine asylum seekers.

The BCS Dental Cadre Association has submitted a six-point demand, including the inclusion of “Dental Surgeon” posts in all BCS exams, including the upcoming 48th Special BCS. They are also demanding the creation of at least five dental surgeon positions at each Upazila Health Complex and eight at district hospitals. The association is calling for an end to the appointment of MBBS doctors to dental posts, regular promotions for dental professionals, the upgrading of dental units into full-fledged colleges, and increased budget allocations for oral healthcare under the national “Health for All” commitment.

Faruk E Azam, Disaster Adviser and Bir Protik, acknowledged that while Bangladesh has earned international praise for cyclone and flood preparedness, its capacity to handle earthquakes remains weak. “Earthquakes strike without warning, and public awareness is crucial to minimizing risks,” he said. He stressed the importance of government coordination in rescue and rehabilitation efforts and urged strict enforcement of building codes to reduce structural vulnerabilities.