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.

In response to NCP’s protest, Election Commissioner Md. Sanaullah reiterated that the EC does not comment on political activities. He stated, “The sequencing of elections is a government decision, not ours.” On the allegation of bias, he said, “The Commission is and will remain fully neutral.” Regarding Ishraq Hossain’s legal challenge, he clarified that EC has no provision in the law to become a party in such cases, though they are often included upon request.

NCP’s Dhaka North unit has announced that its protest will continue until Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin and four other commissioners resign. At a rally demanding EC restructuring and local government elections, Saiful Islam said, “This commission was hastily and controversially formed. It must go.” Al Amin Tutul added, “Brother Ishraq should not cause public suffering by locking the city building. We are not protesting to validate an illegal election. They threaten to drown us in urine, but where were they for the past 16 years? They couldn’t even move a single sand truck.”

The court has postponed its decision on a writ petition seeking to prevent BNP’s Ishraq Hossain from taking oath as Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation. The ruling is now scheduled for Thursday. Advocate Mohammad Hossain represented the petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Mahfuzur Rahman Milon argued for the state. Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Barrister Kaiser Kamal represented Ishraq.

Amir Hamza, a top leader of the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, has been hospitalized in Lahore under ISI protection after sustaining serious injuries in an attack at his residence. The identity of the attackers and the motive behind the incident remain unclear. Hamza hails from Gujranwala in Punjab province and is known to have close ties with Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed and Abdul Rehman Makki.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has questioned Tuhin Farabi, former personal aide to a health advisor, and Dr. Mahmudul Hasan regarding corruption allegations. Gazi Salauddin Tanvir, recently granted temporary release from his post as NCP Joint Secretary, was also summoned and interrogated. Although Tuhin and Dr. Mahmudul were expected to appear the previous day, they attended the ACC’s Dhaka headquarters on Wednesday. Interrogation is currently ongoing.

The Nationalist Citizens’ Party (NCP) staged a protest on Wednesday at 11:45 AM in front of the Election Commission (EC) headquarters in Agargaon, demanding the reformation of the EC and the immediate holding of local government elections. Tight five-layer security was deployed in the area. NCP convenor Md. Nahid Islam accused the current EC of bias, stating, “We no longer have faith in this commission. It must be restructured immediately.” He also called for the announcement of dates for both constituent assembly and national elections.

BNP leader Ishraq Hossain has urged advisors Asif Mahmud and Mahfuz Alam to resign from all government roles, citing democratic principles and political decorum. In a public statement, Ishraq said, "Since you are affiliated with political parties and may be directly involved in future elections, it is only logical to step down." He encouraged them to follow the example of Nahid Islam, who resigned to avoid conflict of interest. Referring to others like Sarjees Alam and Hasnat Abdullah, he said, "They could have accepted ministerial roles but chose politics instead." Ishraq added, “If you cling to power, you’ll be expected to provide undue advantages to your party members. You’ll break the jackfruit, but others will enjoy the fruit.”

Despite a 10 AM ultimatum on Wednesday for Ishraq Hossain to be sworn in as DSCC Mayor, no action was taken. Following threats to lock down Dhaka, supporters took positions in key areas including Matsya Bhaban, Kakrail, and near the Secretariat. Protests also continue for the seventh consecutive day inside and outside the City Corporation office. Meanwhile, a court hearing on a writ petition to block Ishraq’s swearing-in concluded this morning, with a verdict expected by noon.

Heavy rains and upstream runoff have raised water levels in the Teesta River, submerging croplands in Ulipur and Rajarhat of Kurigram. Farmers have suffered crop losses worth several crores as paddy, peanuts, and other crops remain underwater. Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu stated that although crops worth thousands of crores are grown annually on Teesta’s banks, authorities remain indifferent to repeated seasonal damages due to riverbed siltation.

More than 51,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia for Hajj—4,583 under government management and 47,364 through private agencies. Tragically, nine pilgrims (eight men and one woman) have died so far, with four passing away in Mecca and five in Medina.

In India, voicing opinions on Kashmir increasingly results in state persecution under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ultra-nationalist government. Writers, academics, and cultural activists are being silenced with sedition charges. Recently, academic Ali Khan Mahmudabad was arrested, while British-Kashmiri author Nitasha Kaul has been barred from her homeland. Even singing works by Pakistani poet Faiz has led to punitive actions.