Gono Odhikar Parishad leader Rashed Khan has questioned whether former top adviser Nahid Islam took any steps during his tenure to ban the Awami League, despite frequently criticizing others for not doing so. Khan also challenged the adviser’s efforts in media reform and asked if colleagues Asif Mahmud and Mahfuz Alam could initiate a national dialogue on banning the party. He warned that unless such steps are taken, the anti-Awami League rhetoric might simply be another form of opportunistic politics.

Labor Adviser M. Sakhawat Hossain has stated that the interim government’s steps toward protecting workers’ rights are likely to leave a significant mark internationally. Speaking at a labor event, he emphasized that “only when employers and workers stand united will society truly change.” During a recent visit to the ILO, Hossain observed that worker wages and safety conditions have severely deteriorated over the past 20–30 years, nearly leading to sanctions.

Fourteen Bangladeshi cultural figures, including actors Riaz, Meher Afroz Shaon, Chanchal Chowdhury, and Mamunur Rashid, have been charged with attempted murder in connection with the July uprising. The case relates to the attempted killing of Saifuddin Mohammad Emdad, a student of Government Alia Madrasa. The lawsuit also names prominent artists like Aruna Biswas, Jyotika Jyoti, Shamima Tusty, Shomi Kaiser, Saju Khadem, Ashna Habib Bhabna, Sohana Saba, Rokeya Prachy, Zayed Khan, and Ferdous. A total of 201 individuals are accused in the case, including journalist Santosh Sharma (Kalbela), Munni Saha (ATN News), and 15 other media professionals. Academics such as Dr. Zafar Iqbal and former Vice Chancellor Dr. Mizanur Rahman are also listed, along with public figures like Imran H. Sarker and Lucky Akter.

India has ramped up surveillance along its borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar amid concerns over potential unrest. Following recent violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad and clashes during anti-Waqf law protests, Indian authorities suspect cross-border elements played a role. Intelligence reports submitted to the central government allege that Bangladeshi agitators were involved in inciting the unrest. In response, Indian forces have intensified patrols along the eastern frontiers, amid fears of possible infiltration or destabilization attempts through these porous borders.

Gazipur police suspect a deliberate attempt to incite unrest following the custodial death of a man accused of molestation in Haidarabad. Detainee Raiz Uddin, arrested after local residents handed him over for alleged abuse, died after falling ill in jail. Five victims had testified under the Women and Children Repression Act. Deputy Commissioner N.M. Nasir Uddin warned that false narratives are being spread to manipulate public sentiment and disrupt the legal process.

In response to lawyer Tania Amir’s remarks at the Geneva Press Club about the 2009 BDR mutiny, a government press release accused her of pushing a partisan agenda aligned with the former Awami League government. The statement criticized her for allegedly representing the views of mutineers and questioned her intentions, noting the absence of new evidence and reliance on long-standing opposition narratives.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus emphasized that a new and equitable Bangladesh cannot be built while workers continue to suffer. Speaking on the May Day theme—“Workers and Employers Unite to Rebuild the Nation”—he highlighted the critical role workers played in past uprisings and current development. Bangladesh is working on labor standards reform in line with ILO conventions. Yunus also distributed financial aid to five worker families through the Labor Welfare Foundation.

Marking International Workers’ Day, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) organized a large rally in Dhaka. Party members began gathering early in the morning, with patriotic songs and protest music energizing the crowd. Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman joined virtually, while Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Mirza Abbas, and other senior leaders attended in person.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman promised better workplace safety and dignity for women if his party comes to power. He condemned the inhumane conditions faced by factory workers, especially women, and pledged to eliminate wage disparities. He also criticized the lack of prayer spaces and facilities for women, urging equal treatment to build a just society. Labor leaders echoed demands for pro-worker legislation and health insurance.

Despite being known for their tireless work ethic, Bangladeshi laborers in Malaysia are facing serious wage disparities. While workers from countries like Nepal, China, and Vietnam earn a minimum of 3,000 Malaysian Ringgit for 8-hour shifts, Bangladeshis reportedly earn only 1,500–2,000 Ringgit for 12-hour days. The workers blame this discrimination on unskilled and irregular migration practices.

Following a two-month fishing ban aimed at conserving juvenile hilsa (jatka), thousands of fishermen have resumed work in the Padma-Meghna rivers. The ban, effective from March 1 to April 30, covered a 70 km stretch from Shatnol to Char Bhairabi in Chandpur. Over 1,000 enforcement drives were conducted, resulting in the arrest of 129 fishermen—five were jailed and 124 fined. During the ban, each affected fisherman received 160 kg of rice as aid.

Bangladesh is close to finalizing a mutual visa exemption agreement with Algeria for diplomatic and official passport holders. This was confirmed during a meeting between Algerian Ambassador Dr. Abdulwahab Saidani and Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam. The agreement has already been approved by the cabinet and is expected to be signed soon. The adviser also expressed gratitude to Algeria for being the first country to recognize Bangladesh in 1971.

India has officially banned all Pakistani aircraft from entering its airspace, a retaliatory measure announced Wednesday night. This follows Pakistan’s earlier move banning Indian aircraft from its skies. The reciprocal decision marks a sharp escalation in airspace restrictions between the two neighbors.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif and Indian FM S. Jaishankar regarding the recent terrorist attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam. Rubio urged both nations to cooperate in de-escalating tensions. While reiterating the US’s support for India in combating terrorism, he called on Pakistan to assist in the investigation and publicly condemn the attack. US official Tammy Bruce stated that India was advised to exercise restraint in responding to the incident.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus emphasized that workers and employers are not adversaries but partners in building a strong and self-reliant Bangladesh. Speaking on May Day, he paid tribute to the workers of the 1886 Haymarket movement and reaffirmed his commitment to fair wages, an 8-hour workday, and safe working conditions. “Improving labor standards is not only a right for workers but also a prerequisite for national economic growth,” he added.