Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has announced plans to establish a Jewish state in the occupied West Bank. The announcement follows the Israeli government’s recent decision to approve the construction of 22 new illegal settlements on Palestinian land in the West Bank. Some previously unauthorized settlements will also be granted legal recognition. Palestinian authorities and human rights organizations have condemned the move, calling it a violation of international law and a major obstacle to the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state. Meanwhile, due to Israeli restrictions, foreign ministers from six countries, including Saudi Arabia, have been barred from entering the occupied West Bank.

Hamas has formally responded to the latest ceasefire proposal put forward by US envoy Steve Witkoff, stipulating that any agreement must ensure a permanent ceasefire—a demand that has long been considered a red line by Israel. As per the proposal, Hamas agrees to release 10 living hostages and return the bodies of 18 deceased individuals. In exchange, Israel would free a specific number of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas stated, “We believe the objective of this proposal should be to establish a permanent ceasefire, ensure a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and allow unhindered humanitarian aid for our people.”

The deadly coronavirus has once again struck South Asia, with India reporting seven deaths from the virus across multiple states. So far, around 3,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in India, with Kerala registering the highest number of cases. Maharashtra and Delhi follow closely behind. According to official data, Kerala has recorded 1,147 cases, Maharashtra 424, Delhi 294, and Gujarat 223. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka each have reported 148 cases, while West Bengal has confirmed 116 infections.

Jubo Dal leader Sharif Uddin Jewel has alleged that the current administration, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, was installed by political parties with the promise of fair elections and restored democracy. “But now, every time elections are mentioned, the government makes excuses—delaying today, deferring tomorrow. Why won’t they hold elections? Because they know the people will vote for the BNP,” Jewel said. He further stated, “The people trust BNP because we have always stood by them. In the last 54 years, martyr Ziaur Rahman has been the only true statesman of Bangladesh. Amid post-independence chaos and internal-external conspiracies, he showed the nation a way forward.”

The Dhaka University branch of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal has demanded the resignation of the university’s Vice-Chancellor and Proctor, accusing them of administrative failure to ensure campus safety. At a press conference, student leader Ganesh Chandra Roy criticized the administration for ignoring student concerns about the lack of a safe and open environment for free expression. “The administration has failed to act against Chhatra League members hiding in residential halls and has shown gross negligence,” he said. He also questioned the credibility of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s press briefing on student Samya’s murder, calling it “vague and misleading.”

The National University Syndicate has decided to reinstate 988 employees who were previously terminated, following a directive from the High Court. The employees will resume their duties starting Sunday, June 1. Vice-Chancellor Prof. ASM Amanullah confirmed the decision, stating that all employees will return to their respective posts. The reinstatement follows widespread protests and legal petitions filed by the dismissed employees.

To commemorate the July Uprising and preserve its historical context, a memorabilia collection campaign for the July Uprising Memorial Museum has been launched. On Saturday, Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki began the initiative by visiting the home of martyred activist Wasim Akram in Pekua, Cox’s Bazar. He collected personal items belonging to the martyr from his family to be preserved in the museum’s archive. A visual documentation team accompanying Farooki captured the emotional void left in the martyr’s home. On Sunday, Farooki is scheduled to meet the families of other martyrs—Faisal Ahmed Shanto, Omar Farooq, and Shahidul—to collect their personal mementos and share their stories.

UGC Chairman and former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. SMA Faiz stated that if the government announces a roadmap for the upcoming election, it could help ease the political tension. He urged BNP to abandon its rigid stance of announcing a separate roadmap and instead engage in dialogue. “There is little difference between holding elections in June or December. Through discussions, this gap can be bridged,” he said. At the same event, Prof. Dr. Mahbub Ullah emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms and criticized the government for lacking a clear agenda when it assumed office. “Now we hear about reforms, justice, and elections being their priorities,” he remarked.

The 44th death anniversary of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman was observed across Bangladesh on Saturday through various programs. Events included tributes, mourning processions, prayers, food distribution among the underprivileged, and free medical camps. In Mathbaria, Pirojpur district BNP leader Prof. Alomgir Hossain attended a memorial gathering. In Gafargaon, former BNP joint convenor Dr. Mofakhkharul Islam Rana organized a medical camp, while volunteers in Faridpur distributed meals. Khagrachari hosted rallies, flower offerings, discussions, and a book fair. In Joypurhat, the district’s Farmers’ Wing distributed 500 tree saplings, and Zia Parishad held a commemorative meeting.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has returned to Dhaka following a four-day official visit to Japan. He arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:15 AM on Saturday night via a Singapore Airlines flight. According to a statement from the Chief Adviser’s press wing, the flight departed from Narita International Airport in Tokyo at 11:20 AM local time on Saturday and transited through Singapore en route to Dhaka. During his visit, Dr. Yunus attended nearly 20 programs in Tokyo, including a high-level meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba.

Human rights organization Odhikar raised five key demands, including justice for those involved in past enforced disappearances, at a discussion held in memory of victims. President Taskeen Fahmina stated that enforced disappearance is a crime against humanity. She cited the disappearance of freedom fighter Major Jalil and the 1996 case of Kalpana Chakma. According to Odhikar’s documentation, between January 2009 and August 5, 2024, under Sheikh Hasina’s regime, 730 individuals were forcibly disappeared. Among them, 83 were killed extrajudicially, and 162 remain missing. “The actual number is likely higher,” she added.

Bangladesh and China signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on Saturday to strengthen bilateral trade and cooperation in commerce. The agreements were signed by Bangladesh’s Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. During the bilateral talks, Bangladesh requested assistance from China in using drone technology for agricultural development. The Chinese minister expressed willingness to support this initiative. Adviser Bashir Uddin also called for increased Chinese investment in Bangladesh.

Adviser M. Shakhawat Hossain assured citizens that, as in the last Eid, there will be no travel disruptions on waterways during the upcoming Eid. He acknowledged the persistent ferry shortages but highlighted that significant improvements have been made in the southern region’s transport infrastructure under the interim government. “We’ve deployed ferries in areas like Maheshkhali and Sandwip, and now Kutubdia is requesting them too. More ferries are expected later this year to further improve connectivity,” he added.

The Office of the Chief Adviser has requested detailed updates from ministries and their departments regarding the implementation of reform and development initiatives undertaken since the interim government assumed office. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam recently sent a formal letter to the Cabinet Secretary, prompting the Cabinet Division to issue directives to all senior secretaries and secretaries. The ministries have been asked to submit their feedback within seven working days.

In a groundbreaking move, Bangladesh will launch its first-ever national skill development program, training 6,000 SSC graduates. Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul stated that this initiative will begin in Tangail and marks a historic milestone for the country. Highlighting the demands of the international labor market, he emphasized that unskilled or semi-skilled workers are no longer in demand globally. “We must increase the number of skilled workers,” he said. Dr. Nazrul explained that students often remain idle for six months after the SSC exams, and this program aims to equip them with employable skills during that time. He added that the Chief Adviser has received an offer from Japan to recruit 100,000 workers, and several other countries have shown similar interest. The government has also established a Welfare Lounge for expatriates and envisions building a dedicated hospital for them in the future.