A Fruitful New Beginning for Bangladesh-China RelationsAfter six years of talks and anticipation, Bangladesh is finally ready to export its prized mangoes to China. The approval marks more than just a trade deal — it signals a growing partnership, with Bangladesh aiming to strengthen its agricultural exports to the world’s second-largest economy. From Patience to ProgressBangladesh first applied in 2019 to export mangoes, along with jackfruit and guava. Now, with mangoes cleared for export, the focus shifts to securing similar approvals for jackfruit and guava. Challenges Remain, but Hopes Are HighWhile mangoes are ready to make their debut in China, other agricultural products still face hurdles.

However, he did not explain how he was able to flee the country while many fellow Awami League leaders were arrested during that period. Quader said he dreams of returning to Bangladesh one day and sees a future where the Awami League regains power. The interim government has since banned all activities of the Awami League until tribunal proceedings conclude, effectively outlawing the party. At one point, they threatened to break the door down.”“When my wife asked what to do, I told her to open it. Quader replied briefly: “If they were from the Awami League, I would’ve recognised them.”

Dhaka/New Delhi, May 26 (PTI) Hundreds of government employees on Monday briefly locked the main gate of Bangladesh Secretariat, the heart of the administration, in the capital Dhaka, intensifying their protests against a new service law which allows easier dismissal of officials for misconduct. According to eyewitnesses and media reports, officials and employees of the Secretariat, which houses ministries and important government offices, locked the main gate on the third day of their protest against the Public Service Act amendment. The agitating employees gathered near the main entrance around 12:30 pm. The protesting employees moved from the gate and gathered in a scattered way across the secretariat premises. According to the reports, official activities inside the complex were largely stalled as the employees continued the work stoppage.

A Chattogram court has approved the questioning of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson for the Sanatani Jagaran Jote, at the jail gate in another case. In the court premises incident, 49 named and 600–700 unnamed individuals were accused. That same day, Alif’s brother Khane Alam filed another case over the attack on lawyers, vandalism, and explosions, accusing 116 people. Chinmoy was initially arrested on Nov 25 in Dhaka in connection with a sedition case for allegedly disrespecting the national flag. Although the High Court granted him bail in that case, the state appealed the decision to the Appellate Division, which stayed his release.

Bashundhara Group owners seek more time to appear before ACCBashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and his family have sought 90 days to respond to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) summons over land expropriation, embezzlement and money laundering charges. They filed the request to the chairman of the anti-graft agency through a lawyer on Monday, ACC spokesperson Akhtarul Islam said. On May 20, the ACC sent a letter to the Sobhan family, instructing them to appear before it for questioning. Akbar, his wife Afroz Begum, their eldest son Sadat Sobhan, and Sadat’s wife Sonia Ferdousi Sobhan, were scheduled to be quizzed on Sunday. That same month, a court imposed a travel ban on eight members of the Sobhan family following a plea by the ACC.

Gas supply to the industrial sector has seen a 21 per cent increase over the past four months, according to Petrobangla. “Petrobangla has taken note of misleading statements made by representatives of industry-related associations published in various newspapers concerning gas supply to industrial units. In response, we are presenting the actual status of gas supply to the industrial sector.”According to the statement, the average daily gas supply to industries during January–April 2024 was 823 million cubic feet. Currently, gas is priced at Tk 30 per cubic metre for industrial consumers and Tk 31.50 for captive users. This means the government is providing a subsidy of Tk 35 per cubic metre on the additional gas being supplied.

If these bodies are empowered and supported legally, there is no need to outsource port operations to a foreign firm,” Mirza Aziz said. INFLATION SQUEEZING THE POORAddressing Bangladesh's ongoing inflation crisis, Mirza Aziz said rising prices are disproportionately affecting the country’s poorest citizens. “We talk of a contractionary budget due to falling revenues,” Mirza Aziz said in the interview. Mirza Aziz noted that in some cases, funds are released even before actual work is completed, leading to poor-quality outcomes. “After years of efforts, only a fraction was recovered.”On the government’s controversial proposal to outsource the management of Chattogram Port to foreign companies, Mirza Aziz pushed back.

Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, private airline Air Astra is set to resume flights on the Dhaka-Sylhet route.Starting May 29, the airline will operate two daily flights between Dhaka and Sylhet.Flights from Dhaka will depart at 7:30am and 7:30pm, while return flights from Sylhet to Dhaka will leave at 8:50am and 8:50pm.The airlines shared the development in a media statement on Saturday.The minimum fare for a one-way trip on this route has been set at Tk 4,699.Air Astra CEO Imran Asif said, "Sylhet is an important destination for Air Astra. Due to aircraft shortage, we had suspended flights on that route, but they will continue regularly." �"bdnews24.com

Denouncing several measures taken by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy has said that the head of the interim government has brought the fundamentalists together to keep hold of his position. Speaking at a protest on Sunday afternoon, he said those who engage in progressive leftist and fundamentalist politics “originate from the same principles”. “But the chief advisor has divided them. To stay in power, he has brought together the fundamentalists,” he said. “The country (United States) that you (Yunus) want to satisfy has given birth to and supported fundamentalists worldwide.

In the first 24 days of May, remittances totalled $2.25 billion, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on Sunday. The previous month, March, saw a record $3.29 billion in remittances ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, the highest ever for a single month. With May’s total crossing the $2 billion mark, Bangladesh has now seen 10 consecutive months of monthly remittances exceeding that threshold. Senior officials at Bangladesh Bank and managing directors of several commercial banks fear that if the tax is enforced, remittances through formal banking channels will decline. Earlier this month, Bangladesh Bank allowed the exchange rate to be determined by market forces.

NBR staff call off protest after government backs down on abolishing itFacing intense protests from within its ranks, the interim government has reversed its controversial decision to dissolve the National Board of Revenue (NBR), announcing instead that the agency will be restructured as an “independent and specialised” department. The government’s retreat followed days of demonstrations led by NBR officers, who had demanded clarity and assurance regarding the institution's future. In response, the NBR Reform Unity Council, which coordinated the protest movement, welcomed the announcement, calling it a step toward meaningful reform. “In this context, the strike announced by the NBR Reform Unity Council from tomorrow [Monday] is being withdrawn,” it added. On May 12, the interim government issued the “Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance, 2025”, bifurcating the NBR.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has started two cases against former parliament whip Abu Sayeed Al Mahmood Swapon and his wife Mehbooba Alam. Allegations of “unusual transactions” of Tk 6.53 billion and the acquisition of assets beyond known means of income have been made. He said, “The cases have been filed at the ACC’s Integrated District Office, Dhaka-1.”In the case filed against Swapon, it is alleged he “disproportionately” acquired assets worth Tk 12.66 million. According to the case dossier, Swapon’s total assets are worth Tk 47.70 million. In the case filed against Mehbooba, it has been alleged that she has illegally acquired assets worth Tk 222.36 million.

Armed with winning blueprint, Gill to lead India by exampleIndia Test captain Shubman Gill has inherited a blueprint for winning series abroad and will lead by example to achieve that goal, the 25-year-old said on Sunday. Gill was thrust into the role after Rohit Sharma quit Test cricket this month and Virat Kohli followed suit ahead of a five-match series in England. "I believe in leading by example, not just by my performance but, off the field, by my discipline and hard work." "They have given us a blueprint on how to tour away from home and win matches and series. "...if I'm batting out there, I want to be able to make decisions as a batsman and not as a captain," Gill said.

Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) are seen as they return after a swap, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an undisclosed location in Ukraine, May 24, 2025. REUTERS/Valentyn OgirenkoUkrainian prisoners of war (POWs) are seen as they return after a swap, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an undisclosed location in Ukraine, May 24, 2025. REUTERS/Valentyn OgirenkoRussia and Ukraine completed the exchange of 1000 prisoners each on Sunday, the Russian Defence Ministry and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, in the largest such swap since the war began three years ago. The three-day exchange started on Friday and involved mostly prisoners of war, along with 120 civilians, each. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians have also died as Russian forces have besieged and bombarded Ukrainian cities.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has sat with political parties to continue what began on Saturday to mitigate the ongoing political discord. Representatives of 11 parties are in a dialogue with Yunus at his official residence at State Guest House Jamuna since 5:50pm in the first phase of Sunday’s meetings. Another nine parties are scheduled to meet the chief advisor at 7pm. Later, Yunus will meet representatives of nine Islamic groups, including Islamic orator Sadiqur Rahman, Islamic Andolan Bangladesh chief Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Mamunul Haque, Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Ahmed Abdul Quader, Hifazat-e Islam Bangladesh Joint Secretary General Azizul Hoque, Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh Secretary General Monjurul Islam Afendi, Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur, Bangladesh Nizam-e Islam Party Secretary General Musa Bin Izhar and Islami Oikyajote Secretary General Shakhawat Hossain Razi. On Saturday night, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP) held separate meetings with the chief advisor to discuss issues involving the trials of cases related to the July Uprising, election and state reforms.