Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reshuffled her cabinet five months after forming the government for a third consecutive term. Keeping a tight ship, personnel don't change rather changes were brought to the portfolios of ministers and state ministers in two ministries while a state minister was transferred. Most notably, Minister Mustafa Jabbar will now focus solely on the post and telecoms department, while State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak will deal with information and communication technology (ICT) on his own within their sprawling ministry.

State Minister Murad, a doctor by training, has been shifted to the Information Ministry from the Health and Family Welfare Ministry. Hasan Mahmud is there as information minister. Minister Tazul Islam will handle only the local government division and State Minister Swapan Bhattacharjee will deal with rural development and cooperatives.

The Supreme Court said Accord, a European agency for factory inspection and remediation, can continue its activities for 281 days from May 8, when a memorandum of understanding was signed between Accord and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in this regard. The BGMEA will form a cell within Accord and they will jointly inspect and ensure safety and security of garments factories and workers in Bangladesh, the apex court said.

The SC also ruled that the Accord will leave the country after 281 days from the date of signing of the MoU between Accord and BGMEA, according to the latter's legal counsel. A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order after disposing of an appeal filed by Accord challenging a High Court verdict.

The government banned fishing off the country's coast for 65 days to try and boost depleted fish stocks. All types of fishing vessels would be covered by the ban and coast guards would enforce it. Thousands of fishermen have planned protests - arguing that they will be left without a source of income. The ban - lasting from 20 May until 23 July - is timed to coincide with the breeding season.

There have been short-term bans on commercial fishing in the past but this is the first time that all fishing boats, including local fishermen, have been banned for a lengthy period. State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru, who was very keen on it, explained: "These resources will deplete one day if we do not use them sustainably. We should let fish grow and breed. Otherwise, we will have to suffer in the future."

Bangladesh Chhatra League has expelled one of its activists and suspended four others over clash centering the newly announced full-fledged committee. The Chhatra League central committee announced the decision on May 20. Salman Sadik, activist of Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall unit Chhatra League, was expelled.

Those who were temporarily suspended are- Gazi Mursalin Anu, Kazi Siam, Sajjadul Kabir, and Zarin Dia. BM Lipi Akhter, president of Ruqayyah Hall unit and Hasibur Rahman Shanto, program and planning affairs secretary of Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall unit, have been asked to show cause within three working days for violating organization's code of conduct. The move came hours after the post-deprived Chhatra League activists postponed their protest on assurance that their demands would be met. The decision was taken based on a report submitted by a three-member probe body formed over the clash at Madhur Canteen on May 13.