FRANKFURT: Dealings in U.S. dollars virtually ceased on several Western European foreign exchanges today [May 5] as the Central Banks of West Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Finland and Spain suspended their support to the US currency in the wake of a massive new wave of monetary speculation. In Frankfurt, the Bundesbank ... which was obliged to take in nearly 1,500 million dollars to support the American currency over the past two days, suspended dealings, and the Economics Ministry in Bonn ... closed all German foreign exchange to allow authorities to examine the situation calmly. —Agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Chittagong,] Pakistan troops entered into the border outpost of Ramgarh ... thus completing the operation of sealing off the entire border with India from Comilla to Chittagong … The entire area north of Chittagong is now clear of the miscreants and Indian infiltrators.... With the completion of the operation, the escape and supply routes of the anti-state elements and miscreants have been completely cut off. The army is now carrying out mopping up operation in the interior with the help of the patriotic people. It was a two-pronged operation which started about a fortnight back.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2021