State Minister for Shipping Rajib Ahsan conducted an unannounced inspection of several government offices in Barishal on Tuesday morning. Arriving around 9:30 a.m., he found that most officers and employees were absent, and many did not recognize him. The minister expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of attendance and questioned the regularity of office operations.

During the visit, Ahsan toured various rooms of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) offices but did not find any senior officials present. He gathered information on attendance and noted the situation. Although some staff members were present, he inquired about how services were being managed without officers on duty.

Speaking briefly to journalists afterward, the minister remarked that he had observed the same situation they witnessed. He indicated that such surprise inspections would continue in the future to ensure discipline and accountability in government offices. After completing his inspection at the launch terminal, he departed for Mehendiganj by speedboat.

The central government of India has taken control of several highways in the strategically vital Siliguri Corridor, also known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’, in West Bengal. According to a notification issued by the state’s chief secretary, the new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government transferred seven roads to the National Highways Authority of India and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited. These roads were previously managed by the state’s Public Works Department, and five of them pass directly through the corridor.

Experts believe this transfer will accelerate road expansion and repair work in the area. Military observers note that improved road infrastructure will enhance the speed and ease of troop movement in the region. The corridor, only 22 kilometers long, connects mainland India with its northeastern states and lies close to the borders of Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.

Analysts view the move as a significant step for national security, following years of central-level discussions on infrastructure expansion in the area since the 2017 Doklam standoff involving India, Bhutan, and China.

Hollywood actress Hannah Einbinder, known for her role in the comedy-drama series 'Hacks', reaffirmed her support for Palestinian rights during the 'Kering Women in Motion Talks' at the Cannes Film Festival. She said she would continue to speak out for Palestinians despite potential professional risks, emphasizing that fear of being blacklisted would not silence her. Einbinder described speaking up as a responsibility, stating that her career could never outweigh a human life.

She expressed pride in being part of the ongoing voices of Palestinians and their allies, adding that artists have a duty not only to entertain but also to stand against injustice. At Cannes, her new film 'Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma' premiered in the 'Un Certain Regard' section and received a six-minute standing ovation. In the film, she plays 'Chris', an independent filmmaker exploring themes of sexuality, body discomfort, identity, and desire.

Einbinder also reflected on the emotional end of 'Hacks', noting her sadness at saying goodbye to her character Ava. Her outspoken stance on social and political issues continues to distinguish her in Hollywood.

Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) in Dinajpur has temporarily expelled four students for alleged involvement in unethical and antisocial activities that violated institutional discipline. The decision was confirmed on Tuesday through an office order signed by Registrar Professor Dr. Md. Abu Hasan. The expelled students are from the Faculty of Fisheries and the Department of Finance and Banking.

According to the order, three of the students were found engaging in antisocial behavior on May 16 at the nearby Haven City student hostel, an act deemed damaging to the university’s reputation. The administration cited Section 15 of the University Ordinance of Students Discipline as the basis for the temporary expulsion.

Professor Dr. S. M. Emdadul Hasan, Director of the Student Counseling and Guidance Department, stated that the action followed demands from general students. He added that if the allegations are proven in the investigation, the students may face permanent expulsion.

A murder case has been filed in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, 48 hours after a woman was killed while trying to save her son from an attack. The case names ten accused, including local leaders of the BNP and Chhatra Dal, as well as seven to eight unidentified individuals. The complaint was lodged on Monday night by the victim’s son, Abdur Rahman, at Ukhiya Police Station. The deceased, 55-year-old Chhoyeda Khatun, was a resident of the Rajapalong Union’s Taipalong village and wife of Sabbir Ahmed.

According to the case statement, the incident occurred on Saturday night when a group of men attacked Abdur Rahman over a previous dispute. When his mother intervened to protect him, the attackers allegedly beat her to death. The named accused include several BNP and Chhatra Dal leaders, a government ambulance driver, and other local figures.

Ukhiya Police Station’s officer-in-charge Mujibur Rahman confirmed that the case was accepted based on the written complaint and that operations are underway to arrest the suspects.

Singapore has expressed its intention to expand trade and investment in Bangladesh. The announcement came during a courtesy meeting between Singapore’s non-resident High Commissioner Derek Loh and Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir at the Secretariat on Tuesday. Discussions covered reducing the bilateral trade deficit, increasing Singaporean investment, cooperation in renewable energy, agricultural exports, food security, and environmentally friendly industries.

Minister Muktadir said Bangladesh is eager to strengthen trade and investment relations with Singapore, highlighting the country’s investment-friendly environment, improved infrastructure, skilled workforce, and export-oriented industries. He noted that there are significant opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, food processing, renewable energy, logistics, port infrastructure, and green industries.

High Commissioner Loh emphasized Singapore’s interest in major projects such as the Bay Terminal, describing it as a key initiative involving an investment of around USD 800 million to 1 billion. He said the project would enhance port efficiency, reduce demurrage costs, and create new opportunities for exporters, while also helping to attract further foreign investment.

Iran is preparing to hold a parliamentary vote on a bill proposing a bounty for the killing of U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper. The proposal, introduced under the title “Countermeasures by the Islamic Republic’s Military and Security Forces,” would formalize a reward of 50 million euros for their deaths. Officials said the move responds to a February attack allegedly targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which Tehran blames on the three figures.

National Security Commission chairman Ebrahim Azizi said the bill represents a necessary retaliatory measure. Another commission member, Mahmoud Nabavian, stated that parliament would soon vote on the proposal and warned that any renewed military assault on Iran would bring a “devastating” response. Analysts cited in the report noted that turning religious or political threats into a formal legislative act could further escalate tensions among Iran, the United States, and Israel.

The report also recalled Trump’s earlier warning that any Iranian assassination attempt against him would provoke an “extremely severe” U.S. response, while a campaign called “Blood Covenant” claimed to have raised over $27 million to target Trump.

The Burimari land port in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat will remain closed for all import and export activities for eight days due to the Eid-ul-Azha holidays and weekly closures. The suspension will be in effect from May 25 to June 1, halting trade between Bangladesh, India, and Bhutan. However, immigration services for passport-holding travelers will continue as usual through the Burimari check post, according to port officials.

The Burimari C&F Agents Association issued a notice on Monday confirming the closure. Mustafa Salauddin Opel, president of the Burimari Importers and Exporters Association, stated that trade operations will resume on June 2. Saifur Rahman, the immigration police officer-in-charge, reiterated that passenger movement will not be affected. Assistant Commissioner of Customs Motlubur Rahman added that the National Board of Revenue has directed all customs houses and land customs stations to remain partially open, except on Eid day, to ensure continuity of national trade.

Limited internal administrative work will continue at the Burimari customs station during the closure period, following the NBR directive.

An eight-year-old girl named Ramisa was found murdered in her home in Dhaka’s Pallabi area on Tuesday. Police said the child was alone when she was killed by having her throat slit, allegedly by a neighbor identified as Sohel Rana, aged 32. The incident occurred between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. at a house on Road No. 7 near Millat Camp in Mirpur-11, Block B. Police recovered the body and sent it for autopsy after completing legal procedures.

According to preliminary investigation, Sohel Rana, a resident of the adjacent house, fled the scene after committing the crime. The victim, Ramisa, was the daughter of rickshaw mechanic Hannan and Parvin from Shialdi village in Sirajdikhan, Munshiganj. Police have detained Sohel Rana’s wife, Swapna, for questioning. The motive behind the killing remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing.

The incident has caused shock in the local community, and police have launched an operation to arrest the fugitive suspect.

A Sirajganj court has sentenced two men to life imprisonment for the murder of cloth trader Jafar Pramanik in Enayetpur. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday afternoon by Md. Nazrul Islam, judge of the Sirajganj Additional District and Sessions Judge Court-3. Both convicts, Shah Ali of Dattabari in Sirajganj municipality and Manjil Hossain of Talgachi village in Shahjadpur, were also fined Tk 20,000 each, with one year of imprisonment in default. The convicts were absent during the verdict, and arrest warrants have been issued against them.

According to the case documents, Jafar Pramanik, a resident of Goprekhi village and owner of a handloom factory, was attacked on November 4, 2011, while returning home from Bogura after selling cloth. The assailants attempted to snatch his money and fatally injured him with sharp weapons, taking Tk 16,000 before fleeing. Police later found him injured by the roadside, but he was declared dead at Sirajganj General Hospital.

Police arrested Manjil Hossain first using technology, followed by Shah Ali based on his information. Both confessed to their involvement, leading to the court’s life sentence after a lengthy trial.

A Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) team from Faridpur arrested one person with 220 bottles of Phensedyl during an operation at Goaland Mor in Rajbari district headquarters on Tuesday morning. The detainee, identified as Shahinur, 25, is a resident of Daulatpur upazila in Kushtia district. RAB also seized a Nasimon vehicle allegedly used for transporting the drugs.

According to a press briefing, RAB stated that the arrested individual is a professional drug dealer who had been supplying Phensedyl and other narcotics from border areas to different parts of the country for a long time. Faridpur RAB-10 Assistant Director (Media) and Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police Tapas Karmakar said the process of handing over the detainee to the concerned police station is underway.

RAB officials added that their operations against drugs, illegal arms, terrorism, and extortion will continue across the region.

Police in Chattogram recovered the body of a man named Noren Dhar, aged 38, from the premises of the Indian Assistant High Commission located in the city’s Khulshi area on Tuesday morning. The body was sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy after being found around 9:30 a.m. A senior officer from the city’s north zone police confirmed the recovery, noting that all procedures were followed as the incident occurred inside a foreign mission. The mission reportedly requested confidentiality regarding the matter.

Police suspect that Noren Dhar worked at the Indian Assistant High Commission, but the cause of his death remains unclear. Authorities have not disclosed whether any signs of injury, conflict, or suspicious evidence were found at the scene. The officer stated that the cause of death would be confirmed after receiving the autopsy report. Police have yet to gather detailed information about Dhar’s identity or occupation. Attempts to contact officials at the Indian Assistant High Commission for comment were unsuccessful.

Local witnesses said they saw police and an ambulance at the mission in the morning before the body was taken away.

Thakurgaon University will commence its academic activities from the 2026–2027 academic year, according to its first Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Israfil Shaheen. He made the announcement during a meeting with journalists at the Thakurgaon Press Club auditorium on Tuesday afternoon.

During the event, Professor Shaheen emphasized the vital role of the media in promoting education, research, cultural practice, and the development of a modern knowledge-based society. He stated that the university’s initial preparations have already been successfully completed.

The Vice-Chancellor sought cooperation from people across the district to help establish Thakurgaon University as an internationally recognized institution and to uphold the pride of the region. The meeting was organized by the Thakurgaon Press Club and attended by its acting president Lutfur Rahman Mithu, senior journalist Abdul Latif, and other local media representatives and dignitaries.

A three-day land service fair began in Jianagar upazila of Pirojpur on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. The event, held at the Upazila Land Office premises under the slogan “Protected Land, Prosperous Future,” featured a discussion on citizen-friendly automated land management, a student quiz competition, and a colorful rally. The fair was inaugurated by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Hasan Md. Hafizur Rahman.

Local leaders and representatives, including the Upazila BNP president, vice chairman, former member secretary, and press club officials, attended the opening ceremony along with land service seekers from various unions. In his speech, the UNO emphasized that the land office should serve as a center for public service and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to ensuring citizen access to land-related services.

The fair aims to promote awareness about digital and automated land services, aligning with government directives to improve transparency and efficiency in land administration.

Journalists at Jahangirnagar University were reportedly obstructed and harassed while performing their professional duties. The incident drew strong condemnation, deep concern, and protest from the university unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD). The statement was issued on Tuesday through a press release signed by the organization’s office secretary Abdullah Antor.

In a joint statement, JCD unit convener Zahir Uddin Mohammad Babor and member secretary Wasim Ahmed Anik emphasized that the media is a vital pillar of a democratic state. They stated that journalists play an important role in serving society and the state through truthful and objective reporting. The leaders described any obstruction to journalists’ freedom to gather and publish information on campus as alarming and contrary to freedom of expression.

The student leaders further urged all students, journalists, and related parties to act responsibly and maintain mutual respect to preserve a peaceful, democratic, and normal academic environment on campus.