Bangladesh’s defaulted loans have surged to Tk 4.20 trillion as of March 2025, up from Tk 3.45 trillion in December 2024 — a sharp rise of Tk 74,570 crore in just one quarter. The increase is largely tied to questionable loans disbursed under the previous government, with several banks now revealing the true extent of unpaid loans. Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank, and Social Islami Bank saw notable spikes. Currently, 24.13% of total bank loans are classified as defaulted.

Two accused in a drug case escaped from the Shariatpur District and Sessions Judge Court premises on Sunday around 1 PM. The suspects, Suruj Madbor and Dulal Sheikh, were brought from Padma South Police Station for a hearing. They fled in handcuffs while being taken to the holding cell, evading police attention. Law enforcement later re-arrested Dulal Sheikh, while the search continues for Suruj Madbor. Shariatpur police confirmed the incident and assured that efforts are underway to apprehend the fugitive.

Teenage gangs are forming across Jhenaidah due to widespread drug abuse, sparking serious concern among local authorities. At a recent law and order committee meeting, officials criticized the Department of Narcotics Control for failing to act effectively. Specific hotspots of drug activity across the district were identified, with calls for stronger, more coordinated action. Community leaders, health officials, and law enforcement emphasized the urgent need for public cooperation and regular crackdowns to combat the growing crisis and save the youth from ruin.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has called for increased use of bamboo in furniture production to ease pressure on wood resources. Speaking at a post-Eid meeting with Environment Ministry officials, she highlighted bamboo’s environmental benefits, rapid growth, and availability. She directed the Forest Industries Corporation to boost bamboo furniture production and urged technological innovation through the Bamboo Research Centre. She also emphasized export potential by producing modern, sustainable, and stylish bamboo furniture to meet both local and global demand.

In response to the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant and rising dengue cases, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has issued six key health directives for all educational institutions across Bangladesh:

Frequent handwashing with soap for at least 20 seconds.

Avoiding large gatherings and wearing face masks in public.

Maintaining a minimum distance of 3 feet from infected individuals.

Refraining from touching the face with unclean hands.

Covering nose and mouth with a tissue, cloth, or elbow while coughing or sneezing.

Launching awareness campaigns involving teachers and students to prevent the spread of dengue nationwide.

The DSHE emphasized strict adherence to these measures to safeguard public health in schools and colleges.

Authorities in Gopalganj have demolished 193 illegal structures built on government land by influential figures, including former local government officials and ruling party leaders. The eviction drive targeted areas in Kotalipara Upazila such as Ghaghar Bazar and BAPARD. Despite being given a 14-day notice, the occupiers failed to remove the encroachments. The operation involved police, RAB, army, and local officials, and recovered land worth approximately Tk 25 million. Officials confirmed that similar drives will continue to reclaim illegally occupied public property.

The 200-year-old Pratappur Zamindar Estate in Feni is decaying due to years of neglect and lack of government initiative. Built in 1822, this once-majestic palace complex, still owned by zamindar heirs, attracts daily visitors despite poor maintenance, no electricity, toilets, or security. Local residents and tourists call for urgent restoration to preserve its cultural legacy and develop it into a heritage tourism site. Officials say restoration is stalled as ownership remains private, though renewed talks with heirs are underway.

A fun trip turned tragic when a college student drowned while bathing at Ruposhi Waterfall in Chattogram’s Mirsarai. Asif Uddin (24), a fourth-year student of Finance and Banking, went missing after entering a pool. His friends called emergency services after failing to locate him. Firefighters later recovered his body around 1 p.m. The incident occurred while five friends were enjoying their time at the site. The body was handed over to police and will be returned to the family after legal formalities.

Following a surge in cash withdrawals in March due to Eid-ul-Fitr spending and fears of bank instability, nearly Tk 190 billion was redeposited into banks in April. This shift signals growing public confidence in the banking sector, aided by Bangladesh Bank’s reforms and improved governance. Cash held outside banks dropped by 6.43% in April, while deposits rose by nearly Tk 20 billion. Analysts say increased liquidity will strengthen lending capacity and support investment, benefiting the overall economy.

Bangladesh’s business environment improved in May as political stability strengthened and inflation dropped to a 27-month low of 9.05%. The Bangladesh Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose by 6 points to 58.9, driven by strong growth in agriculture, manufacturing, and services. The agriculture sector expanded for the eighth straight month, while manufacturing continued its ninth month of growth. Though the construction sector remained stable, it showed no further improvement. The positive trend reflects easing cost pressures and improving investor confidence.

As tensions escalate between Iran and Israel following an Israeli strike on an Iranian nuclear facility, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called an emergency meeting. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday morning in Vienna, Austria, where the IAEA headquarters is located.

The emergency session was convened at the formal request of Russia and Venezuela, who urged the agency to address the growing crisis.

Police in Cox’s Bazar have detained 48 individuals—including 38 men and 10 women—for allegedly engaging in immoral activities during a raid in the city’s 'Cottage Zone' near the Lighthouse Point area.

Officer-in-Charge Elias Khan confirmed the operation, stating it was launched following long-standing complaints of unethical activities in the area. "The raid was conducted based on specific allegations that the Cottage Zone had become a hotspot for indecent behavior," he said.

Local residents have voiced concerns over the growing influence of a powerful syndicate comprising members of the transgender community and sex workers, which they claim has compromised the safety of both locals and tourists in the area.

“The situation has been deteriorating for some time,” one resident said. “People no longer feel safe walking through the area, especially at night.”

Police have said further investigations are underway and legal action will be taken based on the findings.

Bangladesh's garment exports to the EU grew by 25.3% in the first four months of 2025, reaching €7.54 billion—outperforming China, India, and Vietnam. This marks the highest growth among major exporters. Monthly growth peaked at 60.9% in January. Experts attribute the rise to strong global demand, timely shipments, and competitive pricing. The US market also saw a 29.3% increase in Bangladeshi apparel imports. Sustained growth, however, will depend on investments in capacity, sustainability, and technology.

In the remote char areas of the Brahmaputra River in Gaibandha’s Fulchhari Upazila, residents face severe deprivation due to lack of healthcare, secondary education, and basic infrastructure. With no hospitals, paved roads, or nearby schools, locals rely on boats and natural resilience to survive. Many children drop out of school due to long, difficult commutes. Medical emergencies often turn fatal, especially during monsoon. Despite repeated proposals, development remains stalled. Local leaders urge urgent government attention to secure basic rights for these vulnerable communities.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has issued another summons to British Member of Parliament Tulip Siddiq, in connection with a case involving the alleged illegal acquisition of a flat from Eastern Housing in Dhaka’s Gulshan area.

The ACC initially sent a notice in May, but Siddiq has reportedly claimed she has not received it. In response, the ACC has now sent new notices to five addresses in Dhaka, including two additional locations, in an effort to ensure delivery.

The case revolves around allegations that the flat in question was obtained through unlawful means, a claim the ACC is currently investigating.