Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh’s southernmost district, has become a focal point for yaba trafficking and tobacco cultivation despite ongoing law enforcement operations. The district’s proximity to Myanmar through land and sea routes has made it a key entry point for drugs. In recent months, authorities have seized millions of yaba tablets in multiple operations across Teknaf and Ukhiya, yet the flow continues. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to the district has prompted local calls for stronger anti-drug measures.

Law enforcement officials report that about 80 percent of yaba enters Bangladesh via sea routes along the Ukhiya-Teknaf and Naikhyangchhari borders. Despite frequent raids and court verdicts, many key traffickers remain at large. Meanwhile, economic hardship and unemployment have driven many locals into the drug trade. Police officials warn that enforcement alone cannot solve the problem without broader social and economic reforms.

Alongside the drug crisis, tobacco farming has rapidly expanded across 27 unions along the Bankkhali and Matamuhuri rivers, replacing food and flower crops. Experts and officials warn that the spread of tobacco cultivation is depleting soil fertility, damaging forests, and threatening local ecosystems.

Bangladesh national team cricketer Nayeem Hasan has alleged that he was assaulted and harassed by individuals identifying themselves as members of the Detective Branch (DB) in Chattogram late Friday night. According to Nayeem, he was stopped near Lalkhan Bazar after arriving from the airport, questioned, and then physically assaulted before being taken to Khulshi Police Station, where he faced further mistreatment. He said he was released only after the officer-in-charge recognized him.

The Khulshi Police Station officer-in-charge, Ariful Islam, confirmed that Nayeem was brought in based on information from another agency about alleged smuggling activities. He stated that Sub-Inspector Shafik acted without informing him and that a preliminary investigation found Shafik at fault, leading to his removal from duty. Police later searched Nayeem’s bag and found nothing illegal or suspicious.

The incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many in the sports community calling for a proper investigation and accountability for the mistreatment of a national athlete.

Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) prevented an attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push 12 people, including women and children, into Bangladesh through the Daulatpur border in Kushtia early Friday morning. The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. near the Chak Bilgatuya–Pragpur border area. Local residents alerted the Pragpur BOP camp, prompting BGB personnel to intervene and stop the group from entering Bangladesh. The individuals then retreated about 50 yards inside Indian territory near the zero line.

According to BGB and local sources, the 12 individuals claimed to be Bangladeshi citizens from families in Chapainawabganj, Satkhira, and Khulna districts. They are currently staying on the Indian side adjacent to the Pragpur border. To maintain control, BGB and local residents have remained on alert in the area.

BGB has formally requested a flag meeting with BSF to resolve the situation peacefully, but no positive response had been received at the time of reporting. The border area remains tense, with BGB closely monitoring developments.

A major tender scandal has surfaced inside Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB), where senior officials are accused of manipulating the international bidding process to award the Narsingdi Madhabpur–Monohardi substation project to a blacklisted company. Despite a board decision in 2025 banning Energypac Engineering Limited from all PGCB tenders until 2028 for severe negligence and financial irregularities, insiders allegedly helped the firm re-enter under a joint venture with a little-known local company, Rivary Power and Automation Engineering.

The scheme reportedly sidelined several leading Chinese state-owned firms that had submitted bids, prompting concerns of diplomatic strain between Bangladesh and China. A Chinese company, CMC, has formally written to the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, alleging bias and demanding suspension of the tender and an independent investigation. A top security agency has also begun probing the alleged masterminds and hidden financial transactions.

Officials fear the controversy could damage Bangladesh’s credibility with international partners such as the Asian Development Bank and World Bank, both financiers of the project, and jeopardize future foreign investment in the power sector.

Transport owners and workers have announced a strike in five districts under Khulna and Barishal divisions, starting Sunday, June 14. The decision was confirmed by Fakir Shahidul Islam, general secretary of the Bagerhat Inter-District Bus, Minibus, Coach and Microbus Owners’ Association. The strike will cover Bagerhat, Khulna, Pirojpur, Jhalokathi and Barishal districts, halting all types of vehicle movement. The groups said their three-point demand, including a ban on illegal three-wheelers on highways, remains unmet despite several meetings with local authorities.

The demands include stopping unauthorized BRTC and leased vehicles, removing illegal counters, ending local passenger pickups by long-distance buses, and banning unlicensed three-wheelers on regional highways. According to the association, repeated assurances from the administration have not led to any resolution, prompting the joint decision by owners and unions.

Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Mohammad Baten stated that the administration is aware of the three-point demand and discussions are ongoing to prevent an indefinite strike on highways.

Life Cycle BD organized a colorful bicycle rally in Dhaka on Friday morning to mark World Blood Donor Day. The rally, led by Mohammad Selim Uddin, Dhaka North Jamaat-e-Islami chief and mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation, started from Manik Mia Avenue beside the National Parliament and passed through Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Hatirjheel, and Madhubagh before returning to its starting point. Several thousand participants joined the event.

In his welcome speech, Selim Uddin criticized the national budget, saying it failed to reflect public aspirations and favored loan defaulters. He urged young people to stand against injustice and contribute to building a healthy and livable Dhaka. Addressing blood donors, he emphasized that one bag of blood can save a life and described blood donation as both humanitarian service and an act of worship.

Selim Uddin also noted the lack of modern blood storage facilities in hospitals and announced plans to establish a digital blood donor network. The event was conducted by Life Cycle BD director Touhidul Islam Riaz and attended by several advisers and officials.

A mobile court in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj sentenced a 32-year-old man named Ramzan Mia to one year of imprisonment and a fine of 500 taka for drug abuse. The sentencing took place late Saturday night in Paschim Joypur village, where Bahubal Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Ujjal Roy conducted the mobile court proceedings.

According to local sources, Ramzan Mia, son of Moin Ullah, had consumed drugs and behaved aggressively with his family members, causing panic at home. The family then informed the local administration, prompting officials to take immediate action. Upon receiving the report, the administration arranged a mobile court session that issued the jail term and fine, with an additional 15 days of imprisonment in case of non-payment.

Executive Magistrate Ujjal Roy stated that drug abuse poses a serious threat to both families and society, contributing to social unrest and domestic violence.

The 57th director general-level border conference between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) concluded in New Delhi on Thursday after four days of discussions. Bangladesh raised key issues including border killings, push-in attempts, drug and arms smuggling, illegal infrastructure within 150 yards of the border, and water-sharing concerns. However, the Indian side reportedly refrained from agreeing to any binding measures or timelines, prompting dissatisfaction in Dhaka. Notably, the traditional joint press briefing was canceled, with both sides issuing separate statements a day apart.

According to Dhaka-based sources cited in the report, most outcomes were limited to diplomatic language about cooperation and joint efforts, without measurable progress. Bangladesh expressed particular concern over continued border killings, push-in incidents, and India’s construction activities violating international norms. The BGB also highlighted drug trafficking routes and armed group activities across the border, but India offered no specific commitments. The absence of a joint briefing and lack of concrete results have fueled speculation about deep-seated differences between the two sides.

The next BGB-BSF conference is scheduled to take place in Dhaka in November, where unresolved issues are expected to resurface.

Six people have been arrested in connection with an attack, vandalism, and looting at a Coast Guard floating station near Harbaria in Mongla upazila of Bagerhat district. The incident occurred on Thursday night, and the detainees include the wife, mother, and sister of missing fisherman Miraj, who has been named as the prime accused. The arrested individuals were detained during a special operation in the Joymoni area and later handed over to Mongla police before being sent to court.

According to reports, three Coast Guard members were seriously injured in the attack. Local residents said the assault may have been triggered by anger and dissatisfaction over the disappearance of fisherman Miraj, which had caused tension in the area. However, Coast Guard and administrative officials described the incident as a planned attack possibly involving an organized group.

Authorities have tightened security in the area as tensions remain high following the violent incident.

Soheli Islam, 42, died on Thursday after being injured in a snatching incident near Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in Dhaka. The incident occurred around 6:15 a.m. on Sunday when two helmeted snatchers on a motorcycle pulled her vanity bag, causing her to fall from a moving rickshaw. She sustained severe head injuries and was hospitalized for four days before succumbing to her injuries.

Soheli was returning to her Dhanmondi home from a relative’s wedding in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, accompanied by her daughter Somaiya Alam. Locals rescued her after the fall and took her to a nearby hospital, later transferring her to Anwar Khan Modern Medical College Hospital as her condition worsened. Her body was later taken to Ishwardi in Pabna for burial.

Family members said they could not file a case immediately due to the absence of close relatives in Dhaka but are preparing to take legal action. Police stated they have not yet received any complaint and are investigating the incident after learning about it from media reports.

The Forest Department has arrested eleven honey collectors with 1,000 kilograms of honey for allegedly collecting it illegally in the Sundarbans. The arrests took place on Friday morning in the Pinmari canal area under the Tengra Khali forest patrol station of the Satkhira range in the western Sundarbans. Two boats used by the group were also seized, and cases were filed under forest laws before sending them to court.

All detainees are residents of Sora village in Gabura Union of Shyamnagar upazila, Satkhira. Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Mashiur Rahman stated that the group entered the forest during a restriction period and were caught while returning with honey. However, the arrested individuals claimed they had entered the forest after making a financial agreement with a person they identified as a broker linked to the Forest Department. The ACF said the allegation would be investigated.

The Forest Department has imposed a three-month ban from June 1 on all entry and resource collection in the Sundarbans to protect its biodiversity and wildlife.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has added six new leaders to its highest policymaking body, the Political Council. The announcement was made in a press release issued by Sadia Farzana Dinar from the party’s office cell late Thursday night. With the inclusion of these members, the council now comprises 18 individuals.

According to the release, the appointments were made under the directives of NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain. The newly added members are Joint Conveners and Members of Parliament Nusrat Tabassum, Sarowar Tushar, and Ali Ahsan Junaid; Joint Member Secretaries Akram Hossain and Saleh Uddin Sifat; and Joint Chief Organizer and MP Dr. Mahmuda Mitu. Earlier, MPs Dr. Atik Mujahid and Abdullah Al Amin were also inducted into the council.

The Political Council’s other ten members include senior party figures such as Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam, Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, and several regional and organizational coordinators.

Six individuals were detained in Sadullapur upazila of Gaibandha after allegedly slaughtering horses and attempting to sell the meat. The incident occurred on Friday morning in Khodda Rasulpur village under Jamalpur Union. Locals, upon learning about the activity at a rice mill in Mongla Port area, detained the suspects and handed them over to police. Law enforcement officers seized the horse meat and buried it on site.

Sadullapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahmudul Hasan visited the scene and brought the situation under control. He stated that the authorities would take the highest legal action against those involved. Officer-in-Charge Habibul Islam of Sadullapur Police Station confirmed the incident and said legal proceedings would follow.

Attempts to contact the upazila livestock officer for comment were unsuccessful, leaving some details about the animals and the motive behind the slaughter unclear.

Bangladesh advanced to the semifinals of the under-20 category in the ongoing International Handball Federation (IHF) Trophy tournament in Dhaka. On Friday, the host team defeated the Maldives by 39–17 in their second group-stage match, securing a place in the semifinals. Bangladesh will face Yemen in the first semifinal on Saturday.

Sumal Tonchongya, who played a key role in the victory against the Maldives, said the win was a result of strong teamwork and expressed happiness at earning his first international award. He added that the team had been confident from the first match and that his performance reflected that belief.

Earlier in the day, India beat Bangladesh 39–35 in the under-18 category. Bangladesh will next face Nepal in the under-18 division on Saturday, while India will play Afghanistan the same day.

A mobile court in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj fined a Union Parishad member Tk 300,000 for illegally cutting a hill and selling soil. The penalty was imposed on Friday evening in the Madhupur hilly area. The convicted official, Shamim Ahmed, a member of the Satkapon Union Parishad, was also sentenced to six months of simple imprisonment in case of non-payment.

According to the upazila administration, the fine followed proof that soil was being sold after cutting a hill in the Madhupur area. The operation was led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Ujjal Roy, who stated that the action was taken based on allegations of environmental damage and destruction of natural land structure caused by the illegal activity.

The case highlights the local administration’s enforcement efforts against environmental violations in hilly regions of Habiganj.