Khulna University has temporarily suspended Assistant Registrar Yusuf Raihan following allegations of embezzling Tk 1.88 million from the Executive MBA (EMBA) program fund under the Business Administration Discipline. The decision was announced on Monday through a notice signed by Acting Registrar Professor Dr. S M Mahbubur Rahman. According to the university, the suspension was made to ensure a fair investigation and maintain administrative discipline. Raihan has reportedly gone into hiding since the allegations surfaced.

The university’s investigation committee found preliminary evidence supporting the embezzlement claims. Sources said Raihan was responsible for managing the EMBA program’s financial activities and allegedly forged the signatures of the discipline head and course coordinator to withdraw money from the bank. He is also accused of misappropriating students’ semester and examination fees instead of depositing them in the bank. Raihan, a nephew of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Fayekuzzaman, had previously faced allegations of nepotism and irregularities during his 2017 recruitment.

Further investigation is underway to determine the full extent of the financial misconduct and related administrative breaches.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has initiated a process to reorganize its Swechchhasebak Dal leadership as part of broader efforts to strengthen the party’s organizational structure ahead of its upcoming national council. Party sources said the new committee could be announced soon, as the current one, formed in 2022, has already expired. The move is part of BNP’s plan to separate government and party responsibilities, since the current president and general secretary of the Swechchhasebak Dal hold government positions and cannot devote sufficient time to party activities.

BNP leaders said preparations for the national council, the first in nearly a decade, are being intensified, with plans to hold it later this year or early next year. The reorganization of affiliated and district committees is also under consideration to make the party more active in the current political context. The initiative has sparked renewed enthusiasm among grassroots members.

Names under discussion for top Swechchhasebak Dal positions include senior vice president Yasin Ali, vice president Fakhrul Islam Robin, and organizational secretary Nazmul Hasan. The new committee is expected to be formed soon, according to BNP’s volunteer affairs secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu.

Cattle farmers across Bangladesh are expressing concern over potential losses ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, as the cost of animal feed has risen sharply while buyer turnout remains low. Farmers in districts such as Joypurhat, Pabna, and Bogura report that despite completing preparations for sacrificial animals, high feed prices and limited demand are squeezing profits. Many medium-sized cattle are in higher demand than large ones, but overall sales remain slow. Some farmers also claim that cattle are entering from India, adding pressure to local markets.

In Joypurhat, once home to over 65,000 dairy farms, many have closed due to rising feed and labor costs. Local officials confirm that about 326,000 animals are ready for sacrifice, exceeding local demand by over 120,000. In Pabna’s Bera upazila, supply has doubled compared to demand, with more than 92,000 animals prepared. Farmers there fear that oversupply and high costs will reduce profits. Authorities report that border surveillance has been tightened to prevent illegal cattle entry and that local administrations are ensuring animal health and market security.

Officials note that national cattle production has increased significantly, reducing dependence on imports, though farmers warn that without government support, the dairy and livestock sector could face long-term risks.

More than 400 farming families affected in Gafargaon upazila of Mymensingh have received food assistance. The distribution took place on Tuesday at the premises of the Longair Union Parishad, where Member of Parliament Akhtaruzzaman Bachchu handed over the aid packages to the farmers.

The event was chaired by Gafargaon Upazila Nirbahi Officer N M Abdullah-Al-Mamun. Among those present were Upazila Project Implementation Officer Jahangir Alam, BNP leader Sheikh Md Ishaq, Abdul Hamid Sheikh, and Longair Union Parishad administrator Fazlul Haque, along with people from various professions.

The initiative aimed to support local farmers who had suffered losses, though the source did not specify the cause or extent of the damage.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) responded firmly to what it described as an unlawful and provocative attack by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) at the Sylhet border on Monday afternoon. According to BGB’s Sylhet Battalion, BSF members suddenly opened fire near the Sonarhat border in Goainghat upazila, prompting an immediate counter-response. The exchange of gunfire ended without casualties, and the situation was brought under control. BGB confirmed the incident on Tuesday, stating that border patrols and surveillance have since been intensified.

Lieutenant Colonel Md. Nazmul, commanding officer of the 48 BGB Battalion, said the reason behind BSF’s firing remained unclear but credited BGB’s swift reaction for restoring stability and ensuring civilian safety. Local residents reportedly regained a sense of security following the incident. BGB also urged border residents to avoid unauthorized crossings or activities near the frontier.

The report linked the latest clash to a broader pattern of BGB’s strengthened stance since 2024, following repeated BSF incursions and shootings. Analysts cited in the article described BSF’s actions as long-standing human rights violations and called for stronger diplomatic measures from Bangladesh to safeguard sovereignty and border communities.

A 13-year-old boy named Siam Hossain died after being electrocuted by an irrigation pump in Naricha, Ishwardi municipality area of Pabna on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred near Naricha Moshuria High School when Siam, son of Ariful Islam, came into contact with the pump and was accidentally electrocuted. Locals rescued him in critical condition and took him to Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.

According to Ishwardi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Ashadur Rahman, authorities have been informed about the incident and will take legal action following an investigation. The accident has caused shock in the local community, highlighting safety concerns around electrical equipment used in agricultural irrigation.

Police said an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the electrocution and ensure proper legal procedures are followed.

The Bangladesh government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is preparing for a major cabinet expansion and reshuffle. According to senior government and party sources, the current 50-member cabinet may grow to around 60 members, with seven to eight new faces expected to join soon. The expansion aims to improve administrative efficiency, ensure better coordination among ministries, and enhance public service delivery. Discussions include appointing new ministers, state ministers, and advisers, with some senior and female MPs, as well as representatives from allied parties, likely to be included.

Officials said the move follows the prime minister’s observation of performance gaps among some ministers and state ministers. The expansion is also seen as part of a broader strategy to accelerate decision-making for building a “Smart Bangladesh.” Several BNP leaders and coalition partners are being considered for inclusion, while a few may be appointed under the technocrat quota. The exact date for the announcement remains undecided.

Political analysts view the recent reassignment of ministerial duties and adviser appointments as early signs of a larger cabinet restructuring expected to strengthen the government’s future operations.

Students in Chattogram have demanded the withdrawal of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Amirul Islam of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) North Zone, alleging that he physically touched a female student during a graffiti activity on the Shaheed Wasim Akram Flyover. The allegations were presented at a press conference held on Tuesday afternoon in Dampara, Kotwali, where student representatives, including Chaudhury Saiful Iqbal, outlined six specific demands.

According to student Nusrat Jahan Binti, police officers obstructed them while they were painting graffiti on Monday and attempted to detain several participants. She claimed that DC Amirul personally touched one of their female colleagues during the altercation. The students said they informed the CMP Commissioner about the incident. Saiful Iqbal added that although CMP had banned gatherings and rallies, they were not holding any such event, only painting graffiti. He further alleged that police used unnecessary force under an officer’s direction.

Students also expressed concern that their phone numbers, submitted to the CMP Commissioner’s office, later appeared on political Facebook pages, which they viewed as a security risk. They called for a fair investigation and measures to prevent future harassment.

Bangladesh has initiated the process of increasing electricity prices at both wholesale and retail levels. Power generation and distribution companies have submitted proposals to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), which began a two-day public hearing in Dhaka on Wednesday. The proposals suggest raising wholesale rates by 17 to 21 percent and retail rates by 14.21 to 17.76 percent. Distribution companies aim to implement the new rates from early June, pending final approval.

According to the Power Division, the government currently incurs a loss of about five taka per unit of electricity, with production costs exceeding 12 taka per unit while the average selling price remains just over seven taka. Despite a subsidy of 38,637 crore taka in fiscal year 2024–25, the sector still recorded a loss of 17,021 crore taka. The government seeks to reduce subsidies by 10,000 to 16,000 crore taka through the proposed price adjustments. Experts have criticized the move, linking it to long-standing mismanagement and corruption in the sector.

The Power Development Board has also proposed revising the consumer slab structure to reduce subsidies for wealthier users while protecting low-income households.

At least six workers from the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) went missing after two passenger trawlers collided head-on on the Mongla River in Bagerhat on Tuesday night. The accident occurred around 9 p.m. near the Mongla ferry terminal area. Witnesses and survivors reported that about 50 workers boarded a trawler after their factory shift ended, and it collided with another passenger trawler coming from the opposite direction, throwing around 20 people into the river.

Local residents helped rescue several workers who managed to swim ashore, but five to six people remain missing. Following the incident, the Fire Service, Coast Guard, Navy, and police launched a joint rescue operation. According to Mongla Police Station’s officer-in-charge Atikur Rahman, the search operation is ongoing in the river to locate the missing workers.

Authorities continue the search efforts, with local assistance, to recover those still unaccounted for in the Mongla River.

The Ministry of Finance of Bangladesh has announced that starting July 1, all government revenues and receipts must be deposited into the Treasury Single Account (TSA) through the e-challan system. A circular issued by the Finance Division on Tuesday also instructed that all funds currently held in government accounts at commercial banks be transferred to the Bangladesh Bank’s TSA by June 30.

According to the circular, any alternative payment methods maintained by government offices must be discontinued immediately. The decision aims to strengthen government cash management and ensure real-time deposits of public funds. The ministry noted that manual deposits through commercial banks had made it difficult to determine the government’s actual cash position.

The circular further explained that funds held in government accounts at commercial banks could not be used promptly when needed, prompting the move to centralize all deposits under the Treasury Single Account system.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the country's law and order situation has deteriorated, but the government refuses to acknowledge it. He made the remarks on Tuesday night after visiting injured physician Dr. Nasir Islam at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, who was attacked in Shariatpur. Rahman questioned why citizens feel unsafe if the situation is truly good, calling the government's claims deceptive.

He demanded a fair investigation into the assault on Dr. Nasir and urged that those responsible be brought to justice. Rahman warned that if the state fails to ensure doctors’ safety, the entire healthcare system and the public will suffer. He called on the government to take effective measures to protect citizens and professionals.

Dr. Nasir was attacked by relatives of a deceased patient at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital after being accused of negligence. He was later airlifted to Dhaka for treatment and remains hospitalized.

The bodies of four expatriate brothers who died mysteriously inside a car in Oman’s South Al Batinah region have arrived in Bangladesh. The remains reached Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday aboard a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. Member of Parliament Hummam Quader Chowdhury handed over the bodies to their relatives at the airport, expressing condolences and praising the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and the embassy for arranging the repatriation swiftly.

According to the report, the ministry provided financial assistance of 35,000 taka per body for transportation and burial. The four brothers—Rashedul Islam, Sahedul Islam, Sirajul Islam, and Shahidul Islam—were sons of the late Jamal Uddin from Banderaj Para village in Lalangar Union, Rangunia, Chattogram. Their bodies were taken to Rangunia on Tuesday night, and they were scheduled to be buried after funeral prayers on Wednesday morning.

Earlier, on May 13, the brothers reportedly died from suffocation caused by toxic air conditioner gas inside their car in Oman’s Al Muladdah area.

An inter-batch futsal tournament was held at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research of Dhaka University under the patronage of Md. Tarikul Islam Tarik, Joint General Secretary of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Central Committee. The three-day competition, managed by students of the 16th batch, featured seven teams from different batches. In the final match, the 17th batch defeated the 16th batch 2–0 in a tiebreaker after a goalless draw in regular and extra time.

Following the final, trophies and prizes were awarded to the champion and runner-up teams by Institute Director Dr. Mahbuba Sultana and Student Adviser Dr. Sheikh Touhidul Islam. Rakibuzzaman Ratul of the 17th batch was named best player of the final, while his teammate Mahmudul Hasan Tanvir was chosen as the tournament’s best player. Jalal Ahmed of the 17th batch was recognized as best goalkeeper, and Mehedi Hasan Toru of the 16th batch as top scorer.

Tarikul Islam Tarik stated that such sports events encourage youth participation in healthy activities and foster mutual harmony and psychological development among students.

Four student organizations at Jahangirnagar University—JAKSU, Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir, and Chhatra Shakti—have strongly condemned incidents of harassment, threats, and attempts to incite mobs against journalists performing their professional duties on campus. The statements were issued on Tuesday, May 19, following reports that some students had verbally abused and intimidated journalists over news coverage.

In separate press releases, the organizations described the actions as unacceptable and contrary to the principles of free expression and democratic values. JAKSU leaders emphasized that campus journalists play a vital role in exposing irregularities and protecting student rights, while Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir called for responsible behavior and a safe environment for free and objective journalism. Chhatra Shakti also denounced threats to journalists’ careers and urged immediate administrative action.

All four groups demanded a fair and impartial investigation by the university administration, exemplary punishment for those involved, and effective measures to ensure journalists’ safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.