India is seeking to open a new chapter in its relationship with Bangladesh by giving Prime Minister Tarique Rahman the benefit of the doubt. During a discussion with a visiting Bangladeshi media delegation in Delhi, former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh and NatStrat chief Pankaj Saran said India hopes the new government in Dhaka will act wisely to strengthen bilateral relations and avoid the tensions that marked 2001–2006, when Delhi’s security concerns were ignored.

Saran emphasized that national security remains India’s top priority in relations with its neighbors and that India wants close ties with Bangladesh, distinct from its strained relationship with Pakistan. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi promptly congratulated Rahman after the election, and Rahman responded the next day, signaling goodwill. Saran also confirmed that veteran politician Dinesh Trivedi has been appointed India’s new High Commissioner to Bangladesh, reflecting Modi’s personal trust.

He discussed issues including border killings, water sharing, Sheikh Hasina’s asylum in Delhi, and regional geopolitics, stressing that both countries must cooperate on security and border management to prevent extremism and strengthen mutual trust.

A large number of students have been absent from the ongoing 2026 SSC, Dakhil, and equivalent examinations under 11 education boards in Bangladesh. Each day, between 25,000 and 35,000 students are missing from exams, with the highest absentee rates recorded under the Madrasa Education Board, followed by the Technical Board. Despite completing ten years of schooling and filling out exam forms, many students are not attending, raising concern among education officials. No coordinated or effective measures have yet been taken by the boards to address the issue.

According to reports from the Dhaka Education Board and other authorities, four main factors are driving the high absenteeism: early marriage among girls, illness, poor exam preparation, and financial hardship leading students to join the workforce. Data from 2025 showed that 41 percent of absentees, mostly girls, missed exams due to marriage, while 25 percent cited illness. The problem is more severe in rural areas than in cities. The Dhaka Board plans to continue investigative efforts to better understand and reduce dropout rates in future examinations.

A young man named Saddam Hossain died after being electrocuted in Chuadanga on Monday night. He was the son of Alam Hossain from the Farmpara area of Chuadanga municipality. According to family members, Saddam went to collect mangoes near the BADC farm beside his house during a storm and rain when he came into contact with an electric wire and was seriously injured. Locals took him to the emergency department of Chuadanga Sadar Hospital, where Dr. Tarek Rahman Junaid declared him dead.

Chuadanga Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mizanur Rahman confirmed that he had received information about the incident, stating that the young man died from electrocution during the late-night storm. The report did not mention any further investigation or official statement beyond this confirmation.

The incident highlights the dangers of exposed electrical wires during storms in residential and agricultural areas, though no additional safety measures or official responses were reported in the source.

A brutal attack took place in Feni on Monday night when a group of assailants stabbed a student leader in the Mohipal area. The victim, identified as Abtahi Hossain Tahi, serves as the general secretary of the Mohipal Government College unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. Witnesses and police sources reported that the attackers ambushed him and stabbed him in the back with a sharp knife. He was rescued with the weapon still lodged in his body and initially taken to a local hospital before being transferred to Chittagong Medical College Hospital due to his critical condition.

According to family and party sources, the attack was allegedly led by a known local drug dealer named Khurshid. The victim’s family is preparing to file a case regarding the incident. Police have not yet confirmed any arrests or further details about the suspects.

The attack has raised concerns about political and criminal violence in the area, though no official statement has been released by authorities at the time of reporting.

On Monday evening, the Tigerpass area of Chattogram transformed into a vibrant space of political and cultural expression as walls became canvases for the “July Graffiti” initiative. Organized by the city corporation, the event drew young people, artists, and residents who painted faces of protest, slogans, and memories on the walls. Similar graffiti programs were also held nearby under the banners of NCP and Ganaadhikar Parishad, all reflecting themes of remembrance, protest, and political identity.

Earlier in the day, police had stopped a group of students attempting to paint graffiti at Tigerpass, sparking brief tension. The students said their work was not political but an act of rewriting history, protesting the erasure of July Movement graffiti. The tension followed allegations that such graffiti had been removed, leading to confrontations between BNP and NCP activists on Sunday night.

Authorities imposed Section 144 from Lalkhan Bazar to Tigerpass and deployed extra police to maintain order. Despite restrictions, the evening saw a return of color and expression, blending administrative control, political presence, and spontaneous youth participation.

NCP’s South Region chief organizer and Cumilla-4 Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah cautioned police officers against aligning with any political party, saying such actions would lead to negative consequences. Speaking as the chief guest at a roadside rally in Brahmanpara Sadar, Cumilla, on Monday, May 18, he urged law enforcement to serve as the people’s police rather than as enforcers for any political group.

In his speech, Abdullah criticized the Chattogram mayor and condemned recent police actions against students, recalling their role in the July Movement. He accused the mayor of hypocrisy for labeling past elections under Hasina as illegal while defending his own, and denounced the use of police against students. Referring to attempts to erase July Movement graffiti, he questioned the authorities’ fear of such symbols.

Abdullah emphasized ensuring police professionalism and independence, warning against repeating past abuses of power. He also dismissed the relevance of a former ruling party that fled the country, asserting that its return would endanger students’ safety.

Bangladesh’s senior cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim scored his 14th Test century during the ongoing Test match against Pakistan in Sylhet, setting a new national record. His disciplined and determined batting helped Bangladesh build a strong position in the match. Mushfiqur reached his half-century off 103 balls with one six and three boundaries, later converting it into a century that placed him ahead of Mominul Haque, who has 13 Test centuries. His innings featured a crucial 123-run partnership with Liton Das and valuable contributions with the tailenders, adding 112 runs to the team’s total.

Mushfiqur’s performance came after a modest first innings of 23 runs, showing his resilience and focus in the second innings. His leadership and experience were evident as he guided younger and lower-order players, including Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shariful Islam, and Nahid Rana, through the innings. Taijul later noted that batting alongside a senior like Mushfiqur made the game easier and more instructive.

With this century, Mushfiqur now holds Bangladesh’s records for most Test matches (102), most runs, longest Test career (21 years), and most centuries, reinforcing his status as a cornerstone of the national team.

A van driver was killed in a collision between a truck and a battery-powered van in Lalpur upazila of Natore on Monday evening. The accident occurred around 7:15 p.m. in the Chaknazirpur market area when a truck, registration number Dhaka Metro-T 16-8315, traveling from Lalpur to Bonpara, hit the van head-on. The truck was being driven by helper Md. Israil Hossain, 31, instead of the main driver.

According to local sources, the speeding truck collided with the van coming from the opposite direction, leaving van driver Zakir Ali Khan, 55, dead on the spot. The deceased was a resident of Uttar Lalpur village. Police detained Israil Hossain along with the truck immediately after the incident.

Lalpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiqul Islam confirmed the incident, stating that the body had been recovered and legal procedures were underway. Police have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident.

In Nabinagar of Brahmanbaria, a contractor has been accused of withdrawing Tk 22.9 million before completing a road development project under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). The five-kilometer Aliyabad–Gopalpur road, costing Tk 26 million, remains largely unfinished despite the project’s deadline having expired. Locals report that the road has become nearly impassable, filled with potholes and waterlogging, causing severe hardship for thousands of residents from nearby villages.

According to field visits and LGED sources, the project began on November 28, 2024, and was scheduled for completion by November 2025. Although records claim three kilometers of work were completed, the road shows little visible progress, and the portions built are of poor quality. Residents, including teachers, drivers, and commuters, described daily risks and frequent accidents due to the road’s condition. The Nabinagar Upazila Engineer stated that he joined recently and that the irregular bill withdrawal occurred before his tenure, promising to investigate the matter.

Attempts to contact contractor Lokman Hossain were unsuccessful as his phone remained switched off.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, stated that the government has never treated space, satellite, and drone technologies as luxuries. Speaking on Monday at a seminar titled ‘Satellites, Drones and the Future of Space Technology in Bangladesh’ at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Dhaka, he said these technologies have become essential for national development, disaster management, agriculture, fisheries, communication, and security. He highlighted the 2018 launch of Bangladesh’s first satellite as a major milestone, noting its role in broadcasting, telecommunications, and emergency communications.

Anam added that the government is planning a new low-earth orbit satellite to enhance data accuracy for agriculture, coastal security, and environmental monitoring. He emphasized that satellite data can improve weather forecasting and safety for coastal fishermen. The minister also underlined the growing importance of drone technology in border security, land surveys, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response.

Keynote speaker Dr. Muhammad Imadur Rahman of Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited said space technology is a driving force of the fourth industrial revolution and vital for economic growth, security, and climate resilience in developing countries like Bangladesh.

Two separate fatal incidents occurred in Pirganj upazila of Thakurgaon on Monday. An eight-month-old child named Hossain from Dalpatipur village in Kosharaniganj union died after a lychee seed got stuck in his throat. Family members rushed him to Pirganj Upazila Health Complex, but he was declared dead upon arrival. Hospital sources confirmed that the child had died before reaching the facility.

In another incident the same evening, a 35-year-old carpenter named Mithun from Ketgaon Sindulya village in Daulatpur union was electrocuted while working on a tin roof at a house in Mitrabati village. He accidentally came into contact with an overhead power line. Locals took him to Pirganj Upazila Health Complex, where doctors confirmed his death after examination.

Pirganj Upazila Health Complex’s residential medical officer Dr. Waris Yazdani and Pirganj Police Station’s officer-in-charge Iqbal Hossain Pramanik both confirmed the deaths and said the incidents were reported to the authorities.

One person was killed and three others were injured in separate lightning strikes in Khoksa upazila of Kushtia district on Monday evening. The incidents occurred around 6:30 p.m. in Joyonti Hajra, Kalishongkorpur, Biljani, and Holudbariya villages. The deceased, Hazrat Ali Pramanik, was a farmer from Joyonti Hajra village. He was struck by lightning while gathering harvested paddy near his home and was later declared dead at the Khoksa Upazila Health Complex.

According to family members, Hazrat Ali collapsed in his field during heavy rain and thunder. He was taken to the hospital by relatives but could not be saved. The injured—10-year-old student Antora from Kalishongkorpur, housewife Dolly Khatun (20) from Biljani, and housewife Sima Parvin (25) from Holudbariya—are receiving treatment at the same health complex.

Emergency department physician Sharmin Akter Rima confirmed that Hazrat Ali had died before reaching the hospital, while the three injured victims remain under medical care.

A ten-month-old girl named Wasenat died after a lychee seed got stuck in her throat in Chakaria upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred in the West Para area of Bomubilchhari Union. Wasenat was the daughter of local veterinarian Abu Noman Osmani. Family members said the child was eating lychees with her father when the seed became lodged in her throat, causing her to struggle for breath. Despite attempts to remove the seed, the family rushed her to Lama Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared her dead.

Later that night, around 9 p.m., Wasenat was buried at the local social cemetery after funeral prayers at the Bomubilchhari Union Parishad field. The tragic death cast a pall of grief over the family and the surrounding community.

The report highlights the sudden and devastating nature of the accident, which deeply affected residents of the area.

Two people were killed and five others injured in separate lightning strikes in Jhenaidah district on Monday evening. The incidents occurred in Sadar and Shailkupa upazilas. The deceased were identified as Asadul Islam, 48, a farm laborer from Kushtia who had been working in Jhenaidah, and Anna Khatun, 42, wife of Anichur Rahman from Damukdia village in Shailkupa. Asadul was struck while working in Mayadharpur village, while Anna was hit near her home while collecting mangoes.

Local sources reported that another woman was injured in the same incident in Shailkupa. At the same time, three more women were injured in separate lightning strikes in Dhopaghata Gobindapur and Dogachi villages of Sadar upazila. The injured were taken to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital, where one person was declared dead before arrival. Hospital officials said the remaining victims were in stable condition.

Police confirmed the death of one farmer and sent a team to the hospital to investigate the incidents.

A mobile court in Bhangura upazila of Pabna sentenced a milk trader named Abdur Rashid, aged 23, to one year of imprisonment and fined him 50,000 taka for adulterating milk by mixing quality oil to increase its fat content. The sentencing took place on Monday night at Bhabanipur Paschimpara village, where 100 liters of oil were seized and destroyed publicly. The verdict was delivered by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Mizanur Rahman.

According to the mobile court, Abdur Rashid had been operating a sealing center at his home for a long time, producing adulterated milk and supplying it to various companies, including Pran and BRAC. During the operation, veterinary surgeon Dr. Sharmin Akter, sanitary inspector Nurul Islam, and sub-inspector Ershad Ali were present.

The court’s action reflects ongoing efforts to curb food adulteration in the region, with local authorities emphasizing public accountability through on-site destruction of seized materials.