A major collapse occurred in the river protection embankment along the Dhanu River in Singpur Union of Nikli upazila, Kishoreganj, before the completion of construction work. The incident caused about 70 to 80 feet of the embankment, including blocks and geo-bags, to sink into the river, washing away a nearby road and putting the Singpur market at risk.

According to the Water Development Board, around Tk 30 crore was allocated for a 1,200-meter riverbank protection and wave protection project, which has already received two deadline extensions due to delays. Local residents reported that the embankment blocks were gradually sinking and the soil beneath the geo-bags was eroding into the river. One resident alleged that poor-quality work contributed to the collapse.

Executive Engineer Md. Sajjad Hossain of the Kishoreganj Water Development Board stated that the embankment protection work is ongoing and that a team has inspected the collapsed area. He assured that all necessary support will be provided to stabilize the damaged section.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has described Bangladesh as a highly promising and fertile ground for investment. He highlighted vast opportunities for foreign investors in infrastructure, public-private partnerships, transport, and technology sectors. The minister made these remarks on Monday during a courtesy meeting with Singapore’s non-resident High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Derek Loh, at the Secretariat.

During the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of expanding and strengthening bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Singapore. Discussions focused on enhancing collaboration in investment, healthcare, technology exchange, waste management, and rural development. The minister invited Singapore to invest in Bangladesh’s potential sectors, noting that Singapore’s experience and technological capacity could further accelerate Bangladesh’s development initiatives.

Senior officials from the ministry, including the Secretary of the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division and the Director General of the Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Inspection Wing, were present at the meeting.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim said his party is waiting for the Prime Minister to fulfill her commitment to implement the July Charter and the referendum verdict. Speaking to journalists at the party’s central office in Purana Paltan on Monday, he noted that the Prime Minister had promised to implement the charter fully, and the party trusts her assurance.

He added that the referendum resulted in a ‘yes’ victory, which is part of the July Charter, and therefore his party expects the government to act accordingly. Addressing concerns about political appointments in the administration, he reminded the government of the Prime Minister’s earlier call for inclusive governance and urged an end to partisan recruitment, emphasizing merit-based appointments instead.

Rezaul Karim also discussed the breakdown of electoral alliances with Jamaat and other parties before the February 12 election, citing unilateral decisions and foreign meetings by Jamaat as reasons. He criticized the US trade deal as a “slavery agreement” and condemned the BJP’s actions in West Bengal, calling them uncivilized.

Police in Rajair upazila of Madaripur recovered stolen vehicles from a garage near Pachchar Bridge in the Tekerhat Bandar area. Two members of a car theft and recovery ring were arrested during the operation. The detainees were identified as Faruk Molla from Shibchar upazila and Antor Biswas from Kalia upazila in Narail district. They have been sent to district jail through the court.

At a press briefing on Monday afternoon, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Md. Salauddin of the Rajair-Shibchar circle said that along with a stolen pickup truck, two other stolen vehicles were recovered. The garage owner, Faruk Molla, was also detained during the operation.

According to the ASP, initial interrogation revealed information about an organized car theft ring. Police expect to obtain more significant details after further questioning of the arrested suspects.

Residents of Shyamnagar in Satkhira staged a violent protest on Monday afternoon after the body of fisherman Aminur Rahman Gazi, who was reportedly shot dead in the Sundarbans, was brought to the locality. The demonstrators attacked and vandalized the Satkhira Range Office and the Burigoalini Station Office of the Forest Department, injuring at least five forest workers. The injured were taken to Shyamnagar Upazila Health Complex for treatment.

Eyewitnesses said anger spread among locals when the body arrived, prompting hundreds to march with sticks and surround the forest offices. Protesters damaged furniture, equipment, and assaulted several staff members. Police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed to restore order, while the body remained in front of the office until late afternoon. Senior police officials, including the Additional Superintendent of Police for Kaliganj Circle and the Officer-in-Charge of Shyamnagar Police Station, visited the site.

A forest officer stated that the fatal shooting occurred in the Khulna Range’s Nolian Station area, not in the Satkhira Range, and expressed concern over staff safety following the attack.

Former Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam has called on the revolutionaries of the July uprising to stay vocal. In a Facebook post on Monday afternoon, he warned that fascist forces are preparing to return and are attempting to discredit all activities of Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s government. He urged the revolutionaries to remain active in response.

The report states that the banned Awami League is trying to reorganize through various strategies, forming new committees at different levels of the main party and its affiliated organizations. The group is reportedly seeking to regain political influence by focusing on issues that resonate with the public and by taking legal steps to undermine Dr. Yunus and his former interim government.

Political analysts cited in the report believe that the ongoing campaign against Dr. Yunus may expand further and that issue-based programs could gradually evolve into a broader anti-government movement against the current BNP administration.

Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju announced plans to create a separate business area for women entrepreneurs in Khulna. He said that suitable land is being sought to establish this dedicated market, aiming to help women overcome existing challenges in product marketing and fair participation. The initiative was revealed on Monday during a cheque distribution event at the Shaheed Altaf Milonayatan of the city corporation building.

The event was organized under the Loss and Damage Special Initiative Project of the development organization Jagorot Jubo Songho (JJS). During the program, 25 young women who had received training to become self-reliant after being displaced from coastal areas due to climate impacts were each given a cheque of 27,000 taka. JJS Executive Director A.T.M. Zakir Hossain delivered the welcome speech, while Senior Director M.M. Chishty conducted the session.

Architect Rezbina Khanam from KCC and Suraiya Siddika, Deputy Director of the Department of Women Affairs, attended as special guests. Trainers and trainees also spoke at the event, sharing their experiences and perspectives on the empowerment initiative.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced another increase in furnace oil prices. According to a press release issued on Monday, May 18, the price per liter has been raised by Tk 18.85—from Tk 94.69 to Tk 113.54. The new rate will take effect from midnight. The adjustment was approved in a special commission meeting held on May 18, based on the Free on Board (FOB) price of imported refined furnace oil between April 13 and May 12, and changes in the US dollar exchange rate.

Earlier, on April 12, the price had been raised from Tk 70.10 to Tk 94.69 per liter. A committee formed on March 15 had recommended the adjustment after reviewing international Platts rates and exchange rate fluctuations. The commission reviewed these recommendations in special meetings on April 5 and 12 before approving the new rate.

A large portion of imported furnace oil is used in power generation, and stakeholders believe the price hike will increase production costs at oil-based power plants, potentially affecting electricity prices.

An allegation has been raised against Talatli Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Saidul Islam in Barguna for allegedly facilitating the occupation of government land belonging to the Water Development Board (Paubo) by a local businessman. A video showing the OC present at the site during the land handover went viral on social media on Monday, prompting widespread discussion in the area. The footage reportedly shows the OC seated with a police team as locals measure the land and install boundary pillars before handing it over to businessman Ibrahim Farazi.

According to local sources, the disputed land is located near the Malipara sluice gate area, where Yusuf Khan’s family had been living for years without formal ownership documents. Both parties lack legal papers from Paubo. After a mediation meeting at the police station, the OC allegedly oversaw the land measurement and transfer to Farazi. Yusuf claims he was forced to sign a document under threat of jail.

Local residents suspect financial motives behind the handover. Officials from Paubo confirmed they were not informed by police and that the land recovery process is ongoing.

Leaders of the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Chaksu) have demanded the installation of air conditioning in the university’s central library and the establishment of a new library in Chittagong city. The demands were announced at a press conference held in front of the central library on Monday afternoon, led by General Secretary Saeed Bin Habib. Other Chaksu leaders, including library and cafeteria affairs secretary Masum Billah, assistant secretary for female student welfare Jannatul Ferdous Rita, and executive members Sohan and Adnan Sharif, were also present.

In a written statement, Saeed Bin Habib urged that effective steps be taken to install air conditioning in the central library with the approval of the 2026–2027 fiscal budget. He also called for a full-fledged city-based library for students residing in the city and suggested using the Fine Arts Institute as a temporary library until a permanent facility is established.

Masum Billah highlighted several ongoing initiatives to modernize the library, including a separate reading corner, generator installation for uninterrupted power, expanded prayer and study spaces, and extended library hours until 10 p.m.

A Sunamganj court has sentenced three men to life imprisonment in a rape case. The verdict was delivered on Monday afternoon by Mohammad Habibullah, judge of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal (District and Sessions Judge). The convicted individuals are Md. Matiur Rahman Matin, son of Abdul Khalek of Hasampur village; Dildar Hossain, son of Khwaja Ali; and Billal Hossain, son of Habibur Islam of Kamargaon village. Another accused, Md. Abdus Subhan of Kamargaon village, was acquitted as charges against him were not proven.

According to the case details, the victim, who completed her SSC from Haidarpur High School in 2017, was assaulted on August 11, 2021, while traveling to her grandfather’s house in Jiapur village. Matin and Dildar allegedly took her to Habipur village in Singchapair Union, where they raped her, and later to Billal Hossain’s house in Kamargaon, where she was assaulted again. The victim’s brother, Mohammad Ali, filed the case at Chhatak Police Station, and police later submitted a charge sheet.

The court announced the judgment after the hearing, confirmed by public prosecutor Advocate Md. Shamsur Rahman.

The National Moon Sighting Committee announced that the moon marking the start of the Islamic month of Zilhaj for the Hijri year 1447 has been sighted in Bangladesh. As a result, Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated across the country on May 28. The announcement was made on the evening of May 18 following a meeting of the committee at the Islamic Foundation office in Baitul Mukarram, chaired by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad.

According to the minister, the month of Zilhaj will begin on Tuesday, and the festival of sacrifice, Eid-ul-Azha, will take place on Thursday, May 28. The government has declared a seven-day holiday for the occasion, starting from May 25. In addition, garment factories have decided to announce holidays in phases to manage operations smoothly during the festive period.

The official confirmation of the moon sighting sets the national schedule for Eid-ul-Azha observances, including prayers, sacrifices, and travel plans across Bangladesh.

An inmate at Brahmanbaria District Jail died on Monday morning after suddenly falling ill. Prison authorities said the man, identified as Moron Mia, 40, from Dharamandal village in Nasirnagar upazila, became sick while having breakfast. He was given initial treatment by the prison doctor and later taken to Brahmanbaria District Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead at the emergency department.

According to Jail Superintendent Md. Mojibur Rahman Mojumdar, Moron Mia had been in custody since May 9 in connection with a yaba consumption case. His condition deteriorated rapidly on Monday morning, prompting his transfer to the hospital. The body has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy, and authorities said it will be handed over to the family after legal procedures are completed.

The report did not mention the exact cause of death or any further investigation details.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of income tax records belonging to former State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak and his wife Arifa Jesmin Konika. The order was issued on Monday afternoon by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Faiz, following a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ACC’s Assistant Director Minhaj Bin Islam sought the seizure, citing allegations that Palak abused his power and amassed illegal wealth through irregularities and corruption.

According to the petition, preliminary investigations found assets worth about Tk 9.98 crore inconsistent with their known income sources. The couple allegedly maintained 31 bank accounts showing deposits of Tk 22.94 crore and withdrawals of Tk 17.58 crore, which the ACC suspects fall under money laundering activities. The commission argued that collecting original tax documents from the 2008–2009 to 2024–2025 fiscal years was essential to prevent concealment or transfer of assets.

The ACC stated that the investigation is being conducted under sections of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, and the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012. The court approved the seizure to ensure a fair investigation.

Islamic TV Managing Director Barrister Shams Iskandar announced that the channel will provide video evidence of the Shapla Chattar massacre to the International Crimes Tribunal. He made the statement on Monday after meeting with the tribunal’s Chief Prosecutor. Iskandar said that Islamic TV’s camera crew and news team were present at the site during the Hefazat-e-Islam rally and broadcasted the events live. Later that night, law enforcement personnel allegedly raided and vandalized the channel’s office, damaging broadcasting equipment and shutting down operations.

According to Iskandar, the Chief Prosecutor asked the channel to safeguard all available evidence, which prosecutors would later collect for investigation. He added that the channel had been accused of provocative coverage, but he denied the allegation, stating that the broadcast reflected real-time events. He claimed the closure of Islamic TV was due to family reasons rather than incitement. When asked about testifying, Iskandar said he was willing to do so if requested by the prosecution, emphasizing the importance of justice.

The submission of the footage is expected to support the tribunal’s ongoing investigation into the Shapla Chattar incident.