Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the government is drafting a new law to formally establish an elite force for public security, under which the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) will continue to operate. Speaking at RAB headquarters on Monday, May 18, during the force’s 22nd founding anniversary, he said the current ad hoc arrangement for RAB is not appropriate and that the new law will ensure human rights, transparency, and accountability.

Ahmed explained that the government is considering whether to rename RAB or raise a new elite force, but the decision is still under review. He emphasized that the forthcoming law will guarantee both authority and responsibility within the force, ensuring transparency and accountability in all operations. The minister said the initiative aims to uphold the rule of law and meet public expectations for safety.

Addressing questions about U.S. sanctions on RAB, Ahmed stated that some officers’ past actions had harmed the institution, but individual misconduct should not implicate the entire organization. He expressed hope that if the force is restructured or renamed, the sanctions might be reconsidered.

A large-scale highway robbery took place on the Naogaon-Natore regional road in Atrai, Naogaon, late Sunday night. According to eyewitnesses, from around 12:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., a group of robbers blocked the road at a location known as Vangabridge using boats and tables, then looted 40 to 50 vehicles. The robbers reportedly held drivers and passengers at gunpoint, seizing cash, mobile phones, and other valuables.

Victims described losing money and personal belongings, including a Saudi expatriate’s family who were robbed of phones and cash while returning home. A microbus driver said he was forced to hand over 4,000 taka. One driver claimed police initially said the area was outside their jurisdiction, but Atrai police denied receiving any emergency calls and stated they launched an operation immediately after learning of the incident.

On Monday, senior police officials, including the Naogaon Superintendent of Police, visited the scene. Police said no arrests had been made yet, but preparations were underway to file a case and take legal action.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that all banks will remain closed from May 25 to May 31 for the Eid-ul-Azha holidays. However, to facilitate salary payments for garment sector workers, the central bank has instructed that some branches in industrial areas remain open on May 25 and 26. A circular issued on Sunday was sent to the chief executives of all scheduled banks outlining these directives.

According to the circular, all bank branches and sub-branches will operate normally on May 23 and 24 as per the Ministry of Public Administration’s notification. To ensure smooth payment of wages, bonuses, and allowances for garment workers and to maintain import-export operations, limited banking services will be available in Dhaka, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Valuka, Narayanganj, and Chattogram. These branches will operate from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with transactions allowed until 1 p.m.

Additionally, bank branches located in sea, land, and airport areas will remain partially open from May 25 to May 31 to support import and export activities. Bangladesh Bank confirmed that employees working during the holidays will receive allowances as per regulations.

A woman was killed and five others injured when a bus hit an autorickshaw on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway in the Nabagram area of Chauddagram, Cumilla. The accident occurred on Monday afternoon when the autorickshaw overturned after being struck by a KK Travels bus traveling in the wrong direction. The deceased was identified as Jesmin Akter, 42, wife of Montu Mia from Balujuri village. The injured included the autorickshaw driver Nizam Uddin and four passengers.

According to local sources, Jesmin Akter and four other women were returning home from Chauddagram Bazar when the collision occurred. Locals rescued the injured and took them to Chauddagram Upazila Health Complex for initial treatment before transferring them to Cumilla for advanced care. A doctor at the health complex confirmed that Jesmin Akter had died before reaching the hospital.

Police from Miyabazar Highway Station recovered the damaged vehicles and took them to the station. The injured victims were admitted to the hospital for further treatment.

A special tribunal in Sirajganj has sentenced Dr. Raihan Sharif, a lecturer at Shaheed M. Monsur Ali Medical College, to 21 years in prison under two sections of the Arms Act. The verdict was delivered on Monday afternoon by Judge Iqbal Hossain of Sirajganj Special Tribunal-1. The court confirmed that the period Dr. Sharif spent in custody during the trial will be deducted from his total sentence.

According to the case documents, on March 4, 2024, Dr. Sharif entered an examination hall at the college’s academic building with firearms and knives, allegedly to intimidate students. During the incident, he fired a pistol that struck student Arafat Amin Tamal, 22, in the right leg, causing serious injury. Enraged students detained Dr. Sharif and alerted police, who recovered two foreign pistols, ammunition, magazines, and knives from the scene.

Following the incident, police arrested Dr. Sharif and filed a case under the Arms Act. After reviewing witness testimony and evidence, the court handed down the 21-year sentence on May 18, 2026.

The Qawmi Madrasa Teachers Council announced an 18-point demand at a press conference held on Monday at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club in Dhaka. The demands include abolishing secularism and socialism from the Constitution to establish the Islamic Republic of Bangladesh, making Islamic education compulsory at all levels of general education, and preserving the independence and distinct character of Qawmi education. The announcement was made by the council’s president, Muhammad Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, who said the 1972 Constitution did not reflect the religious values of the Muslim-majority population.

Speakers at the event argued that Islamic education has been marginalized in the current system, leading the younger generation away from religious knowledge. They urged the government to stop any move to integrate Qawmi education into the mainstream system and to consult top Islamic scholars before making decisions. The council also highlighted the financial and social contributions of Qawmi madrasas, noting their support for poor and orphaned students without government funding.

Key demands include constitutional amendments to protect Islamic culture, enactment of a blasphemy law, establishment of a Shariah court, tax exemptions for madrasa donations, and inclusion of Qawmi scholars in national education bodies.

Popular Bangladeshi singer Asif Akbar described the fall of Sheikh Hasina as the end of an era of authoritarian rule, calling it a difficult but historic moment. On Sunday night, he posted on his verified Facebook page that the 'July Revolution' was not a single event but a guiding movement, led by the country's Generation Z students. His post quickly went viral across social media.

In his message, Akbar said the revolution succeeded through the sacrifices of young people and honored those who were killed or injured. He argued that despite domestic and foreign conspiracies, the spirit of July remains alive in the minds of the youth. He warned that traditional politics based on fear, corruption, and patronage would no longer survive against the intelligence and activism of new generations.

Akbar urged political parties to understand the mindset of nearly 80 million young people, saying that failure to adapt would lead to rapid decline. He predicted that future political movements would be driven by voluntary youth participation rather than coercion or manipulation.

Renowned South Asian singer Runa Laila and Bangladeshi musician, composer, and director Bappa Majumder have released their first Bengali ghazal titled 'Anayase'. Written by Galib Hasan and composed by Bappa Majumder, the song was published on May 16 at 9 p.m. on Bappa Majumder’s YouTube channel. The music video was also directed by Bappa. A launch event was held the same evening at a club in Banani, Dhaka, hosted by National Film Award-winning singer Konal.

Originally intended to be a solo performance by Runa Laila, the ghazal became a duet at her own request. Bappa Majumder expressed deep gratitude and emotion for the opportunity to sing alongside Runa Laila, describing it as a dream come true. Runa Laila praised the lyrics, composition, and Bappa’s dedication to perfection, extending her best wishes to him and lyricist Galib Hasan.

The release follows Runa Laila’s recent recognition at the 15th International Film Festival in Delhi, where she received the 'Minar-e-Delhi' award. She is also scheduled to perform on BTV’s 'Ananda Mela' during the upcoming Eid celebrations.

Sadia Farzana Dina has been appointed as the acting member secretary of the Dhaka North convening committee of the National Citizen Party (NCP). The position became vacant after Sardar Amirul Islam Sagar was expelled from the role for violating party discipline. The announcement was made through a notice signed by NCP member secretary Akhtar Hossain and spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, which was sent to the media on Monday afternoon.

Before this appointment, Sadia Farzana Dina served as the senior joint member secretary of NCP Dhaka North and was also a member of the party’s central office cell. The notice formally confirmed her new responsibility within the party’s Dhaka North organizational structure.

The appointment reflects an internal restructuring within NCP Dhaka North following disciplinary action against a former officeholder.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin Ahmed has expressed his desire to see the upcoming local government elections conducted without any bloodshed. He made the remarks on Monday, May 18, during a ceremony organized by the journalists’ association RFED at the ITI Building conference hall in Agargaon, where he attended as the chief guest.

The CEC emphasized that achieving a peaceful and violence-free election requires cooperation from all political parties. However, he noted that the exact date for the local government election has not yet been determined.

The statement reflects the Election Commission’s focus on ensuring a calm and orderly electoral process, though specific plans or measures to achieve this goal were not detailed in the remarks.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi stated that political opponents have failed to undermine public confidence in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday at the BNP central office in Naya Paltan, he said Rahman is fulfilling his electoral promises and that the people’s trust in him remains strong. The BNP also announced an eight-day program from May 25 to June 1 to mark the death anniversary of party founder and former president Ziaur Rahman.

Rizvi said Tarique Rahman is implementing initiatives such as family cards, farmer cards, and plans for health cards, along with efforts to make Bangladesh self-sufficient in food. He noted that Rahman has relaunched a nationwide canal-digging program that has gained wide response. Rizvi contrasted Rahman’s approach with previous governments that, according to him, failed to deliver on promises like cheap rice and free fertilizer.

He further recalled Ziaur Rahman’s leadership during a critical period in Bangladesh’s history, describing his governance as a time of stability, rule of law, and national progress that remains remembered by people across political lines.

In Lama upazila of Bandarban district, around 10 acres of hilly land have been leveled allegedly to prepare for a new brick kiln. The activity reportedly took place in the Bashkhaillya Jhiri area of Fasiakhali Union under the name of Lokman Hossain, a resident of Satkania. Local resident Md. Osman Gani filed a written complaint with the Department of Environment on Sunday, accusing Lokman Hossain of illegally cutting hills to build the kiln.

According to the complaint, the hill cutting has damaged natural forests, streams, water flow, and biodiversity. Osman Gani claimed that although the land was jointly purchased, it was later flattened through deceit, and a hilly stream was filled in. Locals fear that unregulated hill cutting could increase the risks of landslides, water shortages, and environmental degradation. They have demanded a prompt investigation and legal action against those responsible.

Lokman Hossain denied the allegations, calling them false and motivated by personal disputes. An inspector from the Department of Environment stated that legal measures would be taken if hill cutting is confirmed.

Multiple public universities in Bangladesh have become tense amid student protests over administrative decisions, campus safety, and political issues. At Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) in Gazipur, students rejected the newly appointed vice-chancellor and enforced a campus blockade, halting academic and administrative activities. Clashes between opposing groups left at least 15 injured, prompting police deployment. In Patuakhali, students and staff at Patuakhali Science and Technology University staged a shutdown demanding the vice-chancellor’s resignation after alleged attacks on campus members.

At Jahangirnagar University in Savar, students protested late Sunday following three incidents of harassment against female students, which occurred shortly after an attempted rape case earlier in May. Police detained three suspects, and the university formed a seven-member committee to investigate the earlier assault. Meanwhile, in Chattogram, tensions rose after the city corporation allegedly ordered the removal of graffiti commemorating the July uprising, leading to restrictions on public gatherings.

Analysts cited long-standing administrative opacity, political influence, and safety concerns as underlying causes of the growing unrest across campuses, warning that vice-chancellor appointments have become flashpoints for division and confrontation.

Chattogram City Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has accused a controversial leader of the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP) of attempting to create unrest over the removal of July movement graffiti from flyover pillars. Speaking at a press conference at the city corporation office on Monday, he claimed the graffiti had already been covered by posters and that he himself had funded much of the artwork after the fall of the Awami League government.

Tensions erupted on Sunday night when city authorities repainted the pillars of the Shaheed Wasim Akhtar Flyover from Lalkhan Bazar to Dewanhat for advertising purposes. NCP activists protested, alleging that the city corporation erased the July movement graffiti to rent the space commercially. They began painting new graffiti and blocked roads in front of the city corporation building.

The situation escalated as BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal activists joined the scene, leading to heated exchanges with NCP members. Police were deployed to prevent further clashes. Around midnight, Mayor Shahadat arrived and dispersed the BNP activists, later addressing supporters at Lalkhan Bazar.

Bangladeshi expatriates in South Korea organized a civic reception for National Citizens Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan during his visit to the country. The event took place on Sunday at noon at the Khimpu Foreign Support Center in Khimpu city, arranged by the NCP Diaspora Alliance, South Korea. NCP leaders, activists, and expatriates from various professions attended the ceremony.

In his speech, Asif Mahmud expressed gratitude to the diaspora for their hospitality and recalled their support during the July uprising, when the country was under blockade. He urged expatriates to remain united in realizing the goals of the July Charter and referendum, and to inform the international community about the uprising. He also assured that the NCP would continue working to ensure expatriate voting rights in future elections.

NCP Joint Member Secretary Saleh Uddin Sifat highlighted the role of expatriates in the July uprising and expressed hope for their involvement in future national policymaking. Expatriates raised issues such as simplifying migration processes, curbing exploitation by brokers, and improving repatriation and airport services.