A 40-year-old woman named Protima Rani from Dakshin Joydebpur village in Putimara Union, Nawabganj upazila of Dinajpur, reportedly took her own life on Saturday due to debt pressure. According to a written complaint filed by her father, Sushil Chandra Barman, she had borrowed money from various NGOs and individuals but became frustrated when she could not repay the loans. She allegedly consumed poison on Saturday evening and was taken to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, where she died around 11 p.m. while under treatment.

Police Inspector Shamim Al Mamun of Nawabganj Police Station confirmed that an unnatural death case was filed on Sunday in connection with the incident.

The report highlights the growing concern over debt-related distress in rural areas, though no further details on the loans or the NGOs involved were provided in the source.

Dubai Taxi Company will recruit 6,000 skilled drivers from Bangladesh this year, according to information shared during a courtesy meeting between the company’s delegation and Bangladesh’s Minister of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, in Dhaka on Sunday. Interviews for driver recruitment will begin tomorrow at the Bangladesh-Korea Technical Training Center.

During the meeting, the minister thanked the delegation for prioritizing Bangladeshi drivers and assured full cooperation from the ministry. He urged the company to provide salaries and allowances during the training period in Dubai and requested that doctors, nurses, and other professionals also be recruited from Bangladesh. The company representatives said they currently employ about 15,000 drivers from 27 countries, including around 8,000 Bangladeshis, and plan to screen 1,500 candidates in the initial phase.

State Minister Md. Nurul Haque called for reducing migration costs to within 100,000 taka, noting that many drivers take loans to work abroad. Representatives from Al Anas Overseas, an approved recruiting agency, expressed interest in hiring cleaners, technicians, and mechanics from Bangladesh as well.

Prime Minister’s Adviser and Office Spokesperson Mahdi Amin stated that a democratically elected and accountable government has taken charge in Bangladesh after a long interval. He said the empowerment of this government represents the empowerment of ordinary citizens, ensuring rights and freedoms for all in an independent and sovereign nation. His remarks were made at a public rally in Chandpur attended by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, according to a press release issued on Sunday.

Amin described the overwhelming public enthusiasm surrounding the Prime Minister’s visit to Chandpur, calling it a historic awakening of love and hope among residents. He highlighted that people from all walks of life came out to greet the Prime Minister, reflecting their trust in the elected government. Presenting the government’s three-month performance, he said election pledges are being implemented, including the rollout of programs such as farmer cards and family cards.

He added that the family card initiative aims to bring lasting social change through women’s empowerment, expressing optimism that it will help build a self-reliant Bangladesh.

Barrister Ahmed Bin Kashem Arman, son of executed Jamaat leader Mir Quasem Ali, alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina used patriotic members of the Bangladesh Army in enforced disappearances, thereby damaging the army’s professionalism and endangering the country’s sovereignty. He made the remarks on Sunday during a press briefing after giving testimony at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in a case related to abductions at the RAB Taskforce Interrogation Cell (TFI).

Arman, himself a victim of enforced disappearance, said that the rights of the Bangladeshi people should be considered sacred and that the army should remain the nation’s most respected and trusted institution. He urged that no one, regardless of power or influence, should misuse the armed forces or violate citizens’ rights. He added that depriving citizens of constitutional rights amounts to treason.

According to the report, Arman testified as the first witness in the case filed over abductions and torture at the TFI Cell during the Awami League’s fifteen-year rule. Ten army officers have been arrested in connection with the case, which also names Hasina and twelve former and current military officials.

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 local time at the Khimpu Foreign Support Center in Khimpu city, arranged by the NCP Diaspora Alliance, South Korea. NCP leaders and activists from various levels, along with expatriates from different professions, attended the ceremony.

In his speech, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan expressed gratitude to the diaspora members 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 play an active role in informing the international community about the uprising. He also assured that the NCP would continue working to ensure expatriate voting rights in future elections.

Expatriates present at the event raised issues including repatriation of deceased students’ bodies, simplification of migration processes, prevention of broker exploitation, ending airport harassment, and greater inclusion of expatriates in national matters.

Hefazat-e-Islam Amir Allama Muhibullah Babunagari stated that the organization is united and free from internal division. He made the remark during a meeting with Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Amir Maulana Muhammad Mamunul Haque at Jamia Islamia Azizul Ulum Babunagar Madrasa on Sunday morning. During the meeting, a commemorative book titled 'Shahidnama', published by Shapla Smriti Sangsad, was presented as a gift.

Following the meeting, Maulana Mamunul Haque told reporters that an eleven-party electoral alliance has been formed to address the current national situation and pursue the goals of the July Revolution. He explained that the alliance includes parties with differing views on establishing Islam in state power, emphasizing that it is a strategic political unity rather than an ideological one. He reaffirmed that differences in belief and thought with groups like Jamaat-e-Islami remain.

Mamunul Haque added that Hefazat-e-Islam remains a united force guided by Quran and Sunnah and will continue to defend Islam and national interests against any domestic or international threats.

Residents of Goaland in Rajbari district formed a human chain on Sunday morning demanding the construction of a second Padma Bridge on the Daulatdia-Paturia river route. The demonstration, organized by the group 'Goaland Protirodh Moncho', took place around 10:30 a.m. at the Goaland bus stand area along the Dhaka-Khulna highway. Participants from various professions joined the event to voice their demand for improved connectivity.

Speakers at the human chain, including local political leaders from BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal, said that the Daulatdia-Paturia route is a vital communication link for the country’s southwestern region. They highlighted that travelers have long suffered from severe traffic congestion, long waiting hours, and mismanagement, especially during major festivals such as Eid.

The speakers emphasized that while they support the government’s Padma Barrage project, they believe the construction of the second Padma Bridge should take priority. They urged the authorities to take immediate and effective steps to implement this demand.

Train movement on the Nilphamari-Saidpur railway line returned to normal after being suspended for about five and a half hours on Sunday. The disruption began around 8:15 a.m. when the 'Khulna Mail' train derailed near Khayrat Nagar railway station in Nilphamari due to tree branches falling onto the track. A relief train from Parbatipur arrived and recovered the derailed train around 1:00 p.m.

According to Nilphamari railway station master Mithun Roy, the train departed for Khulna at around 1:30 p.m. after being re-railed. No damage was reported in the incident, though two front wheels of the engine had come off the track because of the fallen branches.

The restoration of service allowed normal train operations to resume on the Nilphamari-Saidpur route later in the afternoon.

A court in Sirajganj has ordered the publication of a newspaper notice against Kushtia-3 Member of Parliament Mufti Amir Hamza. The order was issued on Sunday at 11 a.m. by Judge Suman Karmakar of the Chauhali Amli Court after Hamza failed to appear in court as scheduled. The case was filed by Advocate Humayun Kabir Colonel, general secretary of the Sirajganj District Lawyers Association, who confirmed that the notice will initiate the trial process.

According to case details, on March 27, Hamza allegedly made defamatory remarks against the Minister of Power and Energy and BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku during a discussion at the Hatsh Haripur Boro Jame Mosque in Kushtia. Advocate Humayun Kabir filed a defamation case on April 2, leading the court to summon Hamza to appear on April 21. When he failed to attend, an arrest warrant was issued.

As Hamza again did not appear on Sunday, the court directed that a public notice be published in newspapers to proceed with the case.

Two activists of the banned Chhatra League were handed over to police by BNP members in the Kashipur Hatkhola area of Fatullah, Narayanganj, on Saturday night. The detainees, identified as Sani (20) and Siam (21) from Bandar area, were caught around 11 p.m. after a sudden procession. They were later turned over to police by local BNP leaders.

According to local sources, the two detainees had long been active in Chhatra League politics and were known associates of former Bandar Thana Jubo League president and identified criminal Khan Masud. Witnesses said the banned group began chanting slogans such as “Joy Bangla” and “Joy Bangabandhu” before BNP leaders and activists chased and detained them. Kashipur Union BNP general secretary Arif Mondal confirmed the handover to police.

Fatullah Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahbub Alam stated that BNP activists detained the two during the procession and informed the police, who then took them into custody. Authorities are checking with Bandar police to determine if the detainees have prior cases against them.

Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia, established on November 22, 1979, has seen 14 vice-chancellors since its founding, but only one has completed a full term. The university, the first public institution founded in independent Bangladesh, has faced frequent leadership changes due to allegations of irregularities, corruption, and political influence. Most vice-chancellors were removed or forced to resign before completing their tenure.

The only vice-chancellor to serve a full term was Professor Md. Harun-ur-Rashid Askari, who led from August 21, 2016, to August 20, 2020, and introduced nine new departments including Biomedical Engineering and Pharmacy. The latest appointee, Professor Dr. Nakib Mohammad Nasrullah from Dhaka University, took office on September 24, 2024, following the resignation of Professor Sheikh Abdus Salam after the July 2024 political upheaval.

Teachers from Rajshahi University and Dhaka University have been appointed most frequently as IU vice-chancellors, while only three have come from IU itself. With the BNP now in power, speculation has arisen about another leadership change, and IU students are demanding that the next vice-chancellor be selected from within the university.

Several historic estates in Bogura, including the Nawab Palace, Rajabari, and part of the Sattani Bari, have reportedly been sold at nominal prices through questionable transactions. The latest sale occurred on April 14, when 57 decimals of land from the Sattani Zamindar Bari were sold for Tk 43 crore, though registered at Tk 35 crore. The deal was conducted secretly during a public holiday, allegedly to avoid scrutiny. A 224-member business syndicate, including politicians and officials, is said to have purchased the land for a multi-storey project.

Investigations reveal that these properties, once owned by prominent families and historical figures, have gradually passed into the hands of politically connected businessmen over the past decade. The Nawab Palace, built in 1884 and once part of a Waqf estate, was sold in 2016 despite being declared a protected heritage site by the Ministry of Culture. Legal experts and local historians argue that such properties are not legally saleable.

Observers and civic groups blame administrative negligence for the loss of Bogura’s cultural heritage, as historic landmarks continue to fall under private control through opaque transactions.

Former Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sabbir Bin Shams, has been sent to jail in connection with a murder case filed over the deaths of six people during a fire amid the 2024 mass uprising in Lalmonirhat. He was detained while allegedly attempting to cross the border through Patgram and was produced before the Lalmonirhat Magistrate Court on Sunday. Judge Md. Alauddin rejected his bail plea and ordered his imprisonment, confirmed by defense lawyer Rafiqul Islam.

Police said the case stems from an attack, vandalism, and arson at the multistory residence of Suman Khan, Joint Secretary of the Lalmonirhat District Awami League, during the uprising. The incident led to six deaths, and a case was filed on May 27, 2025. Sabbir Bin Shams was shown arrested in that case following investigation. Authorities also noted that he faces a separate Anti-Corruption Commission case.

Sabbir Bin Shams told reporters he resigned from the Awami League’s research wing CRI in August 2020 and later served as a contractual DG at the Foreign Ministry and as Minister (Public Diplomacy) at the Bangladesh High Commission in the UK before resigning in 2023.

Professor Dr. Md. Nuruzzaman Khan (Khosru) has been appointed as the new director of the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS). The appointment was announced on May 17, 2026. Before this role, he served as Professor and Head of the Department of Neurosurgery and Intern Coordinator at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital.

Dr. Khan currently holds several professional positions, including Treasurer of the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC), Member Secretary of the Bangladesh Society of Neurosurgeons, and Joint Secretary General of the central committee of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB). He completed his SSC and HSC from Comilla Cadet College and earned his MBBS in 1997 and MS in Neurosurgery from Dhaka Medical College.

He has received fellowship training in Singapore, South Korea, and India, and is recognized for introducing endoscopic spine surgery in Bangladesh. Dr. Khan also serves as an international trainer in this field and has published numerous scientific papers in international journals.

Police recovered the body of a Bangladeshi man from the Charbagdanga border area in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj, a week after he went missing. The deceased, identified as Shawkat Ali, 35, from Tarapur Thuthapara in Monaksha Union, was found late Saturday night on a sandbar of the Padma River. His family said he had gone to India on May 9 with others to bring cattle but did not return. When relatives attempted to bury the body secretly, police intervened and sent it to the district hospital morgue.

Local residents alleged that Shawkat was killed by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) while returning with cattle and that his body was dumped in the river. Shibganj Police Station’s officer-in-charge said the body was decomposed, making it difficult to determine the cause of death, and that a case would be filed for investigation. Godagari River Police reported multiple sharp weapon injuries on the body, suggesting a planned killing. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) commander stated that the cause of death would be confirmed only after autopsy and that an investigation was underway.