At a daylong training workshop held on Saturday at the YWCA training center in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, speakers said that road safety in Bangladesh is no longer just a transport issue but a critical development concern tied to public health, urban management, rule of law, economy, social security, and citizens’ rights. They emphasized that deaths, injuries, disabilities, and financial losses from road accidents are undermining both family stability and national development.

The event, titled “Role and Partnership of Media in the Draft Integrated Road Safety Act,” was organized by the Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC). Speakers highlighted that Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.6 aims to halve global road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030, while SDG 11.2 stresses safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport for all, particularly for women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups.

They further noted that ensuring road safety requires coordinated efforts across transport, health, police, education, local government, infrastructure, and media sectors. A comprehensive road safety law could bring these sectors under a unified framework to ensure responsibility, coordination, and accountability.

Police have arrested a 24-year-old man named Md. Ashik Topedar in Dhaka’s Banani area for possessing posters and leaflets of a banned organization. The arrest took place early Saturday around 4:30 a.m. on the Dhaka–Mymensingh Road near the Navy Headquarters. According to police, the materials were related to the banned organization Awami League and were linked to Sheikh Hasina’s Homecoming Day. A case has been filed at Banani Police Station in connection with the incident.

The report did not provide further details about the suspect’s background, the specific charges, or the nature of the banned organization’s activities. The police statement only confirmed the recovery of the posters and leaflets and the subsequent legal action.

Further developments in the investigation or any official statements from authorities were not mentioned in the source.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has strongly condemned the attack on the historic Shah Ali shrine in Dhaka, calling it contrary to the spirit and goals of Bangladesh’s independence and the July Movement. In a statement issued on Saturday, TIB demanded that the government take strict measures to ensure exemplary punishment for those responsible for the assault.

The organization also urged Jamaat-e-Islami and other religion-based political parties to clarify their positions on the right to practice and coexist within Bangladesh’s diverse cultural and folk traditions. TIB’s Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman described the attack as part of a broader pattern of violence and conspiracy against Bangladesh’s pluralistic and tolerant heritage, warning that such actions threaten the country’s liberal cultural identity.

TIB further emphasized that the current BNP-led government, elected with broad public support, bears responsibility for protecting the nation’s multicultural and multireligious traditions. The group called for impartial investigations into this and previous similar incidents to ensure justice and prevent future attacks.

Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Citizens for Good Governance (SUJAN), stated that despite changes in political power, Bangladesh’s governance system remains fundamentally unchanged and ordinary citizens see no real improvement in their lives. Speaking on Saturday at a discussion titled “Structural Reform of the State” at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium, he warned that without structural reform following the July revolution, fascism could return.

He criticized the ruling class for showing reluctance to alter the long-standing state structure and emphasized that genuine improvement in people’s lives requires fundamental reform. Majumdar also argued that the constitution is often misused to resist reform, noting that the recent election and government formation were inconsistent with constitutional provisions. He stressed that the people’s referendum mandate must be fully implemented.

Majumdar further warned that delaying local government elections or running them through administrators would violate the constitution. Expressing frustration over the shrinking prospects for reform, he called on civil society to take an active role and expressed solidarity with the aspirations of the July movement.

A woman named Chhoyeda Begum, aged 45, was killed in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Saturday night while trying to save her son during a violent clash. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. when she was seriously injured amid the confrontation and later declared dead at the Upazila Health Complex. She was a resident of Rajapalong Union and the wife of Shabbir Ahmed.

According to local sources, the clash erupted between two groups over the writing of the slogan ‘Joy Bangla’ on the wall of Taipalong Madrasa. During the chaos, Chhoyeda Begum intervened to protect her son and was fatally injured. Police later arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.

Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Mujibur Rahman confirmed that the woman’s body was sent to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue and said legal action would be taken against those involved.

A protest march and rally were held in Pirojpur on Saturday afternoon condemning the reported killings, persecution, and attacks on mosques and homes of Muslims in India. The demonstration was organized by the District Imam Parishad and concluded at the Central Mosque intersection, where a protest gathering took place.

Speakers at the rally stated that Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance, and humanity, and that Muslims cannot support injustice. They described the ongoing violence and persecution of Muslims by extremist Hindu groups in India, allegedly backed by Prime Minister Modi’s supporters, as a severe violation of human rights. The speakers demanded an immediate end to the killings, mosque demolitions, and arson attacks on Muslim homes.

The event was presided over by Maulana Rafiqul Islam, president of the Imam Parishad, and attended by several local religious leaders who reiterated concerns over the insecurity faced by Muslims in India due to communal politics.

A mob attacked an arrested suspect, Lion Niloy Parvez, inside Bakerganj police station in Barishal on Saturday night. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. in front of police officers. According to reports, Niloy Parvez had posted photos and videos on Facebook allegedly mocking Member of Parliament Abul Hossain Khan. Following this, a case was filed under the Cyber Security Act at the Barishal Cyber Tribunal by Md. Faruk Mridha, president of the BNP’s Padrishibpur Union unit.

Police arrested Niloy Parvez earlier that day from the Vatara area in Dhaka and brought him to Bakerganj police station. Upon his arrival, an agitated crowd, including activists from Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal, attacked him. Officer-in-Charge Adil Hossain stated that Niloy was arrested under a court order in a filed case, and that police intervened to control the situation and took him into protective custody.

The police have since restored order at the station, and Niloy Parvez remains under security supervision.

Police detained Wahidul Alam, the younger brother of Chattogram city Chhatra Dal convener Saiful Islam, from the Nimtala area under Chattogram Port Police Station on charges of extortion. The arrest took place around 1 a.m. on Saturday night, according to the report. Wahidul Alam is identified as the son of Harun Sawdagar, also known as Commissioner Harun.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Port Zone) Md. Mazharul Islam confirmed the detention, stating that the police treat all extortion suspects equally regardless of political affiliation. He added that Wahidul Alam was detained based on extortion allegations and would be formally shown arrested once a case is filed by the victim in the morning.

Attempts to contact Chhatra Dal convener Saiful Islam for comment were unsuccessful, as repeated phone calls and text messages went unanswered.

Police in Feni recovered the hanging body of Jannatul Mawa, 22, wife of a Saudi expatriate, from Krishno Bhuiyan’s house in Ilashpur village on Saturday afternoon. Her family alleged that the death was a planned murder. Jannatul was the daughter of Abdus Sattar from Amtali area under Feni Sadar upazila.

According to police and family sources, Jannatul married expatriate Hridoy Bhuiyan two years ago. Recently, she had an argument with her in-laws over a trivial matter. Her father said he found her room locked and saw her hanging through the window. She was taken to Feni General Hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Officer-in-Charge Gazi Muhammad Fojul Azim of Feni Model Police Station said the body has been kept at Feni General Hospital morgue. The cause of death will be determined after receiving the report.

Police in Chakaria upazila of Cox’s Bazar arrested 11 individuals, including convicts and warrant-holders, during a special operation conducted over the past 24 hours. Multiple police teams carried out raids in different areas of the upazila, and the detainees were handed over to the court on Saturday afternoon. The information was confirmed through a police press release.

According to police sources, the operation was part of an ongoing effort to maintain law and order and curb criminal activities in the region. Those arrested include individuals involved in regular cases, various criminal groups, and vagrants. The arrested persons were identified as GM Murshed Sarwar, Abdul Mannan, Mohammad Ayub, Syed Riazul Rashid, Abul Kalam, Md Abdul Kader alias Monu, Jafar Alam, Jamir Uddin, Md Alamgir, Md Shah Alam, and Kofil Uddin.

Chakaria Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Monir Hossain stated that the special operation to bring offenders under the law will continue, and the detainees were presented before the court following due legal procedures.

Street vendors in Sidstore Bazar of Valuka upazila, Mymensingh, obstructed an eviction drive on the Mymensingh-Dhaka highway around 8 p.m. on May 17, 2026. The operation, led by Valuka Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Firoz Hossain, aimed to remove illegal structures from the area. Tension arose between the administration and vendors when the latter demanded rehabilitation before eviction. In protest, the vendors blocked the highway and set tires on fire, halting traffic for about an hour.

According to local sources, the situation escalated as heavy congestion built up on both sides of the road, causing severe inconvenience to travelers. When the situation went out of control, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer suspended the operation and left the scene. Valuka Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zahidul Islam later stated that the situation was brought under control through discussions with locals, and normal traffic resumed after about an hour.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding eviction drives in commercial areas where informal vendors demand prior rehabilitation before displacement.

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has called on citizens to become self-reliant by engaging in productive activities rather than depending solely on government assistance or family cards. He made the remarks on Saturday at the second phase of the family card distribution ceremony held at the Jaintapur Upazila auditorium, presided over by District Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam. A total of 465 women from Nijpat Union received family cards during the event, which was also connected online to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s family card distribution program in Chandpur.

The minister emphasized the importance of agricultural work, poultry farming, and cattle rearing to improve living standards and stated that the government is taking various initiatives to develop skilled manpower. He also announced that a special expatriate card distribution program will begin within two months to help expatriates access government services more easily.

Earlier in the day, the minister inaugurated a flood shelter construction project at Towakul College and launched canal re-excavation work from Piyain Natar Khal Isti Bridge to Sakerpokar Khal in Gowainghat Upazila.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam said Bangladesh’s border with India is among the world’s most violent, claiming over a thousand Bangladeshi citizens have been killed by Indian forces. Speaking at a youth event in Dhaka on Saturday, he warned that his party could announce a ‘border long march’ if necessary, drawing a parallel to Maulana Bhasani’s historic Farakka march. He pledged to secure Bangladesh’s borders, water rights, and sovereignty.

Marking Farakka Day, Nahid accused India of diverting water by constructing dams on shared rivers and depriving Bangladesh of its fair share. He noted that the Ganges water-sharing treaty expires this year and urged that any new agreement ensure equitable distribution. He also criticized the current government for alleged subservience to foreign powers, failure to manage the measles outbreak that has killed over 400 children, and for not fulfilling promises of job creation.

Nahid further demanded parliamentary discussions on recent energy and trade deals with the United States, questioned the government’s legitimacy, and suggested that a midterm election might become necessary if governance and law and order do not improve.

Police detained former Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sabbir Bin Shams, on Saturday afternoon while he was allegedly entering Bangladesh illegally through the Dahagram border in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat district. Authorities reported seizing seven passports from his possession during the arrest.

According to police and local sources, Sabbir Bin Shams previously served as Director General of the Foreign Ministry under the Awami League government on a three-year contractual appointment and also held the position of Minister at the Bangladesh High Commission in the United Kingdom. District police stated that he is facing a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and that he crossed the border unlawfully from India.

Following his detention, local residents alerted police, who then handed him over to the Lalmonirhat District Detective Branch. Police confirmed that legal proceedings against the former official are currently underway.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, announced that artificial intelligence (AI) training centers will be set up in every upazila across the country. Speaking at a seminar titled “Future of the Telecom Sector: What the Government Thinks,” organized by the Telecom and Technology Reporters Network, Bangladesh (TRNB) at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka, he said the initiative aims to expand AI use and train youth in AI and freelancing. The government is preparing an implementation plan, with a framework expected in the upcoming national budget.

The minister said the government is executing an integrated plan to modernize the telecom sector, ensure investment-friendly policies, and expand high-speed internet access to rural areas. He emphasized the importance of 5G, AI, IoT, and cloud-based services through stronger public-private partnerships. The government also aims to create one million ICT jobs within five years and modernize state-owned enterprises to improve service quality.

Prime Minister’s ICT adviser Rehan Asif Asad added that the upcoming budget will include positive measures for the ICT sector, targeting a 10–15 percent GDP contribution and prioritizing affordable smartphones, 5G, AI, and cybersecurity.