Bangladesh recovered from a disastrous start to post 278 runs on the opening day of the Sylhet Test against Pakistan, thanks to a fighting century from Liton Das. After losing six wickets for just 116 runs under cloudy skies and sharp pace bowling from Pakistan, Liton anchored the innings with a composed 126, guiding the hosts to a competitive total. Pakistan reached 21 without loss in reply before stumps.

Earlier, Bangladesh’s top order faltered as Mahmudul Hasan, debutant Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, and others fell cheaply to Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim briefly steadied the innings before both departed after lunch. Liton then built crucial partnerships with Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, and Shoriful Islam to lift the total.

Pakistan missed two review opportunities that could have dismissed Liton and Mushfiqur earlier. By day’s end, Bangladesh’s spirited recovery left the match finely balanced, with both teams still in contention heading into the second day.

Armed robbers looted Tk 3.5 million from peanut traders by holding them hostage on the Meghna River in Ashuganj upazila of Brahmanbaria on Saturday morning. The incident occurred around 6 a.m. in the Charchartala area when traders from NM Brothers, a peanut business based in Bhairab, were traveling by boat toward Baishmouja market in Nabinagar. The robbers attacked from another boat, seized the money, and fled the scene. Naval police later reached the spot by speedboat and rescued the traders.

According to Shamim Ahmed, one of the directors of NM Brothers, the Baishmouja market operates twice a week during the April–June peanut trading season. Fifteen people were on the traders’ boat when six robbers boarded it for about ten minutes, looted the cash, and disabled the boat’s engine before escaping. Bhairab Naval Police Officer-in-Charge Moniruzzaman Chowdhury stated that the case falls under another police station’s jurisdiction, but his team has also launched an operation to catch the robbers.

Police are preparing a case in the relevant jurisdiction and have begun efforts to identify and arrest the culprits.

Opposition leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman criticized the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), saying its name once stood for nationalism but now represents extortion. He made the remarks on Saturday in Rajshahi while addressing a divisional rally organized by the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat. The event was chaired by Rafiqul Islam Khan and attended by leaders and activists from various political groups, including the NCP.

During his speech, Dr. Rahman thanked the government for inaugurating the Padma Barrage and urged authorities to implement the Teesta Master Plan without fear or hesitation. He called for building social unity against corruption and extortion, urging citizens to hand over wrongdoers to the police. He reiterated that Jamaat must take the lead in combating these issues.

Dr. Rahman arrived in Rajshahi around 8 a.m. to attend the rally as the chief guest, where he emphasized moral and social responsibility in political conduct.

Sarowar Tushar, joint convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and deputy head of its Reform Implementation Committee, has demanded the arrest of those involved in the recent attack at Shah Ali shrine in Mirpur, Dhaka. Speaking to reporters after visiting the site on Saturday, he criticized the use of the term “mob” to obscure the attackers’ political identities and warned that the government cannot evade responsibility by shifting blame.

Tushar called for the formation of an independent commission to investigate shrine attacks over the past two years, alleging that perpetrators with clear political affiliations, including ruling party figures in the Kushtia’s Philipnagar incident, have faced no action. The NCP delegation met victims, heard their accounts, and urged Shah Ali police to bring the attackers to justice.

Earlier, NCP Dhaka North issued a statement condemning the May 14 violence near Shah Ali shrine, describing it as a threat to social harmony and public safety. The party urged all citizens to remain calm and called on both government and people to act responsibly to preserve communal harmony in Bangladesh.

Prime Minister’s Economic and Planning Adviser Professor Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir has rejected claims that the government is printing money, calling such allegations baseless. Speaking on Saturday at a pre-budget shadow parliament at FDC focused on inflation control, he said the government is prioritizing investment and employment and has taken special initiatives to reopen closed factories.

Titumir stated that during the previous administration, income levels fell sharply, pushing many lower-middle-class families below the poverty line and causing social fragmentation. He accused the former government of borrowing heavily under the guise of infrastructure development and engaging in corruption, while manipulating data to portray false progress. He added that the current administration will ensure transparency by making all Bureau of Statistics data publicly accessible.

He emphasized that the government aims to democratize the economy and avoid handing over sectors to syndicates. At the same event, Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron said the government is moving toward a universal social protection program to improve the lives of marginalized groups.

A union council member from Ward 8 of Madhabpasha Union in Babuganj upazila, Barishal, has been accused of forcibly occupying land belonging to a local family. The affected family filed an eviction case in the district magistrate court, which ordered an on-site investigation. According to case documents, about 25 decimals of land from a four-acre property owned by the heirs of Abdul Majed Shikdar were allegedly occupied by union member Md. Bashir Shikdar and his associates.

Complainant Anwar Hossain Sajal stated that several local arbitration attempts failed and that the accused side allegedly issued threats. Following the court’s directive, the land office began an investigation, but the accused reportedly avoided discussions. The court instructed the Babuganj Assistant Commissioner (Land) to submit an investigation report by May 21.

The land office scheduled a site visit and discussion for May 15, but the accused member did not attend. The local Kanungo confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. Bashir Shikdar denied the allegations, citing illness and the absence of a surveyor, and claimed the accusations were motivated.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called for a collective national effort to rebuild and develop Bangladesh, declaring it as the country’s shared pledge. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at a public gathering in Waruk Bazar, Tamta Dakshin Union of Shahrasti upazila, Chandpur, after inaugurating the re-excavation program of Khordd Canal. The event drew thousands of party leaders, activists, and supporters who welcomed him with slogans and applause.

Rahman emphasized that his government’s goal is to implement practical plans that will benefit citizens and advance the nation. Referring to the canal project, he noted that the late President Ziaur Rahman had initiated the original excavation 48 years ago, and the current re-excavation symbolizes continuity in national development. He urged citizens to work hand in hand, stating that the collective strength of Bangladesh’s people would transform the country into a dignified state.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the BNP’s commitment to fulfilling its electoral promises and highlighted that the party’s power stems from the people’s support, which he described as essential for ongoing nation-building efforts.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the upcoming national budget will include a significant allocation for the Family Card program. He made the announcement on Saturday, May 16, during a roadside rally at Mudaffarganj Bazar in Laksam, Cumilla. Rahman stated that the government had promised the Family Card before the election and has already begun distributing it. Residents of the area will also receive the card, he added.

Rahman further said that within the next year, the government aims to deliver Family Cards to about five million families across Bangladesh. He emphasized that the people’s trust in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which led to its electoral victory, would be honored through such initiatives. Addressing the crowd, he urged supporters to strengthen the BNP’s hand and assured that the party would gradually complete all national development tasks.

The announcement highlights the government’s focus on expanding social welfare programs and fulfilling electoral commitments through the upcoming budget.

Colonel (Retd.) Dr. Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has called for identifying foreign agents operating within Bangladesh. He made the statement on Saturday during a divisional rally in Rajshahi organized by the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami.

During his address, Oli Ahmed alleged that India has taken new plans to create unrest in Bangladesh. He also suggested that attention should be given to whether there are any agents of a person named Shuvendu operating in the country.

The remarks were made in the context of the alliance’s political activities ahead of national developments, though no further details or reactions were provided in the source.

Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has revealed that housewife Nazma Akter was murdered in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj to falsely implicate her sister’s brother-in-law, Torab Ali. According to investigators, Abdul Gani, brother of Nazma’s co-wife, planned the killing to take revenge in a long-standing dispute with Torab Ali and relative Selim Mia. Nazma’s body was recovered on October 20, 2025, from a bamboo grove near her home in Kazihata village. Her daughter Nargis Akter later filed a case accusing ten people, including Torab Ali, but PBI found that Abdul Gani had orchestrated the case and manipulated the accusations.

Inspector Rajib Kumar Das of PBI said the case took a new turn after the arrest of accused number nine, Abdun Nur, who claimed he was implicated only because he witnessed the murder. Further investigation led to Abdul Gani’s arrest, though he was later released on bail with Nargis’s support. Investigators also found that Nargis later married Abdul Gani’s son and began defending her father-in-law.

PBI reported that Nazma’s body showed signs of neck injuries and wet clothing, suggesting attempts to wash the body after the killing. The investigation is nearing completion, and a charge sheet will be submitted soon.

Police in Feni recovered the hanging body of a woman named Jannatul Mawa, wife of an expatriate, on Saturday from the Ilashpur area of Panchgachia Union in Sadar upazila. The body was found inside a house, and authorities have sent it to Feni General Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination.

According to the victim’s family, the incident was not a suicide but a planned murder. They alleged that following a quarrel with her sister-in-law earlier in the morning, Jannatul Mawa was killed and later hung inside the house to make it appear as suicide. Police have not yet released further details about the investigation or possible suspects.

Further information about the case and official statements from law enforcement are awaited as the investigation continues.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Textiles and Jute, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, emphasized that sustaining the long-term competitiveness of the country’s ready-made garment and textile industry requires prioritizing sustainable production, innovation, research, and product diversification. Speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of the Textile Innovation Exchange held at Le Méridien in Dhaka on Saturday, he said sustainability is no longer a slogan but a necessity for the industry’s survival and future.

The minister noted that Bangladesh’s natural resources are limited, making efficient use of energy, water, and raw materials essential through circular production and effective management. He warned that the country’s export base remains narrow and must expand into high-value segments such as sportswear, man-made fiber apparel, and technical textiles to remain globally competitive. He also highlighted the need for research, design development, skill enhancement, and modern technology adoption.

Muktadir added that the government will repurpose closed factories through industrial parks, public-private partnerships, or leasing to attract new investment. He said other promising sectors like leather, light engineering, and shipbuilding will be revitalized through technology, skills, and international collaboration.

Police have arrested Lion Niloy Parvez from Dhaka’s Vatara area for allegedly posting a series of offensive and defamatory Facebook posts about Abul Hossain Khan, the Member of Parliament for Barishal-6 (Bakerganj) and district BNP convener. The arrest took place on Saturday following a complaint that Niloy had repeatedly shared obscene and derogatory remarks, photos, and videos about the MP from his personal Facebook account.

According to police, the posts contained objectionable captions that spread widely across social media. In response, Padreeshibpur Union BNP president Faruk Mridha filed a case under the Cyber Security Act with the Barishal Cyber Tribunal, naming Niloy as the accused. The court accepted the case and directed Bakerganj police to take necessary action.

Bakerganj Police Officer-in-Charge Adil Hossain confirmed that the case was filed under court order and that Niloy was arrested as a named accused. He added that further details would be disclosed after completion of legal procedures.

BNP Secretary General and Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the government will not enter into any agreement that undermines Bangladesh’s national interests. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at a discussion organized by the BNP at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking Farakka Long March Day. He emphasized that the future of Bangladesh-India relations depends on the renewal of the Farakka Agreement and that the government will prioritize national interests in any such negotiations.

Mirza Fakhrul described the construction of the Padma Barrage as a historic decision and said that discussions and agreements on the Farakka issue must reflect the will of the Bangladeshi people. He also warned against attempts by certain groups to create instability and urged citizens to remain vigilant against conspiracies. BNP Standing Committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy expressed concern over water, environmental, and communal issues, alleging that communal tensions are rising and need control. He also accused the Chief Minister of West Bengal of inciting communalism while stressing that Bangladesh seeks friendly but independent relations with its neighbor.

The event was attended by senior BNP leaders including Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, and Sultan Salahuddin Tuku.

At least 25 people were injured when two passenger buses carrying garment workers collided head-on in Dhamrai, Dhaka, on Saturday morning. The accident occurred around 8 a.m. in front of the Incepta Pharmaceuticals factory on the Dhaka-Aricha highway in the Baribaria area. The collision caused severe damage to the front sections of both buses and led to a major traffic jam that lasted about two hours until the vehicles were removed from the road.

According to local sources, a Padma Paribahan bus traveling from Dhaka to Manikganj collided with a Swopno Paribahan bus coming from the opposite direction. Fire service units arrived quickly, rescuing the injured with help from locals and sending them to Manikganj Hospital and nearby clinics. Several of the injured were reported to be in critical condition. The Swopno Paribahan bus was carrying workers from Graphics Garments.

Fire Station Officer Al Amin Khan confirmed that the driver of the Swopno Paribahan bus, who was trapped in the wreckage, was rescued and sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.