Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmad stated that the BNP-led government has already begun implementing its election manifesto. He said this during a video conference as the chief guest at a seminar on the implementation of the government’s election pledges, held Saturday morning at the Shayestaganj Press Club auditorium in Habiganj. Ahmad noted that initiatives such as the Family Card and Farmer Card programs are being rolled out soon after the election.

The seminar was organized by the Sylhet Regional Information Office with support from the District Information Office. Ahmad emphasized the media’s responsibility in conveying the government’s development activities to the public and ensuring transparency in information dissemination. Deputy Chief Information Officer Hasina Akter served as the main discussant, while District Information Officer Walidur Rahman attended as a special guest.

Journalists from various print and electronic media outlets in Shayestaganj participated in the event, discussing transparency, development communication, and objective reporting. Participants expressed hope that such seminars would continue regularly.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the re-excavation of the Khorda canal in the Waruk Bazar area of Tamta Dakshin Union under Shahrasthi upazila of Chandpur. The event, held on Saturday, marked the official launch of a nationwide initiative to re-excavate rivers, canals, and waterways aimed at strengthening environmental conservation and climate resilience.

According to the announcement shared on the BNP’s Facebook page, the program is part of the party’s election manifesto commitments. During the inauguration, emphasis was placed on long-term planning for water reservoir preservation, maintaining natural water flow, and addressing the adverse impacts of climate change.

Before arriving in Chandpur, Tarique Rahman traveled from Dhaka to Lakshmipur in Barura upazila of Cumilla by special bus, where he delivered a roadside speech before proceeding to Shahrasthi for the inauguration ceremony.

On May 14, 2026, an attack and violence occurred at the historic Shah Ali shrine area in Mirpur. In response, the Dhaka North unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) expressed deep concern, anger, and strong condemnation over the incident. The party stated that such violence at a religiously and historically significant site reflects a deterioration of law and order and poses a threat to social harmony and public safety.

The NCP Dhaka North called on the government and law enforcement agencies to ensure a fair and impartial investigation, bring those involved to justice swiftly, and take effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The party emphasized that the shrine should serve as an open center of social, human, and cultural harmony for all, regardless of religious or ideological differences.

It further urged the government to make the shrine area a safe and orderly place for visitors and devotees from across the country, stressing that preventing fear, violence, and disorder around such cultural and religious heritage sites is a shared responsibility of both the state and society.

Students at Jahangirnagar University have intensified protests following an alleged attempted rape of a female student on May 12. After a 48-hour ultimatum expired, female students declared the proctorial body unwelcome, broke the lock of the proctor’s office, and installed a new one. Protesters held a sit-in in front of the vice-chancellor’s residence from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Friday, reiterating their six-point demand for the arrest of the accused and accountability from the administration.

Students accused the administration of concealing key information and spreading misleading images. They criticized the vice-chancellor for praising the proctor despite previous controversies. Following a heated exchange between the vice-chancellor, Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, and protesters, the students announced that all administrative activities would be halted from the next day until the proctor resigns and the accused is punished.

The vice-chancellor stated that police are making progress and that any action must follow an investigation involving both parties. He urged students to allow time for the inquiry and said the issue of incorrect images would also be reviewed by the investigation committee.

A young man was arrested with 1,890 yaba tablets near the Sunamganj border early Saturday morning. The 28 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) unit conducted a special operation around 6 a.m. in the Birendranagar area, detaining the suspect and seizing yaba tablets worth about six lakh taka along with a motorcycle. The detainee was identified as Sagar, 20, son of Raham Ali from Borochhara village in Tahirpur upazila.

According to BGB, Sagar was caught approximately 1,200 yards inside Bangladesh territory near border pillar 1193/4 S while returning from across the border with the yaba tablets. He was handed over to Tahirpur Police Station for further legal action. The company commander of Birendranagar Border Outpost, Subedar Shafiqul Rahman, stated that patrol activities in the border area have been intensified following the arrest.

Authorities indicated that surveillance and patrol operations will continue to prevent further illegal drug trafficking through the Sunamganj border region.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has announced another major reduction in gold prices across the country within 24 hours. According to a notice issued on Saturday morning, the price of 22-carat gold has been reduced by up to Tk 4,374 per bhori, bringing it down to Tk 238,121. The new rates took effect from 10 a.m. on May 16, 2026. On the previous day, May 15, the same quality gold was priced at Tk 242,495 per bhori.

BAJUS stated that the price adjustment was made due to a fall in the international market price of pure (tejaabi) gold. Under the revised structure, 21-carat gold now costs Tk 227,331 per bhori, 18-carat gold Tk 194,847, and traditional gold Tk 158,689. The association also announced a decrease in silver prices, with 22-carat silver now priced at Tk 5,657 per bhori.

The latest price revision reflects BAJUS’s ongoing adjustments to align domestic gold and silver rates with global market trends.

Mizanur Rahman Sinha, former state minister for health and family welfare and convener of the Munshiganj district BNP, has passed away. He died on Friday night, May 15, 2026, while undergoing treatment in Singapore. He was 83 years old at the time of his death.

Sinha was elected to parliament from Munshiganj-2 constituency (Tongibari-Louhajong) as a BNP candidate in the 1996 and 2001 national elections. He served as state minister for health and family welfare from 2003 to 2006. On January 22, 2020, he resigned from all BNP positions, but was later appointed convener of the Munshiganj district BNP on February 2, 2025. He was nominated again by the BNP for the Munshiganj-2 seat in the 13th national election but fell ill before the polls and was taken to Singapore for treatment.

Local political leaders, businesspeople, and residents expressed grief over his death, reflecting his long-standing influence in Munshiganj politics.

Bangladesh is facing a severe measles outbreak that has claimed the lives of nearly five hundred children. Amid this crisis, President Md. Shahabuddin Chuppu traveled to London for a follow-up medical check-up, accompanied by his family, physicians, and staff. His earlier cardiac bypass surgery was performed in Singapore in October 2023, and all medical records remain there. The president’s decision to undergo follow-up treatment in London instead of Singapore has drawn criticism, with observers labeling the trip as unnecessary and extravagant.

The article highlights a broader crisis in Bangladesh’s healthcare system, marked by inequality and lack of trust among the elite. While millions of citizens rely on under-resourced hospitals without insurance, wealthy and powerful individuals routinely seek treatment abroad. The piece argues that this disparity reflects a deeper governance failure, where corruption, poor regulation, and lack of accountability have crippled both public and private healthcare sectors.

The author calls for stronger health policies, increased budget allocation, and legal accountability for medical negligence to restore public confidence and ensure equitable healthcare access for all citizens.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced plans to make Cumilla a new administrative division and to establish an agricultural university in the region. He made the announcement on Saturday afternoon during a roadside rally at Lakshmipur Bazar field in Barura, Cumilla. Rahman said that all promises made by his government would be fulfilled gradually and urged citizens to remain patient as the economy faces pressure after 17 years of mismanagement.

He emphasized that the BNP government is committed to keeping its electoral promises, citing ongoing initiatives such as canal excavation, distribution of family and farmer cards, and honorariums for imams and priests. Rahman stated that rebuilding the country requires collective participation and that the people voted for the BNP based on its presented plans.

Highlighting Cumilla’s agricultural importance, Rahman said the region exports large quantities of produce nationwide. He added that he would soon discuss with the education minister the establishment of an agricultural university in Cumilla as a response to local demands.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman departed from Cumilla for Chandpur on Saturday afternoon after addressing a roadside gathering. He left at around 1:45 p.m. to inaugurate several development projects and attend local events in Chandpur district.

According to the schedule, Rahman will inaugurate the re-excavation of Khordda Canal at Waruk Bazar in Tamta Dakshin Union of Shahrasti upazila, followed by a brief roadside speech. Later, at 2:30 p.m., he will open the re-excavation work of Bishwo Canal at Ghosher Hat in Kumardugi village under Shah Mahmudpur Union of Chandpur Sadar upazila, where he will also address a short gathering.

The Prime Minister is expected to take a short break at Chandpur Circuit House at 3 p.m., attend a Family Card distribution event at Chandpur Government College ground at 4 p.m., and join the district BNP’s organizational meeting at Chandpur Club at 5 p.m. His visit will conclude with his return to Dhaka by road at 6:30 p.m.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has expressed deep sorrow over the death of popular content creator and actress Karina Kaiser. In a Facebook post on Saturday, May 16, 2026, he described her untimely death as an irreparable loss for the anti-fascist movement, culture, and democratic aspirations.

Asif Mahmud recalled Karina’s active participation during the July uprising and her firm stance in the anti-fascist struggle, noting her role as both a cultural activist and a courageous voice against injustice. He said her courage, commitment, and fighting spirit would continue to inspire the younger generation. The NCP spokesperson also prayed for her soul and extended condolences to her family, comrades, and well-wishers.

Karina Kaiser died from liver-related complications. Her father, former national football player Kaiser Hamid, confirmed her death in a Facebook post on Saturday, May 16.

Professor Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam writes that many rivers in southern Bangladesh have dried up, leaving bridges standing over sand and weeds instead of flowing water. The article attributes this severe environmental change primarily to the Farakka Barrage, built in 1975 on the Ganges in West Bengal to maintain navigability at Kolkata port. Reduced water flow from the Ganges has caused rivers such as the Padma, Gorai, Madhumati, Kumar, Bhairab, and Kopotakkho to lose vitality, turning once-thriving waterways into barren channels.

The drying of rivers has disrupted agriculture, fisheries, navigation, and biodiversity, while salinity intrusion has damaged farmland and freshwater sources in Khulna, Satkhira, and Bagerhat. The loss of river-based livelihoods has forced migration and eroded local culture and communication traditions. The author notes that Bangladesh has repeatedly demanded fair water sharing from India, but dry-season flows remain inadequate despite agreements.

He argues that Bangladesh’s own policy failures, including weak diplomacy, river encroachment, pollution, and lack of dredging, have worsened the crisis. With the same political party now governing both West Bengal and India’s central government, he urges Bangladesh’s new BNP administration to pursue strong diplomatic action for a sustainable water-sharing solution.

A local BNP leader named Israfil Sheikh has been accused of occupying disputed land in Rampal upazila of Bagerhat and continuing construction work despite a temporary injunction issued by the Senior Civil Judge Court. The land in question, located in Gilatala mouza and measuring 0.0190 acres, is under a pending case where the court ordered that no construction, eviction, or obstruction of possession should occur until the case is resolved. The complainant family alleged that the accused ignored the court order and continued building with the influence of retired Additional DIG Omar Faruk.

The affected family held a press conference at the Bagerhat Press Club, claiming that even after informing local administration and police, no effective action was taken. Locals reported that construction materials were being transported regularly and workers were seen on site, raising concerns about administrative inaction. Attempts to contact Israfil Sheikh and Omar Faruk for comments were unsuccessful, though a close source of the accused claimed the land was legally purchased.

Local observers warned that continuing construction in defiance of a court order could pose a serious challenge to the rule of law. Police officials said the matter was under observation and would be handled seriously if violations were confirmed.

A recent article by retired Major General H R M Rokon Uddin describes how West Bengal’s disputed state election, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party claimed victory amid allegations of manipulation and misuse of central authority, has created serious concern in Bangladesh. The author argues that political developments in West Bengal inevitably affect Bangladesh due to deep historical, cultural, and geographic ties across the border.

The piece highlights accusations of electoral interference, suppression of opposition voices, and the deployment of central forces, which critics say undermine India’s democratic integrity. It warns that inflammatory remarks by some local BJP leaders about Bangladesh following the election breach diplomatic norms and could strain bilateral relations. The author links these tensions to the ideological stance of the BJP and its parent organization, the RSS, which he describes as viewing Muslim-majority Bangladesh with suspicion.

The article urges Bangladesh to respond firmly through diplomatic protest, diversify strategic partnerships, strengthen border security, and maintain communal harmony. It also calls for balanced diplomacy to protect sovereignty while preserving the people-to-people connection between the two Bengals.

Stone imports through the Sonamasjid land port in Chapainawabganj have been suspended for 13 consecutive days since May 2, 2026, following a dispute over increased assessment value for customs purposes. The shutdown has brought operations at one of the country’s key land ports to a standstill, depriving the government of revenue and leaving around 8,000 port workers without work. The port’s managing authority, Panama Sonamasjid Port Link Limited, confirmed the ongoing halt in imports.

Importers stated that they had long imported stones at an assessment value of USD 13 per ton, which determined customs duties. Recently, Indian customs authorities raised this value to USD 15 per ton. Importers argue that 20–30 percent of the imported stones are of low quality, and the higher valuation would cause heavy financial losses. They have decided not to resume imports until the increased rate is withdrawn.

The suspension has severely affected daily wage laborers who depend on stone handling for income. Port officials warned that unless the valuation issue is resolved soon through discussions between importers and authorities, both government revenue and workers’ livelihoods will continue to suffer.