The government has appointed Professor Dr. Ekramul Haque as the 16th Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). The appointment was announced through a notification issued by the Ministry of Education on Thursday. Dr. Haque will replace the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Abu Borhan Mohammad Badruzzaman. According to the official notice, his tenure will last four years from the date of joining or until his retirement, whichever comes first.

The circular further stated that the new Vice-Chancellor will serve as the university’s chief executive officer and must remain on campus full-time. The President, who also serves as the Chancellor of the university, retains the authority to cancel the appointment at any time if deemed necessary. Dr. Badruzzaman had assumed the role of Vice-Chancellor on August 5 following a government order issued after the fall of the previous administration.

Dr. Haque, a civil engineering professor at BUET, earned his PhD from the University of Tokyo in 1996 and has published over 50 research papers in international journals.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid announced that more than ten million animals have been prepared across Bangladesh for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. He stated that the country faces no shortage of sacrificial animals and that the festival will be fulfilled entirely with locally raised livestock. The minister made these remarks on Thursday during a meeting with officials at the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute auditorium in Savar.

He added that new prices for animal hides have been set following discussions with traders, and the decision was reached through mutual agreement. The minister emphasized that the current government is farmer-friendly and that all necessary livestock, including cows, goats, and sheep, are available in sufficient numbers. He also said that there is no need to import animals from abroad.

To prevent illegal cattle smuggling from India, the government has held several meetings with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and issued strict instructions to law enforcement agencies. Border residents have also been alerted to help stop any unauthorized animal entry.

The government has appointed new vice-chancellors at 11 public universities in Bangladesh on Thursday, May 14, 2026. According to a circular issued by the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education, 10 universities received new vice-chancellors after the previous ones were relieved of their duties, while the position at Pabna University of Science and Technology had been vacant prior to the announcement.

The affected universities include the University of Barishal, Comilla University, Islamic University, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), Jamalpur University of Science and Technology, Mawlana Bhashani University of Science and Technology, Noakhali University of Science and Technology, Pabna University of Science and Technology, and Rangamati University of Science and Technology.

The appointments follow earlier changes made to several public university leadership positions after the BNP government assumed power, reflecting continued administrative restructuring in the higher education sector.

International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam has alleged that former Ekattor Media Limited managing director Mozammel Haque Babu and former Ekattor Television chief reporter Farzana Rupa were involved in planning the 2013 killings at Hefazat-e-Islam’s rally in Dhaka’s Motijheel Shapla Chattar. He made the remarks on Thursday during a press briefing at his office in response to questions from journalists.

According to Aminul Islam, both Babu and Rupa were aware of the impending violence and their report titled “Somikoron” concealed the truth by claiming that no casualties occurred. He stated that investigators have since identified 32 victims from the incident site. The prosecutor emphasized that professional identity does not exempt anyone from accountability, saying that journalists, lawyers, or doctors could face trial if involved in crimes.

When asked how a journalist covering the event could be linked to planning, Aminul Islam questioned Rupa’s motives, noting that while other television channels were shut down, her live broadcast continued and allegedly concealed the killings.

Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer of the NCP’s northern region, has denied recent Indian media reports claiming he traveled to India for his father’s medical treatment. Speaking to Amar Desh on Thursday after the report appeared on an Indian news portal, Alam dismissed the claim as an 'Awami rumor' and said neither he nor any family member had ever visited India for any reason. He criticized the Indian media for publishing the story without verification, calling it a reflection of poor journalistic standards.

Alam emphasized that he and his party are not hostile toward any country, including India, but insisted that relations must be based on equality and respect between states and peoples, not through allegiance to ruling parties. He also condemned anti-Muslim rhetoric by political leaders in West Bengal following the BJP’s victory there, describing such statements as shameful and condemnable.

Alam further stated that normal relations with India are impossible while border killings continue, asserting that bilateral ties must rest on mutual respect and fairness.

The Ministry of Public Administration in Bangladesh has issued a notification declaring a seven-day public holiday for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. According to the circular released by the ministry’s Regulation-4 branch on Thursday, all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, and private offices will remain closed from May 25 (Monday) to May 31 (Sunday). Offices will operate normally on May 23 and 24, the two working days preceding the holiday period.

The notification specifies that essential services such as electricity, water, gas, fire service, port operations, sanitation, telephone, and internet will remain outside the holiday scope to ensure continuity of public life. Postal services, medical facilities, hospitals, emergency medical staff, and vehicles carrying medicines and medical supplies will also continue operations. Government offices engaged in urgent tasks will remain open as required.

The circular further states that relevant authorities will issue separate instructions for specific sectors. Bangladesh Bank will decide on banking operations, the Supreme Court will guide judicial activities, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment will provide directions regarding holidays for private industrial establishments.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has said the current government views the education sector not as an expense but as a national investment. He made the remarks on Thursday morning at a program organized by Campaign for Popular Education at the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation conference hall in Agargaon, Dhaka. The event, titled “Remedial Education: Work Experience and Future Vision,” focused on support programs for underperforming students.

Hajjaj stated that despite regular attendance, many primary students still fail to achieve grade-level learning skills. Citing the National Student Assessment, he noted that around 50 percent of students are lagging behind and suggested the actual figure might be higher. To address this, the government plans to introduce remedial education programs using learning circles, community engagement, and technology-based content.

Campaign for Popular Education Executive Director Rasheda K. Chowdhury, who presided over the event, said Hajjaj’s book “The Learning Nation” outlines a comprehensive framework for education reform in Bangladesh, emphasizing modernization from primary to higher education, teacher training, and assessment systems.

The Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Boards have published the proposed schedule for the 2027 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations. According to the plan, the exams under the Dhaka, Rajshahi, Jessore, Comilla, Chittagong, Barishal, Sylhet, Dinajpur, and Mymensingh boards will begin on June 6, 2027. The first day will feature the Bangla First Paper exam, followed by Bangla Second Paper on June 8, English First Paper on June 10, English Second Paper on June 12, and Information and Communication Technology on June 14. Science subjects including Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are scheduled for June 17, June 23, and July 1 respectively. Theoretical exams will conclude on July 13, and practical exams must be completed by July 18.

Students are required to arrive at exam centers 30 minutes before the start time and use the designated answer sheets for theoretical tests. The boards have cautioned that the schedule may change as the 2027 institutional holiday calendar has not yet been finalized. The Engineering Drawing and Workshop Practice First Paper will be held at each student’s respective college.

The proposed schedule includes a total of 77 papers, with the entire examination process expected to take 21 days to complete.

Commerce Minister Khondaker Abdul Muktadir has said that the government has taken comprehensive preparations to ensure smooth collection, preservation, purchase, sale, and transportation of raw hides from sacrificial animals during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. Speaking at a directive meeting with divisional commissioners, city corporation administrators, and deputy commissioners at the Secretariat on Thursday, he emphasized that not a single hide should be wasted, as directed by the Prime Minister.

The minister described sacrificial hides as a valuable national resource that can strengthen the leather industry, export earnings, and the financial capacity of orphanages, madrasas, and Lillah boarding houses if properly preserved. To prevent annual wastage, the government has allocated over Tk 17 crore for free salt distribution and Tk 2.63 crore for training programs. Awareness campaigns will include posters, leaflets, and media broadcasts.

He instructed divisional commissioners to form monitoring teams and ensure active field supervision after training. City corporation administrators were also asked to coordinate waste management with hide preservation efforts to maximize efficiency.

Bangladesh Bank has eased the single borrower loan limit, allowing banks to lend up to 25 percent of their capital as funded loans to a single client, up from the previous 15 percent. However, the combined funded and non-funded exposure cannot exceed 25 percent. The new directive, issued on Thursday, will remain effective until June 30, 2028. The central bank stated that the decision aims to accelerate business activities and facilitate international trade financing.

Under the revised rules, non-funded loans converted into funded loans will now be calculated at 25 percent instead of 50 percent, effective until June 30, 2027. This rate will gradually increase to 30 percent by December 2027, 40 percent by December 2028, and return to 50 percent from January 2030. The circular also revises large loan exposure limits based on non-performing loan ratios, allowing higher lending flexibility for banks with elevated default rates.

Officials explained that the adjustment was necessary as the sector’s non-performing loan ratio has risen to 30 percent, compared to 9 percent when the earlier circular was issued, restricting new lending under the old limits.

The Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board has released the tentative schedule for the 2027 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations. According to the announcement issued on 14 May 2026, the nationwide exams will begin on 7 January 2027, a Thursday, and will start each day at 10 a.m. The theoretical exams will commence with the Bangla First Paper and continue until 6 February 2027.

The schedule specifies that English Second Paper will be held on 13 January, Mathematics on 16 January, and Bangladesh and Global Studies on 18 January. Examinations for key subjects in science, humanities, and business studies streams will conclude by early February. Practical exams, including music, will begin after the theoretical tests and must be completed by 11 February 2027. These will also start at 10 a.m. at respective centers.

The board noted that the schedule may change if necessary, as the 2027 academic holiday calendar has not yet been finalized.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has announced the dates for the 2027 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations. The SSC and equivalent exams will begin on January 7, 2027, and end on February 6, while the HSC and equivalent exams will run from June 6 to July 13. The announcement was made on Thursday, May 14, 2026, during a press conference at the Secretariat.

The minister explained that the exams were initially planned for December, but objections from stakeholders led to a revised schedule. After consultations, the ministry decided to postpone the exams to allow students more preparation time. Milan emphasized that the new timetable was designed to ensure adequate readiness for all examinees.

He also warned of strict monitoring to prevent question paper leaks and ensure smooth exam administration. Education boards have been instructed to take necessary measures to publish results within the scheduled timeframe.

A Dhaka court has granted permanent bail and permission to travel abroad to journalist Anis Alamgir in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged illegal asset accumulation. The order was issued on Thursday, May 14, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez, who approved the defense’s applications for bail and foreign travel but rejected Alamgir’s request for exemption from personal court appearances. His lawyer Taslima Jahan Popy confirmed the court’s decision.

According to the case filed on January 15, 2026, the ACC accused Alamgir of possessing assets worth about Tk 42.5 million, of which Tk 32.6 million were allegedly beyond his known income sources. The investigation, led by ACC Assistant Director Akhtaruzzaman, found that Alamgir’s declared income totaled Tk 9.9 million from savings, consultancy, property sales, and interest earnings. He was formally shown arrested in the case on January 28, 2026.

The court’s decision allows Alamgir to travel abroad while the corruption case continues under ACC investigation.

Cumilla-10 (Nangalkot and Lalmai) Member of Parliament Mobashwer Alam Bhuiyan has expressed his intention to engage in cattle trading ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. He made the announcement through a post on his verified Facebook account on the night of May 13, 2026. In the post, he mentioned that his car and housing businesses were not performing well and sought opinions from his followers on whether his new business idea might affect the reputation of his political associates.

The Facebook post quickly drew widespread attention and mixed reactions. Some supporters welcomed the initiative, calling cattle trading a respected and valuable business, while others criticized the move. Commenters emphasized that business is permissible and honorable, wishing the MP success in his new venture.

According to the report, Mobashwer Alam Bhuiyan has previously drawn public attention for various remarks made on social media, indicating his active online presence and engagement with constituents.

A drug dealer was arrested in Rangpur with narcotics and local weapons during a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) operation. The arrest took place late Wednesday night in the Chatra Collegepara area of Pirganj upazila. The detainee, Md. Sujon Sheikh, aged 42, is the son of Mojibur Rahman Sheikh from the same locality. RAB officers recovered 145 pieces of yaba tablets, 5 grams of heroin, a Chinese axe, a dagger, and a sickle from his possession.

According to RAB-13’s Additional Superintendent of Police and Senior Assistant Director (Media) Biplob Kumar Goswami, the operation was conducted based on secret intelligence. After the arrest, Sujon Sheikh was handed over to the concerned police station on Thursday. RAB-13 stated that its intelligence activities and ongoing drives against narcotics continue under a zero-tolerance policy.

The operation reflects RAB’s continued enforcement efforts in Rangpur to curb drug trafficking and illegal arms possession in the region.