A police team came under attack while attempting to arrest suspected robbers in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area on Monday morning. The incident occurred when officers from Dhanmondi Police Station conducted a raid to capture suspects linked to a recent mugging. Sub-Inspector Saiful Islam was injured by sharp weapons during the confrontation, while a suspect named Shakib was shot in the foot when police fired in response. Three suspects, including Shakib, were later arrested.

According to Dhanmondi Police Station’s officer-in-charge Saiful Islam, the suspects had been lying in wait with machetes and other sharp weapons near Mohammadpur Town Hall. When police arrived around 6 a.m., the suspects attacked, prompting officers to fire warning shots before using live rounds to control the situation. Both the injured officer and the suspect are receiving treatment at Shaheed Suhrawardy Hospital and are reported to be out of danger.

Police said the arrested individuals, identified as Shakib, Palash, and Biplob, have prior cases related to robbery and other crimes.

A Feni court has ordered the imprisonment of ASM Moinul Hossain Jackson, vice president of the district unit of the student organization Chhatra Dal and a junior officer at NRBC Bank’s Feni branch. The decision came on Monday afternoon when the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court rejected his bail plea in a case involving the assault of a teacher’s family and vandalism of their home. The same court granted bail to another accused, Ninupa Akter.

According to case details, the incident occurred on February 10 in Fazilpur village of Feni Sadar upazila. Jackson and several others allegedly attacked retired teacher Azizul Haque, his wife, and daughter over a land dispute. During the assault, the attackers reportedly tied up Azizul’s pregnant daughter and vandalized the family’s house. The victims were later rescued by army and police personnel.

The family initially filed a complaint with the local police station, but after the case was not recorded, they proceeded to file it in court, leading to the current legal action.

Authorities in Mohanganj, Netrokona, conducted a raid on Monday afternoon at the residence of Rocky Molla in Khalifa Patti, also known as Jal Patti, and seized illegal Chinese fishing nets valued at approximately 2 million taka. The operation was led by Upazila Nirbahi Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) M A Kader, who conducted a mobile court during the raid. As Rocky Molla was not present, his mother, Asma Akter, was fined 5,000 taka by the mobile court.

Senior Fisheries Officer Anik Rahman was also present during the operation. Following the seizure, the confiscated illegal nets were burned on the premises of the upazila compound. The action was part of an ongoing effort by the local administration to curb the use of banned fishing equipment in the area.

The report did not specify whether further legal action would be taken against the owner or others involved in the illegal possession of the nets.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly protested remarks made by ruling party whip Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu on May 9 at an event in Gosairhat Upazila, Shariatpur. The whip had stated that those who exploit religious sentiments by selling so-called tickets to paradise are betraying God. Jamaat described the statement as misleading and indecent in a press release issued on Monday.

In the statement, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Assistant Secretary General and Secretary of the party’s Central Publicity and Media Department, said the whip’s comments were false, politically motivated, and aimed at defaming Jamaat. He asserted that Jamaat leaders never engaged in selling “tickets to paradise” or exploiting religious beliefs. Zubair also claimed that such allegations were fabricated and originated from BNP leaders.

He urged Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu and other BNP leaders to refrain from making false and baseless statements against Jamaat-e-Islami.

At least fifteen people were injured on Monday afternoon in Rupganj, Narayanganj, when two rival groups of the Volunteer League clashed over local dominance. The confrontation involved chasing, counter-chasing, and blank gunfire. Several houses and businesses were attacked, vandalized, and looted during the violence. Police later deployed additional forces to restore order in the area.

According to local residents and police, the clash broke out between supporters of Billal Hossain, the district Volunteer League’s assistant secretary for information and research, and supporters of Amin Hossain from Kayetpara Ward. Billal Hossain filed a written complaint with Rupganj Police Station following the incident. The groups reportedly used sharp weapons, sticks, and firearms during the confrontation.

Rupganj Volunteer League convener Rafiqul Islam accused Billal Hossain’s group of launching a planned attack and firing shots. Officer-in-Charge AHM Salauddin said police quickly brought the situation under control and that a proper investigation would follow based on the complaint.

State Minister for Health Professor Dr. M A Muhit has urged pharmaceutical companies not to raise medicine prices arbitrarily, emphasizing the need to keep essential drugs affordable for the general public. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon at a stakeholder consultation meeting on strengthening the health sector, held at a hotel in Dhaka. The event was jointly organized by the Health Services Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the World Bank.

Dr. Muhit stressed the importance of a balanced policy for drug pricing, noting that while pharmaceutical companies need profits, sudden and frequent price increases harm both citizens and the government. He said the new government, formed just two and a half months ago after a long period of public unrest, has inherited a fragile health system marked by poor maintenance, equipment shortages, and medicine scarcity in hospitals.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring basic healthcare and life-saving drugs for all citizens, calling for collective efforts between the public and private sectors to overcome current challenges.

Masuma Hadi, sister of slain activist Osman Hadi, stated that the July movement would be defeated if justice for her brother’s murder is not ensured. She expressed deep frustration over the prolonged delay in the trial. Her remarks came during the inauguration of the Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi Memorial Stage office in Nalchity, Jhalakathi, held on Monday morning at Hadi’s childhood home in Kuripatti.

Following the inauguration, participants organized a protest march demanding justice for Osman Hadi’s killing. The march moved through the town’s main road and ended at Shaheed Selim Talukdar Square. Speakers at the rally demanded the government ensure a speedy trial and criticized its silence on the issue. They also called for the accused to be brought back from India to face justice.

Students from local educational institutions, leaders of the July movement, and local political figures joined the demonstration, emphasizing the community’s ongoing demand for accountability and justice.

Bangladesh Bank has introduced a new policy enabling customers to obtain digital or e-loans of up to Tk 50,000 at a 9 percent interest rate for a maximum period of 12 months. The central bank issued the policy on Monday, allowing customers to apply and repay loans entirely through digital channels without visiting a bank branch.

According to the policy, any regular customer can apply for the loan using digital platforms such as internet banking, mobile apps, e-wallets, or mobile financial services. Defaulters will not be eligible. Banks must verify a customer’s credit information from other financial institutions before approval but cannot charge any fee for this verification. The entire process, from application to repayment, will be conducted digitally using biometric identification, OTP, and multi-factor authentication to ensure security. All customer data must be stored in data warehouses located in Bangladesh.

Before commercial rollout, banks are required to conduct at least six months of pilot testing. Upon successful completion and board approval, they may launch the service. Banks have also been instructed to take steps to enhance customers’ financial literacy.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan visited the office of the newspaper Amar Desh in Karwan Bazar on Monday, meeting with its editor Mahmudur Rahman and senior journalists. During the visit, he toured various departments of the newspaper and inquired about the editor’s health following a recent operation. The minister was accompanied by senior government officials and representatives from the Journalist Welfare Trust.

In discussions with journalists, Swapan emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring press freedom, protecting journalists, and upholding constitutional rights to free expression. He referred to past media repression under the previous Awami League government and praised Amar Desh for its courageous role during what he described as a fascist period. He stated that the current administration, under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s guidance, aims to act as a supportive stakeholder rather than a controller of the media.

Swapan added that the government would assist journalists facing professional risks but would not intervene in cases involving criminal offenses. He also highlighted the importance of independent editorial policy and job security for journalists.

Prime Minister’s Adviser and BNP Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir has called on all to implement Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s directive to act firmly against those responsible for environmental destruction. He made the appeal on Monday morning while speaking as the chief guest at a food distribution event for over two hundred poor and distressed families of Rampasha Union, held at the Bishwanath Upazila Parishad auditorium with support from the United Arab Emirates.

Humayun Kabir stated that the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is sincerely working for the country’s overall development and the protection of rivers and the environment. He mentioned that major development projects have already begun across the country and that the upcoming budget will include plans to advance development in Osmaninagar, Bishwanath, and the Sylhet region.

Regarding the re-excavation of the Bashia River, Kabir said the Prime Minister remains firm on environmental protection and that the river will be freed from illegal occupation under proper supervision. Discussions with the administration and the district commissioner have already taken place, and the issue has been included in the ongoing re-excavation project fund.

The Bangladesh women's football team defeated Thailand’s Kasem Bundit FC 2–0 in a preparatory match held in Thailand. The match was part of the team’s intensive training program ahead of the eighth SAFF Women’s Championship, scheduled from May 25 to June 5. The defending champions, who won the last two editions, are aiming for a third consecutive title.

Coach Peter Butler emphasized midfield control and tested his players during the closed-door match. He focused on improving coordination between midfielders and defenders, refining finishing, and strengthening set-piece execution. The team has been training continuously for three days before the match.

Bangladesh will play another warm-up game on May 13 before traveling to Goa, India, on May 21 for the tournament. Placed in Group B, Bangladesh will face hosts India and the Maldives, beginning their title defense against the Maldives on May 29 and playing India on May 31.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Amir Maulana Mamunul Haque has called on the government to take firm measures to protect national sovereignty. Speaking at a rally in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, on Monday, he alleged that millions of Muslims from West Bengal and Assam were being stripped of citizenship and pushed into Bangladesh. He urged the government to strengthen border security, summon the Indian ambassador, and send a strong diplomatic message in response to what he termed a conspiracy against Bangladesh’s sovereignty.

The protest, organized by the coalition of local Qawmi madrasas ‘Ittefaq ul Madarisil Qawmia,’ also addressed issues of drug trafficking and extortion in Mohammadpur. Mamunul Haque criticized the local administration and the area’s member of parliament, accusing them of failing to maintain law and order. Other speakers, including Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad, echoed concerns about rising violence and border killings.

Speakers demanded government attention to restore peace and accountability, with calls for the Home Minister’s resignation over alleged failures in ensuring public safety.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, met with Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen at the minister’s office in the Secretariat on Monday. During the meeting, the minister expressed interest in setting up an Artificial Intelligence (AI) training center in Bangladesh to train young people in modern technology and AI skills. He praised China’s long-standing contribution to the country’s digital progress and highlighted the importance of continued cooperation in ICT and telecommunications development.

The minister emphasized Bangladesh’s commitment to multilateral cooperation, technological advancement, and digital connectivity. He expressed hope that the friendly relations between Bangladesh and China would strengthen further, opening new opportunities for both nations. The Chinese ambassador noted that Chinese technology companies have been operating successfully in Bangladesh for decades, with investments exceeding USD 1.5 billion, helping extend mobile network coverage to about 98 percent of the population and creating over 10,000 jobs.

Both sides expressed interest in jointly advancing Bangladesh’s AI sector, signaling potential future collaboration in technology training and innovation.

Guliakhali Beach, one of Sitakunda’s main natural attractions in Chattogram, is losing its scenic charm due to encroachment, pollution and poor management. Once known for its vast green meadows and winding canals meeting the Bay of Bengal, the area is now littered with plastic waste, polythene and unplanned structures. Locals fear that without immediate action, the beach’s environment and biodiversity will face severe threats.

Residents and environmental advocates blame unplanned tourism, lack of monitoring and careless visitor behavior for the deterioration. Despite large tourist gatherings on holidays, there is no proper waste management or cleaning system. Following a recent attack on tourists, authorities conducted an eviction drive, demolishing illegal shops and temporary structures. The Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer said further steps will include setting up a tourism police camp, public toilets and seating areas.

Environmental experts and locals welcomed the eviction but stressed that long-term planning is essential to preserve the beach. They urged for strict monitoring, installation of dustbins, regular cleaning drives and awareness campaigns to protect Guliakhali’s unique natural landscape.

Naval police in Daulatdia, under Goaland upazila of Rajbari district, conducted an operation in the Padma River and seized 100,000 meters of illegal current nets. During the raid, one fisherman named Masud Pramanik was detained for using the prohibited nets. The confiscated nets were later destroyed by burning.

According to a press release confirmed by Officer-in-Charge Trinath Saha of the Daulatdia Naval Police Outpost, legal action will be taken against the detained fisherman under the Fisheries Act. Following the case filing, the accused will be sent to the Rajbari court for further proceedings.

The operation reflects ongoing enforcement efforts to curb illegal fishing practices in the Padma River, which authorities say threaten aquatic biodiversity and violate national fishing regulations.