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.

Member of Parliament for Cumilla-4 and NCP’s chief organizer for the southern region, Hasnat Abdullah, stated that police officers must be taught to say ‘no’ to illegal or unjust directives. In a Facebook post on Monday, he emphasized that the courage to reject unlawful orders is essential for integrity within the force. He also highlighted systemic issues such as inadequate investigation budgets, lack of overtime pay, and poor working conditions that contribute to corruption.

Hasnat noted that investigators receive only 6,000 taka for serious cases like murder or robbery, and just 3,000 taka for complex money-laundering cases, making proper investigations nearly impossible. He argued that insufficient funding forces officers to cover official expenses personally, fostering corruption. He called for fair overtime compensation, improved food and working conditions, and adequate budget allocations to reduce dependence on informal payments.

He further urged legal protection for officers who refuse illegal orders and merit-based promotions to strengthen professionalism. Hasnat concluded by questioning whether the police force itself is ready to embrace such independence and accountability.

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) distributed education scholarship cheques totaling 9,204,600 taka among 731 students under its Education and Merit Scholarship Policy 2017. The ceremony took place on Monday afternoon at the Gulshan-2 Nagar Bhaban, where DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan handed over the cheques to the recipients.

During his speech, the DNCC administrator said the scholarship program is conducted regularly to promote education and nurture talent, especially among students from low-income families. He emphasized that students should aim to become skilled human resources in various professions and urged parents to take responsibility for their children’s proper care and intellectual development. He also called for public awareness and participation in dengue prevention during the monsoon season.

DNCC Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Asaduzzaman stated that the scholarship program, based on the 2017 policy, expanded from 69 recipients last year to 731 this year, with plans for further expansion. Chief Engineer Brigadier General Syed Rakibul Hasan highlighted the importance of parental care in students’ overall development.

Authorities in Chapainawabganj have decided not to impose any fixed schedule for mango harvesting this year. Farmers will be allowed to pick and market mangoes once they are fully mature. The decision was made at a meeting held on Monday afternoon at the district administration conference room, focusing on the mango calendar and the safe, chemical-free production, marketing, transport, and sale of mangoes. Officials warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found marketing immature mangoes.

The meeting was chaired by District Commissioner Abu Saleh Md Musa Jangir and attended by officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension, the Regional Horticulture Research Center, and local mango growers and traders. According to the agriculture department, mango orchards cover 37,487 hectares in the district this season, with a production target of 458,012 metric tons.

The decision aims to ensure quality mango production and maintain the district’s reputation as a leading mango-producing region in Bangladesh.

Health Minister Sardar Shakhawat Hossain Bakul announced that all 50-bed hospitals in the country’s upazilas will gradually be upgraded to 100-bed facilities. He said the government is working tirelessly to ensure quality healthcare reaches rural communities. The minister made the announcement during an unannounced visit to the Rajair Upazila Health Complex in Madaripur on Monday, May 11, 2026.

During the visit, the minister inspected the emergency department, male and female wards, operation theater, storeroom, and outpatient section. He reviewed medical services, patient attendance, medicine supply, and the duties of doctors and nurses. He also spoke with patients and their relatives to gather feedback on service quality and urged doctors to be more attentive to patients.

Sardar Shakhawat Hossain Bakul assured that necessary steps will be taken to further improve the services at Rajair Upazila Health Complex and mentioned that the government is implementing long-term plans for the overall development of the health sector.

Jamaat-e-Islami Member of Parliament Syed Zainul Abedin has taken an unusual initiative to work jointly for development and to ease public suffering. On Monday, he met with his political rival, BNP Dhaka South member secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin, and called for united efforts to improve the Dhaka-4 constituency.

Abedin stated that solving issues such as gas and water shortages, drug abuse, extortion, teenage gangs, terrorism, and mugging requires collective action. He emphasized that no representative can address all social problems alone and urged all political leaders, regardless of party affiliation, to work together for the welfare of the people. He expressed hope that coordinated efforts could transform Dhaka-4 into a peaceful and prosperous area.

The MP also pledged mutual cooperation to ensure public safety, maintain social order, and restore peace in the constituency. Local leaders from both Jamaat and BNP were present during the meeting.

The Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Bridges, and Railways, Sheikh Robiul Alam, announced that no passenger will be allowed to board launches from boats or speedboats in the middle of the river during the upcoming Eid travel period. The decision was revealed on Monday during a meeting with journalists at the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges. The restriction follows two unwanted river accidents during the previous Eid, after which two high-level investigation committees were formed and several safety measures were recommended.

According to the ministry, passengers may still use boats or speedboats to reach launches through terminal pontoons. Additional measures include requiring drivers to unload passengers before vehicles board ferries, strengthening ferry pontoon safety barriers, and suspending sand-carrying bulkhead operations for five days before and after Eid. Nighttime speedboat operations will also be halted. To ease congestion at Sadarghat, new launch services will operate from Bosila and Shimulia, with BRTC shuttle buses connecting Kuril to Shimulia.

The ministry also decided to restrict general trucks and covered vans from ferry crossings during peak Eid days, prioritize livestock transport, and ensure regulated fares and passenger support services at terminals.

A five-member medical delegation from the Chinese government visited the Puthia Upazila Health Complex in Rajshahi on Monday morning. The team arrived around 11:30 a.m. and spent about an hour inspecting various departments, including patient services and hospital infrastructure. Their visit focused on evaluating the existing facilities and healthcare management at the complex.

According to hospital sources, the visit was part of an assessment related to the proposed 1,000-bed Bangladesh-China Friendship Hospital. The delegation, comprising medical experts Chen Xiuwen, Zhao Yannan, Li Hong Kun, Liu Jun, and Dong Li, discussed patient load, bed capacity, medical equipment, and future expansion possibilities. They also toured the wards and emergency department.

During the visit, several local health officials, including Dr. Habibur Rahman and Dr. S.I.M. Rajiul Karim, were present. The Chinese team also attended a project-related meeting at the Rajshahi Divisional Health Office and later participated in a separate program at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

The Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) has expressed concern over a clause in the amended Bank Resolution Act that allows former bank owners to return to the sector. Following a meeting with Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostakur Rahman on Monday, BAB President and Dhaka Bank Chairman Abdul Hai Sarker told reporters that the provision could enable individuals previously involved in irregularities and misappropriation to re-enter the banking industry, potentially causing new instability.

Sarker warned that public confidence in the banking sector could further erode if those who had taken money from banks are allowed to return. He urged the government to reconsider the clause carefully to prevent renewed crises. The meeting was attended by several prominent bank chairmen and directors, including A K Azad, Sharif Zahir, Manjurur Rahman, and Romo Rouf Chowdhury.

According to Sarker, the central bank governor assured them that the return of former owners would not be permitted without fulfilling all conditions under section 18(a) of the amended law. He also confirmed that the ongoing merger process of five banks would continue as planned.

A local BNP leader was killed in a road accident in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj district on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. in front of the Mohona Community Center on the Dhaka–Sylhet highway. The deceased was identified as Moniruzzaman Khan Faruk, aged 50, a member of the BNP in Bahubal upazila.

According to Bahubal Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Saiful Islam, Faruk was returning home to Mirpur on his motorcycle when a bus of Hanif Paribahan ran him over. He died on the spot. Police later recovered the body, but the bus involved in the accident could not be seized.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether any further investigation or legal action has been initiated regarding the incident.

A municipal female worker named Bhola Rani Das died from electrocution in Madhupur, Tangail, on Monday morning. The incident occurred around 7 a.m. when she was attempting to pick fruit from a tree using a stick from the third floor of her office. Bhola Rani Das was the wife of the late Niranjan Das from Ward No. 6 and worked as a contractual cleaner for the Madhupur Municipality.

According to Madhupur Municipality Administrator and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Jubayer Hossain, she died on the spot after being electrocuted. Madhupur Officer-in-Charge (OC) A.K.M. Fazlul Haque confirmed that an unnatural death case has been filed in connection with the incident.

Authorities have not provided further details about the investigation or any additional safety measures following the incident.

Dr. Zubaida Rahman, spouse of the Prime Minister, emphasized the need to encourage women entrepreneurs in small, cottage, and medium industries based on merit to achieve self-reliance. She made the remarks on Monday at the annual gathering and fair of the Bangladesh Police Women’s Welfare Association (PUNAK), held at the Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh as part of Police Week 2026. She highlighted that providing women with training, development, and marketing support would help improve family well-being, children’s education, and poverty reduction.

Dr. Rahman praised PUNAK members for their contributions to society and said their dedication helps guide future generations toward social responsibility. She noted that coordinated social service initiatives can form the foundation of a healthy and humane society. She also stressed that women can play a central role in health and rural development, ensuring the safety and growth of girls.

The event, presided over by PUNAK vice-president Sabina Awlad, included certificate distribution to meritorious students and award-winning stalls, followed by a cultural program.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Central International Secretary Sadiq Kayem has invited former interim government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to his wedding ceremony. Kayem shared the news on Monday afternoon through a Facebook post, noting that the invitation was extended during a meeting held to invite Dr. Yunus as a guest at the upcoming Second International Conference on the July Revolution.

During the meeting, Dr. Yunus congratulated and wished Kayem well for his new chapter in life. Kayem also presented him with a commemorative artwork honoring July’s martyr Nafiz and discussed DUCSU’s activities and plans, including the July Conference, aimed at advancing the nation through youth-led initiatives. Dr. Yunus reportedly expressed appreciation for the efforts of young people and extended his thanks and commendation.

Kayem further stated that he sought Dr. Yunus’s guidance and cooperation in realizing the vision of a reformed and inclusive Bangladesh, while also conveying national gratitude for his leadership during the post–August 5 crisis period.