The Ministry of Land has issued a directive requiring all landowners across Bangladesh to pay their land development tax for the current fiscal year by June 30, the date when the national budget will be passed in parliament. The ministry emphasized the use of digital methods to ensure secure and transparent land management. Citizens can now pay their taxes online through the official portal land.gov.bd without visiting local land offices.

According to the ministry, taxpayers must first register on the portal, provide relevant land record details, and then complete payment via mobile banking or card. The government introduced this digital payment system to make land administration more efficient and transparent. Failure to pay within the deadline may result in interest being added to outstanding dues under existing laws.

Officials expect that the digital transformation will enhance transparency in land tax collection, reduce bureaucratic delays, and eliminate the influence of intermediaries, saving both time and money for citizens.

Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam announced that at least 50,000 people will participate in a canal excavation drive and one million trees will be planted in a single day in Sylhet. He said committees will be formed at the upazila level to decide within a week which canals will be excavated and where trees will be planted. The announcement came during a meeting on implementing the Prime Minister’s priority project for nationwide canal excavation and tree plantation, held at the Sylhet Deputy Commissioner’s office.

Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury, who attended as chief guest, said the initiative is part of the government’s commitment to public welfare and election pledges. He emphasized that public awareness and collective participation are essential for full success and called for turning the program into a social movement. Other speakers included Member of Parliament M.A. Malik and Mufti Abul Hasan.

The nationwide program, launched on March 16, 2026, aims to improve irrigation, control floods, reduce waterlogging, and restore water bodies. Under the plan, about 20,000 kilometers of canals will be excavated or re-excavated over five years with coordination among four government agencies.

Speakers at an eleven-party alliance seminar in Chattogram on Sunday evening warned that a mass movement would be launched if the BNP government failed to honor the referendum verdict. They said the excuses used by the government to disregard the people's decision had already been rejected by the public. The event, titled “The Referendum Verdict as the Expression of the People’s Sovereign Will,” was held at the Engineers Institution in the city.

Speakers alleged that although the BNP had engaged in reform discussions with 33 parties before the election, it changed its stance after coming to power. They cautioned that the country’s situation would deteriorate if the government did not return to the right path. The seminar was attended by leaders including Liberal Democratic Party chairman Dr. Col. Oli Ahmad and Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Prof. Mia Golam Porwar, among others.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Shishir Monir presented the keynote paper, emphasizing that the constitution places the people above all state institutions. He warned that ignoring the referendum, which reportedly saw 70 percent voter turnout, could lead to a national explosion.

The World Literature Center has announced plans to organize 200 mobile book fairs across Bangladesh by 2027, with support from the MetLife Foundation. The initiative aims to promote cultural engagement and reading habits among people throughout the country. The fairs will travel to district towns, offering visitors access to a wide range of books and opportunities to purchase their preferred titles.

In addition to book displays, the fairs will host cultural activities designed to foster interest in literature and education. Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, founder and president of the World Literature Center, emphasized that a nation’s true progress lies in its love for books, noting that the mobile fairs will make quality reading materials more accessible and encourage curiosity and critical thinking. MetLife Bangladesh CEO Ala Ahmad expressed satisfaction in partnering again with the center to promote culture and reading nationwide.

This marks the second consecutive year of collaboration between the two organizations. In 2025, they jointly organized more than 128 mobile book fairs that attracted over 200,000 visitors.

The flood situation in northeastern Bangladesh has shown further improvement as water levels in major rivers continue to fall. According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Water Development Board, the region experienced no significant rainfall in the past 24 hours, leading to expectations of continued improvement. On Sunday, the Nalojur River in Sunamganj remained stable at 50 centimeters above the pre-monsoon danger level, while the Someshwari, Bhugai-Kangsha, and Mogra rivers in Netrokona saw slight decreases in water levels. However, the Sutang River in Habiganj rose by 7 centimeters at the Sutang rail bridge point.

The agency reported that river levels across the haor region of Sunamganj are slowly decreasing at a rate of 0 to 1 centimeter per hour. No notable rainfall was recorded in the upstream or internal haor basin areas of the northeast during the last 24 hours. Additionally, India’s special bulletin indicated that Cherrapunji in Meghalaya did not record significant rainfall.

As a result, water levels in rivers across three northeastern districts are expected to continue falling, further improving the flood situation in the haor basin.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the immediate activation of six unused children's hospitals located in Rangpur, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barishal, Sylhet, and Cumilla. The order followed a newspaper report published on April 12 highlighting that hospital buildings worth Tk 320 crore had remained unused for years. After reviewing the report, the Prime Minister held an emergency meeting with Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain, State Minister Dr. M A Muhit, and Health Secretary Md. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, instructing them to inspect and operationalize the facilities without delay.

The Prime Minister also ordered a comprehensive progress report by June 2, 2026. During the meeting, he directed the full activation of the partially operational 500-bed Kushtia Medical College Hospital and the swift opening of other hospitals, including the super-specialized facility under Bangladesh Medical University in Dhaka’s Shahbagh. Additionally, he instructed the Foreign Ministry to engage the Chinese Embassy to expedite construction of the 1,000-bed Bangladesh-China Friendship Hospital in Nilphamari.

According to the Health Secretary, the Nilphamari hospital will serve as a regional referral center for the northern region, where poverty and limited health infrastructure have hindered access to advanced medical care.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has announced that it will organize a Quran evening at the Bot Tola of Dhaka University. The announcement was made through a Facebook post by Sadiq Kayem, the Vice President of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and the organization’s central international secretary. The event is scheduled for May 11, marking the observance of the historic Quran Day.

According to the announcement, the program will feature the participation of world-renowned Qari Sheikh Ahmad bin Yusuf Al Azhari. The event is being organized under the banner of the Dhaka University unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir. The declaration highlights the group’s intention to commemorate Quran Day through a religious gathering on the university campus.

No further details about the program’s schedule, permissions, or expected attendance were provided in the announcement.

After three days of rising temperatures and oppressive humidity, rain across Bangladesh, including Dhaka, brought relief to residents. According to the Meteorological Department’s 24-hour data until 6 p.m. Sunday, 26 of 51 observation centers recorded rainfall, with the highest at 64 millimeters in Nikli, Kishoreganj. Dhaka saw 32 millimeters, while Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet, Mongla, and other areas also experienced significant showers. The rain lowered the day’s maximum temperature to 36 degrees Celsius from 37.2 the previous day.

Meteorologist Kazi Zebun Nesa said a low-pressure system may form over the southwest Bay of Bengal within 48 hours but will not affect Bangladesh, as it is positioned farther southwest and may influence Sri Lanka and parts of India. Scattered rain may continue for two days, though heavy rainfall is not expected. Despite moderate temperatures, high humidity could cause discomfort.

From May 13, moderate to heavy rainfall is likely in the country’s northeastern regions, including Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, due to expected heavy rain in India’s Meghalaya and Cherrapunji. The department noted that early monsoon activity has slightly increased internal rainfall this year.

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie has announced that Bangladesh will build durable and climate-resilient coastal infrastructure to ensure long-term national security and economic growth. Speaking on Sunday at a seminar at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Dhaka, he emphasized the need for advanced construction materials, eco-friendly engineering, and climate-tolerant designs to safeguard coastal regions from climate-related risks.

The minister highlighted that high population density in coastal areas has led to environmental challenges, including reduced farmland, increased fishing pressure, resource overuse, water pollution, and mangrove destruction. Rising sea levels are causing erosion and saltwater intrusion, damaging crops and marine ecosystems. He urged the use of modern technology to prevent coastal erosion.

Annie added that under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the government is reviving the canal excavation program initiated by late President Ziaur Rahman. Over the next five years, 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, ponds, and reservoirs will be excavated or re-excavated, alongside the planting of 250 million trees to create coastal green belts. He also called for new laws and management plans to protect farmland and improve waste management in coastal zones.

Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad, Secretary General of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, has described the ongoing persecution of Muslims in India, including attacks on mosques and madrasas and restrictions on religious freedom, as a grave violation of human rights. Speaking on Sunday afternoon at a protest rally in front of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka, he urged India to follow Bangladesh’s example in maintaining communal harmony and called on the international community to take effective action to stop the oppression.

The protest, organized by the Dhaka Metropolitan unit of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, was held to denounce what the group described as continuous assaults and rights violations against Muslims in West Bengal, Assam, and other parts of India. Jalaluddin Ahmad also criticized the appointment of West Bengal’s new Chief Minister Shuvendu Adhikari, labeling him a self-proclaimed Hindutva leader, and argued that such developments show India’s democracy and religious tolerance are shrinking.

He further urged the Bangladeshi government to strengthen diplomatic efforts and avoid subservience to India, emphasizing that the persecution of Muslims there is not merely an internal issue but a matter of humanity and religious freedom.

Bangladeshi-origin music producer and DJ Sanjay has been confirmed to perform at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The grand event will take place on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, United States, where Sanjay will share the stage with globally renowned artists including Katy Perry, Future, Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, J Balvin, and Lisa.

Sanjay expressed his excitement on social media, describing the opportunity as an incredible milestone in his journey from a small home studio to the world stage. He has already made a mark in the music scenes of South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe-America, but this performance is expected to elevate his career to a new level.

FIFA announced that each match-day show will begin 90 minutes before kickoff to encourage early attendance. The opening ceremonies in the United States and Canada will last 13 minutes, while Mexico’s will run for 16 minutes and 30 seconds. Additionally, FIFA will host special celebrations on July 4 in Philadelphia and Houston to mark the United States’ 250th Independence Day.

A surge in organized robberies has gripped the Sitakunda section of the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, one of Bangladesh’s busiest transport routes. According to local sources, gangs are attacking vehicles at night by throwing heavy objects to force them to stop, then robbing passengers at gunpoint. On May 8, robbers attempted to attack a police microbus in Bhatiari Union, but officers managed to capture one suspect. The following night, a microbus carrying wedding guests was looted in Nunachhara, with cash, phones, and jewelry taken within minutes.

Residents and travelers allege that inadequate night patrols have emboldened the gangs, making key areas such as Nunachhara, Kumira, and Faujdarhat increasingly unsafe. Transport operators warn that continued insecurity could disrupt trade and logistics linked to Chattogram port, threatening the national economy. Meanwhile, Sitakunda town is also facing a rise in thefts, drug activity, and youth gang violence, heightening public anxiety.

Police say investigations are underway and patrols have been reinforced, but locals question when visible improvements in safety will occur.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has stated that extrajudicial killings can never be justified and called for ensuring public safety. In a Facebook post on Sunday, he referred to recent incidents where several people were killed in Naogaon, Chattogram, and Gazipur, including three individuals beaten to death in Gazipur’s Kaliakoir area on suspicion of cattle theft.

He questioned whether these killings were signs of social disorder or expressions of public frustration caused by the lack of proper law enforcement. Dr. Rahman emphasized that no killing without trial is acceptable and that the rule of law cannot be established unless the Home Ministry, Law Ministry, and Judiciary gain public trust. He said the government’s goodwill and proper initiatives are essential to resolve such social problems effectively.

According to him, no government program can succeed if public safety is ignored, and ensuring citizens’ security must come before pursuing transparent development initiatives.

The Bangladesh Navy is carrying out continuous operations to safeguard the country’s maritime boundaries, marine resources, and national economic interests. Alongside ensuring the security of commercial and fuel-carrying vessels, the Navy has been implementing two major initiatives: the ‘Jatka Elimination Prevention Operation 2026’ since February 15, 2026, and a 58-day fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal starting April 15, 2026.

Under the Jatka prevention campaign, coordinated operations are being conducted across nine coastal districts including Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Chandpur, Khulna, Bagerhat, Barishal, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, and Barguna. In Barishal, the naval ship BNS Titas is leading patrols and special missions. The Navy is seizing and destroying illegal fishing nets such as current nets, mosquito nets, and China duari nets, while encouraging fishermen to follow government directives.

So far, illegal nets worth about Tk 514.68 crore, totaling 34.08 million meters, have been confiscated, along with 861 prohibited nets and one boat carrying 37 kilograms of jatka. The operation will continue until May 15, 2026, with three naval ships deployed to enforce the fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal.

The Teesta Battalion (61 BGB) has intensified security measures along the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat to prevent illegal push-in and smuggling. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members are maintaining maximum alert across the area, conducting regular patrols and enhancing intelligence surveillance to stop unauthorized entry.

According to the battalion’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Syed Fazle Munim, the BGB is operating under a zero-tolerance policy to curb smuggling and illegal infiltration. Special attention is being given to monitoring suspicious individuals and vehicles in the border region. The initiative aims to reduce cross-border crimes such as drug trafficking, cattle smuggling, and human trafficking to the lowest possible level.

The strengthened vigilance reflects BGB’s continued efforts to maintain border security and prevent criminal activities that threaten stability in the frontier areas.