A four-hour blockade on the Dinajpur-Dhaka-Rangpur highway was withdrawn on Sunday following discussions between local authorities and transport leaders. The blockade began around 7 a.m. in protest against alleged extortion on the road and was suspended at 11 a.m. after an agreement was reached. Dinajpur municipality administrator Md. Riaz Uddin later issued an official order announcing the temporary suspension of revenue collection activities at the municipal truck terminal.

The decision came after mediation by Syed Jahangir Alam, the Member of Parliament for Dinajpur Sadar constituency, who facilitated talks between the municipal administration and the Truck Workers-Owners Unity Council. During the meeting, the municipal authorities assured that toll collection within the municipal area would be halted, prompting the protesters to suspend their program.

Truck Workers-Owners Unity Council General Secretary Sadakatul Babi Sada stated that the blockade was lifted based on the assurance to stop toll collection temporarily, warning that tougher actions could follow if a permanent solution is not reached.

Leading retail company Shwapno has extended long-term financial assistance to 12-year-old Samia Akter from Pohnkucha Paschim Para in Bagmara Dakshin Union of Lalmai upazila, Cumilla. The company recently handed her a cheque of 5,000 taka at a local event. Under the arrangement, Samia will receive 5,000 taka monthly under the supervision of the local chairman to support her education and daily needs. Shwapno authorities announced a total donation of 480,000 taka for her future.

A senior Shwapno official said the initiative reflects the company’s belief that small efforts can bring major changes in someone’s life. Local residents described the support as a significant relief for a struggling family and expressed hope that the regular assistance would help shape Samia’s future.

Shwapno has long been involved in social and humanitarian activities. Company representatives stated that similar support programs for underprivileged and vulnerable individuals will continue in the future.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on police officers to perform their duties with maximum sincerity and capability to ensure the peace and security of the nation’s citizens. He made the remarks on Sunday morning at the inauguration of Police Week 2026 held at the Rajarbagh Police Lines field in Dhaka. The Prime Minister emphasized that the safety of people’s lives and property largely depends on the police and urged them to renew their commitment to protecting the country’s independence and democracy.

He recalled the sacrifices of police officers during the Liberation War, paying tribute to those who were killed in the 1971 attack on Rajarbagh Police Lines. Rahman praised the professionalism of police members during the 13th National Parliamentary Election and their contributions to UN peacekeeping missions. He also highlighted the international recognition of Bangladeshi female police officers and called for humane behavior toward citizens.

The Prime Minister noted that questions remain about certain aspects of the Liberation War’s history and suggested that researchers further study the political decisions of 1971. He concluded by congratulating parade participants and wishing success for Police Week 2026.

The High Court has rejected the bail petition of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote, in the case concerning the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif in Chattogram. The bench of Justice K M Zahid Sarwar and Justice Sheikh Abu Taher issued the order on Sunday. The court also set Monday for delivering orders on bail petitions in four other cases filed against Chinmoy Das.

Earlier, on May 7, the High Court concluded hearings on bail rules in five separate cases, including the murder case, and scheduled Sunday for the verdict. Lawyer Apurba Kumar Bhattacharya represented Chinmoy Das during the hearing. Chinmoy was arrested in five cases after being granted bail in a sedition case on April 30 of the previous year.

The sedition case was filed on October 31, 2024, by BNP leader Firoz Khan, accusing Chinmoy and 18 others of insulting the national flag. Following his arrest, a violent clash erupted at the Chattogram court premises on November 26, 2025, after his bail was denied, leading to the killing of lawyer Alif.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that the government will avoid loan-dependent mega projects and instead focus on eliminating unnecessary initiatives to ensure balanced national development. He made the remarks on Sunday, May 10, at the inauguration of the second phase of the PKSF and World Bank joint project ‘RAISE’ in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The minister emphasized that the government is working to ensure economic democratization by bringing marginalized groups under financial support. He stated that those excluded from the mainstream economy must be integrated, as participation in economic activities is a citizen’s right. He added that democracy should not be limited to politics but must also extend to the economy, underscoring the government’s commitment to democratizing economic opportunities.

The announcement signals a shift toward inclusive growth policies, prioritizing financial empowerment and sustainable development over debt-driven infrastructure expansion.

Truck workers in Dinajpur blocked the Dinajpur-Dhaka-Rangpur highway on Sunday morning, protesting alleged extortion in the name of municipal toll collection. The demonstration was organized by the Dinajpur Truck Owners-Workers Joint Council and took place at several key entry points of the city, including Government College Mor, Terminal Road, and Kanchan Bridge. The blockade disrupted bus services and caused severe suffering for passengers.

According to union leaders, extortion has been ongoing for about a month under the guise of municipal toll collection on various city roads. They demanded an immediate end to the practice and vowed to continue the blockade until the issue is resolved. The president of the Dinajpur Truck Owners Group claimed that despite verbal objections to the municipal authorities, the illegal toll collection had not stopped.

Dinajpur Kotwali Police Station’s officer-in-charge stated that discussions were underway to resolve the problem.

Bangladesh has fallen behind India and Vietnam in global export capacity rankings due to high trade costs, slow port operations, and weak logistics infrastructure. The issue was highlighted at a roundtable titled “Integrated Port and Logistics Sector Development for Trade-Driven Bangladesh,” organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in Dhaka. Experts said customs complexities, transport delays, and lack of modern supply systems are eroding Bangladesh’s competitiveness in international markets.

According to the discussion, Bangladesh ranks 88th in the global logistics capability index, compared to India’s 38th and Vietnam’s 43rd. In customs efficiency, Bangladesh stands 101st, while India and Vietnam are 47th and 43rd respectively. The country’s infrastructure ranking is 108th, and its position in international shipment is 91st. Experts, including Dr. M Masrur Reaz of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, noted that inefficient logistics and high business costs are limiting the nation’s trade potential.

Speakers urged rapid implementation of a national logistics policy, modernization of port management, and greater private sector involvement. They emphasized adopting AI, blockchain, and digital customs systems to reduce clearance times and improve export competitiveness.

Five members of the same family were critically injured in a gas leak explosion in the Uttar Bhuiyighar area of Fatullah, Narayanganj, on Sunday morning, May 10, 2026. The incident occurred around 7 a.m. at a house in front of Gram Bangla Tower. The victims—tenant Md Kalam, his wife Sayma, and their three children Munna, Munni, and Kotha—were rescued by locals and taken to the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute in Dhaka.

According to Abdullah Al Arefin, Deputy Assistant Director of Narayanganj Fire Service and Civil Defense, the explosion took place on the ground floor of an eight-story building owned by Md Shahjahan Mia. The fire broke out when Kalam lit a cigarette with a lighter in a closed room filled with leaked gas. Dr. Shawon Bin Rahman of the National Burn Institute reported that Kalam suffered 95 percent burns, Sayma 60 percent, Munna 30 percent, Kotha 52 percent, and Munni 35 percent. All are in critical condition and receiving emergency treatment.

Authorities confirmed that the victims remain under intensive care as their conditions are life-threatening.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday ordered the start of trial proceedings against 28 accused, including former Dhaka South City mayor Fazle Noor Taposh and former minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, in connection with the killing of nine people during the July uprising in Mohammadpur, Dhaka. The tribunal rejected discharge petitions and read out three specific charges before setting June 8 for opening statements and the first witness testimony. Four of the accused, currently in custody, were produced before the court.

According to the prosecution, the accused include former senior police officials and leaders of banned local units of the Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League. The charges allege that between July 17 and 19, 2024, law enforcement and political activists opened fire on unarmed protesters, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries. The prosecution claims the attacks were carried out under the knowledge and direction of the accused.

Investigators submitted their report against 28 individuals after probing the violence. The chief prosecutor stated that 50 witnesses will testify against the accused, who face charges of crimes against humanity for their alleged roles in the killings and assaults.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on police officers to pledge that no fascist force will ever be able to use the police for its own interests. He made the remarks on Sunday morning at the Rajarbagh Police Lines field in Dhaka while addressing the inauguration of Police Week. Rahman emphasized that police members must make every effort to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.

He recalled that many police officers sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence and said that this achievement must be protected at any cost. Rahman described the parade at the event as a reflection of the discipline, dignity, and commitment of the police toward a better future. He also noted that the current democratic government was formed through the people’s mandate following a long anti-fascist struggle culminating in a mass uprising in 2024.

This year’s Police Week, themed “My Police, My Country, Bangladesh First,” began on May 10 and will continue until May 13, featuring various programs and parades inspected by the Prime Minister.

Bangladesh’s tea industry is showing renewed optimism as early rainfall at the start of the 2026 season has improved growing conditions across major tea-producing regions including Chattogram, Sylhet, Panchagarh, and Moulvibazar. The first two months of the year saw an increase of 258,000 kilograms of tea compared to the same period last year. The first auction of the season was held on April 27, where about 95 percent of the tea offered was sold. The Bangladesh Tea Board has set a production target of 104 million kilograms for this season, slightly higher than last year’s 103 million, which fell short by over 8 million kilograms.

Officials and industry leaders attribute the positive outlook to favorable weather and expanding cultivation in northern plains. However, they also warn of challenges including rising production costs, illegal tea trading, and market management issues. The government has fixed maximum auction prices at Tk 245 per kilogram for Sylhet and Chattogram teas and Tk 170 for Panchagarh.

The Tea Board is emphasizing organic fertilizers and integrated pest management to improve quality and sustainability. If favorable weather continues, stakeholders believe Bangladesh could exceed its production target and reduce dependence on imports.

Three people were beaten to death in Gazipur’s Kaliakoir upazila on Saturday night after being accused of attempting to steal cattle in the Bakchala area. Locals, who had been organizing nightly patrols ahead of Eid-ul-Azha due to a rise in cattle thefts, surrounded the suspects and assaulted them. Police arrived at the scene and rescued the injured individuals, sending them to Shaheed Tajuddin Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared all three dead.

Following the incident, residents set fire to the pickup truck allegedly used by the suspected cattle thieves. Gazipur Superintendent of Police Mohammad Sharif Uddin confirmed the incident. The report did not mention any arrests or further investigation details.

The incident reflects heightened community vigilance and tension in rural areas ahead of Eid, when cattle thefts often increase, though official responses or preventive measures beyond local patrols were not detailed in the report.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated Police Week 2026 on Sunday, May 10, at the Rajarbagh Police Lines field in Dhaka. The four-day event began with the annual police parade under the theme “My Police, My Country, Bangladesh First.” The prime minister inspected the parade in an open jeep and received the salute from participating police contingents.

This year’s Police Week emphasizes improving law and order, rebuilding public trust, and advancing technology-driven modern policing. In his message, the prime minister highlighted that stable law and order is essential for democratic progress and national development. He urged the police to play a more effective role in regaining public confidence and directed them to act decisively against mob violence, juvenile gangs, and drug proliferation.

President Md. Shahabuddin, in his message, noted that the nation’s stability and good governance depend heavily on the police’s integrity, professionalism, and discipline. He stressed the need to train police personnel in artificial intelligence, data analytics, CCTV surveillance, and digital forensics to address increasingly complex crimes in the information technology era.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is scheduled to deliver its order today on whether to frame charges against former Dhaka South City mayor Fazle Noor Taposh, former textiles and jute minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and 26 others in connection with the killing of nine people, including Farhan Faiyaz and Mahmudur Rahman Saikat, during the July uprising in Mohammadpur, Dhaka. The three-member panel, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, will issue the order, with Justices Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired district judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members.

The accused include former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, former additional DIG Proloy Kumar Jowardar, and former joint commissioner Biplob Kumar Sarkar, along with leaders of banned local Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League units. Four accused are in custody and were produced before the tribunal. The prosecution has brought three specific charges, alleging that the accused ordered and participated in indiscriminate shootings on unarmed protesters on July 18–19, 2024, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.

Following hearings completed on April 26, the tribunal initially set May 7 for the order but later rescheduled it for today.

The Bangladesh government has intensified surveillance along its borders to prevent illegal cattle smuggling from India ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Authorities have decided to close cattle markets in border areas and maintain a policy of not importing sacrificial animals. Official data show the country has a surplus of about 2.2 million animals for sacrifice, though shortages persist in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions.

According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh has 12.33 million animals ready for sacrifice against an estimated demand of 10.1 million. The government aims to protect local farmers who suffered losses in previous years when Indian cattle inflows depressed prices. Some farmers in flood-affected haor regions reported selling cattle cheaply due to feed shortages, though ministry officials denied any widespread crisis.

Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid said border cattle markets were banned to safeguard domestic producers. The government has also promoted online cattle sales without fees and arranged training for butchers to ensure proper handling of hides during Eid.