A former president of Sylhet Metropolitan BNP and businessman, Nasim Hossain, was robbed of Tk 5.07 million in South Surma’s Parairchak area. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. on Friday in the Moglabazar area, drawing significant local attention due to the victim’s political background. According to police, the robbers intercepted and vandalized a private car before seizing the money.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police’s media officer, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Manjurul Alam, confirmed the robbery and said that a case had been filed by a bKash agent named Nayemuzzaman Kayes. Police are currently verifying the complaint. Nasim Hossain confirmed the incident and stated that he serves as the divisional distributor for mobile banking company bKash.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the robbery, but no further details about suspects or arrests were provided in the initial report.

The Indian Navy ship INS Sunayna arrived at Chattogram Port on Friday for a three-day goodwill visit to Bangladesh. Upon arrival, the ship’s commanding officer, officers, and sailors were welcomed by the Chief Staff Officer of the Commander Chattogram Naval Area. A ceremonial band performance by the Bangladesh Navy marked the occasion, attended by senior naval officials and representatives from the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh. Earlier, the Bangladesh Navy ship Ali Haider greeted the visiting vessel upon its entry into Bangladeshi waters.

During its stay, the ship’s commanding officer and a delegation including the Indian High Commission’s Naval Adviser will pay courtesy calls on the Commander Chattogram Naval Area, Commander BN Fleet, Area Superintendent Dockyard, and the Chairman of the Chattogram Port Authority. The crew will also visit Bangladesh Navy training bases, ships, and notable historical and tourist sites in Chattogram.

The visit aims to promote professional exchanges between the two navies and strengthen existing bilateral relations. The Indian Navy ship is scheduled to depart Bangladeshi waters on May 10.

A massive fire broke out on Friday evening at a foam recycling factory in the densely populated Kadamtali area of Dhaka, spreading panic among residents. The blaze, fueled by foam, tire materials, and fabric, quickly intensified and spread to a nearby semi-pucca building. Five units of the Fire Service managed to bring the fire under control at 9:05 p.m. after three hours of effort. One firefighter fell ill from excessive heat and was hospitalized.

Fire officials said the factory was located about 500 yards inside a narrow alley, making firefighting operations difficult due to limited access and water shortages. Assistant Director Kazi Nazmuzzaman stated that water was pumped from a nearby pond to contain the flames, preventing the fire from spreading to adjacent residential buildings and shops. The factory stored large amounts of flammable foam and materials used in mattress production, which caused the fire to spread rapidly.

Preliminary findings suggest an electrical short circuit may have triggered the fire. Authorities will determine the exact cause and damage after a full investigation once the debris is cleared.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized a large consignment of Indian mobile phone displays worth approximately Tk 9.4 million during an anti-smuggling operation in the Barojwala border area of Adarsha Sadar upazila, Comilla. The operation was carried out on Friday morning by a patrol team from the Barojwala Border Outpost (BOP) under the Sultanpur Battalion (60 BGB), based on specific intelligence information. A total of 1,706 mobile displays of Indian origin were confiscated, all without any identified owner.

According to the BGB, the seized items will be handed over to the relevant customs office following legal procedures. The commanding officer of the Sultanpur Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel S M Shariful Islam, stated that the force remains vigilant against smuggling activities and has intensified intelligence surveillance and operational measures along the border. He added that similar operations will continue in the future.

The operation underscores BGB’s ongoing efforts to curb cross-border smuggling and strengthen border security in the Comilla region.

Hasnat Abdullah, Member of Parliament for Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) and a senior leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has donated most of his first month’s salary to support the education of children from the marginalized Bede community. In a video message posted on Facebook early Friday, he announced that the donation was made under a special initiative titled “Let’s Meet Gypsy Genius.” Through this program, 34 Bede students received cash scholarships from his first month’s salary.

The initiative also includes a monthly scholarship of 2,500 taka for Bede students pursuing higher education after completing higher secondary school. Bede community president Alaudin Ojha welcomed the move, saying it would help their children move beyond a nomadic lifestyle and build a better future through education. Abdullah stated that his goal is to ensure that financial hardship does not hinder any child’s education.

Local observers believe the MP’s personal initiative will positively influence education among disadvantaged groups and inspire others to take similar social responsibility.

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has congratulated Suvendu Adhikari, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader who won the West Bengal assembly election. The message was conveyed on Friday through a statement issued on behalf of the Awami League.

According to the statement, Hasina, who is also the president of the Awami League, extended her greetings to all victorious BJP representatives in the West Bengal assembly election. Although the statement mentioned only Suvendu Adhikari by name, it noted that Hasina wished success to all who achieved victory in the polls.

The announcement reflects a gesture of goodwill from the former Bangladeshi leader toward the newly elected leadership in the neighboring Indian state, emphasizing political courtesy and regional diplomatic civility.

Bangladesh’s Mominul Haque lauded teammate Najmul Hossain Shanto after his commanding century on the opening day of the Dhaka Test against Pakistan. From a precarious 31 for 2, Shanto and Mominul built a 170-run partnership that helped Bangladesh regain control. Shanto scored 101 off 129 balls with 12 fours and two sixes, playing in an aggressive one-day style that unsettled the Pakistani bowlers.

Speaking at the post-day press conference, Mominul described Shanto’s innings as one of the best he had witnessed from him, crediting his counterattack for putting Pakistan under pressure. He noted that Shanto has been in excellent form, having scored centuries in recent Tests against Sri Lanka, Ireland, and New Zealand. Mominul emphasized the importance of maintaining the same mindset and staying grounded to sustain this consistency.

Looking ahead, Mominul said a strong start on the following morning would be crucial for Bangladesh’s position in the Dhaka Test, expressing optimism about the team’s momentum.

Jamaat-e-Islami central executive council member and Dhaka South Ameer Md. Nurul Islam Bulbul MP said the government is misleading the public by promising to fully implement the July Charter while actually avoiding necessary reforms. Speaking on Friday at a Jamaat-e-Islami training camp for non-members and associates in the Motijheel-Shahjahanpur zone, he accused the government of reviving old fascist practices instead of pursuing reform and change.

Bulbul argued that those who sought a ‘yes’ vote in the pre-election referendum but later ignored its outcome cannot bring about state reform or implement the July Charter. He questioned why ruling party lawmakers had not taken the oath of the constitutional reform council if they truly intended to follow the charter. He urged the government to implement the July Charter peacefully and said Jamaat-e-Islami was ready to cooperate if the government accepted the referendum’s verdict.

The event was chaired by Muhammad Shamsur Rahman, assistant secretary of Dhaka South Jamaat, and attended by several local leaders.

A security guard at Dhaka University’s Curzon Hall has been listed as the joint general secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan East unit of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), prompting internal discussions and criticism within the organization. The appointment appeared in a committee list approved on April 4, 2026, by the JCD central leadership and published on May 2 on the group’s official Facebook page. The listed individual, Julhas Mia, said he was not fully certain whether the name referred to him.

Julhas, currently employed as a fourth-class security guard at the university’s main gate, stated that he had long been involved with the student organization and had submitted his CV about six months earlier seeking an honorary position. However, he expressed uncertainty about how his name appeared in the final committee. The Dhaka Metropolitan East JCD president confirmed Julhas’s identity, saying he had participated in various programs and was believed to be a current student.

Other JCD leaders, including the vice president and general secretary of the same unit, said they were unaware of Julhas’s professional background. The central general secretary of JCD said such inclusion should not have occurred and promised to review the matter.

A mysterious streak of light seen over the western sky of Cox’s Bazar Beach on Friday evening caused excitement among locals and tourists. Authorities later confirmed that the phenomenon was likely linked to India’s experimental launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The bright trail was visible around 7 p.m. near the Laboni and Sugandha points, drawing attention from beachgoers who initially mistook it for a conflict-related missile.

A meteorologist from the Cox’s Bazar weather office clarified that the light was not a natural atmospheric event. An air force intelligence source stated that India had earlier notified about its planned test of the ‘Agni-6’ ICBM over the Bay of Bengal, with special airspace restrictions imposed from May 4 to 9. The source added that the event was directly monitored, though the Bangladesh Navy has not issued any official comment.

According to a report by India’s Economic Times, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued for the test, covering airspace from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha to about 3,500 kilometers.

A protest rally was held in Anwara, Chattogram, after allegations surfaced that Mohammad Ali, an Awami League leader, made derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on Facebook. The demonstration took place on Friday at 5 p.m. at Kala Bibi Dighi intersection, organized by Tanzim-e-Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat Anwara branch and Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Anwara branch. The event was presided over by Maulana Kazi Akhtar Hossain Anwari and attended by several local religious leaders.

According to the report, Mohammad Ali, a former adviser to the Anwara Upazila Awami League and currently residing in the United States, allegedly made the offensive comment under a post by Islamic speaker Rafiqul Islam Madani. The incident sparked anger among local Muslims and widespread criticism on social media. Following the backlash, Ali apologized and expressed regret for his remarks.

Speakers at the rally described the comment as an unpardonable offense and demanded legal action against the accused, stating that mere apology was insufficient. They also called for exemplary punishment to prevent similar incidents in the future.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has emphasized the need to ensure regular attendance of doctors in government hospitals and to improve healthcare services in Sitakunda, Chattogram. Speaking at a social event in Sitakunda on Friday, he said the region remains behind in education, healthcare, and employment despite its industrial and tourism importance. He also met with industrialist and political figure Aslam Chowdhury MP during the event.

Nahid Islam stated that he would discuss with the government and relevant authorities to make healthcare more accessible for people in remote areas. He called for increasing hospital bed capacity if necessary and urged the government to take effective steps to create more employment opportunities for local youth. He also highlighted Sitakunda’s potential in tourism and industry.

According to local sources, the meeting between the two leaders included discussions on national politics, social harmony, and regional development. Attendees viewed the interaction positively, expecting it to contribute to local progress and stability.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that the recent increase in fuel prices in Bangladesh is very small compared to other countries. Speaking in Sylhet on Friday, he said the impact on commodity prices would be a one-time spike and would not lead to persistent inflation. He warned that if anyone raises prices unjustifiably, the government will take action.

The minister explained that inefficiency in port management has raised transportation costs and that a Danish official has been assigned to improve port capacity. He also commented on a trade agreement with the United States, noting that while some clauses favor one side, others benefit the other, creating a win-win situation. If any clause is found to be against national interests during implementation, there is scope for revision within the agreement.

Muktadir further said the government plans to hand over loss-making state-owned enterprises to private investors to reduce inefficiency and create employment. He also discussed plans to develop a natural park in Sylhet’s Baishthila area with facilities like a cable car and rope bridge to attract tourists.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has proposed the establishment of four new police stations to strengthen citizen security and improve policing services in the rapidly expanding capital. Acting DMP Commissioner Md. Sarwar stated that the proposal for the new Rayerbazar Police Station is currently under review at the ministry. He shared the information while speaking to journalists during the inauguration of the newly built Khilkhet police outpost building in the 300 Feet area on Friday afternoon.

According to the DMP, the restructuring aims to reduce pressure on existing stations and ensure faster service delivery to residents. Plans include forming a new station covering parts of Mohammadpur, Adabar, and Hazaribagh, another named Bashundhara Police Station combining parts of Vatara, Badda, and Khilkhet, and an additional one in the Khilgaon area. The commissioner added that the expansion of Dhaka’s population, housing projects, and commercial activities has made new administrative structures essential for maintaining law and order.

He further mentioned that as the Purbachal New Town project and nearby areas come under Dhaka North City Corporation, proposals have been made to establish four new police stations and six outposts as part of advance planning.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), called on Muslims to strengthen their faith to confront emerging ideological challenges. Speaking before Friday prayers at Masdair Central Jame Mosque in Fatullah, Narayanganj, on May 8, 2026, he warned that the 'saffron flag' was approaching Bangladesh and urged vigilance. Local NCP leaders, including Zubair Ahmed Sardar, Zubair Hossain Tamjid, and Nirab Raihan, were present during his address.

In his brief speech before the sermon, Patwari emphasized social transformation, political awareness, and skill development among expatriates. He advocated for mosque-centered community building as a means of achieving societal change and criticized the previous 15 years of governance for alleged repression of religious scholars. He also highlighted the importance of Arabic language skills for Bangladeshi migrant workers in the Middle East, suggesting that language proficiency could significantly increase their earnings.

A brief commotion occurred at the mosque during his visit, with witnesses reporting pushing and shouting that led to a broken glass door. The situation was later brought under control.