The four-day Deputy Commissioners (DC) Conference 2026 will begin on Sunday, May 3, and conclude on Wednesday, May 6, organized by the Cabinet Division. Additional Secretary (District and Field Administration) Md. Humayun Kabir announced that 498 proposals have been included in the working papers from a total of 1,729 submissions by eight divisional commissioners and 64 deputy commissioners. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

The proposals emphasize improving public services, expanding healthcare, reducing public suffering, constructing roads and bridges, promoting tourism, amending laws and regulations, and safeguarding public interests. The health services sector received the highest number of proposals, totaling 44. The conference will feature 34 sessions, including 30 working sessions, courtesy meetings with the President, Speaker, and Chief Justice, and discussions with the Election Commission and Anti-Corruption Commission.

Fifty-six ministries and divisions, along with the Prime Minister’s Office and two commissions, will participate. Key discussion topics include land management, law and order, local governance, disaster management, poverty reduction, ICT and e-governance, education, health, environment, and infrastructure development.

Continuous storms and heavy rains over recent days have caused extensive damage to vegetable cultivation in Naogaon district, leading to a sharp rise in prices across local markets. Retail prices of most vegetables have increased by 10 to 20 taka per kilogram, with eggplant and pointed gourd selling for 70–80 taka, and other vegetables such as papaya, yardlong bean, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, okra, and taro priced between 50 and 60 taka. Imported drumsticks from India are selling for around 200 taka per kilogram. In contrast, potato prices remain stable at 25–30 taka per kilogram, offering some relief to middle- and lower-income families.

Farmers in Manda, Badalgachhi, and Sadar upazilas reported severe crop losses, reducing supply to local and national wholesale markets. Vegetable farmer Ataur Rahman said his crops were heavily damaged, while wholesalers confirmed adequate potato stocks of both local and hybrid varieties. The Department of Agricultural Extension reported that 21,970 hectares were cultivated with potatoes this season, producing about 435,620 metric tons.

Officials expect vegetable fields to recover quickly if weather conditions improve, which could stabilize supply and lower prices in the coming weeks.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman inaugurated the country’s largest national-level sports talent hunt program, ‘Notun Kuri Sports,’ at Sylhet District Stadium on Saturday. Despite rain interruptions, the event began at 5 p.m. with a grand ceremony, connecting all 64 districts virtually. The Prime Minister urged children and adolescents to prepare themselves to take responsibility for the future of Bangladesh and to bring pride to the nation through both education and sports.

The program opened with the national anthem, flag hoisting, and recitations from holy scriptures, followed by a documentary highlighting the contributions of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia to youth and sports. A theme song was performed, and students from BKSP presented exhibitions of eight sports included in the initiative.

Youth and Sports Secretary Md. Mahbub-ul-Alam stated that the program aims to build a database of athletes aged 12 to 14 and identify grassroots talent through a four-tier administrative structure. He added that the goal is to prepare athletes for strong participation in the 2030 and 2034 Olympics and international championships.

Continuous rainfall and flash floods from upstream have submerged about 11,300 hectares of ripe paddy fields in Habiganj, according to the District Department of Agricultural Extension. As of Saturday, a preliminary list of around 20,000 affected farmers has been prepared by the district agriculture office.

Additional Deputy Director Dipak Kumar Pal stated that favorable weather earlier in the Boro season had raised hopes for a good harvest. This year, 123,644 hectares of Boro paddy were cultivated in the district, including 46,954 hectares in haor areas. However, sudden heavy rainfall and flash floods quickly worsened the situation, particularly in the haor regions of Ajmiriganj, Baniachang, Lakhai, and Nabiganj, where water entered before the harvest, causing severe losses and despair among farmers.

District Commissioner Dr. G. M. Sarfaraz has formed an emergency monitoring cell to address the disaster. The agriculture department reported that while about 58 percent of the paddy has been harvested, the remaining fields were submerged before harvesting, putting farmers at significant financial risk.

Indian Assistant High Commissioner Manoj Kumar visited the Burimari land port in Lalmonirhat on Saturday afternoon. During the visit, he met customs, port, and immigration officials, and held a meeting with local traders. The visit included discussions on bilateral trade activities and overall improvement of cross-border commerce between Bangladesh and India.

Manoj Kumar stated that he discussed existing complexities in import and export operations at the Burimari land port with business representatives. He mentioned that work would be undertaken to address restrictions on certain goods that are allowed through other ports but not through Burimari. He also assured that steps would be taken to resolve issues related to business and other types of visas.

Later, he visited the zero line of the Burimari land port check post to observe the activities of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Border Security Force (BSF) and discussed operational matters with their officials.

Former interim government law adviser Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul has expressed gratitude to the members of the new parliament for presenting what he described as an accountable legislature. He conveyed his appreciation in a Facebook post on Saturday, noting that the current parliament has demonstrated the government’s accountability through its proceedings.

In his post, Nazrul mentioned that as a constitutional law teacher, he used to tell his students that one of parliament’s main functions is to ensure government accountability, but they were previously surprised because they had not seen such practices in Sheikh Hasina’s parliament. He said that this time, his students could relate to his teaching after hearing speeches by members such as Nahid, Akhtar, Hasnat, Jamaat leader Shafiqur Rahman, and ruling party member Naushad Jamir.

Nazrul concluded by expressing hope that the dark days of unaccountable governance would not return and that parliament would continue to serve as a forum for good lawmaking and government accountability.

Law Minister Md. Anisul Huq said that progress has finally begun in the long-stalled Sohagi Jahan Tonu murder case after ten years. He stated that the Prime Minister personally inquired about the case’s progress over the phone on Eid day. The minister made these remarks while speaking as chief guest at a research presentation event held at BRAC Centre in Dhaka, where findings on procedural barriers in Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunals were unveiled.

According to the minister, one suspect has already been arrested under the Prime Minister’s special directive, and the Ministry of Law is providing full cooperation despite the case being under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs. He emphasized that strict legal action will be taken against the remaining accused. The event also revealed that conviction rates in women and child abuse cases stand at only 3 percent, while 70 percent of defendants are acquitted due to weak evidence, absent witnesses, and procedural delays.

Speakers at the event called for increased judicial budget, better coordination among ministries, and structural reforms to ensure faster and more effective justice delivery.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Aminur Rashid Yasin said that farmers are the main strength of Bangladesh and that the country will become more self-reliant and stronger through agricultural development and the enhancement of farmers’ dignity. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while addressing the prize distribution ceremony of an inter-department debate competition at Comilla Victoria Government College.

The minister stated that he is proud to be both a farmer’s son and a farmer himself, noting that social attitudes toward farming have changed as people now take pride in their agricultural roots. He emphasized that logical reasoning and knowledge are essential tools for progress, urging students to practice healthy debate and intellectual engagement. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring a livable and secure world for future generations.

Discussing farmer welfare, Yasin explained that the introduction of the Farmer Card aims to help producers receive fair prices by aligning production with regional demand. He expressed hope that technology-based, planned agriculture would strengthen Bangladesh’s food security in the future.

Fifty newly elected members of parliament for the reserved women’s seats in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament will take their oath on Sunday, May 3, at 9 p.m. The Parliament Secretariat announced the schedule in a press release on Saturday, May 2. The ceremony will take place in the designated oath room on Level 1 of the East Block of the National Parliament Building in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.

According to the Secretariat, the Speaker will administer the oath to the new members as per parliamentary tradition. Among the 50 members, 36 were nominated by the BNP, 13 by the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its alliance, and one by an independent alliance. The nomination of Nusrat Tabassum from the National Citizen Party (NCP), initially canceled, was declared valid on Saturday. Relevant departments have already been instructed to complete necessary preparations for the event.

Earlier, on April 29, a total of 49 candidates, including 36 from BNP, 12 from the Jamaat alliance, and one independent, were elected unopposed to the reserved women’s seats.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the re-excavation of the historic Basiya River in Kandigaon Union of Sylhet Sadar upazila on May 2, 2026. The river flows through four upazilas of Sylhet, originating from the Surma River and merging into the Kushiyara. The Basiya River was first excavated in 1977 under the initiative of then-President Ziaur Rahman. The new project marks the first re-excavation in 49 years.

During the inauguration, Prime Minister Rahman stated that the majority of Bangladesh’s population lives in rural areas, and empowering them remains a central goal of his government. He emphasized that his administration, elected by popular vote, is accountable only to the people and is committed to fulfilling its electoral promises.

According to the Prime Minister, 23 kilometers of the river’s total 40-kilometer length will be re-excavated. Once completed, the project is expected to directly benefit about 80,000 farmers and indirectly assist another 1.5 million farmers across the region.

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary Akhtar Hossain questioned the sudden disappearance of long vehicle queues for fuel across Bangladesh following a recent price hike. He raised the issue during a press conference at the party’s temporary central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, held to discuss a national convention on energy, economy, human rights, reform, and referendum.

Akhtar accused the government of ignoring the people’s clear verdict in a referendum held after the tenth national election, where about 70 percent reportedly supported one side. He said the government failed to form a constitutional reform council as expected and instead dismissed the referendum’s outcome as fraudulent or unconstitutional. He argued that reforming the constitution’s basic structure requires a higher institutional framework, a concept no political party had previously rejected.

Expressing concern over the banking sector, Akhtar alleged that those involved in large-scale financial misappropriation were being allowed to regain ownership by returning only a small portion of the stolen funds, warning that this could encourage further corruption.

The United States Embassy in Bangladesh has issued a new advisory regarding the proper use of B1-B2 visitor visas. The notice, released on Saturday, May 2, 2026, reminds visa holders that while certain business activities such as contract negotiations and conference participation are allowed during their stay in the United States, receiving payment or working for a U.S. employer is strictly prohibited.

The embassy emphasized that it is the traveler’s responsibility to use their visa correctly. It also reiterated that using a visitor visa to travel to the United States solely for the purpose of giving birth so that a child obtains U.S. citizenship is not permitted. Consular officers may deny visa applications if they determine that this is the applicant’s primary intent.

The advisory serves as a renewed reminder for Bangladeshi travelers to comply with U.S. visa regulations and avoid misuse that could lead to visa denial or other consequences.

Bangladesh’s Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP arrived in Japan on a seven-day visit. He landed at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport at 3:45 p.m. local time on Saturday, where he was warmly received by leaders of the Islamic Mission Japan, expatriate businesspeople, and professionals. Earlier that morning, he departed Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Tokyo.

Dr. Rahman is accompanied by Jamaat-e-Islami central executive council member Saiful Alam Khan Milon MP and his foreign affairs adviser Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem Arman MP. During the visit, he is scheduled to attend receptions organized by the Bangladeshi community, participate in various seminars, and hold courtesy meetings with senior officials of the Japanese government.

According to the schedule, the opposition leader is expected to return to Dhaka on May 9 after completing his engagements in Japan.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across 32 districts in four divisions. The alert, released on Saturday, indicated that from 1 p.m. on May 2 for the next 48 hours, parts of Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions may experience rainfall ranging from 44 to 188 millimeters within 24 hours. The department also cautioned that landslides could occur in some hilly areas of the Chattogram division.

According to the weather office, the continued formation of thunderclouds over the country is likely to cause temporary waterlogging in affected areas. The warning emphasized the potential for landslides in hilly regions due to the intensity of the expected rainfall.

The advisory urged residents in vulnerable zones, particularly in Chattogram’s hill tracts, to remain alert as the heavy rainfall may persist for two days.

All ferry and vessel operations on the Daulatdia-Paturia river route have been suspended due to adverse weather conditions. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) announced that the suspension took effect from around 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026. The decision affects all types of water transport, including ferries and launches, operating between Daulatdia in Rajbari and Paturia in Manikganj.

According to BIWTC sources, the suspension will remain in place until further notice. The assistant manager (commercial) of the BIWTC Daulatdia terminal, Jesanul Islam Tipu, stated that ferry services will resume once weather conditions improve and are deemed safe for navigation.

The temporary halt in operations is intended to ensure passenger safety and prevent accidents during the ongoing period of inclement weather.