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.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has submitted a new complaint to the International Crimes Tribunal, alleging enforced disappearances and killings of its leaders and activists between 2008 and August 5, 2024, during the Awami League’s tenure. The complaint was lodged on Monday afternoon by Salahuddin Khan, a central executive member of the BNP and coordinator for case and information preservation, to Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam. According to the complaint, BNP and its affiliated organizations faced systematic repression, with members allegedly abducted, tortured, and killed under the guise of crossfire operations. The document claims that 2,276 people were killed in such incidents, including 1,776 BNP activists. The party had earlier submitted a 243-page complaint with supporting evidence to the then Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam on January 8, 2025, but no visible progress has been made despite repeated written reminders. The BNP reiterated its demand for a fair investigation and prosecution of those responsible, stating that families of the victims are still waiting for justice.

Leaders of Bangladesh’s two major apparel industry associations, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The meeting took place on Monday, May 11, at the Prime Minister’s office in the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat. Senior central leaders from both BGMEA and BKMEA were present during the meeting. The source report described the meeting as a courtesy visit, highlighting the participation of top representatives from the country’s leading garment export organizations. No further details were provided regarding the agenda, discussions, or outcomes of the meeting. The report did not include any statements or reactions from the Prime Minister or the visiting delegation, leaving the specific topics of discussion or future implications of the meeting unspecified.

National Citizens Party (NCP) lawmaker and southern regional organizer Hasnat Abdullah has called for sufficient budget allocation to prevent police officers from being forced to 'manage' situations or seek personal funds while performing duties. In a Facebook post on Monday, he said corruption stems from the culture of managing police operations, which arises from institutional shortcomings and inadequate funding. Abdullah highlighted that investigators receive only 6,000 taka for serious cases such as murder or robbery, and just 3,000 taka for complex money-laundering cases. He noted that these limited funds make it difficult to complete investigations properly, often compelling officers to cover expenses from their own pockets. He also emphasized the need for overtime pay, improved working conditions, and nutritious meals for police personnel who work long hours without regular weekly holidays. He further urged that police be empowered to refuse unlawful orders and be legally protected from harassment when rejecting such directives. Abdullah stressed that merit-based promotions and professional independence are essential to restore public trust and eliminate corruption within the force.

Police in Jamalpur have arrested former Jamaat leader Professor Harunur Rashid in connection with a cheque fraud case. The arrest took place on Sunday afternoon, after which he was taken to Melandah Police Station. Rashid, aged 65, is from Fulchenna village in Melandah municipality and currently serves as a professor at Hazarabari Sirajul Haque Degree College and director of Jamalpur Evergreen Hospital. According to Melandah Police Station Officer-in-Charge Obaidur Rahman, Rashid had been convicted and sentenced to one year in prison in a cheque fraud case filed by a man named Ershad involving 7.6 million taka. He was listed as a fugitive with an active arrest warrant. District Jamaat’s media affairs secretary Zakiul Islam stated that Rashid had been expelled from the party about four years ago following allegations of financial misconduct and other irregularities. Police have sent Rashid to the Jamalpur court on Monday for further legal proceedings.

Police arrested two drug dealers with heroin at a checkpoint on the Niamatpur-Dhansura road in Naogaon on Monday morning. The detainees were identified as Mejboul Haque Bachchu, 38, from Baluachari village, and Asaduzzaman Nayon, 26, from Tola village, both of Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila. Officers stopped their motorcycle for inspection and found 200 grams of heroin in two packets. The motorcycle used for transporting the drugs was seized. According to police, the suspects admitted during preliminary questioning that they had brought the heroin from Chapainawabganj to Niamatpur for sale. Niamatpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahbubur Rahman said that a case under the Narcotics Control Act is being processed. He added that such anti-drug operations will continue and the detainees will be presented before the court. The police action reflects ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking in the region, with authorities emphasizing continued vigilance against narcotics smuggling routes.

Bangladesh has introduced its first full-fledged micro drama series titled 'Silver Sadia', designed specifically for mobile-first viewers. The series, produced by Mayer Doa Studios and directed by Miraz Hossain, is presented entirely in a vertical format, with each episode lasting only three minutes. A special vertical screening event was recently held at a five-star hotel in Dhaka, attended by media professionals, industry figures, and invited guests. According to the creators, the story follows a young madrasa student from a lower-middle-class family who secretly develops a passion for gaming. With her mother’s quiet support, she begins live streaming on YouTube and gradually builds her own audience. The plot intensifies when her father discovers her secret, leading to a confrontation that explores themes of family, distance, and self-discovery. Industry insiders view this micro-format storytelling as a bold and timely step for Bangladesh’s digital entertainment sector, signaling new creative possibilities for short-form vertical content.

The government of Bangladesh is moving forward with plans to construct a second Padma Bridge, according to Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam. Speaking at the Secretariat on Monday after a meeting on ensuring safe travel during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, the minister said the feasibility study for the project has already been completed. He added that discussions are ongoing regarding financing and other preparatory work. The minister explained that one of the three proposals for the new bridge involves building it at the Daulatdia-Paturia point, which he said would help reduce road accidents. He also discussed measures for managing Eid travel, noting that garment factories will grant holidays in phases this year to avoid the chaos experienced during the previous Eid when all factories closed simultaneously. To improve road discipline during Eid travel, the government plans to operate 69 mobile courts. These steps are part of broader efforts to ensure safer and more organized travel during the holiday period.

A report by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has revealed widespread violence across West Bengal following the announcement of the state assembly election results. According to the report, between May 4 and May 7, at least 34 Muslim-owned properties were attacked in eight districts, including Cooch Behar, Howrah, Barasat, Murshidabad, Malda, Birbhum, North and South 24 Parganas, and the Kolkata metropolitan area. The attacks targeted mosques, homes, businesses, and hotels, damaging around 54 properties in total. The report stated that at least two people were killed in the violence, including one man in Cooch Behar’s Gosainimari who died while trying to protect a mosque. Attackers reportedly used provocative slogans to spread fear, while threats forced many minorities to leave their neighborhoods. Muslim-owned businesses were deliberately targeted to weaken their financial base, with incidents of hotels being burned, meat shops pressured to close, and cattle markets attacked. The report also mentioned that bulldozer processions were organized to intimidate residents, and attempts were made to rename places with Muslim names. Offices and homes of Trinamool Congress workers were also vandalized.

Researchers have warned that whale-ship collisions are becoming increasingly likely off South Africa’s coast as global shipping routes shift due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. A study presented at a recent International Whaling Commission meeting found that the country’s southwest coast, known as a key whale habitat, has also become a major alternative maritime route. The research noted that after a British-owned vehicle carrier was hijacked near Yemen in November 2023, many international vessels began avoiding the Red Sea and rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope. Instability and blockades in the Strait of Hormuz have further pushed shipping companies to use South African waters. Researcher Els Vermeulen said there is now significant spatial overlap between whale habitats and shipping lanes, heightening collision risks. According to AFP, between March 1 and April 24 this year, an average of 89 commercial ships passed through South African waters daily, compared with 44 during the same period in 2023. Scientists fear the increased traffic could harm marine biodiversity, posing a serious threat to slow-moving species like whales.

At a press conference in Dhaka, physicians and public health experts called for a significant increase in tobacco product prices in Bangladesh’s upcoming 2026–27 national budget. The event, organized by the United Forum Against Tobacco and the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, emphasized that higher tobacco prices could reduce consumption, lower health risks, and prevent premature deaths linked to tobacco use. Speakers noted that about 37.8 million adults in Bangladesh currently use tobacco, causing around 200,000 premature deaths annually. Tobacco-related diseases account for roughly 14 percent of total deaths, and the economic cost of tobacco-related health and environmental damage is estimated at 870 billion taka per year—more than double the revenue earned from the tobacco sector. The doctors proposed setting the retail price of a 10-stick cigarette pack at 100 taka for low and medium tiers, adding a 4-taka specific tax per pack, and raising prices for high and premium tiers to 150 and 200 taka respectively. Experts argued that simplifying the complex four-tier tax structure would discourage smoking among youth and low-income groups while generating over 850 billion taka in revenue to strengthen the health sector and combat non-communicable diseases.

Prolonged rainfall and waterlogging have submerged vast areas of Boro paddy fields in Sunamganj’s haor region, leaving farmers burdened with debt. According to the agriculture department, around 20,000 hectares of Boro crops have been damaged, with small and marginal farmers suffering the most. Many had taken loans from NGOs, banks, and local lenders to cover the costs of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, and labor, but the crops were destroyed before harvest. Farmers described their distress as they struggle to repay debts. Abdul Kaiyum from Dekhar Haor said he borrowed about two lakh taka for his 12-kiar land but lost all his paddy. Aibun Begum from Shangai Haor reported that rain prevented drying the harvested paddy, causing further losses. Another farmer, Nur Uddin, said lenders are pressuring for repayment while he faces mounting debt. Mohammad Omar Faruk, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Sunamganj, stated that a list of affected farmers is being prepared. Two government ministers have already launched a three-month assistance program, and all affected farmers will gradually receive support.

Akhtar Hossain, Member Secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and newly elected Member of Parliament for Rangpur-4 (Kaunia-Pirgacha), said he now represents all constituents regardless of political affiliation. Speaking as the chief guest at a quarterly exchange meeting at Kaunia Upazila Parishad premises on Monday morning, he expressed gratitude to voters for electing him and emphasized that democracy’s beauty lies in voting. He reiterated his pre-election promise to hold quarterly meetings with grassroots people to hear their opinions and ensure transparency in local development. Hossain stated that he has publicly shared details of government allocations on social media, including funds distributed to religious institutions, to prevent allegations of misuse. He disclosed that of the 1 million taka allocated for Eid-ul-Fitr, 550,000 taka went to Pirgacha and 450,000 taka to Kaunia. Concluding his remarks, Hossain urged residents to support development initiatives based on transparency and collective participation for the progress of the area.

Road, Transport, Shipping and Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that garment factories will grant holidays in phases during this year’s Eid. He made the statement on Monday at the Secretariat, emphasizing that the decision aims to ensure smoother travel and avoid disruptions. The minister explained that during the previous Eid, sudden factory closures had caused widespread disorder. To prevent a repeat, the government will implement a staggered holiday schedule for the garment sector. He also said that the government will take several measures to address the irregularities experienced during last Eid-ul-Fitr travel. As part of the plan to maintain discipline on the roads, 69 mobile courts will operate across the country during the Eid travel period, according to the minister.