A delegation from the Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) met with the finance minister to discuss the upcoming national budget and the stability of the country’s banking sector. The meeting focused on fiscal, regulatory, and structural reforms needed to strengthen the sector. BAB leaders highlighted key challenges including rising non-performing loans, capital adequacy pressures, weak private sector credit growth, governance failures, and declining public confidence due to economic uncertainty. BAB reported that the overall capital adequacy ratio of the banking industry has dropped to around 3 percent, limiting banks’ ability to support growth, SME financing, job creation, and investment. The delegation called for strong recovery mechanisms, swift legal processes, and confiscation of illegally acquired assets to protect depositors’ interests. It also expressed concern over provisions in the proposed banking resolution framework that could allow former sponsors or major defaulters to re-enter the system. The association proposed several measures including reducing corporate tax to 30 percent, full tax deductibility for loan loss provisions for five years, withdrawal of extra tax on stock dividends, faster approval of rights issues, and formation of a central asset management company. BAB reaffirmed its commitment to cooperate with the government to restore confidence and ensure long-term stability in the banking sector.

Bangladesh Bank and Prime Bank PLC have signed an agreement to participate in two key refinancing schemes aimed at ensuring easier and more affordable financing for cottage, micro, small, and medium enterprises (CMSMEs) across the country. The signing ceremony was held recently at Bangladesh Bank. Under the agreement, financing will be provided through the 'Cluster Financing Scheme' and the 'FSFDM-SME' scheme to strengthen the CMSME sector, enhance entrepreneurial capacity, create employment, and accelerate sustainable industrialization. The FSFDM-SME scheme, operated under a revolving fund of Tk 1,500 crore from Bangladesh Bank’s own resources, will offer low-interest loans to support business expansion and modernization. Meanwhile, the Tk 3,000 crore Cluster Financing Scheme will assist geographically concentrated business groups by promoting shared resources, production efficiency, and market expansion. Senior officials from both institutions attended the signing event. Both Bangladesh Bank and Prime Bank reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the schemes effectively in compliance with policy guidelines to generate a positive impact on the CMSME sector.

Students of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) in Gazipur have declared a complete shutdown of the campus, rejecting the appointment of a new vice-chancellor. The protesting students locked the university’s main gate and announced that the shutdown would continue until further notice. Administrative activities have come to a standstill as a result of the ongoing demonstration. The students are pressing a three-point demand, including the cancellation of the new vice-chancellor’s appointment and the selection of a replacement from within DUET. The protest follows a day of intense demonstrations and clashes that turned the campus into a tense zone. Despite the continued unrest, the university administration has not yet issued any formal statement or solution. The continued shutdown has created a state of paralysis across the DUET campus, with students remaining firm in their demands and showing no sign of ending their movement until their conditions are met.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Secretary General, Principal Hafiz Maulana Yunus Ahmad, described the recent killing of a child named Ramisa in Dhaka’s Pallabi area as horrifying and inhuman. In a statement issued on Wednesday, he said the brutality of the incident shows how cruel people can become toward one another. He added that such crimes are not isolated but occur frequently across the country, with many involving children. According to him, the most alarming issue is the lack of punishment for offenders, as reflected in the grief expressed by Ramisa’s father. Yunus Ahmad argued that the existing legal system fails to protect women and children from such violence and suggested that implementing Shariah law could be an alternative to ensure justice. Citing Supreme Court data, he said over 151,000 cases were pending in 90 women and child repression prevention tribunals as of December 31 last year, many of them rape cases. He claimed that delays, weak witness management, and legal loopholes prevent justice, calling for the replacement of current laws with Shariah-based legislation.

France has stated that it cannot confirm whether mines have been placed in the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement came after U.S. media reported that at least ten mines had been detected in the area. French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin told France Info radio that she currently has no confirmation on the matter but that France is preparing for any necessary mine-clearing operations. Vautrin added that France and the United Kingdom are considering a potential joint mission in the region. As part of this preparation, a French mine-clearing vessel stationed at the country's base in Djibouti is being readied for deployment. The statement reflects France’s cautious stance amid reports of heightened maritime security concerns in the strategic waterway. Further details about the reported mines or the timeline of any mission have not been confirmed, leaving the situation under close observation by French authorities.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has advised Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims to avoid direct sunlight and take protective measures during their pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The guidance, issued on Wednesday, follows instructions from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Pilgrims have been urged to rest in shaded areas, use transportation when moving between locations, and ensure they remain hydrated. The ministry emphasized that pilgrims should carry umbrellas or head coverings while walking and use shaded routes whenever possible. It also requested that they refrain from staying under the sun for long periods or walking in extreme heat without protection. These recommendations aim to ensure comfort and safety during religious activities. According to the report, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is conducting extensive awareness programs jointly with the Saudi government this year to enhance the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi pilgrims.

Mohammad Selim Uddin, Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka North unit, visited the family of murdered child Ramisa in Pallabi, Dhaka, on Wednesday. During his visit, he expressed condolences to the grieving family and called for the perpetrators to face a swift trial under charges equivalent to crimes against humanity. Speaking to journalists after the visit, Selim Uddin compared the killing to the brutality of the pre-Islamic era and warned that any delay or manipulation in the judicial process would not be tolerated. He urged the state to set a specific timeline to ensure the killers receive the maximum punishment, including execution. Selim Uddin also stated that he would request senior Supreme Court lawyer Shishir Monir to take responsibility for handling the case to strengthen the legal proceedings.

The government has officially renamed Kurmitola General Hospital in Dhaka as 'Kurmitola Multicare Specialized Hospital'. The announcement was made through a circular signed by Kazi Sharif Uddin Ahmed, Deputy Secretary of the Health Services Division’s Government Health Management-1 branch, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. The order was issued under the authority of the President and declared effective immediately in the public interest. According to the circular, copies of the directive have been sent to the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, the Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services, the Private Secretary to the Health Minister, and other relevant offices for necessary action. The notice marks an administrative change in the hospital’s official identity and operational designation. The renaming reflects a formal step by the health authorities to update institutional nomenclature, with immediate implementation across relevant departments as instructed in the government order.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni upon his arrival in Rome on Tuesday. The two leaders began Modi’s visit with a dinner and later toured the historic Colosseum, where they discussed bilateral relations and other key issues. Their cordial interaction quickly drew attention online after Meloni shared a photo of the meeting on X, captioned with a friendly greeting and the flags of both nations. The image, showing the illuminated Colosseum in the background, went viral across social media, garnering millions of views, thousands of likes, and numerous comments. Many users remarked on the leaders’ friendly chemistry, with some making humorous comparisons to popular culture. Meloni stated that discussions would continue to strengthen India-Italy relations, while Modi also posted photos expressing optimism about deepening friendship between the two countries. The viral exchange has become a focal point of both diplomatic and social media conversations, reflecting growing public interest in the evolving partnership between India and Italy.

Three additional witnesses from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) testified in a case involving former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed and 35 other accused over alleged embezzlement and laundering of about Tk 25 crore from United Commercial Bank. The testimonies were recorded on Wednesday at the Chattogram Divisional Special Judge’s Court, presided over by Judge Mizanur Rahman. Defense lawyers cross-examined the witnesses following their statements. According to ACC public prosecutor Mokarram Hossain, seven witnesses had previously testified on May 5, bringing the total number of witnesses heard so far, including the complainant, to 21. The court has scheduled June 23 for the next hearing. The ACC filed the charge sheet on January 7 against Javed, his wife Rukmila Zaman, and 34 others, accusing them of misappropriating and transferring the funds abroad. Court sources said the main accused, Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed, is currently in London with his family and remains absconding. Legal procedures are ongoing to take action against the fugitives.

Bangladesh’s Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid announced that the country aims to start exporting meat within the next three years. He said the meat will be produced from livestock fed with naturally grown, nutrient-rich grass without any genetic modification. The minister made the statement while addressing the “Australia-Bangladesh Research Showcase” seminar held in Dhaka, jointly organized by the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) and Australia’s Charles Sturt University, with support from the Australian government. The minister highlighted that safe and nutritional food has become a global priority and that genetically modified food has not yielded the desired benefits. He noted that researchers have developed a Napier grass variety containing 18 percent protein, which is drought-tolerant and cost-effective. This innovation is expected to reduce meat production costs and make meat more affordable for consumers. Speakers at the seminar emphasized the importance of research, innovation, and international collaboration to build a sustainable and climate-resilient livestock sector. They also discussed strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote environmentally friendly livestock management.

Two Chinese supertankers carrying a total of four million barrels of crude oil crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, according to shipping data from Kpler and LSEG. The vessels had been waiting in the Persian Gulf for more than two months before departing through the key maritime route. The report noted that only a few ships have recently passed through the strait, but the successful resumption of navigation and a softer tone from the White House have contributed to a slight decline in global oil prices. On Tuesday, President Trump stated that a peace agreement with Iran was close, adding that any deal would prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The developments suggest a cautious easing of tensions in the region, with potential implications for oil markets and diplomatic relations involving China, Iran, and the United States.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit announced that the government is working to reduce reliance on imported energy by achieving self-sufficiency in gas production. Speaking after inaugurating an appraisal-cum-development well at the Kamta gas field in Kaliganj, Gazipur, he said four new wells, including Kamta-2 and three in Titas, are being drilled. The government expects to supply 55 million cubic feet of gas to the national grid by June next year from these wells. The minister said the additional gas will help restart factories that remain idle due to shortages, creating employment for thousands and easing pressure on foreign currency reserves caused by energy imports. He added that the government aims to ensure affordable and uninterrupted energy and electricity supply while gradually reducing import dependence. The administration, led by Tarique Rahman, seeks to demonstrate progress through short-, medium-, and long-term plans. Amit also noted that infrastructure limitations restrict additional gas imports and that decisions on fuel price adjustments depend on global conditions. Industrial and power sectors remain the top priority for gas supply, followed by residential consumers.

A Dhaka court has set July 6 for delivering its order on charge framing against former Member of Parliament Abdus Salam Murshedy and ten others in a case over alleged misappropriation of 27 kathas of government land in Gulshan. The hearing was held on May 20 at the court of Dhaka’s Ninth Special Judge Md Abdus Salam. Murshedy was produced from jail, while other accused appeared on bail. Defense lawyers Masud Ahmed Talukder, Alhaj Borhan Uddin, Shahinur Islam, and Khademul Islam represented the accused and sought their discharge. Following the hearing, the court fixed July 6 for the order. The accused include former RAJUK chairman Humayun Khadem, several former RAJUK officials, a former assistant secretary of the Housing and Public Works Ministry, and two private individuals from Cox’s Bazar. According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly abused their official positions to falsify records and facilitate the illegal transfer of the government property. The case was filed under sections of the Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. Murshedy has been in jail since his arrest on October 1, 2024.

China and Russia issued a joint statement condemning various military activities around the world, appearing to reference recent US actions in Iran and Venezuela over the past six months. Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin criticized what they described as treacherous military attacks, the use of negotiations as a cover for aggression, assassinations of sovereign leaders, and efforts to destabilize internal politics or incite regime change. The statement asserted that such actions seriously violate the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law, and established norms of international relations. It warned that these behaviors cause irreparable harm to the global order built after World War II. Amid growing concerns about the current world system during Donald Trump’s second term, Xi and Putin are positioning themselves as advocates for a new international order, signaling a shift in global power dynamics.