Residents of Shyamnagar in Satkhira staged a violent protest on Monday afternoon after the body of fisherman Aminur Rahman Gazi, who was reportedly shot dead in the Sundarbans, was brought to the locality. The demonstrators attacked and vandalized the Satkhira Range Office and the Burigoalini Station Office of the Forest Department, injuring at least five forest workers. The injured were taken to Shyamnagar Upazila Health Complex for treatment. Eyewitnesses said anger spread among locals when the body arrived, prompting hundreds to march with sticks and surround the forest offices. Protesters damaged furniture, equipment, and assaulted several staff members. Police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed to restore order, while the body remained in front of the office until late afternoon. Senior police officials, including the Additional Superintendent of Police for Kaliganj Circle and the Officer-in-Charge of Shyamnagar Police Station, visited the site. A forest officer stated that the fatal shooting occurred in the Khulna Range’s Nolian Station area, not in the Satkhira Range, and expressed concern over staff safety following the attack.

Former Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam has called on the revolutionaries of the July uprising to stay vocal. In a Facebook post on Monday afternoon, he warned that fascist forces are preparing to return and are attempting to discredit all activities of Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s government. He urged the revolutionaries to remain active in response. The report states that the banned Awami League is trying to reorganize through various strategies, forming new committees at different levels of the main party and its affiliated organizations. The group is reportedly seeking to regain political influence by focusing on issues that resonate with the public and by taking legal steps to undermine Dr. Yunus and his former interim government. Political analysts cited in the report believe that the ongoing campaign against Dr. Yunus may expand further and that issue-based programs could gradually evolve into a broader anti-government movement against the current BNP administration.

Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju announced plans to create a separate business area for women entrepreneurs in Khulna. He said that suitable land is being sought to establish this dedicated market, aiming to help women overcome existing challenges in product marketing and fair participation. The initiative was revealed on Monday during a cheque distribution event at the Shaheed Altaf Milonayatan of the city corporation building. The event was organized under the Loss and Damage Special Initiative Project of the development organization Jagorot Jubo Songho (JJS). During the program, 25 young women who had received training to become self-reliant after being displaced from coastal areas due to climate impacts were each given a cheque of 27,000 taka. JJS Executive Director A.T.M. Zakir Hossain delivered the welcome speech, while Senior Director M.M. Chishty conducted the session. Architect Rezbina Khanam from KCC and Suraiya Siddika, Deputy Director of the Department of Women Affairs, attended as special guests. Trainers and trainees also spoke at the event, sharing their experiences and perspectives on the empowerment initiative.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced another increase in furnace oil prices. According to a press release issued on Monday, May 18, the price per liter has been raised by Tk 18.85—from Tk 94.69 to Tk 113.54. The new rate will take effect from midnight. The adjustment was approved in a special commission meeting held on May 18, based on the Free on Board (FOB) price of imported refined furnace oil between April 13 and May 12, and changes in the US dollar exchange rate. Earlier, on April 12, the price had been raised from Tk 70.10 to Tk 94.69 per liter. A committee formed on March 15 had recommended the adjustment after reviewing international Platts rates and exchange rate fluctuations. The commission reviewed these recommendations in special meetings on April 5 and 12 before approving the new rate. A large portion of imported furnace oil is used in power generation, and stakeholders believe the price hike will increase production costs at oil-based power plants, potentially affecting electricity prices.

An allegation has been raised against Talatli Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Saidul Islam in Barguna for allegedly facilitating the occupation of government land belonging to the Water Development Board (Paubo) by a local businessman. A video showing the OC present at the site during the land handover went viral on social media on Monday, prompting widespread discussion in the area. The footage reportedly shows the OC seated with a police team as locals measure the land and install boundary pillars before handing it over to businessman Ibrahim Farazi. According to local sources, the disputed land is located near the Malipara sluice gate area, where Yusuf Khan’s family had been living for years without formal ownership documents. Both parties lack legal papers from Paubo. After a mediation meeting at the police station, the OC allegedly oversaw the land measurement and transfer to Farazi. Yusuf claims he was forced to sign a document under threat of jail. Local residents suspect financial motives behind the handover. Officials from Paubo confirmed they were not informed by police and that the land recovery process is ongoing.

Leaders of the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Chaksu) have demanded the installation of air conditioning in the university’s central library and the establishment of a new library in Chittagong city. The demands were announced at a press conference held in front of the central library on Monday afternoon, led by General Secretary Saeed Bin Habib. Other Chaksu leaders, including library and cafeteria affairs secretary Masum Billah, assistant secretary for female student welfare Jannatul Ferdous Rita, and executive members Sohan and Adnan Sharif, were also present. In a written statement, Saeed Bin Habib urged that effective steps be taken to install air conditioning in the central library with the approval of the 2026–2027 fiscal budget. He also called for a full-fledged city-based library for students residing in the city and suggested using the Fine Arts Institute as a temporary library until a permanent facility is established. Masum Billah highlighted several ongoing initiatives to modernize the library, including a separate reading corner, generator installation for uninterrupted power, expanded prayer and study spaces, and extended library hours until 10 p.m.

A Sunamganj court has sentenced three men to life imprisonment in a rape case. The verdict was delivered on Monday afternoon by Mohammad Habibullah, judge of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal (District and Sessions Judge). The convicted individuals are Md. Matiur Rahman Matin, son of Abdul Khalek of Hasampur village; Dildar Hossain, son of Khwaja Ali; and Billal Hossain, son of Habibur Islam of Kamargaon village. Another accused, Md. Abdus Subhan of Kamargaon village, was acquitted as charges against him were not proven. According to the case details, the victim, who completed her SSC from Haidarpur High School in 2017, was assaulted on August 11, 2021, while traveling to her grandfather’s house in Jiapur village. Matin and Dildar allegedly took her to Habipur village in Singchapair Union, where they raped her, and later to Billal Hossain’s house in Kamargaon, where she was assaulted again. The victim’s brother, Mohammad Ali, filed the case at Chhatak Police Station, and police later submitted a charge sheet. The court announced the judgment after the hearing, confirmed by public prosecutor Advocate Md. Shamsur Rahman.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague has ruled that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains valid and cannot be unilaterally suspended or terminated by India. The supplemental award, issued on 15 May 2026, clarified that India’s control over western rivers is subject to explicit treaty-based limits that apply from the design stage of hydropower projects. Pakistan hailed the decision as a significant legal and strategic victory. The ruling followed disputes over India’s Ratle and Kishenganga hydropower projects, which Pakistan argued could reduce downstream water flow and harm agriculture. The PCA emphasized that India must provide Pakistan with sufficient data to verify compliance with the treaty. Failure to do so would shift the burden of proof to India. Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to the treaty and peaceful dispute resolution while vowing to continue legal and diplomatic efforts to protect its rights. India’s foreign ministry dismissed the tribunal as “illegally constituted” and declared the ruling invalid, maintaining its suspension stance. Analysts criticized India’s position as disregard for international law, warning that water disputes between two nuclear-armed neighbors could endanger South Asian stability.

The National Moon Sighting Committee announced that the moon marking the start of the Islamic month of Zilhaj for the Hijri year 1447 has been sighted in Bangladesh. As a result, Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated across the country on May 28. The announcement was made on the evening of May 18 following a meeting of the committee at the Islamic Foundation office in Baitul Mukarram, chaired by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad. According to the minister, the month of Zilhaj will begin on Tuesday, and the festival of sacrifice, Eid-ul-Azha, will take place on Thursday, May 28. The government has declared a seven-day holiday for the occasion, starting from May 25. In addition, garment factories have decided to announce holidays in phases to manage operations smoothly during the festive period. The official confirmation of the moon sighting sets the national schedule for Eid-ul-Azha observances, including prayers, sacrifices, and travel plans across Bangladesh.

Israeli forces have intercepted at least ten ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza in international waters west of Cyprus, according to the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF). The group reported that communication was lost with several vessels and that many activists were detained. The flotilla was stopped about 250 nautical miles from Gaza’s coast, within the area Israel enforces as a maritime blockade zone. GSF described the incident as an act of “illegal piracy.” No immediate comment was issued by Israeli authorities. Israel’s foreign ministry had earlier labeled the flotilla a “provocation” and alleged involvement of two violent Turkish groups. The same flotilla was detained near Crete last month, when 175 activists were arrested and later released under international pressure. The remaining vessels resumed their journey from Marmaris, Turkey, last Thursday with around 50 boats heading toward Gaza. GSF participants said they sought to deliver emergency aid amid Gaza’s severe humanitarian crisis, despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas seven months ago. The UN recently warned that restrictions on imports and fuel shortages are severely disrupting humanitarian operations in Gaza.

An inmate at Brahmanbaria District Jail died on Monday morning after suddenly falling ill. Prison authorities said the man, identified as Moron Mia, 40, from Dharamandal village in Nasirnagar upazila, became sick while having breakfast. He was given initial treatment by the prison doctor and later taken to Brahmanbaria District Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead at the emergency department. According to Jail Superintendent Md. Mojibur Rahman Mojumdar, Moron Mia had been in custody since May 9 in connection with a yaba consumption case. His condition deteriorated rapidly on Monday morning, prompting his transfer to the hospital. The body has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy, and authorities said it will be handed over to the family after legal procedures are completed. The report did not mention the exact cause of death or any further investigation details.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of income tax records belonging to former State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak and his wife Arifa Jesmin Konika. The order was issued on Monday afternoon by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Faiz, following a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ACC’s Assistant Director Minhaj Bin Islam sought the seizure, citing allegations that Palak abused his power and amassed illegal wealth through irregularities and corruption. According to the petition, preliminary investigations found assets worth about Tk 9.98 crore inconsistent with their known income sources. The couple allegedly maintained 31 bank accounts showing deposits of Tk 22.94 crore and withdrawals of Tk 17.58 crore, which the ACC suspects fall under money laundering activities. The commission argued that collecting original tax documents from the 2008–2009 to 2024–2025 fiscal years was essential to prevent concealment or transfer of assets. The ACC stated that the investigation is being conducted under sections of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, and the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012. The court approved the seizure to ensure a fair investigation.

Islamic TV Managing Director Barrister Shams Iskandar announced that the channel will provide video evidence of the Shapla Chattar massacre to the International Crimes Tribunal. He made the statement on Monday after meeting with the tribunal’s Chief Prosecutor. Iskandar said that Islamic TV’s camera crew and news team were present at the site during the Hefazat-e-Islam rally and broadcasted the events live. Later that night, law enforcement personnel allegedly raided and vandalized the channel’s office, damaging broadcasting equipment and shutting down operations. According to Iskandar, the Chief Prosecutor asked the channel to safeguard all available evidence, which prosecutors would later collect for investigation. He added that the channel had been accused of provocative coverage, but he denied the allegation, stating that the broadcast reflected real-time events. He claimed the closure of Islamic TV was due to family reasons rather than incitement. When asked about testifying, Iskandar said he was willing to do so if requested by the prosecution, emphasizing the importance of justice. The submission of the footage is expected to support the tribunal’s ongoing investigation into the Shapla Chattar incident.

Allegations of irregularities have surfaced in a goat distribution program for poor ethnic minority families in Kalmakanda upazila of Netrokona. The incident occurred on Monday, May 18, during a distribution event organized by the upazila livestock office. Reports claim that iron rings weighing about 1.7 kilograms were inserted into the weighing meter to artificially increase the goats’ recorded weight, leading to tension between beneficiaries and contractor representatives. Staff member Rahat stated that the digital weighing machine belonged to the office and was used for the first time that day, suggesting the rings might have been inserted by mistake during fitting. Beneficiaries later found that some goats weighed only 3.5 to 6 kilograms, below the required minimum of 8 kilograms. Several recipients and locals reportedly confined officials in a room demanding accountability. Upazila Livestock Officer Dr. Kanika Sarker said the main contractor did not attend directly and that goats with weight discrepancies would be replaced. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer SM Islam confirmed that the allegations are being investigated and that action will be taken if irregularities are proven.

Iran has reportedly sent a new 14-point proposal to the United States through Pakistan, aiming to ease ongoing tensions and prevent further escalation. According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, the proposal seeks to end the war situation and build mutual trust between the two countries. It includes provisions related to security guarantees, lifting of blockades, and reducing regional tensions. The report stated that Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi extended his visit to Tehran for a third day, which is being viewed as part of efforts to advance regional peace discussions. The initiative highlights Pakistan’s role as a mediator in facilitating communication between Tehran and Washington during a period of heightened strain. While details of the proposal’s reception or next steps were not disclosed, the move indicates a renewed diplomatic effort by Iran to de-escalate conflict and promote dialogue through regional channels.