Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer for the southern region of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and a member of parliament, urged that every wall in Chattogram display July-themed graffiti by the end of the day. He made the statement in a Facebook post on Monday afternoon. Following his call, tensions reportedly rose between activists of the BNP and NCP over the July graffiti issue in Chattogram. In response, the local administration issued a public notice on Monday morning prohibiting all types of gatherings and rallies from GEC Mor to Dewanhat. The restriction aims to prevent potential unrest linked to the dispute. The situation underscores growing political friction in the city, with authorities moving quickly to maintain order in key areas.

A Dhaka court has fixed July 2 as the new date for submitting the investigation report in the Bangladesh Bank reserve theft case. The order was issued on Monday by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Joshita Islam after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) failed to submit the report on the previously scheduled date. This marks the 95th time the report submission has been postponed. The case stems from the February 5, 2016 theft of 81 million US dollars from Bangladesh Bank’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States. The stolen funds were transferred to the Philippines through fraudulent use of the SWIFT system. Investigators believe that a domestic group assisted the hackers in laundering the stolen money. The case was filed on March 15, 2016 by Zobayer Bin Huda, Deputy Director of the Accounts and Budgeting Department of Bangladesh Bank, under the Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012 (amended 2015) and sections 54 and 379 of the Information and Communication Technology Act 2006. The CID is currently conducting the investigation.

A student-led graffiti painting campaign linked to the July Movement was disrupted by police in Chattogram on May 18, 2026. Around 15 to 20 students gathered at Tigerpass intersection after 1 p.m. to paint graffiti but were stopped by police. The students expressed frustration, claiming that the city corporation’s removal of July Movement graffiti was an attempt to erase the movement from public memory. Tensions had been rising in Chattogram since Sunday evening after earlier graffiti was removed, leading to confrontations between BNP and NCP activists. Both groups had announced separate graffiti programs from Lalkhan Bazar to Tigerpass. To prevent unrest, authorities imposed Section 144 from GEC intersection to Dewanhat and deployed additional police. BNP and NCP leaders later suspended their programs in compliance with the order. Deputy Police Commissioner (South) Hossain Mohammad Kabir Bhuiyan stated that no gatherings were allowed under Section 144 and that no untoward incidents occurred, though some verbal exchanges took place when students resisted police inquiries.

Qatar has expressed interest in recruiting skilled workers from Bangladesh in four technical sectors: electrician, welding, air conditioning technician, and plumbing. The development was discussed during a meeting in Dhaka between Qatar’s visiting Labour Minister Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri and Bangladesh’s Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury. Following the meeting, Chowdhury said Qatar is now prioritizing skilled manpower over unskilled labor, and Bangladesh is preparing to send trained workers accordingly. The ministers also discussed expanding Qatar’s visa processing facilities in Bangladesh, as the country currently has only one visa center. Dhaka requested additional centers to reduce public inconvenience, and Qatar assured that the issue would be considered seriously. The matter is expected to be finalized in the upcoming joint working group meeting between the two nations. State Minister Md. Nurul Haque noted that Qatar also showed interest in hiring Bangladeshi workers for religious professions such as imams and muezzins, alongside the four technical sectors. Both sides described the talks as positive and aimed at strengthening bilateral labor cooperation.

Iran will not engage in any discussion or compromise over its right to enrich uranium, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on May 18, 2026. He stated that the right to uranium enrichment is recognized under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which allows countries to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes but not for weapons development. Responding to a question about conditions exchanged between the United States and Iran, Baghaei said Iran’s demands are clear. He noted that while the U.S. considers lifting sanctions on Iran’s frozen assets as a condition, Tehran views it as a legitimate demand. He also remarked that the United States is no longer credible in the international arena. Baghaei further urged regional countries, including the United Arab Emirates, to learn from recent events, adding that U.S. presence in the region has made the situation more unstable rather than bringing peace.

At least six Palestinians were killed and forty others injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza within the past 24 hours, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry reported that some victims remain trapped under rubble or stranded on roads, while rescue and ambulance teams have not yet reached several affected areas. Since the start of the so-called ceasefire that began in October, a total of 877 people have been killed and 2,602 injured, the ministry added. The report highlights ongoing violence and humanitarian challenges despite the declared truce. The situation underscores the continued instability in Gaza, with limited access for emergency services and rising civilian casualties reported by local authorities.

National Parliament Whip Miah Nuruddin Ahmed Apu has issued a strict directive prohibiting the setup of temporary cattle markets on the grounds or campuses of educational institutions in Shariatpur district ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. He made the announcement on May 17 during a meeting with officials in Damudya upazila, emphasizing that schools and colleges are centers for education and moral development, not for commercial activities. The Whip stated that in previous years, cattle markets were often established on school, college, and madrasa grounds, causing damage to grass fields and infrastructure, environmental pollution, and disruption of academic activities. To preserve the normal environment for students’ learning and sports, he declared that no such markets would be allowed this year. He further instructed local administration, municipalities, and upazila authorities to strictly monitor compliance. Apu warned that any individual or group attempting to use educational premises for cattle markets would face legal action, stressing that these grounds are public assets that must be protected.

The United States could restart military operations against Iran within the next 24 to 48 hours, according to Mohammad Elmasry, a media studies professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Elmasry said US President Donald Trump is under pressure from multiple sides, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and hardliners within his administration. Elmasry explained that Trump did not receive the concessions he expected from Iran, and negotiations have not progressed as he had hoped. He also noted that Trump had high expectations from his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The analyst described the ongoing conflict as a major political and economic disaster for both the United States and Trump personally. Despite the setbacks, Elmasry believes Trump is unlikely to end the war because he cannot return to the American public without declaring a credible victory.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar held a meeting with Bangladeshi expatriates in Malaysia on Sunday at Al Daud Arabic Restaurant. During the discussion, expatriates shared their concerns about excessive fees charged by the Dhaka-based Expert Service Kuala Lumpur (ESKL) for passport services, high costs of overseas employment, election irregularities, banking complications, legalization of undocumented Bangladeshis, and harassment at Bangladeshi airports. In response, Mia Golam Porwar condemned the reported irregularities, corruption, and harassment, assuring that these issues would be raised strongly in parliament by the opposition. He said pressure would be applied on the government to take effective measures to ease expatriates’ hardships and ensure their rights. Porwar emphasized that expatriates play a vital role in Bangladesh’s economy and that the state has a duty to guarantee their dignity, safety, and access to services. Community leader Abu Abdullah urged expatriates to prioritize lawful earnings and avoid any form of irregular or illegal activities, reaffirming continued community support for them.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the government is drafting a new law to formally establish an elite force for public security, under which the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) will continue to operate. Speaking at RAB headquarters on Monday, May 18, during the force’s 22nd founding anniversary, he said the current ad hoc arrangement for RAB is not appropriate and that the new law will ensure human rights, transparency, and accountability. Ahmed explained that the government is considering whether to rename RAB or raise a new elite force, but the decision is still under review. He emphasized that the forthcoming law will guarantee both authority and responsibility within the force, ensuring transparency and accountability in all operations. The minister said the initiative aims to uphold the rule of law and meet public expectations for safety. Addressing questions about U.S. sanctions on RAB, Ahmed stated that some officers’ past actions had harmed the institution, but individual misconduct should not implicate the entire organization. He expressed hope that if the force is restructured or renamed, the sanctions might be reconsidered.

Iran’s national football team has departed for Turkey as part of preparations to complete visa procedures for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to Iranian media reports. The Tasnim news agency stated that the team traveled to Antalya to play a preparatory friendly match and to finalize their U.S. visa applications. The squad includes 22 players from the domestic league along with coaching staff. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei confirmed that visa applications for travel to the United States would be completed during their stay in Turkey. U.S. authorities have indicated that Iran faces no restrictions on participating in the tournament. FIFA has also confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will proceed as scheduled and rejected proposals to move some of Iran’s matches to Mexico or Canada. Iran had previously suggested relocating its matches from the United States to co-host nations, but that request was not accepted. The team’s stay in Turkey is expected to facilitate both match preparation and the completion of necessary travel documentation for the upcoming tournament.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has announced the creation of a new body to supervise operations in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the council, the organization will be called the “Persian Gulf Strait Authority” and will provide real-time updates on activities and current conditions in the area. The announcement was shared through the council’s social media post on May 18, 2026. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global trade and energy transport, and the region has long been marked by geopolitical tensions. The establishment of this new authority signals Iran’s intention to strengthen surveillance and information management in the area. The move is seen as part of Tehran’s broader effort to enhance control and situational awareness in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. The report did not specify further operational details or international responses to the announcement.

A large-scale highway robbery took place on the Naogaon-Natore regional road in Atrai, Naogaon, late Sunday night. According to eyewitnesses, from around 12:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., a group of robbers blocked the road at a location known as Vangabridge using boats and tables, then looted 40 to 50 vehicles. The robbers reportedly held drivers and passengers at gunpoint, seizing cash, mobile phones, and other valuables. Victims described losing money and personal belongings, including a Saudi expatriate’s family who were robbed of phones and cash while returning home. A microbus driver said he was forced to hand over 4,000 taka. One driver claimed police initially said the area was outside their jurisdiction, but Atrai police denied receiving any emergency calls and stated they launched an operation immediately after learning of the incident. On Monday, senior police officials, including the Naogaon Superintendent of Police, visited the scene. Police said no arrests had been made yet, but preparations were underway to file a case and take legal action.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that all banks will remain closed from May 25 to May 31 for the Eid-ul-Azha holidays. However, to facilitate salary payments for garment sector workers, the central bank has instructed that some branches in industrial areas remain open on May 25 and 26. A circular issued on Sunday was sent to the chief executives of all scheduled banks outlining these directives. According to the circular, all bank branches and sub-branches will operate normally on May 23 and 24 as per the Ministry of Public Administration’s notification. To ensure smooth payment of wages, bonuses, and allowances for garment workers and to maintain import-export operations, limited banking services will be available in Dhaka, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Valuka, Narayanganj, and Chattogram. These branches will operate from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with transactions allowed until 1 p.m. Additionally, bank branches located in sea, land, and airport areas will remain partially open from May 25 to May 31 to support import and export activities. Bangladesh Bank confirmed that employees working during the holidays will receive allowances as per regulations.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran will face extreme consequences if it does not agree to a deal soon. In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump stated that time is running out for Iran and that if it fails to act quickly, nothing will remain of the country. His remarks came shortly after a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a report by the Times of Israel. The warning follows earlier threats from Trump, who had said that if Iran refused to agree to a deal to end the war, its entire civilization would be destroyed. A few days earlier, Trump also described the current ceasefire as being in a “critical condition.” The statements were reported by BBC and other media outlets. The renewed warning highlights escalating tensions surrounding Iran’s position on negotiations and the fragile state of the ceasefire, though no details of the proposed deal were disclosed in the reports.