In Tarash upazila of Sirajganj, the canals of Chalan Beel are filling with new water from rainfall and upstream flow, submerging low-lying areas. During this season, many local residents who lack regular work turn to fishing for their livelihood, using traditional bamboo traps known as chhai or kholsuni. Thousands of people in the region are now busy crafting these traps from bamboo and palm fibers, which are sold in various local markets. The traps are sold wholesale and retail in markets such as Naoga Hat, Gulta Hat, Chachkoir Hat, Nimgachhi Hat, Salonga Hat, Chatmohar, Chhaikola Hat, and Mirzapur Hat. In Chachkoir village of Gurudaspur upazila, around 250 families are engaged in making kholsuni, with prices ranging from 400 to 600 taka per pair depending on size. Each pair takes two to three days to make, with material costs of 150 to 200 taka. The craft has been passed down through generations, and participation continues to grow as new people join the trade. Family members, including women and students, contribute to the production process.

The New York Times has reported that Israel’s military operated two secret bases in Iraq’s western desert, including one near the town of Al-Nukhayb. According to the report, Israeli forces allegedly killed a shepherd and an Iraqi soldier to conceal the existence of one of the sites. The shepherd was identified as 29-year-old Awad al-Shammari. Regional officials cited by the newspaper said the base was established before the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States and was used during a 12-day war against Iran last year. It reportedly served for air support, refueling, and medical assistance. The report added that the United States was aware of the base, implying Washington withheld this information from Baghdad despite the presence of a hostile foreign force on Iraqi soil. The newly revealed base is said to be separate from another previously reported Israeli facility described by The Wall Street Journal as a logistics hub for the Israeli Air Force. Iraq has not yet issued an official response, though a military spokesperson reiterated that Iraq will not allow its territory to be used for attacks on other countries.

In Sunamganj, extensive boro paddy fields have been submerged due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging, leaving thousands of farmers destitute. Authorities have prepared a list of 129,559 affected farmers and sent it to the ministry for assistance distribution. However, many haor-area farmers allege that genuine victims were excluded from the list, while non-farmers and relatives of local representatives were included. According to the agriculture department, 223,511 hectares were cultivated this season with a production target of 1.4 million tons of rice worth about Tk 5,000 crore. Around 20,550 hectares of crops have been damaged across 137 haors. The district administration plans to provide three months of humanitarian aid, including cash ranging from Tk 2,500 to Tk 7,500 and 20–30 kilograms of rice per farmer, depending on the level of loss. Officials said the list will be reviewed, and any non-farmers found will be removed. The local MP stated that the Prime Minister has directed that only genuine affected farmers receive assistance, with further agricultural input support planned for the next season.

A Reuters analysis published on Monday reported that global companies have suffered losses of at least $25 billion due to the ongoing war situation surrounding Iran. The report stated that listed firms across the United States, Europe, and Asia cited rising energy prices, supply chain disruptions, and interruptions to trade routes caused by Iran’s activities in the Strait of Hormuz as major factors behind the losses. According to the analysis, at least 279 companies identified the conflict as a key reason for implementing defensive measures aimed at minimizing financial damage. The report highlights how the instability in the region has affected international trade and corporate operations across multiple sectors. The findings underscore the widespread economic impact of the Iran conflict on global markets, particularly through energy and logistics channels, as companies continue to adjust their strategies to mitigate further risks.

A 10-kilometer road renovation and expansion project in Adamdighi upazila of Bogura has remained incomplete even after two years, causing severe suffering for residents of ten nearby villages. The project, costing around Tk 18 crore, covers the Chapapur-Nashratpur via Bihigram road. Locals allege that poor-quality materials are being used due to collusion between contractors and officials, and that the responsible department has failed to take effective action against the influential contractor. According to local sources, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) invited tenders in 2024 to repair and widen the road by six feet. The contract was initially awarded to Ananta Bikash Tripura Limited, which later sold it to another contractor. Work began in May last year but soon stopped, and despite several contractor changes, progress has been minimal. Locals report the use of substandard brick chips and old rubble, raising fears that the road will not last long. Local leaders have repeatedly complained about the slow pace and poor quality of work, but no effective measures have been taken. Residents are urging urgent government intervention to ensure timely and quality completion of the project.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has announced its mayoral candidates for the upcoming Dhaka North and South City Corporation elections. Atiqur Rahman Mujahid, central president of Islami Jubo Andolan, has been nominated for Dhaka North, while Sheikh Fazlul Karim Maruf, the party’s central publicity secretary, will contest in Dhaka South. The announcement was made on Monday at the party’s central office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, by the party’s Amir and Charmonai Pir, Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim. During the event, the Charmonai Pir called for holding local elections soon and stated that the national election held on February 12 had been questioned and could not be termed transparent. He emphasized the need for transparency in the upcoming local polls and confirmed that Islami Andolan Bangladesh would participate independently. The party’s secretary general, Principal Yunus Ahmad, and other senior leaders were present at the announcement. The declaration signals the party’s preparation to contest the city polls separately, underscoring its focus on electoral transparency and independent participation.

A Dhaka court has ordered that former army officer and ex-MP Masud Uddin Chowdhury be shown arrested in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The case accuses him of embezzling Tk 119 crore through irregularities in sending workers to Malaysia. The order was issued on Monday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez, confirmed by ACC prosecutor Delowar Jahan Rumi. According to the case, Masud Uddin and others allegedly misused government authority by taking extra money from workers beyond the fixed amount of Tk 78,990 for recruitment to Malaysia. The illegally collected funds were reportedly laundered through various means, leading to charges under the Penal Code, the Money Laundering Prevention Act, and the Anti-Corruption Commission Act. The ACC argued that releasing Masud Uddin on bail could obstruct the investigation. Masud Uddin was earlier arrested on March 23 from his residence in Baridhara DOHS in connection with multiple murder cases linked to the July uprising. He has since been shown arrested and remanded in several other cases.

Nawab Sharif Sajib, a student of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, has appealed to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for employment assistance. Sajib was shot during the July uprising and still carries splinters in his body. The injuries have left him with limited physical ability, forcing him to leave his previous job and halting his studies. He now lives in Natore with his pregnant wife and young child, struggling to meet family expenses despite receiving some government allowances. Before the movement, Sajib worked as a front desk officer at a hospital in Sylhet but had to resign due to his physical condition. He has been listed as a “July fighter” in the government gazette and received some financial support, but rising living costs have made survival difficult. Regular therapy is required for his recovery, which he cannot afford. Sajib has applied for a job at his university and written to the Prime Minister seeking direct intervention. His only wish now is for stable employment that would allow him to manage his medical treatment and family responsibilities.

The government has decided to keep all CNG filling stations across Bangladesh open 24 hours a day for 13 consecutive days to ensure smooth travel for passengers during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. According to a letter issued by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division to the chairman of Petrobangla, the stations will operate continuously from May 21 to June 2. The directive means that all filling stations will remain open seven days before and five days after Eid-ul-Azha. The government has also announced a seven-day holiday for the festival, while garment factories will close in phases to accommodate the holiday period. The decision aims to facilitate uninterrupted fuel supply and ease transportation pressure during one of the country’s busiest travel seasons.

The National Economic Council has approved a record Annual Development Programme (ADP) worth nearly Tk 3 trillion for the 2026–27 fiscal year. The approval came on Monday at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the NEC conference room in Agargaon, Dhaka. The session emphasized government development planning, economic restructuring, social protection, and balanced regional growth. According to the Planning Commission’s working paper, the total ADP size is set at Tk 3 trillion, with Tk 1.9 trillion from domestic resources and Tk 1.1 trillion from foreign loans and grants. Including self-financed projects by autonomous bodies and corporations, total development expenditure will exceed Tk 3.08 trillion. The plan aligns with a five-year reform and development strategy built on five pillars: state system reform, equitable socioeconomic development, economic reconstruction, regional balance, and social cohesion. The transport and communication sector receives the highest allocation of Tk 50,092 crore, followed by education, health, power and energy, and housing. A total of 1,121 projects are included, with 1,277 new unapproved projects listed for future consideration. The council directed faster project implementation, financial discipline, and timely completion by June 2027.

National Citizen Party (NCP) South Region chief organizer and Cumilla-4 MP Hasnat Abdullah called for national unity and reform during a rally in Chauddagram Bazaar on Monday. He said that parties whose leaders flee the country have no right to do politics in Bangladesh and vowed that the Awami League would not be allowed to return to power. Abdullah emphasized the need to eliminate unemployment, modernize education, and strengthen the SME sector, urging that these priorities be included in the upcoming national budget. He criticized the influence of politicians over the police, saying that some officers harass opposition activists for personal gain. Abdullah cited past and current governments’ actions against social media users as examples of political misuse of law enforcement. He demanded a politically neutral police force and a zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking, particularly in border areas like Chauddagram. The event was chaired by Abu Sufian Raihan of Jatiya Jubo Shakti and attended by several NCP and allied leaders, who echoed calls for unity and reform.

Two albino buffaloes named ‘Donald Trump’ and ‘Netanyahu’ have become a major attraction in Narayanganj ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. The animals, known for their unusual appearance and behavior, are being raised at two separate farms. The ‘Netanyahu’ buffalo, weighing over 750 kilograms, is kept at SS Cattle Farm in Bandar upazila and has gone viral on social media. It was sold to a Dhaka businessman for six lakh taka, surpassing the price of ‘Donald Trump’, another albino buffalo from Rabeya Agro Farm in Paikpara. According to the farms, the names were inspired by the animals’ distinctive looks resembling the world leaders. The ‘Donald Trump’ buffalo, weighing around 700 kilograms with a pinkish hue, was sold at 550 taka per kilogram live weight. Visitors from different areas are flocking to see the animals after watching viral videos online. Farm owners said the social media buzz has significantly increased public interest in unique sacrificial animals this year, alongside the usual demand for large cattle.

A farmer named Samad was killed and two others were injured after being struck by lightning in Lalurkandi area of Khagkanda Union under Araihazar upazila in Narayanganj on Monday morning. The incident occurred around 6 a.m. when Samad, along with Yusuf Ali and Ismail, was returning home from working in a paddy field during a storm. Locals and family members rescued the victims and took them to Araihazar Upazila Health Complex. At the hospital, the on-duty doctor declared Samad dead, while Yusuf Ali and Ismail received primary treatment for their injuries. Police confirmed the incident through Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Alauddin. The report highlights the fatal lightning strike as part of ongoing weather-related hazards affecting rural agricultural workers in the region.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The outbreak, centered in the eastern Ituri province, has so far resulted in about 246 suspected infections and 80 deaths. WHO reported that the virus, identified as the Bundibugyo strain, has no approved treatment or vaccine. Eight cases have been confirmed in laboratories, and infections have spread to Bunia, Mongwalu, Rwampara, and even the capital Kinshasa. Two confirmed cases have also been detected in neighboring Uganda. WHO warned that the outbreak could expand rapidly due to population movement, urban transmission, and limited healthcare infrastructure. The organization advised DR Congo and Uganda to establish emergency operations centers to track and isolate cases. Neighboring Rwanda has tightened border health checks, while the U.S. CDC plans to deploy more staff and has issued travel warnings for Ituri province. WHO urged countries not to impose travel or trade restrictions, emphasizing that such measures lack scientific justification. The agency noted uncertainty about the full extent of infections and geographic spread.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered his military to transform the country’s southern border into an 'impregnable fortress' and to further strengthen frontline units. The directive was issued during a high-level military meeting held on Sunday, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Photographs released by KCNA showed Kim in full military uniform meeting senior officers. He emphasized the need for major changes to prevent war and instructed commanders to adopt a tougher stance toward what he called the 'main enemy,' widely interpreted as South Korea. KCNA reported that Kim presented plans to enhance the military and technological capabilities of frontline and key forces to make war deterrence more effective. He described the decision as highly significant and reiterated that the southern border would be fortified into an unbreakable defense line. Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said Kim’s directive reflects lessons drawn from the Russia-Ukraine war, noting that North Korea’s military planning now emphasizes drone warfare, precision strikes, electronic warfare, and multidimensional battlefields, including cyber and space domains.