Bangladesh Bank has repaid around Tk 4,000 crore to depositors of five weak banks that were merged to form the new Sammilit Islami Bank. The repayment, made through the central bank’s Deposit Insurance Trust Fund, began in January and has so far reached about 822,000 depositors. The merged institutions include EXIM Bank, Social Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Union Bank, and Global Islami Bank. According to the report, the banks previously operated under the control of two influential business figures and suffered from large-scale loan irregularities, including unsecured lending that led to severe financial distress. The interim government merged the five Shariah-based banks last year to stabilize the sector. The new bank’s paid-up capital has been set at Tk 35,000 crore, with Tk 20,000 crore provided by the government and Tk 15,000 crore in shares allocated to depositors. Officials said the repayments initially helped restore confidence, but a recent amendment to the Bank Resolution Act allowing former owners to return has renewed withdrawal pressure and deepened trust concerns. The report suggests the government should issue a clear statement to ease the situation.

Hasnat Abdullah, the South Regional Chief Organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and Member of Parliament for Comilla-4 (Debidwar), stated that if the BNP expels Chandina MP Atikul Alam Shaon despite his reputation as a good person and his position as the local BNP president, it will indicate that the party has changed from what it once was. He claimed that the BNP has now become a party driven by a specific agenda. He made these remarks on Sunday while addressing a rally of the National Citizens Party at the Mahichail High School field in Chandina, Comilla. During his speech, Abdullah also expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, warning that if the trend continues, the little public trust remaining in the current government will soon disappear. The event was presided over by local businessman Nizamul Ahsan Papon and attended by several NCP leaders, including central president of Jatiyo Juboshokti Advocate Tarikul Islam, central joint coordinator Navid Nawroz Shah, and Chandina NCP coordinator Abul Kashem Ovi.

A third-gender individual named Enamul Haque Shishir, also known as Mahi, died after being set on fire in Comilla’s Burichang area following a dispute over drug money. The incident occurred on May 13 near the Freedom Fighter Complex in Burichang municipality, where another third-gender person, Zahidul Islam Apon, allegedly poured petrol on Mahi and set him ablaze. Mahi was first taken to Comilla Medical College Hospital and later transferred to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, where he died on Sunday after several days of treatment. Police and local sources said the conflict stemmed from disagreements among several third-gender individuals involved in drug trading in the area. Mahi had previously been arrested in a drug case. Following the incident, Mahi’s father, Kamrul Haque Farhad, filed a murder case with Burichang Police Station. One suspect has been arrested, while the main accused, Zahidul Islam Apon, remains at large. Burichang police confirmed that operations are ongoing to apprehend the fugitive suspect.

A new development has emerged in the murder case of Sohagi Jahan Tonu, a student of Comilla Victoria Government College. Investigators found traces of blood from a fourth individual on Tonu’s clothing, in addition to sperm from three men. Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) Inspector Md. Tarikul Islam confirmed the finding on Sunday night, stating that the DNA test results were received about a month ago. This brings the total number of suspects to four. The case dates back to March 20, 2016, when Tonu went missing after going to tutor at a house inside the Comilla Cantonment. Her body was later discovered in a nearby jungle. Despite multiple investigations by police, DB, and CID, the case remained unsolved. The investigation has since changed hands six times, with PBI currently leading the probe. On April 21, 2026, retired army member Hafizur Rahman was arrested as a suspect and placed on a three-day remand. His DNA sample was collected for comparison with the evidence, but results were still pending as of Sunday, according to the investigator.

A clash broke out on Sunday night between students of the Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering and Public Administration departments at Islamic University (IU) following an assault by a senior on a junior student inside a campus bus. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. near the university’s main gate when the night-schedule bus entered the campus. Several students from both departments were injured in the confrontation. University officials, including the pro-vice-chancellor, treasurer, and members of the proctorial body, intervened to calm the situation and later confined students of the two departments to separate academic buildings. According to witnesses and students, the conflict stemmed from an earlier altercation on a Jhenaidah-bound double-decker bus at 4 p.m., when a senior student allegedly assaulted a junior over a minor issue. The dispute escalated after both groups gathered at the main gate, leading to renewed fighting. University authorities later brought the situation under control and held discussions with both sides to resolve misunderstandings. Senior faculty members expressed hope that the incident would not prolong further, while the pro-vice-chancellor confirmed that the campus was calm and there was no threat to law and order.

In Chattogram, activists from the student wing of the BNP, Chhatra Dal, and the National Citizens Party (NCP) confronted each other on Sunday night over the removal of July Revolution graffiti from city areas. The standoff occurred between 10:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. near the City Corporation building, where both groups exchanged slogans and staged protests. Police intervened around 11:00 p.m. to disperse the crowds and restore order, deploying additional forces around the City Corporation premises. According to reports, the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) had recently erased graffiti from pillars of the Shaheed Wasim Akram Elevated Expressway, repainting them white and red and designating the spaces for advertising boards. The move sparked outrage among NCP members, who accused the city authorities of erasing symbols of the July movement. Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain denied the allegations in a statement, saying no graffiti had been removed and that the CCC was focused on cleanliness and beautification. Police confirmed that the situation was under control and that no clashes occurred, though both groups had gathered in large numbers before being dispersed.

Inter Miami secured their first win at their new stadium on May 18, 2026, defeating Portland Timbers 2–0. Lionel Messi was central to the victory, contributing one goal and one assist. The club, owned by David Beckham, had failed to win in their previous four matches at the venue, recording three draws and one loss before this breakthrough performance. Messi opened the scoring in the 31st minute after a well-coordinated attack with Luis Suárez and Segovia, finishing with a precise left-footed shot. Before halftime, the Argentine star created another goal, setting up German Berterame after a quick exchange with Suárez. Late in the match, Messi nearly scored again from a free kick, but Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis made a crucial save. The victory lifted the mood in the Miami camp after a frustrating start at the new venue. The team will play one more match before the international break for World Cup qualifiers, after which Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will join the Argentina national squad.

An allegation has been raised against Cumilla Superintendent of Police (SP) Md. Anisuzzaman for sending Detective Branch (DB) officers to remove microphones from a roadside rally stage prepared for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Mudaffarganj Bazar, Laksam upazila, Cumilla. The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday afternoon, when the Prime Minister held a roadside rally at the location. Abul Kalam, Member of Parliament for Cumilla-9 (Laksam–Monoharganj) and BNP’s industry affairs secretary, stated on Sunday that he had earlier sought permission from the Prime Minister for a brief roadside rally during her journey from Cumilla to Chandpur. He claimed that despite receiving assurance, DB police removed the microphones on the rally day morning, but left after party activists protested. Kalam also alleged that the SP had political affiliations in the past and informed the party leadership about the matter. SP Md. Anisuzzaman denied the allegation when contacted. The Prime Minister later visited Chandpur, where she inaugurated development projects and held public events.

Qatar’s Labour Minister Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday, May 17, 2026. The meeting took place in the evening at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka. The discussion was described as a formal courtesy meeting between the two leaders. During the meeting, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Break Saeed Al-Samikh were also present. The report did not specify the topics discussed or any agreements reached during the meeting. The visit reflects ongoing diplomatic engagement between Bangladesh and Qatar, though no further details about outcomes or future cooperation were provided in the source.

The second funeral prayer for popular content creator and 'July Fighter' Karina Kaiser, daughter of renowned footballer Kaiser Hamid, was held at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Sunday night after 10 p.m. Earlier, her first funeral prayer took place at the Banani DOHS field around 7:15 p.m. Her body had arrived from India earlier that evening and was taken to her family residence in Banani DOHS before the first prayer. Karina Kaiser passed away in Chennai, India, where she had been receiving advanced medical treatment for liver complications and other health issues. Her body was flown back to Bangladesh on Sunday afternoon and brought directly from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to her home. The two funeral prayers drew attention due to her popularity as a digital content creator and her family’s prominence in Bangladeshi sports and media circles.

National Citizen Party (NCP) South Region chief organizer and Member of Parliament Hasanath Abdullah has accused the current government of beginning its tenure with blatant nepotism and regional discrimination. Speaking at a rally organized by the NCP Homna Upazila branch at the Balur Maath near Homna bus stand on Sunday afternoon, he called for ending family-based politics and extortion, urging the creation of a new Bangladesh based on merit and competence. Hasanath Abdullah questioned the government’s performance over its first three months in power, citing deteriorating law and order and poor conditions in the health sector, where children are reportedly dying from measles and pneumonia. He criticized the government for blaming the interim administration for all problems. Emphasizing religious harmony, he said no one has the right to attack any shrine or temple and that all citizens, regardless of faith, are equal in Bangladesh. He also condemned the government for imposing excessive taxes on ordinary people, including on motorcycles and autorickshaws, warning that taxation is spreading indiscriminately.

A youth has been arrested in Abhaynagar upazila of Jashore after allegedly stabbing an SSC examinee who refused his marriage proposal. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at the Dhulgram-Phultala ferry ghat while the student was returning home after her exam. The injured girl was admitted to a hospital, and the suspect, identified as Ashik Sheikh, 26, from Gopinathpur village, was detained by locals and handed over to police. According to the victim’s father, Ashik had been harassing his daughter for two years with repeated marriage proposals. When the family refused, he continued to disturb her. After the stabbing, he attempted to flee but was caught by residents. A written complaint has been filed with Phultala Police Station. Medical officer Dr. Rayhana Ferdousi of Phultala Upazila Health Complex said the patient was advised to be transferred to Khulna Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Police confirmed that legal proceedings are underway.

Student leaders have warned against any attempts to destabilize the academic environment at Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) following recent tensions and clashes on campus. In a joint statement issued on Sunday, Islami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh President Muntasir Ahmad and Secretary General Sultan Mahmud expressed deep concern over the unrest linked to the appointment of the vice-chancellor. They stated that ignoring students’ legitimate demands and using force or external interference to control the situation would only worsen the crisis. The leaders emphasized that repression, intimidation, or coercion have no place in a higher education institution. They urged all parties to act responsibly to protect DUET’s autonomy, academic reputation, and safe learning environment. Dialogue, mutual respect, and fairness were cited as the only means to achieve an acceptable resolution. They further warned that if any group resorts to conspiratorial or violent means to destabilize DUET, students would unite to resist. They demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in the recent clashes, asserting that justice is essential to restore lasting peace and discipline on campus.

Saudi Arabia has officially confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah 1447. According to an announcement shared on social media platform X by the website Inside the Haramain, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated in the kingdom on May 27, 2026. The Day of Arafah will therefore fall on May 26, corresponding to the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah. Before the announcement, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and several other Middle Eastern and Muslim-majority countries had prepared to observe the sky on Sunday evening to determine the start of Dhul-Hijjah. It was stated that if the moon was sighted, these countries would also celebrate Eid al-Adha on May 27. Following the confirmed sighting, authorities in these nations were expected to make official announcements. Separately, Malaysia and Indonesia had already declared May 27 as the date for Eid al-Adha celebrations, aligning with the Saudi announcement.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure from within his own Labour Party to step down, following a series of scandals, policy reversals, and poor local election results. Despite calls from around 90 Labour MPs for his resignation or a clear timeline for departure, Starmer has stated that he will not resign and intends to continue governing. The crisis deepened after last week’s local elections in England, where Labour suffered setbacks attributed to the rise of Reform UK and the Green Party. Discontent with Starmer’s leadership had been building for months, particularly after controversial decisions such as appointing Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the United States despite prior disqualifications and links to Jeffrey Epstein. The backlash over this appointment and repeated policy U-turns have eroded confidence in his judgment. Labour MP Catherine West briefly considered challenging his leadership but later withdrew. Potential successors include Angela Rayner, recently cleared of tax allegations; Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who may re-enter Parliament; and former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who resigned citing a lack of vision under Starmer’s leadership.