Bangladesh’s first institutionally managed venture capital platform has been launched jointly by 39 commercial banks. The Bangladesh Startup Investment Company PLC (BSIC) inaugurated its first fund, “Onkur Bangladesh Fund 1,” at an event in Dhaka’s Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel. The platform begins with a committed capital of about Tk 425 crore (US$35 million). Each participating bank will contribute one percent of its annual net profit to the fund, creating a continuous capital structure. The fund will invest in seed, late-seed, and Series A stage startups. The initiative stems from a long-term policy effort by Bangladesh Bank, which allowed banks to invest one percent of their average net profits from the past five years into the fund. Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Bangladesh Bank Governor Md. Mostakur Rahman attended the launch, emphasizing innovation, transparency, and financial inclusion. BSIC Chairman Masrur Arefin described the platform as a bridge between local trust and global venture standards. BSIC announced plans to complete its first three investments by the end of 2026 after appointing key executives and forming an investment committee by the third quarter of the year.

RAB-9 has arrested five individuals, including the main accomplice, in connection with an attack on its members in Nabinagar, Brahmanbaria. The arrests were announced on Tuesday afternoon during a press briefing at the RAB-9 office in Brahmanbaria town by its commander, Md. Nurunnabi. The detainees are Abdul Kadir, Abdur Rahim, Abdur Rahman Prakash, Nure Alam, and Sanowara Begum. Several locally made weapons used in the attack were also recovered. RAB stated that two suspects, Shafik Dakat and Abdul Halim, managed to flee and that operations to capture them are ongoing. According to RAB, the incident occurred on May 11 in Khagatoa village under Ratanpur Union when three RAB members went there to collect intelligence. Members of the notorious Shafik gang allegedly detained and assaulted them, injuring one officer with a sharp weapon. Additional RAB personnel later rescued the injured members and admitted them to Nabinagar Upazila Health Complex. The attack has caused widespread concern in the area. Locals claim the Shafik gang has long been involved in robbery and violence, but the recent incident has prompted increased law enforcement activity.

A district leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s women’s wing has been expelled following an attack on teachers at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU). The expelled leader, Helana Khanom, was removed from her position for engaging in activities that violated party discipline, according to a press release issued by the district committee on Tuesday. The committee also instructed party members to avoid any organizational contact with her. The decision was approved by district president Afroza Begum Sima and general secretary Farzana Yasmin Ruma. The incident occurred on Monday morning in front of the university’s administrative building, where teachers and staff were holding a sit-in demanding the removal of Vice-Chancellor Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam. Ten people, including teachers, officers, and employees, were injured in the attack. Protesters alleged that Helana Khanom was among the outsiders seen verbally abusing teachers during the incident. The expulsion underscores the party’s attempt to distance itself from the violence and maintain internal discipline following the campus unrest.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said the Strait of Hormuz has been used as a “weapon” in the ongoing war, severely affecting Gulf countries, particularly in economic terms. He made the remarks during a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The Qatari leader stated that the situation in the Middle East has become extremely dire due to the U.S.-Israel war centered on Iran and the resulting Hormuz Strait crisis. He noted that freedom of navigation through the sea route is being restricted, posing a major threat to regional stability and economies. Sheikh Mohammed cautioned that Iran should not use the Strait of Hormuz as a tool to pressure or “blackmail” Gulf nations, emphasizing the need to prevent further escalation in the region.

Bangladesh made history by defeating Pakistan by 104 runs in the first Test of a two-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. Led by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, the hosts secured their first-ever home Test win against Pakistan, taking a 1–0 lead in the series. The victory followed Bangladesh’s earlier success in Rawalpindi, where they had won two consecutive Tests in 2024. Pacer Nahid Rana claimed his maiden five-wicket haul, helping Bangladesh bowl out Pakistan for 163 runs in their second innings. Despite a promising start at 119 for four, Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for just 44 runs. Abdullah Fazal top-scored for the visitors with 66, while Salman Agha added 26. For Bangladesh, Shanto scored 87 in the second innings, supported by Mominul Haque’s 56. With this result, Bangladesh took a 1–0 lead in the two-Test series, marking a milestone in their cricket history and boosting confidence ahead of the second Test.

The High Court has directed that every train must allocate a separate compartment for women during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha travel period. The order was issued on Tuesday afternoon by a bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan. Lawyer Md Azmal Hossain Khokon represented the petitioner in court and confirmed the directive. According to the lawyer, Section 64 of the Railway Act of 1890 mandates that each train must have a designated compartment for women, and for journeys exceeding 50 miles, that compartment should include a toilet. Section 119 of the same law also prescribes penalties for unauthorized entry into such compartments. The directive follows a 2021 writ petition filed by lawyer Momtaz Parvin, which led to a High Court rule on March 10 asking why the legal provision for women’s compartments should not be enforced. The latest order was given in response to a supplementary petition seeking relief for women travelers during Eid, as the earlier rule on implementing the law remains pending before the court.

Iran has executed a man named Abdoljalil Shahbakhsh after convicting him of armed rebellion and membership in a militant group. The execution was reported by Mizan News, the media outlet of Iran’s judiciary, on Tuesday. According to the report, Shahbakhsh was found guilty of involvement in an attack on a police facility in Sistan-Baluchestan Province. He had been arrested during an anti-terror operation in eastern Iran. Mizan News further claimed that Shahbakhsh had left Iran illegally about six years ago and received military training in a neighboring country. The report did not specify the name of the militant group or the neighboring country involved. The execution highlights Iran’s continued crackdown on individuals accused of militant activity, particularly in the restive Sistan-Baluchestan region. No additional details were provided about the trial process or possible appeals before the execution.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held an exchange meeting with students of Dhaka University on Tuesday at the Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium. During the question session, he told the students that there was no need to address him as 'Honourable'. The discussion focused on youth perspectives, higher education development, and students’ expectations for building the future of Bangladesh. The meeting was welcomed by Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor A B M Obaidul Islam, with Professor Dr. Morshed Hasan Khan serving as chief coordinator and Professor Dr. Abdullah-Al-Mamun conducting the session. Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated a University Grants Commission (UGC) workshop titled 'Transformation of Higher Education in Bangladesh: Roadmap for Sustainable Excellence' at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building of Dhaka University. The events reflected the government’s engagement with academic institutions and students to discuss higher education reforms and national development priorities.

Police in Fatullah, Narayanganj recovered the hanging body of a garment factory official named Idris Ali, aged 45, from inside the Fariha Knit Tex factory on Tuesday morning, May 12, 2026. Following the discovery, thousands of workers stopped work and began protesting inside the factory, demanding justice and chanting slogans against what they described as a suspicious death. Law enforcement from Fatullah Model Police Station and the Industrial Police attempted to control the situation but initially failed. According to workers, colleagues found the storekeeper’s room locked and, upon entering, discovered him hanging. The incident quickly spread through the factory, sparking anger and unrest. Workers expressed doubts about whether the death was a suicide or the result of internal conflict or pressure within the factory. Police Inspector Md. Mahbub Alam stated that the body was sent to Narayanganj General Hospital for autopsy and that the exact cause of death had not yet been determined. An investigation is underway.

The European Union has agreed to impose long-delayed sanctions on Israeli settlers accused of violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The decision, announced by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, came after months of deadlock that ended following a change of government in Hungary. The sanctions target seven settlers or settler organizations, as well as representatives of the Palestinian armed group Hamas. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the EU is sanctioning key Israeli organizations and leaders supporting extremist and violent settlement activities. The move had been blocked by former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose opposition ended when nationalist leader Péter Magyar took office and withdrew Hungary’s veto. EU ministers also discussed a proposal to ban products from Israeli settlements, though no decision was reached. Israel condemned the sanctions, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office accusing the EU of moral failure and false equivalence between Israeli citizens and Hamas. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the EU “antisemitic,” while Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the move was politically motivated and baseless.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman has identified political influence in teacher recruitment as a key reason behind the declining international ranking of Bangladesh’s universities, including Dhaka University. He made the remarks on May 12 during an exchange with teachers and students at the Muzaffar Ahmad Chowdhury Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Dhaka University. The Prime Minister said that in the past, political considerations outweighed merit in recruitment and promotion, which harmed the quality of higher education. He emphasized that ensuring merit-based recruitment could improve the situation and also pointed out deficiencies in research and publication. Earlier the same day, at the inauguration of a national workshop titled “Transforming Higher Education in Bangladesh: Roadmap for Sustainable Excellence” at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building, he noted that Bangladeshi universities have yet to reach desired levels in global competition. He said that research, innovation, and academic impact are key indicators in international rankings where local universities lag behind. The Prime Minister urged greater investment in research and innovation and called for alumni involvement in supporting university research and development.

Chittagong University has appointed Dr. Mohammad Saleh Zahur, an associate of S. Alam Group owner Mohammad Saiful Alam, as the new Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration. The appointment was made on Sunday by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan under his executive authority. Zahur replaces Abdur Rahman, who was appointed four months earlier. According to the report, Zahur was initially known as a BNP supporter but later aligned himself with the Awami League after the 2008 national election. He served as an independent director of Islami Bank from May 2019 until the July 2024 uprising and was also a member of the bank’s executive and audit committees. Zahur is a defendant in multiple Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) cases related to alleged embezzlement from Islami Bank and the International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC), where he previously held senior roles. Vice-Chancellor Al-Forkan stated that Zahur’s appointment was based on his academic excellence and his perceived ability to manage the faculty effectively.

Former Chief Justice A B M Khairul Haque has been granted bail in two more cases. The order was issued on Tuesday, May 12, by a High Court bench comprising Justice K M Zahid Sarwar Kajol and Justice Sheikh Abu Taher. Earlier, the Appellate Division upheld his bail in five other cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and related to the July Movement and alleged verdict forgery. Khairul Haque was arrested on July 24 of the previous year from his Dhanmondi residence and shown arrested in a murder case involving a Jubo Dal activist during the July Movement. Several other cases were filed against him, including one on August 27 over alleged forgery of a caretaker government verdict and another ACC case on August 4 concerning plot-related corruption. After lower courts denied bail, he sought relief from the High Court, which issued rules and later granted bail in multiple cases. The Appellate Division, led by the Chief Justice, rejected the state’s appeal to suspend his bail on April 28. However, Haque was later shown arrested in two additional murder cases filed at Jatrabari and Mirpur police stations.

A total of 330 prominent citizens from various professions, including Islamic scholars, academics, doctors, engineers, and businesspeople, have issued a joint statement expressing concern over the inclusion of undefined gender-related terms in the amended Bangladesh Labour Law 2025. The statement, released on Tuesday and circulated by the spokesperson of the Mulyobodh Andolon, Engineer Muhammad Sadat, warns that the use of terms such as “gender,” “gender identity,” and “gender expression” without clear definitions could undermine women’s safety and introduce ideological disputes into labour legislation. The signatories argue that the law should focus on workers’ rights and safety rather than incorporating controversial concepts that may conflict with religious and social values. They claim that the lack of precise definitions could allow arbitrary interpretations, potentially legitimizing practices inconsistent with traditional moral and religious norms. The statement also raises concerns that the amendments could create legal complications regarding gender-based behavior in workplaces. The citizens urge the authorities to reconsider the amendments, define the terms “sex” and “gender” clearly, and remove or revise the disputed terminology to align with religious, cultural, and social values.

US President Donald Trump will be accompanied by leading figures from the technology and business sectors during his upcoming visit to China, according to a White House official cited by Reuters. The delegation includes Tesla’s Elon Musk, Apple’s Tim Cook, GE Aerospace’s Larry Culp, Boeing’s Kelly Ortberg, Meta’s Dina Powell McCormick, BlackRock’s Larry Fink, Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman, and Mastercard’s Michael Miebach. Executives from Simon, Qualcomm, and Visa will also join, while Cisco’s Chuck Robbins will not attend due to business commitments. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was not invited. The visit is expected to focus on easing trade and investment between the two countries. China may announce major purchases of Boeing aircraft, US agricultural products, and energy supplies. Sources indicate discussions are underway for a potential order of about 500 Boeing 737 Max and several dozen widebody jets, possibly the largest single aircraft deal in history. Both sides will also discuss extending the suspension of their ongoing trade war, which could ensure continued Chinese exports of rare earth minerals to the United States. The White House said the trip will emphasize agriculture and commercial aviation as key areas of cooperation.