Commerce, Industry and Textiles Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that the government is implementing an integrated and timely action plan to revive the country’s industrial sector, stabilize markets, and ensure the safe supply of essential goods. Speaking to reporters after the fourth session of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference in Dhaka, he said reopening sick and closed factories to boost production and employment is a top government priority. The minister stated that around 50 closed or ailing textile and jute mills are being gradually transferred to the private sector to attract new investment and create jobs within a year. He highlighted that district administrators proposed measures for industrial revival, new industrial zones, reopening sugar mills, and establishing distilleries to expand exports. The government will consider these proposals seriously. Muktadir also revealed plans for an AI-based supply chain monitoring system to reduce price gaps from producers to retailers, a strategic reserve for import-dependent goods to counter global volatility, and a strengthened advisory council for the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh. Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, he announced a special plan to preserve raw hides through training, salt supply, and transport control.

BNP leader Rezaul Kaiyum, president of Cumilla Adarsha Sadar Upazila BNP, was released from Kotwali Model Police Station after 12 hours in custody upon signing a bond. He was detained around 11 a.m. on Sunday from his residence in the Shasongacha area by members of the Kotwali Model Police and the district Detective Branch. Police said he was questioned based on allegations but not formally arrested, and was released under the custody of the upazila BNP general secretary, Shafiul Alam Raihan. Following his detention, transport workers at the Shasongacha bus terminal halted bus operations on all routes and staged protests, prompting additional police deployment near the station. Law enforcement sources indicated that Kaiyum and his associates had drawn attention over alleged extortion at the bus terminal after the fall of the Awami League government. Police officials stated that his detention followed instructions from higher authorities. Home Minister Salauddin Ahmed told reporters he had heard about the matter, noting that Kaiyum had leased a bus stand and may have collected more money than permitted.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has denied claims that two Iranian missiles struck one of its naval warships. In a post on X, CENTCOM stated that no US Navy vessel had been attacked. The command added that American forces are currently supporting 'Project Freedom' and enforcing a naval blockade at Iranian ports. Earlier, Iran’s military had asserted that it intercepted a US Navy warship in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, the vessel was hit by two missiles after allegedly ignoring warnings while passing through the strait. The conflicting statements highlight rising tensions in the strategic waterway, though CENTCOM’s denial suggests no immediate escalation has occurred.

In Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram, police officials, a former officer, and witnesses were questioned on Monday at the office of the Superintendent of Police over allegations of harassment through a false case. Former police member Mosharraf, key witness Sajib, and accused officers including ASI Harun (Harun-2), Constable Mehedi, and ASI Parimal were interrogated as part of the investigation. Mosharraf alleged that Sitakunda police misused their authority to falsely implicate and arrest him, despite repeated complaints to the officer-in-charge. He later filed a case in court and submitted a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police. Witness Sajib stated that he had been coerced into giving false testimony but later revealed the truth in court, leading to Mosharraf’s bail. Police SI Harun confirmed that a judicial inquiry had been completed but its report was yet to be released. Superintendent of Police Nazir Ahmed Khan said the allegations were being investigated seriously and that appropriate legal action would be taken if the claims were proven true.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has announced a program demanding justice for the killings that occurred on May 5, 2013, at Shapla Chattar. The organization made the announcement through a Facebook post on Monday, stating that a human chain will be held on May 5, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel. In addition, Bangladesh Khilafat Chhatra Majlis is organizing a documentary and document-based exhibition for the first time focusing on the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident. According to the organization, the exhibition will take place on May 5 and 6 at the Nalini Kanta Bhattasali Exhibition Gallery of the Bangladesh National Museum in Dhaka. It will feature photographs, eyewitness accounts, official documents, news reports, and tributes to those killed, along with a documentary screening and a brief discussion session. Both events aim to highlight the 2013 incident and renew calls for justice related to the events at Shapla Chattar.

A Dhaka court has ordered a fresh three-day remand for former Member of Parliament and ex-DGFI Director General Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury for interrogation in the murder case of student activist Biplob Sheikh. The order was issued on Monday by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Hasib Ullah Piyash following a request from the investigation officer of Mirpur Model Police Station. The prosecution confirmed the court’s decision. The investigation officer had sought a five-day remand, stating that preliminary findings indicated Masud Uddin’s involvement in the incident. Police said further questioning was necessary to uncover the full circumstances of the killing, verify the roles of other suspects, and identify unnamed individuals. The defense opposed the remand, citing the accused’s age, illness, and prior detention, and requested bail instead. After hearing both sides, the court granted a three-day remand. According to the case file, Biplob Sheikh was shot dead on July 19, 2024, during an anti-discrimination student rally in Mirpur. The victim’s father filed the murder case on July 1 of the following year. Masud Uddin was arrested on March 23 from Baridhara and has been remanded multiple times in related cases.

NCC Bank recently organized a mental health awareness workshop titled “Mind Matters: Workplace Mental Health Talk for Women” for its female employees at the bank’s head office. The session aimed to promote an inclusive and healthy work environment. The workshop was conducted by Dr. Nasim Jahan, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at BIRDEM General Hospital and Ibrahim Medical College. Dr. Jahan delivered an informative presentation on key aspects of workplace mental health, including stress management, emotional resilience, and work-life balance. Participants were also introduced to internationally recognized assessment tools such as the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), which help individuals identify and manage early signs of stress, anxiety, and depression. The event was moderated by Nighat Momtaz, Executive Vice President and Head of Sustainable and Women’s Banking at NCC Bank. A total of 142 female officers attended in person, while others from branches across the country joined digitally. Participants described the initiative as timely and necessary in today’s evolving work environment.

A faction of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s student wing, Chhatra Dal, staged a protest in Noakhali on Monday by blocking the Dhaka–Sonapur highway. The demonstration began in front of the district central mosque and was followed by a rally where leaders criticized the recently formed district committee, alleging favoritism and exclusion of dedicated activists. Vice President Mohammad Wasim claimed that loyal grassroots workers were overlooked in favor of personal followers. Sadar Upazila Convener Sahed Chowdhury Babu described the committee as the most controversial in the organization’s history. In response, District President NBS Russell rejected the allegations, stating that the committee was formed based on merit and organizational considerations, and that not everyone could be accommodated. Following the protest, ten leaders, including Vice Presidents Sahed Chowdhury Babu, Mohammad Wasim, Tarek Nur, Yasin Arafat, and Organizing Secretary Akbar Hossain, resigned from the new committee during a press conference at the Noakhali Press Club.

The Bangladesh Navy conducted a special operation on Monday morning based on confidential intelligence to seize illegal drugs and firearms. The operation took place at a brick kiln in Alikhali area of Hnila Union under Teknaf upazila. During the search, authorities discovered 5 kilograms of crystal meth (ice) and 100,000 yaba tablets buried underground. The seized narcotics have an estimated market value of around Tk 30 crore. Two foreign pistols, two magazines, and four rounds of live ammunition were also recovered. In the same operation, naval personnel arrested Nurul Kabir, a fugitive accused in multiple drug and weapons cases. The recovered drugs, firearms, and ammunition, along with the detainee, were later handed over to Teknaf police for legal proceedings. The Bangladesh Navy stated that it continues to carry out regular operations to curb drug and arms smuggling in maritime and coastal areas. The operation underscores the Navy’s ongoing role in national anti-smuggling efforts and coordination with local law enforcement agencies.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim has called for an impartial investigation into the killings at Shapla Chattar on 5 May 2013 and for exemplary punishment of those responsible. In a statement issued to the media on Monday marking the anniversary of Shapla Day, he described the incident as a brutal and shameful chapter in the history of the modern nation-state, where unarmed citizens were attacked by state forces. He alleged that the operation was carried out under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government out of hostility toward Islam, madrasa education, and Islamic movements. According to him, the incident deepened authoritarian rule in the country, and many Islami Andolan leaders and activists suffered as a result. He also urged a reassessment of the roles of political organizations, intellectuals, and the media following the 2013 events. The Charmonai Pir further demanded that those killed and injured at Shapla Chattar be recognized as national heroes, that related cases be withdrawn, and that compensation be provided to victims and their families.

Authorities in Rangamati imposed Section 144 following violent clashes between two rival groups of the district Chhatra Dal. The confrontation erupted on Monday afternoon when leaders excluded from the newly announced district committee staged a sit-in for the second consecutive day in front of the BNP office. They blocked the main road and set fires during their protest. At the same time, supporters of the new committee, led by its president Oli Ahad and general secretary Roni, brought out a celebratory procession, leading to heightened tension. The excluded faction occupied the district office premises from noon until 3 p.m., while supporters of the new committee gathered in several parts of the town to welcome their leaders. Around 3 p.m., the new committee’s supporters reportedly chased away the protesters and took control of the BNP office. The situation turned tense across nearby areas, prompting the deployment of additional police at sensitive points, including the district BNP office. Traffic in the Banarupa area came to a halt amid public panic until the army intervened to disperse both groups and restore order. Police officials later confirmed that the situation was under control.

Bangladesh Khelafat Chhatra Majlis is organizing a documentary and document-based exhibition centered on the events of May 5, 2013, at Shapla Chattar. The exhibition will be held for the first time on May 5 and 6 at the Nalini Kanta Bhattasali Exhibition Gallery of the Bangladesh National Museum in Dhaka. It will feature photographs, eyewitness accounts, official documents, news reports, and memorials of those who lost their lives. The program will also include a documentary screening and a short discussion session. According to the organizers, the exhibition will be inaugurated at 3 p.m. on May 5 by Maulana Muhammad Mamunul Haque, Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis. Other attendees will include Member of Parliament Mufti Mohammadullah, NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, NCP chief coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari, and Inqilab Monch member secretary Abdullah Jaber. Families of victims and injured individuals are also expected to attend the opening ceremony. The event marks the first organized effort by the group to publicly present documentary evidence and testimonies related to the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said that an independent media is one of the main instruments for ensuring accountability in a democratic system. Speaking as the chief guest at the Jahangirnagar University Journalists’ Association’s new committee handover ceremony on Monday, he emphasized that a government elected by the people must remain accountable to them, and a strong, independent media helps reinforce that responsibility. The minister stated that journalism is not merely a profession but is deeply connected to patriotism, humanity, and social responsibility. He congratulated young journalists for choosing this challenging field and cautioned that media should never become a propaganda tool for any vested interest group. He added that journalists must speak for the people, not act as public relations agents for individuals or organizations. Swapan also called for research into how media has sometimes been used against public interest and urged journalists to evaluate their own roles. He stressed that no professional identity should place anyone above the law and expressed hope that young journalists’ creativity and critical thinking would strengthen the media in the future.

A Muslim residential community named Epic City is being planned in Hunt and Collin counties, Texas, covering 402 acres. The project includes over a thousand residential plots, a faith-based K–12 school, commercial and retail centers, and a mosque. It will not be a new city and will remain under Texas state law. The development is envisioned as a central hub for Islam in the United States. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Office launched an investigation to determine whether the project violated the Fair Housing Act or imposed discriminatory financial conditions requiring owners to subsidize religious facilities. Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have opposed the project, citing concerns about potential implementation of Sharia law, and Paxton has filed multiple lawsuits to halt it. Last week, a Travis County district judge ruled that the Texas Workforce Commission must honor a settlement agreement and withdraw from the fair housing investigation. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Texas) supported the project, calling the opposition politically motivated and rooted in Islamophobia.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam announced that Bangladesh aims to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the national GDP from the current 3 percent to between 6 and 7 percent. She made the announcement on Monday at the District Commissioners’ Conference 2026 held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium, where she and State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat attended as special guests. Afroza Khanam stated that there are 1,742 tourist spots across the country, indicating that every district has tourism potential. She said a master plan is being prepared to develop the tourism sector and called for the active involvement of district administrators. The minister also urged the culture minister to focus on developing the Baliati and Teota Zamindar Houses in Manikganj to attract more visitors. State Minister Millat emphasized that local administrators can be catalysts for change by promoting clean, safe, and creative tourism initiatives that strengthen district economies and enhance Bangladesh’s global tourism image.