A Sunamganj court has sentenced three men to life imprisonment in a rape case. The verdict was delivered on Monday afternoon by Mohammad Habibullah, judge of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal (District and Sessions Judge). The convicted individuals are Md. Matiur Rahman Matin, son of Abdul Khalek of Hasampur village; Dildar Hossain, son of Khwaja Ali; and Billal Hossain, son of Habibur Islam of Kamargaon village. Another accused, Md. Abdus Subhan of Kamargaon village, was acquitted as charges against him were not proven.

According to the case details, the victim, who completed her SSC from Haidarpur High School in 2017, was assaulted on August 11, 2021, while traveling to her grandfather’s house in Jiapur village. Matin and Dildar allegedly took her to Habipur village in Singchapair Union, where they raped her, and later to Billal Hossain’s house in Kamargaon, where she was assaulted again. The victim’s brother, Mohammad Ali, filed the case at Chhatak Police Station, and police later submitted a charge sheet.

The court announced the judgment after the hearing, confirmed by public prosecutor Advocate Md. Shamsur Rahman.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague has ruled that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains valid and cannot be unilaterally suspended or terminated by India. The supplemental award, issued on 15 May 2026, clarified that India’s control over western rivers is subject to explicit treaty-based limits that apply from the design stage of hydropower projects. Pakistan hailed the decision as a significant legal and strategic victory.

The ruling followed disputes over India’s Ratle and Kishenganga hydropower projects, which Pakistan argued could reduce downstream water flow and harm agriculture. The PCA emphasized that India must provide Pakistan with sufficient data to verify compliance with the treaty. Failure to do so would shift the burden of proof to India. Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to the treaty and peaceful dispute resolution while vowing to continue legal and diplomatic efforts to protect its rights.

India’s foreign ministry dismissed the tribunal as “illegally constituted” and declared the ruling invalid, maintaining its suspension stance. Analysts criticized India’s position as disregard for international law, warning that water disputes between two nuclear-armed neighbors could endanger South Asian stability.

The National Moon Sighting Committee announced that the moon marking the start of the Islamic month of Zilhaj for the Hijri year 1447 has been sighted in Bangladesh. As a result, Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated across the country on May 28. The announcement was made on the evening of May 18 following a meeting of the committee at the Islamic Foundation office in Baitul Mukarram, chaired by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad.

According to the minister, the month of Zilhaj will begin on Tuesday, and the festival of sacrifice, Eid-ul-Azha, will take place on Thursday, May 28. The government has declared a seven-day holiday for the occasion, starting from May 25. In addition, garment factories have decided to announce holidays in phases to manage operations smoothly during the festive period.

The official confirmation of the moon sighting sets the national schedule for Eid-ul-Azha observances, including prayers, sacrifices, and travel plans across Bangladesh.

Israeli forces have intercepted at least ten ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza in international waters west of Cyprus, according to the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF). The group reported that communication was lost with several vessels and that many activists were detained. The flotilla was stopped about 250 nautical miles from Gaza’s coast, within the area Israel enforces as a maritime blockade zone. GSF described the incident as an act of “illegal piracy.” No immediate comment was issued by Israeli authorities.

Israel’s foreign ministry had earlier labeled the flotilla a “provocation” and alleged involvement of two violent Turkish groups. The same flotilla was detained near Crete last month, when 175 activists were arrested and later released under international pressure. The remaining vessels resumed their journey from Marmaris, Turkey, last Thursday with around 50 boats heading toward Gaza.

GSF participants said they sought to deliver emergency aid amid Gaza’s severe humanitarian crisis, despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas seven months ago. The UN recently warned that restrictions on imports and fuel shortages are severely disrupting humanitarian operations in Gaza.

An inmate at Brahmanbaria District Jail died on Monday morning after suddenly falling ill. Prison authorities said the man, identified as Moron Mia, 40, from Dharamandal village in Nasirnagar upazila, became sick while having breakfast. He was given initial treatment by the prison doctor and later taken to Brahmanbaria District Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead at the emergency department.

According to Jail Superintendent Md. Mojibur Rahman Mojumdar, Moron Mia had been in custody since May 9 in connection with a yaba consumption case. His condition deteriorated rapidly on Monday morning, prompting his transfer to the hospital. The body has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy, and authorities said it will be handed over to the family after legal procedures are completed.

The report did not mention the exact cause of death or any further investigation details.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of income tax records belonging to former State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak and his wife Arifa Jesmin Konika. The order was issued on Monday afternoon by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Faiz, following a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ACC’s Assistant Director Minhaj Bin Islam sought the seizure, citing allegations that Palak abused his power and amassed illegal wealth through irregularities and corruption.

According to the petition, preliminary investigations found assets worth about Tk 9.98 crore inconsistent with their known income sources. The couple allegedly maintained 31 bank accounts showing deposits of Tk 22.94 crore and withdrawals of Tk 17.58 crore, which the ACC suspects fall under money laundering activities. The commission argued that collecting original tax documents from the 2008–2009 to 2024–2025 fiscal years was essential to prevent concealment or transfer of assets.

The ACC stated that the investigation is being conducted under sections of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, and the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012. The court approved the seizure to ensure a fair investigation.

Islamic TV Managing Director Barrister Shams Iskandar announced that the channel will provide video evidence of the Shapla Chattar massacre to the International Crimes Tribunal. He made the statement on Monday after meeting with the tribunal’s Chief Prosecutor. Iskandar said that Islamic TV’s camera crew and news team were present at the site during the Hefazat-e-Islam rally and broadcasted the events live. Later that night, law enforcement personnel allegedly raided and vandalized the channel’s office, damaging broadcasting equipment and shutting down operations.

According to Iskandar, the Chief Prosecutor asked the channel to safeguard all available evidence, which prosecutors would later collect for investigation. He added that the channel had been accused of provocative coverage, but he denied the allegation, stating that the broadcast reflected real-time events. He claimed the closure of Islamic TV was due to family reasons rather than incitement. When asked about testifying, Iskandar said he was willing to do so if requested by the prosecution, emphasizing the importance of justice.

The submission of the footage is expected to support the tribunal’s ongoing investigation into the Shapla Chattar incident.

Allegations of irregularities have surfaced in a goat distribution program for poor ethnic minority families in Kalmakanda upazila of Netrokona. The incident occurred on Monday, May 18, during a distribution event organized by the upazila livestock office. Reports claim that iron rings weighing about 1.7 kilograms were inserted into the weighing meter to artificially increase the goats’ recorded weight, leading to tension between beneficiaries and contractor representatives.

Staff member Rahat stated that the digital weighing machine belonged to the office and was used for the first time that day, suggesting the rings might have been inserted by mistake during fitting. Beneficiaries later found that some goats weighed only 3.5 to 6 kilograms, below the required minimum of 8 kilograms. Several recipients and locals reportedly confined officials in a room demanding accountability.

Upazila Livestock Officer Dr. Kanika Sarker said the main contractor did not attend directly and that goats with weight discrepancies would be replaced. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer SM Islam confirmed that the allegations are being investigated and that action will be taken if irregularities are proven.

Iran has reportedly sent a new 14-point proposal to the United States through Pakistan, aiming to ease ongoing tensions and prevent further escalation. According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, the proposal seeks to end the war situation and build mutual trust between the two countries. It includes provisions related to security guarantees, lifting of blockades, and reducing regional tensions.

The report stated that Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi extended his visit to Tehran for a third day, which is being viewed as part of efforts to advance regional peace discussions. The initiative highlights Pakistan’s role as a mediator in facilitating communication between Tehran and Washington during a period of heightened strain.

While details of the proposal’s reception or next steps were not disclosed, the move indicates a renewed diplomatic effort by Iran to de-escalate conflict and promote dialogue through regional channels.

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.