Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met with leaders of the Editors' Council on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Public Administration Conference Room of the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat. The meeting was attended by Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, State Minister Yasser Khan Chowdhury, and the Prime Minister’s Information Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, along with senior editors from major national newspapers.

Among those present were Editors' Council President and New Age editor Nurul Kabir, General Secretary and Bonik Barta editor Dewan Hanif, The Daily Star editor and publisher Mahfuz Anam, Manabzamin editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman, The Financial Express editor Shamsul Haque Zahid, Daily Inqilab editor A.M.M. Bahauddin, Supravat Bangladesh editor Ruso Mahmud, and Dainik Karatoa editor Md. Mozammel Haque.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister hosted a luncheon for the journalists. Press Secretary Saleh Shibli and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman were also present.

Road Transport, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam stated that most road accidents in Bangladesh occur due to unfit vehicles, unskilled and negligent drivers, and public unawareness. He made the remarks on Sunday at a program in Rajbari organized by the BRTA Trustee Board to distribute checks among victims of road accidents and raise public awareness about road safety.

The minister said the event was meant to express solidarity with families of those killed or injured in accidents, calling such incidents a collective national failure. Referring to the March 25 Daulatdia ferry terminal accident, he said the investigation report identified driver error and vehicle defects as the main causes. He also announced a Tk 2,800 crore World Bank–assisted project to train drivers, conduct health and drug tests, and improve safety measures.

State Minister for Roads and Railways Habibur Rashid and State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam emphasized collective responsibility and modernization of ferry management. A victims’ representative thanked the government for prompt assistance and urged proper action to prevent future accidents.

Scientists have identified a new species of giant, long-necked dinosaur named 'Nagatitan' from fossils discovered in northeastern Thailand. The species, officially called 'Nagatitan chayaphumensis', lived between 100 and 120 million years ago, predating the Tyrannosaurus rex by about 40 million years. Measuring 27 meters in length and weighing around 27 tons, it is the largest dinosaur ever found in Southeast Asia and belongs to the herbivorous sauropod family.

The fossils were unearthed a decade ago near a pond in Thailand’s Chaiyaphum province by a team of researchers from the United Kingdom and Thailand. The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, was led by Thai PhD researcher Thitiot Sethapanisakul of University College London. Researchers believe Nagatitan may represent Thailand’s “last titan,” as the fossils were found in the youngest rock layers containing dinosaur remains.

The discovery is expected to shed light on how ancient climate changes influenced the evolution of large dinosaurs. Scientists noted that Nagatitan lived during a period of global warming and rising carbon dioxide levels, when giant sauropods adapted to high temperatures and changing vegetation.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has strongly condemned an alleged attack on students of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) who were protesting the appointment of a new vice-chancellor. In a joint statement issued on Sunday, Shibir’s central president Nurul Islam and secretary general Sibgatullah accused members of Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, BNP-backed teachers, officials, and outsiders of carrying out a violent assault during a peaceful demonstration at the university’s main gate on May 17. The group claimed that at least 15 students were injured and that journalists faced obstruction and police fired tear gas and bullets.

The statement said the students had been demonstrating for three days demanding that the vice-chancellor be appointed from among DUET’s own teachers, free from political influence. Shibir leaders alleged that the attack reflected a broader pattern of campus violence by Chhatra Dal across the country, citing previous incidents at several institutions.

They urged the government to bring the attackers to justice, ensure medical care for the injured, and avoid politically motivated appointments that could destabilize educational environments.

AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju criticized political leaders for visiting shrines before elections but failing to show solidarity when shrines come under attack. Speaking at a protest rally on Sunday morning at the Mirpur Shah Ali Baghdadi shrine premises, he described recent assaults on shrines and devotees as attacks on dissenting opinions. He called on citizens of all political affiliations to unite against oppression and discrimination.

The protest was jointly organized by the Sadhu-Guru-Bhakt O Wali-Auliya Ashekan Parishad and Bhav Boithoki Sabha, presided over by poet and thinker Farhad Mazhar and conducted by Mohammad Romel. A large number of devotees, mystics, Bauls, and visitors attended the gathering. Monju expressed outrage over Thursday night’s attack on the shrine and emphasized that persuasion, not violence, is the Islamic way to correct others. He demanded installation of CCTV cameras at shrines nationwide.

Monju also urged starting anti-drug operations from the Secretariat and Parliament, warning that names of drug users within these institutions could be made public. He reaffirmed AB Party’s commitment to continue its struggle for citizens’ rights.

Freedom fighter Abdul Kader, former Baitul Mal secretary of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Matuail (Demra) Union, passed away early Sunday at his home in Changail village, Kanchpur, Narayanganj. He was 80 years old at the time of his death.

Jamaat-e-Islami leaders expressed deep sorrow over his passing and extended condolences to the bereaved family. In a joint condolence message, central executive council members and Dhaka South leaders Md. Nurul Islam Bulbul MP and Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud MP prayed for the forgiveness of the departed soul. The statement also mentioned that the late Abdul Kader was the father-in-law of Maulana Omar Faruk, secretary of Konapara Police Station (Demra Zone).

Following the funeral prayer after Zuhr, Abdul Kader was laid to rest at the family graveyard in Changail village, Kanchpur. He is survived by two sons, three daughters, and numerous admirers.

ATM Azharul Islam MP, central Naib-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, said that politics in the country rarely serves public welfare and is often driven by personal and party interests. Speaking on Saturday, May 16, at a conference of union presidents and secretaries organized by the Sylhet district branch of Jamaat-e-Islami, he emphasized that only selfless politics can change the nation’s destiny. He called on the government to implement the July Charter and respect the referendum results, warning that ignoring public aspirations could harm the authorities themselves.

The event, held at M Saifur Rahman Auditorium in Sylhet’s Rikabibazar, was presided over by district Ameer Maulana Habibur Rahman. Central Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer, as chief discussant, accused the ruling government of resisting reforms and showing reluctance to address issues such as enforced disappearances, killings, and corruption. He alleged that the government was acting against the spirit of the July Revolution.

Several other central and district Jamaat leaders also addressed the conference, expressing concern over the government’s political direction and reaffirming the party’s commitment to welfare-oriented politics.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami central executive member and Dhaka South secretary Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud stated that negligence and suffering of patients in government hospitals will not be tolerated. He emphasized that ensuring healthcare for every citizen is a state responsibility. Dr. Masud made these remarks on Saturday, May 17, during the monthly coordination meeting of Community Health Care Providers (CHCP) at the Bauphal Upazila Health Complex auditorium, where he attended as the chief guest.

He urged all healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, to act responsibly and humanely so that no patient faces neglect or denial of service at hospitals or community clinics. Stressing transparency in the distribution of government-supplied medicines, he warned that any irregularity, corruption, or favoritism would face strict legal action. Dr. Masud added that efforts are ongoing to improve grassroots healthcare quality and accessibility for ordinary citizens.

The meeting was presided over by Bauphal Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Abdur Rauf, with local health officials and CHCPs in attendance.

Culture Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury announced plans to modernize libraries and cultural institutions in Jessore, calling the district a cradle of culture. Speaking to journalists on Sunday after visiting the Jessore Shilpakala Academy, Institute Public Library, and Town Club, he said initiatives will be taken to make these institutions active and modern, with a focus on encouraging the younger generation toward books and local culture.

The minister noted that the Prime Minister recently visited the Jessore Institute Public Library, one of the subcontinent’s oldest libraries, and pledged its modernization. Following that directive, the ministry will prioritize infrastructure development, digitalization, and improved facilities to attract young readers. He also promised increased funding and logistical support for the Shilpakala Academy to enhance its activities.

Jessore’s Deputy Commissioner and Institute President Mohammad Asheq Hasan said official proposals for library renovation, expanded reading spaces, and cultural programs have been submitted to the ministry. He expressed hope that these initiatives will revitalize Jessore’s cultural practice and create a healthy cultural environment.

Tea workers in Moulvibazar staged a protest on Sunday to press a four-point demand and later submitted a memorandum through District Commissioner Touhiduzzaman Pavel. The demonstration took place across various parts of the town, organized by the district committee of the Tea Workers Union. The memorandum was addressed to the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Health, urging immediate action to reopen the Camellia Duncan Foundation Hospital.

According to union leaders, the demands include reopening the hospital to ensure basic healthcare for workers, modernizing the facility with adequate doctors, nurses, and equipment, investigating the death of worker’s child Aishi Robidas and compensating the family, and ensuring safety for all hospital staff and patients, including deployment of Ansar personnel if necessary. The protest rally at Chaumuhana Square was presided over by union vice president Madhu Rajak and conducted by general secretary Harinarayan Hajra, with several local labor leaders addressing the gathering.

The union had previously submitted memorandums on April 13 to local authorities demanding the same hospital reopening, highlighting ongoing concerns about healthcare access for tea workers in the region.

A 40-year-old woman named Protima Rani from Dakshin Joydebpur village in Putimara Union, Nawabganj upazila of Dinajpur, reportedly took her own life on Saturday due to debt pressure. According to a written complaint filed by her father, Sushil Chandra Barman, she had borrowed money from various NGOs and individuals but became frustrated when she could not repay the loans. She allegedly consumed poison on Saturday evening and was taken to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, where she died around 11 p.m. while under treatment.

Police Inspector Shamim Al Mamun of Nawabganj Police Station confirmed that an unnatural death case was filed on Sunday in connection with the incident.

The report highlights the growing concern over debt-related distress in rural areas, though no further details on the loans or the NGOs involved were provided in the source.

Dubai Taxi Company will recruit 6,000 skilled drivers from Bangladesh this year, according to information shared during a courtesy meeting between the company’s delegation and Bangladesh’s Minister of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, in Dhaka on Sunday. Interviews for driver recruitment will begin tomorrow at the Bangladesh-Korea Technical Training Center.

During the meeting, the minister thanked the delegation for prioritizing Bangladeshi drivers and assured full cooperation from the ministry. He urged the company to provide salaries and allowances during the training period in Dubai and requested that doctors, nurses, and other professionals also be recruited from Bangladesh. The company representatives said they currently employ about 15,000 drivers from 27 countries, including around 8,000 Bangladeshis, and plan to screen 1,500 candidates in the initial phase.

State Minister Md. Nurul Haque called for reducing migration costs to within 100,000 taka, noting that many drivers take loans to work abroad. Representatives from Al Anas Overseas, an approved recruiting agency, expressed interest in hiring cleaners, technicians, and mechanics from Bangladesh as well.

Prime Minister’s Adviser and Office Spokesperson Mahdi Amin stated that a democratically elected and accountable government has taken charge in Bangladesh after a long interval. He said the empowerment of this government represents the empowerment of ordinary citizens, ensuring rights and freedoms for all in an independent and sovereign nation. His remarks were made at a public rally in Chandpur attended by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, according to a press release issued on Sunday.

Amin described the overwhelming public enthusiasm surrounding the Prime Minister’s visit to Chandpur, calling it a historic awakening of love and hope among residents. He highlighted that people from all walks of life came out to greet the Prime Minister, reflecting their trust in the elected government. Presenting the government’s three-month performance, he said election pledges are being implemented, including the rollout of programs such as farmer cards and family cards.

He added that the family card initiative aims to bring lasting social change through women’s empowerment, expressing optimism that it will help build a self-reliant Bangladesh.

The US Treasury Department has withdrawn the temporary waiver that allowed limited purchases of Russian crude oil after the expiry of its one-month term. The waiver had permitted the purchase of Russian oil stranded at sea, but that special allowance has now ended. The measure was originally introduced to stabilize the global energy market amid severe supply disruptions caused by war-related shocks.

According to reports, following US and Israeli attacks that led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, global energy prices surged sharply. Major buyers, including India, used the stranded Russian oil to ease the crisis. With the waiver now lifted, analysts warn that global oil supplies could tighten further, potentially pushing international prices higher.

Experts suggest that the end of this waiver may increase pressure on fuel prices in the United States, where gasoline is already near $4.50 per gallon. India, which had been importing around 2.3 million barrels of Russian oil daily during the waiver period, will now need to seek alternative sources.

Barrister Ahmed Bin Kashem Arman, son of executed Jamaat leader Mir Quasem Ali, alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina used patriotic members of the Bangladesh Army in enforced disappearances, thereby damaging the army’s professionalism and endangering the country’s sovereignty. He made the remarks on Sunday during a press briefing after giving testimony at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in a case related to abductions at the RAB Taskforce Interrogation Cell (TFI).

Arman, himself a victim of enforced disappearance, said that the rights of the Bangladeshi people should be considered sacred and that the army should remain the nation’s most respected and trusted institution. He urged that no one, regardless of power or influence, should misuse the armed forces or violate citizens’ rights. He added that depriving citizens of constitutional rights amounts to treason.

According to the report, Arman testified as the first witness in the case filed over abductions and torture at the TFI Cell during the Awami League’s fifteen-year rule. Ten army officers have been arrested in connection with the case, which also names Hasina and twelve former and current military officials.