Ambassadors and high commissioners from member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka on Tuesday. The courtesy meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat. During the meeting, the OIC envoys congratulated Rahman on assuming office as Prime Minister and expressed their commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh across sectors including investment, trade, education, health, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.

Prime Minister Rahman thanked the OIC member states for their support on behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh. He recalled the fraternal relations established during the tenure of late President Ziaur Rahman and expressed optimism about further deepening those ties. The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of people-to-people connections and sought continued OIC support in resolving the Rohingya crisis.

Envoys from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Palestine, Algeria, Brunei, Egypt, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Iraq, and Libya attended the meeting, along with senior Bangladeshi officials.

Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Member of Parliament for Chapainawabganj-2 and Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami in Chapainawabganj district, made an unannounced visit to the Bholahat Upazila Health Complex during a meeting on healthcare quality improvement. The visit took place around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, where health officials, doctors, and staff were discussing service standards. The MP joined the meeting, reviewed hospital operations, patient care, and staff attendance, and gave directives to enhance healthcare services.

After the meeting, Dr. Rahman received dental treatment at the hospital’s dental department, interacted with patients, and gathered feedback on hospital conditions. He urged medical staff to work sincerely and responsibly to gain public trust and ensure accessible government healthcare for all.

Local residents and hospital visitors responded positively to the MP’s direct participation and treatment at the facility. Former Bholahat Upazila Vice Chairman Md. Lokman Ali said the visit would strengthen staff accountability and help identify and solve hospital issues more effectively.

Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (BSCCPLC) has stated that there is no shortage in international bandwidth supply, rejecting recent media reports suggesting risks from geopolitical tensions or cable capacity issues. In a press release issued on Tuesday, the state-owned company under the Posts and Telecommunications Division said it operates two trusted submarine cable systems, SEA-ME-WE-4 and SEA-ME-WE-5, with a combined capacity of about 7,200 Gbps. Of this, 4,100 Gbps is currently supplied domestically, while 3,100 Gbps remains available for future use.

According to BSCCPLC, only 1.34 percent of total capacity passes through the Red Sea, and none through the Strait of Hormuz, making claims of potential disruptions from regional conflicts unfounded. The company clarified that SEA-ME-WE-5 still has 712 Gbps unused capacity and a lifespan until 2037, while SEA-ME-WE-4 remains operational with capacity until 2030. A new system, SEA-ME-WE-6, is under implementation and expected to add 30,000 Gbps by early 2027.

BSCCPLC assured that it is fully prepared to meet current and future bandwidth demand and urged operators and citizens not to be misled by inaccurate reports.

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.