Bangladesh’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Textiles Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has urged for sector-specific proposals to expand exports to Saudi Arabia. He made the call during a meeting with a delegation from the Saudi Arabia-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry at his office on Sunday. The minister said Bangladesh’s exports remain heavily dependent on the ready-made garment sector, but there are significant opportunities in pharmaceuticals, leather goods, jute products, food items, and customized apparel for Saudi consumers.

He emphasized that the government is ready to support initiatives that enhance the country’s image, export capacity, and skilled workforce. Muktadir also highlighted the importance of training and skill development for migrant workers, noting that skilled human resources can become a major national asset. The minister asked the delegation to submit specific and realistic proposals identifying areas where policy or financial support is needed.

The chamber’s president, Ashraful Haque Chowdhury, said Saudi Arabia offers major trade potential for Bangladeshi goods and services. With coordinated government support, he projected that exports to Saudi Arabia could reach one billion US dollars by 2027.

A gun attack occurred on May 24, 2026, near the Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Judge Court, targeting BNP leader Liakat Ali Sikder, also known as Liakat Member. The assailants opened fire at him near the court’s west gate, injuring his cousin Moin Uddin. Police, with help from locals, detained a man named Ziaul Haque Zia with a pistol, magazines, and ammunition. Two others, Abdus Shukkur and Md Rubel, were taken into custody for questioning.

According to police, the attack may have stemmed from previous enmity involving Liakat Ali. The detained suspect is reportedly from Ramu’s Kalirchhara area and is believed to be a Rohingya. The injured Moin Uddin was transferred to Chittagong Medical College Hospital after his condition worsened. Witnesses said Liakat was leaving court after appearing in a murder case when the shooting occurred.

Police officials confirmed that an investigation is underway to identify all involved. Authorities are also verifying reports about another unidentified person seen being taken away in a vehicle linked to Liakat Ali.

A five-year-old girl was allegedly raped in Fatullah, Narayanganj, on Saturday, May 23, 2026. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. at a rented house in Paschim Talla, where the accused, 48-year-old Anwar, reportedly entered the child’s room under the pretext of charging his mobile phone. Local residents detained Anwar the following day and handed him over to Fatullah Model Police Station. Police confirmed that both families lived in adjacent rooms in the same building.

According to the child’s mother, most tenants had gone to their villages for Eid holidays, leaving the house nearly empty. She said that Anwar took advantage of the situation to commit the assault. The victim’s parents, both garment workers, were away at their workplaces during the incident. Upon returning home at night, the mother learned of the assault from her daughter.

Fatullah Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge Mahbubur Alam stated that the child was sent for medical examination and that legal proceedings are underway. The incident occurred just one day after another child rape case was reported in the same area.

A Dhaka court has scheduled June 1 for the charge framing hearing against Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Khatun in the case over the rape and murder of child Ramisa Akter in Pallabi. On May 24, Judge Masrur Saleqin of the Dhaka Metropolitan Tribunal for the Suppression of Violence Against Children accepted the charge sheet submitted earlier that day by Sub-Inspector Ohiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station. The state-appointed lawyer Azizul Rahman Dulu confirmed the court order.

According to the case details, police recovered Ramisa’s body from a flat in Pallabi’s Section 11 on May 19. Investigators allege that Sohel, a 32-year-old neighbor, raped and killed the child before fleeing through a window grill, while his wife remained in the apartment. Both were later arrested, and 17 witnesses have been listed for the prosecution. The case was filed by Ramisa’s father, Abdul Hannan Molla, the same day of the incident.

The court proceedings will continue at the Dhaka Metropolitan Tribunal, where both accused remain in custody pending the June 1 hearing.

Traffic on the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Gazipur’s Chandra intersection area moved slowly on Sunday afternoon, though no major congestion was reported. The slowdown was attributed to increased vehicle pressure as transport from 26 northern districts passed through the area. Despite the rising number of long-distance buses, cattle trucks, covered vans, and private cars, law enforcement efforts kept traffic under control.

Passengers and transport workers said that although vehicle movement was slow, the situation was better than in previous years. They noted that the number of homebound passengers for Eid had not yet peaked. The highway police confirmed that several teams were deployed to monitor the route and ensure smooth traffic flow.

Officials said that traffic pressure is expected to rise further as Eid approaches, but regular monitoring continues to prevent severe congestion.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that the government wants former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to face trial. He made the remarks on Monday at the Secretariat during a 'BSRF Dialogue' organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF). Responding to a question about Sheikh Hasina’s possible return and travel pass discussions, the minister said that the government had already sent repeated extradition requests to India through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He emphasized that the government expects India to return Sheikh Hasina under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries so that she can face legal proceedings. The minister also announced that the government is preparing a new law to strictly regulate gambling, betting, and online gambling, replacing the outdated 1867 law.

Salahuddin Ahmed expressed hope that the new legislation would be introduced in the next parliamentary session, aiming to address modern forms of gambling and related crimes. The event was chaired by BSRF President Masudul Haque and moderated by General Secretary Ubaidullah Badol.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed deep concern to US President Donald Trump regarding a possible new agreement between Iran and the United States. According to Israel’s state broadcaster Kan, Netanyahu directly conveyed his worries to the Trump administration, particularly about clauses related to Lebanon and the postponement of discussions on Iran’s nuclear program. The draft memorandum reportedly includes a proposal to extend a 60-day ceasefire.

A key provision of the proposed deal seeks a permanent end to hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, while maintaining Israel’s right to respond if Hezbollah launches any attacks or provocations. However, the delay in addressing Iran’s nuclear activities has emerged as the most contentious issue for Israel.

Netanyahu fears that deferring nuclear discussions could complicate Middle East security. Israeli sources said he has cautioned Trump that failing to prioritize Iran’s nuclear issue immediately may heighten regional instability.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis reserved seat MP Engineer Mahbuba Hakim visited the family of Ramisa at their Pallabi residence on Sunday around noon. During the visit, she offered condolences to the grieving relatives and assured them that the perpetrators would face prompt and exemplary punishment.

Citing a hadith, Mahbuba Hakim said that the goal is to build a state where women fear only Allah and not criminals or oppressors. The meeting was also attended by several party leaders, including Dhaka North city general secretary Maulana Murshid Siddiqi, who later spoke to the media. He described the killing of child Ramisa as a deep wound to the nation’s heart and urged for exemplary punishment to prevent such crimes.

Murshid Siddiqi emphasized the need to eliminate judicial delays, ensure effective law enforcement, and end the culture of impunity to safeguard public security.

International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam said he has no knowledge of whether any investigation is underway into alleged crimes against humanity by the Awami League as a political party. He made the remark on Sunday during a press briefing at his office in response to a journalist’s question about the progress of such an investigation reportedly mentioned by a former chief prosecutor. Aminul Islam clarified that only the responsible investigation agency could confirm whether such a probe exists.

Addressing questions about the arrest of two journalists, Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Babu, in connection with the Shaplachattar massacre case, Aminul Islam said they were shown arrested under the tribunal’s jurisdiction and that Amnesty International should not intervene in an ongoing judicial process. He emphasized that the investigation agency must be allowed to work independently and that no innocent person would be harassed.

The Chief Prosecutor also stated that verdicts in two crimes against humanity cases are expected after Eid in June, with 22 trials ongoing and 31 investigations nearing completion. He added that 150 enforced disappearance and crossfire cases are being prioritized for investigation.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid stated that the government has taken comprehensive measures to prevent counterfeit currency and ensure safety at livestock markets across Bangladesh ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. During a visit to the Diabari cattle market in Dhaka on Sunday, he said special machines have been installed to detect fake notes, and banking services are available at the markets for secure transactions and account openings.

The minister confirmed that the country has an adequate supply of locally raised cattle, goats, and buffaloes to meet the sacrificial demand this year. He added that administrative, law enforcement, and volunteer teams are working continuously to prevent theft and recover lost animals. The government has also instructed border and security forces to stop illegal livestock entry from neighboring countries.

Rashid noted that livestock prices are determined by animal quality and market demand, and that a shift toward weight-based pricing could make transactions more transparent in the future. He said the government has deployed sufficient personnel to maintain order and safety at markets until Eid.

A house in the Khalpar area of Raipur municipality in Lakshmipur was completely destroyed by fire on Saturday afternoon while a woman was filming a TikTok video using a stove flame. The blaze quickly spread through the house, burning furniture, clothes, and cash, resulting in an estimated loss of around 1 million taka. Local residents and the Raipur Fire Service managed to bring the fire under control.

According to local sources, Rani Akter was alone at home when the incident occurred. The fire reportedly started from the stove flame used during the video shoot. Fire Service officer Jasim Uddin confirmed that the fire originated from the stove and was contained with local assistance. The house owner, Rubina Begum, said the property had been rented to Rani two years earlier.

Rani’s brother Miraj stated that his sister was making a TikTok video when the fire broke out, causing about seven lakh taka in losses, including cash saved for travel abroad. He added that Rani has been missing since the incident. Police said they are investigating the matter.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has issued a stern warning that no negligence or irregularities will be tolerated in the supply and quality of nutritious food under the school feeding program. He made the remarks on Sunday in Dhaka while addressing a directive meeting with suppliers, project officials, and field-level officers involved in the initiative.

Hajjaj emphasized that the program is directly linked to children’s nutrition, health, and future, and therefore demands the highest level of responsibility from all parties, including government officials and suppliers. The program currently operates in 151 upazilas with a budget of about Tk 5,500 crore. He instructed suppliers to strictly follow new directives such as full supply chain mapping, appointment of food technicians, local sourcing, timely delivery, and strengthened quality control.

The meeting also discussed field-level challenges raised by suppliers. Hajjaj assured greater cooperation from teachers, headteachers, and local administration, noting that the pilot program’s current issues will be resolved before expanding it nationwide.

At least 16 people have died from heatstroke in southern India as an intense heatwave continues across several regions, officials said on Sunday. The deaths occurred in Telangana state, where temperatures have soared well above 45 degrees Celsius in some cities. Telangana’s Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy has called for a state-wide alert to protect public health, describing the heatwave’s intensity as unprecedented.

The India Meteorological Department recently forecast higher-than-normal temperatures and severe heatwaves in multiple areas, including the capital New Delhi, where temperatures have remained above 40 degrees Celsius throughout the week. The extreme heat has driven electricity consumption to record levels, while high nighttime temperatures have offered little relief.

Health experts warned that excessive heat can cause dehydration and, in severe cases, organ failure. Local authorities in Telangana have advised elderly people, children, and pregnant women to avoid going outdoors during the day. Scientists have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in India to climate change, as the country remains heavily dependent on coal for power generation.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has called on information officers to strengthen their digital capabilities to align with modern communication realities. Speaking on Sunday at a training workshop titled “Implementation of Election Manifesto and Work Plan” at the Department of Information, he said that effective information management and public relations must adapt to digital transformation to prevent the state and society from falling behind. State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Chowdhury was also present.

The minister emphasized that coordinated teamwork and institutional synergy are essential for efficient operations, adding that digital literacy is now a fundamental skill. He noted that the government is developing updated curricula and capacity-building programs for information cadres, public relations officers, and district information officers to create a skilled digital workforce.

Yasser Khan Chowdhury highlighted the positive role of artificial intelligence in development and public welfare while stressing the need for ethical use to counter misinformation and disinformation. Senior officials from the ministry and the Department of Information also attended the event.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Road, Rail and Water Transport Sheikh Robiul Alam said there is no risk of major schedule disruption in train services during the Eid-ul-Azha travel rush. Speaking to reporters at Kamalapur Railway Station in Dhaka on Sunday, he stated that the railway is operating with old lines and locomotives under maximum caution. Despite a few morning delays, he expected the situation to normalize by the end of the day.

The minister noted that while daily intercity trains usually carry about 32,000 passengers, an additional 25 percent of tickets have been released to accommodate around 40,000 travelers. However, demand during Eid exceeds 100,000 passengers. He said 51 new coaches have been added and 82 to 83 meter-gauge locomotives are currently operational, with plans to increase that number to 85 or 86. Special safety measures have been taken at risk-prone areas to prevent derailments or accidents.

According to the minister, overall rail service quality has improved compared to previous years, and online ticketing has helped curb black-market sales.