State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam left Dhaka on Tuesday morning for an official visit to the United States and Morocco. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, her trip is part of scheduled government programs abroad. She will first visit the United States before traveling to Morocco later this month to attend the Second Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping.

The peacekeeping conference will be held in Morocco from May 19 to 21 and will focus on strengthening global peacekeeping cooperation, enhancing operational capacity, and addressing emerging challenges in United Nations peacekeeping operations. The event is expected to bring together ministerial-level representatives to discuss ways to improve international collaboration in peacekeeping efforts.

Following the completion of all her official engagements, the State Minister is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on May 22.

Pakistan is planning to increase its oil imports from Russia as tensions continue around the Strait of Hormuz, according to Russia’s state news agency TASS. The report cited Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, as the source of the information. However, there has been no immediate official comment from the Pakistani government regarding the plan.

In April of this year, Russia’s energy export revenue rose by 4 percent compared to the previous month, reaching 733 million euros per day, the highest level in two and a half years. In U.S. dollar terms, this amounted to approximately 861 million dollars per day. Analysts noted that rising tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz could significantly affect energy supply and market stability.

The reported plan suggests Pakistan may be seeking to secure its energy needs amid global supply concerns linked to regional instability.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan stated that the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been instructed to remain on high alert to prevent any form of push-in across the border. He made the remarks on Tuesday at the Secretariat during a meeting on law and order and overall preparations for Eid-ul-Azha, including security at cattle markets.

Responding to a question about alleged persecution of Muslims in West Bengal after the elections, the minister asked whether there was any specific record of such incidents. He added that the diplomatic mission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could provide information on the matter, but so far no such situation or incident had come to their attention.

The minister further said that BGB and law enforcement agencies have also been instructed to remain vigilant to prevent smuggling of sacrificial animal hides during the Eid period.

Bangladesh and Turkey have signed a comprehensive memorandum of understanding aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in the field of sports. The agreement, described as a historic step in international sports diplomacy, was signed by Bangladesh’s State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque and Turkey’s Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak. It seeks to promote youth development, exchange of professional athletic experience, and modernization of sports management between the two nations.

Under the memorandum, both countries will establish a multifaceted framework for sharing knowledge and expertise in organizing and financing major sporting events. Senior officials and experts will conduct reciprocal visits to exchange experiences, while both sides will share technical information and educational materials on world-class sports infrastructure management. The agreement also emphasizes social inclusion, committing to improved sports facilities and support programs for persons with disabilities.

Officials expect the partnership to strengthen friendly relations between Bangladesh and Turkey and enhance the performance of athletes from both countries, fostering deeper cultural ties through sports.

In Nabinagar of Brahmanbaria, farmers are struggling to harvest ripe Boro paddy due to a severe shortage of laborers during peak season. Despite fields being filled with golden paddy, they cannot bring the crop home as labor wages have doubled. Even the price of two maunds of paddy is not enough to hire one worker, leaving many farmers in distress as ripe paddy begins to spoil in the fields.

Local farmers report that laborers now demand between Tk 1,600 and Tk 1,800 per day, while a maund of raw paddy sells for only Tk 750 to Tk 900. The government’s fixed price for a maund of dry paddy is Tk 1,440. Rising costs of plowing, irrigation, fertilizer, pesticides, and labor have worsened the situation, while recent heavy rains have caused additional crop damage.

According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, Boro paddy was cultivated on 18,115 hectares this season, with 151 hectares affected by storms. Officials hope that government procurement at fixed prices will help farmers recover some losses.

Farmers in Nilphamari district are facing heavy financial losses as the market price of Irri rice has dropped sharply despite a bumper Boro harvest this season. Rising costs of fertilizer, irrigation, seeds, pesticides, and labor have increased production expenses, but rice prices have fallen to Tk 700–750 per maund from around Tk 1,000 a week earlier. Many farmers are being forced to sell at low prices to meet household needs and repay debts.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Boro rice was cultivated on 81,859 hectares in Nilphamari with a production target of 374,901 metric tons, and about 15 percent of the crop has already been harvested. Officials said favorable weather and low pest attacks contributed to good yields. However, the oversupply of rice and the delayed start of government procurement have allowed middlemen to buy at low prices, depriving farmers of fair returns.

Agricultural officials expect the situation to improve once government procurement begins. Farmers have urged authorities to ensure fair prices, accelerate procurement, and control input costs to prevent future declines in food production.

Israel sent Iron Dome missile defense batteries and personnel to the United Arab Emirates during its ongoing conflict with Iran, according to statements by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz. His remarks, later cited by Israeli media, indicated that the UAE had used the Israeli-supplied Iron Dome system. The confirmation was reinforced by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee during an event in Tel Aviv, where he thanked the UAE for its role as the first member of the Abraham Accords and highlighted the cooperation.

Huckabee expressed optimism that more Middle Eastern countries would soon join the Abraham Accords, expanding diplomatic ties with Israel. The development underscores growing defense collaboration between Israel and the UAE, reflecting a deepening strategic partnership.

The report suggests that this cooperation adds complexity to the regional security landscape amid heightened Iran-Israel tensions, as diplomatic and military alignments in the Middle East continue to shift rapidly.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that police hotlines will remain active to prevent extortion and robbery involving vehicles transporting sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday afternoon, he said authorities will take immediate action upon receiving any complaints. A monitoring cell at the police headquarters will operate for 14 days before and after Eid to maintain law and order.

The minister also stated that 200 million taka has been allocated for distributing salt to preserve sacrificial animal hides. Security personnel assigned for Eid duties have been instructed to remain on high alert to ensure public safety. Additionally, he confirmed that all garment workers’ salaries and allowances will be paid before Eid, following agreements with BGMEA and BKMEA.

These measures aim to ensure a safe and orderly environment during the Eid-ul-Azha period, addressing both public security and economic preparedness across key sectors.

A former leader of the Badarganj municipal unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Gopal Banerjee, was arrested late Monday night from a border area in Naogaon in connection with the murder of a van driver in Rangpur’s Badarganj. The arrest was made during a joint operation by the Rapid Action Battalion and police. According to police, Banerjee was brought to Badarganj Police Station and will be sent to court after legal procedures.

The murder occurred on April 5 of the previous year amid clashes between two factions of the BNP over local dominance and the construction of a tin shop. During the violence, a worker named Lavlu Mia was killed, leading to two murder cases. Later that day, a van driver named Ariful Islam was stabbed to death after being mistaken for a rival group member. His father filed a case naming 21 accused and several unidentified persons.

Following the arrest, the Rangpur district Chhatra Dal expelled Gopal Banerjee and another leader, Mujahidul Islam Samrat, citing involvement in violent and disciplinary breaches. Police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.

A joint operation was carried out at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) to ensure safe food for students. The drive, conducted on Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., involved the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, and the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority. Five establishments were fined a total of 16,000 taka under the Consumer Rights Act for various irregularities.

The inspection, initiated at the request of RUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. S. M. Abdur Razzak, found violations including poor hygiene, expired food storage, and use of unauthorized food colors. Fatik Jolk was fined 3,000 taka, while Charu Adda, Bytes and Brew Life Bakery, and the RUET Cafeteria were each fined 2,000 taka. Bangla Tiffin Canteen received a 7,000 taka fine for insect contamination, and banned packaging materials were seized from Shahidul’s Tong.

Officials said the campaign aimed to improve food quality on campus and would continue. Some students welcomed the initiative but expressed concern about maintaining consistent monitoring and food standards.

The Forest Department under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued a recruitment notice to appoint 382 foresters. Applications can be submitted until June 10, 2026, either by post or directly to the designated box on the second floor (Level-1) of the Forest Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka. The position offers a salary range of 9,700 to 23,490 taka under grade-15, with an application fee of 100 taka.

Applicants must hold a Diploma in Forestry and meet physical requirements of 163 cm height and 76 cm chest measurement. The eligible age range for candidates is 18 to 32 years. Application forms are available for download from the Forest Department’s official website and must be sent to the Chief Conservator of Forests at the department’s Agargaon office in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.

The recruitment aims to strengthen the department’s workforce in forest management and conservation activities across Bangladesh, as outlined in the official notice.

Police in Neserabad, Pirojpur arrested three individuals, including Md. Russel Khan, who is accused in five cases, during a late-night operation on Monday, May 11. The arrests took place near Green Road in East Sohagdal village, where officers recovered 20 yaba tablets from the suspects. The detainees were identified as Md. Russel Khan, Md. Mehrab Hossain, and Shakir Molla, all residents of South Kaurikhara village.

According to police, Russel Khan had an outstanding arrest warrant in one of his five cases. Acting on a tip-off about a yaba transaction in the Inderhat Green Road area, police conducted a raid. When the suspects attempted to flee, officers chased and detained them, recovering the drugs during a search.

Neserabad Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Mehedi Hasan stated that anti-narcotics operations are ongoing. The three detainees were charged under the Narcotics Control Act and sent to the Pirojpur court on Tuesday morning.

According to the World Health Organization, there are about 29 million nurses worldwide, yet a global shortage of 4.5 million nurses could emerge by 2030. In Bangladesh, the ratio of doctors to nurses remains far below international standards, with 1.1 nurses per doctor instead of the recommended three. The country currently has 153,613 registered nurses, including midwives, compared to 123,853 doctors, 12,940 dentists, and 30,795 medical technologists.

Bangladesh has 6.6 nurses per 10,000 patients, significantly lower than Nepal’s 40.9 and the Maldives’ 50.2. Within South Asia, only Pakistan and Afghanistan have fewer nurses. Despite growing interest in nursing, the number of professionals remains insufficient to meet national demand. The Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council reports 464 nursing institutes and colleges, up from 87 in 2010, but only 44,858 nurses are employed in government service.

Experts suggest that focusing on specialized training in areas such as ICU and operating theater nursing could help Bangladesh tap into the global market for skilled nurses while strengthening its own healthcare system.

An assistant registrar of Khulna University’s Business Administration Discipline, Yusuf Raihan, has been accused of embezzling around Tk 1.8 million by forging the signatures of the discipline head and course coordinator. The alleged fraud involved funds from the Executive MBA (EMBA) program, including semester and examination fees. The incident came to light on May 11 when students discovered irregularities during semester registration checks. Raihan has reportedly gone into hiding since the allegations surfaced.

Professor Dr. Md. Nur Alam, head of the discipline, confirmed that the assistant registrar withdrew money from the bank using forged signatures. He said two investigation committees were formed to probe the matter, and their reports are expected to be submitted to the university administration soon for legal and administrative action. Course coordinator Professor S. M. Zahidur Rahman also stated that the funds were withdrawn through check forgery.

Students expressed frustration, saying they had regularly paid fees through Raihan and were unaware of the misappropriation until the registration discrepancies appeared.

A father and son were killed when a bus hit their motorcycle on the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway in Feni’s Hafizia area on Tuesday. The victims were identified as Nurul Alam, an ambulance driver at Feni Diabetes Hospital, and his son Nur Hasnat Nirab. They were returning home to Rajapur village in Sonagazi upazila after completing duty at the hospital when the accident occurred.

According to police, both victims died on the spot. The bodies were recovered and sent to the morgue of Feni General Hospital. The bus driver fled the scene, and police have launched an operation to arrest him. Legal proceedings are underway, and both vehicles involved in the accident have been taken into police custody.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the collision and the circumstances leading to the driver’s escape.