Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has revealed that housewife Nazma Akter was murdered in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj to falsely implicate her sister’s brother-in-law, Torab Ali. According to investigators, Abdul Gani, brother of Nazma’s co-wife, planned the killing to take revenge in a long-standing dispute with Torab Ali and relative Selim Mia. Nazma’s body was recovered on October 20, 2025, from a bamboo grove near her home in Kazihata village. Her daughter Nargis Akter later filed a case accusing ten people, including Torab Ali, but PBI found that Abdul Gani had orchestrated the case and manipulated the accusations.

Inspector Rajib Kumar Das of PBI said the case took a new turn after the arrest of accused number nine, Abdun Nur, who claimed he was implicated only because he witnessed the murder. Further investigation led to Abdul Gani’s arrest, though he was later released on bail with Nargis’s support. Investigators also found that Nargis later married Abdul Gani’s son and began defending her father-in-law.

PBI reported that Nazma’s body showed signs of neck injuries and wet clothing, suggesting attempts to wash the body after the killing. The investigation is nearing completion, and a charge sheet will be submitted soon.

Cyber intrusions have been detected in automatic tank gauge (ATG) systems at gas stations across several US states, with officials suspecting Iran-backed hackers. Sources said the attackers accessed many internet-exposed, password-free ATG systems and in some cases altered displayed fuel data without affecting actual fuel levels. Investigators noted that Iran had previously targeted similar energy infrastructure, though definitive attribution remains uncertain due to limited forensic evidence.

Analysts linked the incident to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, suggesting Tehran may be using cyber operations as an alternative to direct military action. The attack could also pose political challenges for the Trump administration, as rising fuel prices and public concern over the war’s economic impact intensify. Cybersecurity researchers have long warned that internet-connected ATG systems are vulnerable to exploitation.

Experts further cautioned that Iran’s cyber activity has expanded in scope and sophistication, including disruptive operations against US energy and water systems. They warned that future US elections could face Iranian cyber and disinformation campaigns, potentially amplified by artificial intelligence tools.

Iran’s judiciary has ordered the confiscation of assets belonging to 51 individuals accused of espionage and cooperation with hostile states in Yazd Province. The report, carried by the IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency, stated that the directive targets both domestic and foreign-based individuals.

According to the report, 20 of the accused are currently inside Iran, while 31 are residing abroad. No further details were provided regarding the nature of the allegations, the specific cases involved, or any evidence supporting the charges.

The judiciary’s announcement did not include information about possible legal proceedings or the identities of those affected, leaving the scope and implications of the decision unclear.

Police in Feni recovered the hanging body of a woman named Jannatul Mawa, wife of an expatriate, on Saturday from the Ilashpur area of Panchgachia Union in Sadar upazila. The body was found inside a house, and authorities have sent it to Feni General Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination.

According to the victim’s family, the incident was not a suicide but a planned murder. They alleged that following a quarrel with her sister-in-law earlier in the morning, Jannatul Mawa was killed and later hung inside the house to make it appear as suicide. Police have not yet released further details about the investigation or possible suspects.

Further information about the case and official statements from law enforcement are awaited as the investigation continues.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Textiles and Jute, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, emphasized that sustaining the long-term competitiveness of the country’s ready-made garment and textile industry requires prioritizing sustainable production, innovation, research, and product diversification. Speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of the Textile Innovation Exchange held at Le Méridien in Dhaka on Saturday, he said sustainability is no longer a slogan but a necessity for the industry’s survival and future.

The minister noted that Bangladesh’s natural resources are limited, making efficient use of energy, water, and raw materials essential through circular production and effective management. He warned that the country’s export base remains narrow and must expand into high-value segments such as sportswear, man-made fiber apparel, and technical textiles to remain globally competitive. He also highlighted the need for research, design development, skill enhancement, and modern technology adoption.

Muktadir added that the government will repurpose closed factories through industrial parks, public-private partnerships, or leasing to attract new investment. He said other promising sectors like leather, light engineering, and shipbuilding will be revitalized through technology, skills, and international collaboration.

Police have arrested Lion Niloy Parvez from Dhaka’s Vatara area for allegedly posting a series of offensive and defamatory Facebook posts about Abul Hossain Khan, the Member of Parliament for Barishal-6 (Bakerganj) and district BNP convener. The arrest took place on Saturday following a complaint that Niloy had repeatedly shared obscene and derogatory remarks, photos, and videos about the MP from his personal Facebook account.

According to police, the posts contained objectionable captions that spread widely across social media. In response, Padreeshibpur Union BNP president Faruk Mridha filed a case under the Cyber Security Act with the Barishal Cyber Tribunal, naming Niloy as the accused. The court accepted the case and directed Bakerganj police to take necessary action.

Bakerganj Police Officer-in-Charge Adil Hossain confirmed that the case was filed under court order and that Niloy was arrested as a named accused. He added that further details would be disclosed after completion of legal procedures.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 13 people were killed and 57 others injured in Israeli attacks over the past 24 hours. Among the dead was one person who succumbed to earlier injuries, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. The report was published on May 16, 2026.

The ministry stated that despite a ceasefire that took effect on October 11 of the previous year, violence and attacks have continued. Since then, a total of 870 people have been killed and 2,543 injured, while 771 bodies have been recovered from the rubble. Medical officials said many people remain trapped under debris or on roads, and rescue teams and ambulance workers are struggling to reach them due to various obstacles.

Additionally, one more Palestinian died in a building collapse, bringing the total number of such deaths to 30, according to the report.

Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Manhattan, New York, on Friday to mark the 78th anniversary of the Nakba. The demonstration was organized by a group called Within Our Lifetime. The event coincided with a new proposal introduced by U.S. Congress member Rashida Tlaib calling for recognition of Palestinian refugees’ rights.

Participants at the rally described the Nakba as a continuing tragedy comparable to the Holocaust and called for global recognition of its history. They demanded an end to what they termed genocide and occupation in Palestine, urging the return of displaced Palestinians and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Demonstrators expressed solidarity with Palestinians and vowed to continue their advocacy until freedom is achieved within their lifetime.

The Nakba Day commemorates events beginning on May 15, 1948, following Israel’s declaration of independence the previous day, when many Arabs were expelled or fled from the area. The day is marked annually by protests and heightened tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.

BNP Secretary General and Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the government will not enter into any agreement that undermines Bangladesh’s national interests. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at a discussion organized by the BNP at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking Farakka Long March Day. He emphasized that the future of Bangladesh-India relations depends on the renewal of the Farakka Agreement and that the government will prioritize national interests in any such negotiations.

Mirza Fakhrul described the construction of the Padma Barrage as a historic decision and said that discussions and agreements on the Farakka issue must reflect the will of the Bangladeshi people. He also warned against attempts by certain groups to create instability and urged citizens to remain vigilant against conspiracies. BNP Standing Committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy expressed concern over water, environmental, and communal issues, alleging that communal tensions are rising and need control. He also accused the Chief Minister of West Bengal of inciting communalism while stressing that Bangladesh seeks friendly but independent relations with its neighbor.

The event was attended by senior BNP leaders including Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, and Sultan Salahuddin Tuku.

At least 25 people were injured when two passenger buses carrying garment workers collided head-on in Dhamrai, Dhaka, on Saturday morning. The accident occurred around 8 a.m. in front of the Incepta Pharmaceuticals factory on the Dhaka-Aricha highway in the Baribaria area. The collision caused severe damage to the front sections of both buses and led to a major traffic jam that lasted about two hours until the vehicles were removed from the road.

According to local sources, a Padma Paribahan bus traveling from Dhaka to Manikganj collided with a Swopno Paribahan bus coming from the opposite direction. Fire service units arrived quickly, rescuing the injured with help from locals and sending them to Manikganj Hospital and nearby clinics. Several of the injured were reported to be in critical condition. The Swopno Paribahan bus was carrying workers from Graphics Garments.

Fire Station Officer Al Amin Khan confirmed that the driver of the Swopno Paribahan bus, who was trapped in the wreckage, was rescued and sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

A college lecturer has been arrested in Rangpur’s Kaunia upazila on charges of embezzlement and fraud involving a Hajj agency. Police detained Mohammad Ali Babu, a lecturer at Mirbag College and son of Abul Hossain from Gadadhar area, during a special operation on Friday night. Authorities confirmed that five arrest warrants had been issued against him, including two general register (GR) and three complaint register (CR) cases.

According to police sources, two of the cases accuse him of embezzling around 15 million taka, while the amounts in the other three cases remain undisclosed. All five cases involve allegations of fraud and misappropriation of funds through Hajj agency dealings. The operation was led by Kaunia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Shihab Uddin with support from the district detective branch.

After his arrest, police completed necessary legal procedures and sent the accused to court for further action.

Iran’s government plans to gradually lift online restrictions to ensure broader access to the global internet, according to Elias Hazrati, head of the country’s Information Council. He stated that the government’s policy is to expand internet use for citizens and to ease online controls over time.

Hazrati added that while external adversaries sought to force Iran into unconditional surrender, the Iranian people have shown willingness for dialogue without capitulation. He emphasized that in the post-war context, the government should adopt a broader perspective and enable wider citizen participation in governance.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that such remarks may signal a potential shift in Iran’s long-standing digital policy, though the pace and extent of any relaxation remain unclear.

On April 11, 2026, eight teachers and 163 children from Bihar traveling by Patna–Pune Express to a madrasa in Maharashtra were forcibly deboarded at Katni railway station in Madhya Pradesh. The Government Railway Police and Railway Protection Force acted on a written complaint from a Child Welfare Committee member alleging the children were being taken for labor. The minors were questioned and later returned home after verification with their families.

Families and madrasa authorities maintained the children were traveling for religious and general education, carrying all necessary documents. Local activists and lawyers argued that the incident reflected bias against Muslim communities and misuse of trafficking laws. Officials said the action was based on precautionary grounds to ensure child safety. Similar detentions of 59 minors bound for a madrasa in Odisha were also reported.

The case highlighted poverty and lack of residential madrasa facilities in Bihar’s border districts, prompting parents to send children to other states for free education and lodging. The incident has sparked debate over child protection procedures and the treatment of minority students during interstate travel.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced that the government aims to rebuild the state and society by recognizing creative sectors, including film, as key forces for national development. He made the remarks on Saturday at the inauguration of the National Film Society Conference 2026 held at the Bangladesh Film Archive auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka. The event was jointly organized by the Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies and the Bangladesh Film Archive.

The minister emphasized that film and creative industries are vital soft powers of civilization and that artists, filmmakers, and creative professionals share responsibility for enriching them. He said the government intends to make policy decisions for the film industry based on stakeholder opinions and national consensus. Swapan noted that the newly formed Film Certification and Jury Boards have been welcomed across the sector, marking a positive shift from past controversies.

He added that a proposal has been sent to the Finance Ministry to increase film grants in the upcoming budget and that stricter measures will ensure timely completion of funded projects. The government also plans special initiatives to preserve and modernize single-screen cinemas.

Iran has reiterated that it will not relinquish control over the Strait of Hormuz and maintains that the waterway does not constitute international waters. According to Iranian authorities, the strait falls solely within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman, and therefore should be managed exclusively by these two countries. Tehran has emphasized that its stance on this issue remains unchanged.

The report notes that two rounds of technical discussions have already taken place between Tehran and Muscat regarding the matter. However, Oman continues to recognize the Strait of Hormuz as an international maritime route, while Iran remains firm in its position that it is not. Iranian officials have also stated that even in the event of a peace agreement or settlement, control of the strait will remain in Iran’s hands.

The dispute has become a major source of tension among warring parties in the region, highlighting the strategic and political sensitivity surrounding the control of this vital maritime passage.