UAE-based company Dnata has expressed interest in managing ground handling operations at the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. The matter was raised by UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al Hamoudi during a courtesy meeting with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanom and State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat at the Secretariat on Thursday.

The meeting emphasized strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates, with detailed discussions on aviation and tourism sector development and mutual cooperation. Ambassador Al Hamoudi reiterated Dnata’s interest in the third terminal’s ground handling, while State Minister Millat stated that preparations for the terminal’s launch are ongoing and that the government will make necessary decisions once ORAT activities are fully underway.

Minister Afroza Khanom affirmed the government’s readiness to take all necessary steps to improve passenger services and upgrade airports to international standards. The UAE ambassador also expressed his country’s willingness to work closely with Bangladesh’s current government and expand cooperation in aviation and tourism.

Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, newly appointed vice-chancellor of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), arrived on campus in Gazipur on Thursday afternoon despite an ongoing complete shutdown. He was accompanied by leaders of the DUET Teachers’ Association, officers, and staff. After arriving, he received floral greetings at the vice-chancellor’s office and signed several university documents. Earlier in the day, Dr. Iqbal held a meeting with DUET teachers, officers, and staff at the Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s office before entering the campus.

The government appointed Dr. Iqbal, a professor from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, as DUET’s new vice-chancellor last Thursday. Following the appointment, a section of students rejected the decision, demanding that the vice-chancellor be selected from among DUET’s own teachers. When news spread that Dr. Iqbal would assume office on Sunday, students locked the campus gates and staged protests.

Clashes later broke out between students supporting and opposing the new vice-chancellor, leaving at least 15 people, including five police officers, injured. In response, the protesting students declared a complete shutdown of the campus.

Two people, including a Jubo Dal leader, were shot inside the BNP office under Labanchora Police Station in Khulna on Thursday, May 21, 2026. The incident occurred around 1:45 p.m. at the office near Putimari Bazar. The injured were identified as Masum Billah, 35, president of the Putimari Bazar Committee and a Jubo Dal member, and Zahid, 35. Locals rescued them and admitted them to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where they are receiving treatment in surgery wards 11 and 12.

According to local sources, Masum Billah and Zahid were sitting inside the BNP office when Parvez, 34, reportedly known as an accused in several cases from different police stations, entered and opened fire following an argument stemming from previous enmity. Masum was shot in the left thigh, and Zahid in the right arm. The incident caused tension in the area.

Labanchora Police Station Officer-in-Charge Syed Mosharraf Hossain said preliminary information suggests Parvez fired the shots due to prior hostility. Police have visited the scene and launched an operation to arrest the suspect.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Anisul Huq has directed the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed to submit the investigation report on the murder of seven-year-old Ramisa within seven days. The instruction was issued on Tuesday following the brutal killing of the child in the Pallabi area of Dhaka. The ministry’s public relations officer, Dr. Rezaul Karim, confirmed the directive.

According to Dr. Karim, the minister also emphasized the need to complete the judicial process of the case as quickly as possible. The order reflects the government’s intent to ensure swift justice in this high-profile case, which has drawn public concern due to the nature of the crime.

The incident occurred last Tuesday when Ramisa was reportedly raped and murdered in Pallabi. The minister’s directive aims to expedite both the investigation and trial to bring those responsible to justice without delay.

The Indian rupee has depreciated by about 10 percent against the Bangladeshi taka over the past year, according to data cited on May 21, 2026. The currency also fell 11.86 percent against the Pakistani rupee during the same period, while its exchange rate against the US dollar dropped to 96.96. Analysts attribute the rupee’s broad decline to global economic uncertainty, high crude oil prices, and reduced foreign investment inflows.

Experts note that India’s heavy reliance on imported energy has made its currency vulnerable to rising oil prices, which increase import costs. The situation has been compounded by stalled US-Iran peace talks and higher international bond yields, prompting investors to withdraw funds from emerging markets like India. This has further tightened foreign exchange liquidity and pressured the rupee.

Economists warn that the rupee’s depreciation could raise living costs by making overseas education, travel, and imported goods more expensive. If import expenses continue to outpace export earnings and capital inflows, India’s current account deficit may deepen. Analysts expect short-term volatility to persist if oil prices remain high and global investors continue seeking safer assets.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Road Transport and Bridges, Railways, and Shipping, Sheikh Robiul Alam MP, held a meeting with a delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to enhance cooperation in infrastructure development and modernization of the communication system. The meeting took place on Thursday at the minister’s office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, with State Minister Habibur Rashid MP and JICA Bangladesh Chief Representative Takahashi Junko in attendance.

Discussions focused on ongoing development activities in Bangladesh’s road, bridge, railway, and water transport sectors, emphasizing sustainable infrastructure construction, use of modern technology, and future collaboration. Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam highlighted the government’s commitment to making the transport sector more modern, safe, and internationally competitive, acknowledging JICA’s long-standing support in achieving these goals.

The JICA delegation expressed interest in continuing its partnership in Bangladesh’s infrastructure development and assured stronger cooperation in future development projects.

Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir is visiting Tehran with the primary goal of reducing ongoing differences between Pakistan and Iran and advancing toward a formal memorandum of understanding, according to Iranian news agency ISNA.

The report states that discussions in Tehran are focusing on the overall framework, detailed issues, and confidence-building measures based on a draft proposed by Iran. The draft has reportedly helped narrow some existing gaps between the two sides. However, the report also notes that further progress would require an end to what it described as Washington’s “temptation of war.”

ISNA added that Munir’s visit aims to resolve remaining disagreements and move the two countries closer to formally announcing the memorandum of understanding.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that investigators will submit a charge sheet in the murder case of second-grade student Ramisa as quickly as possible. He made the statement during a briefing at the Secretariat on Thursday afternoon, addressing Ramisa’s case and other recent issues. The minister said the law ministry will handle the remaining judicial process and expressed hope for exemplary punishment within a short time.

Ahmed added that several professional criminals and long-time fugitives have already been arrested. The government has compiled a list of high-profile murder cases, including those of Ramisa, Asiya, Tonu, and the Bogura rape and Gazipur five-murder incidents, to ensure speedy trials. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to improve law and order nationwide and plans to reform the police force.

Regarding regional matters, the minister described the citizenship issue in West Bengal as India’s internal affair and said the Border Guard Bangladesh remains alert against illegal crossings. He also confirmed that the government has formally requested India to return Sheikh Hasina through diplomatic channels.

Rashed Pradhan, vice president and spokesperson of the National Democratic Party (JAGPA), declared that the party’s future struggle will be against neo-fascism and Indian hegemony. He made the remarks on Thursday after the noon prayer at JAGPA’s Paltan office in Dhaka during a prayer meeting marking the ninth death anniversary of the party’s founder, Shafiul Alam Pradhan. Rashed Pradhan said that Shafiul Alam Pradhan had taught them to live with dignity and never compromise on national independence and sovereignty.

The JAGPA spokesperson alleged that the country’s law and order situation has collapsed, citing incidents of child abuse and murder, extortion, looting, and what he described as state-backed terrorism. He accused the administration and universities of partisan control and claimed that India continues border killings, illegal push-ins, and aggression. He urged party members to resist oppression and foreign dominance, echoing the late leader’s call for struggle as the path to liberation for working people.

Several senior JAGPA leaders, including presidium members, freedom fighters, and youth and labor wing representatives, attended the event.

A clash between two groups of students at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) in Dinajpur left three people, including a teacher, injured on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. near the Shaheed Abrar Fahad and Nur Hossain halls after an argument between residents of the two dormitories escalated. Students from both halls gathered in front of the university’s TSC area, where the confrontation turned violent.

Following the clash, students from Nur Hossain Hall blocked the Rangpur-Dinajpur highway in front of the university, causing heavy traffic congestion on both sides of the road. The situation disrupted vehicular movement for some time.

According to Professor Dr. S. M. Emdadul Hasan, Director of the Student Counseling and Guidance Department, the confrontation has been temporarily stopped, and discussions are underway with students to restore normal traffic flow.

A total of 441 new sailors from the A-2026 batch formally joined the Bangladesh Navy after completing their bootcamp training at the BNS Sher-e-Bangla parade ground in Patuakhali on Thursday. The oath-taking and graduation ceremony featured a parade reviewed by Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, who also distributed awards to top-performing recruits. Md Shahriar Tutul received the Navy Chief’s Medal for overall excellence, while Md Samiul Islam Shakil and Md Kader Mia earned the Comkhul and Sher-e-Bangla medals respectively. Mos Marzia Akter was recognized as the best female sailor with the Pritilata Waddedar Medal.

In his address, Admiral Hassan paid tribute to fallen naval heroes of the Liberation War and highlighted ongoing modernization efforts, including the addition of helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, a hydrographic survey ship, and an anti-drone system. He commended the Navy’s role in supporting civil administration, ensuring security of key installations, and assisting during the 13th national election.

The Navy Chief urged the new sailors to uphold integrity, discipline, and loyalty while working alongside the Army and Air Force to safeguard national sovereignty.

United Kingdom High Commissioner Sarah Cook and Switzerland’s Ambassador Reto Renggli paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan at his office in the Secretariat on Thursday. State Minister for Information Yasser Khan Chowdhury was also present during the meeting. Sarah Cook congratulated the minister on assuming office, while the minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring media freedom and mentioned that work to form a media commission had begun.

The minister sought cooperation from the United Kingdom and expressed interest in utilizing the experience of the UK’s Office of Communications (Ofcom) in developing media policy in Bangladesh. The High Commissioner assured him of support and briefed him on Ofcom’s activities. During his meeting with the Swiss Ambassador, the minister also expressed interest in learning from Switzerland’s experience to protect citizens from misinformation and disinformation while upholding media freedom.

State Minister Yasser Khan Chowdhury highlighted that artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and global challenges, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to address them. He also invited Swiss investment in Bangladesh’s technology and other sectors.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman has said that army personnel are expected to return to their barracks soon. He made the remarks on Thursday while addressing the closing and award ceremony of the Bangladesh Army Central Firing Competition at Comilla Cantonment. The army chief noted that many soldiers have already returned, but around 16,000 to 17,000 members remain deployed across 62 districts. He added that the army will continue field operations as long as required by the government, including current deployments at fuel depots.

During the event, General Waker-uz-Zaman highlighted the army’s contribution to nation-building and maintaining national stability. He stated that since July 20, 2024, army personnel have been performing their duties in the field with dedication to meet the country’s needs.

The Central Firing Competition, which began on May 16, featured 17 teams from various formations, logistics areas, five independent brigades, and the Para Commando Brigade.

A boat carrying 467 sacks of rice allocated under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) program sank in Fulchhari upazila of Gaibandha on Thursday morning. The incident occurred around 8 a.m. at the Balashi Ghat area while the rice was being transported to the Erendabari Union Parishad.

According to Erendabari Union Parishad Panel Chairman Saidur Rahman, the rice sacks were loaded onto the boat for delivery to the union council, but the vessel capsized due to adverse weather conditions. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Mostafizur Rahman confirmed that efforts were underway to recover the sunken rice sacks.

Authorities have not yet provided details on the extent of the loss or whether any further assistance will be required for the affected distribution program.

Bangladesh’s Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid has advised farmers and exporters to exercise caution in using pesticides to ensure safe food exports. He made the remarks on Thursday while inaugurating the mango export season at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council auditorium in Dhaka. The event marked the formal launch of mango exports for the current season under the Department of Agricultural Extension’s ‘Exportable Mango Production Project’.

The minister said mango is one of Bangladesh’s most promising exportable agricultural products, though the country has yet to reach its desired position in the global market. He noted that Bangladesh currently exports mangoes to 38 countries, including China, following a 2024 export agreement. Malaysia, Japan, and several other countries have also shown interest in importing Bangladeshi mangoes. Officials and experts at the event emphasized that improving production and processing quality would strengthen the value chain and benefit farmers financially.

Project officials reported that 41.5 metric tons of mangoes have already been exported this season to destinations including Italy, Sweden, Canada, and Gulf countries. They expressed optimism that with affordable air freight and sufficient cargo space, Bangladesh could achieve record mango exports this year.