Speaker of the National Parliament Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram, MP, said former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia worked with devotion to strengthen democracy in Bangladesh and was deeply committed to establishing the rights of the people. He described her as an enduring example of a successful stateswoman. The remarks came on Friday at the unveiling of a calendar titled 'Deshnetri', published by 'Chobir Golpo' in memory of the late leader, held at the LD Hall of the National Parliament Building.

The event was presided over by Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister and adviser editor of 'Chobir Golpo' Atikur Rahman Rumon. Dr. Ahmed Mostafa Noman delivered the welcome address, while MPs Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas and Habibur Rahman Habib spoke as main discussants. The calendar features twelve aspects of Khaleda Zia’s life through photographs by Prime Minister’s photographer Khaled Hossain Parag and writings by the 'Chobir Golpo' team.

Chief Whip Md. Nurul Islam Moni, MP, also highlighted Khaleda Zia’s role in introducing the caretaker government system to stabilize democracy and praised the Zia family’s contribution to Bangladesh’s political history.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has traveled to Saudi Arabia to perform the holy Hajj. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement issued on Friday evening, he left for Saudi Arabia accompanied by his wife. The visit is being made at the invitation of the Saudi government, under which he is participating as a royal guest.

During his stay, General Waker-Uz-Zaman will complete the formalities of Hajj in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. The ISPR further stated that he is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on June 1 after completing the pilgrimage.

The announcement highlights the significance of the visit as part of religious observance and official goodwill between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has said that youth represent strength, courage, and potential, and can lead society from destruction toward development. He made the remarks on Friday at the central conference of the party’s Youth and Sports Department 2026, held at Al-Falah Auditorium in Dhaka’s Moghbazar. Youth representatives from different regions of the country attended the daylong event.

Porwar emphasized that youthfulness is not limited by age but defined by courage, enthusiasm, and sacrifice. He called for moral and spiritual awakening among young people and urged them to build themselves through piety, self-purification, and ethical conduct. He also highlighted the historical role of youth in Islamic movements and encouraged them to seek closeness to God.

Presiding over the event, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer said the department’s activities are expanding nationwide and stressed engaging youth in humanitarian and social initiatives. He called for united resistance against drugs, terrorism, and robbery, saying that an organized and principled youth community can create capable national leadership.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that police stations should not serve as tools of partisan control but must become institutions of public trust and justice. He made this remark in a Facebook post on Friday night, emphasizing the need to abandon the culture of political servitude.

Earlier that day, Patwari was attacked in Jhenaidah after attending Friday prayers at the Old DC Court Jame Mosque. According to his Facebook post, members of the Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal allegedly launched the assault in the presence of police. The attackers reportedly threw eggs and bricks before striking with hockey sticks, injuring several people, including three with head wounds. Patwari said he was also punched and that the attackers snatched mobile phones, cameras, and wallets.

The incident highlights tensions surrounding political activities in Jhenaidah, with Patwari’s comments calling for institutional neutrality and public confidence in law enforcement.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP), was attacked in Jhenaidah on Friday, May 22. According to Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, Patwari had gone there with the intention of organizing a mob. The statement was made in a verified Facebook post, where Nasir alleged that Patwari’s associates attempted to open fire after locals threw eggs at him.

The Chhatra Dal leader also shared photos claiming two armed men present with Patwari were affiliated with the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, identifying them by name and address. He urged local police and administration to arrest the two alleged gunmen immediately.

Eyewitnesses said Patwari had traveled to Jhenaidah to attend a program marking the joining of leaders from various parties to the NCP. After Friday prayers at the District Collectorate Mosque, he was attacked by a group of youths who threw eggs and assaulted him, injuring several local NCP activists. Following the incident, NCP leaders held a protest march in the city.

Sargis Alam, chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in northern Bangladesh, warned BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman that attempts to suppress political movements in violent ways would lead to worse consequences. Speaking at a joining ceremony of new members from various professions at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday, he said no political organization or law enforcement agency would be allowed to repress dissent in the future.

He criticized the government for failing to bring back the accused in Osman Hadi’s murder case from India and for delays in the Asiya murder verdict despite earlier promises. Alam also accused the BNP of betraying the public on issues such as the July uprising, referendum, and judicial independence. He alleged that the BNP, despite earlier demands for a separate judicial secretariat, was now politicizing the judiciary by repealing related laws.

Alam further stated that BNP would not be able to avoid responsibility if it failed to ensure justice in various murder cases and the execution of Sheikh Hasina’s death sentence, affirming that the NCP would continue its political struggle.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) held a protest rally in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday afternoon, demanding the arrest and punishment of those involved in an attack on the party’s chief coordinator, Nasiruddin Patwari, in Jhenaidah. The demonstration, led by NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, featured slogans calling for justice and immediate action against the attackers.

NCP convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam shared a video of the incident on Facebook, alleging that BNP-linked assailants carried out the attack in the presence of police. He condemned the assault and urged authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. Asif Mahmud also criticized what he described as a return of politically motivated violence, warning that failure to arrest the attackers could force the party to take alternative measures.

Several NCP leaders, including MP Hasnat Abdullah and northern regional organizer Sarjis Alam, claimed on social media that BNP and student wing activists were responsible for the assault, which left several people injured and hospitalized.

Former Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Tajul Islam, stated that the revolution will fail if perpetrators are not identified by the state. He made the remarks on Thursday at a roundtable discussion titled 'Ensuring Justice, Compensation and Guarantees of Non-Recurrence,' organized by the human rights group Odhikar at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club in Dhaka, marking International Week of the Disappeared 2026.

Tajul Islam criticized the current law addressing enforced disappearances, calling it extremely flawed and inadequate to prevent such crimes. He argued that the law appears to have been drafted by those previously involved in such acts and said it fails to meet Bangladesh’s needs. He urged the government to amend the legislation to establish a proper legal framework that ensures justice for victims and prevents future disappearances.

He further emphasized that the nation has been repeatedly deceived and that citizens no longer wish to accept such betrayal, calling for genuine accountability and justice in cases of enforced disappearance and human rights violations.

U.S. President Donald Trump is willing to give diplomacy more time as talks with Iran continue, according to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. In an interview with CBS News, Leavitt said Trump is keeping all options open and has made clear what consequences Tehran could face if no agreement is reached.

Her comments followed a Wall Street Journal report stating that Trump told his aides in a Friday meeting he wanted to allow more time for diplomatic engagement. Despite ongoing tensions, the report said Trump remains interested in reaching a solution through dialogue, though he has not ruled out military action if negotiations fail.

According to the same report, Trump has not yet made a final decision but currently leans toward continuing diplomatic efforts while keeping military options available.

Speculation has intensified within Khulna WASA over who will be appointed as project director of the Tk 2,598 crore Khulna Water Supply Project-2. Despite not being on the official shortlist, executive engineer Md. Rezaul Islam reportedly attended an interview at the ministry last Wednesday. His sudden appearance and past controversies have sparked criticism, with concerns that his appointment could lead to irregularities affecting city residents.

According to office sources, the interview was held under the chairmanship of Local Government Division Secretary Shahidul Hasan. Official invitations were sent to three other engineers, but Rezaul Islam appeared without one. He had previously served briefly as acting project director in December 2025, a move that drew allegations of financial dealings and political favoritism. Later, he was removed following protests and written complaints from student and civic groups.

The final decision on the appointment has not yet been announced. The Local Government Division is expected to issue an official notification soon, while calls for transparency and oversight continue within Khulna WASA and the local engineering community.

Iran’s Defense Ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik stated that U.S. President Donald Trump has no alternative but to accept Tehran’s demands and recognize Iran’s rights. He asserted that both in war and diplomacy, the only viable path for what he called the “American-Zionist enemy” is to comply with Iran’s positions.

Talaei-Nik warned that if the opposing side refuses to acknowledge the Iranian people’s legitimate demands, Trump and his allies would face greater costs and continued defeats. He accused Trump of neglecting U.S. national interests and claimed that Washington’s close alignment with Israel would drag it deeper into conflict.

The remarks came amid rising tensions in the Middle East and ongoing strain in Iran-U.S. relations, reflecting Tehran’s increasingly assertive tone in the face of regional and international pressure.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman departed from Dhaka on Saturday morning, May 23, 2026, to attend several programs in Mymensingh’s Trishal upazila. According to the Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Rony, the Prime Minister left his Tejgaon office at 11:05 a.m. by road. His schedule includes inaugurating the re-excavation of the historic ‘Dharar Khal’ in Kanhur village under Bailor Union.

Following the inauguration, he is expected to take a short break at the Trishal Nazrul Dak Bungalow before attending the national event marking the 127th birth anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at 3 p.m. Later, at 5 p.m., he will join an organizational meeting of the Mymensingh North, South, and Metropolitan BNP units at the Trishal Nazrul Auditorium.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to return to Dhaka by road at around 6:30 p.m. after completing the day’s programs.

A seminar titled “Persecution of Muslims in India: Politics, Identity and Minority Rights Conflict” began on Saturday morning under the initiative of Friends of Humanity. The event was chaired by the organization’s chairman, Dr. Khondaker Rashedul Haque, with Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh, attending as the chief guest. Prominent journalist and academic Md. Shah Alam presented a paper at the seminar, which was attended by several notable figures including Professor Dr. Shajahan Khan and former army officer Lieutenant Colonel Hasinur Rahman.

In his presentation, Md. Shah Alam highlighted recent incidents of persecution and human rights violations against Muslims and other minorities in India. The seminar focused on the political and social dimensions of these issues, examining how identity and minority rights are being challenged in the current context.

The discussion aimed to raise awareness about the situation of minorities in India and to encourage dialogue on protecting human rights and ensuring equality across communities.

India’s government has announced a new initiative to strengthen security along its borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan, covering nearly 6,000 kilometers. Home Minister Amit Shah said in New Delhi that the project will deploy drones, radars, and surveillance cameras across the frontier areas. The implementation is expected to begin within a year, with the Border Security Force (BSF) receiving full technical support from the government.

Shah added that fencing work along unfenced sections of the Bangladesh border will be expedited. India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-kilometer border, of which about 1,650 kilometers are already fenced, leaving 569 kilometers without fencing. The longest stretch of this border lies in West Bengal, spanning approximately 2,219 kilometers.

According to the report, the project aims to enhance monitoring and control along sensitive border zones, particularly where physical barriers are incomplete or absent.

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on Friday, according to Iranian state media. The two officials discussed Iran’s ongoing diplomatic efforts and new initiatives aimed at halting the war. Their talks, which continued into the night, also focused on regional security conditions and measures to prevent further escalation of conflict.

Reports said both sides exchanged views on recent diplomatic steps taken to stop the spread of war and end the ongoing hostilities. The meeting highlighted the importance of coordinated regional efforts to maintain stability amid rising tensions.

In recent weeks, Islamabad has intensified its mediation role between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan has previously maintained communication channels to help ease U.S.-Iran tensions. Earlier, Araghchi had visited Islamabad for talks with Munir on ceasefire prospects, peace negotiations, and regional stability.