Chattogram Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch arrested two alleged associates of the so-called ‘Boro Sajjad’ and ‘Raihan’ criminal groups during a raid in Chandgaon on Friday night. The operation, conducted at 11:35 p.m. on Golam Ali Nazir Road based on secret information, led to the recovery of two foreign pistols, 30 rounds of live ammunition, and several cartridges. The detainees were identified as Md. Shubho (22) of Adhar Manik area and Md. Suman (33) of Kadolpur Shamsher Para area. Police said both admitted to possessing the weapons during initial questioning.

According to police, the two men had long been involved in armed activities for the ‘Boro Sajjad’ and ‘Raihan’ groups and were accused in multiple criminal cases across Chattogram. Investigators also linked them to recent extortion-related shootings at the homes of Smart Group executives in Chandanpura and to the killing of a youth named Raju in Roufabad under Bayezid Bostami police station.

However, Sajjad Ali Khan denied any connection, claiming police routinely associate his name with arrests. Legal proceedings are underway at Chandgaon police station, and the two also face separate murder cases in Raozan.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie stated that he found no decency in the remarks made by Nasiruddin Patwari. He made this comment on Saturday at a discussion titled 'Public Engagement in River Management' organized by Nongor Trust at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club in Dhaka.

The minister said that from the very beginning, the Prime Minister has been working continuously, while opposition leaders have been mocking and showing non-cooperation. He emphasized that politics should maintain decency and discipline, and that indecent behavior must be accounted for. Referring to Patwari’s recent visit to Jhenaidah, he questioned the political conduct and discipline reflected in Patwari’s statements, which he said included comments about the Prime Minister and her family.

Annie further remarked that those currently in the opposition have a history in student politics that the nation should analyze. He urged reflection on their past actions and stated that there is still time to move forward responsibly.

Bangladesh Chhatra Dal has filed a counter case against 22 leaders and activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Jhenaidah. The case was lodged on Saturday at Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station by district Chhatra Dal vice-president Enamul Kabir. NCP’s central joint general secretary Tarekul Islam Tarek Reza was named as the main accused, along with 22 others and 50 to 60 unidentified individuals.

According to the case statement, the incident occurred on Friday afternoon near the Old DC Court Jame Mosque in Jhenaidah municipality. Enamul Kabir alleged that NCP’s central chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari made defamatory remarks about BNP chairman and the prime minister, as well as the law minister, during a speech. The complaint also claimed that several Chhatra Dal leaders, including Shahid Ahmed, Hridoy Hossain, and Nayon Howlader, were severely injured after being attacked with pistol butts, sharp weapons, and bricks.

Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Asaduzzaman confirmed that a regular case has been registered and police operations are ongoing to arrest the accused. The counter case came 24 hours after NCP had filed a case against 115 Chhatra Dal leaders and activists.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has called for intensified cooperation with the United Nations to address the Rohingya crisis and strengthen Bangladesh’s participation in UN peacekeeping missions. The appeal came during a courtesy meeting with UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Carole Flore-Smereczniak, held at the minister’s office in Dhaka on Saturday. The discussion also covered sustainable development goals, trade, investment, and other bilateral issues of mutual interest.

During the meeting, the minister praised the UN’s support for Bangladesh’s recent national election and acknowledged its visible role in the country’s socio-economic and infrastructural development. He expressed optimism that the partnership between Bangladesh and the UN would deepen further. The UN Resident Coordinator commended Bangladesh’s generosity toward the Rohingya population and noted that the international community must provide stronger and more visible support, as the burden of hosting such a large refugee population cannot be borne by Bangladesh alone.

The minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to global peace and security under the UN framework and sought comprehensive UN assistance to achieve the country’s sustainable development goals on time.

A farmer was killed by lightning while working in a paddy yard in Austagram upazila of Kishoreganj on Saturday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Mohabbat Kha, 36, son of Jamrut Kha from Bahadurpur village under Kastul union. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. when he was stacking paddy to protect it from rain. Two women, including his wife Ruma Begum, 34, and another woman named Marjina, 50, sustained burn injuries.

According to local and family sources, the sky suddenly became cloudy before the lightning struck directly on Mohabbat Kha, killing him instantly. Neighbors rushed to rescue him but found him dead at the scene. The injured were later given assistance by locals.

Upazila Disaster Management Officer Md. Majnu Mia said he visited the spot after receiving the news and reported the death to the district office. The government will provide Tk 25,000 in immediate financial aid to the victim’s family.

Former Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Tajul Islam, has demanded the arrest and trial of those involved in the attack on Nasiruddin Patwari, the chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Jhenaidah. In a Facebook post on Friday, he described the assault as unacceptable and a sign of troubling times, urging immediate action against the perpetrators.

According to the report, a case has been filed against eight former and current leaders of the student organization Chhatra Dal in connection with the attack, beating, and robbery involving Nasiruddin Patwari and other central leaders. Additionally, 110 to 115 unidentified individuals have been named as accused in the case.

The incident has drawn attention to rising political tensions in Jhenaidah, with calls for swift justice to prevent further unrest.

Bangladeshi singer Asif Akbar has made a series of explosive remarks targeting the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), sports journalists, and political figures. On Friday, May 22, he posted a lengthy statement on his verified Facebook page accusing journalists of unethical practices and claiming to have evidence to support his allegations. Although he did not mention any individual by name, his comments were directed broadly at those involved in cricket administration and media.

In his post, Asif alleged that the current BCB leadership is driven by political ambition and greed, describing the state of cricket journalism as morally bankrupt. He urged media owners to reassign certain reporters away from the BCB beat to allow patriotic journalists to work freely. He also accused some journalists of spreading misinformation and focusing on trivial stories rather than national sports coverage.

Asif further claimed that remnants of a previous government still control the cricket board and called on the current administration to investigate specific individuals he described as politically connected. He asserted that he could provide proof to support his claims.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has released a draft regulation governing mergers, divisions, amalgamations, and acquisitions of listed companies. The draft, published on the BSEC website on Saturday, invites stakeholder feedback within two weeks. The regulator stated that the new framework aims to prevent past abuses in corporate restructuring that often benefited directors at the expense of general shareholders.

The draft rules prohibit backdoor listings or reverse takeovers and require at least 75 percent approval from general shareholders for any restructuring scheme. Independent valuers from BSEC’s approved panel must assess such schemes using at least two absolute and two relative valuation methods. The rules also set limits on growth projections and discount rates, require submission of audit reports, tax returns, and financial justification reports, and mandate disclosure of employee benefits and tax liabilities.

After BSEC and stock exchange review, shareholder consent and court approval will be required before final implementation. The regulation seeks to ensure transparency, accountability, and protection of investor interests in corporate restructuring.

Railway police in Kushtia recovered the bloodied body of a young man from the roof of the Dhaka-bound Sundarban Express train on Saturday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Nurul Islam, aged 30, son of Bajal Ahmed from Sadhanpur area of Banshkhali upazila in Chattogram. The body was found around 12:30 p.m. near the Kushtia Court Station area, and police confirmed his identity through a photocopy of his national identity card found in his pocket.

According to local sources, workers constructing a gate for an Eid festival near the Millline rail crossing noticed the man lying injured on the train roof as it passed. Police from the Poradah Railway Station arrived at the scene and retrieved the body. The remains were later sent to Kushtia General Hospital morgue for legal procedures.

Railway police stated that an investigation is underway to determine the actual cause of the incident.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanom Rita has emphasized that projects implemented with public funds must directly benefit the people. She made the remarks on Saturday during a meeting at the ministry’s conference room to review the progress of the April 2025–26 fiscal year’s Revised Annual Development Programme (RADP) implementation.

The minister instructed officials to complete all ongoing projects promptly in line with the Prime Minister’s directives. She stressed the need to assess financial capacity before approving new projects in the aviation and tourism sectors. Afroza Khanom also highlighted the importance of well-planned work strategies before starting any infrastructure or facility construction and called for stricter monitoring of contractors’ progress.

She further directed all concerned to maintain strict oversight at every level to ensure transparency and accountability in project implementation. The meeting was chaired by Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akhter and attended by senior officials, including Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Air Vice Marshal Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq and project directors.

A farmer was killed by lightning while tending ducks in a haor area of Dowarabazar upazila in Sunamganj on Saturday morning. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. in Lakhipur Union. The deceased was identified as Shafik Mia, 32, son of Biraj Mia from Surigaon village in the same union.

According to local sources, Shafik Mia had gone to the nearby haor as usual to release his flock of ducks when the weather suddenly turned stormy. A severe lightning strike hit the area, leaving him fatally injured on the spot. Upazila Project Implementation Officer Md Lutfor Rahman said the administration is monitoring the situation and that financial assistance for the victim’s family is being processed according to government regulations. Dowarabazar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tarikul Islam Talukder confirmed the incident.

Authorities have assured that the victim’s family will receive support as per official guidelines.

Dhaka has been enduring an intense spell of heat and humidity for eight consecutive days, with temperatures reaching 36°C on Saturday, May 23, 2026. Despite brief rainfall of 8 millimeters in parts of the city, the heat has intensified due to high moisture in the air. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported mild heatwaves sweeping across 16 districts, including Dhaka, Khulna, and Rajshahi, and warned that the oppressive weather could continue until early June.

Meteorologist A.K.M. Nazmul Haque explained that limited rainfall has increased atmospheric moisture, preventing sweat from evaporating and making the heat feel 5–7°C higher than recorded. The extreme conditions have disrupted daily life, with laborers, rickshaw pullers, and street vendors struggling to work under the scorching sun. Public transport users were seen fanning themselves to cope with the suffocating heat.

Hospitals in Dhaka, including ICDDR,B and Dhaka Medical College, have reported a surge in heat-related illnesses such as diarrhea, dehydration, and heatstroke, particularly among children and the elderly. Doctors advised avoiding direct sunlight, staying hydrated, and refraining from consuming unsafe street food. Meteorologists said relief is unlikely until widespread rainfall occurs.

A journalist was attacked in Bogura’s Shakharia Union of Sadar upazila after publishing reports critical of Awami League leaders. The victim, Shafayat Sajal, a correspondent for the daily Amar Desh and staff reporter for Dainik Duronto Sangbad, was assaulted while on duty and is now receiving treatment at Mohammad Ali Hospital. Police have arrested one suspect, Abu Sayeed, while a local Jubo League leader named Mahal, accused in multiple drug cases, remains at large.

According to the case statement, the attack was premeditated and carried out by Mahal and his associates, including Abu Sayeed, who allegedly used knives and iron rods to injure Sajal. Another journalist, Rasul Khondokar, was also beaten when he tried to intervene. Locals captured Abu Sayeed and handed him over to police, while the others fled. Police have sent the arrested suspect to court and continue operations to apprehend the remaining attackers.

Journalists in the area have demanded the immediate arrest of the fugitive Jubo League leader and his accomplices to ensure justice for the assaulted reporter.

District Detective Branch (DB) police in Madaripur arrested three active members of an inter-district gang involved in drugging and robbing people. The arrests were made during a special operation based on secret information, and police recovered toxic halwa and materials used to make it. The detainees were identified as Md. Kalam Hossain, Md. Jahangir Molla, and Md. Zakir Hawlader. The operation was led by Additional Superintendent of Police Fariha Rafique Bhavna under the direction of Md. Habibur Rahman.

According to DB police, the arrested individuals were part of a gang that targeted passengers in crowded markets and buses across different districts. They befriended victims and then offered them halwa laced with sedatives, causing them to lose consciousness before stealing their money and valuables. Police said the group had planned to target travelers and livestock traders ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha festival.

Legal proceedings are underway against the arrested suspects, and police operations continue to capture other fugitive members of the gang.

The government has formed a seven-member investigation committee, headed by the Director General of the Local Government Division, to examine corruption and irregularities within the division and its affiliated offices and agencies from 2009 to 2026. The committee has been instructed to investigate irregularities during both the Awami League and interim governments and to submit its report within 60 working days.

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah Alam highlighted irregularities in development projects in Pirojpur, alleging that after tenders were issued, Tk 6,000 crore was withdrawn without any work being done. As a result, all development projects in Pirojpur have been halted for the past two years. He said an on-site inspection would soon be conducted to restart the suspended projects.

The state minister further stated that similar irregularities occurred in road and bridge construction projects in several other districts. He also alleged that during the interim government, former adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan approved a project file without the secretary’s signature.