A state-of-the-art plant tissue culture laboratory is under construction in Balaghata, Bandarban, along the Sangu River. Designed in the shape of a biological cell nucleus, the circular building combines modern architecture with eco-friendly concepts. The facility will include advanced rooms for media preparation, inoculation, culture growth, acclimatization, and research, aiming to support international-standard agricultural innovation in the hilly region.

Officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension said the lab will enable rapid production of disease-free and genetically uniform seedlings, reducing costs and risks for farmers. Local farmers expressed optimism that the lab will provide improved seedlings for high-value crops such as bananas, pineapples, strawberries, dragon fruit, and orchids, encouraging youth participation in agriculture. Women farmers also hope to benefit from better access to quality planting materials and new entrepreneurial opportunities.

According to project leaders and agricultural scientists, the facility will serve as a hub for research on hill-adapted crops, mother plant improvement, and climate-resilient farming technologies. With construction nearly 80 percent complete, experts view the lab as a symbol of agricultural modernization and sustainable development in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana Yusuf Ashraf has condemned the Home Minister’s comment describing public execution of rapists as medieval, saying it insults religious sentiments and undermines public expectations for justice. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon while presiding over a meeting of the party’s Dhaka members of the central executive council at its Purana Paltan office.

Ashraf said the minister’s statement reflects a failure to understand reality, suggesting that his long stay abroad may have distanced him from the people’s frustration with injustice and state failures. He argued that public demand for strict punishment has grown due to the justice system’s inability to curb crime effectively. Referring to the Ramisa murder case, he said the victim family’s despair mirrors widespread public distrust in the judiciary.

He urged the Home Minister to withdraw his statement immediately. The meeting also strongly criticized the recent decision to abolish the Judicial Secretariat, with central executive council members attending under the direction of party Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain stated that those involved in the murder of child Ramisa Akter have been arrested and will face exemplary punishment. He made the remarks on Thursday while addressing a seminar at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club. The ministry’s public relations officer confirmed the statement through a press release on Friday.

The minister described the incident as deeply painful for society and expressed prayers for Ramisa’s soul along with condolences to her family, assuring that the government stands by them. He emphasized that no one is allowed to take the law into their own hands and that the government is determined to ensure swift justice for the offenders.

He reiterated that the current government maintains a zero-tolerance policy against violence towards women and children, underscoring its firm stance on preventing such heinous crimes in the future.

Students of Khulna University organized a protest rally on Friday evening in front of the 'Adommo Bangla' sculpture, denouncing rape, murder, and the prevailing culture of impunity. The demonstrators demanded prompt trials and exemplary punishment for perpetrators of such crimes.

Participants voiced frustration over the lack of effective justice, claiming that repeated incidents of rape and murder continue due to delayed or absent legal action. They criticized the state and administration for failing to ensure women’s safety. Several students expressed fear about moving alone even during the day, citing insecurity both inside and outside the campus.

Speakers emphasized that the government and responsible authorities must act decisively to prevent future atrocities. They urged immediate and effective measures to ensure justice and women’s safety, warning that the public no longer tolerates prolonged judicial delays.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s central secretary general, Professor Mia Golam Porwar, issued a statement on Friday condemning an attack on former Khanmarich Union Jamaat secretary and teacher Zillur Rahman in Pabna’s Bhangura upazila. According to the statement, the incident occurred around 8 p.m. on Thursday, when Rahman was allegedly attacked with sharp weapons in a premeditated attempt to kill him.

Porwar described the assault as part of a pattern of violent attacks, terrorism, and assassination attempts targeting dissenting voices and leaders of Islamic movements across the country. He said the attack on Rahman, a respected teacher and social worker, was not an isolated event but a reflection of organized political violence.

He urged authorities to arrest those responsible and ensure exemplary punishment, while also wishing Zillur Rahman a speedy recovery. Porwar said such incidents demonstrate a deterioration of law and order and are contrary to humanity and civilization.

Two people, including a woman, were killed and two others injured in separate lightning strikes in Chapainawabganj Sadar and Shibganj upazilas on Friday evening. The incidents occurred during rainfall accompanied by thunder. One victim was struck while collecting mangoes in a garden, and the other while harvesting paddy. The injured were taken to the district hospital for treatment.

The deceased were identified as Manowara Begum, wife of Mainul Islam Bishu of Gidhnipara in Sadar upazila, and Abdul Malek, son of the late Mohbul Islam of Chhalokipara village in Shibganj upazila. According to local administrative officer Tanzimul Islam, Manowara Begum was injured by lightning while collecting mangoes during the storm and died on the way to the hospital. Abdul Malek died in a separate incident while working in a paddy field during the rain.

Authorities confirmed both deaths and said the injured victims are receiving medical care at the district hospital.

Armed assailants attacked the house of former central Jubo Dal member Haji Billal Hossain in Tongi, Gazipur, on Friday night, reportedly over a land inheritance dispute. The attackers, numbering between 150 and 200, vandalized the property and fired several blank shots. At least four people, including Billal’s son Abir Hossain Alok, were injured. Police from Tongi East Station visited the scene after receiving reports of gunfire.

According to Billal Hossain, the conflict stemmed from a long-standing dispute over inherited land. A settlement and registration were scheduled for Thursday, but the opposing party did not appear. Later, a group led by local men identified as Adnan Khan, Khokon Patowary, and Kawsar allegedly carried out the attack using local weapons and explosive-like devices. The injured were taken to Tongi Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital, while one victim was transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

Tongi East Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Mehedi Hasan confirmed that police were dispatched to the scene and that legal procedures are underway.

A man in Cox’s Bazar’s Chakaria upazila allegedly hacked his disabled father to death on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. in the Moulvirkum area. The victim, identified as Khalilur Rahman Saudagar, 65, died at the scene after his son, Minarul Islam Russell, 30, attacked him with a sharp weapon, severing one of his hands. Locals detained the suspect immediately after the attack and handed him over to police.

According to local sources, family members and neighbors took the victim to the Chakaria Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. A local rural physician said Russell had been quarrelling frequently with family members since separating from his wife several years ago. Chakaria Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Monir Hossain confirmed that the accused was arrested with the help of residents and that the body was being sent to the Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue.

Police stated that legal action would be taken once a written complaint is received from the family.

Two people were killed in a head-on collision between a truck and an auto-van in Domar upazila of Nilphamari district on Thursday evening. The accident occurred around 6:30 p.m. in front of Sonaray Bazar on the Domar-Debiganj highway. The deceased were identified as Mominul Islam, 38, son of the late Mofiz Uddin of Chilahati Sabujpara area, and pedestrian Bikash Chandra, 25, son of Okindra Chandra Roy of Mahiganj area.

According to police and local sources, a truck traveling from Debiganj toward Nilphamari collided head-on with an auto-van. The auto-van driver, Mominul Islam, died on the spot. The truck then lost control and hit pedestrian Bikash Chandra, who was standing by the roadside. He was rescued by Domar Fire Service and taken to Domar Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.

Police and traffic officers arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and brought the situation under control. Despite the accident, traffic on the highway remained normal. Domar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Habibullah confirmed the deaths.

Police in Rajarhat, Kurigram detained a young man named Maidul Islam Manik on Friday afternoon for allegedly posting offensive remarks about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his wife Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) on Facebook. The arrest took place in Nowdabash Barobari village under Umormajid Union after the post spread online and drew public anger.

According to police and local sources, the post shared from Manik’s personal Facebook account contained objectionable content that quickly circulated on social media, sparking outrage among local worshippers and residents. Fearing unrest, Rajarhat police promptly reached the area, brought the situation under control, and took the accused into custody.

Rajarhat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Mamunur Rashid stated that the man was detained for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. He confirmed that the suspect had been interrogated and that a case was being processed. The situation in the area is currently calm and stable.

Police in Jhenaidah have filed a case over an attack on NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwari. The case was lodged on Friday night by local NCP leader Tarek Reza, naming eight individuals including Islami University Chhatra Dal convener Shahed Ahmed, district Chhatra Dal president Imran Hossain, former president S.M. Somenuzzaman Somen, and general secretary Shahriar Russell, along with 115 unidentified persons. The filing followed a seven-hour sit-in at Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station by NCP activists demanding registration of the case.

After the case was recorded, Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal activists surrounded the police station, throwing bricks when the main gate was closed. They later gathered in front of the station and allegedly attempted a second attack on Patwari, who was inside under police protection. Police blocked the entrance with vehicles, and Patwari left Jhenaidah under police escort. Later that night, activists held a sit-in at Payra Chattar, vowing to continue until the case was withdrawn.

District BNP leaders addressed the gathering, while police officials declined to comment on the incident.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Maulana Abu Talib, representing Jhenaidah-4 constituency, attended the wedding ceremony of the daughter of a listed accused in a Shibir activist murder case in Kaliganj upazila of Jhenaidah. The event, held on Thursday at Bogergachi village, drew leaders and activists from various political parties and sparked widespread discussion and criticism in the area after photos and videos circulated on social media.

According to the report, the bride is the daughter of former union chairman and Awami League general secretary of Rakhalgachi Union, Mohidul Islam Montu, who is an accused in the 2016 murder of Shibir activist Shamim. Shamim was allegedly abducted by plainclothes men on March 24, 2016, and his bullet-riddled body was found on April 13 that year in Jashore. His father filed a case in September 2024 naming 12 individuals, including Montu, and 15 unidentified others.

Maulana Abu Talib stated that he attended the event due to social ties in his home area and assured that the victim’s family would receive proper justice.

At a two-day Sundarbans Summit held in Khulna on May 22, 2026, experts and officials called for unified national and global efforts to protect the Sundarbans. The event, jointly organized by BRAC University’s C3ER, Mission Green Bangladesh, Sajida Foundation, and Swapnopuri Welfare Organization, brought together over 300 young climate activists from seven South and Southeast Asian countries. Speakers emphasized that the Sundarbans safeguard Bangladesh’s coast from climate disasters and absorb carbon emissions, but destructive activities now endanger the forest.

Khulna City Corporation Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju criticized past unplanned development and coal-based power projects near the forest, urging immediate sustainable solutions. District Commissioner Hure Jannat highlighted the need for collaboration among government, NGOs, and youth to combat climate impacts. Climate scientist Dr. Ainun Nishat warned of rising salinity and frequent natural disasters threatening biodiversity, calling for science-based green innovation. Waterkeepers Bangladesh’s Sharif Jamil stressed pollution control and community monitoring.

The summit concluded with the release of the “Sundarbans Green Declaration 2026,” presented by Mission Green Bangladesh Executive Director Ahsan Rony, outlining commitments for forest conservation.

Intern doctors at Chittagong International Medical College Hospital have begun an indefinite work stoppage demanding a safe working environment and punishment for those involved in an assault on one of their colleagues. The strike started on Thursday night, May 21, and by Friday afternoon no intern doctors were providing medical services at the hospital.

According to reports, intern doctor Dr. Ashfaqul Islam was attacked around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday while returning home after his evening duty near the entrance of Chandgaon residential area. He sustained serious injuries, and his mobile phone was damaged during the assault. Locals rescued him and took him to the hospital, where fellow interns provided initial treatment. A case is expected to be filed at Chandgaon Police Station naming several ninth-batch students as accused.

The hospital principal, Professor Dr. Muhammad Muslim Uddin Sabuj, said a five-member investigation committee has been formed and action will be taken once the report is received. He added that overall hospital operations remain normal.

Authorities in Barguna seized around 2.3 million bagda shrimp fry worth approximately one crore taka on Friday, May 22, 2026. The operation took place in the municipal bus terminal area, where two truck drivers were detained. Acting on intelligence from the National Security Intelligence (NSI), the joint drive was conducted by the district administration and the district fisheries office to intercept the illegal transport of shrimp fry from coastal rivers in Patuakhali’s Kalapara area to Khulna.

The confiscated fry were released into the Bishkhali River at the Baraitala ferry ghat area in the presence of the district fisheries officer and an assistant commissioner. District Fisheries Officer Ziauddin Ahmed stated that similar drives had been conducted earlier, including one in Taltali where 79 drums were seized and fines imposed. In the latest operation, 227 drums containing about 2.3 million fry were recovered and released. He added that despite limited manpower, such drives will continue to curb illegal fry collection and transport.