An identified motorcycle thief named Joy, aged 26, was killed in a road accident on Thursday, May 21, 2026, while fleeing on a stolen motorcycle in Rajnagar upazila of Moulvibazar. The incident occurred on the Kulaura–Sylhet highway near Kuchimora, where Joy lost control of the motorcycle and hit a bridge railing. Police and fire service personnel took him to Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

According to police, Joy was a resident of Dakshin Giasnagar village in Kulaura upazila and had multiple theft cases filed against him at Kulaura Police Station. The motorcycle involved in the crash had reportedly been stolen two days earlier from the Sagornal area of Juri upazila. Rajnagar Police confirmed the death and sent the body for autopsy at Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital morgue.

Kulaura Police stated that Joy was a known member of a local snatching and motorcycle theft ring with several cases pending against him.

Leaders and activists of the National Citizens Party (NCP) Dhaka North unit organized a torch procession on Thursday night demanding justice for all rape and murder victims, including the child Ramisa. The procession began around 9 p.m. in front of the party’s Banglamotor office and moved toward Shahbagh after a brief rally. Participants chanted slogans calling for justice for victims such as Tanu, Ramisa, and Achiya.

At the rally, NCP central senior joint convener and Dhaka North convener Ariful Islam Adib criticized incidents of sexual violence and murder across different areas, including Mirpur, Cantonment, and Bashundhara. He urged the Prime Minister to ensure party-level investigations and arrests of those involved, and called for the formation of anti-sexual harassment cells in all political parties. He also demanded swift implementation of justice in rape and murder cases.

Dhaka North NCP acting member secretary Sadia Farzana Dina emphasized the need to change societal attitudes toward women and treat them with respect. Several other party leaders and members were present at the event.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Beijing from May 23 to 26, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visit aims to advance bilateral relations and discuss shared interests between the two countries. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the leaders will meet in Beijing to address ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and promote peace initiatives.

China expressed full support for Pakistan’s “fair and balanced” mediation role in efforts to restore peace and stability in the Middle East. In recent months, Pakistan has acted as a key mediator in easing tensions between the United States and Iran. As part of these diplomatic efforts, Pakistan’s army chief and commander-in-chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is visiting Tehran on Thursday.

The visit follows Beijing’s recent hosting of U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, reflecting China’s active engagement in global diplomacy.

The Bangladesh Cabinet has approved the proposal to ratify the 'Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology' agreement signed between the governments of Bangladesh and Japan. The proposal was presented by the Ministry of Defense and approved during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat. The meeting also reported that the implementation rate of Cabinet decisions currently stands at 70.73 percent.

In the same session, the Cabinet approved Bangladesh’s participation in the 'Framework Agreement on the Establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)' and endorsed the draft Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration National Action Plan (GCM-NAP) for 2026–2030. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change presented the IBCA proposal, which aims to protect habitats, prevent illegal hunting and trade, and promote technical cooperation among member countries.

Bangladesh’s decision to join the IBCA reflects its role as the home country of the Royal Bengal Tiger and its commitment to conserving the Sundarbans ecosystem.

A new Fox News poll shows growing opposition among Americans to the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. According to the survey, 60 percent of respondents now oppose the war, up from 55 percent last month. The poll also found that 91 percent believe the conflict has worsened the country’s economic situation, adding political pressure on President Donald Trump.

Public dissatisfaction with the economy has also intensified. Seventy-seven percent of respondents described the current economic condition as poor, compared with 73 percent last month and 71 percent a year earlier. Criticism of Trump’s handling of the economy has risen sharply, with 71 percent now disapproving of his economic policies, up from 56 percent a year ago.

Overall, Trump’s popularity continues to decline, as 61 percent of Americans expressed disapproval of his performance in the latest poll.

Serious allegations have emerged in Bogarchar Union of Bokshiganj upazila, Jamalpur, over irregularities in the distribution of government VGF rice cards allocated for poor families ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Out of 8,048 cards designated for the union, 4,024 were reportedly handed directly to BNP leaders and activists, prompting widespread discussion and anger among residents.

According to local sources, acting Union Parishad chairman Sohel Rana Palash formally handed over the cards to upazila BNP leaders at his office on Thursday afternoon. Officials confirmed that 80,480 kilograms of rice were allocated for 4,024 poor and distressed families, with each card entitling a beneficiary to 10 kilograms. However, the cards were distributed without the presence of administrative officers, raising questions about transparency.

The acting chairman said the cards were given to BNP leaders following party instructions, while the upazila project implementation officer and the UNO stated that such political distribution violates government rules. They assured that the matter is under investigation and necessary action will follow if irregularities are proven.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have reached a sharp disagreement over future strategy in the ongoing conflict involving Iran. According to CNN, their differences became evident during a heated phone call on Tuesday. Trump had earlier signaled plans for a new targeted strike against Iran, codenamed 'Operation Sledgehammer,' but later announced its postponement following requests from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Sources said the three Gulf states, in coordination with the White House and Pakistani intermediaries, are working to establish a new diplomatic framework. Trump told reporters that the Iran issue was nearing its final stage, suggesting either a deal or tougher measures could follow. Netanyahu, however, remains dissatisfied with the diplomatic approach and continues to advocate for stronger military action, arguing that any delay benefits Tehran.

Israeli sources noted that Netanyahu doubts any agreement can be reached through diplomacy, particularly as Iran has not agreed to relinquish its enriched uranium stockpile. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has instructed that near-weapons-grade uranium reserves must not be sent abroad, though no official confirmation has yet been issued.

US President Donald Trump has expressed deep dissatisfaction with NATO members’ response to the ongoing military activities surrounding Iran, according to senior US diplomat Marco Rubio. Speaking to reporters, Rubio said frustration within the Trump administration over NATO’s stance is growing, particularly after Spain refused to allow the US to use its military bases. He noted that such cooperation is central to NATO’s purpose, enabling rapid military deployment in crisis regions like the Middle East.

Rubio questioned the logic of NATO membership for countries that restrict such cooperation, emphasizing that the alliance’s strength lies in shared military access and readiness. He added that NATO members’ support for US efforts related to the Iran conflict has been far below expectations, which has intensified Trump’s disappointment with the alliance.

The remarks highlight ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and NATO, continuing a pattern of US criticism over European allies’ defense spending and military collaboration.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that if Iran proceeds with its plan to impose a toll in the Strait of Hormuz, any potential agreement between Washington and Tehran would become virtually impossible. He said that introducing a new toll system in such a vital international waterway could raise concerns for both regional and global trade. Rubio also suggested that such a move would negatively affect the ongoing diplomatic atmosphere between the two nations.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical routes for energy supply, with a large number of oil and gas tankers passing through daily. Analysts believe that any new restrictions or additional costs in this area could impact international markets. However, Iran has not yet issued any detailed official comment regarding the possible toll plan.

Following Rubio’s remarks, discussions have intensified over the future of US-Iran relations, though no immediate diplomatic responses were reported.

The Calcutta High Court has upheld West Bengal’s existing ban on the slaughter of bulls, oxen, cows, calves, and buffaloes ahead of Eid al-Adha. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Joy Pal and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen declined to interfere with a state government notification issued on 13 May 2026, stating that it merely implemented a 2018 court directive. The court reiterated that cow sacrifice is not a mandatory religious practice in Islam and directed the state to amend the notification to include this observation.

The state’s notification declared certain animals “unfit” for slaughter without certification and restricted slaughtering to authorized abattoirs. The court also empowered authorities to inspect facilities to prevent illegal slaughter and tasked the state with ensuring adequate infrastructure and officials for certification. Trinamool Congress legislator Akhruzzaman argued that the lack of exemption under Section 12 of the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act would prevent Muslims from performing religious sacrifices, but the bench maintained its position based on prior Supreme Court rulings.

The court instructed the state government to review the matter and decide within 24 hours whether to grant exemptions under Section 12, considering the upcoming Eid al-Adha.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has temporarily suspended office assistant Md. Abul Kalam for misconduct and unauthorized absence from duty. The suspension order was issued by NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan under Rule 12 of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018. The order, issued on Thursday, stated that it was made in the public interest and took immediate effect. During the suspension period, Kalam will receive subsistence allowance as per regulations.

According to the order, Abul Kalam joined the VAT Monitoring, Statistics and Coordination branch, with additional duties in the VAT Training and Reward section, on February 14, 2023. About a month after joining, he began remaining absent without permission. He was frequently absent between September and December 2025 and has been continuously absent since January 15, 2026, without approval from his superiors.

The order also noted that a show-cause notice was issued to him on May 10, asking for a response within three working days, but he failed to reply. Consequently, departmental action was taken against him for misconduct and desertion under the relevant disciplinary rules.

The Calcutta High Court has upheld the West Bengal government’s notification restricting animal slaughter ahead of Eid. On Thursday, a division bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Parthasarathi Sen ruled that no animal may be slaughtered without an official certificate confirming its suitability, and that public slaughter will remain completely prohibited. The court declined to stay the state’s May 13 notification, which imposed several restrictions on the slaughter of cows and buffaloes.

The bench directed the state government to review the certification process and related infrastructure while continuing hearings on the constitutional validity of the law. It also instructed that any applications for exemption be resolved within 24 hours. The court referred to the Supreme Court’s earlier observation in the “State of Bihar vs. Mohammad Hanif Qureshi” case, which stated that cow slaughter is not an essential religious practice in Islam.

The state notification contains eight specific directives requiring prior certification for the slaughter of bulls, oxen, cows, calves, male and female buffaloes, and castrated buffaloes. Violations of these provisions will be punishable under law.

Two vice presidents of the Barishal University unit of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) have been expelled from their organizational posts over allegations of involvement in extortion. The expelled leaders are Mia Babul and Md Mithu. The decision was announced in a press release signed by JCD Central Office Secretary Md Jahangir Alam on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

According to the statement, the expulsion followed a decision by the JCD central committee based on specific allegations of violating organizational discipline. The decision was approved by JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir. The organization also instructed all members not to maintain any organizational contact with the expelled individuals.

Earlier, on May 19, allegations surfaced that a group of leaders had stopped a fish-laden vehicle and demanded a large sum of money. When the demand was refused, another vehicle was reportedly vandalized and its driver assaulted. Some criticism has emerged that only two leaders were expelled despite reports of involvement by several others.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation on Wednesday to discuss bilateral relations and several international issues. According to the report, the discussion focused on the Middle East situation, the ceasefire with Iran, stability in Syria, and the future activities of the NATO alliance.

Turkey’s communications directorate stated that Erdogan viewed the extension of the ceasefire with Iran as a positive step and emphasized that ongoing disputes could be resolved through dialogue. He added that Turkey would continue to play a constructive role in reducing regional conflicts and highlighted the importance of long-term stability in Syria for the security and peace of the entire Middle East. Erdogan also mentioned Ankara’s continued support for Syria and called for swift action to prevent further deterioration in Lebanon.

The upcoming NATO summit in Ankara was also discussed, with Erdogan noting Turkey’s full preparations for its success. After the call, Trump praised Erdogan’s leadership, describing him as a strong leader and an important ally for the United States.

A 34-year-old Bangladeshi woman who escaped from a scam center in Cambodia is set to return home within a week, following efforts by Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury. The Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok confirmed that her repatriation is being arranged through a travel pass with the cooperation of Cambodian authorities.

According to the report, the woman traveled to Cambodia in August 2025 through a travel agency that promised her a computer-related job with a high salary. Upon arrival, her passport was confiscated, and she was forced to work in a scam center engaged in online financial fraud. After several failed attempts, she managed to escape on May 20, 2026, and contacted the minister via WhatsApp for help. The embassy verified her location through a video call and, with assistance from the Bangladeshi community in Phnom Penh, rescued her.

The embassy stated that the process of issuing her travel pass is underway, and she will be repatriated soon under the supervision of the ministry and Cambodian authorities.