Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the online political satire movement Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has accused the Indian government of taking down the group’s official website. Dipke, a student at Boston University, made the claim on X on Saturday, saying the government removed the “iconic” site. The CJP was launched a week ago in response to comments by India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant, who compared unemployed youth to cockroaches. Kant later clarified that his remarks targeted those with fraudulent degrees and reaffirmed his respect for India’s youth.

Dipke said both his personal and the CJP’s Instagram accounts were hacked. The CJP’s Instagram page has gained over 22 million followers in a week, surpassing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s nine million followers. The movement claims one million sign-ups and 600,000 signatures on a petition demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. The campaign coincides with nationwide protests over alleged exam paper leaks that led to the cancellation of a medical entrance test.

Dipke told Al Jazeera that the movement reflects frustration with those in power, describing India as a place where “cockroaches breed in rotten places.”

The new BJP government in West Bengal has revised the previously announced public holiday schedule for Eid-ul-Azha. A fresh notification issued on Saturday confirmed that only one day, May 28, will be observed as a public holiday for the festival. The earlier list, published under the Mamata Banerjee administration at the start of 2026, had declared two days of holidays for Eid-ul-Azha.

Since taking office, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has introduced several administrative reforms aimed at improving efficiency and reducing corruption. The government has emphasized minimizing unnecessary leave and ensuring timely public service delivery. Officials have also set fixed office attendance hours for government employees. The reduction of Eid holidays is being viewed as part of this broader effort to strengthen administrative discipline.

According to the new directive issued by Additional Chief Secretary P. K. Mishra, the adjustment aligns the state’s holiday schedule with that of the central government. Some government employees have raised questions about whether similar changes could affect the extended Durga Puja holidays in the future.

The United States has temporarily suspended a planned $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan due to the ongoing military situation in Iran. Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed the decision during a Senate hearing, explaining that the pause aims to ensure sufficient ammunition and weapons reserves for the joint US-Israel military operation in Iran, codenamed 'Epic Fury'. He added that the sale could resume once the administration deems it appropriate.

A spokesperson for Taiwan’s presidential office said they had not received any official notification from Washington regarding a suspension or change in the arms deal. The package reportedly includes Lockheed Martin’s PAC-3 air defense missiles and surface-to-air systems, awaiting final approval from President Donald Trump for several months.

China has long opposed US arms sales to Taiwan, claiming the island as its own territory. Following a recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump described the Taiwan arms issue as a key bargaining point in US-China discussions and hinted at a forthcoming decision. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te continues to view US defense support as vital for regional stability amid growing Chinese military pressure.

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.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced that at least 25 ships passed safely through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours. The semi-official Fars news agency reported that the vessels included oil tankers, container ships, and other commercial ships, all moving under IRGC coordination and security with necessary permissions.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy transport routes and holds significant international importance due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Analysts noted that continued shipping through the strait amid regional conflicts has brought some relief to the global energy market.

The report underscores the IRGC’s role in maintaining maritime security in the area, which remains a focal point for global trade and energy stability.

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.

India is planning to increase its oil imports from the United States in response to the ongoing disruptions in the strategic Hormuz Strait. Sumit Ritolia, chief energy analyst at business analytics platform Kpler, told Al Jazeera that India is seeking alternative energy sources as the situation in the strait remains uncertain. Discussions are reportedly underway between India and the United States to expand oil and gas imports.

Ritolia cautioned that while the United States has the capacity to export oil and gas, it cannot fully replace the large volumes India currently imports from the Middle East. He also noted that India’s oil imports from Russia have risen, with the country continuing to buy discounted Russian crude despite Western sanctions following the Ukraine war, which has helped strengthen its energy security.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting India, where discussions are taking place on various agreements related to energy and defense cooperation, according to reports.

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.

A fire broke out early Saturday morning at the rickshaw garage of Messrs Sumona Traders on Osmani Road in Nabiganj town, Habiganj, causing an estimated loss of around half a crore taka. The blaze erupted suddenly, and its exact cause remains unknown. Local residents and fire service personnel managed to bring the fire under control, but the stored goods were completely burned.

According to local sources, Sabuj Mia, son of Adam Ali from Murar Patli village, has been operating the garage for a long time. Each night, 15 to 20 rickshaws are kept there for charging, along with new and old batteries and other valuable materials. Sabuj Mia stated that he had checked everything at around 1 a.m. before leaving for home and later learned about the fire at dawn. He suspects foul play and estimated his losses at nearly half a crore taka.

Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire, and an investigation may be required to identify the source of the incident.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has alleged that certain groups are attempting to create unrest in Bangladesh to obstruct the government’s ongoing development programs. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon in Trishal, Mymensingh, while inaugurating the re-excavation of the historic Dhara Canal on the occasion of the 127th birth anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. Rahman said that those spreading confusion do not speak for farmers or rural development but aim to destabilize the country.

During his speech, the prime minister highlighted several government initiatives, including the re-excavation of canals to support agriculture, the introduction of “Family Cards” for women’s empowerment, and “Farmer Cards” to ensure direct government assistance to about 26.5 million farmers. He also mentioned programs to provide new school uniforms and bags for rural children, honorariums for religious leaders, and expanded technical training for youth employment.

Rahman warned that any unrest would hinder these development efforts and harm rural communities. He urged unity and collective effort to continue national progress, emphasizing that Bangladesh’s 200 million people must work together to build the nation.

A free eye treatment and cataract surgery camp was held in Shahrashti, Chandpur, on Saturday. The event took place at a local school from morning to evening, where more than 400 patients received free eye care services. Among them, 25 patients were selected for cataract operations.

According to the foundation’s founder, Engineer Mokbul Hossain, free medicines were distributed to all patients. Those chosen for surgery will be taken to Dhaka for completely free operations, with all travel, accommodation, and food expenses covered by the foundation. The foundation’s general secretary, Jamal Hossain, stated that four specialist doctors provided prescriptions during the camp.

The initiative aimed to extend accessible eye care to underprivileged residents of Shahrashti, reflecting the foundation’s ongoing commitment to community health support.

The Department of Narcotics Control has arrested a local Chhatra League leader with two kilograms of cannabis in Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla. The detainee, identified as Arifur Rahman, 37, is the son of the late Saheb Mia from King Chupuya village in Kalikapur Union and serves as the union’s Chhatra League vice-president. The arrest was confirmed on Saturday afternoon by Bazlur Rahman, deputy director of the department’s Cumilla office.

According to local sources, Arifur Rahman had been running a hotel named ‘Bismillah Truck Hotel’ near the Al Amin petrol pump on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway, where drug trading reportedly took place for a long time. Acting on a tip-off, a special team led by Sub-Inspector Tuntu Moni Chakma conducted a raid on Friday evening under the direction of Deputy Director Bazlur Rahman and seized the cannabis from the hotel.

Local residents welcomed the operation and thanked the narcotics officials. A case has been filed against Arifur Rahman under the Narcotics Control Act, and he has been sent to jail following a court order.

Professor Dr. Md. Khairul Islam has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). The appointment was announced on Saturday, May 23, 2026, through a notification issued by the Science and Technology University Branch of the Secondary and Higher Education Division under the Ministry of Education. The order was signed by Assistant Secretary Md. Shah Alam Siraj and approved by the President and Chancellor under Section 11(1) of the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Act, 1987.

Dr. Khairul Islam currently serves as the Head of the Department of Business Administration at SUST and is a former Dean of the School of Management and Business Administration. According to the notification, his tenure as Vice-Chancellor will last for four years from the date of joining or until his retirement, whichever comes first. He will receive the same salary and benefits as his previous position and must remain on campus full-time as the university’s chief executive officer.