Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu has called on BRAC to take an active role in restoring the lost glory of Rajshahi’s traditional silk industry. Speaking at the launch of BRAC’s 2025 annual report in Rajshahi on Friday, he said the once-thriving silk sector is now nearly extinct, and BRAC’s organizational capacity and experience could help revive it. The minister expressed hope that BRAC would take responsibility for reintroducing Rajshahi silk to the global market.

He added that Prime Minister Tarek Rahman values BRAC’s work and expects its continued collaboration with the government in health and employment initiatives. Local MP Advocate Shafiqul Haque Milon proposed establishing an agro-based export processing zone and specialized cold storage in the Barind region to boost employment and modernize agriculture. BRAC’s senior director K.A.M. Morshed emphasized that BRAC prioritizes Bangladesh and works independently to meet people’s needs.

According to BRAC, in 2025 it supported over 20,000 ultra-poor families in Rajshahi Division, with significant progress in poverty reduction, health services, and women’s empowerment.

Nasiruddin Patwari, a leader of the National Citizens Party (NCP), declared that he would fight to the death to defend Bangladesh’s sovereignty and Islam. He made the statement on Friday after the Jumu’ah prayer during a rally held at the mausoleum premises of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and martyr Osman Hadi, organized to protest border killings.

During his address, Patwari emphasized that the NCP’s movement would continue with those who are devoted to Islam and committed to protecting Bangladesh’s sovereignty. He urged people who wish to be true nationalists to stand for the citizens of Bangladesh and safeguard those living along the border.

The event was part of a broader protest movement addressing border violence and national security concerns, reflecting the NCP’s focus on sovereignty and religious identity.

Bangladesh is facing a severe measles outbreak, with doctors reporting that 99 percent of patients recover fully if diagnosed and treated promptly. The information was shared at a press conference on May 16 organized by the Bangladesh Lung Foundation and the Chest and Heart Association of Bangladesh. Experts warned that complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure significantly increase the risk of death, but early treatment can reduce fatalities.

Pulmonologist Dr. Ziaul Haque stated that measles, a highly contagious viral disease, had been largely controlled through vaccination programs. However, disruptions in immunization over the past two years led to 54,419 suspected cases between March and May 14, including 70 confirmed measles deaths and 369 deaths from measles-like symptoms. Doctors emphasized maintaining vaccination drives, setting up “fever corners” in health centers, following WHO treatment guidelines, and raising public awareness.

Pediatricians added that malnutrition and delayed hospital visits worsen complications, particularly pneumonia, which can affect multiple organs. They urged parents to seek immediate medical care for children showing respiratory distress or high fever.

A gunfight occurred between the Bangladesh Coast Guard and members of the notorious Karim Sharif gang in the Sundarbans. The incident took place near the Mora Chanmia Khal area of the Shalla River under the Sharankhola Range. Following the exchange of fire, the Coast Guard arrested three active members of the gang along with firearms and ammunition. The arrests were announced at a press briefing by Lieutenant Ikra Mohammad Nasif of the Coast Guard West Zone Headquarters on Friday, May 15, 2026.

According to the Coast Guard, the operation was launched based on secret intelligence indicating the gang’s presence in the area. The special operation, conducted jointly by Coast Guard Base Mongla and Station Kokilmoni, lasted from May 13 afternoon to the evening of May 14. The arrested individuals were identified as residents of Bagerhat and Faridpur districts. Seized items included three single-barrel guns, one homemade pistol, 49 live cartridges, 187 airgun bullets, two walkie-talkies, and four chargers.

The Coast Guard handed the detainees over to Sharankhola Police Station on Friday afternoon. Police confirmed that legal proceedings against them are underway.

Iran is increasingly relying on new land trade routes through Pakistan to maintain supply lines amid a U.S. naval blockade that has disrupted maritime commerce. Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce recently issued policy SRO 691, designating six transit corridors linking Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar ports to Iran’s Gabd and Taftan border crossings. The initiative revives a long-dormant project and provides both nations with a long-awaited relief as thousands of Iran-bound containers remain stranded at Karachi port.

The corridors are based on a 2008 bilateral road transport agreement between Iran and Pakistan that had remained inactive for years. Experts cited in the report said the routes could reduce Iran’s dependence on risky sea lanes and help sustain limited regional trade despite sanctions and tensions. Test shipments, including frozen meat bound for Uzbekistan, have already used these routes, showing potential for broader regional connectivity.

Analysts noted that while the corridors may not fundamentally transform Iran’s economy, they could ease pressure from sanctions and maritime restrictions by enabling overland cargo movement from Pakistan to Iran and onward to Central Asia.

Two Indian nationals were detained by the 52 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) battalion while allegedly entering Bangladesh illegally through the Bobartal border in Barlekha upazila of Moulvibazar district. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. on Thursday during a regular BGB patrol. The detainees, identified as Kamrul Ahmad and Hasna Begum Laskar, are husband and wife. They were handed over to Barlekha Police Station after initial questioning. The reason for their entry into Bangladesh remains unknown.

Lieutenant Colonel Ataur Rahman Sujon, commanding officer of the 52 BGB battalion, said the force remains vigilant to prevent any form of cross-border crime. He stated that patrols and intelligence surveillance have been intensified to stop illegal infiltration, drug trafficking, smuggling, and human trafficking. The BGB is operating under a zero-tolerance policy in these matters.

Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the investigation or possible legal actions against the detained individuals.

In the United Kingdom’s local council elections held on May 7, a total of 574 candidates associated with pro-Islam and pro-Palestine agendas won seats. More than 100 independent Muslim candidates secured positions in England alone, according to an analysis by the Henry Jackson Society (HJS). Overall, 5,066 councillors were elected across the country.

The HJS report stated that more than one in ten elected candidates in England campaigned on a Muslim-related agenda. While not all of them were Muslim, their political programs were explicitly linked to Islamic issues. Among the winners were 132 independents, 350 from the Green Party, 84 from the Labour Party, and six from the Liberal Democrats. Notable winners included Mohammad Suleman from Newcastle and Saika Ali from Lambeth, both Green Party candidates.

According to census data cited in the report, Muslims make up about 6.5 percent of the UK population, with the highest concentration in England. The Muslim population has steadily increased from 2.7 percent in 2001 to 4.8 percent in 2011, reflecting a continuing demographic trend.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh organized a protest rally and procession in Chattogram on Friday, May 15, 2026, condemning reported violence and persecution against Muslims in India’s West Bengal and Assam following recent elections. The gathering took place after Juma prayers at Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque, followed by a march through Jamal Khan Road that concluded at the Chattogram Press Club.

Speakers at the rally alleged that Muslims in India have been facing continuous oppression, claiming that homes, businesses, and religious sites were attacked in the aftermath of the elections. They accused the Indian government of fostering communal tension and criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what they described as “anti-Muslim politics.”

The protest called for Bangladesh’s National Parliament to adopt an all-party condemnation motion against the alleged persecution of Muslims in India. The speakers also urged the international community, the OIC, and the United Nations to address the issue seriously, warning that silence from the global Muslim community could embolden further abuses.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly protested the BNP government’s appointment of new vice-chancellors at 11 public universities on May 14, alleging that the selections were made based on political loyalty rather than merit. In a statement issued to the media on Friday, the party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, expressed deep concern over what he described as the politicization of higher education institutions.

Porwar stated that the appointments prioritized party allegiance over competence and impartiality, warning that such practices threaten the academic environment and divide teachers and students. He recalled that Jamaat had earlier protested the appointment of partisan administrators to 42 district councils on March 15, calling it contrary to democratic principles. He argued that the government’s actions show a continued effort to bring key state institutions under party control.

Jamaat urged the government to reconsider the appointments and ensure that future university leadership selections are transparent, acceptable, and based on academic qualifications, emphasizing that politicization undermines democracy and education in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s experienced cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim expressed excitement about a possible Test tour of Australia, a country where he has yet to play a Test match. Speaking at a press conference before the Sylhet Test, he described playing in Australian conditions as a major challenge but said Bangladesh’s current pace attack is ready to take it on. He highlighted young pacer Nahid Rana as a key talent, praising his speed, learning attitude, and continuous effort to improve.

Mushfiqur said Bangladesh now has a strong pool of eight to ten fast bowlers, including Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam, capable of putting pressure on opponents in any conditions. He believes the team’s pace attack could be especially effective on bouncy overseas pitches. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter also shared his views on domestic cricket, emphasizing the need for varied pitch conditions across venues to help young players adapt to different challenges.

He suggested that having diverse wickets—some spin-friendly, some bouncy, and some flat—would better prepare cricketers for the international stage.

Veteran batsman Mushfiqur Rahim said Bangladesh’s Test team has undergone a major transformation, now possessing a bowling attack capable of taking 20 wickets. Speaking at a press conference in Sylhet on the eve of the Test match, he noted that while Bangladesh’s batting had long been strong, it previously lacked a consistent bowling unit to win matches. The combination of young pacers and reliable spinners has made the team more balanced and competitive.

Mushfiqur praised the young pace bowlers, mentioning that their experience in first-class cricket has helped them mature and perform at the international level. He highlighted players such as Nahid Rana, Shoriful, and Taskin as examples of bowlers who are effectively using their domestic experience. According to him, Bangladesh’s improvement in Test cricket stems from having more consistent performers across the team.

Looking ahead, Mushfiqur expressed optimism about the World Test Championship, saying the team aims to secure as many points as possible at home while also challenging opponents in tough overseas conditions.

Several filling stations in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur have turned into temporary paddy drying grounds as customer traffic has sharply declined. Once busy with motorcycles, cars, and trucks, these fuel stations now host farmers spreading freshly harvested Boro paddy across paved forecourts. Farmers said they chose the stations because of the lack of open and paved spaces in villages, and the areas’ exposure to sunlight allows faster drying.

Station owners confirmed that customer numbers have dropped even after the fuel supply crisis eased. They cited higher costs, a slowdown in the transport sector, and the use of alternative fuels as reasons for reduced sales. With large open spaces lying unused, some owners have allowed farmers to dry and thresh paddy temporarily.

Local observers have warned that since petrol pumps store flammable materials, drying and threshing activities must be conducted with extreme caution. They urged both station authorities and local administration to ensure safety and prevent fire or electrical hazards.

Despite multiple meetings between Bangladesh and India pledging to end border killings and the use of lethal weapons, incidents of shootings by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) continue. In Lalmonirhat district, two Bangladeshi nationals were shot dead within five weeks, the latest on May 14 in Hatibandha upazila. Earlier, on April 8, another man was killed in Patgram. These incidents have sparked fear and anger among residents of border areas.

Local communities and observers say the ongoing violence threatens trust and stability in Bangladesh-India relations. They argue that repeated Indian assurances to stop border killings have not been implemented, and that the absence of accountability for BSF actions has allowed such incidents to persist. Reports indicate that BSF sometimes crosses into Bangladeshi territory, detains civilians, and uses force under its controversial “shoot on sight” policy.

Officials from Bangladesh’s Border Guard (BGB) maintain that they are acting responsibly to preserve peace and mutual confidence along the frontier.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has been accused of entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and provoking Jewish settlers. The incident drew strong condemnation from Qatar, which also protested against Israeli settlers’ provocative actions and restrictions on access to the mosque.

According to the Qatar News Agency, the Qatari Foreign Ministry described Ben-Gvir’s move as an unacceptable provocation to millions of Muslims worldwide. The ministry said the act constituted a grave violation of international law and humanitarian law. Qatar warned that the move represented a dangerous attempt to alter the historical and legal status of occupied Jerusalem, emphasizing that such unilateral measures are null and void under international law.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry called on the international community to compel Israel to halt ongoing violations against Palestinians and to comply with international resolutions.

Saudi Arabia has initiated discussions with Iran on a proposed non-aggression agreement aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East, according to a Financial Times report citing foreign diplomats. The talks are part of Riyadh’s broader effort to manage regional instability and prevent escalation. The report noted that Saudi Arabia has not publicly commented on the proposal.

The model under consideration is reportedly inspired by the 1975 Helsinki Accords, which sought to reduce tensions and promote cooperation among rival powers during the Cold War. European countries are said to support the initiative and are encouraging Gulf states to back it as well.

The discussions come at a time when Gulf nations fear that a weakened but more assertive Iran could continue to pose a threat to regional stability. The report also mentioned that Arab states remain concerned about Iran’s missile and drone capabilities and the instability surrounding Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt are deepening defense and economic cooperation, with Pakistan proposing to include Qatar and Turkey in its defense pact with Riyadh.