Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara carried out a major government reshuffle on Saturday, removing several ministers and officials, including his own brother. According to the state news agency SANA, former Homs governor Abdul Rahman Badruddin al-Ama was appointed as Secretary-General of the Presidency, replacing Shara’s brother, Maher al-Shara. Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa and Agriculture Minister Amjad Badr were also dismissed, with Khaled Fawaz Jarour and Basel Hafez al-Suwaidan appointed as their successors respectively.

The report noted that Khaled Fawaz Jarour previously headed the Faculty of Media at Damascus University. The reasons behind the reshuffle have not yet been disclosed. The move follows the 2025 formation of Syria’s interim cabinet, which came after long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad was ousted in 2024 and was reportedly dominated by Shara’s close associates.

In addition to the ministerial changes, President Shara appointed new governors in several provinces, including Homs, Quneitra, Latakia, and Deir Ezzor.

A Bangladeshi expatriate named Suman, aged 35, from Abhirampur village in Mirzapur upazila of Tangail, was shot dead in South Africa. According to the report, the incident occurred on Saturday, May 9, when unidentified assailants opened fire at him while he was inside his car in the afternoon local time. He died on the spot, and the news of his death has cast a shadow of grief over his family and community.

Family sources said Suman was the son of Moiz Uddin and had been running a business in Newcastle, South Africa, for several years. The motive behind the killing remains unknown. Suman had returned to Bangladesh three years ago to get married and leaves behind a two-year-old son.

Following the news, police from Mirzapur station visited his home, and Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed that an investigation into the incident is underway.

Farhad Hossain has made history by being elected as the first Bangladeshi-origin mayor of the London Borough of Newham Council. Representing the Labour Party, he won the election held in London, with results announced on Friday afternoon. Hossain secured 25,538 votes, defeating his nearest rival, Mohammad Mirza, who received 20,234 votes. After his victory, Hossain thanked his supporters and dedicated the win to the entire community, pledging to work for people of all backgrounds.

Hossain has long been active in community and social initiatives, earning recognition among local residents through his involvement in various public service activities. His campaign focused on improving local services, fostering community harmony, and increasing youth participation in civic affairs.

Many members of the Bangladeshi diaspora believe that Hossain’s achievement will inspire greater participation of the younger generation of British Bangladeshis in mainstream UK politics.

Iran has warned that any country participating in the enforcement of US sanctions against it will face definite problems while crossing the Strait of Hormuz. The warning was issued by a spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces, as reported by the Tasnim News Agency on May 10, 2026.

Brigadier General Akrami Nia stated that none of the enemy’s objectives had been achieved in the ongoing conflict and that Iran’s political system remained stable. He added that national unity had strengthened, demonstrated by public presence in the streets, and that the opposing side was ultimately forced to accept a ceasefire. According to him, Iran has used the ceasefire period to reinforce its military capabilities, update its target list, and adjust both defensive and offensive positions.

The statement underscores Iran’s continued defiance of US sanctions and signals potential risks for international shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Farmers in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur are discarding large quantities of potatoes after a sharp decline in market prices left them unable to recover production costs. Many growers, facing losses of up to Tk 15 per kilogram, have been forced to dump their produce as storage facilities reach capacity and potatoes begin to rot in the humid weather.

In Salapak area, farmer Tahizar Rahman reported producing about 400 sacks of potatoes this season but could not sell them profitably. Other farmers, including Shefali Begum and Abdul Kader, said they are struggling with debt and lack of cold storage space. The only cold storage in the upazila, with a capacity of 150,000 sacks, is already full, forcing farmers to keep potatoes at home where they quickly spoil.

According to the upazila agriculture office, 5,310 hectares were cultivated this season, yielding 154,207 tons—far exceeding local demand. Officials cited poor market management, limited storage, and adverse weather as key causes. Farmers are demanding fair prices, more storage facilities, and government incentives to prevent future losses.

Police in Jagannathpur, Sunamganj, recovered the hanging body of a young man on Sunday morning, May 10, 2026. The body was found in a tin-roofed shed adjacent to the southern boundary wall of Jagannathpur Model Government Primary School. The deceased was identified as Anas Ali, aged 32, son of the late Azman Ali from Aliabad village in Jagannathpur.

According to local sources, Anas Ali was unmarried and had been suffering from mental instability for several years. He often wandered the streets and occasionally stayed at home. Locals discovered him hanging with a rope inside the shed near the school wall.

Jagannathpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiqul Islam stated that police recovered the body and prepared an inquest report. The body was being sent to Sunamganj Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. Police suspect suicide, but the exact cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem report.

In Tangail’s Basail upazila, cracks have appeared on the approach road of a newly constructed bridge costing Tk 45.59 million before its official inauguration. The bridge, located at Saidampur Bazar in Kanchanpur Union, was built by contractor firm Bashed Engineering under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). The 70-meter RCC girder bridge project began on April 13, 2021, with an initial completion deadline of April 12, 2022, later extended.

Local residents reported that the roadbed was not properly compacted during construction, leading to cracks that worsened with rainfall. They warned that continued rain could cause the approach road to collapse. Bashed Engineering’s manager stated that heavy rainfall and overloaded traffic caused the damage, and repairs would be made. LGED’s upazila engineer confirmed that some areas lacked block installation and that the contractor had been instructed to fix the damaged sections.

Officials said payment for the approach road work has not yet been released and that the contractor must complete repairs before final settlement.

Prime Minister’s adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed stated that India must stop border killings if it wants a lasting friendship with Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Sunday, May 10, during the 45th National Council of the Institute of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh in Dhaka. Rizvi questioned why Bangladeshis are repeatedly shot at the border and referred to a recent incident in Brahmanbaria where two people were killed. He said such actions are not desired by the Indian people and that continued bloodshed will not foster good relations.

Rizvi emphasized that to build a permanent and friendly relationship, Delhi must abandon its violent approach. He also praised diploma engineers, describing them as builders of the nation’s structure, and urged them to continue their work despite criticism. He added that the elected government values those contributing to national development and production.

The remarks came amid ongoing protests and calls from other political groups for effective diplomatic measures to stop border killings, reflecting growing concern over the issue.

Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil producer of Saudi Arabia, reported a net profit of 12.13 trillion riyals ($32.5 billion) for the first three months of 2026. The figure marks a 25.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year, when the company earned 9.57 trillion riyals ($25.4 billion). Aramco’s sales rose from $107.6 billion to $114.9 billion, while its cash flow reached $30.7 billion.

The company attributed this strong performance to higher sales and the full operational capacity of its East-West Crude Oil Pipeline, which runs to the Red Sea and bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser said the pipeline now transports up to seven million barrels of oil per day and has become a vital supply artery, helping ease disruptions caused by shipping limitations in the Strait of Hormuz.

Nasser added that recent developments have underscored the critical role of oil and gas in global energy security and economic stability, emphasizing the importance of reliable energy supply.

Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam stated that the government is determined to ensure smooth travel for homebound passengers during the upcoming Eid holidays. He emphasized that coordinated preparations are being made across road, rail, and waterways to guarantee safe and comfortable journeys. The minister made these remarks on Sunday, May 10, at an event marking Maritime Safety Week 2026 at the Ladies Club in Eskaton, Dhaka.

He highlighted that Bangladesh’s economy remains largely labor-dependent, with garment workers, expatriate laborers, and domestic workers all contributing significantly to national development. The minister also noted that the country’s extensive 16,000-kilometer network of waterways is one of its greatest natural assets.

The government’s focus on integrated transport management aims to minimize disruptions during the Eid travel rush, particularly in the river transport sector, where strict monitoring has been promised.

Since assuming office on February 17, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has initiated a series of development and policy reforms aimed at creating a transparent, accountable, and efficient administration. Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan, known for his earlier efforts to curb exam malpractice, is now leading efforts to modernize Bangladesh’s education system. His plans focus on improving quality, expanding research, promoting technology-based learning, and strengthening ethical values.

The education ministry has recently held high-level meetings to address teacher shortages, teaching quality, and infrastructure limitations. National newspapers have highlighted the ministry’s renewed momentum under Milan and State Minister Bobby Hajjaj. The article emphasizes that a modern education system should foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills rather than rote learning.

Key reform areas include integrating technology and artificial intelligence into classrooms, expanding technical and vocational education to reduce unemployment, and increasing research funding in higher education. The piece concludes that Bangladesh now faces a historic opportunity to build an inclusive, skill-based, and innovation-oriented education system.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. The most notable inclusion is Taj Nehar, while Sharmin Sultana, who played in the recent Sri Lanka series, has been left out. Following a disappointing home series against Sri Lanka, where Bangladesh lost both the ODI and T20I series, the team is now focusing on World Cup preparations. The training camp will begin on May 12.

The tournament will take place in England from June 12, featuring 12 teams. Bangladesh has been placed in Group A alongside Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, and the Netherlands. The team, led by Nigar Sultana Joty, will play its first match against the Netherlands on June 14 at Edgbaston. The Netherlands will be making their debut in the T20 World Cup.

Bangladesh’s remaining group matches are scheduled for June 17, 20, 25, and 28, as the team aims to improve its performance after recent setbacks.

A new study in South Korea has found that smartwatches can warn users several minutes before they faint. Conducted jointly by Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital, the research focused on detecting vasovagal syncope, a condition that causes sudden drops in heart rate and blood pressure leading to fainting. The findings, published in the European Heart Journal Digital Health, mark the first successful attempt to predict fainting using a commercial smartwatch.

The study used Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6, which monitored participants’ heart rate variability and biosignals through its photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor. Data from 132 patients suspected of having vasovagal syncope were analyzed using an AI-based prediction model. The system achieved an accuracy rate of about 84.6 percent, with 90 percent sensitivity and 64 percent specificity.

Researchers noted that early warnings could help patients sit down, move to a safe place, or seek help in time, reducing the risk of injury from sudden falls.

Four tourists, including a university student, were injured in an attack at Guliakhali Beach in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram on Saturday afternoon. The incident began with an argument between local youths and tourists over the use of a swing, which escalated into physical assault. Police have filed a case naming five individuals in connection with the attack.

Local business owners and visitors alleged that a group of influential youths have long been creating disturbances at Guliakhali Beach, often clashing with tourists over parking, seating, and food bills. They said the absence of adequate security has allowed such incidents to increase. Despite the beach attracting thousands of visitors daily, there is still no permanent police outpost or effective beach management committee.

Sitakunda police confirmed that officers responded to the scene, rescued the injured, and arranged medical treatment. The upazila executive officer stated that measures will be taken to ensure the safety of tourists at all local attractions.

At least 12 police officers were killed and five others injured in a car bomb and gun attack on a checkpoint in Pakistan’s northwestern Bannu district on Saturday night, officials said Sunday. The assault occurred in the Fateh Khel area when a suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden vehicle into the police post, followed by multiple armed assailants entering the site, according to Bannu police officer Muhammad Sajjad Khan.

Officials reported that the attackers used heavy weapons and small drones during the assault and took police weapons while retreating. One officer remains missing. The attack is part of a recent surge in militant activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which has strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul.

Authorities noted that similar incidents have increased in Bannu and other border regions in recent years. Afghanistan’s Taliban government has denied Pakistan’s accusations that militants use Afghan territory as a safe haven, but tensions between the two neighbors have continued to rise.