A week after a report by the newspaper Amar Desh alleged large-scale embezzlement of government funds by Barishal Deputy Commissioner (DC) Khairul Alam Suman during the 13th parliamentary election, no investigation committee has yet been formed by the ministry, and the DC remains in his position. The report has sparked widespread discussion across the district and the country. Several officials from the DC’s office have reportedly been transferred on suspicion of leaking information about the alleged corruption.

According to multiple unnamed sources, various agencies have begun collecting documents and information related to the allegations, and senior representatives have been discreetly visiting Barishal to speak with relevant individuals. The Barishal Divisional Commissioner, Khalil Ahmed, confirmed that different agencies and ministries are seeking information on the matter but said any formal action would come from the ministry. Meanwhile, intelligence agencies have reportedly been inquiring about Amar Desh’s Barishal reporter Nikunja Bala Palash, who authored the original story.

The transfers have created unrest within the DC office, with several employees reassigned to other departments or upazilas. Some officials view these moves as retaliatory, though the Divisional Commissioner said he was unaware of the transfers.

Police in Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar seized 100,000 yaba pills during a raid at West Bomangkhil village in Gojonia Union. The operation, conducted around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, was led by Anisur Rahman, in-charge of the Gojonia police outpost, with Sub-Inspector Jewel Chowdhury and his team. The drugs were recovered from the house of Sohel, son of local resident Nurul Amin, who allegedly ran drug operations under the guise of motorcycle transport. Sohel managed to flee before police could detain him.

According to police, the seized yaba pills have been taken into custody, and legal proceedings are underway. Local sources said the Gojonia and Kachhapia areas have long been known for yaba trafficking. Residents claimed this is the largest yaba consignment ever recovered by police in the region.

Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the fugitive suspect and pursue further legal action based on the recovered narcotics.

Teachers at Barishal University continued a shutdown for the third consecutive day on Wednesday as part of their ongoing protest demanding promotions. The movement has brought classes, exams, and administrative activities to a standstill. Allegations have surfaced that some pro-Awami League teachers are leading the agitation, with reports linking them to a 2024 meeting supporting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.

The protest, which began on April 21, resumed on May 11 after a brief pause. Due to the shutdown, at least 32 final exams have been postponed, and most have yet to be rescheduled, causing frustration among students. Some departments have also faced restrictions on lab use, and the university football team missed a scheduled match due to administrative offices being locked.

University authorities have called for dialogue to resolve the crisis. The vice-chancellor stated he is ready to meet the teachers and, if necessary, take steps to reopen offices. However, the protesting teachers remain firm in their stance, and uncertainty continues over when academic activities will resume.

When Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, many international relations analysts expected him to adopt a hardline stance toward Beijing. Contrary to those expectations, his approach has shown notable flexibility, surprising observers. Australian academic Nick Bisley told Al Jazeera that while many anticipated Trump would pressure China, his actions have not matched that assumption.

Despite the unresolved war situation with Iran, Trump’s visit to Beijing is being viewed as highly significant. According to Bisley, this trip indicates that China remains a top priority in Trump’s foreign policy agenda. Earlier in the year, Trump had imposed tariffs of up to 145 percent on Chinese imports, nearly pushing bilateral ties to the breaking point. Both sides later eased their positions.

Trump has claimed that U.S.–China relations will become “better than before.” Analysts believe Washington’s current focus on stability and improvement in relations could have major implications for global political balance.

At least 33 people have died in Uttar Pradesh, India, following a severe storm accompanied by heavy rain and lightning, according to officials on May 14, 2026. The worst-affected districts include Bhadohi, Fatehpur, and Budaun, with additional casualties reported in Chandauli and Sonbhadra. Authorities confirmed that Bhadohi recorded 16 deaths, Fatehpur nine, Budaun five, Chandauli two, and Sonbhadra one.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to provide compensation to the affected families and complete relief operations within 24 hours. In Bhadohi, Additional District Magistrate Kunwar Birendra Kumar Maurya reported widespread damage, including uprooted trees, fallen electric poles, and damaged houses. The storm also disrupted mobile networks, hampering rescue and recovery efforts.

Police in Bhadohi stated on social media that 16 people died in separate incidents, while six others were injured, two of them critically. Relief and restoration work is ongoing across the affected areas.

OpenAI has introduced a new sandbox environment for its Codex coding agent on Windows, designed to improve both safety and usability. The company previously lacked a sandbox implementation for Windows, forcing users to choose between excessive command approvals or unrestricted access. The new sandbox enforces strict boundaries for file writes and network access, ensuring that Codex operates safely within user workspaces while maintaining productivity.

The development followed an evaluation of existing Windows isolation tools such as AppContainer, Windows Sandbox, and Mandatory Integrity Control labeling, all of which proved unsuitable for Codex’s open-ended workflows. OpenAI first built an unelevated prototype using Windows security identifiers (SIDs) and write-restricted tokens to control file access, but this version offered only weak network protection. To address that limitation, the team created an elevated sandbox that uses dedicated Windows user accounts and firewall rules to enforce stronger network restrictions.

The elevated sandbox requires administrative setup but provides more robust isolation and control. This implementation aims to make Codex as secure and efficient on Windows as it is on macOS and Linux, offering developers a safer environment for AI-assisted coding.

United States Vice President JD Vance said he believes progress is being made in negotiations with Iran, even as President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest proposal as unacceptable. The remarks came amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to preserve a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, now under strain after weeks of conflict.

Iranian Brigadier-General Mohammad Akrami Nia stated that the country’s military remains at the highest level of readiness, warning there is no room for retreat as tensions with the US persist. Iranian officials have continued to signal their preparedness to respond to any escalation. Meanwhile, Israel claimed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates during the war on Iran, but the UAE denied the claim, calling the reports baseless.

In Tehran, large crowds gathered in Enghelab Square to send off Iran’s national football team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The football federation president said the team would represent the people and the nation’s fighters, while some fans carried placards honoring former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the war.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has completed hearings in the case against Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD) president Hasanul Haq Inu, accused of crimes against humanity over the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July uprising. The tribunal announced on Thursday that the verdict is now pending and may be delivered any day.

The prosecution, led by Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam, presented its closing arguments, while Inu’s defense, represented by lawyer Munsurul Haq Chowdhury, concluded its submissions after nine days of hearings. The defense argued that Inu had no involvement in the Kushtia killings and was not present in the area at the time. They also claimed that he was not a member of parliament during the 2024 July uprising.

The tribunal had earlier adjourned the hearing several times, with prosecutors including Faruk Ahmad, Moinul Karim, and Abdus Sobhan Torafdar participating. The case now awaits the tribunal’s judgment.

At least 90 people have been killed in a severe storm accompanied by hail and lightning across Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state. The storm uprooted trees and billboards, damaged electricity poles, and destroyed hundreds of homes. According to a state relief official, several deaths occurred when trees and walls collapsed, though no immediate details of rescue operations were provided. Police said early Thursday that administrative officials were inspecting the affected areas.

The storm also disrupted air traffic at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi after rainfall hit parts of the capital. Government data showed that Prayagraj reported 17 deaths, Bhadohi 16, Fatehpur 9, Badaun 5, and Pratapgarh 4, while two people each died in Chandauli and Kushinagar, and one in Sonbhadra. Separate lightning incidents were also reported in Kanpur Dehat and Deoria.

Authorities are continuing to assess the extent of damage and losses across the state as relief efforts proceed.

Taiwan has expressed optimism about continued support from the United States, stating that Washington has repeatedly reaffirmed its 'clear and firm' backing. The statement was made by Taiwanese cabinet spokesperson Michelle Li during a press briefing, coinciding with the Trump-Xi summit taking place in Beijing.

The position of Taiwan has emerged as one of the most sensitive topics in the discussions between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Beijing continues to claim the self-governed island of 23 million people as an inseparable part of its territory, while Taiwan’s current government considers itself an independent and sovereign state.

Analysts cited in the report note that any comment or policy shift by Trump regarding Taiwan could significantly affect regional stability. In this context, Taiwan’s assertion of US support carries notable international significance, especially as geopolitical tensions remain heightened during the summit.

Analysts believe that the ongoing discussions between the United States and China are unlikely to produce any major breakthroughs. However, limited, pragmatic, and transaction-based agreements may emerge from the talks. According to Professor Nick Bisley of La Trobe University, China’s main interest lies in reducing tariffs on its exports to the U.S., though it remains uncertain whether such concessions will be achieved.

Bisley told Al Jazeera that purchase-related agreements could receive the most attention. China may announce large-scale soybean purchases from the U.S., offering relief to American farmers affected by the Iran war’s economic impact. Additionally, Beijing might place new aircraft orders with Boeing. The formation of a joint trade board between the two nations is also reportedly under discussion.

Despite these possibilities, Bisley cautioned that expectations for major success are low. He described the meeting as a face-saving effort, allowing both sides to present the outcome domestically as a diplomatic achievement, while significant tariff reductions remain unlikely.

U.S. President Donald Trump described his first round of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping as 'excellent' following their meeting in Beijing. He made the remarks during a visit to the historic Temple of Heaven, where reporters asked about the progress of the discussions. Trump said the talks went very well but did not elaborate on specific topics.

According to the Associated Press, Trump declined to comment on whether the sensitive Taiwan issue was discussed. While he characterized the meeting as positive, no details of the conversation between the two leaders have been made public. The encounter has drawn global attention due to the significance of U.S.-China relations.

Observers noted that Trump’s brief remarks suggest the initial dialogue took place in a cordial atmosphere, though the substance of the discussions remains undisclosed.

The government of West Bengal has issued new and stricter regulations on animal slaughter, banning the public slaughter of cattle and all other animals across the state. According to the directive, anyone wishing to slaughter cattle or other animals must obtain official approval and a fitness certificate from a government veterinarian. Violations of the new rules may result in up to six months of imprisonment, a fine, or both.

The notification, reported by NDTV, specifies that animals such as cows, bulls, oxen, and buffaloes can only be slaughtered after receiving joint certification from local authorities and government veterinarians. Only animals older than fourteen years or those unfit for work or breeding may be approved for slaughter. Animals suffering from severe injury, disability, or incurable disease may also be permitted for slaughter, provided the certificate clearly states the reason.

The directive further mandates that approved animals must be slaughtered only in designated slaughterhouses or officially approved locations. Open or public slaughter is completely prohibited, and obstruction of inspections by authorized officials will be treated as a punishable offense.

A fire broke out early Thursday at a shoe manufacturing factory in the Gazibari Bou Bazar area of Tongi, Gazipur. According to local residents, the blaze started around 5 a.m. in a five-room factory. Two units from the Tongi Fire Service arrived at the scene and brought the fire under control after about an hour of effort.

Md. Shahin Alam, Senior Station Officer of Tongi Fire Service, stated that the factory was operating illegally without any official approval or fire safety license. Initial assessment suggests that an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire. The extent of the damage will be determined following an investigation.

Authorities are expected to conduct further inquiries into the factory’s operations and safety compliance, as the incident highlights ongoing concerns about unlicensed industrial facilities in the area.

Television viewership in Mymensingh has been steadily declining as mobile phones and social media platforms become the dominant sources of news and entertainment. Local cable operators report a significant drop in dish connections, with many households canceling their subscriptions. Some residents now use their television sets only as CCTV monitors rather than for watching programs.

Retailers and media professionals in the city note that television sales have fallen sharply, as people increasingly rely on smartphones for short-form videos, news, and entertainment. Viewers also express dissatisfaction with the perceived lack of reliable and objective news on television, claiming that political bias has eroded trust in traditional channels. As a result, audiences are turning to online content and social media for real-time updates.

Analysts and cultural workers warn that unless television content improves in quality and relevance, the medium may continue to lose its audience. They emphasize the need for creative, factual, and socially meaningful programming to restore public confidence and engagement.