British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing to resign amid severe political instability in the United Kingdom. According to a report by the Daily Mail citing multiple close sources, Starmer intends to step down on his own terms and will soon announce a specific timetable for his departure. A cabinet member told the outlet that Starmer believes the current chaotic situation cannot continue and wishes to leave with dignity at a time of his choosing.

The Labour Party government is facing mounting public dissatisfaction, driven by controversies including the appointment of Peter Mandelson and his alleged links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as well as the party’s poor performance in local elections. These issues have intensified calls for Starmer’s resignation.

The latest blow came with the resignation of former Health Minister Wes Streeting, who announced that he would challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership, signaling his intention to enter the race to become the next prime minister. Streeting has also urged Starmer to set a clear timetable for his exit.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Karina Kaiser, daughter of renowned footballer Kaiser Hamid and a popular content creator and social media influencer. The minister conveyed his condolences in a message issued on Sunday, praying for the departed soul and extending sympathy to her bereaved family members.

According to the report, Karina Kaiser had been suffering from liver complications and other health issues. She passed away on Friday while undergoing advanced medical treatment in Chennai, India. Her death has drawn attention due to her prominence as both a digital content creator and the daughter of a well-known sports figure.

The minister’s message highlighted official recognition of her passing, reflecting the impact of her work and public presence in Bangladesh’s online community.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam will attend the funeral prayer of recently deceased July activist Karina Kaiser at the Central Shaheed Minar on Sunday night at 10 p.m. NCP’s chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari and other senior leaders are also expected to join, according to the party’s central election committee media secretary Yasir Arafat.

Nasiruddin Patwari stated on his verified Facebook account that Karina Kaiser, described as a fellow July activist, has passed away. He announced three funeral prayers: after Maghrib at Banani DOHS field, after Esha at Banani Darbar Sharif, and at 10 p.m. at the Central Shaheed Minar. He urged all supporters, especially July activists and anti-fascist political groups, to attend the final prayer at Shaheed Minar.

Karina Kaiser, a content creator and actress, died in India while undergoing treatment for liver complications. Her body is being brought back to Bangladesh today, and she will be buried in Munshiganj on Monday after the funeral prayers.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has upheld the bail of former Narayanganj mayor Dr. Selina Hayat Ivy in murder cases. On Sunday, the chamber court, led by Justice Md. Rezaul Haque, issued a 'no order' on the state’s petition seeking to suspend the High Court’s bail orders in two separate murder cases filed with Siddhirganj Police Station.

As a result, Ivy’s bail remains valid in all 12 cases filed against her. According to her lawyers, there are now no legal barriers to her release from custody. Senior lawyers Motahar Hossain Saju and S.M. Siddiqur Rahman represented Ivy in court, while Deputy Attorney General Syeda Sazia Sharmin appeared for the state.

Ivy’s legal team stated that the process of sending the court’s bail confirmation and related documents to prison authorities is underway. They expect that, after completing formalities, she will be released from Kashimpur Central Jail within the current week.

Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator and freedom fighter Md. Abdus Salam has accused the interim government of severely damaging the capital’s environmental and urban progress. Speaking on Sunday at a discussion titled “Integrated Environmental Management: Forest, Environment, River and Urbanization” organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) at the National Press Club, he said the city had been set back 18 years in just 18 months due to poor planning and lack of coordination.

Salam criticized the interim government’s environmental management, citing worsening traffic congestion, air pollution, and unplanned urbanization. He stressed that speeches alone would not solve environmental problems without effective implementation. He also highlighted ongoing initiatives by the city corporation, including a 15-day mosquito survey, a pilot project for underground utility lines in Dhanmondi, and plans to modernize waste management through foreign partnerships.

He urged citizens to take responsibility alongside the city authorities, emphasizing that half of Dhaka’s improvement depends on public awareness. Salam called for social resistance against theft of public property and collective efforts to transform Dhaka’s image.

Hasnat Abdullah, Member of Parliament for Cumilla-4 and chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) for the southern region, declared that the party is building a new political movement to restore democracy and citizens’ rights in Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Sunday morning at a joining ceremony held at the Meghna Upazila Parishad field, where over a hundred activists from various political parties joined the NCP. The event concluded with a colorful procession.

In his address, Abdullah alleged that citizens have long been deprived of voting rights, democracy, and basic freedoms due to corruption, land grabbing, and political violence. He claimed that people are now uniting for change and emphasized that those who violate citizens’ rights will be confronted on the streets. He also announced plans to strengthen NCP’s organizational activities and public outreach across the country, including in Meghna.

The meeting was chaired by MK Rashid, convener of the NCP Meghna unit, and conducted by joint convener Nadimuzzaman, with several district and upazila leaders also speaking.

Three leaders have resigned from the newly formed Jhenidah district unit of the Chhatra Dal. The announcement came on Saturday afternoon at Payra Chattar in the town, following a protest rally organized by leaders and activists who were denied positions in the new committee.

The resigning leaders are former organizational secretary and newly appointed senior vice president Sayedur Rahman Shahed, senior joint secretary Abdus Salam, and joint secretary Bokhtiar Mahmud. Earlier in the day, a protest procession started from Wazir Ali School ground under the banner of deprived leaders and activists, marched through various streets, and ended at Payra Chattar with a brief rally. Speakers at the rally alleged that dedicated activists were excluded from the new committee and that those included were not given appropriate posts. They demanded the dissolution of the newly announced committee and the formation of a new one with dedicated members.

Following the rally, the three leaders formally announced their resignations from the newly formed committee.

A writ petition has been filed in the High Court seeking a travel ban on Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the interim government, and all former advisers. The petition was submitted on Sunday, May 17, 2026, by Supreme Court lawyer Barrister M Ashraful Islam. It accuses the authorities of failing to ensure measles vaccination and requests the formation of an investigation committee to examine the alleged transfer of the vaccination program from state management to the private sector. The Cabinet Secretary, Health Secretary, Home Secretary, Public Administration Secretary, and the Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services have been named as respondents.

Earlier, on April 6, Barrister Ashraful Islam had sent a legal notice demanding the creation of an investigation committee and the imposition of a travel ban on Dr. Yunus and the advisers within five days. The notice warned of legal action if no steps were taken. The petitioner stated that a widespread measles outbreak has re-emerged in the country, resulting in the deaths of over a hundred children and hospitalizations of many others.

The High Court is expected to review the petition and determine whether to issue directives regarding the requested travel restrictions and investigation.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called on the government to abandon any plan to impose taxes on motorcycle owners, describing such a move as against public interest. He made the remarks on Sunday in a post on his verified Facebook page, responding to reports that the government may introduce new taxes on motorcycle ownership.

In his statement, Dr. Rahman noted that most motorcycle owners and riders are not wealthy individuals but use their vehicles for daily livelihood needs. He acknowledged that expanding the tax base could be necessary for state revenue collection but argued that imposing additional taxes on people already struggling for survival would be inappropriate.

He expressed hope that the government would reconsider any such plan, warning that otherwise it would be viewed as a decision contrary to public welfare.

Unauthorized high-rise buildings are being constructed across Cumilla City Corporation in violation of municipal laws, leading to increased land grabbing and illegal structures. Residents have lodged complaints but report no effective action, resulting in mounting public suffering and harassment. Allegations suggest that despite years of operation, the city corporation remains mired in irregularities, with unapproved multi-storey buildings continuing to appear in various parts of the city.

According to the report, the Cumilla City Corporation was formed in July 2011 by merging two municipalities, but urban problems such as waterlogging, traffic congestion, waste accumulation, and encroachment have worsened. The law requires multiple departmental approvals for building permits, including road width and drainage considerations, but some officials allegedly issue permits in exchange for illicit payments, allowing 10- to 14-storey buildings in restricted areas.

Newly appointed administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu stated that the corporation is enforcing the law properly and improving service quality. He announced plans to intensify monitoring and launch strong programs to make Cumilla a more livable city.

Internal conflict within the Jamalpur district unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has reached a critical stage, dividing leaders and activists into four distinct factions. The dispute, which has become one of the most discussed political issues in the district, has led to increasing tension and sporadic violence. Local analysts fear that the situation could escalate into a major violent confrontation at any time.

According to reports, the BNP in Jamalpur is now split into groups led by district general secretary and MP Warres Ali Mamun, youth leader Sohel Rana Khan, vice president Shamim Ahmed, and organizing secretary Firoz Mia. The rivalry has intensified ahead of the upcoming municipal elections. The conflict reportedly stems from disputes over control of sand leases, tenders, and financial benefits. Allegations of corruption, extortion, and favoritism have circulated on social media through leaked videos and audio clips.

A recent sand lease tender at the Brahmaputra River’s Char Jatharthapur-Chhonkanda Ghat triggered further controversy, prompting multiple press conferences and public accusations. Party leaders have urged restraint, warning that continued infighting could weaken organizational unity.

Dr. Mahroof Chowdhury’s essay, published on May 17, 2026, examines how political language in Bangladesh functions as a psychological and strategic tool rather than a neutral medium of communication. He introduces the analytical framework of ‘Upto-Supto-Gupto-Lupto’ to explain how political attacks evolve through layered processes of suggestion, suppression, manipulation, and erasure. Each stage reflects how language and symbols are used to shape public perception, delegitimize opponents, and control collective consciousness.

Drawing on thinkers such as Michel Foucault, Antonio Gramsci, and Noam Chomsky, the essay situates these mechanisms within broader theories of power, propaganda, and cultural hegemony. It argues that political narratives often replace facts with emotion, fear, and moral judgment, turning opponents into moral outsiders. Examples from Bangladesh’s political history illustrate how labeling, misinformation, and symbolic exclusion have been used to marginalize dissent.

The essay concludes that sustainable democracy depends on critical civic awareness. Without citizens capable of questioning propaganda and analyzing political language, democracy risks devolving into ritualistic elections. Chowdhury calls for a culture of critical citizenship grounded in reason, ethics, and historical understanding to resist manipulative political communication.

Despite the fall of the Awami League government following the July uprising, the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) remains under the influence of the pro-Awami League Bangabandhu Engineers Council and Bangabandhu Parishad. According to a report by *Amar Desh*, key positions are still held by associates of former Water Resources Secretary Kabir Bin Anwar, who allegedly continues to influence transfers and postings within the agency. A document sent to the ministry lists 40 officials accused of being linked to the former ruling party, its student wing, or other affiliated groups.

Anti-fascist officials within BWDB allege that a powerful syndicate led by the current Director General Enayet Ullah continues to protect these networks. Some officials have reportedly been sidelined or transferred for opposing the previous regime. The report also mentions allegations of corruption, misuse of power, and connections with foreign entities against several senior engineers, though some of the accused have denied the claims.

BWDB’s collective bargaining agent (CBA) leaders acknowledged that some Awami-linked officials remain but said the government is gradually taking action to remove them.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, a Qawmi madrasa-based non-political organization, remains divided over leadership and direction despite recent efforts to restore unity. The group’s central committee has been largely inactive, and internal rifts deepened before and after the thirteenth national election. A sub-committee has been formed to resolve disputes, while some leaders have been expelled for breaching organizational discipline. Recent meetings in Dhaka and Chattogram discussed reconciliation and future coordination, but the organization has yet to resume full-scale central activities.

Formed in 2010 under Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi to oppose anti-Islamic policies, Hefazat gained prominence through its 13-point movement and the 2013 Shapla Chattar rally. Following years of state repression and leadership changes, including the deaths of key figures, the group fractured into multiple factions. Some leaders aligned with different political alliances during recent elections, further weakening Hefazat’s unified stance.

Current leaders say efforts are underway to restore organizational discipline and revive Hefazat’s religious unity after the Hajj season. They plan to pursue key demands, including withdrawal of old cases and justice for the Shapla Chattar killings.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a video and statement marking Nakba Day, which commemorates the displacement of Palestinians during the creation of Israel. The video features an interview with Inia Bushnak, a New York resident who identifies as a survivor of the Nakba, recounting her family’s flight from Jerusalem amid fears of advancing Zionist forces.

The video explains that the term “Nakba,” meaning “catastrophe” in Arabic, refers to the expulsion and displacement of more than 700,000 Palestinians between 1947 and 1949 during the establishment of Israel. It also states that armed groups such as Haganah, Irgun, and Lehi destroyed over 400 Palestinian villages and towns, committing mass killings. Nakba Day is observed annually on May 15, and the video asserts that the Palestinian displacement continues today.

Mamdani released the video during anti-Zionist rallies in Manhattan and declined to participate in the upcoming “Israel Day on Fifth” parade organized by the Jewish community later this month.