Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the upcoming national budget will include a significant allocation for the Family Card program. He made the announcement on Saturday, May 16, during a roadside rally at Mudaffarganj Bazar in Laksam, Cumilla. Rahman stated that the government had promised the Family Card before the election and has already begun distributing it. Residents of the area will also receive the card, he added.

Rahman further said that within the next year, the government aims to deliver Family Cards to about five million families across Bangladesh. He emphasized that the people’s trust in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which led to its electoral victory, would be honored through such initiatives. Addressing the crowd, he urged supporters to strengthen the BNP’s hand and assured that the party would gradually complete all national development tasks.

The announcement highlights the government’s focus on expanding social welfare programs and fulfilling electoral commitments through the upcoming budget.

Colonel (Retd.) Dr. Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has called for identifying foreign agents operating within Bangladesh. He made the statement on Saturday during a divisional rally in Rajshahi organized by the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami.

During his address, Oli Ahmed alleged that India has taken new plans to create unrest in Bangladesh. He also suggested that attention should be given to whether there are any agents of a person named Shuvendu operating in the country.

The remarks were made in the context of the alliance’s political activities ahead of national developments, though no further details or reactions were provided in the source.

Iran’s judiciary has ordered the confiscation of assets belonging to 51 individuals accused of espionage and cooperation with hostile states in Yazd Province. The report, carried by the IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency, stated that the directive targets both domestic and foreign-based individuals.

According to the report, 20 of the accused are currently inside Iran, while 31 are residing abroad. No further details were provided regarding the nature of the allegations, the specific cases involved, or any evidence supporting the charges.

The judiciary’s announcement did not include information about possible legal proceedings or the identities of those affected, leaving the scope and implications of the decision unclear.

BNP Secretary General and Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the government will not enter into any agreement that undermines Bangladesh’s national interests. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at a discussion organized by the BNP at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking Farakka Long March Day. He emphasized that the future of Bangladesh-India relations depends on the renewal of the Farakka Agreement and that the government will prioritize national interests in any such negotiations.

Mirza Fakhrul described the construction of the Padma Barrage as a historic decision and said that discussions and agreements on the Farakka issue must reflect the will of the Bangladeshi people. He also warned against attempts by certain groups to create instability and urged citizens to remain vigilant against conspiracies. BNP Standing Committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy expressed concern over water, environmental, and communal issues, alleging that communal tensions are rising and need control. He also accused the Chief Minister of West Bengal of inciting communalism while stressing that Bangladesh seeks friendly but independent relations with its neighbor.

The event was attended by senior BNP leaders including Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, and Sultan Salahuddin Tuku.

Iran’s government plans to gradually lift online restrictions to ensure broader access to the global internet, according to Elias Hazrati, head of the country’s Information Council. He stated that the government’s policy is to expand internet use for citizens and to ease online controls over time.

Hazrati added that while external adversaries sought to force Iran into unconditional surrender, the Iranian people have shown willingness for dialogue without capitulation. He emphasized that in the post-war context, the government should adopt a broader perspective and enable wider citizen participation in governance.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that such remarks may signal a potential shift in Iran’s long-standing digital policy, though the pace and extent of any relaxation remain unclear.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed gratitude to Pope Leo for taking what he described as a 'moral, rational, and just' position regarding the ongoing war situation involving Iran. In a message published by the state news agency IRNA, Pezeshkian said that attacks by the United States and Israel were not only directed against Iran but also against international law and humanitarian values.

He asserted that Iran’s actions were carried out within a framework of legitimate self-defense, targeting what he called the positions and interests of aggressor forces. Pezeshkian added that the current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz stemmed from attacks on Iran, the use of Gulf countries’ territories and airspace for assaults, and a U.S. maritime blockade. He reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to diplomacy, citing Pakistan’s mediation and talks held in Islamabad, and urged the international community to adopt a realistic and fair approach.

Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo’s stance, alleging that Iran had killed thousands of unarmed protesters and warning against its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

In Lalmonirhat’s Dahagram–Angarpota union, residents have expressed concern over increased surveillance and restrictions by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) at the Tin Bigha Corridor, their only route to mainland Bangladesh. Locals allege that since the recent West Bengal elections, BSF has intensified checks, causing delays and harassment during travel. The corridor, leased to Bangladesh in 2011 for access to the enclave, remains under Indian control despite the 1974 Mujib–Indira Agreement stipulating its transfer.

The corridor, originally intended to be 178 meters long and 85 meters wide, now functions as a narrow nine-foot passage. Residents report frequent searches, vehicle restrictions, and fines for accidental damage to Indian installations. Community leaders and residents demand full freedom of movement as per the 1974 agreement, citing economic hardship and loss of dignity. BSF has also built observation towers and checkpoints, contrary to the agreement’s terms.

Bangladeshi authorities have reportedly taken precautionary measures through the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). However, locals remain frustrated, saying the corridor’s limited access continues to disrupt daily life and trade in the isolated enclave.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, aged 90, is reportedly preparing his son Yasser Abbas for a senior leadership position within Fatah, the ruling party of the Palestinian Authority. Six unnamed Palestinian officials told The New York Times that Abbas is taking this step to extend his influence. Abbas has led the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, since 2005 and has maintained tight control by sidelining rivals, limiting judicial independence, and cooperating with Israel on security matters.

Abbas’s presidential term officially ended in 2009, but he has since canceled elections and faced persistent allegations of corruption. Many Palestinians view his move to promote his son as evidence that he has no intention of loosening his grip on power or allowing new leadership to emerge. Political analyst Hani al-Masri described the situation as rule under one man’s control.

The reported succession effort comes amid growing international pressure on the Palestinian Authority to implement significant political reforms, despite internal party resistance and public discontent.

An article published on May 16, 2026, in 'Amar Desh' by Abdul Kader Jilani discusses the renewed relevance of Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s philosophy in Bangladesh following the July uprising that toppled a fascist government. The author connects the collective awakening for justice and truth during the protests with Iqbal’s concept of 'Khudi'—the self-realization and empowerment of individuals as the foundation of a just society. Protesters reportedly invoked Iqbal’s verses as slogans in their struggle against oppression.

The piece traces Iqbal’s intellectual influences from both Eastern and Western thinkers and his vision of a moral, equitable state guided by divine law. It contrasts Iqbal’s Islamic humanism with Rabindranath Tagore’s secular humanism, arguing that post-1971 nationalist movements in Bangladesh marginalized Iqbal’s thought. The author claims that Iqbal’s ideas of justice, unity, and cultural independence are regaining significance in post-July Bangladesh.

According to the article, this resurgence of Iqbal studies in political, cultural, and intellectual spaces signals a broader cultural revolution emphasizing Islamic values and resistance to authoritarianism.

Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that meaningful change requires repairing both the state and society through national consensus. He made the remarks on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the opening ceremony of the National Film Society Conference 2026 organized by the Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies.

The minister emphasized that some work stems from humanitarian motives, while the pursuit of wealth is a separate matter. He urged those involved in art, literature, and film to clearly understand this distinction in their work. Addressing social transformation, he said that the roadmap should not only focus on the film movement but also on broader social change, avoiding any group-based ideology.

Swapan cautioned that ideology-driven change can often turn into propaganda serving group interests, noting that those bound by group loyalty cannot possess true intellectual freedom.

Tensions have escalated at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) following an attack linked to ongoing protests demanding the removal of the Vice Chancellor. The unrest stems from a six-month-long conflict between Vice Chancellor Professor Kazi Rafiqul Islam and Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor S.M. Hemayet Jahan. A case has been filed against 26 individuals after the attack on a group of BNP-affiliated teachers, officers, and employees, with one arrest already made.

The dispute began after the 57th Regent Board meeting in December, where disagreements over promotions and administrative decisions divided the faculty. Subsequent incidents, including the removal of a dean and allegations of forced signatures on official documents, deepened the rift. Both sides have accused each other of corruption, irregularities, and political bias, leading to a prolonged deadlock in university governance.

Teachers and officials continue sit-in protests demanding punishment for those involved in the attack. The Vice Chancellor claims a vested group is destabilizing the campus to conceal past irregularities, while the Pro-Vice Chancellor’s faction blames the administration for mismanagement and authoritarian practices.

Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmad stated that the BNP-led government has already begun implementing its election manifesto. He said this during a video conference as the chief guest at a seminar on the implementation of the government’s election pledges, held Saturday morning at the Shayestaganj Press Club auditorium in Habiganj. Ahmad noted that initiatives such as the Family Card and Farmer Card programs are being rolled out soon after the election.

The seminar was organized by the Sylhet Regional Information Office with support from the District Information Office. Ahmad emphasized the media’s responsibility in conveying the government’s development activities to the public and ensuring transparency in information dissemination. Deputy Chief Information Officer Hasina Akter served as the main discussant, while District Information Officer Walidur Rahman attended as a special guest.

Journalists from various print and electronic media outlets in Shayestaganj participated in the event, discussing transparency, development communication, and objective reporting. Participants expressed hope that such seminars would continue regularly.

British politician and Member of Parliament Jeremy Corbyn has sharply criticized the United States’ policy on Palestine and accused the United Kingdom of enabling Israel’s actions in Gaza. In a Facebook post marking the 78th anniversary of Nakba Day, Corbyn stated that 800,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes 78 years ago, a tragedy he said was made possible by Britain. He alleged that the UK continues to assist in what he described as Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Corbyn’s remarks came as Palestinians commemorated Nakba Day, which traces its origins to the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. On May 14, 1948, Israel declared independence while the region was still under British control as Mandate Palestine. Following the declaration, most Arabs in the area were expelled or fled. Each year, Palestinians mark the day with protests near the Israeli border, often accompanied by heightened tensions.

The statement underscores ongoing criticism of Britain’s historical and current role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly during periods of renewed violence in Gaza.

On May 14, 2026, an attack and violence occurred at the historic Shah Ali shrine area in Mirpur. In response, the Dhaka North unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) expressed deep concern, anger, and strong condemnation over the incident. The party stated that such violence at a religiously and historically significant site reflects a deterioration of law and order and poses a threat to social harmony and public safety.

The NCP Dhaka North called on the government and law enforcement agencies to ensure a fair and impartial investigation, bring those involved to justice swiftly, and take effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The party emphasized that the shrine should serve as an open center of social, human, and cultural harmony for all, regardless of religious or ideological differences.

It further urged the government to make the shrine area a safe and orderly place for visitors and devotees from across the country, stressing that preventing fear, violence, and disorder around such cultural and religious heritage sites is a shared responsibility of both the state and society.

Students at Jahangirnagar University have intensified protests following an alleged attempted rape of a female student on May 12. After a 48-hour ultimatum expired, female students declared the proctorial body unwelcome, broke the lock of the proctor’s office, and installed a new one. Protesters held a sit-in in front of the vice-chancellor’s residence from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Friday, reiterating their six-point demand for the arrest of the accused and accountability from the administration.

Students accused the administration of concealing key information and spreading misleading images. They criticized the vice-chancellor for praising the proctor despite previous controversies. Following a heated exchange between the vice-chancellor, Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, and protesters, the students announced that all administrative activities would be halted from the next day until the proctor resigns and the accused is punished.

The vice-chancellor stated that police are making progress and that any action must follow an investigation involving both parties. He urged students to allow time for the inquiry and said the issue of incorrect images would also be reviewed by the investigation committee.