Mizanur Rahman Sinha, former state minister for health and family welfare and convener of the Munshiganj district BNP, has passed away. He died on Friday night, May 15, 2026, while undergoing treatment in Singapore. He was 83 years old at the time of his death.

Sinha was elected to parliament from Munshiganj-2 constituency (Tongibari-Louhajong) as a BNP candidate in the 1996 and 2001 national elections. He served as state minister for health and family welfare from 2003 to 2006. On January 22, 2020, he resigned from all BNP positions, but was later appointed convener of the Munshiganj district BNP on February 2, 2025. He was nominated again by the BNP for the Munshiganj-2 seat in the 13th national election but fell ill before the polls and was taken to Singapore for treatment.

Local political leaders, businesspeople, and residents expressed grief over his death, reflecting his long-standing influence in Munshiganj politics.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he would not advise his children to study or work in the United States, citing a changing social climate and difficulties even highly educated people face in finding jobs there. He made the remarks while addressing a youth Catholic conference in Würzburg, amid ongoing tensions with US President Donald Trump over the Iran conflict.

Merz’s comments drew immediate backlash from Trump’s camp. Former US ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell accused Merz of suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and claimed the chancellor had previously acted deferentially toward Trump. Germany’s far-right AfD leader Alice Weidel also criticized Merz, saying his stance was hypocritical given Germany’s own economic challenges.

The dispute comes as US-European relations face strain over trade and military aid to Ukraine. Merz, struggling to revive Germany’s weak economy, has previously criticized US-Israeli actions in Iran and their impact on European interests. Despite tensions, he said he remains committed to maintaining strong transatlantic ties under NATO.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced plans to make Cumilla a new administrative division and to establish an agricultural university in the region. He made the announcement on Saturday afternoon during a roadside rally at Lakshmipur Bazar field in Barura, Cumilla. Rahman said that all promises made by his government would be fulfilled gradually and urged citizens to remain patient as the economy faces pressure after 17 years of mismanagement.

He emphasized that the BNP government is committed to keeping its electoral promises, citing ongoing initiatives such as canal excavation, distribution of family and farmer cards, and honorariums for imams and priests. Rahman stated that rebuilding the country requires collective participation and that the people voted for the BNP based on its presented plans.

Highlighting Cumilla’s agricultural importance, Rahman said the region exports large quantities of produce nationwide. He added that he would soon discuss with the education minister the establishment of an agricultural university in Cumilla as a response to local demands.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman departed from Cumilla for Chandpur on Saturday afternoon after addressing a roadside gathering. He left at around 1:45 p.m. to inaugurate several development projects and attend local events in Chandpur district.

According to the schedule, Rahman will inaugurate the re-excavation of Khordda Canal at Waruk Bazar in Tamta Dakshin Union of Shahrasti upazila, followed by a brief roadside speech. Later, at 2:30 p.m., he will open the re-excavation work of Bishwo Canal at Ghosher Hat in Kumardugi village under Shah Mahmudpur Union of Chandpur Sadar upazila, where he will also address a short gathering.

The Prime Minister is expected to take a short break at Chandpur Circuit House at 3 p.m., attend a Family Card distribution event at Chandpur Government College ground at 4 p.m., and join the district BNP’s organizational meeting at Chandpur Club at 5 p.m. His visit will conclude with his return to Dhaka by road at 6:30 p.m.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has expressed deep sorrow over the death of popular content creator and actress Karina Kaiser. In a Facebook post on Saturday, May 16, 2026, he described her untimely death as an irreparable loss for the anti-fascist movement, culture, and democratic aspirations.

Asif Mahmud recalled Karina’s active participation during the July uprising and her firm stance in the anti-fascist struggle, noting her role as both a cultural activist and a courageous voice against injustice. He said her courage, commitment, and fighting spirit would continue to inspire the younger generation. The NCP spokesperson also prayed for her soul and extended condolences to her family, comrades, and well-wishers.

Karina Kaiser died from liver-related complications. Her father, former national football player Kaiser Hamid, confirmed her death in a Facebook post on Saturday, May 16.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to withdraw his $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In exchange, a $1.7 billion compensation fund will reportedly be created to reimburse Trump’s allies who claim they were unfairly targeted during the Biden administration. The fund will be managed by a commission with full authority to distribute taxpayer money to settle claims from individuals alleging misuse of the legal system.

According to the report, the compensation will cover those who say they suffered due to alleged political targeting, including around 1,600 people charged in the January 6 Capitol attack and possibly entities linked to Trump himself. The settlement agreement is expected to be finalized within the next few days.

ABC News cited sources indicating that the creation of this compensation fund is considered a key condition for Trump’s withdrawal of multiple legal actions against the federal government.

A local BNP leader named Israfil Sheikh has been accused of occupying disputed land in Rampal upazila of Bagerhat and continuing construction work despite a temporary injunction issued by the Senior Civil Judge Court. The land in question, located in Gilatala mouza and measuring 0.0190 acres, is under a pending case where the court ordered that no construction, eviction, or obstruction of possession should occur until the case is resolved. The complainant family alleged that the accused ignored the court order and continued building with the influence of retired Additional DIG Omar Faruk.

The affected family held a press conference at the Bagerhat Press Club, claiming that even after informing local administration and police, no effective action was taken. Locals reported that construction materials were being transported regularly and workers were seen on site, raising concerns about administrative inaction. Attempts to contact Israfil Sheikh and Omar Faruk for comments were unsuccessful, though a close source of the accused claimed the land was legally purchased.

Local observers warned that continuing construction in defiance of a court order could pose a serious challenge to the rule of law. Police officials said the matter was under observation and would be handled seriously if violations were confirmed.

A recent article by retired Major General H R M Rokon Uddin describes how West Bengal’s disputed state election, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party claimed victory amid allegations of manipulation and misuse of central authority, has created serious concern in Bangladesh. The author argues that political developments in West Bengal inevitably affect Bangladesh due to deep historical, cultural, and geographic ties across the border.

The piece highlights accusations of electoral interference, suppression of opposition voices, and the deployment of central forces, which critics say undermine India’s democratic integrity. It warns that inflammatory remarks by some local BJP leaders about Bangladesh following the election breach diplomatic norms and could strain bilateral relations. The author links these tensions to the ideological stance of the BJP and its parent organization, the RSS, which he describes as viewing Muslim-majority Bangladesh with suspicion.

The article urges Bangladesh to respond firmly through diplomatic protest, diversify strategic partnerships, strengthen border security, and maintain communal harmony. It also calls for balanced diplomacy to protect sovereignty while preserving the people-to-people connection between the two Bengals.

The United States is preparing to bring criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raul Castro in connection with the downing of two aircraft three decades ago. According to the report, the US Department of Justice is expected to file the charges within days, pending approval from a federal grand jury. The development coincides with a visit to Cuba by the CIA director, who is meeting with Havana officials.

Raul Castro, aged 94, stepped down as head of the Cuban Communist Party in 2021, marking the end of his family’s more than fifty years in power. He had led the country for 15 years following his brother Fidel Castro’s resignation. The case represents a rare move by Washington to pursue legal action against a former head of state from Cuba.

Unnamed officials from the US Justice Department indicated that the indictment could be submitted by Wednesday, signaling a potentially significant escalation in US-Cuba legal and diplomatic tensions.

On 16 May 1976, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani led the historic Farakka March in protest against India’s construction of the Farakka Barrage on the Ganges River. Despite being 94 years old and hospitalized in Dhaka, Bhashani personally led the 64-mile march from Rajshahi to Kansat near the Bangladesh-India border. The demonstration drew hundreds of thousands of participants demanding Bangladesh’s fair share of Ganges water and denouncing what Bhashani viewed as India’s hegemonic control over transboundary rivers.

The article situates the Farakka March within Bhashani’s lifelong struggle against colonialism, feudal exploitation, and foreign domination. It recounts his leadership in peasant movements in Assam, his role in founding the Awami Muslim League in 1949, and his opposition to U.S.-Pakistan defense pacts in the 1950s. The author argues that Bhashani’s anti-imperialist stance and advocacy for the oppressed made him uniquely capable of organizing the Farakka protest.

According to the text, Bhashani saw the barrage as a geopolitical tool threatening Bangladesh’s environment and economy. The march remains a symbol of resistance against regional dominance and the defense of national sovereignty.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman entered Cumilla on May 16, 2026, on his way to Chandpur. During his journey, he passed through Daudkandi upazila, crossing the constituency of Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain. Supporters carrying banners and festoons greeted him warmly. Rahman is scheduled to hold a roadside rally at Lakshmipur in Barura upazila while traveling along the Cumilla-Chandpur highway, where large gatherings of party activists were observed at various points.

Local leaders and activists from multiple constituencies, including those of MPs Atikul Islam Shawon, Jasim Uddin, and Monirul Haque Chowdhury, joined to welcome the prime minister. Leaders from the youth and district wings expressed excitement over his visit, with some groups assembling from early morning to catch a glimpse of him. Muradnagar BNP’s joint convener Kamal Uddin Bhuiyan said they were arriving with ten thousand activists to greet him at Elliotganj.

Some local leaders also voiced hopes that the prime minister would fulfill their demand for establishing Cumilla as a separate administrative division.

A report by Amar Desh on May 16, 2026, alleges that Abdur Rahim Pramanik, the executive officer (municipal secretary) of Pirganj Municipality in Rangpur, has been involved in extensive irregularities and corruption for over a decade. The investigation claims that Rahim, who has served in the same post since the municipality’s formation, controlled all administrative and financial decisions, allegedly in collusion with former mayor Tajimul Islam Shamim. Complaints submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) accuse Rahim and Shamim of withdrawing about 10 lakh taka from development funds without completing any work.

The report further cites allegations of embezzling nearly five lakh taka from security deposits of several construction firms, including Mrittika Agro Farm and Mahmudunnabi Construction. Contractors and former municipal officials reportedly described Rahim’s influence as absolute, claiming he demanded commissions for bill approvals. A three-member committee was later formed by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer to investigate the allegations.

In response, Abdur Rahim Pramanik denied all accusations, calling them false and politically motivated. He stated that all payments were made following proper procedures and that previous investigations had cleared him of wrongdoing.

The United States is considering asking Israel to allocate part of the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) frozen tax revenues to President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” for implementing his post-war Gaza reconstruction plan, according to five sources familiar with the matter. Three sources said Washington has not yet decided whether to make a formal request to Israel. Two Palestinian sources indicated that under the proposal, part of the funds would go to a US-backed interim government for Gaza, while the rest would be released to the PA if it carries out required reforms.

The PA says Israel is currently withholding about $5 billion in tax revenues, collected under a long-standing arrangement for imported goods. Israel froze the funds over disputes regarding payments to families of prisoners and those killed by Israeli forces. The freeze has caused a severe financial crisis in the West Bank, forcing salary cuts for thousands of PA employees.

Trump’s $70 billion Gaza reconstruction plan remains stalled as Hamas refuses to disarm and Israeli attacks continue. The PA was not consulted in the plan, and its exclusion from the “Board of Peace” has further marginalized the Western-backed authority.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Chandpur on Saturday, May 16, where he will inaugurate the re-excavation of Khodd Canal in Shahrasti upazila at noon and address a public gathering. The visit has generated enthusiasm among residents across the district, and both administrative and party-level preparations have been made to ensure the success of the event.

Ahead of the visit, the Shahrasti unit of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami released a statement signed by its amir, Mostafa Kamal, expressing best wishes for the Prime Minister’s visit. The statement described the visit as a source of pride and joy for the people of Chandpur and a milestone for the upazila’s development.

In the same statement, Jamaat-e-Islami presented several local development demands, including modernization and expansion of Shahrasti Hospital to 100 beds, establishment of a technical education institute, and construction of an export processing zone (EPZ) to create employment opportunities in the area.

On May 16, marking the historic Farakka Day, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar issued a statement emphasizing the significance of the 1976 long march led by Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani. He described the event as a courageous and transformative step in establishing the nation’s rightful claim to water from the Ganges River, noting that the movement drew attention both domestically and internationally.

Porwar stated that fair distribution of transboundary river water remains a vital national issue for Bangladesh. He expressed belief that mutual respect, fairness, and adherence to international river laws can ensure peaceful solutions to such disputes.

He also paid tribute to Bhashani and all participants of the 1976 movement, urging national unity to protect the country’s interests, environment, and livelihoods. His message concluded with a prayer for Bangladesh’s safety, prosperity, and dignity.