Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has accused the government of showing discrimination both in respecting the referendum outcome and in implementing development projects. Speaking at Saidpur Airport on Saturday morning, he said the government supported the 'yes' vote before the election but is now ignoring the referendum’s verdict while claiming to implement the July Charter. He criticized the concentration of multiple major projects—such as a city corporation, new upazila, university, and international airport—in a single area instead of distributing them based on broader national importance.

Porwar stated that Jamaat does not oppose development initiatives but rejects favoritism toward ruling party lawmakers in project allocation. He also alleged that the government is suppressing media freedom and targeting journalists critical of its actions. Regarding the proposed internationalization of Saidpur Airport, he said it is vital for the socio-economic progress of the northern region and reflects a long-standing public demand.

He warned that ignoring such regional aspirations could harm national welfare and criticized the BNP for mishandling public interest issues, which he said could backfire politically.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman held a meeting with district and metropolitan presidents and general secretaries of the party’s three affiliated organizations—Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal—on Saturday, May 9, at the Krishibid Institute auditorium in Dhaka. The meeting began at 10 a.m., and Rahman joined virtually at 11 a.m. Party sources said this was his first major organizational meeting with grassroots leaders since assuming the office of Prime Minister.

Leaders from various districts and metropolitan units of the three organizations attended the event. The discussions were expected to focus on maintaining party discipline, strengthening organizational activities, resolving internal conflicts at the local level, and reestablishing the chain of command. Party sources indicated that Rahman would call on grassroots leaders to work more actively and in unity to implement upcoming political programs.

Ahead of the meeting, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and the Prime Minister’s political adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi inspected the venue on Friday and told reporters that Rahman would outline plans to enhance the party’s organizational dynamism.

Taiwan’s legislature has approved a special fund of $25 billion to purchase weapons from the United States. The bill passed after months of debate over defense and security spending. The package includes high mobility artillery rocket systems, self-propelled howitzers, missiles, drones, and Javelin anti-armor missiles. It also contains a provision allowing for additional future spending on U.S. arms purchases.

The approved amount is about $15 billion less than what the ruling Democratic Progressive Party proposed last November. In the 113-seat legislature, the bill passed by a 59-0 vote, with 48 lawmakers from the ruling party abstaining. The decision comes as Taiwan seeks to strengthen its defense capabilities amid growing tensions with China.

China claims Taiwan as its territory and has repeatedly threatened to take control of the island by force if necessary. The United States, Taiwan’s main arms supplier, continues to provide significant military and political support. Last year, the Trump administration approved a record $11 billion in arms sales to Taiwan.

An FIR has been filed against TVK leader Vijay Thalapathy in Tamil Nadu following allegations that he submitted a fake letter of support from the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam’s (AMMK) sole legislator to claim majority status. The complaint was lodged by AMMK general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran, who accused Vijay of presenting a forged document to the governor to prove his party’s majority. Vijay’s party had earlier claimed to have the backing of 118 legislators but failed to provide written proof.

Vijay’s party, TVK, denied the allegations, asserting that AMMK legislator S. Kamaraj personally signed the support letter and that Dhinakaran had approved it. The controversy comes as Tamil Nadu remains without a clear government five days after election results, with no party securing an outright majority.

While Vijay’s party won the most seats, both the DMK and AIADMK are also maneuvering to form a government, with AIADMK reportedly seeking DMK’s support. The legal dispute adds further uncertainty to the ongoing political deadlock in the state.

Opposition Leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP visited the injured July fighters undergoing treatment at Vejthani International Hospital in Bangkok on Saturday, May 9, 2026. During the visit, he met with the seriously injured individuals, inquired about their medical progress, and urged doctors and officials to ensure the best possible care for them.

Dr. Rahman praised the courage, sacrifice, and contributions of the July fighters and prayed for their full and speedy recovery. The hospitalized fighters, in turn, called on the opposition leader to take effective steps toward implementing the July Charter and the referendum verdict.

He was accompanied on the visit by his foreign affairs adviser, Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem Arman MP.

US Senator Bernie Sanders has called for an immediate end to the ongoing war with Iran, criticizing President Donald Trump’s military actions. In a social media post on May 9, 2026, Sanders said that since Trump launched the military operation against Iran, fuel prices have surged sharply, putting financial pressure on American families.

Sanders stated that gas prices had risen from $2.98 to $4.55 per gallon since the start of the conflict, making it increasingly difficult for working families to afford basic expenses. He argued that instead of spending billions of dollars on what he described as an unconstitutional war, the United States should invest in meeting the needs of its own citizens.

The senator’s remarks, reported by Middle East Eye, reflect growing concern over the economic and social impact of the Iran conflict and its effect on domestic fuel prices.

Residents of several areas adjacent to the Shishu Matri Shastho Institute (Matuail Medical) under Ward 65 of Dhaka South City Corporation blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway on Saturday morning, May 9, 2026, protesting persistent waterlogging. The blockade began around 10 a.m. at the Matuail Medical bus stand, causing severe traffic congestion on both sides of the highway.

Police officers present at the scene said they had recently arrived and that the officer-in-charge was trying to resolve the issue through discussions with the residents. The protesters demanded that the Member of Parliament for Dhaka-5 and representatives of the South City Corporation visit the area before they would lift the blockade.

Residents complained that areas including Shahidbagh and Nurbagh in Ward 65 remain submerged under water throughout the year and called for a permanent solution to the problem.

A senior Iranian official has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of launching a psychological warfare campaign aimed at creating divisions among Iran’s leadership. Hassan Rasouli, a member of Iran’s Reformist Supreme Council for Policymaking, made the remarks in an interview with the state news agency IRNA, according to a report published on May 9, 2026.

Rasouli said that the United States and Israeli forces sought to achieve victory without firing a single shot by spreading discord and disunity among Iranian officials. However, he asserted that Tehran has presented to the world an image of a coherent, united, and defense-ready nation, preventing aggressors from achieving any of their intended goals.

The comments were reported by Al Jazeera and reflect Iran’s official stance that external efforts to destabilize its political leadership have not succeeded.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called on the Indian government not to harm any particular religion, caste, or community. He made the appeal on Saturday at a press briefing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after returning from a week-long visit to Japan that began on May 2. Responding to questions about alleged persecution of Muslims in West Bengal, he said his party was monitoring the situation and would act as appropriate as a neighboring country.

Dr. Rahman emphasized that India’s constitution is secular and guarantees equal religious and civic rights for all citizens. He also urged the Bangladesh government to prioritize public safety over political divisions and to take concrete action against criminals instead of relying on social media campaigns. During his trip, he visited Japan and Thailand, meeting injured “July fighters” receiving treatment abroad and urging the government to ensure their medical care and rehabilitation.

He further discussed strengthening Bangladesh–Japan cooperation in education, skills development, and investment, and proposed establishing a modern cancer institute in Bangladesh with Japanese support.

U.S. President Donald Trump warned that military activity in the Strait of Hormuz could increase if negotiations with Iran fail to reach a final agreement. Speaking at the White House on Friday, Trump said that unless everything is finalized and signed, the United States may take a different path. He hinted at the possible resumption and expansion of the previously suspended military operation known as 'Project Freedom'.

Trump stated that Pakistan, acting as a mediator between Washington and Tehran, has urged the United States not to restart the military operation. He added that if conditions do not become favorable, the U.S. could return to 'Project Freedom' under a new phase called 'Project Freedom Plus', which would include additional measures. However, he did not specify what those additional steps might be.

The remarks signal renewed tension between the U.S. and Iran, with uncertainty surrounding the future of the negotiations and the potential scope of any expanded military initiative.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has accused the government of delaying action on the July Charter and constitutional reform issues. He made the remarks on Saturday, May 9, during a discussion titled “What to Do to Resolve the Reform Deadlock” held at a hotel in the capital.

Nahid Islam stated that the ruling party is avoiding the July Charter and constitutional reform topics, while emphasizing that reforms must be based on public participation, transparency, and sovereign authority. He also alleged that although top leaders, including the prime minister, had previously supported a referendum before the election, they are now opposing it after coming to power, which he said rejects the people’s aspirations.

He added that peaceful programs and discussions inside and outside parliament will continue to implement the referendum’s verdict, but warned that if the government does not respond positively, a tougher movement will be launched to press their demands.

Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at a ceremony held at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. The event marked the formation of the state’s first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. The oath was administered by Governor R. N. Ravi, and the ceremony began shortly after 11 a.m. local time under tight security arrangements.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah attended the ceremony, along with several senior BJP leaders and chief ministers from other states. Modi arrived at the venue in an open car with Adhikari. Among the attendees were Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP National President Nitin Nabin, and leaders from Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Tripura, Delhi, Bihar, and Maharashtra. Large crowds of BJP supporters gathered at the Brigade Ground from early morning to witness the historic event.

Adhikari became the ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal and the first from the BJP since India’s independence, marking a significant political shift in the state’s leadership.

The Bangladesh Law Commission, formed in 1996 under the Awami League government, has produced numerous reform proposals over three decades, but only a small fraction have been implemented. According to official sources, out of 169 recommendations aimed at modernizing outdated laws, only eight have been adopted. Despite months or years of research and millions of taka in expenses, most reports remain shelved. The commission continues to review colonial-era laws even as global legal systems advance with the aid of artificial intelligence.

Former commission members and legal experts told the newspaper that political appointments and lack of institutional independence have undermined the body’s effectiveness. They noted that the commission’s work on issues such as witness protection, judicial appointments, and the abolition of corporal punishment has rarely influenced policy. Law Minister Md. Anisul Huq acknowledged that over 1.5 billion taka had been spent in two decades with limited results.

Experts argue that bureaucratic inertia, absence of legal obligation, and weak political will are the main barriers. They suggest amending the Law Commission Act to require parliamentary consideration or implementation of recommendations within a fixed timeframe.

Suvendu Adhikari will take oath on Saturday at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground as West Bengal’s first chief minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the ceremony. His appointment was confirmed on Friday after BJP legislators unanimously selected him in a meeting attended by Home Minister Amit Shah. Adhikari formally submitted his letter to Governor R.N. Ravi seeking to form the government.

The BJP won 207 of the state’s 294 assembly seats, ending the 15-year rule of Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC). Once a close ally of Banerjee, Adhikari became her main rival, defeating her twice — first in Nandigram in 2021 and again this year in Bhabanipur. His political journey began in the Congress, later joining TMC and playing a key role in the Nandigram movement before switching to the BJP in 2020.

Adhikari’s rise marks a major political shift in West Bengal, fulfilling the BJP’s long-standing goal of forming a government in the state where its ideological predecessor, the Jana Sangh, was founded.

India has appointed Lieutenant General N S Raja Subramani as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan as the next Chief of Naval Staff. The announcement was made on May 9, 2026. Subramani will succeed General Anil Chauhan, whose term ends on May 30, while Swaminathan will replace Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, whose tenure concludes on May 31.

Upon assuming office, Subramani will also serve as Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs and oversee the Army, Navy, and Air Force as the head of all three services. A graduate of India’s National Defence Academy, he joined the Garhwal Rifles in 1985 and has held several key operational and diplomatic roles, including service at the Indian Embassy in Kazakhstan and as Commander-in-Chief of the Central Command in 2023.

The appointments mark a significant leadership transition in India’s defense establishment, ensuring continuity in strategic and operational command across the armed forces.