Dr. Afsan Anis, son of Awami League leader Dr. Abul Baki Anis, has been appointed president of the Cumilla Metropolitan Nationalist Social and Cultural Organization (JASAS). The 101-member committee was approved on May 16 through a circular signed by central convenor Helal Khan and member secretary Zakir Hossain Rokon, naming Shahidul Haque Sohel as general secretary.

The announcement triggered widespread discussion on social media and within political circles over Dr. Anis’s political background. Former city JASAS convenor Manjurul Alam alleged that individuals with no prior involvement in BNP politics had secured committee positions through financial transactions. Cumilla city BNP general secretary and city corporation administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu stated he did not know the new president and questioned how a member of an Awami family could lead a key BNP-affiliated organization.

Central JASAS president Helal Khan defended the appointment, saying the committee was formed following organizational procedures and in coordination with BNP leaders at various levels, citing past examples of similar appointments.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the funeral prayer of former state minister for health and Munshiganj BNP convener Mizanur Rahman Sinha on Sunday at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building. The prayer took place at 11:30 a.m., after which the prime minister paid his respects by placing a floral tribute on Sinha’s coffin. The Speaker, Deputy Speaker, cabinet members, and several lawmakers were also present at the ceremony.

Earlier, the prime minister expressed deep sorrow over Sinha’s death, recalling his contributions to national politics and the health sector. In a condolence message, he prayed for the departed soul and extended sympathy to the bereaved family and well-wishers.

Mizanur Rahman Sinha passed away early Saturday at the age of 82 while undergoing treatment at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore. His daughter Tasnim Sinha confirmed his death on social media, stating that he breathed his last at 2:47 a.m. Bangladesh time. Sinha had previously served as BNP’s central treasurer and was elected as a member of parliament from Munshiganj-2 in the 1996 and 2001 general elections.

At Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), efforts are underway to relax existing rules for promoting employees to officer positions, reportedly in violation of university regulations. Multiple sources confirmed that the issue may be discussed at the upcoming syndicate meeting scheduled for Sunday afternoon. The agenda could include a proposal to remove conditions for employees who were previously promoted to officer roles and now seek further advancement to deputy registrar or equivalent positions.

According to syndicate records, a prior decision allowed upgraded officers to be promoted further through additional upgradations, increasing the limit from two to three. However, a condition required those with a third division in public exams to have one extra year of work experience. Some of the upgraded officers are now pressing to abolish that condition, allegedly with support from senior administrators. Teachers and long-serving officers have criticized the move, warning it could undermine administrative standards and fairness in promotions.

Syndicate member Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury stated that no decision outside university and government law is acceptable, while Vice-Chancellor Dr. A. M. Sarwar Uddin Chowdhury said he is reviewing the matter.

British political biographer Anthony Seldon, who has chronicled at least eight prime ministers over the past decade, says the rapid turnover of leaders has made his work increasingly difficult. Once able to study long-serving premiers in depth, Seldon now finds himself racing to keep up with constant political upheaval. The latest turbulence surrounds Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose leadership is under threat after severe local election losses in England, Scotland, and Wales. Seldon fears the UK could see its sixth prime minister in seven years by August, when his biography of Rishi Sunak is due for release.

The instability reflects deeper national challenges. The UK has struggled to recover from the 2008 financial crisis, with stagnant wages, post-pandemic inflation, and Brexit-related economic decline. Political fragmentation has also eroded the traditional two-party dominance, as smaller parties gain ground across the nations. Analysts and academics cited in the report describe Starmer as principled but lacking charisma and a clear narrative, while some Labour MPs are rallying around Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as a potential successor.

A by-election in Makerfield will test Labour’s strength and could determine whether the party stabilizes or faces deeper crisis.

US President Donald Trump is under growing political pressure over the ongoing war against Iran, as public support for the conflict has dropped below half. Multiple opinion polls show only 30 to 40 percent of Americans back the war, a level analysts compare to the final phase of the Vietnam War. Rising fuel prices across the country have further fueled public dissatisfaction, with gasoline now exceeding $4.50 per gallon in many areas.

In California, where most oil is imported, prices have surpassed $6 per gallon, intensifying economic strain on households. Analysts say the surge in energy costs is directly affecting daily expenses and creating significant political pressure on the Trump administration. Responding to reporters, Trump said his focus was on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons rather than on Americans’ financial concerns.

The comment, widely broadcast on US television, has drawn negative reactions from citizens facing financial hardship. Political analysts warn that the situation could pose serious challenges for Trump’s Republican Party in the upcoming midterm elections, with the risk of losing control of both chambers of Congress.

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.