Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “monster” and a “disgrace to humanity.” He made the remarks on Wednesday in a post on social media platform X, accusing Netanyahu of supporting and encouraging the rape of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.

Asif’s comments came in response to Netanyahu’s earlier interview with CBS News, where the Israeli leader alleged that Pakistan had engaged in anti-Israel propaganda to damage relations between the United States and Israel. Netanyahu also claimed that Islamabad had provided shelter to Iranian military aircraft. In his reaction, Asif strongly condemned Netanyahu’s alleged crimes and said humanity should be ashamed.

The exchange highlights escalating tensions between Pakistan and Israel, with both sides trading accusations over human rights and regional alliances.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United Arab Emirates of being directly involved in a military operation against Iran. He made the allegation on Thursday during a BRICS meeting held in New Delhi, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency. The report stated that Araghchi made the remark in response to a statement from the UAE representative at the meeting.

Araghchi explained that, in the interest of unity, he had initially refrained from naming the UAE in his remarks. However, he claimed that the UAE neither condemned the attacks against Iran nor distanced itself from the aggression, asserting that the country was directly complicit in the operation. The report noted that there was no immediate reaction from the UAE regarding the accusation.

The exchange highlights ongoing regional tensions and diplomatic friction between Iran and the UAE, though the source did not provide further details on the alleged operation or its consequences.

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa announced her resignation following criticism of her government’s handling of a Ukrainian drone incident. During a press conference on Thursday, she explained that some Ukrainian drones had strayed into Latvian airspace during attacks on Russia, sparking internal disputes within the coalition government over the official response.

Earlier, Siliņa had dismissed Defense Minister Andris Spruds, who was accused of failing to activate Latvia’s anti-drone system promptly after the May 7 incursion. The dismissal prompted the left-leaning Progressives Party to withdraw its support from the coalition, causing the government to lose its parliamentary majority on Wednesday.

Under Latvia’s constitution, President Edgars Rinkēvičs is now responsible for appointing a new prime minister. He is scheduled to meet with all parliamentary parties on Friday. The country is also preparing for national elections in October.

At a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on member countries to issue a clear and unequivocal condemnation of the United States and Israel over Iran’s ongoing conflict. The appeal was made during the session held on May 14, 2026, according to Reuters.

Araghchi stated that the Global South must break free from what he described as the Western world’s ‘false sense of superiority.’ He further emphasized that BRICS nations should take a stronger stance to balance Western influence in international affairs.

The remarks reflect Iran’s effort to rally support among BRICS members and align developing nations against Western dominance in global politics.

Cumilla-10 (Nangalkot and Lalmai) Member of Parliament Mobashwer Alam Bhuiyan has expressed his intention to engage in cattle trading ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. He made the announcement through a post on his verified Facebook account on the night of May 13, 2026. In the post, he mentioned that his car and housing businesses were not performing well and sought opinions from his followers on whether his new business idea might affect the reputation of his political associates.

The Facebook post quickly drew widespread attention and mixed reactions. Some supporters welcomed the initiative, calling cattle trading a respected and valuable business, while others criticized the move. Commenters emphasized that business is permissible and honorable, wishing the MP success in his new venture.

According to the report, Mobashwer Alam Bhuiyan has previously drawn public attention for various remarks made on social media, indicating his active online presence and engagement with constituents.

Member of Parliament Kamruzzaman Kamrul of Sunamganj-1 conducted a surprise inspection of several government primary schools in Madhyanagar upazila on Thursday morning. Between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., he visited five schools and found no teachers present at three of them—Abidnagar, Dugnoi, and Kayetkanda Government Primary Schools. He also inspected Madhyanagar and Mashimpur Government Primary Schools to observe teaching activities, student attendance, and the overall environment.

Madhyanagar Upazila Primary Education Officer Delwar Hossain stated that the teachers absent during the MP’s visit have been issued show-cause notices, and departmental action will follow after reviewing their written explanations. Following the inspection, MP Kamrul emphasized the need for teachers in the haor region to be more responsible and ensure timely attendance to maintain quality education. He also instructed the education officer to ensure regular teacher presence in all schools.

The inspection highlights ongoing concerns about teacher attendance in rural primary schools and the government’s efforts to strengthen accountability in the education sector.

During a meeting in Beijing, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed trade issues, but a proposed $14 billion arms deal for Taiwan complicated the talks. The deal, pending for some time, now depends on the outcome of their discussions. It includes counter-drone equipment, an integrated battle command system, and medium-range ammunition.

A significant number of U.S. lawmakers, including Senator Andy Kim, have urged President Trump to move forward with the sale, arguing that the weapons are vital for Taiwan’s self-defense and should not be used as a bargaining tool in trade or diplomatic negotiations with China. The inclusion of the arms deal in the Trump–Xi agenda has raised new concerns about potential policy shifts.

Analysts warn that revisiting the long-standing U.S. policy—established during Ronald Reagan’s presidency—of not consulting Beijing on Taiwan arms sales could mark a major departure in foreign policy. The outcome of Trump’s Beijing visit may influence both U.S.–China relations and the broader regional geopolitical balance.

Trinamool Congress leader and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared at the Kolkata High Court on Thursday morning, dressed in a lawyer’s outfit. She arrived around 10 a.m. local time to face questioning in a case related to alleged attacks on Trinamool party offices following the recent state assembly elections.

The Trinamool Congress suffered defeat in the just-concluded assembly election, where Mamata Banerjee lost her Bhabanipur seat to current Chief Minister and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. At present, she holds no legislative position and serves only as the party leader. Against this backdrop, Banerjee personally attended court proceedings concerning the post-election violence allegations.

The case centers on a series of reported assaults on Trinamool offices after the election results, and Banerjee’s court appearance marks a significant development in the ongoing legal process.

A recent column by Minar Rashid in *Amar Desh* highlights three major issues in Bangladesh’s political culture. The writer describes a recent incident at Dhaka University where the Prime Minister was surrounded by students during a visit, calling it a dangerous breach of security despite being an expression of affection. He argues that such emotional crowds can endanger national stability and that security advisers must strictly enforce safety protocols.

The column also critiques a new wave of enthusiasm for Rabindranath Tagore among BNP leaders, calling it excessive and inconsistent with the party’s traditionally balanced approach to culture and religion. The writer contrasts Tagore’s romantic but unsuccessful agricultural ideas with former president Ziaur Rahman’s pragmatic agricultural reforms, urging BNP leaders to follow their founder’s model instead of symbolic cultural gestures.

Finally, the piece discusses the current state of student politics, warning against calls for its total ban. It advocates for reform through strict codes of conduct, zero tolerance for violence, and regular student union elections to restore intellectual and democratic values in campus politics.

The Karnataka government has officially withdrawn the 2022 school uniform directive that had restricted the wearing of religious attire in classrooms. Under the new order issued by the state’s education department, students in government, aided, and private institutions will be allowed to wear limited religious symbols such as hijabs, sacred threads, or rudraksha beads along with prescribed uniforms. The directive emphasizes that uniforms remain mandatory and that religious symbols must not disrupt discipline, safety, or student identification.

The earlier 2022 directive, introduced by the then Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, had effectively banned religious clothing in classrooms, sparking widespread protests, legal challenges, and national debate, particularly over Muslim students being barred from classes for wearing hijabs. Although the Karnataka High Court upheld the ban, the matter later reached the Supreme Court.

The current Congress-led government under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had previously indicated plans to review the policy. The formal withdrawal marks a reversal of the earlier stance. BJP legislator Bharath Shetty reacted by saying that if hijabs are permitted, Hindu students should also be allowed to wear saffron scarves.

A week after a report by the newspaper Amar Desh alleged large-scale embezzlement of government funds by Barishal Deputy Commissioner (DC) Khairul Alam Suman during the 13th parliamentary election, no investigation committee has yet been formed by the ministry, and the DC remains in his position. The report has sparked widespread discussion across the district and the country. Several officials from the DC’s office have reportedly been transferred on suspicion of leaking information about the alleged corruption.

According to multiple unnamed sources, various agencies have begun collecting documents and information related to the allegations, and senior representatives have been discreetly visiting Barishal to speak with relevant individuals. The Barishal Divisional Commissioner, Khalil Ahmed, confirmed that different agencies and ministries are seeking information on the matter but said any formal action would come from the ministry. Meanwhile, intelligence agencies have reportedly been inquiring about Amar Desh’s Barishal reporter Nikunja Bala Palash, who authored the original story.

The transfers have created unrest within the DC office, with several employees reassigned to other departments or upazilas. Some officials view these moves as retaliatory, though the Divisional Commissioner said he was unaware of the transfers.

Teachers at Barishal University continued a shutdown for the third consecutive day on Wednesday as part of their ongoing protest demanding promotions. The movement has brought classes, exams, and administrative activities to a standstill. Allegations have surfaced that some pro-Awami League teachers are leading the agitation, with reports linking them to a 2024 meeting supporting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.

The protest, which began on April 21, resumed on May 11 after a brief pause. Due to the shutdown, at least 32 final exams have been postponed, and most have yet to be rescheduled, causing frustration among students. Some departments have also faced restrictions on lab use, and the university football team missed a scheduled match due to administrative offices being locked.

University authorities have called for dialogue to resolve the crisis. The vice-chancellor stated he is ready to meet the teachers and, if necessary, take steps to reopen offices. However, the protesting teachers remain firm in their stance, and uncertainty continues over when academic activities will resume.

When Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, many international relations analysts expected him to adopt a hardline stance toward Beijing. Contrary to those expectations, his approach has shown notable flexibility, surprising observers. Australian academic Nick Bisley told Al Jazeera that while many anticipated Trump would pressure China, his actions have not matched that assumption.

Despite the unresolved war situation with Iran, Trump’s visit to Beijing is being viewed as highly significant. According to Bisley, this trip indicates that China remains a top priority in Trump’s foreign policy agenda. Earlier in the year, Trump had imposed tariffs of up to 145 percent on Chinese imports, nearly pushing bilateral ties to the breaking point. Both sides later eased their positions.

Trump has claimed that U.S.–China relations will become “better than before.” Analysts believe Washington’s current focus on stability and improvement in relations could have major implications for global political balance.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has completed hearings in the case against Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD) president Hasanul Haq Inu, accused of crimes against humanity over the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July uprising. The tribunal announced on Thursday that the verdict is now pending and may be delivered any day.

The prosecution, led by Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam, presented its closing arguments, while Inu’s defense, represented by lawyer Munsurul Haq Chowdhury, concluded its submissions after nine days of hearings. The defense argued that Inu had no involvement in the Kushtia killings and was not present in the area at the time. They also claimed that he was not a member of parliament during the 2024 July uprising.

The tribunal had earlier adjourned the hearing several times, with prosecutors including Faruk Ahmad, Moinul Karim, and Abdus Sobhan Torafdar participating. The case now awaits the tribunal’s judgment.

U.S. President Donald Trump described his first round of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping as 'excellent' following their meeting in Beijing. He made the remarks during a visit to the historic Temple of Heaven, where reporters asked about the progress of the discussions. Trump said the talks went very well but did not elaborate on specific topics.

According to the Associated Press, Trump declined to comment on whether the sensitive Taiwan issue was discussed. While he characterized the meeting as positive, no details of the conversation between the two leaders have been made public. The encounter has drawn global attention due to the significance of U.S.-China relations.

Observers noted that Trump’s brief remarks suggest the initial dialogue took place in a cordial atmosphere, though the substance of the discussions remains undisclosed.