Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has reported spending Tk 4 crore 49 lakh 47 thousand 972 for the 13th national parliamentary election held on February 12. The party’s Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair submitted the expenditure statement to Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on May 12. The report, signed by Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, shows that Tk 4 crore was distributed as grants to 225 candidates.

According to the statement, the party spent Tk 20.9 lakh on election campaigning, Tk 8,700 on transport, Tk 14.17 lakh on rallies and tours, Tk 2.85 lakh on staff, and Tk 9.44 lakh on accommodation and administrative costs. An additional Tk 2 lakh was listed as miscellaneous expenses. The report also includes costs for manifesto design and printing, press conferences, hospitality, transport of campaign materials, central leaders’ visits, and advertisements in the ICC.

In the 13th national election, Jamaat won 68 seats, the highest in its history, while its ally NCP secured six seats.

Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid has emphasized the need for transparency, accountability, and effective monitoring in implementing the government’s declared 180-day program. He gave this directive to officials during a discussion meeting held on Tuesday at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock conference room.

The minister described the 180-day program as a highly welfare-oriented and significant initiative adopted to fulfill the development plan announced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the government’s political commitments. He urged officials responsible for implementation across the country to perform their duties sincerely and ensure that the benefits reach the people. Rashid stressed the importance of maintaining proper records and evidence of each activity to present real progress to the public.

He further instructed that information about the program’s progress should be made easily accessible to citizens, not limited to websites but also visible at the grassroots level. The minister expressed hope that through collective efforts, the program’s benefits would effectively reach the people and strengthen public trust in government initiatives.

UK Junior Minister for Housing and Communities Miatta Fahnbulleh resigned from the government on Tuesday, a day after four political aides also stepped down. The resignations have added pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership. In a post on social media platform X, Fahnbulleh urged Starmer to make the “right decision” for the country and the party, and called for a defined timeline for an orderly transfer of power.

Fahnbulleh, who represents the Peckham constituency in South London, shared her resignation letter along with the post. In the letter, she stated that while the government had made progress in some areas, it had failed to deliver the pace, ambition, and effective action expected under the public mandate for change. She further wrote that the public’s message was clear—Prime Minister Keir Starmer had lost trust and confidence.

The series of resignations has intensified scrutiny of Starmer’s leadership and raised questions about the government’s direction and internal unity.

Energy and Power Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku stated that a fascist government had ruled the country for the past 17 years, neglecting domestic resources and increasing dependence on foreign imports. He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon after inspecting the Barapukuria coal mine in Dinajpur and holding discussions with officials.

The minister emphasized that the current government, elected by popular vote, is committed to using the nation’s own resources for the welfare of its people. He questioned why the country should import fuel when it has its own energy reserves. According to him, the government is prioritizing the extraction of domestic energy resources with the consent and participation of all relevant stakeholders.

Earlier, the minister held separate meetings with officials of the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant and the Maddhapara Stone Mine, accompanied by several members of parliament and other senior officials. He also visited the sites to review ongoing operations and gather updates from the concerned authorities.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam left Dhaka on Tuesday morning for an official visit to the United States and Morocco. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, her trip is part of scheduled government programs abroad. She will first visit the United States before traveling to Morocco later this month to attend the Second Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping.

The peacekeeping conference will be held in Morocco from May 19 to 21 and will focus on strengthening global peacekeeping cooperation, enhancing operational capacity, and addressing emerging challenges in United Nations peacekeeping operations. The event is expected to bring together ministerial-level representatives to discuss ways to improve international collaboration in peacekeeping efforts.

Following the completion of all her official engagements, the State Minister is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on May 22.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan stated that the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been instructed to remain on high alert to prevent any form of push-in across the border. He made the remarks on Tuesday at the Secretariat during a meeting on law and order and overall preparations for Eid-ul-Azha, including security at cattle markets.

Responding to a question about alleged persecution of Muslims in West Bengal after the elections, the minister asked whether there was any specific record of such incidents. He added that the diplomatic mission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could provide information on the matter, but so far no such situation or incident had come to their attention.

The minister further said that BGB and law enforcement agencies have also been instructed to remain vigilant to prevent smuggling of sacrificial animal hides during the Eid period.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that police hotlines will remain active to prevent extortion and robbery involving vehicles transporting sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday afternoon, he said authorities will take immediate action upon receiving any complaints. A monitoring cell at the police headquarters will operate for 14 days before and after Eid to maintain law and order.

The minister also stated that 200 million taka has been allocated for distributing salt to preserve sacrificial animal hides. Security personnel assigned for Eid duties have been instructed to remain on high alert to ensure public safety. Additionally, he confirmed that all garment workers’ salaries and allowances will be paid before Eid, following agreements with BGMEA and BKMEA.

These measures aim to ensure a safe and orderly environment during the Eid-ul-Azha period, addressing both public security and economic preparedness across key sectors.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Joseph Vijay, also known as Thalapathy Vijay, has ordered the immediate closure of 717 state-run liquor shops located within 500 meters of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stands. The directive, issued through a government notification on Tuesday, instructs that the closures be completed within two weeks. The affected outlets are operated by the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC).

According to the notification, a survey of 4,765 TASMAC shops found that 717 were situated too close to sensitive public areas—276 near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions, and 255 near bus stands. The government said the decision was taken in the public interest and directed officials to ensure full implementation within the set timeframe.

This move marks one of the first major administrative decisions by Vijay’s newly elected Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government. It fulfills a key campaign promise to reform liquor sales and signals a policy shift prioritizing public welfare over revenue, as TASMAC remains a major source of state income.

Bus operations in Habiganj have been suspended from Tuesday morning after the Habiganj Motor Owners Group decided to stop services in protest against the obstruction of nonstop Habiganj–Sylhet buses in Moulvibazar. As a result, no buses have departed from Habiganj to any destination, causing severe inconvenience to passengers.

According to the group’s general secretary, Sohel Chowdhury, since Sunday morning around 35 to 40 buses have been detained at Sherpur by people allegedly linked to Moulvibazar district BNP’s member secretary, Abdur Rahim Ripon. About 200 workers are reportedly stranded in unsafe conditions. The decision to suspend services was made on Monday night. When contacted, Ripon declined to comment, saying he was in a meeting.

Habiganj Deputy Commissioner Dr. G.M. Sarfaraz said he had spoken with his Moulvibazar counterpart and requested immediate action. A meeting with transport owners and workers in Moulvibazar was scheduled for 2 p.m. Meanwhile, passengers have resorted to using CNG-run vehicles to reach Shayestaganj, where fares have reportedly increased.

Information and Broadcasting Ministry adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman stated that crimes committed during the previous 15-and-a-half-year rule of the Awami League government, including enforced disappearances, killings, embezzlement, money laundering, and human rights violations, will never become time-barred. He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon at a weekly press briefing at the Secretariat’s Press Information Department conference room, emphasizing that the current democratic government is committed to ensuring justice through proper legal procedures.

During the briefing, the adviser also addressed other issues. He said an international-standard committee is being formed to investigate why measles vaccines were not procured and to examine child deaths linked to the disease. He added that any punishable offenses found will be dealt with accordingly and that there is no need for a state of emergency over measles. Additionally, he announced plans for a new crude oil refinery capable of processing 300,000 tons annually and said the government will review a recent agreement with the United States to assess its benefits and potential risks to national interests.

The adviser noted that the agreement could be canceled with six months’ notice if necessary, and the government will thoroughly evaluate all aspects before making decisions.

Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam has announced a nationwide protest march on Friday, May 15, after the Juma prayers, opposing the US-Bangladesh trade agreement and alleged persecution of Muslims in West Bengal. The party will hold its main demonstration at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka. The announcement came from the party’s secretary general, Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi, during a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday.

Afendi criticized the trade agreement, claiming it imposes 131 conditions on Bangladesh but only six on the United States, calling it a “slave deal.” He alleged the deal was secretly signed just 72 hours before the national election and would negatively affect Bangladesh’s economy and policy independence. The party also demanded the cancellation of the UN Human Rights Commission’s country office agreement and presented a 10-point demand list, including price control, energy supply, anti-corruption measures, and ensuring fair prices for sacrificial animal hides.

Afendi condemned reported attacks on Muslims, mosques, and madrasas in West Bengal and urged maintaining communal harmony in Bangladesh.

An Israeli far-right Knesset member, Zvi Sukkot, reportedly disrupted a Nakba Day memorial event at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University and issued direct threats of violence to participating students. The event, held on Monday, marked the 78th anniversary of the 1948 displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, the incident occurred amid growing tensions on Israeli campuses. Student organizers accused authorities and right-wing groups of escalating incitement and persecution against Palestinian students. The organizing group stated that such threats would not deter them from commemorating Nakba Day, emphasizing their commitment to preserving their identity, history, and rights despite increasing pressure.

The report noted that the threats came at a time when Israeli universities are facing criticism for imposing stricter measures on Palestinian students, reflecting a broader climate of hostility within academic institutions.

Masood Ghaus Aijazi, Assistant Director for International Affairs of Pakistan Jamaat-e-Islami, paid a courtesy visit to Nurul Islam, the Central President of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, at the organization’s central office. The meeting was reported on Tuesday through the group’s official Facebook page.

During the meeting, Aijazi inquired about various organizational activities of Chhatra Shibir and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest. At the end of the visit, Nurul Islam presented a special honorary crest to the guest on behalf of the organization.

The meeting was attended by Shibir Secretary General Sibgatullah, Central Office Secretary Azizur Rahman Azad, and other leaders, according to the post.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and opposition chief whip, questioned the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) role in Hefazat-e-Islam’s May 5 movement. Speaking on Tuesday at the Institute of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka, he said the BNP should have participated in the movement. The remarks came during a discussion and documentary screening organized by the NCP-backed National Olama Alliance titled “Shapla Massacre; A Decade of Impunity.”

Nahid Islam stated that the mass killing had been portrayed as Hefazat’s rampage and that the group was labeled as terrorists and extremists. He argued that the lack of accountability for the Shapla massacre led to another mass killing in 2024, adding that many contributed to the circumstances behind both incidents.

He further commented that friendship cannot be built by erecting barbed-wire fences and killing people along the border, warning that the people of the country would one day remove those fences.

Ambassadors and high commissioners from member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka on Tuesday. The courtesy meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat. During the meeting, the OIC envoys congratulated Rahman on assuming office as Prime Minister and expressed their commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh across sectors including investment, trade, education, health, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.

Prime Minister Rahman thanked the OIC member states for their support on behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh. He recalled the fraternal relations established during the tenure of late President Ziaur Rahman and expressed optimism about further deepening those ties. The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of people-to-people connections and sought continued OIC support in resolving the Rohingya crisis.

Envoys from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Palestine, Algeria, Brunei, Egypt, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Iraq, and Libya attended the meeting, along with senior Bangladeshi officials.