National Citizens Party (NCP) lawmaker and southern regional organizer Hasnat Abdullah has called for sufficient budget allocation to prevent police officers from being forced to 'manage' situations or seek personal funds while performing duties. In a Facebook post on Monday, he said corruption stems from the culture of managing police operations, which arises from institutional shortcomings and inadequate funding.

Abdullah highlighted that investigators receive only 6,000 taka for serious cases such as murder or robbery, and just 3,000 taka for complex money-laundering cases. He noted that these limited funds make it difficult to complete investigations properly, often compelling officers to cover expenses from their own pockets. He also emphasized the need for overtime pay, improved working conditions, and nutritious meals for police personnel who work long hours without regular weekly holidays.

He further urged that police be empowered to refuse unlawful orders and be legally protected from harassment when rejecting such directives. Abdullah stressed that merit-based promotions and professional independence are essential to restore public trust and eliminate corruption within the force.

A report by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has revealed widespread violence across West Bengal following the announcement of the state assembly election results. According to the report, between May 4 and May 7, at least 34 Muslim-owned properties were attacked in eight districts, including Cooch Behar, Howrah, Barasat, Murshidabad, Malda, Birbhum, North and South 24 Parganas, and the Kolkata metropolitan area. The attacks targeted mosques, homes, businesses, and hotels, damaging around 54 properties in total.

The report stated that at least two people were killed in the violence, including one man in Cooch Behar’s Gosainimari who died while trying to protect a mosque. Attackers reportedly used provocative slogans to spread fear, while threats forced many minorities to leave their neighborhoods. Muslim-owned businesses were deliberately targeted to weaken their financial base, with incidents of hotels being burned, meat shops pressured to close, and cattle markets attacked.

The report also mentioned that bulldozer processions were organized to intimidate residents, and attempts were made to rename places with Muslim names. Offices and homes of Trinamool Congress workers were also vandalized.

Akhtar Hossain, Member Secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and newly elected Member of Parliament for Rangpur-4 (Kaunia-Pirgacha), said he now represents all constituents regardless of political affiliation. Speaking as the chief guest at a quarterly exchange meeting at Kaunia Upazila Parishad premises on Monday morning, he expressed gratitude to voters for electing him and emphasized that democracy’s beauty lies in voting.

He reiterated his pre-election promise to hold quarterly meetings with grassroots people to hear their opinions and ensure transparency in local development. Hossain stated that he has publicly shared details of government allocations on social media, including funds distributed to religious institutions, to prevent allegations of misuse. He disclosed that of the 1 million taka allocated for Eid-ul-Fitr, 550,000 taka went to Pirgacha and 450,000 taka to Kaunia.

Concluding his remarks, Hossain urged residents to support development initiatives based on transparency and collective participation for the progress of the area.

Road, Transport, Shipping and Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that garment factories will grant holidays in phases during this year’s Eid. He made the statement on Monday at the Secretariat, emphasizing that the decision aims to ensure smoother travel and avoid disruptions.

The minister explained that during the previous Eid, sudden factory closures had caused widespread disorder. To prevent a repeat, the government will implement a staggered holiday schedule for the garment sector. He also said that the government will take several measures to address the irregularities experienced during last Eid-ul-Fitr travel.

As part of the plan to maintain discipline on the roads, 69 mobile courts will operate across the country during the Eid travel period, according to the minister.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has emphasized strengthening the institutional capacity of village courts and recruiting women in the village police to ensure justice at the grassroots level and make local governance more effective. The minister made the remarks during a meeting with a UNDP delegation at the Secretariat on Monday, attended by Deputy Resident Representative Sonali Dayaratne and other members.

The meeting discussed the current activities and progress of the Village Court Project, focusing on enhancing its institutional capacity to deliver quick, low-cost justice for rural communities. The minister noted that village courts have long played a vital role in resolving local disputes and reducing pressure on formal courts.

He highlighted that women’s participation in local governance, particularly through recruitment in the village police, would make the system more transparent, efficient, and responsive to public needs. Both the government and UNDP expressed optimism about strengthening cooperation to improve village court effectiveness, ensure rural justice, and promote women’s empowerment.

ATM Azharul Islam MP, Naib-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, alleged that the government has begun moving toward a one-party system just two months after assuming power. Speaking as chief guest at a candidate introduction meeting of the Bangladesh Lawyers Council–supported 'Green Panel' for the Supreme Court Bar Association election, he said the government has failed to honor the July Charter despite pledging to implement it fully. He criticized the government for not allowing ruling party MPs to take oath in the Constitutional Reform Council and accused it of betraying the student and public movement that brought it to power.

Azharul Islam also criticized a government minister for acting as if he alone runs the administration and understands the constitution. He claimed that the Supreme Court has been used to commit injustices against Jamaat-e-Islami and described the executions of its top leaders as judicial killings. He urged lawyers to stand for justice and support the Green Panel in the upcoming Supreme Court Bar Association election.

The event was held at the Freedom Fighters Hall of the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka and was attended by senior lawyers and panel candidates.

A group of outsiders attacked a sit-in organized by BNP-backed teachers at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) on Monday in front of the university’s administrative building. Following the incident, leaders and activists of the university’s student wing of the BNP staged a protest on campus, demanding punishment for those involved in the attack.

Professor Dr. Atikul Rahman, Dean of the PGS faculty and one of the victims, said the teachers were protesting against what they described as the arbitrary actions of Vice-Chancellor Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam. He alleged that the vice-chancellor makes decisions with a select group of preferred teachers and had recently issued show-cause letters to five teachers of the NSVM faculty without justification. The sit-in was organized in protest of these actions when the attack occurred.

Vice-Chancellor Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam, speaking from Dhaka, said a group was trying to destabilize the campus in his absence. He announced plans to form an investigation committee upon his return to the university.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central international secretary Sadiq Kayem presented a commemorative painting to former interim government chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The artwork honors July martyr Nafiz. Kayem shared the news on Facebook on Monday afternoon, noting that the meeting aimed to invite Dr. Yunus as a guest to the upcoming Second International Conference on the July Revolution.

During the meeting, Dr. Yunus congratulated Kayem on his upcoming marriage and expressed appreciation for the initiatives of young people. Kayem said he briefed Dr. Yunus on DUCSU’s activities and plans related to the July Conference, emphasizing efforts to advance the country through the spirit of July. He also conveyed gratitude on behalf of citizens for Yunus’s leadership during the post–August 5 crisis period.

Kayem added that he sought Dr. Yunus’s continued guidance and cooperation in realizing the vision of a reformed and inclusive Bangladesh as envisioned by the public.

Shovandeb Chatterjee has been appointed as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly after the Trinamool Congress (TMC) secured 80 seats in the state election, becoming the principal opposition party. Chatterjee, a long-time loyalist of TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee, was chosen to lead the party in the assembly.

Chatterjee won from the Ballygunge constituency, defeating BJP candidate Satarupa Chatterjee by 61,476 votes, marking his tenth consecutive legislative victory—a record in West Bengal’s political history. Despite his close association with Mamata Banerjee, he had earlier lost in Bhabanipur to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Born in 1944, Chatterjee began his political career with the Congress before joining TMC in 1998 and has remained active in labor organizations, including serving as president of the Kolkata Auto-Rickshaw Drivers’ Union.

His appointment underscores TMC’s continued influence in state politics even from the opposition benches, with Chatterjee’s long experience and organizational ties expected to shape the party’s legislative strategy.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of income tax records belonging to Mahbubul Alam Hanif, the suspended Joint General Secretary of the Awami League and former Member of Parliament for Kushtia-3, and his wife, Fouzia Alam. The order was issued on Monday, May 11, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. Court bench assistant Riaz Hossain confirmed the decision.

According to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Hanif is accused of acquiring assets worth Tk 27.39 crore beyond known income sources and conducting suspicious transactions totaling Tk 86.66 crore through 18 bank accounts. The ACC also alleged that Hanif and his wife jointly amassed Tk 4.69 crore in unexplained wealth and carried out transactions worth Tk 33.13 crore through 16 bank accounts. The court ordered the seizure of their tax documents to facilitate proper investigation of the two separate cases filed by the ACC.

The court’s directive aims to support ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and money laundering activities involving the couple.

A Dhaka court has rescheduled the charge-framing hearing against former National Board of Revenue (NBR) member Matiur Rahman to July 5 in a case over alleged illegal wealth accumulation. The decision was made by Divisional Special Judge Begum Shamima Afroz after defense lawyers sought more time. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) lawyer Mir Ahmed Ali Salam confirmed the new date.

According to the ACC charge sheet, Matiur Rahman is accused of concealing information about assets worth Tk 1.24 crore and acquiring Tk 5.40 crore in wealth beyond known income sources through misuse of power, bribery, and corruption. The case gained public attention after a 2024 incident involving his son, who reportedly bought a goat for Tk 15 lakh ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, sparking widespread discussion on social media.

The court’s next hearing on July 5 will determine whether formal charges will be framed against Rahman in the corruption case.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain, declared that he would not tolerate any persecution of minorities in the country and would resign from his post if necessary. He made the statement on Monday during a dialogue organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF), responding to questions about the government’s stance on recent incidents of violence against Muslims in West Bengal, India.

The minister said India is a democratic nation and a large country, expressing hope that its government would ensure safety and inclusion for minorities. He emphasized that events in India should not influence Bangladesh and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting all religious communities. He added that the Prime Minister is aware of the issue. Hossain also alleged that a deep conspiracy is being carried out against the BNP government and urged vigilance against those seeking instability.

He further highlighted the media’s role in promoting democracy, combating misinformation, and supporting government initiatives, including welfare programs and Hajj management improvements.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, stated on Monday, May 11, that he would resign from his post if the safety of religious minorities in the country cannot be guaranteed. Speaking at a meeting with the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) in Dhaka, he emphasized that no opportunity would be given for minority persecution and that communal harmony must be protected.

Kaikobad also said that the government would request India to stop attacks on minority Muslims in West Bengal, adding that Bangladesh respects India for upholding democracy. He noted that such incidents in India should not be allowed to occur in Bangladesh and reiterated his commitment to prevent any injustice or oppression against minorities.

Addressing political issues, the minister remarked that a good opposition party is a blessing but criticized the opposition for attempting to embarrass the government instead of offering constructive criticism.

The Philippine House of Representatives is advancing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte. A vote on the impeachment is scheduled for Monday, marking a new escalation in the ongoing political conflict between the Duterte family and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The move comes as the country faces growing political instability and economic uncertainty linked to the global energy crisis.

The impeachment complaint accuses Sara Duterte of constitutional violations, betrayal of public trust, misuse of confidential funds, concealment of assets, bribery, and issuing threats against President Marcos, his wife Liza Araneta, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez. Lawmaker Terry Ridon stated that over 110 million dollars in suspicious bank transactions could not be justified by declared income or assets, framing the issue as one of constitutional accountability rather than politics.

The House has reportedly secured the one-third vote needed to forward the case to the Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required for conviction. A similar impeachment attempt in 2025 was annulled by the Supreme Court on technical grounds. Duterte, who ran alongside Marcos in 2022, has since hinted at a 2028 presidential bid.

President Donald Trump has reportedly been musing about who might succeed him within the Republican Party, often asking advisers whether they prefer Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio. At times, he has even joked about pairing them on the same 2028 presidential ticket. While aides say Trump is not seriously focused on the next election, the question of succession continues to attract attention.

Rubio has recently gained visibility through his handling of questions on the Iran war and a diplomatic trip to Italy, where he met Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and will soon accompany Trump to China. This has fueled speculation that Rubio could challenge Vance, though both men are said to maintain a friendly relationship and may avoid direct competition. Polls show Vance enjoys higher recognition among Republican voters, but Rubio’s growing profile and multilingual communication skills appeal to some supporters.

Analysts note that Vance’s close alignment with Trump’s policies could become a liability if the party performs poorly in upcoming midterms, while Rubio’s expanding diplomatic role may strengthen his standing within the party.