A Jamalpur court has ordered four suspended Awami League leaders to be sent to jail after rejecting their bail petitions. The order was issued on Tuesday afternoon by Chief Judicial Magistrate Shariful Haque following a hearing. The accused are Anwar Hossain, Tajul Islam, Mostafa Mintu, and Abu Haman Pintu, who serves as the general secretary of the party’s Ward No. 5 unit.

According to court sources, the four face multiple cases, including charges of sabotage and illegal possession of weapons. They are also accused of carrying out an armed attack on a student rally during the July Revolution’s anti-discrimination movement. After remaining in hiding for an extended period, the leaders surrendered before the court and sought bail.

Jamalpur Lawyers’ Association General Secretary Rishad Rezwan Babu confirmed that the court rejected their bail applications and ordered them to be taken into custody.

Khelafat Majlis has strongly condemned Israel and India following the deaths of Bangladeshi nationals in two separate incidents. According to a statement issued on Tuesday, the party’s Amir Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and Secretary General Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader denounced the killing of two Bangladeshis in a drone attack by the Israeli Defense Forces in Lebanon on May 11, and the shooting of two others by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) at Brahmanbaria on May 8.

The leaders described Israel as a destabilizing force responsible for widespread violence and oppression, accusing it of targeting even migrant Bangladeshi workers abroad. They demanded that the Bangladesh government take effective measures to ensure the safety of expatriate citizens. Regarding India, the statement alleged that the BSF’s actions were unjustified and aimed at intimidating Bangladesh. The party also criticized India for border killings, illegal push-ins, and smuggling activities that allegedly create instability along the frontier.

Khelafat Majlis urged India to immediately stop border killings, compensate the victims’ families, and build a genuinely friendly relationship with Bangladesh based on equality and mutual respect.

National Citizens Party (NCP) Office Secretary (Joint Member Secretary) Saleh Uddin Sifat is set to visit South Korea to participate as a speaker at the Gwangju Democracy Forum 2026. The event will take place in Gwangju city and is organized by the May 18 Foundation. According to NCP’s Central Election Committee Media Secretary Yasir Arafat, Sifat is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Wednesday to attend the international conference.

The forum will feature six young activists and leaders from Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Mexico, and Bangladesh. Sifat’s presentation topic is titled “From Youth Struggles to Uprising: A Generational Awakening,” focusing on how Bangladeshi youth have developed an independent political stance beyond traditional structures and mobilized for democratic transformation. He will also discuss issues of justice, institutional reform, human rights, and regional visions for South Asia.

During his South Korea visit, Sifat will also attend a meeting with members of the NCP Diaspora Alliance in Seoul, alongside NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud, who is already in Korea on a separate invitation.

The election for the 2026–27 term of the Supreme Court Bar Association began on Wednesday, May 13, and will continue through Thursday, May 14. Voting runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, with a one-hour break at noon. This year’s election introduces QR-coded ballots, voter verification, and digital vote counting. Despite the technological upgrades, enthusiasm among general lawyers appears lower than in previous years.

Three main lawyer panels are contesting the election: the BNP-backed Blue Panel, the Jamaat-backed Green Panel, and the NCP-backed Red-Green Panel. Notably, this is the first time in the association’s history that no Awami League-backed panel is participating. Fourteen executive committee positions are being contested, including president, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer, joint secretaries, and members.

Candidates from each panel expressed optimism about their chances, while some raised concerns about voter apathy and transparency. Independent candidates are also participating for several posts. The election committee, chaired by Justice Miftah Uddin Chowdhury, previously held a candidate introduction meeting, and the final list of valid candidates was announced on April 28.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the United Arab Emirates’ President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a telephone conversation to strengthen security and stability in the Middle East. The discussion took place as part of ongoing efforts to enhance coordination between the two Gulf nations.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the leaders reviewed recent regional developments and exchanged views on joint initiatives aimed at reinforcing peace and stability. The report also noted that the two sides discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The conversation underscores the continuing collaboration between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi in addressing regional challenges and maintaining strategic alignment on key security issues.

US Senator Chuck Schumer has called on Republican lawmakers to support efforts to pressure President Donald Trump to end the ongoing conflict with Iran. Amid rising fuel prices and economic strain, Schumer said that the continuation of the war is driving up living costs for ordinary Americans. In a post on social media platform X, he criticized Trump for refusing to stop the war, noting that Americans are paying more than $4.50 per gallon of gasoline.

Schumer argued that if Republicans truly care about reducing expenses and protecting US troops, they should support the Democrats’ War Powers Resolution aimed at ending the conflict with Iran. The Democratic Party has launched its seventh attempt to pass the resolution, which seeks to ensure that no president can conduct military operations for more than 60 days without congressional approval.

Previous Democratic efforts have failed due to their minority position in Congress and partisan divisions. However, with rising energy prices, military spending, and concerns over troop safety, the opposition is renewing political pressure on the administration.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Rangpur-2 MP ATM Azharul Islam alleged that former party chief Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami was killed through an imperialist conspiracy. He made the claim on Tuesday afternoon at a discussion and prayer meeting titled “Life and Work” marking Nizami’s 10th martyrdom anniversary at the Santhia District Council auditorium in Pabna. Azharul Islam demanded the arrest of those involved in Nizami’s killing and warned that failure to do so would suggest government collusion.

He stated that killing leaders like Nizami or Mujahid could not end the Islamic movement and asserted that Islam would eventually prevail in the country. Referring to the recent national election, he alleged vote manipulation, claiming the people voted for Jamaat’s symbol but another party took power. He also criticized India, accusing it of border killings and withholding Teesta water, saying such a country could not be a true friend.

Other speakers, including Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and opposition whip Rafiqul Islam Khan, called Nizami’s execution unjust and the trial process illegal, demanding accountability for those involved.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has announced a protest rally and demonstration in Chattogram on Friday to condemn alleged persecution of Muslims in West Bengal and Assam. The group’s Amir, Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari, called for formal condemnation and diplomatic action from Bangladesh regarding the incidents. He demanded that the Indian government ensure the safety of minority Muslims.

Speaking at a protest rally organized by Hefazat’s Hathazari unit on Monday afternoon, Babunagari alleged that extremist supporters of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were involved in the violence, citing information from media and local sources. He said attacks based on religious identity are unacceptable in any civilized, democratic, and pluralistic society.

Babunagari also blamed BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s provocative remarks after the election for inciting anti-Muslim sentiment and indirectly encouraging the attackers. Several Hefazat leaders, including central and local officials, also addressed the gathering.

Sarjis Alam, chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) for the northern region and head of its local government election committee, stated that his party is not anti-state toward India or any other country. Speaking at a discussion titled 'Shapla Massacre; A Decade of Impunity' organized by the National Olama Alliance at the Institute of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka on May 12, he emphasized that Bangladesh cannot maintain friendship with any country that approaches it with a mindset of dominance or exploitation.

Alam criticized remarks made by Indian state leaders about Bangladesh’s border issues, calling it shameful that Bangladesh’s home minister dismissed such comments as unofficial. He accused Indian politics, particularly in West Bengal, of promoting communalism and anti-Muslim sentiment, and said Bangladesh should have the courage to express opinions on such human rights violations despite them being internal matters of another country.

He further warned that any foreign government attempting to sustain power in Bangladesh by ignoring the people’s will would fail in the future, urging Bangladesh’s civil administration, police, and army to uphold national dignity and independence.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Secretary General, Principal Hafiz Maulana Yunus Ahmad, stated that the party will not tolerate any killings of Bangladeshi citizens along the border. Speaking at a regular meeting held on Tuesday at the party’s central office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, he criticized India’s decision to build barbed-wire fencing in West Bengal following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) rise to power, calling it politically motivated rather than a security measure.

Ahmad said that while India has the right to manage its own borders, any form of brutality against Bangladeshis is unacceptable. He noted that both countries’ citizens are involved in various cross-border activities, but Bangladesh suffers more financially. He praised Bangladesh’s border guards for their vigilance and urged the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) to act positively to ensure safety. He added that BSF’s past behavior had caused resentment but expressed hope for improvement under the new political situation in West Bengal, warning of consequences if conditions worsen.

Senior party leaders including Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman and Engineer Muhammad Ashraful Alam were also present at the meeting.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Chowdhury said that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) believes in politics centered on public welfare and development. He made the remarks on Tuesday while inaugurating several development projects and canal re-excavation programs in Tarakanda and Haluaghat upazilas of Mymensingh, where he served as the chief guest.

The minister stated that the newly launched road construction and canal re-excavation initiatives reflect the BNP’s commitment to development-oriented work. He added that the government continues to implement various programs for the country’s overall progress, prioritizing public welfare while avoiding unnecessary expenditure. During the visit, he inaugurated multiple projects, including road improvement and canal re-excavation works in different unions.

After the inaugurations, the minister visited local BNP offices and attended a meeting with party members, emphasizing the need for political stability to sustain development. He also listened to local demands for new facilities such as a mini stadium, hospital, and fire service station, assuring that these would be considered.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam stated that friendship cannot be achieved through barbed wire fences and killings along the border. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a discussion and documentary screening titled “Shapla Massacre; A Decade of Impunity,” organized by the National Olama Alliance at the IDEB building in Kakrail, Dhaka.

Nahid Islam urged the government to take effective measures to stop border killings, protect national sovereignty, and secure the country’s fair share of water. He emphasized maintaining communal harmony and ensuring equal rights for all citizens, including Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians. He also criticized the BNP’s role during the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident, saying it should have acted more courageously as an opposition party.

He alleged that the lack of justice for the Shapla Chattar killings created conditions for later violence and called the shooting of unarmed and sleeping people a crime against humanity under international law. Nahid further said that political parties have often used religious scholars and madrasa students for political purposes and that their contributions deserve recognition in national history.

Poet, essayist, and political commentator Farhad Mazhar stated that the United States has carried out a regime change in Bangladesh and that the current power lies with them, not with local actors. He made these remarks on Tuesday at a discussion and documentary screening titled “Shapla Massacre; A Decade of Impunity,” organized by the National Olama Alliance, supported by the NCP, at the IDEB building in Kakrail, Dhaka. Mazhar also called for justice for the Shapla killings and urged unity in revolutionary spirit against what he described as internal and external dangers.

At the same event, NCP leaders including MP Dr. Atik Mujahid, Sarowar Tushar, and Abdullah Al Amin emphasized the need to recognize the Shapla victims as martyrs and to bring specific perpetrators to justice. They described the Shapla incident as part of a cultural struggle that must continue in the region.

The discussion was presided over by Maulana Ashraf Uddin Mahdi, with participation from leaders of Hefazat-e-Islam, Khelafat Majlish, and other allied organizations.

A political controversy erupted in India after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Barrackpore MP Arjun Singh claimed that Suvendu Adhikari had banned offering prayers on public roads. Singh made the statement in an interview with India Today TV, saying that during a cabinet meeting, the chief minister instructed that prayers should not be performed on roads, though there was no objection to prayers inside mosques. The report was published by BBC Bangla and later discussed widely across national media and social platforms.

The West Bengal government held its first cabinet meeting on May 11, after which several executive orders were reportedly issued to police and district officials. However, a senior police officer, speaking anonymously, said that while such orders were indeed given, they did not specifically mention banning prayers. The issue follows earlier objections by BJP leaders to road prayers, including during Eid gatherings on Kolkata’s Red Road.

Human rights representative Sheikh Abdul Selim supported some of the government’s other directives, such as covering meat during sale and controlling noise levels, calling them reasonable.

A controversy has erupted in Khulna after an Awami League leader was listed as a farmer representative in the district’s rice procurement and monitoring committee for the current Boro season. The Khulna District Food Controller’s office submitted the proposed committee list, which included the name of Mallik Abid Hossain Kabir, vice president of Khulna Metropolitan Awami League. Upon reviewing the file, the Deputy Commissioner expressed dissatisfaction and returned it, questioning the justification for including a politically affiliated person as a farmer representative.

According to district administration and food department sources, the government set procurement prices at Tk 36 per kg for paddy, Tk 49 for parboiled rice, and Tk 48 for non-parboiled rice. The committee was supposed to be formed in early May to ensure smooth operations. The District Food Controller, Md Tanvir Hossain, downplayed the issue, saying similar committees had existed since 2010 and that the delay was due to a DC conference. However, other sources claimed the move was an attempt to rush approval without proper oversight.

The incident has reignited debate over transparency and political influence in administrative committees, with calls for genuine farmers to represent agricultural interests.