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.

The government of West Bengal has issued new and stricter regulations on animal slaughter, banning the public slaughter of cattle and all other animals across the state. According to the directive, anyone wishing to slaughter cattle or other animals must obtain official approval and a fitness certificate from a government veterinarian. Violations of the new rules may result in up to six months of imprisonment, a fine, or both.

The notification, reported by NDTV, specifies that animals such as cows, bulls, oxen, and buffaloes can only be slaughtered after receiving joint certification from local authorities and government veterinarians. Only animals older than fourteen years or those unfit for work or breeding may be approved for slaughter. Animals suffering from severe injury, disability, or incurable disease may also be permitted for slaughter, provided the certificate clearly states the reason.

The directive further mandates that approved animals must be slaughtered only in designated slaughterhouses or officially approved locations. Open or public slaughter is completely prohibited, and obstruction of inspections by authorized officials will be treated as a punishable offense.

During a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, U.S. President Donald Trump offered high praise for his Chinese counterpart. Speaking directly to Xi, Trump called him a great leader and said he did not care about criticism of his remarks because he believed them to be true.

The report notes that Trump’s admiration for Xi is not new but part of a long-standing pattern spanning nearly a decade of personal and political interactions. In 2017, during his first state visit to China, Trump described Xi as a very special, talented, and good person. He has also spoken positively about Xi in various interviews, including a 2023 Fox News appearance where he called Xi smart and an extraordinary individual.

Political analysts cited in the report observe that despite trade wars and geopolitical tensions, Trump has consistently maintained a tone of personal respect toward Xi, a stance that continues to spark debate within U.S. political circles.

Liberation War Affairs Minister and BNP Vice Chairman Ahmed Azam Khan visited injured fighters from the July 24 uprising who are currently receiving medical treatment in Bangkok. On Tuesday, May 12, he met with doctors at Vejthani International Hospital to inquire about the physical condition of the wounded individuals.

During his visit, the minister also discussed ensuring that the injured fighters receive all necessary medical services. He expressed his wishes for their speedy recovery while reviewing their ongoing treatment arrangements.

The visit highlights the government’s continued attention to those injured during the July uprising, reflecting ongoing concern for their health and rehabilitation.

Former minister Dr. Dipu Moni, journalist Mozammel Babu, and journalist Farzana Rupa were presented before a tribunal in Dhaka on Thursday morning in connection with a case alleging crimes against humanity. The case relates to killings during Hefazat-e-Islam’s mass rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel on May 5, 2013. Prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim stated that Dipu Moni, then foreign minister, had internationally described the incident as a law enforcement operation against unruly groups, while Mozammel Babu and Farzana Rupa allegedly broadcast provocative statements through Ekattor Television.

At the time of the incident, Mozammel Babu was the managing director of Ekattor TV and Farzana Rupa was its chief reporter. Six other accused, including former state minister for home Shamsul Haque Tuku and several former senior police officials, are currently in jail in connection with the same case. The complaint was originally filed by Hefazat-e-Islam leader Azizul Haque on behalf of leaders Junaid Al Habib and Maulana Mamunul Haque, accusing 21 individuals in total.

The tribunal proceedings mark a continuation of legal actions surrounding the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident, which remains a politically sensitive issue in Bangladesh.

US President Donald Trump’s visit to China included his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who had previously been sanctioned twice by Beijing. The trip, reported on May 14, 2026, was described as unprecedented because Rubio’s participation came despite those sanctions. To bypass the restrictions, official travel documents reportedly used an alternate spelling of Rubio’s name, allowing him to enter China.

The sanctions were originally imposed when Rubio served as a US senator and spoke strongly in favor of human rights in China. In response, the Chinese government had targeted him with two rounds of sanctions. Before he assumed office as Secretary of State in January 2025, Chinese state media had already begun using a different spelling of his name.

On Tuesday, Chinese authorities stated that Rubio would not be barred from entering the country, clarifying that the sanctions were related to his past actions as a senator rather than his current diplomatic role.

Former law adviser and Dhaka University law professor Dr. Asif Nazrul has claimed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was a student of the university’s law department. In a recent Facebook post, he stated that Rahman enrolled in the 1985–86 academic session and attended classes for about two months. Nazrul said he personally knew of this as he was a senior student in the department at that time.

According to Nazrul, several of Rahman’s classmates later became prominent figures, including former Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, environmental activist and former adviser Rizwana Hasan, and Supreme Court Justice Farah Mahbub. He added that Rahman’s studies were discontinued, possibly due to security concerns during the strict rule of then-President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, amid allegations linking Ershad to the assassination of former President Ziaur Rahman.

Nazrul’s post comes amid ongoing public debate over whether Tarique Rahman was ever a student of Dhaka University’s law department.

Ariful Islam Adib, senior joint convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), said the government has failed to ensure the safety and livelihood security of citizens as killings, robberies, extortion, and terrorist activities have sharply increased across the country. He made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon at a citizens’ human chain organized by NCP’s Tejgaon zone in front of Ananda Cinema Hall in Farmgate, Dhaka, protesting the rising child mortality rate, weak vaccination system, and deteriorating law and order.

Ariful described the current child mortality rate as alarming and called for immediate and effective measures to control it. He urged accountability from the interim government, the Ministry of Health, and related authorities through departmental investigations. Expressing concern over recent killings in Gazipur and rising crimes in Dhaka and other regions, he appealed to the Home Minister to prioritize law and order improvements. He also demanded diplomatic action to stop border killings of Bangladeshi citizens.

Representatives from social organizations, including the Disappearance Prevention Commission, expressed solidarity with the protest, urging the government to strengthen healthcare, vaccination, and citizen security measures.

Police in Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar, arrested Nazem Uddin, the recently expelled joint secretary of Kakara Union BNP and former general secretary of Ward No. 2 BNP. The arrest took place around noon on Wednesday in the Pulerchhara area of Kakara Union. Law enforcement officials stated that the arrest was made based on a court-issued warrant and carried out following a tip-off.

According to Chakaria Police Station sources, a team led by Sub-Inspector Sujon Barua conducted the operation that resulted in Nazem Uddin’s detention. The officer-in-charge confirmed that the arrest was executed strictly under the court’s directive, and the accused has since been sent to court after completing necessary legal procedures.

Although Nazem Uddin had already been expelled from the BNP, his arrest has sparked discussions and criticism within the local political sphere. However, no immediate reaction from local BNP leaders was available at the time of reporting.

National Citizens Party (NCP) chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari sharply criticized the government’s policies and services, warning that if all government 'cards' or promises fail, citizens will show a 'red card'. He made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon at the NCP central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, during a seminar organized by the party’s Agriculture Cell titled 'Farmers’ distress during paddy procurement season: crisis and solutions'. Patwari questioned whether farmers are truly benefiting from the government’s various card-based schemes and urged authorities to ensure service quality and effectiveness for marginalized communities.

Expressing concern over border and regional politics, Patwari alleged that the new government in West Bengal, India, is attempting to incite communal unrest along the Bangladesh border. He urged the Bangladeshi government to remain vigilant and take timely action to prevent any provocations, emphasizing that border security and communal harmony have become major challenges.

At the same event, agricultural economist Professor Dr. Jahangir Alam highlighted that 5–7 percent of Boro paddy was damaged this season due to natural disasters, warning of possible food shortages and inflation. He recommended allocating at least 10 percent of the national budget to agriculture and forming an independent price commission to ensure fair prices for farmers.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Parliament and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to visit Rangpur on Friday. According to a press release issued Wednesday by Jamaat’s central publicity department, he will attend several local events as the chief guest during his visit.

The statement said Dr. Rahman will address the Upazila and Thana Ameer Conference at Rangpur Model College auditorium in the morning, organized by the Rangpur-Dinajpur regional unit. He will then hold discussions with regional team members, district and city leaders, and later meet with leaders of Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Rangpur Metropolitan, Begum Rokeya University, and district branches. In the second part of the visit, a special gathering organized by Rangpur Metropolitan Jamaat will take place at the local Shilpakala Academy auditorium at 4:30 p.m., where he will also speak as chief guest.

He will be accompanied by party Nayeb-e-Ameer ATM Azharul Islam MP, Assistant Secretary General and Rangpur-Dinajpur regional director Maulana Abdul Halim, and invited local Members of Parliament.