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.

Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Member of Parliament for Chapainawabganj-2 and Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami in Chapainawabganj district, made an unannounced visit to the Bholahat Upazila Health Complex during a meeting on healthcare quality improvement. The visit took place around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, where health officials, doctors, and staff were discussing service standards. The MP joined the meeting, reviewed hospital operations, patient care, and staff attendance, and gave directives to enhance healthcare services.

After the meeting, Dr. Rahman received dental treatment at the hospital’s dental department, interacted with patients, and gathered feedback on hospital conditions. He urged medical staff to work sincerely and responsibly to gain public trust and ensure accessible government healthcare for all.

Local residents and hospital visitors responded positively to the MP’s direct participation and treatment at the facility. Former Bholahat Upazila Vice Chairman Md. Lokman Ali said the visit would strengthen staff accountability and help identify and solve hospital issues more effectively.

A district leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s women’s wing has been expelled following an attack on teachers at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU). The expelled leader, Helana Khanom, was removed from her position for engaging in activities that violated party discipline, according to a press release issued by the district committee on Tuesday. The committee also instructed party members to avoid any organizational contact with her. The decision was approved by district president Afroza Begum Sima and general secretary Farzana Yasmin Ruma.

The incident occurred on Monday morning in front of the university’s administrative building, where teachers and staff were holding a sit-in demanding the removal of Vice-Chancellor Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam. Ten people, including teachers, officers, and employees, were injured in the attack. Protesters alleged that Helana Khanom was among the outsiders seen verbally abusing teachers during the incident.

The expulsion underscores the party’s attempt to distance itself from the violence and maintain internal discipline following the campus unrest.

The High Court has directed that every train must allocate a separate compartment for women during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha travel period. The order was issued on Tuesday afternoon by a bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan. Lawyer Md Azmal Hossain Khokon represented the petitioner in court and confirmed the directive.

According to the lawyer, Section 64 of the Railway Act of 1890 mandates that each train must have a designated compartment for women, and for journeys exceeding 50 miles, that compartment should include a toilet. Section 119 of the same law also prescribes penalties for unauthorized entry into such compartments. The directive follows a 2021 writ petition filed by lawyer Momtaz Parvin, which led to a High Court rule on March 10 asking why the legal provision for women’s compartments should not be enforced.

The latest order was given in response to a supplementary petition seeking relief for women travelers during Eid, as the earlier rule on implementing the law remains pending before the court.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held an exchange meeting with students of Dhaka University on Tuesday at the Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium. During the question session, he told the students that there was no need to address him as 'Honourable'. The discussion focused on youth perspectives, higher education development, and students’ expectations for building the future of Bangladesh.

The meeting was welcomed by Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor A B M Obaidul Islam, with Professor Dr. Morshed Hasan Khan serving as chief coordinator and Professor Dr. Abdullah-Al-Mamun conducting the session. Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated a University Grants Commission (UGC) workshop titled 'Transformation of Higher Education in Bangladesh: Roadmap for Sustainable Excellence' at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building of Dhaka University.

The events reflected the government’s engagement with academic institutions and students to discuss higher education reforms and national development priorities.

Chittagong University has appointed Dr. Mohammad Saleh Zahur, an associate of S. Alam Group owner Mohammad Saiful Alam, as the new Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration. The appointment was made on Sunday by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan under his executive authority. Zahur replaces Abdur Rahman, who was appointed four months earlier.

According to the report, Zahur was initially known as a BNP supporter but later aligned himself with the Awami League after the 2008 national election. He served as an independent director of Islami Bank from May 2019 until the July 2024 uprising and was also a member of the bank’s executive and audit committees. Zahur is a defendant in multiple Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) cases related to alleged embezzlement from Islami Bank and the International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC), where he previously held senior roles.

Vice-Chancellor Al-Forkan stated that Zahur’s appointment was based on his academic excellence and his perceived ability to manage the faculty effectively.

Former Chief Justice A B M Khairul Haque has been granted bail in two more cases. The order was issued on Tuesday, May 12, by a High Court bench comprising Justice K M Zahid Sarwar Kajol and Justice Sheikh Abu Taher. Earlier, the Appellate Division upheld his bail in five other cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and related to the July Movement and alleged verdict forgery.

Khairul Haque was arrested on July 24 of the previous year from his Dhanmondi residence and shown arrested in a murder case involving a Jubo Dal activist during the July Movement. Several other cases were filed against him, including one on August 27 over alleged forgery of a caretaker government verdict and another ACC case on August 4 concerning plot-related corruption. After lower courts denied bail, he sought relief from the High Court, which issued rules and later granted bail in multiple cases.

The Appellate Division, led by the Chief Justice, rejected the state’s appeal to suspend his bail on April 28. However, Haque was later shown arrested in two additional murder cases filed at Jatrabari and Mirpur police stations.

A total of 330 prominent citizens from various professions, including Islamic scholars, academics, doctors, engineers, and businesspeople, have issued a joint statement expressing concern over the inclusion of undefined gender-related terms in the amended Bangladesh Labour Law 2025. The statement, released on Tuesday and circulated by the spokesperson of the Mulyobodh Andolon, Engineer Muhammad Sadat, warns that the use of terms such as “gender,” “gender identity,” and “gender expression” without clear definitions could undermine women’s safety and introduce ideological disputes into labour legislation.

The signatories argue that the law should focus on workers’ rights and safety rather than incorporating controversial concepts that may conflict with religious and social values. They claim that the lack of precise definitions could allow arbitrary interpretations, potentially legitimizing practices inconsistent with traditional moral and religious norms. The statement also raises concerns that the amendments could create legal complications regarding gender-based behavior in workplaces.

The citizens urge the authorities to reconsider the amendments, define the terms “sex” and “gender” clearly, and remove or revise the disputed terminology to align with religious, cultural, and social values.

Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has passed a bill establishing special military courts to try Palestinians accused of involvement in the October 7, 2023 attacks in southern Israel. According to The Times of Israel, the new law allows these courts to impose the death penalty on those found guilty. The legislation reportedly received support from both the ruling coalition and opposition parties.

Under the new law, the special courts will have authority to adjust or modify existing legal procedures, including rules of evidence and testimony. The measure is intended to expedite trials for Palestinians detained after the October 7 attacks, which killed about 1,200 people and resulted in 250 hostages. Israeli forces have since arrested around 300 Palestinians linked to the incident, who remain in custody.

Reports suggest that the law aims to ensure faster and more decisive judicial proceedings for those accused of genocide or mass killings during the attacks.

A commentary published on May 12, 2026, argues that Pakistan’s ongoing mediation efforts to end the Middle East conflict are unlikely to bring lasting peace or stability. The article claims Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs continued conflict to maintain power and avoid imprisonment in a corruption case, while U.S. President Donald Trump relies on Netanyahu’s support to protect his own political position. It suggests that both leaders are using the conflict to serve personal and political interests rather than pursuing genuine peace.

The piece further contends that Gulf states have realized the risks of aligning too closely with the United States, citing a Saudi official’s remarks about Washington’s lack of support during an Iranian attack. It asserts that the root of the region’s instability lies in Zionist ideology and historical injustices against Palestinians. The author argues that transforming Israel into a normal, non-racial state could have prevented decades of war and displacement.

The commentary concludes that Netanyahu’s focus on prolonging war and undermining democratic institutions threatens both Israeli democracy and regional peace, calling for addressing these leadership issues at their roots.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that market instability in Bangladesh is being fueled by middlemen and extortion rackets. Speaking to reporters after visiting the Mirpur-1 wholesale vegetable market in Dhaka on Tuesday morning, he said traders face silent extortion and occupation of market stalls but are afraid to speak out. He called for breaking the syndicates responsible for manipulating prices and pledged to continue the fight both inside and outside parliament.

Dr. Rahman stated that both consumers and farmers are suffering because of these syndicates, as farmers do not receive fair prices for their produce while consumers pay inflated rates. He cited examples of politically connected individuals renting government-allotted market spaces at exorbitant rates. The opposition leader urged traders to resist extortion and assured them of his support if they face retaliation for exposing such practices.

He also appealed to journalists to highlight the hardships of ordinary people to raise social awareness and help curb the influence of extortionists and corrupt networks.

A major administrative reshuffle has begun at Dhaka University following the assumption of office by the new government. Within a short period, several key positions have changed hands, starting with the resignation of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan. The changes have extended to the posts of Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Proctor, and Assistant Proctor, creating what insiders describe as an atmosphere of uncertainty within the university administration.

Administrative sources said the restructuring is not limited to personnel changes but is part of forming a new power structure. Concerns have emerged over potential political influence in the process. After Dr. Khan’s resignation, Professor Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam was appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor. Subsequent changes included the replacement of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha and the resignation of Proctor Professor Saifuddin Ahmed, followed by Assistant Proctor Shehrin Amin Monami.

Some faculty and officials expressed concern that the appointments could lead to political polarization within the university. However, the new Pro-Vice-Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor denied these allegations, stating that all resignations were voluntary and that experience and competence, not political affiliation, guide appointments.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Pakistan of secretly conducting a digital campaign aimed at undermining the long-standing alliance between the United States and Israel. In an interview aired on May 10 on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” Netanyahu claimed that Pakistan and several other countries are using bot farms and fake social media accounts to wage an organized information war. He described this as a hidden digital battlefield running parallel to ongoing military conflicts.

Netanyahu said the campaign’s goal is to erode American sympathy for Israel, particularly among younger audiences, by manipulating online narratives. He cited examples of fake messages appearing to come from American users but allegedly traced back to Pakistan. The Israeli leader emphasized that Israel is fighting on multiple fronts, including what he called the “eighth battlefield” of media and social networks.

The report noted that Pakistan has no diplomatic relations with Israel and has been a vocal critic of Israeli actions in Gaza and Iran. Netanyahu’s remarks come amid heightened tensions and shifting dynamics in US-Israel relations.