The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced its ambition to become a ruling party representing the people by 2036, according to its northern regional chief organizer, Sarjis Alam. He made the statement on Sunday afternoon at the party’s temporary office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, during the announcement of candidates for 100 upazilas and municipalities in the upcoming local government elections.

Sarjis Alam said that in the first phase, candidates have been declared for five of the 13 city corporations, with the remaining names to be announced soon. Out of more than a thousand applications received, 100 candidates were selected after scrutiny. A second phase of 100 more candidate announcements is planned by next May. He added that individuals from other political parties with clean reputations may also apply, but those linked to fascism or criminal offenses will be excluded.

The NCP is preparing independently for elections while strengthening its grassroots organization. The first phase includes candidates from several districts in the Rangpur division, with names announced for both upazila chairman and municipal mayor positions.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has announced candidates for 100 upazilas and municipalities as part of its initial list for the upcoming local government elections. The announcement was made on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the party’s temporary office by chief organizer Sarjis Alam, who confirmed that the declared names include 100 NCP-supported candidates for upazila chairman and municipal mayor positions.

According to Sarjis Alam, the party received over a thousand applications for nomination. From these, 100 names were selected for the first phase, with a second list of another 100 candidates expected to be announced on May 20, before the upcoming Eid. He added that the selection process will continue in phases. Alam also stated that individuals from other political parties who are considered acceptable, have no record of oppression, and are not linked to fascist or criminal activities may apply to become NCP candidates.

The announcement marks the beginning of NCP’s phased rollout of candidates for local government positions across the country.

Hungary has entered a new political era as Peter Magyar was sworn in as the country’s new prime minister on Saturday, formally ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure. The transition follows a major political shift after April’s general election, in which Orbán’s nationalist Fidesz party suffered a decisive defeat to Magyar’s center-right Tisza Party.

Magyar, viewed as a pro-European and reform-oriented politician, told supporters in Budapest that it was time to write a “new history” for Hungary. Thousands gathered outside the parliament to celebrate the change. In his parliamentary address, Magyar said voters had chosen not only a new government but also a transformation of the entire political system. He pledged to lead Hungary on a new path and open a new chapter in national politics.

Magyar also accused Orbán’s administration of turning Hungary into one of the most corrupt countries in the European Union, promising to restore integrity and transparency in governance.

The 2026 Tamil Nadu election saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fall from four seats to one, reflecting the state’s enduring Dravidian political culture. Rooted in social justice, Tamil identity, state autonomy, and welfare-oriented governance, Tamil Nadu’s politics remain distinct from northern India’s Hindu nationalist trends. Despite BJP leader K. Annamalai’s social media presence and anti-corruption campaigns, the party struggled to build a broad social coalition or effective booth-level network.

The rise of TVK under Vijay, which presented itself as a corruption-free, youth-driven, and Tamil identity–focused alternative, further weakened BJP’s position. Both DMK and AIADMK, emerging from the Dravidian movement, continue to emphasize Tamil pride, opposition to Hindi imposition, and welfare politics. Many Tamil voters separate religion from politics, supporting Dravidian parties while maintaining personal faith.

Analysts note that BJP’s challenge lies in reconciling its pan-Indian Hindu nationalist ideology with Tamil Nadu’s regional and cultural priorities. Sustainable growth for the party would require nurturing local leadership, embracing Tamil identity, and avoiding overreliance on religious polarization.

In Debidwar upazila of Cumilla, a suspended Awami League leader, Dewan Mohammad Humayun Kabir, has reportedly been lobbying to become the president of a local school committee. Kabir, who serves as vice president of the Barshalghar Union Awami League, was previously accused of using political influence to secure the same position during the former Awami League government. Under the current BNP administration, he has renewed his efforts to obtain the post.

BNP National Executive Committee member Saidur Rahman Liton has submitted applications to the education secretary, district commissioner, Cumilla Education Board chairman, district council administrator, and upazila executive officer, requesting that Sajjad Hossain be appointed president instead of Kabir. Among three applicants for the ad hoc committee presidency, two are linked to the Awami League, while Sajjad Hossain is affiliated with the BNP.

The acting head teacher of Mofiz Uddin Ahmad High School, Amjad Hossain, stated that the board will decide who becomes president. Upazila Executive Officer Rakibul Islam clarified that he has no authority to appoint the ad hoc committee president and that any complaints should be directed to the board.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s sweeping purge of military elites became evident during a recent legislative session, where only a handful of generals attended compared to about 40 a year earlier. Xi signaled that the campaign to reform the armed forces is ongoing, stressing that no one with divided loyalty to the Communist Party can remain in the military. He acknowledged for the first time one of the most severe political crises of his 13-year rule, losing confidence in the very commanders he had built up over the past decade.

The crisis threatens Xi’s major achievement of transforming China’s military into a formidable force with new aircraft carriers, hypersonic missiles, and a growing nuclear arsenal. The purge intensified earlier this year with the downfall of top commander Zhang Youxia, once considered a trusted ally. Analysts cited in the report say Xi’s actions reveal his deep suspicion of disloyalty and corruption, as well as the tension between ensuring loyalty and preparing for war.

The restructuring has tightened Xi’s control over the armed forces, reinforcing his belief in personally selecting the right commanders to ensure both modernization and unwavering allegiance.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, spokesperson of the National Citizen Party (NCP), is traveling to South Korea to attend the World Human Rights Cities Forum 2026 in Gwangju. He is scheduled to leave tonight and return to Bangladesh on May 19. During the visit, he will participate in sessions focused on international human rights, civil rights, and democracy.

In addition to the forum, Bhuiyan will meet with members of the Bangladeshi community living in South Korea to discuss their challenges, opportunities, and contributions to the expatriate society. He will also take part in several organizational meetings, representative discussions, and community engagement activities organized by the NCP Diaspora Alliance’s South Korea chapter.

The visit aims to strengthen NCP’s international engagement and foster dialogue on human rights and diaspora issues through direct interaction with expatriate Bangladeshis and global participants.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has upheld the bail of former Narayanganj City Corporation mayor Selina Hayat Ivy in ten cases, potentially clearing the way for her release. The decision came on Sunday, May 10, 2026, when the court, led by the Chief Justice, rejected a state appeal against a previous High Court order. The cases against Ivy include charges related to murder and other allegations.

Senior advocate Md. Motahar Hossain Saju represented Ivy during the hearing. She was arrested on May 9 of the previous year from her residence in Deovog, Narayanganj, and was later shown arrested in multiple cases. The High Court had earlier granted her bail in five cases, which was stayed by the Appellate Division. Subsequently, she was shown arrested in five additional cases, and on February 26, a High Court bench granted her bail in those as well.

Selina Hayat Ivy previously served as mayor of Narayanganj Municipality from 2003 to 2011 and later won three consecutive elections as mayor of the newly formed Narayanganj City Corporation.

State Minister for Shipping Rajib Ahsan has urged maximum caution in river transport of passengers, sacrificial animals, and cargo ahead of Eid-ul-Azha and the monsoon season. Speaking at the 'Naval Safety Week' event at the Ladies Club in Eskaton, Dhaka, on Sunday, he emphasized that all vessels must maintain proper fitness and route permits. He warned that any negligence in monitoring would result in strict action against those responsible.

The minister noted that while major river accidents in Bangladesh have decreased compared to previous years, continued progress requires greater responsibility from vessel owners, workers, and relevant departments. He criticized the practice of artificially preparing ships for inspection and directed officials to conduct regular field visits. He also prohibited the operation of risky vessels during the turbulent monsoon period.

Expressing concern over unfit trawlers and speedboats operating on smaller routes during Eid, Ahsan called on the river police and coast guard to strengthen surveillance. He stressed that saving time should never come at the cost of human lives and highlighted the need for modern vessels to address challenges such as river narrowing and emerging shoals.

Thalapathy Vijay, officially named Chandrasekhar Joseph Vijay, was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, 2026, at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Governor R.N. Arlekar administered the oath. In an emotional speech, Vijay reflected on his humble background, saying he understood poverty and hunger and had faced many hardships. He pledged to prioritize education, healthcare, and water access, and to support farmers and fishers.

Vijay stated that the state had inherited a debt burden of nearly 10 trillion rupees from the DMK administration, but assured that not a single rupee of public funds would be wasted or misused. He promised a new era of secularism and social justice, thanking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Praveen Chakraborty, and leftist allies for their support.

After the ceremony, Vijay’s first directives included free electricity up to 200 units, a special task force against drugs, and a dedicated force and helpline for women’s safety. His coalition, formed with Congress, CPI, CPM, VCK, and IUML, holds 120 seats and must prove its majority in the assembly by May 13.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara carried out a major government reshuffle on Saturday, removing several ministers and officials, including his own brother. According to the state news agency SANA, former Homs governor Abdul Rahman Badruddin al-Ama was appointed as Secretary-General of the Presidency, replacing Shara’s brother, Maher al-Shara. Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa and Agriculture Minister Amjad Badr were also dismissed, with Khaled Fawaz Jarour and Basel Hafez al-Suwaidan appointed as their successors respectively.

The report noted that Khaled Fawaz Jarour previously headed the Faculty of Media at Damascus University. The reasons behind the reshuffle have not yet been disclosed. The move follows the 2025 formation of Syria’s interim cabinet, which came after long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad was ousted in 2024 and was reportedly dominated by Shara’s close associates.

In addition to the ministerial changes, President Shara appointed new governors in several provinces, including Homs, Quneitra, Latakia, and Deir Ezzor.

Farhad Hossain has made history by being elected as the first Bangladeshi-origin mayor of the London Borough of Newham Council. Representing the Labour Party, he won the election held in London, with results announced on Friday afternoon. Hossain secured 25,538 votes, defeating his nearest rival, Mohammad Mirza, who received 20,234 votes. After his victory, Hossain thanked his supporters and dedicated the win to the entire community, pledging to work for people of all backgrounds.

Hossain has long been active in community and social initiatives, earning recognition among local residents through his involvement in various public service activities. His campaign focused on improving local services, fostering community harmony, and increasing youth participation in civic affairs.

Many members of the Bangladeshi diaspora believe that Hossain’s achievement will inspire greater participation of the younger generation of British Bangladeshis in mainstream UK politics.

Prime Minister’s adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed stated that India must stop border killings if it wants a lasting friendship with Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Sunday, May 10, during the 45th National Council of the Institute of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh in Dhaka. Rizvi questioned why Bangladeshis are repeatedly shot at the border and referred to a recent incident in Brahmanbaria where two people were killed. He said such actions are not desired by the Indian people and that continued bloodshed will not foster good relations.

Rizvi emphasized that to build a permanent and friendly relationship, Delhi must abandon its violent approach. He also praised diploma engineers, describing them as builders of the nation’s structure, and urged them to continue their work despite criticism. He added that the elected government values those contributing to national development and production.

The remarks came amid ongoing protests and calls from other political groups for effective diplomatic measures to stop border killings, reflecting growing concern over the issue.

Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam stated that the government is determined to ensure smooth travel for homebound passengers during the upcoming Eid holidays. He emphasized that coordinated preparations are being made across road, rail, and waterways to guarantee safe and comfortable journeys. The minister made these remarks on Sunday, May 10, at an event marking Maritime Safety Week 2026 at the Ladies Club in Eskaton, Dhaka.

He highlighted that Bangladesh’s economy remains largely labor-dependent, with garment workers, expatriate laborers, and domestic workers all contributing significantly to national development. The minister also noted that the country’s extensive 16,000-kilometer network of waterways is one of its greatest natural assets.

The government’s focus on integrated transport management aims to minimize disruptions during the Eid travel rush, particularly in the river transport sector, where strict monitoring has been promised.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under growing pressure from within his Labour Party following a severe electoral setback. After a major defeat in local elections, Labour MPs and senior ministers have warned Starmer to act swiftly to reverse the party’s decline. Trade unions that continue to fund the party have also urged him to provide concrete commitments for change. Millions of voters expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s performance during its 22 months in power, and even close allies have publicly voiced concern.

According to BBC reports, Starmer plans to deliver a speech on Monday promising closer ties with the European Union and outlining Labour-friendly policy proposals. However, it remains uncertain whether his address will include any dramatic measures capable of shifting public sentiment. Party insiders say the focus should be on governing more effectively and demonstrating visible improvements in people’s lives.

Support for Starmer has fallen sharply nationwide, and calls for his resignation are increasing among MPs. With no clear alternative leader emerging, questions persist about whether he can recover his authority and stabilize the government.