Actor-turned-politician Chandrasekhar Joseph Vijay, popularly known as Thalapathy Vijay, signed several public welfare orders immediately after taking oath as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday. His first directives included providing up to 200 units of electricity free of cost, forming a special task force to combat drug abuse, and establishing a dedicated force and helpline to ensure women’s safety. In his emotional address, Vijay pledged to focus on education, health, and water, and to care for farmers and fishermen.

Vijay reflected on his humble background, noting that he was not from a royal family and had faced many hardships before reaching this position. He also highlighted the state’s heavy debt burden of nearly 10 trillion rupees inherited from the DMK era, promising that no public funds would be wasted or misused. Expressing gratitude to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Praveen Chakraborty, and leftist allies, he vowed to usher in a new era of secularism and social justice.

Vijay’s party, TVK, emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats but secured a majority of 120 seats through coalition support. His government must prove its majority in the assembly by May 13.

Begum Rokeya University (BRUR) in Rangpur has come under scrutiny as students allege that the university’s ban on political activities, declared in October 2024, remains largely unimplemented. The 108th syndicate meeting had unanimously prohibited all political activities by students, teachers, officers, and staff, warning of lifetime expulsion for violations. Despite this, reports suggest that political events, committee formations, and gatherings continue on campus, with allegations of administrative participation in partisan programs.

Students claim that the ban exists only on paper, pointing to the administration’s silence and alleged involvement in political activities. They argue that the prohibition was introduced after the July uprising and the death of student Abu Sayeed to prevent future violence and ensure a peaceful academic environment. However, the persistence of political programs and the absence of disciplinary action have raised doubts about the administration’s commitment.

The delay in holding the long-expected student union elections has further fueled frustration. Students have repeatedly urged the election commission to announce a new schedule, but no progress has been made, deepening uncertainty on campus.

Students of Eden Mohila College in Dhaka staged a protest late on May 9, demanding a ban on student politics on campus. The demonstration began around midnight, with participants chanting slogans against political activities and attempting to break open the college’s main gate. Witnesses and police reported that students from several dormitories gathered near the main entrance, broke locks on multiple gates, and tried to burn a banner outside the campus. The banner reportedly contained the name of a student leader aspiring for a political post.

Protesters argued that political influence and party activities were disrupting the academic environment, calling for a completely politics-free campus. They painted slogans in black on the main gate demanding a “completely politics-free Eden campus.” One student said the protest was triggered after earlier slogans calling for a politics-free campus were erased from the gate.

Lalbagh Police confirmed that the protest lasted several hours before students returned to their dormitories around 2 a.m. The central general secretary of the student wing involved responded online, asserting that participation in student politics is a fundamental right and criticizing attempts to suppress it.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the government will fulfill the logical demands of the police force, considering financial capacity and priorities. He made the statement on Sunday at the Rajarbagh Police Auditorium in Dhaka during the 'Prime Minister’s Special Welfare Meeting' marking Police Week 2026. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended as chief guest, while senior officials from the Home Ministry and police also spoke at the event.

The minister said that some retiring police members will receive honorary promotions based on service records, and the government is considering overtime allowances for officers from inspector to constable ranks. He also emphasized improving physical and mental healthcare for police personnel by upgrading central and divisional police hospitals and constructing new facilities if needed. The government aims to address housing and infrastructure issues through land acquisition and funding support.

Salahuddin Ahmed added that visible improvements in law and order have occurred in the past two months, with special drives underway against criminals and drug traffickers. He said a committee has been formed to draft updated laws against cybercrime, online gambling, and money laundering, and existing laws will be revised to curb mob culture.

A four-hour blockade on the Dinajpur-Dhaka-Rangpur highway was withdrawn on Sunday following discussions between local authorities and transport leaders. The blockade began around 7 a.m. in protest against alleged extortion on the road and was suspended at 11 a.m. after an agreement was reached. Dinajpur municipality administrator Md. Riaz Uddin later issued an official order announcing the temporary suspension of revenue collection activities at the municipal truck terminal.

The decision came after mediation by Syed Jahangir Alam, the Member of Parliament for Dinajpur Sadar constituency, who facilitated talks between the municipal administration and the Truck Workers-Owners Unity Council. During the meeting, the municipal authorities assured that toll collection within the municipal area would be halted, prompting the protesters to suspend their program.

Truck Workers-Owners Unity Council General Secretary Sadakatul Babi Sada stated that the blockade was lifted based on the assurance to stop toll collection temporarily, warning that tougher actions could follow if a permanent solution is not reached.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on police officers to perform their duties with maximum sincerity and capability to ensure the peace and security of the nation’s citizens. He made the remarks on Sunday morning at the inauguration of Police Week 2026 held at the Rajarbagh Police Lines field in Dhaka. The Prime Minister emphasized that the safety of people’s lives and property largely depends on the police and urged them to renew their commitment to protecting the country’s independence and democracy.

He recalled the sacrifices of police officers during the Liberation War, paying tribute to those who were killed in the 1971 attack on Rajarbagh Police Lines. Rahman praised the professionalism of police members during the 13th National Parliamentary Election and their contributions to UN peacekeeping missions. He also highlighted the international recognition of Bangladeshi female police officers and called for humane behavior toward citizens.

The Prime Minister noted that questions remain about certain aspects of the Liberation War’s history and suggested that researchers further study the political decisions of 1971. He concluded by congratulating parade participants and wishing success for Police Week 2026.

Truck workers in Dinajpur blocked the Dinajpur-Dhaka-Rangpur highway on Sunday morning, protesting alleged extortion in the name of municipal toll collection. The demonstration was organized by the Dinajpur Truck Owners-Workers Joint Council and took place at several key entry points of the city, including Government College Mor, Terminal Road, and Kanchan Bridge. The blockade disrupted bus services and caused severe suffering for passengers.

According to union leaders, extortion has been ongoing for about a month under the guise of municipal toll collection on various city roads. They demanded an immediate end to the practice and vowed to continue the blockade until the issue is resolved. The president of the Dinajpur Truck Owners Group claimed that despite verbal objections to the municipal authorities, the illegal toll collection had not stopped.

Dinajpur Kotwali Police Station’s officer-in-charge stated that discussions were underway to resolve the problem.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a meeting with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, according to a statement released by the US State Department on Saturday. The meeting underscored Qatar’s role as a key mediator for Washington, which is currently awaiting Tehran’s response to a peace proposal.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Rubio praised Qatar’s partnership on various issues during the talks. The two leaders discussed US cooperation in Qatar’s defense sector and emphasized the importance of continued coordination to address threats and ensure stability and security across the Middle East.

The report highlighted Qatar’s growing diplomatic significance in regional affairs, particularly in facilitating dialogue between the United States and other Middle Eastern actors.

Thalapathy Vijay, officially named Chandrasekhar Joseph Vijay, took oath as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday morning at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai. Governor R.N. Arlekar administered the oath. In his first address, Vijay described himself as an ordinary man without royal lineage and promised to serve the people sincerely. He pledged not to make false promises and to build an era of genuine secularism and social justice, asking citizens for time to evaluate his work.

Vijay emphasized that he would be the sole center of power, signaling that his government would not operate under coalition pressure. His party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), secured 108 seats in the recent state election and formed a coalition government with support from Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), reaching 120 seats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Vijay and assured cooperation between the central and state governments.

Vijay also declared assets worth 624 crore rupees in his election affidavit and said he would consider publishing a white paper on the state’s financial status to ensure transparency.

UK Labour Party MP Catherine West has announced that she will run for party leadership if no cabinet member challenges current leader Keir Starmer by Monday. In an interview with the BBC, West said she believes a cabinet reshuffle and the presentation of the best alternative to Starmer are necessary following the party’s disastrous election results.

West stated that if no one expresses interest in taking leadership by Monday, she will begin gathering support for her own bid. To qualify, she must secure backing from 20 percent of Labour MPs, equivalent to 81 members. She added that ten MPs are already prepared to support her and expressed confidence that more will join once the contest begins.

The remarks come amid internal party discussions about leadership direction after the poor electoral performance, highlighting growing pressure on Starmer’s leadership within Labour ranks.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara for the first time in over a year, aiming to restore bilateral relations and cooperation. The meeting took place against the backdrop of regional conflict, Israeli military operations in Lebanon, and Israel’s continued presence in southern Syria. The main agenda focused on border and security concerns, particularly the long-standing issues of drug and arms smuggling between the two countries.

Syrian authorities have recently conducted several operations to destroy tunnels allegedly used for arms trafficking into Lebanon and arrested multiple suspects. The government also reported detaining members of a ‘Hezbollah cell’ accused of plotting attacks against the Syrian government, as well as others preparing rocket strikes on Israel. Both Syria and Lebanon now share a common stance on controlling Hezbollah’s activities.

Beyond security, the leaders discussed trade, economic cooperation, and prisoner exchanges. The talks also addressed the repatriation of Syrian refugees from Lebanon, where over one million displaced Syrians still reside despite many returning home since the war.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on police officers to pledge that no fascist force will ever be able to use the police for its own interests. He made the remarks on Sunday morning at the Rajarbagh Police Lines field in Dhaka while addressing the inauguration of Police Week. Rahman emphasized that police members must make every effort to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.

He recalled that many police officers sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence and said that this achievement must be protected at any cost. Rahman described the parade at the event as a reflection of the discipline, dignity, and commitment of the police toward a better future. He also noted that the current democratic government was formed through the people’s mandate following a long anti-fascist struggle culminating in a mass uprising in 2024.

This year’s Police Week, themed “My Police, My Country, Bangladesh First,” began on May 10 and will continue until May 13, featuring various programs and parades inspected by the Prime Minister.

Israel’s ministerial committee is set to review a bill aimed at annulling the historic Oslo Accords, according to a report published on May 10, 2026. The bill was introduced by Limor Son Har‑Melech, the far‑right deputy speaker of the Knesset. In a post on social media platform X, Har‑Melech described the proposal as a first and necessary step to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. The committee will decide whether the government will support the bill.

The Oslo Accords, signed in 1993 and 1995 between Israeli and Palestinian leaders, marked the first mutual recognition between the two sides and outlined a framework for ending decades of conflict. The agreements granted limited self‑rule to Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, divided into Areas A, B, and C under varying degrees of control.

If passed, Har‑Melech’s bill would encourage Israeli settlement expansion in Areas A and B, which are currently under Palestinian or joint control. Such settlements are considered illegal under international law.

Large-scale protests took place in Tel Aviv against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and its ongoing attacks in southern Lebanon. The demonstrations continued late into Saturday night, with participants demanding an end to what they described as genocide. Protesters carried placards reading “Stop the genocide” and “Forget October Seven.”

The protests occurred amid rising tensions involving Israel’s conflicts with Iran and Lebanon, as well as domestic unrest ahead of general elections scheduled for later this year. Demonstrator David Alkan, aged 83, told Reuters that he joined the protest because he believes the government is misleading citizens with false information. He criticized the government’s direction and expressed concern about internal divisions within Israel.

The demonstrations reflect growing public frustration with the Netanyahu administration’s handling of regional conflicts and domestic issues as the country approaches its upcoming election period.

The article discusses the rise of Hindutva ideology in West Bengal, marking nearly a decade since it came to power nationally in India in 2014. It argues that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s victory in the state has extended Hindutva’s influence across India’s eastern border states—Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal—forming a contiguous ideological stronghold. The author suggests that this development does not significantly alter India’s policy toward Bangladesh, which has remained consistent regardless of which party governs in New Delhi.

The piece traces the roots of Hindutva’s cultural and political mindset to the Bengal Renaissance and British colonial structures, describing how notions of caste, privilege, and religious hierarchy shaped modern Indian identity. It draws parallels between historical land settlements, elite entitlement, and contemporary political dominance, arguing that figures such as Pranab Mukherjee helped institutionalize a Hindu-centric political culture extending into Bangladesh’s ruling party.

The author concludes by warning Bangladeshis against reacting to India’s religious polarization, urging them to resist any form of sectarianism and to avoid being provoked by ideological or cultural provocations emerging from across the border.