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.

An opinion analysis by Dr. Mohammad Abdul Bari, published on May 10, 2026, examines the aftermath of Bangladesh’s July 2024 student-led uprising that ended an authoritarian government. Two years later, the movement’s inability to convert its moral momentum and mass support into a lasting political structure has raised questions about its long-term impact. Despite initial success, the youth coalition failed to perform in the February 2026 national election, exposing weak organization, unclear goals, and leadership gaps.

The article contrasts Bangladesh’s experience with Nepal’s youth movements, which achieved more sustainable influence by integrating into mainstream politics and pursuing gradual reform. In Bangladesh, entrenched elites, persistent corruption, and unresolved youth unemployment have limited transformation. The piece argues that spontaneous mobilization alone cannot sustain governance and that the same decentralized leadership that fueled the uprising now hinders institutional progress.

Dr. Bari concludes that Bangladesh’s youth must shift from protest to structured political participation. The uprising changed national consciousness, but its true success will depend on building durable institutions and translating awareness into state capacity.

The annual Police Medal ceremony, scheduled as part of Police Week 2026, was canceled at the last moment after it was discovered that several nominees had controversial roles in the July uprising. Police sources confirmed on Saturday night that the event, which traditionally honors officers for bravery and distinguished service, was called off due to the inclusion of disputed names. A senior Home Ministry official also confirmed that a top ministry officer would not receive a medal, with an official announcement expected Sunday.

According to the report, the list included 11 officers previously awarded under the former Awami League government and known for political loyalty. Some were accused of controversial actions during anti-militancy operations or benefiting from senior officials’ influence. Despite the cancellation, Police Week 2026 began with the theme “My Police, My Country, Bangladesh First,” inaugurated by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at Rajarbagh Police Lines.

During the week, police will present 11 institutional demands, including establishing a cybercrime unit, strengthening police hospitals, and expanding training centers, as part of efforts to rebuild morale and improve operational capacity after the uprising.

According to a report by Amar Desh published on May 10, 2026, the death verdict of BNP Standing Committee member Salauddin Quader Chowdhury was allegedly written inside Bangladesh’s Law Ministry rather than by the International Crimes Tribunal judges. The report claims that under the supervision of then–State Minister for Law Kamrul Islam, a team of three officials prepared the verdict based on dictation from Dr. Ahmed Ziauddin. The document was reportedly emailed from the acting law secretary’s personal account to the tribunal chairman’s email on September 30, 2013, a day before the verdict was read in court.

The report cites tribunal officials, ministry staff, and Chowdhury’s family members, who alleged that the verdict was predetermined and politically motivated. Chowdhury’s lawyers argued in court that the judges merely read a verdict written elsewhere, and Amnesty International and the International Court of Justice later questioned the fairness of the trial. The government subsequently prosecuted several individuals for leaking the verdict copy.

Chowdhury was executed on November 22, 2015. His family and lawyers continue to describe the case as a “judicial killing,” while his son Hummam Quader Chowdhury later testified that he was abducted and tortured for seeking justice for his father’s death.

Syria has expressed full solidarity with Bahrain following the arrest of 41 individuals accused of having ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, the Syrian government pledged complete support for Bahrain’s efforts to maintain security and stability in the country.

Bahrain announced on Saturday that it had detained 41 people allegedly connected to the IRGC. The report also noted that Egypt and Kuwait had earlier expressed similar solidarity and support for Bahrain in this matter.

The statement underscores regional alignment among several Arab states in backing Bahrain’s internal security measures amid concerns over alleged Iranian influence in the Gulf region.

Iran is currently reviewing a peace proposal sent by the United States and will respond at what it calls a 'suitable time'. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed that Iranian authorities are examining the proposal and preparing a formal reply. He stated that Iran’s main objective is to end the ongoing war and that Tehran has already sent a 14-point plan to Washington outlining its approach.

According to Baghaei, all relevant Iranian stakeholders, including the Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), senior diplomats, parliament members, and negotiation teams, are involved in reviewing the US proposal. The final decision on Iran’s response will come from the country’s Supreme Leader. While Baghaei did not specify a timeline, he emphasized that the response could come at any moment deemed appropriate for Iran.

The statement underscores Tehran’s focus on narrowing differences with Washington and finding a path toward ending hostilities, though the exact timing and content of Iran’s reply remain uncertain.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Europe will remain incomplete and weak in facing crises if Turkey is not given its rightful place within the European framework. He made the remarks on Saturday in a message marking Europe Day. Erdogan described the Schuman Declaration as not only a symbol of the European Union but also a reflection of the continent’s commitment to peace, cooperation, and mutual respect.

He noted that the founding principles of the European Union, established 76 years ago, are being tested by wars, political instability, and economic challenges. Erdogan emphasized that these global crises have compelled the EU to adopt more inclusive and unified policies, with Turkey remaining an indispensable and undeniable part of this process as a candidate country.

Reaffirming Turkey’s commitment to advancing relations with the EU on the basis of equality and mutual promises, Erdogan expressed hope that the bloc would show the same sincerity. He added that Europe needs Turkey more than Turkey needs Europe and extended his best wishes to the people of Europe and Turkey on Europe Day.

Students of Eden Mohila College in Dhaka staged a midnight protest demanding a ban on student politics. The demonstration began around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday when students broke the lock of the main gate and gathered with slogans opposing political activities on campus. Protesters reportedly attempted to set fire to banners and festoons belonging to a student organization.

According to reports, students from Eden College and the proposed Hazrat Rabeya Basri dormitory joined the protest, trying to break several campus gates. They called for an end to all forms of political influence within the institution. The protest followed an earlier incident in which the phrase ‘politics-free campus’ written on the college gate was erased with paint, sparking anger among students.

The incident reflects ongoing tensions over the presence of student politics in educational institutions, with Eden Mohila College once again becoming a focal point for demands to keep campuses free from political activities.