The Justice and Democracy Party (JDP) organized a protest march and rally in Dhaka on Friday night following the killing of two Bangladeshi nationals by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) in Brahmanbaria. The demonstration began near the National Museum around 8:30 p.m. and concluded at the Raju Sculpture in Shahbagh, where participants chanted slogans condemning the border killings and held a brief gathering.

During the rally, JDP member secretary Advocate Abdul Alim urged the government to take strong action over the incident, accusing it of maintaining a submissive foreign policy that emboldens the BSF. Senior joint member secretary Nura Jerin criticized the government for failing to respond firmly, saying it remains silent on citizens’ safety while being vocal on other issues. JDP leaders including convener Naeem Ahmad, chief organizer Ahsan Ullah, and senior joint convener Imran Hossain Rahat attended, along with members of the National Student Forum.

Speakers at the protest demanded immediate and effective government measures to stop border killings and ensure the safety of Bangladeshi citizens.

The Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) has expressed deep concern and strong condemnation over the killing of two Bangladeshi youths and injury of about 20 others by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) at the Kasba border in Brahmanbaria. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju and Secretary General Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad said the indiscriminate shooting of unarmed Bangladeshi citizens violates international law, human rights, and neighborly relations.

The statement criticized the Bangladesh government for failing to take effective diplomatic and political measures despite repeated incidents of border killings, leaving citizens at serious risk. The leaders emphasized that while smuggling and illegal trade are real issues, they must be addressed through law enforcement rather than lethal force. They called for stronger diplomatic dialogue, joint patrols, information sharing, and rule-based measures between Bangladesh and India.

The AB Party urged the government to raise the issue in international forums, ensure accountability for the incident, and guarantee security for border residents. They also conveyed condolences to the victims’ families and demanded proper treatment for the injured.

The formal ceremony to award medals to police officers during Police Week at the parade ground in Dhaka has been canceled. According to reports, the decision was made at the last moment on Saturday after it was discovered that several controversial officers were included in the list of recipients. Six officers were reportedly informed verbally about the cancellation at the Rajarbagh parade ground.

Police sources said the list contained names of officers whose inclusion raised concerns, prompting authorities to halt the event. The medals were meant to recognize acts of bravery, dedication, and service in 2025, including the Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM), President’s Police Medal (PPM), and their service variants. The Prime Minister was scheduled to present the medals to the recipients.

A total of 107 officers had been preparing for the ceremony since May 2. However, as of Saturday night, no government order (G.O.) had been issued, which is a required step for the awards to be formally conferred.

BNP Vice Chairman and Patuakhali-1 Member of Parliament Altaf Hossain Chowdhury announced that the BNP government has brought an allocation of Tk 400 crore for the rapid development of Patuakhali district. He made the statement on Saturday at a views-exchange meeting held at Patuakhali Gymnasium, jointly organized by the district, municipal, and sadar upazila BNP units and their affiliated organizations.

During the event, Chowdhury expressed gratitude to voters for electing him by a margin of one lakh votes and said he came to Patuakhali carrying greetings from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He emphasized that he represents all constituents, including those who did not vote for him, and urged party members to act with integrity in utilizing development funds. He also warned against corruption and irregularities, stating that no work should proceed without the MP’s DO letter.

Earlier, Chowdhury visited the 250-bed Patuakhali Medical College Hospital and acknowledged shortages of doctors, nurses, and staff. He assured that these issues would be resolved gradually.

Netrakona-4 Member of Parliament Lutfozzaman Babar has stated that the list of farmers affected by heavy rainfall in Madan upazila was not prepared accurately. During a visit to several affected areas on Saturday, he said the list would be rechecked and newly prepared to ensure fairness. He made the remarks after hearing complaints from local farmers about the inaccuracies.

Babar was accompanied by the upazila executive officer Bedabati Mistri, assistant commissioner (land) Shaolin Nahar, agriculture officer Md Mahmudul Hasan Mizan, and officer-in-charge Md Tarikul Islam. Local BNP leaders, including the upazila and municipal presidents and general secretaries, as well as his personal assistant and Hefazat leader Mufti Anwar Hossain, were also present.

The MP said the Prime Minister had instructed the preparation of a list to assist affected farmers but expressed anger after learning that many genuine victims were excluded while unaffected individuals were included. Babar directed the administration to correct the list promptly and assured officials that they need not bow to political pressure, even from his own party.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair has stated that there is no ideology called 'Mawdudibad' in the world. In a statement sent to the media, he said the term was a narrative created by certain groups to oppose Jamaat. Zubair made the remarks while condemning a national daily’s editorial titled 'Education sector must be freed from Jamaat', calling it baseless and politically motivated.

He argued that Jamaat-e-Islami follows the true teachings and spirit of Islam and encourages its members to adhere to Islamic principles. Zubair criticized the newspaper for acting as a vanguard for specific interests instead of maintaining editorial neutrality. He said Jamaat believes in a welfare-oriented education system and has always worked to support and advise the education sector.

Zubair further stated that Jamaat respects followers of all Islamic schools of thought and rejects any attempt to create division or hostility among them. He emphasized that educational institutions operate under official administrative and ministerial guidance, leaving no room for imposing any particular ideology.

A resurfaced video allegedly showing West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari accepting money has triggered fresh political controversy across the state. The video, originally from 2016, went viral again on social media, reigniting tensions between ruling and opposition camps. The footage was linked to the Narada sting operation, during which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused several Trinamool Congress leaders, including Adhikari and Mukul Roy, of involvement in financial transactions.

After Adhikari and Roy later joined the BJP, reports emerged that the video had been removed from the party’s official YouTube channel. Critics now claim that the BJP selectively raises corruption issues and shields leaders who switch to its side. Opposition voices argue that this reflects a double standard in the party’s anti-corruption stance.

Political analysts suggest the episode underscores how strategic interests and party loyalty have overtaken ideological consistency in West Bengal’s political landscape.

A new analysis has emerged on the future of U.S.-Iran relations amid ongoing regional tensions and conflict. According to Muhannad Selum, assistant professor of international politics at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Tehran is not interested in returning unconditionally to the pre-war status quo. Instead, Iran aims to extract additional political or strategic concessions from Washington.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Selum explained that U.S. policy has recently shifted from diplomacy to war and then back to negotiations. He noted that Washington claims to have achieved certain military successes and now seeks to translate them into diplomatic gains, while Iran is resisting this approach. Selum added that although the United States retains military and diplomatic leverage, Iran’s effective pressure options are limited, with control over the Strait of Hormuz remaining its key strategic strength.

Selum further observed that since the war began in February, Iran’s position has weakened, yet Tehran continues to prioritize a diplomatic solution while seeking more than a simple restoration of previous conditions.

Former US National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent has alleged that the United States launched its military operation against Iran under pressure from Israel and its influential lobby. According to a Fox News report, Kent wrote on social media that before the conflict began, US intelligence agencies had assessed that Tehran was not developing nuclear weapons and had warned that an attack could provoke Iranian retaliation against American bases and disrupt the Strait of Hormuz.

Kent said professional intelligence assessments were ignored in favor of Israel’s political agenda, arguing that strikes on Iranian leadership would strengthen, not weaken, the regime. He resigned in March citing ethical reasons, reiterating that Iran posed no immediate threat to the US. The White House, through spokesperson Davis Ingle, dismissed Kent’s claims as baseless and misleading, asserting that President Donald Trump acted on strong intelligence and prioritized American safety.

Trump also denied that Israel pressured him into war, saying his decision followed regional tensions after October 7, 2023, and concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Kent’s remarks have reignited debate in Washington over the true motivations behind the Iran conflict and the role of intelligence assessments.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has declared the restoration of public trust in the police and improvement of law and order as top national priorities. In a statement issued on Saturday, ahead of Police Week 2026 to be observed on Sunday, he said that after more than fifteen years, a democratic government has been established through a free and fair election, bringing peace and relief to the public. Citizens now expect a society free from fear, abduction, and injustice, where safety and security are guaranteed.

The Prime Minister emphasized that law enforcement, particularly the police, play a vital role in maintaining stability and ensuring public safety. He noted that a professional and responsible police force is essential for upholding state stability and public confidence. He extended greetings to all current, former, and retired police personnel on the occasion of Police Week 2026.

Rahman also highlighted the police’s contributions in national elections and international peacekeeping missions, calling for modernization and capacity building to meet global challenges. He urged stronger police action against mob violence, youth gangs, and drug proliferation to sustain democratic progress.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has accused the government of stalling the formation of the July Charter and the Constitutional Reform Council. Speaking at a dialogue with diplomats from various countries in Dhaka’s Gulshan area on Saturday, he said the government was using deception over the reform process. The event, titled “Reform Deadlock: The Way Forward,” was organized by the NCP’s Reform Implementation Committee and attended by diplomats from several European Union member states.

Nahid Islam alleged that both the government and the BNP were engaging in political trickery regarding the reforms. He said that although top leaders had supported a referendum before the election, they opposed it after coming to power. He emphasized that reforms must be participatory, transparent, and based on sovereign authority. He also stated that the NCP preferred peaceful and nonviolent movements but warned that stronger action would follow if the government ignored their demands.

He further stressed the need for a Constitutional Reform Council to ensure fundamental changes such as establishing an upper house, caretaker government, independent judiciary, and transparent appointments to constitutional bodies.

Actor C. Joseph Thalapathy Vijay’s party, TVK, has secured a legislative majority in Tamil Nadu, ending a period of political uncertainty. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) have extended unconditional support, bringing the alliance’s total to 120 seats, surpassing the 118-seat threshold required to form a government. This development clears the way for the state’s first coalition government and strengthens Vijay’s prospects of being sworn in as Chief Minister.

Both VCK and IUML hold two seats each, and their backing has resolved the post-election uncertainty over majority formation. Celebrations reportedly began at the TVK headquarters following the announcement. In a letter to Governor R. N. Ravi, VCK President Thol Thirumavalavan confirmed his party’s unconditional support, citing the need for a stable and democratic government for the people of Tamil Nadu.

Vijay is expected to submit letters of support from all 118 alliance legislators to the Governor, after which he may receive an official invitation to form the government.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, has called on citizens to join the party’s movement to realize the ideals and unfinished work of former Jamaat chief and ex-minister Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami. In a statement issued to the media on Saturday ahead of Nizami’s execution anniversary, he paid deep respect to Nizami’s contributions and described him as a visionary Islamic thinker and principled political leader.

Dr. Rahman highlighted Nizami’s lifelong efforts to establish an Islamic welfare state through democratic means, his leadership in promoting Islamic education, and his role in securing government recognition for Qawmi madrasa education. He also recalled Nizami’s service as Minister of Agriculture and Industry, noting his integrity and leadership in revitalizing the industrial sector.

The Jamaat leader further mentioned Nizami’s international recognition, including his inclusion in global surveys of influential Muslim figures, and his authorship of numerous books. Dr. Rahman concluded by praying for Nizami’s acceptance as a martyr and his highest place in paradise.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis chief Maulana Mamunul Haque has expressed deep concern and condemnation over reports of persecution, eviction drives, and communal violence targeting Muslims in India’s West Bengal and Assam. During the party’s central executive council meeting on Saturday, he announced a protest march in Dhaka on Sunday to denounce what he described as ongoing killings of Muslims in India.

Haque said attacks on Muslim homes, businesses, mosques, and Eidgahs in districts such as Darjeeling, Uttar Dinajpur, and Murshidabad were alarming, and that eviction operations in Assam violated human rights. He accused the Indian government and administration of worsening the situation and urged the United Nations, the OIC, the Muslim world, and the Bangladesh government to take diplomatic action.

The meeting also discussed instability in the Middle East involving Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran, calling for lasting peace and unity among Muslim nations. Party leaders further criticized the Bangladeshi government for ignoring the February 12 referendum results and urged nationwide mobilization to implement the verdict.

On Saturday, hours after Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of West Bengal, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee called for a broad political alliance against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking at her Kalighat residence during a Rabindra Jayanti event, she urged left, far-left, national, student, youth, and volunteer organizations to unite against what she described as an environment of terror and repression in the state. Banerjee emphasized that political differences should be set aside to focus on a collective fight against the BJP.

She alleged that administrative obstacles were placed against the ‘Desh Bachao Ganatantrik Mancha’ program and even her own event at Kalighat, claiming that permissions were denied and logistical support was blocked. Despite this, she said the program was completed through their own efforts. Banerjee also accused BJP supporters of spreading violence and intimidation across the state, targeting Trinamool workers and even her family members.

The recent assembly election results gave the BJP a clear majority with 207 out of 293 seats, while Trinamool Congress secured 80 seats. Other parties, including Congress, CPM, ISF, and AJUP, won minor representation.