Two journalists from Channel One were injured when BNP-backed lawyers attacked them during the Chattogram District Bar Association election on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. inside the auditorium of the Lawyers’ Annex Building while voting was underway. The victims were bureau chief Shahnewaz Riton and cameraman Amit Das, who were broadcasting live from the polling center.

Eyewitnesses said the journalists were assaulted while covering the ongoing vote. Jamaat-backed candidates had boycotted the election earlier, and Awami League-aligned lawyers were unable to participate due to organizational restrictions, resulting in a one-sided vote. The attackers reportedly suspected that the live broadcast was highlighting the uncontested nature of the election.

Shahnewaz Riton stated that he had permission from the election commission to go live from the center. He alleged that several BNP-affiliated lawyers confronted them, and after an argument, 8–10 individuals physically assaulted him and Amit Das before labeling them as Awami League agents and forcing them out of the polling center.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump said he might run for Israel’s next prime minister after completing his current duties in the United States. He made the remark on May 20, 2026, while speaking to reporters before the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s commencement ceremony. Trump claimed he was extremely popular in Israel, citing a poll showing his popularity at 99 percent, though he did not specify the source of the survey. USA Today reported that the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on his remarks.

Benjamin Netanyahu is currently serving as Israel’s prime minister, having held the position across multiple terms since 1996. Trump has long been a strong supporter of Netanyahu, particularly amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, where the United States and Israel have acted as allies. When asked about Netanyahu, Trump described him as a “wonderful person” and a “wartime prime minister” who, in his view, is not properly appreciated in Israel.

Trump’s comments followed earlier statements about potential U.S. actions against Iran and the possibility of a diplomatic agreement to end hostilities.

Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, newly appointed vice-chancellor of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), arrived on campus in Gazipur on Thursday afternoon despite an ongoing complete shutdown. He was accompanied by leaders of the DUET Teachers’ Association, officers, and staff. After arriving, he received floral greetings at the vice-chancellor’s office and signed several university documents. Earlier in the day, Dr. Iqbal held a meeting with DUET teachers, officers, and staff at the Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s office before entering the campus.

The government appointed Dr. Iqbal, a professor from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, as DUET’s new vice-chancellor last Thursday. Following the appointment, a section of students rejected the decision, demanding that the vice-chancellor be selected from among DUET’s own teachers. When news spread that Dr. Iqbal would assume office on Sunday, students locked the campus gates and staged protests.

Clashes later broke out between students supporting and opposing the new vice-chancellor, leaving at least 15 people, including five police officers, injured. In response, the protesting students declared a complete shutdown of the campus.

Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir is visiting Tehran with the primary goal of reducing ongoing differences between Pakistan and Iran and advancing toward a formal memorandum of understanding, according to Iranian news agency ISNA.

The report states that discussions in Tehran are focusing on the overall framework, detailed issues, and confidence-building measures based on a draft proposed by Iran. The draft has reportedly helped narrow some existing gaps between the two sides. However, the report also notes that further progress would require an end to what it described as Washington’s “temptation of war.”

ISNA added that Munir’s visit aims to resolve remaining disagreements and move the two countries closer to formally announcing the memorandum of understanding.

Rashed Pradhan, vice president and spokesperson of the National Democratic Party (JAGPA), declared that the party’s future struggle will be against neo-fascism and Indian hegemony. He made the remarks on Thursday after the noon prayer at JAGPA’s Paltan office in Dhaka during a prayer meeting marking the ninth death anniversary of the party’s founder, Shafiul Alam Pradhan. Rashed Pradhan said that Shafiul Alam Pradhan had taught them to live with dignity and never compromise on national independence and sovereignty.

The JAGPA spokesperson alleged that the country’s law and order situation has collapsed, citing incidents of child abuse and murder, extortion, looting, and what he described as state-backed terrorism. He accused the administration and universities of partisan control and claimed that India continues border killings, illegal push-ins, and aggression. He urged party members to resist oppression and foreign dominance, echoing the late leader’s call for struggle as the path to liberation for working people.

Several senior JAGPA leaders, including presidium members, freedom fighters, and youth and labor wing representatives, attended the event.

A total of 441 new sailors from the A-2026 batch formally joined the Bangladesh Navy after completing their bootcamp training at the BNS Sher-e-Bangla parade ground in Patuakhali on Thursday. The oath-taking and graduation ceremony featured a parade reviewed by Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, who also distributed awards to top-performing recruits. Md Shahriar Tutul received the Navy Chief’s Medal for overall excellence, while Md Samiul Islam Shakil and Md Kader Mia earned the Comkhul and Sher-e-Bangla medals respectively. Mos Marzia Akter was recognized as the best female sailor with the Pritilata Waddedar Medal.

In his address, Admiral Hassan paid tribute to fallen naval heroes of the Liberation War and highlighted ongoing modernization efforts, including the addition of helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, a hydrographic survey ship, and an anti-drone system. He commended the Navy’s role in supporting civil administration, ensuring security of key installations, and assisting during the 13th national election.

The Navy Chief urged the new sailors to uphold integrity, discipline, and loyalty while working alongside the Army and Air Force to safeguard national sovereignty.

United Kingdom High Commissioner Sarah Cook and Switzerland’s Ambassador Reto Renggli paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan at his office in the Secretariat on Thursday. State Minister for Information Yasser Khan Chowdhury was also present during the meeting. Sarah Cook congratulated the minister on assuming office, while the minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring media freedom and mentioned that work to form a media commission had begun.

The minister sought cooperation from the United Kingdom and expressed interest in utilizing the experience of the UK’s Office of Communications (Ofcom) in developing media policy in Bangladesh. The High Commissioner assured him of support and briefed him on Ofcom’s activities. During his meeting with the Swiss Ambassador, the minister also expressed interest in learning from Switzerland’s experience to protect citizens from misinformation and disinformation while upholding media freedom.

State Minister Yasser Khan Chowdhury highlighted that artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and global challenges, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to address them. He also invited Swiss investment in Bangladesh’s technology and other sectors.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman has said that army personnel are expected to return to their barracks soon. He made the remarks on Thursday while addressing the closing and award ceremony of the Bangladesh Army Central Firing Competition at Comilla Cantonment. The army chief noted that many soldiers have already returned, but around 16,000 to 17,000 members remain deployed across 62 districts. He added that the army will continue field operations as long as required by the government, including current deployments at fuel depots.

During the event, General Waker-uz-Zaman highlighted the army’s contribution to nation-building and maintaining national stability. He stated that since July 20, 2024, army personnel have been performing their duties in the field with dedication to meet the country’s needs.

The Central Firing Competition, which began on May 16, featured 17 teams from various formations, logistics areas, five independent brigades, and the Para Commando Brigade.

Jamaat-backed lawyers have boycotted the Chattogram District Bar Association election, alleging obstruction in nomination submission, irregularities, and bias by the Election Commission. The voting began at 9 a.m. on Thursday at the association’s auditorium, while the protesting lawyers, led by Advocate Shamsul Islam, demonstrated in front of the annex building from 10 a.m. They claimed that nine of their candidates were unfairly disqualified and described the election as one-sided and undemocratic.

According to court sources, nominations for nine out of 21 posts were canceled for late submission, while 12 were declared valid. Among the valid nominations, only one was for a vice president post, and the rest were for member positions. Earlier, on May 14, 166 lawyers, including Jamaat supporters, called a special meeting to challenge the decision but lost in a vote. They later filed a case in the First Joint Judge Court.

On May 20, the court upheld the Election Commission led by Advocate Rowshan Ara and allowed the election to proceed. The night before the election, seven Jamaat-backed lawyers holding positions in the current bar council resigned together.

The United States has filed criminal charges against former Cuban president Raul Castro, accusing him of ordering the 1996 shootdown of two planes that killed four people, including three American citizens. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment in Miami’s Freedom Tower, stating that Castro and five others face murder charges related to the destruction of two aircraft owned by the Cuban-American group Brothers to the Rescue. The charges carry potential penalties of life imprisonment or death.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel dismissed the allegations as a politically motivated move without legal basis, accusing Washington of distorting facts and using the case to justify aggression against Cuba. He insisted the planes were downed in Cuba’s airspace in self-defense. The indictment comes amid heightened US pressure on Cuba’s communist government, including sanctions and fuel restrictions that have worsened power outages and food shortages.

Experts cited in the report suggested the move is part of a broader US strategy to pressure Havana into negotiations. However, they noted that given Castro’s advanced age and retirement, a direct confrontation or extradition appears unlikely.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that the recent incidents of rape, child abuse, and murder in Bangladesh are not isolated events but reflect a deep moral and social decline. He made the remarks on Thursday in a verified Facebook post, describing these crimes as evidence of long-standing ethical deterioration and loss of human values.

In his post, Mirza Fakhrul emphasized that legal measures or government actions alone are insufficient to address the crisis. He called for a strong national social movement involving families, schools, madrasas, teachers, religious leaders, media, social organizations, and every citizen. He also highlighted the importance of education in teaching respect, humanity, responsibility, and the dignity of women to the younger generation.

Fakhrul concluded by urging collective participation to ensure children’s safety, stating that protecting them means securing the future of Bangladesh.

The West Bengal government has made the singing of 'Vande Mataram' compulsory in all madrasas across the state. According to an order issued by the state's Madrasa Education Directorate, every recognized, government-aided, and unaided madrasa under the Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education Department must include the song in their morning assembly. This directive follows a similar order issued last week requiring all primary and secondary schools in the state to sing the same song before classes begin.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced online that the state government has made the singing of India's national song 'Vande Mataram' mandatory in all schools under the School Education Department. The move aligns with the central government's February decision granting 'Vande Mataram' equal status with the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana'.

The NDTV report noted that 'Vande Mataram' was a key slogan during India's independence movement and has recently re-emerged in political discussions ahead of the state assembly elections. Similar debates have also surfaced in Tamil Nadu and Kerala over the song's use in official ceremonies.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced the implementation of India’s 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the state. The declaration came after a meeting with Border Security Force (BSF) officials at Nabanna on Wednesday. According to the announcement, anyone entering India after December 31, 2024, will be considered an illegal immigrant. Such individuals will first be detained by West Bengal Police, handed over to the BSF, and then transferred to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

Adhikari stated that the move follows central government directives that the previous state administration had not enforced. He explained that the CAA provides citizenship benefits to certain religious groups but excludes those entering after the specified cutoff date. The Chief Minister also said that identified illegal entrants would be arrested and handed to the BSF.

Additionally, the West Bengal government has initiated the process of transferring land over a 27-kilometer area to strengthen border security, according to Adhikari.

Alauddin Mohammad, Joint Member Secretary of the National Citizens Party and Executive Director of the Institute for Policy, Governance and Development, stated that youth discontent is increasing across South Asia. Speaking on Wednesday at a discussion organized by the Policy Lab of Kathmandu University’s School of Management, he said young people are expressing their demands and expectations through various social movements and protests.

The event, titled “Recent Uprisings in South Asia: Context of Economic Growth and Governance,” featured active participation from students, researchers, and faculty members. It was chaired by Dr. Lal Bahadur Pun, Senior Research Fellow and Assistant Professor, with Dr. Ram Narayan Shrestha attending as chief guest. Mohammad noted that while economic growth has been achieved in several South Asian countries, its benefits are not being distributed evenly, and governance weaknesses, corruption, and nepotism are undermining state institutions.

Speakers at the discussion emphasized the need for good governance, transparency, accountability, and inclusive development frameworks, as well as strengthening national unity to address long-term social and institutional challenges.

Bangladeshi human rights organization Odhikar released its quarterly report on May 20, 2026, covering the period from January to March. The report depicts widespread state repression, political violence, and growing Indian interference following the fall of the Hasina government. It notes that at least 13 people were killed and 1,368 injured in election-related clashes during the February 12 parliamentary polls, with allegations of result manipulation and 36 legal challenges filed in the High Court.

The report documents four extrajudicial killings, 21 journalists allegedly detained by the army, and 21 prisoner deaths due to corruption and poor medical care. It also highlights continued restrictions on press freedom under the Cyber Security Act 2026, with 64 journalists facing attacks or legal action. Odhikar accuses India’s Border Security Force of killing one Bangladeshi, injuring two, and pushing back 17 others, alongside anti-Bangladesh misinformation from Indian media.

Odhikar warns of institutional backsliding as 20 key ordinances lapsed without parliamentary approval and urges strong measures against political violence, extrajudicial killings, and Indian dominance.