Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced visible discomfort during a joint press briefing in Oslo, Norway, after a Norwegian journalist directly questioned him about the state of media freedom and democracy in India. The incident occurred following a bilateral meeting, and Modi left the venue without responding to the question. The exchange quickly drew global attention and sparked renewed debate over political accountability in India.

Following the event, the journalist expressed frustration on social media, noting that Norway ranks first in the global press freedom index while India stands at 157. She emphasized that journalists have the right to question governments with which their countries maintain relations. The report also highlighted that since taking office in 2014, Modi has avoided full, unscripted press conferences, preferring selective interviews and controlled events. Opposition parties argue that the Modi government has weakened media accountability in India’s democracy.

Later that night, Indian Foreign Ministry Secretary C.B. George addressed journalists in Norway, defending India’s record on minority and media rights. He stated that allegations against India stem from reports by voluntary organizations and insisted that the Indian constitution guarantees equal rights and legal protection for all citizens.

State Minister for Shipping Rajib Ahsan conducted an unannounced inspection of several government offices in Barishal on Tuesday morning. Arriving around 9:30 a.m., he found that most officers and employees were absent, and many did not recognize him. The minister expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of attendance and questioned the regularity of office operations.

During the visit, Ahsan toured various rooms of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) offices but did not find any senior officials present. He gathered information on attendance and noted the situation. Although some staff members were present, he inquired about how services were being managed without officers on duty.

Speaking briefly to journalists afterward, the minister remarked that he had observed the same situation they witnessed. He indicated that such surprise inspections would continue in the future to ensure discipline and accountability in government offices. After completing his inspection at the launch terminal, he departed for Mehendiganj by speedboat.

The central government of India has taken control of several highways in the strategically vital Siliguri Corridor, also known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’, in West Bengal. According to a notification issued by the state’s chief secretary, the new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government transferred seven roads to the National Highways Authority of India and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited. These roads were previously managed by the state’s Public Works Department, and five of them pass directly through the corridor.

Experts believe this transfer will accelerate road expansion and repair work in the area. Military observers note that improved road infrastructure will enhance the speed and ease of troop movement in the region. The corridor, only 22 kilometers long, connects mainland India with its northeastern states and lies close to the borders of Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.

Analysts view the move as a significant step for national security, following years of central-level discussions on infrastructure expansion in the area since the 2017 Doklam standoff involving India, Bhutan, and China.

Iran is preparing to hold a parliamentary vote on a bill proposing a bounty for the killing of U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper. The proposal, introduced under the title “Countermeasures by the Islamic Republic’s Military and Security Forces,” would formalize a reward of 50 million euros for their deaths. Officials said the move responds to a February attack allegedly targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which Tehran blames on the three figures.

National Security Commission chairman Ebrahim Azizi said the bill represents a necessary retaliatory measure. Another commission member, Mahmoud Nabavian, stated that parliament would soon vote on the proposal and warned that any renewed military assault on Iran would bring a “devastating” response. Analysts cited in the report noted that turning religious or political threats into a formal legislative act could further escalate tensions among Iran, the United States, and Israel.

The report also recalled Trump’s earlier warning that any Iranian assassination attempt against him would provoke an “extremely severe” U.S. response, while a campaign called “Blood Covenant” claimed to have raised over $27 million to target Trump.

A three-day land service fair began in Jianagar upazila of Pirojpur on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. The event, held at the Upazila Land Office premises under the slogan “Protected Land, Prosperous Future,” featured a discussion on citizen-friendly automated land management, a student quiz competition, and a colorful rally. The fair was inaugurated by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Hasan Md. Hafizur Rahman.

Local leaders and representatives, including the Upazila BNP president, vice chairman, former member secretary, and press club officials, attended the opening ceremony along with land service seekers from various unions. In his speech, the UNO emphasized that the land office should serve as a center for public service and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to ensuring citizen access to land-related services.

The fair aims to promote awareness about digital and automated land services, aligning with government directives to improve transparency and efficiency in land administration.

Journalists at Jahangirnagar University were reportedly obstructed and harassed while performing their professional duties. The incident drew strong condemnation, deep concern, and protest from the university unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD). The statement was issued on Tuesday through a press release signed by the organization’s office secretary Abdullah Antor.

In a joint statement, JCD unit convener Zahir Uddin Mohammad Babor and member secretary Wasim Ahmed Anik emphasized that the media is a vital pillar of a democratic state. They stated that journalists play an important role in serving society and the state through truthful and objective reporting. The leaders described any obstruction to journalists’ freedom to gather and publish information on campus as alarming and contrary to freedom of expression.

The student leaders further urged all students, journalists, and related parties to act responsibly and maintain mutual respect to preserve a peaceful, democratic, and normal academic environment on campus.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in the National Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP, is scheduled to depart Dhaka for Saudi Arabia on Wednesday afternoon to perform the holy Hajj. According to the party’s central publicity department, he will return to Bangladesh on June 1 after completing the pilgrimage.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by Jamaat’s central publicity wing. In a separate engagement, the opposition leader is expected to visit Dr. Nasir Islam, who is undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, at 9 p.m. on Tuesday night.

No further details were provided regarding his travel arrangements or official duties during his stay in Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Affairs Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman announced that a separate law is being prepared for the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and its name may also be changed. He made the statement on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Department of Information marking three months of the current government’s tenure. Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan was also present at the event.

Rahman explained that RAB had so far operated under the Armed Police Battalion, but the new law will define its structure and functions more clearly. He noted that while the opposition BNP had called for RAB’s dissolution, the force will continue under a new legal identity. He added that the Home Minister had mentioned the possibility of a name change while working on the legislation.

Rahman emphasized that an elite force is necessary for the state, highlighting RAB’s success in combating terrorism and crime. He said that with better equipment and training, the restructured force will move away from its previous controversial image.

Former US special envoy for Iran Rob Malley has warned that President Donald Trump may be falling into a 'Vietnam War trap' in his approach to Iran. Speaking to Al Jazeera host Steve Clemons, Malley said Trump measures success by counting the number of Iranian leaders killed or the destruction of Iranian warships and missile systems, which he described as a 'wrong metric.'

Malley argued that the only way out of the current conflict is through an agreement that respects both US and Iranian core interests. He added that assessing the likelihood of such an agreement may depend more on psychology than on expert analysis.

According to Malley, the outcome of the situation ultimately hinges on President Trump’s mindset, suggesting that his personal approach could determine whether the conflict escalates or moves toward negotiation.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed praised the Fire Service and Civil Defence for their courage, professionalism, and sacrifice in disaster response, saying the force has earned the nation’s trust. He made the remarks on Tuesday at the Fire Service and Civil Defence Training Ground in Purbachal, Narayanganj, while inaugurating Fire Service and Civil Defence Week 2026, attending the passing-out parade, and awarding medals to 20 members for bravery and merit.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernize the force through improved training, technology, and equipment, as well as enhanced benefits for officers and staff. He noted that new fire stations and specialized training programs are being introduced to strengthen capacity. Senior Secretary Monjur Morshed Chowdhury and MP Mostafizur Rahman Bhuiyan Dipu attended as special guests, while Director General Brigadier General Muhammad Zahed Kamal presided over the event.

The weeklong observance will run from May 20 to 22 across the country with awareness programs. Officials emphasized collective public participation alongside government initiatives to improve disaster preparedness.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shah Alam has announced that local government elections in Bangladesh are likely to begin in phases from September or October this year. He made the statement on Tuesday at his office after the formal joining of MR Islam Swadhin as the administrator of Bogura City Corporation.

The minister said the government plans to complete five types of elections within the next year, covering union councils, municipalities, upazilas, district councils, and city corporations. He added that the City Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2026, has already been passed in parliament, under which mayor and councillor elections will be held using non-partisan symbols. The election schedule for Bogura City Corporation will be announced along with 12 other city corporations.

Mir Shah Alam also stated that to strengthen the operations of new city corporations, an initial allocation of 30 to 35 crore taka will be provided in the current fiscal year, including funds for Bogura City Corporation.

The Bangladesh government has stated it will implement the court’s final verdict regarding Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death for genocide and crimes against humanity. Information Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman said that if India hands over Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh, she will receive legal protection. He made the remarks at a press conference at the Department of Information in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon, attended by Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan and Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmad.

The information minister said Sheikh Hasina’s downfall occurred during the July mass uprising due to her alleged oppressive and fascist actions. He emphasized that the current government aims to establish justice for all and will allow the law to proceed independently. The minister added that no extrajudicial actions will be taken for political reasons, contrasting this with the previous Awami League government.

Officials reiterated that the government’s approach will be guided strictly by the court’s decisions, ensuring due legal process if Sheikh Hasina is returned to Bangladesh.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced that the government will form a media commission to address what he described as disorder in the country's media management. Speaking at a press conference at the Department of Information on Tuesday, May 19, he said a committee will be established by June, and a related report will be submitted to the Prime Minister by July.

During the same briefing, the minister also discussed several other issues, including the spread of measles, which he attributed to the negligence of the previous government. He said the current administration has procured necessary vaccines and will soon begin distributing health cards. So far, 53,096 families have received family cards.

Swapan further stated that despite a sharp rise in global fuel prices, domestic prices have been kept at a tolerable level and that the country currently has adequate fuel reserves.

Around fifty thousand landless people are living in Urirchar, a coastal island under Noakhali district, without legal ownership of the land they inhabit. Despite having homes, roads, and markets, residents say they have no land registered in their names. Many claim they face constant threats, lawsuits, and attacks from land grabbers, leaving them in fear and uncertainty. The residents have urged the government to allocate land based on the survey conducted under the Char Development and Settlement Project (CDSP).

Local residents, including Rahima Akter, Belal Mia, and Abdur Rahman, described years of hardship, displacement by river erosion, and ongoing intimidation by influential groups allegedly using fake documents to seize land. They expressed determination to defend their homes, calling the island their only refuge. Landless leader Abu Bakkar Siddique Nasu Majhi appealed to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to intervene and ensure fair land distribution.

Noakhali Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shafiqul Islam stated that many landless families have already received land allocations and that the authorities are verifying the legitimacy of claims in Urirchar to provide land to genuine and vulnerable families soon.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed authorities to recover all illegally occupied government land and bring it under full state control without compromise. He issued the order to Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam while visiting various stalls at the 'Land Service Fair 2026' in Tejgaon on Tuesday. The prime minister also assured full government support to the Dhaka district administration in its land recovery efforts.

During the visit, Rahman praised the district administration for successfully reclaiming about one acre of government land in Lalbagh that had been under illegal occupation for over 20 years. The operation, led by Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam on May 13, drew widespread local attention and was described by residents as a bold and unprecedented move. The prime minister also commended the launch of the 'Hello DC' service aimed at simplifying public access to administrative services.

At the inauguration of the fair, compensation checks totaling Tk 366.78 million were distributed among 88 individuals for land acquisition. Dhaka district currently leads the country in e-mutation applications and disposals, with 23,063 of 30,000 applications resolved in the past month.