Student leaders have warned against any attempts to destabilize the academic environment at Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) following recent tensions and clashes on campus. In a joint statement issued on Sunday, Islami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh President Muntasir Ahmad and Secretary General Sultan Mahmud expressed deep concern over the unrest linked to the appointment of the vice-chancellor. They stated that ignoring students’ legitimate demands and using force or external interference to control the situation would only worsen the crisis.

The leaders emphasized that repression, intimidation, or coercion have no place in a higher education institution. They urged all parties to act responsibly to protect DUET’s autonomy, academic reputation, and safe learning environment. Dialogue, mutual respect, and fairness were cited as the only means to achieve an acceptable resolution.

They further warned that if any group resorts to conspiratorial or violent means to destabilize DUET, students would unite to resist. They demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in the recent clashes, asserting that justice is essential to restore lasting peace and discipline on campus.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure from within his own Labour Party to step down, following a series of scandals, policy reversals, and poor local election results. Despite calls from around 90 Labour MPs for his resignation or a clear timeline for departure, Starmer has stated that he will not resign and intends to continue governing. The crisis deepened after last week’s local elections in England, where Labour suffered setbacks attributed to the rise of Reform UK and the Green Party.

Discontent with Starmer’s leadership had been building for months, particularly after controversial decisions such as appointing Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the United States despite prior disqualifications and links to Jeffrey Epstein. The backlash over this appointment and repeated policy U-turns have eroded confidence in his judgment. Labour MP Catherine West briefly considered challenging his leadership but later withdrew.

Potential successors include Angela Rayner, recently cleared of tax allegations; Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who may re-enter Parliament; and former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who resigned citing a lack of vision under Starmer’s leadership.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that recent attacks by the United States and Israel were intended to spread insecurity within Iran. He made the remarks during a meeting with Pakistan’s interior minister, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency.

Pezeshkian said the objective behind the attacks was to support terrorist groups and create internal instability in Iran. He credited the cooperation and responsibility of neighboring countries for thwarting the plan, describing their actions as valuable and commendable. The president specifically thanked Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan for preventing their territories from being used against Iran.

The comments were reported by Fars News Agency and cited by Al Jazeera, reflecting Tehran’s emphasis on regional solidarity in countering external threats.

Bir Muktijoddha Engineer Md. Jasim Uddin Pradhan, commander of the Matlab South Upazila Muktijoddha Sangsad in Chandpur, has formally joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The announcement came on Saturday night during a youth and elite gathering at Matlab Community Center, where he expressed support for the party’s ideals and programs and completed the associate membership form. Jasim Uddin has been serving as convener of the upazila’s freedom fighters’ council since August 19, 2025.

The event was attended by senior Jamaat leaders, including Dr. Abdul Mobin, assistant secretary of the party’s Comilla South district and nominated parliamentary candidate for Chandpur-2. Other speakers included district and upazila-level Jamaat officials who emphasized the need for participation from all professions to establish moral and humanitarian leadership in society. They expressed hope that Jasim Uddin’s joining would have a positive impact on local politics.

Jasim Uddin stated that his decision was driven by a desire to see the country governed according to the Quran and Sunnah and that he had not previously been affiliated with any political party.

Several officials of Khulna Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA), who were appointed during the previous Awami League government under a project funded by the Asian Development Bank and JICA, are now being considered for promotion. The proposal was raised at a board meeting in Dhaka on Sunday, with a final decision expected at a meeting in Khulna on Monday. These officials had earlier been permanently absorbed into the revenue sector after the project ended, despite allegations of corruption and irregularities.

According to Khulna WASA sources, the officials in question were involved in the Khulna Water Supply Project implemented between 2011 and 2019. Allegations include large-scale financial corruption, meter theft, and manipulation of billing records, resulting in significant revenue losses. The planned promotions have sparked anger among employees and consumers, who question why those accused of wrongdoing are being rewarded instead of investigated.

Khulna WASA’s Deputy Managing Director for Finance and Administration stated that a six-member committee will review the files of those recommended for promotion and decide whether they will be approved.

Student Jamiat Bangladesh has strongly condemned the armed attack by outsiders on students protesting for the removal of the vice-chancellor at Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) in Gazipur. In a joint statement issued by its central president Ridwan Mazhari and secretary Saad Bin Zakir, the organization expressed deep anger and concern over the incident, calling it a reflection of attempts by certain groups to maintain dominance through fascist tactics.

The statement recalled that the spirit of the August 5 student uprising was to free campuses from muscle power, external influence, and authoritarian control. It criticized the use of hired outsiders to suppress student movements, saying that even if a protest is unjustified, it should never be met with violence. The group warned that any recurrence of such dominance would face resistance from the general student body.

Student Jamiat demanded a fair investigation into the DUET attack, identification and punishment of the perpetrators, and restoration of a safe and disciplined academic environment across all campuses.

The Central Committee of the Welfare Association of Independent Ebtedayee Madrasa Teachers has announced an Eid festival boycott and a sit-in protest starting May 21 in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka. The program demands immediate implementation of the MPO (Monthly Pay Order) for verified grant-recipient independent Ebtedayee madrasas and the release of bills for vacant posts already approved by the Ministry of Education. The announcement was made through a letter signed by Member Secretary Maulana Mufti Abdul Hannan Hossain and sent to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner.

According to the letter, the teachers will hold a human chain and sit-in from 10 a.m. on May 21 to press their demands. Abdul Hannan Hossain told Amader Desh that independent Ebtedayee madrasas were transferred from the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education to the Ministry of Education without prior notice, which he described as a violation of the Primary Education Act and a cause of long-standing discrimination.

He added that the protest and boycott would continue until the MPO implementation and bill release are completed.

Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Muhammad Shuhada bin Osman met with leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at the party’s central office in Dhaka’s Moghbazar on Sunday afternoon. The meeting focused on creating opportunities for Bangladeshi students to pursue higher education and research in Malaysia. Zulkifli bin Ibrahim, Director of Corporate Communication at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, was also present during the discussion.

According to a press release from Jamaat’s central publicity department, the meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. Both sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and Malaysia, with particular emphasis on potential Malaysian cooperation in Bangladesh’s higher education and research sectors. The discussion also highlighted the need for more scholarships and expanded academic opportunities for Bangladeshi students in Malaysian universities.

The Jamaat delegation was led by Assistant Secretary General and Secretary of the Central Publicity and Media Department Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair. The team included Manarat International University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Abdur Rab, Islami Chhatra Shibir Secretary General Sibgatullah Sibgat, and five other members.

Allama Mamunul Haque, Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, stated that there is no division within Hefazat-e-Islam and that the recently formed 11-party alliance is purely a political platform without any doctrinal basis. He made the remarks on Sunday, May 17, after a meeting with Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh’s Amir, Allama Shah Muhibullah Babunagari, in Fatikchhari, Chattogram.

During a special meeting of Hefazat’s central leaders and subcommittee members at Al Jamiatul Islamia Azizul Ulum Babunagar Madrasa, Babunagari reaffirmed that no internal conflict exists within Hefazat. He accused certain groups of attempting to create rifts but insisted that the organization remains united in ideology and purpose.

Mamunul Haque further explained that the 11-party alliance emerged after 2024 as a political coordination platform involving many Hefazat leaders. He emphasized that the alliance represents electoral unity, not ideological compromise, and expressed full agreement with Babunagari’s statements.

In Gazipur, violent clashes erupted at Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) between protesters opposing the appointment of a new vice chancellor and his supporters. At least 15 people, including five police officers, were injured in the confrontations. Unable to enter the campus due to resistance from demonstrators, newly appointed Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Iqbal formally assumed office from the Gazipur Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s office. Police have been deployed on the campus to maintain order.

The government appointed Dr. Mohammad Iqbal, a professor from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, as DUET’s new vice chancellor on Thursday, replacing Dr. Joynal Abedin. Following the announcement, a section of students rejected the decision and began protests, demanding that the vice chancellor be selected from DUET’s internal faculty. Demonstrators blocked the campus gates and displayed red cards to prevent the new VC’s entry.

Local administration and police held multiple discussions with both sides to restore calm. Authorities reported that the situation was later brought under control, though tensions remain high on the campus.

The Sylhet district and metropolitan units of Jubo Dal organized a street rally and leaflet distribution program in Sylhet city on Sunday afternoon, calling for the implementation of the July National Charter. The event took place in front of Madhuban Super Market at Bandar Bazar, where party leaders emphasized that the charter is a key foundation for establishing democracy, accountability, and an equitable state system in Bangladesh.

During the rally, Sylhet district Jubo Dal president Advocate Mominul Islam Momin stated that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) remains committed to the principles of the July National Charter, which was signed by political parties based on consensus at the South Plaza of Parliament. He said the BNP aims to build a non-discriminatory and accountable governance system reflecting public aspirations and is working toward implementing a bicameral parliamentary structure in line with the charter’s spirit.

Following the rally, Jubo Dal activists distributed leaflets across different areas of the city to raise public awareness about the July National Charter.

Iran has appointed its parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, as the country’s special envoy for China-related affairs, according to a report by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency published on Sunday. The report stated that Ghalibaf will serve as a coordinator among various national institutions on matters concerning China.

The appointment was proposed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and approved by the country’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. Sources cited by Tasnim indicated that the nature of Ghalibaf’s appointment gives him a different level of authority and responsibility compared to previous representatives.

The report did not clarify whether Ghalibaf will continue to serve as the speaker of Iran’s parliament while performing his new duties as special envoy.

National Citizens Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has called on expatriate Bangladeshis to remain united in realizing the aspirations of the July Charter and referendum. He made the appeal on Sunday at a civic reception for visiting NCP leaders at the Gimpo Foreign Support Center in South Korea, organized by the NCP Diaspora Alliance. The event was attended by NCP members and Bangladeshi expatriates from various professions.

Asif Mahmud thanked the diaspora for their role during the July uprising, noting that expatriates had kept hope alive when the country was under blockade. He expressed gratitude for their contributions and assured that the NCP would continue working to preserve expatriate voting rights in future elections. He also urged expatriates to inform the international community about the July uprising.

During the event, expatriates raised issues including the repatriation of deceased students’ bodies, simplification of migration procedures, prevention of broker exploitation, reduction of airport harassment, and greater inclusion of expatriates in national matters.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad) stated that he would not allow any injustice or oppression against Islamic scholars and clerics. He made the remarks on Sunday at a discussion meeting at the Islamic Foundation auditorium in Dhaka, organized ahead of Eid-ul-Azha to address the preservation of raw hides from sacrificial animals. The minister said the Prime Minister had instructed that madrasas should not face deprivation or injustice, and the ministry was actively supporting that directive.

He urged scholars to ensure that animal hides are properly removed and preserved to maintain quality and prevent waste, recalling past incidents where hides were buried due to low prices. The minister warned against the activities of syndicates and brokers in the leather trade and assured that the government would take an active role in preventing such malpractice. He also mentioned that, for the first time since independence, imams and muezzins are being considered for honorarium benefits.

Speakers at the event requested government measures to ensure fair prices for sacrificial animal hides. Religious leaders, teachers, and clerics from various madrasas and mosques in Dhaka attended the meeting.

The High Court on Sunday, May 17, 2026, issued a rule asking why directives should not be given to formulate necessary regulations, policies, or laws to ensure the protection, rehabilitation, and welfare of street children in Bangladesh. The rule was issued by a bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan following a writ petition filed by the Equitas Foundation.

The court sought explanations on why the inaction and negligence of the concerned authorities in taking urgent and effective measures to safeguard the fundamental rights of all street children should not be declared illegal and beyond legal authority. It also questioned why the authorities should not be directed to conduct a nationwide investigation and survey on the actual condition of street children, ensure strict monitoring and accountability, and take effective measures to prevent all forms of harassment, abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Lawyers Md Tanvir Ahmed, Biplob Kumar Poddar, Barrister Nishad Mahmud, Nur Mohammad Shahin Shahnewaz, and S M Zakir Hossain represented the Equitas Foundation during the hearing.