Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called on the government to abandon any plan to impose taxes on motorcycle owners, describing such a move as against public interest. He made the remarks on Sunday in a post on his verified Facebook page, responding to reports that the government may introduce new taxes on motorcycle ownership.

In his statement, Dr. Rahman noted that most motorcycle owners and riders are not wealthy individuals but use their vehicles for daily livelihood needs. He acknowledged that expanding the tax base could be necessary for state revenue collection but argued that imposing additional taxes on people already struggling for survival would be inappropriate.

He expressed hope that the government would reconsider any such plan, warning that otherwise it would be viewed as a decision contrary to public welfare.

Unauthorized high-rise buildings are being constructed across Cumilla City Corporation in violation of municipal laws, leading to increased land grabbing and illegal structures. Residents have lodged complaints but report no effective action, resulting in mounting public suffering and harassment. Allegations suggest that despite years of operation, the city corporation remains mired in irregularities, with unapproved multi-storey buildings continuing to appear in various parts of the city.

According to the report, the Cumilla City Corporation was formed in July 2011 by merging two municipalities, but urban problems such as waterlogging, traffic congestion, waste accumulation, and encroachment have worsened. The law requires multiple departmental approvals for building permits, including road width and drainage considerations, but some officials allegedly issue permits in exchange for illicit payments, allowing 10- to 14-storey buildings in restricted areas.

Newly appointed administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu stated that the corporation is enforcing the law properly and improving service quality. He announced plans to intensify monitoring and launch strong programs to make Cumilla a more livable city.

Internal conflict within the Jamalpur district unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has reached a critical stage, dividing leaders and activists into four distinct factions. The dispute, which has become one of the most discussed political issues in the district, has led to increasing tension and sporadic violence. Local analysts fear that the situation could escalate into a major violent confrontation at any time.

According to reports, the BNP in Jamalpur is now split into groups led by district general secretary and MP Warres Ali Mamun, youth leader Sohel Rana Khan, vice president Shamim Ahmed, and organizing secretary Firoz Mia. The rivalry has intensified ahead of the upcoming municipal elections. The conflict reportedly stems from disputes over control of sand leases, tenders, and financial benefits. Allegations of corruption, extortion, and favoritism have circulated on social media through leaked videos and audio clips.

A recent sand lease tender at the Brahmaputra River’s Char Jatharthapur-Chhonkanda Ghat triggered further controversy, prompting multiple press conferences and public accusations. Party leaders have urged restraint, warning that continued infighting could weaken organizational unity.

Dr. Mahroof Chowdhury’s essay, published on May 17, 2026, examines how political language in Bangladesh functions as a psychological and strategic tool rather than a neutral medium of communication. He introduces the analytical framework of ‘Upto-Supto-Gupto-Lupto’ to explain how political attacks evolve through layered processes of suggestion, suppression, manipulation, and erasure. Each stage reflects how language and symbols are used to shape public perception, delegitimize opponents, and control collective consciousness.

Drawing on thinkers such as Michel Foucault, Antonio Gramsci, and Noam Chomsky, the essay situates these mechanisms within broader theories of power, propaganda, and cultural hegemony. It argues that political narratives often replace facts with emotion, fear, and moral judgment, turning opponents into moral outsiders. Examples from Bangladesh’s political history illustrate how labeling, misinformation, and symbolic exclusion have been used to marginalize dissent.

The essay concludes that sustainable democracy depends on critical civic awareness. Without citizens capable of questioning propaganda and analyzing political language, democracy risks devolving into ritualistic elections. Chowdhury calls for a culture of critical citizenship grounded in reason, ethics, and historical understanding to resist manipulative political communication.

Despite the fall of the Awami League government following the July uprising, the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) remains under the influence of the pro-Awami League Bangabandhu Engineers Council and Bangabandhu Parishad. According to a report by *Amar Desh*, key positions are still held by associates of former Water Resources Secretary Kabir Bin Anwar, who allegedly continues to influence transfers and postings within the agency. A document sent to the ministry lists 40 officials accused of being linked to the former ruling party, its student wing, or other affiliated groups.

Anti-fascist officials within BWDB allege that a powerful syndicate led by the current Director General Enayet Ullah continues to protect these networks. Some officials have reportedly been sidelined or transferred for opposing the previous regime. The report also mentions allegations of corruption, misuse of power, and connections with foreign entities against several senior engineers, though some of the accused have denied the claims.

BWDB’s collective bargaining agent (CBA) leaders acknowledged that some Awami-linked officials remain but said the government is gradually taking action to remove them.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, a Qawmi madrasa-based non-political organization, remains divided over leadership and direction despite recent efforts to restore unity. The group’s central committee has been largely inactive, and internal rifts deepened before and after the thirteenth national election. A sub-committee has been formed to resolve disputes, while some leaders have been expelled for breaching organizational discipline. Recent meetings in Dhaka and Chattogram discussed reconciliation and future coordination, but the organization has yet to resume full-scale central activities.

Formed in 2010 under Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi to oppose anti-Islamic policies, Hefazat gained prominence through its 13-point movement and the 2013 Shapla Chattar rally. Following years of state repression and leadership changes, including the deaths of key figures, the group fractured into multiple factions. Some leaders aligned with different political alliances during recent elections, further weakening Hefazat’s unified stance.

Current leaders say efforts are underway to restore organizational discipline and revive Hefazat’s religious unity after the Hajj season. They plan to pursue key demands, including withdrawal of old cases and justice for the Shapla Chattar killings.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a video and statement marking Nakba Day, which commemorates the displacement of Palestinians during the creation of Israel. The video features an interview with Inia Bushnak, a New York resident who identifies as a survivor of the Nakba, recounting her family’s flight from Jerusalem amid fears of advancing Zionist forces.

The video explains that the term “Nakba,” meaning “catastrophe” in Arabic, refers to the expulsion and displacement of more than 700,000 Palestinians between 1947 and 1949 during the establishment of Israel. It also states that armed groups such as Haganah, Irgun, and Lehi destroyed over 400 Palestinian villages and towns, committing mass killings. Nakba Day is observed annually on May 15, and the video asserts that the Palestinian displacement continues today.

Mamdani released the video during anti-Zionist rallies in Manhattan and declined to participate in the upcoming “Israel Day on Fifth” parade organized by the Jewish community later this month.

Lebanese negotiators in Washington are facing two major challenges in ongoing discussions with Israel over Hezbollah’s disarmament, according to Randa Slim, director of the Middle East Program at the Stimson Center. In an interview with Al Jazeera, she said Israel and the United States want Hezbollah to surrender its weapons immediately, while Lebanese officials, despite their willingness to pursue disarmament, view it as a long-term process requiring internal political consensus.

Slim noted that public opinion in Lebanon largely supports disarming Hezbollah, but many within the country’s Shia community still oppose it, seeing the group as a shield against potential Israeli aggression. She expressed concern that Israel, known for its skill in process-based negotiations, could prolong talks without achieving tangible results, citing the decades-long Palestinian negotiations as an example.

Slim suggested that breaking the current deadlock might require direct pressure from U.S. President Trump on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though she added that the current U.S. administration appears more focused on Iran, making Lebanon a lower priority.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has strongly condemned the attack on the historic Shah Ali shrine in Dhaka, calling it contrary to the spirit and goals of Bangladesh’s independence and the July Movement. In a statement issued on Saturday, TIB demanded that the government take strict measures to ensure exemplary punishment for those responsible for the assault.

The organization also urged Jamaat-e-Islami and other religion-based political parties to clarify their positions on the right to practice and coexist within Bangladesh’s diverse cultural and folk traditions. TIB’s Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman described the attack as part of a broader pattern of violence and conspiracy against Bangladesh’s pluralistic and tolerant heritage, warning that such actions threaten the country’s liberal cultural identity.

TIB further emphasized that the current BNP-led government, elected with broad public support, bears responsibility for protecting the nation’s multicultural and multireligious traditions. The group called for impartial investigations into this and previous similar incidents to ensure justice and prevent future attacks.

Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Citizens for Good Governance (SUJAN), stated that despite changes in political power, Bangladesh’s governance system remains fundamentally unchanged and ordinary citizens see no real improvement in their lives. Speaking on Saturday at a discussion titled “Structural Reform of the State” at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium, he warned that without structural reform following the July revolution, fascism could return.

He criticized the ruling class for showing reluctance to alter the long-standing state structure and emphasized that genuine improvement in people’s lives requires fundamental reform. Majumdar also argued that the constitution is often misused to resist reform, noting that the recent election and government formation were inconsistent with constitutional provisions. He stressed that the people’s referendum mandate must be fully implemented.

Majumdar further warned that delaying local government elections or running them through administrators would violate the constitution. Expressing frustration over the shrinking prospects for reform, he called on civil society to take an active role and expressed solidarity with the aspirations of the July movement.

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, saying the country will face a 'very bad time' if a peace agreement is not reached soon. He made the remarks in an interview with French broadcaster BFM TV, emphasizing that reaching a deal would be in both Washington’s and Tehran’s interests.

According to the report, while Tehran confirmed receiving new negotiation messages from the Trump administration, it expressed deep mistrust about Washington’s intentions. Amid this diplomatic deadlock, U.S. media outlets have reported that Trump could consider a major military operation to break the stalemate, with his top advisers already preparing a framework for renewed military action.

The New York Times reported that Trump might take a significant decision on the Iran crisis at any time. The report also recalled that the United States had previously carried out two military strikes on Iran during earlier nuclear program negotiations.

A protest march and rally were held in Pirojpur on Saturday afternoon condemning the reported killings, persecution, and attacks on mosques and homes of Muslims in India. The demonstration was organized by the District Imam Parishad and concluded at the Central Mosque intersection, where a protest gathering took place.

Speakers at the rally stated that Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance, and humanity, and that Muslims cannot support injustice. They described the ongoing violence and persecution of Muslims by extremist Hindu groups in India, allegedly backed by Prime Minister Modi’s supporters, as a severe violation of human rights. The speakers demanded an immediate end to the killings, mosque demolitions, and arson attacks on Muslim homes.

The event was presided over by Maulana Rafiqul Islam, president of the Imam Parishad, and attended by several local religious leaders who reiterated concerns over the insecurity faced by Muslims in India due to communal politics.

Street vendors in Sidstore Bazar of Valuka upazila, Mymensingh, obstructed an eviction drive on the Mymensingh-Dhaka highway around 8 p.m. on May 17, 2026. The operation, led by Valuka Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Firoz Hossain, aimed to remove illegal structures from the area. Tension arose between the administration and vendors when the latter demanded rehabilitation before eviction. In protest, the vendors blocked the highway and set tires on fire, halting traffic for about an hour.

According to local sources, the situation escalated as heavy congestion built up on both sides of the road, causing severe inconvenience to travelers. When the situation went out of control, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer suspended the operation and left the scene. Valuka Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zahidul Islam later stated that the situation was brought under control through discussions with locals, and normal traffic resumed after about an hour.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding eviction drives in commercial areas where informal vendors demand prior rehabilitation before displacement.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam said Bangladesh’s border with India is among the world’s most violent, claiming over a thousand Bangladeshi citizens have been killed by Indian forces. Speaking at a youth event in Dhaka on Saturday, he warned that his party could announce a ‘border long march’ if necessary, drawing a parallel to Maulana Bhasani’s historic Farakka march. He pledged to secure Bangladesh’s borders, water rights, and sovereignty.

Marking Farakka Day, Nahid accused India of diverting water by constructing dams on shared rivers and depriving Bangladesh of its fair share. He noted that the Ganges water-sharing treaty expires this year and urged that any new agreement ensure equitable distribution. He also criticized the current government for alleged subservience to foreign powers, failure to manage the measles outbreak that has killed over 400 children, and for not fulfilling promises of job creation.

Nahid further demanded parliamentary discussions on recent energy and trade deals with the United States, questioned the government’s legitimacy, and suggested that a midterm election might become necessary if governance and law and order do not improve.

Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief A.S. Dulat has said that India is gradually becoming diplomatically and politically isolated on the international stage. In an interview with a British media outlet, cited by Pakistan’s Geo News, Dulat stated that India’s long-held belief that Pakistan would collapse due to internal crises has proven wrong. He added that India’s efforts to diplomatically isolate Pakistan have not succeeded, and instead, India now faces growing pressure in regional affairs.

Dulat highlighted that Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is gaining increasing global recognition, noting that former U.S. President Donald Trump had publicly praised him. He further said Pakistan’s active mediation between the United States and Iran has strengthened its diplomatic standing, allowing it to present itself as a responsible and balanced state internationally.

Discussing Kashmir, Dulat attributed ongoing unrest to local frustration and deprivation. He also mentioned that India-Pakistan diplomatic ties have nearly stalled, with border tensions and military clashes worsening the situation. He referred to an 87-hour conflict in May 2025 that ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, after which Pakistan’s regional role became more visible.