An average of 100 children are born every day in the Rohingya camps of Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, according to a report published on May 12, 2026. Officials attribute the high birth rate to limited education, lack of awareness about family planning, and conservative social norms. The growing population has increased pressure on Bangladesh’s resources, while the government’s two-child policy for refugees has shown little effect. Previous attempts to control birth rates faced objections from UNHCR, which cited human rights concerns. UNHCR data show 1,184,864 registered Rohingya refugees across 33 camps in Cox’s Bazar and one in Bhasan Char. Between July 2024 and February 2026, 144,456 new refugees were registered, with birth rates rising during the same period. Experts warn that the expanding population could heighten social, economic, and security challenges for Bangladesh if repatriation remains stalled. Authorities have updated the Family Planning Strategy 2026–2030, emphasizing voluntary long-term methods such as implants and copper-T. Religious leaders and community representatives are being engaged to raise awareness, while officials stress that sustainable repatriation remains the only long-term solution.

Senior officials and legal groups in Bangladesh have accused judges appointed during Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule of aiding political repression and violating human rights. Following Hasina’s fall and flight after the July uprising, police and administrative officers faced accountability, but no action has been taken against the judges allegedly involved. The Bangladesh Administrative Association and Police Service Association questioned the judges’ “informal immunity,” while the Nationalist Lawyers Forum claimed that thousands were victims of extrajudicial killings and disappearances under Hasina’s regime. Lawyers and ministry officials alleged that many judges were politically aligned with the Awami League and participated in politically motivated trials, including those against opposition leaders Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, and Zubaida Rahman. Reports described late-night hearings and verdicts delivered by candlelight to ensure convictions before the 2024 election. The Law Minister, Advocate Asaduzzaman, acknowledged judicial failures and supported punishing judges who backed Hasina’s “fascism.” According to ministry data, 1,841 of 2,185 lower court judges were appointed during the Awami League era, raising concerns about politicized recruitment and the erosion of judicial neutrality.

Australia has announced new sanctions and travel bans on seven Iranian individuals and four entities, citing Iran’s brutal repression of its own citizens and actions that contribute to regional instability. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who said the targeted officials and institutions were involved in violence against women and children, as well as other severe abuses. Wong stated that the sanctions aim to disrupt Iran’s so-called shadow banking system, which allegedly finances armed groups such as Hamas and supports Iran’s ballistic missile program and other destabilizing activities. The move follows similar actions taken by the United Kingdom and the United States earlier in the week. According to the source, the United States described its own measures as part of an “Economic Fury” plan designed to cut off funding for Iran’s weapons programs, armed groups, and nuclear ambitions.

The United States government has announced a major step to stabilize the global energy market amid disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran-Israel war and a worldwide supply crisis. As part of an international agreement to control market volatility, the Trump administration is lending 50.33 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to several companies, according to a Reuters report. The US Department of Energy (DOE) stated that the oil will be supplied to nine major energy firms, including ExxonMobil, Trafigura, and Marathon Petroleum. Last month, the DOE had announced the release of 92.5 million barrels, though companies accepted only 58 percent of that allocation. The current loan is part of a broader DOE plan to release 172 million barrels to address the global oil shortage. The initiative aims to mitigate the adverse effects of the Iran-Israel conflict on global oil prices and ensure market stability through coordinated international measures.

The newly formed BJP-led West Bengal government, headed by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has decided to hand over land to the Border Security Force (BSF) within 45 days to complete barbed-wire fencing along the Bangladesh border. The decision was taken at the first cabinet meeting held two days after the new government took office. Adhikari said the move was necessary to protect West Bengal’s security and prevent demographic changes in border areas. Dhaka has strongly objected to the unilateral decision, warning that Bangladesh neither fears border fences nor will tolerate actions that could destabilize the country. Foreign affairs adviser Humayun Kabir stated that Bangladesh would discuss the matter with the appropriate Indian authorities and cautioned against any repeat of past border violence. According to international norms and the 1974 Mujib-Indira Agreement, no country may build permanent structures within 150 yards of the zero line without mutual consent. The development has sparked debate in West Bengal, where critics argue that the new government is prioritizing divisive border politics over governance and development. The absence of ministerial portfolio allocations has further fueled concerns about internal discord within the ruling party.

An investigative report by Al Jazeera’s digital platform AJ Plus has revealed that bodies donated by U.S. citizens for research and education are being used to train Israeli military medical teams. The report, published on May 12, 2026, claims that a U.S. university sold these cadavers to the U.S. Navy, which then facilitated their use in Israeli military surgical training sessions held in Los Angeles. Crucially, the report states that neither the donors nor their families gave consent for such use. AJ Plus journalist Dena Takruri’s investigation identified two American universities directly involved in the process: the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). The report highlights that bodies originally donated for scientific research are now being repurposed for wartime medical training. The findings raise ethical questions about the handling of donated bodies and the transparency of agreements between academic institutions and military programs, though the report does not include official responses from the parties involved.

Most Americans are holding President Donald Trump responsible for the ongoing war with Iran and the resulting severe economic situation, according to a report from Al Jazeera’s Washington correspondent Mike Hanna. The report states that Trump has denied being under any pressure, saying there is no need for immediate action and that he prefers to proceed cautiously. He has claimed that oil prices will fall and the economy will recover once the war ends. However, there is no clear indication of when the conflict might conclude, leaving ordinary Americans deeply concerned as living costs continue to surge. Rising fuel and diesel prices have driven up transportation costs, pushing essential goods beyond the reach of many households. Public opinion increasingly links the economic crisis to the war initiated under Trump’s leadership, creating a significant political risk for him and the Republican Party as most Americans now directly blame the president for both the conflict and the deteriorating economy.

Two anti-tobacco organizations in Bangladesh have proposed a significant increase in cigarette prices to protect young people from tobacco-related harm and reduce premature deaths. The proposal, presented on May 11 at the National Press Club by the National Heart Foundation and the United Forum Against Tobacco, calls for setting the retail price per cigarette between 17 and 35 taka. The proposal divides cigarettes into four price tiers to both reduce tobacco use and increase government revenue. Under the plan, premium cigarettes would cost 200 taka per 10-stick pack, with excise and specific taxes raising the per-stick price to 35 taka. The high tier would rise to 150 taka per pack, or about 25.45 taka per stick, while medium and low tiers would each be priced at 100 taka per pack, making the lowest per-stick price 17.01 taka. Health experts at the event said smoking is a major cause of cancer and other serious diseases in Bangladesh. They urged the government to consider these proposals in the upcoming budget to help build a tobacco-free nation.

Opposition Leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman met with residents and homeowners’ associations in Mirpur to address the ongoing water crisis in Dhaka-15. The meeting took place on Monday night at a local institution, with representatives from Manipur, Kazipara, Ibrahimpur, and Kafrul attending. Residents described the shortage as so severe that daily life had become nearly impossible, with even drinking and bathing water unavailable. They alleged that an artificial crisis might have been created after the February 12 election for ulterior motives. Dr. Rahman listened to the grievances and pledged to take all necessary steps to resolve the issue, assuring continued support for the community. He stated that he had already discussed the matter with the Managing Director of WASA and raised it in the National Parliament. According to him, the Prime Minister personally assured that she would play a special role in resolving the problem. Several central and local Jamaat leaders, along with community representatives from different Mirpur neighborhoods, were present at the meeting.

Two Bangladeshi expatriates were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Monday, May 11, in the Jibdin area of Nabatieh district, southern Lebanon. The victims, identified as Shafiqul Islam and Md. Nahidul Islam, were residents of Satkhira district in Bangladesh. The attack occurred at their residence around noon, according to a statement from the Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut. The embassy confirmed that the bodies were later kept at Nabih Berri Hospital in Nabatieh. It expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and extended condolences to the bereaved families. Mohammad Anwar Hossain, First Secretary (Labour) and Head of Chancery, stated that the embassy has taken necessary steps regarding the repatriation and formalities related to the deceased. The incident underscores the risks faced by expatriate workers in conflict zones, as the embassy continues to monitor developments and assist affected families.

Three members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) were injured after being detained and assaulted for about four hours by a group led by a man named Shafik in Khagatuya village under Ratanpur Union of Nabinagar upazila, Brahmanbaria. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, May 11, 2026, when the RAB team was passing through the area for intelligence gathering. A video of the attack later went viral on social media, showing the injured officers and the attackers issuing threats. According to RAB-9 CPC-1 company commander Md. Nur Nabi, the team was attacked with local weapons, leaving two members with broken arms and another with a head injury. One officer managed to escape, while three others were held and beaten before being rescued by additional RAB and police forces. The injured were first treated at Nabinagar Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital. Local residents alleged that Shafik has long been involved in criminal activities and intimidation in the area, facing 28 cases including murder, theft, and assault. Police said no written complaint had been filed as of the report’s publication.

Renowned Bangladeshi actor, playwright, and stage director Ataur Rahman passed away late Monday night in Dhaka after being on life support for ten days. The news was confirmed by actor Raonak Hasan. Rahman, a recipient of the Independence Award, had been under treatment at a hospital in the capital when he died. According to reports, Ataur Rahman’s health deteriorated after he fell at home the previous Friday. He was first taken to a hospital in Gulshan but later transferred to another in Dhanmondi due to the unavailability of ICU facilities. Although his condition briefly improved, he was again placed on life support on Sunday as his health worsened. He is survived by his wife, one daughter, and one son. Born on June 18, 1941, in Noakhali, Rahman was a leading figure in Bangladesh’s post-independence theatre movement. He was widely respected for his contributions to the country’s cultural and theatrical landscape and was honored with both the Ekushey Padak and the Independence Award.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under mounting pressure to announce a timeline for his resignation after failing to quell a growing rebellion within the Labour Party. By Monday evening, at least 60 Labour MPs had publicly urged him to set a clear date to step down, citing his inability to convince voters of his leadership strength ahead of the next general election. The Guardian reported that supporters of Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting, both seen as potential leadership rivals, have joined the opposition camp. Earlier on Monday, Starmer declared in a speech that he would not resign and vowed to prove his critics wrong, emphasizing the need to confront the threat posed by Reform UK. However, his statement did little to calm the unrest. Several MPs, including Chris Curtis and Paulette Hamilton, argued that Starmer’s unpopularity and poor local election results have eroded public trust. Three junior frontbench officials also resigned, urging him to step aside. Some Labour MPs, however, warned that changing leadership amid economic instability could benefit Nigel Farage’s party. The crisis marks one of the most difficult moments of Starmer’s political career.

The United States’ ‘Gold Card’ program, launched by President Donald Trump to offer rapid permanent residency for a $1 million fee, is struggling to attract wealthy applicants. According to a CNBC report, the initiative, introduced in December last year, promised record-time residency approvals but has failed to deliver. Court filings reveal that despite the high cost, applicants are not guaranteed faster visa processing, undermining the program’s main appeal. Data from the Department of Homeland Security show that only 338 people have applied so far, with just 165 paying the $15,000 initial fee. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had earlier projected 80,000 cards and over $100 billion in revenue. Legal experts note that the program’s shaky legal basis—launched by executive order without congressional approval—has led to court challenges. Critics argue it undermines existing EB-1 and EB-2 visa categories. Immigration consultants say the lack of expedited processing and non-refundable payment make the Gold Card unattractive compared to the EB-5 program, which allows investment-based green cards with potential returns. Despite global demand for relocation among millionaires, the program has yet to gain traction.

In an unprecedented climate event, all of the world’s top 50 hottest cities were recorded in India on April 27, according to data from air quality monitoring agency AQI. The agency reported that this was the first time in modern history such a concentration of extreme heat occurred in one country. The ranking was based on 24-hour temperature, rainfall, wind, and humidity data, showing an average high of 112.5°F (44.7°C) across the cities. Banda in Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 115.16°F (46.2°C), the highest temperature on Earth that day. Climate historian Maximiliano Herrera described the heatwave as one of the harshest Aprils on record, breaking hundreds of temperature records. Experts warned that rising heat levels could exceed human survivability thresholds by 2050, straining India’s agriculture, economy, and health systems. Outdoor workers, children, and the elderly face the greatest health risks. The heatwave coincides with an energy shortage worsened by reduced oil supply due to the Iran conflict. The Indian Meteorological Department cautioned that above-normal temperatures may persist, while El Niño conditions could reduce monsoon rainfall, threatening agriculture and water resources.