Iranian military officials have indicated that Tehran may abandon its policy of 'strategic patience' following recent attacks and heightened tensions. They stated that the country's coastal areas and oil tankers have been targeted, prompting Iran to strengthen its military preparedness. Officials warned that any nation planning attacks on Iran’s territory, energy facilities, or oil tankers would face severe consequences, though no specific country was named. A military spokesperson said that if adversaries take military action against Iran, they will encounter 'new weapons, new warfare methods, and new battlefield surprises.' He emphasized that Iran is ready to confront any potential conflict. The spokesperson also cautioned that countries supporting U.S. sanctions against Iran could face difficulties in navigating ships through the Strait of Hormuz, signaling potential regional disruptions if tensions escalate further.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu announced that around 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and reservoirs will be excavated across Bangladesh over the next five years. He made the statement while inaugurating the re-excavation of a canal from Daser Hat Chhara to the Assistant Commissioner’s connection point in Holokhana Union of Kurigram. The minister said the initiative could bring a revolutionary change in the country’s water management system. He recalled that former President Ziaur Rahman had launched a canal excavation program in 1977 to boost agricultural production and expand irrigation facilities, which had enabled Bangladesh to export rice for the first time. The current program, revived by the BNP, aims to fulfill that earlier vision. According to the minister, the project will enhance agricultural productivity through modern irrigation, create opportunities for fish farming and duck rearing, and help control floods and waterlogging. The excavation initiative is being implemented under the Employment Generation Program for the Poorest (EGPP) allocation, with local officials, political leaders, and residents attending the inauguration ceremony.

A Chattogram court has sentenced five former officials of Janata Bank to eight years in prison for embezzling Tk 33.9 million from the bank’s Sheikh Mujib Road corporate branch. Each convict was also fined Tk 4.6 million, with an additional one-year jail term in case of non-payment. The verdict was delivered on Sunday by Chattogram Divisional Special Judge Md. Mizanur Rahman. The convicted officials are former branch officers Md. Abu Taiyeb, Babul Chandra Majumder, Ronendra Bikash Saha, Moslem Uddin, and former Senior Principal Officer of the bank’s head office Md. Saeed Hossain. Another accused, Nurul Huda, was acquitted, while proceedings against Abu Bakar Siddique remain suspended pending rule disposal. According to the Anti-Corruption Commission’s prosecutor, the charges were proven through testimony from 12 witnesses. Case records show that between January 1999 and March 2000, several bank officials and clients illegally transferred funds from various accounts and withdrew the money through current and STD accounts. The case was filed on April 6, 2000, and after a lengthy investigation, the charge sheet was submitted in June 2011, with the trial beginning in March 2013.

The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will begin its special truck sale program from Monday ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, continuing until May 21. The initiative was confirmed in a press release issued on Sunday. Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir will officially inaugurate the program beside the PSC building in Agargaon. The operation will distribute subsidized essential goods including edible oil, sugar, and lentils to low-income families holding TCB cards. According to the announcement, 720 mobile trucks will operate across the country, including 50 in Dhaka, 20 in Chattogram, 15 in each of six divisional cities, and 10 in each of 56 other districts. Each truck will serve around 400 people daily, excluding Fridays. Consumers can purchase up to two liters of edible oil at Tk 130 per liter, one kilogram of sugar at Tk 80, and two kilograms of lentils at Tk 70 per kilogram. The TCB expects to sell about 13,939 metric tons of goods through the trucks and 34,848 metric tons to 7.2 million cardholder families in May under its regular subsidized program.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced its ambition to become a ruling party representing the people by 2036, according to its northern regional chief organizer, Sarjis Alam. He made the statement on Sunday afternoon at the party’s temporary office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, during the announcement of candidates for 100 upazilas and municipalities in the upcoming local government elections. Sarjis Alam said that in the first phase, candidates have been declared for five of the 13 city corporations, with the remaining names to be announced soon. Out of more than a thousand applications received, 100 candidates were selected after scrutiny. A second phase of 100 more candidate announcements is planned by next May. He added that individuals from other political parties with clean reputations may also apply, but those linked to fascism or criminal offenses will be excluded. The NCP is preparing independently for elections while strengthening its grassroots organization. The first phase includes candidates from several districts in the Rangpur division, with names announced for both upazila chairman and municipal mayor positions.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has announced candidates for 100 upazilas and municipalities as part of its initial list for the upcoming local government elections. The announcement was made on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the party’s temporary office by chief organizer Sarjis Alam, who confirmed that the declared names include 100 NCP-supported candidates for upazila chairman and municipal mayor positions. According to Sarjis Alam, the party received over a thousand applications for nomination. From these, 100 names were selected for the first phase, with a second list of another 100 candidates expected to be announced on May 20, before the upcoming Eid. He added that the selection process will continue in phases. Alam also stated that individuals from other political parties who are considered acceptable, have no record of oppression, and are not linked to fascist or criminal activities may apply to become NCP candidates. The announcement marks the beginning of NCP’s phased rollout of candidates for local government positions across the country.

Saudi Aramco’s Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser stated that the global market has been deprived of nearly one billion barrels of oil over the past two months because of the ongoing war. In a statement to Reuters, he said that although energy supply is gradually returning to normal, it will take time for the entire system to fully recover. Nasser emphasized that the company’s goal remains to maintain energy supply despite existing pressures on the system. Earlier, Saudi Aramco reported that its net profit for the first quarter of 2026 reached 120.13 billion Saudi riyals, equivalent to about 32.5 billion US dollars. This represents a 25.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year, which the company attributed to higher oil sales. The company’s statement highlights both the short-term supply challenges caused by the war and the resilience of its financial performance amid global market disruptions.

Iranian military spokesperson Brigadier General Amir Akraminia announced that ships belonging to countries imposing sanctions on Tehran will face difficulties when passing through the Strait of Hormuz. He stated that any nation following the United States in enforcing sanctions against Iran would encounter problems in this key maritime route. The United States has maintained extensive sanctions on Iran for decades, with the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, and several other countries adopting similar measures. These sanctions are linked to concerns over Iran’s weapons programs, human rights record, and alleged financing of militant groups. Since the onset of recent conflicts, Iran has maintained full control over the strategically vital waterway, which is crucial for global trade. The statement underscores Tehran’s intent to leverage its control of the Strait of Hormuz as a pressure point against nations supporting U.S.-led sanctions, potentially heightening tensions in an already sensitive region.

Hungary has entered a new political era as Peter Magyar was sworn in as the country’s new prime minister on Saturday, formally ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure. The transition follows a major political shift after April’s general election, in which Orbán’s nationalist Fidesz party suffered a decisive defeat to Magyar’s center-right Tisza Party. Magyar, viewed as a pro-European and reform-oriented politician, told supporters in Budapest that it was time to write a “new history” for Hungary. Thousands gathered outside the parliament to celebrate the change. In his parliamentary address, Magyar said voters had chosen not only a new government but also a transformation of the entire political system. He pledged to lead Hungary on a new path and open a new chapter in national politics. Magyar also accused Orbán’s administration of turning Hungary into one of the most corrupt countries in the European Union, promising to restore integrity and transparency in governance.

The 2026 Tamil Nadu election saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fall from four seats to one, reflecting the state’s enduring Dravidian political culture. Rooted in social justice, Tamil identity, state autonomy, and welfare-oriented governance, Tamil Nadu’s politics remain distinct from northern India’s Hindu nationalist trends. Despite BJP leader K. Annamalai’s social media presence and anti-corruption campaigns, the party struggled to build a broad social coalition or effective booth-level network. The rise of TVK under Vijay, which presented itself as a corruption-free, youth-driven, and Tamil identity–focused alternative, further weakened BJP’s position. Both DMK and AIADMK, emerging from the Dravidian movement, continue to emphasize Tamil pride, opposition to Hindi imposition, and welfare politics. Many Tamil voters separate religion from politics, supporting Dravidian parties while maintaining personal faith. Analysts note that BJP’s challenge lies in reconciling its pan-Indian Hindu nationalist ideology with Tamil Nadu’s regional and cultural priorities. Sustainable growth for the party would require nurturing local leadership, embracing Tamil identity, and avoiding overreliance on religious polarization.

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Aminul Islam, stated that former army officer Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury was the key figure behind crimes against humanity committed during the 1/11 political period, including the alleged torture of current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He said that at that time, Masud Uddin Chowdhury and several others were regarded as the de facto government, effectively running state affairs. Speaking at a press briefing at his tribunal office on Sunday, Aminul Islam confirmed that a production warrant had been issued for Masud Uddin Chowdhury in a missing case, leading to his appearance before the tribunal on April 7. He was shown arrested and taken to a safe home for one day of interrogation. The prosecutor said that the information obtained from the questioning is being verified and that further interrogation for two more days may be conducted if necessary. Aminul Islam added that the investigation covers events from the 1/11 period, the July movement, and Chowdhury’s alleged involvement in various activities linked to Sheikh Hasina. A consolidated report will be shared once the investigation is complete.

An unidentified missile struck a bulk carrier ship off the coast of Qatar early Sunday, according to a British maritime organization. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center reported that the vessel was located about 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha when it was hit by the missile. The incident caused a fire on board, which was quickly brought under control. No casualties or significant damage were reported. The organization stated that the source or party responsible for the missile strike remains unknown. The report did not specify the ship’s name, ownership, or the direction from which the missile was launched. The information was shared by the British maritime agency and cited by AFP. Authorities are continuing to assess the situation, but as of now, no group or state has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In Debidwar upazila of Cumilla, a suspended Awami League leader, Dewan Mohammad Humayun Kabir, has reportedly been lobbying to become the president of a local school committee. Kabir, who serves as vice president of the Barshalghar Union Awami League, was previously accused of using political influence to secure the same position during the former Awami League government. Under the current BNP administration, he has renewed his efforts to obtain the post. BNP National Executive Committee member Saidur Rahman Liton has submitted applications to the education secretary, district commissioner, Cumilla Education Board chairman, district council administrator, and upazila executive officer, requesting that Sajjad Hossain be appointed president instead of Kabir. Among three applicants for the ad hoc committee presidency, two are linked to the Awami League, while Sajjad Hossain is affiliated with the BNP. The acting head teacher of Mofiz Uddin Ahmad High School, Amjad Hossain, stated that the board will decide who becomes president. Upazila Executive Officer Rakibul Islam clarified that he has no authority to appoint the ad hoc committee president and that any complaints should be directed to the board.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s sweeping purge of military elites became evident during a recent legislative session, where only a handful of generals attended compared to about 40 a year earlier. Xi signaled that the campaign to reform the armed forces is ongoing, stressing that no one with divided loyalty to the Communist Party can remain in the military. He acknowledged for the first time one of the most severe political crises of his 13-year rule, losing confidence in the very commanders he had built up over the past decade. The crisis threatens Xi’s major achievement of transforming China’s military into a formidable force with new aircraft carriers, hypersonic missiles, and a growing nuclear arsenal. The purge intensified earlier this year with the downfall of top commander Zhang Youxia, once considered a trusted ally. Analysts cited in the report say Xi’s actions reveal his deep suspicion of disloyalty and corruption, as well as the tension between ensuring loyalty and preparing for war. The restructuring has tightened Xi’s control over the armed forces, reinforcing his belief in personally selecting the right commanders to ensure both modernization and unwavering allegiance.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, spokesperson of the National Citizen Party (NCP), is traveling to South Korea to attend the World Human Rights Cities Forum 2026 in Gwangju. He is scheduled to leave tonight and return to Bangladesh on May 19. During the visit, he will participate in sessions focused on international human rights, civil rights, and democracy. In addition to the forum, Bhuiyan will meet with members of the Bangladeshi community living in South Korea to discuss their challenges, opportunities, and contributions to the expatriate society. He will also take part in several organizational meetings, representative discussions, and community engagement activities organized by the NCP Diaspora Alliance’s South Korea chapter. The visit aims to strengthen NCP’s international engagement and foster dialogue on human rights and diaspora issues through direct interaction with expatriate Bangladeshis and global participants.