Maulana Muhammad Mamunul Haque stated that the people of Bangladesh have been freed from a severe form of fascism through the sacrifices made during the July uprising. He made the remarks while addressing families of martyrs and the injured at a cash distribution event organized by the Taghlibe Deen Foundation in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, on Monday. As the chief guest and main patron of the foundation, Mamunul Haque expressed gratitude to the victims’ families, acknowledging their sacrifices. He said that as a nation, Bangladesh has failed to provide the respect, dignity, and assistance that the families of martyrs and the injured deserve, and that the state has also not fulfilled its responsibilities. The foundation arranged the event as a modest effort to fill that gap. During the program, which was chaired by Maulana Abul Hasanat Jalali, the foundation distributed over seven lakh taka among twelve families of martyrs and injured individuals from the July uprising who were deprived of government grants and recognition.

The Spanish High Court has ruled in favor of pop star Shakira in a long-running tax dispute, canceling a €55 million fine and ordering the Spanish tax authority to return approximately €60 million to her with interest. The court found that the amount had been collected following a 2011 tax disagreement. According to court documents, the dispute centered on whether Shakira qualified as a tax resident of Spain that year. Under Spanish law, an individual must reside in the country for at least 183 days in a year to be considered a tax resident. Reports cited by the court indicated that Shakira spent only 163 days in Spain in 2011, meaning she was not legally required to pay Spanish taxes for that period. The ruling, issued in mid-April, became public on April 18. Shakira’s lawyer, José Luis Prada, said the decision came after eight years of hardship, highlighting flaws in the administrative process. The case had drawn attention due to similar tax issues previously faced by her former husband, ex-footballer Gerard Piqué.

The World Bank has approved a $350 million loan to Bangladesh under the Energy Sector Security Enhancement Project. The announcement was made in a press release on Monday, stating that the financing aims to support the country’s energy security and ensure stable power generation. According to the release, disruptions in global LNG supply and rising prices caused by conflicts in the Middle East have put pressure on Bangladesh’s economy and foreign exchange reserves, as the country relies heavily on imported LNG. The World Bank said the funding will enable Petrobangla to import LNG at affordable prices through long-term contracts, reducing exposure to volatile spot markets. The project is expected to help maintain steady electricity production, which in turn will support industrialization and job creation by ensuring a reliable energy supply.

Heavy gunfire was reported along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border near Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar on Monday morning. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. near the Leda area of Hnila Union, where residents heard intermittent bursts of gunfire from across the border. Local fishermen working in the Naf River said they saw a red speedboat on the Myanmar side shortly before the shooting began, prompting them to retreat to safety. According to local representative Md Alam, the gunfire appeared to come from inside Myanmar, and residents suspect it may have involved clashes between the Arakan Army and Rohingya insurgent groups. The incident caused widespread fear among fishermen and nearby residents. Lieutenant Colonel Md Hanifur Rahman Bhuiya, commander of the Teknaf Battalion (2 BGB), confirmed that the Border Guard Bangladesh has been placed on alert following the gunfire across the eastern side of the Naf River inside Myanmar.

Barcelona defeated Real Betis 3–1 at Spotify Camp Nou on May 18, 2026, marking a historic night for the club. The victory not only sealed a perfect home record across all 38 La Liga matches but also became the first such achievement in Spanish football history. The evening was further marked by an emotional farewell from Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, who played his final home match for the Catalan side. Lewandowski, who joined Barcelona from Bayern Munich in 2022 during the club’s financial crisis, won seven trophies including three La Liga titles over four years. Wearing the captain’s armband, the 37-year-old was substituted in the 85th minute and waved tearfully to fans. Teammates Raphinha, Pedri, and Araújo honored him by ensuring he captained the match, while coach Hansi Flick praised him as both a world-class player and a remarkable person. Although this was his last home appearance, Lewandowski is set to play one final match for Barcelona next week against Valencia, closing a memorable chapter in his career.

Nakib Hossain, father of six-year-old Jabir Ibrahim, testified on Monday before International Crimes Tribunal-1 as the sixth witness in a case against Sheikh Hasina’s son and ICT adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak. He described how his son was shot in the thigh during a rally near Uttara Scholastica School on August 5, 2024, and later died after being taken to several hospitals. According to Nakib’s statement, a group of 15–20 helmeted men opened fire and threw sound grenades toward the crowd. He said he carried his injured son to multiple hospitals, but Jabir was declared dead at Dhaka Specialized Hospital. Nakib buried his son in Uttara Sector 4 cemetery. Nakib held then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Joy, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and ICT Minister Palak responsible for the shooting, claiming the attack was carried out under their orders. He demanded maximum punishment for those involved.

Pakistan has deployed around 8,000 troops, a full squadron of fighter jets, and air defense systems to Saudi Arabia amid ongoing regional tensions involving Iran, according to a Reuters report. The deployment, carried out under a secret bilateral defense agreement signed last year, includes 16 JF-17 fighter jets jointly developed with China, two drone squadrons, and Chinese-made HQ-9 air defense systems. Pakistani military personnel are operating the equipment, while Saudi Arabia is financing the operation. Sources cited by Reuters said the current deployment could expand, as the agreement allows up to 80,000 Pakistani troops to be stationed in Saudi Arabia if needed. The deployed forces are primarily tasked with training and advisory roles, though Pakistan already had combat-ready troops in the kingdom under previous arrangements. The pact also includes provisions for deploying Pakistani naval vessels, though their current status remains unconfirmed. The report added that Pakistan’s move marks a shift from symbolic support to a tangible military presence, following earlier tensions when Iranian attacks damaged Saudi energy infrastructure and killed a Saudi citizen.

Nasiruddin Patwari, the chief coordinator of the National Citizens Party (NCP), is set to visit the Lalmonirhat border area in protest against the killing of a Bangladeshi national. According to the NCP, Patwari will lead a party delegation to Hatibandha on Tuesday to meet affected families and review the current border situation. The delegation will include party organizers Miyaz Mehrab Talukdar, M M Shoaib, Mostak Ahmed Shishir, and Russell Ahmed, along with other central and local leaders. Their schedule includes arriving in Hatibandha at 10 a.m., visiting the home of the deceased, identified as border martyr Md Khadimul Islam, meeting injured and bereaved family members at 11:30 a.m., offering prayers at the victim’s grave at noon, and holding a press conference at the Hatibandha Press Club at 1 p.m. The NCP stated that the visit aims to express solidarity with the victims’ families and to assess the situation following the reported shooting by India’s Border Security Force (BSF).

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to mark a major technological shift, with artificial intelligence (AI) at its core. Hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the 48-team tournament will begin on June 11 and feature 104 matches. Each team will have its own AI model capable of analyzing opponents’ strategies through video clips, 3D avatars, and real-time data. Coaches will be able to preview potential outcomes of tactical changes, while players will receive detailed performance analyses. Developed by Lenovo, the “Football AI Pro” system processes hundreds of millions of FIFA data points across more than 2,000 indicators. Analysts suggest this could reduce the technological gap between rich and smaller teams, making competition more balanced. AI will also enhance offside decisions through instant 3D body scans, improving VAR accuracy and transparency for fans. Beyond the pitch, each stadium will feature a digital twin to monitor crowds, safety, and player health in real time. The tournament is expected to generate over 90 petabytes of data, with autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots assisting in transport and stadium operations.

India, the world’s most populous country with about 1.42 billion people, is witnessing a new campaign by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political allies and Hindu nationalist organizations encouraging citizens to have more children. They argue that declining birth rates could lead to demographic imbalance and future economic strain. According to UN projections, India’s population may continue to grow for nearly four decades, reaching around 1.7 billion. India’s total fertility rate fell to 2.0 during 2019–21 from 3.4 in 1992–93, largely due to women’s education and wider use of contraception. The government considers a rate of 2.1 necessary for population stability. In this context, the Andhra Pradesh government, run by a coalition including Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, announced incentives of 30,000 rupees for a third child and 40,000 rupees for a fourth, though implementation details remain unclear. Sikkim has also introduced benefits such as extended parental leave and IVF support. RSS, the ideological parent of the BJP, has voiced concern over falling fertility, warning of demographic imbalance. Meanwhile, official data show youth unemployment at 9.9 percent in 2025, highlighting economic challenges amid calls for larger families.

A major collapse occurred in the river protection embankment along the Dhanu River in Singpur Union of Nikli upazila, Kishoreganj, before the completion of construction work. The incident caused about 70 to 80 feet of the embankment, including blocks and geo-bags, to sink into the river, washing away a nearby road and putting the Singpur market at risk. According to the Water Development Board, around Tk 30 crore was allocated for a 1,200-meter riverbank protection and wave protection project, which has already received two deadline extensions due to delays. Local residents reported that the embankment blocks were gradually sinking and the soil beneath the geo-bags was eroding into the river. One resident alleged that poor-quality work contributed to the collapse. Executive Engineer Md. Sajjad Hossain of the Kishoreganj Water Development Board stated that the embankment protection work is ongoing and that a team has inspected the collapsed area. He assured that all necessary support will be provided to stabilize the damaged section.

The new West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has decided to discontinue all religion-based allowances in the state. The decision was taken during the second cabinet meeting held on Monday at Nabanna. Minister Agnimitra Paul announced that allowances and aid programs under the Information and Culture Department and the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department, which were based on religious identity, will be stopped. Beneficiaries will receive payments for the current month, but the scheme will cease from next month. The government clarified that scholarships and educational grants for students will continue unaffected. Only financial assistance provided on the basis of religious identity is being withdrawn. Paul added that a detailed government notification on the matter will be issued soon. The cabinet also approved several other measures, including the formation of a Seventh Pay Commission to review government employees’ pay structure, the launch of the Annapurna Yojana, and free travel for women on all state-run buses starting June 1.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has described Bangladesh as a highly promising and fertile ground for investment. He highlighted vast opportunities for foreign investors in infrastructure, public-private partnerships, transport, and technology sectors. The minister made these remarks on Monday during a courtesy meeting with Singapore’s non-resident High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Derek Loh, at the Secretariat. During the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of expanding and strengthening bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Singapore. Discussions focused on enhancing collaboration in investment, healthcare, technology exchange, waste management, and rural development. The minister invited Singapore to invest in Bangladesh’s potential sectors, noting that Singapore’s experience and technological capacity could further accelerate Bangladesh’s development initiatives. Senior officials from the ministry, including the Secretary of the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division and the Director General of the Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Inspection Wing, were present at the meeting.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim said his party is waiting for the Prime Minister to fulfill her commitment to implement the July Charter and the referendum verdict. Speaking to journalists at the party’s central office in Purana Paltan on Monday, he noted that the Prime Minister had promised to implement the charter fully, and the party trusts her assurance. He added that the referendum resulted in a ‘yes’ victory, which is part of the July Charter, and therefore his party expects the government to act accordingly. Addressing concerns about political appointments in the administration, he reminded the government of the Prime Minister’s earlier call for inclusive governance and urged an end to partisan recruitment, emphasizing merit-based appointments instead. Rezaul Karim also discussed the breakdown of electoral alliances with Jamaat and other parties before the February 12 election, citing unilateral decisions and foreign meetings by Jamaat as reasons. He criticized the US trade deal as a “slavery agreement” and condemned the BJP’s actions in West Bengal, calling them uncivilized.

Police in Rajair upazila of Madaripur recovered stolen vehicles from a garage near Pachchar Bridge in the Tekerhat Bandar area. Two members of a car theft and recovery ring were arrested during the operation. The detainees were identified as Faruk Molla from Shibchar upazila and Antor Biswas from Kalia upazila in Narail district. They have been sent to district jail through the court. At a press briefing on Monday afternoon, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Md. Salauddin of the Rajair-Shibchar circle said that along with a stolen pickup truck, two other stolen vehicles were recovered. The garage owner, Faruk Molla, was also detained during the operation. According to the ASP, initial interrogation revealed information about an organized car theft ring. Police expect to obtain more significant details after further questioning of the arrested suspects.