Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Europe will remain incomplete and weak in facing crises if Turkey is not given its rightful place within the European framework. He made the remarks on Saturday in a message marking Europe Day. Erdogan described the Schuman Declaration as not only a symbol of the European Union but also a reflection of the continent’s commitment to peace, cooperation, and mutual respect. He noted that the founding principles of the European Union, established 76 years ago, are being tested by wars, political instability, and economic challenges. Erdogan emphasized that these global crises have compelled the EU to adopt more inclusive and unified policies, with Turkey remaining an indispensable and undeniable part of this process as a candidate country. Reaffirming Turkey’s commitment to advancing relations with the EU on the basis of equality and mutual promises, Erdogan expressed hope that the bloc would show the same sincerity. He added that Europe needs Turkey more than Turkey needs Europe and extended his best wishes to the people of Europe and Turkey on Europe Day.

Students of Eden Mohila College in Dhaka staged a midnight protest demanding a ban on student politics. The demonstration began around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday when students broke the lock of the main gate and gathered with slogans opposing political activities on campus. Protesters reportedly attempted to set fire to banners and festoons belonging to a student organization. According to reports, students from Eden College and the proposed Hazrat Rabeya Basri dormitory joined the protest, trying to break several campus gates. They called for an end to all forms of political influence within the institution. The protest followed an earlier incident in which the phrase ‘politics-free campus’ written on the college gate was erased with paint, sparking anger among students. The incident reflects ongoing tensions over the presence of student politics in educational institutions, with Eden Mohila College once again becoming a focal point for demands to keep campuses free from political activities.

The Justice and Democracy Party (JDP) organized a protest march and rally in Dhaka on Friday night following the killing of two Bangladeshi nationals by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) in Brahmanbaria. The demonstration began near the National Museum around 8:30 p.m. and concluded at the Raju Sculpture in Shahbagh, where participants chanted slogans condemning the border killings and held a brief gathering. During the rally, JDP member secretary Advocate Abdul Alim urged the government to take strong action over the incident, accusing it of maintaining a submissive foreign policy that emboldens the BSF. Senior joint member secretary Nura Jerin criticized the government for failing to respond firmly, saying it remains silent on citizens’ safety while being vocal on other issues. JDP leaders including convener Naeem Ahmad, chief organizer Ahsan Ullah, and senior joint convener Imran Hossain Rahat attended, along with members of the National Student Forum. Speakers at the protest demanded immediate and effective government measures to stop border killings and ensure the safety of Bangladeshi citizens.

Liverpool and Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw in a Premier League match at Anfield on Saturday night. Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring for the hosts with a superb goal, but Enzo Fernández equalized for Chelsea before halftime. Liverpool missed two more clear chances to regain the lead, leaving the contest unresolved. The result extended Liverpool’s winless run against Chelsea to three league matches. Chelsea had previously beaten Liverpool 2-1 in their first meeting this season and 3-1 in their second encounter last season, both played at Stamford Bridge. In another Premier League fixture, Manchester United were held to a goalless draw by Sunderland. Despite recently securing Champions League qualification with a 3-2 win over Liverpool, United struggled to create chances and dropped points away from home. They now sit third in the league table with 65 points from 36 matches, including 18 wins and 11 draws.

The Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) has expressed deep concern and strong condemnation over the killing of two Bangladeshi youths and injury of about 20 others by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) at the Kasba border in Brahmanbaria. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju and Secretary General Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad said the indiscriminate shooting of unarmed Bangladeshi citizens violates international law, human rights, and neighborly relations. The statement criticized the Bangladesh government for failing to take effective diplomatic and political measures despite repeated incidents of border killings, leaving citizens at serious risk. The leaders emphasized that while smuggling and illegal trade are real issues, they must be addressed through law enforcement rather than lethal force. They called for stronger diplomatic dialogue, joint patrols, information sharing, and rule-based measures between Bangladesh and India. The AB Party urged the government to raise the issue in international forums, ensure accountability for the incident, and guarantee security for border residents. They also conveyed condolences to the victims’ families and demanded proper treatment for the injured.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a warning for seven districts, forecasting thunderstorms and gusty winds by Sunday morning. According to the alert, Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogura, Tangail, Jashore, Kushtia, and Khulna regions may experience rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusts or squalls reaching speeds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour. The warning indicates that these conditions could occur from the west or northwest direction. The weather office has also instructed river ports in the affected areas to hoist cautionary signal number one. The advisory aims to alert residents and authorities to prepare for possible disruptions caused by the expected weather conditions. The notice emphasizes the need for vigilance in the mentioned districts as the stormy weather may affect local transport and outdoor activities during the early hours of Sunday.

The formal ceremony to award medals to police officers during Police Week at the parade ground in Dhaka has been canceled. According to reports, the decision was made at the last moment on Saturday after it was discovered that several controversial officers were included in the list of recipients. Six officers were reportedly informed verbally about the cancellation at the Rajarbagh parade ground. Police sources said the list contained names of officers whose inclusion raised concerns, prompting authorities to halt the event. The medals were meant to recognize acts of bravery, dedication, and service in 2025, including the Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM), President’s Police Medal (PPM), and their service variants. The Prime Minister was scheduled to present the medals to the recipients. A total of 107 officers had been preparing for the ceremony since May 2. However, as of Saturday night, no government order (G.O.) had been issued, which is a required step for the awards to be formally conferred.

BNP Vice Chairman and Patuakhali-1 Member of Parliament Altaf Hossain Chowdhury announced that the BNP government has brought an allocation of Tk 400 crore for the rapid development of Patuakhali district. He made the statement on Saturday at a views-exchange meeting held at Patuakhali Gymnasium, jointly organized by the district, municipal, and sadar upazila BNP units and their affiliated organizations. During the event, Chowdhury expressed gratitude to voters for electing him by a margin of one lakh votes and said he came to Patuakhali carrying greetings from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He emphasized that he represents all constituents, including those who did not vote for him, and urged party members to act with integrity in utilizing development funds. He also warned against corruption and irregularities, stating that no work should proceed without the MP’s DO letter. Earlier, Chowdhury visited the 250-bed Patuakhali Medical College Hospital and acknowledged shortages of doctors, nurses, and staff. He assured that these issues would be resolved gradually.

Bangladesh’s Industry Minister Khandaker Abdul Moktadir announced that the government aims to create employment opportunities for 20 million people within the next five years. He made the statement on Saturday evening while speaking to journalists after visiting the BSCIC industrial city in Saidpur, Nilphamari. The minister emphasized that small and cottage industries form the foundation of the national economy and play a vital role in reducing inequality. He stated that the government will take necessary measures to increase investment in this sector while ensuring industrial expansion without harming agricultural land. Moktadir highlighted the potential for agro-processing and light engineering industries in Saidpur and surrounding areas, promising government support to realize these opportunities. He also mentioned that several programs have been launched to encourage entrepreneurs and that state-owned closed factories will be reopened gradually. The minister said solving unemployment is the government’s top priority and that extensive plans have been undertaken to achieve this goal. Several senior officials and local representatives were present during his visit to the Saidpur industrial area.

Nahida Sultana Brishti, a Bangladeshi student who was killed in Florida, was laid to rest on Saturday at her family home in Char Gobindapur village, Madaripur. Her body arrived by ambulance at 1:20 p.m., and hundreds of villagers gathered to pay their last respects. The funeral prayer was held at the Char Gobindapur High School field after Asr prayer, followed by burial beside her grandparents’ graves. Brishti had completed her undergraduate studies in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Noakhali Science and Technology University and later enrolled in a master’s program at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. Before completing it, she received a full scholarship to pursue a PhD at the University of South Florida, where she went on August 25, 2025. The university has decided to award posthumous doctoral degrees to Brishti and fellow student Jamil Ahmed Limon, who were both found dead after going missing on April 17. Local officials expressed condolences, calling her death an irreparable loss for the country and assuring continued administrative support to her family.

The Caspian Sea has become a crucial strategic trade route for Iran and Russia, according to international sources cited on May 9, 2026. Amid Western sanctions, the Ukraine war, and Middle East instability, the two countries are increasingly using this inland waterway to exchange goods ranging from military equipment to food supplies. The route’s importance rose further after an Israeli airstrike targeted Iran’s naval command center in Bandar Anzali, reportedly destroying several vessels. Analysts describe the Caspian as a safer and less monitored alternative to the Persian Gulf. U.S. officials claim Russia is sending drone components to Iran through this route to help rebuild its drone capacity. Iranian officials said imports of wheat, corn, animal feed, and sunflower oil through Caspian ports have surged, with four Iranian ports operating around the clock. Russian trade data also show a sharp rise in shipments, including millions of tons of wheat redirected from the Black Sea due to security risks. Experts note that the Caspian’s enclosed geography limits Western naval surveillance, making it ideal for sanctions evasion. However, long-term plans for a 7,200-kilometer trade corridor linking the Baltic to the Indian Ocean remain incomplete due to war and infrastructure challenges.

Netrakona-4 Member of Parliament Lutfozzaman Babar has stated that the list of farmers affected by heavy rainfall in Madan upazila was not prepared accurately. During a visit to several affected areas on Saturday, he said the list would be rechecked and newly prepared to ensure fairness. He made the remarks after hearing complaints from local farmers about the inaccuracies. Babar was accompanied by the upazila executive officer Bedabati Mistri, assistant commissioner (land) Shaolin Nahar, agriculture officer Md Mahmudul Hasan Mizan, and officer-in-charge Md Tarikul Islam. Local BNP leaders, including the upazila and municipal presidents and general secretaries, as well as his personal assistant and Hefazat leader Mufti Anwar Hossain, were also present. The MP said the Prime Minister had instructed the preparation of a list to assist affected farmers but expressed anger after learning that many genuine victims were excluded while unaffected individuals were included. Babar directed the administration to correct the list promptly and assured officials that they need not bow to political pressure, even from his own party.

Russia is reportedly transporting drone manufacturing components to Iran through the Caspian Sea, avoiding the risks and monitoring associated with the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. officials cited by The New York Times. The report describes the Caspian Sea as an increasingly vital corridor for both open and covert trade between the two countries. Unnamed U.S. officials said the route is helping Iran rebuild its military capacity after recent U.S. and Israeli strikes. They warned that continued supplies from Russia could soon restore Tehran’s drone capabilities. Military analysts estimated that Iran may have lost up to 60 percent of its drones in recent conflicts, a claim Tehran denied. An Iranian military official stated that the number of drones used in battle was small compared to total reserves and asserted that Iran could sustain warfare for several more months if needed. Experts noted that the Caspian route allows Russia and Iran to move goods and military equipment more safely, evading sanctions and oversight. Analysts described the region as geopolitically neglected, enabling both nations to exploit its strategic advantages.

An Awami League leader in Gobindapur, Jamalpur Sadar, restarted operations at an illegal brick kiln only 24 hours after a court ordered its closure and demolition of its chimney. The kiln owner, Khorshed, who is a member of the Sharifpur Union Awami League and an elected union council member, resumed brick production without obtaining any new permission, in defiance of the court’s directive. Local residents have expressed strong resentment over the violation. Earlier, an operation led by Executive Magistrate Kishore Kumar Roy from the Department of Environment, assisted by RAB and police, bulldozed the kiln’s chimney and imposed a fine of Tk 50,000, ordering the site to shut down. Khorshed admitted that no authorization had been secured for rebuilding or restarting the kiln. Jamalpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Yusuf Ali stated that upon receiving reports of the violation, he instructed the Upazila Nirbahi Officer to take necessary action regarding the matter.

United Healthcare Services Limited has reached a major milestone in health research by officially launching its first Institutional Ethical Review Board (IERB) on May 5, 2026. The initiative aims to strengthen research activities among physicians, clinicians, and healthcare professionals at United Medical College Hospital, the company’s flagship facility. The inauguration ceremony was attended by United Group Chairman and Managing Director Moinuddin Hasan Rashid as chief guest, along with other senior officials and medical leaders. Dr. Azharul Islam Khan, Director of Medical Services at United Healthcare, was appointed as the chief advisor to the IERB, with Professor Dr. Khondker Abu Talha serving as chairman and Professor Dr. Mahbubur Rahman as member-secretary. The board includes both local and international experts from diverse medical and academic backgrounds. During the event, three research proposals were submitted for ethical review and approval. Through the establishment of the IERB, United Healthcare reaffirmed its commitment to promoting innovative clinical research, enhancing academic collaboration, and contributing to improved healthcare standards in Bangladesh.