Spain has announced its withdrawal from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in a video message on Friday that Spain cannot remain silent in the face of what he described as genocide in Gaza and an illegal war in Lebanon. He emphasized that the decision reflects Spain’s commitment to human rights and international law. Sánchez described the move by Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE to skip the contest as consistent and necessary, stating that it was taken to stand against injustice. He argued that the same principle used to exclude Russia after the Ukraine war should apply to Israel, insisting there should be no double standards. According to Sánchez, Eurovision symbolizes peace, unity, and Europe’s diversity, but silence in the face of war and atrocities is not an option. He added that several other countries, including Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia, have taken similar positions. The 2026 Eurovision contest began on May 12, with the grand final scheduled for Saturday.

More than a hundred citizens and leaders from various political organizations joined the National Citizens Party (NCP) in Rajshahi. The formal joining took place on Saturday at the Rajshahi District Council auditorium, where central and local NCP leaders welcomed the new members with flowers. Participants included leaders and activists from BNP, Gano Adhikar Parishad, Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir, and Chhatra Adhikar Parishad. The event was conducted by city NCP member secretary Atikur Rahman, with divisional organizational secretary Imran Imon attending as chief guest. Several central leaders, including Gazi Salahuddin Tanvir, S M Saif Mostafiz, Monira Sharmin, and Sarjis Alam, also addressed the gathering. Speakers said that growing interest among youth and conscious citizens in NCP reflects a demand for a new political approach focused on citizens’ rights, good governance, and accountability. They urged the new members to work together for positive change in the country’s political culture and emphasized the importance of youth participation in shaping future leadership.

Nihan Alam from Mirsarai secured first place in the senior group of the Cyber Security category at the National High School Programming Competition and Cyber Security Olympiad 2026. The regional round was held on Saturday morning at the conference room of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), where Nihan received a crest in recognition of his achievement. A ninth-grade student of Maruf Model High School in Mirsarai, Nihan has been known for his academic excellence from an early age. He previously earned government scholarships in both fifth and eighth grades, marking consistent academic success. Nihan is the son of Nurul Alam, president of the Mirsarai Press Club and journalist, and Jinnat Ara Begum. The event highlighted young talent in programming and cybersecurity across the Chattogram region, encouraging participation from high school students in technology-oriented competitions.

BNP Standing Committee member and Dhaka-8 MP Mirza Abbas is undergoing medical treatment in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. After a long period of care and observation, his health condition has improved, and his wife Afroza Abbas said he may return to Bangladesh in the first week of June. On Saturday, May 17 local time, expatriate journalists visited him at Prince Court Medical Centre, where doctors confirmed that he is recovering steadily under close supervision. According to Afroza Abbas, Mirza Abbas is receiving rehabilitation therapy and adequate rest as advised by doctors. His medical team is closely monitoring every stage of his recovery and has expressed satisfaction with his progress. He is also taking short wheelchair walks daily within the hospital premises. Many Bangladeshi expatriates, including party leaders and well-wishers, have been visiting him at the hospital and exchanging brief conversations. The visit was attended by leaders of BNP’s affiliated organizations in Malaysia, including the presidents and secretaries of the Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and JASAS Malaysia branches, along with expatriate journalists.

An Indian restaurant owner living in Japan for three decades has been ordered to leave the country after his business visa renewal was denied under new immigration policies. Manish Kumar, who has run his restaurant in Saitama Prefecture for 18 years, shared his distress at a protest in Tokyo, saying he and his family, who have grown up in Japan, now face forced return to India. The case has become a symbol of growing anxiety among small foreign entrepreneurs in Japan following major changes to the country’s business visa regulations. Since the new rules took effect in October 2025, applications for business manager visas have dropped by about 96 percent, from around 1,700 per month to just 70. Japanese authorities say the stricter requirements aim to prevent misuse of long-term residence by non-operational businesses. Critics argue that genuine small business owners are being disproportionately affected. The minimum investment requirement for visa eligibility has also been raised from 5 million yen to 30 million yen.

Police have recovered the body of Forkan Molla, the main accused in the Gazipur five-murder case, from the Padma River near Louhajong’s Mawa area. The recovery was confirmed on Saturday afternoon by Md. Elias, in-charge of the Mawa River Police Outpost. According to Kapasia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Shahinur Rahman, the body was found floating in the river on Saturday morning and later sent to Munshiganj General Hospital morgue for autopsy. Investigating officer Md. Jubayer Ahmed was dispatched to the scene after the discovery. Based on the clothing and statements from family members, police suspect the body to be that of Forkan Molla. His brother Jabbar identified the body by its black pants and white shirt. Authorities stated that final confirmation will come after post-mortem and DNA test results. Earlier, on the night of May 8, five bodies were recovered from a rented house in Rautkona village of Kapasia upazila, belonging to expatriate Monir Hossain. The victims were Forkan’s wife Sharmin, daughters Mim (15), Umme Habiba (8), Faria (2), and brother-in-law Rasul Mia.

U.S. President Donald Trump returned from his China visit without achieving a breakthrough on the Iran issue, despite intensified diplomatic efforts. Speaking to reporters on his way back to Washington, Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping supported reopening the Strait of Hormuz and preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, positions Beijing had previously expressed. Trump later wrote on his social media platform that U.S. military operations against Iran would continue. According to U.S. administrative sources, the White House had planned to shape its next Iran strategy based on the outcome of the Trump–Xi meeting. With little progress, Trump now faces a decision on whether to launch new military strikes to halt the conflict. Internal divisions have emerged: some Pentagon officials favor targeted attacks to pressure Tehran, while others advocate continued diplomacy. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance claimed some negotiation progress, citing ongoing contacts with Trump’s envoys and Arab allies. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has driven up global oil prices, pushing U.S. gasoline above $4.50 per gallon and fueling inflation. Analysts warn that rising economic strain and the prolonged conflict could hurt Trump’s popularity ahead of the midterm elections.

Nasiruddin Patwari, a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), posted a selfie on Facebook with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday afternoon. In his post, Patwari captioned the photo with the words 'deal done', drawing attention to the meeting between the two political figures. On the same day, Jamaat-e-Islami held a divisional rally in Rajshahi as part of an eleven-party alliance led by the group. During the event, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman criticized the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), saying that the party’s name once stood for nationalism but has now become associated with extortion. He urged people to build social unity against corruption and extortion and to hand over offenders to the police. The developments highlight ongoing political activity and alliances among opposition groups ahead of future political movements in Bangladesh.

Professor Dr. Ekramul Haque has joined as the new Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). The appointment was approved by the President and Chancellor and formalized through a notification from the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education. He assumed office on May 15, 2026, for a four-year term as the 16th Vice-Chancellor of BUET. Dr. Haque is a well-known academic and researcher in the field of higher education and engineering research in Bangladesh. He earned his BSc in Civil Engineering from BUET in 1989, ranking third in the merit list, and began his career there as a lecturer the same year. Over the years, he was promoted to assistant professor in 1992, associate professor in 1997, and professor in 2005, later becoming a Grade 1 professor in 2017. He also serves as the Director of BUET’s Bureau of Research, Testing and Consultation (BRTC). He obtained his PhD from the University of Tokyo in 1996 and has published over 50 research papers in international journals. Under his leadership, BUET is expected to advance further in education, research, technology innovation, and international collaboration.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanom Rita stated that improving the quality of education is essential for ensuring the country’s overall development, emphasizing that the foundation of such progress begins at the primary level. She said this on Saturday afternoon while inaugurating the foundation stone of a new building at Bethuazani Government Primary School in Manikganj Sadar upazila. The event was attended by District Commissioner Nazmun Ara Sultana as a special guest, along with several local political leaders. The minister directed the concerned authorities to complete the construction work of the new school building quickly and with high quality. Local residents welcomed the initiative and expressed hope that the new facility would enhance the educational environment in the area. According to the minister, the government continues to work consistently on improving infrastructure, modernization, and quality in primary education to strengthen the foundation for national development.

Rashed Pradhan, vice president and spokesperson of the National Democratic Party (JAGPA), declared that Bangladesh’s political decisions will be made on the streets of Dhaka, not in Delhi. He made the remarks on Saturday, May 16, at an event marking the 50th anniversary of Farakka Day, organized by Jubo JAGPA at the Shafiul Alam Pradhan Auditorium in Paltan. Pradhan invoked the teachings of Maulana Bhasani, emphasizing resistance against dominance and defending national sovereignty. During his speech, Pradhan described the Farakka Barrage as an assault on Bangladesh’s sovereignty, linking it to ongoing issues such as border killings, illegal push-ins, cultural aggression, and interference in domestic politics. He urged the Indian government to understand that friendship cannot be built through barbed wire fences and called for an end to Indian dominance in the region. Pradhan further criticized what he described as India’s aggression and the rise of extremist Hindutva, warning that peace cannot be achieved through oppression of minorities or interference in neighboring states. Several JAGPA leaders and youth representatives also addressed the discussion meeting.

Bangladesh recovered from a disastrous start to post 278 runs on the opening day of the Sylhet Test against Pakistan, thanks to a fighting century from Liton Das. After losing six wickets for just 116 runs under cloudy skies and sharp pace bowling from Pakistan, Liton anchored the innings with a composed 126, guiding the hosts to a competitive total. Pakistan reached 21 without loss in reply before stumps. Earlier, Bangladesh’s top order faltered as Mahmudul Hasan, debutant Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, and others fell cheaply to Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim briefly steadied the innings before both departed after lunch. Liton then built crucial partnerships with Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, and Shoriful Islam to lift the total. Pakistan missed two review opportunities that could have dismissed Liton and Mushfiqur earlier. By day’s end, Bangladesh’s spirited recovery left the match finely balanced, with both teams still in contention heading into the second day.

Armed robbers looted Tk 3.5 million from peanut traders by holding them hostage on the Meghna River in Ashuganj upazila of Brahmanbaria on Saturday morning. The incident occurred around 6 a.m. in the Charchartala area when traders from NM Brothers, a peanut business based in Bhairab, were traveling by boat toward Baishmouja market in Nabinagar. The robbers attacked from another boat, seized the money, and fled the scene. Naval police later reached the spot by speedboat and rescued the traders. According to Shamim Ahmed, one of the directors of NM Brothers, the Baishmouja market operates twice a week during the April–June peanut trading season. Fifteen people were on the traders’ boat when six robbers boarded it for about ten minutes, looted the cash, and disabled the boat’s engine before escaping. Bhairab Naval Police Officer-in-Charge Moniruzzaman Chowdhury stated that the case falls under another police station’s jurisdiction, but his team has also launched an operation to catch the robbers. Police are preparing a case in the relevant jurisdiction and have begun efforts to identify and arrest the culprits.

Opposition leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman criticized the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), saying its name once stood for nationalism but now represents extortion. He made the remarks on Saturday in Rajshahi while addressing a divisional rally organized by the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat. The event was chaired by Rafiqul Islam Khan and attended by leaders and activists from various political groups, including the NCP. During his speech, Dr. Rahman thanked the government for inaugurating the Padma Barrage and urged authorities to implement the Teesta Master Plan without fear or hesitation. He called for building social unity against corruption and extortion, urging citizens to hand over wrongdoers to the police. He reiterated that Jamaat must take the lead in combating these issues. Dr. Rahman arrived in Rajshahi around 8 a.m. to attend the rally as the chief guest, where he emphasized moral and social responsibility in political conduct.

Sarowar Tushar, joint convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and deputy head of its Reform Implementation Committee, has demanded the arrest of those involved in the recent attack at Shah Ali shrine in Mirpur, Dhaka. Speaking to reporters after visiting the site on Saturday, he criticized the use of the term “mob” to obscure the attackers’ political identities and warned that the government cannot evade responsibility by shifting blame. Tushar called for the formation of an independent commission to investigate shrine attacks over the past two years, alleging that perpetrators with clear political affiliations, including ruling party figures in the Kushtia’s Philipnagar incident, have faced no action. The NCP delegation met victims, heard their accounts, and urged Shah Ali police to bring the attackers to justice. Earlier, NCP Dhaka North issued a statement condemning the May 14 violence near Shah Ali shrine, describing it as a threat to social harmony and public safety. The party urged all citizens to remain calm and called on both government and people to act responsibly to preserve communal harmony in Bangladesh.