The West Bengal government has ordered that all government and government-aided schools must sing the national song 'Vande Mataram' during morning assemblies. The directive, issued by the state’s School Education Department, requires schools to record videos of the assemblies as proof of compliance. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that the practice will become mandatory from next Monday. According to the official circular dated May 13, school heads have been instructed to ensure that all students participate in singing the song before classes begin each day. Previously, schools in the state typically sang only the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana', and later included 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jal', a song from the anti-partition movement. The new directive adds 'Vande Mataram' to the daily routine. The decision has prompted questions among teachers about how both the national anthem and the national song can be accommodated within the limited time of morning assemblies.

At a pre-budget discussion organized by the Center for Advanced Studies and Thoughts at the National Press Club, Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman cautioned the current government against repeating what he described as the 'development fallacy' of the previous Sheikh Hasina administration. He criticized past mega projects such as the Padma Bridge railway line and the Karnaphuli Tunnel as wasteful and urged the government to evaluate the rate of return before any investment. Rahman emphasized that the government should prioritize quality over the size of the budget, reduce leakages in the Annual Development Programme, and focus on inflation control, employment generation, and agricultural reform. He highlighted that inflation had exceeded nine percent and called for policies ensuring fair prices for farmers and balanced wealth distribution. Other speakers, including economist Abu Ahmed, warned that the economy faced severe challenges, citing rising debt, falling exports, and growing unemployment. Participants stressed the need for industrialization, diversification of exports beyond garments, and reforms in education to build skilled manpower. They urged the government to ensure equitable resource distribution to improve the livelihoods of low-income groups.

The Ministry of Education has cancelled the appointment of Professor Dr. Anisur Rahman as the new vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, only a few hours after issuing the official notification. The cancellation was announced through a circular signed by Md. Sultan Ahmed, Assistant Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, on Thursday. The notice stated that earlier orders related to the university, issued under specific reference numbers, were revoked. Earlier the same day, Professor Dr. Anisur Rahman, a faculty member of the Department of Marketing at the University of Dhaka, had been appointed as the seventh vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University for a four-year term. His appointment had been approved by the President and Chancellor under Section 10(1) of the Begum Rokeya University Act, 2009. However, the ministry withdrew the order within hours through a new notification. The source did not specify the reasons behind the abrupt cancellation or any official reactions from the concerned parties.

UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting has resigned from his position, confirming the decision through a letter posted on social media platform X on May 14, 2026. In his statement, Streeting said he no longer has confidence in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership, describing it as unethical and dishonorable to remain in government under such circumstances. Streeting’s sudden resignation has stirred significant political turmoil in the United Kingdom and is being viewed as a major setback for the Starmer administration. The development follows growing dissent within the Labour Party, as four junior ministers recently resigned and called for Starmer to step down. Additionally, at least 86 Labour MPs have urged the Prime Minister to announce a timetable for his resignation or departure from office. The mounting internal pressure indicates deepening divisions within the ruling party, intensifying the political crisis surrounding Starmer’s leadership.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit China soon, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. The announcement, reported by Russian media outlet RT on Thursday, stated that while the exact date of the trip has not yet been determined, all necessary preparations for the visit have already been completed. Russian news outlets suggested that the high-profile visit could take place as early as next week. Putin last visited Beijing in September 2025, when he attended a major military parade and a top-level summit. The upcoming trip is expected to continue the pattern of close diplomatic engagement between Moscow and Beijing, though no specific agenda or meeting details were disclosed. The Kremlin’s confirmation signals ongoing coordination between Russia and China, but further information on the timing and objectives of the visit remains pending.

U.S. President Donald Trump has formally invited Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan to visit the White House on September 24. The announcement was made on May 14, 2026, highlighting the upcoming high-level diplomatic engagement between the two nations. During his remarks, President Trump praised the 'unprecedented and royal reception' he had received, describing it as incomparable. He also said that his discussions with Xi Jinping had been highly productive and expressed that spending time with the Chinese leader was a great honor. The invitation signals continued diplomatic interaction between the United States and China, with both leaders emphasizing productive dialogue and mutual respect during their recent exchanges.

AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju said that although political slogans have changed from 'Joy Bangla' to 'Nationalism', the underlying culture of violence and extortion remains unchanged. Speaking as the chief guest at a protest rally organized by AB Party Dhaka South at Bijoy-71 Square in the capital, he alleged that extortion continues silently across the country and that neither expulsions nor arrests are taking place. Manju claimed that the administration, once under the control of the Awami League, is now dominated by the BNP. He expressed concern that law and order have worsened after the election, contrary to expectations of improvement. He also noted that despite the government being largely inactive after August 5, no major conflict occurred, crediting students for their responsible role. Manju criticized the BNP for reverting to old arrangements despite its 31-point agenda and alleged that corruption, extortion, and terrorism have increased. He announced plans to publish a white paper on corruption, citing irregularities in markets, police, and the secretariat, and urged the government to take swift action against extortion and ensure fair investigations into attacks inside police stations.

The government has appointed Professor Dr. Ekramul Haque as the 16th Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). The appointment was announced through a notification issued by the Ministry of Education on Thursday. Dr. Haque will replace the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Abu Borhan Mohammad Badruzzaman. According to the official notice, his tenure will last four years from the date of joining or until his retirement, whichever comes first. The circular further stated that the new Vice-Chancellor will serve as the university’s chief executive officer and must remain on campus full-time. The President, who also serves as the Chancellor of the university, retains the authority to cancel the appointment at any time if deemed necessary. Dr. Badruzzaman had assumed the role of Vice-Chancellor on August 5 following a government order issued after the fall of the previous administration. Dr. Haque, a civil engineering professor at BUET, earned his PhD from the University of Tokyo in 1996 and has published over 50 research papers in international journals.

Uncertainty has emerged over whether a final declaration will be issued at the BRICS meeting held in India, as differences between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have complicated the discussions, according to Iranian state media. Deputy Foreign Minister Jeym Gharibabadi stated that the UAE’s presence in the New Delhi meeting created a “communication problem” between the two countries, making the negotiation process more difficult. Separately, the UAE denied a claim by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he had visited the Gulf state during a U.S.-Israel attack on Iran. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said those conspiring with Israel to create division should be held accountable. He urged BRICS nations to condemn what he called the “illegal aggression” of the United States and Israel. Araghchi added that peaceful coexistence requires full understanding and calm relations between the two nations, emphasizing the need for dialogue to resolve tensions.

Hezbollah has begun using low-cost fiber-optic First-Person-View (FPV) drones as a key weapon in its guerrilla operations in southern Lebanon, creating new tactical challenges for Israeli forces. Recent videos show small explosive-laden drones striking Israeli tanks, bulldozers, and troops. In one incident, a drone detonated near soldiers before they could locate it, killing one and injuring six others. Israeli officials have acknowledged the growing threat and are developing new detection and defense technologies. Analysts note that these drones are difficult to jam because they are controlled through several kilometers of fiber-optic cable rather than radio signals. Hezbollah claims the drones can bypass the Merkava tank’s Trophy defense system, while their FPV technology allows precise targeting. The group reportedly turned to local production using 3D printing and commercial parts after Iranian arms supplies through Syria were disrupted, with each drone costing about $300 to $400. Experts suggest the drones’ range and agility are forcing Israel to reconsider its southern Lebanon security buffer strategy, as conventional systems like the Iron Dome have proven ineffective against such small aerial threats.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid announced that more than ten million animals have been prepared across Bangladesh for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. He stated that the country faces no shortage of sacrificial animals and that the festival will be fulfilled entirely with locally raised livestock. The minister made these remarks on Thursday during a meeting with officials at the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute auditorium in Savar. He added that new prices for animal hides have been set following discussions with traders, and the decision was reached through mutual agreement. The minister emphasized that the current government is farmer-friendly and that all necessary livestock, including cows, goats, and sheep, are available in sufficient numbers. He also said that there is no need to import animals from abroad. To prevent illegal cattle smuggling from India, the government has held several meetings with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and issued strict instructions to law enforcement agencies. Border residents have also been alerted to help stop any unauthorized animal entry.

The government has appointed new vice-chancellors at 11 public universities in Bangladesh on Thursday, May 14, 2026. According to a circular issued by the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education, 10 universities received new vice-chancellors after the previous ones were relieved of their duties, while the position at Pabna University of Science and Technology had been vacant prior to the announcement. The affected universities include the University of Barishal, Comilla University, Islamic University, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), Jamalpur University of Science and Technology, Mawlana Bhashani University of Science and Technology, Noakhali University of Science and Technology, Pabna University of Science and Technology, and Rangamati University of Science and Technology. The appointments follow earlier changes made to several public university leadership positions after the BNP government assumed power, reflecting continued administrative restructuring in the higher education sector.

International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam has alleged that former Ekattor Media Limited managing director Mozammel Haque Babu and former Ekattor Television chief reporter Farzana Rupa were involved in planning the 2013 killings at Hefazat-e-Islam’s rally in Dhaka’s Motijheel Shapla Chattar. He made the remarks on Thursday during a press briefing at his office in response to questions from journalists. According to Aminul Islam, both Babu and Rupa were aware of the impending violence and their report titled “Somikoron” concealed the truth by claiming that no casualties occurred. He stated that investigators have since identified 32 victims from the incident site. The prosecutor emphasized that professional identity does not exempt anyone from accountability, saying that journalists, lawyers, or doctors could face trial if involved in crimes. When asked how a journalist covering the event could be linked to planning, Aminul Islam questioned Rupa’s motives, noting that while other television channels were shut down, her live broadcast continued and allegedly concealed the killings.

Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer of the NCP’s northern region, has denied recent Indian media reports claiming he traveled to India for his father’s medical treatment. Speaking to Amar Desh on Thursday after the report appeared on an Indian news portal, Alam dismissed the claim as an 'Awami rumor' and said neither he nor any family member had ever visited India for any reason. He criticized the Indian media for publishing the story without verification, calling it a reflection of poor journalistic standards. Alam emphasized that he and his party are not hostile toward any country, including India, but insisted that relations must be based on equality and respect between states and peoples, not through allegiance to ruling parties. He also condemned anti-Muslim rhetoric by political leaders in West Bengal following the BJP’s victory there, describing such statements as shameful and condemnable. Alam further stated that normal relations with India are impossible while border killings continue, asserting that bilateral ties must rest on mutual respect and fairness.

The Ministry of Public Administration in Bangladesh has issued a notification declaring a seven-day public holiday for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. According to the circular released by the ministry’s Regulation-4 branch on Thursday, all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, and private offices will remain closed from May 25 (Monday) to May 31 (Sunday). Offices will operate normally on May 23 and 24, the two working days preceding the holiday period. The notification specifies that essential services such as electricity, water, gas, fire service, port operations, sanitation, telephone, and internet will remain outside the holiday scope to ensure continuity of public life. Postal services, medical facilities, hospitals, emergency medical staff, and vehicles carrying medicines and medical supplies will also continue operations. Government offices engaged in urgent tasks will remain open as required. The circular further states that relevant authorities will issue separate instructions for specific sectors. Bangladesh Bank will decide on banking operations, the Supreme Court will guide judicial activities, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment will provide directions regarding holidays for private industrial establishments.