Bangladesh secured a historic Test victory over Pakistan in Dhaka, with both pace and spin bowlers sharing all 20 wickets. On the final day’s last session, pacer Nahid Rana’s fiery spell of four wickets for ten runs in 4.5 overs dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup. The match showcased a rare balance in Bangladesh’s bowling, as pacers and spinners each claimed ten wickets, a feat unseen in the past decade. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto praised the team’s bowling partnership, noting that confidence in their five-bowler attack led to the bold declaration at 240 for nine, setting Pakistan a target of 268. Mehidy Hasan Miraz took five wickets in the first innings, while Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed contributed crucial breakthroughs. Shanto highlighted Rana’s reverse swing delivery that bowled Mohammad Rizwan as a turning point. The victory symbolized Bangladesh’s evolution from a spin-dependent side to one capable of combining pace and spin effectively. The Dhaka Test was portrayed as a reflection of a new, confident Bangladesh team ready to challenge opponents with both skill and aggression.

A bilateral summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping has drawn mixed expectations about its potential success. According to Leiden University associate professor Salvador Santino Regilme, the outcome will depend on each leader’s priorities and how the results are presented to their domestic audiences. For Trump, success would mean a visible and positive outcome that can be showcased to the American public. This could include Chinese commitments to purchase US goods, tariff flexibility, cooperation on Iran, or concessions on rare earth exports. For Xi, success would involve maintaining China’s internal stability, ensuring economic predictability, and reinforcing its position as a global power without appearing to yield to Washington. Experts cited in the report believe that a broad trade deal is unlikely due to unresolved structural rivalries between the two nations. However, limited agreements—such as temporary tariff suspensions, purchase pledges, or frameworks for future talks—remain possible, potentially easing tensions without addressing deeper issues.

Bangladesh has approved the long-anticipated Padma Barrage project, marking a major step toward fulfilling a six-decade-old vision. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), chaired by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman, granted final approval for the first phase of the 2.1-kilometer barrage at Pangsha in Rajbari. The project, costing Tk 344.97 billion, will run from July 2026 to June 2033 and be fully funded by the government. It aims to conserve water during the dry season and prevent desertification across vast areas of the country. According to the Planning Commission, the Water Resources Ministry proposed the project, to be implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board. The barrage will store about 2,900 million cubic meters of water, reviving five rivers and improving irrigation for 2.9 million hectares of farmland. Expected benefits include increased rice and fish production and significant socio-economic gains. Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny stated that no discussions with India are required for the project. Experts believe the barrage will help mitigate water scarcity, salinity, and siltation problems in the southwest, ensuring sustainable freshwater supply and supporting regional agriculture and ecology.

Police in Satkania upazila of Chattogram arrested four young men on Wednesday evening following allegations that two teenage girls were gang-raped in a hilly area of Chadaha Union. The victims were rescued during a joint operation by police and local residents around 7:30 p.m., and the suspects were detained by 11 p.m. The arrested individuals were later taken to the local police station at midnight. According to police and local sources, the two victims are students of classes eight and nine. The accused have been identified as residents of Chadaha and Bajalia unions in Satkania. The incident caused widespread concern in the area, prompting an operation led by Additional Superintendent of Police Ariful Islam Siddiqui. Authorities stated that preparations are underway to file a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. Officials also said efforts are ongoing to identify any other individuals involved and to ensure necessary protection and support for the victims.

US President Donald Trump is meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 14–15, marking the first visit by a US president to China in nearly a decade. The summit follows several postponements due to the Iran-Israel war and comes at a time of intensifying competition between the two global powers for international dominance. The report highlights that China has overtaken the United States as the world’s top exporter, shipping goods worth 3.59 trillion dollars annually compared to America’s 1.9 trillion. China is now the main trading partner for 145 countries, though the US remains China’s largest partner. The United States leads in military spending, allocating 954 billion dollars in 2025, while China spent 336 billion. In technology, the US invests over 100 billion dollars in artificial intelligence, whereas China leads in electric vehicles and rare mineral processing. Analysts cited in the report suggest that the ongoing rivalry in trade and technology could reshape the global order, with China’s state-driven model contrasting Trump’s “America First” approach focused on tariffs and domestic industrialization.

Einar Tangen, a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, said expectations that Beijing could use its influence over Iran to reopen the Hormuz Strait were unrealistic. Speaking to Al Jazeera from Beijing, he emphasized that China does not control Iran, which currently has more than 30 small military groups operating independently. According to Tangen, this makes it impossible for China to simply intervene and restore peace. Rejecting comparisons with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Tangen added that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s impulsive involvement had further complicated the situation. He noted that many now expect China to resolve the issue, but the reality is far more complex. As the world’s largest oil importer, China itself faces difficulties due to the closure of the Hormuz Strait. Tangen acknowledged that China is also suffering from the disruption, underscoring the broader economic impact of the ongoing crisis.

The United Arab Emirates has firmly denied claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the country amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. The denial came after Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office reportedly stated that Netanyahu had secretly traveled to the UAE and met with its president, sparking renewed debate over regional diplomacy and security. In an official statement released through the state news agency WAM, the UAE dismissed the reports as completely baseless, clarifying that no visit by Netanyahu or any Israeli military delegation had taken place. The statement emphasized that the UAE’s relations with Israel are transparent and based on the Abraham Accords, not on any secret communications or undisclosed agreements. It further urged international and regional media to refrain from spreading unverified or politically motivated information. The episode highlights the growing importance of information management and diplomatic messaging in the tense Middle Eastern environment, where misinformation can quickly influence regional perceptions and political narratives.

Talks between the United States and China may take on new dimensions as the Iran conflict becomes a key topic. A potential meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leaders is expected to include the Iran crisis among the long list of mutual interests and disagreements. US officials have suggested that China should play a more active role in pressuring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts believe that in exchange for helping to resolve the crisis, Beijing may seek significant diplomatic concessions from Washington. Experts suggest that China could bring the Taiwan issue to the center of the discussions, pressing the US to take a clearer stance against Taiwan’s independence. According to Inderjeet Parmar, professor of international politics at City, University of London, China may use its influence over Iran as leverage in this negotiation. Observers note that the Middle East’s instability has evolved beyond a regional issue, becoming a new arena for US–China geopolitical bargaining. The future of the Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz may thus depend not only on Tehran and Washington but also on Beijing’s strategic calculations.

Iran officially bid farewell to its national football team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A large public ceremony took place at Enghelab Square in Tehran, where thousands of supporters gathered to wish the team success. The event featured enthusiastic fans waving national flags, chanting slogans, and applauding as players appeared on stage wearing red and black tracksuits. During the ceremony, Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said that the national team players would represent the people, the nation’s warriors, and leaders on the world stage. Some attendees carried placards commemorating former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed during wartime. The gathering was seen as a symbol of national unity and patriotism ahead of the global tournament. The farewell event underscored the strong public support for Iran’s football team as it prepares to compete in the 2026 World Cup, reflecting both sporting enthusiasm and national pride.

Police in Satkania upazila of Chattogram arrested four young men on Wednesday night over allegations of gang-raping two teenage schoolgirls. The victims were rescued from a hilly area during an operation conducted around 7:30 p.m. with the help of local residents. The arrests were made by 11 p.m., according to police sources. Authorities identified the detainees as Md. Saiyad (15), Md. Rakib (20), Md. Manik Islam (20), and Abdur Rahim (18), all residents of different areas within Satkania. Police said one of the victims is a ninth-grade student and the other is in eighth grade. The incident caused widespread concern in the area, prompting an operation led by Additional Superintendent of Police Ariful Islam Siddiqui. Police took the four suspects to the station around midnight and are preparing to file a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. Officials stated that efforts are underway to identify any additional suspects and to ensure necessary support and protection for the victims.

Former law adviser and Dhaka University law professor Dr. Asif Nazrul has claimed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was a student of the university’s law department. In a recent Facebook post, he stated that Rahman enrolled in the 1985–86 academic session and attended classes for about two months. Nazrul said he personally knew of this as he was a senior student in the department at that time. According to Nazrul, several of Rahman’s classmates later became prominent figures, including former Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, environmental activist and former adviser Rizwana Hasan, and Supreme Court Justice Farah Mahbub. He added that Rahman’s studies were discontinued, possibly due to security concerns during the strict rule of then-President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, amid allegations linking Ershad to the assassination of former President Ziaur Rahman. Nazrul’s post comes amid ongoing public debate over whether Tarique Rahman was ever a student of Dhaka University’s law department.

Former cultural affairs adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has criticized what he calls 'selective inclusion' and biased historical narratives in Bangladesh’s cultural sphere. In a verified Facebook post, he said the country’s arts, literature, and cinema have long been shaped around a specific political narrative, leaving many significant political and historical events underrepresented. He questioned why major figures and episodes such as General Osmani’s absence at the surrender ceremony, Maulana Bhashani’s political role, or the actions of the Rakkhi Bahini have not been adequately portrayed in mainstream creative works. Farooki argued that issues like enforced disappearances, political violence, and oppression have not inspired strong fictional works in Bangladesh, unlike in Latin America. He attributed this to a cultural framing that deems certain topics as unacceptable or unprogressive, discouraging artists through social labeling and funding barriers. He also claimed that a division between 'high' and 'low' culture has portrayed one political group as progressive and others as regressive, allowing 'fascism' to persist socially. Farooki described the political changes of 2024 as the beginning of a cultural shift and said he left a detailed 'note to successor' outlining recommendations for reforming the cultural ecosystem.

Local authorities in Bordeaux, France, have ordered more than 1,700 passengers and crew aboard the cruise ship 'Ambition' to remain on board following concerns of a possible norovirus outbreak. The vessel arrived at the port on Tuesday, with French health officials reporting that at least 50 people showed symptoms of the virus. Operator Ambassador Cruise Line confirmed that 48 passengers and one crew member were suffering from gastrointestinal illness during the 14-night voyage. The cruise began its journey from Belfast on Friday and Liverpool on Saturday, with illness cases reportedly increasing after the Liverpool boarding. A 92-year-old passenger died on Sunday, though the company stated the individual showed no signs of gastrointestinal illness, and the cause of death awaits a coroner’s report. In response, the operator has implemented enhanced sanitation measures, including frequent disinfection, modified dining services, and hygiene awareness campaigns. A medical team and sanitation consultants have been dispatched by Bordeaux authorities to collect samples for testing at Bordeaux University Hospital. Results are expected within six hours, and passengers will remain confined until investigations conclude and clearance is granted.

Reports published Wednesday revealed that during the ongoing war with Iran, the heads of Israel’s two main intelligence agencies secretly visited the United Arab Emirates in recent months. According to the Wall Street Journal, Mossad chief David Barnea traveled to the UAE at least twice in March and April, meeting senior Abu Dhabi officials to discuss wartime coordination. Israeli sources confirmed Barnea’s visits, though they were not officially announced. Around the same period, Shin Bet chief David Zinio also visited the UAE to strengthen cooperation between Israeli and Emirati security agencies. The reports said the coordination covered intelligence sharing, missile and drone interception, and target selection against Iran. Earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported that the UAE had secretly carried out strikes inside Iran, including on an oil refinery on Lavan Island, though Abu Dhabi did not claim responsibility. Iran later retaliated with missile and drone attacks on the UAE and Kuwait. According to the UAE Defense Ministry, Iran launched about 550 ballistic and cruise missiles and over 2,200 drones at the UAE, making it the most targeted Gulf state during the conflict.

Jahangirnagar University witnessed widespread protests after an alleged attempted rape of a student from the 51st batch by an outsider on campus. On Wednesday night, more than two thousand students gathered in front of the proctor’s office demanding the resignation of Professor A K M Rashidul Alam. The protest began around 10:10 p.m. near the female dormitory area under the banner of general female students and later drew participation from students across all departments. The torch procession moved through key campus roads before ending with a large rally at the proctor’s office. During the demonstration, students chanted slogans condemning sexual violence and accusing the current proctorial administration of failing to ensure safety for female students. Protesters claimed that several serious incidents had occurred during the current administration’s tenure without effective action. They declared that they no longer wanted the proctor to remain in office. After a brief rally in front of the old registrar building, students surrounded the facility and issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the university administration to ensure visible justice for the accused, vowing to continue their movement until their demands are met.