Hasnat Abdullah, Member of Parliament for Cumilla-4 and chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) for the southern region, declared that the party is building a new political movement to restore democracy and citizens’ rights in Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Sunday morning at a joining ceremony held at the Meghna Upazila Parishad field, where over a hundred activists from various political parties joined the NCP. The event concluded with a colorful procession.

In his address, Abdullah alleged that citizens have long been deprived of voting rights, democracy, and basic freedoms due to corruption, land grabbing, and political violence. He claimed that people are now uniting for change and emphasized that those who violate citizens’ rights will be confronted on the streets. He also announced plans to strengthen NCP’s organizational activities and public outreach across the country, including in Meghna.

The meeting was chaired by MK Rashid, convener of the NCP Meghna unit, and conducted by joint convener Nadimuzzaman, with several district and upazila leaders also speaking.

A Dhaka court has postponed the submission of the further investigation report in the murder case of Inkilab Moncho spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi for the 14th time. The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court had scheduled the report submission for Sunday, but the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) failed to present it. As a result, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Joshita Islam fixed June 7 as the new date.

Hadi was shot by assailants on December 12 last year near Box Culvert Road in Paltan while returning from Friday prayers. He was taken to Singapore for advanced treatment but died on December 18. A case was filed on December 14 by Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inkilab Moncho. The murder charge under Section 302 was later added to the case.

Earlier, the Detective Branch (DB) submitted a charge sheet against 17 accused, 11 of whom are in custody and six absconding. The plaintiff expressed dissatisfaction with the DB report, prompting the court to order the CID to conduct further investigation.

Three leaders have resigned from the newly formed Jhenidah district unit of the Chhatra Dal. The announcement came on Saturday afternoon at Payra Chattar in the town, following a protest rally organized by leaders and activists who were denied positions in the new committee.

The resigning leaders are former organizational secretary and newly appointed senior vice president Sayedur Rahman Shahed, senior joint secretary Abdus Salam, and joint secretary Bokhtiar Mahmud. Earlier in the day, a protest procession started from Wazir Ali School ground under the banner of deprived leaders and activists, marched through various streets, and ended at Payra Chattar with a brief rally. Speakers at the rally alleged that dedicated activists were excluded from the new committee and that those included were not given appropriate posts. They demanded the dissolution of the newly announced committee and the formation of a new one with dedicated members.

Following the rally, the three leaders formally announced their resignations from the newly formed committee.

A writ petition has been filed in the High Court seeking a travel ban on Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the interim government, and all former advisers. The petition was submitted on Sunday, May 17, 2026, by Supreme Court lawyer Barrister M Ashraful Islam. It accuses the authorities of failing to ensure measles vaccination and requests the formation of an investigation committee to examine the alleged transfer of the vaccination program from state management to the private sector. The Cabinet Secretary, Health Secretary, Home Secretary, Public Administration Secretary, and the Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services have been named as respondents.

Earlier, on April 6, Barrister Ashraful Islam had sent a legal notice demanding the creation of an investigation committee and the imposition of a travel ban on Dr. Yunus and the advisers within five days. The notice warned of legal action if no steps were taken. The petitioner stated that a widespread measles outbreak has re-emerged in the country, resulting in the deaths of over a hundred children and hospitalizations of many others.

The High Court is expected to review the petition and determine whether to issue directives regarding the requested travel restrictions and investigation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has caused several dozen deaths, as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The announcement was made from Geneva, where the organization confirmed that the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus affecting both Congo and Uganda. However, WHO clarified that the situation has not yet met the criteria to be classified as a pandemic.

According to the WHO statement, the decision reflects the seriousness of the outbreak and the need for coordinated international response, but it does not yet indicate a global health crisis. The organization emphasized that while the spread is concerning, current data do not justify declaring a pandemic-level emergency.

The declaration is expected to mobilize additional resources and international support to contain the virus and prevent further cross-border transmission, particularly between Congo and Uganda.

A fire broke out early Sunday morning in an air-conditioned coach of the Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express while it was passing near Vikramgarh Alot station in Kota district, Rajasthan. According to Indian media NDTV, the incident occurred around 5:45 a.m. in the B-1 coach of the train. No casualties were reported. All 68 passengers in the affected coach were safely evacuated and moved to other compartments. The damaged coach was detached from the train, and its power supply was disconnected.

A video circulating on social media showed thick black smoke rising from the burning coach, with nearby trees catching fire due to the heat and sparks. Railway officials said the rescued passengers would be taken to Kota in other coaches, where a replacement coach would be attached to resume the journey.

The 12431 Rajdhani Express had departed from Thiruvananthapuram on Friday and was scheduled to reach Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi at 12:30 p.m. The fire occurred after the train had covered about 2,600 kilometers and was still around 450 kilometers from Delhi.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called on the government to abandon any plan to impose taxes on motorcycle owners, describing such a move as against public interest. He made the remarks on Sunday in a post on his verified Facebook page, responding to reports that the government may introduce new taxes on motorcycle ownership.

In his statement, Dr. Rahman noted that most motorcycle owners and riders are not wealthy individuals but use their vehicles for daily livelihood needs. He acknowledged that expanding the tax base could be necessary for state revenue collection but argued that imposing additional taxes on people already struggling for survival would be inappropriate.

He expressed hope that the government would reconsider any such plan, warning that otherwise it would be viewed as a decision contrary to public welfare.

Over the past eighteen months, a surge in kidnappings, ransom demands, and armed banditry has unsettled the Sundarbans and surrounding coastal regions of Satkhira and Khulna. Local residents report that multiple armed groups have become active again in the western Sundarbans, targeting fishermen, honey collectors, and forest workers. On Thursday morning, eight forest workers were reportedly abducted at gunpoint from areas near the Chunkhuri River in the Satkhira range, with ransom demands ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 taka.

Families of the abducted say the kidnappers identified themselves as members of groups called Nanna Bhai/Don Bahini and Chhoto Jahangir Bahini, demanding payments through mobile banking. Locals claim that fear has returned to the waterways, with many now afraid to enter the forest for work. Some allege that fake journalists are collecting information on forest workers and passing it to the gangs.

The Coast Guard stated that regular joint operations under “Operation Mangrove Shield” have led to the arrest of over 60 bandits and the recovery of weapons. Forest and police officials said patrols and surveillance have been intensified to ensure safety and respond to complaints promptly.

In Jerusalem’s Al-Bustan neighborhood, located beneath the Old City walls, Palestinian residents are being compelled to demolish their own homes to avoid heavy fines imposed by Israeli authorities. The demolitions are part of Israel’s broader effort to give occupied East Jerusalem a distinctly Jewish identity. The planned 'King’s Garden' biblical theme park will be built on the site, which Israeli officials claim was once linked to King Solomon’s era.

According to residents, more than 57 houses have already been demolished in the past two years, with at least eight more marked for destruction. Community members describe the process as emotionally devastating and financially punishing, with some still paying monthly fines to the municipality. Local organization Ir Amim criticized the project as an attempt to erase Palestinians from the city’s geography and history.

The Jerusalem Municipality maintains that the homes were illegally built and that the park will benefit all residents. Palestinian leaders argue that building permits are routinely denied to them while Jewish settlements continue to expand, leaving families homeless and children facing an uncertain future.

Unauthorized high-rise buildings are being constructed across Cumilla City Corporation in violation of municipal laws, leading to increased land grabbing and illegal structures. Residents have lodged complaints but report no effective action, resulting in mounting public suffering and harassment. Allegations suggest that despite years of operation, the city corporation remains mired in irregularities, with unapproved multi-storey buildings continuing to appear in various parts of the city.

According to the report, the Cumilla City Corporation was formed in July 2011 by merging two municipalities, but urban problems such as waterlogging, traffic congestion, waste accumulation, and encroachment have worsened. The law requires multiple departmental approvals for building permits, including road width and drainage considerations, but some officials allegedly issue permits in exchange for illicit payments, allowing 10- to 14-storey buildings in restricted areas.

Newly appointed administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu stated that the corporation is enforcing the law properly and improving service quality. He announced plans to intensify monitoring and launch strong programs to make Cumilla a more livable city.

Internal conflict within the Jamalpur district unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has reached a critical stage, dividing leaders and activists into four distinct factions. The dispute, which has become one of the most discussed political issues in the district, has led to increasing tension and sporadic violence. Local analysts fear that the situation could escalate into a major violent confrontation at any time.

According to reports, the BNP in Jamalpur is now split into groups led by district general secretary and MP Warres Ali Mamun, youth leader Sohel Rana Khan, vice president Shamim Ahmed, and organizing secretary Firoz Mia. The rivalry has intensified ahead of the upcoming municipal elections. The conflict reportedly stems from disputes over control of sand leases, tenders, and financial benefits. Allegations of corruption, extortion, and favoritism have circulated on social media through leaked videos and audio clips.

A recent sand lease tender at the Brahmaputra River’s Char Jatharthapur-Chhonkanda Ghat triggered further controversy, prompting multiple press conferences and public accusations. Party leaders have urged restraint, warning that continued infighting could weaken organizational unity.

India and Pakistan are reconfiguring their military doctrines following their first large-scale drone conflict in May 2025. The four-day confrontation, triggered by India’s Operation Sindur after a deadly attack in Pahalgam, marked a turning point in South Asian warfare. Both nations deployed advanced unmanned aerial systems such as loitering munitions and swarm drones, revealing new vulnerabilities and prompting urgent defense reforms.

Indian military leaders have since acknowledged the growing drone threat and are drafting a nationwide counter-drone policy. Data show over 1,800 drones were detected along the India-Pakistan border between late 2024 and late 2025, many allegedly used for smuggling. Pakistan’s defense experts also report increasing reliance on drones for surveillance and counterterrorism operations. Both sides are investing in kinetic and non-kinetic defense systems to neutralize aerial threats.

India is expanding domestic drone production and integrating artificial intelligence into swarm operations, while Pakistan continues to acquire armed drones from Turkey and China. Analysts caution that while drones enhance tactical efficiency, they may not fundamentally alter strategic stability between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing for two days in mid-March 2026, marking their first face-to-face meeting in China since 2017. The summit aimed to ease tensions and stabilize relations between the two powers. Both leaders publicly praised the meeting, with Xi calling it a success in strengthening economic cooperation and Trump describing Xi as a friend. However, separate official statements revealed that little real progress was made on major issues such as trade, Taiwan, Iran, and artificial intelligence.

Preparatory talks between U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng had hinted at possible advances, including forming trade and investment councils and regulating AI model access. Yet, after the summit, key questions remained unresolved, including whether the trade war truce would be extended. China confirmed some agreements but avoided endorsing U.S. claims about large Boeing and agricultural deals. Xi emphasized Taiwan as a red line, warning that missteps could lead to conflict, while Trump remained ambiguous about U.S. defense commitments.

The meeting underscored deep strategic mistrust. Despite ceremonial warmth, both sides appeared to pursue divergent agendas, leaving the future of U.S.–China relations uncertain.

Senior officials from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration reportedly advised the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to take a more direct role in its ongoing conflict with Iran by seizing an Iranian island in the Persian Gulf. The British newspaper The Telegraph reported that Trump’s close associates suggested the UAE take control of Lavan Island, citing information from Middle East Eye.

According to the report, the proposal was made as tensions escalated in early April, when a secret Emirati operation allegedly targeted the island. A senior U.S. official was quoted as saying, “Go, take them,” adding that such an action would have placed Emirati rather than American troops on the ground.

The report highlights the extent of U.S. involvement in advising regional allies during heightened Gulf tensions, though it does not specify whether the UAE acted on the suggestion or how Iran responded.

Heavy rainfall hit Dhaka early Sunday, May 17, 2026, after dark clouds covered the sky from dawn. The city recorded 24 millimeters of continuous rain by around 7:45 a.m., leading to waterlogging in several neighborhoods. Commuters faced difficulties as streets and alleys became inundated.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, a low-pressure area remains over the southwest and west-central Bay of Bengal, with an associated trough extending into West Bengal and nearby regions. The agency forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty or squally winds in many parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, and at a few places in Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions through Sunday evening.

The weather office further indicated that this pattern of thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall may continue across all divisions until Thursday, May 21, with northern regions likely to experience sustained precipitation over the following five days.