The government’s introduction of a digital fuel card system has significantly improved fuel supply management and revenue collection in Nilphamari district. Implemented to curb fuel wastage, illegal hoarding, and manipulation, the system has generated about 15 million taka in revenue over two months. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) office in Nilphamari reported that the system ensures each vehicle receives its allocated fuel, monitored through a central server, reducing black-market activities and improving accountability.

The initiative has also streamlined fuel collection at pumps, reducing waiting times and cash handling risks through digital payments. Initially, vehicle owners were required to have valid registration, driving licenses, fitness certificates, and tax payments to obtain fuel cards. After some conditions were relaxed, applications increased sharply. Between March 1 and April 30, 784 motorcycles were registered and 7,400 learner licenses issued, generating over 13.5 million taka in revenue. BRTA officials noted that more vehicle owners are now updating legal documents, reducing unregistered vehicles on roads.

Officials and transport stakeholders believe the system is fostering discipline and modernization in the transport sector, with long-term benefits for governance and energy efficiency.

At least 24 people were killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine, which caused a residential building in Kyiv to collapse. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a strong warning following the assault, vowing that Russia’s actions would not go unanswered. The attacks occurred on Friday, according to the report.

Zelensky said he had discussed long-range strikes with senior military, security, and intelligence officials. He warned that Russia was preparing to target more than 20 key sites across Ukraine, including government residences, administrative buildings, and military command posts. The Ukrainian president emphasized that his country would respond decisively to the escalating aggression.

In retaliation, Ukraine launched extensive long-range drone strikes on various Russian regions, focusing on energy and military infrastructure. The exchange marks another escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two countries, with both sides intensifying their offensive operations.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Taiwan not to formally declare independence from China, following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Speaking to Fox News on Friday, Trump said he had no intention of granting independence to anyone and emphasized that the United States’ policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged. He added that he wants both sides to remain calm and avoid conflict.

Xi Jinping reportedly told Trump that the Taiwan issue is the most important aspect of China-U.S. relations and warned that mishandling it could lead to confrontation. Trump declined to say whether the U.S. would defend Taiwan militarily but noted that Xi is firm in opposing any independence movement. The U.S. maintains unofficial ties with Taiwan while recognizing only one Chinese government.

Tensions have risen as China expanded military exercises around Taiwan, and Washington’s $11 billion arms sale to Taipei drew Beijing’s condemnation. Taiwan’s foreign minister said his government is closely monitoring developments and remains committed to peace and stability in the region.

Israel has claimed that more than 220 Hezbollah fighters were killed in southern Lebanon within a week, alongside strikes on over 440 Hezbollah targets in the region. The report comes amid ongoing hostilities despite a ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Lebanon on April 17.

According to the source, both sides have continued to accuse each other of violating the ceasefire, with hundreds reportedly killed in the fighting. The conflict intensified after Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel on March 2, described as retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The violence has drawn regional concern as the situation remains volatile.

Lebanon and Israel have since extended the ceasefire by an additional 45 days, confirmed by U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, though it remains unclear whether the extension will reduce hostilities on the ground.

Oman has come under geopolitical pressure after Iran claimed it was coordinating with Muscat on the future management of the Strait of Hormuz and the imposition of shipping tolls. The disputed waterway, through which about one-fifth of global seaborne oil passes, has been blocked for ten weeks following a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran in February. Washington has rejected any permanent solution that involves paying tolls to Iran, asserting that Oman shares the same stance.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently described the strait as a shared waterway between Iran and Oman, denying the existence of international waters there. Western diplomats have criticized Tehran’s proposals as illegal, arguing they would allow Iran to discriminate among vessels and violate UN sanctions. Meanwhile, France and the United Kingdom have presented Oman with an alternative plan emphasizing freedom of navigation, supported by most Gulf states.

The deadlock centers on whether coastal states can legally impose tolls. Iran has not ratified the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and insists it is governed by customary law. Tehran’s new Persian Gulf Strait Authority expects to generate revenue through registration fees, while uncertainty remains over China’s compliance with Iranian conditions.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman entered Cumilla on May 16, 2026, on his way to Chandpur. During his journey, he passed through Daudkandi upazila, crossing the constituency of Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain. Supporters carrying banners and festoons greeted him warmly. Rahman is scheduled to hold a roadside rally at Lakshmipur in Barura upazila while traveling along the Cumilla-Chandpur highway, where large gatherings of party activists were observed at various points.

Local leaders and activists from multiple constituencies, including those of MPs Atikul Islam Shawon, Jasim Uddin, and Monirul Haque Chowdhury, joined to welcome the prime minister. Leaders from the youth and district wings expressed excitement over his visit, with some groups assembling from early morning to catch a glimpse of him. Muradnagar BNP’s joint convener Kamal Uddin Bhuiyan said they were arriving with ten thousand activists to greet him at Elliotganj.

Some local leaders also voiced hopes that the prime minister would fulfill their demand for establishing Cumilla as a separate administrative division.

A report by Amar Desh on May 16, 2026, alleges that Abdur Rahim Pramanik, the executive officer (municipal secretary) of Pirganj Municipality in Rangpur, has been involved in extensive irregularities and corruption for over a decade. The investigation claims that Rahim, who has served in the same post since the municipality’s formation, controlled all administrative and financial decisions, allegedly in collusion with former mayor Tajimul Islam Shamim. Complaints submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) accuse Rahim and Shamim of withdrawing about 10 lakh taka from development funds without completing any work.

The report further cites allegations of embezzling nearly five lakh taka from security deposits of several construction firms, including Mrittika Agro Farm and Mahmudunnabi Construction. Contractors and former municipal officials reportedly described Rahim’s influence as absolute, claiming he demanded commissions for bill approvals. A three-member committee was later formed by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer to investigate the allegations.

In response, Abdur Rahim Pramanik denied all accusations, calling them false and politically motivated. He stated that all payments were made following proper procedures and that previous investigations had cleared him of wrongdoing.

At least seven Palestinians were killed and dozens injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City on Nakba Day, according to reports from Al Jazeera and Anadolu. The attacks targeted a residential building in the Rimal area and a civilian vehicle, leaving three people dead in the vehicle strike and four in the building strike. Among the dead were three women and a child, while about 45 others were reported injured, several critically.

Eyewitnesses told Al Jazeera that at least four missiles were fired, causing a massive fire in the residential building and widespread panic among residents. Gaza Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said hundreds of people lived in the targeted building and that the strikes came without prior warning. Many families were affected, with entire households among the casualties.

The attacks occurred on the 78th anniversary of Nakba Day, which marks the 1948 displacement of approximately 750,000 Palestinians following the creation of Israel.

A massive fire broke out around 10 p.m. on Friday at Miarhat port in Pirojpur, destroying 17 shops and a two‑storey building. The affected businesses included fishing gear, pesticide, fertilizer, and grocery stores. Two fire service teams from Nesarabad reached the site and, with help from police, traders, and locals, brought the blaze under control after about four and a half hours. By then, all 17 shops had been completely burned. One fire officer and three civilians were injured during the operation.

Local traders said the fire caused losses estimated at Tk 15 crore, with the actual figure possibly higher. They demanded government compensation, stronger fire safety measures, and a permanent fire station in the port area. Fire officials suggested the blaze may have started from an electrical short circuit or a pesticide shop, but the exact cause will be confirmed after investigation. The Nesarabad upazila administration has begun listing affected traders for assistance.

Business owners expressed frustration that a similar fire had occurred in the same lane last year, underscoring the need for lasting safety improvements in the busy port area.

A nine-member investigation committee has been formed to look into the uncertainty surrounding 47 valuable artifacts of the Mahasthangarh Archaeological Museum in Bogura. The committee, headed by the Shibganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer, was created after questions arose about whether the artifacts returned from France were genuine. The issue resurfaced during a law and order committee meeting on May 11, where State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam ordered the inquiry.

According to the report, the artifacts were sent to France’s Guimet Museum in 2007 for an exhibition and later returned to Bangladesh. However, doubts have emerged about whether the items were properly examined upon their return. Most of the artifacts have reportedly remained in storage for years without inspection, raising suspicions that replicas might have replaced the originals. Former custodian Abdul Jabbar has been accused by some of possibly selling the originals on the black market.

Current custodian Razia Sultana confirmed that some items are on display while others remain in storage. The investigation will determine the authenticity of the returned artifacts before any further action is taken.

The two-day meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in New Delhi concluded without a joint statement after disagreements emerged over the ongoing Iran war. Host nation India issued only a chair’s statement, noting that member states held differing views on the Middle East conflict. Tehran had urged the group to condemn what it described as a U.S.-Israel war against Iran and accused the United Arab Emirates of direct involvement in military operations against it.

According to India’s statement, BRICS members expressed varied positions on ending the war and emphasized respect for state sovereignty, regional integrity, adherence to international law, and the protection of civilian lives. The statement also reaffirmed that Gaza is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territories and underscored the importance of unifying the West Bank and Gaza under the Palestinian Authority. Support for Palestinian self-determination and the creation of an independent state was reiterated, though one member country reportedly objected to the Gaza reference.

As the 2026 BRICS chair, India’s statement concluded by calling for unity among developing nations in addressing global crises.

The Dhaka Metro Passenger and Goods Transport Committee has approved route permits for 690 new air-conditioned buses to operate across various routes in the capital. The decision, confirmed by multiple committee members on Friday, allows eight transport companies to introduce modern and comfortable buses aimed at improving passenger experience. The companies include Shapla Paribahan, Chitra Paribahan Limited, Time Bird Express, Sprint Shuttle Private Limited, Iqbal Enterprise, New Dhaka Paribahan, Trust Transport Services, and Dhaka Transport Line, each assigned specific routes and bus numbers.

According to the committee’s decision, all buses must feature automatic doors and e-ticketing systems, operate under a counter-based service instead of contract systems, display route numbers and company names, and maintain uniform colors for each company’s fleet. The committee, chaired by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police chief, oversees route permits and transport operations in the city.

Transport experts emphasized the need for demand assessment, designated stops, and scheduling before launching the new buses. They also urged a scientific approach to route permits for sustainable solutions to Dhaka’s public transport challenges.

Bangladesh’s universal pension scheme is facing a severe trust crisis, with declining public interest and irregular contributions from existing members. The National Pension Authority met with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury to discuss ways to restore confidence and revitalize the program. The meeting emphasized stronger public outreach, cybersecurity, professional staffing, and a goal to include at least one member from each of four crore families by 2030. The minister also supported proposals for Shariah-based schemes and lifelong pension benefits for nominees.

The scheme, launched in August 2023 under the previous government, was designed to cover private and informal sector workers through four programs—Prabash, Suraksha, Pragati, and Samata. However, allegations of corruption under the former administration and the controversial, later-cancelled Pratyay scheme eroded public confidence. As of April 2026, only 377,554 people were enrolled, with 40–45 percent irregular in payments.

The new leadership of the National Pension Authority plans to make the schemes more attractive through reforms, awareness campaigns, and potential Shariah-compliant options. Officials hope renewed government support will help overcome skepticism and expand participation nationwide.

Aston Villa confirmed their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League after defeating Liverpool 4-2 in a thrilling Premier League match at Villa Park on May 16, 2026. The victory marked a major achievement for Unai Emery’s side, who capitalized on Liverpool’s late-season slump to secure a top-four finish. Morgan Rogers opened the scoring for Villa before Virgil van Dijk equalized early in the second half. Ollie Watkins then struck twice to restore and extend Villa’s lead, while John McGinn added a late goal. Van Dijk scored again in stoppage time, but Liverpool could not avoid defeat.

The result ended Liverpool’s hopes of comfortably qualifying for the Champions League, leaving them fifth with 59 points after 37 matches. It was their 19th loss in all competitions this season and the first time under Arne Slot that they conceded four goals in a single match. Villa, with 62 points, sit fourth and are guaranteed a top-five finish regardless of their final match result.

Aston Villa will next face Freiburg in the Europa League final, entering the contest with renewed confidence after this decisive win.

The United States is considering asking Israel to allocate part of the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) frozen tax revenues to President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” for implementing his post-war Gaza reconstruction plan, according to five sources familiar with the matter. Three sources said Washington has not yet decided whether to make a formal request to Israel. Two Palestinian sources indicated that under the proposal, part of the funds would go to a US-backed interim government for Gaza, while the rest would be released to the PA if it carries out required reforms.

The PA says Israel is currently withholding about $5 billion in tax revenues, collected under a long-standing arrangement for imported goods. Israel froze the funds over disputes regarding payments to families of prisoners and those killed by Israeli forces. The freeze has caused a severe financial crisis in the West Bank, forcing salary cuts for thousands of PA employees.

Trump’s $70 billion Gaza reconstruction plan remains stalled as Hamas refuses to disarm and Israeli attacks continue. The PA was not consulted in the plan, and its exclusion from the “Board of Peace” has further marginalized the Western-backed authority.