Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Chandpur on Saturday, May 16, where he will inaugurate the re-excavation of Khodd Canal in Shahrasti upazila at noon and address a public gathering. The visit has generated enthusiasm among residents across the district, and both administrative and party-level preparations have been made to ensure the success of the event.

Ahead of the visit, the Shahrasti unit of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami released a statement signed by its amir, Mostafa Kamal, expressing best wishes for the Prime Minister’s visit. The statement described the visit as a source of pride and joy for the people of Chandpur and a milestone for the upazila’s development.

In the same statement, Jamaat-e-Islami presented several local development demands, including modernization and expansion of Shahrasti Hospital to 100 beds, establishment of a technical education institute, and construction of an export processing zone (EPZ) to create employment opportunities in the area.

The Bangladesh government has taken major steps to begin oil, gas, and mineral exploration in the deep waters of the Bay of Bengal. Officials from the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources confirmed that international tenders will be invited within days, following approval of the 'Bangladesh Offshore Model Production Sharing Contract (PSC) 2026' by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on May 7. Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said the initiative aims to reduce dependence on imported fuel and increase domestic production.

Officials noted that despite resolving maritime boundary disputes with India and Myanmar years ago, Bangladesh has failed to capitalize on its marine resources due to weak policies and technical limitations. Previous exploration efforts by international companies such as ConocoPhillips, ONGC, Santos, and POSCO Daewoo were discontinued for various reasons. Experts said the country’s gas reserves could be exhausted within 12 years if no new fields are discovered.

Petrobangla and government policymakers expressed optimism that the new exploration drive will end two decades of stagnation in offshore energy development and help Bangladesh achieve energy self-sufficiency.

On May 16, marking the historic Farakka Day, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar issued a statement emphasizing the significance of the 1976 long march led by Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani. He described the event as a courageous and transformative step in establishing the nation’s rightful claim to water from the Ganges River, noting that the movement drew attention both domestically and internationally.

Porwar stated that fair distribution of transboundary river water remains a vital national issue for Bangladesh. He expressed belief that mutual respect, fairness, and adherence to international river laws can ensure peaceful solutions to such disputes.

He also paid tribute to Bhashani and all participants of the 1976 movement, urging national unity to protect the country’s interests, environment, and livelihoods. His message concluded with a prayer for Bangladesh’s safety, prosperity, and dignity.

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ongoing ceasefire by 45 days following two days of US-mediated talks in Washington that concluded on Friday. The agreement aims to prolong the halt in hostilities between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The ceasefire was originally set to expire on Sunday, but US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott announced the extension to ensure further progress under the April 16 conflict resolution deal.

The discussions, described as highly productive, mark the third round of meetings between the two sides since Israel intensified airstrikes in Lebanon after Hezbollah launched missiles on March 2. The talks are part of a broader diplomatic effort to end both the Israel-Lebanon and US-Iran conflicts. Lebanon’s delegation emphasized its priority to achieve lasting peace, while Israel insisted that any broader peace deal must include Hezbollah’s disarmament.

New security-focused discussions are scheduled to begin at the Pentagon on May 29, followed by political talks on June 2–3. Both delegations expressed optimism that the ceasefire could evolve into a permanent peace agreement.

Bangladesh observed the 50th anniversary of the Farakka Barrage operation on May 16, 2026, amid continuing concerns over its long-term effects on rivers, agriculture, fisheries, and livelihoods. Experts warned that the current Ganges water-sharing treaty, expiring in December 2026, must be renegotiated to include a mandatory guarantee clause ensuring minimum dry-season water flow. They argue that without such assurance, water scarcity and environmental degradation in northern and southwestern Bangladesh will intensify.

Since India began diverting Ganges water through the Farakka Barrage in 1975, vast stretches of the Padma River have dried up, turning once-thriving waterways into sandbanks. Researchers estimate that at least 60 million people have suffered losses in irrigation, fisheries, and drinking water access. The Water Development Board reports that dry-season flow has dropped from 120,000 to 24,000 cusecs, while over 2,000 kilometers of navigable routes have become defunct.

Experts and civic groups called for Bangladesh to raise the issue in international forums, seek compensation for economic losses, and form a regional water forum with neighboring countries to ensure equitable river management.

A tragic road accident in Sitakunda’s Bhatiari BMA Gate area on Friday night claimed the lives of Tarin Akter, an office assistant-cum-computer typist at the Chattogram Divisional Commissioner’s Office, and her 22-month-old daughter Yasha. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway when the family was returning home after a day out. Both victims were taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.

According to eyewitnesses, Tarin Akter was traveling with her family on a motorcycle when her daughter suddenly fell from the moving vehicle. Acting on instinct, the mother rushed to rescue her child but was struck by a speeding car from behind. Local residents were shocked by the horrific scene and immediately took the injured mother and child to the hospital.

Sitakunda Upazila administration expressed deep sorrow over Tarin Akter’s death, describing her as a polite, responsible, and dedicated employee. Police confirmed that legal procedures regarding the accident are underway.

United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed met with Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, during his official visit to the United Kingdom. According to a statement released on the UAE Foreign Ministry’s official X account, the meeting covered the latest regional developments and the impact of what the ministry described as Iran’s provocative terrorist attacks targeting the UAE.

The statement added that both sides also discussed the strategic relationship between the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. The meeting was part of the foreign minister’s broader visit to the UK, during which he also met with British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy.

The report noted that Reform UK has recently gained significant ground in local elections, positioning Nigel Farage as one of the prominent contenders for the future post of UK prime minister.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman departed for Chandpur on Saturday morning, May 16, 2026. He left his residence in Gulshan by road around 8:45 a.m. to begin his official visit. According to the schedule, he will attend a roadside rally at Lakshmipur Bazar field in Barura, Cumilla, at 11:30 a.m. During the trip, he is set to inaugurate two canal re-excavation projects, distribute family cards, and participate in a district-level organizational meeting of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Later in the day, at 12:30 p.m., the Prime Minister will inaugurate the re-excavation work of Khordda Canal at Waruk Bazar area in Tamta Dakshin Union under Shahrasti upazila of Chandpur district. The visit includes multiple public engagements and development-related events across Cumilla and Chandpur districts.

The program highlights the government’s focus on local infrastructure improvement and organizational activities in the region, as reflected in the planned inaugurations and meetings.

President Md. Shahabuddin Chuppu of Bangladesh is currently in the United Kingdom for medical treatment. According to the report, he traveled to London with his family at government expense for a follow-up heart checkup. Initially staying at the Hilton Hotel, he later moved to the Bedford Lodge resort in Newmarket, Cambridge. After receiving treatment at Cambridge University Hospital, he returned to London on Thursday. A High Commission official said that on Friday, the president went shopping instead of attending Friday prayers, and several officials missed prayers while providing protocol.

The report states that seven luxury vehicles were rented by the Bangladesh High Commission for the president’s movements and that his entourage has been traveling freely. Questions have arisen about the scale of spending during a time when the government is implementing austerity measures, cutting projects, and reducing office hours to save costs. The president’s nine-day trip, accompanied by around two dozen people, has reportedly drawn concern within government circles.

President Shahabuddin Chuppu traveled to London on May 9 for his medical checkup and is expected to return home on Sunday.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei has criticized the United States by referring to it as a “decaying civilization.” He made the remark by quoting a passage from Martinican poet and political thinker Aimé Césaire’s renowned anti-colonial work, “Discourse on Colonialism.” The statement was reported on May 16, 2026. Césaire’s 1950 text sharply condemned European imperialism and the moral contradictions embedded within colonial civilization.

The quoted passage describes a civilization as decaying when it fails to solve its own problems, sick when it ignores its most pressing issues, and dying when it betrays its own principles. Baghaei’s use of this literary reference was aimed at framing his critique of the United States within a broader philosophical and moral context.

According to the report, Baghaei has previously drawn on literary figures to interpret geopolitical events. In an earlier opinion piece published by Al Jazeera, he invoked the 12th-century Persian poet Farid ud-Din Attar to explain a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran.

Palestinian-American US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib issued a statement in Congress marking the anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba. In her remarks, she called for justice and the assurance of Palestinians’ right to return to their homeland. The Nakba refers to the 1948 displacement and ethnic cleansing of approximately 750,000 Palestinians during the creation of the state of Israel.

Tlaib stated that the Nakba did not end in 1948 and continues today, citing ongoing violence and forced displacement of Palestinians by the Israeli government in Gaza. She paid tribute to all those killed since the beginning of the Nakba and emphasized that true peace must be founded on justice and the right of Palestinians to return to their land.

Her statement coincided with the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, which was also marked by demonstrations in New York, according to the source.

Lawyers representing former Columbia University student Mahmud Khalil have appealed to the US Board of Immigration Appeals to reopen and dismiss his deportation case. Khalil, who was targeted for deportation by the US government due to his pro-Palestinian activism, faces removal following a final deportation order issued one month earlier. The latest legal motion references new information, some of which has been reported in the media.

According to Khalil’s lawyers, the new evidence suggests that the Trump administration may have secretly influenced or arranged the outcome of his immigration case to make him an example. Khalil was first detained in March 2025 by immigration enforcement agents. He was among several student activists targeted after participating in pro-Palestinian and anti-Gaza war demonstrations that spread across US campuses the previous year.

The appeal seeks to suspend the deportation process while the new claims are reviewed by the immigration appeals court.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency has published the final handwritten note of Lieutenant General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces. According to the report, Mousavi wrote the note moments before his death on February 28, following the outbreak of war involving U.S. and Israeli forces. The message, described as deeply emotional, reflected on the fleeting nature of worldly possessions.

Tasnim reported that Mousavi’s note expressed a philosophical view of life, stating that even if one gains everything in this world, nothing is truly achieved, and losing everything also means nothing is truly lost. The report highlighted the personal and reflective tone of his final words.

The publication of the note, sourced from Al Jazeera and reported by Tasnim, adds a poignant dimension to Mousavi’s death during the conflict, offering insight into his final thoughts as a senior Iranian military leader.

Police in Chowgacha, Jashore, arrested four individuals on Friday in two separate anti-drug operations. A team from RAB-6 detained two men with 211 bottles of Phensedyl syrup from a private car on the Kapotakkho Bridge in the morning. The detainees were identified as Chironjit Kumar from Kagmari village and Babulur Rahman from Mohammadpur village, both under Jhikargacha upazila. Their vehicle was also seized during the operation.

Later that afternoon, police conducted another raid on a brick road in Dashpakia village, where two more individuals were arrested with 41 yaba tablets. They were identified as Shofiar Rahman from Afra village and Ripon Hossain from Burindia village, both under Chowgacha upazila. According to Chowgacha Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mamunur Rashid, two separate cases have been filed under the Narcotics Control Act.

The arrests mark continued law enforcement efforts in Jashore to curb illegal drug trafficking and possession in the region.

Police in Naria upazila of Shariatpur recovered dismembered human body parts from a polythene bag found on the bank of the Padma River on Friday afternoon. Locals first noticed the bag floating in tidal water around 3 p.m. and informed the authorities. Officers from Naria Police Station and the river police arrived at the scene and discovered partially decomposed limbs inside the bag.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team from Faridpur was notified to assist in identifying the remains. Later, the Crime Scene unit in Faridpur confirmed the identity of the deceased through fingerprint analysis. Police stated that the body parts belonged to Md. Zia Uddin, son of Md. Razzak Sardar.

According to the Sureshwar Police Outpost in-charge, the incident is being investigated with utmost seriousness. Further details about the circumstances of the death were not disclosed in the report.