Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has described the Farakka Barrage as a death trap, saying it continues to operate and harm Bangladesh. In a statement issued on Friday marking the 16 May ‘Historic Farakka Day,’ he recalled the 1976 long march led by Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, when thousands protested to demand Bangladesh’s fair share of Ganges water under international law.

Fakhrul said India began unilaterally withdrawing water from the Ganges after constructing the barrage at Farakka, turning Bangladesh’s northwestern region into near desert conditions and causing severe ecological imbalance. He accused the then Awami League government of allowing India to operate the barrage despite public opposition, which he said deprived Bangladeshis of their rightful water share.

He added that India’s continued construction of dams on 54 shared rivers without regard for international conventions poses a grave threat to Bangladesh’s existence. Fakhrul expressed hope for the success of all programs organized to mark Farakka Day.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that rainfall across the country has decreased, though heavy to very heavy rain may continue in some regions until next Tuesday. The agency forecast a gradual rise in temperature nationwide, with humid and hot conditions already being felt in many areas. As of Friday evening, Narsingdi recorded the highest rainfall at 46 millimeters in the previous 24 hours, while Dhaka and several southern divisions saw no rain.

Earlier forecasts had warned of heavy rainfall in Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions through Saturday, but this has now been extended to Tuesday. The department noted that rainfall between 44 and 88 millimeters is considered heavy, and above 88 millimeters is very heavy. A well-marked low over the southwest Bay of Bengal and another over West Bengal are influencing the current weather pattern.

Meteorologist A.K.M. Nazmul Haque said that while rain will continue in varying intensity across the country until Tuesday, heavier rainfall is expected in the northern and northeastern divisions before conditions begin to improve.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has strongly condemned what it described as systematic state oppression and post-election violence against minority Muslims in India, as well as recent restrictions by the newly formed West Bengal government that effectively ban cow slaughter. In a joint statement issued on Friday, the organization’s central president Nurul Islam and secretary general Sibgatullah denounced these actions as discriminatory and harmful to the religious and economic rights of Muslims, particularly ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha festival.

The statement alleged that following the West Bengal assembly election results, more than 34 incidents of planned violence targeted Muslims in several districts, including Cooch Behar, North and South 24 Parganas, and Kolkata. It cited an APCR report claiming widespread destruction of Muslim homes, businesses, and mosques. The leaders also referred to a broader pattern of persecution, mentioning the NRC and CAA laws in Assam, the revocation of Article 370 in Kashmir, and the demolition of the Babri Mosque.

Chhatra Shibir urged immediate cessation of violence in West Bengal, withdrawal of the discriminatory slaughter ban, and called on the UN, OIC, Arab League, and global human rights bodies to take effective action against the ongoing oppression of Muslims in India.

The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) at the University of Dhaka held its 58th convocation on Friday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka. A total of 365 students from four programs—BBA, MBA, EMBA, and DBA—received their degrees. Among them, 116 earned BBA, 126 MBA, 122 EMBA, and one DBA degree. The event was attended by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam as chief guest and chaired by IBA Director Professor Dr. Abu Yusuf Md. Abdullah.

Former interim government economic adviser Professor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed delivered the keynote speech, urging graduates to contribute responsibly to the nation’s socioeconomic development. He reflected on his own student days and expressed confidence in the graduates’ potential. The Vice-Chancellor congratulated the students for overcoming challenges and emphasized the need for business professionals who combine knowledge, ethics, and perseverance in a transforming global economy.

Professor Abdullah encouraged entrepreneurship, highlighting the value of ambition and innovation. Professor Dr. Ifthekharul Amin advised graduates to use their skills to improve the world. This year, 26 students made the Director’s Honor List, and two received gold medals for outstanding academic performance.

Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh organized a protest march and rally in Sylhet on Friday, denouncing alleged persecution of Muslims in West Bengal and criticizing the silence of India’s central government. The demonstration began after Friday prayers at Bandar Bazar Jame Mosque and concluded with a rally at Chowhatta Point, led by the organization’s Sylhet metropolitan branch.

Speakers at the rally, including acting president Maulana Nizam Uddin and central joint secretary general Maulana Abdul Malek Chowdhury, claimed that Muslim homes, businesses, mosques, and madrasas in West Bengal had been attacked following the state elections. They described these incidents as crimes against humanity and urged international intervention. The speakers also emphasized the historical contributions of Muslims in the subcontinent and called for interfaith harmony and tolerance among all communities.

In addition to condemning the alleged violence, the speakers criticized a trade agreement with the United States, calling it contrary to national interests and demanding its cancellation.

Commerce, Industry and Textiles Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that Bangladesh’s leather industry is being developed into a billion-dollar export sector. Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the National Science and Technology Week and Science Fair in Sylhet on Friday, he said the government has identified weaknesses in the sector and initiated measures to address them.

The minister acknowledged concerns about the low prices of raw hides and said that frustration over unfair pricing has led to various criticisms. He noted that the current government is only two and a half months old, making it difficult to solve structural problems in such a short time. However, multiple meetings have been held with stakeholders to begin resolving the sector’s challenges.

Muktadir described leather as a valuable national resource and emphasized that wasting it would mean losing blessings. He said the government is pursuing long-term plans to transform the leather industry into a major contributor to the national economy.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapan announced that the government will continue to follow an equal rights-based state policy, as stated by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman after his return to the country. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon at the CHT Welfare Society’s reunion discussion on Biju, Baisuk, Sangrai, Bishu, and Changkran festivals held at the Chittagong Hill Tracts Complex in Dhaka.

The minister emphasized that Bangladesh’s linguistic, religious, gender, and ethnic diversity should be transformed into a national asset rather than a source of division. He recalled that former President Ziaur Rahman had resolved post-independence identity confusion through the concept of “Bangladeshi nationalism,” ensuring equal dignity for all citizens. Swapan also called for special facilities and quota systems to integrate marginalized ethnic groups into the mainstream, noting that such measures are essential for national unity.

Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan expressed gratitude to the hill people for electing BNP-nominated candidates in all three constituencies and pledged to work under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership for lasting peace and development in the region.

The United States and Bangladesh signed a trade agreement on 9 February 2026 that reduced tariffs on Bangladeshi goods from 37% to 19% and promised zero duty for ready-made garments made with US cotton. However, subsequent US court rulings invalidated the legal basis for the original tariffs, creating uncertainty over the deal’s foundation. The agreement, signed just three days before Bangladesh’s national election, has drawn criticism for its unequal obligations and controversial clauses.

The 32-page deal contains 131 binding obligations for Bangladesh compared to only six for the US. Key contentious provisions include mandatory alignment with US sanctions, acceptance of genetically modified agricultural imports without local review, and a commitment to purchase Boeing aircraft. The deal also restricts Bangladesh’s ability to join regional trade blocs such as RCEP and obliges it to support a permanent WTO moratorium on digital customs duties. Some clauses, such as labor law reforms and environmental standards, align with Bangladesh’s own policy goals.

Following the US Supreme Court’s ruling and Malaysia’s similar experience, the BNP-led government now has legal and diplomatic grounds to seek renegotiation, focusing on sovereignty, GMO regulation, and trade diversification.

Concerns are growing over the rise of unregistered and informal news pages on Facebook, which many now use as a primary source of information. Experts and victims allege that numerous fake or unofficial pages are being created using local names or popular terms to spread misleading and false content without verification. These activities have reportedly led to personal and institutional defamation, with some operators accused of extortion, threats, and blackmail under the guise of journalism.

A recent incident involved a man named Neyamul Hasan Niaz, accused of threatening to publish negative news about a multinational company. The company filed a general diary with Banani Police Station in Dhaka. An unnamed company official claimed that a group was spreading false allegations to damage reputations and later using those claims for blackmail. Niaz denied the allegations, saying he only sought a statement based on information from a source.

Observers warn that unchecked fake news pages are eroding trust on social media and harming reputations. They emphasize the need for stricter monitoring and legal action to curb such activities.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reaffirmed that Iran will continue to fulfill its historical responsibility to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz. He made the statement on social media platform X following a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, assuring that friendly nations can rely on Iran for the safety of commercial shipping through the vital waterway.

Araghchi said the meeting between the two ministers included productive discussions on several important bilateral issues, during which he clarified Iran’s stance on the security of the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that Iran remains committed to protecting the strait and maintaining the safety of maritime trade.

The Strait of Hormuz is described as one of the most strategically significant sea routes in the Middle East, crucial for global energy and trade flows, with a large number of oil and cargo vessels passing through daily.

Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, stated that the judiciary must remain free from political interference to ensure a genuine democratic transition. Speaking on Friday, May 15, 2026, at a representative meeting of the Democratic Lawyers’ Solidarity in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, he emphasized that the best governments are those that guarantee full judicial independence. He warned that without a balanced relationship among the executive, parliament, and judiciary, a liberal democratic system cannot function effectively.

Haque identified political influence in judicial appointments as a major problem, noting that such practices often create psychological pressure on judges and hinder fair justice. He called for freeing judges from such pressures and ensuring that the judiciary operates independently of political, social, and economic forces. He added that public trust in the judiciary depends on whether marginalized people receive justice. Haque also expressed hope that the newly elected government would soon take steps to reform the judicial system in line with the July Charter and public expectations.

The meeting, chaired by senior lawyer Advocate Mahbubul Karim Tipu, also formed a 21-member convening committee for the Democratic Lawyers’ Solidarity and approved its draft declaration and constitution.

China has called for dialogue between the United States and Iran to defuse ongoing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing emphasized the need to swiftly restore normal operations in the vital waterway. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that resolving the crisis depends on establishing a lasting and comprehensive ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, according to comments published by the state news agency Xinhua.

Wang Yi noted that President Xi Jinping had told US President Donald Trump that force cannot solve problems and that dialogue is the only correct path. He added that while solutions through talks may not come overnight, once the door to dialogue is opened, it should not be closed again. Wang also said China remains actively engaged in promoting peace in the Middle East and will continue its role in ending conflicts and restoring stability in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz is crucial for global energy supplies, and recent tensions there have raised international concern. China’s diplomatic appeal is being viewed as a significant move in this context.

Saiful Alam Khan Milon, a central executive member of Jamaat-e-Islami and Member of Parliament for Dhaka-12, visited injured July fighters undergoing treatment at Vejthani International Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Milon, who was in Thailand on personal business, met the patients on Friday to check their physical and overall condition and wished them a speedy recovery. He stated that around 57 injured July fighters are receiving treatment there, many of whom were shot in Mirpur, Jatrabari, Rangpur, and other areas of Dhaka. Several have undergone up to 15 or 16 surgeries, with some suffering paralysis in limbs or waist.

Milon noted that the hospital is providing adequate treatment but that a large amount of medical expenses remains unpaid. He added that the families of the injured are in severe distress, as the government’s assistance of 20,000 taka per person is insufficient. He urged the government to take humanitarian steps for their rehabilitation and continued treatment. The injured fighters reportedly expressed frustration over the non-implementation of the July Charter and referendum verdict.

Earlier, on May 9, opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman also visited the same hospital and called for ensuring the best possible medical care for the injured.

Mujibur Rahman Manju, chairman of the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), said that if the growing distance between the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami turns into open conflict, it would politically benefit the ruling Awami League. He made the remarks on Friday, May 15, in Chattogram while addressing a city-level AB Party organizers’ gathering as the chief guest.

Manju recalled that the BNP had formed a government in 1991 with Jamaat’s support, but later their relations deteriorated over student organization influence in educational institutions, leading to violent clashes. He noted that although the two parties reunited in 2001 to share power and political movements, they now appear to be heading toward confrontation again. He warned that escalating tensions, along with internal disputes within the ruling BNP, could worsen law and order across the country.

The AB Party chairman also expressed concern that the past practice of using police as a partisan force might return. He urged the government to strengthen the judiciary and the Anti-Corruption Commission, warning that failure to do so could create more complex political challenges ahead.

Maulana Mujaffar Ahmad Jubayer, an imam from Feni who was proven innocent through DNA testing after serving jail time in a rape case, has lost his mental stability and is now receiving treatment at a psychiatric hospital in Dhaka. The incident occurred last Thursday when he became aggressive at a relative’s home, prompting police intervention and his transfer to the National Institute of Mental Health. Due to the absence of an ID and legal guardian, he was later admitted to a specialized hospital in Adabor.

According to the report, Jubayer’s mental breakdown followed prolonged social humiliation and legal struggles despite being cleared of all charges. The case against him began in November 2024 when a student’s family accused him of rape, leading to his arrest and loss of employment. A forensic investigation later revealed he was falsely implicated, and the girl’s brother was identified as the real perpetrator.

Days before his illness, Jubayer held a press conference demanding reinstatement, punishment for conspirators, and compensation for his losses. Political leaders expressed solidarity with his demands.