Liberation War Affairs Minister and BNP Vice Chairman Ahmed Azam Khan visited injured fighters from the July 24 uprising who are currently receiving medical treatment in Bangkok. On Tuesday, May 12, he met with doctors at Vejthani International Hospital to inquire about the physical condition of the wounded individuals.

During his visit, the minister also discussed ensuring that the injured fighters receive all necessary medical services. He expressed his wishes for their speedy recovery while reviewing their ongoing treatment arrangements.

The visit highlights the government’s continued attention to those injured during the July uprising, reflecting ongoing concern for their health and rehabilitation.

In Beijing, Chinese authorities extended a lavish red-carpet welcome to U.S. President Donald Trump, drawing global attention for its grandeur and symbolism. The reception included a military parade and children waving flags, underscoring the importance China placed on the visit. Vice President Han Zheng, who holds a largely ceremonial role, greeted Trump at the airport, reflecting the high-profile nature of the occasion. The meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping brought together two contrasting leadership styles—Trump’s outspoken approach and Xi’s measured demeanor.

Analysts cited in the report said China’s elaborate hospitality was a calculated diplomatic gesture aimed at pleasing Trump and signaling goodwill amid ongoing trade and geopolitical tensions. The event took place at the Great Hall of the People, China’s political center, where state visits are used to project the depth of bilateral relations.

Beijing’s objective, according to the report, was to demonstrate to the world that relations with Trump are thawing and that both sides are moving toward a more stable future.

Former minister Dr. Dipu Moni, journalist Mozammel Babu, and journalist Farzana Rupa were presented before a tribunal in Dhaka on Thursday morning in connection with a case alleging crimes against humanity. The case relates to killings during Hefazat-e-Islam’s mass rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel on May 5, 2013. Prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim stated that Dipu Moni, then foreign minister, had internationally described the incident as a law enforcement operation against unruly groups, while Mozammel Babu and Farzana Rupa allegedly broadcast provocative statements through Ekattor Television.

At the time of the incident, Mozammel Babu was the managing director of Ekattor TV and Farzana Rupa was its chief reporter. Six other accused, including former state minister for home Shamsul Haque Tuku and several former senior police officials, are currently in jail in connection with the same case. The complaint was originally filed by Hefazat-e-Islam leader Azizul Haque on behalf of leaders Junaid Al Habib and Maulana Mamunul Haque, accusing 21 individuals in total.

The tribunal proceedings mark a continuation of legal actions surrounding the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident, which remains a politically sensitive issue in Bangladesh.

A young man from Ghosalkandi village in Rajoir upazila of Madaripur district has died in Libya after being tortured by a human trafficking gang that had promised to send him to Italy. The victim, identified as Tashir Fakir, reportedly paid around 4.8 million taka to traffickers but was held captive and tortured after arriving in Libya. His death was confirmed on Wednesday, bringing grief to his family and community.

Relatives alleged that a local broker named Rafiqul Islam Bagha from the nearby Purba Shormongol village lured Tashir with promises of work in Italy. After his capture in Libya, the traffickers extorted additional money from his family through threats and videos of abuse. Despite being hospitalized in Libya, he died in the ICU. The family claims the traffickers tried to hide his body after his death.

Following the incident, the accused broker and his family reportedly fled their home. Local residents expressed anger and demanded justice, while the victim’s wife and daughter appealed for help to repatriate his body and support the family.

A Bangladeshi man named Md. Khademul, aged 25, was shot dead by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) near the Amjhol border in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat district. The incident occurred early Thursday morning near the Bonchowki Border Outpost area. Khademul, son of Amzad Hossain from Uttar Amjhol village, was reportedly hit by pellets fired by a BSF patrol team from the Paglamari camp of the 78th Battalion.

According to local sources, several Bangladeshi traders had approached the barbed wire fence about 150 yards inside Indian territory near border pillar 905/6-S when the BSF opened fire. Khademul sustained injuries to his face, chest, and head. He managed to return to the Bangladeshi side and was taken to a clinic in Rangpur, where he later died while receiving treatment.

Lieutenant Colonel Mehedi Imam, commanding officer of the 15 BGB Battalion in Lalmonirhat, confirmed the incident. No further details about official responses or diplomatic communication were reported in the source.

US President Donald Trump’s visit to China included his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who had previously been sanctioned twice by Beijing. The trip, reported on May 14, 2026, was described as unprecedented because Rubio’s participation came despite those sanctions. To bypass the restrictions, official travel documents reportedly used an alternate spelling of Rubio’s name, allowing him to enter China.

The sanctions were originally imposed when Rubio served as a US senator and spoke strongly in favor of human rights in China. In response, the Chinese government had targeted him with two rounds of sanctions. Before he assumed office as Secretary of State in January 2025, Chinese state media had already begun using a different spelling of his name.

On Tuesday, Chinese authorities stated that Rubio would not be barred from entering the country, clarifying that the sanctions were related to his past actions as a senator rather than his current diplomatic role.

Police in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar recovered the body of a young man named Mahmud from Hail Haor on Wednesday night. The body was found floating in the water near Rajapur area around 8 p.m. Mahmud, son of Askor Ali from Sirajnagar’s Boxbari area, lived with his family in Noagaon of Sreemangal.

According to local sources, Mahmud went to Hail Haor on Wednesday morning to catch fish but did not return home for several hours. His family became worried and began searching with the help of locals. Later, residents spotted his body floating in the haor and informed the police.

Sreemangal police recovered the body and took it to the police station. The officer-in-charge, Zahidul Islam Munna, said the incident is under investigation and necessary legal steps will be taken.

During a meeting in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump expressed strong optimism about the future of relations between the United States and China. At the start of the meeting, Trump stated with confidence that ties between the two countries would become better than ever before. He also praised the American delegation accompanying him, noting that it included representatives from some of the largest US companies.

Addressing Xi Jinping, Trump said it was an honor to be with him and to be his friend, adding that he believed the relationship between the two nations would improve significantly from now on. Trump further mentioned that the summit was being widely discussed across the United States and that he looked forward to engaging in discussions with Xi on various issues.

The meeting marked the beginning of high-level talks between the two leaders, with both sides signaling interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation, according to the report sourced from Al Jazeera.

Advance ticket sales for intercity trains ahead of Eid-ul-Azha began on Wednesday morning, drawing massive demand within minutes. According to railway sources, nearly 6 million online hits were recorded within the first 30 minutes of sales, and most tickets for the western region—including Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Khulna divisions—were sold out within an hour. The railway reported a total of 31,240 seats across 43 trains, with 15,266 in the western region and 15,974 in the eastern region. Ticket sales for eastern routes started later in the day.

The railway authority announced that tickets for May 24 to 27 journeys would be sold from Thursday to Sunday, with each passenger allowed to purchase up to four tickets once. Tickets are non-refundable, and 10 special trains will operate for Eid. Additionally, 25 percent of seats will be sold as standing tickets at counters on the day of travel. Return tickets will be available from May 21 to 25.

Officials advised passengers to use the official “Rail Sheba” app to avoid fraud, warning that some individuals were offering fake ticket services through social media.

Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of mutual cooperation at the start of his formal meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Beijing on May 14, 2026. Xi stated that the shared interests between China and the United States are far greater than their differences. Welcoming Trump, he expressed his pleasure at hosting him in Beijing and noted that a stable relationship between the two nations benefits the entire world. Xi also said he looked forward to discussing major global issues with the U.S. president.

According to analysts cited in the report, Xi’s remarks signal a positive gesture toward stabilizing bilateral relations despite existing tensions and geopolitical challenges between the two countries. The meeting is viewed as an important step in maintaining dialogue and cooperation at a time of strained ties.

The report, sourced from Al Jazeera, highlights that the tone of the meeting suggested a willingness from both sides to focus on common ground rather than conflict.

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.