Iranian military spokesperson Brigadier General Amir Akraminia announced that ships belonging to countries imposing sanctions on Tehran will face difficulties when passing through the Strait of Hormuz. He stated that any nation following the United States in enforcing sanctions against Iran would encounter problems in this key maritime route.

The United States has maintained extensive sanctions on Iran for decades, with the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, and several other countries adopting similar measures. These sanctions are linked to concerns over Iran’s weapons programs, human rights record, and alleged financing of militant groups. Since the onset of recent conflicts, Iran has maintained full control over the strategically vital waterway, which is crucial for global trade.

The statement underscores Tehran’s intent to leverage its control of the Strait of Hormuz as a pressure point against nations supporting U.S.-led sanctions, potentially heightening tensions in an already sensitive region.

Hungary has entered a new political era as Peter Magyar was sworn in as the country’s new prime minister on Saturday, formally ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure. The transition follows a major political shift after April’s general election, in which Orbán’s nationalist Fidesz party suffered a decisive defeat to Magyar’s center-right Tisza Party.

Magyar, viewed as a pro-European and reform-oriented politician, told supporters in Budapest that it was time to write a “new history” for Hungary. Thousands gathered outside the parliament to celebrate the change. In his parliamentary address, Magyar said voters had chosen not only a new government but also a transformation of the entire political system. He pledged to lead Hungary on a new path and open a new chapter in national politics.

Magyar also accused Orbán’s administration of turning Hungary into one of the most corrupt countries in the European Union, promising to restore integrity and transparency in governance.

The 2026 Tamil Nadu election saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fall from four seats to one, reflecting the state’s enduring Dravidian political culture. Rooted in social justice, Tamil identity, state autonomy, and welfare-oriented governance, Tamil Nadu’s politics remain distinct from northern India’s Hindu nationalist trends. Despite BJP leader K. Annamalai’s social media presence and anti-corruption campaigns, the party struggled to build a broad social coalition or effective booth-level network.

The rise of TVK under Vijay, which presented itself as a corruption-free, youth-driven, and Tamil identity–focused alternative, further weakened BJP’s position. Both DMK and AIADMK, emerging from the Dravidian movement, continue to emphasize Tamil pride, opposition to Hindi imposition, and welfare politics. Many Tamil voters separate religion from politics, supporting Dravidian parties while maintaining personal faith.

Analysts note that BJP’s challenge lies in reconciling its pan-Indian Hindu nationalist ideology with Tamil Nadu’s regional and cultural priorities. Sustainable growth for the party would require nurturing local leadership, embracing Tamil identity, and avoiding overreliance on religious polarization.

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Aminul Islam, stated that former army officer Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury was the key figure behind crimes against humanity committed during the 1/11 political period, including the alleged torture of current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He said that at that time, Masud Uddin Chowdhury and several others were regarded as the de facto government, effectively running state affairs.

Speaking at a press briefing at his tribunal office on Sunday, Aminul Islam confirmed that a production warrant had been issued for Masud Uddin Chowdhury in a missing case, leading to his appearance before the tribunal on April 7. He was shown arrested and taken to a safe home for one day of interrogation. The prosecutor said that the information obtained from the questioning is being verified and that further interrogation for two more days may be conducted if necessary.

Aminul Islam added that the investigation covers events from the 1/11 period, the July movement, and Chowdhury’s alleged involvement in various activities linked to Sheikh Hasina. A consolidated report will be shared once the investigation is complete.

An unidentified missile struck a bulk carrier ship off the coast of Qatar early Sunday, according to a British maritime organization. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center reported that the vessel was located about 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha when it was hit by the missile. The incident caused a fire on board, which was quickly brought under control. No casualties or significant damage were reported.

The organization stated that the source or party responsible for the missile strike remains unknown. The report did not specify the ship’s name, ownership, or the direction from which the missile was launched. The information was shared by the British maritime agency and cited by AFP.

Authorities are continuing to assess the situation, but as of now, no group or state has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In Debidwar upazila of Cumilla, a suspended Awami League leader, Dewan Mohammad Humayun Kabir, has reportedly been lobbying to become the president of a local school committee. Kabir, who serves as vice president of the Barshalghar Union Awami League, was previously accused of using political influence to secure the same position during the former Awami League government. Under the current BNP administration, he has renewed his efforts to obtain the post.

BNP National Executive Committee member Saidur Rahman Liton has submitted applications to the education secretary, district commissioner, Cumilla Education Board chairman, district council administrator, and upazila executive officer, requesting that Sajjad Hossain be appointed president instead of Kabir. Among three applicants for the ad hoc committee presidency, two are linked to the Awami League, while Sajjad Hossain is affiliated with the BNP.

The acting head teacher of Mofiz Uddin Ahmad High School, Amjad Hossain, stated that the board will decide who becomes president. Upazila Executive Officer Rakibul Islam clarified that he has no authority to appoint the ad hoc committee president and that any complaints should be directed to the board.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s sweeping purge of military elites became evident during a recent legislative session, where only a handful of generals attended compared to about 40 a year earlier. Xi signaled that the campaign to reform the armed forces is ongoing, stressing that no one with divided loyalty to the Communist Party can remain in the military. He acknowledged for the first time one of the most severe political crises of his 13-year rule, losing confidence in the very commanders he had built up over the past decade.

The crisis threatens Xi’s major achievement of transforming China’s military into a formidable force with new aircraft carriers, hypersonic missiles, and a growing nuclear arsenal. The purge intensified earlier this year with the downfall of top commander Zhang Youxia, once considered a trusted ally. Analysts cited in the report say Xi’s actions reveal his deep suspicion of disloyalty and corruption, as well as the tension between ensuring loyalty and preparing for war.

The restructuring has tightened Xi’s control over the armed forces, reinforcing his belief in personally selecting the right commanders to ensure both modernization and unwavering allegiance.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, spokesperson of the National Citizen Party (NCP), is traveling to South Korea to attend the World Human Rights Cities Forum 2026 in Gwangju. He is scheduled to leave tonight and return to Bangladesh on May 19. During the visit, he will participate in sessions focused on international human rights, civil rights, and democracy.

In addition to the forum, Bhuiyan will meet with members of the Bangladeshi community living in South Korea to discuss their challenges, opportunities, and contributions to the expatriate society. He will also take part in several organizational meetings, representative discussions, and community engagement activities organized by the NCP Diaspora Alliance’s South Korea chapter.

The visit aims to strengthen NCP’s international engagement and foster dialogue on human rights and diaspora issues through direct interaction with expatriate Bangladeshis and global participants.

Israel has released two activists detained from the Gaza-bound aid flotilla known as the Global Sumud Flotilla and sent them back to their home countries. The released individuals are Thiago de Avila from Brazil and Saif Abukeshek, a Spanish activist of Palestinian descent. According to Anadolu Agency, they were freed on Sunday after being held for an extended period. Israel’s foreign ministry stated that the release followed the completion of an investigation, after an Israeli court had twice extended their detention.

The flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid, was attacked near the Greek island of Crete on April 30 while it was about 600 nautical miles from Gaza’s coast. The first ships departed from Barcelona, Spain, on April 12, and the main fleet began its journey from Sicily, Italy, on April 26. The mission aimed to break Israel’s long-standing blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian assistance.

Since 2007, Israel has maintained a strict blockade on the Gaza Strip, where around 2.4 million residents face severe food shortages. Reports indicate that more than 72,000 people have been killed and over 172,000 injured in Gaza since Israel’s military campaign began in October 2023.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has upheld the bail of former Narayanganj City Corporation mayor Selina Hayat Ivy in ten cases, potentially clearing the way for her release. The decision came on Sunday, May 10, 2026, when the court, led by the Chief Justice, rejected a state appeal against a previous High Court order. The cases against Ivy include charges related to murder and other allegations.

Senior advocate Md. Motahar Hossain Saju represented Ivy during the hearing. She was arrested on May 9 of the previous year from her residence in Deovog, Narayanganj, and was later shown arrested in multiple cases. The High Court had earlier granted her bail in five cases, which was stayed by the Appellate Division. Subsequently, she was shown arrested in five additional cases, and on February 26, a High Court bench granted her bail in those as well.

Selina Hayat Ivy previously served as mayor of Narayanganj Municipality from 2003 to 2011 and later won three consecutive elections as mayor of the newly formed Narayanganj City Corporation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the ongoing war with Ukraine is 'nearing its end' and expressed willingness to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a third country once a peace agreement is finalized. He made the remarks on Saturday after the Victory Day parade at Moscow’s Red Square, where he also pledged Russia’s victory in Ukraine despite a scaled-down celebration this year.

Putin’s comments came as Russia and Ukraine agreed to a three-day ceasefire and a prisoner exchange of 1,000 detainees each, following a request from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump described the truce as a possible beginning of the end of the long and deadly conflict. Zelensky responded with a satirical statement allowing Russia to celebrate Victory Day and pausing Ukrainian attacks on Red Square, which the Kremlin dismissed as a 'bad joke.'

The war, ongoing for more than four years, has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and massive destruction across Ukraine, while also damaging Russia’s $3 trillion economy. Currently, about one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory remains under Russian control.

A writ petition has been filed in the High Court seeking Tk 20 million in compensation for the families of 352 children who died from measles. The petition was submitted on Sunday, May 10, 2026, by Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Humayun Kabir Pallab as a public interest litigation. The health secretary and other relevant authorities have been named as respondents in the case.

According to Barrister Pallab, ensuring the health protection of children is a constitutional duty of the state. He stated that the large number of child deaths in such a short period indicates a severe public health crisis and possible negligence by the authorities. The petition also calls for an investigation into the actual causes of the deaths.

The High Court is expected to review the petition and determine whether compensation and further inquiry will be ordered.

At least 69 people were killed in a militia attack in the northeastern Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to local and security sources on Saturday. The assault, carried out on April 28 by armed members linked to the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO), targeted several villages. The victims included civilians, militia members, and soldiers. The attack delayed recovery of bodies for several days due to the continued presence of CODECO fighters.

The Ituri province, rich in gold and other minerals, has long been the scene of violent clashes between the Hema and Lendu ethnic groups. Another armed group, the Convention for the Popular Revolution (CRP), had earlier attacked army positions near Pimbo, claiming to defend the Hema community. The United Nations peacekeeping mission MONUSCO condemned the recent deadly assaults on civilians and reported rescuing 200 people trapped during the CRP attack.

Humanitarian agencies report that nearly one million internally displaced people in the province face severe humanitarian crises as violence involving CODECO, CRP, and other armed groups continues to destabilize the region.

A youth was arrested in Fatullah, Narayanganj, with a police shotgun and three cartridges that had been looted earlier. The arrest took place around 10 p.m. on Saturday in the Sastapur area. The detainee, identified as Palash Hossain Akash, 32, is the son of Jalal Mollah from West Lamapara Shibu Market Dargabari area under Fatullah police station.

According to RAB sources, a team from the RAB-11 Sadar Company received information during a regular night patrol that Palash was hiding in Sastapur with the looted shotgun and cartridges taken from the police station during the July uprising. Acting on the tip-off, the team conducted a search in the presence of local witnesses and recovered the weapon and ammunition.

RAB-11 stated that the operation was part of its ongoing campaign against illegal arms, drugs, and terrorism, and similar drives will continue in the future.

A fisherman named Saiyad Ahmad, who disappeared 54 years ago in a trawler accident near Kutubdia, has unexpectedly returned to his ancestral home in Fazli Bari, Hatiya, Noakhali. His family and neighbors, long convinced of his death, were stunned when he appeared at a local market and revealed his identity. Elderly villagers later confirmed his claim, identifying him as the son of the late Dhan Mia. The incident has drawn large crowds and widespread attention in the area.

According to family accounts, Ahmad survived the storm by drifting to an unknown location in India, where he lived for decades as a wanderer, spending much of his time near Ajmer Sharif. Recently, after being robbed in Howrah, he was repatriated to Bangladesh by Indian border authorities. His son Akram, now 54, has filed a general diary with police after finally meeting his father for the first time.

The return has sparked both joy and tension within the family, with disputes over responsibility and money. Locals describe the event as miraculous, though many remain curious about Ahmad’s long disappearance and sudden reappearance.