At least 12 police officers were killed and five others injured in a car bomb and gun attack on a checkpoint in Pakistan’s northwestern Bannu district on Saturday night, officials said Sunday. The assault occurred in the Fateh Khel area when a suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden vehicle into the police post, followed by multiple armed assailants entering the site, according to Bannu police officer Muhammad Sajjad Khan.

Officials reported that the attackers used heavy weapons and small drones during the assault and took police weapons while retreating. One officer remains missing. The attack is part of a recent surge in militant activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which has strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul.

Authorities noted that similar incidents have increased in Bannu and other border regions in recent years. Afghanistan’s Taliban government has denied Pakistan’s accusations that militants use Afghan territory as a safe haven, but tensions between the two neighbors have continued to rise.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under growing pressure from within his Labour Party following a severe electoral setback. After a major defeat in local elections, Labour MPs and senior ministers have warned Starmer to act swiftly to reverse the party’s decline. Trade unions that continue to fund the party have also urged him to provide concrete commitments for change. Millions of voters expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s performance during its 22 months in power, and even close allies have publicly voiced concern.

According to BBC reports, Starmer plans to deliver a speech on Monday promising closer ties with the European Union and outlining Labour-friendly policy proposals. However, it remains uncertain whether his address will include any dramatic measures capable of shifting public sentiment. Party insiders say the focus should be on governing more effectively and demonstrating visible improvements in people’s lives.

Support for Starmer has fallen sharply nationwide, and calls for his resignation are increasing among MPs. With no clear alternative leader emerging, questions persist about whether he can recover his authority and stabilize the government.

At least several dozen people were killed in a new attack by armed jihadists in central Mali, according to local and security sources on Saturday. The assault, which occurred on Friday, was claimed by the al-Qaeda-linked group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). Earlier in the week, the same group had attacked several villages, killing at least 30 people, AFP reported from Bamako.

Local officials said the recent wave of violence has left more than 70 people dead, with some estimates reaching around 80. A youth leader accused the nearby army unit of failing to respond to repeated calls for help, describing the community’s grief as overwhelming. A security source described the situation in the region as extremely alarming, noting that JNIM has been targeting villages that refused to sign local peace agreements.

The latest violence follows unprecedented attacks last month by JNIM and the Tuareg-controlled Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) against Mali’s ruling junta, pushing the country’s security situation into deeper crisis and leaving parts of the north under militant control.

Actor-turned-politician Chandrasekhar Joseph Vijay, popularly known as Thalapathy Vijay, signed several public welfare orders immediately after taking oath as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday. His first directives included providing up to 200 units of electricity free of cost, forming a special task force to combat drug abuse, and establishing a dedicated force and helpline to ensure women’s safety. In his emotional address, Vijay pledged to focus on education, health, and water, and to care for farmers and fishermen.

Vijay reflected on his humble background, noting that he was not from a royal family and had faced many hardships before reaching this position. He also highlighted the state’s heavy debt burden of nearly 10 trillion rupees inherited from the DMK era, promising that no public funds would be wasted or misused. Expressing gratitude to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Praveen Chakraborty, and leftist allies, he vowed to usher in a new era of secularism and social justice.

Vijay’s party, TVK, emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats but secured a majority of 120 seats through coalition support. His government must prove its majority in the assembly by May 13.

Over the past four and a half decades, 37 teachers and students have been killed in politically motivated violence at Rajshahi University. Among the victims were four teachers and 33 students from various political organizations. Most of these killings, which occurred between 1982 and 2026, remain unresolved, with perpetrators often escaping justice due to political influence, administrative inaction, or lack of proper investigation.

The incidents stemmed from campus power struggles, hall control, extortion, and national political movements. The first killing occurred in 1982 during a clash between the Islami Chhatra Shibir and a coalition of left-leaning student groups. Subsequent years saw repeated violence involving Shibir, Chhatra League, Chhatra Dal, and other organizations. Several teacher murders, including those of Professors Taher, Yunus, Shafiul Islam Lilon, and Rezaul Karim Siddique, also shook the campus.

University officials and student leaders expressed differing views on the causes and accountability. Police cited witness shortages and lack of follow-up by plaintiffs, while student leaders blamed political interference. The university proctor stated that student politics remains allowed but expressed hope that past patterns of violence will not return.

In Gazipur’s Kapasia upazila, five members of the same family were killed at their home in Rautkona village on Saturday morning, leaving the local community in shock. District Commissioner (DC) Md Nurul Karim Bhuiyan gained attention for his swift and humane response to the tragedy. Under his direct supervision, the victims’ bodies were sent for autopsy the same night and later transported to their home district, Gopalganj.

Senior administrative officials, including the Additional District Magistrate and the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, visited the scene on the DC’s instructions to support the grieving family. Considering the urgency and the risk of decomposition, the DC arranged for the post-mortems to be completed at night, despite regular hospital hours ending earlier. He also provided two refrigerated vans for safe transport and ensured financial assistance for burial and logistics.

Police suspect that Sharmin Khanam’s husband, Forkan, may have committed the murders before fleeing. The DC’s prompt and compassionate actions brought some comfort to residents amid the tragedy.

Begum Rokeya University (BRUR) in Rangpur has come under scrutiny as students allege that the university’s ban on political activities, declared in October 2024, remains largely unimplemented. The 108th syndicate meeting had unanimously prohibited all political activities by students, teachers, officers, and staff, warning of lifetime expulsion for violations. Despite this, reports suggest that political events, committee formations, and gatherings continue on campus, with allegations of administrative participation in partisan programs.

Students claim that the ban exists only on paper, pointing to the administration’s silence and alleged involvement in political activities. They argue that the prohibition was introduced after the July uprising and the death of student Abu Sayeed to prevent future violence and ensure a peaceful academic environment. However, the persistence of political programs and the absence of disciplinary action have raised doubts about the administration’s commitment.

The delay in holding the long-expected student union elections has further fueled frustration. Students have repeatedly urged the election commission to announce a new schedule, but no progress has been made, deepening uncertainty on campus.

Students of Eden Mohila College in Dhaka staged a protest late on May 9, demanding a ban on student politics on campus. The demonstration began around midnight, with participants chanting slogans against political activities and attempting to break open the college’s main gate. Witnesses and police reported that students from several dormitories gathered near the main entrance, broke locks on multiple gates, and tried to burn a banner outside the campus. The banner reportedly contained the name of a student leader aspiring for a political post.

Protesters argued that political influence and party activities were disrupting the academic environment, calling for a completely politics-free campus. They painted slogans in black on the main gate demanding a “completely politics-free Eden campus.” One student said the protest was triggered after earlier slogans calling for a politics-free campus were erased from the gate.

Lalbagh Police confirmed that the protest lasted several hours before students returned to their dormitories around 2 a.m. The central general secretary of the student wing involved responded online, asserting that participation in student politics is a fundamental right and criticizing attempts to suppress it.

One passenger was killed and four others, including the driver, were injured when a CNG-run autorickshaw lost control and collided with a roller vehicle in Brahmanbaria. The accident occurred around 11 a.m. on Sunday at the Urshiura area along the Comilla–Sylhet highway. The deceased was identified as Romana, daughter of Baru Mia from Tetua village in Kasba upazila. The injured were Tohin from Sadar upazila, Hasina Begum and Halima from Kasba, and Pankaj Chakraborty from Debidwar, Comilla.

According to local residents, the autorickshaw was traveling from Kasba toward the district town when it lost control and hit the roller vehicle, leaving five people seriously injured. Locals took the victims to Brahmanbaria General Hospital, where one passenger died during treatment. Police from Sarail Khatihata Highway Station were dispatched to the scene following the incident.

Authorities have not yet provided further details about the cause of the accident or the condition of the injured.

A mobile court in Bhangura upazila of Pabna sentenced a factory owner named Sakayat to one year in jail and fined him two lakh taka for producing fake milk. His associate, Suman Ali, received a six-month prison sentence. The two were detained on Saturday night from a factory in Shahanagar village, where the operation took place under the supervision of Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Md Arifuzzaman.

During the raid, authorities seized 73 kilograms of jelly and 700 liters of fake milk, which were later destroyed in public. Sanitary Inspector Nurul Islam was also present during the operation. The convicted individuals were identified as residents of Chatmohar and Shahanagar villages in Pabna district.

The Upazila Nirbahi Officer stated that both the fake milk and its ingredients were confiscated and destroyed to prevent further distribution.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the government will fulfill the logical demands of the police force, considering financial capacity and priorities. He made the statement on Sunday at the Rajarbagh Police Auditorium in Dhaka during the 'Prime Minister’s Special Welfare Meeting' marking Police Week 2026. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended as chief guest, while senior officials from the Home Ministry and police also spoke at the event.

The minister said that some retiring police members will receive honorary promotions based on service records, and the government is considering overtime allowances for officers from inspector to constable ranks. He also emphasized improving physical and mental healthcare for police personnel by upgrading central and divisional police hospitals and constructing new facilities if needed. The government aims to address housing and infrastructure issues through land acquisition and funding support.

Salahuddin Ahmed added that visible improvements in law and order have occurred in the past two months, with special drives underway against criminals and drug traffickers. He said a committee has been formed to draft updated laws against cybercrime, online gambling, and money laundering, and existing laws will be revised to curb mob culture.

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in Sylhet has undergone major reforms over the past 18 months, improving research, infrastructure, administration, and student services. The university restored discipline after years of unrest, introduced transparent hall seat allocations, and reduced political influence in residential facilities. A new online system now requires updated faculty profiles for research grants, and postgraduate students are receiving research funding for the first time.

SUST has signed academic and research exchange agreements with universities in China and Malaysia and is expanding cooperation with institutions in Europe, Canada, and the United States. Digital initiatives include a smart recruitment system, online academic services, and an institutional repository for publications. A large development project worth about Tk 1,000 crore is progressing, covering new halls, academic buildings, and other facilities, with 35 percent of work completed.

Vice-Chancellor Professor A.M. Sarwar Uddin Chowdhury said the university is focusing on restoring stability, reducing inequality, and strengthening research and infrastructure development.

A four-hour blockade on the Dinajpur-Dhaka-Rangpur highway was withdrawn on Sunday following discussions between local authorities and transport leaders. The blockade began around 7 a.m. in protest against alleged extortion on the road and was suspended at 11 a.m. after an agreement was reached. Dinajpur municipality administrator Md. Riaz Uddin later issued an official order announcing the temporary suspension of revenue collection activities at the municipal truck terminal.

The decision came after mediation by Syed Jahangir Alam, the Member of Parliament for Dinajpur Sadar constituency, who facilitated talks between the municipal administration and the Truck Workers-Owners Unity Council. During the meeting, the municipal authorities assured that toll collection within the municipal area would be halted, prompting the protesters to suspend their program.

Truck Workers-Owners Unity Council General Secretary Sadakatul Babi Sada stated that the blockade was lifted based on the assurance to stop toll collection temporarily, warning that tougher actions could follow if a permanent solution is not reached.

Leading retail company Shwapno has extended long-term financial assistance to 12-year-old Samia Akter from Pohnkucha Paschim Para in Bagmara Dakshin Union of Lalmai upazila, Cumilla. The company recently handed her a cheque of 5,000 taka at a local event. Under the arrangement, Samia will receive 5,000 taka monthly under the supervision of the local chairman to support her education and daily needs. Shwapno authorities announced a total donation of 480,000 taka for her future.

A senior Shwapno official said the initiative reflects the company’s belief that small efforts can bring major changes in someone’s life. Local residents described the support as a significant relief for a struggling family and expressed hope that the regular assistance would help shape Samia’s future.

Shwapno has long been involved in social and humanitarian activities. Company representatives stated that similar support programs for underprivileged and vulnerable individuals will continue in the future.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on police officers to perform their duties with maximum sincerity and capability to ensure the peace and security of the nation’s citizens. He made the remarks on Sunday morning at the inauguration of Police Week 2026 held at the Rajarbagh Police Lines field in Dhaka. The Prime Minister emphasized that the safety of people’s lives and property largely depends on the police and urged them to renew their commitment to protecting the country’s independence and democracy.

He recalled the sacrifices of police officers during the Liberation War, paying tribute to those who were killed in the 1971 attack on Rajarbagh Police Lines. Rahman praised the professionalism of police members during the 13th National Parliamentary Election and their contributions to UN peacekeeping missions. He also highlighted the international recognition of Bangladeshi female police officers and called for humane behavior toward citizens.

The Prime Minister noted that questions remain about certain aspects of the Liberation War’s history and suggested that researchers further study the political decisions of 1971. He concluded by congratulating parade participants and wishing success for Police Week 2026.