The Trump administration has completed the removal of 13.5 kilograms of highly enriched uranium from Venezuela, according to a report by The Guardian citing the U.S. Department of Energy. The material was extracted from an old research reactor located about 15 kilometers from Caracas and transported to a secure facility in South Carolina. The operation was conducted jointly by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela, with the International Atomic Energy Agency describing it as a highly sensitive and complex mission.

Venezuelan authorities stated that the uranium was removed due to increased security risks following a U.S. military operation in January. Brandon Williams, head of the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration, said the action sent an important message about global security and nuclear risk control. The report also noted that the Trump administration has been seeking to rebuild relations with Venezuela, reopening diplomatic channels, trade flights, and embassy operations.

Analysts cited in the report said the administration’s broader strategy remains focused on pressuring Iran to relinquish its stockpile of enriched uranium, though no lasting agreement has yet been reached.

The United States and Iran are moving toward a possible agreement to end their ten-week war, but President Donald Trump’s recent actions have intensified strains with long-standing allies. His decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, threats to reduce forces elsewhere in Europe, and his downplaying of Iran’s recent attack on a Gulf partner have raised doubts about Washington’s reliability in future crises.

European governments, alarmed by Trump’s unpredictable behavior and his questioning of NATO’s value, are strengthening defense cooperation and exploring ways to reduce dependence on the United States. Analysts say Trump’s approach has weakened alliances and eroded trust, particularly after his trade tariffs, pressure on Denmark over Greenland, and reduced military aid to Ukraine. The Pentagon has even hinted at punitive measures against NATO members that failed to support the Iran campaign.

The conflict has also unsettled Asian partners such as Japan and South Korea, who fear diminished U.S. commitment in any future confrontation with China. Meanwhile, Russia and China are watching closely, seeking to exploit the strategic vacuum and present themselves as more stable global partners.

Authorities in Chatmohar upazila of Pabna recovered 600 liters of adulterated milk from the residence of Abdul Momin, the organizational secretary of the Bilchalon Union Krishak Dal. The operation was conducted around 9 a.m. on Saturday under the leadership of Lutfor Kabir, deputy director of the National Security Intelligence (NSI) in Pabna. Law enforcement also seized equipment used for milk production and detained a man named Azizul Pramanik, while Abdul Momin and another suspect, Al Amin, fled before the raid began.

Chatmohar police officer-in-charge Golam Mostafa confirmed that a case has been filed and further legal action is underway. According to Liton Biswas, president of the upazila Krishak Dal, Momin had previously been served a show-cause notice over a similar adulteration incident. The organization now plans to permanently expel him for violating party discipline.

The seizure highlights ongoing efforts by local authorities to curb food adulteration and enforce accountability among political figures involved in such illegal activities.

At least ten people were killed and five others seriously injured when a gas tanker collided with a private car in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. The accident occurred late on Friday night, May 8, near Dalbandin in Chagai district, according to Geo News. The car was reportedly carrying around fifteen passengers, exceeding its capacity, and several people died on the spot due to the impact. Rescue workers and local authorities quickly arrived and transported the injured to Prince Fahad Hospital in Dalbandin.

Chagai’s Deputy Superintendent of Police Abid Sherzai said five injured individuals are under treatment, with some in critical condition. Police have detained the gas tanker driver and launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Among the deceased are four women and two children. The collision took place on a remote section of the RCD Highway, which connects Pakistan and Iran and has seen multiple fatal accidents in the past.

Earlier in January, a separate crash on the same highway in Chagai’s Yakmach area killed seven people and injured three others, highlighting ongoing safety concerns on this route.

An international survey released on Friday by the Denmark-based Alliance of Democracies Foundation found that the United States’ global image has deteriorated for the second consecutive year under President Donald Trump. The report indicates that global perceptions of the US are now more negative than those of Russia. The annual Democracy Perception Index, conducted by polling firm Nera Data between March 19 and April 21 across 98 countries, gathered responses from over 94,000 people.

According to the foundation, the survey asked which country is seen as the greatest threat to the world, with the US ranking third after Russia and Israel. The organization’s founder and former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the rapid decline in America’s image is regrettable but unsurprising, citing US policies that strained transatlantic relations, imposed broad tariffs, and threatened to seize NATO ally Greenland. The report also noted reduced US support for Ukraine and rising oil prices linked to US-Israel actions against Iran.

The index shows US favorability dropping from plus 22 percent two years ago to minus 16 percent, compared with Russia’s minus 11 percent and China’s plus 7 percent. The findings were published ahead of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit scheduled for May 12.

Satellite imagery has revealed signs of an oil spill off the coast of Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub. The images show a visible oil slick spreading across the sea near the island’s western shore. The exact cause of the spill remains unconfirmed, according to reports from AFP.

Monitoring organization Orbital EOS told The New York Times that as of Thursday, the slick covered about 20 square miles (52 square kilometers). The nonprofit Conflict and Environment Observatory stated on social media that the source of the spill is still unclear, noting that the slick is drifting southward and that effective containment measures appear unlikely.

Kharg Island hosts Iran’s largest oil terminal, pipelines, storage tanks, and related infrastructure. The island lies several hundred kilometers northwest of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which Iran nearly closed after conflict with the United States and Israel began on February 28. Subsequent U.S. blockades of Iranian ports have left many oil tankers stranded in the area.

India has initiated efforts to normalize relations with Turkey after nearly a year of diplomatic stagnation. The move follows a period of heightened tension triggered by Turkey’s verbal support for Pakistan during the April Kashmir conflict, which led to media hostility, tourism boycotts, and trade disruptions. India recently invited Turkey to the 12th round of bilateral talks, attended by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Beris Ekinci and Indian Foreign Ministry Secretary C.B. George. Both sides expressed interest in maintaining constructive dialogue.

The thaw comes after strained ties caused by India’s cancellation of security clearance for Turkish firm Celebi Airport Services and Air India’s decision to reduce reliance on Turkish Technic. Despite political friction, bilateral trade remained relatively strong, totaling $7.5 billion in 2025, mostly in India’s favor. Turkey’s decision to avoid retaliatory measures helped reopen diplomatic channels.

Officials from both countries now see potential cooperation in new connectivity projects, including the Middle Corridor linking Asia and Europe. However, differences remain over Kashmir, where Turkey continues to support Pakistan’s stance, though recent diplomatic gestures suggest a cautious softening of tone.

Four passengers were killed and 15 others injured in a head-on collision between two buses in Lohagara upazila of Chattogram on Saturday morning. The accident occurred around 11:30 a.m. in front of Four Season Restaurant and Resort on the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar highway. One passenger, Rehena Begum, 66, from Patiya upazila, died on the spot, while three others succumbed to their injuries later at Lohagara Trauma Centre.

According to a passenger, the driver of a Chattogram-bound Marsa Paribahan bus lost his temper after an argument with another driver in Harbang area of Cox’s Bazar, leading to the collision with another Marsa Paribahan bus heading toward Cox’s Bazar. Fire service leader Firoz Khan said one body was recovered from the scene and the injured were taken to local hospitals, with several in critical condition.

Officer-in-Charge Salah Uddin Chowdhury of Dohazari Highway Police Station said a team was sent to the site, and the bodies and damaged buses were brought to the station for legal procedures before handing over to families.

Eleven fishermen returned home on Friday evening after being held hostage for seven days by forest bandits in the Sundarbans and released upon payment of a ransom totaling 700,000 taka. The group had been abducted on the night of May 3 from the Alorkol area of the eastern Sundarbans by the Jahangir gang. Three days later, another bandit group, the Sharif gang, took control of the captives after an armed clash and held them in an undisclosed location.

According to Rubel Hawlader, one of the freed fishermen from Uttar Rajapur village in Sharankhola, the Jahangir gang initially chained them and subjected them to abuse. After receiving the ransom, the Sharif gang released the fishermen early Friday morning near the Aruar River estuary in the Dhansagar area, from where they walked several kilometers to reach home. A local fish trader, requesting anonymity, said the bandits initially demanded 100,000 taka per person but later settled for 70,000 each, totaling 700,000 taka.

Sharankhola Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Shaminul Haque stated that the police had not received any formal complaint regarding the ransom payment but would take legal action if one is filed.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan said that modernization of the education system is essential for national development. Speaking as chief guest at the ‘China-Bangladesh Education Cooperation Forum 2026’ held at the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka on Saturday, he emphasized that the government has prioritized education and plans to allocate 5 percent of GDP to the sector. He also announced initiatives to revise syllabuses, curricula, and academic calendars to improve quality.

The minister highlighted that teacher development is key to raising educational standards and mentioned a joint initiative with China to train general and technical educators. He said education would serve as the main bridge strengthening Bangladesh-China relations. Several memorandums of understanding were signed between institutions from both countries to enhance cooperation in education.

The event, chaired by Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, was attended by senior Bangladeshi education officials, including the Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Mahdi Amin and UGC Chairman Dr. Mamun Ahmed. Guests also inaugurated an education and technology exhibition following the forum.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has accused the government of showing discrimination both in respecting the referendum outcome and in implementing development projects. Speaking at Saidpur Airport on Saturday morning, he said the government supported the 'yes' vote before the election but is now ignoring the referendum’s verdict while claiming to implement the July Charter. He criticized the concentration of multiple major projects—such as a city corporation, new upazila, university, and international airport—in a single area instead of distributing them based on broader national importance.

Porwar stated that Jamaat does not oppose development initiatives but rejects favoritism toward ruling party lawmakers in project allocation. He also alleged that the government is suppressing media freedom and targeting journalists critical of its actions. Regarding the proposed internationalization of Saidpur Airport, he said it is vital for the socio-economic progress of the northern region and reflects a long-standing public demand.

He warned that ignoring such regional aspirations could harm national welfare and criticized the BNP for mishandling public interest issues, which he said could backfire politically.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman held a meeting with district and metropolitan presidents and general secretaries of the party’s three affiliated organizations—Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal—on Saturday, May 9, at the Krishibid Institute auditorium in Dhaka. The meeting began at 10 a.m., and Rahman joined virtually at 11 a.m. Party sources said this was his first major organizational meeting with grassroots leaders since assuming the office of Prime Minister.

Leaders from various districts and metropolitan units of the three organizations attended the event. The discussions were expected to focus on maintaining party discipline, strengthening organizational activities, resolving internal conflicts at the local level, and reestablishing the chain of command. Party sources indicated that Rahman would call on grassroots leaders to work more actively and in unity to implement upcoming political programs.

Ahead of the meeting, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and the Prime Minister’s political adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi inspected the venue on Friday and told reporters that Rahman would outline plans to enhance the party’s organizational dynamism.

The Boro paddy harvest has begun in Dhunat upazila of Bogura, where farmers are expressing frustration over low market prices. Despite good yields this season, they report that the price of one maund of paddy, selling for only 850 to 950 taka, is not enough to hire even one laborer, whose daily wage now ranges from 1,000 to 1,100 taka. Many farmers say their hard-earned crops are bringing little return as costs continue to rise.

Local sources note that while fields are full of ripe paddy, concerns are growing over possible storm and rain damage, especially in low-lying areas. The sudden surge in demand for harvest laborers has nearly doubled wages. Farmers report that production costs, including plowing, irrigation, and pesticides, have increased sharply in recent years, but market prices have not kept pace, leaving them worried about repaying debts.

According to the Dhunat Upazila Agriculture Officer, about 16,485 hectares of land have been cultivated with high-yield and local paddy varieties. He advised farmers to harvest when 80 percent of the crop is ripe to avoid losses from hail or early flooding.

Taiwan’s legislature has approved a special fund of $25 billion to purchase weapons from the United States. The bill passed after months of debate over defense and security spending. The package includes high mobility artillery rocket systems, self-propelled howitzers, missiles, drones, and Javelin anti-armor missiles. It also contains a provision allowing for additional future spending on U.S. arms purchases.

The approved amount is about $15 billion less than what the ruling Democratic Progressive Party proposed last November. In the 113-seat legislature, the bill passed by a 59-0 vote, with 48 lawmakers from the ruling party abstaining. The decision comes as Taiwan seeks to strengthen its defense capabilities amid growing tensions with China.

China claims Taiwan as its territory and has repeatedly threatened to take control of the island by force if necessary. The United States, Taiwan’s main arms supplier, continues to provide significant military and political support. Last year, the Trump administration approved a record $11 billion in arms sales to Taiwan.

The United States is arranging a special evacuation flight to bring home American citizens aboard a cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak. The vessel, MV Hondius, is currently heading toward Spain’s Canary Islands and is expected to arrive in Tenerife on Sunday, according to AFP. A spokesperson for the US State Department said the government is coordinating with Spanish authorities and other federal agencies to ensure the safe repatriation of the passengers.

The ship’s operator reported that 17 US citizens are on board, though the State Department has not confirmed the number. Three people—a Dutch couple and a German woman—have died, and several others have been infected with Andes virus, the only hantavirus known to spread between humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that the repatriated passengers will first be taken to Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska, before being transferred to the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

CDC and Nebraska Medicine said the risk to the US public remains very low, and those under observation are currently healthy and symptom-free.