A commentary by researcher Amir Khasru, published on May 21, 2026, examines why South Asia has not achieved the kind of unity seen in the European Union. The article argues that despite shared geography and history, the region remains divided by mistrust, power imbalances, and dominance-driven policies, particularly from larger neighbors. It contrasts this with Europe’s transformation from centuries of wars into a cooperative union built on equality and shared interests.

The piece highlights Nepal’s recent assertion of independence from Indian influence, including rejecting diplomatic overtures and enforcing border restrictions. It also cites strained India relations with Maldives, Bhutan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, noting border killings and disputes over water sharing and infrastructure projects. The author references a Chatham House study urging South Asian nations to pursue strategic autonomy and balanced diplomacy.

The analysis concludes that South Asia cannot emulate the EU’s cohesion until bilateral relations are based on justice, equality, and mutual respect rather than dominance or intervention. It recalls former President Ziaur Rahman’s early efforts to form SAARC and its eventual stagnation as evidence of persistent regional discord.

Bangladesh’s key Boro rice crop has suffered major losses due to sudden flash floods in the haor regions, submerging thousands of acres of farmland. Farmers report yields less than half of last year’s levels, with poor grain quality adding to their distress. The disaster has sparked concerns over food security and potential pressure on the rice market, as Boro typically supplies more than half of the nation’s rice demand.

Agriculture officials have disputed the scale of the damage, estimating losses at 10–12 percent of total demand, while field data suggest up to 30 percent losses in some areas. The government has set a procurement target of 1.9 million tons of food grains, including 500,000 tons of paddy directly from farmers, but collection remains behind schedule. Economists warn that the shortfall could force rice imports if domestic stocks fall short.

Experts note that climate change is increasing flood risks in haor areas, urging investment in flood-tolerant rice varieties, crop insurance, and faster harvesting systems to prevent recurring crises.

Police in Narsingdi have arrested Sabuj Mia, the prime suspect in the murder of a nine-year-old boy named Ramim in Palash upazila’s Gajaria area. The arrest took place on Wednesday morning at the Arshinnagar railway station area. Sabuj, son of Lokman Hossain from Char Karardi village, had been on the run since the incident. Law enforcement officials said he was captured with the help of information technology while attempting to flee to another location.

According to police, on May 6, Sabuj and three others—Faisal, Shishir, and Babu—allegedly took Ramim to a rickshaw garage in Gajaria Bazar, where they pumped air into his body through his rectum and mouth using a machine. The child was critically injured and later died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Following the incident, Ramim’s father, Ripon Mia, filed a murder case against the four accused at Palash Police Station.

Police have sought a seven-day remand for Sabuj and are continuing efforts to arrest the remaining suspects.

Bangladesh’s private sector investment and credit growth have sharply declined, leading to the slowest GDP expansion in five years. According to Bangladesh Bank data, private sector credit growth fell to 4.72 percent in March 2026, the lowest in the country’s history. Private investment dropped to 22.03 percent of GDP in the 2024–25 fiscal year, the weakest ratio in a decade. The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics reported GDP growth at 3.49 percent, down from 4.22 percent the previous year.

The slowdown follows prolonged political unrest, factory shutdowns, and persistent energy shortages. A contractionary monetary policy has kept interest rates high, further discouraging borrowing. Despite a change in government after the 2024 uprising, economic conditions have not improved significantly. Bangladesh Bank officials described the credit contraction as disappointing but noted government efforts to reopen closed factories.

Economists warned that without a supportive investment environment, job creation and GDP growth will remain constrained. They identified high lending rates, energy crises, and global instability as key obstacles to recovery.

Iran is reviewing the United States’ feedback on the wording of a proposed ceasefire agreement draft, according to a report by Iran’s Nour News Agency. The report stated that Washington and Tehran have exchanged several messages regarding the draft, excluding Pakistan from the direct communication. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed that the exchanges were based on Iran’s main 14-point framework and that the U.S. opinions are currently under review.

Baghaei made the remarks during a meeting with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who was visiting Tehran. The discussions between Washington and Tehran are being facilitated by Islamabad, which is playing a mediating role in the process.

The report did not specify the content of the U.S. feedback or the timeline for Iran’s review, leaving the next steps in the ceasefire negotiations unclear.

European Council President António Costa has expressed strong anger and astonishment over the behavior of Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir toward detained members of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. In a post on social media platform X, Costa said he was shocked by the treatment of the flotilla participants.

Costa described the minister’s actions as completely unacceptable and called for the immediate release of those detained. His remarks came after reports that the flotilla, carrying humanitarian assistance toward Gaza, had been intercepted and its members detained by Israeli authorities.

The statement underscores growing diplomatic concern in Europe regarding Israel’s handling of humanitarian missions to Gaza, as reflected in Costa’s public condemnation and demand for swift action.

National Citizen Party (NCP) South Region chief organizer and Comilla-4 Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah has called on the government to introduce a 'Justice Card' to ensure fair access to justice for ordinary citizens. He made the demand on Wednesday evening while addressing a street rally in Nangalkot, Comilla, where he served as the chief guest.

Abdullah criticized the government for launching various cards such as family and farmer cards while failing to guarantee justice for the people. He alleged that corruption, bribery in job recruitment, and the influence of middlemen at police stations continue to deprive citizens of fair services. He further stated that the government has failed to meet basic needs and that a culture of impunity, corruption, and repression persists, with freedom of expression shrinking and incidents of enforced disappearances and killings continuing.

The event was attended by NCP central joint member secretary Zainal Abedin Shishir, National Youth Force convener Advocate Tarikul Islam, central leader Rifat Rashid, and Comilla district coordinator Nabid Nawroz Shah, along with local activists.

After two consecutive days of decline, international oil prices rose again as concerns over supply disruptions intensified due to uncertainty surrounding the conflict situation involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The increase took effect from midnight Wednesday, with Brent crude climbing by 81 cents, or 0.77 percent, to reach 105.83 dollars per barrel. At the same time, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose by 97 cents, or 0.99 percent, to trade at 99.23 dollars per barrel.

The renewed upward movement in oil prices was driven by fears of reduced global reserves, as U.S. crude inventories declined and doubts persisted over a possible ceasefire involving Iran. These factors have placed supply concerns at the center of global energy market discussions.

Analysts cited in the report noted that the combination of geopolitical tension and falling stockpiles has reinforced volatility in the oil market, suggesting continued uncertainty in near-term pricing trends.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has issued a stern warning to Iran amid stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Speaking to Fox News, Miller said that Iran’s current leadership now faces a final deadline from the United States after talks failed to make progress. He stated that Tehran must choose between signing an agreement acceptable to Washington or facing a military response unlike anything seen in modern history.

The warning comes as diplomatic discussions between the two nations remain deadlocked, with no breakthrough reported. Miller emphasized that the Iranian administration has only two options left—either comply with the terms favored by the United States or face severe military consequences. His remarks underscore the growing tension surrounding the unresolved negotiations.

The statement signals a hardening U.S. stance toward Iran, suggesting that Washington may be preparing to escalate pressure if Tehran refuses to meet its conditions.

Colonel GM Rajib Ahmed, known for his loyalty to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and General Tariq Ahmed Siddiq, has been promoted to Brigadier General, according to defense sources. The promotion reportedly triggered strong reactions within the Bangladesh Army, as Rajib was among those who played a key role in ensuring Hasina’s safe escape to Delhi following her ouster during the July uprising. The decision was reportedly influenced by a powerful senior military official currently serving in the government.

Rajib previously served as Assistant Military Secretary to Sheikh Hasina in 2020 and was later appointed Deputy Military Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office. He was also sent to South Sudan as a UN peacekeeping contingent commander before returning to Bangladesh. His promotion has caused resentment among officers who felt sidelined over the past fifteen years, with some arguing that a figure associated with the former regime’s repression should not have remained in service.

The controversy has also spread across virtual platforms, where discussions and criticism of the promotion continue to intensify.

Police in Brahmanpara upazila of Comilla arrested a suspected drug dealer named Kabir Hossain on Wednesday afternoon in connection with an attack on two journalists. He was detained in the Dakshin Shashidal area while allegedly attempting to flee to India. The arrest was confirmed by Brahmanpara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Faruk Hossain. Kabir Hossain, 35, from Dakshin Shashidal village, faces ten previous cases related to drugs and smuggling.

The attack occurred on Tuesday night at Shashidal Railway Station when journalists Akkas Al Mahmud Hridoy of Kaler Kantho and Shariful Islam Sumon of Dainik Comilla Protidin were filming footage of stolen goods and drug trafficking on the Chattala Express train. They were assaulted twice and later threatened with death if they published reports about the incident. Following the attack, a case was filed naming 11 individuals and 14 unidentified suspects.

Police said operations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects involved in the assault.

The High Court of Bangladesh has expressed astonishment after the government announced the dissolution of the Supreme Court Secretariat before the final settlement of a related writ petition. The issue came to light when a government notification was presented before Justice Ahmed Sohel’s bench, prompting the court to ask how such a decision was possible while the case remained pending.

The move has sparked strong reactions from opposition and legal circles. Jamaat-e-Islami leader and opposition chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman condemned the decision, calling it the end of an independent judicial secretariat and a sign of political dominance over the judiciary. Student and lawyer groups, including the National Lawyers Alliance backed by the National Citizens Party, also protested, criticizing the silence of the law minister and attorney general. Lawyer Shishir Monir, who filed the original writ, said the government’s action constituted contempt of court and announced plans to file a contempt petition.

According to the report, the Ministry of Law issued the notification on Tuesday, transferring 15 judges to the ministry. The High Court had earlier directed that the secretariat remain operational until the case was fully resolved.

A diplomatic crisis has erupted after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared a video showing armed Israeli guards forcing detained activists from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla to kneel with their hands tied. Governments across the world condemned the treatment as a violation of human dignity and summoned Israeli diplomats for formal protests.

Australia, Italy, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Canada, and Belgium have all summoned Israeli ambassadors. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong denounced the conduct as degrading, while Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called the video unacceptable and demanded an apology. France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the ambassador was summoned to express outrage and seek clarification. The Netherlands’ leaders described the incident as tragic and unacceptable, and New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters cited deep concern.

Other countries including Spain, Poland, Germany, Greece, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Korea, the United States, Qatar, and Turkey also issued strong condemnations, according to Al Jazeera.

US Senators Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley have strongly condemned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for his treatment of activists detained from a Gaza-bound flotilla. In posts on social media platform X, the senators described Ben-Gvir’s behavior toward the detainees as “disgusting and inhumane,” calling it a reflection of Israel’s broader conduct toward Palestinians.

Senator Merkley said that images of Gaza’s destruction and desperate families explain why people are motivated to protest. Van Hollen questioned how Ben-Gvir might treat detainees behind closed doors if he could act this way in front of cameras. He labeled the minister’s actions “outrageous” and argued that the United States should have imposed sanctions on him long ago.

Both Democratic senators have long advocated for Palestinian rights and previously visited the Rafah border to observe conditions under Israel’s blockade of Gaza, according to the report sourced from Al Jazeera.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video on social media mocking activists detained from the Gaza-bound aid flotilla known as the Global Sumud Flotilla. The video showed the detained social workers with their hands tied and kneeling while Israel’s national anthem played over loudspeakers. The caption of the post read, “Welcome to Israel.”

According to the report, the activists were captured by Israeli forces from international waters before being featured in the video. The footage and its publication have drawn attention due to the minister’s far-right political stance and the circumstances of the activists’ detention. The report cited Al Jazeera as its source.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding humanitarian efforts directed toward Gaza and the Israeli government’s handling of such missions, though no official responses or further developments were mentioned in the report.