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.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury emphasized the government's commitment to democratizing the economy by including people outside the mainstream economic system. Speaking on Sunday morning at the launch of the second phase of the PKSF and World Bank’s joint project ‘RAISE’ in Agargaon, Dhaka, he said that democracy must be reflected not only in politics but also in the economic structure. The minister noted that in the past, a small wealthy group enjoyed most of the benefits of the economy, while ordinary people had limited participation.

He stated that the government follows strict standards in implementing development projects and will not approve any that fail to meet them. Chowdhury expressed concern over high healthcare costs in Bangladesh and announced plans to increase allocations for health and education in the upcoming budget. He also highlighted the need to utilize the country’s youth potential, improve planning for handicrafts, and promote cultural and creative industries globally. Additionally, he underscored the economic potential of sports and the importance of empowering women and farmers through family and farmer cards.

The minister said these initiatives aim to strengthen rural economies, increase financial inclusion, and ensure broader participation in national development.

Five members of the same family were burned in a fire that broke out early Sunday, May 10, in a ground-floor apartment of a nine-story building in the Giridhara area of Fatullah, Narayanganj. The injured are Kalam, a 47-year-old vegetable seller, his wife Salma, their son Munna, and daughters Munni and Kotha. They were rescued by locals and taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka.

Health Minister Sardar Shakhawat Hossain Bakul visited the institute later in the day to check on their condition. He spoke with doctors, instructed them to ensure the best possible treatment, and assured all necessary support. According to rescuers, the fire erupted suddenly with a loud explosion while the family was asleep.

Initial reports suggest the fire may have started from a gas stove or leakage, but authorities are still investigating the exact cause. The victims remain under close observation at the hospital.

State Minister for Shipping Rajib Ahsan has urged maximum caution in river transport of passengers, sacrificial animals, and cargo ahead of Eid-ul-Azha and the monsoon season. Speaking at the 'Naval Safety Week' event at the Ladies Club in Eskaton, Dhaka, on Sunday, he emphasized that all vessels must maintain proper fitness and route permits. He warned that any negligence in monitoring would result in strict action against those responsible.

The minister noted that while major river accidents in Bangladesh have decreased compared to previous years, continued progress requires greater responsibility from vessel owners, workers, and relevant departments. He criticized the practice of artificially preparing ships for inspection and directed officials to conduct regular field visits. He also prohibited the operation of risky vessels during the turbulent monsoon period.

Expressing concern over unfit trawlers and speedboats operating on smaller routes during Eid, Ahsan called on the river police and coast guard to strengthen surveillance. He stressed that saving time should never come at the cost of human lives and highlighted the need for modern vessels to address challenges such as river narrowing and emerging shoals.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that he maintains close coordination with U.S. President Donald Trump over the ongoing Iran war, saying they speak almost daily. His statement came amid reports that Washington has been excluding Israel from consultations on the conflict, raising doubts about the true state of their alliance. Public skepticism toward Netanyahu’s credibility has fueled speculation that relations between the two leaders are deteriorating.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that Netanyahu’s repeated assurances of a strong partnership may mask serious fractures. Political consultant Dalia Scheindlin expressed concern that the war is going badly, while former diplomat Alon Pinkas described how Netanyahu persuaded Trump to pursue military action against Iran, using Venezuela as an example. U.S. intelligence officials reportedly warned of Iranian retaliation, which later materialized through attacks and economic disruption.

By late March, Trump was said to be frustrated with Netanyahu, ceasing to mention Israel in his statements and excluding it from ceasefire talks. Observers believe the conflict has politically damaged both leaders ahead of their respective elections, leaving their once-aligned fortunes increasingly uncertain.

Thalapathy Vijay, officially named Chandrasekhar Joseph Vijay, was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, 2026, at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Governor R.N. Arlekar administered the oath. In an emotional speech, Vijay reflected on his humble background, saying he understood poverty and hunger and had faced many hardships. He pledged to prioritize education, healthcare, and water access, and to support farmers and fishers.

Vijay stated that the state had inherited a debt burden of nearly 10 trillion rupees from the DMK administration, but assured that not a single rupee of public funds would be wasted or misused. He promised a new era of secularism and social justice, thanking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Praveen Chakraborty, and leftist allies for their support.

After the ceremony, Vijay’s first directives included free electricity up to 200 units, a special task force against drugs, and a dedicated force and helpline for women’s safety. His coalition, formed with Congress, CPI, CPM, VCK, and IUML, holds 120 seats and must prove its majority in the assembly by May 13.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara carried out a major government reshuffle on Saturday, removing several ministers and officials, including his own brother. According to the state news agency SANA, former Homs governor Abdul Rahman Badruddin al-Ama was appointed as Secretary-General of the Presidency, replacing Shara’s brother, Maher al-Shara. Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa and Agriculture Minister Amjad Badr were also dismissed, with Khaled Fawaz Jarour and Basel Hafez al-Suwaidan appointed as their successors respectively.

The report noted that Khaled Fawaz Jarour previously headed the Faculty of Media at Damascus University. The reasons behind the reshuffle have not yet been disclosed. The move follows the 2025 formation of Syria’s interim cabinet, which came after long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad was ousted in 2024 and was reportedly dominated by Shara’s close associates.

In addition to the ministerial changes, President Shara appointed new governors in several provinces, including Homs, Quneitra, Latakia, and Deir Ezzor.