The United States’ ‘Gold Card’ program, launched by President Donald Trump to offer rapid permanent residency for a $1 million fee, is struggling to attract wealthy applicants. According to a CNBC report, the initiative, introduced in December last year, promised record-time residency approvals but has failed to deliver. Court filings reveal that despite the high cost, applicants are not guaranteed faster visa processing, undermining the program’s main appeal.

Data from the Department of Homeland Security show that only 338 people have applied so far, with just 165 paying the $15,000 initial fee. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had earlier projected 80,000 cards and over $100 billion in revenue. Legal experts note that the program’s shaky legal basis—launched by executive order without congressional approval—has led to court challenges. Critics argue it undermines existing EB-1 and EB-2 visa categories.

Immigration consultants say the lack of expedited processing and non-refundable payment make the Gold Card unattractive compared to the EB-5 program, which allows investment-based green cards with potential returns. Despite global demand for relocation among millionaires, the program has yet to gain traction.

In an unprecedented climate event, all of the world’s top 50 hottest cities were recorded in India on April 27, according to data from air quality monitoring agency AQI. The agency reported that this was the first time in modern history such a concentration of extreme heat occurred in one country. The ranking was based on 24-hour temperature, rainfall, wind, and humidity data, showing an average high of 112.5°F (44.7°C) across the cities. Banda in Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 115.16°F (46.2°C), the highest temperature on Earth that day.

Climate historian Maximiliano Herrera described the heatwave as one of the harshest Aprils on record, breaking hundreds of temperature records. Experts warned that rising heat levels could exceed human survivability thresholds by 2050, straining India’s agriculture, economy, and health systems. Outdoor workers, children, and the elderly face the greatest health risks.

The heatwave coincides with an energy shortage worsened by reduced oil supply due to the Iran conflict. The Indian Meteorological Department cautioned that above-normal temperatures may persist, while El Niño conditions could reduce monsoon rainfall, threatening agriculture and water resources.

Islami Oikya Jote organized a protest rally and gathering in Dhaka on Monday afternoon condemning reported attacks and persecution of Muslims in West Bengal, India. The demonstration, held at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram, was presided over by the alliance’s chairman, Maulana Abdul Kadir. Participants denounced incidents of violence, including assaults on madrasas and mosques, border killings, and destruction of homes.

During the rally, the party’s secretary general, Mufti Sakhawat Hossain, criticized the Indian government for failing to protect its citizens and accused it of inciting extremist groups. He urged Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to summon the Indian High Commissioner to protest the alleged abuses and express solidarity with Bangladeshi religious scholars and citizens. He warned that if no action was taken, a long march toward India would be announced soon.

Other senior leaders, including Maulana Abul Kashem, Maulana Junaid Gulzar, and Maulana Belal Hossain, also addressed the gathering. The rally concluded with prayers after marching from Baitul Mukarram’s north gate through Bijoynagar intersection.

Four leaders of the BNP, Jubo Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal have been expelled following an attack on teachers at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) who were protesting against the vice-chancellor. The expulsions were announced on Monday afternoon through separate letters and press releases issued by the central leadership of the respective organizations.

According to the announcements, Bashir Uddin, treasurer of Dumki Upazila BNP, was expelled for alleged involvement in violence and breach of party discipline. Ahsan Faruk and Sultan Shawkat, joint conveners of the upazila Jubo Dal, were expelled for disciplinary violations, while Musa Farazi, joint convener of the upazila Swechchhasebak Dal, was removed for similar reasons. The central bodies also urged authorities to take legal action against the accused.

Earlier that morning, teachers demanding the removal of Vice-Chancellor Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam over alleged irregularities were attacked by a group led by expelled Jubo Dal leader Ripon Sharif, leaving at least ten teachers injured. Police said no written complaint had yet been received but promised legal action once filed.

U.S. President Donald Trump described the ongoing ceasefire with Iran as extremely fragile, saying it is effectively on life support. Speaking on May 11, 2026, he compared the situation to a patient with only a one percent chance of survival, underscoring his pessimism about the truce’s durability.

Trump also sharply criticized Iran’s response to Washington’s peace plan, calling Tehran’s proposal foolish and laughable. He asserted that no one would accept such a plan, signaling deep dissatisfaction with Iran’s approach to negotiations.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that Trump’s remarks could further heighten tensions between Washington and Tehran. Despite continuing diplomatic efforts to preserve the ceasefire, both sides’ hardened positions have left the situation uncertain and unstable.

Bangladesh Bank’s Human Resources Department has replaced Salah Uddin, the administrator of Social Islami Bank Limited (SIBL), and his associate Rashedul Islam, despite the bank being under a merger process. Executive Director Abul Basar has been appointed as the new administrator. According to regulations, the appointment and removal of administrators fall under the jurisdiction of the Bank Resolution Department (BRD), not the HR department. The move has reportedly sparked strong reactions among central bank officials.

Salah Uddin was appointed as SIBL’s administrator by the BRD in November of the previous year, along with four associates. Officials allege that the replacement occurred without cause and under the direction of a deputy governor and an executive director. The Bank Resolution Act 2026 stipulates that all activities of a troubled bank under resolution must be overseen by the BRD, which holds exclusive authority over administrator appointments and removals.

Some officials argue that bypassing the BRD undermines the legal framework and could jeopardize the ongoing merger process. However, Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan stated that the transfer was part of a routine internal process under the governor’s authority.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh’s Amir Allama Shah Muhibullah Babunagari has warned that India’s territorial integrity could be at risk if violence against Muslims in West Bengal is not stopped immediately. Speaking at a meeting in Hathazari, Chattogram, on May 11, 2026, he described the post-election attacks on Muslims as contrary to democratic values. The event was chaired by Mufti Mohammad Ali Kasemi, with Maulana Emran Sikder and Maulana Kamrul Islam jointly conducting the session.

Babunagari cited media and local reports alleging that extremist supporters of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were involved in the violence. He condemned attacks based on religious identity as unacceptable in any civilized, democratic, and pluralistic society. He also blamed BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s provocative remarks for inciting anti-Muslim sentiment and indirectly encouraging the attackers.

The Hefazat chief urged the Bangladesh government to formally condemn the incidents and take diplomatic steps to ensure the safety of India’s Muslim minority. He announced a protest rally and demonstration in Chattogram city next Friday to denounce the killings.

National Chhatra Shakti organized a human chain at Dhaka University on Monday, May 11, 2026, protesting child deaths from measles, mismanagement in vaccination, and killings of Bangladeshis along the border. The demonstration took place near the Raju Memorial Sculpture at the TSC area, where participants carried placards and chanted slogans demanding government accountability for health sector failures and border violence.

Speakers, including Dhaka University unit president Tahmid Al Muddassir Chowdhury, criticized the government for failing to meet public expectations four months into its term. They alleged mismanagement in vaccine distribution, shortages of medical supplies, and a weak stance on border tensions with India. Chowdhury called for an independent commission to investigate the measles outbreak and urged the declaration of a health emergency.

Other student leaders echoed concerns over foreign policy, accusing the government of following a submissive approach. They demanded urgent reforms in the health sector, effective measures to stop border killings, and national unity to protect Bangladesh’s sovereignty.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh organized a protest rally and gathering in Hathazari, Chattogram, on Monday afternoon condemning alleged attacks on Muslims in India’s West Bengal and Assam. The group’s Amir, Allama Shah Muhibullah Babunagari, claimed that minority voters were excluded from the West Bengal election list, calling the process rigged. He described the subsequent violence against Muslims as violations of human rights and democratic values, warning that India’s unity could be at risk if such persecution continues.

During the event, Babunagari alleged that extremist supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were involved in the violence, citing media and local sources. He criticized BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s remarks after the election, saying they incited anti-Muslim sentiment. Hefazat leaders urged the Bangladesh government to officially condemn the incidents and take diplomatic steps to ensure the safety of India’s Muslim minorities.

The organization announced a protest rally and meeting in Chattogram city next Friday to continue voicing opposition to the reported killings and communal attacks.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that the government has adopted a plan to allocate 5 percent of Bangladesh’s GDP to the health and education sectors within the next five years. He made the statement on Monday in Dhaka’s Banani area while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled “Bangladesh’s Economic Future Amid Global Instability.” The minister said the increased allocation aims to strengthen human resource development and build a skilled workforce.

He noted that the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio, once above 11 to 12 percent, has now fallen below 7 percent, making it difficult to implement development projects and ensure social protection. To address this, a new committee has been formed to make the National Board of Revenue’s reform process more effective and modernize the revenue structure.

The minister added that most remittance inflows come from unskilled workers and that improving their skills could raise remittances above 50 billion dollars. He also said the government is working to ensure internationally recognized training and create new employment opportunities within two years.

A 10-year-old boy named Yasin Mia died after choking on a lychee in Sarishabari upazila of Jamalpur on Monday evening. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. in the Doyail Union area. Yasin was the son of Shahin Mia. According to family and hospital sources, the child was eating lychees when one became lodged in his throat, causing breathing difficulties. Family members rushed him to the Upazila Health Complex, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead upon arrival.

Dr. Debashish Rajbanshi, the Sarishabari Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, confirmed the death. The report was published on May 11, 2026, by local media. No further details about the incident or subsequent actions were provided in the source.

The incident highlights the risk of choking hazards among children, though the report did not mention any official warnings or preventive measures following the event.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, announced that the government plans to produce 5,000 megawatts of electricity from solar energy within the next five years. He made the statement at a seminar marking the 78th founding anniversary of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Dhaka. The minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman raised the issue of solar power in his second cabinet meeting and sought a detailed plan to expand generation.

Mahmud criticized the previous government for keeping the power sector import-dependent, which left a financial burden of Tk 56,000 crore. He outlined plans to install rooftop solar panels across Dhaka and other areas through private investment, suggesting tax exemptions and incentives to encourage participation. He also proposed using unused government land for solar installations.

At the seminar, BUET professor Dr. Md. Ziaur Rahman Khan presented a roadmap targeting 30 percent renewable energy by 2030, emphasizing the need for strong grid systems, tariff reforms, and policy support. The paper highlighted challenges such as land scarcity, high import duties, and bureaucratic delays that hinder solar expansion.

Police in Kapasia, Gazipur recovered the body of a 14-year-old schoolboy named Nurul Islam Nahid from the Shitalakkhya River on Monday afternoon, two days after he went missing. The body was found floating near the Balda Ghat area of the upazila headquarters. Nahid, a seventh-grade student and son of Abdus Salam from Barokakiya village, had been missing since Saturday morning after leaving home.

According to family sources, Nahid went out around 11 a.m. on Saturday and did not return. Relatives later learned that he had gone to bathe in the river and failed to come back. His clothes and a pair of shoes were found on the riverbank. The Fire Service and Civil Defence divers conducted a prolonged search but could not locate him earlier.

Kapasia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Shahinur Alam confirmed that the recovered body was identified by the family as Nahid’s. An unnatural death case has been filed with the police station.

A deadly suicide bombing struck a police installation in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday night, killing at least 15 police officers and injuring several others. The explosion occurred around 9 p.m. in Bannu district when a vehicle packed with explosives rammed into the police compound and detonated, according to government sources. The powerful blast caused major structural collapse and extensive damage to nearby areas.

Security forces quickly cordoned off the site, rescuing the injured and transporting them to a nearby hospital. Recovery operations continued overnight to clear debris and locate victims. On Sunday, the fallen officers were given a state funeral attended by local residents, law enforcement personnel, and officials.

A security official stated that the attack specifically targeted police and security forces. No group has yet claimed responsibility, and authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

The Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) stated that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is indispensable in achieving accreditation for engineering programs. He made the remarks on Monday, May 11, 2026, at a workshop in Gazipur titled “AI Tools and Result Preparation with Course Outcome-Program Outcome Mapping for Capacity Building in Academia,” organized by the university’s Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC). The event featured keynote speakers from East West University and the Bangladesh Research and Education Network (BdREN).

The Vice-Chancellor noted that Bangladesh’s membership in the Washington Accord has opened pathways for international recognition of its engineering degrees and expanded job opportunities for Bangladeshi engineers abroad. He emphasized that AI and machine learning have simplified the implementation of course outcome-program outcome mapping in academia and expressed optimism that DUET’s departments would soon achieve accreditation. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance collaboration with universities, research institutions, and industries to strengthen education, research, innovation, and employment.

IQAC Director Professor Md. Obaidur Rahman added that outcome-based education has replaced result-oriented methods globally, and implementing CO-PO mapping is essential for meeting international accreditation criteria.