Israel has intensified its military operations in southern Lebanon, launching new airstrikes and demolition campaigns after ordering residents of at least nine border towns and villages to evacuate. The Israeli forces are reportedly operating within a so-called 'Yellow Zone' extending about 10 kilometers inside Lebanese territory, where explosions and destruction of structures have been reported by local sources.

While discussions continue in Washington on extending a ceasefire agreement, the situation on the ground is becoming increasingly volatile. The Lebanese government has appealed to the international community for assistance in rebuilding the south, securing the release of detained individuals, and ensuring the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese soil.

Analysts warn that continued attacks and forced evacuations could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire and heighten instability across the region. According to Al Jazeera correspondent Obaida Hitto, fear is spreading in southern Lebanon as many families flee in search of safety.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to visit India this week to attend the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled for May 14 in New Delhi. According to Indian media reports, the meeting is being viewed as a preparatory session for the 18th BRICS summit to be held in September in the Indian capital. India currently holds the presidency of the group.

The BRICS bloc, now comprising 11 member countries, has expanded beyond its five founding members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It is increasingly seen as a key platform for economic and diplomatic cooperation among Global South nations. The upcoming meeting is expected to discuss trade expansion, alternative financial systems, regional security, energy cooperation, and ongoing international crises. Developments in the Middle East and global economic uncertainty may also feature in the discussions.

Analysts suggest that bilateral issues between Iran and India, including energy cooperation, regional connectivity, and strategic projects such as the Chabahar Port, could receive special attention during the visit.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of income tax records belonging to Mahbubul Alam Hanif, the suspended Joint General Secretary of the Awami League and former Member of Parliament for Kushtia-3, and his wife, Fouzia Alam. The order was issued on Monday, May 11, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. Court bench assistant Riaz Hossain confirmed the decision.

According to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Hanif is accused of acquiring assets worth Tk 27.39 crore beyond known income sources and conducting suspicious transactions totaling Tk 86.66 crore through 18 bank accounts. The ACC also alleged that Hanif and his wife jointly amassed Tk 4.69 crore in unexplained wealth and carried out transactions worth Tk 33.13 crore through 16 bank accounts. The court ordered the seizure of their tax documents to facilitate proper investigation of the two separate cases filed by the ACC.

The court’s directive aims to support ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and money laundering activities involving the couple.

A Dhaka court has rescheduled the charge-framing hearing against former National Board of Revenue (NBR) member Matiur Rahman to July 5 in a case over alleged illegal wealth accumulation. The decision was made by Divisional Special Judge Begum Shamima Afroz after defense lawyers sought more time. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) lawyer Mir Ahmed Ali Salam confirmed the new date.

According to the ACC charge sheet, Matiur Rahman is accused of concealing information about assets worth Tk 1.24 crore and acquiring Tk 5.40 crore in wealth beyond known income sources through misuse of power, bribery, and corruption. The case gained public attention after a 2024 incident involving his son, who reportedly bought a goat for Tk 15 lakh ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, sparking widespread discussion on social media.

The court’s next hearing on July 5 will determine whether formal charges will be framed against Rahman in the corruption case.

China is closely observing the ongoing Iran war, now in its third month, to learn from the United States’ military performance. According to a CNN report citing Chinese and Taiwanese experts, Beijing is analyzing how U.S. defense systems such as Patriot and THAAD have responded to Iranian tactics. Former PLA Air Force colonel Fu Qianshao said the main lesson so far is the need to identify weaknesses in China’s defense systems to remain invincible in future conflicts.

Analysts note that while the PLA has rapidly expanded its offensive capabilities, including hypersonic glide vehicles and fifth-generation stealth fighters, its defensive systems remain a concern. Iran’s use of low-cost drones and ballistic missiles to penetrate U.S. defenses has drawn particular attention. Experts in Taiwan warn that China’s growing drone production capacity could play a major role in any future conflict over Taiwan, though Taiwan’s current counter-drone systems are described as ineffective.

Commentators also emphasize that China lacks real combat experience since 1979, unlike the U.S., which has fought multiple wars. Analysts suggest the key lesson for Beijing is that battlefield success does not always translate into political victory.

The Middle East conflict intensified as U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s response to Washington’s proposal for ending the war, calling it “completely unacceptable.” Iran had earlier sent its reply through Pakistani mediators, according to state media. Meanwhile, Trump is expected to pressure Chinese President Xi Jinping on the Iran issue during an upcoming visit to Beijing.

In Europe, the United Kingdom and France announced a multinational defense ministers’ meeting on Tuesday to discuss military planning for securing commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran warned both countries that any deployment of warships in the area would face an “immediate and severe response.” Drone attacks also struck several targets in the Gulf region, including a cargo ship traveling from Abu Dhabi to Qatar, though no casualties were reported.

Separately, Iran released Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi on medical bail amid growing health concerns. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the war cannot be considered over until Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles are removed. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any attack on Iranian tankers would trigger retaliation against U.S. facilities in the region.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has issued an urgent directive to ensure cleanliness across all government primary schools in Bangladesh. On Monday, May 11, district primary education officers were instructed to take necessary measures to maintain hygiene and order in school premises.

According to the directive, recent inspections by higher authorities revealed various irregularities and mismanagement in cleanliness at several government primary schools. These shortcomings were said to have created negative public perceptions and disrupted the proper learning environment. To address this, the ministry emphasized the need for regular cleaning and maintenance of school grounds and facilities.

The directive also called for routine cleaning of school rooftops and removal of weeds growing on building cornices to maintain the overall condition of school infrastructure.

A Jamaat-e-Islami activist was shot in front of his home in Begumganj upazila of Noakhali on Sunday night. The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. in Ayubpur village under Amanullahpur Union. The victim, 24-year-old Mainul Islam alias Mahin, was talking with friends when four to five masked assailants arrived in two CNG-run autorickshaws and opened fire, hitting him in the right knee. Locals rescued him and took him to Noakhali General Hospital, and he was later transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment.

Local Jamaat leaders alleged that the attack might have been politically motivated and demanded immediate arrest of those responsible. They also claimed that there were attempts to destabilize the western part of Begumganj. Police, however, said preliminary information suggested the injured man was not actively involved in any political organization. Officers recovered an empty cartridge from the scene and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the attackers.

The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to determine the motive and apprehend the suspects.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain, declared that he would not tolerate any persecution of minorities in the country and would resign from his post if necessary. He made the statement on Monday during a dialogue organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF), responding to questions about the government’s stance on recent incidents of violence against Muslims in West Bengal, India.

The minister said India is a democratic nation and a large country, expressing hope that its government would ensure safety and inclusion for minorities. He emphasized that events in India should not influence Bangladesh and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting all religious communities. He added that the Prime Minister is aware of the issue. Hossain also alleged that a deep conspiracy is being carried out against the BNP government and urged vigilance against those seeking instability.

He further highlighted the media’s role in promoting democracy, combating misinformation, and supporting government initiatives, including welfare programs and Hajj management improvements.

Police in Sunamganj arrested three individuals during an attempted robbery at Lalpur Bridge in Gaurarang Union on Monday morning. The arrests took place around 10 a.m., and officers recovered bullets, a sharp knife, and 200 grams of chili powder from the suspects. The detainees were identified as Enamul Haque Badsha, Shamimur Islam Shimul, and Niktara Begum.

According to police, Enamul Haque Badsha, son of Abdul Mosabbir from Arfin Nagar, is a key accused in a Dhaka Uttara Bank robbery case and faces 18 separate cases. The attempted robbery occurred when Shahid Mia of Miar Char village was returning home after withdrawing money from a bank. Locals and traffic sergeant Monirul Islam intervened to protect him, after which police led by Sub-Inspectors Ashraf and Zahir arrested the suspects and took them to the station. They were later sent to court.

The police operation prevented the robbery and led to the capture of a suspect with a long criminal record, according to the report.

An elderly man was killed in Ullapara upazila of Sirajganj late Sunday night, reportedly due to previous enmity. According to police and local residents, assailants broke into the house of Sobahan Pramanik in Dattapara Elongjani village under Lahiri Mohanpur Union and hacked him to death before fleeing. His wife, Shefali Khatun, was also attacked and injured and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. Locals detained one suspect and handed him over to police.

Officer-in-Charge Moktaruzzaman of Ullapara Model Police Station said the body was recovered and sent for autopsy. He stated that the exact motive behind the killing remains unclear. Police have launched an investigation to identify those involved and determine the cause of the murder.

Authorities are continuing inquiries to uncover the circumstances surrounding the attack and confirm whether the killing was directly linked to prior disputes.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, stated on Monday, May 11, that he would resign from his post if the safety of religious minorities in the country cannot be guaranteed. Speaking at a meeting with the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) in Dhaka, he emphasized that no opportunity would be given for minority persecution and that communal harmony must be protected.

Kaikobad also said that the government would request India to stop attacks on minority Muslims in West Bengal, adding that Bangladesh respects India for upholding democracy. He noted that such incidents in India should not be allowed to occur in Bangladesh and reiterated his commitment to prevent any injustice or oppression against minorities.

Addressing political issues, the minister remarked that a good opposition party is a blessing but criticized the opposition for attempting to embarrass the government instead of offering constructive criticism.

An article by Imran Hossain Naim, published on May 11, 2026, examines how Western scholarship has shaped and limited the understanding of Ibn Khaldun, the 14th-century Muslim thinker and author of the 'Muqaddimah'. The writer argues that most readers encounter Ibn Khaldun through European interpretations rather than his original Arabic text, creating a gap between the authentic and the constructed versions of his thought. This gap, the article notes, stems from ignorance of Arabic, Eurocentrism, and the tension between modernity and religion.

The essay traces how Ibn Khaldun’s intellectual legacy was preserved and studied primarily in the West, while his birthplace in the Muslim world neglected institutional study of his works. It highlights how Orientalist scholars explored Ibn Khaldun for their own academic and political purposes, often filtering his ideas through Western theoretical lenses. The author cites scholars who note that Western academia tends to universalize European theories while marginalizing non-Western thinkers.

The piece concludes that Western discomfort with Ibn Khaldun’s religious identity reflects a broader hesitation to reconcile faith and science, revealing the persistent Eurocentric bias in global intellectual traditions.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam said the current government is operating under the pressure of massive foreign debt, money laundering, and incomplete mega projects. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon after inaugurating a tree plantation program and laying the foundation stone for the Padma Bridge Museum at the Jajira end in Shariatpur.

The minister stated that around Tk 30 lakh crore had been laundered abroad and more than Tk 20 lakh crore in foreign debt had been left behind. He added that despite huge spending on 16 mega projects, many remain unfinished, with some contractors abandoning work and some projects halted, creating complications in implementing development activities.

Sheikh Robiul Alam also mentioned that long-standing corruption and irregularities have caused a trust deficit among international donor agencies. Organizations that previously supported large projects are now showing reluctance to cooperate, he said.

The Philippine House of Representatives is advancing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte. A vote on the impeachment is scheduled for Monday, marking a new escalation in the ongoing political conflict between the Duterte family and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The move comes as the country faces growing political instability and economic uncertainty linked to the global energy crisis.

The impeachment complaint accuses Sara Duterte of constitutional violations, betrayal of public trust, misuse of confidential funds, concealment of assets, bribery, and issuing threats against President Marcos, his wife Liza Araneta, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez. Lawmaker Terry Ridon stated that over 110 million dollars in suspicious bank transactions could not be justified by declared income or assets, framing the issue as one of constitutional accountability rather than politics.

The House has reportedly secured the one-third vote needed to forward the case to the Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required for conviction. A similar impeachment attempt in 2025 was annulled by the Supreme Court on technical grounds. Duterte, who ran alongside Marcos in 2022, has since hinted at a 2028 presidential bid.