Bangladesh’s Ministry of Primary and Mass Education is implementing multiple initiatives to modernize and improve the quality of primary education. Secretary Md. Sakhawat Hossain said the government is focusing on foundational literacy and numeracy, teacher training, and technology-based learning. He noted that while the student-teacher ratio is satisfactory, disparities remain between rural and urban schools, partly because many teachers prefer city postings.

To address this, the ministry is considering mandatory rural service for teachers during their careers and exploring the recruitment of para-teachers in remote areas. The government is also emphasizing moral and lifelong education, publishing research-based materials for teachers, and introducing digital tools such as projectors in over 65,000 schools to enhance classroom learning.

Hossain added that Bangladesh has raised its foundational literacy and numeracy rate from 32 to nearly 50 percent in 18 months, aiming for 70 percent this year and over 90 percent next year to align with global standards. These measures are intended to create skilled, ethical, and globally aware citizens through a more equitable and technology-driven education system.

Observers report that the ongoing war in Iran is now directly affecting ordinary citizens’ livelihoods and the national economy. The U.S. naval blockade has disrupted import operations at Iranian ports, compounding the broader impact of the conflict. Analysts note that psychological stress, repeated clashes, and uncertainty are undermining market stability and increasing pressure on household expenses.

The conflict has also led to an attack on a major Iranian steel plant, disrupting supply chains and creating shortages in sectors such as household appliances and automobiles. As a result, prices of various goods are rising rapidly, reducing consumers’ purchasing power.

Despite these challenges, a sense of resistance and solidarity is emerging across cities, with gatherings held to express unity since the war began. Overall, the situation reflects a mix of anxiety, uncertainty, and social resilience, according to observers.

Israel’s air force has claimed responsibility for more than 1,100 airstrikes in Lebanon since the start of a ceasefire arrangement with Hezbollah. According to the Israeli military, over 350 Hezbollah members have been killed, and numerous buildings, arsenals, and other infrastructure used by the group have been destroyed. The strikes have continued despite the ceasefire, which was supposed to take effect on April 16.

The conflict began on March 2 when Israel launched a full-scale war in Lebanon. Since then, at least 2,852 people have been killed, and more than one million have been displaced across the country. Although a ceasefire is officially in place, both Israel and Hezbollah continue to exchange attacks, showing no signs of de-escalation.

The ongoing violence has left Lebanon in a state of humanitarian crisis, with no visible improvement in conditions despite the declared truce.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched an attack on Iran earlier last month. According to the report, the strike targeted an oil refinery on Iran’s Lavan Island and took place during a ceasefire declared by U.S. President Donald Trump following five weeks of air raids. The newspaper cited an unnamed source claiming that the United States quietly supported the UAE’s action.

Another unidentified source told the publication that Washington also backed other Gulf states interested in joining the conflict. However, AFP noted that it could not independently verify the UAE’s involvement, and the Wall Street Journal did not specify the exact date or time of the attack.

Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported that hours after the Lavan Island strike, missile and drone attacks hit the UAE and Kuwait, further straining the fragile ceasefire. The U.S. Energy Information Administration previously identified Lavan as Iran’s tenth-largest refinery, processing about 60,000 barrels of crude oil daily as of 2020.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has arrested Md. Zahidul Islam, also known as Major Jahangir, the leader of the 'Major Jahangir Bahini', during an operation in the Sundarbans. The arrest took place early Tuesday night near Kalir Khal, adjacent to the Adachai Forest Office in Dakop upazila, as part of 'Operation Mangrove Shield'. Two single-barrel guns and five rounds of live ammunition were recovered during the raid.

Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, the Coast Guard’s media officer, confirmed the arrest and stated that the operation was carried out under the direct instruction of the Home Minister. The Coast Guard has been maintaining a strict stance against all active forest bandits in the Sundarbans through ongoing operations titled 'Operation Restore Peace in Sundarbans' and 'Operation Mangrove Shield'.

The arrest marks a continuation of the government’s intensified efforts to eliminate piracy and restore security in the Sundarbans region.

South Korea will participate in a high-level multinational defense ministers’ meeting focused on ensuring security in the Hormuz Strait. The decision follows a recent attack on a South Korean-operated cargo vessel in the strategic waterway. The meeting, co-chaired by the United Kingdom and France, is scheduled to take place virtually, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.

The South Korean Ministry of National Defense confirmed that Major General Woo Kyung-suk will represent the country at the conference. Discussions are expected to center on maintaining maritime safety and ensuring the smooth passage of vessels through the strait. The move reflects Seoul’s effort to reassess its strategic position in the region following the incident.

The meeting underscores growing international concern over maritime security in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, where disruptions could have significant global trade implications.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that the government is taking steps to strengthen Bangladesh’s stock market, investment environment, and overall financial sector. He made the remarks on Tuesday, May 12, at a hotel in Dhaka during the announcement of the inaugural fund of Bangladesh Start-up Investment Company. The minister noted that foreign investors have shown interest in entering the Bangladeshi market.

He emphasized that the government will not interfere in the financial sector and that there will be no political influence in the allocation of investments. The statement reflects the government’s intention to promote transparency and investor confidence in the country’s financial system.

The announcement comes amid broader efforts to attract foreign investment and ensure a stable financial environment, as highlighted by the minister during the event.

Ukrainian authorities reported that Russia carried out a drone attack on Kyiv early Tuesday, shortly after the end of a three-day temporary ceasefire between the two countries. Kyiv’s military administration chief, Timur Takachenko, stated on Telegram that Russian drones were present in the city’s airspace and urged residents to remain in safe locations until further notice. This was the first time air raid sirens sounded in the capital since the ceasefire began on Friday.

The Kyiv regional military administration called on residents to stay in shelters and confirmed that Ukraine’s air defense systems were active in the area. The ceasefire had been announced by U.S. President Donald Trump last Friday, ahead of Russia’s World War II victory celebrations, with hopes it could mark the beginning of an end to the ongoing conflict.

During the ceasefire period, both Russia and Ukraine accused each other of attacks on civilians. The truce officially lasted from May 9 to May 11, according to Trump’s announcement.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasized that without a time-appropriate education curriculum, it will be difficult for Bangladesh to remain competitive globally. Speaking at the University Grants Commission’s national workshop at Dhaka University’s Senate Building on Tuesday morning, he said students must focus on innovation rather than rote learning. The workshop was inaugurated to discuss the development and sustainable transformation of the country’s higher education system.

Rahman stated that the government aims to nurture talent instead of allowing brain drain, preparing students to face future challenges. He noted that unemployment remains high due to a lack of skill development alongside academic learning, and that efforts are underway to modernize the academic syllabus. The government plans to introduce innovation grants from college to university levels and make technical education mandatory from the school level.

He also called on educators to engage alumni established at home and abroad in advancing education and research, warning that reliance solely on traditional learning would make survival in a competitive world increasingly difficult.

An Israeli far-right Knesset member, Zvi Sukkot, reportedly disrupted a Nakba Day memorial event at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University and issued direct threats of violence to participating students. The event, held on Monday, marked the 78th anniversary of the 1948 displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, the incident occurred amid growing tensions on Israeli campuses. Student organizers accused authorities and right-wing groups of escalating incitement and persecution against Palestinian students. The organizing group stated that such threats would not deter them from commemorating Nakba Day, emphasizing their commitment to preserving their identity, history, and rights despite increasing pressure.

The report noted that the threats came at a time when Israeli universities are facing criticism for imposing stricter measures on Palestinian students, reflecting a broader climate of hostility within academic institutions.

The Deputy Commissioner of Moulvibazar, Touhiduzzaman Pavel, visited the Kawadighi Haor area in Rajnagar upazila to assess the damage to Boro paddy crops and monitor government assistance activities for affected farmers. During the visit, he spoke directly with farmers to understand their current conditions, the extent of losses, and the type of support they require.

He also gathered farmers’ opinions on the causes of rising water levels, possible protective measures for crops, and strategies to reduce future losses. The Deputy Commissioner inquired whether all affected farmers were included in the official assistance list and advised those not listed to contact the respective Upazila Nirbahi Officer. Later, he inspected the Kashempur Pump House, which is responsible for maintaining water drainage in the haor, and instructed officials to strengthen the ongoing drainage operations.

Officials from the Department of Fisheries and the Department of Agricultural Extension, along with the Rajnagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer, were present during the inspection.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) will be transformed into an effective, modern, and sustainable institution. Speaking at the 62nd board meeting of BFTI held at the Ministry of Commerce conference room on Tuesday, he said the institute would be developed to achieve financial independence and become a self-reliant knowledge center supporting the country’s international trade capacity.

The minister emphasized that Bangladesh must enhance its preparedness to face the complexities of global trade. To support this, a permanent expert panel will be formed under BFTI to assist in WTO dispute resolution, trade policy analysis, and bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations. The panel will include experienced trade experts, legal professionals, and researchers from both public and private sectors.

The meeting also recommended appointing a qualified Chief Executive Officer for BFTI and launching a postgraduate diploma program with University Grants Commission approval to develop skilled human resources in international trade, trade law, and policy research. Expanding research activities, strengthening training capacity, and building national and international research networks were also prioritized.

Mymensingh District Police has been recognized as the top performer in Bangladesh for its success in anti-drug operations and drug recovery activities. The award was presented during Police Week 2026 at a ceremony held at Rajarbagh Police Lines in Dhaka, where Inspector General of Police Md. Ali Hossain Fakir handed over the crest and certificate to Superintendent of Police Mohammad Kamrul Hasan.

According to the report, Mymensingh police conducted continuous anti-drug drives across various upazilas over the past year, seizing large quantities of yaba, cannabis, heroin, and phensedyl. The district also intensified intelligence surveillance, filed multiple cases, and carried out arrests to dismantle drug networks. The national evaluation by the Police Headquarters ranked districts based on drug recovery, case resolution, arrests, and operational effectiveness, with Mymensingh securing first place in Group ‘A’.

Superintendent Kamrul Hasan stated that the district police follow a zero-tolerance policy against drugs and will continue strict operations with public cooperation to build a drug-free Mymensingh.

Masood Ghaus Aijazi, Assistant Director for International Affairs of Pakistan Jamaat-e-Islami, paid a courtesy visit to Nurul Islam, the Central President of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, at the organization’s central office. The meeting was reported on Tuesday through the group’s official Facebook page.

During the meeting, Aijazi inquired about various organizational activities of Chhatra Shibir and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest. At the end of the visit, Nurul Islam presented a special honorary crest to the guest on behalf of the organization.

The meeting was attended by Shibir Secretary General Sibgatullah, Central Office Secretary Azizur Rahman Azad, and other leaders, according to the post.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and opposition chief whip, questioned the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) role in Hefazat-e-Islam’s May 5 movement. Speaking on Tuesday at the Institute of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka, he said the BNP should have participated in the movement. The remarks came during a discussion and documentary screening organized by the NCP-backed National Olama Alliance titled “Shapla Massacre; A Decade of Impunity.”

Nahid Islam stated that the mass killing had been portrayed as Hefazat’s rampage and that the group was labeled as terrorists and extremists. He argued that the lack of accountability for the Shapla massacre led to another mass killing in 2024, adding that many contributed to the circumstances behind both incidents.

He further commented that friendship cannot be built by erecting barbed-wire fences and killing people along the border, warning that the people of the country would one day remove those fences.