Two human rights activists detained from the Gaza-bound 'Global Sumud Flotilla' were allegedly subjected to severe physical abuse by Israeli forces, according to Palestinian rights group Adalah. Lawyer Lubna Tuma told Al Jazeera that the Israeli navy intercepted the flotilla in international waters last week and took Brazilian activist Thiago Avila and Palestinian-origin activist Saif Abu Keshek into custody. While other members were released in Greek waters, these two were transferred to Israel and detained.

Tuma reported that the detainees were blindfolded, forced to lie face down with their foreheads pressed to the ground, and repeatedly beaten and verbally abused. Avila reportedly lost consciousness twice due to the intensity of the assault. Tuma met the activists for the first time since their detention on Saturday, when they described the violence they endured.

According to Tuma, the treatment inflicted on the two activists constitutes torture under international law. The allegations were reported by Al Jazeera, citing Adalah’s account of the incident.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Rome this week in an effort to ease tensions with both the Italian government and the Vatican. According to reports, Rubio will be in the Italian capital on Thursday and Friday, where he is expected to meet Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Rubio has also requested a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, though that request has not yet been approved.

Relations between Washington, Rome, and the Vatican have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump launched an unprecedented verbal attack on Pope Leo following the Pope’s condemnation of US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Meloni criticized Trump’s remarks, prompting further criticism from Trump, who also threatened to withdraw US troops from Italy for not supporting the Iran offensive.

Reports indicate that Rubio’s visit aims to “warm up” the strained diplomatic ties. The Pentagon has already announced the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany, and Trump has hinted at similar moves in Italy and Spain.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast storms with wind speeds up to 60 kilometers per hour in seven districts by Monday evening. The warning, issued in a special advisory for inland river ports from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., covers Dhaka, Tangail, Mymensingh, Cumilla, Noakhali, Chattogram, and Sylhet. These areas may experience temporary gusty or squally winds from the west or northwest, accompanied by rain or thunderstorms.

Due to the risk of rough weather, river ports in the affected regions have been advised to hoist cautionary signal number one. The weather office has also urged vessels operating in these areas to navigate carefully to avoid accidents.

The advisory highlights the likelihood of heavy rainfall and thunderstorm activity in the mentioned districts, prompting authorities and residents to remain alert throughout the day.

Japan and Australia held a high-level meeting to strengthen energy security and cooperation on critical minerals as global oil supply disruptions intensify. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Monday to discuss energy, critical minerals, and defense collaboration, according to AFP.

Before the meeting, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized that gas plays a vital role in ensuring joint energy security between the two nations, describing it as the foundation of their energy partnership. She also noted that export partners rely on consistent and reliable supply. The talks come as oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz face disruptions following U.S. and Israeli attacks and Iran’s restrictions on maritime traffic.

Japan expressed interest in securing stable supplies of critical minerals essential for semiconductors, electric vehicle batteries, and defense equipment. Both countries are also deepening defense cooperation, including a major naval deal signed last year. Prime Minister Takaichi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” a strategy that has drawn criticism from China.

Rezaul Kaiyum, president of the BNP’s Adarsha Sadar Upazila unit in Comilla, was released from the Kotwali Model Police Station after being detained for 12 hours. He was taken into custody around noon on Sunday from his home in the Shashongacha area by members of the Kotwali Model Police and the district Detective Branch. Officer-in-Charge Touhidul Anwar confirmed that Kaiyum had been questioned regarding certain allegations and was allowed to return home after the interrogation.

Police sources said that the detention followed instructions from higher authorities, and his release came after receiving a green signal from the same level. The reason for his detention was not officially disclosed, but unnamed law enforcement sources indicated that Kaiyum had recently drawn attention over alleged extortion activities at the Shashongacha bus terminal following the fall of the Awami League government. Reports from intelligence agencies had also mentioned his involvement in such activities.

According to police, no charges were proven against Kaiyum, and he was not shown arrested in any case before being released.

Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari has declared that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will form the next government in West Bengal. He made the statement to reporters as counting of votes for the state assembly election began on May 4, 2026. Adhikari asserted that the BJP would ultimately have the last laugh as early results started to emerge.

According to initial counting trends, the BJP was leading in the state while the ruling Trinamool Congress trailed behind. The counting process was still underway when Adhikari made his remarks. The report cited The Indian Express as its source for the information.

The early lead suggested a potential shift in West Bengal’s political landscape, though final results were yet to be confirmed at the time of reporting.

Leading figures in the global shipping industry have expressed caution over the United States' newly launched 'Project Freedom', aimed at ensuring safe passage for neutral vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative began on Monday and includes missile destroyers, over a hundred aircraft, and 15,000 troops. US Central Command chief Brad Cooper described the mission as essential for regional security and the global economy, while confirming that the existing naval blockade would remain in place.

Bjorn Hojgaard, CEO of Anglo-Eastern, said that resolving the strait’s blockade requires agreement from all sides, warning that unilateral decisions would not change the situation at sea. Richard Hext, chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, cited Iran’s parliamentary security commission as saying Tehran views the US move as a violation of the ceasefire, urging caution among shipowners.

A US official told CNN that the operation is not an escort mission, and details about its implementation and beneficiary countries remain unclear.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that a special operation is underway across Bangladesh targeting illegal arms, drugs, and extortion. He stated that identified top criminals will face investigation and legal action regardless of their status. The minister made the remarks on Monday, May 4, after the first meeting of the National Committee on Coordination, Management, and Law and Order concerning forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (Rohingya) at the Secretariat.

During the briefing, the minister also mentioned that the government is considering changing the police uniform following requests from the force, as the current design has not gained wide acceptance. The meeting discussed maintaining law and order inside and outside Rohingya camps, methods for joint operations, and overall management strategies.

He further noted that the latest parliamentary session was among the most successful in history, conducted in a friendly atmosphere without controversy, with constructive participation from both government and opposition parties.

Students at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the prolonged delay in completing the newly built Student Hall-1. The contractor, NH Enterprise, led by Nizamul Haque, faces accusations of mismanagement, broken promises, and diverting allocated funds to other projects. Despite repeated deadlines and written assurances, the project remains incomplete, raising serious concerns about accountability and transparency.

RUET’s Planning and Development Director, Professor Dr. H. M. Russell, stated that the administration continues to monitor progress closely and has ensured all necessary financial and administrative support to expedite completion. However, field inspections revealed unfinished infrastructure, including uninstalled doors, inactive substations, incomplete water and Wi-Fi systems, and pending lift installation, leaving residents in discomfort.

Students claim the contractor operates with minimal manpower and poor coordination, causing persistent delays. They demand immediate completion of all pending work and accountability from NH Enterprise. The administration hopes that with improved oversight and resource delivery, the hall will soon provide a safe and functional residential environment.

Two men who introduced themselves as Chinese citizens fled after being questioned by villagers during a wedding event in Chamari Fatepur village of Anaitara Union, Mirzapur, Tangail, on Sunday, May 3. Locals became suspicious after noticing inconsistencies in the men’s behavior and speech, prompting them to interrogate the pair, who then escaped the scene.

Residents said similar incidents have recently appeared on social media, where individuals posing as foreign nationals, particularly Chinese, build relationships with young women and later disappear after taking money or jewelry under the pretense of marriage. Locals have urged greater vigilance against such scams.

Mirzapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed that no formal complaint had been filed but emphasized the importance of awareness when forming online relationships with strangers to prevent fraud.

A four-storey building in the Palpara area of Chandpur city has tilted onto an adjacent structure, prompting local authorities to order the evacuation of both buildings. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon, creating panic among residents. Chandpur Municipality officials visited the site, posted warning notices, and advised all occupants to move to safer locations immediately.

According to reports, the leaning building belongs to Md. Shahjahan, constructed in 2015, while the neighboring building owned by Md. Shah Alam Dhaly was built in 2012 with municipal approval. Shah Alam said his building became risky after the adjacent one began leaning, while Shahjahan stated he was unsure of the cause but claimed his construction followed municipal rules.

Municipal urban planner Md. Sohrab Hossain said initial inspections suggest a construction defect may have caused the tilt, putting both buildings at risk. The municipality plans a detailed investigation before taking further action.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly announced ‘Project Freedom’ in the Strait of Hormuz is not a military escort mission, according to major American media outlets. Reports from The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and Axios stated that Trump emphasized using the term ‘guide’ instead of ‘escort’ to describe the operation. U.S. officials clarified that Navy warships will not directly escort commercial vessels through the strait but will help guide stranded ships.

CNN cited a U.S. official saying the mission involves showing the way rather than providing armed protection, while Axios reported that U.S. naval ships will remain nearby without direct escort duties. The initiative aims to assist commercial ships trapped in the strait amid rising tensions.

However, European diplomats and shipowners have expressed doubts about the plan’s effectiveness. A shipowner told The Wall Street Journal that traveling under Western guidance might increase the risk of Iranian attacks. CNN also noted that many questions about the project remain unresolved, and experts believe it is designed mainly to provide psychological reassurance to commercial operators.

Preliminary vote counting trends suggest that Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress is heading toward an unexpected defeat in West Bengal. The 71-year-old leader, known for her combative spirit and strong grassroots connection, is facing what many describe as the toughest battle of her political career. Since 2011, Banerjee has dominated the state’s politics after ending decades of Left rule.

According to a BBC report from New Delhi, Banerjee faced a far more aggressive and organized campaign from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) this time. Several surveys had predicted a close contest, while allegations of corruption and violence against the Trinamool Congress intensified after more than a decade in power. Early trends also indicate a tight race between Banerjee and BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari in her own Bhabanipur constituency.

If Banerjee loses, analysts suggest it could mark a historic political shift in West Bengal and potentially signal the end of an era in the state’s politics.

Several branches of five recently merged banks in Chattogram’s Agrabad area were locked by depositors on Monday morning. Acting under the banner of the Depositors Association, hundreds of customers marched to the area and forced staff out of Exim Bank’s Agrabad branch before locking it. They later locked branches of Union Bank and First Security Islami Bank PLC as well. The protest began around 11 a.m. and ended at about 12:30 p.m., when police oversaw the reopening of the branches.

Depositors said they have been unable to withdraw money from these banks since the final period of the Awami League government. Despite having large deposits, even small cheques are not being cleared. They alleged that government funds supplied to repay depositors are being used for staff salaries instead. The interim government’s decision to merge weak banks has not improved the situation, according to protesters.

Police reported that extra forces were deployed in Agrabad ahead of the pre-announced protest and that the situation is now normal.

A public interest writ petition has been filed in the High Court challenging the legality of the bilateral trade agreement signed between Bangladesh and the United States on February 9, 2026. The petition was submitted on Monday morning by Supreme Court lawyers Mohammad Maidul Islam Polok and Subir Nandi Das.

According to the petition, the agreement is described as unreasonable, structurally unequal, and harmful to Bangladesh’s national interests. It alleges that the authorities failed to protect the country’s economic sovereignty and public welfare during the negotiation and signing process. The secretaries of the foreign, finance, and commerce ministries have been named as respondents in the case.

The writ also raises constitutional questions regarding the agreement’s validity, citing concerns over disproportionate obligations on Bangladesh, adverse tariff structures, erosion of regulatory autonomy, and potential harm to domestic industry, agriculture, and environmental protection.