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.

A projectile struck an oil tanker near the coast of the United Arab Emirates, according to a British maritime agency on Monday. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the incident occurred 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah. The crew members were confirmed safe, and authorities have launched an investigation. UKMTO urged all vessels in the area to remain cautious following the attack.

At the same time, the United States announced plans to assist ships navigating the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. The move comes amid ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, despite a ceasefire in the Middle East conflict that took effect on April 8. Iran continues to maintain strict control over the strategic waterway, while the US has imposed a naval blockade on Tehran.

The US Central Command said the operation will involve guided missile destroyers, over 100 aircraft, unmanned vehicles, and 15,000 troops. Maritime intelligence firm AXSMarine reported that as of April 29, more than 900 commercial vessels were present in the Gulf region, down from over 1,100 before the conflict began.

A 22-year-old man named Hasan Shikdar from Shibchar upazila in Madaripur district attempted suicide by climbing a 460-foot electric tower on the night of May 3, 2026, following the breakup of his romantic relationship. He threatened to jump unless his former partner agreed to reconcile and come to the site. Police, fire service personnel, rural electricity staff, and his family members rushed to the scene after being alerted.

Hasan’s friend also arrived and climbed the tower to persuade him to come down. After about four and a half hours of negotiation, Hasan was safely brought down around 11 p.m. under the supervision of the rescue team. Police then took him into custody for protection and later handed him over to his family. The incident drew a large crowd of onlookers near the tower.

According to the Shibchar Fire Service Station Officer, the rescue operation was conducted through continuous communication and persuasion until Hasan agreed to descend safely.

The High Court has temporarily suspended bench officer Zakir Hossain following allegations of bail forgery involving Sahedul Islam, the main accused in the Kuki-Chin apparel manufacturing case. The decision became known on Monday morning. Attorney General brought the matter to the Chief Justice’s attention on April 29, after which the Chief Justice ordered a 48-hour investigation into the incident.

According to investigation sources, about seven months earlier, Sahedul Islam, owner of Ringvo Apparels in Chattogram, applied for bail in the High Court. On September 16, 2025, the case was heard by a bench comprising Justice Mostafa Zaman Islam and Justice Abdullah Yusuf Sumon. During the hearing, a different case’s documents were presented, misleading the court into granting bail. The forgery occurred later when the bail order’s first page was altered to include details of the Kuki-Chin apparel seizure case, leading prison authorities to release Sahedul based on the falsified order.

The original case involved the seizure of 20,300 garments allegedly made for the KNF from Ringvo Apparels’ warehouse in Bayezid Bostami, Chattogram, on May 17, 2025. The garments were reportedly ordered for about two crore taka, and a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act was filed against Sahedul and two others.