A new report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), released on May 7, 2026, reveals that 58 percent of West Bengal’s 292 newly elected legislators face serious criminal cases. The report shows that 170 lawmakers are accused of grave offenses such as murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, crimes against women, rape, corruption, and misuse of public funds. In total, 190 legislators, or about 65 percent, have some form of criminal case pending against them. The number of serious cases has risen significantly from 113 in 2021.

The ADR analysis also highlights major disparities among political parties. Of 206 BJP legislators, 141 face serious charges, compared with 25 of 80 from the Trinamool Congress. All winning candidates from CPI(M), All India Secular Front, and Aam Janata Unnayan Party have serious cases, while Congress’s two legislators have none. The report further notes a sharp rise in declared assets, with 178 lawmakers owning over one crore rupees each and average wealth increasing from 2.5 crore in 2021 to 3.7 crore.

ADR concludes that the growing number of criminally accused legislators and their rising wealth raise new concerns about transparency and ethics in West Bengal politics.

China’s court has sentenced former defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu to death on corruption charges, with the sentences suspended for two years. According to the state news agency Xinhua, such suspended sentences are often later commuted to life imprisonment. The verdict, announced on Thursday, underscores the intensifying anti-corruption drive within China’s military establishment.

President Xi Jinping launched a sweeping campaign against corruption across the state and military apparatus after taking power in 2012. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been a central focus of this effort. In 2023, the campaign extended to the elite Rocket Force, which oversees China’s nuclear and conventional missile programs, marking a significant move for Beijing.

Analysts cited in the report view the harsh ruling against the two former ministers as a demonstration of Xi Jinping’s strengthened control over the military hierarchy and his administration’s zero-tolerance stance toward corruption.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan announced that individuals falsely claiming to be freedom fighters and receiving government benefits will be identified and brought under legal action. He made the statement on Thursday at a meeting organized by the Central Command Council of the Freedom Fighters’ Parliament in Eskaton, Dhaka. The minister also urged those who are not genuine freedom fighters to voluntarily remove their names from the official list to avoid harsher penalties.

Khan emphasized that including non-freedom fighters in the list of recognized heroes was unethical and illegal. He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the honor of genuine freedom fighters and ensuring that those who unlawfully received benefits face justice. He assured that allowances for poor and genuine freedom fighters would not be affected.

The minister further mentioned that the review of the Freedom Fighters’ Parliament constitution is ongoing and that necessary arrangements for the upcoming council meeting must be completed by the end of May, with the council to be held by the end of June.

Bangladesh and China have reaffirmed their commitment to the One-China policy and to strengthening bilateral cooperation. The reaffirmation came during a meeting in Beijing on Thursday between Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China. Both sides emphasized expanding collaboration in connectivity, trade, investment, multilateral platforms, and regional issues.

During the high-level talks, Dhaka and Beijing reviewed their longstanding friendship and discussed ways to deepen ties across multiple sectors. The meeting highlighted the importance of enhancing connectivity and mutual engagement in areas of shared interest. Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister also presented Prime Minister Tareq Rahman’s vision of building a connected, economically vibrant, and globally engaged Bangladesh.

The discussions underscored both nations’ intent to maintain close cooperation and mutual understanding in regional and global affairs, reflecting continuity in their diplomatic relationship.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified patrols and heightened alert along the 148-kilometer Lalmonirhat border following concerns of possible push-in attempts from India. The alert comes after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a decisive victory in the West Bengal state assembly elections, which has reportedly triggered fears of violence and attacks on Muslim minorities in the region. Local sources indicated that the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) might attempt to push Bengali-speaking Muslims, Rohingyas, or Indian citizens into Bangladesh.

To prevent illegal entry and maintain border security, BGB has set up special checkposts at key and sensitive points, expanded day and night patrols, and increased intelligence surveillance. Closed-circuit cameras have been installed for continuous monitoring, and suspicious individuals and vehicles are being searched. Residents of border villages expressed deep anxiety over the situation, citing increased BSF activity and uncertainty about potential cross-border movements.

Lieutenant Colonel Syed Fazle Munim, commanding officer of the 61 BGB Battalion, confirmed that patrols and inspections have been strengthened to ensure no illegal infiltration from India, emphasizing BGB’s commitment to maintaining national peace and order.

Religious Affairs Minister Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad announced that rents for Waqf properties across Bangladesh will be redefined according to current market rates. Speaking to journalists at his office in the Secretariat on Thursday, May 7, 2026, the minister said widespread irregularities and corruption have left about 614,000 acres of Waqf land in poor condition. He noted that only nominal rents are being collected through corrupt practices.

The minister detailed that Waqf properties include 212,099 acres under Waqf-e-Aulad and 377,120 acres under Waqf-e-Lillah. He attributed the current state of neglect to administrative weakness, corruption, and inefficiency over the past 17 years. According to him, the Prime Minister wants the original charitable intentions of the donors to be properly implemented, ensuring transparency and eliminating wrongdoing.

Kaykobad explained that Waqf-e-Aulad properties generate income for descendants, while Waqf-e-Lillah properties direct income entirely toward religious or public welfare purposes, sometimes with shared allocations between family and charitable uses.

The Attorney General of Bangladesh has directed Deputy and Assistant Attorneys General serving in the High Court Division not to attempt to influence cases in other benches. The instruction follows allegations that some government law officers have been trying to exert influence in various cases beyond their assigned courts. The directive was issued through an official notice released on Thursday by administrative officer Md. Nasir Uddin from the Attorney General’s office.

According to the notice, the Attorney General became aware that certain Deputy and Assistant Attorneys General were leaving their designated courts during sessions to appear in other courts and attempt to influence proceedings. The notice formally requested all concerned officials to refrain from visiting or intervening in any court other than their own during court hours.

The order aims to ensure discipline and impartiality among government law officers and to maintain the integrity of judicial proceedings within the High Court Division.

Leaders of Khelafat Majlis have expressed deep concern over recent violence in India following state assembly elections, claiming that extremist Hindu groups have intensified attacks on Muslims. In a press release issued on Thursday, the party said Muslims in border states such as West Bengal and Assam are being branded as Bangladeshis and subjected to brutal persecution. The group condemned the attacks and demanded an immediate end to extremist assaults on minority Muslims.

The statement, released after a central executive meeting chaired by Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and conducted by Secretary General Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader in Dhaka’s Paltan area, alleged that mosques, homes, and businesses in India have been attacked and vandalized, leaving many injured and displaced. It also noted that even Hindu workers of opposition parties have faced violence, accusing the ruling BJP governments of irresponsibility.

Khelafat Majlis called on the Indian government to ensure the safety of its minority communities and urged the Bangladesh government to formally express concern to India over the incidents.

Bangladesh’s President Md. Shahabuddin has called the second session of the 13th National Parliament, which will serve as the first budget session for the 2026–27 fiscal year, to begin on June 7 at 3 p.m. The announcement was made in a press release signed by Md. Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan, Secretary of the Parliament Secretariat, on Thursday. The session has been convened under Article 72(1) of the Constitution.

Before the session begins, the Parliament’s Business Advisory Committee will meet to decide how long the session will continue. The previous session of the 13th Parliament concluded on April 30, during which 94 bills were passed. This upcoming session marks the first budget presentation under the current government.

The last budget for the 2024–25 fiscal year was presented in June 2024 by the then Finance Minister of the ousted Awami League government, Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali. Following the fall of that government on August 5, 2024, the interim administration’s Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed presented the 2025–26 budget.

A legal notice has been sent in Bangladesh demanding a ban on the use of social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok by individuals under 16 years of age. The notice also calls for effective regulation to prevent misuse of these platforms. It was issued by Barrister Sanaullah Nuri on behalf of the Legal Voice Foundation and addressed to the secretaries of the Posts and Telecommunications and ICT ministries, as well as the chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

The notice states that the use of social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube has taken a concerning negative turn, particularly among children and adolescents. It highlights that social media-related violence and addiction are causing serious harm to their physical and mental health, distancing them from sports and studies, and leading to moral decline and involvement in criminal activities.

The notice urges authorities to take realistic measures within 15 days to establish effective control over social media and curb its misuse, noting that many parents lack sufficient knowledge to manage their children's digital behavior.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) stopped an attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push a mentally unstable man into Bangladesh through the Burimari border in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning near the zero point area adjacent to the Burimari land port, where there is no barbed wire fence. A patrol team from the Teesta Battalion 61 under the Burimari Border Outpost (BOP) noticed the attempt and immediately intervened, sending the man back to India. BGB’s firm stance prevented the push-in attempt.

Following the incident, BGB intensified patrols in Burimari and surrounding border areas to maintain security. The force stated that communication at the commander level between BGB and BSF is being pursued to protest the attempt and ensure normal border conditions. Local residents praised BGB’s prompt action, saying it helped prevent unauthorized entry across the border.

BGB officials confirmed that the situation along the border remains under control, with continued vigilance to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee stated that the government aims to build a self-reliant Bangladesh within the next five years. He made the remarks on Thursday, May 7, during a field inspection of canal re-excavation activities in Ghosherhat area of Chandpur Sadar upazila. The minister said the government has prioritized canal re-excavation as part of its election commitments, emphasizing that the initiative has already created widespread awareness across the country.

According to the minister, the government plans to re-excavate at least 20,000 kilometers of canals nationwide over the next five years. He noted that the program is designed to ensure public benefits by addressing citizens’ needs and interests. The minister also mentioned that various development activities of the government have become visible within two to two and a half months after the national election.

He added that the canal re-excavation initiative will engage local communities to promote national development and public welfare.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for reducing delays in project implementation to ensure faster and higher-quality completion of development work. He made the appeal on Thursday at his office in the Secretariat during a meeting with Shailesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of VA Tech Wabag Ltd, a Chennai-based multinational water technology company.

The meeting discussed water management, purification processes, and ensuring safe water standards in Bangladesh. The minister emphasized that unnecessary delays in development projects hinder the country’s progress and stressed the need to maintain quality alongside speed. He also highlighted the importance of expanding the use of modern water and wastewater treatment technologies for sustainable development.

Special attention was given to the water quality of the Buriganga River, with the minister mentioning plans to restore its vitality by eliminating pollution. Senior officials from the ministry, including Local Government Division Secretary Md. Shahidul Hasan, were present at the meeting.

Voting is underway in the United Kingdom’s local elections on Thursday, with polling stations opening at 7 a.m. The elections cover local councils in England and the semi-autonomous legislatures of Scotland and Wales. Analysts suggest the results could intensify pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Labour Party, which may face significant setbacks.

The elections are being viewed as a referendum on Starmer’s turbulent tenure as prime minister. Observers believe that poor results could accelerate his departure and signal a major shift in the country’s political landscape. The vote comes at a time when the Labour Party’s leadership is under scrutiny amid growing political uncertainty.

The outcome of these elections is expected to shape the near-term direction of British politics, potentially influencing both party leadership and policy priorities depending on the scale of Labour’s performance.

Pakistan’s military has declared that it will counter any anti-state conspiracy with maximum strength. The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday night. The statement said that such efforts would be met with even greater power, precision, and resolve than those used against India in 2025.

According to the ISPR, Pakistan is a peace-loving nation, and all efforts of its armed forces are dedicated to maintaining regional peace, stability, and security. The statement emphasized that peace for Pakistan is inseparable from respect, dignity, and sovereign equality. It also noted that the armed forces remain fully aware of evolving geopolitical and regional security dynamics, as well as the adversaries’ attempts to enhance their aggressive capabilities.

The statement further affirmed that Pakistan’s military remains steadfast in its commitment, vigilance, and determination to defend the country. It continues to invest in critical capabilities, advanced technologies, and professional excellence to meet future challenges.