In West Bengal, a significant administrative directive has been issued just before the formation of a new government. Retired bureaucrats who were appointed during Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s tenure have been barred from entering government offices. According to administrative sources, the order took effect on Wednesday, May 6, and will remain in place until the new BJP-led government formally assumes office.

NDTV reported that Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala conveyed the instruction from the state secretariat, Nabanna, to all departmental secretaries. The decision was communicated verbally across departments. Several retired officials serving as advisers or in special roles have already submitted their resignations and begun vacating government housing. The administration has also tightened document security, directing departments to safeguard important files and prevent any from leaving offices.

Financial advisers have been tasked with helping compile and secure lists of key departmental documents. Observers view these measures as an attempt to maintain administrative control and protect sensitive records amid the ongoing political transition in the state.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas is recovering at Prince Court Medical Centre in Malaysia, according to party media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan on Wednesday, May 6. Citing Abbas’s wife Afroza Abbas, he said the senior politician is now out of danger, gradually regaining health, and able to communicate with family members. Based on the medical board’s advice, plans are being made for his return to Bangladesh before Eid-ul-Azha.

Family sources said Mirza Abbas is expected to appear in a video message within one to two weeks to thank supporters and seek prayers. After completing his physical therapy and medical procedures, he is likely to return home soon.

Earlier, on March 11, Abbas fell ill during iftar in Dhaka and underwent brain surgery at Evercare Hospital. He later traveled to Singapore for advanced treatment and is currently continuing his recovery in Malaysia.

The Jamaat-e-Islami-backed lawyers’ panel, Oikya Boddho Ainijibi Parishad, has announced a boycott of the 2026 Chattogram District Bar Association election, alleging irregularities, arbitrariness, and political interference. The announcement was made on Wednesday at a press conference held in the association’s auditorium, where panel leaders accused the chief election commissioner and two other commissioners of working to implement a government blueprint to influence the election.

According to the panel, candidates faced obstacles in collecting and submitting nomination forms, and some were harassed while entering the election commission office. They also alleged that the valid voter list was not published or distributed on time, and the list of valid candidates, due by May 5, was not released, casting doubt on the entire process. The panel said repeated attempts to contact the commission went unanswered.

In response, the panel formally declared its withdrawal from the election and condemned the alleged irregularities and political interference. The election is scheduled for May 21, with a five-member committee overseeing the process.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman set a rare example by driving his own car to an official event in Agargaon on Wednesday evening. Departing from the Secretariat around 7:30 p.m., he headed to the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar to attend a special program organized by the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association as the chief guest.

According to the report, Rahman chose to drive instead of using his designated bulletproof government vehicle with a chauffeur. His wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, accompanied him in the passenger seat. The prime minister traveled through city traffic without the usual display of protocol or heavy security arrangements, drawing attention for his modest approach.

The report notes that such gestures by heads of government in modern democracies often send a positive message to citizens and help reduce the perceived distance between leadership and the public. Although Rahman has previously attended social and state events with his wife, this self-driven journey was described as an uncommon occurrence.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahedur Rahman has said that the government is preparing clear policies and a code of conduct for journalism in response to the rapid expansion of online and digital media. He made the remarks in Dhaka at the closing session of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference, following a meeting of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

Dr. Rahman stated that it has become very easy to launch online-based media outlets, but there is a lack of proper guidelines. To ensure professional standards and accountability in journalism, the government is taking steps to establish a regulatory framework. He added that district commissioners proposed setting specific standards and codes of conduct for journalists to promote professionalism at the field level. The ministry is working on these measures for early implementation.

He further mentioned that the government intends to strengthen the fact-checking system through a new project integrating district-level information infrastructure. The long-inactive Information Commission will be restructured to operate independently, ensuring transparency and effective handling of information-related complaints.

In West Bengal, India, police have filed 200 cases and arrested 433 people in connection with post-election violence that erupted across several districts following a political change in the state. Additionally, around 1,100 individuals have been detained as a preventive measure. The information was announced by Director General of Police Siddhnath Gupta during a press conference at the state police headquarters in Bhawani Bhavan on Wednesday. He stated that while incidents of violence occurred in recent days, no new cases were reported since Wednesday morning.

The police have warned that any attempt to intimidate others or take the law into one’s own hands will face strict legal action. Authorities have begun identifying those allegedly trying to exploit the political transition to create unrest. Gupta urged citizens to report complaints to local police stations and assured that police would file cases on their own initiative if victims were too afraid to come forward.

The state police also clarified that the additional security previously provided to Trinamool leader and outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and MP Abhishek Banerjee has been redeployed elsewhere. Central forces, comprising 500 companies, are assisting the state police, with joint control rooms operating at state and district levels.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Jahir Uddin Swapon announced that integrated measures are being taken to ensure journalists’ job security and to combat misinformation and disinformation. He made the remarks on Wednesday after the closing session of the Deputy Commissioners’ (DC) Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. The minister said the government regularly holds such meetings with DCs as part of its routine program, and this session focused on strengthening information management and responsible media practices.

Swapon emphasized the need to transform the country’s traditional media ecosystem into a digital platform and urged DCs to be prepared to cooperate when the ministry introduces new capabilities. He said the government aims to make information flow more disciplined and accountable through coordination with the media.

Information Secretary Mahbuba Farzana added that each district will have a designated focal person to coordinate with journalists and facilitate transparent information sharing. She said DCs have been instructed to include local journalists in coordination meetings to reduce bureaucratic barriers and promote collaboration.

Italy’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr. Antonio Alessandro, has expressed interest in working with the Bangladesh Police to enhance cooperation in areas of human trafficking, smuggling, and security support. The announcement came during a courtesy meeting with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Hossain Fakir at the Police Headquarters on Wednesday.

During the meeting, held in a cordial atmosphere, the Italian ambassador congratulated the IGP and discussed ongoing collaboration between the two sides. The IGP sought Italy’s assistance in strengthening Bangladesh Police’s cyber security capabilities and in providing training on various security-related issues. He also emphasized the importance of coordination and mutual cooperation between the police forces of both countries.

The Italian ambassador reiterated his country’s interest in supporting ongoing training programs and enhancing capacity in areas related to irregular migration, human trafficking, smuggling, and security assistance. Senior officials of the Bangladesh Police were present at the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit Chandpur on May 16 and Feni on May 25, according to Water Resources Minister Md. Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee. The announcement came after a meeting with the Prime Minister at the Secretariat on Wednesday morning. During these visits, the Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate canal excavation programs in both districts ahead of the monsoon season.

The minister stated that the canal excavation initiative is part of a five-year national program to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals across Bangladesh. He noted that the Prime Minister has already inaugurated similar programs in several districts, and local ministers and MPs are continuing the work in their respective areas. Due to the approaching monsoon, the current phase of the program is expected to continue through May, with plans to resume again after the rainy season in November, December, and January.

The meeting also discussed the Padma Barrage Project, with the minister confirming that its technical study and feasibility survey are nearly complete and that the government will make a decision soon.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam visited Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Tuesday to expedite the repatriation process. During the visit, she inspected Camp-4 and other key facilities under the Ukhiya Army Camp, observing overall operations and activities related to repatriation management.

According to the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the Director General of the Myanmar Wing Md. Tawfiq-ur-Rahman, Director Shamima Yasmin Smriti, APS Mohammad Fazlul Haque, and Assistant Secretary Zahid Hasan Sehab, accompanied the minister. RRRC Commissioner Mizanur Rahman, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rifat Asma, and several Camp-in-Charge officials were also present.

The minister later visited the women’s skill development initiatives at the Kutupalong Registered Camp, where she observed sewing training and hygiene product production activities and encouraged women to become self-reliant. Security in the camp area was reported to be satisfactory, with increased patrols and surveillance during the visit.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said that ensuring true professionalism in the media would automatically solve many of the sector’s existing problems. He emphasized the government’s commitment to guaranteeing free and accurate information for citizens and protecting them from misinformation. The minister made these remarks on Wednesday during a meeting with a delegation from the Broadcast Journalist Center (BJC) at the ministry’s conference room in the Secretariat.

During the meeting, the BJC delegation presented a PowerPoint presentation highlighting various issues and opportunities in the electronic media sector. The minister noted that while current policies remain analog, the challenges are digital, underscoring the need to modernize existing regulations to adapt to rapid technological changes. He stated that the government aims to act as a facilitator rather than impose restrictions.

Zahir Uddin Swapan also announced plans to form a Media Commission based on consensus among stakeholders to find sustainable solutions to media-related issues. He expressed hope that constructive suggestions from stakeholders would help make the commission effective.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has directed all district commissioners to recover and confiscate around 10,000 licensed firearms that were issued on political grounds during previous governments but have not yet been returned. He announced the directive on Wednesday after the Home Ministry session of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.

The minister said that although the interim government had set a deadline for returning licensed weapons, many remain uncollected. Field administrations have been instructed to recover these arms, take legal action against offenders, and file cases if necessary. He added that licenses issued between January 2009 and August 5, 2024, without proper policy compliance are under review for cancellation, while valid pre-2009 license holders will be allowed to reclaim their weapons.

Ahmed emphasized that curbing illegal weapons, drugs, extortion, and online gambling is a top government priority to maintain law and order. He urged coordinated efforts between police and district administrations and warned that no laxity in enforcement would be tolerated.

Thirty Democratic members of the US Congress have called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to release detailed information about Israel’s nuclear weapons program. The lawmakers, led by Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro, sent a letter stating that an effective non-proliferation policy in the Middle East cannot be achieved while maintaining official silence on Israel’s nuclear capabilities.

The letter argues that transparency is essential when shaping policies toward Iran’s civilian nuclear program or Saudi Arabia’s nuclear ambitions. The lawmakers said the United States should apply the same nuclear transparency standards to Israel as it does to other countries. They also noted that both Israel and the White House have long maintained ambiguity about whether Israel possesses nuclear weapons.

The lawmakers requested information on Israel’s possible warhead numbers, delivery systems, uranium enrichment capacity, production at the Dimona facility, and the US understanding of Israel’s military doctrine and “red lines.” They emphasized Congress’s constitutional duty to be fully informed about nuclear balance and potential tensions in the Middle East.

Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly protested remarks made by BNP Vice Chairman and Member of Parliament Barkatullah Bulu, who described the party as more dangerous than drugs. The protest was issued on Wednesday through a media statement by Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Assistant Secretary General and Secretary of the party’s Central Publicity and Media Department. Bulu made his comments on May 5 during the inauguration of a canal excavation project in Begumganj, Noakhali.

In his statement, Zubair termed Bulu’s comments as absurd, malicious, and misleading. He said Jamaat-e-Islami is an ideology-based, democratic, and welfare-oriented Islamic political organization that has long been engaged in peaceful political activities for the country’s independence, sovereignty, morality, and people’s rights. He added that such hostile remarks from a political leader are harmful to the nation’s political culture.

Zubair further emphasized that political differences may exist, but mutual respect and decency should be maintained. He urged Bulu to act responsibly and refrain from making divisive or provocative statements.

Iran’s judiciary has seized the assets of 40 individuals accused of being 'traitors' in the western province of Hamadan, according to a report by Fars News Agency. The confiscated properties reportedly belonged to influential figures linked to what authorities described as a 'network cooperating with the enemy.' Officials announced that the seized assets will be used for reconstruction efforts in war-damaged areas.

The report stated that funds from the confiscated properties will be prioritized for rebuilding hospitals, scientific centers, schools, research institutions, and public service infrastructure. Analysts cited in the report suggested that the move signals both a message of strengthened internal security and a potential alternative source of funding for post-war reconstruction.

The announcement reflects Iran’s broader effort to channel domestic resources toward recovery in conflict-affected regions while asserting control over individuals accused of undermining national interests.