Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi has strongly condemned what he described as Iran’s 'baseless and unacceptable accusations' against the United Arab Emirates. The condemnation followed a statement from Iran’s foreign ministry alleging that the UAE was collaborating with Iran’s hostile parties.

According to a GCC statement, Al-Budaiwi said the Iranian claims were part of a provocative and tension-escalating strategy targeting regional countries. He further accused Iran of launching brutal attacks on UAE territory and of persistently distorting facts in violation of international norms and laws.

The GCC reaffirmed that its member states stand united with the UAE and fully support all measures taken by the country to safeguard its security, stability, and sovereignty.

Iran’s influential parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Galibaf mocked the United States’ military strategy against Tehran in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. In his brief message, Galibaf altered the names of declared US military operations targeting Iran, referring to them sarcastically as “Operation Trust Me Bro” and “Operation Foxious.” He wrote that “Operation Trust Me Bro has failed” and added that it was time to “return to routine with Operation Foxious.”

The remarks were reported by Al Jazeera and shared by the online outlet Amar Desh on May 7, 2026. The post reflects Galibaf’s dismissive tone toward Washington’s approach to Iran, using humor to criticize what he described as unsuccessful US military efforts. The comments appeared amid ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington over regional security and military maneuvers.

No official US response or further details about the operations mentioned by Galibaf were included in the report.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has described the killing of his close aide and personal assistant Chandranath Rath in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas, as a 'cold-blooded murder'. The incident occurred on Wednesday night, May 6, when assailants on motorcycles stopped Rath’s car in the Daulatala area and opened fire before fleeing. The attack took place within 48 hours of the West Bengal Assembly election results, sparking tension in the area.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, May 7, Adhikari said the attack appeared preplanned, claiming the assailants had conducted reconnaissance before striking. He stated that the state’s Director General of Police, Siddhanath Gupta, assured him of a full investigation. Adhikari urged party workers to remain calm, emphasizing that the BJP would not take the law into its own hands and called for an impartial probe to identify the real culprits.

Adhikari also alleged that BJP workers across the state had been targeted since the election results were announced, citing incidents of shootings and stabbings in Basirhat and Baranagar. He said he had briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national leader Nitin Navin about the situation.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud held a courtesy meeting with James Stewart, Political Officer at the US Embassy in Dhaka. The meeting took place on Wednesday at the NCP’s temporary central office in Banglamotor. Discussions focused on the current overall situation in Bangladesh and emphasized strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States.

James Stewart was accompanied by Md. Iqbal Mahmud, Assistant Political Specialist at the embassy, while NCP central committee member Ayman Rahat joined Asif Mahmud. After the meeting, the NCP spokesperson showed the embassy delegation around the party office.

The meeting reflected ongoing diplomatic engagement between the US mission and political representatives in Bangladesh, highlighting mutual interest in maintaining dialogue on national and bilateral matters.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reaffirmed on Wednesday, May 6, that she will not resign from her post. Speaking at a meeting with her party’s legislators, she declared that she would rather be dismissed and called for such a day to be marked as a black day. According to NDTV, Banerjee also announced plans to approach the court seeking justice over incidents of post-election violence. She had earlier alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won through manipulation following the May 4 election results.

Her refusal to resign has created a constitutional complication, as it is customary for a chief minister to step down after elections so the majority party can form a new government. The situation has led to discussions about the possibility of her dismissal or the imposition of presidential rule in the state.

Meanwhile, reports of violence have emerged across West Bengal, with allegations that BJP supporters attacked and set fire to homes and offices of Trinamool Congress members. At least four people have reportedly died. The BJP has denied involvement, claiming that Trinamool workers disguised as BJP supporters carried out the attacks to create unrest.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated that the greatest asset of a state is the trust of its people. He emphasized that transparency and accountability in government and administration are essential to building this trust. Rahman made these remarks in a written speech delivered on Wednesday night at the annual gathering of the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association, held at the 'Trimoitree' conference in Agargaon, Dhaka.

He said the government seeks a people-oriented administration where citizens receive services quickly, transparently, and without harassment. While law is important, he noted that humanity carries even greater significance. Rahman urged officials to treat elderly and sick citizens with compassion, as such behavior fosters a positive perception of the state and government.

The Prime Minister added that the manifesto his party had developed for the welfare of the nation has now become the people’s manifesto, as it received public support. He called for its full implementation as the government’s responsibility.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir warned that Bangladesh could face an automatic establishment of a fascist regime within five years if essential political and institutional reforms are not implemented. He made the remarks on Wednesday at a discussion titled “Implementation of People’s Verdict and Public Expectation” held at the Central Muslim Literary Society in Sylhet.

Monir said the main goal of the recent mass uprising was to restructure the state and strengthen democratic institutions. However, without political will, institutional reform, and accountability, power could again become concentrated in the hands of a few, weakening democracy. He criticized the BNP for failing to play a responsible role after the uprising and alleged that the July Charter’s reform pledges, including constitutional amendments and formation of an upper house, were being ignored.

Former Sylhet Medical University vice-chancellor Professor Dr. Ismail Patwari added that the dream of freeing the country from fascism was fading as loyalty was prioritized over merit. Speakers urged political parties to implement the July Charter to honor the sacrifices of those involved in the uprising.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has embarked on a three-day official visit to China, marking the first such trip since the BNP government took office two and a half months ago. Officials said the Teesta River issue will receive special attention during the talks. The visit aims to advance the long-stalled Comprehensive Management and Restoration of Teesta River Project, which Dhaka plans to implement with Chinese assistance after years of delay due to India’s objections.

The Teesta River, shared by Bangladesh and India, has long been a source of tension due to water-sharing disputes. A 2011 agreement between the two countries was never finalized, leading to recurring droughts and floods in northern Bangladesh. The proposed megaproject includes building a multipurpose barrage, dredging 102 kilometers of the river, constructing 203 kilometers of embankments, reclaiming land, and developing tourism and solar power facilities. China had earlier shown interest in financing the project, while India later expressed its own interest.

Analysts cited strategic motives behind both China’s and India’s involvement, linking Beijing’s interest to its Belt and Road Initiative. Local activists, however, remain cautious, urging the government to secure a fair water-sharing deal with India alongside the project’s implementation.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has officially announced Dr. Hafizur Rahman as its mayoral candidate for the upcoming Gazipur City Corporation election. The announcement was made by the party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, during a leadership gathering held on Wednesday afternoon at the Shaheed Abdul Malek Auditorium of Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa in Tongi.

During the event, Porwar described Gazipur as one of the country’s key industrial and densely populated cities, emphasizing the public’s expectation for honest, skilled, and people-oriented leadership. He stated that Dr. Rahman is widely accepted among youth and professionals and expressed confidence that his leadership would bring positive change to the city.

In his remarks, Dr. Rahman pledged to build a humane, clean, and modern city inspired by the ideals of the martyrs of July and the aspirations of the younger generation. He highlighted priorities such as ensuring workers’ rights, improving civic services, and establishing planned urban management, with a focus on resolving traffic congestion, waterlogging, waste management, and pollution issues.

Bangladesh’s opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman visited the Peace Park and Peace Museum in Hiroshima, Japan, on Wednesday as part of his ongoing Japan tour. He was accompanied by Saiful Alam Khan Milon MP, a member of Jamaat’s central executive council, and Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem Arman MP, his foreign affairs adviser. Bangladeshi teachers from Hiroshima University and PhD researchers from Bangladesh also joined the visit.

The Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum commemorate the atomic bombing of the city on August 6, 1945, when the bomb named “Little Boy” was dropped. Three days later, another bomb, “Fat Man,” was detonated over Nagasaki. By December 1945, about 140,000 people in Hiroshima and 74,000 in Nagasaki had died, with an additional 214,000 later succumbing to radiation-related illnesses.

Even in 2026, Hiroshima remains a solemn reminder of that tragedy, with the ruins of the bombed building still standing as a historical witness.

Widespread violence has erupted across West Bengal following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) victory in the state assembly elections. Within hours of the May 4 results, clashes broke out in Kolkata and other districts, leaving at least four people dead and many injured. Reports describe streets filled with BJP flags and slogans, while residents in some areas have been forced to display party symbols to avoid attacks. Minority-dominated neighborhoods such as Metiabruz, Maheshtala, Tiljala, and Topsia have become flashpoints of unrest.

In Entally, local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Tabrez Khan switched allegiance to the BJP overnight, citing fear for his safety. Several incidents of political killings have been reported, including the death of a TMC polling agent in Beleghata and a BJP worker in Udaynarayanpur. Violence has also spread to Asansol, Bardhaman, Hooghly, and Jalpaiguri, where party offices were seized and homes destroyed. BJP leader Shamik Bhattacharya blamed the TMC for provoking clashes, while the ground situation shows widespread intimidation.

The escalating unrest has raised concerns about communal targeting and the erosion of West Bengal’s social fabric, with fears of further violence in the coming days.

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.