Allegations of irregularities and mismanagement have surfaced in a Tk 133-crore project of the Water Development Board (Paubo) at Shrimai Canal in Patiya, Chattogram. The project, ongoing for three years, is facing structural issues as concrete blocks placed along the canal embankment have started to shift, causing partial collapses. With only two months left in the project’s timeline, none of its five packages have progressed beyond 70 percent completion, raising concerns about timely completion and effectiveness before the upcoming monsoon season.

The project, launched on January 1, 2023, under Chattogram Paur Division-1, includes riverbank protection, construction of a hydraulic elevator dam, and afforestation. Local residents allege that blocks meant to prevent erosion were not installed in vulnerable areas, while unnecessary sections received attention. They also accuse the Water Development Board and contractors of negligence in land acquisition and quality control, leading to block displacement in several sections.

Officials have denied negligence, stating that the project is still ongoing and defects will be corrected. They also reported informing local authorities about unregulated sand extraction near the dam site.

India’s Election Commission (ECI) has ordered a complete re-vote in all polling booths of the Falta Assembly constituency in West Bengal. The decision, announced on May 3, 2026, follows allegations of serious electoral offences and disruption of the democratic process during the April 29 voting. According to the ECI directive, fresh polling will be held on May 21 across 285 booths, including auxiliary ones, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with results to be declared on May 24. Vote counting for the state’s other 293 constituencies will proceed on May 4.

The decision comes amid intense political confrontation between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP alleged that electronic voting machines in several booths were tampered with to block its symbol, while the TMC denied the charge, accusing the BJP of spreading false claims to mask its impending defeat. TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee challenged the BJP on social media, calling the re-vote a test of the “Diamond Harbour model.”

Earlier, re-polling had been held in 15 booths of Falta and Magrahat West due to irregularities, where voter turnout exceeded 90 percent. Police later arrested three TMC workers over alleged intimidation and violence during that process.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated several major development projects during his visit to Sylhet on Saturday, May 2, 2026, despite heavy rainfall. He laid the foundation stone for the Surma Riverbank Development Project, worth about Tk 4,635 crore, aimed at improving flood protection and urban beautification. He also inaugurated the ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ initiative at the district stadium and later addressed a civic gathering at the Sylhet City Corporation auditorium.

During the event, the prime minister announced plans to double-track the Dhaka–Sylhet railway line and expedite the expansion of the Dhaka–Sylhet highway after resolving land acquisition issues. He pledged to reopen closed factories, attract foreign investment, and activate the Sylhet IT Park. Rahman also launched the re-excavation of the historic Basiya River after 49 years, a project expected to benefit thousands of farmers.

He further revealed a plan to recruit 100,000 health workers, 80 percent of whom will be women, to raise health awareness nationwide. The prime minister emphasized environmental protection, water management, and the government’s commitment to fulfilling electoral promises through ongoing development efforts.

The four-day Deputy Commissioners’ (DC) Conference began in Dhaka on Sunday morning following the assumption of office by the new BNP-led government. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the event at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium after walking from the Secretariat. The Cabinet Division reported that 498 proposals from divisional commissioners and DCs were included in the working papers, with the highest number—44—related to the health services sector.

According to the Cabinet Division, a total of 1,729 proposals were received, focusing on improving public and health services, reducing public suffering, infrastructure development, tourism, and legal reforms. The conference will feature 34 working sessions and include courtesy meetings with the President, Speaker, Chief Justice, Chief Election Commissioner, and the Anti-Corruption Commission. The event will conclude on May 6.

Key proposals include establishing an economic zone in Gazipur, rebuilding union sub-health centers, launching a 1,000-bed hospital in Rangpur, and creating midwifery positions. Other proposals address education reforms, disability services, climate resilience funds, and price control mechanisms for essential goods.

Forty-nine newly elected members for the reserved women’s seats in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament are scheduled to take their oath on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 9 p.m. The ceremony will be held in the oath room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban’s East Block, Level-1. The Election Commission announced the names of the elected members and published the official gazette on April 30, confirming their unopposed election.

According to the gazette, 36 members were elected from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its alliance, 12 from the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance, and one as an independent candidate. The list includes prominent BNP figures such as Selima Rahman, Shirin Sultana, and Nipun Roy Chowdhury, among others. From the Jamaat alliance, members include Nurunnisa Siddika, Marzia Begum, and others, while Sultana Jesmin was elected independently.

Separately, the Election Commission declared the nomination of Nusrat Tabassum, a Jamaat alliance candidate and National Citizens Party (NCP) leader, as valid on Saturday for the same reserved seat category.

U.S. President Donald Trump warned that military action against Iran could resume if the country 'misbehaves.' He made the remarks on Saturday in West Palm Beach, Florida, while speaking to reporters. Trump said he had been briefed on the outline of a potential agreement with Iran and was waiting for the final written draft. When asked about the possibility of renewed attacks, he did not give a direct answer but stated that Iran had not yet paid enough for its past actions and that further strikes were possible if it acted badly.

Meanwhile, Iran has submitted a new 14-point proposal that includes opening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting U.S. sanctions. However, Tehran suggested postponing discussions on its nuclear program to a later stage. It remains unclear whether the United States will accept Iran’s proposal, leaving uncertainty over the next steps in the negotiations.

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran as both sides weigh diplomatic and military options in their dealings.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that he will soon review Iran’s latest peace proposal, though he expressed skepticism about its acceptance. The announcement came on Saturday through a post on Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, where he stated that Iran had sent a plan for consideration but that he doubted it would be acceptable. Trump made the remarks while staying in West Palm Beach, Florida.

In his post, Trump argued that Iran had not yet paid enough for the harm it had caused to humanity and the world over the past 47 years. Details of Iran’s new proposal have not been disclosed, leaving the content and scope of the plan unclear. The report, citing AFP, noted that Trump’s comments may further reduce hopes for easing the ongoing tensions between the two countries.

The lack of transparency around the proposal and Trump’s dismissive tone suggest that prospects for diplomatic progress remain uncertain.

Thirteen judges have been appointed to monitor subordinate courts across Bangladesh’s eight divisions. Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury reconstituted the committees, forming 13 separate 'Monitoring Committees for Sub-Ordinate Courts' for each division. The Supreme Court announced the restructuring on Saturday, also assigning 13 judicial officers to provide secretarial support to the committees.

According to the Supreme Court administration, the newly formed committees include Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain for Barishal, Justice Md Habibul Gani for Rajshahi-2, Justice JBM Hassan for Dhaka-1, Justice Md Mujibur Rahman Mia for Khulna-1, Justice Md Zafar Ahmed for Khulna-2, Justice Razik Al Jalil for Mymensingh, and Justice Fatema Najib for Dhaka-2. Other divisions are assigned to Justices SM Kuddus Zaman, Shashanka Shekhar Sarkar, Ahmed Sohel, Sardar Md Rashed Jahangir, KM Hafizul Alam, and Md Atabullah.

Earlier, in January 2022, eight judges were assigned to monitor the divisions, followed by 13 in October 2023. The committees were last restructured in April of the previous year.

Dr. Jonaid Shafi, described in the report as a financial sector figure and relative of former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, is reportedly preparing to return to Bangladesh to manage the minister’s business interests. According to the source, Shafi fled the country after a July uprising and has since been living in Dubai. He faces at least 26 cases, including corruption and money laundering charges, with two charge sheets already filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission. A Chattogram court has issued an arrest warrant against him, and his and his wife’s bank accounts have been frozen by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit.

The report states that Shafi is attempting to rebrand himself as sympathetic to the opposition BNP, seeking contact with party leaders and the Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh. He allegedly plans to surrender upon return, seek bail citing health reasons, and then attempt to regain control of his former business network. Allegations against him include embezzlement of hundreds of crores of taka from banks and misuse of corporate loans.

The source notes that efforts to obtain Shafi’s comment were unsuccessful.

Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament concluded its first session on April 30, 2026, after 25 working days marked by heated debates and multiple walkouts. The session, which began on March 12 under senior member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain’s chairmanship, saw the passage of 94 bills, including 91 ordinances reissued from the interim government. The most contentious discussions centered on the Liberation War and the use of the so-called “’71 card,” as ruling BNP lawmakers repeatedly invoked the war to challenge opposition Jamaat-e-Islami’s historical role. The opposition staged four walkouts over issues including the July Charter, constitutional reform meetings, and ordinance repeals.

Political analysts described the session as vibrant yet divisive, noting that BNP used the Liberation War narrative much like the former Awami League government once did. They observed that while the parliament displayed greater procedural balance and neutrality from the Speaker, debates often revived old ideological divisions. Analysts also highlighted that the session reflected both cooperation and confrontation between the government and opposition.

Experts suggested that despite its energy, the session exposed weaknesses in legislative effectiveness and warned that unresolved issues around the July Charter and reform ordinances could shape future political tensions.

The 2026 West Bengal assembly election has concluded, drawing attention to the political and social transformation of former enclave residents in Cooch Behar. These communities, once stateless and deprived of basic services, became Indian citizens after the 2015 land boundary agreement between India and Bangladesh, which exchanged 162 enclaves. Villages like Poaturkuthi and Mashaldanga now have electricity, roads, and schools, but residents say many promises remain unfulfilled.

Interviews with villagers reveal frustration over incomplete land ownership documentation, limited job opportunities, and the rise of political divisions. Once united in their struggle for citizenship, former enclave residents are now split among parties such as the Trinamool Congress, BJP, and left groups. Some attribute this division to local political pressure and personal interests, while others lament the loss of unity that once defined their movement.

Community leaders and residents express that despite improvements in infrastructure, the expected social and economic benefits have not fully materialized. The story of these former enclaves reflects both progress and disillusionment in the post-exchange years.

Bangladesh’s long-awaited administrative reform proposals have stalled, with the report of the Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury Commission remaining unimplemented. The commission, formed by the interim government to build a transparent, accountable, and citizen-friendly administration, had recommended dismantling colonial and feudal bureaucratic structures and ensuring merit-based recruitment and promotion. However, senior officials and experts told Amar Desh that the proposals are now effectively shelved, and initiatives such as asset declarations and dual citizenship disclosures by officials have lost momentum.

Public administration experts say bureaucratic behavior has not changed despite regime shifts, with corruption, bribery, and harassment persisting across government offices. Citizens interviewed across eight divisions reported that bribery has increased in land, transport, and passport offices. Former officials alleged that the interim government failed to reform the politicized bureaucracy inherited from the Awami League era. The government, however, maintains that it is committed to building an efficient and neutral administration, prioritizing merit and integrity in promotions and transfers.

Analysts warn that without implementing the Muyeed Commission’s recommendations, efforts to establish good governance and accountability will remain ineffective.

Former Fox News host and political commentator Tucker Carlson has alleged that U.S. President Donald Trump is acting as a 'hostage' to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the ongoing war with Iran. In an interview published Saturday by The New York Times, Carlson said Trump was less an independent decision-maker and more constrained by Netanyahu and his supporters in the United States. He claimed Trump launched the war on February 28 but was unable to withdraw from it, and that the president was fighting against his own will.

Carlson further stated that only hours after Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran on April 8, Israel began killing civilians in Lebanon in a manner that drew global attention. He argued that Israel’s goal was to block all diplomatic solutions and continue the conflict until Iran was destroyed and destabilized. Criticizing Trump’s reluctance to publicly challenge Netanyahu, Carlson described the situation as one of total control, calling it a form of servitude.

Carlson has long been known as a prominent media ally of Trump, previously describing a 2024 assassination attempt on the president as 'divine intervention.'

Former six-time Member of Parliament and ex-Constituent Assembly member Alhaj Md. Moslem Uddin has died at the age of 88. He passed away at around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at a hospital in Dhaka. Moslem Uddin was a former president of the Mymensingh District Bar Association and a leader of the now-banned Awami League activities in Phulbaria upazila.

His first funeral prayer was held the same day after the noon prayer at Taqwa Mosque in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. Additional funeral prayers are scheduled for Sunday at the Mymensingh District Lawyers’ Association at 10 a.m., Phulbaria Government High School field at 3 p.m., and Alhaj Md. Moslem Uddin Orphanage field at 5 p.m. He will be buried at his home in Neugi Kushmail.

His eldest son, Imdadul Haque Selim, confirmed the news on Facebook. Moslem Uddin is survived by two sons and two daughters.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has formed a new affiliated body named the National Tribal Alliance to represent Dalit, Harijan, and other marginalized communities. Bhimpalli David Raju has been appointed as convener, while Kailash Chandra Rabidas will serve as member secretary. The 11-member convening committee was announced by NCP member secretary Akhtar Hossain at an event held at the CRAB auditorium in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. Other key positions include Rajendra Kumar Das as senior joint convener, Manik Barail as joint convener, and Aruna Rani Das as senior joint member secretary.

Community leaders presented a 14-point demand at the event, calling for constitutional recognition of Dalit, Harijan, and scheduled communities, enactment of an anti-discrimination law, proportional representation in state structures, and reforms to land and health policies to ensure inclusivity. They also urged the government to preserve their languages and culture, conduct ethnographic surveys, and establish a dedicated commission for community rights.

NCP leaders expressed full support for the demands, emphasizing equality and inclusion. They stated that the party aims to bring marginalized groups into mainstream politics and ensure equal citizenship rights for all communities in Bangladesh.