At the Infectious Disease Hospital in Mohakhali, Dhaka, patients suffering from measles, pneumonia, chickenpox, and other contagious illnesses are being treated in the same wards, creating serious health risks. A field visit on Wednesday revealed that many patients, including children, are receiving treatment on floors and balconies due to a severe shortage of beds. The hospital, which has 100 beds with only 15 allocated for measles patients, currently accommodates 51 children with confirmed measles. Since January, 1,598 suspected measles cases have been admitted, with 286 confirmed and 36 child deaths reported.

Doctors and nurses said the hospital is admitting twice its capacity daily, forcing mixed treatment of patients with different infectious diseases. The unhygienic environment, including unclean toilets, scattered waste, and mosquito infestations, is worsening the situation. A doctor noted that without a separate measles unit, infection control is nearly impossible. Hospital authorities acknowledged the overcrowding and poor sanitation, citing surrounding slum areas as a challenge.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services, 56 confirmed measles deaths and 268 deaths with measles symptoms have occurred nationwide since March 15, bringing the total to 324 in 52 days.

Bangladesh has requested China's involvement and cooperation in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project. The issue was discussed as a priority during a foreign minister-level meeting between the two countries in Beijing. The joint statement released after the meeting also emphasized strengthening cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and on Rohingya repatriation.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman visited Beijing from May 5 to 7 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. During the talks, both sides discussed bilateral relations, regional cooperation, and global issues. Bangladesh expressed gratitude for China’s longstanding support and reiterated its request for Chinese participation in the Teesta project, which has been under discussion for years. Diplomatic circles view China’s potential involvement as significant for Bangladesh’s water management and regional development, though India has expressed reservations.

The joint statement further noted both countries’ commitment to enhancing political trust, aligning development strategies, and advancing their strategic cooperative partnership. They also voiced concern over the Middle East situation, calling for an immediate ceasefire and supporting diplomatic efforts for peace.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has denied any involvement or support by New Delhi in election engineering for any political party in Bangladesh. Speaking with visiting Bangladeshi journalists at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi on Monday, he said no individual issue would affect Dhaka-Delhi relations and emphasized that ties should be based on mutual respect and sensitivity to each other’s interests.

Misri stated that India has worked with whichever government was in power in Bangladesh and clarified that past cooperation with the Awami League did not amount to interference. He noted that India is reviving over 40 bilateral institutional frameworks that had become inactive during Bangladesh’s interim government period. Discussions are also underway on water-sharing issues, including the Ganges and Teesta rivers, and on strengthening regional cooperation through BIMSTEC.

He avoided commenting on Bangladesh’s request to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and said India continues to prioritize trade and connectivity. Misri also dismissed media reports about deploying animals along the border and said India is working to restore full visa services for Bangladeshi citizens soon.

A 75-year-old farmer named Taimush Ali died while harvesting paddy in Sripur Haor under Brahmanbazar Union of Kulaura upazila in Moulvibazar. The incident occurred on the afternoon of May 6, Wednesday. According to local sources, Taimush Ali from Adampur village went to the haor to cut paddy and suddenly fell ill around 4 p.m. Other farmers immediately took him to Kulaura Upazila Health Complex in critical condition, where doctors declared him dead.

Dr. Sharmin Sultana Jereen, the residential medical officer at Kulaura Health Complex, confirmed that the farmer was brought to the hospital around 5 p.m. and was pronounced dead after examination. The report did not mention the exact cause of death or whether any further medical investigation was conducted.

The incident highlights the physical risks faced by elderly farmers during the paddy harvesting season in rural haor areas of Bangladesh.

Mohammad Kamal, 35, younger brother of alleged Rohingya militant leader Nabi Hossain, was shot dead near the Friendship Hospital adjacent to Camp No. 8 in Balukhali, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Armed Police Battalion (APBn) commander Riaz Uddin Ahmed confirmed the incident, stating that unidentified attackers opened fire on Kamal and fled the scene. Kamal sustained bullet wounds to his chest and head and was declared dead after being taken to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.

Police officials said the motive behind the attack was not immediately clear but suggested it might be linked to a previous dispute over local dominance. Following the shooting, additional law enforcement personnel were deployed in the area, and operations are underway to identify and apprehend those involved.

Kamal’s wife said he was attacked while returning home by auto-rickshaw after midday prayers, while his cousin claimed that members of an armed group carried out the assault. The body has been sent for autopsy at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue.

A five-year-old girl named Jannat was killed in a tragic road accident in Kamrangirchar, Dhaka, on Wednesday, May 6. The incident occurred in the Sylheti Bazar area when a speeding battery-powered rickshaw struck her while she was playing in front of her home. Locals rushed to rescue the injured child, but she was declared dead upon arrival at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Police confirmed that the body was kept in the hospital morgue and legal procedures were underway before handing it over to the family.

Jannat was the elder daughter of day laborer Mostafa from Lumbabak village in Jamalganj, Sunamganj. Her family had moved to Kamrangirchar seeking a better life. The accident has sparked anger among residents of the densely populated neighborhood, who expressed frustration over the reckless movement of battery rickshaws in narrow lanes. Social media users also voiced concern and demanded stricter control over such unregulated vehicles.

The incident has renewed local calls for enforcement of traffic rules and regulation of battery-powered rickshaws in residential areas.

Police in Mongla, Bagerhat have arrested two men, including a hotel manager, for allegedly recording an objectionable video of a female field research assistant while she was bathing. The incident occurred on the night of May 5, 2026, at Singapore Hotel, where the woman was staying with colleagues for a BRAC Education Development Institute project. She reportedly saw a man filming her through the bathroom ventilator and raised an alarm, prompting the suspect to flee.

Following her complaint, police detained hotel manager Md. Mohsin, 40, and guest Boni Amin, 23, on suspicion of involvement. A case has been filed under sections 8(1) and 8(7) of the Pornography Control Act 2012, and both suspects have been sent to court. Locals alleged that the hotel had long been associated with irregularities and suspicious activities, including previous unproven misconduct claims against the manager.

Mongla police stated that initial evidence supports the complaint and that a thorough investigation is underway. Residents have demanded strict punishment for those found guilty and increased monitoring of local hotels.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced a special operation to remove economically expired, risky, and unapproved vehicles from the capital’s roads. The initiative, declared on May 6 through a public notice signed by DMP Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam, aims to reduce public suffering and road accident risks caused by unfit vehicles that often break down on roads, highways, and bridges, creating severe traffic congestion.

According to the DMP, the operation will target all vehicles that have exceeded their economic life, lack registration numbers, or operate without proper authorization. Government policy sets the economic life of buses and minibuses at 20 years, and trucks, covered vans, and other freight vehicles at 25 years. Vehicles exceeding these limits are prohibited from operating on the roads.

The DMP stated that owners and drivers of such vehicles will face legal action, including fines, vehicle dumping, and other penalties. The drive will be conducted jointly by metropolitan magistrates and traffic police, with authorities seeking cooperation from vehicle owners, transport workers, drivers, and the general public.

At least four people were injured, including one by gunfire, during a clash between two groups over territorial dominance in the Dhaka Match New Colony rail line market area under Kadamtali Police Station in Dhaka. The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Witnesses and relatives of the injured said that wood trader Md. Roni, 28, was hit by a bullet in his left leg while passing by. He was first taken to a local hospital and later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for further treatment.

In the same incident, pedestrian and mill worker Mahadi Hasan, 16, was stabbed in the waist, while Md. Billal, 30, sustained an eye injury from a stick blow, and fish trader Rabbi Ahmed, 32, suffered a head injury. According to Inspector Md. Faruk, in charge of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital police camp, all the injured are currently receiving treatment at the hospital’s emergency department.

Following the clash, additional police forces were deployed in the area, and law enforcement officials reported that the situation is now under control.

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.

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.

A roundtable discussion in Dhaka on Wednesday highlighted the growing threat of cybercrime in Bangladesh and called for coordinated efforts between the government and civil society to address it. The event, organized by Citizen Coalition under the theme 'Cyber Security and Future Challenges,' discussed issues such as website hacking, fake information, and the spread of counterfeit cards using mainstream media logos that mislead the public.

Rehan Asif Asad, adviser to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Science and Technology, said the government is actively working on cyber security to counter online propaganda and information terrorism. He noted that the Cyber Security Act enacted by the current government remains in force, and authorities are cautious to prevent misuse of the law. He also stated that the government has not pressured the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to remove any online content.

The discussion was chaired by photographer and human rights activist Shahidul Alam, with participation from BTRC Chairman Emdadul Bari, UNESCO Dhaka Office Head Susan Vize, and Swedish Embassy Political Secretary Paul, among others.