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.

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie announced that the technical and feasibility studies for the Padma Barrage Project are nearly complete. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Wednesday, he said the project will soon be presented at an Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting for discussion and decision.

The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office, focused on water resource management, including canal excavation, irrigation facilities for farmers during the dry season, and the Padma Barrage Project. According to the minister, the project is crucial for one-third of Bangladesh’s population, especially in North Bengal, as it aims to address dry-season water shortages, improve irrigation, maintain river navigability, and support fisheries and agriculture.

The proposed project, estimated to cost about Tk 34,497 crore, plans to build a barrage on the Padma River at Pangsha Point in Rajbari to store water for irrigation and environmental management. Discussions also covered the Teesta Project and upcoming canal excavation programs to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister in Chandpur and Feni later in May.

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 overall inflation increased to 9.04 percent in April, up from 8.71 percent in March, according to the latest report released on Wednesday by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). The rise has been attributed to the impact of ongoing tensions in the Middle East and global economic uncertainty, which have affected domestic markets.

The BBS data show that food inflation climbed to 8.39 percent in April from 8.24 percent in March, intensifying pressure on consumers as prices of essential goods continued to rise. Non-food inflation also showed an upward trend, reaching 9.57 percent compared to 9.09 percent in the previous month. Increases in housing rent, fuel, and transport costs were identified as key contributors to the non-food inflation rise.

A year-on-year comparison indicates that overall inflation in April 2025 was slightly higher at 9.17 percent, with food inflation at 8.63 percent and non-food inflation at 9.61 percent, suggesting a modest improvement in the current year’s figures despite persistent cost pressures.

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.

A delegation from Anhui Normal University of China, led by its president Xiong Yujie, met with Bangladesh’s Minister of Education and Primary and Mass Education Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan at the ministry office in the Secretariat on Wednesday. The meeting focused on potential collaboration in education and teacher training between the two countries.

During the meeting, Minister Milan highlighted that universities in Bangladesh, including the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), have achieved strong positions in global rankings. He emphasized the government’s current focus on technical and vocational education and training, noting that there are many opportunities for cooperation with China in this area. Xiong Yujie stated that Anhui Normal University is a leading institution in providing professional training for teachers and expressed willingness to work together to improve education quality.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Education, including Secretary Abdul Khaleque and Technical and Madrasa Education Division Secretary Md. Daud Mia, were also present at the meeting.

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.

Depositors affected by six liquidated non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs) held a human chain protest in front of Bangladesh Bank’s headquarters on Wednesday, demanding the immediate return of their withheld savings. Participants, numbering over a hundred, wore black cloths over their mouths to symbolize their suffering and called for urgent action to recover their money.

In a written statement, the protesters said they represent more than 12,000 depositors whose funds have been stuck for seven years, causing severe financial uncertainty, mental distress, and humanitarian crises. Many depositors are reportedly unable to afford treatment for serious illnesses such as cancer, kidney, and heart diseases, and some have already died due to lack of medical care. The statement emphasized that Bangladesh Bank, as the regulator of all scheduled banks and NBFIs, bears the highest responsibility for protecting public deposits.

The protesters urged the central bank to announce a clear and practical roadmap for returning funds by the previously declared July 2026 deadline and to prioritize repayment to affected depositors.

Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin stated that Bangladesh has maintained significant control over fuel prices compared to other countries. He made the remarks on Wednesday at the Annex Auditorium of Hotel Sheraton in Banani, Dhaka, after a dialogue titled ‘The Law Compass Dialogue’ organized by the Institute of Strategy and Tactics Research (ISTR) with various donor agencies. Amin said the government initially faced some crises but managed them through international negotiations, alternative sourcing, and discussions with domestic and foreign stakeholders.

He emphasized that despite global challenges, Bangladesh’s fuel supply remains stable and the country is in a strong position in the energy sector. Amin also highlighted that the government formed after the thirteenth national election is working to fulfill its electoral promises under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership. He noted that progress is being made in health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure, and that the law and order situation remains stable.

Amin expressed optimism that Bangladesh will continue to move forward by turning challenges into opportunities and fostering a political culture free from misinformation.

A new shipment containing ten types of vaccines, including measles, rubella, and oral polio, has arrived in Bangladesh. Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain personally received the consignment at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Wednesday around 11:45 a.m. The shipment also includes BCG, pentavalent, PCV, and typhoid vaccines.

Following the arrival, the minister stated that 1.5 million doses of the measles vaccine had reached the country and assured that there would be no future vaccine shortages. He added that the government managed to bring the vaccines within just 24 days, calling it a historic achievement. By May 10, an additional 10 types of vaccines totaling 10.8 million doses are expected to arrive in the country.

The arrival of this shipment marks a significant step in strengthening Bangladesh’s immunization program and ensuring vaccine availability nationwide.

A mobile court in Dewanganj upazila of Jamalpur sentenced two young men to 15 days of imprisonment each for drug use near the Dewanganj Upazila Health Complex. The sentencing took place on Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Dewanganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Shah Zahurul Hossain.

The convicted individuals were identified as Saheb Ali, 25, son of Nazrul Islam from Dalbari village in Dewanganj municipality, and Shaha Ali, 28, son of Jamshed Ali from the same upazila. They were detained while consuming drugs in the area adjacent to the health complex, after which the mobile court delivered the verdict.

The case highlights local administrative efforts to curb drug use through immediate legal action under mobile court proceedings in rural areas of Jamalpur.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has directed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to strengthen surveillance along the border following the West Bengal state assembly election. He made the statement on Wednesday, May 6, after the third session of the final day of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. The minister said the instruction was issued on Tuesday to ensure alertness at the border, though he did not foresee any major threat.

During the same event, the minister also instructed deputy commissioners to prepare within one month a list of politically motivated and harassing cases for possible withdrawal. He added that new laws would be introduced to curb drug abuse and online gambling. Salahuddin Ahmed further mentioned that several cases related to the anti-discrimination movement after August 5, including genocide and crimes against humanity, were under review. The government will verify these cases to identify genuine accused individuals before disposal.

The directives reflect the ministry’s focus on maintaining border security and addressing politically sensitive legal matters at the district level.

Continuous rainfall, nor'wester storms, and flash floods from upstream have caused extensive crop damage worth about Tk 340 crore in the haor regions of Habiganj district. The most affected crop is Boro paddy, the main source of livelihood for local farmers. According to the district’s Department of Agricultural Extension, over 11,000 hectares of Boro fields have been submerged, with many completely destroyed and others partially damaged.

Officials reported that Boro paddy was cultivated on 123,644 hectares this season, of which around 62 percent had been harvested before the flooding. The remaining fields were inundated by sudden rain and floodwaters, worsening the situation in Azmiriganj, Baniachong, Lakhai, Nabiganj, and Bahubal upazilas. Breaches in embankments along the Khowai and Korangi rivers have intensified the flooding, leaving vast farmlands underwater and farmers in despair.

The agricultural department has prepared a preliminary list of about 21,000 affected farmers, though locals claim the actual number is higher. Officials fear that if the water does not recede soon, the losses could increase further.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has temporarily expelled Zakir Ahmed, a district member and joint coordinator of Fulbari upazila in Dinajpur, for violating party discipline and tarnishing the party’s image. The decision was announced on Tuesday night through a notice signed by A H M Shamsul Muktadir, convener of the NCP Dinajpur district branch, and acting member secretary Imran Chowdhury Nishad.

According to the notice, serious allegations of breaching party discipline were raised against Zakir Ahmed based on media reports. After finding preliminary evidence, the party suspended him from all organizational activities. He has been instructed to submit a written explanation within three working days to the district committee explaining why he should not be permanently expelled.

The report also mentions that a businessman has filed a case against Zakir Ahmed, accusing him of involvement in abduction and the robbery of Tk 5.5 lakh.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that Bangladesh is steadily advancing under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring peace, stability, security, and sovereignty in the country. The minister made these remarks on Wednesday at a seminar organized by the Institute of Strategy and Tactics Research at Hotel Sheraton in Banani.

The seminar, focused on strengthening the economy, investment, and strategic cooperation in the current global context, brought together domestic and international experts, policymakers, and representatives from various sectors. Mirza Fakhrul highlighted that the government is working to create a sustainable and investment-friendly environment, ensuring all necessary facilities for both local and foreign investors.

He added that Bangladesh has become a promising destination for global investment through infrastructure development, progress in the energy sector, and policy reforms. The active participation of foreign delegates was seen as a reflection of international confidence in Bangladesh’s growth trajectory.