The Tk 232 crore Muhuri Irrigation Project, completed in June 2024 across Feni and Chattogram’s Mirsarai areas, has failed to deliver expected benefits to local farmers. The project, approved in 2014 under the government’s Irrigation Management Improvement Project with Asian Development Bank support, aimed to irrigate 18,000 hectares through 850 underground pipeline schemes. However, only 338 schemes are operational, and just 3,000 hectares have received irrigation so far. Flooding in 2024 severely damaged pumps, pipelines, prepaid meters, and electrical systems, halting irrigation despite formal handover to farmers. The project also faced disruptions from local extortion groups, theft of equipment, and corruption allegations, including claims of inflated costs and substandard materials. Farmers’ declining interest in irrigation-based crops and theft of electrical components have further hindered operations. Project Director Md. Rafius Sajjad stated that a group has been deliberately obstructing the project, while flood damage and transformer theft have worsened the situation. Authorities continue to face challenges in restoring full functionality and ensuring the intended agricultural benefits.

A global energy crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict has severely disrupted Bangladesh’s industrial sector, with gas, electricity, and fuel shortages putting immense pressure on production. Export earnings have fallen for eight consecutive months, marking an unprecedented decline in the country’s history. In March 2026, export income dropped by over 18 percent year-on-year to 3.48 billion dollars, compared to 4.25 billion dollars in March 2025. Business leaders and economists attribute the downturn to reduced production capacity, rising costs, and shipment delays that have eroded foreign buyers’ confidence. The ready-made garment sector, which accounts for over 80 percent of export earnings, saw a 5.51 percent decline in the first nine months of the fiscal year. Vietnam has overtaken Bangladesh as the world’s second-largest apparel exporter, earning 82 million dollars more in 2025. Industry associations report that many factories in Gazipur, Savar, Ashulia, and Narayanganj have lost up to 30 percent of production capacity due to power and fuel shortages. Economists warn that unless the energy crisis eases soon, Bangladesh’s export-dependent economy could face deeper challenges.

U.S. low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines announced an immediate shutdown of its global operations on Saturday after last-minute talks with lenders and the White House collapsed. The airline canceled all flights and suspended customer service, citing a severe financial crisis driven by rising fuel costs and other business pressures. American Airlines, Delta, United, and JetBlue quickly launched rescue efforts, offering discounted fares and additional flights to accommodate stranded passengers. Some airlines also began assisting and recruiting Spirit’s employees. Spirit, which had about 7,500 employees by the end of last year, had faced multiple bankruptcy proceedings since 2024. The company promised refunds to affected passengers. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said President Donald Trump made every effort to keep the airline afloat but noted that the outcome depended on lenders’ decisions. Labor unions criticized the shutdown, warning that the burden would fall on pilots, cabin crew, and mechanics. Analysts said the airline’s collapse could reshape the U.S. low-cost travel market, as rising jet fuel prices following Middle East tensions delivered the final blow to an already weakened carrier.

Beijing has refused to comply with U.S. sanctions imposed on five Chinese refineries accused of purchasing Iranian oil. The Chinese government described its stance as defensive and justified, according to the state-run English-language outlet China Daily. The report said that China issued an injunction to block Washington’s sanctions, which include measures against Hengli Petrochemical Refinery and four other facilities. Beijing argued that the U.S. action violates international law, as it lacks authorization from the United Nations. In an article, China Daily writer Li Yang stated that Washington’s sanctions attempt to extend U.S. jurisdiction over bilateral trade between two sovereign nations. He further noted that the United States has long used the dominance of the dollar to expand the reach of its sanctions through so-called secondary sanctions that penalize entities dealing with blacklisted parties. Li emphasized that China has drawn a clear line, declaring that Chinese companies will not comply with what it considers illegal U.S. restrictions.

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.

NATO and senior US Republican leaders have voiced concern over the Pentagon’s decision to withdraw about 5,000 American troops from Germany within the next six to twelve months. The announcement came amid tensions in transatlantic relations linked to the Middle East conflict and followed a dispute between President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. NATO said it is working with the United States to understand the details of the redeployment. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart stated that the move underscores the need for Europe to increase defense investment and take greater responsibility for collective security. Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius described the withdrawal as “predictable.” Republican lawmakers Roger Wicker and Mike Rogers warned that the decision could send the wrong message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting that European defense spending increases will take time to translate into real capabilities. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin is prepared for the reduction and is discussing the matter within NATO structures, emphasizing that major US bases such as Ramstein Air Base remain vital and are not under discussion.

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.

A man was killed inside a mosque during Fajr prayer in Sreemangal upazila of Moulvibazar on Sunday, May 3, 2026. The incident occurred at the West Loiarkul Jame Mosque when a person entered during prayer and attacked Hafiz Mia, a local resident, with a pen, injuring his eyes, head, and face. He was taken to a hospital but died on the way. Police later arrested Jasim Mia, also from the same area, on suspicion of involvement in the killing. According to police, the attack may have stemmed from a dispute over unpaid goods taken on credit from Hafiz Ullah’s shop. Officers from Sreemangal Police Station stated that an investigation is underway to determine the exact motive behind the killing. Both the victim and the suspect lived in the same locality. Authorities said further details will be revealed after the ongoing investigation concludes.

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.

US President Donald Trump has admitted he has no clear knowledge of the current status of American weapons sent abroad as part of a failed attempt to support an uprising in Iran. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump expressed frustration with Kurdish groups tasked with delivering the weapons to Iranian anti-government protesters, saying they failed to do so. He acknowledged dissatisfaction with the arms supply process and said it remains unclear who now possesses the weapons. The weapons were reportedly sent to a Kurdish group in northern Iraq under the condition that they would be transferred to Iranian protesters. Trump had earlier revealed in April that the United States had sent large quantities of arms, suggesting that Kurdish forces might have kept them. Since the start of the conflict with Iran on February 28, the US military has lost advanced equipment worth billions of dollars, including an F-35A fighter jet and multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones. Pentagon officials recently informed Congress that US losses in the conflict are estimated at $25 billion, while CNN reported that total damages, including destroyed infrastructure, could reach $40–50 billion.

Bangladesh has launched its first-ever Migration Film Fest to showcase real-life stories related to migration. The organizers have invited short films from young filmmakers and students, with submissions open from April 1 to May 25, 2026. Films can be made using any device, including mobile phones, and may be fiction, animation, or documentary, but must focus on migration. The maximum film length is set at 15 minutes. The festival aims to portray both the success stories of Bangladeshi migrants and the darker sides of migration, such as human trafficking, fraud by brokers, perilous sea journeys, deaths abroad, mental trauma, and family suffering. Winners will receive prizes including a Sony DSLR camera, GoPro kits, and certificates. Selected films will be screened and broadcast on television and other platforms. Film selection will take place from May 26 to June 4, with the festival scheduled for the second week of June. Organized by BRAC Migration Program under the Australian government-supported campaign against human trafficking, the event also includes online workshops to guide participants in storytelling and technical skills.

At least five civilians were killed in a drone strike carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, according to the independent legal group Emergency Lawyers. The organization, which assists victims of human rights violations, reported the incident on Saturday, May 2, citing it as the second such attack in the capital within a week. Emergency Lawyers accused the RSF of full responsibility for the strike and alleged that the group violated international humanitarian law. The organization described the attack as part of a continuing pattern of assaults on civilians. The report noted that Khartoum had experienced relative calm for several months after government forces regained control of the city last year. According to United Nations data cited in the report, nearly 700 civilians have been killed in drone attacks across Sudan during the first three months of the current year. Previous RSF strikes in Khartoum targeted military sites, power plants, and water supply infrastructure.

Eight people were killed and seven others injured in a head-on collision between a truck and a pickup van in Dakshin Surma, Sylhet, on Sunday morning. The victims, all construction workers, were traveling to Sunamganj for work when the accident occurred around 6:30 a.m. The information was confirmed by Md. Riazul, Deputy Police Commissioner (South) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police. Police sources said the workers were in a DI pickup heading toward Sunamganj when a truck coming from the opposite direction collided with them, killing eight on the spot. Four of the deceased have been identified as Suruj Ali (60), Mosammat Munni (35), Badrul (30), and Faridul (35), while the identities of the remaining four victims are yet to be confirmed. Among the injured are seven individuals from different areas of Sylhet, Habiganj, and Sunamganj. Police are continuing efforts to identify the remaining victims and provide medical assistance to the injured.

Turkey has developed three new kamikaze drones—K2, Sivrisinek, and Mizrak—through defense manufacturer Baykar, aiming to rival Iran’s Shahed series. The drones vary in range and payload capacity, with the K2 capable of carrying 200 kilograms of explosives over 2,000 kilometers, while Sivrisinek and Mizrak offer shorter ranges and lighter payloads. The Sivrisinek, unveiled last week, can fly up to 1,000 kilometers with a 20-kilogram warhead, and Mizrak, introduced Thursday, carries 40 kilograms over a similar distance. All three drones can operate without satellite navigation and are designed for coordinated swarm attacks. The development comes as Turkey and Israel face rising tensions and as Iran’s drone program gains prominence through its use of Shahed drones in conflicts involving the United States and Israel. Turkish experts argue that Iran’s UAVs lack advanced artificial intelligence, precision targeting, and self-defense capabilities, areas where Turkish systems reportedly excel. Baykar plans to integrate the three drones into a unified strike system, signaling Turkey’s growing ambition in autonomous aerial warfare technology.

An Iranian very large crude carrier (VLCC) named 'Huge', owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company, has reportedly reached the Asia-Pacific region carrying over 1.9 million barrels of crude oil worth about 220 million US dollars. According to vessel tracking service Trackers.com, the ship evaded a US naval blockade and was last seen near Sri Lanka a week ago before moving through Indonesia’s Lombok Strait toward the Riau Islands. Trackers.com reported that the vessel had turned off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) since departing the Malacca Strait for Iran on March 20. The US Navy had announced a blockade of Iranian ports on April 13, when the tanker was still within Iranian waters. Iranian state media previously claimed that at least 52 Iranian ships had successfully bypassed the blockade, while US military sources stated that about 41 Iran-linked vessels had been forced to alter their routes. US officials maintain that the blockade is effective, asserting that Iran is losing significant revenue and may soon face storage limits that could halt production.