Nusrat Tabassum, leader of the National Congress Party (NCP) and candidate from the Jamaat alliance, took oath as a newly elected Member of Parliament for a reserved women's seat in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament. The oath ceremony took place on Wednesday afternoon at the Parliament building, according to the Parliament Secretariat. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed administered the oath in his office, with Barrister Md. Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan, Secretary of the Parliament Secretariat, conducting the proceedings. After taking the oath, Nusrat Tabassum signed the official oath book as per parliamentary procedure. The event was attended by the Deputy Speaker, the Chief Whip of the opposition, and senior officials of the Parliament Secretariat. The ceremony was held in accordance with Article 148 and Schedule 3 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, as well as Rule 5 of the Rules of Procedure of the National Parliament.

Former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abdul Jalil Mondal has expressed his intention to become a state witness in the murder case linked to the 2013 Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka’s Motijheel area. Following his request, he also applied for bail. The hearing took place on Wednesday, May 6, before a three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder. After the hearing, the court rejected his bail plea. The murder case was filed on May 5 of the previous year against twelve individuals, including Abdul Jalil Mondal, who is listed as the second accused. According to Detective Branch sources, Mondal previously held several key positions in the Bangladesh Police, including Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police, Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police during the Shapla Chattar incident, and Additional Director General (Administration) of the Rapid Action Battalion. The court’s decision leaves Mondal in custody as legal proceedings continue in one of the most high-profile cases stemming from the 2013 Hefazat-e-Islam rally.

The Narayanganj district unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled Salauddin, general secretary of the party’s Ward No. 1 unit in Siddhirganj, from all party positions. The decision was announced in a press release issued on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, by district BNP convener Professor Mamun Mahmud. Salauddin had been arrested in connection with an extortion case filed at Siddhirganj Police Station. According to the statement, Salauddin was expelled for engaging in extortion, disorderly conduct, and activities that violated party discipline and principles. Copies of the expulsion notice were also sent to BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and the party’s Dhaka divisional organizing secretary. The case against Salauddin was filed on April 26, 2026, after a businessman accused him of demanding money and assault. Police later arrested him and sent him to jail through the court. Local media and social platforms have previously reported allegations of criminal activities involving him.

China has declared the ongoing war by the United States and Israel against Iran as illegal. The statement came from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a meeting in Beijing with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Wang said China is ready to continue efforts to de-escalate tensions and emphasized that a comprehensive ceasefire is essential. He noted that the region is at a critical juncture and that direct talks between the parties are necessary. Araghchi thanked China for its firm stance and for condemning the actions of the United States and Israel. He described the war against Iran as a shameless act of aggression and a grave violation of international law. The Iranian minister added that Tehran would make every effort to protect its legitimate rights and interests in negotiations and would only accept a fair agreement. The meeting underscored Beijing’s continued alignment with Tehran amid heightened regional tensions and calls for diplomatic resolution.

Post-election violence has continued across West Bengal two days after the announcement of assembly election results. Reports from Tuesday night indicate multiple incidents of vandalism and arson targeting Trinamool Congress offices in the Asansol industrial area. Party offices were attacked and set on fire at Asansol Court More, while similar incidents occurred in Rupnarayanpur, Kumarpur, Kulti, Raniganj, Jamuria, Barabani, and Burnpur. Some offices were also painted saffron. The Bharatiya Janata Party has denied involvement, with newly elected BJP legislators stating that no party workers were connected to the violence. In response, Chief Election Commissioner Jnanesh Kumar announced strict measures to curb the unrest. He ordered immediate arrests of anyone found involved in vandalism or attacks and advised the state’s Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Kolkata Police Commissioner, and the Director General of Central Armed Forces to remain vigilant. The Election Commission’s directive signals heightened enforcement efforts to restore order amid ongoing political tensions in the state.

A Dhaka court has postponed the hearing on charge framing against Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, daughter of Sheikh Rehana, and former RAJUK assistant legal adviser Sardar Mosharraf Hossain in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The case involves allegations of illegally acquiring a flat in Gulshan-2. The hearing, originally scheduled for Wednesday, was deferred to June 28 as the presiding judge was occupied with other matters. According to the case, the accused allegedly misused their authority to take possession of a flat from Eastern Housing Limited without payment and later registered it under their names. The ACC filed the case on April 15 of the previous year, and the court accepted the charge sheet on February 18, issuing arrest warrants against both accused. Subsequently, the ACC sought and received court approval to request an Interpol red notice for Tulip’s arrest. Earlier, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq had been sentenced to six years in prison in three separate cases related to alleged fraud in RAJUK plot allocations.

The United States has announced the closure of its consulate in Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to a statement from the U.S. State Department on Tuesday, the consulate’s operations will be wound down gradually. The decision was attributed to growing concerns over the safety of diplomatic personnel and the need for more efficient management of resources. The State Department confirmed that all diplomatic functions and responsibilities related to the province will be transferred to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. The United States will continue to maintain its other missions in Karachi and Lahore. The statement emphasized that the move reflects Washington’s commitment to ensuring the security of its diplomatic staff and the effective use of its assets. The Peshawar consulate has long served as a key diplomatic post near the Afghan border. The announcement comes at a time when Pakistan is playing a central role in efforts to facilitate peace talks between Washington and Tehran.

The United Arab Emirates’ decision last week to withdraw from OPEC has intensified tensions with Saudi Arabia, signaling the collapse of a once close partnership. The move challenges Saudi Arabia’s long-standing dominance over the oil producers’ group and reflects Abu Dhabi’s frustration with production limits it viewed as restrictive. The rift now extends beyond oil, affecting regional politics, economic competition, and security alignments. Once aligned under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the two nations jointly fought in Yemen and isolated Qatar. Today, they back opposing sides in Yemen and Sudan, pursue conflicting energy strategies, and compete for global investment. Saudi Arabia’s push to make Riyadh a business hub has directly challenged Dubai’s regional dominance, while both countries invest heavily in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence and renewable energy. Despite the growing rivalry, both governments still describe their relationship as strategically important. Recent Saudi support for the UAE following an Iranian attack underscores that cooperation persists, even as Abu Dhabi’s OPEC exit highlights enduring tensions likely to shape Gulf geopolitics in the years ahead.

The crude oil carrier MT Ninemiya entered Chattogram waters on Wednesday, heading to the Kutubdia channel anchorage before noon. According to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), customs formalities will be completed there, and lightering will begin before evening to transport the crude oil to the Eastern Refinery jetty. Two lighter tankers were dispatched early Wednesday, and unloading at the refinery depot is expected to finish by night. Preparations are underway to restart all refinery units on Thursday morning. BPC sources said Eastern Refinery, the country’s only state-owned oil refinery, imports crude oil from Saudi Arabia for processing and marketing through BPC. The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) handles crude transport. Due to a two-month supply disruption, two of the refinery’s three main units were shut down. The refinery is now preparing to resume full operations after 22 days of closure. BSC officials explained that shipping through the Hormuz Strait was suspended due to war, prompting Bangladesh to use Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port as an alternative route. The refinery used the downtime to repair two major units, which are now expected to increase production capacity.

A commentary published on May 6, 2026, in the Bangladeshi outlet *Amar Desh* warns that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) victory in India’s West Bengal could have serious political, social, and cultural consequences for Bangladesh. The article argues that the BJP’s success followed large-scale voter exclusions under the NRC process, which disproportionately affected Muslims. It also claims that an informal alliance between leftist groups and the BJP helped consolidate the party’s power in the state. The writer suggests that the rise of Hindutva politics in West Bengal may destabilize Bangladesh by inflaming religious tensions and potentially triggering refugee movements. The piece further warns of renewed cultural dominance from across the border, with Hindu religious festivals and Sanskrit influence possibly spreading into Bangladesh’s cultural space. It also raises concerns about increased border conflicts and the revival of expansionist ideas linked to the “Nehru Doctrine.” The commentary concludes by urging Bangladesh to remain vigilant and united in the face of these perceived threats, emphasizing national preparedness and political cohesion as essential defenses.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has begun his first visit to China since the start of the war with the United States. The discussions are expected to focus on maintaining the ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route affected by recent tensions. China has been vocal about both the ceasefire and the Hormuz issue. It previously criticized the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and also expressed disapproval of Iran’s role in closing the waterway. Tehran is seeking to confirm what kind of support it might receive from Beijing if it agrees to reopen the strait. Iran also aims to ensure that China will continue to back it at the United Nations if additional sanctions are imposed. The visit underscores Tehran’s effort to secure diplomatic and economic assurances from Beijing amid ongoing regional instability.

Six months after the long-awaited revival of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RAKSU), students are expressing frustration over the limited progress in fulfilling election promises. The council, led by the Shibir-backed Combined Student Alliance that won 20 of 23 posts in the October 16 election, pledged to implement 24 commitments within a year. However, only about 16.67 percent of those pledges have seen partial implementation, leaving 83 percent still pending. Students report little visible progress on key issues such as housing shortages, transport facilities, academic quality, and campus democracy. Many cite ongoing problems with dormitory capacity, poor dining standards, inadequate medical services, and administrative inefficiency. RAKSU leaders attribute the slow progress to administrative non-cooperation, while the general secretary and vice president claim that cultural, sports, and advocacy activities are continuing despite obstacles. The university vice-chancellor, who also serves as RAKSU president, urged the council to work beyond ideological lines for students’ welfare. Students, however, remain skeptical about whether the council can deliver on its promises within the remaining term.

At least 26 people were killed and more than 80 injured in Russian drone and missile attacks across Ukraine on Tuesday afternoon. Ukrainian officials reported that the strikes targeted Kramatorsk in the east, Zaporizhzhia in the southeast, and Chernihiv in the north. Zaporizhzhia regional governor Ivan Fedorov said at least 12 people were killed in his area. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that five people died in Kramatorsk and four in Dnipro following separate attacks. Officials also confirmed that overnight airstrikes hit state gas facilities in the Poltava and Kharkiv regions, killing at least five people. The attacks came a day after Kyiv and Moscow had separately announced a ceasefire to take effect later in the week. The renewed wave of strikes underscores the continuing intensity of the conflict despite the pending ceasefire announcement, raising concerns about further civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.

The University of South Florida has decided to award posthumous doctoral degrees to Bangladeshi PhD students Jamil Ahmed Limon and Nahida Sultana Brishti, who were victims of a homicide in the United States. The degrees will be conferred on May 9 during the university’s 2026 spring commencement ceremonies, which will take place from Thursday to Sunday and include 8,000 graduating students. In honor of Limon and Brishti, each ceremony will begin with a minute of silence, and two empty chairs will be placed during the doctoral degree presentation. Among the 353 doctoral recipients this year, their names will also be included. The two students went missing on April 16, and after eight days, Limon’s body was found near Florida’s Howard Frankland Bridge on April 24. The university was informed of their disappearance by a friend the day after they went missing.

A rickshaw driver named Golam Hossain, aged 46, was killed in Meherpur’s Shekhpara area on Tuesday night following a dispute over a minor incident. The altercation began when his rickshaw allegedly hit an under-construction wall, causing it to collapse. The incident occurred around 8 p.m., according to local sources. Meherpur Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir stated that during the argument, a man named Kalu attacked Golam Hossain with a sharp weapon, resulting in his death. Police have launched an operation to arrest the suspect. The victim was the son of Rehesan Ali from the same area. Golam Hossain’s wife, Aleya Khatun, said her husband was killed without any reason and demanded justice for the incident.