The French government is preparing special financial measures to support airlines struggling with rising global jet fuel prices. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced on Wednesday that discussions with airline representatives had made progress on several issues, including extending deadlines for social security payments, easing tax payment schedules, and allowing greater flexibility in fuel transport. The initiative comes as energy market volatility and dependence on Middle Eastern supply chains raise fears of a potential aviation crisis across Europe. The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has disrupted fuel supply systems, putting pressure on European countries to find urgent solutions. Airlines across Europe have warned that if the jet fuel shortage continues, severe supply gaps could emerge within weeks. Experts note that Europe imports about 75 percent of its jet fuel from the Middle East, making the region’s instability a direct threat to the aviation sector. France’s planned assistance is viewed as a crucial step not only for its domestic airlines but also for maintaining stability in the wider European air transport system.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan announced that individuals falsely claiming to be freedom fighters and receiving government benefits will be identified and brought under legal action. He made the statement on Thursday at a meeting organized by the Central Command Council of the Freedom Fighters’ Parliament in Eskaton, Dhaka. The minister also urged those who are not genuine freedom fighters to voluntarily remove their names from the official list to avoid harsher penalties. Khan emphasized that including non-freedom fighters in the list of recognized heroes was unethical and illegal. He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the honor of genuine freedom fighters and ensuring that those who unlawfully received benefits face justice. He assured that allowances for poor and genuine freedom fighters would not be affected. The minister further mentioned that the review of the Freedom Fighters’ Parliament constitution is ongoing and that necessary arrangements for the upcoming council meeting must be completed by the end of May, with the council to be held by the end of June.

More than 1,600 ships have been stranded near the Strait of Hormuz for over two months, creating deep uncertainty and major financial risks for the global shipping industry. The vessels remain stuck amid ongoing conflict, and operators are struggling to determine when it will be safe to move through the strategic waterway. A U.S.-led escort mission initiated by President Donald Trump lasted only 48 hours, successfully guiding just two ships before ending, leaving companies to manage the crisis on their own. Most shipping firms are now unwilling to risk passage through the strait due to the threat of attacks that could endanger both valuable cargo and crew lives. Insurance complications have worsened the situation, as wartime clauses often exempt insurers from covering losses in conflict zones. Los Angeles port executive director Gene Seroka said companies must conduct precise security assessments before deciding to move. According to the International Maritime Organization, 32 ships have been hit by missile attacks since the conflict began, resulting in at least 10 deaths and 12 injuries. The IMO urged maximum vigilance and warned that naval escorts are not a sustainable long-term solution.

Bangladesh and China have reaffirmed their commitment to the One-China policy and to strengthening bilateral cooperation. The reaffirmation came during a meeting in Beijing on Thursday between Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China. Both sides emphasized expanding collaboration in connectivity, trade, investment, multilateral platforms, and regional issues. During the high-level talks, Dhaka and Beijing reviewed their longstanding friendship and discussed ways to deepen ties across multiple sectors. The meeting highlighted the importance of enhancing connectivity and mutual engagement in areas of shared interest. Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister also presented Prime Minister Tareq Rahman’s vision of building a connected, economically vibrant, and globally engaged Bangladesh. The discussions underscored both nations’ intent to maintain close cooperation and mutual understanding in regional and global affairs, reflecting continuity in their diplomatic relationship.

Adobe announced the launch of its new productivity agent on May 6, 2026, in San Jose, California. The AI-powered agent integrates decades of Acrobat document intelligence into a single interface, enabling users to chat with PDFs, extract insights, and generate content such as presentations, podcasts, blogs, and social posts. It also powers new sharing and publishing features in PDF Spaces within Acrobat, turning static files into interactive experiences with customizable AI assistants that reflect the sender’s tone and intent. The tools are available in Acrobat Express and Acrobat Studio. The productivity agent is part of Adobe’s broader vision for agentic workflows that combine automation with human creativity. It works alongside Adobe’s creative agent and third-party agents to help users generate insights, produce rich content, and share knowledge interactively. PDF Spaces allows users to combine documents, links, and notes into personalized, branded experiences that update automatically and include engagement insights. Top creators and brands such as VICE News, Kid Cudi, Jessica Yellin, and Mindy Weiss are already using PDF Spaces to deepen audience engagement through interactive storytelling and content sharing.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that Bangladesh will transform idle state-owned industries into centers of investment and employment within the next one to two years. Speaking at an event at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka, he said the government is working to simplify business procedures, reduce logistics costs, and improve port efficiency to make the economy more competitive. He emphasized that old problems must be replaced by practical reforms and swift implementation. The minister noted that entrepreneurs currently face 25 to 26 types of approvals to start a business, and the government plans to introduce a provisional clearance system to speed up operations. He said logistics costs account for about 16 percent of GDP, compared to the global average of 10 percent, and foreign operators are being engaged to improve port management. A Danish company has already begun operating a container terminal. Muktadir added that around 90 state-owned industrial enterprises under the industries and textiles ministries will be gradually opened to private investment. He said modernization, new industries, and export-oriented production will be prioritized to boost employment and revenue.

Azharul Islam Mannan, Member of Parliament for Narayanganj-3 (Sonargaon-Siddhirganj), donated 600 doses of rabies vaccine to Sonargaon Government Hospital on Thursday. The initiative aims to ensure medical services for the general public and ease the suffering of poor patients. The donation event took place in the presence of Narayanganj Civil Surgeon Dr. Abul Fazal Muhammad Mushiur Rahman, Sonargaon Upazila Nirbahi Officer Asif Al Jinat, and several health officials. During the event, MP Mannan stated that rabies is a deadly disease and that timely vaccination is crucial to saving lives. He emphasized that no patient should face life-threatening risks due to a lack of vaccines. The initiative reflects an effort to strengthen local healthcare support and prevent vaccine shortages in the area. The presence of local health administrators and representatives highlighted the collaborative approach to improving public health services in Sonargaon.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has reduced the price of jet fuel by Tk 22 per liter, effective from midnight on Thursday. The new rate for domestic flights has been set at Tk 205.45 per liter, down from Tk 227.08. For international flights, the price has been revised from USD 1.4806 to USD 1.3385 per liter, excluding duties and taxes. According to the report, this decision follows three consecutive price hikes that had raised the rate by a total of Tk 132 per liter. Earlier in January, the price stood at Tk 94.93 per liter, which increased several times amid rising global fuel prices and the onset of conflict in the Middle East. The last increase in April had pushed the domestic rate to Tk 227.08 per liter. The latest reduction marks the first downward adjustment in months, reflecting a shift in pricing policy after sustained increases earlier in the year.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified patrols and heightened alert along the 148-kilometer Lalmonirhat border following concerns of possible push-in attempts from India. The alert comes after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a decisive victory in the West Bengal state assembly elections, which has reportedly triggered fears of violence and attacks on Muslim minorities in the region. Local sources indicated that the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) might attempt to push Bengali-speaking Muslims, Rohingyas, or Indian citizens into Bangladesh. To prevent illegal entry and maintain border security, BGB has set up special checkposts at key and sensitive points, expanded day and night patrols, and increased intelligence surveillance. Closed-circuit cameras have been installed for continuous monitoring, and suspicious individuals and vehicles are being searched. Residents of border villages expressed deep anxiety over the situation, citing increased BSF activity and uncertainty about potential cross-border movements. Lieutenant Colonel Syed Fazle Munim, commanding officer of the 61 BGB Battalion, confirmed that patrols and inspections have been strengthened to ensure no illegal infiltration from India, emphasizing BGB’s commitment to maintaining national peace and order.

Energy company Shell announced a significant profit increase of $1.3 billion in the first quarter of the year, despite global market instability caused by the Iran war. The British energy giant’s financial report showed total earnings of $6.9 billion for the quarter, about one-quarter higher than the same period last year. Refining operations alone contributed nearly $2 billion, driven by high prices of petrol and jet fuel. The report noted that Shell’s total oil and gas production slightly declined compared to the previous quarter, mainly due to disruptions in Qatar linked to Middle East conflict. Shell CEO Wael Sawan stated that the company achieved strong results despite unprecedented volatility in global energy markets. Analysts said major energy firms’ trading divisions benefited from sharp oil price fluctuations. Meanwhile, the Energy Poverty Eradication Alliance urged governments to impose a windfall tax on oil companies to offset rising household energy costs caused by the Iran war. The group argued that higher fuel prices have increased pressure on ordinary consumers.

Religious Affairs Minister Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad announced that rents for Waqf properties across Bangladesh will be redefined according to current market rates. Speaking to journalists at his office in the Secretariat on Thursday, May 7, 2026, the minister said widespread irregularities and corruption have left about 614,000 acres of Waqf land in poor condition. He noted that only nominal rents are being collected through corrupt practices. The minister detailed that Waqf properties include 212,099 acres under Waqf-e-Aulad and 377,120 acres under Waqf-e-Lillah. He attributed the current state of neglect to administrative weakness, corruption, and inefficiency over the past 17 years. According to him, the Prime Minister wants the original charitable intentions of the donors to be properly implemented, ensuring transparency and eliminating wrongdoing. Kaykobad explained that Waqf-e-Aulad properties generate income for descendants, while Waqf-e-Lillah properties direct income entirely toward religious or public welfare purposes, sometimes with shared allocations between family and charitable uses.

A US federal judge has made public an alleged suicide note said to have been written by late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The document was released on Wednesday following a petition by The New York Times to the White Plains court. Epstein’s former cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, claimed he received the note in July 2019 after Epstein’s first failed suicide attempt. Epstein was later found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City. The note, which bears no signature, reportedly contained statements of frustration but its authenticity remains unverified. The Guardian said it could not confirm whether Epstein actually wrote it, and the US Department of Justice did not immediately comment. Tartaglione, a former police officer serving a life sentence for four murders, had given the note to his lawyers, who consulted handwriting experts to identify its author. The note had been kept confidential under attorney-client privilege during Tartaglione’s appeal process. Epstein’s death was officially ruled a suicide by New York City’s medical examiner in 2019, though speculation and conspiracy theories persist due to his ties with influential figures.

A woman identified as Jakia Sultana, wife of a local Youth League leader, has been accused of assaulting a schoolgirl named Nusrat in front of the head teacher in Jianagar, Pirojpur. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning in Darichar Gazipur village under Parerhat Union. According to reports, the head teacher, Mostafa Faisal, was escorting the student back to school after a long absence when the attack took place near the school premises. Local sources said the dispute began over an alleged attempt to misappropriate savings funds from the Social Development Foundation (SDF), leading to tension between the two families. Nusrat had been absent from school for about ten days due to threats. The accused and her husband admitted to the altercation but denied using shoes to beat the girl. The head teacher claimed he was also injured while trying to intervene. Jianagar police confirmed that a written complaint has been filed. Officers have visited the scene and stated that legal action will follow after investigation.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs of Bangladesh has warned that performing or attempting to perform Hajj without proper authorization could result in a fine of up to 20,000 Saudi riyals. For foreign nationals, including Bangladeshis, violations may also lead to deportation and a ban on re-entry to Saudi Arabia for up to ten years. The ministry issued this notice on Thursday, urging all Bangladeshi pilgrims to strictly follow Saudi Arabia’s updated Hajj regulations aimed at controlling overcrowding and ensuring pilgrim safety. According to the Saudi authorities, anyone assisting unauthorized pilgrims—through transport, accommodation, or other means—may face fines of up to 100,000 riyals, with penalties increasing based on the number of people involved. The rules apply to travel agencies, service providers, vehicle owners, and others offering illegal support. Vehicles used in such activities may be confiscated after legal proceedings. The restrictions will remain in effect from the first day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Qi'dah until the 14th of Dhu al-Hijjah. Saudi authorities have also launched enforcement operations and recently arrested one person in Mecca for promoting fake Hajj permits online.

Crude oil transfer from the outer anchorage of Chattogram port to Eastern Refinery began this week, marking the end of a two‑month raw material shortage. The MT Ninemiya, a mother tanker carrying 100,000 tons of crude oil, anchored at Kutubdia Channel on Wednesday. After customs clearance, lighter vessels started unloading the oil for transport to the refinery’s jetty. Eastern Refinery’s managing director confirmed that all units are expected to resume full operation from Friday morning. According to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), the refinery had been running at limited capacity using remaining stock due to supply disruptions caused by the closure of the Hormuz Strait amid conflict in the Middle East. Eastern Refinery, the country’s only state‑owned oil refinery, imports crude oil from Saudi Arabia and produces 18 types of petroleum products including diesel, octane, petrol, jet fuel, kerosene, and LPG. The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation handles crude oil transportation for BPC. The last crude shipment arrived on February 17, forcing two of the refinery’s three main units to shut down on April 14. After 22 days of partial closure, full production is set to restart on Friday.