An oil spill has been detected off the coast of Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal. According to the Associated Press, satellite images taken early last week showed the slick before new US strikes on Iranian ships and coastal targets on Thursday and Friday. The spill was first identified on Tuesday near the island’s shoreline.

Marine intelligence firm Windward AI reported that by Friday, the oil slick had spread across approximately 71 square kilometers (27.4 square miles). The US Department of Defense has declined to comment on any recent attacks in the area, and the exact source of the spill remains undetermined.

The incident raises environmental and geopolitical concerns, as Kharg Island is central to Iran’s oil export operations, but no official explanation or response has yet been provided regarding the cause or potential impact of the spill.

A former president of Sylhet Metropolitan BNP and businessman, Nasim Hossain, was robbed of Tk 5.07 million in South Surma’s Parairchak area. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. on Friday in the Moglabazar area, drawing significant local attention due to the victim’s political background. According to police, the robbers intercepted and vandalized a private car before seizing the money.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police’s media officer, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Manjurul Alam, confirmed the robbery and said that a case had been filed by a bKash agent named Nayemuzzaman Kayes. Police are currently verifying the complaint. Nasim Hossain confirmed the incident and stated that he serves as the divisional distributor for mobile banking company bKash.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the robbery, but no further details about suspects or arrests were provided in the initial report.

Saudi Arabia has introduced a 24-hour hotline service to assist Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in 11 languages, according to Gulf News. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that pilgrims can now call 1966 at any time to obtain information, request assistance, or lodge service-related complaints. The initiative aims to ensure that pilgrims receive timely and accurate support during their pilgrimage.

The ministry stated that trained staff will manage calls and complaints through an integrated system supported by advanced call management technology. This setup is designed to provide quick and precise responses to inquiries. Qualified personnel will regularly monitor inquiries and coordinate with relevant agencies to resolve issues efficiently.

The unified contact center operates on a modern technology-based infrastructure that enhances performance, allocates calls according to staff expertise, and ensures effective communication with pilgrims. The ministry emphasized that the system will improve service quality and operational efficiency for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

Iran has taken a firm stance on keeping its enriched uranium, rejecting U.S. demands to surrender its stockpile or dismantle its nuclear program. According to an Al Jazeera report on Friday, Iranian officials stated that they would not make any concessions regarding the country’s highly enriched uranium. Washington has insisted that Tehran must not retain enriched uranium under any circumstances.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told local media that officials seek a permanent end to all wars and want assurances that hostilities will not resume. He emphasized that Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz is non-negotiable, though Tehran may reopen the strait if the United States lifts its sanctions.

The exchange underscores ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington over nuclear and regional issues, with Iran signaling that it will not compromise on its strategic and territorial interests.

The Indian Navy ship INS Sunayna arrived at Chattogram Port on Friday for a three-day goodwill visit to Bangladesh. Upon arrival, the ship’s commanding officer, officers, and sailors were welcomed by the Chief Staff Officer of the Commander Chattogram Naval Area. A ceremonial band performance by the Bangladesh Navy marked the occasion, attended by senior naval officials and representatives from the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh. Earlier, the Bangladesh Navy ship Ali Haider greeted the visiting vessel upon its entry into Bangladeshi waters.

During its stay, the ship’s commanding officer and a delegation including the Indian High Commission’s Naval Adviser will pay courtesy calls on the Commander Chattogram Naval Area, Commander BN Fleet, Area Superintendent Dockyard, and the Chairman of the Chattogram Port Authority. The crew will also visit Bangladesh Navy training bases, ships, and notable historical and tourist sites in Chattogram.

The visit aims to promote professional exchanges between the two navies and strengthen existing bilateral relations. The Indian Navy ship is scheduled to depart Bangladeshi waters on May 10.

A massive fire broke out on Friday evening at a foam recycling factory in the densely populated Kadamtali area of Dhaka, spreading panic among residents. The blaze, fueled by foam, tire materials, and fabric, quickly intensified and spread to a nearby semi-pucca building. Five units of the Fire Service managed to bring the fire under control at 9:05 p.m. after three hours of effort. One firefighter fell ill from excessive heat and was hospitalized.

Fire officials said the factory was located about 500 yards inside a narrow alley, making firefighting operations difficult due to limited access and water shortages. Assistant Director Kazi Nazmuzzaman stated that water was pumped from a nearby pond to contain the flames, preventing the fire from spreading to adjacent residential buildings and shops. The factory stored large amounts of flammable foam and materials used in mattress production, which caused the fire to spread rapidly.

Preliminary findings suggest an electrical short circuit may have triggered the fire. Authorities will determine the exact cause and damage after a full investigation once the debris is cleared.

Recent state assembly election results in India have highlighted a growing religious polarization in the country’s politics. Analysts cited by Reuters say that while a large portion of Muslim voters is increasingly aligning with the opposition Congress party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues to strengthen its position among Hindu voters. The analysis covered elections in four states and one union territory, revealing a clearer pattern of religion-based voting behavior.

Observers note that since coming to power in 2014, Modi and the BJP have made Hindutva a central political strategy, helping the party consolidate its national influence. In Assam, 18 of 19 newly elected Muslim legislators are from Congress, while the BJP won 82 seats to form the government. The Muslim-backed AIUDF saw its seats drop from 16 to two. In West Bengal, the BJP won 207 of 294 seats, emerging as a major force without fielding any Muslim candidates.

Analysts warn that this trend could deepen India’s social and political divisions, as both Hindu and Muslim voters increasingly align along religious lines.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized a large consignment of Indian mobile phone displays worth approximately Tk 9.4 million during an anti-smuggling operation in the Barojwala border area of Adarsha Sadar upazila, Comilla. The operation was carried out on Friday morning by a patrol team from the Barojwala Border Outpost (BOP) under the Sultanpur Battalion (60 BGB), based on specific intelligence information. A total of 1,706 mobile displays of Indian origin were confiscated, all without any identified owner.

According to the BGB, the seized items will be handed over to the relevant customs office following legal procedures. The commanding officer of the Sultanpur Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel S M Shariful Islam, stated that the force remains vigilant against smuggling activities and has intensified intelligence surveillance and operational measures along the border. He added that similar operations will continue in the future.

The operation underscores BGB’s ongoing efforts to curb cross-border smuggling and strengthen border security in the Comilla region.

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has arrived in Washington, D.C., to attend high-level meetings with U.S. officials amid ongoing diplomatic efforts surrounding the Iran conflict. The visit marks a significant step in discussions aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region.

According to reports, Sheikh Mohammed is expected to meet U.S. Vice President JD Vance during his visit, with the Iran issue receiving particular attention. A source told AFP that the meetings will cover U.S.-Qatar relations, the current situation in Iran, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market, and broader Middle Eastern stability. The Qatari Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Hamad Al-Muftah, welcomed the Prime Minister on social media, expressing delight at receiving “peace builders” in Washington.

The discussions are part of a wider diplomatic push involving multiple stakeholders seeking to ease tensions and strengthen cooperation between Washington and Doha on regional security and energy matters.

Hasnat Abdullah, Member of Parliament for Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) and a senior leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has donated most of his first month’s salary to support the education of children from the marginalized Bede community. In a video message posted on Facebook early Friday, he announced that the donation was made under a special initiative titled “Let’s Meet Gypsy Genius.” Through this program, 34 Bede students received cash scholarships from his first month’s salary.

The initiative also includes a monthly scholarship of 2,500 taka for Bede students pursuing higher education after completing higher secondary school. Bede community president Alaudin Ojha welcomed the move, saying it would help their children move beyond a nomadic lifestyle and build a better future through education. Abdullah stated that his goal is to ensure that financial hardship does not hinder any child’s education.

Local observers believe the MP’s personal initiative will positively influence education among disadvantaged groups and inspire others to take similar social responsibility.

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has congratulated Suvendu Adhikari, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader who won the West Bengal assembly election. The message was conveyed on Friday through a statement issued on behalf of the Awami League.

According to the statement, Hasina, who is also the president of the Awami League, extended her greetings to all victorious BJP representatives in the West Bengal assembly election. Although the statement mentioned only Suvendu Adhikari by name, it noted that Hasina wished success to all who achieved victory in the polls.

The announcement reflects a gesture of goodwill from the former Bangladeshi leader toward the newly elected leadership in the neighboring Indian state, emphasizing political courtesy and regional diplomatic civility.

Bangladesh’s Mominul Haque lauded teammate Najmul Hossain Shanto after his commanding century on the opening day of the Dhaka Test against Pakistan. From a precarious 31 for 2, Shanto and Mominul built a 170-run partnership that helped Bangladesh regain control. Shanto scored 101 off 129 balls with 12 fours and two sixes, playing in an aggressive one-day style that unsettled the Pakistani bowlers.

Speaking at the post-day press conference, Mominul described Shanto’s innings as one of the best he had witnessed from him, crediting his counterattack for putting Pakistan under pressure. He noted that Shanto has been in excellent form, having scored centuries in recent Tests against Sri Lanka, Ireland, and New Zealand. Mominul emphasized the importance of maintaining the same mindset and staying grounded to sustain this consistency.

Looking ahead, Mominul said a strong start on the following morning would be crucial for Bangladesh’s position in the Dhaka Test, expressing optimism about the team’s momentum.

Widespread communal violence broke out across West Bengal just hours before Suvendu Adhikari was to be sworn in as the state’s first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief minister. The epicenter of the unrest was a mosque in Cooch Behar, known locally as the ‘Chhoto Mosque,’ where alleged BJP-backed assailants vandalized the premises and desecrated copies of the Quran. Local worshippers were seen in tears amid the destruction, describing the attack as unimaginable.

Witnesses said that after election results were announced, groups of men wearing saffron powder gathered outside the mosque, shouting provocative slogans before storming inside. Reports of attacks on Muslim-owned shops and homes have also emerged from several districts, including Cooch Behar and Birbhum. Allegations have surfaced that Adhikari’s divisive rhetoric during the campaign emboldened perpetrators.

Meanwhile, incidents of arson at Trinamool Congress offices in Kolkata and threats to close meat and biryani shops have raised concerns about growing intolerance. Observers fear that West Bengal’s communal harmony may face a severe crisis if the violence continues unchecked.

Jamaat-e-Islami central executive council member and Dhaka South Ameer Md. Nurul Islam Bulbul MP said the government is misleading the public by promising to fully implement the July Charter while actually avoiding necessary reforms. Speaking on Friday at a Jamaat-e-Islami training camp for non-members and associates in the Motijheel-Shahjahanpur zone, he accused the government of reviving old fascist practices instead of pursuing reform and change.

Bulbul argued that those who sought a ‘yes’ vote in the pre-election referendum but later ignored its outcome cannot bring about state reform or implement the July Charter. He questioned why ruling party lawmakers had not taken the oath of the constitutional reform council if they truly intended to follow the charter. He urged the government to implement the July Charter peacefully and said Jamaat-e-Islami was ready to cooperate if the government accepted the referendum’s verdict.

The event was chaired by Muhammad Shamsur Rahman, assistant secretary of Dhaka South Jamaat, and attended by several local leaders.

A security guard at Dhaka University’s Curzon Hall has been listed as the joint general secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan East unit of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), prompting internal discussions and criticism within the organization. The appointment appeared in a committee list approved on April 4, 2026, by the JCD central leadership and published on May 2 on the group’s official Facebook page. The listed individual, Julhas Mia, said he was not fully certain whether the name referred to him.

Julhas, currently employed as a fourth-class security guard at the university’s main gate, stated that he had long been involved with the student organization and had submitted his CV about six months earlier seeking an honorary position. However, he expressed uncertainty about how his name appeared in the final committee. The Dhaka Metropolitan East JCD president confirmed Julhas’s identity, saying he had participated in various programs and was believed to be a current student.

Other JCD leaders, including the vice president and general secretary of the same unit, said they were unaware of Julhas’s professional background. The central general secretary of JCD said such inclusion should not have occurred and promised to review the matter.