Bangladesh Bank has announced a temporary relaxation in loan regulations for the leather sector ahead of Eid-ul-Azha 2026. According to a circular issued on Tuesday, businesses that previously rescheduled their loans will now be able to access new financing without paying the earlier required compromise amount. The relaxation will remain effective until June 30, 2026, allowing more traders to secure working capital for rawhide collection, preservation, and marketing during the festival season.

The central bank emphasized that the leather industry is a key export-oriented sector based on domestic raw materials, contributing significantly to national growth, employment, and foreign exchange earnings. As nearly half of the annual rawhide supply comes from sacrificial animals during Eid-ul-Azha, the circular directed banks to ensure adequate financing and to distribute loans effectively to grassroots traders.

Banks have also been instructed to set loan disbursement targets for 2026 that are not lower than the previous year’s levels and to submit related data to Bangladesh Bank by July 31, 2026.

Bangladesh Bank has increased the maximum loan limit for purchasing cars under consumer loans from Tk 6 million to Tk 8 million. The central bank issued a circular on Tuesday to all commercial bank chief executives, stating that buyers can now receive loans covering up to 80 percent of a car’s price, particularly for hybrid and electric vehicles. Consumers will need to pay the remaining 20 percent themselves.

The circular explained that the decision reflects the growing demand for environmentally friendly and energy-efficient vehicles in Bangladesh. It also aims to align loan limits with current automobile market prices and encourage consumers to adopt hybrid and electric cars. Previously, banks could finance only 60 percent of a car’s price, requiring buyers to cover 40 percent.

Additionally, the central bank raised the ceiling for personal loans. Individuals can now borrow up to Tk 1 million without collateral, and up to Tk 4 million with adequate security. Banks have been instructed to ensure that consumer loan growth does not exceed their overall loan growth rate.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that Iran will face a strong military response if any commercial vessel is attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a Pentagon press conference on Tuesday, he issued a clear message to Tehran, urging it not to carry out any form of assault on ships in the strategic waterway.

Hegseth stated that during the ongoing 'Operation Project Freedom,' any targeting of commercial ships would trigger a major military strike against Iran. He added that the United States has established a robust defense system in the Strait of Hormuz to ensure global security.

According to Hegseth, any attack on a vessel would bring serious consequences for Iran, underscoring Washington’s commitment to maintaining maritime safety in the region.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of Bangladesh, Md. Nurul Islam, has submitted 38 audit reports from various ministries and agencies to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Tuesday afternoon. Among these reports is the investigation into the widely discussed 'pillow scandal' corruption that occurred during the construction of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant’s Green City residential complex. The scandal, first exposed in 2019, involved abnormally inflated prices for furniture and electronic items, including pillows purchased at Tk 5,957 each and additional lifting charges.

According to the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibli, the Prime Minister reacted to the report by remarking that such an expensive pillow should be kept in a museum. The audit found irregularities in purchases worth Tk 169 crore for the residential project, with several items priced far above market value, such as comforters at Tk 16,800 and bed sheets at Tk 5,936.

Senior officials including the Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani and Finance Secretary Khairuzzaman Mojumdar were present during the submission of the 2021–22 fiscal year audit reports.

Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (BSCCPLC) has dismissed recent media reports warning of a potential internet disruption, asserting that the country’s digital infrastructure remains strong and secure. In a statement issued Tuesday, the state-owned company said the report titled “Fear of Internet Disruption; Concerns Grow Over Submarine Cable” contained misleading information. BSCCPLC clarified that its two operational submarine cable systems have a combined capacity of 7,220 Gbps and are functioning reliably.

The company explained that only 1.34 percent of its total bandwidth passes through the Red Sea route, while 98.66 percent flows through Singapore and Chennai, making Bangladesh’s internet largely unaffected by any crisis in the Hormuz Strait. It also rejected claims that the SMW-5 cable is at full capacity or that SMW-4 has expired, noting both remain active and under capacity. A third cable, SMW-6, is under construction and expected to add 30,000 Gbps by year-end.

BSCCPLC urged the public not to be misled by inaccurate reports and emphasized that reliable information should be obtained directly from the company.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the United States does not want any conflict with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a Pentagon press conference, he said Washington is taking necessary steps to ensure free and safe navigation in this vital maritime route. The US has launched an initiative called 'Operation Project Freedom' aimed at protecting international shipping lanes.

Hegseth clarified that the US effort to keep the Strait open does not require entering Iranian airspace or waters. He emphasized that the United States seeks neither tension nor confrontation. According to him, although Iran claims control over the Strait, it does not actually hold such control.

The Defense Secretary added that maintaining stability in this strategically important waterway remains the United States’ primary objective.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair described May 5 as an important chapter in the country’s anti-fascist movement. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a discussion organized by Sushil Forum at the National Press Club’s Akram Khan Hall, marking the Shapla Chattar killing day. Zubair said the incident of May 5, 2013, opened a new chapter in Bangladesh’s history and accused the Awami League government of implementing its political plans through planned incidents.

The discussion was presided over by Sushil Forum President Md. Zahid and attended by several speakers, including freedom fighter Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman, Md. Kamal Hossain, Professor Iqbal Hossain Pradhan, Altaf Uddin Molla, and Professor Nur Nabi Manik. Major Akhtaruzzaman said May 5 opened a new door in Bangladesh’s history and that although victory was hindered by a lack of leadership, the movement’s continuity remains.

Speakers at the event called for unity in support of democracy, justice, and human rights in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a five-day forecast predicting light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by gusty or squally winds and lightning in eight divisions of the country. The forecast, effective from 9 a.m. Tuesday for the next 120 hours, indicates that Rangpur, Khulna, Mymensingh, Barishal, and Sylhet divisions may experience rain in several areas, while Rajshahi, Dhaka, and Chattogram divisions may see similar weather in a few places.

According to the department’s statement, a low-pressure area is currently present, with its extension stretching from West Bengal to the northern Bay of Bengal. The system is expected to influence weather patterns across the country during the forecast period.

The forecast also mentions the possibility of moderately heavy rainfall in some parts of the country, suggesting localized variations in intensity over the coming days.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has called on the country's bureaucrats to adopt the role of public servants rather than rulers to make democracy meaningful. He made the remarks at the District Commissioners’ Conference held yesterday. The Speaker emphasized that district commissioners play a crucial role in establishing democracy, as they serve as returning officers during national elections. He criticized the previous 16 years of Awami League rule, describing the election system during that period as marked by corruption and irregularities, and urged district commissioners to ensure free and fair elections in the future.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed highlighted that democracy in Bangladesh was restored through the sacrifices of ordinary people, whose struggles from 1971 to 2024 were instrumental in achieving democratic governance. Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal stated that parliament is the heart of democracy and that democratic debate strengthens it. Chief Whip Md. Nurul Islam Moni noted that district commissioners act as a bridge between the government and the people, playing a vital role in implementing national policies at the local level.

The event also featured remarks from senior officials, including the Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, who delivered a vote of thanks.

Following the announcement of election results, widespread political violence has erupted across several districts of West Bengal. Incidents of killings, assaults, vandalism, and alleged party office takeovers have been reported from South 24 Parganas, Birbhum, Nadia, Howrah, and Bankura. Both the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have accused each other of orchestrating the attacks.

In Birbhum’s Nanur, a Trinamool worker named Abir Sheikh was killed, with his family alleging that BJP supporters attacked him with sharp weapons. In Howrah’s Udayanpur, a BJP supporter named Yadav Bar died after an alleged assault by Trinamool activists. Multiple Trinamool offices in Baruipur, Siliguri, Nadia, and Bankura were reportedly vandalized or taken over, while BJP denied involvement in each case. Police were deployed in several tense areas.

The situation remains volatile across the state, with both parties trading blame and reports of continued unrest in multiple districts.

Rashed Pradhan, vice president and spokesperson of the National Democratic Party (JAGPA), stated that the 20-party alliance, including the BNP, had expressed moral and political support for Hefazat-e-Islam’s rally and demands at Dhaka’s Shapla Chattar on May 5, 2013. Speaking at a representative meeting marking the 46th founding anniversary of Labour JAGPA, he said that despite Begum Khaleda Zia’s backing and the alliance’s readiness, BNP leaders failed to make the right decision. According to him, if BNP had joined Hefazat on the ground that day, the outcome might have been the fall of the Awami League instead of the Shapla massacre.

Pradhan demanded justice for those involved in the Shapla killings and accused certain media outlets and journalists of legitimizing the incident under Indian influence through biased reporting. He said the absence of justice for such crimes encourages new autocrats. He also criticized the BNP for not implementing the “July Charter” as per the referendum mandate and called for preparation for a new movement and uprising.

The meeting was held Tuesday morning at the Shafiul Alam Pradhan Auditorium in Paltan, chaired by Labour JAGPA president Asaduzzaman Babul and attended by other party leaders.

A major political shift is unfolding in West Bengal as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prepares to form the next government following its victory in the recently concluded assembly elections. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit the state to meet newly elected BJP legislators and oversee the selection of the party’s legislative leader, a key step in forming the new government. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will assist Shah as co-observer in the process.

According to party sources, the BJP has secured 207 seats and is moving toward government formation. The central leadership has confirmed that Shah will lead the process to elect the new legislative party leader, who will also become the next Chief Minister of West Bengal. Shah’s direct involvement signals the importance the BJP attaches to this victory, as such high-level participation is rare in similar state-level processes.

The date for the new government’s swearing-in has not yet been finalized, though May 9 is being discussed as a possible date, pending a final decision by the party’s central leadership.

National Citizens Party (NCP) chief organizer Sarjis Alam has accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of attempting to consolidate power by delaying local government elections. Speaking at a press conference at the NCP’s temporary central office in Dhaka’s Bangla Motor on Tuesday, he said BNP leaders and the prime minister’s information adviser have indicated that local elections may be postponed until December 2027.

Sarjis claimed that there are currently no elected chairmen at the upazila level and alleged that BNP is planning to dissolve district councils. He warned that any attempt to centralize authority and suppress public rights would backfire. He further alleged that BNP has appointed defeated and unqualified leaders to administrative positions in district councils and city corporations, turning these institutions into centers of corruption and extortion.

Calling for city corporation, upazila, and municipal elections within this year, Sarjis urged the Election Commission and local government authorities to prepare accordingly. He cautioned that any delay could force opposition parties to take to the streets.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman departed for China on May 5, 2026, for a three-day official visit, marking his first trip to Beijing in this role. The visit is taking place at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Communist Party of China’s Political Bureau. During the visit, Rahman and Wang Yi are scheduled to hold bilateral talks covering a wide range of issues, including mutual interests, regional and global developments, and particularly the evolving situation in the Middle East.

Discussions are expected to emphasize alignment of development policies and strategic priorities, as well as cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges. The Chinese government has expressed its willingness to work closely with Bangladesh’s new administration to deepen political trust and strengthen cooperation under the framework of their “comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.”

Rahman will also meet Wang Huning, chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and attend a luncheon hosted by Liu Haixing, minister of the CPC’s International Department. Senior Bangladeshi officials, including the prime minister’s foreign affairs adviser and the BIDA chairman, are accompanying him.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman announced that Bangladesh’s local government elections are expected to begin toward the end of this year. He said the full election process, including all phases such as union councils, could take between ten months and one year to complete. He made the remarks on Tuesday during a weekly press briefing at the Department of Information in Dhaka.

During the briefing, the adviser also discussed progress across various ministries. He clarified that the government has not decided to curtail the powers of upazila parishads, noting that members of parliament serve as advisers to these councils by law. He added that providing offices for MPs within upazila parishads does not diminish the councils’ authority.

Dr. Rahman further highlighted several government initiatives, including the ongoing bus route rationalization project in Dhaka, duty exemptions for importing electric school buses, free Wi-Fi at five airports and four railway stations, and financial aid for flood-affected farmers in the haor region.