The technology desk of Amader Desh published a detailed guide on May 5, 2026, outlining essential steps for safe and long-lasting air conditioner use. The report warns that lack of proper care and maintenance can make air conditioners hazardous, potentially leading to explosions in extreme cases. It emphasizes that regular servicing, cleaning, and inspection are vital to prevent such incidents.

The article advises users to have their air conditioners serviced by professional technicians two to three times a year to detect faults early. It highlights the importance of keeping filters clean every two to four weeks, checking electrical connections to avoid short circuits, and ensuring stable voltage through a stabilizer. The guide also recommends keeping the outdoor unit free from dust and debris, checking for refrigerant gas leaks, avoiding continuous operation, and using only genuine parts from trusted brands.

These maintenance practices, according to the report, can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and extend the lifespan of air conditioning units, ensuring safer household use.

The Israeli military has issued a new evacuation order for residents of two towns in southern Lebanon, Jabshit and Sarafand. According to the directive, civilians must immediately leave the area and move to open zones at least 1,000 meters away. The order was reported by Al Jazeera on May 5, 2026.

The Israeli military stated that anyone remaining in the area, particularly near Hezbollah members, facilities, or military activities, would be putting their lives at risk. The move comes amid ongoing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, where recent military actions and warnings have heightened fears of further escalation.

Observers expect that this latest evacuation order could further increase instability and tension in the border region, though no additional details were provided in the report.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman announced that Bangladesh’s local government elections will take place toward the end of this year. He stated that the process will be conducted in phases and is expected to take about one year to complete. Rahman made the remarks on Tuesday around 11:30 a.m.

During his statement, Rahman also mentioned that farmers affected in the haor region will receive a one-time payment of 7,500 taka each. Addressing concerns about the measles vaccination program, he said the interim government had no dishonest intent regarding the vaccine, but the reasons for the delay in administering it should be investigated.

The announcement outlines the government’s upcoming electoral timeline and its immediate relief measures for affected farmers, while also signaling an internal review of the vaccination delay.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has officially published a gazette declaring Nusrat Tabassum, joint convener of the NCP under the Jamaat-led alliance, as a Member of Parliament for a reserved women’s seat in the 13th National Parliament. The announcement was confirmed on Tuesday, May 5, by Returning Officer and EC Joint Secretary Md. Moin Uddin Khan.

Earlier, the nomination of another NCP candidate, Monira Sharmin, had been rejected due to complications related to government employment. Nusrat Tabassum’s nomination was initially not accepted because it was submitted 19 minutes after the deadline on April 21. She later sought legal remedy, and the court instructed the Election Commission to accept her nomination and proceed according to law. Following verification, the EC declared her nomination valid on May 2.

Meanwhile, Monira Sharmin filed a writ petition challenging the rejection of her nomination and requested that the gazette not be issued until the court hearing concluded. However, on May 4, a High Court bench expressed inability to hear the petition due to a conflict of interest and referred it to another bench.

Bangladeshi political parties are actively discussing the implications of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) victory in the West Bengal state elections, which ended Mamata Banerjee’s long tenure. Many are curious about how the new BJP-led government might influence bilateral issues such as Teesta River water sharing, border management, and cross-border migration. The discussions reflect both curiosity and concern over potential shifts in regional dynamics.

The report notes that relations between Bangladesh and India had been strained following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024, though recent efforts from both sides have aimed to improve ties. Some Bangladeshi parties expressed concern over remarks made by Indian politicians about Bangladesh during the campaign, while others emphasized maintaining stable relations regardless of political changes in India. Foreign Minister of State Shama Obaid stated that Bangladesh’s approach to unresolved bilateral issues would remain consistent, irrespective of who governs West Bengal.

Party representatives offered varied perspectives: some warned of rising communalism, while others viewed the election as India’s internal matter. Overall, the focus remains on ensuring continued dialogue and cooperation between the two neighbors.

Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh has issued a statement demanding justice for the killings that occurred on May 5, 2013, at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka’s Motijheel area. The joint statement, released to the media on Tuesday, was signed by the party’s president Shaikhul Hadis Maulana Ubaydullah Faruq and secretary general Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi. The leaders described the incident as a tragic and shameful chapter in the nation’s history, recalling the loss of many innocent lives and injuries to numerous others.

The statement emphasized that a culture of impunity is unacceptable in any civilized society and that the state bears the responsibility to ensure the safety of its citizens. The Jamiat leaders called for the arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible for the Shapla Chattar killings. They also urged the formation of an independent and internationally credible commission to investigate the incident and publish its findings promptly.

The leaders expressed deep respect for those killed, conveyed condolences to their families, and urged effective measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Several commercial ships caught fire at a dock in the southern Iranian port of Dayyer, according to the country’s state media. The incident was reported on May 5, 2026, with local fire department chief Majid Omrani confirming that firefighting teams were working to bring the blaze under control.

Reports from the Mehr News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated that the cause of the fire had not yet been determined. Authorities have not released further details about possible damage or casualties. Officials said additional updates would be provided once more information becomes available.

The situation remains under investigation as emergency services continue efforts to contain the fire and assess its impact on port operations.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said there is no reason for concern regarding the Bangladesh–United States trade agreement, emphasizing that such international accords are built on mutual interests. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with US Assistant Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch at the Commerce Ministry on Tuesday, he described the deal as a ‘win-win’ arrangement designed to benefit both sides.

The minister explained that the current government inherited the agreement as part of state continuity and intends to use it to expand trade and investment. He noted that Bangladesh has sought clarification from the US regarding a recently initiated investigation and has already shared its position in response. Muktadir stressed that Bangladesh does not engage in dumping and that its export sectors, particularly ready-made garments, operate under strict international compliance standards.

He further stated that the agreement includes provisions for amendment or adjustment if any clause contradicts Bangladesh’s interests, describing this as a ‘self-correcting element.’ The meeting also discussed strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties.

A police sub-inspector in Homna upazila of Cumilla has been accused of taking a 78-year-old woman to the rooftop of a four-storey police station building for interrogation and threatening her to withdraw a case. The accused officer, identified as SI Tapas Kumar Sarkar of Homna Police Station, allegedly acted against the complainant, Shamsul Nesa of Shrimaddi village, who had earlier filed a complaint after being assaulted by her son and daughters-in-law.

A video of the incident, obtained by a local journalist, shows the officer and an associate questioning the woman on the rooftop, asking her to show injury marks, and using abusive language while holding a cigarette. The footage has sparked widespread discussion in the area. The victim claimed the officer took money from the accused and pressured her to drop the case.

Homna Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tomas Barua confirmed that the rooftop interrogation was a violation of procedure and said the matter had been reported to higher authorities. Attempts to contact SI Tapas Kumar for comment were unsuccessful.

On May 5, 2026, survivors of the 2013 Shapla Square operation in Dhaka shared their ongoing struggles and memories of that night. The crackdown followed a mass gathering called by Hefazat-e-Islam, when security forces reportedly opened fire after lights were cut off. Many participants were injured or killed, though no official death toll has ever been confirmed. Survivors like Rashedul Islam Siraji, Mohammad Nure Alam, and Nasir Uddin Ahmed described lifelong disabilities, financial hardship, and emotional trauma stemming from the events.

Rashedul lost a leg after being shot and now runs a small grocery shop under heavy debt. Nure Alam lost an eye and suffered paralysis, struggling to support his family as a security guard. Nasir Uddin still carries the physical and financial scars of a bullet wound that ended his education and left him indebted for years. All three expressed frustration that neither the government nor Hefazat-e-Islam has provided recognition, rehabilitation, or compensation for the injured.

The survivors’ accounts highlight enduring pain and a continuing call for official acknowledgment of the Shapla Square violence and its victims.

Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. A.K.M. Shamsul Islam, adviser to the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces Division, stated that district commissioners have been instructed to help transform the armed forces into a more people-oriented institution. He made the remarks on Tuesday after the first session of the third day of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.

According to the adviser, the conference discussed the demands, work plans, and related matters of the armed forces, with district commissioners being briefed on their expected roles. He said the government aims to ensure the armed forces operate with accountability and public engagement, reflecting the philosophy of late President Ziaur Rahman. The discussions also covered how district commissioners could contribute to strengthening professionalism and patriotism within the military.

Shamsul Islam added that the meeting reviewed ways to enhance cooperation and mutual trust among the armed forces, district commissioners, and civil administration, particularly regarding their roles during elections.

India has condemned Monday’s missile and drone attack in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, which injured three Indian nationals, calling the incident “unacceptable.” In a statement issued Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs described the assault as intolerable and urged an immediate end to hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent people.

The attack in Fujairah, reportedly attributed to Iran, prompted India to emphasize the need for de-escalation and the protection of international shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz. The ministry highlighted that India relies heavily on these maritime routes for energy imports, making regional stability a matter of critical importance for the country.

New Delhi also appealed to all concerned parties to exercise restraint and ensure the safety of civilians amid the ongoing tensions in the region.

Kushtia-3 Member of Parliament and Islamic speaker Mufti Amir Hamza posted a statement on his verified Facebook page on Monday night, addressing allegations related to extortion and other misconduct. In his post, he claimed that certain vested groups were spreading false propaganda against him because his efforts to serve the people were obstructing their interests.

Hamza wrote that since becoming an MP, many individuals involved in extortion, tender manipulation, land grabbing, and drug trade could no longer operate freely. He alleged that these groups were now spreading fabricated information to protect their illegal activities. He warned them to stop such actions and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the trust placed in him by the people of Kushtia.

He concluded by expressing confidence that his constituents would continue to support him in resisting those engaged in wrongdoing and pledged to make every sacrifice necessary to uphold their welfare.

Former CIA analyst John Nixon has said that China could gain significant advantages if the ongoing war between the United States and Iran continues. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Nixon explained that Beijing is pursuing a long-term strategy and has learned much about US warfare capabilities and modern tactics through the Iran conflict.

He noted that China is positioning itself as a more attractive ally to Middle Eastern nations, particularly in the Gulf region, which he described as vital to China’s future. Nixon added that while China is often viewed as a transactional power, its cooperative approach appeals to Gulf states seeking stability. He emphasized that China has no interest in spreading conflict in the Middle East but aims to strengthen partnerships with Gulf countries.

Nixon also highlighted China’s continued dependence on Gulf energy resources, predicting that even as the world moves away from fossil fuels, China will remain a major buyer and its ties with Gulf nations will deepen over time.

The government has announced plans to implement the ninth pay scale in three phases, considering the country’s current economic conditions. A reconstituted committee has already begun preparing recommendations, which will soon be submitted to the government. The proposal suggests that 50 percent of the basic salary could be implemented in the 2026–27 fiscal year, with the Finance Division recommending an additional allocation of 350 to 400 billion taka in the upcoming budget for salaries, allowances, and pensions. The first phase is expected to cover about 33 percent of the new pay scale for government employees.

According to the source, the remaining portions of the basic salary and various allowances will be implemented gradually over the following two fiscal years. Although no final decision has been made in the committee’s first meeting, members reportedly support implementing the announced pay scale due to pressure from government employees. The current budget had allocations for pay scale implementation that were not used, but the next budget is expected to include increased funding for this purpose.

The reconstituted committee may take key decisions after the finance minister returns from the Asian Development Bank’s annual meeting, followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman before final approval.