The Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Afroza Khanom Rita, announced that Bogura will be developed into one of Bangladesh’s major aviation hubs by utilizing the potential of the northern region. On Thursday, a delegation visited the site to assess the establishment of an international-standard airport, modern airbase, pilot training center, and cargo facilities. The minister said the initiative follows the Prime Minister’s directive and marks the beginning of a large-scale aviation development plan starting from Bogura.

State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat MP stated that the plan includes constructing a 10,500-foot runway to accommodate both domestic and international aircraft. A cargo facility will also be established to support the export of agricultural and industrial products from the northern region. The government aims to expand Bogura Airport to open new opportunities in communication, trade, and aviation.

The inspection team included Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan, Secretary Fahmida Akhter, and senior officials from the ministry and the airport, reflecting high-level coordination in the project’s initial phase.

Voting is underway in the United Kingdom’s local elections on Thursday, with polling stations opening at 7 a.m. The elections cover local councils in England and the semi-autonomous legislatures of Scotland and Wales. Analysts suggest the results could intensify pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Labour Party, which may face significant setbacks.

The elections are being viewed as a referendum on Starmer’s turbulent tenure as prime minister. Observers believe that poor results could accelerate his departure and signal a major shift in the country’s political landscape. The vote comes at a time when the Labour Party’s leadership is under scrutiny amid growing political uncertainty.

The outcome of these elections is expected to shape the near-term direction of British politics, potentially influencing both party leadership and policy priorities depending on the scale of Labour’s performance.

Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon announced that the government plans to invest 5 percent of Bangladesh’s GDP in the education sector. He made the statement on Thursday morning at a UNICEF-organized seminar in Dhaka focused on strengthening innovation in classrooms. The minister said previous governments never invested more than 1.5 percent of GDP in education, and the current administration aims to build skilled human capital through increased investment.

Milon emphasized the need to enhance both education and skills from the primary level and criticized the previous government for failing to implement digital classrooms due to lack of accountability and transparency. He said the current government is moving toward establishing interactive digital classrooms in line with the Prime Minister’s commitment.

Prime Minister’s adviser Mahdi Amin added that initiatives have been taken to ensure education and skill development from the primary level, with long-term plans for digital and active classrooms. He also highlighted the need to reduce the gap between urban and rural education systems and mentioned plans to include a third international-standard language in the curriculum.

In Meherpur, police have returned 82 mobile phones and 49,000 taka to their rightful owners after recovering them through investigations into theft and fraud cases. The handover took place on Thursday morning at the office premises of the Superintendent of Police, where Superintendent Ujjal Kumar Roy personally distributed the recovered items. Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops) Zaminur Rahman Khan was also present at the event.

According to the district police, the recovered phones were linked to complaints filed at three police stations: 37 in Meherpur Sadar, 29 in Gangni, and 16 in Mujibnagar. The Cyber Crime Investigation Cell also recovered 18 Facebook IDs, 9 WhatsApp IDs, and located two missing persons. Police urged citizens to seek help from law enforcement for any law and order issues and warned against using brokers for overseas travel or engaging with deceptive online applications.

The initiative reflects ongoing efforts by Meherpur police to strengthen public trust and enhance digital crime response capabilities within the district.

Serious allegations have been raised against Barishal Deputy Commissioner (DC) Khairul Alam Suman for embezzling large sums of government funds allocated for the 13th parliamentary election. Reports claim that he inflated the number of polling booths and remote centers in Hizla, Muladi, and Mehendiganj upazilas, creating fake bills and vouchers to misappropriate about Tk 6.25 million. The total allocation for election operations in Barishal was Tk 131.1 million, but discrepancies were found between official records and upazila-level documents.

Sources allege that the DC also withheld payments meant for executive magistrates and other election officials, diverting funds through falsified vouchers. Several officers who questioned the irregularities were reportedly transferred or restricted from administrative access. Additional allegations include misuse of funds for mobile courts, hospitality, fuel, and even renovation of the DC’s bungalow using relief allocations.

Attempts to contact the DC for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to repeated calls or messages. The matter has caused significant unrest within the local administration, though most officials remain silent out of fear of reprisal.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Almojaddedee Alfechani of the Department of Botany has been appointed as the new Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Dhaka. The appointment was announced in a Ministry of Education circular issued on Thursday, approved by the President and Chancellor under Article 13(1) of the Dhaka University Order, 1973. He will serve a four-year term from the date of joining, receiving the same salary and benefits as his current position, and must reside on campus.

Dr. Alfechani has been engaged in teaching and research for over two decades and currently serves as a professor in the Department of Botany. He earned his BSc (Honours) and MSc (Thesis) degrees with first-class first positions from the same department and later obtained a PhD. He is an Associate Fellow of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences and a Capstone Fellow of the National Defence College.

He has published over a hundred research papers and six international books, supervised multiple PhD and MSc students, and discovered several new plant and algae species. His research contributions include innovations in algae-based water purification nanofilters, supercapacitors, and biosensors.

Import and export activities at the Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh resumed in full swing from 10 a.m. on Thursday. The operations had been suspended for two days due to the announcement of results from the Indian state assembly elections. According to Md. Jahangir Alam, general secretary of the Banglabandha Land Port Importers and Exporters C&F Association, several previously halted goods-laden trucks have now entered the port after receiving clearance from India’s Fulbari customs station.

Alam added that the formation of a new committee at the Fulbari customs station in India may take about a week, which could delay the full restoration of regular trade activities. The resumption marks a return to cross-border trade flow between Bangladesh and India through this key northern land port.

The gradual normalization of operations is expected to ease the backlog of goods and support regional trade once the administrative processes at the Indian customs station are fully completed.

Pakistan’s military has declared that it will counter any anti-state conspiracy with maximum strength. The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday night. The statement said that such efforts would be met with even greater power, precision, and resolve than those used against India in 2025.

According to the ISPR, Pakistan is a peace-loving nation, and all efforts of its armed forces are dedicated to maintaining regional peace, stability, and security. The statement emphasized that peace for Pakistan is inseparable from respect, dignity, and sovereign equality. It also noted that the armed forces remain fully aware of evolving geopolitical and regional security dynamics, as well as the adversaries’ attempts to enhance their aggressive capabilities.

The statement further affirmed that Pakistan’s military remains steadfast in its commitment, vigilance, and determination to defend the country. It continues to invest in critical capabilities, advanced technologies, and professional excellence to meet future challenges.

In Kishoreganj’s Austagram upazila, relentless rainfall, upstream floods, and adverse weather have destroyed vast stretches of boro paddy fields, leaving local farmers in despair. Many, including smallholder farmers from Habelipara and Daspara, have seen their crops submerged or spoiled, turning their hopes of a good harvest into financial ruin. Farmer Md. Malek, who cultivated 20 acres on high-interest loans, managed to harvest only a fraction of his crop, with the rest lost under water. The poor quality of the salvaged paddy has further reduced its market value.

Another farmer, Md. Rezaul Islam Rezu, reported similar losses, while on May 2, 2026, farmer Md. Akhtar Hossain of Alinagar village reportedly died of cardiac arrest amid mounting debt and crop failure. Thousands of farmers across Austagram now face the dual burden of natural calamity and loan repayment pressure from moneylenders and NGOs.

The report warns that without urgent government or private assistance, recovering from these losses will be nearly impossible for affected farmers.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson, Tahir Andarabi, said Islamabad is hopeful about a possible agreement between the United States and Iran to end the ongoing war. Speaking at a weekly briefing, he stated that Pakistan would welcome any resolution reached between the two nations and added that if such a deal were signed in Pakistan, it would be a matter of honor. He noted that he was unsure about the length of the draft agreement but remained optimistic that it would be finalized soon.

US President Donald Trump reportedly expects a deal with Iran within a week, according to Fox News journalist Bret Baier, who said the president expressed optimism about the memorandum of understanding during a phone conversation. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told French President Emmanuel Macron that Iran is ready to pursue diplomacy to end the war with the United States and Israel, while prioritizing the protection of Iranian national rights.

The statements from all sides indicate cautious optimism about a diplomatic breakthrough, though the exact terms and timing of any agreement remain uncertain.

A faction of Chhatra Dal activists in Kishoreganj blocked a major road on Thursday morning demanding the cancellation of the newly announced district committee. The protest took place around 11:30 a.m. at Gouranga Bazar intersection in the district town, halting traffic and causing severe congestion. The blockade lasted about half an hour before normal traffic resumed.

Former and current leaders of the district, municipal, and college units of Chhatra Dal participated in the demonstration. Municipal Chhatra Dal joint convener Mohammad Pavel Hasan alleged that the new committee was formed through a syndicate and called on the BNP chairperson to review the decision. He warned that they would not accept any committee formed in this manner and might launch tougher programs in the future.

The central Chhatra Dal had announced a five-member partial committee for the Kishoreganj district branch on May 2, sparking discontent among some activists. The previous committee, announced in May last year, was suspended after 20 days. The exclusion of former general secretary Redwanur Rahman Wakiur from the new lineup has reportedly fueled renewed controversy.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the army will be withdrawn as discipline has been restored within the police force. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday, May 7, he said that with an elected and political government now in power, the police have become more active, reducing the need for the army to continue its field duties. The withdrawal will be carried out gradually, with the process and method to be decided through further discussions.

The minister also addressed the issue of stone extraction in Sylhet and Sunamganj, stating that a committee led by the Sylhet Divisional Commissioner and composed of experts has been formed. The committee will determine how, from which areas, and to what depth stones can be extracted, as well as how to preserve them while protecting the environment.

The announcement signals a shift toward normalizing internal security operations under civilian law enforcement, while also emphasizing environmental oversight in resource extraction.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has welcomed reports of a potential agreement between Iran and the United States, according to a statement cited by Al Jazeera Arabic on May 7, 2026. The ministry said Islamabad supports the development but will not disclose any information at this stage to maintain the trust of both parties involved in the mediation process.

The statement clarified that Pakistan would not comment on the terms or progress of the possible deal and that it has no confirmed information on where the next round of talks or meetings between the two delegations will take place. However, Pakistan expressed that hosting such discussions in Islamabad would be considered a great honor.

Pakistan has been acting as a mediator to ease tensions between Iran and the United States. On the same day, Iran was expected to deliver an official response to a U.S. proposal through Pakistan, underscoring Islamabad’s continuing role in facilitating communication between the two sides.

Police recovered the body of an unidentified man from Kamalla village in Munshirhat Union of Fulgazi upazila, Feni, near the India border on Thursday morning. Locals discovered the body lying near a poultry farm west of former UP member Janu Member’s house and informed police, who retrieved it around 6:45 a.m.

According to police, the deceased appeared to be between 45 and 50 years old, but no one in the area could identify him. Officers prepared an inquest report at the scene and began efforts to determine his identity. Assistant Superintendent of Police Nishad Tabassum said the location was about 150 yards from the Indian border. The Border Security Force (BSF) of India has been notified and sent a photograph of the body.

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) is visiting the site for further inquiry. Authorities stated that necessary legal steps will be taken after the investigation is completed.

The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, in Abu Dhabi. During the meeting, both leaders expressed solidarity and support for all measures taken to protect the Emirati population from Iranian attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

The discussions also covered regional developments, as well as issues of regional and international security and stability. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani strongly condemned the Iranian attacks on the UAE and reaffirmed Qatar’s support for the UAE’s sovereignty, security, and the protection of its people.

The meeting underscored a shared commitment by both Gulf states to maintain unity in the face of regional threats and to coordinate efforts for broader regional stability.