Over a decade after Narendra Modi first campaigned to build a Congress-free India, the country’s political landscape has shifted sharply in his favor. The Congress Party, once India’s dominant political force, has been reduced to control of only four states while Modi’s ruling coalition now governs 21. Recent elections saw key opposition leaders Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal and M.K. Stalin in Tamil Nadu lose power, leaving Modi with virtually no strong political challengers.

Analysts and critics describe this as the emergence of a one-party state under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), whose Hindu nationalist agenda contrasts sharply with Jawaharlal Nehru’s pluralist vision for India. The BJP’s disciplined organization and focus on welfare and local governance have helped it secure a series of state-level victories since 2024, despite allegations of voter suppression and electoral manipulation. In states like West Bengal and Assam, large-scale voter list revisions reportedly disenfranchised minorities.

Political observers note that Modi’s dominance has left the opposition fragmented and weak. With the next national election due in 2029, questions remain over whether Modi will seek another term or who might succeed him within the BJP.

Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin stated that Bangladesh has maintained significant control over fuel prices compared to other countries. He made the remarks on Wednesday at the Annex Auditorium of Hotel Sheraton in Banani, Dhaka, after a dialogue titled ‘The Law Compass Dialogue’ organized by the Institute of Strategy and Tactics Research (ISTR) with various donor agencies. Amin said the government initially faced some crises but managed them through international negotiations, alternative sourcing, and discussions with domestic and foreign stakeholders.

He emphasized that despite global challenges, Bangladesh’s fuel supply remains stable and the country is in a strong position in the energy sector. Amin also highlighted that the government formed after the thirteenth national election is working to fulfill its electoral promises under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership. He noted that progress is being made in health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure, and that the law and order situation remains stable.

Amin expressed optimism that Bangladesh will continue to move forward by turning challenges into opportunities and fostering a political culture free from misinformation.

A new shipment containing ten types of vaccines, including measles, rubella, and oral polio, has arrived in Bangladesh. Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain personally received the consignment at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Wednesday around 11:45 a.m. The shipment also includes BCG, pentavalent, PCV, and typhoid vaccines.

Following the arrival, the minister stated that 1.5 million doses of the measles vaccine had reached the country and assured that there would be no future vaccine shortages. He added that the government managed to bring the vaccines within just 24 days, calling it a historic achievement. By May 10, an additional 10 types of vaccines totaling 10.8 million doses are expected to arrive in the country.

The arrival of this shipment marks a significant step in strengthening Bangladesh’s immunization program and ensuring vaccine availability nationwide.

A mobile court in Dewanganj upazila of Jamalpur sentenced two young men to 15 days of imprisonment each for drug use near the Dewanganj Upazila Health Complex. The sentencing took place on Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Dewanganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Shah Zahurul Hossain.

The convicted individuals were identified as Saheb Ali, 25, son of Nazrul Islam from Dalbari village in Dewanganj municipality, and Shaha Ali, 28, son of Jamshed Ali from the same upazila. They were detained while consuming drugs in the area adjacent to the health complex, after which the mobile court delivered the verdict.

The case highlights local administrative efforts to curb drug use through immediate legal action under mobile court proceedings in rural areas of Jamalpur.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has directed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to strengthen surveillance along the border following the West Bengal state assembly election. He made the statement on Wednesday, May 6, after the third session of the final day of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. The minister said the instruction was issued on Tuesday to ensure alertness at the border, though he did not foresee any major threat.

During the same event, the minister also instructed deputy commissioners to prepare within one month a list of politically motivated and harassing cases for possible withdrawal. He added that new laws would be introduced to curb drug abuse and online gambling. Salahuddin Ahmed further mentioned that several cases related to the anti-discrimination movement after August 5, including genocide and crimes against humanity, were under review. The government will verify these cases to identify genuine accused individuals before disposal.

The directives reflect the ministry’s focus on maintaining border security and addressing politically sensitive legal matters at the district level.

Continuous rainfall, nor'wester storms, and flash floods from upstream have caused extensive crop damage worth about Tk 340 crore in the haor regions of Habiganj district. The most affected crop is Boro paddy, the main source of livelihood for local farmers. According to the district’s Department of Agricultural Extension, over 11,000 hectares of Boro fields have been submerged, with many completely destroyed and others partially damaged.

Officials reported that Boro paddy was cultivated on 123,644 hectares this season, of which around 62 percent had been harvested before the flooding. The remaining fields were inundated by sudden rain and floodwaters, worsening the situation in Azmiriganj, Baniachong, Lakhai, Nabiganj, and Bahubal upazilas. Breaches in embankments along the Khowai and Korangi rivers have intensified the flooding, leaving vast farmlands underwater and farmers in despair.

The agricultural department has prepared a preliminary list of about 21,000 affected farmers, though locals claim the actual number is higher. Officials fear that if the water does not recede soon, the losses could increase further.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has temporarily expelled Zakir Ahmed, a district member and joint coordinator of Fulbari upazila in Dinajpur, for violating party discipline and tarnishing the party’s image. The decision was announced on Tuesday night through a notice signed by A H M Shamsul Muktadir, convener of the NCP Dinajpur district branch, and acting member secretary Imran Chowdhury Nishad.

According to the notice, serious allegations of breaching party discipline were raised against Zakir Ahmed based on media reports. After finding preliminary evidence, the party suspended him from all organizational activities. He has been instructed to submit a written explanation within three working days to the district committee explaining why he should not be permanently expelled.

The report also mentions that a businessman has filed a case against Zakir Ahmed, accusing him of involvement in abduction and the robbery of Tk 5.5 lakh.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that Bangladesh is steadily advancing under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring peace, stability, security, and sovereignty in the country. The minister made these remarks on Wednesday at a seminar organized by the Institute of Strategy and Tactics Research at Hotel Sheraton in Banani.

The seminar, focused on strengthening the economy, investment, and strategic cooperation in the current global context, brought together domestic and international experts, policymakers, and representatives from various sectors. Mirza Fakhrul highlighted that the government is working to create a sustainable and investment-friendly environment, ensuring all necessary facilities for both local and foreign investors.

He added that Bangladesh has become a promising destination for global investment through infrastructure development, progress in the energy sector, and policy reforms. The active participation of foreign delegates was seen as a reflection of international confidence in Bangladesh’s growth trajectory.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Beijing just one week before U.S. President Donald Trump’s scheduled trip to China. Analysts view the visit as a significant move in the shifting diplomatic balance between the Middle East and global powers. During the meeting in China, Araghchi held talks with his Chinese counterpart, marking the first direct meeting between the two allies’ top diplomats since the war began. Iran described the visit as an effort to ease tensions with the United States and to gain international support.

China remains one of Iran’s key economic and strategic partners, continuing to import large volumes of Iranian oil despite sanctions. U.S. officials have increased pressure on Beijing to influence Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington has imposed sanctions on Chinese refiners buying Iranian oil. In response, Beijing stated it is not obliged to comply with U.S. sanctions. Following the meeting, Araghchi said relations between Iran and China would strengthen further, calling Beijing a sincere friend of Tehran.

Trump’s upcoming visit to China on May 14–15 is expected to include talks with President Xi Jinping, and analysts suggest Iran’s diplomatic activity may add new pressure to regional and global discussions.

The leadership of the National Pension Authority, the agency implementing the Universal Pension Scheme, has changed. Dr. Md. Suratuzzaman has taken charge as the new Executive Chairman, while Sheikh Kamrul Hasan has joined as a member. The appointments were made through a notification from the Finance Division under the Ministry of Finance. Dr. Suratuzzaman, from the 15th batch of the BCS (Administration) cadre, has been appointed on a two-year contractual basis.

According to the announcement, Dr. Suratuzzaman previously served in several key administrative roles, including as Assistant Private Secretary to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. He has also been involved in social activities and writing. Sheikh Kamrul Hasan, from the 15th batch of the BCS (Audit and Accounts) cadre, has been appointed as a member for one year on a contractual basis.

Hasan has held leadership positions in various financial institutions and served as Chief Accounts Officer, Finance Controller (Army), and Divisional Controller of Accounts. He also worked in senior roles in the Board of Investment, Ministry of Shipping, and Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and served as First Secretary (Commercial) at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of income tax records belonging to former Chief Whip and ex-MP of Madaripur-1 constituency, Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury, in connection with a corruption case. The order was issued on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Faiz following a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain confirmed the decision.

Earlier, ACC Assistant Director A.K.M. Murtuza Ali Sagar, the investigating officer, submitted a petition seeking the seizure of Chowdhury’s tax documents up to the 2024–25 fiscal year, citing the necessity for a fair investigation. After a hearing, the judge approved the request.

The ACC had filed the case on March 25, 2025, accusing Chowdhury of amassing Tk 57.49 crore in unexplained wealth and conducting suspicious transactions totaling Tk 232.11 crore through eight bank accounts.

In Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district, miscreants allegedly poisoned the fish farm of Jamaat leader Anwar Matubbar, causing the death of fish worth about half a million taka. The incident occurred around midnight on Wednesday. Anwar, a member of the union-level Jamaat, discovered hundreds of dead fish floating in the water early in the morning after Fajr prayers and broke down in tears at the sight.

According to local Jamaat president Delwar Hossain, the attack was carried out out of enmity under the cover of darkness. He described the incident as deeply tragic and demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible. Anwar Matubbar stated that he had no known disputes with anyone and was unaware of who might have committed the act. He claimed the loss amounted to nearly half a million taka.

The report did not mention whether any official complaint had been filed or if authorities had begun an investigation into the poisoning.

Cybercriminals are using a new method called 'SMS pumping attacks' that does not require installing malware, stealing passwords, or hacking accounts. Through this technique, attackers send international SMS messages that generate revenue for them while the costs are charged to unsuspecting users. The process often begins with a single click on a deceptive CAPTCHA-like page.

According to Malwarebytes researcher Pieter Arntz, fake CAPTCHA pages are being used in an ongoing cyber campaign to trick mobile users into unknowingly sending multiple international SMS messages. Attackers lure users through malicious ads or fake telecom websites with minor spelling errors in their domains. Once users click a button, their SMS app opens with prewritten messages and recipient lists.

The attack involves sending messages to dozens of international numbers across 17 countries, including Azerbaijan, Myanmar, and Egypt, where SMS charges are high. This scheme, known as 'international revenue share fraud,' can result in bills of up to 30 dollars for individual users. Experts advise avoiding sending SMS to verify identity, not clicking suspicious links, and recognizing that genuine CAPTCHA pages never open SMS apps.

Police in Kolmakanda, Netrokona recovered the body of a six-year-old girl named Jannatul Akter from a paddy field, 39 hours after she went missing. The child, daughter of Arshad Mia from Jasiura village under Kailati Union, had been missing since Monday afternoon. Her body was found on Wednesday morning, and police took it to the station for further procedures.

According to local residents and family members, extensive searches were conducted in nearby areas after the child went missing. The fire service also searched ponds and water bodies but found no trace. A missing person report was filed at Kolmakanda Police Station on Tuesday.

Officer-in-Charge Md Siddiq Hossain said police are investigating to uncover the cause of death. The exact reason will be determined after the autopsy report is received.

Infrared imaging data collected this year indicate that the flames inside Turkmenistan’s Darvaza gas crater, known as the ‘Door to Hell,’ have weakened significantly. The monitoring organization Capterio found that the fire’s heat intensity has dropped by more than 75 percent over the past three years. The crater, located in the Karakum Desert about four hours from Ashgabat, has burned continuously for decades and remains a popular attraction for adventurous tourists.

Turkmenistan’s government has long sought to extinguish the fire, citing environmental and health concerns. A 2024 publication from the Turkmen Energy Forum stated that two wells were drilled near the crater to extract natural gas, which officials linked to the reduced flames. However, Capterio’s analysis suggests the decline began before the drilling, leaving open the possibility of natural causes.

The site emits methane gas, averaging about 1,300 kilograms per hour between 2022 and 2025, according to Carbon Mapper. Scientists note that while the fire converts methane into less harmful carbon dioxide, the flames are unlikely to extinguish completely soon.